Get ready to let your hair down and take your shoes off. The artist known for his laid-back, summertime-loving anthems returns to Fort Wayne, Indiana once again this spring. The one and only country music star — Kenny Chesney.

Chesney brings his “No Shoes Nation Tour” to the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, May 16. The show includes special guests the Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves.

Showtime is 7 p.m. Chesney’s tours are incredibly popular and most of his shows do sell out! Don’t hesitate to buy tickets now for the best seats available! Tickets start at $25 each and go up to $79.50 each, depending on seating. They can be purchased in person at the Memorial Coliseum Ticket Office or online via Ticketmaster.com or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

Chesney’s national tour kicked off this week in Florida and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Due to the popularity of Chesney’s shows they are only held at very large venues. Fort Wayne is fortunate to be one of the few chosen cities for this 2013 tour! The Memorial Coliseum and box office are located at 4000 Parnell Avenue on the city’s northside. For more information call 260.482.9502.

• 

If you’ve never ventured downtown for Last Saturdays, here is a great chance for you to support local Fort Wayne businesses, explore the Cultural District of Downtown Fort Wayne, and have a little fun with the whole family! This Saturday, March 30, Last Saturdays is back with a slew of activities for all ages.

Stoner’s Funstore, a community staple for all things goofy, will host demonstrations from 9:30am-5:30pm at their Main Street store. Dick Stoner himself will be giving free magic demonstrations and showing children how to do a little magic of their own.

Down at The History Center, bring your competitive spirit for Fool Hardy Trivia. In this event visitors will compete in history trivia to identify how objects from the History Center collection may have been used in the past. Trivia will be from 2pm-4pm and the Center will also be offering half price admission!

Over at Science Central half price admission is just half of the fun! Lemonade Day event organizers will be on hand to sign kids up for this year’s Lemonade Day event, a great event that provides children with the tools necessary to learn how to run a small business. NanoDays will also be in full swing as part of a national festival of educational programs about nanoscale science and engineering that explores the world of atoms, molecules and nanoscale forces. There will also be other activities going on including making bracelets that change color in the sun and figuring out the science of invisibility cloaks ala Harry Potter!

Take a walk to Parkview Field for a TinCaps Open House. Here you can get a behind-the-scenes tour of Parkview Field before the TinCaps bat into their 2013 season. There will be food and concessions available during the even from 11am – 1pm, and admission is free.

Don’t miss one of your last chances to explore the Mighty Jungle at the Foellinger-Freiman Botanical Conservatory! The exhibit will be leaving the Conservatory on April 7, so this will be a great chance to check it out and let the kids become jungle adventurers! The Conservatory is open from 10am – 5pm with admission being $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-17 and is free for kids under 2.

Other great events will be taking place all over including music at JK O’Donnell’s, a midnight movie at Cinema Center and art exhibits at Artlink and the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.

For a full list of Last Saturday events check out the Downtown Improvement District website , or Visit Fort Wayne.

• 

Whether you’re considering relocating to Fort Wayne, or you’re visiting and want to get to know the city a little better, a driving tour can be a great way to see all of our great city. We’ve put together a Fort Wayne drive-about guide to seeing the sites through your windshield.

Welcome to Fort Wayne!

FWA

Your flight has landed and you’re ready to be on your way, but before you leave, check out the Greater Fort Wayne Aviation Museum located in the terminal, at the top of the escalators. Aviation history buffs will find historic details of the hold Baer Field and local aviation heroes. Admission is free. Be sure to take the cookie they’ll offer you as you leave the terminal – it’s a deliciously sweet way to be welcomed to our city and it’s made right across the street. Military history buffs will also enjoy the retired military aircraft showcased at the entrance of to the National Air Guard Base located just east of the airport.

Come on by!

Stop by our Visitors Center, located in downtown Fort Wayne at 927 Harrison St. (on the corner of Harrison and Washington directly across from the Grand Wayne Center) for maps, guides, and information about what to see and do.

Explore Downtown

Downtown Fort Wayne is easily accessible on foot and parking is reasonably priced near by. From here you can venture through downtown to enjoy the architecture and history of our great city. Grab a bite at one of our many restaurants, take a walk around Parkview Field (it’s open during non game days and admission is free), shop in our unique shops, and check out our historic Allen County Courthouse.  If you’re looking to know about the history of Fort Wayne, pop in to the Fort Wayne History Center located at 302 E Berry St (on the corner of Barr and Berry).  If you’d like to know more about the architecture and preservation of area buildings visit ARCH, Architecture and Community Heritage, at 818 Lafayette Street.  Downtown Fort Wayne has beautiful parks to enjoy as well.  Relax by the fountains in Freimann Square or go ice-skating in Headwaters Park.

Check out our great neighborhoods

Consider a walking tour of West Central’s historic homes. This historic neighborhood, located just west of downtown Fort Wayne boasts many restored homes and tree lined streets just waiting for you to stroll down. Looking for a sweet treat and some great shops? Check out the East State Neighborhood with great shops to pop in and out of. Don’t forget to pick up a cupcake at Yum.Mee’s Bakery (I recommend the vanilla). Want a great place to watch the game? Check out Wrigley Bar and Grill in the Georgetown Neighborhood.

Get a little shopping in while you’re in town

Fort Wayne has two great malls. Glenbrook Mall and the surrounding shopping centers have all of the stores you’re looking for. From Macy’s to Bobick’s Golf there’s a little bit for every shopper. Or, head to Jefferson Pointe for a beautiful shopping experience in their outdoor mall. With high end department stores such as Von Maur and boutiques such as Vera Bradley and Acorn you’ll find the best Fort Wayne has to offer.  Make sure to stop by DeBrands for a truffle or share the decadent ice cream sundae with a friend.

Take in a game

We love minor league sports in Fort Wayne. No matter the time of year, you can find an event to watch. Check out Mad Ants Basketball, Komets Hockey, The Derby Girls, or a TinCaps Baseball game. Tickets are reasonably priced and there isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Be a kid again

Explore the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. It appeals to kids from 3-93 and will make you want to return. Be sure to feed the giraffes and take in the sea lion show.  If animals aren’t your thing, head on over to Science Central where kids can learn about science hands on.  You can’t miss their brightly painted smoke stacks just north of downtown.

Take in a festival

From late spring to early fall there’s a festival almost every weekend. You’re sure to be entertained by GermanFest, the Three Rivers Festival, or Johnny Appleseed Festival. Even if you’re not here during the Johnny Appleseed Festival, stop by Johnny Appleseed Park at 1500 Coliseum Blvd. There you’ll find the final resting place of John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed.

Experience the Arts

Explore the Art scene in Fort Wayne. The Art Campus is located on the east side of downtown and is walkable. There you’ll explore museums, galleries, studios, theatres, and a cinema.

Eat!

Fort Wayne is know for its unique treats.  Whether you’re in the mood for Coney Dogs at Coney Island on Main Street or a tour of DeBrand’s Chocolate Factory (complete with samples) on Auburn Rd there’s something for you. You’ll lovesimple Greek meals from Friends Too, a great steak and a merlot from Chops, and Italian goodness from Casa’s.  You’re sure to find something that fits your taste buds.

• 

Over the last couple years, I’ve written about a number of musical acts who have performed here in Fort Wayne, acts I was really excited to see. Most recently, I’ve covered Journey, Matchbox Twenty, the Avett Brothers,  Kid Rock, and Carrie Underwood. But I have to tell you, the show I am – out of all the shows I’ve written about – the most excited to see is Barry Manilow. He’ll be performing live at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

Awesome.

Whenever I write event posts, I like to include enough information for the reader to make an informed decision about whether to attend, like a personal experience or some historical context. I try to make a case for why someone should go to this concert or that festival. I don’t have a particular logic for this one, though. I just think Barry Manilow is awesome. Genuinely, unironically awesome. Always have. Seriously, show me someone who’s written a better song about a crazy drunken former showgirl whose boyfriend was murdered. You can’t, can you? I didn’t think so.

It’s funny. In my Kid Rock post, I noted that I’m at the tail end of the “TRL generation” (read: old). For this show, I’m at the other end – I’d guess I’ll be one of the younger fans in attendance. And I think that movement along the musical spectrum really speaks to the beautiful agelessness of music. I’ve never let my age steer me toward or away from a particular kind of music. Because of that, some of the music I listen to makes me feel old. Some of it makes me feel young. But it always makes me feel alive.

Barry Manilow is truly one of the greatest living performers. Don’t miss your chance to see him. Tickets are still available and range in price from $7.99 (that’s not a typo) to $127.99 (additional fees may apply). Check out www.barrymanilow.com or www.ticketmaster.com for more information.

AND – YOU CAN WIN TICKETS! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO WIN!

• 

Spring Break 2013 for Fort Wayne area schools begins Good Friday, March 29 with students returning to school on Monday April 8.  If you’re one of the many families choosing a staycation this year, we have some great ideas to keep you and the family entertained all week.

Kick off the week with the Mad Ants, the Komets, and the Derby Girls

The Mad Ants will play at home Friday the 29^th and Saturday the 30^th.  With tickets starting at just $5, this is an affordable and fun family activity. The Komets will play their final regular season game at home on Saturday March 30^th. Tickets start at $7 for children and $12 for adults. Check out the Derby Girls bout on March 30 at home with tickets starting at $7 for children, military, and seniors with adult tickets priced at $13.

Say “cheese!” Or, is it “carrots!”?

Meet the Easter Bunny

The Botanical Conservatory will host Easter in the Garden from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Friday March 29. This event is for toddlers to elementary age children. Be sure to bring your camera and stop by the Jungle Adventure while you’re there to let the kids explore the jungle tree house and playground structure.

Become a Scientist

Science Central will offer Spring Camp 2013 from April 1-April 5 with programs for children between the ages of 3-13.  Times, prices, and topics vary by age group, so be sure to check their website www.sciencecentral.org for more info.  Don’t want to go for the entire week? Go for the day and check out cool exhibits such as the Genomics eXplorer that examines plants and investigates important contributions researchers are making to agriculture, human health, and the environment.

Experience the Arts

Fort Wayne’s Arts community will be quite active during Spring Break.  Take in a lecture on one of Northeast Indiana’s successful makers of premiere Arts and Crafts furniture maker, W.B. Brown (known locally as the “Chandelier Factory”) on the 30^th at the Auer Center.

The Orchard Gallery will wrap up its display “Art Becomes Her” on March 30^th.  Don’t miss this art inspired by women.  Starting April 2 Orchard Gallery will display works from Becky Jordan and Rhonda Cearlock.

The History Center will host John Stafford who will lecture on Urban Renewal to Urban Revitalization.  This event is free to attend.

Celtic Woman will perform at the Embassy Theatre Sunday April 7.  Tickets start at $42 and are on sale now.

Enjoy the family focused Philharmonic concert, Witches, Wizards, and Fairytales on April 7.  The PHIL will perform with the Fort Wayne Youtheatre bringing your favorite fairytales to life. Tickets are on sale now and begin at $7 for children and $13 for adults

A little bit of Disney in the Fort

Disney on Ice will perform at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum bringing your favorite Disney characters to life on the ice.  Performances take place April 4-April 7 with tickets start at $14 and are on sale now.

Explore the Farmer Market

The Fort Wayne Farmers Market takes place the first Saturday of every month at Parkview Field.  On Saturday April 6, enjoy good from area vendors and local market enthusiasts.

These are just a few of my picks for a great week. For more ideas, check out Visit Fort Wayne’s Spring Break page!

•