Japanese Friendship Garden located at 303 E Main St was a gift from Fort Wayne’s sister city, Takaoka, Japan

Japanese culture may not be the first thing you think of when you think about Fort Wayne, but we’re going to change that. The Japanese American Association of Indiana, in partnership with Fort Wayne Dance Collective, Fort Wayne Sister Cities International Inc, Allen County Public Library, and IPFW-Japanese Saturday School will present the 7^th Annual Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday May 19.  The beautiful Allen County Public Library’s main branch will be the home of this free event for the public.

The annual spring festival not only celebrates the blooming of Japan’s unofficial national flower, but also celebrates our city’s ties to Japan. Fort Wayne has been a sister city to Takaoka, Japan since 1977 and the US home for many Japanese companies. Opening ceremonies will include Minyo Japanese Folk Dancers, Suzuki Strings playing the Star Spangled Banner and the Japanese National Anthem, as well as an official proclamation from Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry.

Join us May 19 at the Cherry Blossom Fest!

A variety of artists and events will take place at the festival, including a variety of musicians, singers, and dance groups. Arts and crafts of the Japan Marketplace will also be available for your shopping pleasure.  Art contests and costume contests for students wearing costumes depicting their favorite anime character will also take place.  Enjoy the Tastes of Japan with sushi, yakitori, and Japanese goodies.  Hands on demonstrations of Bonsai, Origami, and Japanese Goldfish Catch will also take place throughout the afternoon.

Admission is free for the event and street parking around the library is also free on the weekends. Learn more here.

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I think each one of us has a genre of music we consider formative – that music, those artists, that spoke to us at a time we needed to be spoken to. Whether we were disaffected youth, hopelessly in love with the wrong girl, or just not sure where we wanted our lives to go, someone had already lived through it, come out on the other side, and put it to wax (or cassette, or digital audio…).

For those of us of a certain age, that genre was alternative, but more specifically, it was grunge. Yes, I wore flannel. Yes, I had a pair of combat boots. And while grunge fashion died years ago, the music lives on.

One of the seminal bands to come out of the Seattle scene, Alice in Chains, will be performing live at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne on Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains, like fellow Seattle rockers Nirvana, have seen their fair share of tragedy over the course of their career. Lead singer Layne Staley and original bass player Mike Starr both died after long battles with addiction – Staley in 2002 and Starr in 2011. But the band soldiers on, with original members Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney; Starr’s replacement since 1993, Mike Inez; and William DuVall, lead singer since 2006. Famous for hits like “Man in the Box,” “Them Bones,” “Would?,” and my favorite, “I Stay Away,” they will release a new album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, later this month.

Two things of note: First, man, Alice in Chains made some great rock ‘n’ roll songs, and second, it saddens me that the bands of my youth are now considered classic rock.

An amazing band like Alice in Chains performing at an intimate venue like the Embassy Theatre? That’s a show you can’t miss. There are still tickets available at the $45 price level. Additional fees may apply. For more information, check out www.aliceinchains.com, http://www.visitfortwayne.com/event/alice-in-chains, or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Here in Fort Wayne, we love to host a party! Many of those parties take place in the form of festivals. where we celebrate our heritage, our love of certain foods, our traditions, and our community all summer long.  Here’s a list of the great festivals you won’t want to miss this year.

June

Germanfest                            June 2-9                                 Headwaters Park

www.germanfest.org

Locals know that Germanfest kicks off “festival season” in Fort Wayne.  Everyone looks forward to the food, the entertainment, and beverages, and the fun.  It’s what German’s call “Essen, Trinken, und Gemutlichkeit,” or what we here in America call “Eating, Drinking, and having a really good time”.  Not German?  They don’t mind.  Just come on in and join the party.  Admission is $2 from 2-5 p.m. and $5 after 5 p.m. Military personnel with I.D. admitted free of charge.

Ribfest                                    June 13-16                            Headwaters Park

www.bbqribfest.com

Don’t think of Fort Wayne when you think of barbecue   Join us for Ribfest in June and we’ll change your mind.  Bring a hardy appetite and comfortable shoes (you could be in line a while for the good stuff) and see what it’s all about.  Ribfest wraps up on Father’s Day so why not take Dad, which makes it the perfect family day out.  In addition to the ribs they’ll have live rockin’ blues, a little bit of jazz, and a little bit of country music a the main stage.  They call it “the biggest piggin’ out in the park party” for a reason.  Admission is free daily until 5:30 p.m.  After 5:30 admission for adults is $8, $6 for seniors, and $4 for students, military members, fire, and police with proper I.D.

Riverfest                                 June 22                                  IPFW Campus

www.ipfwriverfest.org

At Riverfest we celebrate one of Fort Wayne’s most prominent resources, our Rivers.  A day for families and fun is on tap for anyone who wants to join the party.  If you love sports, art, live music, food, and nature you’ll love this festival that takes place on the IPFW Campus.  Go for a boat ride on the river, participate in the volleyball tournament, or participate in the Riverfest Mud Run 5K.  At the end of the day sit under the stars and enjoy one of the city’s best fireworks displays.  Admission is free.  The festivities start at 9 a.m. and last until midnight.

Buskerfest                              June 29                                  Downtown Fort Wayne

www.downtownfortwayne.com

The art and celebration of the street performer comes alive in downtown Fort Wayne each year at Buskerfest.  Join us for this unique festival in the streets of downtown Fort Wayne.  Whether you’re interested in live music, fire breathers, sword swallowers, snake charmers, poets, magicians, or caricature artists you’ll find something that appeals to you.  Buskerfest promises to give you and your family a festival experience like no other in the area.  Admission to this event is free.

July

Three Rivers Festival            July 12-20                              Headwaters Park

www.threerviersfestival.org

Welcome to Fort Wayne’s biggest summer party! The Three Rivers Festival is a Fort Wayne classic event.  Don’t miss the parade, bed races, concerts, crafters market, river games, or waiter-waitress contest.  This 8 day festival wraps up with the city’s largest fireworks display on Saturday night.  Join in the fun throughout the week.  Admission varies based on the events of the day/evening so be sure to check their website for up to date information.

Pridefest                                July 26-27                              Headwaters Park

www.fwpride.org

Pridefest is not only a celebration of our community but also a celebration of LGBT members of our community.  Celebrate with us in Headwaters Park for two full days of fun and entertainment.  The party starts off with a parade at 11:30 on Saturday celebrating diversity in our great city.  You’ll find family fun in KidSpace, a Cornhole Tournament that includes cash prizes, LGBT friendly businesses, retailers and food concessions.  Various workshops will take place on Saturday also.  Check their website for a complete list of topics and times.  Friday night admission is $3 and Saturday admission is $5.  Kids 12 and under are free both days.

September

Country Fest                          September 21                                   Parkview Field

www.k105fm.com

If you’re a fan of country music, make plans to join us at Country Fest 2013.  It’s a full day of music, food, and fun.  2012 performers included Montgomery Gentry, Lee Brice, and Colt Ford.  While this year’s line up hasn’t been announced yet, we are sure they’re booking acts you won’t want to miss.  Be sure to check their website for tickets as last year’s event sold out.

Johnny Appleseed Festival   September 21-22                 Johnny Appleseed Park

www.johnnyappleseedfest.com

In the pioneer spirit of John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, Fort Wayne celebrates his colorful life spent right here.  He’s known to have plated orchards in Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas in the latter part of his life.  In fact, his gravesite memorial is located in Fort Wayne’s Archer Park not far from the site of the Johnny Appleseed Festival.  You’ll enjoy the best of the pioneer life at this festival complete with the foods that remind you fall is on the way.  Admission is free!

For additional festival and special event information, visit our complete Calendar of Events!

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When the sun starts shining for days in a row, the breeze doesn’t make you run for your coat, the temperature lets you wear short sleeves, and you can breathe in the smell of flowers is in the air; you know it’s outdoor concert season.

Enjoying a concert in the freedom of the outdoors is a great way to have a little care-free fun with friends, dance and sing along as loud as you want to the music (guilty!) and enjoy the fresh air. Fort Wayne may not have a huge outdoor venue, but we do have the Foellinger Outdoor Theatre, which never fails to bring high quality performances to Fort Wayne without breaking the bank. This summer will be no different! With acts like Chicago, Kansas, Little River Band and America, the Foellinger Theatre summer concert lineup, being tagged “A Summer Like No Other”, promises to be one of the best yet.

The sounds of Chicago will come to Fort Wayne on August 27.

One amazing concert we’ll get to see this summer is from one of rock’s most well-known groups, Chicago, who will take the Foellinger Theatre stage Tuesday, August 27 at 8 p.m. This will definitely be a concert no classic rock fan will want to miss! With over 100 million records sold, 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive number one albums, 11 number one singles, 5 gold singles and 25 platinum albums, Chicago is still a force to be reckoned with even 40 years after they first came together. They are known to put on a powerful live show, so get your tickets fast!

Kansas will perform at Foellinger Theatre on September 14.

One of my personal favorite classic-rock bands, Kansas, will perform on September 14. Not only has Kansas had some huge hits throughout their nearly 40-year career (anyone else belt out “Carry On Wayward Son” when it comes on the radio?!), but they’ve had a ton of success. The band boasts 8 gold albums, a platinum selling live album, over 200 weeks on the Billboard charts throughout the 70s and 80s and a million-selling gold single “Dust in the Wind”.

Other nationally acclaimed acts bringing music to the Foellinger stage are Little Red Band and America. Two powerhouse bands featuring some of the best musicians rock music has to offer. Beloved acts Fort Wayne audiences are sure to want to catch again include Cherish the Ladies and The Lettermen.

Several great tribute bands will also be performing as a part of the lineup this summer. Come on down to Margaritaville for the first Fort Wayne performance of Parrots of the Caribbean, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band. The British will invade the Foellinger Theatre with a performance from Chicago Beatles tribute band, BritBeat. Travel back to the 70s and 80s with Midnight Special. Listen to the smooth sounds of The Eagles with Hotel California.

Beyond concerts, Foellinger is once again hosting nine free, family-friendly, movies on Wednesday nights throughout the season at 9 p.m. Madagascar III will kick off the movie season on Wednesday, June 19. Other movies being shown under the stars are: ParaNorman, Brave, The Lorax, Hotel Transylvania and Oz: The Great and Powerful. This is a great chance to kick back and relax while leaving the couch and

With all of the excitement coming with the upcoming concert and movie season, Foellinger Theatre is also rolling out improvements to the venue. Phase 1 of this improvement project will provide an additional 48 seats beneath the roof, including a new patio seating area. This phase will also include functional and cosmetic improvements, new landscaping at the eastern edge of the theater and an expansion of the enclosed area to the east of the theater by 18,000 square feet. Phase two of the project will add a new building to the expansion area for concessions and a covered pavilion for group rentals.

If you have the chance to make it out to Foellinger Theatre, whether it’s for a concert, movie, or just to check out the venue, DO IT! It’s a gem you don’t want to miss.

Tickets for “A Summer Like No Other” events are on sale now! For a complete line-up for the summer, and more information, you can click here,  here or here.

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With three full-length albums, an EP, over half a million copies sold, performances on major television networks, and a new album on the way – Straight No Chaser has gone from Indiana favorite, to national success.

And we are delighted to announce their upcoming concert at the Embassy Theatre, scheduled for December 18! (See below to learn how to get tickets before they go on sale April 30!)

Straight No Chaser will perform at the Embassy on December 18.

Founded in Bloomington at Indiana University in 1996, Straight No Chaser started out with the goal to expand the boundaries of the traditional college A Capella group. They viewed themselves as more of a local band that used their voices instead of instruments. In 1999, as founding members approached graduation, new members of the group were hand-picked by the exiting members, ensuring that the tradition they had created would continue on with with successive generations of IU undergrads. Then in 2006, everything changed. The members of the original Straight No Chaser group came together for a reunion show at Indiana University. In honor of the performance footage from a 1998 concert was posted online featuring their version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” with Toto’s “Africa”. the video quickly went viral – and became the must-see video of the holiday season. Among the millions who viewed the video was Atlantic Records Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman, who tracked Straight No Chaser Down and promptly signed them to the label. The rest is history.

Straight No Chaser has been featured on ABC World News Tonight, HLN and Today, among many others and will even be headed to the big screen in an upcoming movie by Dreamworks! They are highly regarded for their great live performances, especially in a time when so much pop music is the product of digital processing and vocal pro-tooling. The captivating sound of ten unadulterated voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense, and with a bit of humor, is refreshing and reinventing the idea of A Capella on the modern pop landscape.

With roots in Indiana, Straight No Chaser is definitely a Hoosier favorite. This Christmas season the group will be returning to Indiana for 7 shows throughout the state right before Christmas! You can even catch them in Fort Wayne on Wednesday, December 18, at the Embassy Theatre! They will also be playing shows in South Bend and Evansville leading up to four shows in Indianapolis.  If you can’t wait until then to hear Straight No Chaser’s smooth vocals, you can buy their new album, “Under the Influence”, on May 7.

In addition, we are offering a special pre-sale link for friends Visit Fort Wayne! (Buy tickets before they are on sale!) Simply click here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/05004A89E46CDF1E and use the password “summit” – this exclusive presale is only available April 26 through April 29!

After that date you can order tickets through the Embassy Theatre website and Ticketmaster.

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