More to Explore in Muncie at Wonder Wooods

Join us at Mitchell Early Learning Center Wonder Woods on Wednesday, July 29, at 6 PM as we wrap up our FREE More to Explore in Muncie program.

Enjoy a guided tour of Wonder Woods, then stick around for free play as you explore the sensory garden, climbing structures, and more. It's the perfect way to celebrate the end of summer with an evening of fun, exploration, and discovery for the whole family!

Parking: Please park in the back lot near the Wonder Woods entrance.

This program is part of our summer series, provided weekly by the Muncie Children’s Museum. Each week, we explore different locations around the community to offer FREE, family-friendly activities.

A special thank you to the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation for supporting More to Explore in Muncie.

Poster for event

July 30 marks Medicare's 61st birthday. Back in 1965, it took decades of organizing to get seniors guaranteed health care. We're picking up that fight and pushing to finish the job: health care for everyone, not just people over 65. Now is the Time for Medicare for All!

Join Muncie DSA and Muncie Resists as we deliver a letter (backed by over 335 organizations, including Indivisible and DSA National) to Rep. Victoria Spartz's district office.

Read the letter here: https://medicare4all.org/wp-content/uploads/Final_2026_M4A_organizational_sign-on_letter_335.pdf

What we're doing: We're showing up together, letter in hand, to make it clear this isn't a fringe ask. 90% of Democratic voters and 63% of all voters support Medicare for All. Our elected leaders need to hear that loud and clear.

What to bring: Just yourself! If you want to help make signs or bring a pen for signatures, that's a bonus, but not required.

Who's coming: This is a joint effort between Muncie DSA, Muncie Resists, and folks organizing out of Hamilton County. All are welcome.

Muncie Stitch n' Bitch meets every Sunday! 🧶 We meet weekly at The Cup and we come and go from 3-6p. Everyone is welcome, with any kind of making! The Cup is in The Village, near the campus of Ball State University, at 1606 West University Avenue. Free parking is behind the café, enter the parking lot off of Dill Street by Be Here Now. Support our host venue with purchases from The Cup’s menu! ☕️🥯 Creativity and caffeine, that's our thing! 
 

Join us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472977992921700

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Three Tuesdays, August 4, 11, 18: 2:30-4 p.m.
Cost $55
Limited to 12 students
Reservations required
Please register online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

This class is for anyone looking to preserve their memories, whether for personal reflection, to share with loved ones, or to publish. It's ideal whether you've already begun a memoir or are just starting to explore writing about your life.

You'll create a series of vignettes, short scenes or snapshots from your life, written in whatever style speaks to you: prose, poetry, dialogue, or even playwriting. No matter the form, the focus is on translating your thoughts into words, and this class will help you build that essential skill.

Over three sessions, you'll respond to writing prompts designed to help you "capture your life" on the page. You'll also have the chance to share your writing, ask questions, and exchange feedback and discoveries with the group.

This class is best suited for beginning and intermediate writers. Each class is designed to be repeatable, offering new prompts and insights each time you take it.

Instructor: Lylanne Musselman is an award-winning poet, playwright, and visual artist whose work spans poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction. Drawing on personal experience, memory, and emotional resilience, she explores themes of caregiving, relationships, and Midwestern life. She is the author of several poetry collections and chapbooks, including "It's Not Love, Unfortunately, Paparazzi for the Birds, Staring Dementia in the Face, and Open Up to Poetry: A Memoir and Manual", with a new collection forthcoming in 2026.

Her work has appeared in respected literary journals and anthologies and has earned multiple Pushcart Prize nominations. She serves on the executive board of the Midwest Writers Workshop, teaches at Indiana institutions, and leads workshops and readings across the state.

For August we are going to try our hand at gel printing on postcards! We'll turn them into notes of support for detainees at Miami Correctional Facility. No experience needed, we'll walk you through the process. We'll also have supplies on hand! Come make something beautiful that'll support our neighbors!

Turn your imagination into wearable art! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a copper or bronze pendant using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)—a moldable clay made of real metal particles that transform into solid metal when kiln-fired.

Long Description

August 6; 2–4:30 p.m. or August 7; 6–8:30 p.m. | Center Building, Cantina 
Cost: $45 | Member Discounts Apply | Ages 13+ 

Turn your imagination into wearable art! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a copper or bronze pendant using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)—a moldable clay made of real metal particles that transform into solid metal when kiln-fired. Learn how to cut, texture, and layer your piece while working with the clay in both its wet and green (dry) stages. Finished pendants will be kiln-fired by the instructor and ready to pick up the following week. All tools, supplies, and safety gear will be provided; please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Preregistration is preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead. 

Happens on the following Dates:

• Aug 6, 2026, 2:00pm to 4:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
• Aug 7, 2026, 6:00pm to 8:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

The Muncie Makers Market is a retail business incubator presented to the public through a community farmers market with fresh homemade food, locally grown produce, live plants, and handmade arts of all kinds. This is our ten year anniversary and we are happy to have had over 600 small businesses work with us. You’ll find the Muncie Makers Market outdoors every First Thursday at Adams & Walnut AND indoors every Third Thursday at MadJax Maker Force. We also set up at special annual events like Magic City Sip & Savor, Brink of Summer ArtsWalk, Fire Up DWNTWN, ArtsWalk, and Light Up Muncie. We develop local small business through education, connections, and events!  Please join us on Facebook and Instagram and please share us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627047027524961/ ;

The Songwriter Sessions

The Songwriter Sessions is a singer/songwriter showcase happening every month in conjunction with First Thursday in downtown Muncie, Indiana. The all-original showcase is hosted by members of The Fierce - Sally and Lyn Fierce, and Michelle Kinsey. This event is an intentional listening opportunity, allowing the talented artists to share the stories behind their songs and allow the listener to hear the magic of the words and music come together.

Turn your imagination into wearable art! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a copper or bronze pendant using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)—a moldable clay made of real metal particles that transform into solid metal when kiln-fired.

Long Description

August 6; 2–4:30 p.m. or August 7; 6–8:30 p.m. | Center Building, Cantina 
Cost: $45 | Member Discounts Apply | Ages 13+ 

Turn your imagination into wearable art! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a copper or bronze pendant using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)—a moldable clay made of real metal particles that transform into solid metal when kiln-fired. Learn how to cut, texture, and layer your piece while working with the clay in both its wet and green (dry) stages. Finished pendants will be kiln-fired by the instructor and ready to pick up the following week. All tools, supplies, and safety gear will be provided; please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Preregistration is preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead. 

Happens on the following Dates:

• Aug 6, 2026, 2:00pm to 4:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
• Aug 7, 2026, 6:00pm to 8:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

This is our annual community event that we have hosted for 12 years now. It’s fun for the entire family! The Bulldogs will perform their famous 50’s & 60’s Rock n Roll show. Food trucks, bounce house, dunk tank & a magician! There will also be a huge raffle and 50/50 to assist in our fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer’s Association. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket & have a blast! Feel free to also bring a classic car and enter our car show. There aren’t any dash plaques awarded as this is our way to give back to the community. If you would like to enter a classic car, please be parked by 4:30 in the afternoon and plan on staying for the entire entirety of the event that ends at 8:30. A meal ticket will be provided to the driver. We look forward to seeing you and having some fun!

Cristina Vane

Critically acclaimed Americana/blues artist Cristina Vane and her band will be performing a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2026 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. This concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 8th  at Canan Commons (600 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. Locals Lovesick Moan will open the show.

More than a mere practitioner of her craft, Cristina Vane has a breadth and depth of serious musical skill compiled from countless miles across all kinds of geography. On her third studio album ‘Hear My Call,’ the pairing of a lifetime pursuit and growing treasure trove of songs makes for a record that demands to be heard.

A deft multi-instrumentalist and captivating vocalist, she began writing songs and playing guitar in her teens, before the power of slide guitar captured her attention one summer in London and changed her trajectory. Her sound is a product of a merging of numerous worlds- her classic rock, 90s indie, and heavier roots with her passion for prewar blues, old time fiddle banjo music, country and bluegrass. On Hear My Call, Vane refuses to bend herself into a box, writing excellent bluegrass songs that exist cohesively alongside her blues, rock, and hill country blues inspired tunes. Indeed, a decade of finding herself has brought her full circle; in her words, “ “When it came to the album, I wanted it to be a reflection of who I am, not just of the old music that I’ve come to love”, she explains, “and I’m essentially a rock kid who is obsessed with old music. After being exposed to all of this music that was foreign to me, I am slowly figuring out how to find my own voice within it." 

Muncie Stitch n' Bitch meets every Sunday! 🧶 We meet weekly at The Cup and we come and go from 3-6p. Everyone is welcome, with any kind of making! The Cup is in The Village, near the campus of Ball State University, at 1606 West University Avenue. Free parking is behind the café, enter the parking lot off of Dill Street by Be Here Now. Support our host venue with purchases from The Cup’s menu! ☕️🥯 Creativity and caffeine, that's our thing! 
 

Join us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472977992921700

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Three Tuesdays, August 4, 11, 18: 2:30-4 p.m.
Cost $55
Limited to 12 students
Reservations required
Please register online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

This class is for anyone looking to preserve their memories, whether for personal reflection, to share with loved ones, or to publish. It's ideal whether you've already begun a memoir or are just starting to explore writing about your life.

You'll create a series of vignettes, short scenes or snapshots from your life, written in whatever style speaks to you: prose, poetry, dialogue, or even playwriting. No matter the form, the focus is on translating your thoughts into words, and this class will help you build that essential skill.

Over three sessions, you'll respond to writing prompts designed to help you "capture your life" on the page. You'll also have the chance to share your writing, ask questions, and exchange feedback and discoveries with the group.

This class is best suited for beginning and intermediate writers. Each class is designed to be repeatable, offering new prompts and insights each time you take it.

Instructor: Lylanne Musselman is an award-winning poet, playwright, and visual artist whose work spans poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction. Drawing on personal experience, memory, and emotional resilience, she explores themes of caregiving, relationships, and Midwestern life. She is the author of several poetry collections and chapbooks, including "It's Not Love, Unfortunately, Paparazzi for the Birds, Staring Dementia in the Face, and Open Up to Poetry: A Memoir and Manual", with a new collection forthcoming in 2026.

Her work has appeared in respected literary journals and anthologies and has earned multiple Pushcart Prize nominations. She serves on the executive board of the Midwest Writers Workshop, teaches at Indiana institutions, and leads workshops and readings across the state.

August 12; 3–4 p.m. | Center Building  

Cost: $10 | Member Discounts Apply | Ages 13+

Show your school spirit on a nostalgic journey through the Minnetrista Heritage Collection. Join the Collections team for a behind-the-scenes tour into secure storage areas, where you’ll discover the tools, trends, and traditions that shaped school life in our community. Explore artifacts rarely on public display, including educational toys, uniforms, sports memorabilia, instruments, photographs, class rings, and yearbooks—and maybe even spot a few objects from your own school days. This tour may include standing, stairs, and exposure to loud HVAC noise. Preregistration is preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead. If you need accommodations, please notify us in advance.

https://www.minnetrista.net/events/collections-tour-aug-12-2026

August 13; 6–8 p.m. | Center Building, Indiana Room 
Cost: $28 | Member Discounts Apply | Ages 21+

 
Join Cody Sprunger, Archivist for Architectural and Design Records at Ball State University, for an exploration of the local built environment shaped by Herbert Smenner, one of Muncie’s leading 20th-century architects. Working both independently and alongside his professional partner Charles Houck, Smenner helped define the region’s architectural character through designs such as the Muncie Fieldhouse and the Grace Keiser Maring Library. Through original architectural drawings, documents, and photographs from Ball State University Libraries’ Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment, the program brings Smenner’s creative process to life while highlighting the lasting impact of his work across East Central Indiana. Guests are invited to see familiar places in a new way while enjoying delicious appetizers. Preregistration is preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead. 

Hear A-Level Big Band Tunes with AHB

   “Mellow as it Goes”     This August — on this Thurs evening – plan on a lively musical date with the very special Big Band musicians of America’s Hometown Band of Muncie.   
    They’ll be playing their ‘cool‘ music of the heart — in the Cornerstone Center for the Arts auditorium.  Come fill some comfy seats there and enjoy the talent onstage!  
            Free & Open to all & all ages

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Friday, August 14, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cost: $35 (Includes project)
Limited to 15 students
Registration required
Please register online at:
https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Looking for a creative, hands-on hobby with a modern twist? Try needlepointing! This isn’t your grandmother’s needlepoint. Today’s version is vibrant, customizable, and full of personality.

In each class, you'll design a one-of-a-kind piece by choosing your own thread colors and selecting from a variety of stitches using a helpful stitch guide. Every session features a new project, so there's always something fresh and inspiring to create.

Whether you're just starting out or have years of stitching under your belt, this class welcomes all skill levels—beginner, intermediate, or advanced.

Instructor: Linda Burkhardt has been teaching beginning needlepoint at the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center since 2017, sharing both her artistic talent and her generous spirit with the community. She is the owner of Elegant Needleworks, a business founded in 1994 with her sister to inspire creativity and expand appreciation for needlepoint in Muncie. Linda's work has helped transform the Center during the holidays, showcasing beautiful hand-stitched decorations created by local artisans.

August 15; 2–4 p.m. | Center Building, Cantina 
Cost: $25 | Member Discounts Apply | Ages 18+ 

Capture the bright, tangy flavors of tomatillo salsa in this beginner-friendly canning workshop. You’ll learn the fundamentals of water-bath canning while creating a fresh, flavorful salsa perfect for dipping, topping, or adding a kick to your favorite dishes—and you’ll leave with a jar to take home. This relaxed, hands-on experience builds confidence in the kitchen while teaching practical skills you can use at home. Preregistration is preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead. 

The First Annual Cornstock Music Festival is half of a twin festival series brought to you by Ashley Gray, Muncie native, Cofounder of The Maybelle Music Festival, professional musician, and Mike McKnight, local musician and performer!

This festival will showcase local talent featuring bands and acoustic acts at both Elm Street Brewery and 7 Rock Brew, located one block apart on Race Street and the Dora permit allows attendees to travel between venues with properly marked alcoholic beverages.

This event welcomes all ages and is free to attend!

All and any donations on site will still be welcomed and much appreciated!

RSVP on Facebook

Muncie Stitch n' Bitch meets every Sunday! 🧶 We meet weekly at The Cup and we come and go from 3-6p. Everyone is welcome, with any kind of making! The Cup is in The Village, near the campus of Ball State University, at 1606 West University Avenue. Free parking is behind the café, enter the parking lot off of Dill Street by Be Here Now. Support our host venue with purchases from The Cup’s menu! ☕️🥯 Creativity and caffeine, that's our thing! 
 

Join us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1472977992921700