The Southern Indiana Region Porsche Club will hold its 2007 Summer Social Cookout and Car Show this Friday at Wesselman Park from 2PM until dusk. Although this event is hosted by the SIR PCA, all automotive related clubs are welcome and invited. The event will consist of an informal show and shine car show, a cookout, a raffle and door prizes from some local businesses including D-Patrick Porsche, Buxton Motorsports, Inc., and others.

This event will be based on RSVP’s from clubs and / or individuals so the event organizers ask that those planning to attend please contact the SIR PCA Officers as soon as possible. The SIR PCA has procured one of the Shelter Houses at Wesselman Park, so there will be a very large paved parking lot available for attendees to display their cars. To RSVP, please contact club President James Shira at: mjshira@gmail.com, or club Founder Brian Buxton at: (812) 760-5513 or BrianBuxton@BuxtonMotorsports.com.

Sounds like fun. I’d go, but my Porsche’s engine is blown up and in a garage in Henderson.

photo courtesy of ducktail964

Looking for something to do after work this week besides just going home and watching season finales on TV? The Evansville Focus Festival is going on all this week. The Evansville Focus Festival is a week-long event held at The Art Colony Gallery celebrating and introducing a broad spectrum of art, music and film. There will be a week-long display of various forms of art and will culminate on Friday and Saturday with live music, films and other entertainment at Haney’s Corner right by The Art Colony Gallery (56 Adams Ave).

Tonight (Monday) there will be a showing of Invisible Children. Tuesday will feature Wal-Mart: The High Cost Of Low Prices. Wednesday’s movie is Before Stonewall. Thursday is a showing of everyone’s favorite, An Inconvenient Truth. All movies will start at 7:45PM.

The main event of the festival will begin Friday and Saturday. Friday’s festivities will be located at 4th and Main downtown and feature live entertainment starting at noon and running until 8:25 when there will be a screening of The US vs. John Lennon.

Saturday, the Focus Festival will take over the Victory Theatre starting at noon. There will be more live music from both local and independent national acts as well as the Movieside Film Festival, which features several short films. For a full listing of acts, head to the Focus Festival’s MySpace page.

Most events are free, but donations are accepted. The Saturday events are $10. All proceeds go to Evansville’s Patchwork Central and to Project Focus, a group devoted to raising awareness of war-torn Uganda.

If you do go to the Focus Festival, upload your photos to Flickr and we’ll highlight some of them on the site.

The weather is supposed to be great all week, so instead of staying cramped up in the house all week, get out and see what Evansville has to offer.

If you’re looking for live music tonight, you’ve got John Hussman at Chilly Willy’s. If you are looking for poker or Karaoke, go pretty much anywhere else in town.

Tuesday night Jay Johnson is performing at Joey’s starting at 10PM.

Wednesday is packed with things to do. Cynthia McDonald is playing live jazz at Firefly at 6PM. Dead Weight is playing at Deerhead starting at 8PM. Ri Ra has live acoustic music at 9:30 and Fool Hardy is playing Lamasco’s at 10.

Thursday continues the weeklong celebration of Cinco De Mayo. Get to your favorite local Mexican restaurant and celebrate! If you’re not into margaritas, Great Blu is playing at Penny Lane starting at 8PM. You could also check out Pieces of the Day at Smittys at 9:30. Local favorite Lindsey Williams will be at Fox & Hound starting at 10PM.

photo courtesy of gusdrinks

Ladies, Leif Garrett is in town.

Friday

• Leif will be performing along with the Bay City Rollers and The Cowsills at Hoosier’s Lounge. The whole event is being hosted by Greg Brady. The party starts at 7pm or 10pm depending on which show you want to attend.
• Looking for something a little bit more hardcore than 70’s dreamboats? Wired has This Autumn Night, Prevent this Tragedy, Tripwire and more starting at 7PM.
• Personally, I will be out at USI to see a screening of Notre Musique followed by Baba King. Film starts at 7:30 at Forum One on USI’s Campus.
• At 9PM The Jungle has Matt Clark on Jazz Piano.
• Fast Eddy’s has Louisville natives BSR performing at 10PM.
• At 10:30PM, Rich Hardesty will be playing at Ri Ra’s down in the district.

Saturday

Saturday is all about national acts coming to town.

• Leif Garrett and crew are still in town with two shows at Hoosier’s Lounge. First show is at 7:30PM followed by 10PM.
• 1123 has Cakecore 5 starting at 8PM. Can you guys not get into a fight this week? Thanks.
• If you’re wanting some country music and have a few bucks to spare, head to The Centre to see Vince Gill at 8PM.
• If you want to put on something nice and be cultural, the EPO is performing at Victory Theater starting at 8PM
• Lt. Dan’s New Legs will be playing at Eddy’s starting at 10PM. Best name for a cover band ever!

Anything we missed? Tell us in the comments!

Karl Rove’s trip to Evansville this evening to speak at the Vanderburgh County Republican’s Lincoln Dinner has been postponed because Rove’s duties in Washington prevent him from making the trip to Evansville. Don’t fret Republicans, because your $100-$250/plate tickets still net you a Keynote speaker: Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan.

No word on whether refunds will be issued for people not satisifed with not seeing Rove or if he is even going to reschedule his appearance. If you still want to go, you can grab a ticket by calling 812-425-8207.

I’ve been accused of being a fitness junkie. I workout at least once a day (sometimes twice) and eat fairly clean. Unfortunately, people like that are a minority these days. Everyone has a busy schedule with work, school, a social life, etc. We understand completely. It’s hard to find time to get to the gym or go out for a run.

The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.’s School-Community Council wants to do something about it and is sponsoring the second annual Healthier Evansville Week starting this Sunday and running through May 6. The program is designed to raise awareness of how to live a healthy lifestyle. Events include a health fair Sunday at Washington Square Mall, fitness walks throughout the week and exercises classes at Deaconess Hospital to name a few. For a full listing of events, check out the Healthier Evansville site.

Grab your iPod and some gym socks and get to exercising!

photo courtesy of ConspiracyOfHappiness

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Friday Night

• Aven Pitch, Gush, Pleasure Center Prize Fighter, World in White and This is Critical will be playing at Wired starting at 7. Admission is $5.
• The Tri-State Cinema Society is presenting Look Both Ways at 7:30 at Forum One on USI’s campus. The movie starts at 7:30PM.
• If you’re interested in comedy, the Prickley Pear inside the Evansville Plaza Hotel is putting on the Chuckles For Charity Comedy Contest (what an awful name).
• Andy Norvell is on at Fox & Hound at 10PM.

Saturday Night

• The Bob & Tom Comedy tour is at the Victory Theatre at 7PM. It features comedians that regularly appear on their syndicated radio show.
• The Evansville Bluecats play at Roberts Stadium starting at 7PM. They had a rough loss in their last game, but hopefully they can bounce back this week.
• Fast Eddy’s has Never Been Caught on stage at 10PM.
• Woody’s has Indianapolis-based Pfreak Show will be performing at 10PM.

Anything else we’re missing that you’re looking forward to this weekend? Tell us in the comments.

Earth Day is this Sunday, April 22. The first Earth Day took place on that day in 1970 when it was commissioned by senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. Over 20 million people participated and it is now observed each year by more than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries. Like other cities around the world, Evansville will be participating in Earth day activities.

• Wesselman Nature Society’s Howell Wetlands preserve on the West side of town has an Earth Day Celebration from 10 to 2 Saturday. It will feature activities, crafts, displays and music. Admission is free.
• Saturday, the Urban Sisterhood will be holding an Earth Day Garden Party in the Haynie’s Corner Art District. The event will feature live music, a parade, vendors and speakers discussing environmental issues. The event is a fundraiser for the Urban Sisterhood’s downtown gardening project. There is no admission fee, but a donation of $5 per person will be accepted. The event starts at noon and runs until 11 at night.
• Mesker Park Zoo will have a Party for the Planet, from noon to 3 Sunday with hands-on crafts and activities, including a Recycled Art Contest.
• There is also an Earth Day celebration and music performances at Angel Mounds on Sunday at 3pm. Admission is $5 per person. Food and drinks will be sold. Visitors should bring their own seating. Proceeds from the celebration will benefit nature and trail rehabilitation at Angel Mounds.

image courtesy of the NY Times

If you don’t have tickets at this point, you are most likely out of luck, but former Secretary of State and General Colin Powell is in town to speak at the Centre this evening at 7:30. Powell’s visit is part of a new Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series being put on around town. The lecture series plans to bring two speakers a year to town to discuss diversity in our community.

Powell’s speech will focus his diplomatic experiences and lessons from his service in the military and public sectors and be followed by a Q&A. His trip to town is being sponsored by local government, the University of Evansville and select businesses. Sadly, we weren’t able to snag a ticket, so if you go to the speech and want to give us a recap, send us a tip and let us know what happened.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here’s a sampling of the more interesting music and cultural events going on in town.

Friday

• There’s a new bar opening tonight on the West side called Hobo Jungle (1323 S. Barker) that will be featuring live music this evening starting at 5pm.
• Wired has Cries Hannah, Oh, Zion Haste, As the Light Dims, Sinclair, and In Spite of All. The festivities start at 7PM.
• If you want to watch a movie tonight, the Tri State Cinema Society is presenting Nine Queens at Forum One on the USI Campus. The movie starts at 7:30PM.
• Gonzo’s is at Fast Eddy’s Friday and Saturday night at 10PM.
• O’Brian’s has local cover band Six Hills Giant.
• And for something completely different, male dancers are the advertised attraction at Brick House Bar & Grill!

Saturday

• Wake up early and head downtown to either run in or cheer on the other participants of the Downtown 5K Spring Scurry. The race starts in front of the casino.
• If you have $30 and are looking to go out for a low key night, the Evansville Museum is presenting the Grand Tour Of Wines (812-425-2406×105). It features wine tasting and education, live music and hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants. The event starts at 7PM. Tickets are $30 in advance.
• At 8PM Penny Lane has Keith Pluss performing.
• Bullocks has live music from Akacia performing at 10PM.
• The Duck Inn has a metal show this evening at 10PM featuring Deliver Us From Evil, Shatter The Odds, and Blood Tribe.
• If metal is too hardcore for you, Crawdaddy’s has acoustic music with Jay Johnson.

photo courtesy of Six Hills Giant