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Mark your cultural calendar for July 1999. That's when Bloomington's newest event -- a music and arts festival so young it has yet to be named, but so promising it's destined to become a much-loved tradition -- will be held for the first time.
Four days long, it will take place on a variety of stages and in dozens of shops and galleries. There will be opera and classical music, jazz and rock 'n' roll, art and dance, theater-- something for all ages and all of it will be free.
 He was a lawyer by training but boogie was in his blood: Bloomington native and IU grad Hoagy Carmichael made many visits to his old campus haunt at the Book Nook on Indiana Avenue after he hit it big as a composer. His first recording of Star Dust was made in Richmond. Stardust: a feeling or impression of romance, magic or ethereality. A century after Hoagy's birth, Bloomington will create some millennial Stardust. File photo
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The festival has been approved by the Arts Advisory Committee, a community arts task force led by Indiana University President Myles Brand and Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez. As envisioned, the event will showcase the creative and artistic energy of IU and Bloomington's vibrant cultural scene. It will bring in nationally and internationally acclaimed performers and artists.
Fernandez said the strong university-community tie will add a special dimension to the festival.
"Between the city and the university, we have an extraordinary array of arts offerings," Fernandez said. "By focusing our energies on a summer festival, we have the opportunity to make a gift of the arts to Indiana and bring great attention to the myriad cultural offerings throughout Bloomington. If we can get new arts patrons to attend an ambitious festival, they will return for other arts events throughout the year."
Brand added that the festival would draw thousands of people to Bloomington, bringing in substantial tourism revenue as it becomes a favorite summer attraction of families.
The festival will feature outdoor productions by the IU Opera Theater, in addition to performances of classical, contemporary and international music on campus and around town.
It will include educational components for all ages, such as workshops, master classes and lectures and seminars for everyone from local band directors to church musicians. Artists and performers, be they painters, sculptors, singers or dancers, will offer pointers for neophytes and professionals alike. There will be a host of special activities for children.
As envisioned in the very early stages, the festival will center around outdoor opera in the evening. Before and after the opera performances will come concerts featuring other types of music, including jazz, blues, symphonic, alternative music and rock 'n' roll. During the day, a variety of other performing and visual arts offerings will be offered throughout Bloomington.
"We would like for visitors to tour downtown during the day, visiting our wonderful art galleries, venues, shops and restaurants, then enjoy a variety of outdoor music -- centered around our world-famous opera -- in the evenings," Brand said. "All this will be family oriented and have a strong educational element."
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