A&E Roundup: Actor Brian Dennehy to be celebrated at Heartland Film Fest, more

While the movies themselves are the main attraction, the Heartland Film Festival is starting to leak its list of visiting celebs expected. This year’s crop includes Brian Dennehy, whose filmography ranges from “F/X” and “Cocoon” to “Presumed Innocent” and “Tommy Boy.” Acclaimed for his stage acting work (he was a force of nature in “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” and “The Iceman Cometh”), Dennehy will be honored with a lifetime achievement award at Heartland’s 25th anniversary celebration on Oct. 21.

Also expected are Karen Allen, best known from her Indiana Jones films, who is featured in the film “Year by the Sea,” as well as TV personality Alan Thicke, who'll be supporting the U.S. premiere of “It’s Not My Fault and I Don’t Care Anyway,” and IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt, the subject of the documentary “Reengineering Sam.” 

Tickets will be available beginning Thursday, Sept. 22, when Heartland will holds its announcement party at the Athenaeum. 

In other A&E news:

–The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, conducted by Eric Stark, plays Carnegie Hall on Oct. 16 performing Mohammad Fairouz’s oratorio “Zabur.” It’s the group’s first time there in 40 years. 

–Artists Andrea Smith, Beatriz Vasquez, and William Denton Ray are the latest artists to have their work featured at the Indianapolis International Airport. Their work will be display through Dec. 11.

–The inaugural EarShot Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Composers Competition is being launched by ICO Music Director Matthew Kraemer. Six composers, chosen from a national pool, will be provided with feedback and mentoring in and around a Sept. 23 public performance at the Schrott Center. One work will be selected for a performance as part of the Indiana State University 50th Anniversary Contemporary Music Festival on Oct. 27.