IBJ A&E priority list picks for May 16-22

What are you going to do this weekend?

Stumped? Here's my list to jump-start your planning. Just remember to share your thoughts on whatever you did on my You-review-it Monday blog at ibj.com/arts.

“Barefoot Renegades” 

May 16-19

Dance Kaleidoscope at Indiana Repertory Theatre

New blood is vital in a dance company, among both the dancers and the choreographers. For this weekend of performances, Artistic Director David Hochoy welcomes Chicago choreographer Brock Clawson into the fold. He’ll be re-creating his piece “Nine,” using the DK dancers. Also on the bill: Hochoy’s revival of his “Afternoon of a Faun,” as well as a new piece, set to Stravinsky’s “Les Noces (The Wedding),” using primarily male/male and female/female pairings. Details here.

Broad Ripple Art Fair

May 18-19

Indianapolis Art Center

This juried show features more than 225 artists from around the United States and Canada and serves as the Indianapolis Art Center’s biggest annual fundraiser. In addition to the visual art, this year’s musical lineup—on four outdoor and one indoor stage—includes Bigger Than Elvis, Cynthia Lane and Trio con Paz. Want first dibs on artwork (and a lower-key atmosphere)? Attend the May 17 Preview Party. Details here.

“The Secret Circus”

May 19

Indiana Landmarks Center’s Cook Theatre

A highlight of the early years of the Indy Fringe Festival was Brent McCoy, whose “Blunder Construction” show took street busking indoors for a funny, sweet, impressive showcase for his clowning talents. McCoy returns to Indy in this two-character show that includes a 7-foot, one-wheeled cycle and a bow-and-plunger shooting device. Be warned. Details here. 

Kris Kristofferson

May 17

Palladium

His career has included holding up his corner of the supergroup The Highwaymen, and starring in a string of movies (including the underrated “Trouble in Mind,” the notorious flop “Heaven’s Gate,” and the hit “Blade” films). But Kris Kristofferson’s legacy in the arts has been as a songwriter. “Every performer that’s performed my songs has done them better than I did,” he said, and I’d argue he’s being modest—except that his songs have been covered by the likes of Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Roger Miller and Willie Nelson (who devoted a whole album to Kristofferson tunes). Kristofferson’s distinctive voice, though, is also well worth listening to, and the Palladium is offering a rare chance to hear the Country Music Hall of Famer whose songs include “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” Details here.

Also this week

Scot Greenwell picks the play for this month’s Indy Actors’ Playground free play reading (a series I host) at Indy Reads Books May 20. Adults only for this one. Details here.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops headline the annual RiverRoots Music and Folks Arts Festival, May 17-18 in Madison. Details here.

Filmmaker Kevin Smith and his cohort Jason Mewes visit Clowes Hall for a screening of “Jay & Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie,” May 20. Details here. 

The Ronen Chamber Ensemble offers the world premiere of James Beckel’s “Dialogues for Clarinet, Violin, Piano, Bass and Percussion” at the Indiana History Center. Details here. 

German cabaret star Ute Lemper performs her revue, “The Last Tango in Berlin,” at the Cabaret at the Columbia Club. Details here.

Caroline Rhea headlines Morty’s Comedy Joint, May 16-18. Details here.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art screens the documentary “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry,” May 16. Details here. 

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster Zach De Pue leads a program May 16-17 that includes music by Schubert, Bach and Tchaikovsky. Details here.