A&E roundup: Looking ahead to Joshua Bell, Lois Lowry…and Cereal Cinema?

Happy holidays. Time to clear off the desk and get ready for 2015.

• The Indianapolis International Film Festival is adding a smile-inducing new program to its year-round lineup. Cereal Cinema features monthly 10 a.m. kid flicks at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Athenaeum, served with a breakfast cereal buffet. First up: "An American Tale" at the IMA Jan. 3. The not-just-the-usual-suspects lineup for upcoming months includes "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," and "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo."

• Heartland Actors Repertory Theatre announced that its 2015 summer Shakespeare production at White River State Park will be "Twelfth Night." As with 2014's "The Tempest," Courtney Sales will direct. The comedy runs Aug. 6-8, which positions it between Gen Con (moved up to July 30-Aug. 2) and IndyFringe (Aug. 13-23). There: Your August calendar is now filled.

• Butler University announced its spring Visiting Writers series authors. Included:  Lois Lowry who penned "The Giver." Shell be here March 4. Alas, the Indiana Repertory Theatre's stage adaptation of that book closes on Feb. 21.

• Joshua Bell has been booked to play with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for its 2015 opening night gala Sept. 26. Tickets go on sale in early February.

• IU-birthed vocal group Straight No Chaser will sing "(Back Home Again in) Indiana" at the 2015 Indy 500, taking over from retired Jim Nabors.

• The Phoenix Theatre scored a National Endowment for the Arts grant to support three new plays in its "Heritage" series. The first, "River City," opens Jan. 8.

• Eclectic Pond Theatre Company will be moving locations. Previously primarily performing at the Irving Lodge, it will temporarily stage works at the Irvington United Methodist Church until renovations can be finished on The Coal Factory in Irvington next to Black Acre.

• Yet another science fiction/fantasy conclave will be taking place in Indy. Feb. 13-15 brings Wizard World Indianapolis Comic Con with guests William Shatner of "Star Trek" and Michael Rooker of "Guardians of the Galaxy."