Priority list includes Babyface, Taye Diggs, more

IBE Summer Celebration

There’s a wealth of options to choose from in this year’s program. Taye Diggs will be honored at the Corporate Luncheon. There are concert performances by Atlantic Star, Babyface and Fantasia. Plus the IBE Fashion Show, Slam Dunk Contest, a celebrity basketball game with Reggie Wayne, Amp Harris, Tamika Catchings, and TY Hilton, and a wealth of exhibits to explore beginning July 14. Through July 16  Indiana Convention Center and other locations  Details

Indy Film Festival

Sure, there are plenty of big-budget flicks at your local multiplex, but the Indy Film Festival specializes in movies where the outcome isn’t a foregone conclusion. More than 100 documentary and fiction films, foreign and domestic, fill out the schedule. For something different, consider catching one of the shorts programs which are bunched into roughly 1 ½ hour sets. For my picks, click here. July 13-23  Indianapolis Museum of Art  Details

“John Williams Strikes Back”

You can count on any symphony in the country offering Beethoven and Mozart during its classical season. And, in the summer, there seems to always be a program featuring the music of John Williams. The soundtrack composer certainly has plenty of works from which the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra can choose. For a sampling, downtowners can catch a truncated July 14 lunchtime program at Hilbert Circle Theatre. July 14-15  Conner Prairie Amphitheater. Details

Also this week

The Palladium hosts Sheryl Crow July 11.

New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, and Paula Abdul team up June 18 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Chicago and the Doobie Brothers take turns July 14 at Klipsch Music Center with Jason Aldeen following on July 15 and an I Love the 90’s show headlined by Salt N Pepa on July 16.

The Indianapolis Israeli Film Festival runs July 9-13 at JCC Indy.

Peace X Piece Art & Musical Festival at The Speak Easy July 14 includes live music and poetry, an art exhibition, and film screenings.

The Pork and Beans Brass Band performs behind the Eiteljorg on July 12. Just a few gondola stops along the Canel, My Yellow Rickshaw performs rock, top 40, and country tunes outside of the Indiana History Center July 13.