What to do this week? Priority list includes the State Fair, Mellencamp, more

It's that time again.

Indiana State Fair

This year’s theme is The Year of the Farmer, which, in some ways, is the unofficial theme every year. What’s new at the Fair this year? Well, jousting, for one, with a tournament at the Grandstand Aug. 13. And there now will be alcohol at Coliseum concerts (which get started with Meghan Trainor” on Aug. 11 and “A Prairie Home Companion” on Aug. 12). More impressive are the free show concerts, include Indigo Girls (Aug. 7) and Morris Day & the Time (Aug. 8).

Indiana State Fairgrounds  Aug. 7-23  Details

First Friday

Galleries throughout downtown welcome pop-in visitors. A few suggested stopping points: “The Naptown Scene: Classic Jazz Photographs” by Mark Sheldon at the Indiana Landmarks Center, and painter Jerome Neal’s solo show “Circle City 360°” at Gallery 924. Meanwhile IMOCA has the home court advantage for a show title “Hoosier Salon vs. IMOCA” and poet J.T. Whitehead launches a new book, “The Table of the Elements” at the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library.

Various Locations  Aug. 7  Details

John Mellencamp

The Plain Spoken Tour, kicked off in January in South Bend, circles around to Indianapolis where John Mellencamp wraps up the 80-show trek.  A portion of the ticket sales here will be donated to Riley Children’s Foundation. Carlen Carter opens the show. Bonus: Concertgoers get a digital download of Mellencamp’s “Plain Spoken” record.

Bankers Life Fieldhouse Aug. 4 Details

Also this week

Harry Connick, Jr. takes the stage at the Center for the Performing Arts, Aug. 6.

Gordon Bonham Trio plays a free show at the Artsgarden Aug. 6.

"Singin' in the Rain" screens Aug. 7 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Performers including Tim Grimm, Cara Jean Marcy, Jason Wilber, and more perform “Hoosier Denver—the songs of John Denver” Aug. 7 at the Warehouse and Aug. 8 at Brown County Playhouse.

Gordon Bonham Trio plays a free show at the Artsgarden Aug. 6.

Drum Corps International World Championships finals fill Lucas Oil Stadium Aug. 8. A Drumline Battle on George Street takes it outside before the main event.

The results of the 48 Hour Film Project competition are screened at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Aug. 8.

John Mellencamp brings his Plain Spoken Tour to Bankers Life Fieldhouse Aug. 4

Diana Krall plays Clowes Memorial Hall, Aug. 5

The Beach Boys/The Temptations double it up at the Lawn at White River State Park Aug. 5 O.A.R. follows on Aug. 7

Tim McGrawis joined by Billy Currington and Chase Bryant Aug. 7 at Klipsch Music Center

Boston performs at Hoosier Park Racing 7 Casino Aug. 7.

The top five stop in to the Murat Theatre Aug. 9 for the storytellers-style  “American Idol Live!”