One drive around Fort Wayne provides plenty of evidence that public art has exploded in this city. Murals, once a fairly unusual phenomenon, are at almost every turn, and it looks like there’s no end in sight.

Among some recent additions to our increasingly beautiful hometown is the mural in the popular 07 area, specifically in the Fairmont neighborhood.

With a spirited “Better Together” message, the colorful wall on Tasty Pizza, at the corner of Fairfield Avenue and Maxine Drive, joins many other public art efforts around town.

The murals that surround the building on North Anthony which houses the Firefly and Health Food Shoppe have now, thanks to public funding, been further enhanced with lighting that allows the images to be seen at any hour of the day.

For those who have additional ideas for public art projects, Arts United is accepting applications for Amplify Art!, a crowdfunding arts opportunity for artists in the area.

For more information about the application process, visit artsunited.org/amplify.

More Music at The Club Room

The addition of The Clyde has been a boon for music fans in the city, providing one more venue to bring in world-class entertainment.

The Club Room, which opened this past March, brought another dimension to The Clyde, providing an adjacent space for a more intimate dining and musical experience.

The Club Room has added two more nights of music beginning in the coming weeks. Having already established a jazz night on Wednesdays hosted by Alicia Pyle, Mondays and Saturdays now join the lineup providing a variety of musical genres and hosting a wide range of local talent.

Saturday, July 27, will kick off the Saturdays and will feature local band Casual Friday. Mondays will provide a night of music for blues fans and will kick off on August 19 and will be hosted by G Money. All shows are free for customers of the Club Room.

Butler serves at charity dinner

The depth of theatrical talent in Fort Wayne has been well-established and proof of that can be seen in the number of actors who have made it on stage and screen after starting their lives and careers in Fort Wayne. From Shelley Long to Heather Headley, Fort Wayne has launched a fair number of Hollywood careers.

One of those success stories, Dan Butler, came to fame in the role of “Bulldog” Briscoe in the hit series Frasier. He has also had roles in other hit series from Roseanne to House, but he has never forgotten his roots.

His return almost six years ago, directing and starring in the IPFW production of Our Town, was a huge success. Butler not only helped bring attention to the production, but he also spent time with the theater department students who were to share the stage with him.

Butler returns again this fall, serving as the celebrity guest for the Positive Resource Connection’s Dinner Dance 31 on October 5.

All proceeds benefit the Positive Resource Connection which has served the community for many years. For more information on tickets, visit bidpal.net/thedinnerdance or call (260) 744-1144.

News and Venues covers Northeast Indiana’s music and arts organizations, venues, and colleges, from large to small. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.