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Local Art Troublemakers Discover Interdimensional Portal, Share Findings at April Event

The latest project from MDWST Fable, Alternate Dimension Mill will explore more positive ways to imagine our collective future via talks and performances from other dimensions.

Matt Rice never imagined he’d become an interdimensional wanderer. While walking his dog just north of downtown late last year, the Bloomington-based creative professional stumbled into a familiar, yet unfamiliar scene: “I was just passing by where the old Swing-In Pizza used to be,” he recalls, “when all of a sudden, I was on a completely different corner, one that only vaguely resembled the Bloomington I knew.” Rice had found a naturally occurring, if finicky interdimensional portal.

Though surprised by the find, he soon understood the potential of his discovery, which he shared with his MDWST Fable creative collaborator, Bloomington-based writer and artist Tristra Newyear. Together, they explored a variety of dimensions, all remarkably different from our own. “We made so many great contacts there,” Newyear muses. “We saw other ways things might be, other approaches and outcomes, and we wanted to introduce them to our friends back in this version of Bloomington.”

To do this, Rice and Newyear constructed a special device, or “mill,” to open up temporary windows into alternate dimensions, with the help of a fabulous interdimensional guide they met on their travels (actor and designer Emily McGee). Together with their guide, they have organized five sets of guests to speak to Bloomingtonians on topics essential to our lives in this dimension: climate (IU scholar Shaz Attari), war (engineer Sami Koutsares), art (artist Jon Vickers, poet Terry Sloan, and musician Jason Fickel), music (saxophonist and bandleader Peyton Womock), and the spirit of the city (local politics expert Steve Volan), what makes our town our town.

These guests will appear on April 19, 2025 at the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium at 3:30 PM. Admission is free, though audience members should be aware that a shortquestionnaire may be required for entry to prevent individual interdimensional s lippage (always a danger with portals). Portal visualizations will be provided by NYC video artist Daniel McKleinfeld.

“All portals and dimensions aside, the main goal of the Alternate Dimension Mill is to suggest that nothing has to be the way it is,” notes Rice. “We could have a shared future we love, no matter what dimension we find ourselves in. Dystopia isn’t the only option,” adds Newyear.

Alternate Dimension Mill A futurist salon

April 19, 2025 @ 3:30-5 PM

MCPL Auditorium (303 E Kirkwood)

MDWSTFable.com to RSVP / Free admission

Presented thanks to a generous grant from the City of Bloomington

For more info, contact Tristra Newyear of MDWST Fable (t@newyearmedia.com;
812-345-3432)

About MDWST Fable
MDWST Fable is a benevolent conspiracy aimed at promoting more interaction and
collaboration across arts, ideas, and media in Southern Indiana. Rhizomal and decentralized, MDWST Fable uses in-person events, non-traditional media, and wholesome mischief to evoke deeper connections between art makers and participants, between people of all walks of life. Founded in Bloomington in 2024 by Matt Rice and Tristra Newyear, MDWST Fable proceeds from the premise that our communities need more unconventional, boundary-busting places to discuss, share, and make things together. Matt is an agent of interpersonal transformation and a former jock. He is also a seasoned creative director, editor, and film documentarian with a couple regional Emmys under his belt. Tristra is a hallucinatory goth b!tch but means well. She is also an audio creator, published author, scholar, and PR professional.

Constellation for Kids presents:

Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical

On stage April 25 – May 11 at the Waldron Auditorium in downtown Bloomington.

In a town full of squares, one dot makes a difference! 8-year-old Lily Polkadot just moved to the small, “Squares Only” town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot in an all Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. Lily’s quest seems hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her polkadot skin blooms into an unexpected friendship. Inspired by the events of The Little Rock 9, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson that reminds us that our individual differences are what make us cool.

*Sensory-Friendly Performance on Sunday, May 11 at 1:00pm*

For showtimes, tickets, and more information, visit https://seeconstellation.org/kids/polkadots

The Writers Guild at Bloomington presents

Last Sunday Poetry & Open Mic

featuring Tracy Mishkin and Joseph Kerschbaum