Elkhart Public Library

Curbside Concerts: JR Clark Band
2024-08-30 19:00 - 21:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
JR Clark brings the blues as we kickoff the fall Curbside Concerts series.

Backed by a horn section that’s been on tour with the Ohio Players, this talented roster also features the legendary Johnny B Gayden on bass. Johnny B was a long-time player with Albert Collins and played on The Ice Man’s Grammy-winning “Showdown!” with Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland.

That Guys Gourmet Ribs and beverages for sale. Bring a camp chair or blanket.

Our concert series is just one of the Well Crafted events happening here in Elkhart County. See the entire list of entertainment and things to do at Visit Elkhart County.

Dedication of Emma Barrett Molloy Historical Marker
2024-09-04 11:00 - 11:45 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
The Elkhart County Historical Museum and Elkhart Public Library invite the community to celebrate the life’s work of Emma Barrett Molloy. The 19th century advocate for women’s rights has been honored with a State Historical Marker in front of the downtown library on High Street.
This event is free and open to all.
Molloy became the first female newspaper editor locally when she took on the role for the Elkhart Observer, 1872-76. The journalist later became an evangelist promoting temperance and prohibition of alcohol, as well as voting rights and equality for women.

Curbside Concerts: Los Ortega
2024-09-06 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
¡Bailamos! Los Ortega is coming back to the rooftop stage as Curbside Concerts rolls on Sept. 6. Expect high-energy regional Mexican music from these outstanding players.

Friday shows at Elkhart Public Library are free – bring a blanket or a camp chair and enjoy the best local music played on the best roof in town. Beverages and That Guys Gourmet Ribs will be for sale.

These events are “Well Crafted,” thanks to our friends at VisitElkhartCounty.com.

Nature's Best Hope: A Book Discussion
2024-09-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Elkhart Environmental Center, 1717 Lusher Ave, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
You can do your part to help pollinators thrive on native plants in your own yard. Elkhart Public Library, the Elkhart Environmental Center and Wild Ones South Bend are celebrating renowned educator Doug Tallamy’s visit to Notre Dame with this special book talk. Copies of Tallamy’s signature work, Nature’s Best Hope, will be available for pick up at the downtown library while supplies last. Whether you’ve read the book or just have interest in local ecology and biodiversity, you’ll enjoy this talk at the EEC Pavilion, 1717 E. Lusher Ave. Then, Tallamy will be appearing Sept. 15 on Notre Dame campus – more information about that event will be released by the ND Environmental Change Intiative.

Curbside Concerts: Quite Frank Lee
2024-09-13 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Quite Frank Lee returns to the roof as the fall series of Curbside Concerts rolls on.

Mixing originals with oldies, this local band features Anna Naragon and Scott Vaerewyck on vocals, Rob Booker on bass, Kyle Paulk on lead guitar, and Tony Leininger on drums.

Bring a blanket or a camp chair and enjoy the best local music played on the best roof in town. Beverages, That Guys Gourmet Ribs and Tropicana Ice Cream will be available for purchase.

These events are “Well Crafted,” thanks to our friends at VisitElkhartCounty.com.

Osolo Branch Meeting Room Dedication
2024-09-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Osolo Branch, 3429 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Join us as we dedicate the meeting rooms inside the Osolo Branch. One room will honor Max and Elizabeth Walker, who donated the land for Walker Park and the Osolo Branch library. The other will honor longtime educator Levar Johnson.

Building Up Our Youth community conversation
2024-10-19 13:00 - 14:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Vop Osili, an renowned Indianapolis architect, will lead this event. It’s the latest in a series of community conversations hosted by the Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo. All ages are invited to become inspired.

Backyard Birding
2025-01-25 11:00 - 12:00 | Cleveland Branch, 53715 C.R. 1, Elkhart, IN, 46514, United States
Learn to identify local winter birds and how to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count from an environmental educator at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center from Goshen College.

60th Anniversary of the Palm Sunday Tornadoes
2025-04-11 16:00 - 17:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
On the 60th anniversary of the tragic and destructive Palm Sunday Tornadoes, join author Janis Thornton to discuss her book about the tornadoes. Her book, “The 1965 Palm Sunday Tornadoes in Indiana” is a detailed and well-researched book about the largest natural disaster in Indiana history.

Easter Party for Littles
2025-04-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Music, stories and games before a shared egg hunt with something for everyone to take home (regardless of how many eggs you find).

Sippin' Into Summertime - Elkhart Young Professionals
2025-04-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Summertime in Downtown Elkhart is near! Join the Young Professionals for live music from Buddy Pearson as a preview of Elkhart Public Library’s Curbside Concerts.
Light appetizers and beverages will be available as you expand your network and learn more about the library. Weather permitting, tours including a view from the rooftop concert stage may be possible.
Hosted by the Chamber’s Young Professionals Council – open to anyone over 21. Free to attend, but please pre-register on the Chamber site by April 22 to reserve tickets.

Juneteenth Celebration featuring Darryl Buchanan
2025-06-19 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Celebrate Juneteenth, a historic day that marks the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in the United States.
This family-friendly event presented by Indiana Black Expo – Elkhart Chapter will feature local nonprofit organizations, vendors, food trucks, and a free concert showcasing Darryl Buchanan.

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) commemorates June 19, 1865, when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas—two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation—to ensure that all enslaved people were freed. It is the longest-running African American holiday and became a federal holiday in 2021.

This event will also serve as the kickoff to the 2025 Elkhart Jazz Festival.

WordPlay - Morning Edition at the Jazz Fest
2025-06-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
WordPlay is a poetry/spoken word experience in downtown Elkhart. Events are open to everyone and are a welcoming place for creative people to share stories, poems and words in a diverse environment.
These events honor the late John Homan and carry on his creative legacy. While most recent WordPlay open-mic nights have been at Jake Webster’s downtown studio, this special Elkhart Jazz Festival morning event will be on the library’s indoor stage.
WordPlay is free to attend.

South Bend Medical Foundation Blood Drive
2025-07-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Dunlap Branch, 58485 C.R. 13 East, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Roll your sleeves up to save lives. The South Bend Medical Foundation is bringing their blood donation bus to Dunlap. Sign up at Give Blood Now or by calling the Dunlap Branch. Walk-ins are welcome.

Curbside Concerts: Abbie Thomas and the Crazy Hearts
2025-08-29 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Abbie Thomas returns to the roof to kick off the fall season of Curbside Concerts on Aug. 29.
Abbie is a two-time independent music Artist of the Year. Her music is sometimes soul, sometimes bluesy rock, and always delivered from the heart with a vibe reminiscent of the great ’70s songwriters.
Curbside Concerts are free to attend. Food and beverages are available for purchase – That Guys Gourmet Ribs and Tropicana Ice Cream Shop will be here with us. Bring a camp chair, bring a blanket, bring your ready-for-the-weekend mood.
The “Well Crafted” events have the support of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out MyEPL.org/curbside for all the series info.

Curbside Concerts: JAGALCHI
2025-09-05 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
On tour supporting their newest album, JAGALCHI returns to the Curbside Concerts roof on Sept. 5.
The self-proclaimed “Midwest Post Big-Band” project has strong Goshen roots. “You Will Know True Loss” is the band’s latest effort, following up on last year’s successful “Now There Are Only Stories.”
Curbside Concerts are free to attend. Food and beverages are available for purchase – That Guys Gourmet Ribs and Tropicana Ice Cream Shop will be here with us. Bring a camp chair, bring a blanket, bring your ready-for-the-weekend mood.
The “Well Crafted” events have the support of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out MyEPL.org/curbside for all the series info.

Curbside Concerts: Tumbleweed Jumpers
2025-09-12 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
The Tumbleweed Jumpers are making Curbside Concerts a stop on their comeback tour.
Everybody’s favorite feel-good band delivers funky Americana with a fabulous horn section, a sweet mandolin, an organ, some guitars … really every instrument ever invented, probably played by every musician Goshen has ever produced. Gonna be crowded up there on stage – don’t miss it.
Curbside Concerts are free to attend. Food and beverages are available for purchase – That Guys Gourmet Ribs and Tropicana Ice Cream Shop will be here with us. Bring a camp chair, bring a blanket, bring your ready-for-the-weekend mood.
The “Well Crafted” events have the support of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out MyEPL.org/curbside for all the series info.

Curbside Concerts: Jake Miller and the Midwest Heat
2025-09-19 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Jake Miller and his guys play the two best types of music: country and western. The Midwest Heat wraps up the 2025 season of Curbside Concerts on Sept. 19.
Graduates of Kansas Bible Co., Jake and friends are familiar to stages around Michiana. Just like his past rooftop performances, his supporting cast is exceptional – you never know who might sit in for a song or three.
Curbside Concerts are free to attend. Food and beverages are available for purchase – That Guys Gourmet Ribs and Tropicana Ice Cream Shop will be here with us. Bring a camp chair, bring a blanket, bring your ready-for-the-weekend mood.
The “Well Crafted” events have the support of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out MyEPL.org/curbside for all the series info.
