William Shatner and Janelle Monáe will appear at IU Bloomington’s Hoosier Cosmic Celebration.
Former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison’s speech and tours of the Blue Origin space capsule are among the festivities scheduled for April 8.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — On April 8, Bloomington will host a plethora of entertainment and celebrations for skywatchers converging on the path of the solar eclipse’s totality. The Hoosier Cosmic Celebration at Memorial Stadium from 1 to 5 p.m. promises to be an inspirational and star-studded event.
Headlining the show at Memorial Stadium is the acclaimed singer, songwriter, and actress Janelle Monáe, renowned for her genre-defying music exploring space and futurism, as well as her acclaimed acting performances. Monáe, a ten-time Grammy Award nominee, will take the stage immediately following the total eclipse at 3:04 p.m.
Beloved actor William Shatner, best known for his iconic role as Captain Kirk in “Star Trek,” will deliver a spoken-word performance before the eclipse. Shatner, who journeyed to space aboard Blue Origin’s NS-18 flight, will also attend a screening of “William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill” at IU Cinema that evening.
Joining Shatner on stage is former NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, the first woman of color to travel to space. Jemison’s remarks will add to the event’s inspirational tone, drawing from her extensive experience in space exploration.
IU students and faculty will showcase their talents during the eclipse programming, with performances by the Marching Hundred, Broadway and pop tunes by BFA students, contemporary dancers, and a collaborative performance with the Jacobs School of Music.
Attendees will have the opportunity to tour an actual Blue Origin space capsule reconstructed at the stadium, offering a glimpse into space exploration. Additionally, book signings, merchandise tables, and space simulations will be available for visitors.
Tickets for the Hoosier Cosmic Celebration start at $15 for students and $19 for the general public, available on Ticketmaster starting February 9 at 10 a.m.
In addition to the Memorial Stadium event, IU Bloomington’s campus will host a range of activities to celebrate the eclipse, including festivities in Dunn Meadow, contemplation events in the Arboretum, and evening events at IU Cinema and IU Auditorium.
IU has been preparing for the total solar eclipse since 2022 to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees, with expected traffic and logistical challenges. Additional safety information will be provided closer to the event date.
