Morgenstern Books ‘Cozy Mystery’ gift basket:

Curl up with this perfect rainy day cozy mystery collection! Books, a blanket and a variety of delicious cocoa...who's ready for a chilly day?

• The complete ‘Shady Hollow’ Series signed by Juneau Black
• Morgenstern Mug, pen, keychain, pad, bumper sticker
• Blanket
• Hot cocoa collection

Ever have a perfect name for a character in your head but you don't want to spend all the time writing the whole book? Well, here is your chance! Along with a some amazing limited releases (book and vodka!) some extra signed gems, you now can have New York Times Bestselling author, Michael Koryta make your character come to life on the page!

• CHARACTER NAME in Michael Koryta’s 2026 release: If male, the role will be the barber and confidant of Indiana-native turned Public Enemy Number One, Al Brady.  If female, it will be for a woman of dubious morality who entertains gangsters at a Baltimore hotel. 
• So Cold the Vodka
• Limited edition ‘So Cold the River’ signed book
• Scott Carson’s ‘Departure 37’ signed book
• ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’ signed DVD
• Book darts

A signed collection of one of our keynote speakers, John Green!! This is a perfect gift for the collector in your family, OR for all of you John Green fans out there! Yea, we know, everyone is a fan!

WonderLab Gift Basket: Where Curiosity Meets Play!

Spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning with this WonderLab Museum of Science, Health, and Technology gift bag - perfect for curious kids and fun-loving grown-ups!

Inside, you’ll find a mix of science-inspired toys, brain-teasing games, and hands-on activities designed to make learning feel like play.  Bring home hours of screen-free, STEM-powered fun-plus a trip to Bloomington’s own WonderLab Science Museum! 

(passes expire August 2026)

This bag includes:

• 4 Passes to WonderLab - Bring the whole crew for a day of discovery and exploration!
• Acolotl Plushie - The world’s cutest amphibian, ready for cuddles and curiosity!
• Hearts Card Game & Go Shark Go! Card Game - Family-friendly fun that builds strategy and memory skills.
• Scratch & Play Dinosaurs - Reveal prehistoric surprises with every scratch.
• Magic Water Color-In Cards - Mess-free creativity that can be used again and again!
• Rush Hour Junior - A clever traffic-jam puzzle that gets those problem solving gears turning. 
• Plus Plus Outer Space Set - Build, design, and explore the final frontier. 
• Keva Blocks - Classic wooden planks for endless engineering adventures. 
• Sticker & Pin from Bloomington’s Local Blue Aster - A little flair to wear and share. 
• WonderLab Pencil - Because every great discovery starts with a doodle or note!

VALUE: $180

Jacobs Live at the Movies comes to IU Auditorium for the first time, in a magical one-of-a-kind presentation of The Wizard of Oz. Experience the beloved 1939 classic like never before with the film shown in its entirety on the big screen as the iconic score is brought to life by the IU Symphony Orchestra which consists of talented students from the world-renowned Jacobs School of Music under the direction of conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos.

This unforgettable evening will merge the timeless wonder of Hollywood with the exceptional artistry of IU’s finest young musicians, making it a must-see event for film fans, music lovers, and the entire family.

Bloom Magazine and BCT Presents an evening with Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Joshua Redman.

Joshua Redman acknowledges that the title of his new Blue Note album, Words Fall Short, could be viewed ironically. His previous and widely acclaimed Where Are We was his first to pair a vocalist with one of his many monumental Quartets; yet Words Fall Short is anything but a comment on the saxophonist’s last triumph. More accurately, his latest offering is an organic next step, a collection of previously unheard originals brought to life by inspiring new collaborators. “It’s impossible for me to will a project into being,” he says of the wide-ranging adventures he has embarked upon in what is now his fourth decade as a recording artist. “This album came out of a working environment that inspired me to dig into compositions that hadn’t found a home yet.”

The process began as the first leg of Redman’s Where Are We Tour concluded and pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Joe Sanders, and drummer Brian Blade each left to honor other commitments.

In building a new rhythm section, Redman found himself drawn to younger players he had recently encountered. Bassist Philip Norris and drummer Nazir Ebo came aboard first, and Redman quickly knew he had made the right moves. “Not since Christian McBride can I recall experiencing an acoustic jazz bassist who seemingly has it all together at such a young age,” he says of Norris, “and Nazir has groove in spades, a groove that is super-flexible, in the flow of the moment and with an innate sense of architecture that always serves the song.” By summer of 2023, pianist Paul Cornish had completed the quartet’s transformation. “Paul is the perfect balance of empath and contrarian, challenging everyone to break away from the established patterns, while still always making the music feel good and natural in the moment.”

As the new quartet performed steadily over the next several months, Redman felt a vibe developing, one brought to fruition by a stack of music the saxcaphonist created during the pandemic.

“My dry writing periods lead me to question whether I’m really a “Composer,'” he confesses. “I might not have a gig for months, but I touch my horn every day. I don’t compose regularly, but during the pandemic I had nothing but time to develop ideas….Still, until I can play a tune with other human beings, it remains more theory than a reality.” Redman’s unheard new music made the transition in September 2024, when his new quartet had logged almost a year of performances. “We were at a soundcheck, and I decided to try one of the tunes. It felt good, and I said, ‘Let’s try another.’ After we ran through maybe three more in ten minutes, I realized that we were ‘ready.'”

Cornish, Norris, and Ebo impress on each of the album’s eight tracks. While they have moments to emerge and take the spotlight, they also provide a distinctive ensemble personality, one in which spnotaneity and sesitivity keep the music fluid yet coherent. They are a rhythm section with character, one in sync with the priorities of their leader. “My approach to bandleading is unchanged,” Redman says. “Play with the best musicians I can find, virtuosos who have mastered all the different jazz vocabularies, but who are also great listerners and collaborators — who know how to express their individual brilliance through group improvisation and collective interaction.”

WORDS FALL SHORT released on BLUE NOTE RECORDS June 20, 2025

Richard Chizmar/Stephen King ‘Gwendy’s’ book bundle:

• Gwendy’s Button Box (signed by Chizmar)
• Gwendy’s Magic Feather (signed by Chizmar)
• Gwendy’s Final Task (signed by Chizmar)

Limited edition ‘The Longest December’ / A Face in the Crowd

New York Time's Bestselling author, Gayle Forman, is giving you the Naming Rights in her upcoming YA novel! Gayle will christen one character with the name of your choosing!

New York Times bestselling author, Gayle Forman will help you zero in on an idea and start for your next novel via Zoom for one hour! One 'Find Your Novel" consultation!

Learn more here!

https://youtu.be/Nfmn6qr7bfk?si=MxmpFEGnMrYHxTuw

Ring in the season with Jon McLaughlin & Friends: Home for the Holidays

An evening of music, stories, and holiday cheer. Jon returns to the stage with his signature blend of heartfelt songwriting, masterful piano playing, and soaring vocals — this time joined by a few very special guests for a festive, one-of-a-kind concert.

McLaughlin will perform a mix of original holiday songs, classic Christmas favorites, and fan-favorite hits from his celebrated career, which began with his 2007 major-label debut Indiana and has since included chart-topping releases, national tours, and film and television appearances.

This year’s show features a stellar lineup of friends and collaborators, including American Idol winner Kris Allen, acclaimed pop-soul singer-songwriter David Davis, and powerhouse vocalist and Broadway star Morgan James. Together, they’ll bring unforgettable performances, harmonies, and holiday magic to the stage.

Gather your family and friends for an evening that’s sure to become a new holiday tradition!

JON MCLAUGHLIN VIP Experience

Jon McLaughlin is hosting a special holiday tour VIP meet and greet prior to the show, giving a chance for fans to get together and celebrate good music and the holidays in an intimate setting! Come meet Jon and hang out for a private show! You’ll get some special merch as well!

VIP attendees will be treated to an exclusive performance, story telling, a question and answer session with Jon, photo and autograph sessions and everyone will walk away with some special holiday merchandise.

VIP Experiences include:

• Early entrance and crowd-free merchandise shopping
• A commemorative piece of holiday tour merchandise
• Individual photo opportunity with Jon
• Autograph session with Jon
• Group question and answer session with Jon — ask your most burning question!
• Private performance by Jon

Everything in Jon McLaughlin’s life makes its way into his music, whether he’s conscious of it or not. The artist, raised in Indiana and based in Nashville, brings all of his experiences and beliefs into each song he creates, something that is especially true now that he’s the father of two young girls.

Jon released his debut album, Indiana, in 2007 on Island Def Jam, attracting fans with his heartfelt, hook-laden songwriting and impassioned delivery. He’s released six full-lengths in the years since and revealed a true evolution in both his piano playing and singing. He’s played shows with Billy Joel, Kelly Clarkson and Adele, collaborated with longtime friend Sara Bareilles, co-written with Demi Lovato and even performed at the Academy Awards in 2008.

Jon’s album, Like Us, dropped in October of 2015 via Razor & Tie, and he spent the past few years touring extensively before heading back into his Nashville studio to work on new music. Jon released a Christmas EP in 2017 titled Red & Green with two originals and his take on a few holiday classics. In November of 2018 Jon released his album Angst & Grace which features “Still My Girl” written for his youngest daughter.

Another project started in 2018 is his Dueling Pianos video series. Every episode features a new guest artist and they perform mashups of never-before-heard arrangements.

In Fall of 2019 Jon released an instrumental piano album titled MOOD. This record demonstrates Jon’s artistry and captivates his talent as a pianist. In May 2020 the second edition of the project was released entitled MOOD II.

Jon wrapped up 2020 with the release of his Christmas EP Christmas Time before putting out his most recent full length album All The Things I Say To Myself with immediate fan favorites “A Breakup Song” & “Outta My Head”.

In the fall of 2022 Jon hit the road with his band in celebration of the 15 year anniversary of his Indiana album which will be remastered and re released on vinyl spotlighting a new a capella version of the title track “Indiana” featuring Straight No Chaser as well as never-before-released b-sides.

In July of 2023, Jon released his single “The Only One” and later towards the end of the year, Jon released the third installment in his instrumental piano series: MOOD III.

2024 saw Jon traveling across the entire US for his 36 city Coast To Coast Tour, culminating in the 2nd installment of his annual Home For The Holidays show at The Palladium in Carmel, Indiana. He also released his next MOOD instrumental album, MOOD Christmas in 2025.

As with everything he does, Jon’s goal is to create connections. He wants to translate his experiences and ideas into music that reaches fans everywhere. His passion for music and playing is evident in each note he plays.

http://www.jonmcl.com

https://www.facebook.com/jonmclaughlin

https://twitter.com/JonMcLaughlin

https://www.instagram.com/jonmclaughlin

https://www.patreon.com/JonMcLaughlin

Texas Songwriters Unite! Bob Schneider and Rhett Miller bring their solo music magic to the BCT stage.

BOB SCHNEIDER

Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter and former frontman of The Ugly Americans and The Scabs, Bob Schneider is one of the most-celebrated musicians in the live music capital. Combining diverse styles, Schneider’s music spans genres, blending elements of folk, rock, rap, funk, bluegrass, reggae and country with the more traditional singer/songwriter aesthetic. In short, FRUNK.

Schneider draws inspiration from the ’70s with a modern twist. His lyrics, both playful and powerful, tackle tough subjects about alienation, addiction, and lost romance.

Schneider has won more than 59 Austin Music Awards including Best Album, Best Songwriter, Best Musician, and Best Male Vocals making him the most decorated artist in Austin music history.

Schneider’s fan base reaches far beyond the city limits of Austin. He started gaining national recognition with his major-label debut for Universal Records, Lonelyland. A fiercely-independent artist, Schneider opted to start his own label, Shockorama Records, which has afforded him the freedom to make the music his fans love, on his own terms.

Schneider’s live performances are legendary. Equally at home playing intimate clubs solo or with his band at events and festivals like Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and Longhorn City Limits, he remains one of the most unique and captivating performers working today. A two-time performer on his hometown’s famed Austin City Limits television show, he is also in the 20th year of his residency at The Saxon Pub.

Schneider has released more than a dozen albums (with a new one on the way). He has also written over 1,000 songs, and is a published author, avid painter and collage artist. He does all this while playing over a hundred shows a year and he doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

RHETT MILLER

Texas native Rhett Miller is perhaps best known as the frontman of the Dallas-based alt-country band the Old 97’s, although he has also pursued a critically acclaimed solo career. Formed in 1993, the Old 97’s built a devoted following with their brash blend of country and power pop influences, making a splash with 1995’s Wreck Your Life, which won the group a brief stay on the roster of Elektra Records, a period kicked off with one of their finest hours, 1997’s Too Far to Care. All four members also pursued side projects, but Miller’s solo career captured the most attention, with the literate songwriter training his eye on such subjects as fatherhood, sex, and love. Making his solo bow with 2002’s The Instigator, most of Miller’s solo albums have been dominated by cool, melodic pop tunes with a drier and more confessional bent than his work with the band, though 2012’s The Dreamer explored a middle ground between his pop and alt-country sensibilities, and the 2011 set The Interpreter: Live at Largo revealed he’s a sure hand with other people’s songs.

Strictly speaking, Miller launched his own career before the Old 97’s were formed. He recorded his first solo album, a series of acoustic folk songs entitled Mythologies, in 1989. Future Old 97’s bassist (and a solid songwriter in his own right) Murry Hammond produced the album, and their partnership later blossomed into a full-fledged band. While releasing a string of well-received albums with the Old 97’s, Miller and Hammond also performed together as the Ranchero Brothers, a two-man acoustic duo that was originally launched as a means of testing new music for the Old 97’s in front of a live audience. The Ranchero Brothers developed their own distinct following, although no albums resulted from the project.

Taking time off from the Old 97’s, Miller began recording his first major-label solo effort in February 2002, this time with the help of producer/multi-instrumentalist Jon Brion. The Instigator appeared nearly seven months later, followed by a tour with ex-Crowded House frontman Neil Finn in early 2003. Miller then returned to the studio with the Old 97’s, squashing worried rumors that he planned to halt the band’s career and focus on his solo efforts. He did, however, find time to balance the two projects, and his second solo release, The Believer, was issued by Verve in February 2006.

After returning to the studio with the Old 97’s for 2007’s Blame It on Gravity, Miller continued his juggling act by recording another solo album. The self-titled record appeared in 2009 courtesy of his new label, Shout! Factory. His next two solo albums, 2010’s The Interpreter: Live at Largo and 2012’s The Dreamer, were both released by Miller’s own Maximum Sunshine label. After releasing one of the Old 97’s’ strongest albums in years with 2014’s Most Messed Up, Miller took a new turn in his solo career with 2015’s The Traveler, which featured backing from the band Black Prairie (which includes several members of the Decemberists) and a guest appearance from Peter Buck of R.E.M. Following more recording and touring with the Old 97’s, Miller repaired to Brooklyn, New York, where he cut the 2018 album The Messenger with producer and multi-instrumentalist Sam Cohen, who previously worked with Apollo Sunshine and Yellowbirds. The album was released by ATO Record.

A $50 gift card to Bloomington's gem The Chocolate Moose!

The Chocolate Moose, established in 1933 as May’s Café during the Great Depression, evolved from an ice cream parlor named the Penguin in the 1950s to its current form as The Chocolate Moose since 1983. Founded by Cletus May, downsizing to an ice cream parlor was a response to the economic challenges of the time. After changing hands through the May family, Tim Doran, and Jeff Grossnickle, Justin Loveless assumed ownership in 2013, ensuring the legacy of this beloved establishment endures.

A $50 gift card to HIVE Bloomington!

Brunch, Espressos, Lunch, and more!

A $50 Gift Card to Pizza X!

Get your friends together for the next big game and bring Pizza X to the party!

Goods for Cooks Gift Bag: 

Six cookbooks spanning different cuisines and techniques that’s sure to impress even the most advanced cooks and culinary readers!

• The Scarr’s Pizza Cookbook
• Chocolate All Day
• La Tartine Gourmande - recipes for an inspired life
• The World Central Kitchen Cookbook
• Hartwood
• New Israeli Food

Here is the perfect gift basket for the music lover in your family. And are there many things better than a glass of wine and some tunes playing? Jenn just released her 7th album and here is your chance to grab a limited cd and vinyl of 'Right Where I Should Be'. You will also get 5 of other albums signed + two limited edition t-shirts and a very limited collection of art supporting the new album.

• ‘Right Where I Should Be’ signed CD and limited picture cards
• Limited ‘Right Where I Should Be’ signed vinyl (to be shipped directly to you!)
• ‘This Is’ signed CD
• ‘Hotel Confessions’ signed CD
• ‘Crawl’ signed CD
• ‘Jenn Cristy’ signed CD
• ‘Becoming’ signed CD
• Bottle of ‘Old River White’ wine
• Crawl T-shirt
• Between You and Me T-shirt
• Bracelets 
• ‘Becoming’ limited lyric book

Pfau Course: A Championship Golf Experience!

• 18 Holes of Championship Golf with Cart
• Short Game & Practice Area

A signed copy of Tanya Konerman's 'Mud to the Rescue'!