Every year around this time, I am constantly amazed at how little the people in the United States know about the founding of our country. There are lots and lots of myths and legends that are taken as absolute fact. Here is a list of a few myths about Independence Day that I will attempt to set straight.

There is more to the beginning of July than fireworks.

The first weekend is also InConJunction, the local sci-fi/fantasy convention, held at the Sheraton Indianapolis, the hotel right behind the Fashion Mall at Keystone at the Crossing on Indy's northside.

Didn't have room on the "@ Your Leisure" page to elaborate on this, but the Bread Ladies in downtown Greenfield have a special performer for their Friday evening entertainment (scheduled to start at 6 p.m.).

Here's the writeup I was sent:

For the convenience of those who just want to read the top paragraph on the Blog mainpage and move on, here's a quick take on "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen", now playing nationwide, including Greenfield's Legacy Cinema: See it in a bargain matinee, as the big exploding special effects are only good on the big screen, but don't take any young kids, as it overdoses on crude humor.

I have often said that when a single political party totally dominates in a community, you have a climate ripe for corruption. It is true in a large community such as Democratically controlled Chicago and it is just as true in a Republican controlled community such as Hancock County. Single party dominance eliminates an important tool for the checks and balances our Founding Fathers knew to be essential. In recent weeks, a number of Republican faithful have asked me what can be done about the Linda Grass situation.

The Theater Within, a ministry of The Church Within at 1125 Spruce St., just east of Fountain Square in Indianapolis, continues its mission of bringing thought- and discussion-provoking dramas to the stage with its production of "Bent."

The controversial play by Martin Sherman about men who are sent to Nazi concentration camps for being homosexual -- the origin of the pink triangle as a gay symbol -- has two performances left, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (June 19-20). After each show, the audience can stay for a talkback session with the actors and director Rod Isaac.

Sometimes something is so big and frightening and truly horrible that your mind refuses to deal with it, to even accept that it is there. But when you are in the world of the theatre, you can see it as a metaphor. But what happens when the metaphor itself then becomes too big, too horrifying, too all-consuming and overwhelming?

This is the world of "Octopus," the drama on the mainstage of the Phoenix Theatre through July 11.

Imagine That, a great movie with Eddie Murphy!

You could read that sentence two ways: either as a statement of fact -- and "Imagine That," opening nationwide today including Greenfield's Legacy Cinema, is a charming and smartly-executed family film for kids, kids-at-heart and parents -- or as an expression of surprise. For Murphy has been very hit-and-miss through his career, with spectacular hits followed by embarrassing duds. Which would this movie be?

Relax, this time it's all good.

One of my favorite events to attend is Saturday in downtown Indianapolis, the Independent Music + Art Festival at the Harrison Center for the Arts, corner of Delaware and 16th.

Yeah, another "Wicked" posting.

As usually happens when a touring show is in Indy for more than one week, the cast members get involved in activities outside the theatre. From a press release I received:

(Note: I believe these are age 21+ locations.)