This weekend in Bloomington: Music Expo, Cosmic Songwriters Festival, free state park entry

It's been a rainy week in Bloomington, but the forecast is looking dry — maybe even sunny — going into the weekend.

Town looks a little quieter than it did even a week ago — and there's certainly a lot more couches, mattresses and IKEA desks out on the sidewalks — but townie summer is just beginning. The Cosmic Songwriters Festival and Bloomington Music Expo kick off Bloomington's festival season, while panel discussions, a classic '90s film and free admission to Indiana's state parks should more than keep you busy this weekend.

Catch a '90s love triangle flick at IU Cinema

If Zendaya's new film "Challengers" has left you hungry for more salacious love triangle stories, revisit a classic with "The Talented Mr. Ripley," playing at 7 p.m. Thursday at IU Cinema. When Tom Ripley, a charismatic sociopath played by Matt Damon is hired to fetch a shipping magnate's carefree son, Dickie (Jude Law), from vacationing in Italy with his girlfriend, Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow), Mr. Ripley soon finds himself enamored with the couple's life, and seeks to weed his way in. With support from Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Cate Blanchett, "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is sure to captivate lovers of '90s cinema, thriller junkies and love triangle enthusiasts alike. IU Cinema is at 1213 E. Seventh St. $5 admission.

Put your records on at the Music Expo

Search for that coveted original 1977 pressing of Rumors, feel the nostalgia of a classic jewel CD case and browse stacks of LPs, tapes, CDs and more at Bloomington's annual Music Expo 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Switchyard Park. The event in Switchyard Park's pavilion will feature new and used vinyl, CDs, tapes, posters, memorabilia and more. Vendors from in-state and across the Midwest (and even Tennessee!) will be present. As with almost any Switchyard event, live music and food trucks will also be present. Switchyard Park is at 1601 S. Rogers St. The event is free, though a $2 donation is recommended.

Listen to far-out folk at the Cosmic Songwriters Festival

Missing that feeling of cosmic transcendence you got from last month's solar eclipse? Tired of putting on the same Led Zeppelin songs to try and chase the feeling? Experience all manner of folk, acid rock, blues and country at the four-day Cosmic Songwriters Festival, which began May 14 and lasts through Saturday, May 18. Twenty-four artists from across the country will perform four nights. Performing artists take on a "cosmic format" as two acts (whether solo or duos) take the stage at the same time and alternate songs, sharing stories and banter between each performance. Notable acts include the Nashville-based country singer Emily Nenni, California blues artist Tré Burt and singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer. Ticket prices vary based on date and venue. Most remaining tickets are for the final day at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.

D.A.R.E. to talk about drug legalization at the Bus-Chum

Since the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced plans to reschedule marijuana as a less dangerous drug last month, conversations about how to approach cannabis legalization and other drug policies in Indiana and across the U.S. have been set ablaze. Join the Indiana Recovery Alliance and National Coalition for Drug Legalization (NCDL) for a panel discussion on drug legalization, tackling the offense's impact on the U.S. prison population, public health and more. Panelists include DePauw University sociology professor (and IU alumnus) Alicia Suarez, Indiana Recovery Alliance program manager Nick Voyles, and Veronica Wright, founder of the NCDL. The event is free and open to the public. The Buskirk-Chumley Theater is at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Touch (state park) grass with free admission day

Have you been wanting to visit one of Bloomington's nearby state parks all spring, but something always gets in the way? Want to take your family out to McCormick's Creek, but don't want to pay the pesky gate fee? Make a plan for this Sunday, where all Indiana state park properties (yes, all of them) will have free admission in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: This weekend in Bloomington Music Expo, Cosmic Songwriters Festival