As the weather heats up, so do the opportunities for outdoor summer enjoyment. Here are your Bullet Points for the month of July.

• “Little” Sturgis Rally for Charity [July 17-20]

Each year, near the end of July, the tiny town of Sturgis, Kentucky (Pop: 2,030) experiences a population explosion unlike anything America’s seen since the last Irish potato famine, as approximately 25,000 bikers roll into the Sturgis Municipal Airport and Lake area from all over the country to enjoy a weekend of music, motorcycle racing, and camping. Already in its 16^th year, the rally has raised over $2 million for local charities and placed “Little” Sturgis, Kentucky on the motorcyclist’s destination map alongside that better-known Sturgis in South Dakota. Although not officially condoned by the rally organizers, less mentionable activities have included lewdness, nakedness, drunkenness, and all around debauchery; in other words, it’s a very large, very wild, 4-day-long Mardi Gras-like party with 24-hour parades. Trolleys carry revelers around the campgrounds in a non-stop circuit that, by the end of the night, become more like slow-moving parties on wheels than transport vehicles.

Beginning Thursday, July 17^th and lasting until Sunday July 20^th, bikers from every walk of life will compete for the best camping spots (and the best camera angles on scantily clad fellow bikers), while the bowel-shaking rumble of Harley Davidson engines fills the July air. This is definitely no place for children, and no one under 18 years of age is allowed. Admission is $40 per person and $40 per support vehicle inside the camping grounds, although there is plenty of free parking available outside the gates. Live bands will jam out in the indoor arena on Friday and Saturday nights and plenty of other activities like mud wrestling, poker runs, and bike shows will round out the schedule of events. A $15,000 door prize will be awarded to some lucky attendee, so hold on to your bracelets!

The Executive Inn in Evansville is offering a rally special of $79 per night for a limited time, with a $5 donation going to the rally charities. Those with aircraft can even land their planes at the adjacent Sturgis Municipal Airport if they want to beat the traffic on the ground. Call 270-333-4487 for details on that. In the event you start feeling guilty about all the wantonness and depravity you participated in Friday and Saturday, the Red Cross will host a blood drive during the rally you can check out, and a biker’s church service will be held on site on Sunday. Visit www.littlesturgisrally.net for an official rally flier, a map, and more information, and have a great rally, Little Sturgis!

• Bob Dylan Coming to Mesker, August 24^th

            Songwriting legend and 20^th Century icon, Bob Dylan will be performing at Mesker Amphitheatre on August 24^th. The last time Dylan was in Evansville was May 1, 1997, shortly before his near fatal bout with histoplasmosis, a rare and potentially fatal infection of the chest, transmitted via bat guano (that’s bat sh*t to you and me). What was Bob Dylan doing with bat sh*t in 1997? Going batsh*t crazy, perhaps? God only knows, but thankfully, he survived his brush with the boatman and, barring anymore sudden, life-threatening illnesses, will be gracing the Mesker stage with a lifetime worth of timeless songs that probe the depths of the human condition.

Last time he was here, he played at The Centre, and tickets were $29.50. I was actually in the audience for that show and remember it well; I was disappointed he didn’t play much, if any, of his early acoustic stuff off the eponymous Bob Dylan, Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan and The Times They are a-Changin’ albums.

            It looks like he will, again, be heading up another full band, not playing the concert I’ve always longed to see him play – the one with just him, a guitar, and a harmonica strapped ‘round his neck. I’ll settle for just a 15-minute segment of that, Bob. How ‘bout it?

            Seats for the show will be $50.50, $37.50 and $20.50. Tickets can be charged by phone by calling (812) 423-7222 in Indiana and (270) 926-6661 in Kentucky or on the Internet at Ticketmaster.com.

• First Saturdays Art Walk & Art Market [July 5^th]

Last month’s Art Walk and Art Market didn’t make it in before press time, so this will be our first printed mention of these twin events. The Haynie’s Corner Art District is inviting the public along every first Saturday of the month throughout the summer for an “Art Walk” through the various galleries in the downtown arts district. This month’s Art Walk if from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 5^th.

Maps can be picked up at Penny Lane at the corner of 2^nd and Mulberry all month long so you don’t get lost on your walk. Stops will include Art Colony Tea House, ArtWorks Gallery, Poet Pad & Art Emporium at 106 Adams, and the basement art studio at Penny Lane among others. There will also be a simultaneous art market at Penny Lane where all the local artists will show off their works and offer them up for sale. This is a prime opportunity to experience the burgeoning art movement at Haynie’s Corner, Evansville up close and personal, to get to know the artists, themselves, and to support their creative endeavors.

• Ellis Park Opens Season

Ellis Park kicks off another season of Thoroughbred Horse Racing. In addition to the racing, the park will host a bevy of other live entertainment, including wiener dog races and live bands July 11, 18, and 25. Called their “Friday Parties at the Paddock,” each Friday between July 11 and August 29 with feature a 2:40 post time, allowing most patrons time to enjoy the races after work. After the races end, the live music starts. If you enjoy fresh air and great entertainment, you should definitely check out Ellis Park this summer.

•  Black Widow, Kimberly Locke’s Former Band, Plays Hoosier’s Lounge

            Hailing from Nashville, this band is one of the best I’ve ever seen play the Hoosiers Lounge. A blend of funk and soul featuring many hits from the Motown era, this band, who once included former American Idol star Kimberly Locke on vocals, can flat out jam! The bass player, in particular is one of the most amazing bassists I’ve seen, and that includes Les Claypool from Primus and Flea from RHCP. The energy at the show, and the band’s playing just get better and better as the night wears on, (whether you’re drinking or not), and they have 2 female vocalists with them now that make Kimberly Locke look like – in the oft-used words of Simon Cowell – “a cabaret singer.” These women can wail! Don’t miss your chance to see one of the best regional bands around before another of their vocalists gets famous.