Bloomington–Normal this week: Deana Carter, Mitchell Tenpenny and Andy Grammer at the BCPA

A 1920s Scottish Rite temple hosts three headliners in four nights, and the Castle Theatre answers with three of its own.

For a week, two downtown Bloomington buildings carry most of the music. The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts on East Street has three headliners between Thursday and Sunday. A few blocks away, the Castle Theatre has jam, emo and Americana nights of its own. Friday has a show in a third room too.

Here's the week.

Wednesday, Nov 11 — Dogs In A Pile with Kitchen Dwellers, The Castle Theatre, 7:30pm. A midweek jam double bill, and the best way to start the week if you like long songs.

Thursday, Nov 12 — Deana Carter, Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, 7pm. The first of the BCPA's three nights. The building is worth a look on its own. It went up in 1921–22 as a Scottish Rite temple, later housed the American Passion Play, and took its current name in 2000. Today it's the centerpiece of downtown's Cultural District, with a 1,200-seat auditorium.

Friday, Nov 13 — Mitchell Tenpenny, Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, 7pm. The Speed of Light Tour has been a year-long run. It started Feb. 6 in Rockford and was extended through the fall, so this is a band that has been on the road for most of 2026.

Friday, Nov 13 — Loudernow, The Castle Theatre, 8pm. Billed as an emo and pop-punk tribute band. Wear the old hoodie.

Friday, Nov 13 — Dexter O'Neal and Funk Yard, Smash House Tavern, 8pm. Friday's third option, for anyone who'd rather dance to funk.

Saturday, Nov 14 — Maggie Rose, The Castle Theatre, 8pm. Probably the best-sounding Saturday in town.

Sunday, Nov 15 — Andy Grammer, Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, 7pm. The BCPA closes its run with a pop night. Ticketmaster bills the tour as Greater Than Pt. II.

That's seven shows in five nights, more than enough for a town this size. Between the BCPA and the Castle, you could spend Thursday through Sunday downtown and never move your car.

You could spend Thursday through Sunday downtown and never move your car.

Friday is the crunch: Tenpenny, a tribute night and a funk band, all at once. Pick one, and save room for Maggie Rose on Saturday.

Sources: Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts — Visit Bloomington-Normal (visitbn.org); Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA) finding aid — McLean County Museum of History (mchistory.org); Center for the Performing Arts — Bloomington-Normal LocalWiki (localwiki.org); Multi-Platinum Country Star Mitchell Tenpenny Launches The Year-Long “Speed Of Light” Tour — That Eric Alper (thatericalper.com); Mitchell Tenpenny extends Speed of Light tour — MusicRow (musicrow.com); Mitchell Tenpenny — artsblooming.org (artsblooming.org)