Tim’s Picks: 5 choice ideas for the weekend
Five of the best picks for your Greater Lafayette weekend. PLUS: The Visit Taste Table team takes run through the Korean corn dog menu at Flaming Kuma, new in Wabash Landing
Thanks today for sponsorship help from Purdue Convocations, presenting Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert. Featuring a soundtrack that blends symphonic orchestral music with hip-hop, this unique cinematic experience pairs a screening of the Academy Award-winning animated film with live orchestra, electronics and turntables on stage. The hip-hop based score results in a sonic universe that is woven throughout the fabric of the film, supporting its themes of resilience and universal heroism. Experience the Marvel Spider-Verse LIVE, Oct. 22 in Elliott Hall of Music. BUY TICKETS
And now, with five of the best ideas heading into your weekend, here’s …
TIM’S PICKS: A LITTLE SLEAZE
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Vine Street Syncopators, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, Rat Pak Venue, 102 N. Third St., Lafayette — Major accolades must go to the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra (LSO) for continuing to highlight its musicians’ other performance pursuits. While they live and breathe classical compositions, the players dabble in other styles, too. Tonight, it’s LSO clarinetist and saxophonist Randy Salman’s chance to showcase another project. Based in Champaign, Illinois, his Vine Street Syncopators is a New Orleans-style jazz combo featuring Salman on those clarinet leads while being backed by brass, banjo and upright bass. $15. Tickets.
Fall Music Jam with Piano Man Ryan Rollins and friends, 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, Knickerbocker Saloon, 113 N. Fifth St., Lafayette — Lafayette’s oldest bar returns to its live music roots for a fall bash with performers from near and far. Resident Piano Man Ryan Rollins will croon and caress the keys as he does often in downtown Lafayette, but this weekend he will be joined by Florida pop singer-songwriter Brek Milo and Chicago light-hearted, feel-good band Chicken Dolphin. The sextet is celebrating its new album, “Good Vibes.” The band’s good-vibe sound is like if Jimmy Buffett canoodled with a jam band. Standout tunes include the Windy City-centric “PDA on the CTA,” the modern love ditty “Swipe Right Tonight,” and “Uber Is Here,” a catchy and reggae-laced tune that could finally replace Semisonic’s “Closing Time” as the next last call-bar anthem.
Thelma and the Sleaze with Lung and The Jackies, 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, North End Pub, 2100 Elmwood Ave. — On tour in support of its upcoming album, “Holey Water,” the unbridled, unmatched Thelma and the Sleaze returns to Lafayette for a night of furious, guitar-driven Southern garage punk rock. From Nashville, Tennessee, the band is led by the incomparable Lauren “LG” Gilbert, who stalks the stage with fury and an overdriven Gibson SG. When she is feeling it, Gilbert and the band will give you an unforgettable, beer-soaked experience. On tour with Thelma and the Sleaze is Lung, a two-piece punk rock act out of Cincinnati comprised of vocalist and cellist, yes cellist, Kate Wakefield and drummer Daisy. Wakefield and Daisy lock in on punk grooves as her electric cello’s sound isn’t too far from a distorted guitar’s. Local punk rock superstars The Jackies will open the show. $12. Tickets.
Art on the Wabash, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, Tapawingo Park, West Lafayette— Nearly 50 regional artists will add color and texture to the 16th annual Art on the Wabash art fair while offering works for sale in acrylic, oil, watercolor, printmaking, photography and much more. The event will also feature children’s activities, live music from three acoustic duos — Frank Anthony and Sam Bennett (10 a.m.), Greg Deason and Dave Beering (noon), and Kit Klutzky and Mike Edwards (2 p.m.) — and food and beverages from People’s Brewing Company, Guac Box, EMT food truck, Fuel Coffee Shop, and Rollin in Dough Pizza. Art on the Wabash is a joint production between the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette and West Lafayette city government.
TODAY’S A GOOD DAY TO SUBSCRIBE TO BASED IN LAFAYETTE.
The Beat Goes On, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — From “I Got You Babe” to a “Drag Race” icon, Cher has given her millions of fans seven decades of entertainment. So much that just the occasional tweet can cause rejoicing. Then there are performers like Lisa McClowry, who take the mantle so the 77-year-old mononym-ed icon can enjoy life off the road and concentrate on her “Chersace” fashion line and upcoming “Cher Christmas” album. With numerous costume and wig changes, McClowery’s “The Beat Goes On” show features a live band and her impeccable Cher impersonation. She nails the walk, the talk, the signature hair flip, quips and the Goddess of Pop’s many hits — “If I Could Turn Back Time,” “Believe,” and “I Found Someone,” just to name a few. $35. Tickets.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
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Here’s one for good measure: You’ve already met the Dining Divas and Dudes, a team that has been reporting and rating new restaurants, hidden gems, international fare and updated menus from old favorites for years now at homeofpurdue.com. Now welcome the Visit Tasting Table, another branch of Visit Lafayette West Lafayette coming in with occasional stops at recently opened places. The group includes a rotating lineup of Jo Wade, Lisa Morrow, Ashley Gregory, Emily Weisenberger, Ari Grinnage, Gabbi Espinoza, Sara Erickson, Margaret O'Connor, Kacey Frenzel and Heidi Doerhman. Today, Visit Tasting Table checks out Flaming Kuma, recently opened in Wabash Landing.
VISIT TASTING TABLE: KOREAN DOGS AT FLAMING KUMA
By Margaret O’Connor / The Visit Tasting Table
Korean corn dogs have made it to West Lafayette. Flaming Kuma, located in at Wabash Landing, 342 E. State St., offers a delicious culinary adventure in the form of Korean corn dogs.
For those who may be unfamiliar, a Korean corn dog is similar to American corn dogs but offers many different options for customizing your corn dog experience. This culinary delight is a popular street food in South Korea. They are a delightful fusion of the familiar corn dog and Korean flavors, resulting in a crispy, cheesy and incredible snack. What sets Korean corn dogs apart from their American counterparts is the variety of coatings and fillings they offer.
Flaming Kuma is an eatery that radiates warmth and authenticity. The moment you step inside, you'll be greeted with friendly smiles and the irresistible aroma of freshly fried corn dogs. The cozy ambiance and the inviting decor make it a perfect spot for a quick bite, a casual date night or a gathering with friends.
Flaming Kuma’s menu has incredible variety, offering their Original, Nashville Hot, Potato, Sweet Potato, Ramen, American Classic, Churros, Hot Cheetos, Sweet Chili Doritos, Cheeseling, Spaghetti, and Fruity Pebble Dogs. After picking the outside of your corn dog, you get to choose the filling from beef sausage, jumbo hot polish, whole mozzarella, half beef half mozzarella, chicken sausage and plant-based sausage.
For our tasting trip, we decided to order a bunch of options and try them all. We started out with a classic combination of the original and beef sausage. This was an amazing version of a classic. The beef dog was high quality and perfectly suited for the Flaming Kuma breading. This is the dog for corn dog purists looking for a high-quality classic.
Next, we sampled the Cheeseling with a whole mozzarella filling. The cheese-on-cheese combination was delicious. This could be great for kids or someone looking for a simpler option. The American Classic offers the original crust with ketchup and mayo on top, and we opted for the mozzarella filling. This was a crowd pleaser in our group. We also ordered the Nashville Hot with the half beef/half mozzarella filling. This packed the perfect punch that wasn’t overly spicy and matched perfectly with the fillings.
For our sweet option, we decided on the churro with mozzarella. The cinnamon coating and potato crust complemented the mozzarella providing a sweet and savoring combination that was to die for.
Heidi, the resident vegetarian was excited to be able to join in on the corn dog experience. She said: “Flaming Kuma provided an amazing vegetarian Korean corn dog, an option most restaurants do not provide. On the outside of the treat was crispy sweet potato pieces, full of flavor and the perfect texture. The vegetarian dog itself was hard to differentiate from the typical beef, adding to the experience. Not only was I offered a vegetarian option, but it was equally as delicious!”
The Flaming Kuma tots were a mouth-watering side that everyone who visits should get. Golden brown and crispy tots are covered in Hot Cheeto crumbs, spicy mayo, Parmesan cheese and ketchup. These tots have a perfect spicy kick, and you will be thinking about them for days afterward.
Flaming Kuma also offers bubble tea, lemonade and slushies. The Brown Sugar Milk tea has a perfect level of sweetness which complimented the boba and brown sugar drizzle. It was delicious! A great addition to all the flavors of the day is Flaming Kuma's irresistibly sweet and tart strawberry lemonade. It left us feeling energized and refreshed.
Flaming Kuma in West Lafayette is a culinary adventure that introduces you to the delightful world of Korean corn dogs with creativity and passion. Whether you're a student seeking comfort food, a local foodie looking for the next great taste or a visitor exploring West Lafayette, a visit to Flaming Kuma is an absolute must. You might just find your new favorite snack in West Lafayette.
Look for occasional features from Visit Tasting Table and the Dining Divas and Dudes in Based in Lafayette. For more reviews and local attractions visit www.homeofpurdue.com/blog/
Thanks, again, for sponsorship help from Purdue Convocations, presenting Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert, Oct. 22 in Elliott Hall of Music. BUY TICKETS HERE.
And what about a reminder for Sheila?