Tim’s Picks: 5+ choice ideas for your weekend
Luenell at Long Center. Indiana Filmmakers at a Halloween Mini-Con. Fergus Daly at The Spot. Xperimental Dance at Purdue. Bonus cuts: Lafayette Master Chorale and the Art Museum's Surrealist Ball
Sponsorship help for this edition comes from Purdue Musical Organizations. The 91st Annual Purdue Christmas Show is the must-see event of the year! Gather your family and friends, and create lasting memories as you sing along to your favorite songs and marvel at the extraordinary Purdue student talent on display. Get tickets here.
And now, with five suggestions for your Greater Lafayette week, it’s …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Halloween Spooktacular Mini-Con, 6-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — The Lafayette chapter of the Indiana Filmmakers Network will again assemble local, regional and national horror artists, directors and special effects coordinators for the annual Halloween Spooktacular Mini-Con. Some of the talents slated to appear include Kokomo makeup artist Draven Marie, Logansport Batman Museum operator Mark Racop and Greg Manwaring, an animator from Gary who has worked on such classics as “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” “The Lion King” and “Iron Giant.” The night will finish with a karaoke party starting at 9:30 p.m.
Luenell, 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — You’ve seen her in Eddie Murphy films like “Coming 2 America” and “Dolemite Is My Name;” you’ve seen her on such critically acclaimed streaming series like “Hacks” on HBO Max, and you’ve seen her lend her hot and hilarious takes on many, many comedic talk and reality shows. It’s time you saw Luenell live. “The Original Bad Girl of Comedy” will make her Lafayette debut this weekend. With her unmistakable short, platinum blonde tresses, Luenell is a standup comedy veteran of 30 years whose star status has really shined in the digital era. She’s prolific, seemingly everywhere, and Lafayette is lucky to host her. $23-$63. Tickets.
Xperimental Dance Concert, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, Dance Studio Theatre 1179, Pao Hall, Purdue University — Purdue University’s top student and faculty choreographers will showcase what they’ve been creating this fall in the always exciting and unique Xperimental Dance Concert series. Fifteen original works for duets, trios and large group ensembles will feature jazz, ballet, tap and modern dance. The round staging of these Xperimental concerts is interesting. Audiences will find themselves at the same level as the dancers, surrounding the performance space. This intimate setting highlights the expressiveness of the performers and the physicality of dance, providing an immersive experience. Free but donations are welcome.
Fleshbore, Burned in Effigy, Bit Back and Kahani, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, North End Pub, 2100 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette — If you thought “Terrifier 3” was brutal, you must check out this murderer’s row of metalheads ready to get you in the headbanging Halloween mood, courtesy of our demented friends in The Doom Room. Chicago’s Burned in Effigy is a five-piece prog metal force. Do check out the band’s debut album, “Rex Mortum.” Then there is Kahani, an Indianapolis “desicore” band that mixes in Hindi lyrics and stories into its excellent and heavy music. The band’s first show was less than a month ago yet it has a stellar album already out in “Requiem.” Doom Room regulars Fleshbore and Bit Back will round out the bill. $10.
Fergus Daly Band, 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — The band is back. One of Lafayette’s best songwriters to ever do it, Fergus Daly is getting back to his most rocking — not counting the great Gadfly — by rounding up his boys — bassist Zach Coles, guitarist Rob Reason and drummer Mike Dunkle — for another night of music splendor at The Spot. Daly can wow you alone with just an acoustic guitar and his voice, but it’s always fun to see him rock out with a lineup he has performed in front of consistently for many years. $10 or pay what you can.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
BONUS CUTS
A SURREALIST NIGHT AT THE ART MUSEUM: A Q&A
Dave Bangert / Based in Lafayette
The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette has moved plans for its Surrealist Costume Ball from the newly renovated Fitzgerald House, at Seventh and Columbia streets, a few blocks away to the museum’s home on South 10th St. Here Chris McCauley, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, talks about the seeds of the Surrealist Ball and how it is the first of what he hopes to be many events in the same vein.
Question: How did the idea for the Surrealist Ball emerge, and how did it come together?
Chris McCauley: The idea unfolded in two distinct phases. First, we received an extraordinary gift of Salvador Dali’s Divine Comedy series (Inferno, Purgatory and Paradise) from Ed Chosnek, including over 50 stunning pieces, some personally signed by Dali. This donation led to a three-month exhibition and fundraising sale, immersing the community in Dali’s genius. The second phase arose from our strategic planning process, which emphasizes expanding our reach beyond the museum's walls and forging meaningful connections with those unfamiliar with our offerings. The Surrealist Ball became a bold and imaginative way to reintroduce the museum to the community, creating an unforgettable experience in line with our mission.
Question: This was scheduled for the recently renovated Fitzgerald. How did the Ball fit into the space?
Chris McCauley: We’ve since pivoted regarding the location and moved it back to the Art Museum due to the time constraints our design teams needed to transform the space. Additionally, we wanted to preserve the pristine beauty of the newly restored Fitzgerald, avoiding any scuffs or wear on this community gem. The ball deserved an equally mesmerizing venue, so we found a match that allows for an equally captivating experience in our own building.
Question: What can guests expect to see and experience?
Chris McCauley: Surrealism thrives on the unexpected, where dreamscapes blur the lines of reality. Guests can anticipate stepping into a night drawn straight from their most vivid dreams. We’re transforming museum spaces into surreal interpretations of works from our Permanent Collection, with Dali’s influence woven into the very fabric of the event. Imagine dining within a surreal landscape to indulge in wild desserts or entering Paradise through an immersive light and sound display. Our silent disco will pulse with the fire of Inferno, and there will be a Surrealist escape-styled room to challenge your wits. Expect intense food and drink flavors with wild designs, a magician casting spells of wonder, Tarot readings, karaoke and the chance to win Dali prints and other incredible prizes. It will be a night like no other. Also, while costumes are encouraged, they’re not required.
Question: How will the proceeds be used?
Chris McCauley: All proceeds benefit the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette and our diverse programming. We’re proud to remain open to the public free of charge, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. every day of the week. These funds help sustain our rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, the care of our permanent collection, as well as a wide range of free events — receptions, concerts, lectures and other educational opportunities.
Question: How can people get tickets and participate?
Chris McCauley: Head over to our website, artlafayette.org, to explore all of our extraordinary offerings. For tickets, the direct link is: https://www.artlafayette.org/classes/p/surrealist. Join us for an unforgettable night.
Question: What other context should people know?
Chris McCauley: This is our first foray into an event of this kind, a venture into immersive experiences that make learning about art exciting and accessible. The museum has been a cornerstone of this community for over 100 years, and we’re always seeking new ways to serve the Greater Lafayette area and beyond. This event is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the museum, where art and imagination merge in surprising and delightful ways.
If you go: The Surrealist Costume Ball is 7:47 p.m.-12:34 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, 102 S. 10th St. in Lafayette. Tickets for the fundraising event start at $111.11. Get tickets here.
PLUS, SEASON OPENER FOR LAFAYETTE MASTER CHORALE: Lafayette Master Chorale opens its 60th season with “Baroque and Beyond,” a performance featuring works by Vivaldi, Brahms, Copland, Bach and Bruckner. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Mary Cathedral, 1207 Columbia St. in Lafayette. Tickets: $22 for adults ($25 at the door); $10 for college students; free for those under 18. Get tickets at lafayettemasterchorale.org.
Thanks for support from Purdue Musical Organizations, presenting the 91st Annual Purdue Christmas Show, Dec. 7-8. Get tickets here.
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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.