Tim's Picks: 5 for your July
Five ideas for your Greater Lafayette week.
Programming note: Based in Lafayette is still on some scheduled downtime this week. But there’s no stopping …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Destination Downtown Block Party, 5-9 p.m. Friday, July 25, downtown Lafayette — The era of frosted tips, flip phones and low-rise jeans will be celebrated with gusto when parts of Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic for a downtown block party that will celebrate all things 2000s. While it feels like we were just basking in prime Britney Spears yesterday, 20-plus years have flown by — putting those aughts firmly into the nostalgia file. Presented by Destination Downtown, the event will feature outdoor music, downtown businesses showing off their wares and other pop-up experiences. Hopefully there will be no JNCOs in the mix.
Miller, 7 p.m. Friday, July 25, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette — Twenty years ago, there was no band hotter in Lafayette than the Clayton Miller Band — a family blues-rock band that featured the three youngest Miller brothers in Clayton, Cole and L.D., the harmonica-shredding baby of the boys. As the years passed, the band evolved and got younger with only the two youngest — L.D. and Cole — maintaining the nucleus. Their star power peaked when the two young musicians were runners-up on the first season of “America’s Got Talent” back in 2006. The last iteration of Miller got a little funkier and even a bit psychedelic when the band added some electronics and a flutist, Ryan Fletcher. After a long COVID-19 pandemic hiatus, Miller is back and ready to get back on the scene. Joining L.D. and Cole will be guitarist Liam Miller and bassist Scott Pazera.
Snake Wine with Hyper Tensions, Grimey and Mr. Clit and the Pink Cigarettes, 9 p.m. Friday, July 25, The Spot Tavern — Garage rock and punk from the north and south will converge for a big bill at The Spot. Snake Wine, a young garage rock ‘n’ roll outfit from Hammond, will break free from The Region to make its Lafayette debut. Joining will be reinforcements from the Indianapolis area with one of that city’s top garage punk bands Hyper Tensions and punk rock acts Grimey and Mr. Clit and the Pink Cigarettes, both of which have played Lafayette before and both feature Abby Hart on vocals and bass, respectively. $10 or pay what you can.
The Masquerade: Adult Prom, 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26, Rat Pak Venue — High school losers who thought they were too cool for the prom (like me) will finally get the chance to experience the corsages, dancing and awkward photo opportunities that come with the prom experience at The Masquerade, a prom night for adults. Rat Pak’s own DJ Sunn will spin 1990s and 2000s school dance classics both fast and slow — just be sure to keep room for the Holy Spirit between you and your date during those slow dances. Formal attire and masks are a must, and early attendees will get first crack at some light hors d’oeuvres. $20, $30 per couple. Tickets.
Daniel Villareal Trio, 5 p.m. Sunday, July 27, The Eleventh House — All-ages Sunday matinees aren’t just for hardcore bands anymore. Philadelphia jazz drummer Daniel Villareal makes his return to Lafayette with his trio this weekend. After wowing the crowd at Duncan Hall last fall with his brand of soulful Latin jazz, this engagement will be more intimate, and it will feature the talents of vibraphonist Victor Vieira-Branco and upright bassist John Moran. Presented by Mom&PopProductions. $15. Tickets.
Bonus cut: Check out the Tippecanoe County 4-H Fair, which runs through July 26 at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds. It’s our county’s tradition of animals, rides, funnel cake, elephant ears and memories. For a daily schedule of shows, events and, yes, carnival rides, check here: tippe4hfair.org/2025/schedule/
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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