Tim’s Picks: 5+ for your weekend
Comedy from Chonda Pierce, a jam in memory of Tony Zamora, Super Novas roller derby, and plenty of drag.
Support for Based in Lafayette comes from Purdue Convocations, presenting Soul Asylum Acoustic w/ Corey Glover (Living Colour) on Friday, April 10. Spend an evening with legendary alternative rock band Soul Asylum, known for iconic hits like “Runaway Train.” In this rare acoustic performance featuring Dave Pirner and Ryan Smith, the artists revisit songs from across their multi-platinum catalog. The night opens with Corey Glover — powerhouse vocalist of Living Colour — bringing his soulful voice and rock legacy to the stage. Don’t miss this intimate night of music — BUY TICKETS today!
Thanks, also, for ongoing support from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette. For tickets and details on all the shows and events, go to longpac.org.
And now for some …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Chondapalooza with Chonda Pierce, Heather Land, June Bug and Karyn Williams, 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — Clean comedy is hard to do well, but four women will show you how it’s done with ease during Chondapalooza, a touring mini comedy festival featuring headliner Chonda Pierce. After getting her show business start on the Grand Ole Opry and becoming known as “The Country Comic,” Pierce has built a solid, three-decade multimedia career performing standup, making television appearances and authoring books. Pierce will be joined by three other seasoned jokestresses — Heather Land, Karyn Williams and June Bug, who also authored a comedy book and relies on her crazy Southern family for many laughs. Bug recently starred in her own Dry Bar platform special, “If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Taze ‘Em.” $28-$68.89. Tickets.
Lafayette Roller Derby, 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28, Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette — Your Lafayette Roller Derby Super Novas are finally back and ready to jam. The best local athletes on quad wheels will take on the Demolition City Roller Derby from Evansville this weekend. $12. Tickets.
Midwest Martyr, The Come Alongs and Steve’s in the Band, 8 p.m. Saturday, March 28, North End Pub, 2100 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette — It’ll be a little bit of a different flavor for The Doom Room when it presents a rare rock show rather than its usual heavy metal menu. “Overweight Sensations” Midwest Martyr will drive up from Indy with a heavy dose of hard rock. Right behind them zipping up I-65 North will be central Indiana punk rock trio The Come Alongs and converging to Lafayette via I-65 South will be Steve’s in the Band, a cheeky skate punk band from Chicago supporting its self-titled full-length album. $10.
Drag shows, Saturday, March 28 — I remember a time when there was never a competing local rock show in Lafayette. Back in 2001 or so, there would be a good rock show at some bar, basement or all ages space on Friday night and maybe another one on Saturday night. That’s it. Convenient for showgoers and bands, sure, but I felt there wasn’t really a scene here until it happened — Gasp! Two good shows happening on the same night. Choices had to be made! Now flashforward a quarter century to 2026, and it’s finally happened for local drag shows: Two locally produced drag events will occur on the same night — albeit at different times in the night so you can make both if your Uber steps on the gas. “Little Monsters Birthday Bash: A Drag Celebration Show Honoring Lady Gaga” will pay tribute to the pop legend by dancing, lip syncing and serving lewks inspired by Gaga’s music. This event starts at 8 p.m. at People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St. in Lafayette, and will feature a cast of queens “On the Edge of Glory” — Norah, Cryptina, Lucid, Static, Aura and your host Ms. Alexa Pro. Tickets for this show are available here. A later drag show starts at 10 p.m. at Digby’s Patio and Pub, 133 N. Fourth St., Lafayette. This event will see Alexandrea, Anitta Dolla and Hue Thedon dancing, death dropping and delivering the attitude. This show will be hosted by Anitta Schwanz and Aniah Lation.
Tony Zamora Celebration Jazz Jam Session, 3-6 p.m. Sunday, March 29, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — When Lafayette lost Tony Zamora in 2020, we lost much more than an iconic and accomplished jazz saxophonist. We lost a mentor, a local cultural force and a kind friend who brought people together through music. He mentored numerous local musicians that have kept jazz alive into the 2020s. Even when Zamora’s steady gigging days were behind him, it was assuring to know his presence inspired musicians to carry the sound and ensure the quality after he left for the great gig in the sky. This weekend, local musicians and jazz fans will assemble to celebrate Zamora’s live through jamming, just the way the way he would want it. This event is free and open to all-ages.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
Thanks, again, for ongoing support from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette. For tickets and details on all the shows and events, go to longpac.org.
Thanks also for support from Purdue Convocations, presenting Soul Asylum Acoustic w/ Corey Glover (Living Colour) on Friday, April 10. Get tickets here.
Thank you for supporting Based in Lafayette, an independent, local reporting project. Free and full-ride subscription options are ready for you here.
Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.
Zamora photo was taken by Phil Prien for the “Local Color” ad campaign we did (I wrote the copy.) for Lafayette Printing back in the day. Such a great photo. —Angie