Tim’s Picks: 5, plus 1 bonus cut
Tim’s Picks: 5, plus 1 bonus cut
Five prime things going on for your Greater Lafayette week. Bonus cut: Q&A ahead of the return of Purdue’s World Film Forum
Thanks today for ongoing help from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette, presenting a summer lineup including county artist Lee Brice at Loeb Stadium on Friday, Sept. 20. For tickets for the show and details for other events, go to longpac.org.
Here, again, with five suggestions for your Greater Lafayette week, it’s …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
The Greg Lindberg Experience and Everything, Now! with Alex Shoff, 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Greg Lindberg has performed experimental music in Lafayette since 2005 as Wax Bull and then a solo project, Teen Brigade. While making music, Lindberg began writing jokes and coming up with offbeat premises. I’ll never forget booking him at Lafayette Brewing Company and his first bit was to pass around a petition to bring Christian rock band Switchfoot back to town. Some people signed it thinking it was legit; others decided to voice their opinion about his set. Tonight, Lindberg will showcase his unique style in both comedy and music. “You can expect synth-pop type music with comedy lyrics, some jokes in between songs, and just a silly, fun time,” Lindberg assured. Joining him will be Indianapolis power pop act Everything, Now! The quintet recently reunited 20 years after it first formed. Everything, Now! were major players in the Indy scene in the ’00s and are enjoying a successful return as evidenced by the band’s first new album in 13 years, “Hideout Mountain.” Lafayette standup comedian Alex Shoff will host this night of music, comedy and comedic music.
“Clue,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12-15, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19-21, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 22, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26-28, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, 313 N. Fifth St., Lafayette — Based on the movie based on the boardgame, “Clue” is a tour de farce when it comes to murder mysteries. Directed by Craig Martin, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette’s take on the show offers an all-star cast of local theater veterans and newer talents, all with comedic chops. This screwball of a show will make you wonder who killed who with what and where between laughs. “Clue” stars Richie Stephan as Wadsworth the butler, Micah Davis as Yvette, Kate Martin as Mrs. Peacock, Esther Kirgiss as Miss Scarlet, Ben Cassiday as Professor Plum, Daniel Condreay as Mr. Green, Rachel Wallace as Mrs. White and Trey Gorden as the stubborn Col. Mustard. $15-$24. Tickets.
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert,” 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, Elliott Hall of Music, Purdue University — Audiences did not have to wait long for this sequel. Just 11 months after “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” swung through Purdue University’s Elliott Hall of Music, its follow-up will bring an older Miles Morales for new, friendly beyond the neighborhood live adventures in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert.” The show features live performers and musicians portraying the webslinger’s adventures through time and space. A huge movie screen backs an orchestra and DJs, whose cuts and scratches give a unique beat to the show. “Across the Spider-Verse” made its debut at the Royal Albert Hall in London and swings into West Lafayette this weekend. $26-$60. Tickets.
Milly Raccoon, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — While both are nocturnal, Milly Raccoon will not mess up your garbage like those trash pandas are known to do. Instead, she will wake you up with a heavenly voice and impressive fiddle playing. From Nashville, Tennessee, Raccoon’s music is classic country with a dash of early jazz. Do check out her excellent 2022 album, “Frankincense and Myrrh.” $10. Tickets.
Daniel Villareal, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, Duncan Hall, 619 Ferry St., Lafayette — A fixture in the Chicago Latin music scene for more than 25 years, Daniel Villareal will bring his jazzy psychedelic rock beats in support of his new album, “Panamá 77.” Whether he’s supplying the beats behind decks or a drum kit, Villareal is an electric personality and an impressive talent with knowledge of Latin music from numerous countries and styles. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Tickets.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
And a bonus cut …
THE RETURN OF PURDUE’S WORLD FILM FORUM
By Dave Bangert
After a COVID-imposed hiatus five years ago, the World Film Forum from Purdue’s School of Languages and Cultures returns with three subtitled offerings, running for three consecutive Tuesdays, starting Sept. 17.
The first will be “Io Capitano,” a 2024 film from director Matteo Garrone, about two teens and their trek from their native Senegal to Europe. Showtime is 7 p.m. at the West Lafayette Public Library, with a conversation led by Brett Bogart, a lecturer of Italian at Purdue.
Hongjian Wang, an associate professor of Chinese at Purdue, is chair of the World Film Forum Committee. Here, she talks about the return of the film series.
Question: What went into the decision to revive the World Film Forum? And why did it take until now after shutting down after the pandemic?
Hongjian Wang: The World Film Forum was inaugurated in 2006 as a major outreach event by the School of Languages and Cultures at Purdue. Our current head of SLC, Professor Jennifer William, was the first chair of the World Film Forum Committee. It ran annually from 2006 all the way to 2019 but had to be put on pause because of the pandemic. It is a much cherished and celebrated tradition of SLC because it always drew in people from a wide section of the local community, which directly contributed to especially lively and inspirational post-screening discussions.
It has always been our intention to restart the forum as soon as possible, but it was on hold first for public health concerns and then for personnel reasons. I came back from my research leave in spring 2024 and volunteered to bring the forum back, which immediately received warm support from our SLC head as well as the entire school.
Question: What’s the goal of the upcoming series?
Hongjian Wang: As always, we want to celebrate world film with our local community — this year with three award-winning films from Europe — and engage our audience for a meaningful conversation on the chosen theme. We believe that the forum can serve as a window for the local community to see the world and a mirror to reflect upon ourselves. It is a valuable opportunity for the Purdue faculty and students to interact with the local community and we look forward to hearing many different opinions and perspectives.
Question: How did you select this set of films? Were there common themes you were going for? Or styles?
Hongjian Wang: This year, the World Film Forum Committee voted to focus on the theme of “exile” as we witness massive human displacements across the world as a result of war, violence, political and religious persecution, as well as climate change. We solicited proposals from the faculty and graduate students at SLC and chose among the proposals based on the relevancy, linguistic and geographical diversity, and the availability of DVDs and licensing rights. We regret having to leave out several very good movies, but we are very excited about our current selection, which includes three award-winning films from Italy, France and Poland that have a combination of adventure, melodrama and romance.
Question: What can people expect when they come?
Hongjian Wang: Great films, savory refreshments and lively conversation! Not to mention free admission and free parking, in the garage across from the street.
Question: What else should we know about the series?
Hongjian Wang: We would love to hear feedback from our audience, so feel free to leave comments and suggestions on a designated notebook at our events.
If you go:
Sept. 17: “Io Capitano.”
Sept. 24: “Welcome,” a 2019 French film from director Philippe Lioret, about an unlikely friendship between a French swim coach and a young Kurd refugee who is training to cross the English Channel to be reunited with his girlfriend. Discussion led by Emma Ben Hadj, a lecturer of French at Purdue.
Oct. 1: “Marzec ’68,” a 2022 from Poland by director Krzysztof Lang, about a couple in love while fighting the injustice of their government and the pressure of their families who are on opposite sides of the barricade during the March 1968 political crisis in Poland. Discussion led by A. Ligia Scott, a lecturer of Spanish at Purdue.
Admission is free and all start at 7 p.m. at the West Lafayette Public Library, 208 W. Columbia St. For more details, here’s a link.
Thanks, again, to Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette. For information on upcoming events, go to longpac.org.
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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.