Tim’s Picks: A dizzying edition for Jan. 19 and on
Tim’s Picks: A dizzying edition for Jan. 19 and on
Five choice ideas for the weekend and beyond in Lafayette/West Lafayette.
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By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Five choice ideas for the weekend and beyond in Lafayette/West Lafayette.
Sean Jones’ Dizzy Spellz, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, Loeb Playhouse, Purdue University — New York trumpeter Sean Jones will present his spin on the late great Dizzy Gillespie when he headlines the 33rd Purdue Jazz Festival. Jones’ show pays tribute to Gillespie’s classic tunes but with a unique presentation. He is often joined by a turntablist and foot-tacular rhythm from tap dancer Brinae Ali, whose steps are miked and sonically manipulated for a one-of-a-kind sound. This is all backed by piano, drums and bass. It will be a Dizzying experience, to say the least. Be sure to check out the rest of the festival Saturday scattered throughout Purdue Memorial Union, Pao Hall, Elliott Hall of Music and Stewart Center. The festival officially kicks off 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, with a Community Night Concert at Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St. in downtown Lafayette. This show will feature the Purdue Jazz Band and other Tippecanoe County ensembles. $24-$32. Tickets.
One Size Fits All, 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, 313 N. Fifth St., Lafayette — Lafayette’s beloved comedy improv troupe will present its first show of 2023 with a “family-friendly” performance. And it’s up to you, the audience member, to help make the funny with your clean suggestions and participation. When asked for a setting, saying “orgy” won’t cut it here. That’s a played-out setting in improv anyway. Often, cleaner is funnier, and One Size Fits All will prove it. Pay what you can.
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John Stevens Jr., 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, Linnwood Tavern, 1244 N. 14th St., Lafayette — Central Indiana singer-songwriter John Stevens Jr. didn’t let the COVID-19 pandemic slow him down. In fact, he might have emerged stronger than before. The downtime allowed him to write and record numerous original country and rock tunes — many of which fuel his upcoming 13-track digital release, “You Ain’t Lived My Scars.” While the title of the album skews serious, Stevens’ lighter side helped him receive thousands of views during his many pandemic virtual streaming concerts, including his latest country-tinged single, “Uber Me Home.” Pre-pandemic, Stevens received some notoriety thanks to “The Bob & Tom Show,” a beneficial showcase for regional and national comics, musicians and comedic musicians. His song “She Loves Peyton Manning More Than Me” was a hit with listeners during the retired quarterback’s glory years with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Bloody Tinth, 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, Nine Irish Brothers, 3520 Indiana 38, Lafayette — There are great band names and there are great band names with regional historical significance. Inspired after the Ohio 10th Volunteer Infantry Civil War regiment, which consisted of Irish immigrants who quickly earned a hard-fighting reputation before they even went to battle, The Bloody Tinth (Irish lilt for “Tenth”) is a Cincinnati Celtic rock band who will make you ask, “Who dey?” and “How dey get so good?” The band has been at it since the ‘00s, earning its own reputation of for entertaining crowds in Ohio, Indiana and beyond. Battling hard is what The Bloody Tinth soldiers did, and 150 years later, so does the band. The band formed by siblings Michael Sams, drums, and Rachel Schott, fiddle, has fought hard to gain recognition in their hometown, and the hard work can be witnessed at every raucous live show.
Aaron Kelly with Matt Scherger, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Not to be confused with an “American Idol” contestant of the same name, Chicago singer-songwriter Aaron Kelly impresses solo or with a band. Both projects have new records and Kelly will share this collection of new songs with Lafayette next week. The Aaron Kelly Band released “Songs Still Sing” last fall. In 2023, he is preparing to release a new solo EP, “Letting the Animals Out.” Featured in American Songwriter Magazine more than a decade ago, Kelly has backed that early national exposure with quality songs for fans of folk and Americana sounds — all without the help of “American Idol.” Kelly will be joined by bandmate Matthew Pittman. Opening the show is local songwriting hero Matt Scherger, who always wows crowds with originals and an encyclopedic musical mind for ultra-deep cut American roots music gems. $10. Tickets.
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