Tim’s Picks: A holiday show guide
Some of the best ideas heading into your Greater Lafayette holiday season.
Support also comes from Purdue’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, presenting the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Jan. 16, at Elliott Hall of Music, in a 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative event. Powered by Purdue Convocations. For free tickets and group orders, check the details below.
And now, with some of the best ideas heading into your holidays, here’s …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Lots of local Christmas shows the next couple weeks, so I thought I’d put them all in one place. I’ll be taking a few weeks off to get my Christmas shopping done and attempt to get on Santa’s nice list at the last minute. Thank you for your readership and happy holidays!
“A Christmas Story,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 7-9, and Dec. 14-16; 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8; and Dec. 16, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, 313 N. Fifth St., Lafayette — You’ve seen the movie. A lot. Every Christmas. Yes, it’s an American holiday classic but for a change, “A Christmas Story” should be experienced live, on-stage as performed by a stellar cast of Civic Theatre performers. Directed by former Civic boss Susan Kisinger, the play version adapted by Philip Grecian from the Jean Shepherd story/memoir of growing up Midwest in the 1940s contains all of the classic “A Christmas Story” elements and scenes — the “fra-gee-lay” leg lamp, the beatdown of bully Scut Farkus, the frozen and lickable lamppost, the traumatic encounter with Santa, and the coveted carbine action, 200-shot, range model Daisy Red Rider BB gun, “with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.” Despite the many hijinks, Ralphie (played by Connor Wright) has a core memory Christmas with little brother Randy (Everett Neal), Mother (Kelsey Colburn DeVinney) and the Old Man (Martin Fernandez). This crowd-pleasing show must be seen, so don’t shoot those eyes out just yet. $12-$24. Tickets.
“Pastyme With Good Companye” with Lafayette Chamber Singers, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, Unitarian Universalist Church, 333 Meridian St., West Lafayette — After an impressive 50 years, Lafayette Chamber Singers will dissolve in 2024, but not before two more concerts crammed with centuries of vocal music. The first will sing out this weekend when the group presents a free concert of medieval and Renaissance choral music sung in church, royal court and countryside styles. Led by longtime director Clayton Lein, the Singers will perform works from the 13th to 17th centuries. The mix will feature pieces by Renaissance composers including Handl, Monteverdi and Senfl; ancient music written by monks and even a selection by King Henry VIII (probably not the Herman’s Hermits classic). While this event is free, donations for Lafayette Urban Ministry’s Jubilee Christmas will be accepted. And mark your calendars for the Chamber Singers’ final event, which is slated for May 11 at Unitarian Universalist Church.
Holiday Brass with Tippecanoe Chamber Music Society, 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 600 Ferry St., Lafayette — Hear your favorite Christmas tunes performed by small brass ensembles featuring the area’s best. $15, $5 for college students, free for grades kindergarten-12th. Tickets.
Carol Sing, 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, Trinity United Methodist Church, 509 North St., Lafayette — Practice your Christmas caroling early with your friends and neighbors at this old-fashioned singalong. Backed by only piano and the acoustics of the historic downtown Trinity United Methodist Church, you will experience your favorite Christmas songs in a unique setting.
Kenny G, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — As you prepare for soprano saxophone extraordinaire Kenny G’s SOLD OUT edition of his Miracles Holiday & Hits tour next week, let’s explore some fast facts of the G man. Kenny G is looking good for 67-years-old(!). The G stands for Gorelick. While you might hear some Christmas tunes on Tuesday night, G is of Jewish descent. He somehow failed to make his first audition for his Seattle high school’s jazz band. However, he made it the following year and has never looked back. A couple years later, G was playing professionally, and his first steady pro gig was with Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1973. G was a signed to Arista records in 1982 after legendary producer Clive Davis heard the saxophonist’s rendition of Abba’s “Dancing Queen.” G has released 19 albums, including this year’s “Innocence,” and has sold more than 75 million of them. Finally, the sax man with the signature long, curly brown locks sold out the Long Center faster than any other artist in recent memory.
Sleighin’ the Holidays with The Big Swing Band, 8 p.m. Dec. 15, Rat Pak Venue, 102 N. Third St., Lafayette — Dance into Christmas week by stepping to Lafayette’s own Big Swing Band. You’ll experience upbeat arrangements of holiday hits while twirling with your favorite dance partner (or one you might meet that night). And for an extra $2, give yourself an early gift by arriving early for swing dance lessons at 7 p.m. $15.
Christmas Luau with Piano Man Ryan Rollins and The Scratch Thing, 7 p.m. Dec. 16, Knickerbocker Saloon, 113 N. Fifth St., Lafayette — Warm up with a free, tropical-themed show featuring Ryan Rollins and The Scratch Thing, a local rock band you’ve heard at the Moseys and many bars over the group’s decades-long run. You will get leighed.
Lafayette Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — Lafayette Symphony Orchestra will don their holiday apparel to present holiday selections old and new. Assistant conductor José Valencia will take the podium for this concert as the LSO will continue the search for its music director and conductor in 2024. In the meantime, enjoy the sonic holiday gifts that only the LSO can give. $8-$39. Tickets.
Festival of Carols with Lafayette Master Chorale, 2 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 17, First Baptist Church, 411 N. Seventh St., Lafayette — ’Twill be the week before Christmas and there will be beautiful sounds stirring in downtown Lafayette when the Lafayette Master Chorale presents its holiday concert of Christmas carols and readings from local dignitaries and shakers. Fresh from its landmark “Considering Matthew Shepherd” event, the singers will also be joined by its Children’s Choir as well as brass and organ players. $10-$22. Tickets.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
Thanks, again, to Purdue’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, presenting the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Jan. 16, at Elliott Hall of Music. Get tickets here.
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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.