Tim’s Picks: A Velocity District farewell edition
Your weekly dose of five choice ideas for the weekend and beyond in Lafayette/West Lafayette, for July 20-26.
Thanks to the Long Center for the Performing Arts for sponsoring today’s edition. Long Center’s summer series at Loeb Stadium includes: Taylor Swift Laser Dance Party (Thursday, July 27); Air Supply (Friday, July 28), and Scotty McCreery (Thursday, Aug. 17). Tickets on sale now, at www.longpac.org, the Long Center box office at 111 N. Sixth St. or by calling 765-742-5664.
ICYMI … FIRST UP, A PROGRAMMING NOTE: Based in Lafayette is still on a bit of a break this week. But Tim Brouk is committed to Tim’s Picks, so enjoy.
In case you missed it the first time around or have been missing Based in Lafayette: I’m shutting things down to take a summer break. Know that if your inbox is a bit lighter, that doesn’t mean your subscription has lapsed. Also know that if big news breaks and you don’t see it here, I’ll catch up, as necessary, after this scheduled shutdown.
Thanks to everyone who subscribes, reads and tells their friends about the Based in Lafayette reporting project. I’ll keep working to make it worthwhile … after this short break.
And now, your weekly dose of …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Sunflower Festival, 3-8 p.m. Friday, July 21, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, July 22, Wea Creek Orchard , 5618 S. 200 East, Lafayette — Prepare for some summer fun in the sun down on the farm. The fifth annual Sunflower Festival will feature live music, local food vendors and trucks, wagon rides, kids’ activities and a “you-pick” sunflower field. And if you’ve had enough sun, the event will also feature a “quiet zone” — a spot for kids and (especially) parents to cool off and relax. $10 per car.
Davey and the Midnights with The Deltaz, 8 p.m. Friday, July 21, The Hollow, outside near People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — California’s loss is Indiana’s gain. After cutting his teeth in the Lafayette scene, Davey Allen made the bold move to make a go of music in Los Angeles. In 2017, he formed Davey and the Midnights, an Americana rock trio that toured nationally and made a good buzz. After the peak of COVID, Allen returned to his musical roots of central Indiana and has been busy with a bevy of Midwest gigs. This weekend, Davey and the Midnights will have a proper Lafayette welcome back party at The Hollow, a great outdoor space that can hold a good-sized crowd. Nashville, Tennessee, brother duo The Deltaz will open. The heavy blues band is comprised of brothers Ted (guitar, vocals) and John Siege (vocals, drumonica — drums and harmonica at the same time). $15 in advance, $18 day of show. Tickets.
Downtown Blues and Jazz Festival, 5 p.m. Saturday, July 22, North Fifth Street, downtown Lafayette — After a chilly fall 2022 event, the Downtown Jazz and Blues Festival returns to its proper place — the thick of the summer. An extension of the old Riverfront Blues & Jazz and Uptown Jazz & Blues festivals, this event showcases local jazz and blues acts in the cool confines of the Farmers’ Market area of North Fifth Street between Main and Columbia streets. Local heavy hitters new and old will pay tribute to America’s first contributions to the music world. The lineup consists of Crick’s Up (5 p.m.), Jason Wells Band (6:50 p.m.), Scott Pazera (8:20 p.m.) and Uncle Buck’s Mojo Box (9:50 p.m.) with six-string sensation Kyle Bledsoe sitting in. $15, $5 for ages 12-18; kids 11 and younger are free.
Chloe Kimes Band, 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Why go to Music City when Music City’s music comes here? Yet another Nashville, Tennessee, act will grace our town in the form of the Chloe Kimes Band. The young singer-songwriter that was named one of National Public Radio’s “10 Nashville artists on the rise” in 2022 and her debut, self-title album is proof of this. Kimes’ amazing voice leads the way as she strums tunes about love and heartbreak. Kimes and her band will wrap up their current Midwest tour in Lafayette so expect a party. $10. Tickets.
Jazz Night with The Velocity District, 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Ouch. This one stings. Local jazz-soul-funk band The Velocity District is calling it quits but not before one more gig. Lead vocalist Alexcia Plummer will be moving from Lafayette — but not to Indianapolis or Chicago, where most Lafayette musicians jump to. The singer is transferring to Dubai. Dubai as in Dubai, the largest city in United Arab Emirates. That must be some kind of record for local musician relocation. While The Spot’s Jazz Night is usually a free-wheeling event led by a small combo of players, this will be a party to celebrate one of Lafayette’s best. Formed in 2018, Velocity District grew to be one of the city’s most versatile. Armed with a killer selection of originals and covers, the band is at home in a small bar like The Spot, the outdoor festival stage or your private event. Along with her vocal chops, Plummer has engaging stage presence and passion for the music she performs. Even during the band’s few instrumentals, she will grab a tambourine and vibe to the music, just like everyone in the audience. The dudes in the band will be staying in town and you will see new projects from them in no time.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
AND FINALLY …: Fair week starts Friday at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds on Teal Road. For more information, here’s a way into schedules, rides and more:
Thanks, again, to the Long Center for the Performing Arts for sponsorship help with today’s issue. For a rundown of shows at Long Center and Loeb Stadium, go to www.longpac.org.
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