Tim’s Picks: An 'Indiana Now' edition
Tim’s Picks: An 'Indiana Now' edition
It’s your weekly dose of five choice ideas for the weekend and beyond. A Second Chance Prom. The Distance at Lafayette Theater. ‘Indiana Now’ at the Art Museum. Open mics, jazz ensembles and more
Thanks to Food Finders Food Bank for its ongoing support of Based in Lafayette. Get your tickets and check out auction items — LIVE NOW — for the Blue Jean Ball, coming Saturday, May 6. The Blue Jean Ball helps raise critical operating funds for Food Finders, as it addresses hunger in and around Greater Lafayette. Click the links below for tickets, silent auction items and more about Food Finders’ mission.
And now, your weekly dose of five choice ideas for the weekend and beyond in Lafayette/West Lafayette …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
The Distance, 6 p.m. Thursday, May 4, Lafayette Theater, 600 Main St. — One of Lafayette’s newest cover bands contains an all-star roster of Lafayette musicians. Bassist Charles Brooks backed R&B legend Babyface in the “Whip Appeal” singer’s Indianapolis days, and he is associated with another superstar. His wife is singer CJ Towns Brooks, formerly of Sisters of Thunder. The Sisters performed regularly in the 1980s, ‘90s and early-‘00s here. Other members of The Distance include The Big Swing Band players Chamis Dougherty (keyboards and horns) and John Tilford (drums). Guitarist Tony Goins backed Danny and the Juniors (“At the Hop,” “Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay”) and vocalist James Woodford is known for his vocals on local jazz and Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette stages. $8.
“Indiana Now 2023” opening reception, 6 p.m. Friday, May 5, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, 102 S. 10th St., Lafayette — Open to current and former Indiana residents, “Indiana Now” is a juried exhibit created to show the diverse and excellent talents of Hoosiers. And “once a Hoosier, always a Hoosier” as the 2023 edition received submissions from 14 states. In total, 118 pieces from 87 artists will fill the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. The show received a whopping 660 entries from 246 artists. That means the best of the best will be on display. Every media will be represented, including video works for the first time in the show’s 44-year history. “Indiana Now” will run through Aug. 6 at the museum.
Lafayette Live! Open Mic with Brady Joseph, 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, Rat Pak Venue, 102 N. Third St., Lafayette — Back in the 00’s and ‘10s, Brady Joseph’s enthusiasm and energy kept the Lafayette open mic scene humming. A talented musician himself, Joseph and his trademark Chuck Taylors gave dozens of local musicians stage time and encouragement. Some of those musicians graduated from Lafayette Live! to play shows around here and beyond. Others just wanted to share their songs and meet other musicians of all ages and experience levels. Lafayette Live! is back in downtown Lafayette and is open to all live performance creatives; poets, comics and even full bands are welcome. 18-and-up. $5.
Second Chance Prom, 7 p.m. Saturday, May 6, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — If you were too much of a dweeb and/or thought you were too cool to attend your high school’s prom (I was/thought both), there’s a second chance for you. Presented by Pride Lafayette, the Second Chance Prom will serve up the sparkling dresses, corsages, awkward photo opportunities and dancing, and you don’t have to save room for the Holy Spirit during the slow dances here. The theme is a classic, “Enchanted Garden,” and there’s no need to spike the punch, as a cash bar will be in the house. The tunes will be spun by DJ Kyle Robert Paquin, who is also party starting at The Spot Tavern Friday night. Look and feel your best at this prom. $10. Tickets.
Kabir Dalawari Quartet, 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Fine jazz with a groove via Chicago will make its presence felt and heard courtesy of the young musicians in the Kabir Dalawari Quartet. The combo is led by drummer Kabir Dalawari and features saxophonist Kyle Brooks, pianist Eric Arroyo and upright bassist Matt Ullery. The band is supporting its 2022 release, “Awareness,” which has more than 100,000 listens on Spotify. As an educator, Dalawari is a music teacher at two Chicago high schools, where he leads ensemble rehearsals and teaches drums percussion lessons. He will educate Lafayette jazz fans with his compositions next week. $10. 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, for sponsorship help from Food Finders Food Bank, presenting the Blue Jean Ball on Saturday, May 6. Get tickets and bid on auction items here.
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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com. Follow and like Based in Lafayette on Facebook: Based in Lafayette