Tim’s Picks and ‘Nick’s Picks:’ An LSO Maestro Nick Palmer farewell edition
Tim’s Picks and ‘Nick’s Picks:’ An LSO Maestro Nick Palmer farewell edition
Five choice ideas for the weekend and beyond in Lafayette/West Lafayette, including one final concert, and party, with LSO's Maestro Nick Palmer
Thanks to today’s Based in Lafayette sponsor, Lafayette Chamber Singers, celebrating nearly 50 years of choral excellence. Join the Chamber Singers at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 14, for the second concert of “Northern Voices,” exploring the glorious choral and vocal traditions of Northern Europe, introducing many composers largely unknown to American choral audiences. For ticket information and more, go to www.lafayettechambersingers.org/home.
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
Lucas Waterfill with Xavier Lamont, Mariah Davison and Kristin Carnes, 8 p.m. Thursday, May 11, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Fresh from the release of his first comedy album, “Public Inconvenience,” Indianapolis comedian Lucas Waterfill is a top Hoosier comic, earning statewide honors like “Indiana’s Funniest Person” in 2021, praise from fans and colleagues, and having the reputation for being “the best writer who can’t write.” Waterfill, who has cerebral palsy, creates hilarious material from a unique perspective compared to his fellow comics of able life. Recent bits question “How crippled is too crippled?” and “Have y’all ever played Tinder on hard mode? Just take profile pics in your wheelchair.” Waterfill has performed comedy since 2014: “Growing up crippled means that on a daily basis you are faced with ignorant statements and ignorant expectations,” the funnyman said. “Sarcasm and wit are the only ways I know how to disarm that ignorance.” Chicago comic and actor Xavier Lamont will feature. He’s been seen on Comedy Central and a 2020 episode of “The Chi.” Opener Mariah Davison is another Indy talent, and West Lafayette’s own Kristin Carnes will host. $5.
“A Tale of Two Studios: Preserving Frank Lloyd Wright in Different Climates” with Fred Prozzillo Jr., 6 p.m. Friday, May 12, West Lafayette Public Library, 208 W. Columbia St. — With Samara House’s recent reopening after a $2 million renovation to the historic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home’s foundation and windows in West Lafayette, fans of the famed architect can learn more of how Wright’s properties are preserved. Fred Prozzillo Jr., the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Nord McClintock Family vice president of preservation and collections, will discuss how Wright’s beloved winter home and office, Taliesin West, evolved and has stayed pristine despite several decades of desert conditions in Arizona. This event is part of the O’Brien Lecture Series.
Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — It’s time for maestro Nick Palmer to take his final bow as conductor for the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held for 16 amazing seasons. To honor Palmer, who will still conduct the Altoona Symphony in Pennsylvania and North Charleston POPS! In South Carolina, the final concert program of the season will feature “Nick’s Picks,” led by Mozart’s “Bassoon Concerto” featuring principal bassoonist Catherine Marchese, George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” and the world premiere of “Mesmerism” by Grace Brigham, a young composer and soprano singer from Salt Lake City. After the concert, the public is invited to party with the maestro one more time. A post-concert reception will be full of mirth, merriment and music memories. On a personal note, our community is losing not only a music genius in Palmer but a really nice, genuine guy. He was always a pleasure to interview back in the day when I was at the Lafayette Journal & Courier, and I enjoyed seeing the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra rise in the last decade since. The LSO is an arts pillar in this city and much of that is due to Palmer and his music and leadership talents. Bravo, Maestro Palmer! $8-$44. Tickets. Tickets for the after-party only are $5.
Drag show, 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Rat Pak Venue, 102 N. Third St., Lafayette — May the slay be with you all month long after you check out this month’s drag show courtesy of Lafayette’s own The Fox’s Den. Hosted by Veronica Fox and Anitta Schwanz, the show will feature the talents of Vicki St. James, Diva DeParis, Ruby Lockheart and Angela Shadé. $10, $15 for ages 18-20. Tickets.
Benefit show for Kathleen Kitch and Dana Goodman featuring The Velocity District, DJ Bob Easter, Eli Bedel and Sam Hibbard, 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13, North End Pub, 2100 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette — Tragedy struck local artist Kathleen Kitch and her partner Dana Goodman on Feb. 4 when their rural Warren County home caught fire. Kitch, an accomplished multimedia artist concentrating in glass, clay and jewelry forms and longtime member of Artists’ Own, spent decades making the home a creative space not just for her art but also for friends and strangers to make visual and audio art. To help with recovery, the local music community is helping the best way it knows how — by putting on a can’t miss show led by one of its best in the form of soulful and funky Velocity District and DJ Bob Easter, whose deep cuts helped get a packed Spot Tavern bumping last Friday. $20 or pay what you can.
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 sponsor the Lafayette Chamber Singers, presenting a Mother’s Day concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 14, at Unitarian Universalist Church, 333 Meridian St. in West Lafayette. For more details, go to: www.lafayettechambersingers.org/home.
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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com. Follow and like Based in Lafayette on Facebook: Based in Lafayette