Tim’s Picks: Another B-side edition
Tim’s Picks: Another B-side edition
Your weekly dose of five choice ideas for the weekend and beyond in Lafayette/West Lafayette, for the week of June 8-14.
Thanks to ongoing support from The Long Center for the Performing Arts, presenting guitar great Jimmie Vaughan and his band in downtown Lafayette, Thursday, June 15. For the best seats, here’s your link. And for more, click the poster below.
Thanks also to The Arts Federation for its support of today’s Based in Lafayette edition. Food, Drink, Music and Art: Celebrate the arts at the TASTE of Tippecanoe on June 17, 6 p.m.-midnight in downtown Lafayette. Presale tickets are only $5. Purchase tickets at TAF or online at tasteoftippecanoe.org/buy-tickets.
And now, your weekly dose of …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
“Light a Fuse” with Brandon Lee, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8, Rat Pak Venue, 102 N. Third St., Lafayette — Brandon Lee, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra principal percussionist, will trade his mallets for some Vic Firth drumsticks at “Light a Fuse,” a night of rock, pop and jazz fusion. Lee assembled a five-piece band of fellow LSO players and community musicians. You’ll experience takes on Herbie Hancock, Post Malone, The Meters, Led Zeppelin and even 50 Cent like you’ve never heard. This event is part of the LSO’s B-Side concert series of smaller, more informal events, which show the musical diversity of the accomplished players within our beloved local symphony. $15. Tickets.
“Marvin Bartel: The Man Behind the Inspiration, Creativity and Skill” opening reception, 6 p.m. Friday, Haan Museum of Indiana Art, 920 State St., Lafayette — If you’ve taken a ceramics class in the last 40 years, you should probably thank Goshen artist and educator Marvin Bartel. From preschools to his decades at Goshen College, Bartel has taught thousands of art students new and old. He’s helped innovate kiln technology along the way. Bartel’s designs and new takes on kiln operations have been featured in “Ceramics Monthly.” One fuel efficient design was built to keep maximum heat inside while running. Bartel found many kilns lost more heat than they used. He developed a system that keeps cold combustion air out for maximum, fast firing with low fuel costs. Lafayette’s Haan Museum of Indiana Art will display numerous examples of Bartel’s skills in the form of numerous vases, bowls and sculptures. Bartel’s style has a whimsical tint, which shines in most pieces. Some are quite functional while others are almost confounding. No matter the artist’s mood, the work is impressive. Bartel is the perfect example of teachers that can also do. The new show opens this weekend and runs through Aug. 26. If you can’t make the opening, Bartel will return to talk about his work at 11:30 a.m. July 11.
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Roller Derby, 7 p.m. Saturday, June 10, Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette — Lafayette Roller Derby is back home to take on a potential new rival. Your Lafayette Supernovas will battle the B(l)oomington Blockheads, a new team from, yes, that Bloomington. The Boomington Blockheads formed in 2021, which makes this weekend’s bout the first between Lafayette and a team from IU country in at least more than a decade. Lafayette Roller Derby (LRD) took on Bleeding Heartland Roller Derby in its early days, but that B-town team has since folded. While Purdue and IU are done for the summer, why not see some bad blood boil on the court? Actually, roller derby is about unity and fair play as much as it is hard hits and nimble skating. Your home team is coming off a huge victory on April 29, both in terms of score and attendance. Another huge crowd propelled the skaters to another satisfying victory. With hundreds of loud and boisterous Supernovas superfans in attendance, the atmosphere gets a huge boost when Lafayette fans show out, which should occur this weekend. Skater Scar of David affirmed, “I’m thrilled the Blockheads have revived roller derby in Bloomington, and I expect to see a new rivalry born this Saturday night. You won’t want to miss the high speed and big hits from two teams hungry for a win!” $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Children ages 10 and younger are free. Tickets.
Rob Dixon and From the 317, 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Famer Rob Dixon and his saxophone return to Lafayette — and they’re not coming alone. Dixon will debut his new group, From the 317, for the 765. Dixon is one of the best Indiana has to offer. Lafayette audiences might have caught him sitting in with local cats at various jazz nights or when he brings his own players. Regardless, Dixon is a living treasure on-stage and off as he teaches jazz music courses at IUPUI and Indianapolis high schools while maintaining artistic director of Indy Jazz Fest status. $10. Tickets.
Ryan Burns with Jessica Billey, 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Chicago folk singer-songwriter Ryan Burns will drive down I-65 to meet new Lafayette fans. The young musician, who has scored major league Windy City gigs at The Metro and House of Blues, pens tunes for guitar or banjo, which appeal to fans of Americana and bluegrass. Opening is Lafayette’s own Jessica Billey, who moved back to town last summer after 20+ years away (some of which was in Chicago). The local scene instantly improved by about 100% when Billey revealed her chops to a new generation of fans by seamlessly working with longtime music partner Fergus Daly and his various projects. This night, Billey will be in the spotlight on violin. $7 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, for sponsorship help from the Long Center for Performing Arts, presenting Jimmie Vaughan and his band in downtown Lafayette, June 15. And to The Arts Federation, presenting the Taste of Tippecanoe, June 17, in downtown Lafayette.
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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com. Follow and like Based in Lafayette on Facebook: Based in Lafayette