Tim's Picks, back for more
Tim's Picks, back for more
Our new feature: Five things worth your time in Greater Lafayette, curated by someone who knows.
Thanks to today’s Based in Lafayette sponsor, Purdue University, which presents the next in the Presidential Lecture Series, featuring Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan. President Mitch Daniels will host Noonan in a Q&A format at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, in Fowler Hall at Purdue’s Stewart Center. Admission is free.
Editor’s note: Last week, we debuted this feature in Based in Lafayette. I’ve recruited help from Tim Brouk, a one-time/long-time arts and entertainment reporter at the J&C, to offer five events, shows, concerts and anything else worth checking in the coming week. The assignment: Tim will report back each Thursday with his picks. Let’s keep it rolling …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
• Brent Terhune, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, Lafayette Theater, 600 Main St. — Indianapolis comedian Brent Terhune gained viral fame during the pandemic for his satirical “MAGA” character. You know the ones — husky, passionate, bearded men wearing gas station sunglasses, spewing what they think is wrong with America. Videos of these guys were common sights on your aunt’s social media feed. Terhune spoofed these videos so well that it wasn’t until a few minutes in when his “beef” with mask-wearing or vaccines started to unravel into hilarious ridiculousness. Outside of his steering wheel silliness, Terhune has more than a decade of stage experience. He’s a regular of “Bob and Tom,” and he has opened for an all-star roster of national performers. As a headliner, he is among the best Circle City has to offer. $8. Ticket information.
• New TAF art exhibitions opening: Chelsie Wilde, Jerie Artz and Greater Lafayette Clay Guild, 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, The Arts Federation — Young painter Chelsie Wilde’s first solo exhibition will feature 18 “multifaceted portraits of women” in “Our Dimensions.” “I use mixed media and oil paint to create the depth and dimension that each piece reflects within all of us,” the artist said. “I believe it is incredibly important that we recognize and respect all of our expressions — light and dark. … These creations have split my heart open over the last two years in more ways than I ever could have expected.” Wilde will be joined by new watercolor works from the aptly named Jerie Artz and fresh pieces by the Greater Lafayette Clay Guild. The shows run through Oct. 28.
• Downtown Blues and Jazz Festival, 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, North Fifth Street, between Main and Columbia streets — The blues are back, but that’s a good thing after getting rained out in July The Downtown Blues and Jazz Festival will showcase a mostly local lineup of musicians for an outdoor celebration of America’s oldest and most cherished forms of music. Appropriately, the festival will be nearby the historic Knickerbocker Saloon, home of blues and jazz every weekend for decades. Slated to perform: Brent Laidler and the Nexus Quintet, Blue Sky, Victor Lee and the Locals, and Uncle Buck’s Mojo Box featuring homegrown guitar virtuoso Kyle Bledsoe. $15, $5 for ages 13-18, free for ages 12 and under.
Je’raf, 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, The Spot Tavern — Fans of Frank Zappa, Mr. Bungle and other anti 4/4-time acts will salivate over Chicago freakout jazz band Je’raf. The seven-piece breaks barriers with expert compositions and dashes of hip-hop and funk for a sound unlike anything around here. Vocalists Brianna Tong and pt Bell add to the incredible sonic explosion that is Je’raf, which makes its Lafayette debut in support of its new album “All My Friends Are Holograms.” $7.
• Knickerbocker Chili Cook-off, 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, Knickerbocker Saloon, 113 N. Fifth St. — Hey, Lafayette, check it out — time for chili. Downtown Lafayette will be wafting of onions, chili powder, cumin and juicy ground chuck when the Knickerbocker Saloon showcases brimming pots of chili that would make Homer Simpson quiver in his chili boots with excitement. Expected to be ladled into your bowl will be varieties that will melt your tongue as well as recipes that defy the traditional chili. Meatless options will be on hand as well. Your vote for your favorite will matter as hundreds of dollars in cash and prizes will be up for grabs to the best chili chefs Lafayette has to offer. Just be sure to lay off the Guatemalan insanity peppers. $5.
Thanks again to today’s Based in Lafayette sponsor, Purdue University and its Presidential Lecture Series, featuring Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, in Fowler Hall at Purdue’s Stewart Center.
Tips or story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com. Also on Twitter and Instagram.