Tim’s Picks: Feast weekend, of course
New exhibits at TAF. Bad Momz of Comedy at Lafayette Theater. Staying warm at fall Spot dance party. A SAMI showcase. And, of course, the Feast. Five things for your Greater Lafayette calendar
Thanks today for ongoing help from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette, presenting comedian Luenell Oct. 18. For tickets for the show and details for other events, go to longpac.org.
And now, with five suggestions for your Greater Lafayette week, it’s …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
New art exhibitions opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — Longtime local music connoisseurs will recognize Jessica Billey from her fiddle prowess, often enhancing various Fergus Daly projects. But the musical artist is also an accomplished visual artist, which she will prove in her new solo exhibition. “People Who Live Alone” is a portrait series Billey has assembled that features individuals who choose to live alone. They hail from Lafayette, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego and other cities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Billey would interview her subjects over Zoom before drawing their portraits. She will show her first 25 pieces along with some paintings and woodcut prints. The show will also have an interactive element where visitors will be able to add their own stories and comments on living alone. “Really, this is a lifelong project,” Billey said. “I have larger visions for this project on multiple levels. Nationwide. For now, it is the drawings and stories.” Also opening will be colorful, vibrant works by Bowie Thompson in the young artist’s new exhibition, “The Rainbow Staircase,” and “Selections from Home” by Nicholas Burrowes. These shows run through Oct. 25.
Bad Momz of Comedy, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, Lafayette Theater, 600 Main St. — Chicago-area women bonded by motherhood, merriment and mimosas will knock the dust off the Lafayette Theater stage to dish on the trials and tribulations of raising a family, warts and all. As seen on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” the lineup will include Colleen Brennan, a Second City graduate and podcast co-host of “Defending Indiana.” Brennan is a born and raised Hoosier, and after years of trying to convince her Chicago colleagues that Indiana isn’t all that bad, she decided to start a podcast about the positives (“Amazing Hoosier Women,” holiday memories and actual “photo-worthy” spots in Indiana) while tackling serious issues (reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights). She is 32 episodes in and is sure to dig into such material when she makes her Lafayette debut. Brennan will be joined by fellow Bad Momz Mo Good and Orly K.G., who founded the stable of comics and is a real mother to two teenagers. These funny women found community and camaraderie through telling jokes about staying awake with a newborn to trying to find intimate moments with their romantic partners between the busy lives of teens, and they are receiving knowing laughs from other moms wherever they perform. Indianapolis talent Val Werner will be a guest Bad Mom for this show. $19. Tickets.
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Spot Patio Friday DJ night, Autumnal Edition, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Just because nights are cooler now doesn’t mean the party people won’t keep things hot on the dancefloor. Extending into fall, The Spot Tavern’s mostly monthly dance night will feature a trio of DJs that will be spinning deep house (Movement Automatic), EDM (Nick Kazz), and electro-house and pop (Babaylan). This edition will also feature a quick drag show at 11 p.m. featuring local performers Ariel Strike, Daphne Drake and drag king Sir Prince. $10 or pay what you can.
Songwriters Association of Mid-north Indiana Live Showcase, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — The Songwriters Association of Mid-north Indiana has been nurturing young, local talent for decades. One of these ways is giving regular showcases to these talented singers and songwriters. This month’s edition will feature scene veteran and guitar slinger Rick Desutter and acoustic talent Hunter Wainscott, whose sound has a mellow country folk tinge. Numerous new band 11 & The 35's will perform too.
Feast of the Hunters’ Moon, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5 and 6, Fort Ouiatenon — The 57th Feast of the Hunters' Moon is a celebration rich in history and tradition, re-enacting the annual fall gathering of Native Americans and French settlers along the Wabash River. The festival immerses visitors in 18th-century life with authentic food, crafts and music that transport them back in time. The vibrant atmosphere brings the community together, honoring the cultural roots of the region. Living history demonstrations and re-enactments create an engaging, educational experience for all ages. With its unique blend of history, culture and festivity, the Feast is a cherished tradition in Tippecanoe County. Admission: $12 in advance, $15 at the gate; children ages 4-16 are $6 in advance, $8 at the gate; weekend passes are $22, $11 for children ages 4-16; family passes (two adults and up to four children, good for one day only) are $36 in advance, $45 at the gate. Tickets.
Looking for a ride to the Feast? CityBus will offer rides Saturday and Sunday from the Discovery Park parking at Purdue, just west of the roundabout at Harrison Street, Martin Jischke Drive and Nimitz Drive in West Lafayette. Bus service will begin at 8:30 a.m. both days and will end at 6 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday. The fare: $2 for a day pass. All CityBus fare-cards will be honored as valid fare for the event. Ivy Tech students, faculty and staff can ride free by presenting a valid ID card. Children, including K-12, ride free. Day passes are available in advance by using the Token Transit app, available to download at the Apple app store or on Google Play.
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 Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette. For information on upcoming events, go to longpac.org.
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