Tim’s Picks: Fruits of Your Labor (Day Weekend) Edition
Five prime ideas for your Greater Lafayette week.
Thanks to Stuart & Branigin for continued support of the Based in Lafayette reporting project.
Here, again, with five suggestions for your Greater Lafayette week, it’s …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
“The Hoosier Group: Indiana's First Impressionists” opening, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, Haan Museum of Indiana Art, 920 State St., Lafayette — Famed 19th century oil painters T.C. Steele, Richard Gruelle, William Forsyth, J. Ottis Adams and Otto Stark were Indiana's first impressionist painters, having studied the style in Munich. When the five (later dubbed the Hoosier Group) returned to Indiana, they adapted the techniques to better suit the landscapes of their native home, forever changing the standards of Midwestern art. Steele, to whom the Haan Museum attributes over half of its Hoosier Group collection, is considered one of if not the most famous Indiana painter to date. The Haan will dip into the works that got the stately mansion its reputation for the top Indiana art collection going for its new show, “The Hoosier Group: Indiana's First Impressionists.” The historic, cherished works will be on display through Dec. 29. A couple of fall events will boost the exhibit:
Bob Haan, museum founder and Indiana art collector, will lead a “Lunch-&-Learn” event from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 24.
Local actors Shaun Dingwerth and Pat Egan will portray Hoosier Group artists J. Ottis Adams and T.C. Steele, respectively, for a special event slated for 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 21.
Strings Beyond Description, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, 102 S. Tenth St., Lafayette — Northwest Indiana “newgrass” quartet Strings Beyond Description (SBD) will make its Lafayette debut with a set of traditional sounds and standards as well as creative arrangements that may surprise traditional bluegrass fans. Based out of Dyer, SBD will finally share its music beyond the 219. Check them out at a unique and visually-pleasing venue — the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. Free but RSVP is appreciated.
Indiana Makers Market “Summer Pop-Up,” 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, Ferry Street between Fifth and Sixth streets, downtown Lafayette — In collaboration with The Bindery Artist Studios and LaLa Gallery, artisans from all over Indiana will converge onto downtown Lafayette for a pop-up market that will be teeming with jewelry, pottery, glass, metal, textiles, fine art, leather goods and more. Live music will set the mood as Hoosier art supporters take to Ferry Street to check out new work from dozens of Indiana’s best. The Bindery and Lala will be open throughout.
The Prannies with Phyllis, 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Lafayette’s favorite pub rockers will try on a tavern this weekend. A rare appearance at The Spot, The Prannies are gigging well in support of the four piece’s new album, “Prandemonium.” The band led by the Indiana edition of Lennon and McCartney in (Richard) Fudge and (Don) Staley, will welcome Phyllis as its opener. The Indianapolis indie rock band is recommended for fans of Guided by Voices. $10 or pay what you can. The Prannies are also booked to rock Teays River Brewing in Lafayette from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 11.
Coolidge, 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, Teays River Brewing, 3000 S. Ninth St., Lafayette — Eighty percent of Coolidge have their names etched in Indiana music history. As part of 1990s third-wave ska legends Johnny Socko, most of Coolidge have put in the miles by touring coast to coast for several years, sharing stages with just about every ska-punk band that you can name. The band formed in Bloomington before folding in Indianapolis in the early ‘00s, enjoyed national distribution through Asian Man Records and gained a loyal fanbase with crowd-pleasing albums “Full Trucker Effect,” “Bovaquarium” and “Oh I Do Hope Its Roast Beef.” Today, the musicians are in their 50s and haven’t turned their backs on the music that got them to the skanking table. The five-piece offers horns, keys and loud guitars that can turn any stage into a party.
BONUS CUT, MOSEY EDITION: And don’t forget to Mosey Down Main Street for the last time in 2024, 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, in downtown Lafayette. For the band lineup and vendors, click on the map:
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
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