Thanks today for ongoing help from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette, presenting Crush, the Bon Jovi Experience Nov. 16. 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
Blue Easter Kult, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Lafayette had a tremendous prelude to Halloween: Monster Mash on the Wabash and Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette’s Tour of Terror were personal favorites last weekend. The Spot Tavern’s Quantum Cloud events were also spectacular, but you can’t forget to party on actual Halloween. The Spot will present a post-trick-or-treat all-vinyl DJ night with two tastemakers in Troy “Circle T” Kult and Bob Easter. Together as Blue Easter Kult, they will make ghouls drool and goblin booties shake.
New art exhibitions opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — This could a be a first in The Arts Federation’s decades of presenting local and regional visual art: One of the artists showing their new work will also play the reception in their new band. Valentina Castañeda will impress with her latest drawings, paintings and pastel work focused on the female form, and she will supply beats on bongos with Malambre, an international ensemble of musicians from Chile, Russia, Colombia, Greece, Peru and Puerto Rico that specialize in Latin American genres like bolero, son Cubano and cumbia with some overlaps with 1960s rock and blues. The band name is a made-up Spanish word mashup (“mal” and “hambre”) that translates roughly to “being in a bad mood because you are hungry.” Castañeda’s “Untitled” works will share a gallery with “Learn New Tricks” by Constance Golando and “Focusing on Highlight” by Esayas Zerazion. It’s like three mini exhibits in one. Other shows include Susan Tennant’s new abstract wall sculptures in “Maquettes in Waiting” and “Growth and Evolution” by 16 artists from The Chapel Gallery, an art co-op based out of Delphi. These exhibits will run through Nov. 25.
Jessie Murph, 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, Elliott Hall of Music, Purdue University — At only 20, Jessie Murph is a rising star in the pop-country scene. Signed to Columbia Records as a teenager, Murph’s debut single “Upgrade,” her biggest solo hit (so far) in “Pray” and her 2023 collaboration with Jelly Roll with “Wild Ones” has set her well onto the path to superstardom. Murph is known for blending raw storytelling with a modern edge that resonates with younger audiences, which Elliott Hall is sure to hold thousands of young people around her own age. Despite only a few years in the business, Murph shows a maturity in her music that connects deeply with listeners across genres. With her fearless approach to songwriting, Murph is carving out her place as a bold new voice in pop-country music. $20-$54. Tickets.
Sweetalk with Solshade, ELIJAH and King’s Gambit, 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, Eleventh House, 116 N. Third St., Lafayette — Two touring bands from the Dairy State will stop the tour vans in downtown Lafayette this weekend. Fans of Thrice, Deftones and At the Drive-In should check out Sweetalk, a Green Bay combo touring in support of its slick and excellent new EP “(wrong places).” Madison prog metal quintet Solshade will bring that isthmus oomph to the night as well. Opening will be ELIJAH and Lafayette’s own metalcore favorites King’s Gambit. $10.
Amy Lavere and Will Sexton with The Montvales, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Amy Lavere has made Lafayette a tour stop since she made her local debut waaaay back during a LayFlats festival. People’s has been her venue of choice lately and the Memphis, Tennessee, bassist extraordinaire will bring back guitarist Will Sexton for a night of country and folk music. For the trivia hounds: Lavere played the legendary Wanda Jackson in the 2005 hit film “Walk the Line.” Opening will be folk-country band The Montvales. The Cincinnati duo are People’s regulars as well. $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Tickets.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
Thanks today for ongoing help from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette, presenting Crush, the Bon Jovi Experience Nov. 16. For tickets for the show and details for other events, go to longpac.org.
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