Tim’s Picks: Here's what's up
How about five ideas to get you from February into March?
Thanks for ongoing support from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette. For tickets and details on all the shows and events, go to longpac.org.
And now …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Dino-Light, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — It’s like a laser light show but in 3D. And instead of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” it’s dinosaurs in a family-friendly atmosphere with fewer heshers around. Presented by Lightwire Theater, this show blends puppetry, technology and dramatic lighting to create “dinosaurs” on-stage. Aided by human puppeteers, the dino’s leap, stomp and roar across the stage to dramatic effect. Dino-Light exists thanks to the Jim Henson Foundation Grant. $15-$35. Tickets.
XWorks Dance Concert, 6 and 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, Yue-Kong Pao Hall, Dance Studio Theatre 1179, Purdue University — Purdue students from many majors and backgrounds will unite for the art of dance this weekend. The XWorks series is student-driven featuring student-led choreography, costumes and sound designs. The dance studio converts into a black box theater creating an intimate setting that highlights the expressiveness of the performers and the physicality of dance. Modern, contemporary, jazz and improvisation dance styles will be explored among the 15 pieces that will make up this semester’s concert. $10, $5 for students
“Get In Loser, We’re Doing DRAG” open stage competition, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Hosted by drag performers AlexaPro, Magnus Cum Laude and Eldra Arts, this “Mean Girls” themed competitive event will feature first-time performers as well as queens that have been sashaying for years. There will be dancing, comedy and lip syncs, and all will be immersed in the world of “fetch,” lunchroom table exclusion and burn books. Dressing up as your favorite high school clique is encouraged as is bringing a ton of $1 bills for tips. After the winning performer is announced and celebrated, the party shifts to karaoke at 9 p.m. $10 or pay what you can.
Libby DeCamp with Noelle Vogelwede, 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Detroit singer-songwriter Libby DeCamp blends blues, folk, country and early R&B influences in her music. The old-time influences are undeniable but so are inspirations of today. Quite prolific from 2015-2023 in terms of recordings, DeCamp released her first new music in years just last week in the form of the powerful single, “Tigers of Wrath,” that speaks on the political climate of 2026 — “Did you stay sleeping in the camp/ Were you charging some gate/ Did you sink to a two-bit militia/ Hypotheticals and hate”. Opening the show will be Purdue University singer-songwriter Noelle Vogelwade. Tickets.
“Songs & Sketches from Nature’s Edge,” 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, Lilly Nature Center, 1620 Lindberg Road — Local watercolorist Rena Brouwer will once again team up with singer-songwriter Joe Peters for an improvised multimedia jam session. Brouwer will paint to Peters’ music creating colorful visuals to match the music’s mood. The two artists have collaborated several times for almost 20 years and that familiarity brings fast, expressive new paintings by Brouwer, who has decades of success with her colorful and frenetic painting style. Her work often captures nature, which is perfect for next week’s edition of Lilly Nature Center’s Wednesdays in the Wild programming. Please register by noon Tuesday, March 2, by calling 765-567-2993 or email mcutler@tippecanoe.in.gov.
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 support from the Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette. For tickets and details on all the shows and events, go to longpac.org.
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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.