Tim’s Picks: Never Enough edition
Tim’s Picks: Never Enough edition
Five of the best ideas heading into your Greater Lafayette weekend and beyond, starting Feb. 1.
No big deal, but here’s five of the best ideas heading into your weekend and beyond, via our guy …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
“A Midsummer’s Night Dream,” 8 p.m. Feb. 2 and 3, Fowler Hall, Stewart Center, Purdue University — With minimal props and set, the Actors From The London Stage let William Shakespeare’s words take center stage. The performers showcase the poetic beauty of the Bard’s works with a goal of education behind every performance. This weekend, the Actors will perform “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” almost 4,000 miles away from London on the intimate stage of Fowler Hall. Actors from the London Stage was cofounded in 1975 by none other than Starfleet Admiral Jean-Luc Picard himself, Sir Patrick Stewart. Tickets here.
Parker McCollum, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3, Saturday, Elliott Hall of Music, Purdue — In support of his second major label release, “Never Enough,” pop country hunk Parker McCollum will visit West Lafayette this weekend, ready to “Burn It Down.” No, he is not an arsonist; McCollum’s “Burn It Down” was a radio hit in 2023 and the name of his current national tour. The 2022 Academy of Country Music’s New Male Artist of the Year, McCollum also charted with “Handle on You.” According to recent interviews with the Texas-born 31-year-old, “Never Enough” symbolizes the singer’s desire to stay hungry in the cutthroat music business. He wants to keep making records and keep packing in the audiences. Elliott Hall will sure be full for this one. $24.50-$84.50. Tickets.
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The Scratch Thing, 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, Checkerboard Tavern, 1521 Kossuth St., Lafayette — Another live music venue re-established in Lafayette? Local jam rockers The Scratch Thing will play the Checkerboard for the first time in more than 20 years. Formed in 1992, guitarists Chris Xioufarides, Paul Bower and a host of other musicians that have been a part of The Scratch Thing have played countless venues big and small, indoors and outdoors and even ones that go through ownership changes that have varying opinions of booking bands. Xioufarides said he last played the Checkerboard in the very early 2000s. Since then, the bar has gained a loyal following through affordable booze and really good food. How will live music go over? One way to find out by going. The Scratch Thing has been leaning into an established lineup that now includes new vocalist Amanda Clark.
Abel Family Quartet, 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 600 Ferry St., Lafayette — The union of family and music will be on display this weekend when the Tippecanoe Chamber Music Society presents a concert featuring the Abel Family Quartet. Two generations of Abel’s will display their talents: Alfred Abel is the longtime concertmaster and violinist for Lafayette Symphony Orchestra. Colette Abel is a violinist for the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Daughter Clara Abel is a busy and internationally accomplished cellist based in New York, who recently performed for the New York City Ballet. Son Benjamin Abel is an Indianapolis area-based violinist. This weekend, the family will present their takes on works from Haydn, Brahms and Ravel. $15, $5 for college students, free for high school students and younger. Tickets.
The Holy Nothing with Ryan Kerr, 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, North End Pub, 2100 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette — For almost a year, Jamie Lee Curtis, Oscar-winning actress and one of the ultimate scream queens, has campaigned for rock shows to start earlier. While Fort Wayne stoner metal trio The Holy Nothing’s Lafayette debut isn’t technically a matinee, the earlier than usual start time from the Doom Room crew is an interesting and bold move. It reminds me of local music co-op The Friends of Bob’s old slogan, “Early shows for working Joes,” which faithfully kept the 7:30 p.m. start times for decades. Northern Indiana singer-songwriter Ryan Kerr opens. $5
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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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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.