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.
Heading into October with some of …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Richard Blanco, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, Lynn Hall, Room 1136, Purdue University — The Purdue Department of English just had a dream come true this fall with the arrival of its dream hire — poet and engineer Richard Blanco. A nationally praised and award-winning writer who was born to exiled Cuban parents in Spain before being raised in Miami, Blanco’s thoughts on place, cultural identity and belonging are integral to his work. But before poetry, Blanco earned a civil engineering degree from Florida International University and worked a civil engineering job in Miami. He soon put the surveying gear away to pursue writing full time, which culminated to Blanco’s selection by President Barack Obama as the fifth Presidential Inaugural Poet in U.S. history — the youngest, the first Latino, immigrant and gay person to serve in that role. More presidential praise was poured on Blanco when President Joe Biden awarded him the National Humanities Medal from the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2023. Blanco will give a reading of his various works, including from his newest poetry collection “Homeland of My Body,” for his new West Lafayette colleagues and Greater Lafayette poetry hounds tonight. Free.
McCammon Mosey, 4:30-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, downtown Lafayette — This one’s for Ken: To honor the memory of its beloved co-founder Ken McCammon, the Mosey Down Main Street season was extended one month for a “mini music Mosey” this weekend. The event will pay tribute to McCammon’s memory through music — five of his favorite local bands will perform for free outside at Sixth and Main streets. Main Street will only be closed from Sixth to Seventh streets for the live music forward event, which will feature sets from Dr. Fine and D’Gleet (4:40 p.m.), The Cheese Weasels (6 p.m.), Scratch Thing (7:20 p.m.), Graciously Departed (8:40 p.m.) and Sonic Union (10 p.m.). With co-founder Steve Bultinck, McCammon helped organize dozens of Moseys starting way back in 2008. The Herculean efforts they and their team of volunteers have made downtown a more vital, exciting place and thanks to McCammon, downtown will Mosey on for decades to come. Arrive early for a somber opening from The Tippecanoe Ancient Fife & Drum Corps, who kick off every Mosey season with a march in full regalia.
Lafayette Roller Derby, 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1410 Teal Road, Lafayette — Your Lafayette Roller Derby Super Novas will skate to the sidelines for its next bout to make room for the new Solar Flares, an all-gender derby squad making its debut while taking on the Peoria Prowlers. Along with the hard-hitting, speedy action will be a 1990s themed-party vibe and drag halftime show hosted by Tad Strange and featuring the talents of Queen Athena Verbena and Mogarritaville. There will also be food trucks, beer and raffle prizes. $12. Tickets.
The Cookout drag show, 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — An Indianapolis drag collective “dedicated to uplifting and empowering person-of-color performers in Indiana” will make its Lafayette debut this weekend. “The Cookout” is hosted and produced by Desiree Bouvier, Ava No. 1 and Calyko Magick-Waffle, who are all seasoned drag performers. The trio use their experience and skills to help newer performers have a chance to take the stage — like Lafayette’s own Jizzelle and Lucid Noire, who are the special guests at this weekend’s “Cookout.” Tickets.
Why I Like Robins with Fantastic Shams, 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Why I Like Robins’ recent reunion promised new music, and it is finally coming after some recording sessions in Champaign, Illinois. The mostly Lafayette indie rock band named after a Hum song has been chipping away at a new, four-song EP for months and fans will we hear the new cuts this weekend when the band returns to The Spot with Indianapolis rockers Fantastic Shams. $10.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
BONUS CUTS
Evil on Erie opens this weekend in what’s touted as the volunteer-run haunted attraction’s final run. The is been part of Homestead Resources’ youth programming for years, doubling as a financial education program for youth and an all-out, walk-through scarefest at 1240 Erie St. “What visitors experience during a trip through the haunt is made possible by countless hours of volunteer creativity, planning, construction, coordination and rehearsal behind the scenes,” Jim Slaven, lead volunteer of Evil on Erie and Homestead Resources board member, said. Homestead Resources announced several weeks ago that this would be the final season. Evil on Erie will be open starting at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Halloween, starting with Oct. 2-3. Advance tickets and more details.
Thanks, again, 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.
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