Tim’s Picks: Out and about
Lauren Daigle in a summer date at Elliott Hall. OutFest in downtown Lafayette. And more picks to get you started this week.
Thanks today 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.
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Lauren Daigle with Franni Cash,7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, Elliott Hall of Music, Purdue University — 2025 is the year of breaking traditions in the arts and entertainment scene — somewhat. The latest example is an Elliott Hall of Music concert before Purdue University fall classes begin, and it’s even before most first-year students’ arrival. In my 25 years in Indiana, I’ve never heard of Elliott being utilized for public events during the summer, but this curious and bold booking should still fill most of Elliott Hall’s 6,000 seats when a pair of Christian contemporary pop stars roll into West Lafayette. Headliner Lauren Daigle gained some notoriety for her multiple auditions and appearances on “American Idol” from 2010-2020. This experience helped her establish a pop presence and finally broke through with her Christian contemporary music hit, “You Say.” Opening will be Franni Cash, who performed with her band We The Kingdom at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in April. The young singer is attempting a solo career as she is touring on her debut EP, “Wild Child.” And, no, Cash is not related to Johnny Cash nor is Daigle related to former Ottawa Senators centerman Alexandre Daigle. $48-$175. Tickets.
“Candles with Queens,” 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, Flora Candle Company, 609 Main St., Lafayette — Before OutFest, get a glamorous and fabulous party preview with an enlightening drag show at Flora Candle Company. The tables and chairs will be moved to make room for all the splits, death drops and outrageousness. $10, $50 for drag show and 7 p.m. candle pouring workshop.
OutFest, 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, downtown Lafayette — The 16th annual OutFest’s “Still Standing Proud” theme is a statement of solidarity as well as the health of the event, which routinely draws about 5,000 people most years. The street festival along Main Street, between Fourth and Ninth streets, will feature an “Artists Alley” displaying the works of almost 20 queer artists from Indiana, an IU Health wellness center for basic health screenings, the Pride in Action Community Resource Fair for your favorite activist, and more than 150 vendors, community organizations, affirming faith communities and allied businesses. Multiple stages will feature live entertainment in the form of Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette performances, sets from four mostly Purdue indie rock bands (Concrete Chicken, Dumbed Down, Joy Buzzer and Thirdwheeling), and, of course, the headlining and much-anticipated drag show, which will be hosted by Jessika Savage. Get those dollars out and get into OutFest. $10 in advance, $5 in advance for college and high school students. Tickets.
King’s Gambit with Samarra and Confined, 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, North End Pub, 2100 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette — Area metalcore band King’s Gambit returns to the North End Pub stage with a pair of Ohio acts opening. Columbus’ Samarra promotes brutal riffs that will sure to please and Eaton trio Confined will bring the “hatecore.” Do check out the Buckeye band’s standout track “Rustbelt Mindset.”
Junk Trio, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Forget the Fantastic Four; it’s Junk Trio to the rescue. When Miss Tess and The Talkbacks had to unfortunately cancel its upcoming gig at People’s, the local jazz combo saved the evening by taking their place, and Junk Trio should equal (or even surpass) ticket sales because it will be (somewhat surprisingly) the band’s debut at People’s. With Scott Pazera on guitar, Will Orchard on bass and the young drumming phenom Blake Watts, Junk Trio has performed in most downtown Lafayette venues to much audience satisfaction. The same will occur on this emergency fill-in gig. $13.39 in advance. Tickets.
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 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.
Thank you for supporting Based in Lafayette, an independent, local reporting project. Free and full-ride subscription options are ready for you here.
Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.
Loved seeing Sheila Klinker in the photo! She's wonderful....
Holy crap it's already OutFest. The summer has gone by too quickly!