Tim’s Picks: Packed for the holidays
Carols, art, markets, concerts, DJs and more to fill your weeks ahead of Christmas.
Thanks today to sponsor French Knot, presenting the second weekend of its annual warehouse sale Saturday, Dec. 14, at 525 Wabash Ave. in Lafayette. Shop artisan-made hats, mittens and felted gifts. Enjoy up to 75% off prices when at Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and other national retailers. Click here for more details.
Sponsorship help for today’s edition also comes from Faith Church. The Lafayette Living Nativity will be presented as a gift to the community on three more evenings: Dec. 13, 14 and 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Faith East Campus on Indiana 26 East. New this year, Faith is pleased to announce a complete second Living Nativity, exclusively for walk-through visitors.
And now, with plenty of suggestions for things to catch before Christmas, it’s …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Here is a blizzard of holiday picks all happening in Lafayette. I hope you have warm and loving holidays this month. Thank you so very much for reading, and I will see you after Christmas!
Holiday Art Sale, through Dec. 21, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — Displayed like a traditional art exhibition in all three of The Arts Federation’s galleries, the annual Holiday Art Sale features the works of dozens of Greater Lafayette artists. The pieces range in just about every medium available and all make unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for that local art lover in your life. Among the artists are Nancy Harris (jewelry), Lilwen Jones (photography and metalsmithing), Kathleen Shewmaker (pottery), Kathleen B. Lee (acrylic painting) and Frank Koontz (sculpture and pottery).
Holidays at the Haan, through Dec. 29, Haan Museum of Indiana Art, 920 State St., Lafayette — The Lafayette gem that is the Haan Museum has been decked with glorious Christmas decorations that almost rival the stunning Hoosier art within. Be sure to check out the glittering, wintery dining room and train displays on the second floor. Hours are 1-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.
Christmas in the Air, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — This Broadway-style Christmas show features much song and dance courtesy of the Tinsel-toes. The songs touch on the traditional and the modern. $48-$78. Tickets.
11th Annual Indiana Makers Market — Holiday Market, 4-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15, Wea Creek Orchard, 5618 S. County Road 200 East, Lafayette — The Wea Creek Orchard barn will transform into a holiday shop filled with handmade gifts from more than 50 makers and artists for your gift-shopping needs. To help fuel the browsing and buying, People’s Brewing Company will be pouring pints Friday while the Sippin Sistas from Indianapolis will be supplying hot chocolate and cider on Saturday as local singer-songwriter Chris Gipson strums some tunes. The holiday market wraps-up Sunday afternoon with free kids’ activities and discounts and deals galore. Big bonus: Just got word Wea School Road will be opened up for the pop-up for the final weekend, making it a simple, detour-free drive to Wea Creek Orchard.
“The Holiday Cabaret,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, 313 N. Fifth St., Lafayette — An original show directed by Kate Martin, Brian Kocher and Lisa Tally, “The Holiday Cabaret” features lively renditions of your favorite holiday songs with live musicians and much dancing. The roster of singers includes Civic standouts like Craig Martin, Bob and Cathy Mindrum, Martin Fernandez, and many more. Different guest singers pop in each show, so no night is the same. $17-$26. Tickets.
“A Merry Main Street Market,” 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, downtown Lafayette — Just a week after an amazing Lafayette Christmas parade, downtown will be buzzing again with the return of “A Merry Main Street Market.” The event is another push for shoppers to think local for their gift lists. Along with all the great deals on every corner, many near or along Main Street, there will be carriage rides, live music and more than 80 vendors offering an array of unique holiday gifts. Santa Claus will be back downtown, too.
“Holiday Pops” with Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — The annual Lafayette Symphony Orchestra (LSO) concert will include selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” and Irving Berlin’s beloved “White Christmas.” The evening also highlights the cinematic magic of “The Polar Express” by Alan Silvestri and the electrifying holiday rock of Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Dreams of Fireflies.” A special nod to Hanukkah and Bizet’s “Farandole” from “L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2” rounds out this musical celebration, perfect for the whole family. LSO assistant conductor José Valencia will be at the podium. $8-$39. Tickets.
“Family Carols” with Lafayette Master Chorale and Children’s Choir, 2 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, First Baptist Church, 411 N. Seventh St., Lafayette — Christmas songs left to the expert singers in the Lafayette Master Chorale will sound even more sweet during this cherished seasonal concert. “For many people, music is perhaps the most important part of the holiday season,” said Michael Bennett, artistic director of the Lafayette Master Chorale. “We are always pleased to be able to perform songs that are traditional favorites, but also to introduce the community to some new pieces. We enjoy sharing the music as much as the audience loves hearing it.” The concert is part of the performing arts group’s 60th season. $22 in advance, $25 at the door, $10 for college students; children 17 or younger are free. Tickets.
“Old Fashioned Carol Sing,” 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, Trinity United Methodist Church, 509 North St., Lafayette — Forget that door-to-door stuff; get your carol singing fix while staying warm at this annual Christmas music celebration inside one of Lafayette’s oldest churches.
Ugly Sweater Dance Party with DJs Circle T and Cap’n Dangerous, 7-11 p.m. Dec. 20, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Tired of those same old Christmas songs yet? Leave it to two of Lafayette’s tastiest turntable maestros to give you some sonic cheer in the form of the funky and most groovy. Circle T and Cap’n Dangerous will dish out heaping helpings of disco, soul and hip hop to give your body some much needed moving just before Christmas, and be sure to wear your best worst sweater to impress your fellow party people. $8.
Luminare Christmas!, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Long Center, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — On the same hard rock Christmas list as Manheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Luminare Christmas presents a high-octane take on Christmas music favorites cranked to 11. The songs rip while still having a symphonic element from the seven musicians. The concert will also feature an impressive light show and a heart-warming holiday story woven throughout. $23 and $43. Tickets.
OK, one non-holiday pick: Do check out Star City Rhythm Revival’s Digby’s Pub debut at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. The new band presents a set of funk, jazz and soul with a hot New Orleans flavor. The music is perfect for frosty December, and the band consists of a local all-star lineup of guitarist and vocalist Stuart Carlton, bassist Julianna Troy, drummer Larry Guentert, keyboardist Hunt Wiley and vocalist Reuben Goforth. The band will employ a horn section for this gig, also of familiar names — Alex Mason (trombone), Chad Downey (trumpet), Ed Johnson (saxophone) and the great Bonyea Killebrew on just about every instrument available to him.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL PLAYLIST OF THE YEAR
The Based in Lafayette Holiday/Seasonal Playlist is growing by the day, thanks to BiL readers. Listen and bookmark it here.
Your turn: What’s on your list?
Through Christmas (and maybe beyond), Based in Lafayette will curate three songs a day from readers. The assignment isn’t necessarily about the best or most iconic songs of the season. Just songs that you’d want in the mix and why they belong. What to get on board? Here’s what we need:
Three songs and the artists.
One or two sentences about why you chose each one – could be a memory or a short history or review about why that track belongs in your mix and why you’d recommend it to others.
A little bit about you to let readers know who’s making the picks.
Send to: davebangert1@gmail.com
Thanks today for sponsorship help from Faith Church, presenting the Lafayette Living Nativity at Faith East 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15. For more details, check here.
Thanks, also, to sponsor French Knot, presenting its annual warehouse sale Saturday, Dec. 14, at 525 Wabash Ave. in Lafayette. Check here for more details.
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.
Good morning! I would like to gift my mom a subscription to based in Lafayette. How can I do this? Thank you, Joni Hipsher