Tim’s Picks: Ready for summer
Some choice ideas heading into the weekend.
Support for this edition comes from Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette, offering a guide to summer activities in Greater Lafayette. Dive into a refreshing oasis at local swimming spots, explore hiking trails and parks, or immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural scene with outdoor concerts, festivals and art exhibitions. Don’t forget to indulge in the delectable flavors of summer with ice cream shops, BBQ joints and open-air dining. We have plenty of affordable summer experiences for everyone to enjoy. Check everything out here.
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Monster Piano Concert, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 4, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — The Tippecanoe Music Teachers Association has that heavy, heavy Monster sound when it populates the Long Center’s historic stage with 10 pianos and 16 players for a sound and spectacle that only comes from the biennial Monster Piano Concert. The players are adult piano students, who will get a taste of the big stage. Often, they play “four hands” — side-by-side with another player on the same keyboard. Since its 1987 inception, the Monster Piano Concert has showcased the talents of more than 2,000 students. And it’s all thanks to these talented — and very patient — music teachers. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Tickets.
The Groove, 6 p.m. Friday, June 5, Purdue Memorial Union lawn — Area rock cover band The Groove will kick off the annual Purdue Memorial Union Summer Concert Series at Purdue University. The free outdoor shows are every Friday evening through July 31 (except July 3). Other acts to note in this series are Blue Sky Band (June 12), Chauncie (July 17) and Vicki Maris Band (July 31). Eats will be for sale from the PMU, and if there are any weather concerns, the concerts will be moved inside.
OUTFest Theme Reveal Drag Show and Fundraiser, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, 313 N. Fifth St., Lafayette — Start celebrating Pride Month by supporting Pride Lafayette and its upcoming main event, OUTFest, this weekend. While the big bash isn’t until Aug. 15, Pride Lafayette will reveal the event’s theme at a fundraising party at Civic Theatre. To help with the festivities, an all-star group of drag queens will perform. Those slated to appear include Veronica Fox, AlexaPro, Alexis DuCraix, Jizzelle Vontrell and Little White Liza, who does an uncanny portrayal of peak Liza Minnelli. Admission is free but $20 donations are recommended and appreciated.
International Food and Culture Festival, 10 a.m. Sunday, June 7, Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette — Food is culture and culture is food. This is true most every country around the globe. Here in Greater Lafayette, we are lucky to have numerous restaurants that feature food from all over the world, including the United States. Flavors from all over will converge upon the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds for a day of great tastes. With more than 30 vendors on hand, expect Mexican, Indian, Asian and most every other international cuisine you can think of at the first International Foode and Culture Festival. This event was produced by the Filipino-Americans of Greater Lafayette organization. Admission is free.
Jeshua Marshall and the Flood, 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Traveling all the way from Portland, Oregon, Jeshua Marshall and the Flood and its folk punk/Americana sound will make its Lafayette debut next week. However, Marshall is no stranger to our city as one-half of the founding members of Larry and His Flask, which often included Lafayette during its Midwest visits. This time, Marshall is leading a new band, which features Purdue University alumna Wendi Wampler (BS ChE ‘04, PHYS ‘06; PhD PHYS ‘13) on clarinet. The woodwind indeed gives the band an interesting sound. Marshall, Wampler and the rest of the band launched its 17-date tour to New Jersey and back today. Support these road warriors by attending this show and buying all their merchandise. Tickets.
Tim Brouk is a longtime arts and entertainment reporter. He writes here (almost) weekly, tracking things to do for Based in Lafayette.
BONUS CUTS …
A block of Upper Main will host the first in a series of East End Block Party events from 5-10 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at 10th and Main streets. Music starts at 6 p.m., featuring Rain on the Rocks followed by the Mudhounds. Admission the block party hosted by East End Grill, Ripple & Company and others: Free. Next editions: Aug. 21 and Sept. 11.
GreenFest 2026, hosted by the leaders of the Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan, will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the Big Four Depot and Riehle Plaza, at Second and Main streets in Lafayette. The free, family-friendly event celebrates sustainability and environmental stewardship, featuring more than 20 local organizations and businesses showcasing clean energy and home efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, active transportation, natural resource conservation and more. Admission is free.
Thanks, again, for support for this edition from Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette, offering a guide to summer activities in Greater Lafayette. Check things out here.
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.