Tim’s Picks: So big, five picks just won’t do
Ben Folds. LSO opens its 75th season. MercyMe. TAF gallery openings. Sasha Velour. The Prannies. And, yes, even more.
Support for Based in Lafayette comes from Purdue Convocations, presenting The Beatles’ Abbey Road in full, live at Loeb Playhouse! Martin Sexton, a “master of dynamics” with an emotionally rich voice, brings his signature style to one of the greatest albums of all time. Hear your favorites including “Come Together,” “Something,” and “Here Comes The Sun” with compelling stories and folklore mixed in. A must-see for Beatles and music fans! Join us for The Martin Sexton Abbey Road Show / Friday, November 7, 8 PM / Loeb Playhouse. Buy Tickets.
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
After a busy Halloween weekend, Lafayette-West Lafayette will welcome an astounding three national music acts and one of the hottest drag queens in the country in less than a week. In my many years covering local entertainment here, I can’t recall the amount of star power visiting our fair cities in such a short time. Weeks like these don’t happen often, so be sure to experience as much as you can.
New exhibits opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — A trio of new shows will be opening at The Arts Federation this weekend led by “Installation: What a Time to Be Alive” by Loren Olson, a longtime local artist whose body of work is about as impressive as it gets in Greater Lafayette. After decades at the canvas, Olson will treat her followers to a unique installation-style show featuring more than 40 graphite and powdered pigment drawings of vases hung collectively to transform the viewer’s experience. The repeated forms explore interior, exterior and the boundaries in between, reflecting both simplicity and depth. Joining Olson will be SoYoung Song, a Purdue University Art and Design limited term lecturer, whose exhibit “Welcome to Thistopia” envisions life in the year 2077. Additionally, “Reimagined” is a special event featuring multimedia works by artist who part of Tippecanoe County Corrections. These artists transform constraints into personal expression, crafting meaningful work that reflects their stories and experiences. These shows run through Nov. 28.
Martin Sexton “The Abbey Road Show,” 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, Loeb Playhouse, Stewart Center, Purdue University — Singer-songwriter Martin Sexton has been recording his brand of American roots rock music since the 1990s, and the Syracuse, New York, native has logged thousands of tour miles for more than 30 years. His GPS will next take him to West Lafayette with his Beatles “Abbey Road” tribute in tow. $20-$40. Tickets.
MercyMe with Natalie Grant and Sam Wesley, 7 p.m. Sunday, Elliott Hall of Music, Purdue — Christian contemporary music stars MercyMe return to Purdue for a Sunday evening of faith-based pop and rock. The band previously played Elliott Hall in 2018 and should fill the huge space again, this time with young Sam Wesley in support as well as nine-time Grammy-nominated singer Natalie Grant, no relation to Amy Grant. $30-$112. Tickets.
The Prannies and Phyllis, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Question of the day: Can a Lafayette pub rock band sound awesome in a tavern? Yes, when it’s The Prannies jamming well all night with their Indianapolis indie rock pals Phyliss. $10.
Lafayette Symphony Orchestra presents “The Star City,” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — The Lafayette Symphony Orchestra kicks off its much-anticipated 75th season with a multimedia concert experience under the baton of maestro Kellen Gray. As the concert name “The Star City” suggests, the performance celebrates the city of Lafayette’s bicentennial through music, history and community connection. The concert’s centerpiece will be the premiere of “Star City Overture,” a new work commissioned by the LSO and composed by South Carolinian composer Edward Hart in honor of Lafayette’s 200th. The program also features Aaron Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto,” featuring LSO principal clarinetist Christina Martin, the LSO’s principal clarinetist, and Copland’s iconic “Appalachian Spring,” presented with historical imagery of Lafayette curated with help from the Tippecanoe County Historical Association and live narration by Mayor Tony Roswarski. $12-$43. Tickets.
Ben Folds, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, Long Center, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — Ben Folds, the bespectacled former leader of Ben Folds Five and one of the more popular rockers to tickle the ivories in the last 30 years, will make his Lafayette debut next week armed with hours of original tunes from his old band, current solo work and some interesting covers. However, Folds performed twice in WEST Lafayette in the ‘00s. In 2008, he brought his band for a rollicking show, but waaay back in 2004, Folds was alone on-stage with just him, a piano and a microphone. Of the two performances, I was surprised that the solo show was much more memorable and engaging – emotional to the point where you could hear a pin drop in Elliott Hall and hilarious audience interplay that saw him jump on top of his grand piano. More than 20 years later, Folds will bring back his one-man/one-piano show but to downtown Lafayette’s historic Long Center. $69-$89. Tickets.
“The Big Reveal” with Sasha Velour, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, Loeb Playhouse, Purdue — One of the most visually striking drag queens out there today will perform a free show at Purdue. Sasha Velour is a gender-fluid drag queen known for her stage spectacles, fierce makeup and bold costumes. Velour won the ninth season of the Emmy-winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in 2017 and has maintained her status as a giant in the industry. Based out of New York, Velour is also an accomplished visual artist and even produced her own comic books including a series about the Stonewall uprising and an anthology about drag simply titled “Velour.” Velour is a huge get for Purdue.
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 support for this edition from Purdue Convocations, presenting The Martin Sexton Abbey Road Show / Friday, November 7, 8 PM / Loeb Playhouse. Buy Tickets.
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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.