Tim’s Picks: Steering clear on move-in weekend
Give Purdue students space to lug their stuff back into town this weekend. Here are some picks to get you started.
Support for this edition comes from Food Finders Food Bank. Looking for a good way to help Food Finders meet its mission to feed people facing hunger in a 16-county service area? Head to Beers and More Across the Wabash, Saturday on the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge. For tickets and more details, check here or click the link below.
And now presenting …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Opening reception for “More Than Meets the Eye” by Scott Frankenberger, 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, The Haan Museum of Indiana Art, 920 State St., Lafayette — Local ceramics living legend Scott Frankenberger will unveil his latest works fired in contemporary designs and shapes. For decades, Frankenberger has pushed the limits of the artform, and we’ve been lucky to see what has come out of his kiln for decades. The exhibit runs through Nov. 21.
“Highs and Lows,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, Rat Pak Venue, 102 N. Third St., Lafayette — The Lafayette Symphony Orchestra’s first event of the 2025-26 season will finally give tuba player Paul Mergen center stage. Too often considered an “orchestral underdog,” Mergen will prove his instrument can be more than holding down the low end. For balance, symphony flutist Laura Recendez will handle the high notes while pianist Owen Hartnett middles things out. This unique trio will have you listening to classical pieces like you’ve never heard them before. $20. Tickets.
House of Heat pro wrestling, noon Saturday, Aug. 23, North End Community Center, 2000 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette — For local pro wrestling promotion House of Heat, this weekend’s Battle of the Brave show will be its biggest of 2025. In between all the grunts, grips and groans will be an appearance by the one and only Kurt Angle, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) hall of famer and Olympic gold medalist — “with a broken freakin’ neck,” he’s been known to remind fans. Either as a babyface or a heel, Angle was one of the best wrestlers around in the late 1990s and 2000s, winning six WWE world championships among 15 other titles he held in WWE and other promotions. And if he’s not giving opponents the Angle Slam, he’s entertaining on the microphone and lately on social media. Joining Angle for a special appearance will be fellow former WWE superstar Gene Snitsky. The 6-foot-8, 300-plus pounder was a formidable giant in the ring from 2004-2008 feuding with the likes of Kane, Jeff Hardy and CM Punk. The rest of the card will feature Indiana talent, including the return of “The King of Indiana” Billy Roc to a Lafayette ring, the local talent and trainer of such standout pro wrestlers as Ruby Soho (All Elite Wrestling), Mance Warner and Tripp Cassidy. Now in his 40s, Roc can still go, and he will be channeling his 2000s and 2010s independent promotion feuds with the likes of Ricochet, Jon Moxley and the late great Brodie Lee, all before they were stars of WWE and AEW. Rivaling this star power will be the just cause of the show, as all proceeds will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Breakthrough T1D, who help the real brave folks battle through things much tougher than an Ankle Lock. $20 and $25.
Beers & More Across the Wabash, 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge, downtown Lafayette — For the 13th annual downtown Beers Across the Wabash festival, organizers slapped an “& More” to the name to better represent the plethora of beverages thirsty participants partake in. Yes, there will be plenty of beer from local breweries, but there will also be mead, ciders and nonalcoholic brews on tap as well as plenty of wines and spirits from local craft distilleries available to try. And the best part, proceeds will be donated to Food Finders Food Bank. Since 2017, Beers Across the Wabash has partnered with Food Finders and in that time, the beer festival has helped provide more than 215,000 meals for those in need. So, drink up and up and up this weekend! $45 in advance, $50 day of event, $10 for designated drivers. Tickets.
Indiana Vintage Market, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette – Hardcore fans of the hard-to-find should flock to the 17th annual Indiana Vintage Market. There will be records, clothes and other items for those that remember when the stuff was new or for folks looking for that conversation piece for their home, turntable or body. $5, $10 for early bird special. 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 few other ideas:
The Wabash River Ride, hosted by the Wabash River Cycle Club, will offer several paved and gravel routes ranging from 16 to 100 miles, all starting from Fort Ouiatenon, four miles west of West Lafayette, on Saturday, Aug. 23. All routes will have stocked aid stations and a finisher’s meal at the end. For more information, go to: www.wabashriverride.com
Yeah, it’s Indiana Bacon Festival weekend in Delphi. Just about everything you need to know about the 12th annual event is in the name: Bacon eating contest, a bacon cookoff, local beers and wines, and family zone activities, wrapped around headlining bands Majesty: A Tribute to Queen and SOS: The Music of ABBA. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. For ticket information and other details: www.indianabaconfestival.com.
The Bharatiya Temple & Cultural Center of Greater Lafayette will host its annual India Food Fest, starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, with everything from street food to fusion to drinks and desserts. Entry to the event is free. Food ranges from $3 to $8. Check the full menu and get pre-sale ticket packages at www.indiafest.btccgl.org.
The Joyful Journey Classic and Home Run Derby is an annual fundraiser for the West Lafayette agency that offers care for family members dealing with chronic disease management and other age-related conditions. The Home Run Derby starts at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Loeb Stadium. The Joyful Journey Classic softball game, featuring local celebrities, starts at 2:30 p.m. Pay what you’d like at the gate. For advance tickets or details on entering the home run derby, check jjclassic.org.
Thanks, again, for support for this edition from Food Finders Food Bank. Looking for a good way to help Food Finders meet its mission to feed people facing hunger in a 16-county service area? Head to Beers and More Across the Wabash, Saturday on the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge. For tickets and more details, check 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.