Tim’s Picks: The cold open
Five choice ideas for things to do at the start of this New Year.
Thanks today for ongoing help from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette, with a 2025 lineup that includes Ashley McBryde on Jan. 30. For tickets and details on all the Long Center shows and events, go to longpac.org.
And now, starting your New Year with five choice ideas, it’s …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Traditionally, the first half of January is rather sleepy — and bitterly cold — for the Lafayette arts scene, and 2025 is no different. Here are some picks for the first two weeks of 2025.
Salivus with Wydah and Noosebearer, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, North End Pub, 2100 Elmwood Ave., Lafayette — Monticello thrashers Salivus return to Lafayette for the first local metal show of 2025. The young metal men recently released a new single, “Trix,” and promise much more in 2025, starting with Saturday’s set. Opening will be Indianapolis’ Wydah and southern Indiana’s Noosebearer. $10.
GARM, 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Chicago jazz of all kinds will continue to flow into Lafayette in 2025 thanks to The Spot. Its first show will welcome the funky fusion sound of GARM, which is led by led by Hammond organist Isaiah Keith and includes Rufus Parenti on saxophone and Charlie O'Neill on drums. GARM is one of eight (!) projects helmed by Keith, who has four albums under that banner. The most recent being “FUMINORI,” released in October. $10 or pay what you can.
New gallery exhibitions reception, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 10, The Arts Federation, 638 North St., Lafayette — Three young local artists will open solo exhibitions in downtown Lafayette this month. A Purdue University alumna, Devan Williams’ “Beyond the Wild” showcases her photo realistic painting skills as well as her passion for the magic of nature. “My work contains photo realistic details within surrealistic scenery, bringing fantastical creatures to life,” Williams said. “When people are able to appreciate the vast diversity of the natural world, they can see that the imagined scenes in my work are not as far from reality as one would think.” “Intrinsic” by Ashley Haggerty will feature realist oil paintings also inspired by nature, and “Crafting Autistic Joy” will contain impressive fabric pieces by Rebecca-Eli Long. As a knitter with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), they demonstrate “autistic meaning-making through textile narratives” while documenting ASD “culture and creativity” Long’s goal is to “make autistic futures – individual and collective – more possible.” These shows will run through Jan. 31.
Lachlan, 8 p.m. Jan. 10, Nine Irish Brothers, 3520 Indiana 38 East, Lafayette — Celtic duo Lachlan is celebrating 10 years making the Indiana Irish pubs, which includes both locations of Nine Irish Brothers (NIB) of course. The young duo’s next show will be at the NIB in Lafayette. Expect Irish folk, traditional tunes, contemporary songs, and Americana covers and originals from the lads.
The Tippy Combo, 6 p.m. Jan. 14, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Lafayette jazz hounds new and veteran have combined for the growing local jazz scene’s freshest band, The Tippy Combo. Foundational talents Brent Laidler (guitar) and Scott Pazera (bass) mix well with young drummer Drew Cox and saxophonist Jarrard Harris, who comes to Lafayette after stints in Cincinnati and his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Harris is still a force in the Chicago scene as well as in music education, as he is on the jazz faculty of Northwestern University, Columbia College Chicago and the City Colleges of Chicago. He also serves as the director of jazz studies with the Chicago Public Schools Advanced Arts Education Program. Harris maintains a private teaching studio in addition to adjudicating and performing at college and high school festivals, giving master classes and lecturing. If Harris has the time, The Tippy Combo could be everywhere in this scene by the end of 2025. $10. 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 help from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette, with a 2025 lineup that includes Ashley McBryde on Jan. 30. For tickets and details on all the shows and events, go to longpac.org.
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