Support for Based in Lafayette comes from Purdue Convocations, presenting Bria Skonberg’s Jingle Bell Swing. Juno Award-winning trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg brings her swinging jazz flair to seasonal favorites this December, featuring hits like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You” and Sia’s “Santa’s Coming for Us.” Celebrated as the “shining hope of hot jazz,” the New York-based virtuoso blends smoky vocals and blistering trumpet skills to lead the revival of classic American music. Sunday, Dec. 6, in Loeb Playhouse. BUY NOW
It’s Thursday. It’s time for …
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, Temple Israel, 620 Cumberland Ave., West Lafayette — Inspired by his passion for and research of the history of klezmer music, Yale Strom not only read about it — he played it and composed it, too. A New York staple, Strom was influenced by the Jewish music’s many different flavors from central and eastern Europe to the Balkans. He funneled much of his composing into Hot Pstromi, one of the premier New York klezmer groups going today, and for films and National Public Radio. Strom will display his expertise of history and performance during a rare Indiana appearance with Hot Pstromi. The show, rounding out a three-day residency in West Lafayette, is free and it is a treat to see the influential band in such an intimate venue.
Data Unknown with Sloganeer and Mall Wear, 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — The one, the only Scott “Scooter” Guinn and his Data Unknown finally return to Lafayette after 18 long months. The experimental noise punk band from Indianapolis puts on a mind-blowing live show and have the resume to back it up, including a European tour and excellent recordings. Guinn’s commanding stage presence was first cultivated in Lafayette bands like The Sweet Sixteen and Bossman and His Bad Habits, which shared bills with some of Aaron Zernack’s past projects. Guinn and Zernack will party like it’s 2009 when Zernack’s new synthpunk project Mall Wear opens the show. Chicago postpunk act Sloganeer will join in on the fun, too. $10.
Potters Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Central Presbyterian Church, 31 N. Seventh St., Lafayette — The holiday season is upon us, and the Greater Lafayette Clay Guild is giving you an early jump on gifting local art to everyone you know this year. Functional and decorative pottery from area artists new and seasoned will be available at price points that would make ol’ Ebeneezer Scrooge crack a craggily smile. There will be a drawing for an assortment of free pieces donated by the artists, too.
BMFX pro wrestling, 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, Wea Rec Center, 2000 Wea School Road, Lafayette — Before that upcoming Thanksgiving throwdown, work up an appetite by watching large men throwdown on each other at BMFX’s upcoming show “Thanks for Giving.” The show features the return of the crazy GG Jacobs squaring off against Dave Chips, the crunchy, salty and snackable babyface, in his first one-on-one match. Also on the card will be Jeremy Hadley, Brandon Day, Jared Kripke and the towering Brutus Knox. Proceeds will go to Food Finders Food Bank. $12 and $20.
Ha Ha Tonka, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — Ozarkian alt Americana rockers Ha Ha Tonka return to People’s with a new album to promote, “Blood Red Moon.” The self-released record is unique in that the Missouri band is selling it for “pay what you want” on its website — $1, $10, $20, $whatever! There’s even a deal where you can “choose a cover song” and Ha Ha Tonka will send it to you on a CDR. Pretty good deals and an even better deal is experiencing the new tunes live in the intimate surroundings of People’s. 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 support for this edition from Purdue Convocations, presenting Bria Skonberg’s Jingle Bell Swing Sunday, Dec. 6, in Loeb Playhouse. Get tickets now.
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