Regional arts and entertainment and things to do this quarter.
Northwest Indiana
by John Cain
Visitors to Indiana's state parks and forests can enjoy more art offerings this summer thanks to a partnership between the Indiana Arts Commission and Department of Natural Resources. The Arts in the Parks grant program is just one way that Indiana is celebrating its bicentennial. The program, endorsed by the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, also celebrates the centennial of Indiana State Parks and the 50th anniversary of the Arts Commission. For event dates at Dunes State Park, visit https://secure.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2980.htm or call (219) 926-1952.
Arts in the Parks grantees for the Indiana Dunes State Park location are:
* Corey Hagelberg for a two-month exhibit of hand-printed woodcuts featuring the Indiana Dunes, including an artist talk and free print-making workshop.
* Philip Hahn for an ensemble of players to perform a concert of music written and arranged for the alphorn.
* Garrette Horne for an interactive performance on the beach.
* Jerald Jascoviak for year-round theatre workshops.
* Kristina Knowski for a series of beginning bird drawing and painting workshops.
* Jesse Meyer for photography capturing dramatic dunes landscapes at night.
* Dunes Art Foundation for children's performances of short plays on the beach.
* Family Folklore Foundation for “Heroes' Quest,” a radio play created by hikers who researched park history.
* Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center for local artists to work with 3rd through 6th grade campers experiencing the dunes and interpreting their newfound connection to nature.
* “Shifting Sands” (Legacy Foundation) for outreach programs associated with the new documentary film.
* Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation for live theatrical productions in the park, including Broadway favorites, Shakespeare classics, fun family shows and improv.
* South Shore Performing Arts Company for an outdoor concert at the park.
The Indiana Arts Commission also funded Indiana Masterpieces, a grant program for arts organizations presenting activities that showcase the state's rich arts history and prominent figures. Northwest Indiana recipients are:
* The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra for a special Indiana Bicentennial edition of the South Shore Summer Music Festival of six free performances celebrating Indiana music, composers, singers and musicians, including Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael and Michael Jackson.
* Save the Dunes for “2016 Dunes Blowout: A Festival of Performance & Ecology” inspired by the great “Historical Pageant and Masque of the Sand Dunes of Indiana” of 1917.
The South Shore Arts Regional Arts Calendar has current information on exhibits, concerts, plays, dance performances and more at www.SouthShoreArtsOnline.org.
Greater South Bend/Mishawaka
by Jack Walton
The Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend is hosting a variety of hot entertainment acts as the weather finally heats up outside. There's a classic crooner (Johnny Mathis on May 12), a wailing guitarist (Joe Bonamassa on May 17), and one of the smoothest rhythm & blues singers ever (Keith Sweat on May 29). The unique, incomparable Blue Man Group takes over on May 31, and then it's time for Southern rock at its finest in the form of the Tedeschi Trucks Band on June 16. View the full schedule at morriscenter.org.
When the Elkhart Jazz Festival debuted in 1988, no one could have guessed how massive the event would become. The EJF draws an audience of approximately 15,000 annually, many of whom travel from well outside the region just to make the scene. This year, the fest features 100 performances on six stages over three days: June 24-26. Jazz sub-genres from swing to hard-bop to contemporary smooth jazz are all represented. The most exciting news of all is that this year's headliner is the Joshua Redman Quartet. Son of the great saxophonist Dewey Redman, Joshua has established himself as one of the truly significant players in jazz over the past 20 years. He has transitioned from a “young lion” to a place among the elite saxophonists. Visit elkhartjazzfestival.com for a full list of performers and a detailed map of events.
The History Museum in South Bend hosts a variety of offerings, some in the permanent collection and some in temporary exhibits. Currently on view (through September) is “At Home: a Short History of Private Life,” which explores trends in form and function in domestic decor. Football fans who miss their game during the summer months can get their gridiron fix via “The House That Rockne Built: Notre Dame Stadium,” on view until August. For further details, visit historymuseumsb.org.
South Bend Civic Theatre is staging two thrillers and a beloved musical. First, it's psychological intrigue on Cape Cod in Sharr White's “The Other Place,” running May 13-22. From June 3-12, Ken Ludwig's “The Game's Afoot” offers a mystery in the tradition of the Sherlock Holmes adventures. Finally, in a special outdoor presentation at St. Patrick's Park in South Bend, everyone can “step in time” as SBCT brings out its rendition of “Mary Poppins,” running July 22-30. Get more info at sbct.org.
