A varied menu of music, art and theater, including lots of free offerings.
by John Cain
The Northwest Indiana Symphony continues its South Shore Summer Music Festival with free concerts, sponsored by Strack & Van Til and JPMorgan Chase, at Central Park in Griffith on July 25, Franciscan Communities in Crown Point on July 26, Wolf Lake Pavilion in Hammond on August 1 and Redar Park in Schererville on August 9.
The public is invited to come early, bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the music. An additional summer concert, sponsored by the Porter County Community Foundation and BMO Harris, is scheduled for Thursday evening, August 7, at Central Park Plaza in downtown Valparaiso. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.; rain locations can be found on the symphony website, www.nisorchestra.org.
The symphony will launch its 2014-15 concert season at the Star Plaza Theatre on Friday, September 12, 2014, with a Gala Pops Concert featuring a Tribute to Motown. Over 50 years of Motown magic will be celebrated in a concert jam-packed with dazzling high-energy choreography, impeccable harmonies and those timeless Motown grooves that everyone knows and loves.
Hooked on Art, a live street art festival, will be presented in Chesterton’s Thomas Centennial Park on Saturday, September 27. Here’s your chance to experience the creation of live street art in-the-making as participants complete original works of art from start to finish over the course of a single day. Live art, music and family-friendly activities are just a few highlights of the festival. Proceeds throughout the day support Frontline Foundation’s client scholarships to provide substance abuse treatment resources for the community. Visit www.hookedonartfestival.com for more information.
Taltree Arboretum’s 2014 outdoor classical concerts will feature the Northwest Indiana Symphony Strings on August 8, Northwest Indiana Symphony Brass on August 22, and Northwest Indiana Symphony Woodwinds on August 29. Taltree’s Music in Nature Benefit Concert Series features Another Round, Indiana University’s hit a cappella group, on September 19. Following in the footsteps of Straight No Chaser, Another Round has played to sold-out crowds throughout the Midwest. More info at www.taltree.org.
Theatre at the Center in Munster presents “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” a new musical based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, September 11 through October 19. Set in a madcap Madrid, “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” is a touching and hilarious story about women and the men who pursue them with songs that will make you laugh aloud while igniting your sense of romance. www.theatreatthecenter.com
The LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra presents Hoosier Star on September 13, with 12 dynamic singers, all performing under one roof, in an incredible evening of vocal gymnastics. These amazing vocalists are accompanied by the Hoosier Star Orchestra, an outstanding group of musicians assembled by maestro Philip Bauman, music director and conductor of the LaPorte County Symphony. The audience vote determines the next Hoosier Star winners in Youth and Adult divisions. Don’t miss encore performances of last year’s winners and the insightful comments of celebrity judges at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium.
South Shore Arts reminds you to visit its online Regional Art Calendar at www.SouthShoreArtsOnline.org for listings of local arts events. The calendar lists exhibits, concerts, plays, lectures, film series, dance performances and more, all taking place in your neighborhood. Don’t forget the South Shore Arts Facebook page where you can also keep up to date on exhibit schedules and opening receptions, class signups, outreach programs and special events. Local artists also post their events and share local art experiences.
Find out more about area arts activities and events by watching Lakeshore Public Television’s “Eye on the Arts,” every Friday evening at 7 p.m. on “Lakeshore Report.”
