Mid-Century Modern, holiday pops and the beloved leg lamp.
by John Cain
South Shore Arts is traveling back in time to a more glamorous age with Mid-Century Modern: Style in the Age of Mad Men. The term “Mad Men,” while associated today with the AMC cable television drama, was actually a slang expression coined in the 1950s by advertising executives working on Madison Avenue to refer to themselves.
The South Shore Arts exhibition is a tribute to the Mid-Century Modern movement in architecture and design that provided a visual accompaniment to this memorable era of slick consumerism and swinging style. Fifty years later, Mid-Century Modern remains a historical milestone, reflected in today's best furniture, architecture, art and design. Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Harry Bertoia and Eero Saarinen are among the designers whose work will be featured in the show.
This exhibition is being curated by David Carter, who, along with his wife, Amy, is proprietor of Pegboard Modern, a Chicago-based showroom specializing in vintage modern furniture and design. The exhibit runs through February 2, 2014. A VIP reception and wine-tasting will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Maestro Kirk Muspratt will present the annual Holiday Pops Concert on Thursday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville. This best-selling concert of the year is a South Shore holiday tradition to be celebrated with family and friends–a mixture of spiritual music for people of all beliefs, entertaining music that is germane to the holiday season, and music for people of all ages throughout the community. Tickets range from $25 to $65 and student tickets are just $10. Tickets can be purchased online at www.nisorchestra.org or by calling the Symphony box office at 219/836-0525.
What are the most memorable scenes for you from the classic holiday movie, A Christmas Story? The pink bunny suit, the “evil” elves at the department store or Christmas dinner at the Chinese restaurant? If you love these scenes, then you'll love the “A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit at the Indiana Welcome Center, located at the intersection of I-80/94 and Kennedy Avenue in Hammond.
The exhibit focuses on six animatronic window displays originally from Macy's Department Store in New York City, each featuring different scenes from the iconic movie. Visitors will see the Bumpus hounds as they steal the family Christmas dinner, watch as dad lights the leg lamp in the living room window or stand by as Flick gets his tongue stuck to the flagpole. Related activities during the exhibit include the Mommy's Little Piggy Mashed Potato Eating Contest, the Oh Fuuudge Relay Race and photos taken atop Santa's Mountain with a slide. The exhibit runs from November through mid-January (www.southshorecva.com).
The short stories the movie is based on were written by Hammond native Jean Shepard and based on his experiences growing up in the area. Shepard was also the voice of the older Ralphie, the narrator of the movie.
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 Thursday evening at 6 p.m. on Lakeshore News Tonight.
