Celebrating Arts and Entertainment: Upcoming Midwest Events
Whiting’s Pierogi Fest, known as one of the country’s most unique festivals, returns this weekend for its 32nd year. The event transforms 119th Street in downtown Whiting, showcasing attractions such as the annual Polka Parade on Friday night. Enthusiastic participants include the quirky Lawnmower Brigade. The parade begins at Forsythe Park and moves through areas filled with vendors offering assorted pierogi and other Eastern European foods. Live music features performances like Saturday night’s band, Five for Fighting. On Sunday, visitors can join the Pierogi Eating Contest and Pierogi Toss Challenge. The festival is populated with costumed characters, including the mascot Mr. Pierogi, Halupki Guy, Miss Paczki, and entertaining Buscias. For a detailed schedule, visit www.pierogifest.net.
In Munster, the Family Arts Fest presented by South Shore Arts offers a day of arts and entertainment for all ages. On Sunday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Center for Visual and Performing Arts hosts various activities. Guests can enjoy live dance and music performances along with balloon making, face painting, and the Rockopelli musical petting zoo. Food vendors include Brew Box Coffee, Chi-Nuts, Island Ice Shaved Ice, and Tazones Food Truck. For the first time, the fest includes outdoor activities such as slap graffiti, paper journal making, and a creative play station. The South Shore Arts Gift Shop and the ‘My America’ gallery exhibition will be open. Admission costs $5 per person. More information is available at www.southshoreartsonline.org or by calling 219-836-1839.
Dunes Arts Summer Theatre wraps up its 75th season with ‘Avenue Q,’ a Tony Award-winning musical comedy. Opening with a preview on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m., performances run through August 9. The show, which won the 2004 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical, debuted on Broadway in 2003. It combines puppets with human actors to humorously address themes like adulthood and careers. Directed by Danny Kapinos and featuring music by Aaron Kaplan, the narrative is set in a New York City apartment building on Avenue Q. The protagonist, college graduate Princeton, navigates his relationships and career. Despite the puppet cast, this performance targets adult audiences. Shows occur at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets range from $15 to $35 and are available at dunesARTS.org or by calling 219-879-7509.
Canterbury Summer Theatre presents ‘The Taffetas: A Musical Journey Through the Fabulous Fifties,’ conceived and written by Rick Lewis. This production, running through August 1, features 40 songs from the 1950s pop charts. The story follows a fictional girl group, The Taffetas, from Muncie, Indiana, aspiring to perform on the popular ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ The show offers a nostalgic experience with performances at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Located at 807 Franklin St. in downtown Michigan City, ticket prices are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $11 for students and veterans. For tickets, call 219-874-4269 or visit www.canterburytheatre.org.
Philip Potempa, a journalist, author, and radio host on WJOB 1230 AM, can be reached at [email protected].