Now in the 52nd holiday season of music, feasting and pageantry, tickets are on sale for the annual run of Christmas Madrigal Dinners presented by the Chesterton High School Music Department 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 held in the transformed high school cafeteria, 2125 S. 11th St. Chesterton. Tickets are $40 and sold online only at www.cur8.com. Guests dressed in their splendid holiday attire step into a 16th-century manorial great hall where the joy of the Christmas Madrigal Feasting of yesteryear is recreated in every detail. A cast of approximately 100 students dressed in Elizabethan costume sing, play, juggle, amuse and serve in what has long been a beloved holiday tradition in Duneland. The multi-course dinner includes a relish tray and main entrée chicken breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, wassail punch, bread rolls and butter, and dessert. Special diet plates of either gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegetarian meals will be available only if requested at the time of ticket purchase.
Beards are back
Texas rock legends ZZ Top are at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue Friday, Nov. 15 with doors open at 7 p.m. Since the founding of ZZ Top, which happened on the last day of 1969, they have gone on to become a top concert earner since their 1973 breakthrough “La Grange” as well as hits like “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs” and others. In 2021, ZZ Top saw the passing of Dusty Hill, and it was at the late musician’s own earlier urging that Elwood Francis step up to fill the void, bringing his talent and signature facial hair as a worthy successor to the legendary bassist. The group is still fronted by the legendary Billy F. Gibbons and the counterforce of aptly named Frank Beard. Tickets are $69.50 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana at 5400 W. 29th Ave. or call 219-228-2383; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com/entertainment.
Funny face
Comedian Gary Owen brings his stand-up comedy this weekend to The Venue at Hammond Horseshoe Casino at 777 Casino Center Drive in Hammond for one show 8 p.m. Nov. 16. A favorite character on Tyler Perry’s TBS series “House of Payne” playing Zach, he also stars in his own show on BET network called “The Gary Owen Show.” He was also on the star roster of Shaquille O’Neal’s All-Star Comedy Jam Tour. Tickets are $59.50 and available by calling 866-711-7463 or go to caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond/shows.
Taking off
Billed as “Girls Night Out,” Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo welcomes one and all (age 21 and older) to spend an Australian barely clothed evening with “Thunder From Down Under” returning for one performance 8 p.m. CST Nov. 15 at Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan. The world-renowned international male revue is on the road in 2024 with their “Untamed Tour.” Charismatic personalities paired with chiseled physiques and engaging dance routines serve as the foundation for sensational costume themes and interactive audience engagement for a mix of classic routines and innovative acts. Tickets start at $40 at 866-494-6371 or fourwindscasino.com.
Fourth Street
Based on the gospel writings of Matthew and presented to the audience as a series of parables, hymns and a Passion of Christ finale, “Godspell” was the hit of New York on Broadway in 1976. With beautiful songs like “Day by Day” and “Light of the World,” the team at 4th Street Theatre, 125 N. 4th St. in Chesterton, is presenting a new run of the revised licensed production for performances Nov. 15 through Nov. 24 with showtimes 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. All tickets are $20 and available by calling 219-926-7875 or 4thstreetncca.com.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa@comhs.org.
