It’s a parade of personalities saluting pop culture for the perfect reason to “people watch” this weekend at the 2025 Northwest Indiana Comic Convention now in its 11th year. Established in 2014, the event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point. Tickets are $14 and more than 100 vendor booths and exhibitors await. Parking is free. There will also be cosplay contests, food concessions and a “meet and greet” with comic book artists. Billed as “the Region’s Premier Pop Culture Show,” guests can purchase tickets at the door or online at nwi-comic-con.wixsite.com.
Following ‘Rules’
It’s the opening weekend of performances of “Rules for Living” written by Same Holcroft, playing 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15, and the same schedule Feb. 21 to March 2 with the addition of 2:30 p.m. matinees on Sundays and a special 7:30 p.m. performance on Thursday, Feb. 28, at Chicago Street Theatre in Valparaiso. This dark comedy details what happens when an extended family gathers in the kitchen for a traditional Christmas and they each follow rules rigidly yet their long-held mechanisms for survival are laid bare. Resentments and accusations fly and relationships teeter out of balance. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for students under age 21 and seniors 62 and older. There is a $17 discount ticket group rate for 10 or more. For reservations, call 219-464-1636 or visit www.chicagostreet.org.
A jazzy idea
Kenny G ranks as the biggest-selling instrumental musician of the modern era, and one of the best-selling artists of all time. With global sales totaling more than 75 million records and 1.5 billion streams, the jazz icon is spending Valentine’s Day 2025 in concerts at Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo with one performance at 8 p.m. CST. He has accumulated a staggering 24 award nominations throughout his 50-year career and has taken home a Grammy Award, American Music Award, two NAACP Awards, and two Soul Train Music Awards. With classic, top-selling studio albums, Kenny, now 68, has maintained a prominent level of creative excellence through decades of unprecedented commercial success. In December 2023, Kenny G released his 20th studio album, “Innocence,” which features 12 tracks, all of which embrace the theme of lullabies, a cultural and familial tradition that is incredibly special to Kenny as shared during this Friday night special concert at Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan. Tickets start at $109 at 866-494-6371 or fourwindscasino.com.
Music of soul
Caifanes is a Mexican rock band which formed in Mexico City in 1987. The group achieved international fame during the late 1980s and early 1990s with their unique blend of British new wave, progressive rock, and Latin-influenced sound. Led by vocalist Saúl Hernández, they will play two concerts at 9 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15, at The Venue at Hammond Horseshoe Casino at 777 Casino Center Drive in Hammond. Tickets are $49.50 and available by calling 866-711-7463 or go to caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond/shows. Caifanes’ dark, somber lyrics and style has led to hits like “Afuera,” “La Célula Que Explota,” and “Viento.” The band has also toured extensively in the U.S. and Mexico, and once even opened for The Rolling Stones.
Perfect pairing
Marsha Ambrosius is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer best known for her work as one-half of the groundbreaking duo Floetry. Rahsaan Patterson Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer known for his soulful voice, captivating stage presence, and genre-blending approach to R&B. In the spotlight together, the standing ovation result is Soul Experience: Marsha Ambrosius & Rahsaan Patterson in concert for one night only 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Known for her emotional depth and powerful stage presence, Marsha Ambrosius’ career includes collaboration with a range of iconic artists, including Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, and 50 Cent, contributing to their projects and sharing her artistry with the world. Her ability to blend raw emotion with evocative storytelling, Marsha has captivated audiences worldwide with her music, earning critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. The pair play centerstage at Hard Rock Northern Indiana Casino at 5400 W. 29th Ave. on the Hard Rock Live main stage. Tickets start at $59 by calling 219-228-2383; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com/entertainment.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa@powershealth.org.
