After more than 100 guests packed the gallery spaces of the newly launched Artists’ Guild of Valparaiso at 257 Indiana Ave. in downtown Valparaiso in March 2023, the artist organization quickly embraced the idea of month open houses for new show hangings and prizes award on the third Saturday of each month. A Halloween theme is the focus for this weekend throughout the space with a 7 p.m. free artist reception and awards announced at 7:30 p.m. The gallery is open every day 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. except holidays with more information available at www.agofvalpo.com.
Change of habit
The critical big screen success of the 1985 film version of “Agnes of God” starring Jane Fonda as an insistent investigator into a mysterious infant murder at a convent where only the mother superior played by Anne Bancroft and a young novice sister played by Meg Tilly know the true events garnered audience attention. But it was the 1979 stage version of the same name written by John Pielmeier which first introduced the story and intrigue. In time of the 45th anniversary, a new stage production of “Agnes of God” opens this weekend produced by Holdcraft Players with 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday performances Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26 and 3 p.m. Sundays Oct. 20 and 27 at Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring St. in Michigan City. Directed by John Hutchinnson, it stars Alayna Lauritsen as Agnes, Greta Friedman as Dr. Livingston and Bobbi Laurtsin. Tickets are $15 for adult and $10 for students at www.yptcinc.com.
Who and what
Burton Cummings, lead singer of the original The Guess Who and a successful solo artist is touring the U.S. this fall to mark his 60-year-anniversary of making and releasing music. The tour also celebrates his release of “A Few Good Moments,” his first studio album since 2008’s “Above The Ground.” “These Eyes,” “No Time,” “Laughing” and their biggest hit “American Woman,” the latter topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks in 1970 remain forever popular, despite the band having broke up in 1975. Cummings performs one concert 8 p.m. CST Oct. 19 on stage at Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan. Tickets start at $56 to $349 at 866-494-6371 or fourwindscasino.com.
Burton Cummings, lead singer of the original The Guess Who and a successful solo artist is touring the U.S. this fall to mark his 60-year-anniversary of making and releasing music and will perform at 8 p.m. CST Oct. 19 on stage at Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center in New Buffalo, Michigan. (Photo courtesy of Four Winds Casino)
Crowes encounter
It’s 15 years since their last album of original music and the Robinson Brothers as their stage identity The Black Crowes are ready to present “Happiness Bastards” as their 10th studio album and a new tour with the same name. Billed as “the highly anticipated record consecrating reunion” of this legendary band, the brothers promise the audience experience will be “revealing stripped, bare-boned rock.” Since The Black Crowes reunited in 2019, they’ve made a triumphant return with more 150 shows spanning 20 countries worldwide and celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Shake Your Money Maker,” the album that put them on the map. They have one tour stop for a 7 p.m. concert Friday, Oct. 18 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana at 5400 W. 29th Ave. on the Hard Rock Live main stage. Tickets range in price $99 to $160 at 219-228-2383; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com/entertainment.
Great pumpkin
Lowell Chamber of Commerce hosts the Third Annual Lowell Pumpkin Festival 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 throughout downtown Lowell. The day begins with the Buckley 5 Miler Run starting with line-up at 8:30 a.m. beginning at the Buckley Homestead, 3606 Belshaw Road in Lowell. Pre-registration required. An Autumn Market and food and craft vendors will fill the downtown area and a “Monster March Parade” sponsored by Lowell Parks starts at 10 a.m. A beer garden, contests, music and activities will keep the afternoon flowing with fun. Details available at 219-696-0231.
Scary anniversary
First launched in 1989, Reaper’s Realm has been a favorite and infamous haunted house in Northwest Indiana for 35 years. Now that the property has been sold at 626 177th Ave. in Hammond, this October month 2024 is likely the final time to stroll the three floors of fright factor. Themed rooms like the Beetlejuice ballroom, a bloody hallway of scares and an outdoors custom cemetery await guest who dare to agree to the challenge. It’s open every evening in October through Halloween from 7 p.m. to Midnight. Ticket options range from $15 to $50 at www.reapersrealm.com or call 219-853-0518.
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.
