LOCAL SCENE:Rockin' fundraiser for Christmas dinner

Westchester Lanes in Chesterton will be the site of a rocking fundraiser this evening for “Merry Meals,” a charitable organization that provides Christmas meals to region families in need.

LOCAL SCENE: The Stories Behind Some of Rock’s Biggest Hits

Jim Peterik has enjoyed an enduring, consistent and successful career, having written and recorded hit songs for his own bands, The Ides of March and Survivor (taking home a Grammy for the #1 global chart-topper, “Eye Of The Tiger,” from the “Rocky IV” film soundtrack), along with penning hi…

LOCAL SCENE: “SMOKING” RE-ISSUE FROM CHICAGO FAVES

Chicago alt-rock recording/touring group, The Smoking Popes will re-issue their landmark 1995 album, “Born To Quit” this Tuesday (10/23) via Los Angles-based indie label SideOneDummy Record, which they signed with earlier this year. There will be limited amount of color vinyl LPs pressed up …

Multi-Instrumentalist Chris Funk, a graduate of NWI music scene

International recording and touring musician Chris Funk is a creature of his environment -- Northwest Indiana – where he was born, bred and baptized in the diverse musical styles native to the region.

LOCAL SCENE: McHenry & Bricker, An Ear-Pleasing Pairing

One of the perks of writing this weekly column about local music is opening up mail and discovering a CD of well-crafted new music to ingest. Such was the case two weeks ago when a disc arrived from Merrillville songwriter/guitarist John McHenry, who has rocked, twanged and bluesed it up in …

North Dakota seems an unlikely place to find a saviour of the blues,

North Dakota seems an unlikely place to find a saviour of the blues, but such is the case, as one of the old masters slowly passes the baton to a young gun from Fargo. For the last several years Jonny Lang, a native son of Fargo, has been mentored by the great Buddy Guy, one of the last livi…

LOCAL SCENE: Trio reunited in Highland, Porter County unplugged winner

Long time local rockers Allen Fray (bass/vocals) and Bob Wray (guitar/vocals), formerly of the regional bands Salamander Drake and Desdinova, are back in action with a new 3-piece original project rounded out by drummer John Ripperton. The trio goes by the name The Barleywine Sound Union and…

Art and math equal 'Color' at IUN

The sculptures on display at Indiana University by Morton C. Bradley have elicited responses from viewers outside of the art strata according to IU Curator of Campus Art Sherry Rouse.

4th Street Theater cultivates inspirational ‘Garden’

Glenn Hering, director of Chesterton’s 4th Street Theater production of “The Secret Garden,” expects many audience members to leave with a profound life lesson.

Hyde Park opens its doors to jazz

While a primary focus for many who attend the Hyde Park Jazz Festival is the music, festival director Kate Dumbleton also sees it as a way for attendees to explore the neighborhood’s rich architectural offerings.

Slash “Conspires” To Create New Music

Since introducing himself to the world at the age of 22 in 1987 with the release of the gazillion-selling LP, “Appetite For Destruction,” by his former band, Guns ‘N Roses, the singularly named sultan of the six-string – Slash – has cut an indelible figure in rock culture with his ever prese…

Now You See It, Now You Don't!

MAGIC! Whether it's a tale about old Merlin of Camelot or the saga of young Harry Potter, magic has always fascinated and entertained. The art of making people disbelieve their own eyes is as old as the ages and fresh as the next blockbuster Hollywood movie.

LOCAL SCENE: Copeland’s “33 1/3” Spins Out On Tuesday

Shemekia Copeland has emerged a one of the most prominent voices of the modern Chicago blues scene, even being declared “Queen of the Blues” at

Still Living The Dream 35 Years Later

Pat DiNizio – the Jersey-born and bred rocker who fronts The Smithereens and who penned such classic alt-rock foundation songs in the 1980s as “Blood And Roses,” “A Girl Like You,” “Behind The Wall of Sleep,” “Only A Memory” and “House We Used To Live In” – maintains a busy solo career while…