A T-shirt at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library in Indianapolis is shown.
An exhibit at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library in Indianapolis is pictured.
The curator of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library in Indianapolis will visit Gary's lakefront Miller Beach neighborhood Friday to talk about the legendary counter-culture author who penned such classics as "Slaughterhouse-Five," "Breakfast of Champions," "Mother Night," "Player Piano" and "Cat's Cradle."
Chris LaFave will appear at 7 p.m. Friday at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts at 540 S. Lake St. to discuss the Hoosier author's life and work in a lecture called "And so it goes ..." in a talk sponsored by the Nelson Algren Museum of Miller Beach.
"Nelson Algren and Kurt Vonnegut are born Midwesterners who rejected their homelands later in life, known for their wit and dark humor, veterans of mothers lacking in warmth and World War II, instructors at the 1965 University of Iowa Writers Workshop, iconoclasts, recipients of numerous awards, and experienced periods of depression amid being lauded and criticized by a fickle public," the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District said in a news release. "Vonnegut is best known for his novel, 'Slaughterhouse-Five' and short stories such as 'God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater' and 'Happy Birthday, Wanda June.' His grim humor and anti-war sentiment was a great draw for Nelson Algren."
Visitors also can check out a traveling exhibit from the Vonnegut Museum at the Marshall J. Gardner Center.
"The Vonnegut exhibit features a desk and typewriter similar to what Vonnegut used to write his novels, iPads loaded with archived images, drawings, notes, manuscripts and videos of Vonnegut at various speaking engagements, amid standing displays of his work,"Â the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District said in a news release.
Tickets to the talk are $10 at the door, and beer and wine will be available for purchase.
For more information, visit nelsonalgrenmuseumofmillerbeach.com or visit millerbeacharts.org.
Gary Then and Now
A postcard of the Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium at Miller Beach contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of the Elks Temple contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of Marquette Park contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of Marquette Park contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of Father Marquette Statue at Marquette Park contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of Ramada Inn contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of Broadway in downtown Gary contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of the Knights of Columbus Club Hotel contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of the Administration Buildings in downtown Gary contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of a scene at the lakefront Marquette Park contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of the Recreation Buildings at Lakefront Park contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of City Hall contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of Palace Theater in Gary contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of the Gary State Bank Building contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of the Gary Post Office contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of the Cathedral of the Holy Angels contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of the Knights of Columbus Building contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A vintage view of downtown Gary contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of First Methodist Church contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A vintage view of First Methodist Church in downtown Gary contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of the Gary Hotel contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of Union Station in Gary contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of Memorial Auditorium in Gary contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
A postcard of the Gary State Bank Tower in Gary contrasted with photographer James Santmyre's modern-day photo of it.
Photos and postcards provides by James Santmyre, gallery curated by Times of Northwest Indiana Staff Writer Joseph S. Pete
Joseph S. Pete
Business Reporter
Joseph S. Pete is a Lisagor Award-winning business reporter who covers steel, industry, unions, the ports, retail, banking and more. The Indiana University grad has been with The Times since 2013 and blogs about craft beer, culture and the military.
