A 'meteoric' weekend awaits. Plus, concerts, films and a thriller of a play.
Things are looking up this week ― way up, with the annual Perseid meteor shower streaking across the night sky.
DTSB's Outdoor Film Series continues with the animated "Encanto" and other family-friendly activities all day Saturday. The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra also turns cinematic for a concert at Silver Beach. Chicago's "Lady T." sings jazz at Merrimans' Playhouse, and The Acting Ensemble opens a psychological thriller. For more activities, see Joseph Dits' weekly Outdoor Adventures column or The Tribune's events page here.
View Perseid meteors, listen to concert at Lawless County Park in Vandalia
VANDALIA ― Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park, at 15122 Monkey Run St., will host a concert as it also opens late Aug. 11 and 12 for viewing of the height of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Overnight camping will be allowed.
You won’t be able to see as many meteors as in last year’s Perseid shower because, unlike last year’s crescent moon, there’ll be a full moon filling the sky with extra light.
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The concert at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 12 features the Samuel Nalangira Trio with folk/world musician Samuel Nalangira, percussionist Carolyn Koebel and bassist Nathan Durham. It comes as part of the Connecting Chords Music Festival and the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music (www.mfsm.us). Donations are accepted. In case of poor weather or excessive cloud cover, the concert will move to Aug 26.
On both nights, Aug. 11 and 12, the park will stay open until midnight for stargazing, weather permitting, unless you’re camping.
Park admission is $2 per car for Cass County residents and $3 for nonresidents (bring cash).
There are a few camping spots available for each night. Cost is $10 just for a car, $15 for a tent and $20 for a recreational vehicle. The park doesn’t have a campground, so don’t expect hookups for RV. Call 269-445-4456 to reserve a spot.
Acting Ensemble opens humorous psychological thriller ‘Becky Shaw’
MISHAWAKA — “Becky Shaw” opens Aug. 12 and continues through Aug. 21 at The Acting Ensemble, 602 E. Mishawaka Ave.
Written by Gina Gionfriddo, the 2008 play mixes sharp wit and humor with the taut suspense of a psychological thriller.
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An evening calculated to bring happiness takes a dark turn when Suzanna decides to set up her best friend Max on a blind date with her husband’s mysterious, sexy and strange co-worker Becky Shaw. That sets into motion a series of cataclysmic events that forever changes all their lives.
Directed by Seyhan Kilic, the play features Derek Bacon, Lisa Blodgett, Tiemen Godwalt, Shelly Overgaard, and Judy Spigle. Each performance includes a “talk back” session after the show.
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Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12-13 and 18-20, and at 2 p.m. Aug. 14 and 21.
Tickets are $17-$14.
For more information, visit actingensemble.com, email info@actingensemble.com or call 574-217-8873.
DTSB plans full day of activities for Second Saturday, including free ‘Encanto’ screening
SOUTH BEND — Downtown South Bend Inc. presents its Second Saturday day of events for the month of August from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 13.
The day begins with the Summer Fitness Series from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at The Gridiron, 111 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Arts on the Race at the East Race follows from noon to 5 p.m. at the East Race Waterway, 109 S. Niles Ave. Arts on the Race is a continuation of Art Beat as local artists display and sell their artwork along the East Race.
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An Art Beat 2022 Artist Information and Resource Event takes place in conjunction with Arts on the Race from 1 to 4 p.m. at 126 S. Niles Ave.
The day ends with a screening of “Encanto” as part of the Outdoor Films Series from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Gridiron.
The 2021 computer-animated musical fantasy comedy from Walt Disney Animation Studios follows the Madrigal family, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal — every child except one, Mirabel.
But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.
Themed pre-movie activities begin at 7 p.m. with the movie starting at dusk (approximately 9:30 p.m.) weather permitting.
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Activities include having a photo taken with Mirabelle, coloring “Encanto”-themed coloring pages, painting clay cookies at The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery, balloon creations available at the Fun by the Yard balloon twisting booth, and getting a free freezer pop at the DTSB Tent, where visitors also can enter to win free South Bend Cubs tickets.
Free parking is available on-street and in the Leighton Garage.
Viewers are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and snacks.
Admission is free; some activities have a small fee.
For more information, call 574-282-1110 or visit downtownsouthbend.com.
Jazz singer ‘Lady T.’ performs at Merrimans’ Playhouse in South Bend
SOUTH BEND — Chicago jazz vocalist Toscanellie Marcelain performs at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at Merrimans’ Playhouse, 401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 135.
Known as “Lady T.,” she will be joined by her longtime band: guitarist Jim Pierce, pianist Dennis Luxion, bassist Dan Delorenzo and drummer Todd Howell.
The quintet performs its own arrangements of popular and rarely heard jazz songs.
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Marcelain has been a representative for America’s jazz at international and cultural jazz events in Europe, East Africa, West Africa and the former Soviet Union, including on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution.
Dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of America’s jazz, she is an active mentor, clinician and resource for the jazz community, emphasizing opportunities for young and new jazz listeners, vocalists and musicians.
Her albums include “T for Three” and “Speak Low.”
Tickets are $10-$5.
For more information, call 574-310-9977 or visit merrimansplayhouse.org.
Southwest Michigan Symphony goes to the movies with ‘Music for the Young at Heart’
ST. JOSEPH — The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra performs at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center.
Titled, “Music for the Young at Heart,” the concert features music from film scores by John Williams, classical works later appropriated for use in films, and the fight songs from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and the University of Notre Dame.
Works by Williams include the march from “Superman,” the theme from “Jurassic Park,” “The Fellowship of the Ring” Symphonic Suite, selections from the “Star Wars” Suite for Orchestra and two works from the “Harry Potter” films.
Classical works include excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and “Sleeping Beauty” suites and excerpts from Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt: Suite No. 1.
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In addition to the music, costumed characters will interact with the audience, and photos may be taken with Aurora from “Sleeping Beauty” and Elsa from “Frozen.”
The concert was originally to be held at Silver Beach County Park, but was rescheduled to the Mendel Center due to possible inclement weather.
Four food trucks also will be on site.
Music Director Matthew Aubin conducts.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children and doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
For more information, call 269-982-4030 or visit smso.org.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: View Perseid meteors or see 'Encanto.' 'Becky Shaw' opens, too.
