There’s always something for everyone at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, and December is no different. For tickets to any of these fine events, go to TheCenterPresents.org or call (317) 843-3800.
Center Presents Performances include:
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
The Tarkington
Tickets from $35
Comedy Series
Now in his fifth decade as a working comedian, Jeff Allen has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Dry Bar Comedy, HBO, Amazon Prime, Comedy Central, VH1, Showtime, TBN, CBN, Family Net and numerous other television networks and podcasts. He can be heard regularly on SiriusXM’s comedy channels, Pandora and Spotify. On his new tour, Jeff Allen 2.0, his sidesplitting comedy drives home the humor in everyday family life, the ups and downs of marriage, the challenge of raising children, the bliss of the empty nest (followed by the unexpected returns to said nest) and the joys of being a grandparent.
8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27
The Palladium
Tickets from $35
Katz, Sapper & Miller Pop/Rock Series
The Mavericks are an eclectic country/rock/Tex-Mex group known for twangy guitars, raucous performances and tunes like “Dance the Night Away” and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down.” Founded in Miami and led by front man and songwriter Raul Malo, the multiple CMA and ACM award winners reunited in 2012 after a long hiatus and recently marked their 30th anniversary. The Mavericks’ recent release En Español, their 12th studio album and first with all-Spanish lyrics, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart and further expanded the band’s stylistic range.
11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
The Tarkington
Old Town Family Series
Tickets from $15
The U.K.-based theater group Tutti Frutti brings to life Hans Christian Andersen’s well-known tale with a menagerie of mischievous animals, inventive physicality, and live music and songs that quack and trill. The hero of the story, called ugly and rejected by his siblings, goes on an adventure in search of a place to fit in. Great for ages 5 to 10, this charming production plays with the importance of identity and self-worth and takes us on a journey to discover inner beauty.
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Other January events include:
Faegre Drinker Peanut Butter & Jam: Animals of the North Pole with Silly Safaris
10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
The Studio Theater
Tickets: $10 per child, includes up to two free adult admissions
Presenter Jingle John, posing as a reindeer herder from the Scandinavian Sami culture, introduces us to amazing animals of the Arctic Circle, one of the coldest, harshest environments on the planet. Technically, it is a giant frozen desert, and the animals that live there have specific adaptations for survival. He’ll bring mammals, reptiles, a bird and, of course, bugs to demonstrate life at the pole – including a real live reindeer. Designed for children ages 1 to 7, Faegre Drinker Peanut Butter & Jam sessions encourage young children to become engaged in the arts.
JazzTalk: A Conversation with Boney James
7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10
Live online via Zoom
Free
Born James Oppenheim, Boney James began gigging as a teenager and turned pro at 19. Join host Todd Williams for an engaging conversation about how this four-time Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum R&B/jazz saxophonist, songwriter and producer got his start in the music business. Come hear about his greatest musical influences and find out how he got his famous moniker. James will perform Feb. 18 at the Palladium.
Luminaries: No Room for Squares with photographer Mark Sheldon
2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24
The Palladium, Robert Adam Room
Tickets: $10, includes light refreshments
Freelance photographer Mark Sheldon has photographed thousands of musicians all over the world and has been published in nearly every renowned music magazine and newspaper. In this presentation, he will share some of his favorite photographs and the stories behind the images. Come hear about where his interest in photography came from and how he turned his love of music and his photographic skill into a rewarding career. Luminaries is the Center’s weekday speaker series.
Live at the Center: Tay Bronson & the Tackle Box
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25
Online and at the Tarkington
Livestream: Free (pay-what-you-can, no minimum)
On site: $5 (pay-what-you-can, $5 minimum)
Tay Bronson first gained attention in the 1990s as bassist and songwriter for the Indiana-based alternative rock band Push Down & Turn, which toured with artists including Counting Crows and the BoDeans and had songs placed on several national compilations and network daytime dramas. In recent years, Bronson has focused on country-oriented songwriting, performing at national festivals and releasing his solo debut album, Drinks & Memories, in 2020. A follow-up album and full-band tour are planned for 2023.
About the Center for the Performing Arts
The mission of the nonprofit Center for the Performing Arts is to engage and inspire the Indiana community through enriching arts experiences. Its campus includes the 1,500-seat Palladium concert hall, the 500-seat Tarkington theater and the black-box Studio Theater. The Center presents and hosts hundreds of events each year, including the Center Presents performance series, featuring the best in classical, jazz, pop, rock, country, comedy and other genres. Educational and experiential programming includes children’s concerts, summer camps, book clubs, lectures, and classes in music and dance. The Center is home to the affiliated Great American Songbook Foundation and provides space and support services for six resident arts companies. More information at TheCenterPresents.org.