There’s always something for everyone at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, and March is no different. For tickets to any of these fine events, go to TheCenterPresents.org or call (317) 843-3800.
Center Presents Performances include:
8 p.m. Saturday, March 11
The Tarkington
Tickets from $40
Faegre Drinker Encore Series
Founded in the 1980s in Winnipeg, Canada, the Crash Test Dummies achieved international success with their 1993 album God Shuffled His Feet and the hit single “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm,” showcasing lead singer-songwriter Brad Roberts’ distinctive baritone voice. The group reformed in 2018 after a long hiatus and has been touring North America and Europe to mark its 30th anniversary. A new original single, “Sacred Alphabet,” is set for release in early 2023. Opening the show will be Carleton Stone, an Americana and pop singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia.
The Oak Ridge Boys: Front Porch Singin’ Tour
8 p.m. Friday, March 17
The Palladium
Tickets from $35
Faegre Drinker Encore Series
Best known for their iconic multiplatinum hit “Elvira,” along with chart-toppers like “Bobbie Sue,” “Thank God For Kids,” “Y’All Come Back Saloon” and “American Made,” The Oak Ridge Boys have enjoyed a decorated career, winning five Grammy Awards and multiple CMA, ACM and Dove Awards with a crossover brand of pop, country and gospel music that spans multiple generations. The Country Music Hall of Famers’ latest album is Front Porch Singin’, recorded during the pandemic lockdown and featuring the single “Love, Light and Healing.”
The Peking Acrobats featuring the Shanghai Circus
8 p.m. Saturday, March 18
The Palladium
Tickets from $25
Old Town Family Series
For over 30 years, the Peking Acrobats have dazzled live audiences and TV viewers around the world with juggling, trick cycling, precision tumbling and daring maneuvers at precarious heights. They have performed with many of North America’s leading orchestras and in the Ocean’s Eleven film series. The troupe of approximately 20 performers is accompanied by colorful lighting effects and musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments, creating an exuberant entertainment event with the festive pageantry of a Chinese carnival.
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22
The Tarkington
Tickets from $40
Katz, Sapper & Miller Pop/Rock Series
Guitarist, songwriter and producer Jim Messina is a key figure in the history of country rock and the Southern California sound. After joining Buffalo Springfield for its final album and tour, he and bandmate Richie Furay formed Poco, setting the stage for the ’70s arena rock of the Eagles. He then teamed with Kenny Loggins to sell more than 16 million albums on the strength of hits such as “Danny’s Song,” “Your Mama Don’t Dance” and “Angry Eyes.” Now, after decades of acclaimed solo work, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is on the road sharing songs and stories from his half-century in music.
7 p.m. Sunday, March 26
The Palladium
Tickets from $35
Drewry Simmons Vornehm Jazz Series
Familiar to local audiences for his appearances with saxophonist Dave Koz, singer-songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler is making his Palladium debut as a headliner. Born in South Africa and raised in poverty under the shadow of apartheid, Butler was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. His best-known songs include the Grammy-nominated Top 30 hit “Lies,” the instrumental “Going Home” and the mid-tempo ballad “Sarah, Sarah.”
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Other March events include:
6:15 p.m. Wednesdays, March 15 to April 5
The Palladium
Cost: $80 for four sessions
Instructor Todd Neal leads this course on song selection, vocal technique and interpretation. Students completing the course will have a better understanding of performance, delivery, projection and stage presence. The class is designed for teens and adults who enjoy performing and would like to improve their vocal delivery. No previous training is required. Participants are invited to perform on the Palladium stage at the Center’s World Voice Day celebration on April 11.
Faegre Drinker Peanut Butter & Jam: The Monon Town Musicians with Indy Opera
10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 25
The Palladium, Robert Adam Room
Tickets: $10 per child, includes up to two free adult admissions
In a story adapted from a Brothers Grimm fairy tale by the Indianapolis Opera, four wandering animals set out individually to become solo musicians in a nearby talent show. Upon meeting, the animals discover to their surprise that, although they differ on what they prefer to sing, they are even stronger as a group, differences and all. Designed for children aged 1 to 7, Faegre Drinker Peanut Butter & Jam sessions encourage kids to become engaged in the arts.
Luminaries: Indiana Avenue Jazz with Aleta Hodge
2 p.m. Tuesday, March 28
Tickets: $10, includes light refreshments
The Palladium
Author Aleta Hodge will share music clips, stories and images from her book Indiana Avenue: Life and Musical Journey from 1915 to 2015, which celebrates the rich history of jazz and other music on Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis, as well as Hodges’ family and the Black neighborhood that molded her. She will discuss a wide range of Indiana music legends, including Wes Montgomery, J.J. Johnson, Freddie Hubbard, the Ink Spots, David Baker, Slide Hampton, Hoagy Carmichael, Angela Brown and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds.
Live at the Center: Tay Bronson & the Tackle Box
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 29
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.