The Center for the Performing Arts has something for every during the month of June.
New Works: Premiere Performances
Saturday, June 4 at 8 p.m.
The Tarkington
Now in its inaugural season at the Center, New Works: An Arts Commission Project is designed to promote and sustain the area’s working artists and artistic communities in an inclusive way by supporting the creation of new works across all performing arts disciplines.
The three winning proposals selected by the judging panel will be presented on stage at the Tarkington, with a talkback discussion following the performances. The themes of the proposed works reflect the Center’s organizational core values of integrity, excellence, innovation, collaboration and inclusion.
Tickets are only $25; $15 for students. Click here for tickets.
Jungle Jams Summer Camp
Monday, June 6 to Friday, June 10
9 to 11:30 a.m.
The Studio Theater
We’ll be jammin’! Imagine living among animal friends in a jungle filled with rhythm instruments, music, and movement. Miss Lisa (a.k.a. “Groove Lady”) and her stuffed animals will introduce your child to the fun and excitement of recreational music making. Jungle Jams is a creative summer camp program in which kids learn about positive character qualities as well as concepts like rhythm and groove through music and physical activities.
Each daily session includes active music making, creative movement, playing instruments and singing. Kids begin to build a sense of community and self-esteem as they contribute to the “group groove.” During the week, each camper will make three simple musical instruments to bring home. Family members are invited to join the Community Drum Circle Celebration the last 30 minutes on Friday.
No musical experience necessary. Ages 5 to 7.
Click here to register.
I’ll Be Seeing You: Love Stories of World War II
Saturday, June 11 at 8 p.m.
The Palladium
I’ll Be Seeing You: Love Stories of World War II is a poignant revue of period songs and true stories that writer-director Ellen Kingston collected from people who lived and loved through the war era, as well as their families. Narration and projected images provide the real-life details as a cast of eight and a five-piece live combo perform Great American Songbook classics such as “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” and “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive.” Kingston, a longtime presence on Indiana’s musical theater scene, spearheaded the production as a community outreach project in tribute to “The Greatest Generation.”
The cast of local singers and dancers includes Olivia Broadwater, Tiffany Gilliam, Jerry Hacker, Kathleen Hacker, Nathanael Hein, Joseph Perkins, Melissa Schott and Matthew Vire. Music Director David Duncan will lead a live combo with musicians Becky Chappell, Bill Myers, Rob West and Ginny Womack.
Click here for tickets.
Wife Patrol
Live at the Center
Saturday, June 18 at 8 p.m.
The Palladium
Sifting through ’90s grunge and alt-rock, ’80s pop and new wave, and ‘70s punk, Indianapolis trio Wife Patrol distills everything its members love about rock with none of what is obsolete. The band’s 2020 debut LP, Too Prickly for This World, won international acclaim for its catchy hooks and vocal harmonies, receiving airplay on radio stations from Montreal to Melbourne and earning plaudits in publications such as Vice, Afropunk, The Alternative and Overblown.
Live at the Center is a series of livestreamed concerts for the community, featuring local and regional artists in genres from jazz and classical to soul and indie rock. For its second season, Live at the Center is welcoming live, in-person audiences at just $5 per person. Seating is limited.
Click here for tickets or register for the free livestream.