South Shore Arts at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, has launched the 2026 exhibition calendar this month. “In this year of national importance, we intend to celebrate the excellence of local artists and promote our region’s creative spirit,” said South Shore Arts Executive Director Jonathan Canning. The year begins with the exhibition “Mark Makers,” focusing on regional artists with their national reputations for elevating the status of drawing and expanding the medium’s impact through the precision of execution and the emotional power of imagery. Among the display highlights are artist Tim Lowly’s portraits of his daughter, as well as innovative conceptual framework for the art of Mary Porterfield. The exhibition runs through March 14 with more details by calling 219-836-1839 or visiting http://www.southshoreartsonline.org.
Riveting free entertainment
Self-described as “retro revivalists,” Chicago-based rock band Rosie and The Rivets perform the best of both worlds for music, from favorite rock and soul smash hits from the 1960s, along with contemporary music with a vintage twist. The group is returning to Michigan City after their audience raves in January 2025. This weekend, they will play center stage for a free concert starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, as the headliners at Live at Rocks Lounge in the lobby pavilion of Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa, 777 Blue Chip Drive in Michigan City. Audiences have a hard time staying in their seats, and concerts often turn into dance parties with music salutes to early rock, rockabilly, girl groups and surf featuring chart hits from “Please, Mr. Postman” to “Stray Cats Strut.” For more information, visit bluechip.boydgaming.com or call 219-879-7711.
Creative crowd cabaret
Join The Penguin Players for their 2026 production of High Tide Cabaret, billed as “a vibrant beach vacation full of summer hits, sunshine and shared joy for stage entertainment.” Twice a year, this touring group hosts a magical celebration of the human spirit to unfold on stages across the country. From Friday, Jan. 16 to Sunday, Jan. 18, with a 7 p.m. Friday performance and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, The Penguin Players High Tide Cabaret will play Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Ave. in Valparaiso. Tickets range from $15 to $20 by calling 219-548-9137 or visiting www.memorialoperahouse.com. Penguin Players and Penguin Project is a unique community theater program organized to bring together talented artists with developmental disabilities and their peer mentors to perform in inclusive, inspiring productions. In High Tide Cabaret, artists with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental or neurological differences take center stage, showcasing their talents alongside peer mentors who volunteer to support and collaborate with them.
Rush it
Hailing from the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, The RUSH Experience is a three-piece trio RUSH Tribute Act. Three musicians on stage fulfill the traditional roles of Geddy, Neil and Alex on bass, guitar and drums for a one-on-one replica of Neil Peart’s Rotating Drum KIT with symphonic percussion instruments. Playing one performance 8 p.m., Jan. 9 at Art Theatre in Hobart, the group celebrates the entire 40-year career of RUSH from their 1974 debut album through 2012’s epic swan song, “Clockwork Angels,” with a wealth of fan favorites and surprising deep cuts rarely performed by Rush themselves. For tickets, call 219-942-1670 or visit www.brickartlive.com.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.
