PICKS OF THE WEEK
‘The Piano Lesson’ continues Civic’s August Wilson project
SOUTH BEND — South Bend Civic Theatre presents August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” from March 15 to 24 at 403 N. Main St.
The winner of the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “The Piano Lesson” sets out to explore the possibility of acquiring a sense of self-worth by denying one’s past.
Set in Pittsburgh in 1936, a battle is brewing in a Great Depression-era Pittsburgh family. At the center lies the family’s prized heirloom piano.
On one side, a brother plans to build the family fortune by selling it. On the other hand, a sister will go to any length to keep it and preserve the family history. Only their uncle stands in between.
But even he can’t hold back the ghosts of the past.
The fourth play in Wilson’s American Century Cycle, “The Piano Lesson” continues Civic’s commitment to produce* the decade-long cycle with one play per season.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 15 and 22-23 and at 2 p.m. March 17 and 24.
At 1 p.m. March 17 and 24, Verge “Brother Sage” Gillam & Charlotte Pfeifer present the pre-performance talk “Generational Stories Passed on by African American Families.”
Tickets are $35-$27.
For more information, call 574-2341112 or visit sbct.org.
Four Winds South Bend holds St. Patrick’s Day party with Irish Gemini
SOUTH BEND — The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi present a St. Patrick’s Day party at 8 p.m. March 15 at the Four Winds South Bend Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center, 3000 Prairie Ave.
Live music will be provided by Irish Gemini, which performs authentic Irish music by bands such as The Irish Rov
ers, The Rumjacks and others.
The band includes Jim Stanton on lead vocals and guitar, Eddie McDermott on bass, Mishawaka’s Mike Bruneau on drums, and South Bend’s Mel Williams on tin flute and acoustic guitar.
Handheld traditional Irish fare, including Ruebens and more, and green beer will be available for purchase at the event.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
For more information, call 866-4946371 or visit fourwindscasino.com.
‘The Glass Menagerie’ opens at Dowagiac’s Beckwith Theatre Company
DOWAGIAC — “The Glass Menagerie” opens March 15 and continues through March 24 at The Beckwith Theatre Company, 100 New York Ave.
Written by Tennessee Williams, “The Glass Menagerie” takes place in the dingy St. Louis apartment of Amanda Wingfield, a faded remnant of Southern gentility whose husband has left.
She lives with her son, Tom, and her daughter, Laura, who has a physical handicap and debilitating shyness.
Tom supports his mother and sister with a shoe factory job he finds unbearable.
When Amanda convinces Tom to bring home from his workplace a “gentleman caller” for Laura, the illusions that Tom, Amanda and Laura have each created to make life bearable collapse.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 15-16 and 22-23 and at 2 p.m. March 17 and 24.
Tickets are $15.
For more information, call 269-7827653 or visit beckwiththeatre.com.
Nashville singer-songwriter performs at Stockroom East in South Bend
SOUTH BEND — Matthew Perryman Jones performs at 7 p.m. March 16 at Stockroom East, 625 Jefferson Blvd., Suite C.
A native of Pennsylvania who has been based in Nashville, Tenn., since
2000, Jones has released three EPs and several albums, including his debut, “Nowhere Else But Here,” “Swallow the Sea” and his most recent, “The Waking Hours.”
His songs have appeared in such television shows as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” “Pretty Little Liars,” “One Tree Hill,” “The Hills” and “Eli Stone,” as well as the movie “What To Expect When You’re Expecting.”
He’s also an original member of the Nashville collaborative artist group Ten Out of Tenn.
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Mike Mangione opens.
Tickets are $20.
For more information, visit stockroomeast.com.
Belle Gunness topic of talk at The History Museum
SOUTH BEND — The History Museum presents the lecture “The Story of Belle Gunness” at 2 p.m. March 17 at 897 Thomas St.
LaPorte County Historian Bruce Johnson will talk about what happened when the LaPorte farmhouse of Belle Gunness burned down on April 27, 1908.
Remains of several bodies were found in the basement rubble, but it is unclear if it was Belle who perished. In the weeks that followed, the mystery of her life began to unravel as more bodies were discovered buried on her farm.
Attendees also may tour the exhibit “Indiana Lore” before and after the program. The exhibit, presented in conjunction with the Indiana Historical Society, showcases larger-than-life legends and folklore of the Hoosier state. Admission is $5; $3 for members. For more information, call 574-2359664 or visit historymuseumsb.org.
‘Radiator Mascots’ exhibit continues at Studebaker National Museum
SOUTH BEND — The exhibit “Radiator Mascots: Art, Style & Story” continues through May 5 at Studebaker National Museum, 201 Chapin St.
Mascot designs varied greatly, including mythological figures, brand iconography, animals, human figures and an array of aftermarket accessory mascots of all kinds.
The exhibition showcases a collection of radiator mascots, mostly from the 1920s and ’30s, and highlights their intricate craftsmanship and unique designs.
From the elegant curves of the Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy to the bold presence of the Packard Cormorant, each mascot tells its own story, reflecting the cultural and artistic influences of its time.
The exhibit also explores the evolution of radiator mascots, from their early origins as functional accessories to their transformation into iconic symbols of luxury, prestige and style.
As radiator filler caps retreated under the hood during the 1930s, the radiator mascot evolved into the hood ornament and remains part of contemporary automotive design.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Admission is $11-$7; free for ages 5 and younger.
For more information, call 574-2359714 or visit studebakermuseum.org.
“Radiator Mascots: Art, Style & Story” will be on display at the Studebaker National Museum from February 16th through May 5th, 2024.