Latest news with #HardRockCasinoNorthernIndiana
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Of Notoriety: ‘Rumors,' free Beyond the Blonde and ‘Misery' this weekend
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana continues its fourth anniversary celebration this month hosting a free concert starring Beyond the Blonde, a Chicagoland-based tribute band on the Hard Rock Cafe stage at 9 p.m. Friday, May 31. A celebration of powerhouse divas like P!NK, Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga, audiences enjoy high-energy performances of favorite hits with costume changes paying homage to each of the artists' iconic styles. Audience participation includes sing-along moments for a salute to female pop power. Beyond the Blonde features Charity Marie for lead vocals, Bobby Eden on guitar and background vocals, Anthony Marena on bass guitar and background vocals and Kevin Curtin on drums. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is located at 5400 West 29th Ave. in Gary, directly adjacent to the Interstate 80/94 Burr Street Interchange. For more information, call 219-228-2383 or visit Dunes Summer Theatre, 288 Shady Oak Drive in Michigan City, that rustic and woodsy oasis of arts and culture established in 1941, is producing a new run of 'Misery' which will star Chicago TV news personality Janet Davies as Annie Wilkes opposite Kevin Giese as tortured novelist Paul Sheldon, who is held captive by 'his biggest fan.' The production, May 30 to June 15, is being directed by John Hancock, the noted filmmaker and Oscar-nominated movie director who hails from LaPorte and did the filming for his 1989 holiday classic 'Prancer' at his family's farm in LaPorte. Also, in this 'Misery' cast are Jim Lampl and Emmie Reigel with creative wiz Michael Lasswell as set designer. Steve Scott is the artistic director at Dunes Summer Theatre. Stephen King's 1987 novel 'Misery' was adapted for the stage as a play by Simon Moore and William Goldman, the latter of whom wrote the screenplay for the 1990 film version starring Kathy Bates and James Caan. Tickets are $30 to $35 and available at or call 219-879-7509. Beatnik Entertainment presents 'Rumors' by Neil Simon, the dark comedy produced for the intimate 60-seat stage space at Beatniks On Conkey, 420 Conkey St. in Hammond with Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances opening this Friday, May 30 through June 8, with curtain times at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. The night of a 10th-anniversary wedding party commences with the discovery of guest of honor Charlie Brock, deputy mayor of New York, found on the floor bleeding upstairs. Hi wife Myra is also missing and as the guests slowly arrive, confusion and miscommunications mount for a stage adventure of this classic farcical stage romp. The cast stars Dean Johanson, Diana Smoot, Dylan Root, Kelly Koester, George Romero, Amy Bannister, Michael Depriest Reed, Julie Breford, Maggie Reister and Daniel Murillo. Tickets are $20 at or call or text 219-852-0848 for reservations and more information at Seating is limited so reservations are strongly suggested. For walk-up patrons who pay at the door, it's cash only. Lita Ford's career began in 1975 as a founding member and guitarist of the groundbreaking all-female group the Runaways. The group's hard rock/punk edge spawned hits like 'Cherry Bomb' and 'Queens of Noise.' Lita and the Runaways proved timelessness in 2014 when 'Cherry Bomb' was featured in the critically acclaimed Marvel/Disney Studios hit movie 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' and was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1983, Lita launched her career as a solo artist with her début album 'Out For Blood,' and now, she's paired on tour with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister heavy metal fame for one concert at Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo with one performance at 8 p.m. CST May 30. Snider has starred in several reality TV shows including appearances in three seasons of NBC's 'Celebrity Apprentice' and 'Growing Up Twisted,' an A&E cable series featuring the entire Snider family and their Long Island lifestyle. Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center is at 11111 Wilson Road. Tickets start at $65 at 866-494-6371 or
Chicago Tribune
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Of Notoriety: Final weekend for Towle's ‘POTUS,' anniversary free concert at Hard Rock and Bublé salute at TATC
'POTUS' is the term used at times to shorten the title 'President of the United States.' 'POTUS' is also the title of the play continuing performances through this weekend at Towle Theater, 5205 Hohman Ave. in Hammond. The secondary title for this stage comedy written by Selina Fillinger and directed by Anna Maria D'Ortenzio is 'Behind Every Great Dumb*** Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive.' When the president unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. The play is described as 'a bawdy and irreverent look at sex, politics and the women in charge of the man in charge of the free world, with a reminder that global crisis is always just a four-letter word away.' A show disclaimer warns that 'this play opens with a strong expletive and continues with raunchy language throughout.' Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $24 in advance and $28 at the door and available by calling 219-937-8780 or visit Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is celebrating its fourth anniversary this month and hosting a free concert by Gym Class Heroes on the Hard Rock Cafe stage at 9 p.m. Saturday, May 10. With three stages and five dining outlets, more than 8 million people have visited Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana since it opened, ranking as Northwest Indiana's No. 1 tourist attraction. 'When we opened our doors back in May of 2021, the people in our area were thrilled to have a place nearby to see all their favorite artists on stage and wonderful dining and gaming experiences,' President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana Matt Schuffert said in a release. 'It was truly what the region needed at the exact right time.' Travie McCoy, lead singer of Gym Class Heroes and a celebrated solo artist, is leading his band for the celebration performance. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is located at 5400 West 29th Ave. in Gary, IN, directly adjacent to the I80/94 Burr Street Interchange. For more information, call 219-228-2383 or visit Direct from Las Vegas, this Theatre at the Center tribute concert is a must-see for people who appreciate the music of The Great American Songbook. Artists like Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Tony Bennett to superstar rock artists Linda Ronstadt and Rod Stewart are all the inspirations for the stylings and vocals of Canadian singer Michael Bublé. Entertainer Michael Ross Nugent pays tribute to Bublé and other greats, backed on stage by a grand piano and his pianist Michael Clark. At age 31, Michael Ross Nugent describes himself as 'a young man with an old soul and love from the great performers of yesterday and today.' The show is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Tickets are $40 available by calling 219-836-3255 or visit 'Forever Plaid' is one of the most popular and successful small cast cabaret style musicals of recent decades. Four musical hopefuls, Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie travel the small stage circuit as the crooning group 'The Plaids.' Fearful that the close of the decade of the 1950s means the end of the music and song stylings they so love, they fail to embrace the world of the swinging 1960s. A tragic car accident sends the fellows to heavenly limbo where they are given a chance to live their worldly dream of appearing on Ed Sullivan's popular CBS Sunday night variety show. This jukebox musical stars Josh Bachman as Francis, Phil Dietrich as Sparky, Trey Erny as Jinx and Jason Utesch as Smudge as directed by Patti Shaffner. From calypso beats to Perry Como and 'Three Coins in the Fountain,' audiences enjoy a musical trip down a memory lane of tune favorites. Weekend performances start May 9 with 8 p.m. curtains on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets range from $27 to $60 at or 219-548-9137. Now age 93, the greatest American film composer of all time, John Williams, has written some of the most popular, recognizable and critically acclaimed film scores in cinematic history in a career spanning more than six decades. Williams has won 24 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. In the final concert installment of the Northwest Indiana Orchestra's 2024-25 Season, Williams' work is highlighted for two nights, 7:30 p.m. both May 15 and 16 at Living Hope Church auditorium, 9000 Taft St., in Merrillville. Hear selections from 'Star Wars,' 'Indiana Jones,' Far & Away,' 'The Patriot,' 'Superman' and more in this tribute to an American icon. Tickets start at $45 with a $10 student option. Visit or call 219-836-0525.
Chicago Tribune
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
From the Farm: Global March Women's Month Celebrated at Hard Rock Northern Indiana
I'm an avid reader of autobiographies about the true legends of the ever-shifting music recording world. I'm also a devotee of Broadway bio stage musicals dedicated to the mountains and valleys traveled by performance artists navigating the tough terrain of the music industry. For women in this career field, the fight to cultivate a career, keep it and to control it is often even a greater tooth-and-nail struggle. Recent Broadway shows launched in the past decade, inspired by the lives, music and careers of Cher, Tina Turner, and Donna Summer, to name a few female heroes, put the spotlight on the success, failures and personal life journeys as blended into the shifting sands of bright versus what can be fading stardom. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary is devoting this month to celebrating International Women's Month for March, as well as a few days showcased for added flavor next week themed for St. Patrick's Day menu specials. The menu items highlighted at the Hard Rock Café eatery are themed in a proceeds partnership with Colombian rock star and humanitarian Shakira, who just celebrated her 48th birthday in February. There's a Colombian Smash Burger, layered with the contrasting crunch of kettle chips and the soft sensation of a fried egg as one of the featured hits, along with a hearty chicken Caesar salad and libations such as a 'Hips Don't Lie' margarita contrasted by a non-alcoholic cocktail comprised of fresh lime and cucumber muddled with fresh mint and elderflower tonic. The signature dessert highlight is a decadent 'Dulce de Leche Brownie.' A portion of the food sales proceeds benefit Shakira's Fundacion Pies Descalzos which translates to 'Barefoot Foundation' in English. It is the Colombian charity founded by Shakira in 1997 to help poor and impoverished children, primarily focusing on education, nutrition, and healthcare in Colombia. Also throughout this holiday weekend, Friday through Monday, the Hard Rock Café will feature a special Irish menu item called the Irish Smash Burger created with two smashed burger patties, pub cheese, white cheddar cheese, cabbage bacon jam, smoked bacon and pickles served with seasoned fries. Two specialty cocktails on the menu toasting the weekend are The Irish Apple Crush featuring muddled green apples, Jameson Irish Whiskey, apple juice, lemon and Seagram's Ginger Ale, in addition to the option of Irish Coffee made with Jameson Irish Whiskey, coffee, brown sugar simple syrup and whipped cream. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is located at 5400 West 29th Ave. in Gary, with more information about dining, events and entertainment available by calling 219-228-2383 or Among the more than 150 costumes and memorabilia on display at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana are gowns and wardrobe pieces showcased from renowned women such as Shakira, Cher, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Cyndi Lauper, Miley Cyrus, Nikki Minaj, Rihanna, Sheryl Crow, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Fergie Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and Diana Ross and Mary Wilson, the latter duo being two of the three legendary members of The Supremes. I've interviewed both Ross, who turns 81 on March 26, as well as the late Mary Wilson, who died at age 76 in February 2021. Both were founding members of The Supremes, which music producer Berry Gordy ranked as his most successful Motown act of the 1960s and best-charting female group in U.S. chart history. These two formed the musical trio with the late Florence Ballard, who was later replaced by Cindy Birdsong in 1967 in a show business backstage bitter scenario which is told in the Broadway musical 'Dream Girls.' Ballard, who suffered from alcoholism, depression and financial ruin, died at age 32 in 1976. She was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Supremes in 1988. While Ross doesn't welcome questions about Wilson, Mary Wilson was always outspoken and opinionated about Ross, not only in interviews but also in her two published autobiographies. Wilson told me when Ross organized a 'Supremes' reunion tour in 2000 (which I reviewed at Allstate Arena), Ross only offered Wilson and Birdsong a fraction salary compared to what Ross was to net, prompting both Wilson and Birdsong to refuse to reunite. Ross continued with the tour, enlisting singers Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne, both later members of The Supremes long after Ross departed from the original group, to join her on the 'reunion' tour which generated disappointing reviews and ticket sales. The last time I interviewed singer Mary Wilson was when she did a holiday tour with Abdul 'Duke' Fakir of the Four Tops for Christmas 2013. Wilson, even while touring, always tried to eat healthily. In her later years, she teamed with author pal Mark Bego to write a recipe blog titled 'Cook Like a Rock Star' and many recipes are still archived at Mary's recipe for a creamy and zesty artichoke heart and tomato soup is perfect for our meatless Lenten Fridays until Easter. Mary and Mark thought of the idea of replicating this recipe while sampling a similar soup offering at a restaurant in Louisville during the 2014 Kentucky Derby. While not in their original recipe, I like to transfer the soup to a blender and puree it until smooth and velvety before heating it and serving it garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Columnist Philip Potempa has published four cookbooks and is a radio host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@ or mail your questions: From the Farm, PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374. Mary Wilson's Creamy Artichoke and Tomato Soup Makes 8-10 servings 2 cups chopped onion 2 cups chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped garlic 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup fresh chopped oregano 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil 1 can (28 ounces) of diced tomatoes 1 can (15 ounce) tomato sauce 1 pint half and half (or one cup heavy cream) 1 cup white wine 1 can (14 ounces) quartered artichoke hearts 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper Grated Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top Directions: In a large pot, combine the onions, celery, garlic and olive oil, and sauté the vegetables over medium-high heat, until softened. Add the oregano, basil, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, half and half, white wine, artichoke hearts, salt and pepper to the pot, and stir together. Transfer contents of soup pot one cupful at a time to blender, and puree until smooth and return to soup pot. Bring the mixture to a boil. When the soup begins to bubble, turn it down to a low temperature, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes. This 30 minutes of simmering is when all the flavors begin to meld together, and the creamy half-and-half takes on the faint red color and the taste of the tomatoes. Stir occasionally to prevent soup from burning on the bottom of the pot. Serve the soup in individual bowls; sprinkle the tops with grated Parmesan cheese and additional ground black pepper.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘This Is the Right Time': Melton Pushes for Convention Center in Gary
Chatter bounced off the high ceilings of St. Timothy's Church on Thursday as hundreds of Lake County residents filled the pews, waiting for an answer to a question that has stirred both hope and doubt: Could Gary become home to the long-awaited Lake County Convention Center? With the decision narrowed to two locations, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary and Patriot Park in Hobart, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton explained why the city is the right choice. 'Folks think that this project should not be in Gary,' Melton said, scanning the crowd as murmurs of skepticism rippled across the room. 'Folks think that Gary is not ready for this type of project, but I beg to differ.' Melton pointed to Gary's existing infrastructure and prime location as key advantages. Gary's site is shovel-ready, with access to Interstates 80 and 94 and the South Shore Line, offering a direct connection to Chicago. He emphasized that a major development partner, Hard Rock Casino, was already in place, with a multimillion-dollar commitment to help fund the project. Hard Rock officials said the project would help attract more visitors to the city and boost the local economy. 'Hard Rock is proud to be part of this community, and we're excited to build on that commitment to drive even greater economic impact in this region,' said Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. 'Let's bring some people from outside of Gary to spend some money in Gary.' As he presented the project, Melton called it 'Anything but Conventional.' Together with Hard Rock Casino and consulting firm AECOM, he said they hope to create a world-class convention and hotel experience for future visitors. 'This is nothing that's going to be cheap and shattered,' Melton stated. 'This concept, this idea, is nothing we just threw together; this was very thoughtful and well thought out.' Senate Bill 434, the last bill Melton authored as a state senator, allocated funding to demolish blighted properties in and around Gary, supported redevelopment near the downtown train station, and provided matching funds for the proposed convention center. Melton said his intention in writing the bill was for the convention center to be in Gary. Unfortunately, he said, others opposed the idea outright. During his remarks, Melton also emphasized the importance of hiring local, including union and trader workers, minority and women-run businesses for this project. 'Local hiring was a priority. … We ensured in the bill that there will be a focus to make sure that the local residents have access,' Melton stated. In addition to this, he also gave another surprise. 'We're not raising any taxes on anyone for this project,' he said, as applause and cheers rang around the auditorium. It will be entirely funded through gaming taxes, state matching funds, and Hard Rock's $30 million investment over the next 20 years. After the closing and demolition of the Star Plaza Theatre in 2018, a void was left for a space that could host large conventions and shows in Northwest Indiana. With the construction of the new convention center, the city of Gary hopes to fill that void. The proposed building will be a 145,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art convention center with the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority's study's requirements of 73,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, consisting of a 40,000-square-foot exhibit hall, an 18,000-square-foot ballroom, and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. The project also includes a Hard Rock Hotel with an estimated 300 rooms, two restaurants, retail, and more. Featuring a sustainable design, the convention center aims to reduce its environmental footprint with a green roof with rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, and greenery stretching across the roof. The look of the convention center pays homage to the city by incorporating a steel canopy, a reference to Gary's extensive history with U.S. Steel. Additional initiatives include creating spaces for weddings, family events, and other family-friendly events. Lake County commissioners have until May 31 to decide where the new convention center will be, and city leaders are keeping their fingers crossed that Gary will be the location. 'This is the right time, and Gary is the right place,' Melton said. If selected, the process could take almost two years to complete but would provide more than 1,000 jobs to the community and bring in millions annually. The excitement for the future was felt by members of the audience as well. 'Being a Gary resident and a Hard Rock employee, I'm just happy at the place that we are in, and to see the city form a partnership with a corporate player like Hard Rock makes me very hopeful as a community that we are going in the right direction,' said Tammy Davis, who works in the entertainment department of the casino. Davis remembered growing up in the city and seeing summer concerts at Marquette Park, which provided volunteering opportunities for youth. During those times, she became interested in the entertainment world because she saw the groundwork required for a successful show and wanted to do it full time, especially in her local community. Richard Claudio Jr., the box office manager and mastermind behind the local Hard Rock's entertainment department, hopes this opportunity will revitalize the community. 'It's more about bringing more opportunities for the residents and bringing different types of events — not just concerts with big names but now bringing smaller events and artists that may not be big enough to be in the live now stage,' he said. Claudio mentioned the possibility of widening the potential of the new space by hosting events in smaller or outdoor spaces. 'Not only is this a good job opportunity, but just a way to change the perception of Gary and have more people come to Gary and realize it's not as bad as you think,' Claudio said. Business owners like Candace Wise, who owns A Wise Choice Limousine Service, which has been in business for 25 years, hope a convention center will create better relationships with the city, Hard Rock, and the local businesses in the community. Likewise, Gary native Jalisa Mosley hopes this project will connect several generations of the community to what used to be here and keep people from needing to relocate. 'My parents are older, and they'd tell us all about the things that they grew up with and got to experience in Gary, from going out to movies to entertainment in general, and we didn't really get to experience that,' she said 'Hopefully with this project, it comes back around where we can experience that, too.' The post 'This Is the Right Time': Melton Pushes for Convention Center in Gary appeared first on Capital B Gary.
