Social distancing, mask wearing, and keeping one another safe may have made our events look a bit different this year, but it didn’t stop the Valparaiso and Porter County community from finding ways to safely gather to entertain. We covered virtual theatre productions, drive-thru parades, food and supply giveaways, outdoor concerts, and so much more. Most of all, we highlighted the good by focusing on the people, places, and things that kept us engaged, made us feel a little normal again, and put a smile on our faces.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 entertainment articles on Valpo.Life in 2020:
Great news all generated right here in the Region is easier than ever to access now that the Great News Weekly live broadcast and podcast is available on Facebook Live via the NWI.Life Facebook page, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, and Google Podcast. The show, featuring Jenny Craig-Brown, has been airing since April and is quickly catching on as the preferred medium for positivity and uplifting weekly doses of good things happening across Northwest Indiana.
Despite COVID-19 hardships, theatre thrives in Northwest Indiana
Since the middle of March, COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in the normal onslaught of public activities, but schools and theatre companies throughout Northwest Indiana refuse to let the spirit of theatre dwindle. Theatre arts are all about creativity, and theatre groups in the Region have proven that through their unique solutions to keep theatre going.
It wasn’t too long ago that Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso brought together the community by handing out free pizza. On Saturday, they did it again, this time partnering with Domino’s, who made all 300 pizzas for the community. From motorcycles to trucks to community members out for a walk, no one was turned away for the free pizza special.
Memorial Opera House offers a virtual LimeLights youth program
Valparaiso’s prestigious Memorial Opera House continues to use theatre and the arts to build community. Despite all of the theater’s public events being cancelled for the remainder of the year, the Memorial Opera House is utilizing alternate methods to provide its services. In particular, its youth program, The LimeLights, has benefited greatly from going virtual while still reaching out to its core audience.
Oak Partners Inc., hosts movie night at 49’er Drive-in
Trips to the movie theater – one of the simplest things taken away by the COVID-19 pandemic. The nature of most movie theaters means close proximity, so even with restrictions loosening almost every movie venue in the Region is still shut down. There is one big exception – the 49’er Drive-in in Valparaiso. Oak Partners Inc., one of the Region’s leading wealth and retirement planning firms, invited clients out to the drive-in for a free night at the movies watching classics like Despicable Me and Happy Gilmore.
Residences at Coffee Creek hosts Ivy Ford for their Coffee and a Concert Series
The Residences at Coffee Creek fully embraced their name tonight with the first part of their Coffee and a Concert Series. Residents sipped ice cappuccinos and coffee milkshakes while a Chicagoland favorite, Ivy Ford, serenaded them with soulful blues.
Zao Island resumes Summer Concert Series with a night of fun
A little rain could not stop the blending sounds of soul, funk, and blues from filling the pavilion at Zao Islandon Saturday night. The free Summer Concert Series has resumed at the family entertainment center located in Valparaiso and everyone was thrilled to be back.
Tudor Floors & More Carpet One hosts first-ever pop-up market to support local creators
It’s always great to have an opportunity to meet and support local talent. On the morning of February 22, Tudor Floors & More Carpet One hosted their first-ever pop-up market composed entirely of local artists and creators looking to showcase their work to the general public.
Community comes together at MegaBeatles, united by music
Coming together, friends of all ages packed the seats and aisles of the Memorial Opera House for the annual MegaBeatles concert. While the MegaBeatles have not been around for quite as long as the original Beatles, this was their sixth time performing at the Memorial Opera House, and every performance has sold out.
Indiana University Northwest School of the Arts takes art on the road with Region Pop-Up Labs
Life is largely about adapting to changes, and this year has certainly presented more than its fair share of challenges. With so many events and venues being closed or restricted due to COVID-19 and government-mandated social distancing requirements, many of the familiar avenues for cultural enrichment and entertainment have been unavailable. Others, like Indiana University Northwest School of the Arts, have chosen to adapt to the times, bringing art out of buildings and into local communities through a network of scheduled pop-up community labs, with the most recent one set to coincide with the grand re-opening of the newly-renovated 3rd Street bridge in Hobart.
