We published hundreds of articles on the Valpo.Life Entertainment Section this past year. We were there for the concerts and theatre productions, parades, and annual celebrations. With so much to choose from, we knew it would be a difficult choice, so we rounded up the best of the best for you!
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Without further ado (and in no particular order), here are the Top 10 entertainment articles from Valpo.Life in 2019!
Opportunity Enterprises’ 13th annual “ARTability” show displays unique local flair
“This is a night where our clients can show the world their true talents and creativity.” This was the quote summed up the 13th annual ARTability Art and Sale on November 15. Hosted by Opportunity Enterprises at the Christopher Center at Valparaiso University, this event featured dozens of artwork by local artists with disabilities.
Fans of local theater and horror came from far and wide - possibly even as far away as Berwyn - to fill Chicago Street Theater (CST) for their eighth annual Halloween party, featuring special celebrity guest, WCIU’s Svengoolie – making this his sixth time returning to the venerable Valpo venue.
Blackbird Cafe, the Valparaiso community’s ‘Third Place’
With the increasing regularity of relationships maintained over virtual means of communication, it’s become second nature to go about one’s day in a cocoon. While the accessibility a smartphone creates is convenient, it also makes it entirely too easy to avoid bridging new, real connections between oneself and the surrounding community. This is just one of the many reasons “third places” are vital to the human experience.
Lifer recipes: Savor Indiana’s crop this season
Northwest Indiana may be its own unique little corner, but we’re just as nutty for corn as the rest of the state. Ah, sweet, sweet corn. Indiana’s gold, as I like to call it. I’ve never actually referred to it that way out loud, but after reading these mouthwatering recipes, it really dawned on me that corn is not such a bad thing to be constantly be associated with because it’s DELICIOUS TREASURE.
Community dinner raises funds for Valparaiso radio station
The 14th Annual WVLP Community Dinner, also known as the Hog Roast, took place Friday night. The dinner served as a fundraiser for Valpo’s community radio station, WVLP 103.1. Many gathered to enjoy food, drinks, music, a 50/50 raffle, and good company.
Chicago Street Theatre teases MacBeth in the park
The Eighth Annual Shakespeare In The Park, featuring MacBeth as performed by Chicago Street Theatre, Directed by Barbara Baker Malangoni and Daena Sisk will take place Thursday, July 11 & Friday, July 12, 2019 at Central Park Plaza, Home to the Porter Health Amphitheater, located at 70 Lafayette Street in downtown Valparaiso. Performances begin at dusk. The performances are free. Bring lawn chairs and a blanket and enjoy Shakespeare under the stars. Food provided by Martini’s, Valpo Velvet, and Chicagoland Popcorn. Arrival by 6 pm is highly suggested. VIP seating is available at $15.00. For VIP tickets and information, please contact the CST Box Office.
Valpo Parks Foundation celebrates fellowship through service at Friends & Legends
The Valpo Parks Foundation invited the community to celebrate their annual awards reception, Friends & Legends, Thursday May 2. The evening focused on fellowship, honoring four special individuals with prestigious awards. Guests enjoyed hor d'oeuvres by Pikks Tavern of Valpo and entertainment by Valparaiso High School Jazz Band. The awards—Legendary Friend Awards, Community Champion Award, and the Malasto Legends Award—were presented to individuals who dedicated their time, hearts, and talents to the Valparaiso community through The Valpo Parks Foundation.
Stars Over Valpo concert shows off local talent
“There’s so much talent in Valpo,” said Mr. U, host of WVLP’s Local Funk. That top talent was on full display on Sunday night at the 7th Annual WVLP Stars Over Valpo concert at Valparaiso University. The concert showcased longtime favorites like Ripley Street, Mark Rongers, Bryan Lubeck, Chad Clifford, John Derado and fresh faces like Frank Ruvoli, stop.drop.rewind, Hot Rod Heathens, and Valpo’s own youth music program The Blues Project.
Fresh, local, and community-centric: the ultimate Culver’s taste test
Fresh ingredients. Locally sourced. Made to order. Community-minded. Those are a handful of words we don’t typically associate with fast food. Count yourself lucky we live in a world where Culver’s exists, because this is one example of an eatery worth its salt. Count yourself doubly lucky to live in proximity of Culver’s of Valparaiso, where flavor, service, and community spirit go together like cheese curds and marinara sauce (*wink, nudge*).
MegaBeatles Sing the Classics of Abbey Road to Kick Off 2019 Season at Memorial Opera House
Let It Be. Hey Jude. Yesterday. These songs, and many more like them, are the soundtrack of our lives. Just mentioning them conjures memories, takes us back to a different time, and we can’t help but sing along.
