Arts and culture thrive in Greater Lafayette

Greater Lafayette has plenty in the way of visual and performing arts, culture and history. Here is a look a few of the things to do around town.

Bach Chorale

Bach Chorale is a community chorus that focuses mostly on music by classical composers but also performs a variety of other genres from folk to Broadway. The group presents six or seven concerts a year. The chorale also sponsors a children's choir for children 7 and older, which is not auditioned, and an auditioned youth chorus for young people with musical experience. For more information, call 765-429-5151 or visit www.bachchorale.org.

Civic Theatreof Greater Lafayette

Part of the cultural scene for more than 80 years, the Civic Theatre has called the historic Monon Depot Theatre home for 30 years. Located at the corner of Fifth and North streets, Civic offers a five-production season from September through May with a mix of comedy, drama, classics and musicals. Civic also offers children's theater, staged readings, holiday shows and extensive theater education opportunities. Call the Civic office at 765-423-7529 for more information or go to www.lafayettecivic.com.

Lafayette Symphony Orchestra

The symphony makes its home in the 1,200-seat Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St. With conductor Nicholas Palmer at the podium, the orchestra has an eight-concert season. The 2014-15 season includes pops as well as Latin, opera and the annual Lollipop family concert. The season runs from September through May. Some season highlights include "Love & Death" (Sept. 13), "Shaken, not Stirred" (Nov. 15), "Noche Latina" (April 11) and "Shredding with the Symphony" (May 23) with violinist Rachel Barton Pine. The Lafayette Symphony Orchestra provides outreach programs including "Strings Attached" and the "Cushion Concerts" for elementary, middle school and high school students. See www.lafayettesymphony.org or call 765-742-6463 for more information.

Tippecanoe Chamber Music Society

The Tippecanoe Chamber Music Society presents local and regional musicians in six Sunday classical music concerts a year at 3 p.m. from September to June. Established in 1997, the organization also sends musical ensembles called "Concert to Go" into local elementary schools hoping to nurture an interest in and a love for playing music with others. Email info@tippecanoechambermusic.org or visit www.tippecanoechambermusic.org for more information. Locations of the concerts can be found on the website.

Feast of theHunters' Moon

Planned for Oct. 4 and 5, 2014, the re-creation of an 18th-century trading post is a major regional event conducted at Fort Ouiatenon Park in the fall. All participants are authentically costumed as Native Americans, French/British soldiers and settlers. The event focuses on food, entertainment and crafts from the period. It is coordinated by the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. Call 765-476-8411 or visit www.tippecanoehistory.org for more information.

Art Museumof Greater Lafayette

Founded in 1909, the museum focuses on American art and an emphasis on Indiana artists for both its exhibitions and its permanent collection of more than 900 works of art. It is accredited by the American Association of Museums. The Art Museum is the home of ArtSmart: Indiana, an interactive Web-based program used by fourth-grade teachers to teach Indiana history through the art of important Indiana artists. The museum, at 102 S. 10th St., also has a gift shop featuring work by regional artists. It conducts art classes for children and adults as well as ongoing guilds with long-term involvement. The Art League is an associated organization that provides lectures and raises funds in support of the museum. Call 765-742-1128 for more information or visit www.artlafayette.org. Gallery and shop hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except for major holidays and when new exhibits are being prepared. Volunteer opportunities are available.

Lafayette Citizens Band

The Lafayette Citizens Band is a community concert band of area musicians that each summer presents free outdoor concerts at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Riehle Plaza. Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day performances also are scheduled. For information, contact the LCB office at 765-423-BAND (2263) or visit www.lafayettecitizensband.org.

Indiana Fiddlers' Gathering

The gathering is a regional festival attracting traditional, folk, Celtic, swing and other acoustic artists from across the United States. It's usually held in the last full weekend in June at Tippecanoe Battlefield Park. This year, the event took place June 27-29. The Fiddlers also occasionally bring national acts for intimate concerts at the Tippecanoe Arts Federation. Call 765-742-1419 or visit www.indianafiddlersgathering.org for more information.

Friends of Bob

This live music co-op is a not-for-profit organization of volunteers that organizes concerts by national and international musicians. Rock, folk, world, roots and other music forms are often represented. Check out www.friends-of-bob.org or call 765-567-2478 for more information.

Lafayette Flute Choir

The nonprofit choir encourages participation by all area flutists in regular rehearsals. The group presents several public concerts each year. Email lafayetteflutechoir@gmail.com for more information.

The Tippecanotes

This community chorus offers barbershop singing opportunities for men. The group provides music instruction, if needed, for new members. For information on the Tippecanotes, call Lonnie LaBaw at 765-589-3628 or Denny Fisher at 765-449-1602.

Heartland Productions

Heartland Productions provides high quality, affordable and local dinner theater for audiences. The organization offers both dinner-and-show productions and dessert matinee options as well as student pricing. The 2014-15 season runs from through April, and performances take place at the Columbia Ballroom, located within Sylvia's Brick Oven at 625 Columbia St. Visit heartlandproductionsin.com or call 765-412-2256 for more information.

Lafayette Ballet Company

The company offers performance opportunities for advanced students, and the affiliated school offers all levels of study in dance for men and women. The Lafayette Ballet Company produces several shows, including "The Nutcracker" in early January and a spring repertory performance of original contemporary or challenging classical excerpts. For more information, contact director Sandra Peticolas at 765-423-1633 or visit www.lafayetteballet.org.

Tippecanoe Arts Federation

The regional arts council for north-central Indiana has information on arts-related groups, community events, grants for the arts and arts programs including After School Arts Programs, the Mural Art Initiative and Artists in Residence. Located in the Wells Building, 638 North St., it also houses three art galleries. Call 765-423-2787 or go to www.tippecanoearts.org for more information.

Long Center for the Performing Arts

This historic venue at 111 N. Sixth St. has something for everyone: comedians, concerts of all kinds from the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, fife and drum corps, musical and children's theater, and more. Call 765-742-5664, ext. 3, or go to www.longpac.org.

Lafayette Chamber Singers

Beginning its 43rd season in the fall, the Lafayette Chamber Singers perform music for chamber choir from the ninth to 21st centuries. They offer annual holiday, Valentine's Day and spring concerts and have given many regional premieres of works by contemporary composers. For information on auditions and concerts, call 765-743-8087.

Purdue University Galleries

Purdue University Galleries provide visual art exhibitions, special events and educational resources to stimulate an understanding and appreciation of art and to serve as a cultural resource for the region. They have multiple spaces on campus, with the Fountain Gallery downtown. For information, visit www.purdue.edu/galleries or call 765-494-3061.

Purdue Theatre

Purdue Theatre draws on the talent of Purdue's Department of Theatre to present four productions per season, including classics, new works and musicals. Productions typically take place at the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre in Pao Hall, 552 W. Wood St. Call 765-494-3074 for more information.

Purdue Convocations

Purdue Convocations will present more than 30 shows during the next year, ranging from Béla Fleck to Yo-Yo Ma to "Beauty and the Beast." Productions are generally presented on the Purdue campus, in Elliott Hall of Music or Loeb Playhouse. Several new shows will take place in downtown Lafayette. For more information, visit www.convocations.org or call 765-494-9712. For the 2014-15 Convocations schedule, see Page 33.