Kenny Wayne Shepherd with guitar in hand is on tour while promoting two new albums, “Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 2” and “Young Fashioned Ways,” the latter with iconic Bobby Rush. Shepherd with Rush share the stage at 8 p.m. CST this Friday, Aug. 22, at Silver Creek Event Center at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo. Shepherd’s shows have become legendary with his incendiary guitar and the ceaseless energy the band projects, showcasing his hit songs from “Ledbetter Heights” and “Trouble Is…all the way” to “Dirt On My Diamonds.” And now, with the bonus of Bobby Rush, fans can expect a unique experience. “This tour will be incredibly special because there are so many different ways to structure the show, having Bobby out with us,” Shepherd said earlier this spring when announcing the tour. “The current plan is to start the show with a set with just me and Bobby, stripped down, featuring songs from our new album together, and then transition into the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band set. There will be acoustic, electric, and everything in between.” Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center is at 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan. Tickets range from $70 to $242 at 866-494-6371 or fourwindscasino.com.
Play on
Linda Pauli, founder of what was originally the annual 6×10 Ten Minute Play Festival at 4th Street Theater in Chesterton, is eager for the 2025 short play offerings paraded before audiences starting this weekend on Friday, Aug. 22, and continuing with performances of the eight finalists’ works through Aug. 31. During the event’s 2014 inaugural year, Pauli found herself campaigning and cajoling potential playwrights to submit a play. She was fearful she might not gather enough entries to greenlight the opportunity to highlight stage writing talent. Now in the event’s 11th year, Pauli and her reading committee for the selection process have established the rule to only review the first 100 qualifying plays and not accept further entries. Both local and national playwrights from around the country are among “the Great Eight” finalists this year. All performances are held at 4th Street Theater, 125 N. Fourth St., Chesterton, and the cost is $20. For more information and scheduling, call 219-926-7875 or www.4thstreetncca.com.
Folk music favorites
The music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is known for its intricate harmonies, timeless lyrics, and a sound that defined a generation. Tribute artist Marrakesh Express brings it all back with stunning accuracy and energy, capturing the essence of CSNY with soaring three- and four-part vocal harmonies that are rarely heard live. Marrakesh Express has one concert 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Memorial Opera House to transport audiences straight to the golden age of folk rock. Featuring four powerhouse vocalists backed by a stellar band, Marrakesh Express creates a concert experience that’s both nostalgic and fresh. Tickets range from $40 to $80 at 219-548-9137 or www.memorialoperahouse.com.
Thinking of others
TV’s “Long Island Medium” Theresa Caputo, and her blonde crown of stacked hair, returns to The Venue stage at Hammond’s Horseshoe Casino for one show 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29. Caputo, now 58, was on the TLC reality TV series “Long Island Medium” from 2011 to 2019 and has also authored four books and tours under the “Theresa Caputo Live!” brand. On Jan. 25, 2024, Theresa returned to TV with her new series, “Theresa Caputo: Raising Spirits” on the Lifetime network. Her previous show at The Venue a year ago on Aug. 18, 2024, quickly sold out. The Venue at Hammond Horseshoe Casino is at 777 Casino Center Drive in Hammond. Tickets range in price from $94 to $300 and are available by calling 866-711-7463 or going to caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond/shows.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and weekly radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.
