Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce bills their community’s annual Easter parade as “the only Easter parade staged in Northwest Indiana.” The 2026 pre-Easter weekend event rolls at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28, through downtown Whiting with a parade starting point at the Whiting YMCA, 1938 Clark St., and traveling down 119th Street to end at Whiting City Hall, 1443 119th St. This family-friendly event includes floats, marching bands, Easter bonnet competitions for both adults and children, as well as for canines wearing creative caps. Annual notables featured in each year’s parade include Mr. Pierogi, the Buscia brigade and other Pierogi Fest character favorites, as well as Whiting Mayor Steve Spebar and, of course, the Easter Bunny. For more information or parade entries, call 219-659-0292 or visit www.wrchamber.com.
PLAY WORLD PREMIER
Marquette Catholic High School in Michigan City is proud of its Class of 1996 alum Zachary Mark for staging his world stage premiere of “Second Glance” at Holdcraft Performing Arts Centre, 1200 Spring St. in Michigan City. Opening this weekend, it runs March 20 through March 29 with afternoon and evening performances. From nursing home bingo scenes to heartfelt moments of family drama and romance, playwright Mark works with director Steve Scott to bring this story to life. Already produced internationally in New Zealand and Mumbai, writer Mark, a firefighter and fire chief by trade, wanted to bring his latest home-inspired stage story back to the ZIP code of his youth. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, available at www.yptcinc.com or by calling 219-561-8063.
ROMAN CHARIOTS RACE
Step into the Roman Empire for the stage telling of a story where betrayal, vengeance and faith collide for the Palm Sunday weekend radio play production of “Ben-Hur,” an adaptation of the epic 1959 film starring Charlton Heston. It is presented by Provision Theater and Unshackled! as presented on the Theatre at the Center stage, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster for two performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Judah Ben-Hur, a young nobleman of Jerusalem, is falsely accused and condemned to slavery by his childhood friend and now powerful Roman officer. Years of suffering and endurance forge a burning desire for revenge in Judah. Yet, across his journey, Judah’s life is ultimately transformed by an encounter with Christ. This is the story of redemption, sacrifice and victory over hatred, brought vividly to life as a radio play using sound effects, music and talented vocal actors with Timothy Gregory directing. An accompanying exhibit of rare preserved props, costumes and artifacts from the original movie production is free in the lobby of The Center for Visual and Performing Arts. Tickets are $35 by calling 219-836-3255 or www.theatreatthecenter.com.
VARIED VOICES
The 70-member Northwest Indiana Orchestra Choir will be in the concert spotlight for a special afternoon event at 2:30 p.m. March 29 at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts. The Symphony Orchestra is currently celebrating its 84th season, and this 90-minute concert on the Theatre at the Center stage is a relaxed Sunday matinee as they present Dan Forrest’s “Requiem for the Living” — a moving, hopeful work perfect for the Easter season. Soprano Susan Nelson joins as soloist. The program also features Laura Farnell’s “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep,” Forrest’s gentle “Good Night, Dear Heart,” Tom Kitt’s “Light” from “Next to Normal,” and Elaine Hagenberg’s comforting “You Do Not Walk Alone.” Tickets are $30 for adults and students are $10 by calling 219-836-0525 or at www.nisorchestra.org.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and weekly radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.
