If you missed this legendary pairing on tour last April in 2025 at The Venue at The Horseshoe Casino in Gary, audiences have another opportunity for all the stage moves and hit music from radio days returning to Northwest Indiana. The Temptations and the Four Tops are sharing a 40th anniversary tour with this pairing of music royalty. The song list for The Temptations is long and memorable with tunes such as “My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” “Just My Imagination” and “Get Ready.” The Four Tops playlist of hits is just as long and beloved, including “Can’t Help Myself,” “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “Baby I Need Your Loving.” The two groups are teamed for one iconic concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana at 5400 W. 29th Ave. Tickets start at $76 by calling 219-228-2383 or casino.hardrock.com/northern-indiana/entertainment.
‘TEXAS’ AT TOWLE
Small-town southern charm and wit arrive in town for the Towle Theater’s second show of the 2026 season with “Doublewide, Texas,” written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten and directed by Dion Stover. A group of residents with larger-than-life personalities is driven to keep alive their trailer-park town with its population of 10. Full of comedy and heartfelt moments, “Doublewide, Texas” offers an entertaining perspective on how communities band together in times of strife. Performances are May 1-17, Fridays 7:30 p.m., May 2 at 7:30 p.m., and remaining Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Reservations must be paid for in advance. The Towle Theater is located at 5205 Hohman Avenue in Hammond. For tickets, call 219-937-8780 or visit www.towletheater.org.
‘MOON OVER’ LAPORTE
LaPorte Little Theatre opens the spring season with the classic Ken Ludwig comic play “Moon Over Buffalo,” the stage telling of actors Charlotte and George Hay touring across the country in a last-ditch effort to find stardom. After word gets out that Frank Capra plans to see a matinee performance, a series of comedic twists and turns determines the fate of whether the two thespians achieve their acting ambitions. Running May 1 to 10 at LaPorte Little Theatre’s 200-seat stage space at 218 A St., tickets are $16 for students, $19 for seniors age 55 and older, and $20 for general adult admission by calling 219-362-5113 or visiting www.laportelittletheatreclub.com.
MORE TO EAT
Raymundo Garcia and his EAT restaurant at 5201 Hohman Ave in downtown Hammond are hosting a special dinner and concert night at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 2, themed in tribute to the late, great Jimi Hendrix and the Band of Gypsys, with the tribute band “Hendrix Effect” and a performance by special musical guest “Gerhart.” It’s an all-ages show with tickets priced at $10 each and children under 12 admitted free. Call 219-932-2665 or https://eat-hamond.edan.io/
MOTHERHOOD MATTERS
Returning in its eighth year for Northwest Indiana audiences is the stage presentation of “Listen to Your Mother,” a 90-minute showcase of stories about the differing and diverse experiences revolving motherhood. Produced and directed by Carrie Bedwell with a “Motherhood is Wicked” theme as a nod to the movie and musical, this event provides an outlet for presenters, both men and women, to share their experiences with motherhood through several mediums, including original readings and performances by local artists and talents. The performance is 3 p.m., May 3 at the Hobart Art Theater, 230 Main St. Tickets start at $25 available at www.ticketleap.com, at the door, by calling 219-942-1670, or at www.brickartlive.com. High top table seating and VIP area seating range from $35 to $55. A portion of all funds raised this year benefits Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.
