The one-year-old Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino, Northwest Indiana’s newest neighbor for gaming, hotel hospitality and dining, anchored off Halsted Street in East Hazel Crest, is adding entertainment to become a new stage competitor for its gaming rivals. Though the 17-floor mirrored window high-rise hotel and spa is the landscape focal point, the expansive ballroom space branded as “The Brilliant Showplace” will feature a makeshift music stage and high-quality sound system to host a free tribute to superstar Cher starring Lisa McClowry as the music icon. Billed as “The Beat Goes On: A Theatrical Cher Concert Experience,” the complimentary show is general seating and starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 27. This concert marks the first time the gaming venue has introduced headliner entertainment. The concert promises to bring “six decades of Cher’s timeless hits to life.” Guests are encouraged to “Dress in Your Best Cher Wear” to compete for prizes in a look-alike contest. Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino, Hotel and Spa is located adjacent to the mammoth Thornton Quarry, a south suburban landmark bisected by Interstate 294. For more information, call 866-946-3361 or go to www.windcreek.com/chicagosouthland.
IN A FIGHT
Fists are being thrown this weekend at The Venue at The Horseshoe Casino in Hammond for round after round of the Bare Knuckles Fighting Championship (BKFC) 8 p.m. Friday, June 26, featuring Cameron Vancamp vs Gregoris Cisneros and Arnold “Bomaye” Adams vs Steve Banks as the main heavyweight ring events. There will be six other matches categorized by “lightweight,” “featherweight,” “welterweight” and “light heavyweight.” While the roster is promoted as “subject to change,” I’m told several other fist swinging notable names will be attending such as fan-favorite fighters Thomas “The Spider Monkey” Angeloff, Alex “The Rhino” Davis, Natalie Gage, Ronny Hauser, Alexandra “Papa Al” Delgado-Lopez, Brandon “The Voodoo Child” Meneses, Stevo “The Blessed” Morris, Casey “The Lawless” Moses, Gabriel “Mano de Piedra” Mota and Justin “The Nightmare” Street, among others. Guests must be age 21 or older to attend. Tickets start at $69 and are available at www.caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond/shows or by calling 219-479-7000.
STAGE SALUTE
Join Canterbury Summer Theatre for a stage celebration of America’s 250th birthday with the sparkling musical revue “Tintypes.” Playing weekends now through July 3 (no performance July 4), it is a blend of the patriotic songs, romantic tunes and ragtime popular in America between 1897 and 1914, including such tune greats as “A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Hello! Ma Baby,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and many others during the 90-minute performance. The show features five actors representing various historical characters of the period, including Emma Goldman, Theodore Roosevelt and Anna Held, among other notable names. Located at 807 Franklin St. in downtown Michigan City, tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for senior citizens and $11 for students and veterans. Call 219-874-4269 or visit www.canterburytheatre.org.
A BIG NOISE
Join the Gary Railcats for their July 3 baseball game against the Lincoln Saltdogs at 6:45 p.m. for the first pitch at U.S. Steelyard Stadium, 1 Stadium Plaza in downtown Gary. Fans can enjoy a selection of food favorites like hot dogs, pizza, pierogi, burgers, warm pretzels and popcorn in addition to full-service bars in the stands, while mascot Rusty the Railcat entertains all ages. Tickets start at $11, and the pre-holiday bonus on July 3 includes post-game fireworks courtesy of Wintrust Bank. Visit www.railcatsbaseball.com or call 219-882-2255.
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. Friday, June 26, featuring the band Stop.Drop.Rewind and their blend of progressive power pop and progressive punk. The event is in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the band’s album “Polarity.” It’s an all-ages show with tickets priced at $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 219-932-2665 or go to eat-hamond.edan.io/.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.
