A 'diamond,' a dance work and kites usher in spring in and near South Bend

South Bend Tribune
·4 min read

It's officially spring — and New Industry Dance has a brand-new work to get it started. Plus, the Elkhart County Parks has a kite-making program this weekend, and their are multiple concerts, including one that celebrates a diamond anniversary. Don't forget to check The Tribune's online events calendar for more ideas.

New Industry Dance presents the new work "throughspace" on March 23-25, 2023, at EM EN Studios in downtown South Bend. Standing are Sharon Sims, left, Michael McMillion and Elyse Paul.
New Industry Dance presents the new work "throughspace" on March 23-25, 2023, at EM EN Studios in downtown South Bend. Standing are Sharon Sims, left, Michael McMillion and Elyse Paul.

New Industry Dance debuts ‘throughspace’ at EM EN Studios

SOUTH BEND — New Industry Dance performs at 7 p.m. March 23-25 at EM EN Studios, 635 S. Lafayette Blvd.

Conceived and co-directed by Chloe Ilene and Joanna Whitmyer, New Industry Dance’s work, “throughspace,” began to take form during a residency at the South Bend Museum of Art in August 2022.

Now developed into an evening-length work, “throughspace” investigates vacancy, loss and understanding. It questions what was and what is. It explores what it means to learn, unlearn and to relearn.

New Industry Dance presents the new work "throughspace" on March 23-25, 2023, at EM EN Studios in downtown South Bend. Pictured are Mallory Hopper, left, Lisa Hayes, Elyse Paul, Joanna Whitmyer, Sharon Sims and Michael McMillion.
New Industry Dance presents the new work "throughspace" on March 23-25, 2023, at EM EN Studios in downtown South Bend. Pictured are Mallory Hopper, left, Lisa Hayes, Elyse Paul, Joanna Whitmyer, Sharon Sims and Michael McMillion.

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Performed by Lisa Hayes, Mallory Hopper, Chloe Ilene, Michael McMillion, Elyse Paul, Sharon Sims and Joanna Whitmyer.

Original sound score performed live by Patrick Quigley and Patrick Misner.

Tickets are $20-$10; free for all Clay High School students.

For more information, visit newindustrydance.org/upcoming.

The David Bixler~trio incognito performs March 23, 2023, at Merrimans’ Playhouse in South Bend.
The David Bixler~trio incognito performs March 23, 2023, at Merrimans’ Playhouse in South Bend.

Pandemic-formed trio performs at Merrimans’ Playhouse

SOUTH BEND — The David Bixler~trio incognito performs at 7:30 p.m. March 23 at Merrimans’ Playhouse, 401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 135.

A product of jazz musicians playing in parks during the pandemic, the trio released “Inside the Grief” in 2020, a recording that was a response to COVID-19, systemic racism and the presidential election. The music’s meant to show how vulnerable and fragile life is.

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The trio consists of Bixler on saxophone, Dan Loomis on bass and Fabio Rojas on percussion.

The three draw on bebop, free jazz, rock and Venezuelan folkloric music as inspiration.

Tickets are $10-$5.

For more information, call 574-310-9977 or visit merrimansplayhouse.org.

Saxophonist Danny Lerman will perform songs from his new album, "Night Rider," on March 25, 2023, at Cool Runnings in South Bend.
Saxophonist Danny Lerman will perform songs from his new album, "Night Rider," on March 25, 2023, at Cool Runnings in South Bend.

Saxophonist Lerman performs at Cool Runnings in South Bend

SOUTH BEND — Danny Lerman performs at 8:30 p.m. March 25 at Cool Runnings, 129 N. Michigan St.

In addition to Lerman on saxophone, the band includes pianist Tim Gant, guitarist Darryl Buchanan, percussionist/drummer Brendyn Cane and more.

The concert features music from Lerman’s new album, “Night Rider,” including its latest single, “I Miss You.”

The title cut reached the Top 50 on the Smooth Jazz Network Chart when it was released as a single. His two previous singles, “Steely Eyes” and “Blueberry Pie” also hit the chart in 2020 and 2021.

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A native of South Bend, Lerman studied with Junior Walker’s legendary teacher, Charlie Atkins, and at the University of North Texas music school and the Berklee School of Music as well as with Peter Ballin.

His albums include “Danny’s Island,” “Meow Baby,” “Do You Feel” and “World Jam.”

Tickets are $15.

For more information, call 574-232-0954 or visit instantseats.com and search for Danny Lerman or dannylerman.com.

Go fly a kite — after you make one at Ox Bow Park in Goshen

GOSHEN — The Elkhart County Parks Department presents “Kite Creations” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 25 at Ox Bow County Park, 23033 County Road 45

Make a classic diamond-shaped kite using materials provided by the parks department.

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Registration is required by March 24.

Cost is $4 per kite.

For more information, call 574-535-6458 or visit elkhartcountyparks.org.

Music Director Soo Han will conduct three of the four selections for the Elkhart County Symphony's "Diamond Jubilee" concert March 26 at The Lerner Theatre in Elkhart.
Music Director Soo Han will conduct three of the four selections for the Elkhart County Symphony's "Diamond Jubilee" concert March 26 at The Lerner Theatre in Elkhart.

Elkhart County Symphony celebrates ‘Diamond Jubilee’

ELKHART — Elkhart County Symphony celebrates the orchestra’s 75th anniversary at 4 p.m. March 26 at The Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main St.

The program includes two works performed at the orchestra’s first concert, in January 1949: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Petite Suite for Orchestra, Opus 77, and Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 8.

It also includes Karel Butz’s “Diamond Jubilee” and Omar Thomas’ “Of Our New Day Begun.”

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Current music director Maestro Soo Han conducts three of the works, while longtime conductor Maestro Brian Groner returns to conduct one selection and give a pre-performance talk at 3 p.m.

Emeritus Music Director Brian Groner returns to conduct a work during the Elkhart County Symphony's concert March 26, 2023, at The Lerner Theatre in Elkhart in celebration of the orchestra's 75th anniversary.
Emeritus Music Director Brian Groner returns to conduct a work during the Elkhart County Symphony's concert March 26, 2023, at The Lerner Theatre in Elkhart in celebration of the orchestra's 75th anniversary.

Family members of the orchestra's founder and first conductor, Zigmont George Gaska, also will be present.

Tickets are $35-$14.

For more information, call 574-293-4469 or visit thelerner.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend has concerts, kites and dance for the weekend