Go Fest, jousting, and a farce for the weekend in and around South Bend

Watch jousts, sword fights and other entertainment at the Michiana Renaissance Festival this weekend. Or laugh out loud at the excellent comedy "Unnecessary Farce," staged by The Beckwith Theatre Company in Dowagiac. Two downtown Goshen business team up to celebrate their city with Goshen Festival Go Fest. Or explore cast iron cooking at a park. After the weekend, take in some guitar-driven jazz Monday night. For more events, visit The Tribune's online calendar.

Ignition Music and Goshen Brewing present two-day Go Fest

GOSHEN — Ignition Music Garage and Goshen Brewing Company present the inaugural Goshen Festival Go Fest on Aug. 26 and 27.

The Go Rounds, Tumbleweed Jumpers, Sanchez Agency and Here Nor There perform beginning at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Ignition, 120 E. Washington St.

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Futurebirds and Israel Nash co-headline Aug. 27 with music beginning at 3:30 p.m. with Liz Cooper, *repeat repeat and Lalo Cura at Goshen Brewing, 315 W. Washington St.

This is an outdoor show, rain or shine, with food trucks and craft beer.

Admission is $20 on Aug. 26 and $40 Aug. 27.

For more information, call 574-971-8282

or 574-971-5324 or visit ignitionmusic.net or goshenbrewing.com.

‘Unnecessary Farce’ continues this weekend at Beckwith Theatre Company

DOWAGIAC — “Unnecessary Farce” continues through Aug. 28 at The Beckwith Theatre Company, 100 New York Ave.

Written by Paul Slade Smith, the comedy takes place at a cheap motel where an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant. In the room next door, two undercover cops wait to catch the meeting on videotape. But there’s some confusion as to who’s in which room, who’s being videotaped, who’s taken the money, who’s hired a hitman and why the accountant keeps taking off her clothes.

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Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 and 27 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 28.

Tickets are $15.

For more information, call 269-782-7653 or visit beckwiththeatre.com.

Michiana Renaissance Festival sets the clock back 500 years at fairgrounds

SOUTH BEND — The Michiana Renaissance Festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 27 and 28 at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds, 5117 S. Ironwood Drive.

The festival focuses on the English Renaissance, from the early 1500s to the 1600s, particularly the Elizabethan Era during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign.

It features four re-enactment areas: Medieval/Renaissance, the Golden Age of Piracy, the Time of the Vikings and Fairytale Storyland.

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Activities and exhibits include acrobats, street performers, jousting, magic, live steel combat, music, children’s quest games and other activities, and storytelling.

Tickets are $12-$7; free for active military with ID and ages 5 and younger. Receive $1 off admission per donation of a nonperishable food item for the Food Bank of Northern Indiana (up to $2 off).

For more information, visit michianarenfest.com or email enthist@gmail.com.

Cast iron cookware cookout and swap meet held at Bonneyville Mill in Bristol

BRISTOL — The Cast Iron Cookout and Swap Meet takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Feedlot Shelter in Bonneyville Mill County Park, 53373 County Road 131.

The event includes a cast iron buy/sell/trade swap meet and the following:

• Cast iron cookware sessions at 3:30 and 5 p.m. will give visitors cast iron care and use tips.

• Real kettle corn and Bonneyville cornbread will be available.

• A Cast Iron DOG Dutch Oven Gathering will begin at 5:30 p.m. during which local cast iron enthusiasts will be preparing a variety of dishes in cast iron.

• Attendees can purchase sample tickets for $5 to taste up to five different recipes. Sampling will be available from 6 to 7 p.m.

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Admission is free.

For more information, call 574-825-9324 or visit elkhartcountyparks.org.

The Andy Bianco Trio performs at Merrimans’ Playhouse

SOUTH BEND — The Andy Bianco Trio performs at 7 p.m. Aug. 29 at Merrimans’ Playhouse, 401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 135.

Based in New York City and led by guitarist Andy Bianco, the trio performs Bianco’s compositions and some covers in the guitar trio and organ trio formats.

Bianco has released three albums, including 2021’s “NYC Stories.” His music has been licensed for use in Hollywood film and prime time network television, and he also teaches at New York Jazz Workshop, Wingspan Arts and Midori & Friends in New York City.

Tickets are $10-$5.

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

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Jousting, a music festival, a farce, jazz and cast iron for the weekend