Sweet times ahead for the weekend with Comic Con, plays, concerts and maple sugaring

Tribune Staff Report
·8 min read

The school year's in full swing, but kids favorite Junie B. Jones starts first grade this weekend at South Bend Civic, another child character learns to pick pockets at Michigan City's Footlight Players, and kids of all ages can immerse themselves in superheroes and comics — and maybe meet The Incredible Hulk — at this year's Hall of Heroes Comic Con. And those three events aren't even half of this week's Five Things to Do picks for the weekend (puzzle over that math). Don't forget Joseph Dits' suggestions from his Outdoor Adventures column and The Tribune's online events calendar for more activities.

‘Junie B. Jones’ musical opens at South Bend Civic

SOUTH BEND — “Junie B. Jones, The Musical Jr.” opens March 3 and continues through March 12 at South Bend Civic Theatre, 403 N. Main St.

Based on the children’s book series written by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus, the musical follows Junie B. Jones through her her first day of first grade.

Star-crossed tragedy:Actors From the London Stage present 'Romeo and Juliet' at Notre Dame's Washington Hall

She discovers many changes await her: Junie’s best friend, Lucille, has found new best friends — and Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. While in Mr. Scary’s class, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard — and she may need glasses. Add in a friendly cafeteria lady, an intense kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal” as part of her adventures.

The production features more than 60 local children.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 3-4 and 9-11 and at 2 p.m. March 5 and 12.

Community Services with All Deaf will provide sign language interpretation March 11.

Tickets are $33-$28.

For more information, call 574-234-1112 or visit sbct.org.

Erika Frye, left, as The Artful Dodger, Robert Richter, as Fagin, and Eli Gowan, as Oliver, rehearse a scene for Footlight Players' production of "Oliver!" that opens March 3 and continues through March 19, 2023, at the theater in Michigan City.
Erika Frye, left, as The Artful Dodger, Robert Richter, as Fagin, and Eli Gowan, as Oliver, rehearse a scene for Footlight Players' production of "Oliver!" that opens March 3 and continues through March 19, 2023, at the theater in Michigan City.

‘Oliver!’ opens at Michigan City’s Footlight Players

MICHIGAN CITY — The musical “Oliver!” opens March 3 and continues through March 19 at Footlight Players, 1705 Franklin St.

Based on the Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist” and written by Lionel Bart, the 1960 musical follows the orphan Oliver Twist through his adventures in 19th century London as he becomes ensnared in the criminal enterprise of Fagin and his gang, including The Artful Dodger and the evil Bill Sikes.

Adrianna LeDonne, left, as Nancy, Eli Gowan, as Oliver, and Alexander Bonner, as Bill Sikes, rehearse a scene for Footlight Players' production of "Oliver!" that opens March 3 and continues through March 19, 2023, at the theater in Michigan City.
Adrianna LeDonne, left, as Nancy, Eli Gowan, as Oliver, and Alexander Bonner, as Bill Sikes, rehearse a scene for Footlight Players' production of "Oliver!" that opens March 3 and continues through March 19, 2023, at the theater in Michigan City.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Central March 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18 and at 2 p.m. Central March 5, 12 and 19.

Tickets are $17-$12.

For more information, call 219-874-4035 or visit footlightplayers.org.

Steve Prouty, left, and Bill Downey rehearse a scene for Twin City Players' production of Paul Slade Smith's "The Outsider" that opens March 3 and continues through March 19, 2023, at the theater in St. Joseph.
Steve Prouty, left, and Bill Downey rehearse a scene for Twin City Players' production of Paul Slade Smith's "The Outsider" that opens March 3 and continues through March 19, 2023, at the theater in St. Joseph.

Political comedy ‘The Outsider’ opens at Twin City Players

ST. JOSEPH — “The Outsider” opens March 3 and continues through March 19 at Twin City Players, 600 W. Glenlord Road.

Written by Paul Slade Smith, the comedy follows the gubernatorial campaign of Ned Newley, who doesn’t even want to be elected. He’s terrified of public speaking, and his poll numbers are impressively bad. To his ever-supportive chief of staff, Ned seems destined to fail.

Bill Downey, left, and Steve Prouty rehearse a scene for Twin City Players' production of Paul Slade Smith's "The Outsider" that opens March 3 and continues through March 19, 2023, at the theater in St. Joseph.
Bill Downey, left, and Steve Prouty rehearse a scene for Twin City Players' production of Paul Slade Smith's "The Outsider" that opens March 3 and continues through March 19, 2023, at the theater in St. Joseph.

But political consultant Arthur Vance sees things differently: Ned might be the worst candidate to ever run for office …unless the public is looking for the worst candidate to ever run for office.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $15-$10.

For more information, call 269-429-0400 or visit twincityplayers.org.

Lou Ferrigno, who played The Incredible Hulk in the 1970s television show "The Incredible Hulk," appears in costume in this 1987 file photo.
Lou Ferrigno, who played The Incredible Hulk in the 1970s television show "The Incredible Hulk," appears in costume in this 1987 file photo.

Lou Ferrigno to appear at Hall of Heroes Comic Con in Elkhart

ELKHART — Hall of Heroes Comic Con 2023 takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 4 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 5 at the Northern Indiana Events Center/RV Hall of Fame, 21565 Executive Pkwy.

Now in its sixth year, the comic con will have nearly 100 vendors and regional artists selling comics, toys, artwork and much more.

Outdoor Adventures:How this Mann-ly bike race will grind out of Swiss Valley

The following celebrities are scheduled to appear:

• Lou Ferrigno of “The Incredible Hulk,” “Hercules,” “King of Queens” and more

• Reb Brown, “Captain America,” “Uncommon Valor,” “Happy Days” and more

• Johnny Yong Bosch, an anime voice actors with more than 400 different character credits, including “Power Rangers,” “Sailor Moon” and “Pokemon”

• David Barclay, master puppeteer for Yoda and Jabba The Hutt in “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi”

• Jim Shooter: Former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics after Stan Lee from 1978 to 1987. He was responsible for the creation of the black symbiote alien costume for Spider-Man that later became Venom.

• Tom Cook: Hanna-Barbera animator on “Scooby Doo,” “Super Friends,” “He-Man,” “King of the Hill” and more.

Other activities include cosplay contests and educational panels.

Depending upon package, tickets are $50-$15; veterans receive a free ticket with proof of service.

For more information, visit hohcomiccon.org.

Fernwood Botanical Garden presents “Marvelous Maple Sugaring” on March 4, 2023, at the nature preserve in Niles.
Fernwood Botanical Garden presents “Marvelous Maple Sugaring” on March 4, 2023, at the nature preserve in Niles.

Sweet time: Fernwood holds maple sugaring workshop

NILES — Fernwood Botanical Garden presents “Marvelous Maple Sugaring” from 1 to 4 p.m. March 4 at 13988 Range Line Road.

Dane Rasmussen, a naturalist at Sarett Nature Center, leads the workshop about historic and modern maple sugaring methods, tree identification/biology, and how to set up a tapping system in your own backyard.

Rasmussen has been collecting and processing maple syrup for 10 seasons.

Market Basket:Public House joins a growing number of restaurants and activities on Mishawaka's riverfront

The three-hour program also includes a brief hike, a syrup-processing demonstration by the fire and free syrup tasting.

Suggested for ages 9 and older.

Cost is $15; $12 for members.

Registration is due March 3.

For more information, call 269-695-6491 or visit fernwoodbotanical.org.

Iranian kamancheh musician Kayhan Kalhor performs his "Silent City" composition with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra March 4, 2023, at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.
Iranian kamancheh musician Kayhan Kalhor performs his "Silent City" composition with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra March 4, 2023, at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.

SBSO performs with Silk Road musician Kayhan Kalhor

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Symphony Orchestra performs at 7:30 p.m. March 4 at the Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N. Michigan St.

The concert features guest musician Kayhan Kalhor of the Silk Road Ensemble performing his piece “Silent City” with the SBSO.

March 2 concert:Guitarist Charlie Ballentine performs from his latest album, "Falling Grace" at Merrimans'

Born in Tehran, Kalhor began his musical studies at age 7 and, from the age of 13, played kamancheh for five years with the Iranian National Radio and Television Orchestra.

He later studied in Rome and received a degree in music at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

Kalhor has studied the music of Iran’s many regions, particularly those of Khorason and Kordestan, and is co-founder of the ensembles Dastan and Masters of Persian Music.

He also has composed music for television and film and was featured on the soundtrack of Francis Ford Copolla’s “Youth Without Youth” in a score that he collaborated on with Osvaldo Golijov.

His prodigious work with the kamancheh (spiked fiddle), one of the oldest stringed instruments from the Middle East, features in “Silent City,” written in response to Saddam Hussein’s chemical attack in 1988 on the Iraqi Kurdish city of Halabja.

The program also includes Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 and Alexander Borodin’s Overture to “Prince Igor.”

Tickets are $79-$19.

For more information, call 574-235-9190 or visit morriscenter.org.

Based at Saint Mary's College, the South Bend Chamber Singers performs the world premiere of Jocelyn Hagen's "Ashes of Roses" on March 5 at the Church of Loretto on the campus of Saint Mary's.
Based at Saint Mary's College, the South Bend Chamber Singers performs the world premiere of Jocelyn Hagen's "Ashes of Roses" on March 5 at the Church of Loretto on the campus of Saint Mary's.

South Bend Chamber Singers premieres ‘Ashes of Roses’

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Chamber Singers performs at 7:30 p.m. March 5 at in the Church of Loretto on the Saint Mary’s College campus.

This concert originally was scheduled for March 2020, but it was postponed due to the pandemic.

The program features the world premiere of “Ashes of Roses,” a requiem by American composer Jocelyn Hagen, for mixed choir and chamber ensemble.

The work takes its name from Elaine Goodale Eastman’s poem “Ashes of Roses,” which is incorporated into the traditional Latin text of the requiem Mass as the fourth movement and is scored for four-part women’s voices. The Saint Mary’s College Belles Voix will join the treble voices of the SBCS for this movement. Hagen also incorporates a text from I Corinthians in the Agnus Dei, sung by the baritone soloist.

On exhibit:‘Citizen’ and ‘Lapse’ exhibits open at Lubeznik Center in Michigan City

Also on the program are the a cappella “Les Chansons des Roses,” French poems of Rainer Maria Rilke set to music by American composer Morten Lauridsen.

Vocal soloists include Sharon Bain, Christina Beasley, Emily Klug, Fatima Anyekema, Tim McPheeters and Stephen Drendall.

Instrumental soloists include Jennet Ingle, oboe; Wade Armentrout, soprano saxophone; Jim Carter, trumpet; and Kevin Vaughn, organ.

Belles Voix also will perform several selections from their upcoming tour.

Nancy Menk conducts.

Tickets are $25.

For more information, call 574-284-4626 or visit southbendchambersingers.org.

London's Kingdom Choir performs March 5, 2023, at Goshen College’s Music Center.
London's Kingdom Choir performs March 5, 2023, at Goshen College’s Music Center.

London's Kingdom Choir performs at Goshen College

GOSHEN — Kingdom Choir performs at 7:30 p.m. March 5 at Goshen College’s Music Center.

Founded by award-winning conductor Karen Gibson, London’s Kingdom Choir is best known for their performance at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The group’s performance of “Stand By Me,” seen by a global audience of more than 2 billion, instantly catapulted the choir to worldwide fame.

Final weekend:Passengers rely on Detective Hercule Poirot to solve a 'Murder on the Orient Express'

The choir draws from various Christian traditions and is dedicated to creating a sound that reflects the community they share through their warm energy and enthusiastic performances.

Tickets are $40-$25.

For more information, call 574-535-7566 or visit goshen.edu/tickets.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: In and near South Bend, weekend filled with concerts, plays and Comic Con