Best bets: Blake Shelton, Hugh Laurie, Phife Dawg and more
1. Mike Trainor and Kevin McCaffrey
TruTv tends to put all of its cards on the table. You get what you
expect, like its popular "World's Dumbest" series. Comedian Mike Trainor
narrates the whole thing, elevating dumb to funny. The commentator,
along with his co-quipper Kevin McCaffrey, will bring their stand-up to
Morty's next week.
Trainor says, "It's hard to pick my favorite,"
dumb criminal at this point, as he's done more than 100 episodes. "I was
pretty happy recently with a clip where a woman stuffed a mink coat
down her pants. It allowed me to say, 'A mink coat? More like a stink
coat!' on television. Yes, I have a strange job."
Trainor insists
the show isn't just for laughs. It teaches lessons, too. Namely, that we
must realize we live in a world with cameras.
"One guy broke into a store that sold security cameras," said Trainor. "There must have been 30 angles of the guy."
8 and 10:20 p.m., Aug. 24-25, Morty's Comedy Joint, 3625 E. 96th St., $12, (317) 848-5500
2. Recalling the Beatles
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presents a Beatles tribute
concert for the fifth year in a row -- cast members of "Beatlemania"
performing their "Classical Mystery Tour" show, a touring hit since its
creation in 1996. Performers and the Beatle personas they create in the
show are: Jim Owen (John Lennon), Tony Kishman (Paul McCartney), John
Brosnan (George Harrison) and Chris Camilleri (Ringo Starr). The ISO
will not perform.
8 p.m. Aug. 17-18, Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, $22 in advance, $27 at the gate, ages 2-12 $11 and $13
3. New West Guitar Group
An all-guitar trio performing music described as ranging from jazz to
chamber music to Americana will make its Indianapolis debut. Guitarists
Jeff Stein, Perry Smith and John Storie constitute the group, whose
newest CD, "Round-Trip Ticket," (Summit) peaked in the Top 20 list of
the JazzWeek radio charts. The group was formed several years ago by
guitar students at the University of Southern California. It has been
honored by Los Angeles Sister Cities Committee.
7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 22, Earth House Collective, 237 N. East St., $5 suggested donation,
4. Hot Club of Detroit
Putting a 21st-century touch on the classic gypsy jazz guitar style
of Django Reinhardt's Quintette du Hot Club de France, the Hot Club of
Detroit goes into modern jazz, such as "Seven Steps to Heaven" (a Miles
Davis classic), as well as refreshing the Reinhardt repertoire. Band
members are Evan Perri, lead guitar; Julien Labor, accordion; Carl
Cafagna, sax; Paul Brady, rhythm guitar; and Andrew Kratzat, bass.
7 to 10 p.m. Aug. 18, Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave., $15, 253-4900.
5. Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton's singing voice made him a country star, but his
speaking voice made him one on TV. The Oklahoma cowboy had been
releasing successful country albums, including "The Dreamer" and "Pure
BS," for a decade before he was drafted as a judge on "The Voice." Catch
Shelton when he hits Indy for this Indiana State Fair appearance.
7 p.m. Aug. 17, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., $40-$75, (317) 917-2727
6. Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest
Can I kick it? Yes, I can. So here's the scenario: A Tribe Called
Quest rose in the 1980s, along with De La Soul, as pioneers of
jazz-influenced, enlightened hip-hop. A few decades later, those groups
remain highly influential. MC Phife Dawg, who led Tribe with Q-Tip, will
be at Blu Lounge this weekend. What's more, he's got a new solo record
out just this year. Ladies, extra points if you introduce yourselves as
"Bonita Applebum."
9 p.m. Aug. 17, Blu Lounge, 240 S. Meridian St., $10, (317) 955-8585
7. Locals Only finale
And that's the show folks. Tonight's three-billed set, featuring
Whoa! Tiger, Jenn Cristy Band and Breakdown, is on the books as the last
show at longtime independent music stronghold Locals Only. Grab a beer
and enjoy this unique, creative space while it lasts. The club's motto
"You don't have to be from here to be local. You just have to be here
now" sure makes sense tonight.
8 p.m. Aug. 17, Locals Only Art and Music Pub, 2449 E. 56th St., (317) 255-4013
8. Benjamin Harrison's 179th Birthday Celebration
President Benjamin Harrison may be turning 179, but he sure looks
good for his age, thanks to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
keeping his memory and legacy alive. The celebration will include a
concert featuring Alexandra and the Good Batch's original, engaging
children's music. The museum will offer free walk-through tours, and
there's free ice cream and birthday cake.
1:30 to 4 p.m. Aug. 19, Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St., free, (317) 631-1888
9. Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom Band
Dr. House was, for eight years, one of the most riveting characters
on television, aggravated, passionate and fiercely intelligent. The guy
behind House, Hugh Laurie, isn't the same character. He's British, for
starters, and actually quite friendly. But they do share one thing:
talent. Outside of acting, Laurie is a successful blues musician. His
first full album, "Let Them Talk," a collection of classic blues cuts,
was released in 2011 to mostly positive reviews.
7:30 p.m. Aug. 22, Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, 355 City Center Drive, Carmel, $45-$145,
10. Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is the living, breathing definition of "alternative
rock," when it meant an alternative to mainstream, watered-down radio
metal. Led by Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro, the band was on-again,
off-again for much of the past two decades, but they've held it together
since 2008, with a new record, "The Great Escape Artist," released
earlier this year.
