Carolyn Borchardt, president of Lakeshore Community Concerts, explains that there is a clear formula for how her board decides on the six-concert annual programming and booking of the headlining acts they bring to Northwest Indiana.
“As it states on our website, our mission is to support the arts in Northwest Indiana and offer quality live musical entertainment at affordable prices,” said Borchardt, of Hammond, who has been with the organization for more than a decade.
“This season’s internationally renowned artists have appeared at Carnegie Hall, on Broadway, and at major sporting events. Each artist is carefully chosen to provide the highest quality entertainment value available while keeping with our budget means.”
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This year’s new season begins 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Munster High School Auditorium for “Sounds of Georgia: A Music Review of the History of Georgia” with full band, backup singers and spotlight vocalist performing songs like Jerry Reed’s “East Bound and Down,” Little Richard’s “Good Golly Miss Molly,” The Allman Brothers’ “I Was Born a Ramblin’ Man,” R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World (as We Know it),” Ray Charles’ “Georgia” and other favorites.
The concert series continues at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Highland High School Auditorium with “The Dreamboats: Ontario Tour,” a foursome of song/musician gents delivering 50s and 60s hits like The Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There,” Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day,” Bill Haley and the Comets “Rock Around the Clock,” and more.
Broadway star Aaron LaVigne is paired with his “Jesus Christ Superstar” co-star Jenna Rubaii for “Radio Recall,” the duo’s concert salute to the biggest radio hits of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, in the Munster High School Auditorium. Queen’s “Somebody to Love,” Foreigner’s “Feels Like the First Time,” 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up?’’ and chart toppers into the 2000s are on tap.
Before Thanksgiving, it’s headliner Cece Teneal and her “Divas of Soul” musical revue at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at Munster High School Auditorium, belting out song sensations like Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out,” Patti LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade,” Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know” and a soulful and sizzling list of other greats.
The new year welcomes headliner Yaniv Zarif, backed by a full band with international flavor, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, 2027, at Munster High School Auditorium, performing Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” Frank Sinatra’s classic “My Way” (sung in French), “If I Were a Rich Man” (sung in Russian) and a selection of other classics performed with intercontinental flair.
The season wraps with a dual tribute concert of dueling pianos dedicated to the music of Elton John and Billy Joel titled “Piano Men: Generations” at 7 p.m. Friday, April 2, 2027, at Munster High School Auditorium. Father and son headliners Nick and Terry Davies, commanding competing keyboards, play iconic songs like “Movin’ Out,” “Candle in the Wind” and “Angry Young Man,” which rank as their shared stage favorites.
A season subscription for all six concerts is $75 or $30 for each concert when sold individually, by calling 219-932-9795 or online at www.lakeshoreconcerts.org. All seating is general admission, with the Munster High School Auditorium at 1,000 seats and the Highland High School Auditorium with 1,400 seats.
Lakeshore Community Concerts is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization with a history dating back to 1947, created with a mission for special concert programming in Northwest Indiana. The concert series launched during the post-World War II years as a way to provide affordable and entertaining stage offerings.
Originally launched as Hammond Community Concerts, over the years the concerts have been held at Hammond Tech High School and then Morton High School before Munster High School and Highland High School as the most recent home venues.
In addition to president Borchardt, the other executive board members include vice presidents of membership Pam Miller and Beverley Steinman, vice president of publicity Mary Ann Wiltfong, vice presidents of staging Gretchen Combs and Betty Pierce, treasurer Janet Malone and secretary Kathy Matthews, leading a 20-member voting board.
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Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at [email protected].