Since the mid-1990s, Trippin’ Billies has ranked as one of the nation’s most successful and longest-touring Dave Matthews Band tributes. The group headlines at 6 p.m. Friday as the latest in the Acorn Concert Series at Gabis Arboretum, 450 West 100 North in Valparaiso, hosted by Purdue Northwest. General admission tickets start at $23 and are available by calling 219-462-0025 or visiting www.pnw.edu/gabis-arboretum for more information. This year’s concert series began July 16, and performances take place even in rainy weather. Children ages 12 and under are free with a paid adult accompanying ticket, and parking is free.
STREET BEAT
Griffith’s 17th Annual Rock ‘n’ Rail Festival spans two full city blocks for a family-friendly extended weekend that began Thursday with live music stages, vendor booths, food and games along Broad Street starting daily at 2 p.m. through midnight, and concluding Sunday night. This year features more than 40 vendors, and free stage entertainment including Jim Bulanda, Rumours Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band and Kasmir the Led Zeppelin tribute, among more than two dozen other free concert opportunities. For more information, visit www.griffith.in.gov or call 219-924-7500.
‘POWER’ ON
Hesston Steam Museum is an outdoor museum operated by the LaPorte County Historical Steam Society in the Hesston area, at 1201 E. 1000 N. in LaPorte, and this weekend in the 65th Annual Labor Day Weekend Steam and Power Show starting Friday and continuing through Monday. In addition to the usual destination favorites like “Doc’s Soda Shop” and antique farm machinery displays, there are train rides on three vintage railroad track spans, festival food vendors and merchandise to purchase. Admission is $10, with train rides being an added fee. Children under age 13 are free. Festival starts each day at 9 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m. Visit www.hesston.org or call 219-778-2783.
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MUSICAL SALUTE
Whiting’s Summer with the Symphony concert series, founded in 1994 by Marty Dybel, continues as a tradition and a testament to the city of Whiting’s deep appreciation for the arts and a celebration of their own community orchestra. The Whiting Park Festival Orchestra, launched by Dybel and Maestro Robert Vodnoy, bids farewell to summer with a free concert from 7:30- 9 p.m. Sunday at Lakefront Park in Whiting with a fireworks finale. Parking is $10. This annual concert attracts audiences from across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, with the event funded by sponsors, subscribers and donations from the public to present featured guest soloists, young emerging artists, and themed performances that celebrate everything from Hollywood film scores to patriotic tributes. Attendees should come with picnic blankets, lawn chairs and a love for music. For more information, visit www.whitingparkfestivalorchestra.com.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at [email protected].