A&E Priority List for June 27-July 10

Plotting what to do this week and the next? Here's your starter list. And chime in to You-review-it Monday at ibj.com/arts and let me know what you saw.

Encore Celebration Gala Weekend

June 28

Indiana Roof Ballroom

June 29

Palladium

It’s a two-part celebration for the Center for the Performing Arts. First, there’s dining and silent-auction bidding and a performance by Michael Feinstein and friends at the Indiana Roof Ballroom on Friday. (And we aren’t talking trinkets in the silent auction: Up-for-bid items include tickets to the Mark Twain Awards salute to Carol Burnett at the Kennedy Center, Sandi Patty’s red satin ball gown, Savion Glover-autographed tap shoes, and a St. Elmo private party for 10.) On Saturday, the party moves up to the Palladium for the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame performance honoring Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Rita Moreno and Jimmy Webb, with performances by Megan Hilty and more.

Star Spangled Symphony

July 3-5

Conner Prairie Amphitheatre

In addition to the expected performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” and the ceremonial tribute to the armed services, this Alfred Savia-conducted program includes a suite from the film “Gettysburg” and a narration of the Gettysburg Address. Also, music from “The Patriot” and “Lincoln” and composer James Beckels’ “Freedom Tower.” And, of course, fireworks.

“Smoke on the Mountain”

July 5-Aug. 18

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

In 2007, the old-time-gospel-singing Sanders Family won my heart in Beef & Boards’ production of “Smoke on the Mountain.” Since then, the theater has offered its two almost-as-charming stage sequels, but it was just a matter of time before the original returned. Three of the original B&B cast members return this time. I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest bring to this musical buffet. Oh, and before theater snobs look down on “Smoke on the Mountain,” let us remember that the show was developed and premiered at the Tony Award-winning McCarter Theatre in Princeton before becoming a regional theater staple.

Also this week (and next)

It’s 1893 at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, where the World’s Fair is being re-celebrated July 4 with tours, carnival games, and, of course, ice cream. 

The Indianapolis Early Music Festival continues with Mr. Jones & the Engines of Destruction on June 28 and La Nef on June 30, both at the Indiana History Center’s Basile Theater.

Jimmy Buffettreturns to Klipsch Music Center June 27, followed by Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry on June 29; Vans Warped Tour on July 3; the Americanarama Festival of Music, featuring Bob Dylan, My Morning Jacket and more, on July 5; and Matchbox Twenty with the Goo Goo Dolls on July 7.

The Go-Go’steam up with the B-52s for a June 29 concert at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino.

Steampunk novelist Cherie Priest is the author guest of honor at the annual InConjunction science fiction and fantasy convention at the Marriott East. I’ll be serving as charity auctioneer (let me know if you have anything you’d like to donate to benefit the Indiana Literacy Association and Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society’s Camp Sundown).

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame keyboardist Ian McLagan plays Birdy’s July 2. You may not recognize the name, but surely you’ve heard his playing on the Rolling Stones’ “Miss You” and Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May.”

The Harrison Center’s FoodCon IV celebrates the art and culture of Indiana edibles July 5.

Garfield Park screens “A Christmas Story” July 5 at this month’s Bike-in Movie.

Hogeye Navvy offers a free concert July 3 at Eagle Creek Park as part of the Concert with Nature series.