Priority list includes Gen Con, Shakespeare, Janis Joplin, more

This week, you may as well find a parking spot downtown and leave the car there. Here are my top choices for stuff to do.

Gen Con

Yes, you could just migrate downtown and people watch at any point over the weekend (bonus points if you spot an elf, a Jedi, and a Klingon at the same time). Or you could go inside the Indiana Convention Center and play games with the estimated 60,000 attendees at this year’s gathering. Newcomers may want to consider hitting the dealer hall to play demo games with exhibitors. For more about the influence of the convention on the gaming industry, click here.  And watch for my annual best games of Gen Con column coming after the event at www.ibj.com/arts.

July 30-Aug. 2  Indiana Convention Center     Details

“Twelfth Night”

Heartland Actors Repertory Theatre returns to White River State Park with its annual free Shakespeare production…and what a terrific time to do “Twelfth Night,” a play in which desire and gender identity lead to a wealth of complications and joys. Don’t know the story? No worries, since HART has proven strong on clarity in presenting these classics. What you should know is that lawn chairs are provided, pre-show music and other activities begin at 6, there are food and beer vendors on hand if you find your packed picnic wanting, and sun screen would be a smart, useful addition until the sun sets.

White River State Park  July 30-Aug. 1   Details

“A Piece of Her Heart”

I stand by what I wrote after seeing last year’s performance of this show by Karen Irwin: “Presenting neither a traditional concert nor an impersonation show, Irwin and her rock-solid band offered a stunning fusion of biography, autobiography, history, and soul (and blues)-searching, all punctuated by great songs given no-holds-barred performances. Sans wig, sans period costumes, sans impersonation, Irwin found the beauty in Joplin’s not-pretty styling, filtering it through her own persona and sensibilities. What emerged was a show celebrating two artists—Joplin and Irwin.” Well, it’s back, with a sold-out pair of shows at the Columbia Club and one you still may be able to get seats for at Theatre on the Square.

Theatre on the Square July 30    Details

Cabaret at the Columbia Club July 31, Aug. 1  Details

Also this week

Dance Kaleidoscope’s “Ray & Ella” gets a revival Aug. 1-2 at the Schrott Center.

Kelly Clarkson headlines at Klipsch Music Center July 30. Kid Rock follows on Aug. 1.

Darryl Worley plays 8 Seconds Saloon July 31. 

That sound you hear is the screaming of teens at One Direction, July 31 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Murat Theatre hosts Graham Nash on Aug. 1.

Old Crow Medicine Show plays the Lawn at White River State Park on Aug. 2.

The Indiana Historical Society’s Concerts on the Canal seasons ends July 30 with pop and R&B from Living Proof.