Priority list includes a Civil War drama, top-notch jazz, more

“Butler”

An unusual but exciting choice for the Phoenix Theatre: Set during the Civil War, it concerns the face-off between a lawyer-turned-general and a runaway slave seeking asylum. Yes, it’s dramatic, but it’s also surprisingly funny. Based on a true story.

Jan. 7-Feb. 7  Phoenix Theatre  Details

Project Trio’s “Peter & the Wolf”

The trio, whom kids might recognize from appearances on Nickelodeon and MTV, offers its take on the classical classic.

Jan. 9   Studio Theatre  Details

Ramsey Lewis Quartet: “The In Crowd & Hang On Ramsey 50th Anniversary”

In addition to the gold albums and Grammy attention, let us not forget that Ramsey Lewis has recorded versions of both “Hang on Sloopy” and “Wade in the Water.” That’s range.

Jan. 9  Palladium  Details

Also this week

Members of the 1954 Milan basketball team make an appearance at the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s screening of “Hoosiers” on Jan. 8. Film of the Milan High School championship game will be shown before the feature.

A 50-minute section of Charles Ives' opera "Hagar" will be featured in a free performance/discussion Jan. 9 at Christ Church Cathedral in conjunction with the National Opera Association convention. Jane Dutton stars.

The Raymond James Stutz Art Gallery opens the multi-artist show “The January Blues—Creating Moods and Emotion.”

Vocalist Tierney Sutton headlines at the Jazz Kitchen, Jan. 10.

On Jan. 8, the Raymond James Stutz Art Gallery opens the multi-artist show “The January Blues—Creating Moods and Emotion.”

Taylor Martin’s “Indy Magic Monthly,” Jan. 5 at Theatre on the Square, welcomes Brooklyn’s Jim Vines, Indy’s Patrick Smith, and magician/anthropologist/biologist Shawn Hurt.