Indiana has many venues for watching concerts and events. This past month, I have traveled to several places and look forward to hearing from some of you who might suggest a new venue to checkout.   

Let’s start with my love of music, especially 70s music. Casey Kasem on iHeart Radio is an everyday staple. So attending the Steve Winwood/Doobie Brothers or Earth Wind & Fire/Chicago concerts at Deer Creek/Kipsch/Ruoff is quite the treat. What a great venue to see a concert. Having dinner at Ford’s Garage or Aspen Creek Grill before the concert and then tailgating in the parking lot makes for a wonderful evening.  

The Indiana State Fair is another great venue to visit. Besides having some of the best food and taking in all the exhibits and activities, the free stage and the concerts are the place to be. Bring your lawn chairs and watch the concerts. This year, we saw Newsboys and The Happy Together Tour. Unfortunately, Three Dog Night was double booked, or we would have watched that show. We were able to see them in Nashville at the Brown County Music Center, yet another great venue. In Downtown Nashville, taking in an event at the Playhouse is another venue to frequent.  

What else can I say? My hometown is here, and the newly opened Hendricks Live is in Plainfield. How about The Paramount Theater in Anderson, the Honeywell Center/Eagles Theater in Wabash, or the Lawrenceburg Event Center? Let’s talk about some of the casinos that host events – Belterra, French Lick, Terre Haute Casino Resort, and Hard Rock in Gary, to name a few.  

How about the Lincoln Amphitheater (Lincoln State Park), Blue Gate Theater in Shipshewana, or the Jeffersonville Riverstage overlooking the Ohio River? There are so many places to visit and see great entertainment. Share your other places to visit. We still have ELO at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Chicago & Burton Cummings (Guess Who) in Nashville, and hopefully Steve Miller Band in Terre Haute.  

Wander away! Pass on those places to visit. 

~ Jeff Banning