Latest news with #FiveforFighting
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Of Notoriety: Pierogi Fest, Five for Fighting and Jeff Dunham entertain this weekend
Whiting's Pierogi Fest, billed as one of the country's 'wackiest festivals,' returns to region spotlight this weekend in its 31st edition. All of the favorite attractions and characters transform 119th Street in downtown Whiting as crowds immerse in the highlights like Friday night's annual Polka Parade with eccentric perennial participants such as the Lawnmower Brigade as the finale unit as the marchers start at Forsythe Park, along the lure of assorted pierogi and other Eastern European food delights from vendors, live music, including the Saturday night free stage showcase band Five for Fighting. Not to be missed on Sunday are the Pierogi Eating Contest and a Pierogi Toss Challenge. Guests are greeted by characters such as the signature mascot Mr. Pierogi and delicious pals Halupki Guy, Miss Paczki, and the ever-entertaining Buscias holding court with silly fun for all. The 2025 edition of the fest marks the final year with Tom Dabertin as fest chair after 31 years watching the event grow from the start as one of its co-founders. For a full schedule of events, visit Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, 63, returns to the Hammond Horseshoe Casino to play The Venue stage space with his trunk of talented friends. Dubbed his 'Artificial Intelligence' 2025 tour, Dunham and his puppet pals like grouchy Walter, excitable green creature Peanut and rural favorite Bubba J have one performance at 8 p.m. Friday, July 25 on The Venue stage at 777 Casino Center Drive in Hammond. Tickets are $49 and available by calling 866-711-7463 or go to It's the final weekend of the 2025 Porter County Fair with smash-up entertainment taking over the grandstand arena. At 7 p.m. Friday, July 25, it's 'The Night of Destruction Demo Derby.' Vehicles of all designs crash into one another to see which can outlast the other. Various categories include: Regular Demolition Derby (Cars), Trucks and Vans, Figure 8 specialty course and Kids Power Wheels. Noise and smoke add to the excitement. Check out 'Demolition Derby & Drag Racing' on the website to review the rules and get involved. At 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 'Sanberg's Towing School Bus and Farm Combine Derby' is in the spectator spotlight as retired buses are pitted against farm combines with daredevil twists on the mud track in a race to win. Tickets are the same for both nights, free parking but $10 fair gate admission plus $18 for adult grandstand arena tickets and $12 for children under age 12 FYI: or 219-462-0321. The Gary Shakespeare Company is excited to announce their summer production of William Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure,' directed by Stephanie Naumoff, will have one indoor performance at Beatniks On Conkey from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, July 27. Performance space is at 420 Conkey St. in Hammond. More details are at or call or text 219-852-0848 for reservations. Seating is limited. Reservations are strongly suggested. Gary Shakespeare Company was founded in 2013 by a group of Shakespeare enthusiasts who believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience a live performance of Shakespeare's works, with a mission 'to enrich the public spaces of Northwest Indiana with passionate, vivid performances that reflect and include our communities.' Sons of Chicago bring their tribute to rock 'n' roll legends Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger to Theatre at the Center at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster. Playing deep cuts and top hits from both artists alike, songs like 'Born in the USA' and 'Old Time Rock 'n' Roll' will delight audiences. Tickets are $40, with doors opening at 7 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit or call the box office at 219-836-3255.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Big E announces Court of Honor Stage lineup
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Big E has announced its lineup for its Court of Honor Stage performances. The popular venue, situated in front of the Coliseum, hosts four daily shows at 12, 2, 5 and 8 p.m. during the fair, Sept. 12-28. All shows are free with admission to The Big E. A limited number of premium seats are available for select shows. Free seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The lineup is as follows: Tonic, Sept. 12, 8 p.m.; John Morgan, Sept. 14, 8 p.m.; The Stylistics, Sept. 15-16, 2 p.m.; The Marshall Tucker Band, Sept. 17, 8 p.m.; Aldo Nova, Sept. 18, 8 p.m.; B.o.B, Sept. 19, 8 p.m.; Firefall, Sept. 20, 8 p.m.; Five for Fighting, Sept. 21, 8 p.m.; Seals & Crofts 2, Sept. 22-23, 2 p.m. Sister Hazel, Sept. 24, 8 p.m.; Elliot Lurie of Looking Glass with Yacht Rock Gold Experience, Sept. 25, 8 p.m.; Finger Eleven, Sept. 26, 8 p.m.; MKTO, Sept. 27, 8 p.m.; Queensrÿche, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. More additions to the Court of Honor Stage schedule and The Big E Arena are expected to be announced in the upcoming weeks. The Amateurs Silverthorne Theater Company launches 2025 summer season with 'The Amateurs' by Jordan Harrison, a play about a theater troupe on the run from the black plague in the 1300s. As the rag-tag troupe at the play's center races across Europe to outrun the plague, they perform such favorites as 'The Seven Deadly Sins' and 'Noah's Flood.' 'The Amateurs' will be staged at the Mainstage Theater in Emily Dickinson Hall on the campus of Hampshire College, where the company is in its second summer season in residence. Show dates and times are June 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m., and June 14, 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets available now at 'The Amateurs' is the first of two shows in Silverthorne's summer season. Tony-award winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's 'The Comeuppance,' about a group of thirty-somethings gathering for their 20th high school reunion, will be presented in July. Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival Out Film CT will host the 38th Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival June 20-28. The majority of the festival will be screened at the festival's longtime home, the historic and elegant Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College in Hartford. The closing night film will be at the Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford. In addition, there will be some virtual-only exclusives for film fans to enjoy at home. Associated social events include the opening night after-party (Friday, June 20), the centerpiece film free pre-reception (Wednesday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m.), and the closing night celebration (Saturday, June 28). Information on pricing for festival passes, which are on sale now, is available at Call & Response AMHERST — GalleryA3 in Amherst will exhibit the works of Evelyn Pye at an exhibition titled 'Call & Response' July 3 to Aug. 2. An opening reception will take place Thursday, July 3, 5–7 p.m. An art forum is scheduled to take place July 17, 7:30 p.m. In two series of related oil paintings on wood panel that together form 'Call & Response,' Pye explores human dimensions of time, space, and scale through a profusion of indoor plant life punctuated by a discrete infusion of domestic detail. GalleryA3 is located at 28 Amity St., 1D, in Amherst, Hours are Thursday to Sunday, 2-7 p.m. Earls and Pearls WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Irish Cultural Center will present the harmonies of the Earls and Pearls, a select group of vocalists from the former Dan Kane Singers, as they sing a collection of popular songs from across the decades. A special summer barbecue buffet is included in ticket purchase. The musical dinners take place at the ICC's Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub, at 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield. The two performance dates are Thursdays, June 19 and June 26. Doors open at 4 p.m.; music starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 for ICC patrons and $50 for the general public. Ticket includes music performance, the buffet, and server gratuity for food. A full bar will be open for purchase. Learn more and purchase tickets online at or call the restaurant at 413-342-4358. Suffield Players auditions SUFFIELD, Conn. — The Suffield Players are recently announced auditions for their upcoming October production of 'A Rock Sails By,' directed by Lisa Parker. Performance dates are Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. at Mapleton Hall in Suffield. Auditions will take place a Mapleton Hall Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, at 7 p.m. Callbacks — by invitation only — will take place Monday, June 17, at 7 p.m. Those auditioning will be asked to fill out an audition form prior to their audition. Visit to access the form and find more information. Roles are available for a range of adult characters. All experience levels are welcome. Bring a headshot and resume if available. Audition material will be provided at the audition or check the website for advance sides and character breakdowns. For questions, contact suffieldplayers@ Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Five for Fighting reimagines ‘Superman' in powerful tribute to Israeli hostages
Musician John Ondrasik, best known as Five for Fighting, has released a new version of his hit song "Superman," this time dedicated to the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza. The reimagined track is intended to bring global attention to their ongoing ordeal, and, he hopes, help lead to their release. Appearing on "Fox & Friends" Monday, Ondrasik said the inspiration for the project came from the parallels between the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, which killed over 1,200 people, and the trauma Americans experienced on 9/11. "It became very clear that 'Superman' should be the song," he said. "With the history of 9/11, and the fact that, for Israel, October 7 is their 9/11." Although the song honors all the hostages, Ondrasik said it was especially inspired by one person: 24-year-old Alon Ohel, who was abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. Alon's mother, Idit Ohel, collaborated with Ondrasik on the new version and its accompanying music video. Hamas Rejects Israeli Ceasefire, Hostage Return Deal Over Disarmament Demands "Just talking about Alon and his situation is so important," Idit said. Read On The Fox News App "People will know that there are still hostages [in] Gaza and they need to be released." She described her son's condition as dire. Injured during his abduction, Alon still has shrapnel in his eye and, as far as she knows, has received no medical treatment. "He's been, you know, shackled. He's been chained and starved every day as we speak," she said. "We really want him to come home." Freed Israeli Hostage Calls On Trump To Act As 'Modern Moses' To Save Brother From Hamas 'Lunatics' Alon was 22-years-old at the time of his capture and has now spent two birthdays in captivity. A passionate pianist, his love for music made the tribute especially meaningful to the family. When deciding which of his songs to rework, Ondrasik said one image stood out: a childhood photo of Alon wearing Superman pajamas. "Seeing the picture of him in his Superman jammies as a toddler made it very clear," Ondrasik said. "We had to tweak the lyrics a bit to basically recognize the incredible fortitude, the spiritual fortitude of people like Idit and the hostage families who go through the unbearable every day." "Superman" became a symbol of resilience in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks. Ondrasik performed it for first responders, victims' families and at benefit concerts. Now, he says the Grammy-nominated song has taken on new meaning. With Trump's Backing Israel Pushes Deeper Into Gaza As Pressure Builds For Hostage Deal "The fact that we're still talking about this [returning the hostages] is an outrage of humanity," he said. "One does not have to be Jewish to support Idit, her family, Israel. One merely needs to be human, have a heart, have a soul." More than a year ago, Ondrasik performed "Superman" at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, where families and supporters gather regularly to demand the hostages' return. Alon's brother played the piano during that performance in honor of him. Ondrasik says he dreams of one day playing the song again, this time with Alon at his side. "I look forward to the day that we are at Hostage Square, at Alon's piano, and he's sitting next to me and his brother sitting next to me, and we are playing 'Superman,' and I believe that day will come. And we all pray that day will come." As of now, an estimated 59 hostages remain in Gaza. Fewer than half are believed to be alive. Their families continue to call for a ceasefire and the safe return of their loved ones, while also acknowledging the immense loss of life in Gaza, where tens of thousands have died in the ongoing article source: Five for Fighting reimagines 'Superman' in powerful tribute to Israeli hostages
Fox News
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Five for Fighting reimagines ‘Superman' in powerful tribute to Israeli hostages
Musician John Ondrasik, best known as Five for Fighting, has released a new version of his hit song "Superman," this time dedicated to the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza. The reimagined track is intended to bring global attention to their ongoing ordeal, and, he hopes, help lead to their release. Appearing on "Fox & Friends" Monday, Ondrasik said the inspiration for the project came from the parallels between the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, which killed over 1,200 people, and the trauma Americans experienced on 9/11. "It became very clear that 'Superman' should be the song," he said. "With the history of 9/11, and the fact that, for Israel, October 7 is their 9/11." Although the song honors all the hostages, Ondrasik said it was especially inspired by one: 24-year-old Alon Ohel, who was abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. Alon's mother, Idit Ohel, collaborated with Ondrasik on the new version and its accompanying music video. "Just talking about Alon and his situation is so important," Idit said. "People will know that there are still hostages [in] Gaza and they need to be released." She described her son's condition as dire. Injured during his abduction, Alon still has shrapnel in his eye and, as far as she knows, has received no medical treatment. "He's been, you know, shackled. He's been chained and starved every day as we speak," she said. "We really want him to come home." Alon was 22-years-old at the time of his capture and has now spent two birthdays in captivity. A passionate pianist, his love for music made the tribute especially meaningful to the family. When deciding which of his songs to rework, Ondrasik said one image stood out: a childhood photo of Alon wearing Superman pajamas. "Seeing the picture of him in his Superman jammies as a toddler made it very clear," Ondrasik said. "We had to tweak the lyrics a bit to basically recognize the incredible fortitude, the spiritual fortitude of people like Idit and the hostage families who go through the unbearable every day." "Superman" became a symbol of resilience in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks. Ondrasik performed it for first responders, victims' families, and at benefit concerts. Now, he says the Grammy-nominated song has taken on new meaning. "The fact that we're still talking about this [returning the hostages] is an outrage of humanity," he said. "One does not have to be Jewish to support Idit, her family, Israel. One merely needs to be human, have a heart, have a soul." More than a year ago, Ondrasik performed "Superman" at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, where families and supporters gather regularly to demand the hostages' return. Alon's brother played the piano during that performance in honor of him. Ondrasik says he dreams of one day playing the song again, this time with Alon at his side. "I look forward to the day that we are at Hostage Square, at Alon's piano, and he's sitting next to me and his brother sitting next to me, and we are playing 'Superman,' and I believe that day will come. And we all pray that day will come." As of now, an estimated 59 hostages remain in Gaza. Fewer than half are believed to be alive. Their families continue to call for a ceasefire and the safe return of their loved ones, while also acknowledging the immense loss of life in Gaza, where tens of thousands have died in the ongoing conflict.
