Center For Visual & Performing Arts — Attraction in North Township

I wish I could give as close to 5 stars like 4.95!! I sponsored a brunch for my 1973 Lew Wallace Graduate Classmates whom I affectionately call the 1973 LW Girlies on July 20, 2025. This year we were all turning the promised age from God of "3 Score and 10". First of all, please allow me to send thanks to the 3 ladies manning the box office of the theatre. As I entered the building carrying the gifts for my classmates, my left sandal shoe strap broke!!! I hobbled to the office, where the ladies supplied me with safety pins, tape and staples to do a "Humpty Dumpty" operation to get me back on the "good' foot as James Brown might say!!! LOL!

The eight of the ten ladies that attended have been texting me all day regarding the great food and ambience. A few ladies informed me that this was their first time in the building. Given that I am a professional entertainer, I've done several private parties in the other banquet rooms over the years.

The only incident that prevents the top score was a little bit of a "nasty" treatment from one of the more "seasoned aged" female servers. Everyone else, especially our 2 younger servers, were top notch in attitude, manners and professionalism. One of our classmates arrived about 30 minutes after our seating time of 1:45pm due to her worship service going overtime. Just in case the food was to be removed by 2:30 pm; another classmate made and covered her plate. Upon Thaila's arrival, I approached one of the younger servers to ask them to point me to the banquet manager to inquire about microwaving the meal. Before, the younger server could answer, an older female server brushed pass me at a high rate of speed (without looking at me at all) and barked "Tell them No!!! Defintely Not!!" With the broken shoe and all, I was at a handicap in chasing her down and checking her "customer service" disposition. I didn't want the 30-40 seconds of me dealing with that disrepect, rudeness and attempt to embarass me to spoil what ended up being an enjoyable outing. On behalf of the The LW 1973 Girlies, pictured below (maiden names) from L-R are: Barbara Green, Vanessa (Vee, rear row) Bragg, Carma Tipton, Myself-Ernie Delores Caldwell ( aka Lady Sax®, rear row), Thaila Jackson, Carla Tipton, Mildred Sandifer, Olivia (Choo-Choo) Wiley and Ellan (Ellu) Washington;

Even with the 4 Star rating, We Thank and Commend You and the majority of your...

I received my first impression of the school through a man producing wonderful music on a violin at my local grocery store in Hammond, IN.. Upon checkout, I approached the sponsor table for more information. The very first thing that comes out of the mouth of the man (hefty and balding) sitting between two others behind the table was ,"Would you like to make a donation to the School of the Performing Arts?". He asks this while my hand is reaching for the flyer right at my fingertips. When my answer is giving politely, but not to his liking, he snapped off and felt the need to inform that the flyer I was reaching for was for music instructors only. I found this very rude, off-putting, and condescending considering this man didn't know a thing about me but was projecting his personal judgment into the situation. If that was the case of me projecting my opinion on him I would have judged he was a garbage man. So, in a nutshell, the violin performance that initially drew me to the sponsor table was wonderful. However, the speaking representatives of the organization left much to be desired. The were really just begging for money and were obvious about it, getting upset when that...

The Center is one of Northwest Indiana's great escapes. Very family friendly oriented place. They offer dinner & theater, art, concerts(classical, jazz, folk, etc.), exhibits, art/craft classes, etc. for all ages, prices are great for the entire family. They also have World class art shows/exhibits, from local to iconic world renown artists. Their annual art competitions are my favorites. Most art exhibits are free, most days(contact for details). Open most days(except on major holidays), prices for individual shows, dining and memberships(sign up for their quarterly magazine) are the best among Chicagoland entertainment venues. Valet, and ample self parking. Disability accessable. Minutes from main interstates, safe, quiet, friendly Community. You can tell I...