After the original ZZ Top rock band formed in Houston, Texas in 1969, it garnered more than half a century of concerts, tours and performances for those 51 years, consisting of the same trio of vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill, the latter until his death at age 72 in 2021. International stardom came from the launch of MTV and their album Eliminator in 1983 and Afterburner in 1985, showcasing dance rock and the advent of music videos that attracted audiences to song hits like “Gimme All Your Lovin,’” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.” For more than three decades, Eliminator, a tribute band from Chicago, has electrified audiences with a coast-to-coast celebration of ZZ Top’s iconic sound and style. Since 1992, this Chicago-based ensemble has masterfully recreated the full ZZ Top concert experience, delivering high-energy performances that capture the raw, bluesy essence of the Texas trio. With Ron Schneider (beard and all) on bass, David Perkins on guitar and Kelly Lawson on drums, this ultimate tribute band is playing their first concert on stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Theatre at the Center at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster. Tickets are $40 at www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com or call 219-836-3255.
Casting a spell
A new stage production of “Faustus” by David Mamet opens this weekend, produced by Holdcraft Players with 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday performances Jan. 23, 24, 30 and 31 and 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 at Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring St. in Michigan City. Directed by Joel Thompson, the centuries-old tale of demons, magic spells and a deal with the devil is brought to life with special effects and theatrical stage haze. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students at www.yptcinc.com.
Nate Venturelli rocks region
Singer Nate Venturelli, 34, lists his roster of country music mentors, admittedly “old school” (as he describes them) like Alan Jackson and late greats Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings as his song heroes. He still has his “day job” as a treasured connection to his late grandfather, “punching the clock” on his welding shift for NIPSCO near DeMotte, near his home. However, his concert touring, along with writing, recording and country music promotion, is becoming more of a career balance dream. Venturelli will play a special free 10 p.m. CST Jan. 24 concert on stage at the Kankakee Grille at Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan. For more information, call 866-494-6371 or visit fourwindscasino.com.
A big return
After a half-decade hiatus, the fabled “Anti-Variety Show” is making a triumphant return to the underground music scene of Northwest Indiana at the Hobart Art Theater Friday, Jan. 30, and Saturday, Jan. 31.
Dreamed up by Ed Roseberry, a fixture of the region’s music scene for a quarter of a century, for 20 years, he organized and grew the annual event. “This will be a night to remember for anyone who is a fan of heavy music, absolutely a must-see concert,” Roseberry said. Tickets are on sale at the Hobart Art Theatre Box Office, online at brickartlive.com or by calling 219-942-1670. Advance single-day admission tickets are $15, and advance two-day admission is $30, with day-of-show admission priced at $20 each day based on availability.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and weekly radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.