Philip Potempa – Page 13

Period costume performers help serve up cocktails and capture audience attention with storytelling during the touring “Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy” experience, touring with dates in Northwest Indiana and the Chicago suburbs in January 2026. (Photo courtesy of Midnight Creative Events)

Of Notoriety: Edgar Allan Poe’s Jan. 19 birthday toasted with cocktail and storytelling tour

December 24, 2025 at 9:27 a.m.

Glasses get lifted to Edgar Allen Poe during a traveling tour pairing Poe-themed cocktails with readings of his familiar writings.

St. Mary’s College junior Abigail Wojtaszek, a Hammond native and graduate of Bishop Noll Institute, center, casts her eyes in an exasperated expression as one of the feudal-themed characters during the 2025 madrigal dinner’s narrative on Dec. 7. (Phil Potempa/Post-Tribune)

Potempa: Madrigal dinners are rare opportunities for fun, feasting

December 19, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame has been hosting Christmastime madrigal dinners for more than half a century. It had been at least 25 years since I attended their wonderful...

The entire “Peanuts” gang debuted on television on Dec. 8, 1965 to share “the meaning of the season” when “A Charlie Brown Christmas” aired for the first time on the CBS network. (Photo provided by CBS TV Archive)

Potempa: ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ celebrating 60 years

December 17, 2025 at 7:49 p.m.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on national television on Dec. 8, 1965, with nearly half of all available American households tuning in.

Columnist Phil Potempa snaps a selfie of his family around his parents’ 1950s original Formica kitchen table on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2025, celebrating his 96-year-old dad Chester’s homecoming from a recent therapy rehab stint and a return to the family farm. (Phil Potempa/Post-Tribune)

Potempa: Goodbye to 96-year-old Dad, an inspiration to myself and so many others

December 14, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

It is with heartbroken sadness I report the death of my beloved father Chester, who passed away at age 96 in the morning hours last Wednesday, Dec. 11 at our...

The Michigan City Chamber Music Festival presents two free concerts for the holidays, starring Nic Orbovich on violin, on Dec. 15 at the Michigan City Public Library and on Dec. 21 at the Bishop’s Mansion at Trinity Episcopal Church. (Photo provided by MCCMF)

Potempa: Sinatra-themed holiday show, ‘Santa Circus,’ and holiday orchestra concerts ring in the season

December 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Holiday shows fill the calendar

Actor Isaiah Bailey, cast as the title role in the new North American Broadway tour of “Phantom of the Opera,” found a rousing applause after performing a song selection from the iconic musical Aug. 11, 2025 on stage in Millennium Park during the Broadway in Chicago Summer Preview Concert. (Phil Potempa/Post-Tribune)

Potempa: This Broadway ‘Phantom’ living stage dream

December 11, 2025 at 8:32 a.m.

A newly launched tour of the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Phantom of the Opera” is haunting the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 121 West Randolph St., Dec. 11 through Feb. 1,...

Columnist Philip Potempa took a “selfie” with the Scamerhorn family gathered around the dining room table to share a light supper the evening of Christmas Day 2021. (Photo courtesy of Philip Potempa)

From the Farm: Celebration of Polish traditional Christmas Eve dinner includes symbolism, preparation

December 5, 2025 at 1:47 p.m.

The holiday span of November and December is a time of celebration peppered with memories of loved ones who have passed.

Santa will visit the historic Barker Mansion in Michigan City for special appearance dates included with the regular price of tour admission. (Photo courtesy of Barker Mansion)

Of Notoriety: Barker Mansion ‘decked,’ dogs bark for ‘Busy Bee,’ Scots host symposium, Advent gets ‘cheesy’

December 4, 2025 at 11:48 a.m.

Barker Mansion is ready for the season, dogs can get a "Busy Bee," Chicago Scots hold a dementia symposium, and Kraft offers a cheesy Advent.

Columnist Philip Potempa is shown backstage with Florence Henderson at Drury Lane Martinique Dinner Theatre in Evergreen Park, Illinois, in March 1996 during a week of her headlining concerts. (Photo courtesy of Phil Potempa) (Philip Potempa/provided)

From the Farm: Thanksgiving weekend an annual reminder of Florence Henderson’s passing

November 28, 2025 at 3:23 p.m.

The first of the goodbyes began nine years ago on Thanksgiving with the death of Florence Henderson, a pop culture favorite TV mom.

The Northwest Indiana Symphony will present one holiday concert Dec. 4 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. (Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra/provided)

Of Notoriety: Launch of holiday shows and concert season this weekend

November 26, 2025 at 1:59 p.m.

Entertainment news from around the region.

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