While a lot of folks are on cruise control and riding out the remainder of the year, the folks at Baker Street Centre are busy booking shows for their 2025 calendar. 

First up, on Saturday, March 8, the former C2G Music Hall will open their stage to Brooklyn Charmers: The Music of Steely Dan. 

Anchored by the musical brilliance of each member, they will take you on a journey back to the golden age of Steely Dan with intricate rhythms, smooth melodies, and sophisticated grooves that defined their iconic sound. With their sultry horn parts and jazzy guitar solos, The Brooklyn Charmers deliver a concert experience that captures the essence of classic like “Reelin’ in the Years,” “Do It Again,” and “Peg.” 

Then, on Saturday, April 5, Duke Tumatoe Trio return for an evening of blues and Duke’s unique blend of humor. 

Tumatoe’s been entertaining audiences for more than four decades and has made numerous trips to Fort Wayne during that span. 

General admission and Gold Circle tickets for both shows are available at bakerstreetcentre.com, etix.com, and at all three Wooden Nickel Records locations. 

Honeywell Center filling up 2025 calendar

Honeywell Center in Wabash has a good toe-tapper for you the evening of Saturday, Sept. 6, when they welcome The Drifters, The Platters, and Cornell Gunter’s Coasters. 

These are some of the most beloved musical groups who were instrumental in creating the rock n’ roll and doo wop sound. 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have been associated with well over 40 of the top classic songs in rock history, including Cornell Gunter’s Coasters’ “Charlie Brown” and “Yakety Yak”; The Platters’ “Only You” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”; and The Drifters’ “Under the Boardwalk” and “This Magic Moment.” 

In addition to that concert, other shows Honeywell Arts & Entertainment recently announced are America’s Got Talent 2024 Champion Richard “The Singing Janitor” Goodall on April 18 at Honeywell Center, gospel singer Mark Lowry on Aug. 2 at Honeywell Center, Americana Women on Sept. 18 at Eagles Theatre, and Meet Loaf: The Ultimate Tribute to Meat Loaf on Sept. 25 at Eagles Theatre. 

Tickets for all shows can be purchased beginning Friday, Dec. 13, at honeywellarts.org. 

Big Big Train roll back into Sweetwater

On Wednesday, April 2, Sweetwater Sound will welcome the return of Big Big Train amid their The Likes of Us in North America Tour. 

The international progressive-rock ensemble features an impressive list of musicians, namely lead vocalist Alberto Bravin, bassist Gregory Spawton, guitarist/keyboardist Rikard Sjoblom, violinist Clare Lindley, keyboardist Oskar Holldorff, and drummer Nick D’Virgilio, who will be taking time off from his Sweetwater duties. 

Their combined experience includes playing with bands such as Genesis, Steve Hackett, PFM, Tears for Fears, Mr. Big, Spock’s Beard, Beardfish, Stackridge, and Dim Gray. 

Big Big Train will once again be joined on stage by trumpeter Paul Mitchell, who toured with the band in the UK and Europe in 2024. 

Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m., at Sweetwater or by going to sweetwater.com/events.

Lunch Series welcomes Olivia & Garden Dogs

Speaking of Sweetwater, they have your lunch plans covered Wednesday, Dec. 18. 

Come on out that day and grab lunch from the café and take in live music at noon from Olivia & The Garden Dogs on the Crescendo Club stage as part of Sweetwater’s Live at Lunch series. 

These indie folk rockers are led by local singer-songwriter Olivia Kramer and together with her band have a contagious love for timeless, feel-good tunes. 

Just this year, Olivia & The Garden Dogs released their debut album, Motherland. 

If you have a second, lookup J. Hubner’s review on it at whatzup.com/olivia-the-garden-dogs-motherland. 

The best part about this lunch date is it’s not going to cost you a dime to watch. 

Metal act bring humor to Piere’s

On Friday, Feb. 28, Piere’s will welcome the comedic metal band Psychostick.

Hailing from Tempe, Arizona, these cats are known for their silly image and usage of extreme humor in songs and lyrics. Their style is referred to by some as humor-core. One of their most well-known songs is “Beer,” which was often heard on 98.9-FM The Bear. 

They will be joined that evening by the Milwaukee-based nu metal band H1Z1, Midwest heavy rockers Downshift, Michigan metal-heads Oustaboxx, and hard-hitting Mudbukit. 

Tickets are on sale at etix.com and Wooden Nickel. 

Out and About covers Northeast Indiana’s most interesting music and arts events. Send your announcements to info@whatzup.com.