Welcome, Explorers, to the first NWI Explored newsletter of March 2026! We’ve found ourselves at the beginning of a new month, with a fresh slate of events and even more new stuff to talk about all around NWI. We’re so glad that many of you have been following us along this journey for five months now, and our group is only growing as the days go by. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you so much for supporting this little thing we’re trying to build. The main goal of NWI Explored is to build a sense of community around this varied and incredibly unique place that we’ve all decided to call home, and with each new Explorer we’re moving one step closer to that goal. Thanks again, Explorers! We’re so glad to have you here.

One question I will continue to posit to our readers: when we present the full list of events to you, is it tough to read? We want to make sure we are offering the widest scope of events we possibly can, so our vision of the running slate of events has expanded with time. At the current moment, that means this newsletter balloons in length at the beginning of each month and weans down as the month progresses. In the interest of keeping everything readable and easily found, we had the thought of developing a digital calendar where we can feed all of the events into it and present it to you in a more digestible format. Is that something that the Explorers would find more useful, or is the current format working well enough for the time being? Let us know! Send an email to [email protected] and fill us in how you think we should present events to the people. Thanks for reading!

March’s Events and Can’t Miss Destinations

What’s Happening Today in NWI

The Lowdown on Recent NWI News

A NWI Explored Special Report: The Real Reason Your Electric Bill is So High

Brief Updates About The State of Things Around NWI

Last but not least, here is your weather forecast for the midweek of March 2nd, 2026. We might be away from the harsh winter weather, but it doesn’t seem like we’re free of messy weather quite yet.

Every issue of NWI Explored, we give you the best events and spots to check out during the current month.

In partnership with the NWI Ultimate League, we want to issue a special announcement about their spring leagues!

NWI Ultimate, with partnership of the Portage Parks Department, is the preeminent local ultimate frisbee league for NWI. Featuring COED divisions for all ages, these leagues are open to new players and seasoned experts. Find all the information at the link right here or in the infographic below.

Tuesday is Trivia day at White Rhino in Dyer. Find out more about this weekly event at the link here. Wednesday at White Rhino is Bingo night, starting at 6:30pm.

18th Street Brewery has its weekly Music Trivia and Karaoke night every Wednesday. Doors open at 4pm, with trivia starting at 6pm. Find out more here. On Thursday nights, they also host a weekly Line Dancing night with host Mizz Coco. Find out more here.

Shady Creek Winery hosts a weekly live music event each and every Sunday. Find a schedule of upcoming artists at the link here.

Anderson’s Winery in Valpo hosts weekly live music each and every weekend. Find a schedule of upcoming performances at the link right here.

Find out info about the classes and everything the Chesterton Art Center has going on here. The Center constantly has events for beginners, young artists, and apprentices alike, so anyone looking to build their skills and learn new ones should keep tabs on what the Chesterton Art Center has going on.

Off Square Brewing in Crown Point hosts a weekly Bingo Night on Thursdays, running from 7-9 pm each and every week. One lucky number can make you the big winner of the night! Find further info here. They also host a weekly Trivia Night on Wednesdays from 7pm.

Up Your Alley in Schererville has regular specials all week, perfect for families and groups of friends. Monday is a bowling special, Tuesday is Laser Tag, Wednesday is Dark Rides, and Thursday is the Arcade. Find more info and the specific deals available each week right here.

Every Monday, from 7-9 pm, Journeyman Distillery in Valpo hosts a Trivia Night. Three rounds of trivia keep the night alive, with teams of up to six people fight to win the grand prize every week. Find more info right here.

Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake has a weekly wine special running through dinner service. Happy hour specials and heavily discounted bottles every single Wednesday!

Every second Saturday each month, Beale Pottery in Westville hosts a “Make Cool Stuff Club”. This is a group that meets to, well, make cool stuff in the form of pottery! Find more info about the spot and their events right here.

On the last Tuesday of every month, Downtown Highland hosts a restaurant crawl. This community event always features a bunch of the local spots offering specials and deals, so its a great way to spend an evening hopping from meal to meal. Find more info right here.

Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach has recurrent events every single week. Check out their page to find the full slate of events.

Chicago Street Theatre, Valparaiso - info here

Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso - info here

La Porte Little Theatre, LaPorte - Info Here

4th Street Theater, Chesterton - Info Here

Beatniks on Conkey, Hammond - Info Here

Footlight Players, Inc, Michigan City - Info Here

Indiana Ballet Theatre Company - Info Here

Marian Theatre Guild, Whiting - Info Here

Towle Theater, Hammond - Info Here

Valpo University Theatre- Info Here

Ticket information and the full schedule can be found right here.

Friday, March 6th, the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City is holding the opening reception for a new exhibition, Cosmic Connections. From 5-8pm, enjoy food, a cash bar, chances to meet the artists and curator of the exhibit, and take in the new exhibition capturing the universe in an improvisational process. Find all the info right here.

March 6th sees the American English: Beatles Tribute grace the Theatre at the Center stage in Munster. This concert is in benefit of the Cancer Resource Center. Find tickets and more info at the link right here.

March 6th will also see Marlon Wayans, legendary comedian and actor of such hits as White Chicks and Scary Movie, grace the stage at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary. The show is 21+ and begins at 7pm. Find tickets at the link right here.

Hobart Art Theater will be hosting a dual tribute show to the works of U2 and R.E.M. on March 6th. Bands Without U2 and Driver 8 will be taking the stage to go through the hits from two of the most revered bands of the late 80s and early 90s. Find tickets at the link right here.

On March 7th, The Dig the Dunes Makers Trail begins! Six locations, six different projects, and a full day of crazy art-making fun. Spend the day exploring the Dunes, different local spots, and themed specials at local restaurants, all a part of the Makers Trail. Find more information at the link right here.

The legendary Boy George and Culture Club will be taking the stage at Hard Rock Casino in Gary on March 7th. Culture Club and Boy George have been responsible for some of the biggest hits of the 80s and are full-on icons of the new wave genre. Find tickets for the show at the link right here.

Bombers BBQ in Crown Point will be hosting a Friends themed trivia night on March 7th, from 6-8pm.

Schererville Parks will be bringing back their Lucky Leprechaun Glow Hunt on March 13th, at 7pm in the Schererville Community Center. This family event features pizza, dessert, drinks, St. Pat’s crafts, and prizes ahead of the actual hunt. Register for the event at schererville.org.

Courtesy of St. John Parks Department, March 7th will be the Luck of the Hunt in Prairie West Park: a day of family-friendly fun themed around St. Patricks Day. Hunt for gold in different age groups and celebrate the holiday with a bit of luck and a ton of fun. Find more information right here.

Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm are hosting the 49th Annual Maple Sugar Time Festival the weekend of March 7th and 8th. Enjoy a tour of the sugaring operation at the historic farm with tons of other activities for the whole family. This event is also sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes. Find more information at the link right here.

Hard Rock Casino will be hosting Fey, one of the most influential figures in Spanish pop, on the stage on March 8th. Her 30 year career is one of the most successful in Latin American pop history, so this is sure to be a trip through some of the best the genre has to offer. Find tickets and further information at the link right here.

Four Corners Winery in Valpo will be hosting a Fused Glass Class on March 8th, starting at 1pm. Participants will be creating a fused glass poppy flower sun catcher. No prior experience is necessary. Find more info at the link right here.

Off-Square Brewing is hosting a Grown-Up Book Fair on March 8th from 1-4pm. This event is free to attend and will be chock full of books and bookish merch! Find more info right here.

Byway Brewing in Hammond will be holding an Adam Sandler-themed trivia night on March 10th, starting at 6pm.

Up Your Alley in Schererville is hosting a Lucky Gnome Paint + Sip Event on March 10th, starting at 6pm.

Downtown Michigan City will be hopping with the spirit of the season on March 11th when the Paddywagon Bus Tour takes a trip around the town in celebration of St. Patricks Day. This event runs from 2-9pm with stops at a host of bars across the city. Find all the info in the below infographic.

Hobart Art Theater is hosting Classical Blast in Kilts on March 12th, featuring music from the best of Ireland and Scotland’s rock bands - plus, reinterpretations of traditional Celtic tunes, sea shanties, stories and more. Find tickets and more info at the link right here.

Asparagus in Merrillville is hosting a Spring Fling Martini Tasting on March 12th. Tickets to the event are available at the link right here. A ticket gets you three festive cocktails, accompanied by a paired appetizer of your choice.

Shady Creek Winery will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Irish Dinner on March 12th. Enjoy a 3-course dinner (with ticket) of traditional Irish grub, created and prepared by Executive Chef Brian Davis. Tickets and more info can be found right here.

Schererville Parks will be bringing back their Lucky Leprechaun Glow Hunt on March 13th, at 7pm in the Schererville Community Center. This family event features pizza, dessert, drinks, St. Pat’s crafts, and prizes ahead of the actual hunt. Register for the event at schererville.org.

Hard Rock Casino has a whole weekend slate of St. Patrick’s Day events and festivities, kicking off of March 13th with a free show from The Tossers - one of the most enduring bands of the Celtic Punk underground. All weekend long, there will be a St. Pat’s themed special menu item - an Irish Smash Burger - , exclusive cocktails and specialty drinks, and special events, games and prizes available for all patrons of the floor. Find out more about their special St. Patrick’s Day events and plans at the link right here.

Lake County Fairgrounds is hosting a Hometown Shamrock Indoor Market on March 13th and 14th. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and an early Spring with artisan vendors, handcrafted goods, food, live music, specialty drinks, kids activities and much more. Information about the event and tickets can be found right here.

The Dave Matthews Tribute Band will be performing at Hobart Art Theater on March 13th. Find tickets right here.

R&B Star Leela James will be taking the Horseshoe Casino stage on March 14th at 8pm. James is known for her dreamy sound and powerhouse voice, so this is sure to be show worth coming out for. Tickets and all the info can be found at the link right here.

Hobart Art Theater will be hosting MOCK STAR (with special guest Skyline Station) on March 14th, at 8pm. Tickets and more info can be found here.

Griffith High School is holding a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on March 14th from 10am to Noon. Enjoy a family visit with the Easter Bunny at the link right here.

The 10th Annual Corkscrew and Brew will be taking place in Thomas Centennial Park on March 14th in Chesterton. This tasting event will feature wineries, breweries, live music, food, games and (most importantly) unlimited samples. Celebrate craft beverages and the reason for the season with the link right here.

Marina Shores Yacht Club in Portage will also be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 14th, starting at 6pm. Features include Culver Pipes and Drums performance starting at 7pm, an Irish menu, and drink specials themed around the holiday. Find more information at the link right here.

Country Star Josh Turner will be headlining a show at La Porte Civic Auditorium on March 14th, at 6pm. Expect a run of timeless hits and all the charisma that made Turner a Nashville favorite. Find tickets and more information at the link right here.

Villa Cesare is hosting a St. Patrick's Day Party on March 14th, starting at 6:30pm. Tickets grant you an open bar, DJ, raffles and a full menu of St. Patrick’s Day favorites. Further info can be found at the link right here.

Calling all Bar Crawlers: the Crown Point Square Bar Crawl for St. Patrick’s Day is returning once again. Sunday, March 15th, starting at noon, with Ramen District, One13North, Tavern on Main, Zombie Club, and Public Bar & Rec participating. Full info can be found on Tavern on Main’s Instagram page.

Hobart Art Theater will be hosting the Ultimate Doors: A Tribute to the Music of the Doors on March 15th, at 6:30pm. Tickets and more info can be found here. They will also be hosting Down Rodeo - A Tribute to Rage Against the Machine on March 20th, at 7pm. Tickets for that can be found at this link. And, In The Flesh - Echoes of Pink Floyd will be taking place on March 21st at 7pm. Tickets for that show can be found here.

The Museum at Lassen’s Resort on Cedar Lake is hosting a Speaker Series with author Joey Lax-Salinas all about his forthcoming book, Fading Ads of Indiana. The event will be on March 15th at 2pm, and feature a chronicle of his year’s of documenting Indiana's disappearing "Ghost signs" and all the forgotten areas of the state we all call home. Find more information about Joey’s book, the event, and how to participate at the link right here.

March 17th will see Crown Point host it's Nighttime St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 7pm. Local food and retail vendors will set up on Joliet Street starting at 3pm, so go and enjoy the festivities: with Pipes and Drums players, Shamrock Lane, and a ton of great local food. Information can be found right here.

Horseshoe Casino will be hosting Los Tigres Del Norte on March 20th and 21st. Find tickets for either show at the link right here.

On March 20th and 21st, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, Lake County Vintage and Antique Market will be taking place. Shop vendors from all over with goods of all kinds, all inside the historic Industrial building. The show runs from 4-9pm on Friday, and 9am-4pm on Saturday. Find more information at the link right here.

Hoosier Theater in Whiting will be hosting a Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks tribute show on March 21st at 7pm. Find tickets and information at the link right here.

Also on the 21st of March, Marina Shores Yacht Club in Portage will be hosting a Stand-Up Comedy Night, starting at 7pm. Headliner Koffe Black will be joined by Eddie Dodaro, and host Eddie Lozano. For tickets and more information, go to the link right here.

Humane Indiana’s Annual Gala will be taking place on March 21st at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary, starting at 5pm. The event is a high-energy celebration of everything that the Humane organization does: with complimentary dinner and drinks, adoptable pets on site, silent auctions, and a program of presentations celebrating the hope and life-saving work the organization does. Find info at the link right here.

On March 21st and 22nd, Shipshewana on the Road will be taking over the Porter County Expo Center. Tickets are $5, and gets you in to browse the wide variety of gifts, crafts, food and fun on site. Find all the information at the link right here.

More Events to Come…

The most hot-button issue around NWI as of late is one that we’ve spent a lot of time talking about in this very newsletter: rising energy costs all across the state. Region residents have been particularly incensed about the sudden and somewhat unexplained hike in rates for electricity during one of the most intense cold spells we’ve had in quite some time, but the story isn’t quite as simple as the construction of those data centers no one wants. Like many things, the story goes back a few years, to decisions made by the Indiana State Senate that most of us probably didn’t even know about. To understand the real reason that we’re all stuck paying 50% more (heck, even 100% more for some) on our NIPSCO bills, we have to look back at some legislative decisions that flew under the radar. We are gonna have to look at some long, anonymous sounding bills that actually, when you look at what they say, have slowly eroded the consumer protections set in place to prevent this very thing from happening.

Going back to 2013, we can look at 9 (nine!) different legislative decisions that have directly contributed to the creation of this environment: where NIPSCO can act without little to no oversight and charge whatever they see fit. Anti-consumer laws have long been the source of these exorbitant charges and never-ending justifications for price hikes, but a lot of us weren’t even aware of them happening. That’s often the way that corporations like this want it to be, so that no questions are asked about why we suddenly have to foot the bill for a bunch of stuff we didn’t even know we could be charged for. Below, you will find a detailed list of each legislative act that was passed, what they entailed, and how that has worked to create the scenario that we currently find ourselves in.

Each of these legislative decisions, as outlined above, have contributed to the situation we all see ourselves currently in: where it feels like no one cares that we’re stuck footing the bill for a company focused only on growth and greed, funding data centers we don’t want and supplementing the power for corporations who have no interest in bringing anything back to these communities. Hopefully, you found this special report to be of use and interest.

We hope to be doing more things like this as we go forward, so that we can keep our Explorers informed about the issues that matter most. Let us know how you liked this experiment.