Welcome back everyone! It’s February 4th, 2026 and that means it is time for your Thursday edition of NWI Explored. Hopefully, your February is off to a great start (minus the six more weeks of winter we’re due for). We’re all looking forward to clearer, less snowy weather and this week seems like a start at the very least. It’s been a somewhat quiet week, so we’re going to load up on events instead of news for this Thursday edition of NWIE. Let’s get into it.

A Frontline View of February’s Events in NWI

The Lowdown on NWI and Indiana News

The Weather Forecast for the Week of February 2nd

Today in NWI

Again, we’re keeping it light on supplemental material after a loaded Monday issue. Let’s take care of the forecast for the upcoming weekend and move into the news. This is your forecast for the weekend of February 5th.

Every issue of NWI Explored comes with The Lowdown: a roundup of the most important news and happenings around the Region.

The Moore townhome development in Michigan City will begin accepting new residents, starting in May.

Indiana House legislature introduced a bill on Monday that would make development in agricultural areas permited without a public hearing, variance, or any other official action if the area has soil that is poorly suited for farming.

The Northwest Indiana Oilmen are being dumped out of their current home at Oil City Stadium in downtown Whiting, to be replaced by one or two expansion teams.

Local woman Stephanie Talarek, aka “Chef Steph”, has created community food initiative Feed the Region - a organizing effort that will feed families in the Region with free, hot, family-sized meals for takeaway.

NIPSCO has received approval and property rezoning for the $5.7 billion expansion it plans to complete on the RM Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield.

Crown Point City Council advanced new proposals on Monday that would allow growth of an existing business park and construction of a new housing development on the south side of the city.

Indiana House Bill 1119 ,which would authorize firing squad executions in the state of Indiana, was shot down on Monday with only one Republican representative voting “Yes”.

The Hegewisch Station on the South Shore Transit Line will be getting safety improvements, including gates, flashing lights and bells at pedestrian crossings - in response to an accidental death at the station this previous year.

Mayor of Gary Eddie Melton announced plans to replace the existing Brother’s Keeper homeless shelter with an entirely new construction, with development beginning in June of this year.

Governor Mike Braun announced this week that he will be aggressively pursuing fraud in any and all Indiana social welfare programs. These renewed efforts come in the wake of over 50 federal welfare convictions in Minnesota dating back to 2022.

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

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.

Chicago Street Theatre, 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.

On select Sundays, the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster will be hosting a Sunday Brunch. Open to all, guests can partake in a two-meat carving station, signature entrees, complimentary beverage service, and a full breakfast menu. Prices vary between ages, info of which you learn more about here.

South Shore Roller Derby is looking for recruits! Swing by NEO New Vistas High School Sportsplex in Portage on February 3rd and 10th to find out what SSRD is all about. These are free informational nights, with an opportunity to watch a practice up close, ask league members about the culture of the sport, and find out how you can fit into the crew. Find out all the info right here.

Celebrate Galentine’s Day with a Downtown Valpo Shop Around Event themed around the special day! Over 20 local retailers will be participating, with special promotions, treats, and activities all over downtown. Find further information right here.

Valparaiso University will be putting on a dance performance the whole weekend of February 6th. The dance ensemble takes the stage to put on a performance of Finding Free, directed by Salena Elish. Find tickets, more info, and everything else you need right here.

Hobart Art Theater will be hosting a tribute concert to Buddy Holly, titled The Day the Music Died, on February 6th. Celebrate the life and work of the one of the godfathers of modern rock and roll with this night of powerfully performed renditions of classic songs. Find more info right here.

February 7th will see the classic John Mellencamp tribute band, Small Town, take the Memorial Opera House stage. All the favorite tracks, played with high-level musicianship and energy. Also, check out Ashlyn - a 14 year old NWI based rising country artist, who will be opening for Small Town. Find out more info right here.

Leeds Public House in Michigan City will be hosting a Galentine’s Brunch on February 7th. It will run from 10am to 4pm and feature special vendors with pop-up shops, so you can support local, woman-owned businesses. Brunch, cocktails, shopping, and all the vibes you can handle: what’s better than that? Find all the info right here.

Memorial Opera House in Valpo will be hosting Red Revolution: The Taylor Swift Experience for the second year in a row. This is the ultimate Swiftie celebration, with powerhouse vocalist Tiffany Lidster taking the stage to belt out all the Taylor favorites. High energy doesn’t even begin to describe what this night has in store, so click here to find out more.

February 7th will see Bombers BBQ in Crown Point host an Office- themed trivia night. How much do you know about Dunder Mifflin? Prove your wits and win some prizes, alongside some great food and brews. Find out more info right here.

Hobart Art Theater will be hosting a Chicagoland Stand Up Comedy Show on February 7th. Join them for a night of endless laughs with some of the hottest local comedians, hosted by comedian Susana Rodriguez and headlined by Nick Cobb. Find out more information about the night and the full lineup right here.

Multi-platinum recording artist Keith Sweat will be taking the Horseshoe Casino stage on February 7th. Who does it better than him? Nobody! Find out more right here.

On the weekend of February 7th, Journeyman Distillery will be hosting a Winter Artisan Market at their Valpo location. More than 130 talented makers and craftspeople will be selling their wares and presenting their art, with everything from jewelry to home decor to self-care items to food. Drinks and food will be available on-site from Journeyman as well. Find out more information right here.

Off-Square Brewing in Crown Point will be hosting a Galentine’s Day Brunch - DJ’d by DJ Nasty Boy Noel. Guests will be greeted with a welcome glass of champagne and rose, and that’s where the event only begins. A special menu and drink specials round out what is sure to be a great time! Find out more info right here.

NWI Comic-Con is February 7th! A full-day of family friendly, affordable geek culture and comic book fun is right around the corner and you won’t want to miss it! Visit the Lake County Fairgrounds to take part in vendor booths, VIP guests, Artist Alley, Cosplay Contests, and even more. Find out more info right here.

Byway Brewing in Hammond will be hosting a Trivia Night on February 10th, themed around the various television shows hailing from the CW channel. Free to play and free to prove you’re the biggest CW superfan. Find all the info at this link right here.

David Pendleton, ventriloquist extraordinaire, will be hosting two shows on Valentines Day at the Hobart Art Theater. 7pm and 9pm will the start times for the two shows, so you can’t miss your shot for some lovey-dovey laughs this Valentines Day. Find out all the info you need here.

Valentine’s Dinners and events will be hosted at the following NWI restaurants and spots:

Byway Brewing

Hard Rock Casino

Tiny’s Coffee Bar

Villa Cesare

Beale Pottery

Shoreline Brewery

Running Vines Winery

Farmhouse Restaurant

Journeyman - The American Factory Restaurant

Chesterton’s European Winter Market

The Theatre at the Center will be putting on the Midwest premiere of Kristyn Estes’ new comedy “The Swingset” on February 14th. This play follows retired couple Jake and Abby as they face the new challenges and surprises that come from the final stage of life. Find tickets and further info right here.

Over at the Valpo University Center for the Arts, take a Valentines Day trip through the Kaliedoscope - a modern-contemporary dance concert put on by IBT Artistic Director Amanda Tuohy. This is their annual dance concert and is always a compelling collection of movements and styles, applying the creativity and revelatory power of dance to this inspiring experience. Find out all the info you wanna know right here.

Hard Rock Casino will be hosting a Night with Musiq Soulchild on February 15th, with special guest Ro James. 13 time Grammy nominee and multi-platinum recording artist Musiq Soulchild will be taking the stage at Hard Rock in Gary to bring his particular brand of R&B excellence to NWI. Find tickets and all the info right here.

Maestro Kirk Muspratt will be returning to NWI for his 25th Anniversary Season, sharing a lifetime of stories at the Theatre at the Center on February 15th. There will also be a meet and greet with the Maestro following the concert. Find out more right here.

February 16th is Jazz Night at Shoreline Brewery. Enjoy live jazz music, endless pours of beer, and great food - with performances by Bill Romer and Friends. Find out more right here.

Horseshoe Casino in Hammond will be welcoming Brit Floyd - the preeminent Pink Floyd tribute experience group - to their stage, as they embark on a world tour. The Moon, The Wall and Beyond is the new production from the group and serves as a wide-spanning tribute to not only the music, but the visuals and scale of Pink Floyd. Find out more right here.

Hard Rock Casino is hosting a Elite Fight Night 29: Havoc at Hard Rock on February 20th. This MMA event is part of the EAFL, a nationally competitive team vs team, state vs state MMA organization. This is one of the preeminent amateur MMA productions and is sure to be a way to watch some of the best amateur talent in the country. Find more info right here.

Also on February 20th, Hobart Art Theater will have Anthem’s Grand Illusion: A Styx Tribute in the house. ANTHEM is a live musical experience covering a lot of the classic rock sphere - from Styx to Bon Jovi to Alice in Chains. This night is sure to be a great one, so grab your tickets asap at the link right here.

From February 20th to 22nd, the Jean Shepherd Center in Hammond will be hosting PICKLEMANIA: the Horseshoe Hammond February Challenge. 12 professionally surfaced pickleball courts will be in use as a round robin tournament takes place over all three days, with a full bar and lounge right inside the facility. This is sure to be one you athletes don’t want to miss. Find out more right here.

Join Mayor of Hammond Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. and the 219 Day Committee for the 10th annual 219 Day Celebration! This years celebration will return to the Hammond Civic Center, taking place on February 21st, from 6-11pm and admission is free. Find out more at the link right here.

February 21st will see international AC/DC tribute band BONFIRE return to the Hobart Art Theater for the 7th consecutive year. This will be the band’s 26th anniversary, so the show is sure to be an absolute barn burner. Find tickets and more information at the link right here.

Courtesy of Michigan City’s Uptown Arts District, Shelf Ice Brewfest, on February 22nd, is hoping to bring some light to the doldrums of February. Tents full of Indiana’s best craft breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries, live music, market tents, and fire pits will make this a day sure to excite. Food trucks will line the street, with winter activities, ice sculptures and all the fun you can stomach. Find tickets and more info at the link right here.

Exhorder, New Orleans-based heavy metal band, will be taking the Hobart Art Theater stage on February 22nd. Since reforming in 2017, they’ve taken their groove-laden thrash sound even further and refined into a well-oiled machine of thrash. Find tickets and even more information right here.

Grunge-Fest will be coming to the Hobart Art Theater on February 27th. Two huge tributes to classic bands of the Grunge movement - Hollow (Alice in Chains Tribute) and Creep (Stone Temple Pilots Tribute). Find tickets and all the info right here on their website.

February 27th will see Wu-Tang Clan legends Method Man and Redman take to the Hard Rock Casino stage in Gary. These are two of the most celebrated and worthy rappers of their generation, so its sure to be a night worth the price of admission. Find tickets and further info right here.

Hard Rock Live will be hosting a Jumpin Back to the 90s show from Chicago House icon Julian Jumpin’ Perez. Live performances from a smattering of 90s House and Electronic artists will be just one part of the night you won’t want to miss. La Bouche, Quad City DJs, CharVoni (Black Box), 2 In A Room, Betty Dee (Sweet Sensation), The Cover Girls, and the Outhere Bros — all scheduled to perform! Find tickets and more info at the link right here.

The Hobart Art Theater will be hosting the Red Not Chili Peppers on February 28th for a huge Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute show. Find tickets and more info at the link right here.