Live Music In Michiana This Week And Next
Jazz at Merrimans' three nights running, Strand of Oaks in Goshen, Howie Day at Stockroom East, the symphony at the Morris and a free Sean Jones concert at the Lerner. Two weeks of shows.
Michiana On Tap Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Everything with a stage between now and early October, in date order. Times are from the venues; tap through for tickets where they are posted.
This weekend
Friday, September 18. Strand of Oaks at Goshen Theater, 7:30 p.m. The project of Goshen native Tim Showalter, more than twenty years into his career, back in his hometown. Ticketed. Same night at Merrimans' Playhouse in South Bend, Brandon Meeks: Unsung Giants, 7:30 p.m., a touring show that pairs live jazz with conversation about the artists history overlooked.
Saturday, September 19. Live Music at Beer Garden in Mishawaka, 6 p.m., artist to be announced.
Next week
Wednesday, September 23. Art Walk After Hours at Central Green in Elkhart, 7:30 p.m. A concert series that pulls from different eras. It returns September 30.
Friday, September 25. The busiest night of the stretch:
- Howie Day at Stockroom East, 7:30 p.m. The singer-songwriter in an intimate room on East Jefferson.
- Shawn Maxwell Quartet at Merrimans' Playhouse, 7:30 p.m. Original compositions from the composer and saxophonist's recent releases.
- Oblates of Blues at Acting Ensemble on the Avenue in Mishawaka, 7:30 p.m. Chicago-style blues from a band formed by Notre Dame theology students and faculty.
- Vox Lumina: Songs of Praise at LaBar Performance Hall on campus, 7 p.m. The debut of a new Notre Dame choral ensemble.
Saturday, September 26. The South Bend Symphony plays Strauss and Elgar at the Morris, 7:30 p.m., a program that opens with Kodály's Dances of Galánta. At Merrimans', the Max Brown Sextet plays original jazz at 7:30.
Wednesday, September 30. Conn Selmer Jazz Orchestra featuring Sean Jones at the Lerner Theatre in Elkhart, 7:30 p.m. Free, with Frownin' Mawgs and the Elkhart High School Jazz Ensemble on the bill.
Early October
Thursday, October 1. Studebaker Swing Dance at The Hammer and Quill, 7 p.m., with a beginner lesson to start. First Thursday of every month.
Saturday, October 3. Billy Elton: A Tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John at The Acorn in Three Oaks, 8 p.m. An eight-piece band led by pianist Reid Spears.
Sunday, October 4. The Elkhart County Symphony performs Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel in Concert at Goshen Theater, 4 p.m.
See the full music calendar for everything else, updated daily.
Top photo: ElkhartIN TheLerner Jun2013 by PunkToad via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY 2.0.
