What to do this weekend? Glad you asked!

Hello lovelies,
I’ve got your weekend planned.
Seriously, down to the minute, planned.
I can’t believe how much great stuff there is going. I like to think its all in honor of my birthday weekend -- I can celebrate the whole weekend, right?

I. (first-ever) Indianapolis Songwriters Cafe Show - Friday, May 16th, 7:00 pm @ Boulevard Place Café
II. Otis Gibbs House Concert- Friday, May 16, 7 pm (arrive between 6:30-6:45 pm)
III. Jeff Holmes (of the Floating Men) –Friday, May 16, 8:00 pm @ Indy Hostel
IV. Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market – Saturday, May 17, 8:00-noon, behind BRHS
V. Cottage Home Neighborhood Home Tour- Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
VI. Broad Ripple Art Fair – Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
VII. ike Winter with Amy & Duane Summers – Saturday, May 17, 7:00 pm @ Indy Hostel.
VIII. Lare Williams and New Direction House Concert – Sunday, May 18, 6:00 pm.

I realized as I was typing the list that all of the events are nonsmoking and family friendly. And don’t feel like you need to just pick one this to do this weekend. – I think four out of eight is very reasonable.

Read on for details, descriptions and a way to get a free ticket to the Cottage Home Home Tour and a complimentary yoga session!
- I’m sure I’ll see you out and about,
xoxo, Nora


I. (first-ever) Indianapolis Songwriters Cafe Show
Bill Price, Frank Dean and Brent Bennett
Friday, May 16th, 7:00 pm, $5.
Boulevard Place Café
4155 Boulevard Place


Cliff Synder is the hardest working man in the singer/songwriter business. He’s kicking off the first of a series of Songwriters Café Shows. Cliff created this wonderful site: Songwriters Café. It is chock-full of information, schedules and one air-brushed photo of moi. Cliff has put his heart, soul, countless hours and money-where-his-mouth-is into this show. The rounded up the best-of-the best for this show. It would warm his little heart to see you there.
www.indianapolissongwriterscafe.com
www.billprice.info
www.frankdean.com
www.brentbennettmusic.com


II. Otis Gibbs House Concert
Friday, May 16, 7 pm (arrive between 6:30-6:45 pm)
$10

The Jackson’s are the new kids on the house concert circuit. They are hosting Wanamaker’s favorite son Otis Gibbs.
The details -
Who: You + your musically astute friends & family (no small children please)
Where: The Jackson’s house near Butler University
When: Friday, May 16 @ 7pm start time. Please arrive between 6:30 & 6:45
Why: Because we love good music by good people
Suggested Donation: $10 (100% of donations go to Otis)
Feel free to bring a snack or your favorite drink to share. NO RED WINE.
They have two 60-lb friendly dogs that will be locked up for the night. But if you are allergic, remember to take your allergy medicine.
They will send you a confirmation letter (which includes directions to our home in near Butler University on Indy’s North side) when you write back to let us know you'll be joining us for this great evening of music. RSVP to kyle@flatearthrecords.com
About Otis: Otis writes & sings songs that tell stories about small town life, simple pleasures, as well as protest songs championing workers rights.
Rick Cornell of NO DEPRESSION described Otis music as, “It’s the perfect mix of wit & grit.”
The CHAMPIAGN/URBANA CITY VIEW said, “Thinking Mans Country comes closest to the sound & wordsmithing of this brilliant singer/songwriter.”

www.otisgibbs.com
www.reverbnation.com/otisgibbs
www.flatearthrecords.com


III. Jeff Holmes (of the Floating Men)
Friday, May 16, 8:00 pm, $10
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave

The Indy Hostel has a house concert vibe, the only difference is the living room is bigger, brighter and has a better sound system than my house. And no stacks of books to trip over. Floating Man member Jeff Holmes is playing a solo show. I love this quote, “He's the illegitimate father of lit-rock and could've launched Americana—yet Jeff Holmes still keeps a day job after two decades of great songwriting. It's a dashing "I'm the biologist who's gonna save the world" kind of day job, but Renaissance men should be free to let the art come first… The only other consistency has been Holmes' ability to write incredibly indulgent music that's catchy and appealing. He's a timid intellectual at heart, but also a wordy bastard who's fearless in mining classic pop territory. That's enough to qualify him as a true outsider artist, but without the extra chromosome."
-J.R, Taylor , Black and White, Birmingham's City Paper
www.indyhostel.us
www.myspace.com/jeffholmesthefloatingmen

IV. Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market
behind Broad Ripple High School
Saturday, May 17, 8:00-noon

This is the third week for the Market. Last week’s purchases: a package of locally produced pork chops, goat cheese, 4-H geraniums, a poppy plant and two tomato plants. The pork chops are so big and hearty looking and enough for a family of four that they scared me and I tossed them in the freezer- I blame Joe the cute meat guy for making me lose focus. I’ve been snacking on the cheese all week and have managed not to kill any of the plants, yet. The Market has it all- pie, music and community. Check out musician Tom Duncan while you’re there.

V. Cottage Home Neighborhood Home Tour
Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
11:00-5:00
$10, available at each home

I adore the Cottage Home Neighborhood. Lovely houses and even more charming neighbors. I rode my bike to an event there last year. Before I headed home someone filled my tire with air, I’d had two home tours and a beer – all offered by people that I didn’t know. The home and garden tour features twelve eclectic homes…and, of course, gardens. For more information: www.cottagehome.info
I’ll be hanging out (docent is the official term) at the Henderson house on Saturday, and not just because Laura offered a free yoga class. She is still looking for a few more volunteers to help “man” their house- the reward: a pass to the tour and a yoga class for a two hour volunteer shift. Contact Laura for more details: leahpilates@gmail.com

VI. Broad Ripple Art Fair
Saturday, 10:00-6:00
Sunday, 10:00-5:00
Indianapolis Art Center$15 adults/$2 children

I don’t know that I can say much about this Art Fair that has not been said in the last 38 years.
Great art (say hi to Douglas David) and fabulous music (Michael Kelsey, The Richmonds and Ruditoonz to name a few).
Click here to download the program.


VII. Mike Winter with Amy & Duane Summers
Saturday, May 17
7:00 pm, $5
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave

Mike Winters... a blend of country rock influences with songs of love for God, country and family. A balance of tempo ballads and rockers.
Duane and Amy Summers... Amy is a singer songwriter with passion, powerful lyrics and a beautiful singing voice. Duane adds strong accompaniment and harmonies.

www.indyhostel.us


VIII. Lare Williams and New Directon
Home Fields Advantage Concert Series Season Finale
Sunday, May 18, 6 pm
$10 donation

I saved the best for last!
The Home Fields Advantage Concert Series sets the bar pretty darn high for house concerts.
I’ll let the lovely Cary Allen Fields give you the lowdown:
It's been a marvelous "Home Fields Advantage" house concert season, and we're going to wrap it up in style!
With frequently-requested original songs such as "Changing Town" often heard on The Fields Of Bluegrass Radio Hour, this national touring act hails from Western Michigan and is one of the finest contemporary bluegrass aggregations on the scene today.
Lare Williams, with his smooth and distinctive tenor voice, leads this highly-entertaining family band which also includes Patty and Baley Williams. Rounding out the quartet is banjo man Tod Chapman. Everyone contributes vocals, and the harmonies and fine ensemble playing of Lare Williams & New Direction are truly a thing to be heard and to behold!

Hear here:
www.myspace.com/larewilliamsnewdirection
www.larewilliams.com

And, in keeping with our Utopian vision for a better musical tomorrow,
100% goes to the artists.

And...

This is a pitch-in, so bring a dish or favorite drink, if you'd like.

Please RSVP ASAP!!! bluegrassindy@yahoo.com
This one will fill-up fast, there are only 25 seats available.

We'll send a confirmation letter (which includes directions to our illustrious hostess Cyndi's warm and welcoming home in Nora on Indy's north side) when you write back to let us know you'll be joining us for this great evening of music.

http://fieldsofbluegrass.com
http://myspace.com/fields_of_bluegrass

That’s all I’ve got folks- I’ll see you soon,
N.