Friday, December 17, 2010

Broad Ripple Gazette vol. 7, no 25

Enjoy the holiday season – and remember that independent music makes a great gift. Buy a CD, take in a concert, download a tune. It’s good for the winter blahs!

Reviews:
I did venture outside of our great neighborhood a couple of times last year to see music. I’m veering off course for this edition to tell you about them.

Kid Rock and Bon Jovi
July 30, 2010
Soldier Field, Chicago


Thanks to the generosity of CATH customer and music fan, Carla Proffitt and her brother, I got to attend a big rock show in the big city! It was one of those last minute plans that worked out wonderfully.
I’d never been to Solider Field and it was packed. This is one of the biggest shows I’ve ever seen and the crowd was huge - attendance hovered at 55,000. While I was excited to go to a show and kick around Chicago, I didn’t know how much I’d enjoy it!

We didn’t realize that Kid Rock was opening until we were on the road. I must admit the only things I knew about him was that he and Pamela Anderson jumped off of a yacht to celebrate their (short-lived) wedding vows, he was on the Bob & Tom Show and he’d had a #1 hit with, “All Summer Long.”
What I didn’t realize is how much I’d love his show! It was big goofy, giggling, sing-along fun. Kid Rock said something that I’ve known my whole life, but it was great to be reminded of, “blowing someone else’s candle out will not make yours burn any brighter.” I’ve been extra-mindful of that ever since. 

Bon Jovi was just as great and fun – who knew that I knew so many Bon Jovi songs?  I guess living in South Jersey for five years rubbed off a bit. It was a great night – the weather was perfect, it was fun to let my hair down and dance along we were able to walk back to the hotel. That’s how a hot summer night should be spent! 



Ryan Bingham
October 15, 2010
Austin City Limits Festival
Austin, Texas



Ever since I saw Ryan Bingham play at Birdy’s four years ago, I’ve been a big fan. Two years ago I got to stand on the stage of Ryan's ACLF set – which is almost as cool as standing in front of the stage at Birdy’s.. When he won a Grammy for "The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)," this year I actually jumped up and down on my bed in excitement.

My friend Aaron Stroup thinks that my (very appropriate, proud, aunt-like) love of Ryan is a little obsessive and I have no idea what he’s talking about...the fact that I managed to snap about six zillion during my ten minutes in the photo pit means nothing. Really. 


Gogol Bordello
October 16, 2010
Austin City Limits Festival
Austin, Texas





Wow! I had no idea what to expect from Gogol Bordello, but kept hearing the buzz about them all over the festival. The crowd waiting to see them was fired up! The band is good old -fashioned dance-y world music gypsy punk fun. I was sorry to miss their show at the Vogue a few weeks later, but I hear they were just as fabulous!


Norah Jones
October 17, 2010
Austin City Limits Festival
Austin, Texas



I've been a fan of Norah Jones since her first record in 2001. There aren't many women named Nora/Norah between the ages of eight months and 88 years old. The beautiful and talented Norah Jones blew a lot of old lady dust off of the name.

I had a photo pass for the festival, which meant that I could stand in photo pit in front of the stage for the first three songs. I will admit that I closed my eyes while I was waiting for the show to start and pretending like the thousands of people chanting, "Norah, Norah, Norah" were calling for me. Pathetic, but true!

I saw Norah play right before Middletown at the Jazz Fest several years ago. She seems to have found her voice and style. Her set was amazing and her band was terrific. She does the name proud!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 7 no. 24


Hip Hop Show featuring Rusty Redenbacher
Monday, December 6, 2010
Melody Inn
3826 N. Illinois Street
317-923-4707
doors 8:00, show 9:00, 21+, $3.

I miss Rusty! Now that News CafĂ© is closed I can’t pop in for a quick visit with Rusty. You can get a big Rusty Redenbacher fix at the Melody Inn at the Hip Hop Show. If you’re not familiar with hip hop – or even slightly wary, this will be a great show to see what it’s all about. Rusty is one of the best!


Holiday Extravaganza with the Leisure Kings
December 3, 4, 10, 12, 2010
The Cabaret at the Columbia Club
121 Monument Circle
317.275.1169

Sure, you could attended the symphony’s, Yuletide Celebration, at the Hilbert Circle Theatre or you could swing just a little farther around the circle and see the Leisure Kings for holiday music with a quirky twist.

The duo of Sean Baker and Mike Wiltrout are planning their biggest, most spectacular big band holiday extravaganza ever.  The Cabaret at the Columbia, nestled atop the posh Columbia Club, plays host to this year's bacchanal. They promise, “The holidays will never know what hit it.” Expect a hilarious and irreverent turn on your favorite holiday songs.

Act quickly – tickets are selling fast. The dates are as follows:

December 3, 7:30 PM
December 4, 5:30 PM & 9:00 PM
December 10, 7:30 PM - SOLD OUT
December 12, 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM



TOYS 2010
opening night Friday, December 3 ·
Gallery 924
924 N. Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, IN
6:00pm - 9:00pm, free, all ages

Primary Colours is hosting their eighth installment of its invitational holiday art exhibit. TOYS features art fashioned around the theme of toys, and invited artists are free to interpret the theme however they wish.

The exhibit will remain on display in the gallery for viewing and purchase through December 22 – perfect for holiday shopping for the art lovers on your list.

The following artists were invited to show: Mike Altman , Ryan Alvis, Justin Cooper, Bruce Dean, Nate Greuel, Blythe Hager, Kyle A. Herrington, Mamus, Carl B. Leck, Jeff Martin, Emma Overman, Jamie Pawlus, Aaron Scamihorn, Nathan Shinkle, Judie Sloan, Eric Smith, Holly Streekstra, Justin Trapp, Phil Velikan  and Pam Wishbow.

The artists keep 75% of the proceeds from the sale, the rest going to fund the good works of Primary Colours.

The opening coincides First Friday Art Tour. Parking is free on the street after 6pm, in the lot just south of the building, or in the Lucille Raines lot across the street.

This year, Primary Colours is teaming up with VSA Arts of Indiana and asks attendees to bring new or very gently used basic art supplies, such as acrylic, watercolor or tempera paints; colored pencils; erasers; paper; canvases; and brushes that volunteers will collect at the door. VSA will use donated supplies to provide arts activities to young patients and their families at Riley Hospital for Children and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in addition to community arts classes around the state.