Broad Ripple Gazette vol. 8 no. 23

The Broad Ripple neighborhood lost two great community-minded men last week.

Matt Elliott 

The neighborhood has a Matt Elliott sized hole in it.

Matt loved Broad Ripple. He graduated from BRHS and has been an integral part of the community ever since. With his red hair and handlebar mustache he was a hard guy to miss. You might have met Matt at the Northside Newsstand and News Café, the business he opened with group of high school friends. You might know Matt from his work tending bar and other delicious beer duties at Brugge. Or from the Jazz Kitchen or Bazbeaux. If you didn’t meet him any of those places, chances are you’ve stood next to him at a concert or art exhibit or sat next to him at a restaurant or bar.

Matt shopped locally before it was a slogan. He was very neighborhood-centric and could tell you where to find the best of absolutely anything. If you had the pleasure of running in Matt you knew that you were in for excellent conversation, a good belly-laugh and a bunch of random Indiana facts. He is missed already.

Ross Faris

The success of the Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market has a lot to do with Ross Faris.

Ross was on the committee that started the BRFM and is a tireless supporter of Farmer’s Markets, locally grown produce, and the community. Ross and his family started Your Neighbor’s Garden thirty years ago.

Ross was committed to bringing a large variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables to our city. His home market featured the same fresh produce with an honor box to pay for your purchases – it was always a treat to be trusted with making your own purchase.

Ross was a long-time supporter of Second Helpings, bringing not only his excess produce, but gleaning from other farmer’s market folks at the end of the season. YNG is closed for the season, to give his family and friends space to grieve. In the spirit of Ross’s generosity, all of the produce from YNG was delivered to Second Helpings the day after he died. Clearly, his community spirit lives on.

Previews:

Broad Ripple Village Holiday Preview Party
Friday, November 11, 2011

Broad Ripple Village

5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, free, all-ages

Several Broad Ripple Village Merchants will be open for the Broad Ripple Village Preview Party. Eighteen venues will show off their holiday wares and fancy goodies. Drop off at least three pounds of pasta or rice for Second Helpings at any of the participating venues from the Holiday Preview night until Saturday, December 10 to be included in drawing for Broad Ripple merchant prizes – rumor has it that The Union Jack Pub will be offering a $50 gift certificate. Hint: you can drop off pasta and rice at as many locations and enter as many drawings as you wish.

www.discoverbroadripplevillage.com

Douglas David Holiday Studio Show
Friday, November 11, 2011
7172 Keystone Ave, suite D
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Douglas David will open his studio for a behind-the-scenes peek at his beautiful oil paintings just in time for the holidays. He’ll be featuring new work – including wonderful snow scenes, Chicago streetscapes, and the sailboat race from Chicago to Mackinaw – and the famous classic oil paintings he’s known for.

He’ll also have work from his Farm to Fair series and a delightful group of smaller (3 x 5) paintings.

The studio will also be open by appointment.

www.douglasdavid.com

Tonic 10 – featuring the Tonic Ball, Tonic Gallery, and Tiny Tonic to benefit Second Helpings
Friday, November 18, 2011
Fountain Square

all venues non-smoking

There is something for everyone this year. Swear. And all of the events are with in yards of each other. How cool is that? Read on for details.

Tiny Tonic featuring Ruditoonz
Pure Eatery  
1043 Virginia Ave

5:30pm - 7:00pm, free, all-ages (the younger the better!)

The Tonic Ball now has an event for the youngest of music fans. Tiny Tonic features Scott Rudicel, known to the kiddy set as Ruditoonz, will entertain the kiddos – he’s promised to follow the Tonic Ball theme this year and only play songs by Michael Jackson, REM, and David Bowie – I can wait to hear that!

Pure will offer a special child friendly menu and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Second Helpings.

http://ruditoonz.com
www.tonicindy.com

           

Tonic Gallery

New Day Meadery
1102 E. Prospect
5:00 – 8:00
free, all-ages

The Tonic Gallery features over 35 visual artists who have generously donated their talents to the gallery show. The subjects of the artwork range from food to David Bowie. The original work will be available for sale though a silent auction, starting at $100, with a “buy it now” price of $400.

http://newdaymeadery.com

Tonic Ball
Radio Radio (songs of REM)
Fountain Square Theater (songs of Michael Jackson)
White Rabbit Cabaret (songs of David Bowie)

Prospect Street, Fountain Square
music from 7:00 pm – 1:00 am, $25 for all three venues, under 21 FST

This is the tenth year of the Tonic Ball! And to celebrate the always-on-the-Friday-before-Thanksgiving extravaganza is adding a third venue. Which means that 45 bands will cover the tunes of REM, Michael Jackson, and David Bowie.

For $25 you can move between all three venues and do your darndest to see all 45 bands. Last year’s Tonic Ball sold out, so get your ticket now! Insider tip: You’ll be able to pick out founder, Ken Honeywell by his awesome Jerry Lee Atwood handmade suit. It is truly spectacular.

www.tonicindy.com
www.secondhelpings.org

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, with the Dirt Daubers

Friday, November 25, 2011
The Vogue Theatre

6259 N College Ave

7:30pm - 11:30pm, 21+, non-smoking, $12 advance, $15 door

If you’ve never seen The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, prepare to have your damn mind blown. You won’t believe that three people can create so much energy and sound. Prepare to tap your toes and dance all of that pumpkin pie away.

www.bigdamnband.com

www.thedirtdaubers.net

www.asquaredindustries.com

www.thevogue.com

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 8 no 21

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Broad Ripple Music Fest Kickoff Parties

Friday, October 14, 2011
Kate Lamont (EP Release) w/ Vess Ruhtenberg, TJ Reynolds & the Freehand Orchestra
Vogue
6259 N. College Ave
21+,  $10, 8:00 p.m., non-smoking

A-Squared & Rad Summer Showcase Friday, October 14, 2011
Connor's Pub (Mega Tent)
6331 Ferguson Street
21+, $10 or entry w/ $15 event wristband, 8:00 p.m.

The Broad Ripple Music Fest has grown so much over the last five years that there are two kickoff parties on BRMF eve. 

At the Vogue, you’ll have one last chance to catch Indianapolis’ musical darling, Kate Lamont, is moving far, far away and the kickoff party is a chance to say a proper good bye. She’s releasing a new EP – I hear that it’s full of soul and greatness. She’ll be joined by Vess Ruhtenberg Vess is bringing a full band and will play songs from throughout his illustrious career. 

T.J. Reynolds & the Freehand Orchestra will open the show and I’m sure that he’ll be playing songs from this excellent new album. DJ Kyle Long will be spinning world-influenced tunes in between the live musical goodness. 

In a big fancy tent at Connor’s Pub the lovely and talented duo of A-Squared Industries and the folks at Rad Summer, a record label and promotion company are hosting a showcase of the DJs. The lineup is: 

8:00-8:45 Crookshanks

8:45-9:15 Kaiton & Jordan

9:15-10:00 DJ Metrognome

10:00-10:45 Action Jackson

10:45-11:30 A-Squared DJs

11:30-12:30 Proper Villains

12:30-1:00 Oreo Jones & DJ B-Qwyatt

1:00-1:30 Turquoise Jeep

Broad Ripple Music Fest
Saturday, October 16, 2011
$15 event wristband or ticket prices vary by location, noon – ‘till the cows come home. 

The day of music starts out in the record stores with two free shows. If you do it right, you can see dozens of bands before the festival is over. Have fun!

Indy CD & Vinyl
806 Broad Ripple Avenue
All Ages / Free / 12PM / Non-Smoking

Indy CD & Vinyl is right on the Avenue and will feature a diverse lineup of acoustic and plugged in music. You can’t go wrong with any of these groups. Irene & Reed has been on my radar, but I haven’t had a chance to see them live yet, but I love their ethereal, piano-driven sound. 

Noon - Cities of Noise
1:30 - Mike Reeb
3:00 - Loyal Divide
4:30 - Emily Poe Project
6:00 – NMKjeldsen
7:30 - Irene & Reed

And down the street at LUNA…

XRA Records Showcase
LUNA music
5202 N. College Ave
Free, all ages

What a great lineup! It will be tempting to just camp out at Luna all day. Alas, I have to be at work at 5:00, but luckily, it’s just across the street. I know that I’ll be sneaking out of my Red Key shift (Look! A baby wolf!) for at least a few minutes to hear the delightful Everything, Now! 

noon - Rodeo Ruby Love (acoustic)

1:00  - Doug

2:00 - Wet Blankets

3:00  - State Park

4:00  - Frank Schweikhardt (full band)

5:00  - Everything, Now!

6:00  - DMA

There are eleven other venues hosting BRFM shows, many with multiple stages. Wristbands are available for $15 that will allow you access to all of the shows.

The Ripple Inn
929 E. Westfield Blvd
21+, 5:00-1:00 a.m., free before 9:00 p.m., wristband or $5 after 9:00.

The Ripple Inn will feature three stages.

In the bar:
Kate Myers, Chad Mills, MMKAY, Jamie Nichole

On the patio:
Daniel J. Rauscher, Trombononymous, Harvey & the Bluetones, Bullet Proof Soul

Upstairs in Room 929:
The Crush Entertainment showcase starts at 9:00.
Rhinoceros Beetle, DJ Indiana Jones, DJ Gabby Love, Ryan McDaniel, DJ Lockstar

Next door…

The Monkey's Tale
925 E. Westfield Blvd.
21+, 5:00-1:00 a.m.,wristband or $10 at the door

The lineup at the Monkey’s Tale includes Bashiri Asad w/ Whitney Coleman, DJ Helicon and plenty more. 

Around the corner…

Casba
6319 Guilford Ave.
21+ / 8:00PM / wristband or $5 at the door 

Heavy Gun Blog is hosting the third installment of the Beat Battle. This is always exciting and fun. The rounds include: 

First round: WhoisLouis, Brad Real, Mic Sol, Wiz Kids, Son of thought & Fire Arms

Second round: Merc Versus, The Martians, Scoot Dubs, Ace One

Third round: Mr. Kinetic, Pro Forms, Freddie Bunz, Oreo Jones

Fourth round: Hinks Jones, Grey Granite, Blake Alee

Down the street….

TRU Nightclub
6235 Guilford Ave
21+, 9:00, wristband or $10 at door

There are three stages at Tru, including one outdoor stage. 

HOUSE MUSIC ALL NIGHT LONG STAGE:

9:00 – Grenadine
10:00 - Ryan Stocklin
11:00 – Jackola
midnight - Compact Disco (Chicago)
1:00 a.m. - Zebo (Chicago)
2:00 a.m.- Deanne

BASS IN YOUR FACE STAGE

9:00- Mr. Orange
10:00 - Phenom (Chicago)
11:00- jFet
midnight- Mowgli (Cincinnati)
1:00 a.m.- The Grimey Kids (Lafayette)
2:00 a.m. - El Carnicero

INHOUSE DJs OUTDOOR STAGE

Fate vs. Brandon Patr!k
Chachi vs. Taylor Norris – I love this name! 

Around the corner…

Rock Lobster
820 Broad Ripple Ave
21+, 5:30 – 10:00, wristband or $10 at door

What a fun lineup! It would be tempting to camp out here. 

5:30 - Vacation Club
6:00 -  The Kemps
6.45 -  Hotfox (I love it that they are old enough to play in a bar!)
7.15 -  Neon Love Life
8:00 -  Howler
9:00 -  Tapes n Tapes

A few blocks away….

Connor's Pub Mega Tent
6331 Ferguson Street
21+, 4:00 – 1:00, wristband or $10 at the door

In addition to this stellar lineup, you can look for a craft fair, a drum corp, and a musician.

4:00 - Whip Cream Wars
4:30 - Caleb McCoach
5:00 - Household Guns
5:30 – Thunderhawk
6:00 – Crys
6:30 - Learner Dancer
7:00  - Elsinore
7:30 - Sleeping Bag
8:00 – Slothpop
8:30 - Harley Poe
9:00 – Thunders
9:30 - America Owns the Moon
10:00 - Child Bite
10:30 – Pravada
11:00 - Murder By Death
midnight - DJ List Christee (Kevin Barnes from of Montreal)

An all ages show…

ES Jungle
6151 Central Ave
all ages, non-smoking, wristband or $8:00 at the door

5:30 - The Midnight Vacancy
6:00 - Indian City Weather
6:45 - Tax Brandywine
7:30 – Palace
8:15 - Diarrhea Planet
9:00 - Blane Fonda
10:00 - Rodeo Ruby Love

Travel down the road a bit…

Locals Only
2449 E. 56th St.
21+, 9:00 – 1:00, wristband or $10 at the door

10:00  - Borrow Tomorrow
11:00  - Mardelay
midnight  - Jascha
1:00 - The Bonesetters

Next door: 

The Mousetrap
5565 N. Keystone Ave.

21 +, 4:00, wristband or $5 at the door

Three stages! 

Inside:

4:00 - Jessie & Amy
5:30 -  Blue Moon Revue
7:30 -  Loyal Divide
9:30 - Midwest Hype
11:30 -  Ill-Esha
1:30 -  Eumatik

Tent Stage:

Topspeed
Hollow Point
Shy Guy Says – Live
Magnetic DJ Set
Psynapse
Defi
Brian Summers
Ed Trauma
Big Kyle

Deck Stage:

Kodama
Camo HiddenDJ
DJ Sarge
Kid Kollision
ShearGen1us
Jeremy Daeger
and more...

Head north …

Birdy's

2131 E. 71st St.
21+, 7:30, wristband or $8 door

7:30 - Gypsy Harbor
8:15  - Stepson
9:15 - The Holland Account
10:15 - 5 Day Trip
11:15- Permacrush
12:15 – Skyhunter
1:00  - The Knollwood Boys

Travel south for Punk Rock Night…

The Melody Inn
3826 N. Illinois St.
21 +, 9:00, wristband or $15 at the door

10:00 PM - East Side Larry
11:00 PM - Evil Beaver
midnight  - Chindi

www.broadripplemusicfest.com

Broad Ripple Gazette, vol. 8 no. 20

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Benefit Concert for the Stagehands of the Indiana State Fair Tragedy
Sunday, October 2
8 Seconds Saloon
111 North Lynhurst Drive
2:00pm - 11:00pm, 21+, $10

Money raised from this mega-show will benefit the Local 30 Stagehands Memorial Fund. There will be two stages of bands and nine hours of live music– there is something for everyone! Laura Steele and Jimmy Cain will emcee the concert and they have promised a once-in-a-lifetime silent auction as well as several raffles and concert memorabilia for sale.

If you can’t make it to the show, but would like to donate it’s easy as pie! You can go to any Fifth Third bank. Specify the Local 30 Stagehands Memorial Fund.

Here is the epic lineup:

2:00pm Opening Ceremony
2:15pm The 3:1 Blues Revue (Tom Kiefaber, Ranch Wuertz, Joe O'Conell, Nick Neureiter, Jay Stein, Charlie Cheeseman, and Brent Bennett)
4:00pm The Remedies (Mike Oz)
5:00pm The Splendid Trend
5:45pm Minsky Kinks Burlesque Troupe
6:00pm Smoke Ring
7:00pm Why On Earth
8:00pm One-Eyed Dog (Erikk D. Lee)
9:15pm Healing Sixes
10:30pm Threat Level
11:30pm Radio FX
12:30pm Recoil

http://8secondssaloon.com
www.iatse30.org

Carrie Newcomer
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Second Presbyterian Church
7700 N. Meridian Street
7:30, all-ages, non-smoking, $18

I’ve always liked being a waitress. My previous jobs all involved working in a nursing home or hospital, so waitressing was a relative breeze. And no one was going to get hurt if I goofed up a drink order. My first waitressing gig was at the Ground Round in Lafayette. Not only was there a constant supply of popcorn, but also Carrie Newcomer played there every week with her pop-folk group, Stone Soup.

It was awesome having Carrie’s sweet voice as the background to my work, but there was one night that I made the whole band stop in their tracks. The Ground Round was one of those popcorn and peanut baskets on the tables places. It was the early 1980s, in a college town so pitchers of beer were a big seller. One evening I had two pitchers in one hand and six mugs in the other when I slipped. I went down hard on my knees and landed on sharp peanut shells. Just as I was waffling between being proud that I didn’t drop the glass pitchers and mugs and bursting into to tears, I realized that the beer had wooshed straight up out of the pitcher and was raining all over the dining room. The band stopped playing as they ducked for cover and tried to protect their instruments. I might have gotten the biggest round of applause that night.

This is Carrie’s debut of her new CD, Everything is Everywhere. Carrie is a wonderful songwriter, and one of the first musicians I ever heard that fit that title. Her voice is gentle, yet powerful enough to get the emotion of her songs to the audience. You will be totally charmed by her. Promise.

The show will benefit Global Gifts and The Interfaith Hunger Initiative, both worthy causes.

www.carrienewcomer.com
www.interfaithhungerinitiative.org
www.globalgiftsindy.com.

Broad Ripple Music Fest
Saturday, October 15, 2011

I will have the full schedule for Broad Ripple Music Fest in the next issue.

Reviews:

I had the good fortune to attend the Austin City Music Fest. Here is my recap of the first day.

Ray LaMontagne

Ray LaMontagne and his band looked like true Texans (or at least and HBO version) in their vests, and fedoras and heavy sprinkling of beards. They played a mellow set, with LaMontagne on acoustic guitar and raspy voice. While I enjoyed the bluesy-folksy set, and pedal steel makes me swoon, I’m not sure what all of the fuss is about – but the 20,000 people singing along clearly disagreed with me.

Kurt Vile and Violators

You can set your watch by the start times of the music at the Austin City Limits Festival. In the last five years I can only think of one time that the stage didn’t start exactly on time. With 130 bands and eight stages the production has to be a well-oiled machine. Kurt Vile and his crew started a few minutes late, giving the stage manager an incredulous look when told that all of the stages start on time. Vile bounded out, looked around for the rest of the band and went backstage to fetch them. Jet lag can be blamed – they were in Europe just two days ago.

After the faltering start the set was indie-stoner-rock at it’s best. Plenty of electric guitars – not a bass guitar in sight – distortion and hair, although I wouldn’t have minded a chorus or something.

Cold War Kids

I enjoyed the energy of the Cold War Kids after the heavy-liddedness of Kurt Vile. Their swagger juxtaposed with their sensitivity for some great fun and pop goodness. They seemed genuinely happy to be there and the crowd of thousands was thrilled to be singing and dancing along. 

Foster The People

Mark Foster, the person was in the hospital earlier today with bronchitis. You never would have guessed by his energy and sound. You’ll recognize their song, “Pumped Up Kicks,” even if you’ve never heard of the band. The clean-scrubbed LA based band has only been together since 2009. I loved how the cabinets for their keyboards and such looked like they’d been fabricated in their grandparent’s basement. The set was big clean fun.

Charles Bradley

I had the good fortune to have a telephone interview with Charles Bradley last year. His humbleness and lack of pretention was totally charming, but his answer to almost every question I posed was, “if I can’t help you, I sure ain’t gonna hurt you.” It took a tremendous amount of cajoling on my part to get his story. And a good story it is.

Bradley has earned his made-for-soul raspy voice the hard way. His music is very personal. His first-ever album, No Time for Dreaming, released last year, “ is based on true stories that I lived.”

Bradley opened with the heart-wrenching song, “Heartache and Pain,” the song about his brother’s death. In the interview Bradley told me that he puts his whole essence into this music, “If you’re watching me on stage sometimes I turn away, I’ve got to catch myself and let the lyrics out, because I’d be so full of emotion.”

He wasn’t joking. I’ve never seen such an expressive performance. The audience was re-living the day his brother died with him.

Although Bradley, 63, has been singing for years, this is the first time he’s been able to perform full-time. He was inspired by seeing James Brown at the Apollo Theater in 1964, when he was 16 years old. 

He eventually found a career in cooking, which took him Maine to Alaska, making California his home for decades. “Music and being a chef have been my whole life.” Bradley was able to squeeze in occasional music gigs and a little studio work along the and was ready to buy his first house.  “Then life hit me real hard.” He was laid off of his restaurant job after 17 years.

He started performing his James Brown routines under his alter ego “Black Velvet” when Gabriel Roth of Daptone records happened to catch his show and recognized Bradley’s raw talent.

Bradley kept telling the ACLF crowd, “I love you, I love you” And I believe him with my whole heart.

Sara Bareilles

I didn’t expect to be so totally charmed by Sara Bareilles, but I’m not even sure what I expected. I realized that I’d looped her in with the Indiana State Fair stage collapse. Bareilles had finished playing not long before the accident.

Bareilles is delightful and is a strong singer-songwriter-piano player with an intimate stage presence.

Coldplay

I was torn – Coldplay or Kanye? They were both playing just minutes apart on opposite sides of the 350 acre Zilker Park. And photo rules state that you can only shoot the first three songs of the set – except in the case of Kanye, where you could only shoot the second and third songs. I let laziness make the decision. The Coldplay stage is easier to fight the crowds to the photo pit.

Coldplay are the ultimate arena rockers. There set was fun and happy and professional – and not nearly as boring as that sounds. They’re comfortable in their own rocker skins and know how to put on a rocking good show. Well done, guys. 

Broad Ripple Gazette, vol. 8, no. 19

 first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Sleeper Agent (with Indian City Weather, Alter Ego, Jeremy Johnson & the Bleeding Keys)
Friday, September 16, 2011
Birdy’s
2131 E. 71st Street
21+, 8:00, $5.

I’m a sucker for young pop bands. Sleeper Agent is right up my musical alley. This talented band can back up their cool kid good looks with well-crafted songs and infectious hooks. Rolling Stone named them a “band to watch,” and who am I to argue with them? 

The Birdy’s show will be just the third stop on the Bowling Green, KY, based band’s twenty-five cities tour, so they’ll be fresh – in several ways. 

A little bit about Birdy’s: In the last several years, it has become one of Indianapolis’ iconic music venues. They have a full bar, and I suggest getting there early enough to eat – the food is way above the typical venue fare. 

www.birdyslive.com
sleeperagentmusic.com

Indy Jazz Fest
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Opti Park/Indianapolis Art Center Grounds
820 East 67th Street
all-ages, 1:00, $30 general admission, $75 VIP

The week long Indy Jazz Fest culminates with Saturday’s all-day, three stages, concert. 

MAIN STAGE:
Yellowjackets - 2pm
Rufus Reid's "Out Front" Quintet - 3:45pm
Spyro Gyra - 5:30pm
George Benson - 7:30pm
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue - 9:30pm

LEGACY JAZZ STAGE:
Cathy Morris - 1pm
WOW featuring Tim Warfield & Bobby Floyd - 2:45pm
Melvin Rhyne Trio - 4:30pm
Indy Guitar Summit - 6:15pm

EMERGING JAZZ ARTIST STAGE
IUPUI Jazz Ensemble - 1pm
Bloomington North HS Jazz Ensemble - 1:55pm
Butler University Jazz Ensemble - 2:50pm
Fort Wayne Snider HS Jazz Ensemble - 3:45pm
University of Indianapolis Jazz Ensemble - 4:40pm
Indiana University Jazz Ensemble - 5:35pm
Ball State University Jazz Ensemble - 6:30pm

There is a free shuttle for the concert. Park at the overflow lot of Glendale Center (62^nd/Keystone). The shuttle runs from 11:45 am to midnight. You can bring a chair or blanket (VIP seats include seating), but no food or drinks. There will be wonderful food and beverages available for purchase. No pets allowed.

           

They Might Be Giants with Jonathan Coulton
Thursday, September 22
The Vogue Theater
6259 N. College Ave
21 +, non-smoking, $23, 7:00

I once got some feedback on this column that I shouldn’t focus on my age and long I’ve been hanging around the music scene, but in this case, I feel like I’ve musically grown up with They Might Be Giants. I first heard of the Brooklyn rockers from my friend, John Gernand, who toured as their soundman. I first saw them in 1993 when they played the Vogue for the first time and I’m looking forward to seeing them 28 years later on the same stage. 

The alternative-rock pioneers are known for their use of quirky stage props – giant fezzes and cardboard heads – and general silliness. Over the years they channeled some of that into a Grammy winning children’s series of educational records. 

TMBG is celebrating their 30^th year of uninterrupted rocking with a sparkly new record, Join Us, and a polished-up energetic live show. Jonathan Coulton will open the show.

www.theymightbegiants.com
http://thevogue.com

Art vs. Art Main Event
Friday, September 30
The Vogue Theater
6259 N. College Ave
21+, non-smoking, $12 advance/$15 at door, 8:00

Are you a fan of art, chain saws, boxing matches, witty repartee, audience participation, deciding fate by the spin of the wheel, big band music and general bedlam? I can’t be the only one… Art vs. Art is a raucous and entertaining art show with a twist. And the twist is a big one!

Earlier this month over 100 artists gathered at City Market, were given a canvas and paints and a few hours to create a masterpiece. The paintings are all online (http://artvsart.com) to be voted on – now is your big chance to be an art critic in the privacy of your own home. The top 32 vote getters will be on display at the Vogue the night of the Main Event. Balloting that night will determine the top 16. The other 16 will be offered for sale for $100. The rest will be for sale for $50. It’s not as confusing as I just made it out to be – the bottom line is that you walk out of the Vogue with a great piece of original art for $50 or $100 – the artists get 70%.

The top 16 paintings are randomly paired on stage and voted on by audience noise making – the decibel meter has the final say. The winner moves on to the next round. The loser is subjected to the Wheel of Death. A spin determines the fate of the canvas – past year’s methods have included chain sawing, pizza making and black paint. You can spare the art by buying the painting from the audience.

The Grand Prize is $4000, a title belt and a whole lot of bragging rights.

The Main Event promises to be twice as fun this year. Emcee Michael Wiltrout will keep on his ruffled tuxedo shirt to front the Leisure Kings Big Band for the after-party concert.

http://thevogue.com/
http://artvsart.com/

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 8 no 18

Neon Love Life, Tuesday Night CD release party

Friday, September 2, 2011
Radio Radio
1119 E. Prospect Street
8:00, 21+, $10 (includes CD), non-smoking


I’m smitten with Neon Love Life for lots of reasons, but most of all because they are a kick-ass rock band. The fact that the band is made up of all women is secondary.

The band formed in September of 2009, and they spent every Monday and Tuesday evening rehearsing and writing in Broad Ripple. They recorded “Tuesday Night” at Queensize Studios early this year.

Their songs range from straight-forward rock to teen-age punk to moody nostalgia. Lindsay Manfredi and Sharon Rickson share the front woman duties, switching off on rhythm guitar and bass and vocals.

Ashley Plummer plays tasty guitar licks and adds to the energy of the band. Tasha Blackman is a forceful and fun drummer.

Also performing that night: 8 Inch Betsy and Hero Jr.

This promises to be an epic night at Radio Radio.

www.neonlovelife.com

The Odyssey Favor, Chinese Monster CD release show

Friday, September 9. 2011
Locals Only
2449 East 56th Street
8:00, 21+

The Odyssey Favor is so damn cool. Not only did they write a song for my birthday, but they managed to rhyme ‘Spitznogle’ in a verse. But don’t let the fact that they used hornswagle in a sentence turn you off. The Odyssey Favor is chockfull of pop goodness, a harming touch of quirkiness and moon boots.

Joining them at Locals Only are Hitchhike and Finest Grain. The evening promises to be full of great music and good vibes.

http://odysseyfavor.com
www.localsonlyindy.com

The French Market
Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church grounds
4217 Central Ave
all-ages, free, noon - 10:00, non-smoking


The French Market is a different sort of fun than the church festival of my childhood. My church had an annual turkey shoot. While we didn’t shoot actual turkeys, which would have added a level of excitement, the prizes involved frozen turkeys. And who lets kids run around with guns? Things were different in the early 1970s. 

Saint Joan of Arc’s French Market promises fun for everyone. Food, music, raffle prizes, activities for the kiddos and an artisan craft area are all featured. Did I mention the food? I’m looking forward to the French pastries. Raffle prizes include an iPad, and Pat Crossland handmade quilt, Trek bike, cash and jewelry.

The festival starts at noon. If you do it right you can eat lunch and dinner and everything in between at the Market. Second Helpings culinary job-training students are making the French Onion Soup from scratch – all 40 gallons – let me tell you, that’s a lot of onions to peel.

The French Market turns 21 this year. Speaking of 21, beer and wine are available.  And speaking of beer and wine there will be live music between 1:00 – 10:00, including the bands, Second Wind, The Stardusters, Mojo Gumbo and Living Proof. Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 in the church and historic tours will be available throughout the day.

I’ll see you there!

www.sjoa.org

Broad Ripple Gazette no 8, vol 14

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette.

 

Comix Rock
Indy Web Comics Gallery Show
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Locals Only
2449 East 56th Street
7:00 pm, 21+, $6.00

Get your geek on!  Celebrate comics, science fiction and nerd culture at the second annual Comix Rock show and the opening of the Indy Web Comics Gallery Show. The night kicks off with the Dr. Sketchy Anti-School at 7:00. The Creme de les Femme Burlesque Group will present a special Star Trek themed show, during which attendees can draw the models in various poses and win prizes donated by area comic book stores, although I suspect the main prize for the comic book guys will be getting to see the burlesque women pose in Star Trek costumes. 

The music starts at 9:30 and the lineup includes Five Year Mission, a super-group of Indy musicians. Their music is infectious and pop driven and they’ve created a song list for the night based on the first season of Star Trek. Not kidding. Next up, God Make Robots, a trio of smart cool kids, who make smart cool music. Shammers & Lefthand create hip-hop songs based on Pokemon, role playing games and internet viral videos.  They're based in Bloomington and have played shows all over the country at everything form Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments to Linux programmers conventions. 

The Indy Web Comics Gallery show that will also kick off that night and hang through July.  This show will feature ten Indiana cartoonists displaying their paintings, comic strips and drawings, many with a Science Fiction theme. 

Now might not be the time for me to admit it, but I’ve never watched a whole episode of Star Trek or read a Science Fiction book. What a sheltered life I’ve lived. 

Locals Only has it all. Seriously good food, full bar, great beer selection, plenty of tables and an ample parking lot. 

http://indywebcomics.com/
http://fiveyearmission.net/
http://www.myspace.com/godmaderobots
http://scrubclubrecords.com/9/content/artist-information/information-on-shammers-and-lefthand/
http://www.drsketchy.com/branch/Indianapolis
http://localsonlyindy.com/

Christian Taylor Showcase
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Historic Melody Inn
3826 North Illinois Street
9:00 pm (doors 8:00), $5.00, 21+

I think that Christian Taylor is just delightful. He is a talented singer and songwriter and is part of the band America Own the Moon. He’s put together a showcase of music featuring Caleb McCoach, Davy Long, Peter King, Ryan Puett and Scene Elders and I think you should go see it. It’s an early show for a work night, although I can’t remember the last time I was in the Melody Inn when the sun was still out.

The Historic Melody Inn is well, historic. It is one of the oldest bars in Indianapolis, established in 1935 and the vinyl booths were rescued from the old Teepee Restaurant. The original oak bar is beautiful and the jukebox is award winning and the parking is always free.

www.melodyindy.com  

The Larroquettes, The Involuntarys, Adventure
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Historic Melody Inn
3826 North Illinois Street
9:00 pm (doors 8:00), $5.00, 21+

You can hear the Free Zone radio program at midnight on Saturdays on WICR 88.7. Host, Thomas May plays a great mix of punk rock, band interviews and any other music that catches his ear. And he does a great job of putting shows together. The bands for this show include The Larroquettes from Chicago. The trio say they exist to perform loud rock’n’roll with insane energy, and their sole responsibility is to fire up the audience into having a great time, as a proper rock’n’roll band should. Not bad aspirations for a band. 

The Involuntarys are based in Indianapolis (and from what I could find online, based mostly at the Sinking Ship) and play delightfully loud jump around the room music. The punk band, Adventure is based in Dayton and seem like a swell group of guys. 

The Historic Melody Inn not only has an eclectic selection of beers – from Pabst Blue Ribbon and back, they have some classic video games, you know you want to re-live your Galaga high score game again. 

www.thelarroquettes.com
www.melodyinn.com

 

WITTstock 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Knights of Columbus
2100 East 71^st Street
7 pm, $10, family friendly

WITT (91.9) celebrating their second year in existence with an evening of music and a fundraiser for the station. The community focused, nonprofit station relies on their listeners to help with operational costs of licensing fees, insurance, tower fees and the various and sundry costs of keeping programming on the air. WITT is staffed entirely with volunteers.

The musical lineup has something for everyone – jazzpop Tonos Triad, Celtic influenced Emily Thomposon, and blues-rockers, CW & The Working Class Trio (the band includes my college roommate, Rick Bossingham. You can ask him for stories, but I was pretty darn boring then).  Hogeye Navvy and The Rhinstones round out the bill.

I’ll see you there!

www.919witt.org
www.northsidekofc.org

Ellis, Katie Todd Band
Friday, July 22, 2011
Irving Theater
5505 E. Washington Street
8:00, $10/$12, non-smoking, all-ages

I will totally admit that I usually have a little musical crush on whomever I’m listening to at the time and some of those crushes last longer than others (I’m looking at you, Jeff Tweedy). I promise that these two musicians will charm your socks off. Katie Todd hails from Chicago and has won many awards for her beautiful emotion-filled songs and you’ve probably heard some of her tunes that were featured on television shows and movie soundtracks. She will be joined by the ever-entertaining Ellis.  She’s part folk artist and part comedienne and all lovable.

You’ll also be charmed by the Irving Theater. The theater has been part of the Irvington community since 1913 undergoing many incarnations throughout the years.

www.katietodd.com
http://attheirving.com

www.ellis-music.com

Review:

Stasia Demos, Cara Jean Wahlers, Danny Flanigan

Friday, June 24, 2011
Indy Hostel

It was the perfect evening for outdoor music. I’m lucky enough to live just a few blocks from Indy Hostel and could hear the lovely sound of Danny Flanigan’s voice as I walked up the street. Stasia Demos, Cara Jean Wahlers and Danny traded songs and stories and laughter. Picking a favorite from the three of them would be really hard. They are all amazing storytellers and great writers and singers.

The Hostel is a wonderful place to see music, check it out – soon.

www.indyhostel.us

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 8 no 13

First published in the Broad Ripple Gazette: 

Cara Jean Wahlers, Stasia Demos, Danny Flanigan
Friday, June 24, 2010
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave
8:00, all-ages, non-smoking, $10

I think the outdoor stage at Indy Hostel is the best in the city. It’s tucked right off of the Monon Trail at 49^th Street in Meridian-Kessler. It’s the perfect spot for a summer’s evening songwriter-in-the-round show.

Cara Jean Wahlers, Stasia Demos and Danny Flanigan will trade songs and stories. If you’ve never been to an in-the-round event you’ll love the intimacy of the show. I’ve also heard these events called “guitar pulls,” from the spontaneous front porch concerts that would break out and one guitar would be pulled from one musician to another. 

The three musicians will trade songs and stories and I’ll bet the farm on fact that there will be plenty of giggles. Danny has a brand-spankin’ new CD and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

There will be some chairs available, but feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket. You can also bring your own snacks and drinks. If it is raining the show will move indoors. The Hostel is in a red four-square house at the corner of 49^th Street and Winthrop Ave, with plenty of parking on 49^th Street, just on the other side of the Hostel.

www.indyhostel.us
www.dannyflanigan.com
www.carajeanwahlers.com

Middletown Reunion Show
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Flat12Beirwerks tasting room
414 N. Dorman Street
7:00 pm, $5, 21+

I feel like all of my musical roads lead to Middletown – the band, not the Vigo County burg. I was lucky enough to hear their first rehearsals over a decade ago and am now fortunate enough play in a jug band with the lovely Stasia Demos.  Tad Armstrong remains one of my favorite singer-songwriters and Aaron Stroup is one kick-ass guitar player. They reunite every year or so when Aaron takes a break from his rock-star life in Austin, TX to visit our town. What could make this any better? The addition of Dean Metcalf! Just writing this makes me giddy!

If you’ve never had the chance to see Middletown, don’t miss this one. The band features beautiful harmonies, great musicians, excellent songwriting, a smidge of twang and a dose of quirkiness.

Flat12Beirwerks is a brewery nestled in the Cottage Home neighborhood, a quick jaunt from Broad Ripple. There is plenty of parking at the brewery or if you’re planning on being home before the sun sets, it’s an easy bike ride from the Monon Trail. The show will be in the tasting room, food will be available, and of course, the tasty made-on-the-premises beer. I’m always torn between the Tangerine Porter and the Pogue’s Run Porter.  I usually just ask Flat12 Sales Manager, Mark Kocher what I’m drinking and he hasn’t steered me wrong.

I’ll see you there – I’ll be the one giggling and requesting that the band play, “Welcome to the Family.”

www.flat12.me  

Review:

Steve Poltz with Chris Wolf

June 5, 2011
Locals Only

One of the best things about a Steve Poltz concert is that they are wildly different each time, and always amazing. This show was no exception.

I was so inspired during the show that I took more detailed notes than usual so I could quote the song titles properly and recount some of the stories. Clearly you’re not reading a well-researched and finely crafted review, because the dog ate my homework, sort of.

This story is starting to be particularly Poltzesque – meandering and slightly silly, but will eventually get to a point. Anyway, I was in a car accident a few days after the show. I’m fine, but my HHR had to be hauled away. When the tow truck driver asked if I wanted to grab anything from the car I panicked. Between the bowling ball and typewriter and typing table and dry cleaning and galoshes I froze and said no. Off my notebook went to a tow yard.

I can tell you this from memory. Indianapolis’s Chris Wolf’s songs were fun and delivered with his usual charm. Steve Poltz songwriting is smart and touches your heart. His delivery is quirky and charming and you can’t help but walk away wanting a little more Poltz.

www.localsonlyindy.com

www.myspace.com/chriswolfmusic

http://poltz.com/

Dow Jones and the Industrials

 I had great fun writing this piece about the band I was lucky enough to hang out with in my younger days.
Click here for the NUVO feature on Dow Jones and the Industrials.

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 8 no 12

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

The Independent Music and Art Festival is one of the things about our city that makes my little heart sing. This is the 10^th year for the just-the-right-size festival.

Independent Music + Art Festival
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Harrison Center
1505 N. Delaware Street
all ages, free, noon – 8:00

The Independent Music + Art Festival is a grand day-long outdoor festival featuring original live music and visual artists and their work. There are two stages of music in the Harrison Center courtyard and the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange – a contemporary craft fair featuring gorgeous handmade goods will be tucked throughout the Harrison Center – in the gymnasium and galleries.

Food vendors include the equally delicious Duos and Judge’s BBQ and Sun King Brewery will have beer available. I wonder if they’ll bring the popcorn beer – two of my favorite food groups in a glass.

And music, lots of music. As always, the lineup is eclectic and fun. I was looking over the list to pick a few bands to highlight, but it was hard to choose. I say take a blanket and some sunscreen and stake your spot for the day.

Here’s the lineup:

12:00-12:35 Hotfox
12:40 - 1:15 It’s All Happening
1:20 - 1:55 Liz Janes
2:00 - 2:35 Slothpop
2:40 - 3:15 T.J. Reynolds
3:20 - 3:55 Lord of the Yum Yum
4:00 - 4:35 Red Birds
4:40 - 5:15 Rob Dixon and Triology
5:20 - 5:55 Wolfy
6:00 - 6:35 Jascha
6:40 - 7:15 The New Empires
7:20 - 7:55 Company of Thieves

I’ll see you there!

www.indieanahandicraftexchange.com
http://www.harrisoncenter.org

danny flanigan
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Monon Food Company
6420 Cornell Ave
9:00 – 11:00, all-ages, non-smoking
Yay! danny flanigan is coming to town and he has a brand spanking new CD, hope is a word…, is first in years. I can’t wait to get my hands on copy. If it was possible to wear out a compact disc, I would have played the grooves off of his previous records.
danny’s is a great guitar player and even better songwriter. His music is poignant, smart, witty and you’ll find them floating through your head for days and years later. Just typing his name made me start humming, “beautiful day.”
Monon Food Company, across from the Monon Trail at the corner of Cornell and 64^th Street, just celebrated their first anniversary and I’m not quite sure where I ate before they opened. Excellent food, darn good service and a top-notch beer list.
www.dannyflanigan.com
www.mononfoodcompany.com

Hillbilly Happy Hour
Punkin Holler Boys with Matt Woods
The Historic Melody Inn
3826 N. Illinois Street
Friday, June 17, 2011
7:30 – 9:30, $5, 21 +


I can’t think of a better way to kick off the weekend than with the Punkin Holler Boys. Swing in to the Melody Inn for some boot stompin’ fun. I’ve been listening to the Punkin Holler Boys new record, Tin Ears, in my car. If you see me grinning and tapping my hands on the wheel, you know what I’m listening too.

http://www.punkinhollerboys.com
http://www.melodyindy.com  


CABIN, God Made Robots, The StereoFidelics
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Historic Melody Inn
doors 9:00, show 10:00, $5, 21+


Full Blown Possession Productions always puts on a good show and this promises to be another one. The night includes CABIN from Louisville, The StereoFidelics from Ashville, North Carolina and Indianapolis’s darlings, God Made Robots. The evening promises to be big high-energy groovy fun.

http://godmaderobots.com
http://www.myspace.com/cabin
http://thestereofidelics.com

Bill Monroe Memorial Bluegrass Festival
June 11 – 18, 2011
Bean Blossom, Indiana

all-ages, various ticket packages, children 12 and younger free

The Bill Monroe Memorial Bluegrass Festival is the oldest continuous running bluegrass festival – 45 years now. The festival features eight days of music, over 50 performing musicians, youth activities and tons of workshops including lessons on banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bass; mountain and bluegrass vocals, group harmony, songwriting, band promotion, Bean Blossom history and more – although I can’t imagine what more there could be.

I haven’t had a chance to attend the festival yet, but I understand it’s wonderful and chockfull of history.

www.beanblossom.us