Thursday, March 17, 2011

Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 8, no 6

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette


Hairspray
March 19, 20, 23,24, 25, 26, 27
Beef and Boards
9301 N. Michigan Road
317-872-9684
$36-54, 3 years old +, non-smoking



Hairspray, the big, fabulous, award-winning, Broadway play is running at the Beef and Boards dinner theater.

The show is set in 1960s Baltimore, where Tracy Turnblad has her heart set on dancing on the Corny Collins Show. She has big hair and a big personality and quickly becomes a teen celebrity with her sights set on winning the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin.

Hairspray is chockfull of danceable music and heartwarming messages. The house band features Broad Ripple’s own Scott Ballantine playing guitar.

Call the box office or visit the Web site for tickets and times.

www.beefandboards.com

Steve Poltz
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Locals Only
2449 E. 56th Street
8:00, 21+. $14

You can’t go wrong with a Steve Poltz show, seriously. I’ve never seen an off show.
He’s always entertaining and usually wearing pants. He’ll break your heart and have you giggling, sometimes all in the same song.

http://poltz.com
http://localsonlyindy.com

Junk Box Mike CD release show
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Birdy’s
2131 E. 71st Street
doors 7:30, 21+, $5.


This show promises non-stop entertainment. Junk Box Mike is celebrating the release of his album, From My Recliner. I suggest that you launch yourself off of your recliner this evening.

Three bands will play – Morgan n Tom, Jethro Easyfields and Junk Box Mike and His Friends will wrap it up. Comedian Aaron Buckner will emcee and perform between sets.
Junk Box Mike has some pretty talented friends – and the majority of them are named John/Jon.. His band includes, Gary Wasson, Jon Martin, John Gilmore, John Bowyer, Delmar Lincon, Gary Rakow and John Macksey.

Junk Box Mike describes his music as true-to-life, writing about love, heartbreak, people and fishing. This evening promises to be big junky fun. Rumor has it that is also Mike’s birthday.

www.birdyslive.com
www.junkboxmike.com

review:

Ryan Bingham and The Dead Horses
March 10, 2011
Birdy’s


photograph: Hugh Vandiver

My love of Ryan Bingham is no secret. I was thrilled to get the chance to see him at Birdy’s, where it all started for me. In the time since he first played Birdy’s in 2008 he’s been busy. Ryan has released his third album; he has won an Academy Award and a Grammy for the song "The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)," toured Europe and played to thousands of people at festivals.

A few things have changed for Ryan. The first time I saw him he was carrying his own gear to the van. This time he was traveling in a big old tour bus and had a road crew. But the things that drew me to him in the first place are all still intact. His band, The Dead Horses, has not changed. Matthew Smith (drums), Corby Schaub (guitar, mandolin) and Elijah Ford (bass) are one of the best bands on the road. Ryan continues to put on a great show and I think he’s an even better songwriter, though I didn’t think that was possible.

One of my favorite moments of the show was when Ryan covered Woody Guthrie’s, “This Land is Your Land.” He played it acoustic and alone. It was very powerful to hear 250 people singing along. He dedicated it to all of the folks protesting outside of capital buildings across the country.

I was thrilled to see the sold out crowd singing along to Ryan’s songs and paying attention to music. My only disappointment – I didn’t get to see Ryan after the show to get my traditional photo of our shoes. I had on vintage Frye boots and Ryan was wearing Converse All Stars, if you were wondering.

www.binghammusic.com
www.birdyslive.com