Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 9, no 25

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Happy holidays gentle readers. I love December in the Village. The lights, the shoppers, the window displays, the restaurants full of revelers, and music all warm my community minded heart. I hope that you’ll take time to relax and soak in the warmth of the season and our great neighborhood. Here is a sampling of some of the great events in Broad Ripple Village. 

Gary Wasson’s Open Stage
Every Sunday
Corner Wine Bar Cellar
6331 Guilford Ave
free, 21+, 6:00 p.m.

Gary Wasson is celebrating ten years of hosting Open Stage shows. If you’ve never been to one, they are a great way to hear several musicians in an intimate setting. Local and touring musicians sign up that evening for a time slot to play, so the lineup is always a fun surprise. The musicians are often trying out new songs or new lineups or dusting off old favorites. The camaraderie between musicians is always fun to soak in and I’ve seen bands form and songs written during the course of an evening. And if you’re lucky Gary will play a few tunes. 

The excellent menu of the Corner Wine Bar and the great beer selection of the Wellington are both served in the Wine Cellar. The Open Stage is a great way to end the week. 

www.cornerwinebar.com

 

Premium Blend Jazz Band
Every Wednesday
10-01 Food & Drink
1001 Broad Ripple Ave
free, all-ages, 7:00 p.m.

Remember the late-great Provincial Kitchen?  I remember feeling very hip and swanky when Mom and I dined there one evening when I was in my 20s. You’ll feel the same way dining at 10-01 Food & Drink. They have great food and fancy cocktails every day, and on Wednesdays you can also enjoy the posh sounds of Premium Blend Jazz Band (and half priced bottles of wine). 

www.1001fooddrink.com

 

Holiday Sing-A-Long
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N. College Ave
free, 21+, 7:00 p.m.

Have you ever eaten at the Jazz Kitchen? If not, you’re missing out. They take the kitchen part of their name as seriously as the jazz part of their name. This would be a great night to join them for dinner. The Sing-A-Long is a collaboration of the Jazz Kitchen and Indy Jazz Fest, so you know the music will be great. You can expect special musical guests and warm and fuzzy holiday feelings. 

thejazzkitchen.com

Birdy’s Annual Xmas Bash
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Birdy’s Bar and Grill
2131 E. 71st St
21+, doors 7:30, show 8:30

I’m not sure how many years the Birdy’s Xmas Bash has been going on, but it’s always a blast. The evening is full of rock version of Christmas standards, including my annual favorite: Vinyl Shriner’s rendition of the “Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late).” If that song doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit, nothing well. 

You can also expect performances from the Crème De Les Femmes Burlesque troupe, Broddis, Kiss Me Under the Cameltoe, Scott Kline, Lines of Nazca , Santa Claus, and more. 

Birdy’s has terrific food and hearty drinks.  See you there! 

www.birdyslive.com

Punk Rock Night New Year’s Eve
Zero Boys with The Dockers, Werewolf with a Shotgun, Teenage Rehab, & Fallen Angel Burlesque
Monday, December 31, 2012
Melody Inn
3826 N. Illinois
8:00, 21+, $10 pre-sale, $12 at door

This should be a New Year’s Eve to remember! The punk legends Zero Boys have been have been rocking our world since the early 1980s. While I certainly consider that the Zero Boys are part of my musical history since I was lucky enough to see them in the early days, they are revered world-wide. Bootleg copies of their music have been collected for decades and their shows are the stuff that legends are made of. And you can ring in 2013 with them – how great is that?  

The lineup is action packed and includes the bands, The Dockers, Werewolf with a Shotgun, Teenage Rehab, and the Fallen Angel Burlesque troupe. 

And in keeping true to the awesomeness of the Melody Inn there will be a PBR toast a midnight to ring in the New Year. I suggest buying your ticket ahead of time at the Melody Inn or online at Punk Rock Night’s site.

www.punkrocknight.com.
www.melodyindy.com