Broad Ripple Gazette vol. 11 no 20

[first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette]

Strugglers
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Aristocrat Pub and Restaurant
5212 N. College Avenue
all-ages, 6:00 – 8:30

Stanley Smith will be in town from Austin so it’s time for a Strugglers reunion show – and that is good news for all of the rest of us! The Strugglers are part of Indianapolis music history. They played from 1970 until Stanley moved away in 1985. They played the Vogue the first weekend it was a music venue, they were on the bill for weeks at a time at Crazy Al’s and the Hummingbird and they were the house band at the Patio. Band member, Scott Ballantine swears they invented ‘newgrass’ – progressive bluegrass and that Sam Bush stole it from them. 

Look for them to play a mixture of Chicago blues, Western swing, old country tunes and some jazz – dancing encouraged. 

All of the original-ish band members will be there – Stanley (clarinet/vocals), Scott (guitar), Jack Clarke (harmonica), Kevin Hughey (drums), Dave Langfitt (pedal steel) and Joe Langfitt (bass). Last year Andra Faye joined them and I’m hoping she will this year too. 

www.aristocratpub.com

VOCAB – October 6^th Edition
Monday, October 6, 2014
The Cellar at the Corner Wine Bar
6331 Guilford Avenue
21+, free, 7:00 – 10:00 PM 

VOCAB showcases spoken word and musical artists.  This version features music from Cicada Shells, the brainchild of emcee Lorax and producer Defame. Spoken word from Too Black, known as a poet’s poet. And of course the evening will have time for an open-mic session – be ready to jump in and show off your stuff.

www.cornerwinebar.com

CraigFest Open Stage
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Aristocrat Pub and Restaurant
5212 N. College Avenue
all-ages, 8:00 – 11:00, free

Craig Laflin was a mainstay in the Open Stage music scene in Indianapolis and Bloomington and gave many people the forum and courage to play their music in public for the first time. He was an award winning musician and songwriter in his own right.

He lost is battle with pancreatic cancer ten years ago and Murphy and Steve are dedicating the weekly open stage in his honor. Musicians are invited to share their favorite Craig stories or play their favorite Craig tune. And if you don’t know Craig come and play and hear all about him. Signup for performing slots starts at 8:00; music starts at 8:30. 

www.aristocratpub.com

Mina and the Wondrous Flying Machine CD Release
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
The Vogue Theatre
6259 N College Avenue
21+, door 8:00 PM, $5.00

The Vogue has been hosting #locallove for a few months now. Every Wednesday they feature a lineup of local musicians and bands. How cool is that? 

The talented Mina Keohane and her Wondrous Flying Machine are releasing their second album, Tigers, and this is the official release concert. The very talented Mina’s sound is a wondrous fusion of jazz, hip-hop and pop music. 

Also on the #locallove bill for the evening are the Landon Keller Band, Brandon Whyde, the Devil's Keep. It promised to be an epic evening of fabulous music. 

www.minaandthewondrousflyingmachine.com

Trusted Mentors Open House
Thursday, October 16, 2014
826 Westfield Boulevard
free, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

We’ve all be lucky enough to have informal mentors in our lives. My list of mentors is too long to mention, but several are Broad Ripple based. 

I have seen the amazing work of Trusted Mentors up close through their work with the Second Helpings Culinary Job Training graduates.  The volunteer mentors work with adults that are overcoming the barriers of homelessness, re-entry, aging out of foster care, re-entering the workplace after a long gap, or entering the workplace for the first time. One of the coolest things I get to do in my job as director of programs at Second Helpings is to be there for the mentor match meeting. I love seeing the connections form and all of our graduates have benefited from having a mentor. 

This is a chance to hear from a mentee and to learn more about Trusted Mentors. The open house is in the building right next to Flatwater. Not only is the restaurant is kind enough to provide appetizers for the event, but they employ Second Helpings graduates – who have mentors. Full circle, folks! 

trustedmentors.org
flatwaterbroadripple.com