Broad Ripple Gazette vol 12 no 16

First published in the Broad Ripple Gazette. 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the 2015 Indianapolis State Fair is open! It is also time for the fifth annual Indy Folk Fest at Indy Hostel and mark your calendar for Sausagefest on August 21^st and 22^nd.  I’ll see you at the Fair! 

Indy Folk Fest
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave
all-ages, 1:00 – 11:00 PM, $10 or 4 ticket Family Pack $35

I can’t believe it is only the fifth Indy Folk Fest, it has quickly become a beloved part of the summer festival circuit.   This year’s festival is featuring all local bands and artists and several community organizations. This year the festival will benefit KidsPeace, a nonprofit agency that provides professional support to children and families in the foster care system.

The bands are: Bigfoot Yancey, The Midwest Rhythm Exchange, Sphie, Knollwood Boys, Noble Roots Music, Prowlers & The Prey, Kevin Krauter, and Lisa Walks. 

There will be a vendor village with gobs of great art and other goodies. Karma Kitchen Food Truck will be on site and Upland Brewing Company beer will be offered. 

Visit the Indy Hostel website for more details. 

www.indyhostel.us

 

Indiana State Fair
Friday, August 7 – Sunday, August 23, 2015
Indiana State Fairgrounds
1202 E. 38^th Street
all-ages, $12 at gate ($8 advance, various other specials and free admission specials)

There are several places to hear music during the Indiana State Fair and I hear they’re adding music to the Indiana Beer and Wine area, including Bubbles Brown on all three Fridays, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. 

The Free Stage is located in front of the 4-H buildings on the northwest corner of the Fairgrounds.

This year’s Free Stage lineup is eclectic, ranging from the Dukes of Hazard to The Village People! Festival bench seating, free with Fair admission. 

Friday, August 7, 7:30 PM: Indigo Girls 

Saturday, August 8, 7:30 PM: Morris Day & The Time 

Sunday, August 9, noon – 8:00 PM: Hispanic/Latino Music Festival featuring Los Caminantes de Humberto Navarro

Monday, August 10, 7:30 PM: Rodney Atkins 

Wednesday, August 12, 7:30: Happy Together Tour with The Turtles; The Association; Mark Lindsay; The Grass Roots; The Buckinghams and The Cowsills 

Thursday, August 13, 7:30 PM: Creedence Clearwater Revisited 

Friday, August 14, 7:30 PM: Return of the Dukes: John Schneider & Tom Wopat , and photo ops with the General Lee from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday, August 16, 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Contemporary Christian Music Fest with Colton Dixon 

Monday, August 17: Village People at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 18, 7:30 PM: Big & Rich 

Wednesday, August 19, 7:30 PM: Craig Morgan 

Thursday, August 20, 7:30 PM: KC & the Sunshine Band 

Friday, August 21, 6:30 PM: “Nashville” stars Lennon and Maisy; 8:00 PM, The Henningsens
Saturday, August 22, 7:30 PM: Rusted Root 

Sunday, August 23, 4:00 – 9:00 PM: Wild Cherry Pepsi Gospel Music Day with special guest Ms. LaShun Pace of the legendary Pace Sisters 

The Main Street Stage is just to the north of the Grandstand. There is picnic table seating and it is close enough to the Dairy Bar that you can get there without your milkshake melting too much. 

Friday, August 7

10:00 – 11:30 AM: Indiana INETERNnet
Noon, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM: SHEEZA
1:00 PM, 3:00 PM: Thomas Wayne Pruitt
5:30 – 7:00 PM: London Rose
8:00 – 10:00 PM PictureYes

Saturday, August 8

10:00 AM, 11:30 AM: Ovation Singers!
1:30 PM, 3:00 PM: Vocal Throwdown preliminaries – Jr. Division
4:00 – 5:30 PM: Vocal Throwdown preliminaries – Sr. Division
6:30 – 8:00 PM: Osiella

Sunday, August 9

10:30 - 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM: Indy Spotlight
4:00 PM, 5:00 PM,  6:00 PM: Sheltered Reality

Monday, August 10

10:00 AM, Noon, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM: U.S. Navy Navigators
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM: Dominique Von
5:30 – 7:00 PM: The Cosmic Situation
8:00 – 9:30 PM: Blue Monkey Sideshow

Tuesday, August 11

10:00 AM, Noon, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM: Sawyer
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM: Cap Quirk
5:30 – 7:00 PM: Terry Lee & the Rockaboogie Band
8:00 – 9:30 PM: Cook & Belle

Wednesday, August 12

10:00 AM, Noon, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM: The Kandis Chambers Band
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM:: McKayla Willever
5:30 – 7:00 PM: Terry Lee & the Rockaboogie Band
8:00 – 9:30 PM: Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel

Thursday, August 13

10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM: Chris Burch
3:00 – 4:30 PM: The JenaRitas
5:30 – 7:00 PM: The Beautiful Discord
8:00 – 9:30 PM: Cyrus Youngman & The King Fishers

Friday, August 14

10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM: Eric Martin Smith
3:00 – 4:30 PM: The Indiana Boys
5:30 – 7:00 PM: Blue Mafia
8:00– 10:00 PM: Ashley Wilcox and The Cosmos

Saturday, August 15

10:00 AM, 11:30 PM: Ovation Singers!
1:30 – 3:30 PM: U.S. Navy Four Star Edition
5:00 PM: Vocal Throwdown finals – Jr. Division
6:00 PM: Vocal Throwdown finals – Sr. Division
8:00 – 10:00 : Chinese JailBreak

Sunday, August 16

10:00 AM, Noon, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM: Seth Cook
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM: Heaven Cansler
5:30– 7:00 PM: The Lemon Brothers Band
8:00 – 9:30 PM: Fistful of Bacon

Monday, August 17

10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, Noon, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM: Stevens Puppets – "Beauty & the Beast"
5:00 - 6:30 PM: Directors’ Jazz Orchestra
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Blue Monkey Sideshow

Tuesday, August 18

10:00 AM, Noon, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM: Ball State’s Note to Self
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM: Ryan M. Brewer
5:30- 7:00 PM: Craig B. Moore & The Invaders
8:00 - 9:30 PM: Cosmic Preachers

Wednesday, August 19

10:00 AM, Noon, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM: Twilite Nites
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM: The Minister’s Quartet
5:30– 7:00 PM: Shelby County Sinners
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM: P*ssed Off Catfish

 

Thursday, August 20

10:30 AM, Noon: Birch Creek
2:00 PM, 3:30 PM: Indiana Gospel Music Association
5:30 – 7:00 PM: Jester
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Jon Strahl Band

Friday, August 21

10:30 AM, 1:00 AM, 3:00 PM: Dior
Noon, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM: Against the Clocks
5:30 – 7:00 PM: Timothy Scott and Toolbox Union
8:00 – 10:00 PM: Audiodacity

Saturday, August 22

10:30 AM, Noon: The Meek Sisters
3:00 – 4:30 PM: J-STAR Band
5:30 – 7:00 PM: Building Nations

Sunday, August 23

10:00 AM, Noon, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM: Veseria
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM: Circle City Sound

The Pioneer Village Stage is cleverly located in the Pioneer Village on the northeast part of the Fairgrounds. The music stage is in the back of the Pioneer Village Barn, church pew seating, free with Fair admission. This year there will also be musicians playing on the front porch of the barn.

I suggest visiting Pioneer Village early in your day at the Fair. The music and demonstrations are mostly daytime events.

Friday, August 7

10:00 AM: Family Reunion String Band
2:00 PM: Cumberland Gap Bluegrass Band
6:30 PM: Liar’s Contest by Storytelling Arts of Indiana (contestants welcome)

Saturday, August 8

10:00 AM: Johnson County Folk Music Society
1:30 PM: Johnny Appleseed performed by Steve McPhail
3:00 PM: Naptown Jug Busters 

 

Sunday, August 9

10:00AM: Family Reunion String Band Gospel Sing
2:00 PM: Common Ground

Monday, August 10

10:00 AM: Patchwork
2:00 PM: Myra Dworski 

Tuesday, August 11

 
10:00 AM: Mac Bellner and Friends
2:00 PM: John Kay of Traditional Arts Indiana
6:30 PM: Bill Bailey with Hands on Rhythm

Wednesday, August 12

10:00 AM: Indiana Songbook presented by the Indiana State Museum– featuring President Lincoln
2:00 PM: Hank Hazard and Nashville Swingers

Thursday, August 13

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Steve Jeffris

Friday, August 14

10:00 AM: Indiana Songbook presented by the Indiana State Museum– featuring President Lincoln
2:00 – 5:00 PM: Steve Robbins & El Diego

Saturday, August 15

10:00 AM: Slates Family Band
2:30 PM, 5:00 PM: Scioto Ridge Boys 

Sunday, August 16

10:00 AM: Scioto Ridge Boys Gospel Hour
2:00 PM: Andra Faye and Scott Ballantine
5:30: Last Drop Jug Band – in the Main Street Tractor Parade
6:30 PM: Sacred Harp 

Monday, August 17

10:00 AM: Mac Bellner and Friends
2:00 PM: White River Jazz Band

Tuesday, August 18

10:00 AM: Robin Harrison
2:00 – 5:00 PM: Last Drop Jug Band  
6:30: New August Acoustic Duo

Wednesday, August 19

10:00 AM: Delta Duo
2:00 -- 5:00 PM: The Dulcimer Gathering

Thursday, August 20

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Steve Jeffris

Friday, August 21

10:00 AM: Mike and Joe Flowers
2:00 – 5:00 PM: Witch Hazel Valley People
6:30 PM: Marion County Line 

Saturday, August 22

10:00 AM: Last Drop Jug Band
1:30 PM: Johnny Appleseed performed by Steve McPhail
5:30 – 7:00 PM: Building Nations

Sunday, August 23

10:00 AM: Reunion String Band gospel sing
2:00 PM: Straight Line Bluegrass Band

Shane Co. Concert Series at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum

A separate ticket is needed for these shows (the cost of the ticket DOES NOT include Fair admission or parking).

Tuesday, August 11, 7:30 PM, $58 & $48: Meghan Trainor with special guests Charlie Puth and Life of Dillion,

Wednesday, August 12, 7:30 PM, $60, $55, $35, & $30: Garrison Keillor

Thursday, August 13, 7:30 PM, $55, $45, & 39 at 7:30 PM: Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias

Friday, August 14, 8:00 PM, $55 & $45: Jake Owen with special guest Parmalee

 http://in.gov/statefair/fair

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 12 no 15

First published in the Broad Ripple Gazette.

It’s Indiana State Fair time, it’s Indiana State Fair time! I can’t believe how excited I get each year – I’m always afraid that my enthusiasm will wane, but not this year at least. The “Year of the Farmer” promises great music and exhibits. I will preview a slice of the goodness in this issue and the next of the Gazette. In the meantime, there are oodles of fun to be had. 

Rodeo Ruby Love – Final Show with Mike Adams at His Honest Weight
Friday, July 31, 2015
The Hi-Fi
1043 Virginia Ave
21+, $10, doors 8:00 PM/show 9:00 PM

All good things must come to an end, or so I hear. 

Rodeo Ruby Love has being doing great musical things for the past 10 years. And band years are like dog years, each year should be multiplied by seven, at least. They have toured (with the requisite van breakdowns) several times, recorded six albums, contributed to compilation recordings, and played hundreds of shows in the last decade. They are celebrating the end of their era with a farewell show at The Hi-Fi in Fountain Square. 

The description on their website says it best “Rodeo Ruby Love has tried to become synonymous with Indiana: honest, hardworking, non-assuming and a little bit behind the times. Their songs seek to tell real stories, vulnerably exploring truth in the emotions we experience when life and love collide—the heartaches of friendship, the exhilaration of relationship, and the innocent angst of trying to get to second base.” 

Mike Adams at His Honest Weight (isn’t that a fun band name?) will open the show. 

www.hifiindy.com

In-Store Performance with Summer and Michael Kelsey
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Indy CD & Vinyl
806 Broad Ripple Ave.
all-ages, free, 5:00 PM

Yowza, Summer is talented! I’ve been listening to her debut album, Save the World, and it is wonderful good old-fashioned rock and roll. The fact that she is only 14 years old adds to the fun. She caught the ear of the guitar virtuoso and multi-talented Michael Kelsey, who produced the record and will perform with her at Indy CD & Vinyl. 

Trust me, you don’t want to miss this show.   

summersmusic.net
michaelkelsey.com
www.indycdandvinyl.com

Indiana State Fair – Year of the Farmer
August 7 – 23, 2015
Indiana State Fairgrounds
1202 E. 38^th Street
all-ages, gate ticket price $12, advance $8,  children under 5 years old free, various packages and discounts available 

I am an Indiana State Fair geek – I’ve attended every single day of the Fair for years. Here are a few insider tips. 

Parking: They started charging $5.00 for parking on the Fairgrounds a few years ago. If I’m driving, I find it easiest to park at the Indiana School for the Deaf at 52^nd Street and the Monon Trail. The charge is the same, and it is an easy walk across the street. There is also handicapped parking there and you don’t have to down and up the steps under the track. I find it easier to exit also, be prepared, everyone has to exits onto 46^th Street, but there is you get to see all of the trailers and fun stuff of the folks that are working at the Fair. 

Walking: The Monon Trail leads right to the Fairgrounds. You can hop off at 42^nd or 38^th Street, or there is a gate right on the Trail that leads into the Midway. 

Pedal & Park: The secured bicycle parking is right on the trail, north of 38^th Street. And you receive a coupon for $1 off of your admission. Be mindful that you need to retrieve your bike by 8:00 PM. 

Train: I had never taken the Indiana Transportation Museum FairTrain because it seemed a little crazy for me to drive to Fishers to travel back to my neighborhood. Last year my clever brother pointed out that I could make the round trip from the Fairgrounds to Fishers and back. Why didn’t think of that? I’ll be taking my inaugural FairTrain ride this year. The trains arrive and depart the Fairgrounds several times each day across from Gate 6, you can now purchase tickets at the Coliseum Box Office. Prices vary by day and age of the rider, check www.itm.org for more info. 

Tractor Shuttle: I have an unnatural affection for the Tractor Shuttle. It is a great way to see the Fairgrounds and meet people. I couldn’t confirm this year’s price; it was a dollar per ride last year. You can take a full turn around the Fairgrounds while sitting in the shade (or out the rain). Seniors can purchase a daily unlimited ride wrist band for $3 – and it is free for seniors on both Tuesdays of the Fair. 

Admission: There are tons of deals to be had. There will be a coupon in Monday, August 10^th Indianapolis Star for free admission on Wednesday, August 12. There are also discounts for brining Pepsi cans, AAA member’s day, college students, military personnel and families, and much more. Check out indianastatefair.com for more information. 

Food: On both Tuesdays of the Fair there are $2 Taste of the Fair specials. All concessionaires will offer a $2 special. It’s a great way to sample it all! 

Balloon Launch and Light Up the Night: Friday, August 7^th (Opening Day). The balloons will launch at sunrise (about 6:15 AM) and that evening (9:00 PM) there will be an Illuminated Tractor Parade and Hot Air Balloon Glow, presented by Reynolds Farm Equipment.

I’ll have the rundown of concerts and other State Fair events in the next issue.

 

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 12 no 5

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Lenten Concert with Paulo Castro

Sunday, March 8, 2015
Immaculate Heart of Mary

5692 Central Avenue
2:00 – 3:00 PM, refreshments following, all-ages, free (donation to the artists welcome)

Immaculate Heart of Mary parish is hosting a Lenten Sunday afternoon concert that is open to the public. Paulo Castro, pianist with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir among other great accomplishments, is leading a musical journey through Lent, using piano music from classical, folk, contemporary and sacred repertoire. He will be joined by the wonderful, Julie Houston, vocalist and flutist. After the recital, everyone is invited to stay for refreshments. ihmindy.org

juliehoustonmusic.com 
  Amy X Neuburg

Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Basile Opera Center
4011 N. Pennsylvania St
7:30 – 9:00 PM. all-ages, free

This promises to be a fun show! Oakland, California based, Amy X Neuburg, is known her own brand of irreverent genre-crossing music. She is an innovative user of live looping technology, blended with her four-octave vocal range and humorous lyrics. She was one of the earliest performers to work with live looping technology so it makes perfect sense that she’ll be joined by the students of the Music & Arts Technology classes at IUPUI. The class will be performing a new composition by Amy.

www.indyopera.org
music.iupui.edu
www.amyxneuburg.com

Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Saint Patrick’s Day Pipers
Various Locations and times

The bagpipers are coming, the bagpipers are coming! Bagpipers are part of the Broad Ripple St. Patrick’s Day tradition. Some folks stake out a spot and wait for the pipers to appear, others follow the band, grabbing a drink at each location.

The Gordon Pipers will be at Binkley’s (5902 N. College Ave) at 6:30 and Union Jack Pub (924 Broad Ripple Ave) at 7:10. Both of those shows are all-ages and family-friendly.

I couldn’t find the Murat Highlanders schedule by the deadline for printing in this paper, but I do know they will be at the Red Key Tavern (5170 N. College Ave) at 10:00.

500gordonpipers.com
  Summer programs for girls

It is hard to think about summer right now – as I’m typing as the snow is falling – but sunny weather will eventually come and with that brings some great musical programming for girls.

Now is the time to apply.

Girls Rock! Indianapolis

Applications will be available for on-line submission beginning March 9.    

This year Girls Rock! is offering two camp sessions (identical curriculum).

Session 1: Camp Week July 6-10, Showcase July 11
Session 2: Camp Week July 13-17, Showcase July 18

The camp week location and showcase venue are being finalized and will be announced soon.

Tuition is $250 per camper.  Full and partial scholarships, based on financial need, are available and can be requested during the application process.   

Girls Rock! Indianapolis is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to building positive self-esteem in girls and encouraging creative expression through music. Our music education programs provide girls with an opportunity to participate in an environment that fosters leadership, encourages social change, and cultivates a supportive community of female peers and mentors.

Girls Rock! is also in the middle of a fundraising effort. After five years of providing summer day camps for young women ages 8-16, they are expanding their programming and services to help reach more of the Indianapolis community, including at-risk and under-served girls who might greatly benefit from the after-school and summer camp programs. In order to properly navigate our expansion, they need a home base.

The fundraising effort is specifically focused to pay for rent, build-out, and equipment in a new space inside the GC Murphy Building in the Fountain Square neighborhood. The building is already home to a variety of arts community players, and is the perfect place to build a home for Girls Rock! Indianapolis.

To apply for a camp session and for more information about their fundraising campaign visit girlsrockindy.org.

D.I.V.A. Summer Songwriting Camp

Camp: June 22 – 26. Auditions will take place on Monday, March 16 at Shortridge Magnet High School and on Monday, March 23 at The Warehouse in Carmel.

 D.I.V.A. Summer Songwriting Camp (formerly Girls Create Music), has moved its summer camp to Hilbert Circle Theatre. The camp is celebrating its fifth year of inspiring young women (girls age 10 – 16) to be better musicians and confident artists.

D.I.V.A. has a wonderful group of Indiana based-musicians – including Andra Faye, Monkia Herzig, and Mina Keohane on facility – and they have invited Nashville-based songwriters, Amy Speace and Ron Browning, to be the camp’s resident songwriting coaches. If you’ve read this column for any amount of time you know that I am a huge Amy Speace fan!

Ron and Amy have songwriting credits that partnerships with Grammy winners, residences at a variety of prestigious music festivals, and albums reviewed by Billboard Magazine (and the Broad Ripple Gazette, I might add). Alongside D.I.V.A.’s roster of professional Indiana-based musicians, Browning and Speace will act as songwriting mentors to the campers. In addition, Browning, who has coached Patti LaBelle, Wynonna Judd, and Carrie Underwood, will teach the camp’s vocal master class, and Speace will write an original composition, which the campers will perform at their final performance on June 26 at Hilbert Circle Theatre.

 New campers may also submit a video audition. The audition involves a short creative demonstration and an interview. Interested campers do not need to have instrumental or vocal experience to audition. D.I.V.A. is able to offer scholarships to those campers who quality. Interested campers must audition before being considered for a scholarship. To apply to D.I.V.A. or for more information about the camp and its scholarships visit www.BeAGoodDiva.com or call (317) 426.8543.

Broad Ripple Gazette vol 12 no 3

First published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Happy Saint Valentine’s Day, lovelies! There are plenty of fun things to do in our neighborhood to chase away the winter blues. 

St. Valentine’s Evening with Bill Lancton Group
Saturday, February 14, 2015
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N. College Avenue
21+, 6:00 – 9:00 PM, $75 (+ticketing charge) includes fabulous meal and gratuity

I think The Jazz Kitchen is romantic any day of the week, but they’re stepping it up for St. Valentine’s Day! Jazz guitarist, Bill Lancton and his band are bringing their tender side for this evening. Sultry jazz classics, bossas and ballads will be played as you dine with choices from their four course Prix Fixe menu (lots of yummy choices including a dessert sampler). 

Please make sure that you make your reservation and pre-pay – the evening is wildly popular! Visit the website or call 317-253-4900 for more details. 

www.thejazzkitchen.com
billlancton.com

 

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Indy CD & Vinyl
806 Broad Ripple Ave
all-ages, free, 6:00 PM

This is the good kind of winter blues!  Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band will be playing a set on the new stage at Indy CD & Vinyl! Their newest record, So Delicious, will be realized that day; you can grab a fresh-off-the-press copy of the album while you’re dancing along to the music.

In case you’re wondering just how big the damn band is?  Just three musicians that sound like fourteen. 

If you haven’t seen Reverend Peyton play lately, you should check them out again.  

www.bigdamnband.com
www.indycdandvinyl.com

 

Pink Pajama Party
Friday, February 20, 2014
Indianapolis Marriott North (Keystone Crossing)
6:00 PM to Saturday morning
21+, various prices depending on room or evening only 

I wasn’t a kid who enjoyed slumber parties, I always wished I could go hide in my room, and a few times had the host’s mother call my mom for a late-night pickup. The Pink Pajama Party avoids that angst with your own bedroom for the night. There is a silent auction, complementary spa services, pick cocktails, and dancing to Living Proof, a chance to relax in the lounge and listen to one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Chad Mills.  And you get to wear your pajamas to a fundraiser! How many times have we all wished for that? 

As if that isn’t enough fun there will be yoga and breakfast in the morning. 

The pajama party benefits the I.W.I.N Foundation that supports women all over the State, currently receiving treatment for breast cancer by securing and paying for services that help relieve emotional, physical and financial burdens.

Please check their website for room options and to register. 

www.iwinfoundation.org