Broad Ripple Gazette vol, no 19

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Indy Jazz Fest
Opti Park Concerts
Saturday, September 15, Sunday, September 16, 2012
67^th Street and College Avenue
all-ages, kiddos under 12 free, tickets $30 – 75 (packages available check website)

We are so lucky to have a world-class jazz event in our own backyard. There will be two days of amazing music at Opti Park, with various packages available on the website.

Saturday, September 15
4:00 gates open
5:00 Robert Glasper Exeriment
6:45 Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
8:45 Stanley Clarke/George Duke – Bring it Tour

Sunday, September 16 – Smooth Jazz Tribute to Chuck Workman
2:30 gates open
3:30 Brian Simpson (Dave Koz’ musical director) featuring Maysa (Incognito)
5:15 Gerald Albright
7:15 Brian Culbertson

Free Shuttle Parking is available at the east overflow lot of Glendale Center located at 62nd and Keystone Avenue. Shuttle operating times are Saturday, Sept. 15 from 3:45-11:30p and Sunday, Sept. 16 from 2:15-9:30p. (They promise to not leave you stranded and will run the shuttles later if needed.)

You will need to bring a chair or blanket to the park. No outside food or drinks, pets or umbrellas are allowed. The food and drink vendors accept cash only and there will be an ATM on site.

indyjazzfest.net

Oranje
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Centennial Hall (4-H buildings)
Indiana State Fairgrounds
1202 E. 38^th Street
21+ (ID required), $20, 8:00 pm

I’ve seen many events that tout themselves as an interactive art and music event, but Oranje means it. In fact it can be called an art and music explosion. This is the tenth year for Oranje and it keeps getting bigger and better, while staying fresh and contemporary. The venue changes every year, often held in empty buildings, and always some place that you might not get to see otherwise.

This year’s extravaganza features over twenty artists and over twenty musical acts and DJs. There is truly something for everyone. And it is fun people watching, this is the night to see and be seen each year and the audience dresses accordingly.

Some details: Parking is $5 at the Fairgrounds, but in my experience it’s a good night to plan ahead for a cab.  Most artists will be selling their art, so plan your cash accordingly. The bars will also accept credit cards, and there will be ATMs onsite. Bring your ID, even folks in my age range get carded. Most of all – have a blast!

oranjeindy.com

Celebration of Jane
Sunday, September 23, 2012
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N. College Avenue
3:00 – 7:00 pm
 

Jane Rulon was fabulous. Truly and genuinely fabulous. In the fifteen years or so that I had the honor of knowing her, my family always referred to her as “Fabulous Jane.” She had that certain flair that is hard to describe, but you know when someone has it.  I was shocked when I found photos of her that she was not wearing a scarf. In my mind she always had one draped around her beautiful neck. I even imagined her at home with stylish silk scarf over her bathrobe. She wore her gorgeous grey hair with aplomb, making me wish that I had enough nerve to do the same. All of her accessories had a lovely story. One of my favorite pieces was the glass ring that she purchased in France. She could make something funky sparkle.

Jane was a familiar face at art, film, and music events. She and I had the same habit of dropping in on multiple events in the same evening. I was delighted when I’d see her twice in one night without making a plan. She was a marvelous conversationalist, I loved looking over at parties and seeing her deep in conversation with one of my siblings or neighbors. She made everyone feel special. Jane made everything seem like an event, whether she was popping in to my yard sale, celebrating a birthday, or bumping into her at the State Fair.

Jamie Ridpath, Nora, Jane Rulon

She was a thoughtful gift giver and occasion-maker. When CATH coffeehouse closed, a group of regular customers put together a lovely celebration. Others provided the cake and food and keg. Jane arraigned with the Mayor’s Office to decree it CATH Day and listed all of the things the coffeehouse added to the community, which helped soften the blow of the café closing. She made a fabulous toast at fortieth birthday, and I was thrilled to celebrate my fiftieth with her. One of my favorite moments of that party was running into Jane and some other women in the washroom and having a great conversation. In case you’ve ever wondered what the inside of the ladies room at the Jazz Kitchen looks like, this photo was snapped there.

She once gave me a gorgeous paper crown made of sheet music and glitter labeled Queen Bee, just because it reminded her of me. Her gift for my fiftieth birthday was a shiny plastic Academy Award with an “envelope please” listing why I’d won. Both the crown and the statute reside in places of honor in my home.

Fabulous Jane died August 22, after a short illness. Her friends and family are hosting a Celebration of Jane at the Jazz Kitchen on Sunday, September 23. There will be music and food and everything Jane. Wear a scarf, bring a dish (something French would be fabulous), and share your Jane stories.

I’ll see you there.

Mark your calendar. And by mark your calendar I mean tell Suri or add it to your flat phone (as my dad calls smart phones).

Friday, September 28, 2012, 6:00 pm – Barbara Shoup’s Book Launch Party, Indy Reads Books
Friday, September 28, 2012, 8:00 pm – Art vs. Art Main Event, The Vogue Theater