Gigging Tonight: Friday, December 4

Leon Chance and his Honky Tonk circus will bring their special brand of hillybilly rock to Indianapolis tonight in not one but two performances. Leon , along with The Longshots, will begin the evening by sitting in with Hank Haggard at THE MONKEY'S TAIL in Broad Ripple at 8 PM. They'll do it all again at an 11 o'clock set, as part of Coot Crabtree's Country Showcase at LOCALS ONLY.

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Cara Jean Wahlers, Grover Parido with Lou Stant. Indy Hostel (49th and Winthrop). 7pm. Indy Hostel is family-friendly and non-smoking. Light snacks will be served. Please bring the alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage of your choice.

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Tim Brickley will be opening the new Chateau Thomas Winery in Fishers tonight. Fishers Town Commons 8235 116th Street, Suite 235.

Playing Friday Night: Cara Jean Wahlers and Grover Parido with Lou Stant

Singer/Songwriter Cara Jean Wahlers writes to tell us about a must-see performance this Friday, December 4th at Indy Hostel (49th and Winthrop in a red house), where she will be sharing the stage with Grover Parido and Nashville musician Lou Stant.

"We'll be playing unplugged in this intimate environment. I'm particularly excited about this show because we'll be performing a lot of new songs that you've never heard before. And it's going to be great to be back at the Hostel. John and Karen are wonderful friends and very sweet hosts."

Sounds like a great show, we know we'll be there and hope to see all you Indy Socialites there as well.

Pali, the fire chick

One of the highlights of last Friday's Day-After-Thanksgiving house party featuring Michael Kelsey (held at Tim Williams' super cool ranch) was an impromptu performance by Pali, the fire chick.

Indy Social took a whole bunch of pics of the amazing fire artist, but unfortunately lost them in the transfer from iPhone to MacBook.

To the rescue comes Indy soundman Alex Mark, who contributes this picture.

If you ever have a chance to see Pali, do, you won't regret it.

Micheal Kelsey Rocks the House (Party)

Lafayette, IN singer/songwriter and acoustic guitar innovator Michael Kelsey rocked a packed house last night for the 3rd Annual Day After Thanksgiving house party. Hosted by long-time Indy musician Tim Williams (Spud Puppies, ReCollective) and his sister Tammy, the standing room only event included two forty-five minute performance by Kelsey, as well as a group jam featuring some of the best of the Indy music scene.

Reporters, filmmakers, fans, fire artists and mostly musicians packed the instrument-laden home. Indy Social left the action still in progress sometime after 2:oo a.m., as the drum circle began its all-night jam.

Pics From Tonic Ball VIII

Last nights eight ball ( Tonic Ball VIII) was a raging success. Ah what a night! We bid and won a great piece of art at Tonic Gallery (AV Framing Gallery, Fountain Square, 1139 Shelby St) then we took in the Led Zep and Dylan sets at Radio Radio and the adjoining stage at Fountain Square. Radio Radio was jam packed, with a long line of folks waiting to get in, so we started the evening at FS where Dylan was the prevailing wind. Here the scene was mellower, and we were even able to grab a seat and chat with our friend Cathy Kightlinger, who was covering the event with her trusty photographer in tow for TOOT. We enjoyed a beverage and saw some fine Dylan performances by Jon Martin, Shelby Kelley, Brian Deer and the Achievers and Tad Armstrong.

Then we decided we needed more strong drink, and so gave up our seats and we headed over to take in the Led Zep scene at Radio Radio.

In our opinion Radio Radio is one of the great rock venues in Indy. Great vibe. Good layout. Nice glass and pills bar, great bar staff, and a sound system that really works (unlike the muddy sound on the Dylan Stage at FS). Only suggestion would be to upgrade the TVs to some flat panels.

The crowd at Radio Radio was in full Friday night party mode, Tufty, in regular black leather, was working the room like the pro that he is. The bands were tight. Everyone was there.

To end the evening, we made our way back to the FS, and despite the weak sound, we enjoyed the short but sweet performances of long-time favorites Otis Gibbs, followed by the Vulgar Boatmen.

We left the night happy, with some great new art, and the knowledge we were able to help a great cause like Second Helpings.

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Tonic Ball VIII

Set your clocks. Dust off your dancing clogs, Second Helping's annual Tonic Ball has arrived, and everyone will be there.

Tonic Ball VIII will feature more than 30 of Central Indiana’s top rock, folk, jazz, funk, country, and pop artists celebrating the songs of Led Zeppelin at Radio Radio, 1119 E. Prospect St….and the songs of Bob Dylan right next door at the Fountain Square Theatre—all beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 20th.

According to the Second Helpings web site, more than 1,000 people attended last year's event at Fountain Square.

Note: Fountain Square Theatre is an all-ages venue. Under-age tickets may be purchased separately. Call or email Ben Shine at 632-2664 X. 29, or ben@secondhelpings.org.

This year's artists:

Radio Radio (Led Zeppelin stage)
Bat Tattoo
The Misprintz
The Old Fair and Square Band
Ebenezer and the Hymnasters
The Last Domino
Frankie Camaro’s Atomic Bombay
Big Betty
Yoko Moment
We’re Not Squibnocket
Jennie DeVoe
The Cocaine Wolves
The Common
Healing Sixes
Bigger Than Elvis
Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes

Fountain Square Theater (Bob Dylan stage)
The Jethros
Ladymoon
Sanuk
Coolidge
Jeff Byrd and the Wingmen
Jon Strahl Band
CW and the Working Class Trio
The Odyssey Favor
Luke Austin Daugherty Jam Band
Joel Henderson
Everest
Susan and the Desperate Seekers
Jon Martin and…
Shelby Kelley
Brian Deer and the Achievers
Tad Armstrong
Mardelay
Everthus the Deadbeats
Everything Now!
Otis Gibbs
The Vulgar Boatmen (w/special guest Jake Smith from the Mysteries of Life)