Monon Gets Its Groove On

Riffing on the girl in the black ribbon in the front row, serenading a sleeping baby, and using a bottle of (very good) Brother Thelonius Micro Brew as an impromptu slide, Lafayette's Michael Kelsey was at his best as he played the guitar, and the enthusiastic audience at Monon Food Company last Saturday, kicking off the debut of the MoFoCo Summer Music Series.

A Hard Rains A Gonna Fall

The wind began to pitch, the house, to twitch, and suddenly the hinges started to unhitch... No, there were no flying monkeys raining down from the ominous sky over Chateau Thomas Winery last Friday night, but the clouds did turn dark and threatening, as a classic Indiana thunderstorm cut short an enjoyable evening of live music with Tim Brickley and the Bleeding Hearts.

Bandleader Brickley, under an illuminated tent alongside  his fellow Bleeding Hearts -- guitarist Larry DeMyer, bassist Scott Sanders and drummer Robin Reuter -- treated the date night audience to a mix of classic rock renditions (Stones, Dylan, Beatles, Neil Young, Donovan) as well as a few original compositions written by Brickley and longtime songwriting partner, David Rheins.

Until the elements sent the masses scrambling for cover, the audience members spread out on the winery grounds -- on blankets, under umbrellas,  or hunkered down in camping chairs -- sipped wine, politely snacked and enthusiastically shouted out requests from a mimeographed sheet of more than a hundred crowd favorites.  #66 Satisfaction.

Some of the more energetic attendees were even moved to their feet,  where a variety of classic Hoosier tail-feather shaking was demonstrated to the wide approval of all those in attendance.

Neon Love Life Rocks Indy Social Media Breakfast

Girls Rock. That was the theme of the 5th Indy Social Media Breakfast, held this morning at the The Indianapolis Children's Museum. More than 80 local social media marketers and communicators gathered for the event, which took place at the new "Rock Stars Cars & Guitars" exhibition.

Amidst life-size "Kiss" mannequins, vintage rocker muscle cars and memorabilia once owned by the likes of David Lee Roth, Elton John and Michael Jackson,  the all-girl rock band Neon Love Life talked about how the band is using social media and word-of-mouth marketing tactics to launch a non-profit organization designed to empower young girls through rock music.

Members of the band, Sharon Rickson, Tasha Blackman, Lindsay Manfredi, and Ashley Plummer treated the audience to an acoustic performance of some of their original songs, and talked about how Girls Rock Indy was created, and thanked the Indianapolis community for its support in donating instruments and helping to drive membership around its Facebook page and attendance at the Girls Rock Camp.

Panera Bread and the Children's Museum were co-sponsors of the networking event. The Rock Stars Cars & Guitars exhibit runs through September 12th.

What to do this weekend in Indy: Talbot Street Art Fair

For more than a half a century, the Talbot Street Art Fair  has been delighting local art fans with its mix of funky but family-friendly arts and crafts. All manner of painting, pottery, folk and fanciful art can be found, along with a host of other entertainments and food vendors.  We grew up eating BBQ from neighborhood kettle-drums, and look forward to checking out the cool local works of art and handicrafts from around the state, and around the country. 

The 55th iteration of the event takes place this weekend, Saturday June 12th & Sunday June 13th, with more than 270 artists expected to participate.

Hours are Saturday 10 - 6, and Sunday 10 - 5.

Talbot Street Art Fair is located between 16th & 20th / Delaware & Pennsylvania - Indianapolis in the historic Herron-Morton Neighborhood.

Best "Tees" in Broad Ripple?

Monon Food Company staffer Karoline models one of the stylish new tee shirts available at the Monon Food Company.  The Broad Ripple restaurant, fast gaining a reputation for "the best fish tacos" in Indy, California vibe and a huge selection of Micro Brews, will be rolling out its Summer Music Festival the evening of June 19th, with a performance by Lafayette uber-guitarist Michael Kelsey.

Gonzo Publishers Kick It Old School at Indy 500

Timeless Communications chief Terry Lowe offers up a cold Fosters to his track mates at the Indianapolis 500. The 2010 running was the hottest race in the 100 year history of "the greatest spectacle in racing."

Hoosier Publisher turned New Jersey Ad Dog Don Berry returned to his Indiana roots after many years away on his compound in Tranquility, NJ.

Lowe and Berry (or Jack Merde as he was known back in his street rag days) were in town for a Taboo/Hot Potato reunion party at Radio Radio -- See IndySocial "The Return of Jack Merde". According to the duo, the event was a celebration of Indianapolis in the 1980s -- back when clubs like the Patio and Crazy Als and bands like Rods N Cones and Zero Boyz ruled the roost.

After a successful nite, where Randy King and John Byrne rocked the downtown Fountain Square House, along with Dave Fulton, with interludes by DJ Marvin Goldstein, the two publishers and their families spent Memorial Day in Indianapolis kicking it old school at the track. They began the day with a traditional powdered eggs and biscuit and gravy breakfast, with bloody Mary chasers, at the Antelope Club, after which a police motorcycle escort whisked them, sirens ablaze,  to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway VIP parking. A short tussle through the throngs and the entourage found a cool spot under the Paddock overhang, where they enjoyed the 100th Anniversary of the Indy 500.

Cold Australian brew, grilled chicken sandwiches, Oreo cookies and even some vintage checkered seat cushions for Terry Lowe and his gal pal Susie.