Don't call it a weiner roast; It's SausageFest!

Flickr pic of Indy Hipster Namey McNamerson at last's year's SausageFest

Singer/Songwriter Tim Brickley asks Indy Social to remind everyone that tonight St. Thomas Aquinas kicks off its annual "SausageFest."

The outdoor fundraiser runs form 6 pm to midnight, on the parish grounds at 46th and Illinois. Tim Brickley and his Bleeding Hearts band will take the stage round 10 pm.

We're thinking this might be a nice place to stop after we hit the Fringe Festival at the Earth House.

Indy Gets Its Fringe On

We're excited about tonight's line up at the Indy Fringe Festival. Hope to see you all at the Earth House Collective. Get there early to rock out with DJ Dicky Fox, and stay for the performances (we are particularly psyched to see the debut of (Re)Collective Company's new show) and open mic.

Super Bowl Excitement Brewing in Indy

The 2012 Super Bowl may be years off, but the folks at the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association have been busy gearing up. In addition to the thousands of international visitors expected to pour into the city, the Super Bowl represents the ultimate event in corporate sponsorship and entertainment.

But why let the corporate fat cats have all the fun? The convention & visitor association offers just plain folks the chance to participate in a host activities. If you are really ambitious, why not consider volunteering?

For more information on community activities and voluteering, check out the official Indianapolis Super Bowl XLVI Committee site.

Finish Line: Allstate Washes Hands of Lagging Brickyard

After a disappointing turnout at yesterday's Brickyard 400 -- ticket sales were down 20% and revenues down an estimated 30 percent -- Allstate Insurance has pulled the plug on its 5-year sponsorship of the Brickyard 400.

Not so good hands.
"It will hurt us from a revenue standpoint when it comes to the bottom line, but the long-term future of this event is secure,” said IMS spokesman Ron Green.

In a breaking news report today from the Indiana Business Journal, Green cited the bad economy, a softening interest in NASCAR, and the tire shredding that marred last year's event, as reason for the mega-insurance company's decision to bail.

150 Acres of Photos -- IMA on Flickr

Established back in 1883, the venerable Indianapolis Museum of Art is one of the oldest and most popular art museums in the country. Famous for hosting Robert Indiana's "LOVE" sculpture, the museum is built on the grounds of Lilly House Mansion, home to the late Indy business man and philanthropist J.K. Lilly.

One of the most popular attractions at the IMA can be found outside of the facility in the form of the truly amazing Oldfields –Lilly House & Gardens, 26 acres of sculpture, beautifully showcased amongst the magnificent gardens and grounds designed in the 1920s by Percival Gallagher of the famous landscape architecture firm Olmsted Brothers.

These romantic gardens are a popular destination for art lovers, nature lovers and, especially photographers. Strolling the gardens (with our iPhone snapping away), we encountered not only a large wedding party in progress, but many smaller photo shoots -- professional and impromptu -- along the trails.

Seems that so many folks are snapping pics and sharing them on Flickr, that IMA recently established an official Indianapolis Museum of Art Flickr Group. You can see it here.

Cathy Kightlinger: Indy Star's Talk of Our Town

IndyStar Report Cathy Kightlinger (she of Talk of Our Town fame) stopped by to welcome Indy Social to the neighborhood. In her role as TOOT columnist, Cathy buzzes about Indianapolis so that we can eavesdrop on all the Circle City happenings in the arts, entertainment, party and social scenes.

Cathy tells us that there are exciting things happening over at the Star these days, and that we can expect to see some very innovative social media and 'convergence' media initiatives in the near future.

Of course, we'll be covering it all right here at Indy Social.

Taboo Man Speaks

Clarification: This just in off the mojo wire from Tranquility:

I do know about the Taboo Man on Ovation, Merde told Indy Social, " Thom emailed me the link when he uploaded the photo a couple of months ago. I visited his cabin in Spencer on a trip to Indiana three years ago and we keep in touch."

What does the old Taboo publisher think about his ancient covers coming to life as online art, "It should be known," Berry said, "that Jack Merde owns all the original prints from Taboo's distinctive front covers. Perhaps one day he'll donate them to a museum one day, but at present they are part of his private collection in the heavily guarded Merde Compound in Tranquility, New Jersey..."