Naptown Buzz

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April Abernathy

Friday Night Lights Out with Naptown Roller Girls

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FNLO_medRoller Derby Rocks the Indiana Convention Center Friday night!
Indianapolis’ Internationally-Ranked Roller Derby Team Returns Downtown for “Friday Night Lights Out”

 The Naptown Roller Girls will be back in action this Friday night, April 5th, 2013, for “Friday Night Lights Out” at the Indiana Convention Center (Hall H).

The #16 ranked Tornado Sirens and Warning Belles will battle the Detroit Derby Girls (#11). Doors open at 5:30, with the first bout at 6:00 PM (Warning Belles vs. the Motor City Disassembly Line). The second bout will pit the Detroit Derby All-Stars against the Tornado Sirens in a rematch from the “Monumental Mayhem” tournament held at the Convention Center in the fall of 2011. The Sirens’ close victory over Detroit sent them to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) World Championships for the first time.

The Sirens are coming off a tough loss at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to the Windy City Rollers last month, 207-110.

The Belles are also coming off a loss at home to the Demolition City Roller Girls (Evansville) 159-110.
The league has been playing at several different venues this season while the Coliseum at the State Fairgrounds is under construction. “We love the chance to play downtown and expand our already passionate fan base,” says league spokeswoman Devon Dean (“Peyton Slamming”).

Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Lucas Oil Stadium Box Office, and at our vendors across the city.  More information on tickets is available at our website, http://www.naptownrollergirls.com.

Partial proceeds from this bout will go to aid The Dayspring Center, an Indianapolis-based charity committed to assisting families who have found themselves homeless.  More information is available at http://www.dayspringindy.org.

Donation boxes will also be set up at the entrance to Hall H.  Dayspring officials are asking for donations of the following:

  • Canned foods (hot sauce, ketchup, barbeque sauce, mustard)
  • Packaged foods (ramen noodles, mac & cheese, oatmeal)
  • Fresh foods (fruit, juice, water)
  • Cleaning supplies (bleach, soaps)
  • Linens (NEW towels, clothes, sheets)
  • Baby items (diapers, wipes, powder)
  • Medicine (ibuprofen, aspirin)
  • Hygiene (lotion, soap, pads)

The bout will also feature a half-time mini-bout by the Race City Rebels, Indianapolis’ first men’s roller derby team.

Derby Lite Gears Up For Spring

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Derby Lite: Indianapolis “Get In Gear Day” set for March 18th, 2013

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Derby Lite: Indianapolis, the roller-derby based fitness program, is looking for new ladies for their Spring/Summer 2013 sessions!  Come be a part of one of the fastest-growing fitness crazes in America!

“Get In Gear Day” is set for Monday, March 18th at Krannert Park on Indianapolis’ west side. Women and men from ages 18-75 are invited to come learn more about this exciting and growing fitness program!

We don’t put on bouts. We don’t try to knock each other down. What we DO is offer the fitness and drill-based aspects of the sport.  We teach people to skate, improve speed, balance, and coordination, as well as offering modified scrimmaging in the intermediate and advanced versions of the class. We also inspire women to challenge themselves and gain confidence in a sport known for speed and skill.

Registration for our spring/summer sessions opens on March 2nd, 2013.  All classes will meet at the Forum in Fishers (9022 E 126th St, Fishers, IN 46038).  Classes begin the week of April 15th!

 

SPRING (10 weeks – new/existing participants welcome):

Beginner: Wednesdays, 6:30-8, April 17 – June 19 (Fee=$135)

Intermediate: Mondays, 6:30-8:30, April 15 – June 17 (Fee=$180)

 

SUMMER (6 weeks – existing participants only)

Beginner+: Wednesdays, 6:30-8, July 10 – August 14

Intermediate: Mondays, 6:30-8:30, July 8 – August 12

Want to give it a try? Log-on to http://www.derbylite.net for more information.

Ladies can choose to rent or purchase skates for the session during registration.

Derby Returns to Banker’s Life!

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Roller Derby Returns to Banker’s Life Fieldhouse March 10th!

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Coming on the heels of the success of “Derby Does Downtown” last spring, the Naptown Roller Girls are teaming up again with Compton Strategies to present “Spring Break” at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse March 10th, 2013.

The Naptown Tornado Sirens will take on the regional rival Windy City Rollers All-Stars (Chicago, IL) in what is sure to be one of the most competitive bouts of the year.  The two teams have met several times, with Naptown still searching for that elusive first victory over Chicago.  The Warning Belles will open the action at 2:00 P.M. that afternoon.

“Our ticket prices are some of the best value for sports in the city,” says league spokeswoman Devon Dean (“Peyton Slamming).  “We’re thrilled to again be partnering with Compton Strategies to hopefully bring derby to a whole new group of fans!”


“We love the action and excitement of women’s flat-track derby and are thrilled to be able to take the sport up a notch with this event,” says Compton Strategies President Ray Compton.

Indianapolis’ first women’s flat-track derby league has already sold out two bouts at the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion and is on par for a record season, as they make their third push toward a trip to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) World Championships this fall.

Ticket information is available at our website, http://www.naptownrollergirls.com.

Partial proceeds from this bout will again go to aid “Wish for Our Heroes, a non-profit dedicated to helping servicemen and women who are returning from combat.  More information is available at https://www.wishforourheroes.org.

Naptown Goes Two for Two Against Cincinnati

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GRocket by Tom K

The Naptown Roller Girls continue to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with. The ladies took on the Cincinnati Rollergirls Saturday in front of an almost sold-out crowd at the Indianapolis Convention Center for the Brawl of the Wild.

The first bout opened with Honey Badger of Naptown’s Warning Belles snatching the first lead jammer position, creating an early lead against Cincinnati’s Violent Lambs. The trend continued with NRG’s Itsy Gitsi racking up a 25-point jam. After jammer Eve Anne Hellical took her turn at the Lambs, the score was 48-0. Finally, Cincy pulled off a lead and scored.

Multiple trips to the penalty box by the Violent Lambs enabled the Belles to pull ahead 134-17 during the first half. The second half started with the Lambs getting the lead and steadily raising their score a few points per jam. It wasn’t enough to close the gap against NRG’s consistently scoring jammer rotation.

With less than 10 minutes left on the bout clock, Willa Hoeflinch snuck in the jammer rotation for NRG and scored an incredible 19 points. The first bout of the night ended with NRG’s Warning Belles out scoring Cincinnati’s Violent Lambs 313-62.

Naptown’s Tornado Sirens followed suit in the next bout against Cincinnati’s Black Sheep. A new team introduction got not just the crowd hyped but the ladies of NRG as well. Cincy’s jammer was quickly contained, shut down and held back by Asian Sinsation and Melissa Hehmann allowing Amooze Booche to score three consecutive grand slams.

A power jam combined with Maiden America’s ease around the track brought the score to 28-2. But the Sirens wouldn’t be without their own trips to the box. At one point, both jammers sat in the box while blockers on the floor shrugged at each other with confusion.

Once everyone was back on the track, Dora the Destroyer was able to hold the Black Sheep jammer while Maiden slipped through bringing the score up to 76-11. The Sheep countered by getting lead jam only to immediately get tailed by NRG jammer Trauma-lina. The jammer on jammer race around the track resulted in a zero-point jam. At the half, the Sirens lead the Sheep 92-39.

Naptown’s Tornado Sirens started the second half with two high-scoring jams in a row. Cincinnati continued to fight hard, even building their score with a few high-scoring jams of their own. With less than five minutes left, Naptown pulled far ahead, leading 231-86. The Black Sheep fought hard in the remaining minutes but could not match the scoring power of the Tornado Sirens who won 254-107.

Check out the Naptown Roller Girls Saturday as they return to the Indiana State Fairgrounds Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion and face the Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls from Bloomington. It’s the annual Star Wars bout — Looking for Love in Alderann Places.

Doors open at 6:30 to the general public, with the bout starting at 7:30 sharp! Presale tickets are available online for $12 or at our vendors across the city. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $10 apiece. Tickets will also be available at the door – $17 general admission, kids 7-12 $10, kids 6-under free, Military (with ID): $8 (two-ticket limit), and students are just $12 with ID.

Photo CreditL: GRocket by Tom Klubens

Looking for Love in Alderaan Places

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Naptown Roller Girls Back in Action This Weekend After 254-107 Win over Cincinnati!

Coming off two decisive victories this past weekend over the Cincinnati Roller Girls (CRG), the Naptown Roller Girls are back in action February 2nd, 2013 at the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The internationally-ranked Tornado Sirens will host the Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls (Bloomington) at “Looking for Love in Alderaan Places,” paying homage to the “Star Wars” films.

Saturday night’s bout will also include appearances by members of two “Star Wars” fan groups, the 501st and the Rebel Legion.

Doors open at 6:30 to the general public, with the bout starting at 7:30 sharp! Presale tickets are available online for $12 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com or at our vendors across the city.  Tickets for groups of 10 or more are $10 apiece.  Tickets will also be available at the door – $17 general admission, kids 7-12 $10, kids 6-under free, Military (with ID): $8 (two-ticket limit), and students are just $12 with ID.

Partial proceeds from this bout are going to benefit Kids Against Hunger, a non-profit dedicated to feeding children whose families are struggling both here and abroad.  Go to http://www.kah-greenwood.org/ for more information!

Following last weekend’s victories by both the Tornado Sirens and Warning Belles (Naptown’s B-team), league spokeswoman Peyton Slamming said, “our hard work is paying off. We’ve been training very hard off-skates, doing everything from Crossfit to taking dance lessons, in order to be better-rounded athletes.”

Lindsey Stirling @ ONC March 12, 2013

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129258aYouTube sensation Lindsey Stirling is perhaps the first – and only – artist in the world to blend classical violin, modern dance and The Legend of Zelda. You can catch Stirling at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2 at Deluxe.

Having originally impressed the nation as a quarter-finalist on the fifth season of America’s Got Talent, this musical Utah resident proceeded to take YouTube by storm with imaginative music videos, covers, and performances like dubstep violin track, “Crystallize,” “Starships” with Megan Nicole, Zelda Medley, and “Game of Thrones” theme with Peter Hollens.

Stirling reveals that she first started playing violin when she was six years old and practiced for a half hour to an hour a day while she was in school. “And now I feel like I play constantly,” she says. While she was known for her hip-hop tracks on America’s Got Talent, Lindsey’s since expanded to EDM (electronic dance music), which she says feeds her soul.

On September 19th, Lindsey released her self-titled debut album, Lindsey Stirling, coming off the heels of an incredibly successful presence on iTunes. Comprised of 10 original tracks, the album showcases Lindsey’s signature violin-electronic-dubstep style – opening with “Crystallize,” her most popular piece. Lindsey has already sold over 300,000 songs, several of which have hit the iTunes Top 100 as well as the top of the digital electronic charts.

“My musical style is a reflection of my personality,” Lindsey shares, “and through it I hope to share my belief that no one should be afraid to be themselves. All my songs were created to depict specific themes that I pulled from my own life experiences. ‘Spontaneous Me’ is about having the courage to love yourself for who you are.”

For more information about Stirling, check out her website:  http://lindseystirlingviolin.com/

Tickets (General Admission Tickets: $18.00 advance / $20.00 day of show) on sale now through www.livenation.com or the Old National Centre Box Office: www.oldnationalcentre.com

Imagine Dragons w/ Atlas Genius & Nico Vega @ ONC February 28, 2013

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Imagine DragonsThis year’s breakout rock band Imagine Dragons, who have captivated fans across the globe with their platinum-selling single “It’s Time,” will continue their bid for world domination with their first-ever headlining North American tour with Atlas Genius supporting. The band has announced a U.S. and Canadian Spring 2013 tour that includes a 7:30 p.m. stop February 28 at the Egyptian Room.

Imagine Dragons are touring n support of their full-length debut album Night Visions (KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records) which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Album chart selling more than 83,000 copies — the best first-week sales for a full-length album by a new rock band since May 2006. Night Visions also climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Albums chart. In its review, Billboard said that Night Visions “delivers its share of high-gloss pleasures, including the beat-heavy ‘Bleeding Out,” the rousing ‘On Top of the World,’ and ‘Tiptoe,’ an appealingly mystical number…”

The success of Night Visions has been fueled not only by the band’s thrilling live show while touring the U.S. (with AWOLNATION) and overseas and high-profile TV appearances (The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live! Late Night with Jimmy Fallon), but also by the first single, “It’s Time.” The track is a multi-format hit at radio that has crossed over from Modern Rock to Top 40, Hot AC, and AAA and reached the Top 5 on Billboard’s Alternative and Rock charts after being used in a trailer for the motion picture The Perks of Being A Wallflower. Entertainment Weekly called “It’s Time” “a perfect misfit anthem,” while People Magazine dubbed it “an anthem with a rich melody that’s infectious but gritty.” Raved USA Today: “Imagine Dragons has learned to craft the massive choruses and propulsive rhythms needed to take a rock band into arenas.”

The second single from Night Visions is “Radioactive,” which is currently climbing the Modern Rock chart. The eye- popping video, which was directed by Syndrome (Eminem, Ke$ha, The Black Eyed Peas), premieres today on Vevo, and features actors Lou Diamond Phillips (Southland), Alexandra Daddario (Parenthood), and the puppeteers by the studio Puppet Heap (The Walt Disney Company, The Daily Show). The concept revolves around a mysterious female drifter who is on a quest to save her friends (Imagine Dragons) from the perils of a sinister, underground puppet- fighting ring. The video can be seen here.

Tickets ( general admission: $22.00 advance / $25.00 day of show) on sale now through www.ticketmaster.com or the Old National Centre Box Office: www.oldnationalcentre.com

KEM @ ONC February 14, 2013

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KEMKEM will be at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre on Thursday, February 14 that 7:30 p.m. for an unforgettable show. A galvanizing live performer, who commands the stage with his soulful vocal ability and captivating stage presence, KEM promises to deliver a standout live experience not to be missed.

Music saw singer/songwriter/producer, KEM, through the darkest moments in his life as a child, which is where his love of music began. KEM, a Grammy nominated talent has been solicited by many artists and filmmakers. He wrote and performed, “Tonight,” which is included on the soundtrack of the Tyler Perry movie, “Madea’s Family Reunion.” KEM’s remake of Nat King Cole’s song, “Fascination” is featured in the Antonio Banderas movie, “Take the Lead.”

Named one of 2011’s “8 Great Grammy Nominees” by Entertainment Weekly KEM’s released his third album, Intimacy, in August on 2010. Intimacy debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums list and garnered national acclaim, including two Grammy award nominations, a Soul Train award nomination and a BET Centric Award nomination. Intimacy was officially certified gold in March 2012.

After the release of Intimacy, KEM headlined his sold-out national “Intimacy Tour.” Combined, KEM’s three albums have sold in excess of 2.2 million units. KEM also made his big-screen acting debut with the release of the movie, Sparkle, starring Jordin Sparks and the late Whitney Houston.

Additional information, including show dates and recent news is available at www.musicbykem.com.

Tickets on sale now!  Reserve Seat Tickets: $49.99 / $39.99 www.ticketmaster.com or at Old National Centre Box Office: www.oldnationalcentre.com

Green Day’s “American Idiot” Makes Indy Premiere

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IDIOT Logo + PIC

Broadway in Indianapolis has announced that tickets for the national tour of the explosive Broadway hit AMERICAN IDIOT are on sale now. The show will premier April 2 and run through the 7 at Clowes Memorial Hall.

AMERICAN IDIOT, a 2010 Tony Award®-nominated Best Musical and 2010 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Show Album, features the music of Green Day with the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. The book is by Armstrong and Tony Award®-winner Michael Mayer,who is also doing direction (“Spring Awakening”).

The acclaimed creative team also includes choreography by Olivier Award-winner Steven Hoggett (“Black Watch”) and orchestrations and arrangements by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tom Kitt(“Next to Normal”). The Tony Award®-winning scenic design by Christine Jones and the Tony Award®-winning lighting design by Kevin Adams will also be featured in the tour.

Winner of two Tony Awards®, AMERICAN IDIOT is the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9-11 world. Through incredible spectacle, thrilling performances and with the hope embodied by a new generation, AMERICAN IDIOT has given audiences the time of their lives night after night since its Broadway run at the St. James Theatre (March 2010 – April 2011) and its subsequent national tour, which launched December 2011 in Toronto.

“Since its inception, audiences have been surprised by the emotional journey the show takes them on, told almost exclusively through Green Day’s songs, including many they are already familiar with and love,” said Tom Hulce, producer. “This is such a potent time for our country and the search of our characters for what to believe in is gorgeously celebrated through Billie Joe and Green Day’s wonderfully lush score.”

The musical features the hits “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track “American Idiot” from Green Day’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum album. Also included in the score are several songs from Green Day’s 2009 release “21st Century Breakdown,” and an unreleased love song, “When It’s Time.”

AMERICAN IDIOT premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009 and played through November of that year. In April 2010, the musical opened on Broadway where reviews were unanimously positive with Charles Isherwood of the New York Times calling the show “the most adventurous musical to brave Broadway in the past decade” and the Toronto Star naming it “the first great musical of the 21st century!”

AMERICAN IDIOT will play in Indianapolis at Clowes Memorial Hall April 2-7, 2013.  Ticket prices range from $25 to $80 and are on sale now. Tickets are available in person at the Broadway Across America Box Office downtown at 342 Massachusetts Avenue, Clowes Memorial Hall, The Old National Center Ticket Office, online at BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com, or by phone at 1-800-982-2787. Groups of 10 or more can book now by calling 317-632-7469 x103. The performance schedule will be Tuesday – Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm, Sunday matinee at 1:00 pm and Sunday evening at 6:30 pm.

For more information on AMERICAN IDIOT, visit www.americanidiotthemusical.com.

Ice show & Animation exhibit coming to State Fair

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Sharks, sword swallowers, sheep-herding monkeys … the Great Indiana State Fair has had it all over the years, but the 2013 fair will offer something the event has never had before — an outdoor ice show.

Rosstyn Ice Shows, which has been touring the world for nearly 20 years presenting a variety of action-packed, family-fun shows, will have three to four daily performances at next year’s Indiana State Fair, Aug. 2 — 18.  Each performance will take place on a 40-by-40 skating rink in Dow AgroSciences Celebration Park on the fairgrounds’ northwest side.  The rink will be covered by a clear-span, engineered tent with bleacher seating for up to 800 spectators.

All of the shows will feature a number of skaters performing entertaining stunts that combine music, artistry, pageantry and comedy.  A video of past performances can be viewed at http://bit.ly/USbDXR.  The shows will be free to visitors with their paid admission to the fair.

Another new, free attraction coming to next year’s fair is “Get Animated,” an 8,000 square foot exhibit that explores the fascinating world of animation.  The interactive experience takes visitors back to the classics of traditional hand drawn celluloid animation and highlights current day computer animation, including well known stories and characters from Pixar, Walt Disney, DreamWorks and Sony Animation.

A large-scale custom 3-D Zoetrope, a device that produces the illusion of motion from a rapid succession of static pictures, will be the centerpiece of the exhibit.  By spinning at more than 30 miles per hour, it brings static cartoon characters to life right before viewers’ eyes!  Another popular feature is Animation University, an interactive learning experience where visitors learn to draw classic cartoon characters from an on-site instructor.

“Get Animated” will be open every day of the fair inside the Grand Hall on Main Street.