Arts & Entertainment

December 19, 2013 by April Abernathy

Indy Magic Monthly welcomes one of Indiana’s most unusual mystics, the conjurer known as Obtuse. Known not only for his magic, but for his wonderful story telling. From Kokomo, Obtuse is one of his home city’s most in demand entertainers.

Headlining Indy Magic Monthly will be first-time performer Reed Masterson’s Impossible Magic. A frequent act at many fantasy conventions, Impossible Magic mixes grand illusion with circus arts to come up with a unique style that is sure to please. Fireating, along with other unusual skills, will thrill those in attendance at Theatre On The Square.

Also performing is the series creator, Taylor Martin, as, well, he hasn’t decided yet. His seven different characters have all performed at one time or another in the past year, so maybe he’ll just pick it out of the top hat. Also, prizes and surprises galore promise another great evening of magic. Come see why Indianapolis is becoming a destination for magicians and fans of magic, alike.

And coming January 16 through 20 at The Cook Theatre and The Indy Fringe Theatre, The Fourth Annual Indianapolis Winter Magic Festival, with guest of honor, Johnny Thompson — The Great Tomsoni.

What: Taylor Martin’s Indy Magic Monthly Show #69

When: Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014 @ 7:30, Lobby opens at 7 PM, Doors at 7:15 PM

Where: Theatre On The Square, 627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN

Tickets: $20 Adults, $12 seniors, full time students, and active military personnel. $50 family ticket for up to 5, at least 2 children, please!

https://naptownbuzz.com/2013/12/13108/

IMA Announces Films for 2014 Winter Nights Series

November 26, 2013 by April Abernathy

The Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) announces its fifth annual Winter Nights film series. From January 3 to February 28, 2014, movies will be shown every Friday beginning at 7 p.m.

Held in the The Toby, the annual indoor film series provides attendees a much needed escape from the cold while they cozy up and enjoy classic film. This year, movies focus on quirky, heart-warming comedies with razor-sharp dialogue and slapstick shenanigans. All films are shown in their original 35 mm format.

For a special Valentine’s Day screening, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra will perform the score for The Strong Man (1926), the first feature-length film directed by Frank Capra. This film begins at 7:30 p.m.

2014 WINTER NIGHTS FILM SCHEDULE

The Thin Man (1934, dir. W.S. Van Dyke, 91 mins., NR)
Friday, January 3
Sipping martinis like water and trading one-liner’s like a game of hot potato, Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy) will have you rolling in the aisle in this light-hearted whodunit. Egged-on by Nora, former detective Nick comes out of retirement to find missing inventor and suspected murderer, Clyde Wynant. Shot in a mere two weeks, the film was so successful it launched a series of six films over the next thirteen years.

Some Like It Hot (1959, dir. Billy Wilder, 120 mins., NR)
Friday, January 10
After witnessing the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, musicians Joe and Jerry (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon) flee Chicago by disguising themselves as women and joining an all-girl orchestra. Complications arise when Joe falls for the band’s lead singer, Sugar Kane Kowalczyk (Marilyn Monroe), and creates another identity,an oil tycoon,to seduce her. All the while Jerry, dolled up as Daphne, has found a millionaire of his own and the mob is hot on their trail.Featuring Oscar-winning costumes by Orry-Kelly.

Father Goose (1964, dir., Ralph Nelson, 118 mins., NR)
Friday, January 17
Set during WWII, beachcomber Walter Eckland (Cary Grant) is convinced to live on an isolated island and report Japanese air activity. When he unwittingly comes to the rescue of French schoolmistress Catherine (Leslie Caron) and her seven young charges, Eckland realizes his peaceful isolation is at an end as he is forced into sobriety and out of his hut. It seems that Catherine and Walter will never get along, until Japanese soldiers arrive on the island and the two are forced to work together to save the girls.

Manhattan (1979, dir. Woody Allen, 96 mins., R)
Friday, January 24
Isaac is dating Tracy after divorcing Jill, who has moved in with Connie and is writing a book about their failed marriage. Yale is happily married to Emily and happily dating Mary. So goes the modern mating dance in Manhattan, until Isaac falls for Mary and struggles to face his emotions. Stunning cinematography by Gordon Willis and a soundtrack featuring George Gershwin will make falling in love in Manhattan easy to do.

Raising Arizona (1987, dirs., Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, 94 mins., PG-13)
Friday, January 31
After discovering that they cannot conceive a child, ex-con H.I. (Nicholas Cage) and ex-cop Edwina McDonald (Holly Hunter) decide to help themselves to one of the Arizona family’s newborn quintuplets. With the police, a bounty hunter and H.I’s prison buddies all on the search for the missing quint, the couple struggles to keep their secret and their sanity. Outrageous, wild and heart-warming, Raising Arizona is the second feature-length film by the Coens and certainly one of the funniest.

Dr. Jack (1922, dirs. Fred Newmeyer and Sam Taylor, 59 mins., NR)
Friday, February 7
Country Doctor, Jack Jackson, has a knack for cheering up his patients without medicine. When one of his former patients asks him to help a friend, Dr. Jackson discovers the wealthy man’s daughter (Mildred Davis) isn’t an invalid, but a helpless victim of Dr. von Saulsbourg’s greed. Sparks fly when Dr. Jackson and the girl accidentally kiss and he vows to rescue her from von Saulsbourg’s clutches. Musical accompaniment by Roger Lippincott.

The Strong Man with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (1926, dir. Frank Capra, 75 mins., NR)
Friday, February 14
7:30 p.m.
$25 IMA member, $30 public, $12 student (17 and under)
The collaboration between the ICO and IMA continues with a Valentine’s Day screening of The Strong Man- the first feature-length film directed by Frank Capra. Paul Bergot (Harry Landon) becomes pen-pals with Mary Brown (Pricilla Bonner) during The Great War and quickly falls in love with her. Once the war is over, Bergot travels to America as the assistant to vaudevillian strongman “Zandow the Great” and begins his search for Mary. Will he ever find her? Kirk Trevor, conductor and Eric Grayson, projectionist.

Tillie’s Punctured Romance (1914, dirs. Mack Sennett and Charles Bennett, 82 mins., NR)
Friday, February 21
Considered the first ever feature-length comedy, Tillie’s Punctured Romance features Charlie Chaplin as a greedy philanderer. Charlie meets Tillie while on the “outs” with his girlfriend, Mabel. When he realizes that Tillie’s father is well-off, he persuades her to elope, runs off with her money and Mabel. Returning for Tillie when she inherits her uncle’s fortune, Charlie tricks her yet again until Tillie and Mabel realize they are too good from Charlie and send him packing. Musical accompaniment by Roger Lippincott.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928, dirs. Charles Reisner and Buster Keaton, 70 mins., NR)
Friday, February 28
In the town of River Junction, Captain William Canfield’s old paddle steamer has seen better days. Canfield hopes the arrival of his son, William Canfield Jr. (Buster Keaton), will help him compete with rival James King’s new passenger ship. Willie disappoints his father, not only with his lack of strength but with his budding relationship with King’s daughter Kitty. Canfield and King resolve to break-up the each other’s businesses and young lovebirds, but when a hurricane reaches River Junction a daring rescue by Willie brings the group together. Steamboat Bill, Jr. features Keaton’s single most famous stunt- narrowly dodging a falling building- during the cyclone scene. Musical accompaniment by Dr. Philip Carli.

Ticketing, Hours, Parking and Concessions

Winter Nights film series ticket prices are $5 for IMA members and $9 for the public, unless otherwise noted. Tickets are available for purchase at the door, in advance at http://www.imamuseum.org/events-programs/films/winter-nights or by calling 317-955-2339. Tickets are non-refundable.

Parking in the main lot and underground garage is free for IMA members and $5 for the public. Outlying parking spots are free to everyone. Concessions and cocktails will be available in The Toby lobby until 8 p.m.

December Events at Old National Centre

November 26, 2013 by April Abernathy

CHANCE THE RAPPER
With Special Guests: DJ Rashad, Spinn
Wednesday, December 4, 2013 @ Deluxe at Old National Centre
Time: 8:00PM
General Admission Tickets: $25.00

MiMOSA
With Special Guests: Thriftworks, BOGL
Thursday, December 5, 2013 @ Deluxe at Old National Centre
Time: 9:00PM
General Admission Tickets: $20.00

COREY SMITH
Friday, December 6, 2013 @ Deluxe at Old National Centre
Show: 8:00PM
General Admission Tickets: $23.00

IMPRACTICAL JOKERS
Featuring The Tenderloins
Saturday, December 7, 2013 @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Show: 7:30PM
Reserved Seat Tickets: $47.00

MAX & RUBY IN THE NUTCRACKER SUITE – TWO SHOWS
Sunday, December 8, 2013 @ Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Show: 12:00PM / 3:30PM
Reserved Seat Tickets: $25.00 to $50.00

KIP MOORE
With Special Guest: Drake White
Thursday, December 12, 2013 @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Show: 7:30PM
General Admission Tickets: $32.50

THE CULT
Saturday, December 14, 2013 @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Show: 8:00PM
General Admission Tickets: $39.50

THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS
With Special Guest: Blue October
Sunday, December 15, 2013 @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Show: 8:00PM
General Admission Tickets: $39.50

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER
Friday, December 20, 2013 @ Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Time: 8:00PM
Reserved Seat Tickets: $55.00 to $81.75

STRAIGHT NO CHASER
With Special Guest: Caroline Glaser
Saturday, December 21 – December 22, 2013 @ Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Reserved Seat Tickets: $32.50 / $44.50 / $55.50

LED ZEPPELIN 2
Sunday, December 29, 2013 @ Deluxe at Old National Centre
Show: 8:00PM
General Admission Tickets: $15.00

ONC UNDERGROUND * NYE 2014 *
Featuring: Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s, Cosby Sweater, Action Jackson, A-Squared Industries, DJ Metrognome, DJ Megatone
Tuesday, December 31, 2013 @ Deluxe at Old National Centre
Show: 8:00PM
General Admission Tickets: $35.00

BUY TICKETS AT:
www.OldNationalCentre.com | Old National Centre Box Office | 800-745-3000 | Ticketmaster.com | LiveNation.com

Going…Going…Gone at IndyFringe

November 26, 2013 by April Abernathy

Ed’s Auction House opens for business again on Dec. 1, this time with acclaimed New York cabaret singer and Indiana native Bill Kinley on stage. Joining him be improv veterans Eryn Bowers and Mike Gospel, and “Going…Going…Gone” co-creator John Thomas.

The cast will join forces to give a wink and a nod to a classic holiday film with “Going…Going…Gone: It’s a Wonderful Auction House.”

The live auction comedy takes place on the final night at Ed’s Auction House. Ed’s dead, and those close to him face the task of selling off his last worldly possessions. How? By having the audience bid using fake money they received when they entered the theatre. The action unfolds as the actors learn along with the audience what items must be auctioned off – and create the stories behind those items. The best part is that audience members who place winning bids take their purchases home.

McKinley, a Muncie, Indiana, native worked in theaters throughout the Midwest before becoming a favorite on the New York cabaret scene. A self-described “Disneyphile,” Bill has been heard in Disney attractions and films (POCAHONTAS and MULAN), recorded a CD of Disney songs and performed in his critically acclaimed Disney-themed cabaret show, “Don’t Tell Walt.”

Eryn Bowers can be seen around Indy at Comedy Sportz and in the new “Eri/yn” show. Mike Gospel, a recent Miami University grad, has been improvising his way around Chicago. John Thomas partnered with Lou Harry to create “Going…Going…Gone” for the 2012 IndyFringe Theatre Festival. Since then, it has become a monthly staple at the IndyFringe Basile Theatre.

WHAT: “Going…Going…Gone” – the live auction comedy
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, and then the first Sunday of every month
WHERE: IndyFringe Basile Theatre, 719 E St. Clair St., Indianapolis
COST: $15; $12 for students and senior citizens. Tickets available at www.IndyFringe.org. Information available for office parties and other private events

Excision at Egyptian Room

November 26, 2013 by April Abernathy

Friday, April 11 2014 | Egyptian Room at Old National Centre

Excision shows are like no other- a virtual apocalypse of twisting and morphing sounds turn massive crowds into a frenzy, as virtual walls of bass are relentlessly impaled time and time again upon their fragile bodies and ears. Your ears will ring and your eyes will roll into the back of your head as you are suspended in what can only be called a true sensory overload. Bass will rain down from above for hours as Excision’s skills as a DJ and producer shine like an unholy light from the underworld.

The true champion of bass music, Excision hails from Kelowna, British Columbia. The founder of the ROTTUN label, a bass music conglomerate that has shaped the sound of modern Bass music, Excision has created a vast roster of allies that has only bolstered his spot as a warrior of bass music. Armed with a library of destruction and filth, Excision has time and time again tested the limits of electronic music with vastly different sets that encompass a full range of genres. The things you see and hear during the precious time you are engaged by Excision’s sounds will eclipse your mind for a lifetime, as you are constantly enlightened by the true fervor and energy that only an Excision set can provide.

General Admission Tickets: $30.00 Advance / $35.00 Day of Show / www.ticketmaster.com / Old National Centre Box Office / www.oldnationalcentre.com

Cody Simpson with Special Guest Plug In Stereo

November 26, 2013 by April Abernathy

7 PM Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at Old National Centre Tickets on sale now!

Music has played an integral part in Cody’s life since he was a child. Watching his dad sing and play guitar for friends and family at parties and backyard barbecues taught him the power that music has to bring people together. Inspired, he asked for his own guitar and began taking lessons at the age of seven. After learning a few chords, Cody wrote his first song. He continued practicing and soon began posting YouTube videos of himself performing his original songs alongside stellar covers by some of his favorite artists like Justin Timberlake, Jason Mraz, and Jack Johnson, racking up millions of views.

Cody has made a host of high-profile TV appearances, including The Today Show, Live! with Kelly, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures, So Random, The Early Show, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, not to mention as a performer and mentor on Radio Disney and the Disney Channel’s “N.B.T. (Next Big Thing)” talent contest. He was among the top stars featured at Nickelodeon’s 2012 Kids Choice Awards where he presented and took home the award for “Favorite Aussie Star,” and at Australian Nickelodeon’s 2011 Kids Choice Awards, where he won “Awesome Aussie,” “Aussie Muso,” and the prestigious “Super Fresh.” Cody showcased his latest tracks “Pretty Brown Eyes” and “Awake All Night” as part of a stellar live appearance at the 2013 Radio Disney Music Awards.

In 2012, Cody launched his first-ever European headlining tour and hit the road as support for Justin Bieber’s U.S. and European Believe Tour, playing to crowds of 20,000. “It was a great experience for me. I was really motivated to make my show even better by watching what Justin and his team were doing on the Believe Tour,” Cody says. “I had to prove myself on his tour. My goal was to go out there every night, get people up on their feet, and turn everyone in that arena into a fan of mine.” Cody recently kicked off his Paradise Tour, which visits 36 cities in North America.

In October, HarperCollins will publish Cody’s official autobiography Welcome To Paradise: My Journey, which will feature never-before-seen photos and exclusive details about Cody’s life on and off stage, including his early years as a competitive swimmer. “I really wanted to tell my story in my own words and share my experiences,” Cody says. “Everything I do, whether it’s the music, the live shows, and now the book, is about letting the fans get to know me better. I want them to feel as if we’re mates.”

General Admission Tickets: $25.00
www.ticketmaster.com |Old National Centre Box Office | www.oldnationalcentre.com

Morris-Butler House offers Victorian and steampunk afternoon teas

November 25, 2013 by April Abernathy

The Morris-Butler House, a nineteenth-century home with a tower and a brand-new paint scheme, invites visitors to tea. Afternoon teas on December 7 feature Victorian holiday traditions and décor with a traditional English tea menu. On December 14, the tea features a menu inspired by the steampunk genre.

The civilized pick-me-up of afternoon tea seems even more special amid the Morris-Butler House holiday décor, enhanced by a short preview of The Nutcracker performed by ballerinas from the Indianapolis School of Ballet.

The Victorian tea menu features authentic recipes prepared by Ivy Tech’s Hospitality Administration Program, including chocolate cherry scones and lemon rosemary scones with clotted crème, cucumber and dill chive sandwiches, ham and green mustard brioche, smoked salmon with cream cheese and capers on rye crackers, chocolate-dipped short bread and lemon butter cookies.

At the afternoon tea on Dec. 14, Circle City Aerodrome—Indianapolis’ own steampunk group—will explain the creative movement that blends team-powered gadgets and 20th century marvels in a world of Victorian fashion, literature, art and history. Guests at the Steampunk Holiday Tea will take part in games and dancing inspired by the genre.

Ivy Tech’s Hospitality Administration Program designed the Steampunk tea menu, which features rose petal drop scones, cheese straws, cream puffs, baked meringue top hats, checkerboard cookies, and cucumber, egg and tarragon, and pinwheel ham sandwiches.

A selection of gourmet teas from Tea’s Me Café accompanies the fare at each event.

Traditional Victorian Holiday Tea: Saturday, December 7, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm.
Steampunk Holiday Tea: Saturday, December 14, 11am-1pm

The Morris-Butler House, a property of Indiana Landmarks at 1204 North Park Avenue, is located in the Old Northside. Each holiday tea costs $30 per person, and reservations are required. You can buy tickets online at https://mbholidaytea2013.eventbrite.com or call 317-636-5409.

Tickets going fast for Indy Symphonic Choir’s signature holiday event

November 25, 2013 by April Abernathy

Annual Festival of Carols December 8 and 22

Festival of Carols, the annual holiday show from the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, returns for the season following a sell-out run in 2012. Performances will feature arrangements of holiday favorites including “Joy to the World, “O Holy Night,” the “Hallelujah Chorus” and more. Festival of Carols is sponsored by Simon Property Group. Tickets are still available for the Sunday, December 22 performances at the Palladium in Carmel beginning at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Sunday, December 8 show at the Scottish Rite Cathedral is now sold out.

The 150-voice Indianapolis Symphonic Choir will be joined by special guests including soprano Maria Jette (as heard on NPR’s Prairie Home Companion), Butler University’s all-male a cappella group Out of the Dawg House and the city’s finest bell choir, the Circle City Ringers. As part of the Choir’s educational initiatives, students from the choirs at Franklin Central High School and Fishers High School will join for the December 8 and 22 performances respectively.

Tickets range from $20-$38 and can be purchased online at www.indychoir.org. There may be a limited number of tickets available at the door. Group sales and student discounts are available. For performance details, audio preview links and ticket information, visit www.indychoir.org or call 317-940-9057.

First Friday at the Stutz to feature open studios and more

November 25, 2013 by April Abernathy

The Stutz Artists Association is offering a holiday version of its annual open house on Dec. 6 with 30 open artists’ studios, an exhibition featuring art for gift-giving and the second annual bicycle selection for artists participating in an upcoming competition.

For the first time ever on a First Friday in the evening, visitors will be able to roam the massive building to find approximately 30 studios in which artists will be hosting receptions from 6 to 9 p.m.

The “Splendid Menagerie” exhibition will be in part of the Raymond James Stutz Art Gallery on the first floor. It will feature small and large works created with gift giving in mind. Art will include paintings and graphics, jewelry of many different styles and materials, greeting cards, photography, and fabric arts including quilting and hand-dyed wall art.

Another part of the gallery will feature the “IDADA First in Line” show featuring snapshots of the people who bought artwork. IDADA will hold a reception and sale on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. Visit www.idada.org for more details.

Finally, the evening will be complete with the second annual bicycle selection for reCYCLE pARTS II, a juried art exhibit and competition in May 2014. One by one, participating artists will pick an entire bike starting at 7 p.m. Artists will draw a number at registration that determines the order of bicycle selection. All art in the show will be created using at least three pieces of the selected bicycle.

WHAT: First Friday at the Stutz featuring 30 open studios, “Splendid Menagerie” exhibition and artists’ bicycle selection for the second annual show featuring bicycle parts
WHERE: The Stutz Business Center, 212 W. 10th St. (Enter from 10th Street via alley)
WHEN: Dec. 6, 5-9 p.m.
COST: Free and open to the public
INFO: www.stutzartists.com or (317) 503-6420

Taylor Martin’s Indy Magic Monthly Show #68, Future Stars

November 25, 2013 by April Abernathy

At a recent magic convention in Las Vegas, a performer stepped on stage, and a legend was born.

Imagine a man who’d never been on a plane before and never had been in Las Vegas. He had worked many long hours with Joanie Spina, former director for David Copperfield, to create a world class show. His act had been reborn. And when Patrick Thernes from Cincinnati, finished his show, he got standing ovations, praise from Lance Burton and Mac King, and ended up getting an engagement at the world famous Magic Castle.

This is Sir Pat-Trick, and his last stop before Hollywood is Indiana at Indy Magic Monthly on Dec. 3rd. Don’t miss it!

The show will also feature Cody Comet, an up and coming magician from Louisville. Comet, ajunior at U of Louisville, has a story to tell and magic to tell it with.

As an autistic person, he’s used magic to help him achieve what others only wish they could. With bookings in comedy clubs, magic shows in Chicago, Louisville and Indy, and doing benefits for The Special Olympics, Comet has received standing ovations wherever he plays.

Indianapolis’ own master of sleight of hand, Corbett Troyer joins the show as well. Troyer has been a fixture on the Indiana magic scene for many years, and he always shows his audiences his mastery of the impossible.

The entire evening will be emceed by Taylor Martin as Rodney The Elder, Escamoteur and Conjurer. As usual, the evening of entertainment, known as Indy Magic Monthly, will again leave you astonished.

Tickets: $20 Adults, $12 seniors, full time students, and active military personnel. $50 family ticket for up to 5, at least 2 children, please!
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2013 @ 7:30, Lobby opens at 7 PM, Doors at 7:15 PM
Where: Theatre On The Square, 627 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN