Pictured (left to right): Matt Carter, executive director, MusicCrossroads; Scott McCormick, president and CEO, Music for All; Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard; Dan Atcheson, Executive Director, Drum Corps International; Rusty Briel, executive director, Indiana State School Music Association; Don Welsh, president and CEO, Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, at a "Marching Madness" luncheon at Lucas Oil Stadium.





Perhaps you didn't know but hopefully, soon, you will.

Indianapolis is the only city to host championship marching band competitions at the state, national and international levels.

It's the product of a strategy called Music Crossroads. Essentially, it more or less duplicates the sports strategy that took hold in Indianapolis 30 years ago and helped transform the city into a sports capital.

That strategy goes like this: attract associations (in this case, music associations) to locate in the city, and then help those associations bring their championship events here.

With Music Crossroads, two of the associations to re-locate to Indy are Music for All (formerly Bands of America) and Drum Corps International.

The result is a stunning lineup of "Pageantry Marching Arts" events in the coming months, all to take place in Lucas Oil Stadium.

The first is Drum Corps International's World Championships Aug. 5-8. Next is the Indiana  State School Music Association's State Marching Band Championships on Oct. 31. Then comes Music for All's Bands of America Grand Nationals Nov. 11-14.

Collectively, those three events will draw more than 100,000 participants, families and spectators, and create $27 million in direct spending.

Better still, it establishes Indianapolis as a destination for cutural tourism and the creative class. Generally, these young men and women are among the best and brightest of their generation. They are intelligent, focused, driven, and likely to be among the leaders of tomorrow.

Today, we invite them here to compete.

Tomorrow, we invite them here to live.

It's all good. As with being recognized as the Motorsports and Amateur Sports Capital of the World, Indianapolis is now known as the Pageantry Arts Capital of the World. 

And if you never have been to one of these competitions, these musician-athletes are simply amazing.

As I said, it's all good. 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

HAPPY THREE DAY WEEKEND! 

HAPPY MEEEE!!!

Have no plans? Wallet growing a little weary? Well, it's a good thing that Indianapolis has SO many great events going on with little spending required. Call me a cheap date, it's ok.

Here are some ideas for you and the pals this weekend:

Get those legs movin'
Ride your bike along the canal and White River State Park. Bring a picnic and plop down on the lovely lawn to enjoy a cheap eat with your friends.

You paddle, I'll enjoy the scenery
Wheel Fun Bike and Boat Rentals is offering a $5 discount off any rental on July 4th.

You're never too old for ICE CREAM!
Enjoy a delicious treat at the President Benjamin Harrison Home for the Old Fashion Ice Cream Social. Saturday, July 4th, 11:30am-3:30pm.

Eiteljorg. FREE admission. WOOHOO!
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art has FREE admission on Saturday and activities from 4:30-9pm along the Canal.

FREE Concerts on the Canal
The American College of Sports Medicine will be featuring The Indianapolis Municipal Band at 5pm and The Impalas at 7:30pm. Never heard of them? WHO CARES! It's FREE!

FIREWORKS! (duh.)
Who doesn't love a little sparkle in their evening? Come enjoy the fireworks in Downtown Indianapolis Saturday night soon after dusk.


What am I doing?

Well, our dear co-worker (and friend) Melissa Walpole will be ending her weekend as Mrs. Eric Mattingly. <woohoo!> So, I will be watching the fireworks on Saturday with 200+ and celebrating the marriage of two of my greatest friends. CONGRATS!

Have a great weekend!

I'm always looking for good new lunch spots near downtown Indianapolis and Fountain Square consistently provides just that sort of thing. My recent travels took me to Naisa Cafe, a relatively new pan-Asian spot at 1025 Virginia Ave.

A small, very clean dining area is accented by a lineup of rotating artwork from Herron School of Art students. I was going to take some photos, but didn't want to infringe on any potential copyright issues.

The variety of lunch specials includes options for vegetarians, chicken, pork, shrimp and beef. Two of us ordered the kong pao shrimp and one ordered tangerine chicken; both dishes are designated hot and spicy but we weren't overwhelmed by needs to towel off our foreheads, so don't fear the heat.

With the specials came our choice of soup, a seafood cheese wonton and white or fried rice. The hot and sour soup was absolutely fantastic! We all agreed we could easily enjoy a giant bowl and a few wontons as a meal.

We were also presented with a basket of homemade fried, crispy noodles, duck sauce and hot mustard. The sauces were yummy and made perfect dips for the noodles left over after swimming laps in our soups.

Service was fast and attentive and we easily completed the trip in under an hour. I only have two regrets about my visit. They were out of the rice paper shrimp roll appetizers and I left no room for dessert!

I posted these photos over at my personal blog and was shocked (SHOCKED I SAY) to find out how many lifelong Hoosiers have never been to the Oldfields-Lilly Gardens. If you're looking for a beautiful, unique, historical and free thing to do just outside downtown Indianapolis? You can't go wrong with the Lilly House and Indianapolis Museum of Art (they share the same campus.)

I'm well aware that there are some families who would rather spend their Indianapolis vacation in the great outdoors sweating and moving rather than in a museum sitting and looking.

Growing up in a family that liked to spend most of our time outside I can appreciate all that Indianapolis has to offer those who like to get a little more active on their time off.

In downtown Indianapolis right on the entrance of the Canal is Wheel Fun Rentals where you can rent anything from a tandem bicycle to a surrey for four with a fringe on top. Down on the canal itself is another Wheel Fun Rentals location where you can take to the water in a pedal boat or even a kayak.

White River State Park, which is attached to the Canal is also a great place to bring your own bikes. It's especially great for little kids who are just learning to ride since there are no cars, no major hills, very little stairs and lots of open paved sidewalks.

Another great Indianapolis attraction for the more Urban outdoor family is the almost eight mile long paved Monon Trail that runs through the village of Broad Ripple and also through several Indianapolis Parks.

If you're looking to escape from city life there are two State Parks about fifteen minutes from downtown Indianapolis to do just that. Eagle Creek Park is a 1,400 acre nature preserve and is the fourth largest city park in the nation. Eagle Creek offers boat rentals, a swimming beach, picnic locations, playgrounds and plenty of paved pathways for biking and hiking. Similar (minus the reservoir) on the other side of town is Fort Harrison State Park. Fort Harrison also offers trail and pony rides for an additional fee. Both Eagle Creek State Park and Fort Harrison State Park offer public golf courses.

And of course there's always Holliday Park, to which I'm sure you're all well aware I have a secret love crush on. Huge playgrounds and miles of cool shaded hiking trails. LOVE.

If you haven't been paying attention lately, Indianapolis is preparing the way to host some serious royalty for the next few months. An Egyptian king is coming to The Children's Museum in Indiananpolis from June 27th - October 25th. His official arrival for greeting guests will begin in just a few hours.

Tutankhamen: The Golden King and the Great Pharoahs will open to the general public on Saturday, June 27th at 9am. The Children's Museum is open on Saturday at 9am. You can visit the Children's Museum website for details on hours throughout the exhibit.

I missed the opportunity to go to advance opening of the exhibit last night, but I can tell you my family and I will not miss the opportunity to take our time through the exhibit and learn more about this boy king. Egyptian history was one of my favorite areas of history when I was in school, so seeing some of these artifacts and learning more about each one will be a great experience.

Come to think of it, I may need to go by myself at some point so I can really read and absorb everything.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is an absolutely fantastic place to visit in Indianapolis. If you're visiting and in town for business or some other vacation package, be sure to check-out the museum just north of downtown during your stay.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the world's largest children's museum and has four levels of exhibits and a variety of other special exhibits like the Dinosphere.

For more information about the King Tut exhibit and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis you can visit their websites by clicking on the links above.

Indianapolis based Republic Airways Holdings is expanding their business by purchasing Midwest Airlines as reported in the Wall Street Journal. They continue to fly high in their business endeavors as a regional jet carrier, partnering with a list of other major carriers to provide smaller jet service to their extended markets.

Republic Airways has called Indianapolis their business home to their headquarters since 1994. Located on the west side of Indianapolis, they've been a strong player in the regional jet market for a number of years.

Republic made a strong savings off the purchase when they paid $30M for Midwest Airlines, who had been purchased less than two years ago by another investment group for $452M.

Some of the coolest things I ever saw growing up were in the tiniest smallest museums that no one paid much attention to. My mom was a big believer in the AAA state and city guidebooks and on our road trips my sister and I were always allowed to pick one special place we wanted to go to that wasn't on any regular tourist map.

Indianapolis is no exception.

The James Whitcomb Riley House located right in historic Lockerbie Square in downtown Indianapolis is actually a museum in and of itself. The house is where the poet Riley, a native Hoosier, spent his last 23 years writing many of his most famous poems. It is touted as the finest of Victorian preservations in the entire nation, housing many of Riley's personal belongings right where he left them upon his passing.

Also located in downtown Indianapolis is the Indiana Medical History Museum. Originally used in the late 1800's into the early 1900's the laboratory housed (at the time) state of the art facilitates for the study and treatment of nervous and mental disorders. (Have a kid who hates going to the doctor? After seeing how things used to be done through the museums 15,000 artifacts they may just change their tune. Heh.)

For a museum rich in Indianapolis history in regards to both African and African Americans in Indiana, the free Crispus Attucks Museum houses items from Indiana's first all black high school as well as honors local black Hoosiers that went on to make their own mark in sports, music and medicine.

Up north in Zionsville is one of the most exciting Indianapolis attractions for anyone who has ever played with a toy. The Carters Toy Museum will surround you with antique and vintage toys, an arcade and with every admission is the chance to ride either the carousel or the working bumper cars. Also in the museum is an old fashioned soda fountain and ice cream shop. (Toys and ice cream? Yes please.)

Up in Nobelsville, Indiana is the Indiana Transportation Museum. Now I know there's a pizza train that runs on the weekends (more on that in another post) but when we went my daughter was entertained for over two hours just running back and forth in the old train cars. A mail car, luggage car, dining car, sleeping car, kitchen car and bright red caboose are just some of the vintage and historical train cars you and your kids can explore. As an added bonus for making the trip to Nobelsville there is a giant park just across from the transportation museum. (Port-a-potties only at this museum so be warned those of you with little kids!)

So a few weeks ago I couldn't stop talking about the approaching Vintage Indiana wine fest and now it's get even time for the beer lovers among us.

This Saturday afternoon, the Phoenix Theatre hosts its 14th annual microbrew festival in a block party atmosphere on Mass Ave in downtown Indianapolis. Brew Ha Ha also features live music and food from local favorites.

Pay one price ($20) and sample as many of the region's best frothy mugs as you like. If you're playing the role of designated driver, $10 will get you in. You must be 21 or older to attend.

There's nothing quite as patriotic as spending the fourth of July at the home of the 23rd president of the United States who just happens to be from Indianapolis. The Benjamin Harrison home, located in downtown Indianapolis holds it's annual ice cream social every year on the fourth of July.
In keeping with true Indianapolis history a re-enactment of Harrison's speech accepting the 1888 presidential nomination, given from his home, will also take place on Saturday. In addition to ice cream and tradtional victorian games such as croquet, Silly Safaris, a caricaturist, a juggler, a magician, a Thomas Jefferson re-enactor, the Indianapolis Fire Dept. (with fire truck) and traditional musicians will also be on hand providing entertainment for the whole family.
After attending with my then three year old last year I would suggest arriving early and having the adults take turns touring the house if they're interested. It's a great tour for history buffs, but not so great for little kids. Keep them outside where the fun and games are.

Indianapolis has a rich history of high society during the Victorian era. With historical houses nestled all over in downtown Indianapolis many of them offers tours and a few even offer special tea times, activities and special events for young children.

Coming up on July 21 at 2pm is the semi-annual children's tea at the historic Propylaeum, this summer known as Tea for Teddy Bear and Me. With a special menu meant just for children and their families, the children are encouraged to bring a special teddy bear to share in activities along with this unique "high society" opportunity.

Later in the year on November 14th in the Morris Butler House is the Children's Etiquette Tea for children ages 7-12. Not only will they get to learn proper tea etiquette but they will also get a special tour of where the Butler girls lived and what their lives were like in turn of the Century Indianapolis.

Although the Hannah House doesn't offer tea it does open its doors once a month or so to conduct public tours. Upcoming tours include July 5th and August 2nd from 1-4 pm.

Probably one of the most well known people from Indianapolis history is the 23rd president of the United States, President Benjamin Harrison. His home, located just outside downtown Indianapolis offers hour long tours every half an hour. The top floor houses historical presidential artifacts in a grand ballroom. Coming up on the 4th of July is the 33rd annual Ice Cream Social, be sure to arrive early for the best entertainment and activities.

I still have yet to make it into the actual Lilly House, located on the grounds of the IMA, the gardens surrounding the house are just too beautiful. My mom declared the Oldfields-Lilly gardens one of the most beautiful places she has ever been. With no cost to the Lilly house it is for sure one of the best free things to do in Indianapolis when it comes to historical homes.

Another great neighborhood to visit right in downtown Indy is Lockerbie Square, the oldest surviving neighborhood in Indianapolis has been brought back to life with amazing attention to detail and original architecture.

The home of James Whitcomb Riley is also in Lockerbie Square and is open to the public for tours. It is the country's only late Victorian era preservation (meaning everything is as it was when Mr. Riley passed away.) James Whitcomb Riley is one of America's most famous poets and a today Riley is a name that is synonymous with helping the children of Indianapolis.

I know as a child I always loved when my mom took my sister and me to old historical houses, I loved pretending I was in a castle or a mansion of my very own. My daughter isn't any different. With the availability of different tours, homes, styles and activities all over downtown there's bound to be one your whole family can enjoy together.

Last summer as we were just getting out to explore the city more and more we found that one of our most favorite summertime things to do in Indianapolis is the Symphony on the Prairie up at Conner Prairie. I don't have much of an attention span for the Symphony (sorry dad!) which is why the shorter more popular/main stream performances of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra  up at Conner Prairie are way more interesting to me.

Bring a blanket, bring chairs, bring a picnic basket and bring bug spray (lots of people also bring citronella candles which give off a lovely ambiance.) You can sit along the back with little kids and let them run around while you enjoy the music and the sunset behind the stage.

Upcoming performances include The Music of Harry Potter, June 26-27 (who doesn't love John Williams?) and for the fourth of July weekend there will be performances of some of the most Patriotic pieces at the Stars and Stripes Symphony July 2-4. The gates will open at 4:30 with pre show entertainment and picnicking. Music starts at 8 and ends with the 1812 Overture and fireworks each night.

Food is available for purchase as well as chairs available for rent. There's plenty of indoor plumbing in the form of restrooms and shade is available to the left of the stage.
Located about 25 minutes Northeast of downtown Indianapolis, Conner Prairie is in Fishers, Indiana.

A local Indianapolis business has landed a large contract with the government to design and provide management services for improvements to the Presidential Helicopter Hangar and airfiled in Quantico, VA. RW Armstrong, which calls Indianapolis home to its corporate headquarters recently won the bid to fulfill the needs of this construction project.

RW Armstrong's headquarters are located downtown in the Union Station building on Meridian Street. They have a beautiful corporate business office in the building and a variety of other offices located in the United States and overseas.

Source: Indianapolis Firm Awarded High Profile Project - Inside Indiana Business

The new Indianapolis Airport is an absolutely gorgeous improvement to our city that will help us continue to grow and support the existing expansion that we see in our community. As our downtown develops with more hotels and new convention center, having a world-class airport helps provide the infrastructure needed to support hundreds of thousands of visitors coming to our city every year.

In addition to this, one of the things I love about Indianapolis is that there's a value placed on maintaining and balancing the environment around our city for its wildlife inhabitants and ourselves to enjoy.

In a recent agreement with the Indianapolis Airport Authority, Hendricks County Parks & Recreation and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, a new nature park is going to be created with a variety of attractions and protected areas. The park will include hiking trails, a fishing pier, picnic areas and education programs.

The area is 210 acres of what is part of the 2,000-acre area that was dedicated more than ten years ago as part of the Indianapolis Airport Authority's agreement with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in protecting a native Indiana bat species that is on the federal endangered animal list.

King Tut is coming to the Children's Museum this weekend. If you didn't already know, the Children's Museum located just outside downtown Indianapolis is the LARGEST children's museum IN. THE. WORLD. We didn't just build a big building and put a few things in it. The museum is packed from one corner to the next, top to bottom with hands on exhibits for babies that can barely crawl all the way to the most hard to please teenager.

Currently there is a Star Wars: The Clone Wars exhibit with models and props from the movies including a life size Jedi Star Fighter. I wouldn't consider myself a Star Wars junkie but to see a Light Saber (okay so we called them Life Savers and I always wanted a cherry one when I was a kid) in person? Stuff like that doesn't happen everyday. Or in every city.

There are still Indianapolis travel packages available with special access and availability to both the King Tut exhibit and the Star Wars: The Clone Wars exhibit.

The summer is just getting started here in Indiana and if you're looking for other things to do in Indianapolis to go along with a visit to the Children's Museum be sure to check out the calendar over at Visit Indy for a full line up of everything coming up for the entire family.

I'm back.

Sure, it's been awhile. Job duties changed. Got busier. And just kept putting other things ahead of posting.

The charge is one count of blog neglect. I'm pleading guilty and begging for mercy from the court.

Last time I posted was at the onset of winter. Now it's summer and the heat is on. Man, is it ever.

I'd like to think our burg is a happenin' place anytime of year. But, even I'll admit, summer is special because of all there is to do.

Last week, I took in my first concert of the season at The Lawn at White River State Park. That's a venue I never get tired of and it was a pristine evening ... spectacular sunset, glorious view of Downtown Indy as the sun went down and the lights came up.

Oh, and the music of O.A.R. rocked.

This week (Thursday), the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra takes to The Lawn to perform the music of Led Zeppelin. If it's close to the same show I saw there two summers back, it's a show not to be missed for anyone who still pines for a Plant and Page reunion.

Later in the summer, I get the chance to reacquaint with my all-time favorite band, The Moody Blues. Yes, I'm an old rocker, and they are still just "singers in a rock and roll band." I've seen the Moodies more than 25 times. Can't wait for that show to get here.

Then again, when it does (Aug. 30) summer will be nearing its final days.  Don't want to rush things.

That's it for now. I'll be back soon. Promise.

One of the most popular events in downtown Indianapolis every summer is Meet PBS Kids in the Park which takes place this Saturday downtown from 10 am to 4pm at American Legion Mall. Every year the event gives children a chance to come face to face with some of their favorite characters from PBS Kids shows. (Not going to lie, I've never been too good for PBS Kids. Sid the Science Kid? SESAME STREET? PBS spanks cables trash most mornings.)

The short list of characters your kids can come face to face with include:

• Arthur
• Clifford
• Cookie Monster and Rosita
• Curious George
• Sid the Science Kid
• SuperWhy

There will also be three stages featuring not only PBS entertainment but also plenty of local talent along with bounce houses and over three dozen tents with arts, crafts and activities for kids. Did I mention that this is the free event for the four foot and under set in downtown Indianapolis this weekend?

Looking for a restaurant to hit after your afternoon in the park? Here you go.
Want to turn it into an Indianapolis vacation? Hotel Packages are available!

Going out to eat with your entire a family can get a little pricey. Thankfully there are plenty of restaurants in Indianapolis ready and willing to offer recession friendly specials for the adults, some specials for kids and plenty of tasty tasty food.

Located walking distance from most Indianapols hotels and the Indianapolis Convention center the following restaruants are running the following specials (please call restuarants beforehand to make sure these specials are still available.)

Scotty's Brewhouse (specials available through the end of July 2009)

• Saturday, 11 am - 3 pm, dine-in only, Buy one entree, get a 2nd free (with coupon from Scotty's website).
• Sunday, 5 pm - close, dine-in only, 2 for $20! One appetizer, 2 entrees, one dessert.
• Monday - Thursday, 4 pm - close, dine-in only, Lunch @ Night! We serve 15 of our lunch specials, with FREE Coke/Tea included for only $6.
• Every Wednesday, 5 pm - close, all appetizers 1/2 price.
• Sundays and Tuesdays - kids 12 and under eat FREE!

Palomino

• 3-course meal for $25 Mon - Thur 5pm to 6pm Sun 5pm to 6pm-Children's menu available.

Located a few minutes drive from downtown Indianapolis, Smokehouse on Shelby is located in the historic Fountain Square neighborhood and offers the following special (nom nom!)

• Family Dinner for Four - Choice of 4 Dinner Entrees (1/2 Slab of Ribs, 1/2 Chicken, Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork or Smoked Meatloaf), 6 Sides, Fried Biscuits & Apple Butter, and 4 Fountain Drinks all for $39.95 + tax.

Located about fifteen mintues North of downtown Hollyhock Hill offers homestyle family style food. And when they say homestyle? They mean it. They expect you to have your dinner the way you like it and to leave stuffed.

• Enjoy our famous fried chicken plate dinner at a reduced price. Tuesday - Thursday from 4:30p.m. to 5:30p.m. for a limited time.
  $11.95 includes relishes,salad, entree, vegetable, beverage and dessert. Children 10 and under are $6.95, 6 and under only $5.95.
   

Go forth and chow my friends. Ooh, pass the potatoes please.

So Father's Day is this weekend. What are you doing with your dad?
Allow me to give me a few suggestions of some Indianapolis events that are perfect for a music loving dad.
Saturday the 20th at Conner Prairie is the Symphony on the Prairie's presentation of of the "Grateful Dead Symphony." Bring a blanket, bring some chairs, bring a snack, bring some bug spray, bring your kids and you'll have a smashing good time.
Maybe your dad likes to play his own music? At West Park in Carmel will be the Battle of the Bands were local bands will each have 15 minutes to perform for all the glory.
For a grownup date without the kids (you were boyfriend girlfriend before you were mom and dad.)
On Sunday the 21st 311 is playing with Ziggy Marley at the Lawn at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. (P.S. What do 311 fans look like these days?)
Maybe the classics? Earth Wind and Fire along with Chicago will be at the Conseco Fieldhouse on Tuesday the 23rd.
Need a hotel for your visit? There you go.

My mom was in town this last weekend and I took her and her grandchild to Holliday Park, by far one of our favorite free things to do in Indianapolis. My mom claimed that Holliday Park was by far the best playground she had ever seen in her life (told you so!) Only about fifteen minutes from Downtown Indianapolis (where it is loud, paved and busy) Holliday park offers more shade one could ever sit under, especially on the hiking/nature trails where it is at least ten degrees cooler and there is always a breeze and the sound gentle sound of water and songbirds.

For those of you with teenagers who may look upon a playground as laaaame you can set them free in the miles of hiking trails. Who knows, maybe nature will un-teenage them for a moment. For those of you with little kids only hit the trials with kids who can walk well unassisted or can who can ride in a backpack. Also, be prepared to get a little muddy if it has been raining. But really? It all just adds to the ambiance.