Articles

What outsiders think

Conner Prairie landed its own four-page section in the current issue of Smithsonian magazine and, of course, the powers that be at the rustic landmark are thrilled.

In a press release, Brenda Myers, executive director of the Hamilton County Convention…

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IBJ Night at the Movies

I’m going to be out of town later this week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be part of another IBJ Night at the Movies in my absence.

This time, it’s the critically praised documentary “Young @ Heart,” sneak previewing Thursday…

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You-review-it Monday

For me, it was a whirlwind of a weekend, especially if you start with Thursday (OK, so I’m still a college student at heart).

I started with a road trip to Louisville to catch the national tour of “Avenue Q,” found…

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500 Festival retools after growth spurt

May is show time for 500 Festival Inc., and the local not-for-profit should have more than enough gas in its tank to cross
the 2008 finish line. In the past five years, it has doubled its budget, improved attendance–and quality–at its signature
parade, and continued to grow the nation’s largest half-marathon. But once the checkered flag flies, festival leaders will
sit down to consider whether they can maintain that pace without losing focus.

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Reading into “On The Road”

In June, the Indianapolis Museum of Art will be showcasing the 120-foot-long scroll on which Jack Kerouac wrote his landmark work “On the Road.” My question: Is the scroll itself art or artifact?

The scroll

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Film fest opens

The Indianapolis International Film Festival opened last night with a screening of the Sundance Film Festival hit “Son of Rambow.” I’d tell you more about this charmer, but since that was the only festival screening for the film, I’ll…

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Edgy musicals on the way

Old school musical purists, cover your eyes. A parade of new, irreverent musicals (some not yet officially announced) are on the way to Indy.

Some examples:

In the fall, Theatre on the Square not only will be offering the blood-spattered “Evil Dead:…

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Talking turkeys: bombs on stage

The New York Times today reports on a revival of “Moose Murders”—considered by many to be the worst play ever staged on Broadway. (See Frank Rich’s original review, here.)

While New Yorkers will often pay as much attention to…

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You-review-it Monday

For me, the weekend included the second half of the James Still double bill at Indiana Repertory Theatre and a run to Purdue University for an exhilerating student production of “Hair” (a midnight show, no less).

And you?

Did you catch the…

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Are candidates hiding from the arts?

Political candidates are all over the state these days, grabbing photo ops wherever they can … except, it seems, at arts events.

Think about it: When was the last time you saw a candidate – local or national – posing in…

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IBJ Movie Night: “88 Minutes”

So were you there last night at the screening of “88 Minutes”?

If so, what did you think?

And whether you were there or not, feel free to chime in with your favorite/least favorite Al Pacino performances. Side question: Anyone out there…

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Pope-ular music

With Pope Benedict XVI on his U.S. tour, attention is being paid to just about every aspect of the Catholic Church…including its music. Not only is the playlist for the Pontiff’s stadium mass in Washington being scrutinized, but thoughts are…

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Classical musicians: hot or not?

Yes, it’s the music that matters.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s acknowledge that classical music organizations aren’t shy about using images of attractive musicians in their marketing.

A hottie violinist, the theory goes, will sell more tickets than a…

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“Forbidden B’way”/You-Review-It

So what did you do this weekend? Hear the Earth Harp at the IMA or the slew of country stars at the Fairgrounds? Discover “Black Gold” at the Phoenix?

My weekend included the national tour of “Forbidden Broadway” at Clowes Hall,…

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Tickets: looking ahead…way ahead

Indiana State Fair concert tickets go on sale tomorrow, April 12. The lineup includes Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Sugarland and “A Prairie Home Companion.”

Ticketmaster already is selling seats for Kenny Chesney at Lucas Oil Stadium in September. Group tickets are being sold…

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Broadway bound: new in NY

It’s an interesting year on Broadway, where …

“August: Osage County” (which we could have seen last summer at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre) is winning over critics and drawing comparison to Eugene O’Neil’s work.

Revivals of “South Pacific” and “Gypsy” are turning into…

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IBJ’s “Smart” Night @ the Movies

What did you think of “Smart People,” Monday’s IBJ Night at the Movies sneak preview?

Comments most welcome below.

Whether you made it or not, act now to be a part of the next one. We’ll be hosting a screening of the…

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Exclusive: new at W.R. State Park

IBJ reporter Jennifer Whitson offers this interesting piece of news.  

Look for an announcement, likely next week, from White River State Park about a new summer series featuring local performing arts groups with shows geared toward family audiences.

The free offerings will…

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You-review-it Monday 4/7

Did you get to the final performances of Roundabout Theatre’s outstanding “Twelve Angry Men?” Catch Michael Cavanaugh with the ISO? Patrick Ball (and harp) with Storytelling Arts?

Were you part of the mob at the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s Project Runway…

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