The BRG Open House was terrific. I loved meeting the other columnists. The world headquarters of the Broad Ripple Gazette is so huge that we don't often see each other.

The highlight was hearing the Central Indiana Folk Music and Mountain Dulcimer Society perform. I'd never seen them in full force. They are fabulous. The Society started in 1971 and meets the second Sunday of every month from 2:00-5:00 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church (52nd and Central-red door). They have an open jam before the meetings from 1:00-2:00. Each month has a theme for the music. April's theme is 'Foolish Songs.'

This was a Standard Recording Company show. Standard shows are always great, full of fun and quirky music. Brooklyn-based band Hologram features former The Academy member Caleb Lindskoog. I met Caleb several years ago at a party that happened after a show at Birdy's. I can't remember the show, but I do remember Caleb impressing the hell out of me, sitting on the sofa playing his beautiful songs. The three members of Hologram (Caroline Potter and Ryan Trott are the other two members) all play guitar and drums, and they were not afraid to switch places between songs. Caroline and Ryan shared the vocal duties. I was disappointed that Caleb did not sing, but I'm happy to be reminded of him.

I just knew that I was going to love The Sundresses just by their name. And they were fun as can be! They are an indescribable mix of punk, blues, rock and folk. Makenzie Place plays bass and trombone; Brad Schnittger and Jeremy Springer alternate between drums and guitar. The Cincinnati band has been playing together since 2002 and is working on their second album. The music is very lively-I'm listening to it as I type. It occurred to me that I think if they shared a bill with Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band the club would explode from all the frenetic energy from the stage. Makenzie is especially frenzied on stage. Most bass players don't move around very much. Makenzie jumps, swings and stands on the drum kit when she plays. She was making me a little nervous, and I'm not someone who sits still much. They were really fun and made me stay out way past my bedtime.

The Samples have been around for twenty years; they toured extensively in the 1990's. I first saw them at the Vogue a few years ago and fell in love with their jazzy pop sound. Their CD's are in heavy rotation in my work CD player. My office CD's must be safe for all ears. This is the first office-y job I've had. Non-traditional music was the norm at the coffeehouse, and I hauled that CD collection to work. I soon toted it back home. Some things are not appropriate for the not-for-profit workplace (I keep the Joey Ramone poster on the back of the door).

Junior Brown created his own guitar by fusing a traditional six-string guitar with a steel guitar, creating a double-necked "guit-steel." The best part: (besides how incredible it sounds)? It came to him in a dream.

Junior's music is as wild as his guitar. He combines rock and roll and country. This will be a fun way to spend a Saturday night.