After leaving the Fountain Square neighborhood we continued on our Downtown media tour to the Athenaeum building at the corner of Michigan and Mass Ave. Built in 1894 this structure still exemplifies the original ideals of its founding members. Constructed by German immigrants, this cultural center arose to create the balance they so strongly believed in. The Athenaeum building houses the Rathskeller restaurant, a YMCA and the American Cabaret Theatre. "Everything in balance" is the concept behind the seemingly mismatched Athenaeum activities.

The Athenaeum building is probably most known for housing the city's oldest restaurant - the Rathskeller I first noticed the innumerable items of Kurt Vonnegut memorabilia that lined the walls. Later I found out that his grandfather, Bernard, helped build the Athenaeum. The intricate stained glass and unique woodwork are details you'll be sure to see.

Next I noticed the Rathskeller's large menu. Here you'll find authentic German faire, meaning you won't be able to pronounce most of it. Try the Jaegerschnitzle! Be kind to your wait staff and they'll be glad to translate for you. A review raves, "The only thing more extensive than the Rathskeller menu is the beer and wine menu that accompanies it."

Attached to the Rathskeller is their outdoor Biergarten. Wednesday through Saturday and some Sundays the Biergarten is known as a downtown destination for live music. They frequently feature lots of local favorites like Polka Boy and Jennie DeVoe. There's no cover charge, you can get pub-style food and have access to a full service walk-up bar. It's no wonder this place is popular. In addition to all the food and fun the Rathskeller also has 7 special event rooms for rent. Visit www.rathskeller.com for menu and venue information.

To work off that marvelous meal from the Rathskeller visit the YMCA upstairs. This location offers downtowners a way to work-out that's close to home or the office. Coming up on July 9th, 2008, is the Exercise Extravaganza. Instructors will be offering a sampling of the group exercise classes. You don't even need to be a member to attend. Check out www.indyymca.org for a full schedule.

The grand gym you'll be working out in is as stately as it was the day this Turnverein began. Photos that adorn the hall show back-in-the-day athletic ingenuity. These 19th century pictures show acrobatics and athleticism unknown to most clubs of that time. Perhaps the most surprising snapshot is one showing the integration of men and women in the same gym.

Between the YMCA and the American Cabaret Theatre you'll find the grand staircase where the 1988 movie "Eight Men Out," was filmed. This flick, starring John Cusack and Charlie Sheen, depicts the scandal surrounding the 1919 World Series. The film used the Athenaeum staircase to shoot the hotel scenes.

Past the on-screen staircase are the on-stage productions of the American Cabaret Theatre. After raising several million dollars for renovations and preservations, ACT made the Athenaeum its home in 1990. This newly redone theatre offers intimate cabaret style seating, complete with a cash bar, concessions, and a gift shop. Currently showing is Swing!, followed by The Wiz and Solid Gold Soul. Go to www.actindy.org for more details. The American Cabaret Theatre also houses YAT (no, not the restaurant down the street). YAT is the Young Actors Theatre; acting classes and performances offered to K-12th graders. Find out more about the classes at www.yatkids.org.

After all that eating, exercising and acting we're ready for some downtown down-time. From the Athenaeum building we'll be traveling to the newly opened Central Library as we continue our media tour hosted by Indianapolis Downtown Inc.