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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v08n16)
Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
posted: Aug. 05, 2011

Buzzing Around Town

Anyone want to guess what the Pioneer Village at the Indiana State Fair and I have in common? We were both founded in 1961. I was just three-months old when my parents took me to the Fair that year and the Pioneer Farm and Home Show was housed in a balcony of the Grandstand. The exhibit moved their permanent home in 1968.
In the great scheme of things music in Pioneer Village is relative new - this is only the 35th year and the Indiana State Fair is 155 years old this year. In honor of all of the milestone anniversaries, Bill Bailey and his crew have lined up amazing entertainment. As always the shows and demonstrations in the Village are free (with your Fair admission).
As I'm writing about these shows, I'm struck by how many amazing and cool people will be performing on this stage. You can't go wrong with any of these shows. Grab a Fair treat and a drink and sit for a spell.
Here is a lineup of music and other awesomeness in Pioneer Village. I'll see you there.
Pioneer Village Stage in the Exhibition Barn:
Friday, August 5, 2011:
10:00 - 1:00 Family Reunion String Band - 2008 Indiana State Fair Masters Award, that's all you need to know, really.
2:00 - 5:00 Sensible Shoes & Bill Bailey - If you don't like Bill Bailey, you won't like heaven. Seriously. Sensible Shoes plays a fun mix of Celtic and American music with a fun dash of music for the kiddos thrown in.
6:00 - 7:00 Hayloft Strummers - They will be playing on a wagon in the Daily Parade. How cool is that? The parade is chock full of tractors, wagons, marching folks and if I'm lucky enough to catch a ride, me grinning wildly and waving like a fool.
6:30 - 8:30 Liars Contest - this is sponsored by the Indiana Storytellers Association and is always a blast. You won't hear plain old fish stories. Maybe flying fish. . . .

Saturday, August 6, 2011:
10: 00 - 1:00 Half Way Home Band
1:45 - 2:30 Sue Grizzell - Indiana Storyteller - I can't wait to hear what tale Sue will weave, she will keep you mesmerized.
3:00 - 5:00 Yank Rachell Tribute Blues Band - Yank is a Hoosier legend and was rightly dubbed the 'elder statesman of the blues. A talented group of musicians will pay him tribute. You can also catch them in the Daily Parade.
6:30 - 8:30 Witch Hazel Valley People - The Witch Hazel Valley Boys branched out a few years ago and included women in their band - with great results. And they are some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet.

Sunday, August 7, 2011:
10:00 - 1:00 Family Reunion String Band Gospel Sing
2:00 - 5:00 Common Ground - bluegrass and gospel rolled into one righteous band. You can also catch them on the parade route.
6:30 - 8:30 Sacred Harp - old time gospel featuring Central Indiana musicians.

Monday, August 8, 2011:
10:00 - 1:00 Jo and Patt Loo - traditional American music
2:00 - 5:00 Myra Dworski and Jon Hall continue the American music theme of the day.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011:
10:00 - noon Alice Chalmers and The Stick a Cork in Your Jug Band - Old timey goodness fueled by pink lemonade, baked goods, Memphis Minnie, beautiful harmonies and giggles. And I get to play percussion on typewriter, but don't let that dissuade you. Our all-woman jug band is full of actual musicians and a set list of American treasures. I'll be the one behind the typewriter having the time of my life. So remember 8/9 @ 10.
12:15 - 2:45 Jon Kay, Geoff Davis and Bill Bailey - this trio of loveliness has an arsenal that includes dulcimer, ukulele and washboard. And they make it sound good.
3:00 - 5:00 Third Satchel Novelty Jazz Orchestra - big brass fun and possibly the best-dressed band of the fair. They will be playing in the parade also. And if I have my way, I'll be on the wagon too. You'll recognize me by my wild grinning and lack of musical instrument.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011:
10:00 - 1:00 Mac Bellner and friends - traditional American ballads and music.
2:00 - 5:00 Governor Davis & Steve Davis - traditional American blues.

Thursday, August 11, 2011:
10:00 - 1:00 Steve Jeffris - American music from the recent past.
2:00 - 5:00 The Fret Set - don't fret - they're fun.

Friday, August 12, 2011:
10:00 - 2:00 The Johnson County Folk Music Society
2:00 - 5:00 Mountain Harmony Bluegrass Band - traditional bluegrass - you can also catch them in the Daily Parade.

Saturday, August 13, 2011:
10:00 - 2:00 Blackberry Jam - traditional folk and blues.
1:45 - 2:15 James Whitcomb Riley - channeled by Henry Ryder

Sunday, August 14, 2011:
10:00 & noon Rich Lives - a one hour play about early Hoosier Homemakers.
1:00 Farmer's Day Tractor Parade (Grandstand) - Hayloft Strummers
2:00 - 4:00 Dave Schroeder and friends -traditional bluegrass played by delightful folks.
4:00 - 5:00 Johnny Appleseed - performed by Steve McPhail
6:00 Rhythm Wreckers - performing in the Daily Parade.

Monday, August 15, 2011:
10:00 - 1:00 Mac Bellner and friends - traditional American ballads and music.
2:00 - 5:00 White River Jazz Band - 1900 - 1940s traditional jazz.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011:
10:00 - 1:00 The Lathens - Celtic influenced old time music.
2:00 - 5:00 B Natural - American ballads.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011:
10:00 & noon Rich Lives - a one hour play about early Hoosier Homemakers
2:00 - 5:00 The Dulcimer Gathering - delightful dulcimer music.

Thursday, August 18, 2011:
10:00 - 2:00 Janet Gilray - educational old time music

Friday, August 19, 2011:
10:00 - 2:00 Guitars for Lunch - delicious Indiana rural music.
2:00 - 5:00 Witch Hazel Valley People - delightful folks playing lovely folk music, nostalgic country and western swing. You can also catch them in the Daily Parade.

Saturday, August 20, 2011:
10:00 - 1:00 Last Drop Jug Band - this is the band that made me realize that I loved jug band music. Good to the last drop.
11:00 - 3:00 D. Mark and Jules - they will be strolling throughout Pioneer Village playing old time music.
2:30 - 5:30 Blackberry Jam - folk goodness and old time blues. You can also catch them in the Daily Parade.

Sunday, August 21, 2011:
10:00 - 1:00 Family Reunion String Band Gospel Sing
1:30 - 2:00 Gladis Allen - Indiana Storyteller
2:00 - 5:00 Straight Line - traditional bluegrass.

Opera House Stage:

Thursday, August 11, 2011:
7:00 WLS Barn Dance Dress Rehearsal - Catch the live rehearsal of the tribute to the old Chicago WLS barn dance. It is laugh out loud fun peppered with music and dancing.

Friday, August 12, 2011:
7:00 WLS Barn Dance Tribute Show - arrive at 6:45 for some pre-show fun.

Saturday, August 13, 2011:
9:00 - 2:-00 Traditional Arts Indiana Old Time Fiddle Contest - fiddling around in a delightful way.
5:45 - 6:45 The Hoedown Express Cloggers - Hot Feet Dancin' Show
7:00 - WLS Barn Dance Tribute Show - arrive at 6:45 for some pre-show fun.

Sunday, August 14, 2011:
9:00 - 4:00 Indiana State Fair Sheep to Shawl Contest

Tuesday, August 16, 2011:
10:00 & 2:00 Rich Lives - a one hour play about early Hoosier Homemakers.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011:
10:30, noon, 1:30, 3:00 - Country Classic Band

Friday, August 19, 2011:
6:00 - 9:00 Blues Night in the Barn featuring Rhythm Wreckers, Last Drop Jug Band and 78 RPM Blues Band

Saturday, August 20, 2011:
9:00 Old Time Farmer's Auction - I can wait to see what Dick Reel creates for the auction. You can find him in the Pioneer Village in the woodshop.
6:00 - 8:00 Bluegrass in the Opera House hosted by Cary Allen Fields - CAF has a great lineup planned. You can't go wrong with this show!

Sunday, August 21, 2011:
noon - 4:00 Ice Cream Crank Off Contest with music provided by Central Indiana Folk Music and Dulcimer Society.

While you're visiting Pioneer Village be sure and pop into the (air conditioned) Normandy Barn to see the Douglas David Paints: Farm to Fair. Douglas painted amazing farm scenes and State Fair goodness. I've written little stories to explain how a soybean becomes a corndog and other farm to fair facts.
It's a good time to be a Hoosier!



Not-for-profit director by day, music writer by night, Nora Spitznogle reviews music that happened and previews music and events around Broad Ripple Village. Nora managed CATH Inc coffeehouse at 54th Street and College Avenue for seven years. During that time she hosted hundreds of local and touring musicians, both at the coffeehouse and her home. When CATH closed in 2004 and the music was no longer coming to her, she had to wander from her corner of Broad Ripple to see what is happening elsewhere. You can find her at Second Helpings during the work day, waitressing at the Red Key on Saturday nights and prowling Broad Ripple music venues the rest of the time. Visit Nora's Web site nora-leona.blogspot.com, send any questions, comments or suggestions to Nora@BroadRippleGazette.com




nora@broadripplegazette.com
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