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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v14n19)
Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle - * * * 300th COLUMN! * * *
posted: Sept. 15, 2017

Buzzing Around Town

This is my 300th column - that's 12 years of Buzzing Around Town! I still sort-of look like the caricature of me, although you need to draw on my glasses on your own.
I've been reminiscing about the early crazy days of writing this column. And by "crazy" I mean pre-WiFi.
My first computer was a retired desktop from Lilly that I installed my own modem in so I could send the column via dial-up. I soon graduated to a second-hand laptop that had to be connected to dial-up, so I still wasn't very mobile. After a few years I was able to buy a brand-new Apple MacBook and I could transmit via WiFi. . . . except for the small detail that I didn't have WiFi at home.
I can't tell you how many deadline nights I walked to the Indy Hostel, sat on their back porch, "borrowed" their signal and transmitted the column. Other times I'd press the MacBook up to the window of Northside News Café (where 20 Tap is today) to get a strong enough signal to send the column. I'm sure folks leaving Moe & Johnnies at last call wondered what in the heck I was doing with my laptop pressed against the window. I think I looked just crazy enough that no one ever stopped to ask. Times have changed - I now have WiFi at home. In spite of that, I'm still often submitting the column at the last possible second.
I've loved having a reason to keep up on the Broad Ripple music scene and its changes. My all-time favorite music venue - The Patio - closed in 2005. Other venues have come and gone - I especially miss Locals Only and The Upper Room. Cheers to the music spaces that are going strong; The Vogue, The Jazz Kitchen, Birdy's, The Monkey's Tale, The Mousetrap, Flatwater, and the Melody Inn. Several other places tuck music into their businesses; Indy Hostel, Aristocrat, Brothers, Hotel Broad Ripple, Plump's Last Shot and Upland Tasting Room. New ones are popping up - I'm looking forward to visiting Black Circle Brewing.
We are also lucky to have two of the best record stores in the country in our midst. Cheers to Indy CD & Vinyl and to LUNA music. Not only do they both stock national artists, they carry plenty of music from local musicians. Watch their calendars for in-store performances of touring artists playing acoustic shows. Nothing better than standing in the stacks of records listening to live music (see page 7!).
Writing for the Broad Ripple Gazette has allowed me to hone my style and find my voice, and has led to some pretty amazing things. I now freelance for NUVO newsweekly and write reviews and occasional features for the national print magazine Ghettoblaster.
Most of all, the Broad Ripple Gazette has connected me to the community - and you dear readers. For that I'm eternally grateful.
Thank you for taking a chance on me, Alan!


Indy Jazz Fest
September 14 - 23, 2017
Various venues and ticket prices.
While the Indy Jazz Fest is a year-long project of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, they pack a ton of wonderful things into a 10-day celebration. The Foundation is committed to keeping the legacy and future of jazz in Indianapolis at the forefront.
The 10 days of the Indy Jazz Fest are filled with concerts, master classes and panel discussions in various locations around city. The celebration culminates with a block party at the Jazz Kitchen and Yats.


Indy Jazz Fest
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Jazz Kitchen and Yats - 5377 College Ave
21+, 3 pm - 12:30 am, $40, $20 after 9 pm, $100 VIP also available (includes buffet + 2 drinks)
The closing night celebration is loaded with music, both inside and out on the corner of 54th Street and College Avenue.
Outside Yats stage
3:15p Monika Herzig & The Time Flies
4:30p Charlie Ballantine
5:45p Jared Thompson & Premium Blend
7p Tucker Brothers
8:15p Bashiri Asad & Xenobia Green
9:30p Kevin Anker Experience
Inside Jazz Kitchen stage
3p Scott Routenberg Trio
4:15p Ella Tribute - Brenda Williams, Yvonne Allu, Wendy Reed, Sandy Lomax
5:30p Rob Dixon & Triology + trombonist Ernest Stuart
6:45p Steve Allee & Friends
8p Clint Breeze & the Groove
9:15p Charlie Hunter
10:30p The 4 Korners
11:45a Taylor McFerrin





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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