Weekly View » Irvington Folk Festival

Applause!: June 19-26

Weekly View — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 05:08:48 +0000

• Lawrence hosts Friday at the Fort every other Friday from 5-9 p.m. at the Lawrence Civic Plaza, 9230 Memorial Park Dr. The next one is June 19 and features music by the Midwest Originals, plus games, a beer tent, food trucks, and an opportunity to get to know your Lawrence neighbors. Admission is free.
• If you are in the market for a pet, check out this weekend’s Indy Mega Adoption event June 20-21 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Many rescue organizations, Indianapolis Care and Control, and other groups will be out with dogs and cats looking for fur-ever homes. The event is at the South Pavilion. Same day adoptions will be $30. Admission is free, although parking at the fairgrounds will be $5. Visit indymegaadoptionevent.org for more information.
• Little Maddox Blue Rader is only a year old and has been fighting a battle all his life against Billary Atresia, a rare disease of the bile ducts, which has created liver problems and other complications. He is going to need a transplant, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. There’s going to be a rummage sale June 27 at the Hornet Park Community Center (5245 Hornet Ave.) in Beech Grove to support the Children’s Organ Transplant Association from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Let’s help out Maddox and other kids facing transplants!
• The Benton House Home Tour is September 20, and organizers are looking for Irvington homes to be on the tour. Irvington’s architecture is diverse — from bungalows to enormous Victorians — and the residents are pretty great, too. If you’d like to be part of the tour, call 357-0918 to find out more.
• The “finale” of the Irvington Folk Festival is coming up June 20, with lots of activities for the whole family, music, food trucks, an alternative gift fair, and children’s festival. Come on out to Ellenberger Park (5301 E. St. Clair) for a great time!
• Speaking of Ellenberger Park, a big thanks needs to go out to the hard-working members of the Irvington Garden Club who put on a fantastic farmer’s market June 14. Despite the heat and humidity, there was a tremendous turnout, with many new vendors. The next market is July 12 from noon-3 p.m.
• The next Green Hour will feature Jesse Kharbanda, Executive Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council talking about the last legislative session and its environmental agenda. The meeting will be held June 23 at 6 p.m. at Jockamo Upper Crust, 5646 E. Washington St. Admission to the talk is free.
• Entertainment on the Plaza continues June 19 with Cook & Belle at 7 p.m. The free concert takes place on the lawn of the Hancock County Courthouse and City Plaza in Greenfield. Bring a blanket and enjoy the music!
• Save the date for an interesting discussion on the “Makers Movement” with Ilana Preuss on July 15 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at The Platform at City Market. RSVP via e-mail to Elle Roberts at droberts@lisc.org to reserve your seat.

Four Years of the Irvington Folk Festival

Weekly View — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 05:11:50 +0000

What started out as a tribute to Woody Guthrie on what would have been his 100th birthday in 2012 has blossomed into an annual multicultural, multidimensional event with music, lectures, classes, concerts, and much more. This year’s Irvington Folk Festival will be held June 14-20 at various locations, and includes folk, bluegrass, rockabilly, gospel, jazz, world music and classical music.
Organizers of this year’s festival note that the event reflects the diversity found in Irvington itself — a neighborhood that has been home to Butler University scholars, painters, poets, stalwart businessmen and women as well as the likes of KKK Grand Dragon D.C. Stephenson and gangster John Dillinger. Today’s Irvingtonians come from all walks of life, but are united by their love of the community, and a wide range of musical styles.
On Sunday, June 14, the Irvington Folk Festival officially kicks off from 1-4 p.m. with Bluegrass at the Bona, located at 5350 E. University Ave. The concert features Cornfields and Crossroads, and the audience is invited to picnic on the lawn (food will also be available for purchase). On June 15 from 7-10 p.m., the Acoustic Ascent Irvington Songwriter’s Competition will be held at Playground Productions Studio (5529 Bonna Ave.) where songwriters compete for prizes. June 16 brings a fascinating musical performance, film and conversation with Mac Bellner — “Pete Seeger Social Justice Lecture Series: Celebrating the Alan Lomax Centennial” at 7-9 p.m. at the Irvington Public Library (5625 E. Washington St.).
For a unique experience, go to the Bona Thompson Center (5350 E. University Ave.) on June 17 from 7-9 p.m. for World Music Night at the Bona, featuring the Ron Esposito Trio and Adam Riviere Long playing Tibetan crystal bowls, tabla, flute, percussion, and didgeridoo. Admission is $10 per person and doors open at 6:30.
Check out Dear Lincoln at Coal Yard Coffee on June 18 at 6:15 p.m. and Rockabilly Night with Bigger Than Elvis with Slim and the Slimtones at the Coal Factory, 5533 E. Bonna Ave. Then, on June 19, there will be a special celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the end of slavery in the U.S. with a program of storytelling, music, and much more at Downey Avenue Christian Church, beginning at 7 p.m. This is also a celebration of the 120th anniversary of the Irvington First Baptist Church, the second oldest church in Irvington. Definitely check out well-known storyteller Sally Perkin’s story of the song “Amazing Grace.”

submitted photo
The Children’s Festival is part of the Irvington Folk Festival.

The festival ends on June 20 with a day long celebration at Ellenberger Park, 5301 E. St. Clair, The Irvington Children’s Festival will run from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the west end of St. Clair St. and feature musicians, performers, a decorated bike show, and activities geared for kids of all ages. From noon to 8 p.m., the Alternative Gift Fair will be open in the park, featuring Indiana artisans, and a huge variety of food trucks will be set up around the park throughout the day. Music on the main stage begins at 1 p.m. with The Brains Behind Pa at 1:30 followed by sets from Andra Faye & Scott Ballantine, Flatland Harmony Experiment, Martine Locke, and Blue Collar Bluegrass. All day there will be a workshop and jam in the Jamming tent.
All events except for the World Music Night at the Bona are free and open to the public. The Irvington Folk Festival is made possible by funds provided by the Historic Irvington Community Council, businesses and individuals in the neighborhood, and through a Go Fund me campaign — visit www.gofundme.com/irvingtonfolk to kick in a few bucks to show support for this great community event.

Applause!: May 22-June 4

Weekly View — Thu, 21 May 2015 05:08:32 +0000

• The Community Hospital East Auxiliary will sponsor a Strawberry Fest on Thursday, June 4 from 10 a.m. until supplies are sold out. Strawberries, ice cream and cake for $3.75 per serving. Proceeds to benefit hospital programs/services. The hospital is at 1500 N. Ritter. For further information, please contact Volunteer Services at 355-5120.
• The 2015 Golden Hoosiers were recently announced by the state, honoring outstanding Indiana senior citizens for a lifetime of service and commitment to their communities. Rosa Lee Brown, Frances Stauffer, and Steve Talley from Indianapolis were honored. Congratulations to all the recipients!
• The Irvington Historical Society’s Annual Meeting will be held May 27 at 6 p.m. at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University Ave. Come see a replica of Lincoln’s casket, and the first 20 visitors will receive a free National Park Service book about the Lincoln Funeral Train. Pizza will be served. If you are interested in becoming a member of the IHS, this would be a great opportunity to see what the organization is all about.
• FACE Spay/Neuter is seeking foster homes for dogs that will be pulled from the city shelter in anticipation of the Indy Adoption Event June 20 and 21 at the State Fairgrounds. If you are able to foster a dog (or two) for three weeks, please contact janetM@facespayneuter.org as soon as possible.
• On June 13 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, along with Mayor Dennis Buckley of Beech Grove, Mayor Dean Jessup of Lawrence, Mayor Ian Nicolini of Speedway and Mayor Jesse Testruth of Southport will host a Veteran’s and Family Appreciation Day Picnic and Fish Fry at Garfield Park, 2432 Conservatory Dr. for fun, food, music, games, information, and camaraderie. The Mobile Vet Van and Information Booths will be available to address most VA Benefits and Service questions. This event is free to Marion County Veterans and their families. Events include a custom car, truck, and motorcycle show by Donna’s Rock and Roll Cruisin’ Oldies. For more information, visit www.VSCMC.com, e-mail Hawkins@vscmc.com, or call 317-632-4042.
• The Irvington Folk Festival, to be held June 14-20, will be bigger and better than ever! Plans are being made for it to include a celebration of folklorist Alan Lomax’s 100th birthday, a 150th anniversary of Juneteenth, and lots of activities for people of all ages. A GoFundMe account was started to help pay the costs of this event. Visit www.gofundme.com/irvingtonfolk for details or to make a donation.

The Weekly View office will be closed May 25-29. We will be checking in throughout the week, and hosting a yard sale at 195 N. Shortridge Rd. May 30 and 31 from 8-? We wish all our advertisers and readers a safe Memorial Day holiday!