Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XIV, No. 42
Copyright 2023
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By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
With less than a month before its opening event, Fishers Event Center construction crews are working on the finishing touches of the new 7,500-seat venue in the Fishers District off I-69 and 116th Street.
The center hosted a “hard-hat tour” for officials and media Oct. 24 to show off the space and celebrate the anticipated end of construction as the center gears up for its first event Nov. 22. The main parts of the center are complete, with padded stadium seats — with backrests — throughout the venue. Premium seating areas will have other amenities, such as private concessions and bars. Concessions will include standard stadium fare along with upscale food options.
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The City of Fishers, Hallett Sports and Entertainment and management company ASM broke ground on the $170 million Fishers Event Center in March 2023. During a presentation before the Oct. 24 hard-hat tour, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said work has come a long way in the past 20 months.
“When you take on something as large as this endeavor, there’s a lot of things that could go wrong and a lot of things that might not go the way that you would hope,” he said. “But, as we stand here today, I couldn’t be more excited. We have a beautiful building that we’re going to deliver on time and — knock on wood — on budget as well.”
Fadness said he’s excited not only about the center itself, but the development that will follow, including new restaurants, hotels and other growth throughout Fishers District.
Mitch List is the event center’s general manager. He said the venue will host a wide variety of events, such as concerts and comedy shows, along with home games for three sports teams that will be based out of the center — hockey team Indy Fuel, indoor football team Fishers Freight and professional volleyball team Indy Ignite. List noted the benefits of a midsize venue, compared to larger arenas in the area.
“I think there’s a good spot for it in the market in terms of capacity, and then when you look at the versatility of the building — to be able to go from hockey events to concerts seamlessly,” he said. “So, we’ll do a Fuel game on a Friday night, at 6 a.m. we’re
loading (up) a concert the next day. So, it’s going to allow us, with the flexibility, to stack up events.”
The Fishers Event Center has booked a wide variety of community events and concerts, with more added regularly. Some of the scheduled events are:
• Country band Turnpike Troubadours (Nov. 22)
• Viral violinist Lindsey Stirling (Nov. 29)
• Comedian Leanne Morgan (Nov. 30)
• Nitro Circus (Dec. 1)
• AEW professional wrestling (Dec. 4)
• Indy Fuel hockey opening weekend (Dec. 6-7)
• Country rock band Alabama (Dec. 9)
• The annual Mudsock Rivalry Basketball Game (Dec. 20)
• Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic ice experience CRYSTAL (Jan. 23-26, 2025)
• Comedian Tom Segura (Feb. 28, 2025)
• Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (March 18, 2025)
• Country star Blake Shelton (March 29, 2025)
• Country star Megan Moroney (April 24, 2025)
List said the plan is to finish construction a week before the first event Nov. 22 to give time to test all the systems and make sure everything is in place. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be announced at a later time.
For more about the center, including ticket information, visit fisherseventcenter. com.
The World Food Championships has selected Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana as its charity partner for the Nov. 8-12 event, with event organizers pledging to donate 10 percent of ticket revenue from premium experiences to the nonprofit.
According to an announcement from the WFC, the funds will help Gleaners Food Bank combat food insecurity by providing food assistance to those in need.
“Joining the Indianapolis market is a significant milestone for us, and we deeply appreciate the warm Hoosier hospitality we’ve received,” stated Michael Eaton, CEO of World Food Championships. “It’s an honor to play a role in supporting the community through Gleaners and we look forward to making a meaningful impact together.”
The multiday WFC event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will feature more than 300 competitive cooking teams from around the globe competing in 12 categories for the title of World Food Champion and a share of the $450,000 prize purse, according to the announcement.
Attendees can taste samples from more than 30 vendors, watch live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs and participate in interactive food-related games such as “Cake or Fake.”
Premium tickets offer extra experiences, including special samples of food and cocktails and meet-and-greet opportunities with celebrity chefs
For more about the event, including ticket information, visit WorldFoodChampionships.com.
For more about Gleaners, visit gleaners. org.
Seasonal vaccines available — As flu season kicks off, the Fishers Health Department clinic is offering flu and COVID-19 shots for residents, regardless of insurance status. For more and to make an appointment, visit health.fishersin.gov.
Residents are invited to the Fishers Veterans Day Ceremony honoring our local heroes and their families.
The Ceremony is free, but registration is required due to limited seating. A live stream of the event will be broadcast on the City’s Facebook.
Doug Melville is an acclaimed author, Forbes contributor, TEDx speaker, and leading voice in international equity and inclusion. His book, “Invisible Generals: Rediscovering Family Legacy and a Quest to Honor America’s First Black Generals,” debuted as an Amazon #1 Best-Selling New Release and was featured in a PBS "NewsHour" Classroom Daily News Lesson.
fter the event, don’t miss a book signing with speaker Doug Melville sponsored by Hamilton County Community Foundation.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
An Oct. 25 news story published by WFYI details previously undisclosed reasons why Hamilton Southeastern School Board candidate John Stewart’s business, K-Trails Equestrian Adventures, lost its contract to operate the stables at Koteewi Park in Noblesville.
In the online news story, reporter Rachel
Fradette writes that the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Board terminated the contract in spring 2023, citing concerns that in 2022, Stewart had hired a family friend who at the time was facing charges of child sexual crimes in Florida.
That friend, Erick Kristianson, worked for K-Trails for about five months, according to the article.
and is in custody in California.
Kristianson has since been charged with additional crimes involving minors
In response to a Current request for comment, Stewart sent a statement that he had already shared with his supporters. In it, he stated that he had known the Kristianson family for decades.
“Years later, his mother called me and asked for help because Erick had gotten into some trouble,” Stewart stated. “My understanding of the situation at the time does
not resemble what it appears to be today. I thought that I knew him and could trust his word. When I hired Erick to help with barn operations, primarily feeding and maintaining the horses and trails, I was not keenly aware of the details and serious accusations that have now come to light.”
Stewart stated that a background check at the time didn’t reveal any cause for concern and when he learned more about the charges Erick Kristianson faced, he terminated his employment.
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees voted unanimously Oct. 23 to approve the district’s 2025 budget, a spending plan that totals $326.4 million — an increase from 2024’s $299.8 million budget.
Three members of the public spoke before the board’s vote, focusing on finances and ongoing teacher contract negotiations. Sarah Renfro told the board that she’s concerned about how teachers have been treated.
“Our teachers deserve better,” she said. “Our teachers deserve to be heard. Our teachers deserve respect. Our teachers deserve better pay. Our teachers deserve better, period.”
Alyssa Roberts said she was concerned that budget details that have been available in the past were not included in the information posted on the HSE Board Docs website. She also expressed concern about a proposed expansion of the role of instructional coaches that she said would include writing lesson plans.
“This addition to the budget could be transformative, but only if administration is careful not to make these coaches junior administrators and instead allow them to do the work of coaching (as) outlined by experts,” she said.
Tyler Zerbe, an HSE teacher and one of the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association’s contract negotiators, gave a brief update on the bargaining process. He said negotiations began Oct. 21.
“So far, we have had the opportunity to present two proposals to (administrators),” he said. “We know that we are going to be back next week to solidify our contract. Due to this, we would like you to remember this when you vote on the budget tonight.”
During board discussion, there were some questions about whether the district could complete future teacher contract negotiations before the budget is due for approval, which would help with cost projections. Finance Director Tim Brown noted that the timing of when contract negotiations are allowed to begin makes that challenging, in part because the budget approval process requires multiple public hearings and the budget must be approved and submitted to the state by Nov. 1.
The board also talked about a budget study committee that would review the district’s finances and look for ways to reduce a projected multiyear deficit caused by increased costs and reduced enrollment. The district has reserves it can use for the short term, but Brown said that’s not a sustainable solution.
Superintendent Patrick Mapes said administrators will bring a proposal for the budget study committee to the board after the first of the year.
“Then, starting in January, into January, early February, we’ll start meeting and see what changes we can make in order to save some dollars,” he said.
The next HSE Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at the district’s central office, 13485 Cumberland Rd. Meetings are streamed live on the board’s website, hseschools.org/board/ board-of-school-trustees.
Art for veterans — The Fishers Art Center has partnered with Armed Services Arts Partnership to offer free classes and workshops for veterans, service members, military family members and caregivers. This fall, they will have two wheel-throwing classes through the collaboration at the Fishers Art Center, 1 Municipal Dr. In addition to these two ASAP classes, the Fishers Art Center will host a free printmaking Make It Take It workshop for the military-connected community from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 7. For more information about the center, visit fishersartcenter.org.
Veterans Day celebration set — The City of Fishers and Fishers Armed Services Commission invite residents to a Veterans Day Ceremony starting at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Fishers City Hall Theater, 1 Municipal Dr., featuring speaker Doug Melville. Melville is an author, Forbes contributor, TEDx speaker and leading voice in international equity and inclusion. His book, “Invisible Generals: Rediscovering Family Legacy and a Quest to Honor America’s First Black Generals,” debuted as an Amazon No. 1 bestselling new release and was featured on PBS. A booksigning will follow.
November 4-10 | 12-5pm
Discover the comfort and convenience of Epcon’s luxury ranch homes during our Quick Move-In Home Tour. There are many opportunities available for move-in by the end of the year. These beautifully crafted single-level homes offer a seamless transition into the low-maintenance lifestyle you’ve earned.
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news@currentinfishers.com
The Fishers Arts Council’s November exhibit, “Small Treasures,” features the work of Jeremy Mallov, an artist and Lawrence Township art teacher who recently has focused on painting beautiful images in small packages.
According to a FAC news release, “Small Treasures” is on display through Dec. 2 at the Art Gallery at City Hall in the Fishers Municipal Center, 1 Municipal Dr. Excluding holidays, it can be viewed Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and during the Second Friday free public reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 8.
When Mallov began college at Indiana University, he intended to major in psychology, according to the news release.
However, “after sophomore year I got bitten bad by the art bug,” he stated. He knew, though, that he would have to be able to earn a living, so he decided he would combine his love of art with a love of teaching and became a licensed art educator.
Mallov has taught art at Amy Beverland Elementary School in Lawrence Township for 21 years, after spending six months teaching at Carmel High School and a year at Belzer Middle School.
He stated that early in his career, his paintings were inspired by exotic locales he had visited, including Venetian canals, Israeli architecture and French and Spanish cityscapes. He now has a family and many pets, has become much busier and is more likely to visit Disney than Italy.
“Finding time to paint has become a challenge and the source of my November art show is all about creating ‘small treasures’ in the time I have and finding inspiration where I can,” he stated. “I’ve found myself making smaller 8”x10” paintings while sitting in the waiting room of
free
a cheer studio or gymnastics studio and painting a picture of the absolutely gorgeous sunrise I saw one morning while at car drop-off duty at school. Or I’ll paint a picture of the view across a retention pond I noticed while taking a walk with my wife. I’ve learned to see the beauty in the small, the everyday. My newest paintings are like a short story, giving you a glimpse into my world without telling you an entire novel. The paintings are not, however, without deeper meaning.”
Mallov measures the success of each painting in terms of whether it accurately captures the feeling of what he was trying to create.
He stated that when he’s teaching, he measures his success on whether he’s introduced his students to something meaningful to them in terms of art and if he’s created a love of art in them.
The Nov. 8 Second Friday reception will include music by JBJ Collective and a presentation with Mallov. For more, contact FAC at info@fishersartscouncil.org.
OneZone hosts networking events — OneZone Chamber of Commerce, which represents businesses in Carmel and Fishers, will host a special Eggs & Issues with general election statehouse winners from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 8 at the Bridgewater Club, 3535 E. 161st St., Carmel, open to members and nonmembers. The chamber will host a Lunch and Learn with Invest Hamilton County for members only starting at 11:30 Nov. 13 at Iron & Ember, 12120 Brookshire Parkway, Carmel. The monthly OWN workshop for women featuring speaker Katie Zarich focusing on imposter syndrome is 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Dec. 4 at Niemann’s Harvest Market, 2140 E 116th St., Carmel. For more or to register for these events, visit onezonechamber.com.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Carmel High School girls soccer player
Olivia Cebalo had a senior season to remember.
Greyhounds coach Frank Dixon said if Carmel had gone farther in the postseason, she would have had a chance to be awarded the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association’s Player of the Year.
“I don’t remember the last time we had a player score 20 goals. That’s hard with the schedule we play. That’s a difficult thing to accomplish,” Dixon said.
Cebalo scored 21 goals for the Greyhounds, who lost last month’s Class 3A regional final to East Central on penalty kicks.
“I think this year I felt a lot more comfortable on the ball and being able to move it around better,” she said. “It did surprise me to have over 20 goals because my other years were only half of that.”
As a junior, Cebalo scored 11 goals. She scored 10 as a sophomore and three as a freshman.
Cebalo, who plans to run track in college, was second in the 400-meter run at the
Favorite athlete: Pro soccer player Sophia Smith
Favorite TV show: “Bridgerton”
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite vacation spot: Hilton Head, S.C.
IHSAA girls state track and field meet as a freshman. She was on the state champion 1,600-meter relay team in the spring.
“She has a lot of speed, and that’s always a really nice thing to have as a soccer player,” Dixon said. “She’s developed her soccer playing ability from that, and now she is a complete player.”
The Greyhounds finished 15-4-2. They lost
Carmel High School senior
Olivia Cebalo led the team with 21 goals.
(Photo courtesy of Hounds HQ)
school soccer moment was this year’s sectional championship game.
“Everyone was so pumped and ready to play. The bus ride there we were listening to music, and once we got there, all the parents were cheering us on as we came off the bus,” Cebalo said. “It was really an enjoyable moment.”
Cebalo is undecided where she plans to compete in college.
“I did consider playing soccer in college because I have always loved soccer and enjoyed it so much, but I think for me track was the right way to go and try it out,” she said.
Cebalo said a goal she has for the track season is to be on the winning 1,600-meter relay at the state meet.
in the 3A state title game in 2021 and 2022.
“Even though it wasn’t the ending we wanted, I believe it was still a successful end to my soccer career,” Cebalo said. “I grew as a player, thanks to my teammates, and developed valuable skills from my coaches, all while being part of a team I truly loved, so I would consider that all very successful.”
The midfielder said her favorite high
“We had a strong team last year and we have the same girls again this year,” said Cebalo, who also was on the winning 1,600 relay as a sophomore.
Cebalo played club soccer for Carmel FC and then went to Indy Premier but has decided not to continue playing club soccer.
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@youarecurrent.com.
When you hear the word neurosurgery, you might think of complicated procedures in the brain. But did you know that many neurosurgical procedures actually involve the spine?
If you’re living with pain, you might not know that neurosurgery is an option to help you live a more comfortable life. At Community Health Network, you can find relief from back, neck, arm and sciatica pain through minimally invasive neurosurgical solutions. Plus, Community makes it simple to find neurosurgical solutions — no physician referral required.
Learn more about how neurosurgery can help with your pain at eCommunity.com/neuro
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Free Yoga Wednesdays — The City of Fishers Parks Department will offer Free Yoga Wednesdays indoors starting Nov. 13 at the Billericay Park building, 12690 Promise Rd. The classes run from 10 to 11 a.m. through the end of the year and are led by Roots & Wings Yoga Wellness. All skill levels are welcome. Participants must bring their own mat.
500 Festival Miler Series dates announced — Registration is open for the 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, through Feb. 2. The series, held at Fowling Warehouse Indianapolis, includes three races designed to help participants train for the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. The Miler Series kicks off with a 3-Miler Feb. 8, followed by a 6-Miler March 8 and concludes with a 10-Miler on April 5. For more, visit IndyMini. com/Challenges.
Prom & Fundraiser — Special Olympics Hamilton County will host a night of games, raffle prizes and dancing from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Forest Park Inn in Noblesville, 701 Cicero Rd. Special Olympics Hamilton County athletes, friends of athletes, family of athletes, volunteers and community members are welcome to join in to support the athletes and organization. All attendees are required to raise a minimum of $50 for admission. There will be prizes for the top fundraisers. For more, visit sohcindiana.org/event/ sohc-prom-and-fundraiser.
Operation Christmas Child dropoff event – Volunteers will collect donations for Operation Christmas Child throughout the region Nov. 18-25. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, a project of the nondenominational evangelical Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse, has collected and delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to children, including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster. Operation Christmas Child hopes to reach another 12 million children in 2024. Shoe box gifts can be dropped off at Crossroads Church of Westfield, 19201 Grassy Branch Rd. in Westfield; Grace Church, 12450 Olio Rd. in Fishers; and Heritage Christian School, 6401 E. 75th St. in Indianapolis. Learn more at samaritanspurse.org.
Four opportunities for art appreciation will be presented in one night for the second Fishers Gallery Hop, set for 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 8 and hosted by Fishers Arts Council, Noblesville Creates and the Fishers Art Center.
EXHIBITS
According to a news release from the Fishers Arts Council, the evening begins at 5 p.m. at the Meyer Najem second-floor gallery, 11787 Lantern Rd., featuring the photography of Fishers artist Michael Jack.
“(Jack) is a lifelong learner, explorer and storyteller,” the news release stated. “His love for the Palouse region of Washington State — a location he has deemed as either a bucket list destination for photographers or an unknown name and location to those unfamiliar with it — has proven to serve as the inspiration behind much of his work since retiring from a career as a corporate controller in 2008.”
“Stories from the Coast” heavily features the Palouse region — its beauty as well as its deterioration resulting from the consolidation of farms. The Noblesville Creates exhibit will remain on display through Dec. 27.
From 6 to 8 p.m., the Fishers Arts Council Hub Gallery at the Hamilton County Community Foundation, 11810 Technology Dr., features “Aspiring Artists” from five Hamilton County-based art schools. Artists ranging from 6 to 60-plus will share their painting, photography, collage and more.
“This is an opportunity to meet teachers from Fishers, Carmel and Noblesville, and learn about what they have to offer the aspiring artist in your life,” the news release stated.
Also from 6 to 8 p.m., art lovers can view Jeremy Mallov’s “Small Treasures” exhibit in the Art Gallery at City Hall, 1 Municipal Drive.
“Finding time to paint has become a challenge and the source of my November art show is all about creating ‘small trea-
Fishers photographer Michael Jack’s exhibit, “Stories from the Coast,” features the Palouse region of Washington State. (Photo courtesy of the FAC)
sures’ in the time I have and finding inspiration where I can,” Mallov stated.
From there, visitors can walk across the breezeway to check out “Interwoven” in the Fishers Art Center, 1 Municipal Dr., which features two artists whose “unique sculptural approaches challenge the boundaries that shape our understanding of the world,” the news release stated.
The artists are Detroit-based Austen Brantley and Indianapolis-based Susan Tennant. The Art Center gallery will close at 9 p.m. that night.
Both the Art Gallery at City Hall and the FAC Hub Gallery will feature live music, refreshments and a chance to meet the artists.
The first five individuals to visit all four galleries during the Gallery Hop will receive $25 off any artwork purchase that evening. A Gallery Hop card will be available in each location. For more information, contact the Fishers Arts Council at info@fishersartscouncil.org.
Code & Coffee — Software developers (and those interested in becoming one), are invited to drop in, drink coffee and converse with other software developers from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays at The Well Coffeehouse, 8890 E. 116th St., Suite 120, in Fishers.
By Cassie King news@currentinfishers.com
The Friends of Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve celebrated the 20th anniversary of the preserve’s ownership by the City of Fishers Oct. 12. The event highlighted the importance of preserving the land and featured a day full of activities for visitors of all ages.
Amy Perry, a volunteer with the Friends of Ritchey Woods, emphasized how significant it is for the city to own and protect the land at 10410 Hague Rd.
“For a local entity to own a forever-protected space of healing and beauty is something worth celebrating,” she said. “Ritchey Woods is not just another park.”
The nature preserve, protected by state law since 1983, features three biodiverse ecosystems — wetlands, forests and prairie — surrounded by the development that has taken place over the years in Fishers.
The celebration brought together families and residents from around the state with various activities at the park’s shelter. Cupcakes, door prizes and a scavenger hunt were available to children while adults participated in poetry writing and a craft activity.
A portrait of Dr. John Ritchey, the park’s original donor, was displayed alongside a timeline of the site’s history, illustrating its development from private land to a state-protected preserve.
The preserve’s status as a State Designated Nature Preserve and conservation easement means it cannot be sold or developed without the governor’s signature, making it one of Indiana’s most highly protected areas.
“This is the only type of land in Indiana that requires the governor’s signature to be developed,” Perry said. “The law is in place to help ensure that the park remains a sanctuary for both people and wildlife for years to come.”
Various representatives, including Tina Mahern of the Indiana Wildlife Federation, from nature-focused organizations were present during the event,
“We’re here to help with education and provide policy information on conservation,” Mahern said. “As an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, we help keep Hoosiers informed on what’s happening in terms of conservation policies across the state.”
Cindy Schroeder, a Ritchey Woods park steward, shared her role in caring for the preserve.
“As a steward, I come out once or twice a month to check for any downed trees or damage,” she said. “I bring my green bucket to pick up trash, but honestly, people really respect the park and don’t litter much.”
The park has become a favorite spot for nature photographers, birdwatchers, hikers and families. Kathryn Custer, a Fishers
resident who often visits the park with her children, said she heard about the celebration through social media.
“We live close and come here all the time,” Custer said. “When I saw they were having a celebration event, I thought it’d be fun for my kids.”
Educational programs, such as the Nature First initiative, which brings first-graders from Hamilton Southeastern Schools to the preserve, ensure that younger generations learn about the im-
portance of conservation.
“The Nature First Rangers are doing a great job teaching children to respect and protect this space,” Perry said.
Looking forward, Friends of Ritchey Woods members hope to continue involving the community in maintaining and preserving the park.
“There’s a park steward program where local residents can sign up to spend at least one hour a month picking up trash and reporting any issues,” Perry said. “It’s a great way to give back to this beautiful space.”
Ritchey Woods at 10410 Hague Rd. In Fishers is one of only two state designated nature preserves in Hamilton County. The park is approximately 127 acres and offers nine nature trails totaling more than 2.25 miles.
According to the City of Fishers, Ritchey Woods is home to several Fishers Parks events and programs, includ-
ing National S’mores Day, Keep Fishers Beautiful Spring Service Day, several summer camp programs and the Nature First program in partnership with Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
In addition to trails, the park has bike racks, picnic shelters and tables and restrooms. The park is open daily from dawn until dusk.
Ritchey Woods remains a significant part of Fishers’ landscape, she said, offering a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors.
For more about Ritchey Woods, visit bit. ly/3NL8Pfy.
ON THE COVER: Visitors enjoy one of the
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Opera singer Angela Brown is eager to lend her powerful voice in a different way. Brown will narrate Aaron Copland’s 1942 composition, “Lincoln Portrait,” during the Carmel Symphony Orchestra’s “America the Beautiful” concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“I get to work with a longtime friend of mine, Maestro Damien Geter,” Brown said of guest conductor Geter. “We have known each other for many years, even before he was living and working in Indianapolis. And now he has gone on to pen great symphonic and operatic works, and I am extremely proud to have the opportunity to be under his baton for ‘Lincoln Portrait.’ It is going to be terrific to collaborate with him and the Carmel Symphony.”
Brown said she sang with the Carmel Symphony on a few occasions several years ago.
“I’ve never narrated this piece before, but I am looking forward to this challenge and to taking a closer look at Lincoln’s words,” Brown said. “Many famous actors, statespeople and civic leaders have narrated this piece. I’m looking forward to adding my voice to this symphonic work as a spoken word artist as opposed to a singer, my usual role.”
The second piece is “Montgomery Variations” by Margaret Bonds, a Black composer, who died in 1972.
“It highlights the Civil Rights Movement and the Montgomery (bus) boycott,” Chastain said. “It’s a really interesting piece that has only been performed in recent years. We’re very excited to be bringing it to Carmel. It includes some African American spirituals and a really wonderful fusion of that part of American culture.”
Angela Brown will narrate “Lincoln Portrait” to open the Nov. 16 Carmel Symphony Orchestra concert. (Photo courtesy of Angela Brown).
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” runs through Nov. 24 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
Carmel Arts Council presents Dueling Pianos Dinner with Brittany Brumfield at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “She Loves Me” through Nov. 17 at the Studio Theater at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.
The Piano Guys will perform at 4 and 9 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents. org.
CSO Executive Director Anne Marie Chastain said it’s an iconic work that showcases President Abraham Lincoln’s ability to bring people together during the difficult times.
“It’s going to be incredible,” Chastain said. “The symphony has performed it before with different community leaders. We’re excited to be performing it again.”
Chastain said it’s tremendous to have Brown return to CSO.
The work is structured in seven movements, each reflecting different aspects of the struggle for racial equality.
Antonin Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 9 From the New World” is the third main piece in the concert. It covers Dvorak’s reflections on American culture.
“It’s such a beloved, beautiful piece, so we’re excited to be playing that,” Chastain said.
The Indianapolis Children’s Choir will perform the national anthem to open the
concert.
“It will be a wonderful, patriotic way to kick off the concert,” Chastain said. “We traditionally have a concert around Veterans Day. This is continuing the tradition of celebrating American heritage during this month.”
There will be a short pre-concert talk at 6:10 p.m. followed by performances by three community groups that Chastain said represent diverse cultures.
The groups are Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos, representing Mexican culture; Chinese Mooncake Festival Committee dance group; and Indian Classical Dance from Natyalaya School of the Arts.
“We want to make this concert very inclusive on what makes America great,” Chastain said. “Immigrants from all over the world have been what has brought Americans together. It’s just to celebrate our collective culture.
“It makes us very happy to be host to other arts groups.”
For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.
Indiana Wind Symphony presents “The Call: A Concert for Veterans” at 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
Songbook exhibit features Swift — The Great American Songbook Foundation is exploring the singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s place in popular music history through an online resource and a special popup exhibit at its gallery in Carmel. Through Nov. 15, the interactive gallery, located in the Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts, will feature Swift memorabilia in historical context alongside iconic artifacts from artists across the past century of American popular music. In addition, the Songbook Foundation has posted a multimedia online exhibit titled Taylor Swift: A New Chapter in the American Songbook. The Songbook Exhibit Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Admission is free.
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Indiana Wind Symphony Music Director Jay S. Gephart’s programming philosophy must serve three constituents.
CONCERT
“It has to serve myself, my musicians and the audience,” he said.
The selections making up “The Call: A Concert for Veterans” do just that, Gephart said. The IWS concert is set for 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
uate, performs regularly around Washington, D.C.
“He was recommended to me by several Wind Symphony members,” Gephart said. “I investigated his background and thought he would be a great fit for this concert, in particular.”
The guest soloist is Gil Hoffer, a retired trumpet player for the U.S. Army Band known as “Pershing’s Own.”
Hoffer will perform “Concerto for Trumpet,” composed by Alexander Arutiunian, and on “With Malice Toward None” from the movie “Lincoln” by well-known film composer John Williams. In addition, Hoffer will perform on James Curnow’s “Concert Piece,” which Gephart said is a more contemporary show number.
Hoffer, a North Central High School grad-
The concert opens with “Let Freedom Ring” by composer Ryan Nowlin, who is the conductor of the United States Marine Band, the President’s Own.
“Ryan, in addition to being a fine conductor, is a very talented composer,” Gephart said.
The concert will include “American Legion March” by Charles Wesley Parker.
“Indianapolis is the home of the American Legion, so it’s very appropriate we would do that march,” he said.
Evan Cooper, a Carmel High School graduate, will guest conduct on “Liberty” by Rossano Galante.
“Many of (Galante’s) band pieces sound like they would come from a film score because his music has become wildly popular,” Gephart said.
For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
By Les Morris editorial@youarecurrent.com
Noblesville’s Grace Church will stage seven performances of the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on weekends from Nov. 8 to 17.
Directed by Amy Christie, the church’s pastor of community life and 24-year veteran of Grace’s theater series, the production will involve approximately 75 performers, both church members and community theater actors.
Told entirely through song, the musical follows the journey of Joseph, a boy blessed with prophetic dreams, and his colorful path from Canaan to Egypt.
Christie, a Carmel High School graduate, has been on the church staff for 28 years. Her theatrical career at Grace began with the 2000 show “A Wonderful Life, The Musical,” and hasn’t slowed down since. She has produced all the shows and directed most of them. But she certainly hasn’t forgotten her roots.
The Grace Church cast of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” (Photo courtesy of Grace Church)
“Much of what I do in theater was shaped growing up in Carmel and in Carmel schools,” she said. “I believe the arts draw people together in a unique and special way.”
Uniquely, the cast includes five sets of twins. They are: Marley and Ryan Jackson, Carmel; Rilian and Corin Tolbert, Carmel: Jane and Willow McLaughlin, Noblesville; Addie and Halie Anderson, Noblesville and Jacob and Alex Stockton, Fishers.
Another casting highlight is Pastor Jon Owens of Indianapolis’s City of Lights Church and his five children, all of whom appear in the show. Owens is a graduate of Lawrence Central High School.
For more, visit gracechurch.us/theatre.
Commentary by Terry Anker
Today is Election Day. If we haven’t managed to do so already, we line up to undertake our civic duty. For a while, we will be swarmed with opinions about how the election turned out, if it was fair, and, hopefully not, if it has been finally certified. Those of us who remember hanging chads know that it can take a while. It was 36 days before the U.S. Supreme Court effectively ended the recounts and legal wrangling in the 2000 presidential election. We will continue to get the unsolicited, often fraudulent, requests for money from candidates and their paid political consultants for a bit. So far today, this humble writer has received 47 of them. And we return to regular programming on network and streaming video. The bulbous of advertisements will roll to a halt as campaign machinery runs out of the cash keeping the boilers hot. If we believe we are better off today than we were and we like where we live, we’ll have supported the current governments. If not, we’ll vote for something else
ESSAY
promised. It has happened in more or less the same way since the American Founding Fathers launched this great experiment in self-government. Did we want the entrepreneur governor or the schoolteacher one? Every vote counts equally, at least for those of us who bother to show. We get to decide.
We will return to normal lives, but has the damage been done? Has the toxicity of the modern body politic led us to elevate hate over forgiveness and identity over tolerance? Will we forgive our dear aunt for the cruel things she said? Will we forgive our young mentee for posting an almost 1,300-word epistle on social media critiquing the “hate” seen in others through 38 specific name-calling invectives about them? Will Chad figuratively have hung himself?
Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent. com.
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