August 27, 2024 — North Indy by Current Publishing

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

BEYOND THE CLASSICS

Actor returns as Jerry Lee Lewis in ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ / P7

Fundraiser benefits domestic violence survivors / P3 Event supports women entrepreneurs / P4

Barkeep Vodka hits market / P10 Opera in the Park returns / P12

THREE WEEKENDS // THURSDAY - SUNDAY SEPT. 12–15 SEPT. 19 – 22 SEPT. 26 – 29

Take advantage of early bird pricing to save $5 on your ticket through the start of the show!

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT

ARE YOU COMING TO HOME-A-RAMA?

BAGI IS PROUD TO PRESENT SEVERAL SPECIAL EVENTS

Realtor Day

September 13th | 10am-2pm

Calling all Realtors! Join us for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at each show home on the 2024 Centier Bank Home-A-Rama. Tickets will be discounted and limited to Realtors only.

Ticket Cost: $10

September 19th | 4pm-6pm

This is a fan-favorite event with a twist! Join us as we tour each of the five custom homes of this year’s HomeA-Rama, enjoy some wine and hors d’oeuvres and hear directly from the interior designers of each showcase home to learn about the latest trends, inspiration behind their show home, and more.

Ticket Cost: $55 (includes food and drink)

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

THREE WEEKENDS

THURSDAY - SUNDAY

SEPT. 12–15, SEPT. 19 – 22 & SEPT. 26 – 29

HOMETOWN HEROES

September 26th | All Day

Join us at this year’s Home-A-Rama for a special celebratory event honoring our hometown heroes. To show our appreciation, veterans, first responders, military personnel, healthcare workers, and teachers can enjoy 20% off the general admission ticket price. These unsung heroes are the heart of our community, and we thank you!

Ticket Cost: $20

Use code “Early Bird” to take advantage of early bird pricing to save $5 on your ticket through the start of the show!*

Early bird pricing ends 9/11 at 11:59 pm.

About us

Founded March 12, 2024, at Indianapolis, IN Vol. I, No. 13

525 North End Dr. Ste. 175 Carmel, IN 46032

317.489.4444

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Puccini’s Pizza Pasta Puccini’s

Watch party fundraiser benefits DV survivors

EVENT By Tirzah Rowland tirzah@youarecurrent.com

More than a Phone, a nonprofit that donates cellphones to domestic violence support facilities, will host its seventh annual fundraiser from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, the Indianapolis Colts training facility, 7001 W. 56th St. in Indianapolis. Advance tickets are required.

“This event is really important to us because we only have one fundraiser a year, one annual event, and we try to make it fun and lighthearted,” said Julie Moorehead, More than a Phone’s founder and executive director. “But at the base, we’re still talking about a problem that affects one in four women, one in seven men, and that’s domestic violence.”

Called More than a Tailgate, the family-friendly event will feature entertainment by DJ Gabby Love and 15-year-old DJ Reese Ray; food catered by Ritz Charles’ Simply Served; and two large screens to view the Indianapolis Colts play the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Guests will have the opportunity to participate in silent and live auctions, have access to the Colts training field and participate in activities for all ages.

Moorehead said silent auction baskets typically range from kid-friendly themes like Nerf and American Girl to Pacer’s tickets or vacation packages. Donations are still being accepted.

All proceeds go directly to More than a Phone. Its goal is to raise $230,000. More than a Phone distributes up to 5,000 phones to 125 domestic violence support facilities nationwide.

“What we’re able to do at More than a Phone is provide survivors with a smartphone that’s reliable and safe and four months of data service, talk and text so that they can communicate with family, friends, counselors, work, schools, the people that they need to and not have the fear of being tracked or stalked by a potential abuser,” Moorehead said. “Sometimes,

that’s one of the last things that a survivor needs to do to break free from her abuser.”

More than a Phone partners with Verizon to provide service for donated phones.

Moorehead said her team of four is thankful for several corporate sponsors.

“What we really need is a lot of small

supporters and to spread the word,”

said.

Tickets for More than a Tailgate are $25 for kids and $75 for adults. Adult tickets include bar drink selections. To purchase tickets or donate, visit morethanaphone.org

& Ditch Rd or

& Dean Rd

Live and silent auctions are part of the More than a Tailgate fundraiser. (Photo courtesy of More than a Phone)

she

Cathedral High School congratulates Olympic Gold Medalist, Olympic recordsetter, and 2019 graduate Cole Hocker and extends a warm “you’re so welcome” to him. In a post-medal interview, Cole thanked Indianapolis, Indiana, and “especially Cathedral” for all the support. Cathedral is a faith-filled school where caring educators know, love, encourage, and support their students. And that support doesn’t end when a student graduates because of our Holy Cross value of Family. After winning Gold, Cole also stated, “I just felt like I was getting carried by the stadium and God.” How beautiful to see our Holy Cross value of Zeal on a world stage! Zeal, which is Cathedral’s Holy Cross Value for this school year, is the great desire to make God known, loved, and served. Those with this virtue fulfill their duties with eagerness, affection, courage, and perseverance. (Kind of like an Olympic Champion!) Greatness called, and you answered, Cole! You make our Holy Cross value of Excellence shine like GOLD!

GOCATHEDRAL.COM

Event supports women entrepreneurs thoughout central Indiana

news@currentinfishers.com

An upcoming event is designed to help women entrepreneurs from Hamilton and Marion counties network with their peers and learn more about funding their business ventures.

SCORE Indianapolis and Ivy Tech’s entrepreneurship program have teamed up for the Sept. 7 Women Entrepreneurs Fall Event at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center, 2820 N. Meridian St. in Indianapolis.

SCORE Indianapolis mentor Tricia Brace of Carmel stated that the event will provide attendees with an overview of funding options, including grants, micro-loans and traditional bank loans.

“A lot of people don’t even know what micro-lending is,” Brace stated. “Or what steps they need to take to secure funding.”

Brace is coordinating the event with fellow SCORE mentors Sylanda McKinnor of Fishers, Chris Ward of Geist and Debbie Guy of Indianapolis.

Speakers are:

• Rebecca Townsend, founder of Mantis Myofascial Massage Therapy in Indianapolis, will share how she made a career change from a decades-long career in journalism.

• Jean Lee of Carmel, a SCORE Indianapolis mentee and founder of The Academy of Chaos, will discuss how she turned an educational need for her children into a business.

• Katina Washington, executive director of SHE.Events Indy, who will share tips on finding and applying for grants.

• Stacey Walston of Indianapolis, a community relationship manager for Bankable, will discuss micro-loans and what lenders seek in applicants.

• Janelle Campbell of Westfield will

discuss traditional bank loans and community bank programs available for entrepreneurs through Community First Bank of Indiana, where she serves as senior vice president, director of consumer banking.

• Carlonda Davis, Community First Bank of Indiana chief administrative officer, who also leads the bank’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team. She will discuss traditional bank loans and community bank programs available for business owners.

For more or to register, visit: score.org/indianapolis/event/ women-entrepreneurs-fall-event.

Sunday, October 6

12:30-4pm

Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center (the Colts practice facility)

Join us for an upgraded watch party experience of the Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars away game! Enjoy tailgate food, an open bar, bounce houses for kids and more, all while supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

Learn more at morethanaphone.org.

Bounce and Play on the field while the DJ spins!

See inside the Indianapolis Colts practice facility! Watch the game from 2 large screen TVs!

Hosted by and benefiting:

MVP Sponsor:

Walston Washington Davis Townsend

Ignite plans match of week

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Indy Ignite are more than four months away from opening their inaugural volleyball season, but team officials are working on building their fan base.

VOLLEYBALL

The team will host the Ignite High School Match of the Week Presented by Team Rehab starting Aug. 22.

Indiana.”.

The team will select an Ignite Player of the Match and feature the player on the team’s social media platforms. The player also will receive Ignite gear and a pair of tickets to Ignite matches.

“It is designed to bring attention to the fact that women’s professional volleyball at the highest level is coming to Indiana in 2025,” said Randi Raff, Indy Ignite’s director of community engagement,

The Indy Ignite begins play at the Fishers Event Center in January 2025.

“It is also designed to make a difference in the lives of young volleyball players,” said Raff, a former head volleyball coach at the University of Southern Indiana and Indiana University assistant coach. “While we establish pro volleyball in Indiana as one of eight teams competing in the Pro Volleyball Federation in 2025, we want to support volleyball at all levels across the state of

“There is no better place for Indy Ignite than central Indiana, which is a hotbed for women’s volleyball, with eight prominent clubs,” Raff said. “Many hold national championships, and the Class 4A reigning state girls champions, Hamilton Southeastern, is right here in Hamilton County.”

Indy Ignite High School Match of the Week schedule is:

Week 1: Aug. 22 — Pendleton Heights at Westfield; Week 2: Aug. 29 — Hamilton Southeastern at Brownsburg; Week 3: Sept. 3 — Roncalli at Cathedral; Week 4: Sept. 11 — Carmel at Zionsville, Sept. 12 — HSE at Fishers; Week 5: Sept. 17 — Brownsburg at Center Grove; Week 6: Sept. 25 — Noblesville at Carmel; Week 7: Oct. 2 — Westfield at Avon; Week 8: Wildcard Week — The Ignite will choose three matches and poll social media audiences to pick the match to attend.

Conner Prairie hosts fundraiser

By Jennifer A. Haire news@currentinfishers.com

The Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest chapter’s national Moving Day event will take place at Conner Prairie in Fishers this year, marking the first Moving Day walk in the greater Indianapolis area.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE

The Sept. 21 fundraising event is an opportunity for people with Parkinson’s disease to get moving along with a supportive community, said Lori Prokash, a volunteer and planning committee member for the Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest chapter.

“Moving is one of the key parts of living with Parkinson’s,” she said. “Exercise is so important as part of your treatment plan.”

Seven years ago, Prokash’s father, now 77, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

“I just really wanted to understand more about the disease, what we could expect, what could be coming down the road, just to educate myself,” she said. “So, I think for individuals that themselves have Parkinson’s, or they have someone that they

love that has Parkinson’s, really educating yourself and bringing awareness to the disease itself is important.”

Anyone affected by Parkinson’s disease is encouraged to attend Moving Day. Activ ities are from 9 to 11 a.m. and include exer cise demonstrations; remarks from community members living with the disease; information about resources; available support through the Parkinson’s Foundation; and opportunities to connect with local vendors, such as Rock Steady Boxing, that encourage the movement mission.

Participants can choose between a 1.5- to 2-mile route or a quarter-mile short walk, with teams or as individuals.

“It’s really to get people moving,” Prokash said. “We have movement demos. People that specialize in physical therapy and working with people with Parkinson’s come out and do some demonstrations.”

SHOWROOM

99 E. Carmel Drive Suite 100 Carmel, IN

Additionally, Hamilton Southeastern High School’s Unified dance team will attend to cheer on the walkers, Prokash said, and the Indiana Fever mascot Freddie Fever is expected to make an appearance.

For more, visit movingdaywalk.org/ event/moving-day-indianapolis.

117 S. First Street

Zionsville, IN

Raff

KITCHENS | BATHS | INTERIORS | ADDITIONS | OUTDOOR LIVING

CARMEL

Indiana conservation officer: ‘Every

By Conrad Otto conrad@youarecurrent.com

PROFILE

(spent) checking our constituents, (who are) our fishermen, hunters and boaters.

How did you end up working in District 4?

Billy Doss is an Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officer. He is assigned to District 4, which encompasses 11 counties, including Hamilton. Conservation officers have statewide jurisdiction and full police powers.

One of 214 Indiana conservation officers within the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division, Doss said he primarily works in the Noblesville and Geist areas, which include Morse and Geist reservoirs. Doss, who is coming up on 15 years of service, answered the following questions for Current about the challenges of his job.

How would you describe your job?

It’s unique. Every day is different. It’s a lot of liberty, solely based on us not only filing complaints in our community and county, but (also) addressing ongoing issues in the field. The rest of the time is

It’s been different in the past. When (I was) hired, the ideology was that they wanted us to learn the job away from our family and friends. I was stationed in the Fort Wayne district for almost two years. I did that (to) learn the job without any influences from the community or friends. The department changed around 2011 to the mentality of not uprooting people from their families but hiring quality people who could fit in their community if they can.

What’s the job trail to get to where you are?

You have to meet the minimum requirements, (including) being 21 years of age, to carry a gun for the state. It’s a high school diploma or four years of active military time. There must be a very high experience in hunting and fishing. The hiring process is about 8 months or so. You do a background investigation, a physical test, a fishing test, a written test and then

there are several interviews. If you make it through that, you get selected to go to the recruit school. If you can make it through physically and mentally and graduate, you make it to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. We can do anything as far as (enforcing) state law, but our main focus is fishing, hunting, wildlife and boating.

What does a typical day look like for you?

There isn’t one. I might go from a drowning call to a house on fire that I’m close to, to an ATV crash, to a problem at one of the state parks. It’s 11 counties in our district. I might run from Hamilton County to Richmond or Kokomo. You never know.

What are the best parts of your job?

Occasionally, we arrest people or address a situation and educate someone, and we get thanked for it. I can recall several people I’ve arrested and taken to jail for drunk driving on a lake or in a car, and I see them at the gas station and they’re in tears. They want to thank me because it changed their life. Mostly, we impact a lot of kids with our education programs. I

impact 200 kids (yearly) through the boater education program and introduction to hunting and fishing, ATV safety, water safety and survival.

What are some of those tough parts of the job?

You work in the community and take an oath to enforce the law. There are people you arrest who are family, friends, acquaintances and important people in the community. It’s always a touchy situation. The other thing is the number of deaths. There are a lot of accidents in nature. We’re the ones that deal with that and notify the families. That weighs on a lot of officers.

How much fun do you have with your job?

There’s a ton of fun. We laugh a lot. We joke with people. Our job is to bring people to compliance and show them how to ethically and legally enjoy the natural resources we have. When that happens, it’s good for everybody.

For more, visit in.gov/dnr/ law-enforcement/contact-us/.

Doss

BEYOND THE CLASSICS

Actor returns as Jerry Lee Lewis in ‘Million Dollar Quartet’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For Brian Michael Henry, performing in “Million Dollar Quartet” expanded his musical horizons.

“I love rock ‘n’ roll music, and I love getting to be able to play with a real band onstage,” he said. “The first time I played with a band was in this show and I’ve done it in many different situations since, but ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ taught me how to play with other musicians.”

Henry reprises his role as Jerry Lee Lewis in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet” Aug. 29 to Oct. 6 at the Indianapolis venue. Henry played Lewis in the 2018 production at Beef & Boards.

The musical recounts an event on Dec. 4, 1956, when a twist of fate brought Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash together at Sun Records in Memphis, Tenn., for a legendary jam session.

“There’s a new challenge every time I do it,” Henry said. “Sometimes, it’s the physicality. I’ll need to really stretch for the piano jumps and playing backwards. It’s also a lot of energy to keep up over the course of the show. Jerry Lee doesn’t really leave the stage once he enters at the beginning, so it’s a bit of an endurance test.”

Henry said he is in at least his 10th production of the musical.

“Some of those include productions where I was an understudy but went on and performed the role multiple times during the run,” he said. “I recently understudied Jerry Lee and Sam Phillips in both the Christmas version of the show and the original version. I was able to go on for Sam Phillips in both versions and it was really great to see the show from that vantage point.”

Naturally, the show has become one of Henry’s favorites.

“I tend to do a lot of ‘Golden Age’ musicals, so doing this show is really a fun departure,” he said.

Henry looks forward to returning to Beef & Boards.

“When I did the show here in 2018, I just had a wonderful time,” he said. “Working with Eddie (Curry) and Jeff (Stockberger) and everyone at Beef & Boards was so much fun and I’m really looking forward to seeing them again. I have some other great friends who will be in this production, so I’m looking forward to working with them as well. I also really enjoyed Indianapolis and I can’t wait to explore the city again.” Curry returns in the role of Sam Phillips. Stockberger returns as director.Stockberger and Curry are Indianapolis residents.

Henry, who is based in New York City, grew up in Lock

Haven, Pa., and earned his undergraduate degree at Penn State University and his master’s at the Manhattan (N.Y.) School of Music.

Henry has written and recorded two albums, one EP and some singles

“I come from a classical music background, but with singing,” he said. “I went to school and grad school for opera. I’ve been playing piano since I was about 14, which is a little old to become a concert pianist, But, while I’ve gravitated toward classical music with singing, I’ve always been drawn to rock music at the piano. I used to have to barter with my piano teacher and if I’d work on my classical pieces, she’d in turn let me work on a Billy Joel song.”

Making their Beef & Boards debuts are Sam C. Jones as Johnny Cash, Cody Craven as Carl Perkins and Jesse Plourde as Elvis. The production’s hit songs include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?”, “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Hound Dog.” For more, visit beefandboards.com.

ON THE COVER: Brian Michael Henry reprises his role of Jerry Lee Lewis in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet.” (Photo courtesy of Beef & Boards)

Henry

Brotherhood Designs utilizes their Retired Fire Hose Waste Reduction Program to create Patriotic art as well as to supply zoos and animal sanctuaries with material they upcycle for rehabilitation and enhancement of their habitat.

Fishers Blues Fest headliners follow fathers’ footsteps

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Bernard Allison was always taught not to copy other performers’ styles.

“Every song I do is my own spin,” Allison said. “My dad always said if you are going to do somebody’s music, you have to do it how you do it, not how it’s been done before. I’ve stuck to that strategy.”

Allison’s love for blues, however, did come from his late father, Chicago blues legend Luther Allison, who died at 58 in 1997.

Allison is the Sept. 1 headliner at the two-day 12th annual Fishers Blues Fest at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. Shemekia Copeland is the Aug. 31 headliner for the free festival. The hours are 4 to 10 p.m. each day.

Allison, 58, performed on one of his father’s live albums at age 13 and later toured as a member of his father’s band.

“This whole year is based on ‘Luther’s Blues’ and my previously recorded songs with my father,” Allison said. “Our set is combined with my last albums, pretty much all original songs. I do one cover, but pretty much Allison material.”

“Luther’s Blues,” which has 20 songs, was released earlier this year.

Allison was his father’s band leader for nearly three years.

“I just pick and choose which (songs) suit me,” he said. “I look for certain songs that I felt were overlooked as opposed to ones that everyone knows. We’re excited to have a blues party and meet some old fans and some new fans.”

This is the 30th anniversary of Ruf Records, the label for Allison and his father.

Prior to his Fishers appearance, Allison performed several concerts in Europe. He will return for a five-week tour of France starting in September.

“In the U.S., we’re mostly performing in the festival period between European tours,” he said. “There’s tons of clubs but over the years I’ve done them all. We

don’t drive anywhere. We fly everywhere.”

Like Allison, Copeland’s devotion to blues came from her father.

“My father was a great blues musician named Johnny Copeland, so I grew up with it,” she said.

Copeland, who lives in California, grew up in New York City and then spent 20 years in Chicago. Her songs often address social issues.

“I feel if you are going to make music, you should make good music that is good for the heart,” she said.

Copeland has been a blues fan since she was a child.

“Blues, gospel, soul, just American-roots music,” she said.

Copeland is releasing a new album, “Blame It On Eve,” Aug. 30. She will play some of that new music at the Blues Fest.

“Summer is always busy with the festivals,” she said. “We’re all running around. I travel year-round, but this is the busiest time. It’s a good time to see everyone at festivals, otherwise we’re missing each other. When you play at a big festival, you get to run into people you love.”

Copeland has five Grammy nominations for Best Contemporary Blues Album. She has been named Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year seven times.

Two songs she said she always must perform for her fans are “Ghetto Child” and “It’s 2 A.M.”

Copeland hosts a SiriusXM satellite radio show called “B.B. King’s Bluesville.”

Other announced Aug. 31 performers are Phillip-Michael Scales and Skelton & Rice. Other Sept. 1 performers are Jonathan Ellison and Buffalo Nichols.

For more, visit npdamp.com.

‘MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET’

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet” runs from Aug. 29 to Oct. 6 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Dueling Pianos presented by Brittany Brumfield and Baby Grand Entertainment is set for Aug. 30, followed by Eric Baker & Friends presents: Southern California in the ’70s Aug. 31 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

SYMPHONY ON THE PRAIRIE

Proud Tina: The Ultimate Tribute to Tina Turner is set for Aug. 30, followed by The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute Aug. 31 at Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie in Fishers. Both performances start at 8 p.m. For more, visit indianapolissymphony.org.

‘WE ARE FAMILY? THE STAGE PLAY’ Shandrea Funnye presents “We are Family? The Stage Play” Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

SAMMY HAGAR

Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds Tour with special guest Loverboy will appear at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. For more, visit livenation.com.

ROB ZOMBIE

Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper: Freaks on Parade concert is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 31 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. For more, visit livenation.com.

PITBULL: PARTY AFTER DARK TOUR

Pitbull and special guest T-Pain will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville. For more, visit livenation.com.

DISPATCH

Fork + Ale holds holds weekly concert series — Fork + Ale, 350 Veterans Way, Suite 150, Carmel will hold a concert series from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Nov. 6. The series, which started Aug. 21, continues Aug. 28 with Sam King.

MUSIC

(Above) Bernard Allison will perform Sept. 1 at Fishers Blues Fest. (Photo courtesy of Bernard Allison)

(Below) Shemekia Copeland will perform Aug. 31 at the Fishers Blues Fest. (Photo courtesy of Dave Specter)

“Where Quality Comes First”

Barkeep Vodka hits market

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Craig Huse is convinced Barkeep Vodka will be popular with vodka drinkers.

BEVERAGES

“In my 35 years in the hospitality industry, I’ve had the privilege of sampling nearly every premium vodka on the market,” said Huse, CEO of Huse Culinary who also is one of four partners in Barkeep Vodka. “Yet nothing compares to the purity and smoothness of Barkeep Vodka, crafted using True Essence Foods’ patented compression filtering process. This groundbreaking technology has set a new standard for vodka and is poised to revolutionize the spirits industry as a whole. We are thrilled to pioneer this transformation with Barkeep Vodka, delivering the cleanest-tasting vodka experience to Hoosiers.”

Huse Culinary operates several Indianapolis-area restaurants, including St. Elmo Steak House, 1933 Lounge and HC Tavern + Kitchen. True Essence is based in Indianapolis.

“True Essence Foods Flavor Balancing equipment is a proprietary, nonadditive mechanical filtration system that uses controlled pressure to eliminate off-flavors, resulting in a cleaner, balanced, more consistent tasting spirit without additives or preservatives,” said Matt Rubin, CEO of True Essence.

The product is available at most package liquor stores and is expected to be available soon at major grocery stores. Along with Huse Culinary restaurants, Barkeep Vodka is available at other area restaurants.

“When creating the brand, we focused on ensuring our price to consumers was a strategic advantage for Barkeep,” said Bryn Jones, vice president of marketing and a partner. “We were very confident we had the cleanest-tasting vodka ever produced, but we also wanted to be the most competitively priced ultra-premium vodka on the shelf. We accomplished that by distilling locally with Indiana corn, streamlining our facility for efficiency, and although we developed upscale packaging for Barkeep Vodka, we engineered it to be minimalistic and cost-effective.”

Jones said all processing of the 86-proof vodka, including pressure filtering, bottling, packaging, all happens in the company’s facility on the south side of Indianapolis.

Along with Jones and Craig Huse, the other partners are Jamie Blake and Chris Clifford. All live in the Indianapolis area.

“We feel this is an important fact when zero of the top 10 best-selling vodkas in Indiana are both owned and operated in the Midwest,” Jones said.

For more, visit barkeepvodka.com.

Barkeep Vodka was recently launched by four Indianapolis-area partners. (Photo courtesy of David Puimer)

NIGHT & DAY

Carmel resident sings the blues

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Christopher Wyze has played in several blues cover bands but never expected to write his own songs.

MUSIC

A longtime Carmel resident whose actual last name is Wirthwein, Wyze didn’t think his German name would work well on a blues record. In July, the song “Back to Clarksdale” reached No. 1 on the RMR, or Roots Music Report, song chart. The album, Christopher Wyze & The Tellers’ “Stuck In The Mud,” reached No. 2 on the RMR blues chart based on worldwide radio play.

Wyze co-wrote all the songs, is the lead vocalist and plays harmonica. The Tellers’ name comes from songs as a form of storytelling.

“These aren’t pop songs,” Wyze said. “This is about people with real stuff going on in their lives. They’re not doing very well.”

Wyze, 67, wrote eight songs with Ralph Carter, a Los Angeles producer, who he met in Mississippi.

Carter was a bandmate and musical tour director for Eddie Money.

“Ralph was in that big rock ‘n’ roll world and I met him at (a) blues camp in Mississippi,” Wyze said. “I started to learn the harmonica. Ralph said you have to start writing songs. I said, ‘Yeah, right. I don’t write.’ I hadn’t written any songs.”

Approximately three years ago, Wyze saw a Wall Street Journal article about a new recording studio in Muscle Shoals, Ala. He sent it to Carter, half-jokingly writing

that it would be a good place to record the album. But Carter said Wyze needed to write the songs and they would do the album together.

Six months later, Wyze had written the songs and he and Carter had turned them into music.

“Carter had auditioned and hired the studio musicians,” Wyze said. “We packed up and went to Muscle Shoals, where all the great musicians in the world recorded and we recorded the record.”

Wyze was signed by Big Radio, a division of Select-O-Hits, in December 2023.

One of the band members is Wyze’s friend, Westfield resident and bass player Gerry Murphy, who co-wrote two songs, including “Back to Clarksdale.” One of the musicians on the album was Eric Deaton, a guitarist who also plays with the Black Keys.

For more, visit christopherwyzeandthetellers.com

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Christopher Wyze on the railroad track in Clarksdale, Miss., in March. (Photo courtesy of Christopher Wyze)

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE: Settings: CHOP, CRUSH, MIX,

PUREE, WHIP; Sizes: DOUBLE, FULL, KING, QUEEN, TWIN; Craft: CANOE, JET SKI, KAYAK, PONTOON;

Opera in the Park returns

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For Lyndsay Moy, Indianapolis Opera’s Opera in the Park is always special and this one has special significance.

CONCERT

Moy, director of education and community engagement for Indianapolis Opera, will be joined by Ganson Salmon as feature performers in Opera in the Park in a 7 p.m. free concert Sept. 7 at Garfield Park in Indianapolis.

“Since this is our 50th anniversary season, we really wanted to highlight Hoosier talent, so (general director) David (Starkey) graciously asked me to sing because I was raised in Indianapolis,” Moy said.

After earning a master’s degree at Cleveland Institute of Music, she returned for her residency at Indianapolis Opera in 2015.

“I’ve been here with the company ever since,” she said. “That’s just been a big joy for me.

Moy, a Brownsburg resident and Pike High School graduate, will perform the Italian version of “Gabriel’s Oboe/Nella Fantasia” with oboe player Pam Ajango. She also sings “Alto’s Lament.”

“It features a lot of musical theater and a lot of comedy, which is my bread and butter,” Moy said.

There will be some pieces from “Barber of Seville,” which Indy Opera will perform in November.

Salmon is appearing in Opera in the Park for the first time since 2021.

Salmon will sing “Nessun Dorma” from “Turandot” and a piece from “Rigoletto.”

A Heritage Christian School graduate, Salmon grew up in the Lawrence area and returned during the COVID-19 pandemic when theaters were closed in New York City.

“Being an Indy-bred tenor, it feels only right that I get the honor of playing a part in this 50th anniversary season,” said Salmon, who lives in Whitestown.

For more, visit indyopera.org.

Moy Salmon

Creekside charm at Starkey

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Get up close to one of the area’s most prominent natural resources with a walk through Starkey Nature Park in Zionsville. The 80-acre, heavily wooded park is next to Eagle Creek, where seven connecting natural surface trails and two staircases provide a combined total of just more than 3 miles within the park.

Trails are moderately rugged and can only be accessed by two staircases at the trailhead at 667 Sugarbrush Dr., or by the ramp connection from the Big-4 Rail Trail.

Although trails are well marked, they are not recommended for anyone who is not steady on their feet. The trail surface is uneven with trip hazards such as roots, rocks and some overgrowth. As the trail is creekside, portions can often be covered with water.

Starkey Nature Park’s signature photo op is the arched stone bridge over Eagle Creek. Built in 1919, the bridge was part of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway, which operated from 1852 until 1962 and was later turned into the Big-

4 Rail Trail.

Starkey Nature Park is open year-round from dawn until dusk. Parking is available at the trailhead on Sugarbrush Drive. Hikers can also park at Town Hall and travel 1 mile south on the rail trail to the access ramp; at the Zionsville Road trailhead and travel 1 mile north on the rail trail to the ramp; or at Overly-Worman Park to connect to the Big-4 Rail Trail opposite of Starkey Nature Park.

Bicycles are not allowed on the trails at Starkey Nature Park.

Color vision deficiency

Commentary by Dr. Kennedy Neukam

You have probably heard the term “color blind” before. Perhaps you have a family member or child that is color blind, or maybe you are color blind yourself. It is a common misconception that anyone who is color blind cannot see colors at all, which is not true! This is why the term color vision deficiency, or CVD, is a more accurate way of describing this range of conditions. Color is perceived from special types of cells, called cones, that are concentrated in the back of our eyes. We have three types of cones, each responsible for recognizing a different range of the color spectrum. All three cones work together to create the colorful world we live in. In a person with CVD, one type of cone may have a shifted recognition or lack recognition altogether. This doesn’t always mean that they cannot see color at all, it just means they have a harder time differentiating between colors.

VISION

The most common type of CVD is redgreen deficiency. This type of color deficiency is genetic and X-linked, so it more

commonly affects boys whose mother has a color vision deficient family member. There are other forms of CVD, too, such as blue-yellow deficiency or achromatopsia. Achromatopsia means you don’t have any cones, so you don’t have any way to perceive color. This leaves a world of only black, white and gray.

Many patients aren’t aware of their condition because they have had it since birth. But many early learning tests rely on color coordination or perception. This is another supporting reason the American Optometric Association recommends that all children have a comprehensive eye exam before beginning school.

There is no cure for color deficiency, but those who are affected may learn their world a little bit differently.

CVD rarely poses a serious threat to vision and patients can fully adapt.

Dr. Kennedy Neukam is an optometrist at Little Eyes Pediatric Eye Care in Carmel and Fishers.

TAKE A HIKE!

Trails at Starkey Nature Park are well marked. (Photo by Marney Simon)

Blueprint for Improvement: Open concept overhaul in Carmel

Commentary by Larry Greene

You had us at open concept! Our team was thrilled to help our clients reimagine their east Carmel home’s first floor. We transformed a dated layout into a modern, functional space that balances aesthetics and practicality. By removing walls and reworking the floorplan, a spacious open-concept kitchen and dining area were created — now ideal for entertaining both family and guests.

THE BLUEPRINT

• The former kitchen and dining room spaces were combined to create a new, larger kitchen that serves as the heart of the home.

• An underutilized formal living room evolved into the new dining room, improving flow and expanding gathering space.

• The new island is the perfect combination of form and function–increasing prep and convening space, while also defining the kitchen and dining areas.

• Rich wood tones on the new flooring and windows add a warm contrast to the cool hues of the cabinets, pendant lights and polished chrome hardware.

Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.