November 19, 2024 — North Indy by Current Publishing

Beyond textbooks: Indiana virtual schools celebrate student success in photography

NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com

Three Indiana schools are celebrating their students’ extracurricular successes.

CONTEST

Indiana Digital Learning School, Indiana Gateway Digital Academy, and Hoosier College and Career Academy earned top honors in the 2024 K12 Photography Competition, a national contest celebrating the creative talents of young photographers. Competing against more than 12,000 entries, the students earned prestigious placements that reflect Indiana’s strong commitment to fostering creativity and expression in education, according to contest organizers.

“Indiana Digital Learning School celebrated the success of first grader Brenleigh S., who won first place in the first-grade division, and 10th grader Presley M. who was selected as the People’s Choice winner through public voting, winning with 772 votes in the 10th-grade division. and Presley have a remarkable gift for capturing impactful images that tell a story,” said Liz Sliger, executive director at INDLS. “The Photography Competition is one way that we work to ensure our students have access to a range of extracurricular activities as they work to discover their passions and take their learning beyond the classroom.”

The K12 Photography Competition, open to all grades across K-12 students nationwide, encourages students to capture compelling stories through their lenses. Indiana’s young photographers excelled in categories based on impact, storytelling, creativity and composition, capturing the admiration of judges and audiences alike.

Winning students include:

• Brenleigh S., first grade, INDLS – 1st Place.

• Presley M., 10th grade, INDLS - People’s Choice Winner with 772.

• Kaydence M., ninth grade, INGDA - 1st Place

• Layla L., in 10th grade, HCCA - 1st Place

“This competition represents the immense creativity and artistic potential our students possess,” said Jamey Callane, executive director at Indiana Gateway Digital Academy. “Kaydence’s passion for storytelling through photography shines, and we are incredibly proud of her achievements and commitment to her craft.”

Hoosier College and Career Academy students also made a strong showing, with 10th-grader Layla L. achieving First Place in her grade level.

“Layla is exemplary in her use of creativity, which demonstrates the power of providing students with platforms to showcase their unique perspectives,” said HCCA Executive Director David Rarick. “We are proud to see her talents recognized on a national stage.”

The competition winners were announced during a livestreamed awards ceremony on YouTube, which highlighted student achievements across multiple grade levels. Students, families, and educators joined the event, underscoring the dedication to nurturing student potential beyond traditional academics.

For more about Indiana’s K12-powered schools, visit ingda.k12.com, indls.k12.com, and hcca.k12.com.

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Brenleigh S., first grade, INDLS — 1st Place

Presley M., 10th grade, INDLS — People’s Choice Winner with 772

Kaydence M., ninth grade, INGDA — 1st Place Layla L., in 10th grade, HCCA — 1st Place

Jingle & Mingle luncheon returns Dec. 5

By Samantha Kupiainen NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com

The Assistance League of Indianapolis is set to host its annual Jingle & Mingle Holiday Luncheon and Style Show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5 at Ritz Charles in Carmel. The luncheon has been a community staple since 1996, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit’s community initiatives.

FUNDRAISER

ALI members model fashions from The Secret Ingredient. (FIle photo)

at the event and share about the impact of the ALI’s Operation School Bell program, which provides new clothing, supplies and athletic shoes to underserved children.

Polar Plunge event returning

NorthIndy@youarecurrent.com

For the second consecutive year, Wolfies Grill will host Special Olympics athletes and supporters for the annual Polar Plunge event, which supports Special Olympics programs throughout Indiana.

FUNDRAISER

“The Assistance League has been around since 1984,” said Leslie Morgan, co-chair of the Jingle & Mingle Holiday Luncheon. “The Holiday Luncheon is our top event fundraiser. We’ll attract probably 450 people to the luncheon.”

A silent auction kicks off at 10 a.m., followed by the luncheon and style show.

“We will have about five vendors there with different gift items, so it’s an opportunity to have fun with shopping for the holiday season,” Morgan said.

A local assistant vice principal will speak

The luncheon also will include Purse-APalooza, with gently used purses available for purchase for $20. The purses will have hand lotions or other trinkets inside. Three of the purses will have $100 Reis-Nichols Jewelers gift certificates inside.

Tickets for the Jingle & Mingle Holiday Luncheon are on sale through Nov. 15.

Individual patron tickets are $100, while regular tickets are $80. Patron table sponsors are $800 and regular table sponsors are $640.

Tickets are available online at alindy. org/holiday-luncheon.html.

According to an announcement from Special Olympics Indiana, the 2025 Polar Plunge includes 19 events at 15 locations from Jan. 31 through March 1. Wolfie’s Grill at Geist will host its Polar Plunge experience on Feb. 22.

“More than 3,400 Hoosiers from across the state plunged in 2024, helping to raise a record $1.16 million to benefit the 19,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities who take part in Special Olympics Indiana,” the announcement stated. “The 2025 plunges include events designed for communities, colleges, high schools and law enforcement officers.”

Each Polar Plunge includes groups and individuals who volunteer to jump into very cold water, costume contests, giveaways and post-event celebrations.

Each plunger pledges to raise at least $99 in donations. The Super Plunger program recognizes volunteers who raise $4,000 or more and plunge at two sites by providing VIP treatment at the final event of the season.

All funds raised during Polar Plunge events ensure children and adults with intellectual disabilities can participate in sports, health, education and leadership programs at no cost.

Polar Plunge events are planned across the state. For more or to register, visit PolarPlungeIN.org.

Like many women, Rainey’s health routine was disrupted by the pandemic. Before she knew it, three years had passed without an annual mammogram.

After getting back on track with this key screening, she was able to catch and treat her breast cancer early. And thanks to a simple mammogram and her care team at Community Health Network, Rainey is now cancer-free. It’s simple, it’s convenient and it can save your life.

Schedule your annual mammogram today at eCommunity.com/mammogram

Wolfie’s Grill at Geist will host a 2025 Polar Plunge event in support of Special Olympics Indiana. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

that also highlighted

Program features local chefs

FOOD news@currentinfishers.com

Fans visiting Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis for events or for the Indiana Pacers’ 2024-25 season will have new food choices and special items prepared by guest chefs, including chefs from Lawrence and Fishers.

According to a news release from Fieldhouse Food Co., the new food items, technology such as ordering through QR codes to reduce lines and concession stand enhancements were unveiled in late October during an event that also highlighted the KeyBank Guest Chef Program, which gives local chefs and food entrepreneurs a chance to sell their offerings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Some of the local chefs featured are Marlon Ricardo Llewellyn and Bryce Anthony Llewellyn of Scotchy Jamaican Grill, which operates out of Fishers Test Kitchen; Brady Foster of Lawrence’s Foster Catering; and Adrian Samano of Samano’s Taqueria, which has locations in Fishers and Noblesville.

The Guest Chef Program is in its second year, with a new lineup of guest chefs and food entrepreneurs, according to the news release.

“KeyBank is thrilled to renew our support for the Guest Chef Program, celebrating the creativity and passion of local restaurateurs,” said Juan Gonzalez, KeyBank’s central Indiana market president.

This year’s guest chefs will prepare signature dishes for sale at The Kitchen concession stand on the Main Concourse near Section 17, with a portion of the proceeds donated to local nonprofits.

New concession items at Gainbridge Fieldhouse were unveiled in late October during an event

the KeyBank Guest Chef Program. (Photo courtesy of Fieldhouse Food Co.)

Community Health hosts

Black Men in White

Coats

news@geistcurrent.com

Indianapolis-based Community Health Network hosted Indiana’s third annual Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit Nov. 2 at Lawrence North High School.

EDUCATION

According to an announcement from Community Health, hundreds of students from third grade through high school had the opportunity to put on a white coat and a stethoscope and try their hands in the world of medicine.

“This included simulations of giving a shot, stopping a bleed, even saving a life through CPR,” the announcement stated. “Many different areas of medicine were demonstrated with the help of Community Health volunteers to garner interest in health care and increase the number of Black caregivers in Indiana.”

Black Men in White Coats was founded in 2013 in response to a report that highlighted the decreasing number of Black men applying to medical school. The announcement cites a report by the Association of American Medical Colleges that shows less than 6 percent of physicians in the U.S. are Black or African American.

“By collaborating closely with medical schools, high schools and physicians, the

The Nov. 2 Black Men in White Coats youth summit included panel discussions. (Photo courtesy of Lawrence North High School)

organization aims to provide inspiration and mentorship to youth who may be interested in health care as a profession,” the announcement stated.

During the event, students heard from physicians, including Black Men in White Coats founder Dr. Dale Okorodudu.

“The purpose of these summits is not necessarily to force you into medicine but to help you find your greatness,” he stated. “Help you find your own white coat and go out and get it.”

For more about Community Health Network, visit eCommunity.com.

For more about Black Men in White Coats, visit blackmeninwhitecoats.org.

DISPATCHES

Diaper drive — The Indiana Diaper Bank is collecting diapers, training diapers, wipes and monetary donations through the month of December in the 2024 #ShareTheLove diaper drive. The goal is to collect $30,000 — approximately 120,000 diapers — by the end of 2024. The drive assists struggling families through the Indiana Diaper Bank’s social service organization partners. Indiana Diaper Bank distributes up to 600,000 diapers every month throughout the state to programs that support Hoosier families who struggle to afford diapers. Organizations that wish to participate can sign up at tinyurl. com/2p8wjts6. Learn more at indianadiaperbank.org.

Free admission to state parks – The Indiana DNR invites Hoosiers to spend time outdoors with free admittance to all DNR properties Nov. 29 for “OptOutsideIN2024.”

DNR officials said the free day of admission — the Friday after Thanksgiving — is designed to give people a chance to get out for a hike after the big meal, create memories with their families, and enter a contest for fun prizes. Participate in the contest by posting photos of state parks to social media with the hashtag #OptOutsideIN2024. Learn more at in.gov/dnr under the events tab.

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 April 5. For more, visit IndyMini.com/Challenges.

STAYING ALIVE

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

It started out as a normal September morning in 2017 in the Toussing household. Then 29, Kristin and her husband Justin had just returned with their three boys from a trip to Disney World. Justin, a police officer, was working the night shift and was taking time to attend a school field trip. She had just taken her three children to school.

“I complained a little bit of chest pain and some pain in my jaw, but we didn’t think too much about it,” she said. “He did some Googling, but with my age and health, we brushed it aside. I told him I was going to lay down for a bit and see if I felt better. He forgot something and came back, talking to me, and I wasn’t responsive.”

Justin quickly shifted into first responder mode — unlocking the front door so paramedics could get in as he called 911 – and then administered CPR for several minutes.

“It was by the grace of God those three things popped into my head,” he said.

Lawrence paramedics used an AED, or automated external defibrillator, to shock her heart, which was key to her survival.

Since then, the family has been committed to running in the annual Bolt for the Heart race to raise awareness about the importance of having AEDs nearby. The family participates in Bolt for the Heart each year on Thanksgiving Day, including this year’s 5K run/walk set for Nov. 28 in Carmel.

In addition to raising awareness of AEDs, Bolt for the Heart distributes the lifesaving devices to law enforcement officers. Kristin said her husband was one of the first Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers to get an AED from Bolt for the Heart. Kristin, now 37, shares her story of the sudden cardiac arrest to inform others.

“(The paramedics) shocked me once and they were able to get my heart rhythm back, but I still wasn’t breathing on my own,” she said. “They took me to Community (Hospital) and I was in a coma for almost 72 hours, then woke up and was in the hospital for 11 days.”

Kristin said she learned her husband could have given her CPR for hours, but the

Couple committed to raising awareness for AEDs

heart wouldn’t have restarted without the AED shock.

“I could tell she was gasping for air and snoring a little bit. That’s when I realized something was wrong,” Justin said. “When I rolled (her) over, I realized she was turning pale and purple. She wasn’t breathing.”

Justin, a Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate, said it’s very different performing CPR on a loved one.

“I didn’t know about sudden cardiac arrest. The only thing I really knew about was heart attacks,” he said. “She didn’t really fit the bill for risk factors for heart attacks, so I wasn’t sure what was going

on. To learn that is what happened and to see how few people survive unwitnessed sudden cardiac arrest outside a hospital setting, it really hit home on how close we came to losing her. It made us all the more thankful we didn’t.”

Kristin, a Noblesville High School graduate, said doctors have tried everything to determine the cause, but to no avail.

“They tried to replicate it and get my heart to stop,” Kristin said. “I have an implantable defibrillator now that’s there to shock if needed. It’s able to sense my heart rhythm all the time.”

The couple’s twin sons, Ethan and Ca-

BOLT FOR THE HEART SET

The 13th annual Bolt for the Heart 5K run/walk will start a 1 Carter Green by the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The nonprofit has raised nearly $4 million with the support of partners and has donated

nearly 3,300 AEDs.

The mission is to serve Indiana, particularly those affected by heart disease, through education, financial support and direct assistance.

For more, visit boltfortheheart.com.

leb, are freshmen at Bishop Chatard High School and Tyler is a sixth-grader at St. Pius X Catholic School. They have a 2-yearold foster daughter.

Her sons have participated in Bolt for the Heart every year and have developed a better understanding now of sudden cardiac arrest.

“Choosing to participate in the race and sharing our story is the least we can do,” said Kristin, a Realtor with F.C. Tucker Co. “If you have sudden cardiac arrest and someone sees you go down, you still. have less than (a) 10 percent chance of survival. So, we just feel really grateful and blessed that I have a story I can still share. It’s kind of a scary message to deliver. (Sudden cardiac arrest) can happen to kids, older adults and younger adults – it doesn’t discriminate.”

ON THE COVER: Kristin and Justin Toussing, with their sons, from left, Tyler, Caleb and Ethan at a Bolt for the Heart 5K. (Photo courtesy of Kristin Toussing)

Kristin Toussing holds her running number for Bolt for the Heart. (Photos courtesy of Kristin Toussing)

Kristin Toussing in her hospital bed after sudden cardiac arrest.

Performers relish roles in Civic Theatre’s ‘White Christmas’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Kaycee Beck seemingly was born to perform in musicals.

“On one side of my family, my grandma was in New York City Ballet, and on the other side, my grandma was a music teacher and my grandpa was a recording artist in Alaska,” Beck said. “So, I grew up in a huge musical family and ‘White Christmas’ was such a meaningful and amazing movie to watch during the holiday seasons. Honestly, this is a dream role for me being Judy and it’s very surreal I’m here.”

The Zionsville resident portrays Judy Haynes in Civic Theatre’s production of “White Christmas,” set for Nov. 29 to Dec. 24 at The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

The story focuses on two sisters who become connected with two performers who want to hold a surprise Army reunion to help their former general’s struggling inn in Vermont.

“I love the nostalgia and the number ‘The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing,’” Beck said. “That number is so iconic and beautiful in both the movie and the musical.”

Beck, a 2019 Zionsville Community High School graduate, was active in show choirs in high school and performed with the Singing Hoosiers at Indiana University. She was the group’s varsity choreographer for three years and choreographer captain for the entire group for one year. She now choreographs show choirs for Noblesville High School.

“I think the art of telling a story and a message to the audience is my favorite part,” Beck said. “As much as I love to do it through song and dance, I think being able to touch the hearts of your audience members and connect with them and make friendships in that way is really powerful.”

This is Beck’s second Christmas show. She was in “Elf” in 2023, playing a wait-

ress and performing in the ensemble.

Beck enjoys the song “I Love a Piano,” which is in the musical but not the 1954 movie.

“It’s a seven-minute tap dance and (Civic’s) Anne Beck is an incredible choreographer, and she has choreographed such a lighthearted tap number for the group,” Beck said.

Mackenzie Foulks portrays her sister, Betty Haynes.

“I don’t dance very much,” Foulks said. “She is more of the singing sister and Judy is the dancing one.”

Foulks, a 2016 North Central High School graduate and a north Indianapolis resident, said her favorite scene is singing “Love You Didn’t Do Right by Me” while wearing a black dress with the male dancers.

“It’s very fun to perform,” she said. “I performed on cruise ships and there are those cast as just dancers. I kind of like to sing and have dancers around me to make me look pretty, that’s what I say. But I do wish I danced a little more on the show just because the choreography is so much fun and it looks so amazing.”

Austin Stodghill, who plays Phil Davis, saw the movie for the first time a few years ago.

“My parents are deaf, so I didn’t grow up with too many musicals in my life,” Stodghill said. “So, I discovered musicals later in life. What I like most is that he dances a lot. When I watch the movie, honestly, all the dancing is the most icon-

ic part of the show to me.”

Aus-

Marc Coomes, a Brownsburg resident, plays Bob Wallace.

“I originally auditioned for Phil because I love dancing, but I ended up being Bob Wallace, so it’s all good,” Coomes said. “My favorite song is ‘Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.’ It’s kind of the lullaby of the show. It is really endearing to who Bob Wallace is. It reveals his softer side, not the military background, but the connection between him and the general’s granddaughter.”

This is Coomes’ first show in 15 years. He performed in three operas at IU and performed in several shows in high school in Evansville. He took time off from performing because he and his wife have five daughters.

Director Michael Lasley said this is the first time Civic has presented “White Christmas” but plans to make it part of a rotation with “Elf” and “A Christmas Story: The Musical” for the foreseeable future.

“It’s a huge production. It’s crazy to put these big old musicals together,” Lasley said. “A lot of musicals start out on stage and become a movie, and this was the other way around. We do a lot of contemporary things, but to get back to these great American standards (is rewarding). It’s all (the original music) by Irving Berlin but with a more modern orchestration. So, it’s a little jazzier than the original, but the movie musical of the 1950s was very hipster.”

For more, visit civitheatre.org.

‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” runs through Nov. 24 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘PETER AND THE STARCATCHER’

Carmel Community Players presents “Peter and the Starcatcher” through Nov. 24 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

“Deceptions: An Evening of Magic and Lies” ls set for Nov. 21, followed by Dueling Pianos Nov. 22 and Murder Mystery Nov. 23 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All three performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

AN EVENING WITH LESLIE ODOM JR.

Leslie Odom Jr. will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

CANADIAN BRASS

Canadian Brass will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

Dionne Warwick will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

DISPATCH

Croce to return to Palladium — Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts announced “A.J. Croce: Heart of The Eternal Tour” is set for 8 p.m. April 4, 2025, at the Palladium in Carmel. Tickets went on sale to the general public Nov. 15. Croce, a singer-songwriter, and his band have been touring with their “Croce Plays Croce” tributes to his late father, folk singer Jim Croce, who enjoyed a string of pop hits in the early 1970s before his death in a 1973 plane crash. A.J. Croce played at the Palladium earlier this year. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org

DIONNE WARWICK

From left,

tin Stodgill, Kaycee Beck, Mackenzie Foulks and Marc Coomes perform in “White Christmas.” (Photo courtesy of Joshua Hasty)

CLASSES FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE ALL CLASSES TAUGHT BY PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS

MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION LAB

Fitting opera for 50th season

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

“The Barber of Seville” was an obvious fit for Indianapolis Opera’s 50th anniversary season opener.

PERFORMANCE

“‘The Barber of Seville’ happens to be the opera the company has produced more than any other show,” Indianapolis Opera General Director David Starkey said. “This is a testimony to (composer Gioachino) Rossini’s timeless popularity and perfect connection to pop culture. And in a time of great political rhetoric, why not offer up one of the best comedic shows to break up the division of our country and recognize that music is a great way to bring us all together?”

“After so many years of historic challenges in our country, we wanted to showcase how the oldest and largest opera company in Indiana can present the best productions and events,” Starkey said.

“Indianapolis is a world-class city with the best music and classical presentations, and we always rise to the moment for the best celebrations.”

Starkey

“The Barber of Seville” was held Nov. 1517 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Starkey said the opera company has been planning the anniversary for three years.

Starkey said the most significant event of the entire season will be the March 22 collaboration with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at Hilbert Circle Theatre.

“The Grand Concert will feature over 15 world-renowned opera stars that will come back and join (Indy Opera Principal Conductor) Alfred Savia and (former Indy Opera Artistic Director) James Caraher and the Indianapolis Opera Chorus,” Starkey said. “This celebration will be the most elaborate operatic event in the city’s history and every artist is a current or former (Indianapolis Opera) performer of the past 50 years.”

For more, visit indyopera.org.

Actresses lend authenticity

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Adrienne Reiswerg has a long history with “Fiddler on the Roof.” The north Indianapolis resident is appearing in “Fiddler on the Roof” in the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre production, which runs through Nov. 24. This is Reiswerg’s fifth time in the musical and fourth time playing Yente, the matchmaker, “Clearly, this show and I have some affinity for one another,” Reiswerg said. “I also enjoy bringing cultural competency to the cast and the community and correcting any misconceptions. Someone asked me if we ever have juniors, and I said, ‘No, Jews never name after the living. We only name after the dead.’ The idea of cultural competency and sharing one’s traditions is a great thing. It’s a way of better understanding through the arts.”

PERFORMANCES

ries are wildly similar to what they went through in this show,” Reiswerg said. “Two of my grandparents were from Ukraine, one from Poland and one from Belarus. Their hometowns were remarkably similar to Tevye’s town, which is made up.”

Reiswerg said it’s not stated in the musical, but most believe the story is set in Ukraine in the early 1900s.

Reiswerg said her character, which she first played 25 years ago, could be anywhere from 40 to 100 years old.

“I’ve always played her as someone who has seen everything in a small town,” Reiswerg said. “She is a busybody who is self-absorbed but still a compassionate person who loves her neighbors.”

Carmel High School sophomore Sadie Cohen plays Chava, one of Tevye’s daughters.

Besides her Jewish heritage, Reiswerg said all four of her grandparents were immigrants.

“I knew three of them and their sto-

“It’s been such a fabulous experience so far,” Cohen said. “It’s definitely super powerful. I’m a proud young Jewish woman, so having the opportunity to play a young Jewish woman is super meaningful to me. To have the chance to tell a Jewish story as a Jewish actor is incredibly impactful.”

For more, visit beefandboards.com.

Reiswerg Cohen

Warwick still driven to perform

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrentc.com

Dionne Warwick has been performing for more than 60 years. Initially, she said she figured her career would last about five years.

CONCERT

“Now, it’s 55 years later. It’s the way God planned it, I guess,” Warwick said. “I’m walking that path as long as he wants me to walk it. I love what I do and apparently people want to see me and hear me.”

Even after six decades, Warwick enjoys performing for audiences.

“People have incredible ears, and whatever they feel suits that ear becomes very special to them,” she said. “I’m very fortunate that I’ve been able to musically fulfill those periods of time with those people that sit in the audience. They are getting exactly what they came to get. They have different favorite songs.”

Many of Warwick’s greatest hits were crafted for her by the late composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David.

Warwick, 83, will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

Warwick said she always shares stories about her career with the audience.

“They want to get to know me like I want to get to know them,” Warwick said. “It’s like we’re sitting in my living room having a good old time.”

Warwick was at the Palladium for the inaugural gala in 2011 and was the gala headliner in 2019.

A 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, she was inducted into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame in 2016. She has a long friendship with Great American Songbook Foundation founder and Allied Solutions Center Artistic Director Michael Feinstein.

“He’s a talented, exceptionally knowledgeable person,” Warwick said. “I find it a joy whenever he calls and says, ‘Can you do it this year?’ And, of course, the answer is yes all the time.”

“It was a marriage that worked,” Warwick said. “They wrote songs with me in mind, so each one of the songs that I sing has been specifically written for me -- Burt with his magnificent melodies and Hal David with the magnificent lyrics for me to sing.”

Warwick is renowned for many songs, including “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “Walk on By,” “I Say a Little Prayer for You,” and “I’ll Never Fall in Love.”

The song “That’s What Friends Are For,” which Warwick recorded with Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder, raised awareness and major funds for AIDS research, which Warwick continues to support, among other causes such as The Starlight Foundation, children’s hospitals, world hunger, disaster relief and music education.

“It was a wonderful thing that we all decided we had the opportunity to be for and and showed up to do that,” Warwick said, For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Warwick

TWEET; Pieces: BED, CHAIR, LAMP, SOFA, STOOL; Things: CATERPILLAR, FLEECE, PEACH, PIPE CLEANER; Magic: EYE, KINGDOM, MARKER; Books: JAILBIRD, SLAPSTICK; Prosecutor: RYAN MEARS

DIONNE WARWICK

SUN NOV 24 AT 7PM THE PALLADIUM

FOR THE HOLIDAYS SAT DEC 14 AT 8PM THE PALLADIUM

Band to open Fishers Event Center

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Trampled by Turtles was created as a side project by vocalist Dave Simonett.

CONCERT

“When we started, we had one show and that was going to be it,” Simonett said. “All of us were in rock bands and we wanted to try something acoustic. In the town of Duluth (Minn.,) where we started, no one else was doing that. We thought it was something to try for a local festival there.”

Twenty-one years later, the bluegrass band is still going strong.

Trampled by Turtles will open for Turnpike Troubadours at 7 p.m. Nov. 22 in the opening performance at the Fishers Event Center.

“We’re excited to see what it’s like,” Simonett said. “It’s a cool opportunity to get in front of a lot of people who haven’t seen us or heard of us before.”

Simonett said the band will perform songs from “Always Here, Always Now,” which was released in September. The album includes the same five songs

performed by both Trampled by Turtles and Simonett’s Americana band Dead Man Winter. Simonett and bassist Tim Saxhaup are in both bands.

“As the writing process fleshed itself out, I just thought I wanted to hear it with each band and see which one I liked better,’ Simonett said. “I settled on, ‘let’s record them with both,’ because I kind of envisioned both groups playing each song and couldn’t pick. My experiment was to sing the same song with the same singer and see how different people would make it sound. Both were recorded fairly live in different studios.”

For more, visit fisherseventcenter.com,

‘Noble Vision’ now streaming

By Les Morris editoriaal@youarecurrent.com

A full-length feature film with strong central Indiana bloodlines is sweeping up awards and hitting it big on streaming services.

FILM

“Noble Vision,” a movie based on the novel of the same name by Westfield resident Gen LaGreca, has racked up 28 wins in film festivals this year, including awards for best feature film, screenplay and acting in prestigious competitions such as the International New York Film Festival, the Queen City Film Festival, and the Silicon Beach Film Festival.

The movie was made entirely in central Indiana with a Hoosier cast and crew. It is available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Roku, Plex, Tubi, Vudu, and Hoopla, with more platforms to come.

“It’s a 19-year dream come true for me,” said LaGreca, whose novel was published in 2005.

The story is tailored for film that hits on a variety of levels – as a romance, a political thriller and a commentary on medical ethics. LaGreca wrote the screenplay two

years after the book was finished.

The film tells the story of a young neurosurgeon, Dr. David Lang (Michael Rubenstone), who develops a revolutionary procedure to repair damaged nerves. When a beautiful dancer, Nicole Hudson (Rayna Wilson), is blinded in an accident, Lang is determined to help her regain her sight, but the pair face bureaucratic and political obstacles that threaten their mission.

“Noble Vision,” a Winged Victory Foundation film, was shot at 15 different locations in three weeks during September 2023. Some of the scenes were filmed at the Noblesville courthouse and the Paramount Theater in Anderson.

Trampled by Turtles will play Nov. 22 in the opening performance at the Fishers Event Center. (Photo by Olivia Bastone)

Michael Rubenstone, right, examines Rayna Wilson’s eyes in a scene from “Noble Vision.” (Photo courtesy of Gen LaGreca)

Blueprint for Improvement: Elegant bathroom upgrade in Indianapolis

Commentary by Larry Greene

When our Clearwater clients were ready to give their guest bathroom a makeover, our team was ready to add fresh style and functionality — transforming the footprint to maximize space, improve flow and add a touch of luxury.

THE BLUEPRINT

• Reworking the floorplan created space for an expanded shower, complete with a sleek bench seat for added comfort and function.

• The custom vanity, finished in a rosemary green, introduces a sophisticated pop of color that pairs perfectly with the room’s gold-toned hardware and fixtures.

• Carrara marble tile conveys timeless elegance while its hexagonal shape establishes a modern, stylish twist.

• A tortoiseshell-patterned mirror and natural wood shelf add texture and organic appeal.

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.