March 11, 2025 — North Indy by Current Publishing

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Founded March 12, 2024, at Indianapolis, IN Vol. I, No. 26

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86th & Ditch Rd or 82nd & Dean Rd

Wishing you the luck of the Irish

Seminar to focus on managing perimenopause

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A Fishers-based physician who specializes in lifestyle medicine has organized a seminar in north Indianapolis for “women of a certain age” who are navigating the symptoms of perimenopause.

WELLNESS

The daylong seminar is set for May 17 at the COHatch Broad Ripple, 6151 Central Ave. Dr. Nabiha Gill, board certified in physical, obesity and lifestyle medicine, has been in practice for more than 20 years. She said she started exploring lifestyle medicine — managing health through lifestyle changes — during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I really implemented lifestyle medicine strategies to myself and it helped me,” Gill said. “Personally, I was able to really lose a lot of weight, changed my hemoglobin, even changed my cholesterol and overall health.”

That success led to starting her business, Gill Lifestyle, which offers wellness and weight loss programs along with wellness seminars based on lifestyle medicine. The upcoming seminar focuses specifically on people experiencing perimenopause, a time frame when a woman’s body starts to transition toward menopause.

Perimenopause can start as early as the mid-30s and the transition can last many years before menopause, which is when women are no longer fertile. Gill said that although it affects about half the population, perimenopause is not addressed effectively in the traditional health care system.

“So, I wanted to bring all these health experts together who have really wide variety of holistic wellness experience in this area,” she said. “And then have something like a one-day-long seminar, where, when (women) attend the seminar, they get, of course, health care information, but also practical information … what they can do day to day that can help them with all these perimenopausal symptoms.”

Symptoms can include trouble sleeping,

hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, skin and hair changes and weight gain, among many others.

“We have 11 different sessions, and each session has different topics,” Gill said. “So, for example, I will address more like a lifestyle medicine and anti-aging. I’m more into whole food, plant based. So, I’m going to address how the nutrition side can help people with their anti-aging — their skin, their hair and well-being.”

Other sessions will feature Ayurvedic practitioners who will focus on the traditional Indian system that relies on a natural approach; an expert in gut health and nutrient deficiencies; a harmonic sound immersion experience; and a cooking demonstration.

“All these experts, they have all different kind of different backgrounds,” Gill said. “So, (we’re) bringing a really comprehensive and holistic health approach

for perimenopause for women in that age group and giving them practical information that they can use.”

Gill stressed that perimenopause and menopause are normal transitions for women and those going through that transition aren’t sick — they just need help managing symptoms. She herself is in her mid-50s and has firsthand experience with the process.

“It is (a) very beautiful transition,” Gill said. “I really think that as we age, we have more wisdom and more experience and more stability. In my personal journey, I feel like this decade that I have is better than the last, and so on. So, as women, I really feel that we need to embrace that very gracefully. And we need to be comfortable to reach out to ask questions and ask for help.”

For more, visit gilllifestyle.com.

Nabiha Gill of Fishers is organizing a May 17 seminar in north Indianapolis for women experiencing perimenopause. (Photo courtesy of Nabiha Gill)

Indy airport exhibit honors Hoosier aviation history

FLIGHT northindy@youarecurrent.com

Aviation leaders from the Indianapolis Airport Authority and the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame gathered Feb. 19 to dedicate “Hoosiers in Flight,” a new exhibit at Indianapolis International Airport that honors the history of aviation in Indiana.

In a news release, airport officials stated that Hoosier natives and institutions have made pivotal contributions to advancing aviation throughout history.

“These aviation legends came from throughout Indiana to do great things that have not only enabled us to soar in the skies but to expand into the vastness of space,” stated Mario Rodriguez, IAA executive director. “Hoosiers have truly been at the forefront across aviation history and are shaping its future even today.”

Indiana aviation legends included in the exhibit are:

• Wilbur Wright of Millville, who flew the first airplane flight in 1903

• Margaret Hamilton of Paoli, who invented software engineering and wrote the code for the Apollo 11 mission, helping to put Neil Armstrong on the moon in 1969.

• Lewis A. Jackson of Angola, who became the director of training for the 99th Pursuit Squadron of Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

• Purdue University, where, in 1935, Amelia Earhart joined the staff as the “Counselor on Careers for Women,” mentoring female students for four years.

The exhibit also will provide a public space to display the names of Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame inductees.

The exhibit is in the baggage claim area near Carousel 3.

The new “Hoosiers in Flight” exhibit is now open at Indianapolis International Airport. (Photo courtesy of the Indianapolis Airport Authority)

Extravagant

North Central diver springs to state championship

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

North Central High School junior diver

Adelyn Flessner, who won last month’s IHSAA state diving championship, was a top gymnast in her age group nationally before learning she has a rare genetic mutation.

SPORTS

She was diagnosed with Loeys-Dietz syndrome at age 11 in 2019, which she said predisposes her for aortic aneurysms. She was tested for it because of a family history.

“I took a couple years off from sports,” she said. “It was very difficult. I was limited to the physical activity I could do. Doctors didn’t want me to put too much strain on my body. I took up running. I didn’t really enjoy it, but it was something. I made some friends at school being able to do a sport.”

Her doctors didn’t want her competing, so she managed the track and field and cross country teams in middle school. She would practice with the team and do a small workout.

“But being able to do diving is a nice pleasure,” she said.

Her doctors cleared her to compete on a 1-meter springboard in 2022. She was eventually cleared to dive on the 3-meter board in 2023. She has not been cleared yet for tower diving.

Flessner, 16, who plans to dive in college, won the 1-meter diving state title Feb. 15 at the girls swimming and diving state finals at Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis.

“My goal is to go to a (NCAA) Division I school. Not sure where yet but I’ve talked to some coaches,” she said. “Being able to defend my title next year is one of my biggest goals,”

North Central diving coach Steve Hoeferle said Flesner has the tools to compete at a high level.

“She has super athletic ability and she is so coachable,” Hoeferle said. “She has the body build, the structure, the work ethic and the ability to challenge for a spot on the Olympic team (on the 3-meter board).”

Flessner won the sectional and regional titles before the state meet.

“I’m a very competitive person and I was looking at scores around the state and

saw I was seeded first, which is a lot in diving,” she said. “It was exciting for me going into the meet. I figured if I just dove my average, I would pull off a state title. I got up and got extremely anxious. I ended up doing a pike and bending my legs, so I was breaking position. I believed I failed the dive because it’s never happened to me in a meet. The judges ended up not failing the dive, but they deducted because I had a major form break.”

Flessner said she didn’t learn until after the meet she was in last place of 32 divers after the first dive.

“My second dive didn’t go amazing, but it was better than the first dive,” she said. “After the third dive, I found out I was in 24th place. This was prelims and I knew I had to be in 20th place after the fifth dive to make the semifinals. I knew I had to put on my ‘A’ game for my last two dives to make it out of prelims. I did my last two dives doing the best I could have done that day, which put me third after prelims.”

That provided an emotional boost going into the semifinals, where there is a cut from 20 to 16 divers. She was third going into the finals.

“My parents told me how proud they were for the fight I showed not giving up after the first round because I could have shut down and not hit any of my dives,” she said.

Flessner was third out of 16 going into the finals. Then she took the lead going into the last two dives.

“So, I knew if I did those last two dives like I did in practice, I could pull off a state championship, and that is exactly what I did,” she said. “It was really exciting from what I did from the beginning and being able to go from last to first.”

Flessner, who has a weighted 4.6 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, wants to be a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

North Central High School junior diver

Adelyn Flessner with her coach Steve Hoeferle. (Photo courtesy of Steve Hoeferle)

“It

Coffer to lead North Central football

SPORTS northindy@youarecurrent.com

North Central High School has a new head football coach following a Feb. 26 vote by the Washington Township School Board. Collin Coffer is the new head football coach after most recently serving as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator for Indiana State University. Prior to his time with the Sycamores, he coached at his alma mater, the University of Indianapolis.

- Kathy

“I am absolutely thrilled and honored to be the new head football coach at North Central High School,” Coffer stated in a news release. “It’s an incredible privilege to join such a dedicated community. Together, we will push this program to new heights — on and off the field, fostering growth, teamwork and excellence every step of the way.”

As a student, Coffer played for Lawrence North High School and was a four-year starter at cornerback at UIndy before becoming a coach for the Greyhounds. In addition to serving as coach at ISU and UIndy, Coffer served as an assistant wide receiver coach at Ball State in 2014, and in 2015 spent one season as a defensive backs coach at Saint Joseph’s College.

“I am looking forward to supporting his tenure as our head football coach here at North Central High School,” North Central Principal Jagga Rent stated. “Not only will we win games on the football field, but our student-athletes will win in the game of life under his leadership.”

Besides coaching, Coffer will be sports performance supervisor in the school’s weight room.

Christian Science talk planned — Alex Fischer, practitioner of Christian Science healing and international speaker, will present “How spiritual perception brings healing,” set for 3 p.m. March 23 at the Hamilton East Public Library, Fishers Branch, 5 Municipal Dr. The talk is sponsored by First Churches of Christ, Scientist, in Carmel and Indianapolis.

Coffer

HSI donates solar system for new Denny Barrett Fieldhouse

northindy@youarecurrent.com

HSI Solar, an Indianapolis-based renewable energy company, has installed a new solar power system at First Baptist Athletics’ new Denny Barrett Fieldhouse and committed to managing and maintaining the system at no cost, according to an announcement from FBA.

PHILANTHROPY

“HSI Solar has not only equipped our new fieldhouse with an eco-friendly and sustainable solar power system but has also generously committed to donate the value of the renewable energy and retain responsibility to monitor, service and maintain ownership of the system,” stated Steve Carr, executive director of FBA. “This incredible show of support reflects their deep commitment to giving back to the community and helping organizations like First Baptist Athletics thrive.”

FBA serves about 5,000 people annually through its youth sports programs. The

HSI Solar installs solar panels at First Baptist Athletics’ new Denny Barrett Fieldhouse. (Photo courtesy of First Baptist Athletics)

nonprofit’s mission centers on creating an inclusive environment for young athletes ages 4 through 13.

The 50.3 kW solar power system developed and delivered by HSI Solar will offset 58.8 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, the equivalent of 149,638 miles driven by a typical gasoline powered vehicle.

“HSI’s contribution underscores the importance of sustainability in modern facility design,” the announcement stated.

For more, visit firstbaptistathletics.com and hsisolar.com.

Brebeuf swimming champ takes unusual route to title

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

senior Jake Tarara didn’t always have a passion for swimming.

ACHIEVEMENT

Tarara swam for a club in the Chicago suburbs before moving to Carmel in the eighth grade. He joined the Carmel Swim Club for a few weeks but soon quit because he didn’t like the morning practices and it interferred with basketball. At his mother’s suggestion, he eventually joined the Zionsville Swim Club and a love grew that resulted in a state title,

or sophomore year, that was such a reach for me,” Tarara said. “Being able to see the board and the No. 1, I’m just happy things have gone so well this year. Being able to top it off with a victory individually, especially after that tough loss in the 50 (freestyle), meant a lot.”

Tarara placed second in the 50yard freestyle with a time of 20.09 seconds, edged out by Bloomington North’s James Stewart, who won in 20.08.

As a junior, Tarara was second in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle at the state finals.

Tarara said he had to thank his parents for never forcing him into the sport.

Tarara won the 100-yard freestyle in 43.93 seconds March 1 at the IHSAA boys state swimming and diving state finals at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis.

“Winning it is so surreal. If you had told me I would have done this my freshman

“They told me it was whatever I wanted to do,” said Tarara, who is headed to swim for Princeton University.

Tarara said the Brebeuf community provides support, too.

“I have a lot of friends here and it’s a really special atmosphere,” he said. “I’m so grateful.”

Tarara

HALF A CENTURY OF MUSIC

Indianapolis Opera celebrates 50th anniversary with gala concert

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Indianapolis Opera CEO David Starkey jokes that it’s taken 50 years for the organization to plan its 50th anniversary — but such a celebration does take a lot of careful planning, especially in the opera world, where everything is grand and extravagant.

This year’s anniversary season was designed to honor the Indianapolis Opera’s longtime supporters and alumni.

“Those 50 years are all built upon legacy families and there are many of them … that have been around from almost the very beginning,” Starkey said. “And then, as the opera company grew over Its years, it engaged, it hired, it promoted young and established singers that basically created their careers here in Indianapolis and went on to sing literally all over the world … that sung in the major opera houses of Europe and the United States — the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera, Chicago, San Francisco.”

Many of those alumni will return for the Indianapolis Opera’s March 22 gala performance, set for 7:30 p.m. at the Hilbert Circle Theater, 45 Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. The gala also will feature the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Starkey said it’s been about two decades since the two organizations partnered on an artistic project.

Indianapolis Opera’s Principal Conductor Alfred Savia will conduct the gala performance. He previously worked with the Indianapolis Symphony and regularly returns as a guest conductor for symphony performances.

“He’s leading up an extravagant array — we’re going to have 15 singers from all over the world that have come up through this opera company (performing) with the Indianapolis symphony, with our opera chorus of nearly 50, in the Hilbert Circle theater, and singing an extravagant gala of opera’s most popular and illustrious selections in a grand and extravagant way,” Starkey said. “This is bigger than any kind of opera concert the city (has) ever had.”

Some of the arias concert attendees will hear include the famous duet from Puccini’s “Tosca,” performed by Angela Brown and Jim Cornelison; selections from Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly;” and pieces from Wagner’s “Die Walküre.”

“We’re going to have five tenors sing an original version of ‘Nessun dorma,’ the famous tenor aria that was made famous by Luciano Pavarotti,” Starkey said. “You know, there used to be the famous Three Tenors, (Plácido) Domingo, (José) Carreras and Pavarotti? Well, we’re going to up it to five tenors.”

“Nessun dorma” is from Puccini’s opera “Turandot.”

Starkey said he’s humbled by the number of former Indianapolis Opera singers who were willing to return for the gala. “I had no idea who could say yes and almost every single person has said, yes in some form of fashion… that we invited because they were over the moon to come back and celebrate the company that established their career,” he said, adding that longtime former Indianapolis Opera Artistic

LOOKING FORWARD

As the Indianapolis Opera celebrates the past 50 years, CEO David Starkey said it will continue to expand efforts to connect with the larger community.

“How we’re going to do that is through education and through building the opera one neighborhood at a time,” he said. “I have commonly said that we cover the five corners of the City of Indianapolis … and we have established that, but it’s time for us to go deeper into those neighborhoods.”

Neighborhood outreach programs include Opera in the Park, he said, which has been in south Indy for seven years and is growing, along with partnerships with the University of Indianapolis and

the annual Metropolitan Opera competition that Indianapolis Opera hosts.

“Our previous model was we did everything at Clowes auditorium and everybody came to us,” he said. “That’s what you do with the sports — when you go see the Colts, you go to Lucas Oil Stadium. It’s not like the Colts are in different neighborhoods. But for us, the performing arts, the classical performing arts, we needed to let go of them coming to us and being part of a singular location. We needed to bring relevancy of this art form back into everybody’s community, into their neighborhoods.”

For more about the Indianapolis Opera and its programs, visit indyopera.org.

Director Jim Caraher was returning to the podium for the gala. “They’re coming back to celebrate him, too — that’s been a big part of the response, and he deserves it in a massive way.”

The lineup of performers can be viewed online at indyopera.org/50th-anniversary -gala-cast.

Audience members can choose to attend just the performance, but organizers also have planned a gala dinner preceding the concert at the neighboring Columbia Club. Tickets for the dinner include premium seats at the concert, valet parking and a post-concert reception drink. Starkey said the dinner will honor many of the IO’s longtime supporters, including some that have been with the organization since its first decade.

“It’s an amazing testimony — the singers, the artists, the leaders and the families,” he said. “Those are the people that have been writing the scripts of this company. We get to put together an original event based upon what everybody has contributed to the community.”

For more, visit indyopera.org/50thgala concert.

ON THE COVER: Soprano Angela Brown in a 2009 production of “Ariadne.” (Photo courtesy of Denis Ryan Kelly, Jr.)

A 1977 Indianapolis Opera production of “Carmen.” (Photos courtesy of Denis Ryan Kelly, Jr.)

Soprano Amy Johnson performs in a 1999 production of “Tosca.”

Culinary Dropout, Flower Child open in Nora

northindy@youarecurrent.com

Two new Fox Restaurant Concepts franchises opened their first Indianapolis locations last month, both in Nora Plaza off 86th Street between College Avenue and Keystone.

DINING

Although adjacent to each other, Culinary Dropout and Flower Child offer different menus and experiences for guests.

Culinary Dropout opened Feb. 19. According to an announcement from FRC, the 8,500-square-foot standalone restaurant was built from the ground up and features live music, big screen televisions and two open-air patios.

“The space has been created to offer guests a place to unwind and will serve fan favorites, expertly crafted cocktails and a variety of local beers,” the announcement stated. “Signature menu items include shareable appetizers like the soft pretzels and provolone fondue; BBQ pork belly nachos; and a hearty antipasti board known as ‘The Slicer.’”

Popular entrées include braised 36-hour pork ribs, honey-drizzled fried chicken,

salads and sandwiches.

Culinary Dropout is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday; Saturday brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 3 p.m. to midnight; and Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For more, visit culinarydropout.com/ locations/indianapolis-in.

Flower Child opened Feb. 25 at a renovated space in Nora Plaza. The 3,360-square-foot restaurant also features an outdoor patio and a fast-casual menu with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Bubbakoos opens first Indianapolis restaurant

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

Diners on the north side of Indianapolis have another new restaurant option after the Feb. 11 opening of Bubbakoos Burritos, which offers a madeto-order, Mexican-fusion menu.

FOOD

Director of Marketing Ben Grannick said the new store in the Clearwater Crossing shopping center, 3826 E. 82nd. St., is the first Indianapolis site for the franchise, which was founded in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, by Paul Altero and Bill Hart.

“We really are a create-your-own, Mexican-style, quick-service restaurant,” Grannick said. “We have a suggested menu board of our Killer Creations, which are fan favorites, as well as new menu innovations. So, if customers aren’t too familiar with what they can get, we have a list of recommended entrees and burritos and quesadillas, but customers can come in and order whatever they want. Everything is made to order.”

“From light salads, bountiful bowls, flavorful proteins and customizable entrees, Flower Child has something for everyone,” the announcement stated.

Menu favorites include the Mother Earth Bowl, gluten-free mac & cheese, chicken enchiladas and the Flying Avocado Wrap with smoked turkey, gouda, romaine, tomato and avocado hummus.

Flower Child donated 10 percent of all its opening day sales to The Autism Community in Action.

Flower Child is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more, visit iamaflowerchild. com/locations/flower-child-indianapolis-in.

Flower Child opened Feb. 25 in Nora Plaza. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

Culinary Dropout opened Feb. 19 in Nora Plaza. (Photo courtesy of Fox Restaurant Concepts)

Comedian Shillue benefits from popularity of ‘Gutfeld!’ show

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Tom Shillue understands his good fortune of being a regular on a hit late night show.

Shillue, who appears on “Gutfeld!” on FOX News, will be a special guest on ‘Gutfeld Live ’25’ at 7 p.m. March 15 at the Fishers Event Center. Shillue and fellow comedian Jamie Lissow, a frequent “Gutfeld!” guest, will start the two-hour show with their stand-up routines.

Political satirist Greg Gutfeld, who also is a co-host of “The Five” on FOX News, then joins Shillue on stage.

Shillue, 58, has been in the comedy business since 1991.

“It took me about a decade to get going,” he said. “I did my first TV appearance on Conan O’Brien in 1999. I did a Comedy Central special in 2003.”

Shillue also appeared on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and then “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

“I was also working on Comedy Central (on ‘The Daily Show’) but it didn’t really translate to selling that many (stand-up comedy) tickets, but when I started doing ‘Red Eye’ with Greg, I started getting fans out to the club, who were fans of ‘Red Eye,’” he said. “When I took over ‘Red Eye,’ that was fantastic for the audience, but nothing compares to what ‘Gutfeld!’ has become in the last 18 months or so. I go out to clubs and I sell out and it’s really remarkable. The ‘Gutfeld!’ audience is very loyal.”

Shillue performs on average one weekend a month with solo shows and another weekend with Gutfeld.

“It’s basically a Q&A, but I’m the emcee,” Shillue said. “I’m not as much asking Greg questions as I am guiding him through a series of slides of different things, his colleagues at Fox, his dog. We kind of talk about them in a funny way. It’s personal stories and political stuff, too. He runs through different politicians.

We basically talk about whatever is going on in the world today. Greg likes to keep it loose. It’s the opposite of me with my stand-up. I write it ahead of time and I come out and deliver the jokes and Greg comes out and I have to roll with the punches.”

Shillue keeps his performance schedule light.

“If I’m out there two weekends a month, that is enough for me because I have the Fox News gig,” he said. “Jamie does an amazing number of dates. He’s on the ‘Gutfeld!” show and then he’s out doing the clubs because he makes his living doing the clubs. Since I’m on Fox with Greg all week, I don’t need to be a road warrior.”

Shillue previously did a show three hours a day on Fox News radio for two years. He now regularly appears as a guest or co-host on Fox News radio shows.

‘JERSEY BOYS’

“Jersey Boys” runs through April 13 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

CIVIC THEATRE

Comedian

Tom Shillue will be a special guest on ‘Gutfeld Live ’25’ at 7 p.m. March 15 at the Fishers Event Center. (Photo courtesy of Fishers Event Center)

“They keep (me) busy,” he said. “They always find me stuff to do at Fox.”

Shillue said his Joe Biden imitation was in frequent demand on “Gutfeld!” the past several years.

But Shillue said live performing is his first love, especially stand-up routines.

“I’m a storyteller,” he said. “I tell longform stories (on solo shows) about my family.”

Shillue no longer does commercials, but still does voiceovers. He wrote a book called “Mean Dads for a Better America,” in which he discusses his childhood, his family and the traditional values he embraces.

“It’s a memoir about growing up in the ’70s in a conservative Irish Catholic town,” said Shillue, who grew up in Norwood, Mass. “It’s funny stories about growing up.”

For more, visit tomshillue.com. For tickets, visit fishersevencenter.com.

Civic Theatre presents “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” from March 14 to 29 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

Kevin Cole’s “Have Fingers — Will Travel: My Unbelievable Songbook Journey” is set for March 14, followed by “Dueling Pianos” March 15 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Both performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

COMEDY AT THE CAT

St. Pat’s Comedy at The Cat, featuring Dave Dugan, is set for 7:30 p.m. March 14-15 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

HANK RUFF AND THE HELLBENDERS

Hank Ruff and the Hellbenders will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 11 in the Live at the Center series at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Tickets are $10 in person or register for a free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.

‘APPALACHIAN SPRING’

Carmel Symphony Orchestra will present “Appalachian Spring” at 7 p.m. March 16 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

DISPATCH

ATI Lab Series reading set — Actors Theatre of Indiana’s Lab Series returns with “Kannon Gets the Wiggles” at 2 p.m. March 15 at the Carmel Clay Public Library. The show is by Gavin Thomas Drew and Chapman Shields. The music is by Rolin Mains and the lyrics are by Drew and Mains. The show is adapted from the book “Sometimes I Get the Wiggles” by Andee Cooper. For more, visit atistage.org.

“Big

SPRING SESSION

“My

Sponsored by

The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

Pianist to share stories, music

By Mark Ambrogi marK@youarecurrent.com

Kevin Cole has worked with many of the greatest songwriters in Great American Songbook history.

CONCERT

So, it’s fitting he will share those stories at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Feinstein is the founder of the Great American Songbook Foundation.

The seven songwriters are George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, Hugh Martin and Marvin Hamlisch.

Harburg wrote the lyrics to many standards as well as all the songs for the film “The Wizard of Oz,” including “Over the Rainbow.”

“Kevin Cole: Have Fingers — Will Travel” is set for 7:30 p.m. March 14. It is part of the Don Farrell Presents shows at Feinstein’s. Cole had worked with Actors Theatre of Indiana co-founder Farrell on “Forever Plaid” and participated in the ATI Lab Series reading of “Mr. Confidential” in 2022.

Cole and Harburg collaborated on a song that was intended for Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Harburg died in 1981, and the song never got to either Sinatra or Bennett. Farrell will sing it in the show.

“I was only 18 when I wrote the music,” Cole said. “I’ve sang it in my solo shows, but it will be nice to hear someone else sing it.”

“I had the experience of working with the great songwriters from a very early age,” Cole said. “As I tell the story of each one of the seven songwriters that have influenced my life or career, I play something that either I played for them or collaborated with them, so it’s all integrated together the story and music.”

For more, visit kevincolemusic.com. For tickets, visit feinsteinshc.com. Cole

The only one of the songwriters that Cole, 66, didn’t meet was Gershwin, who died in 1937. However, when Gershwin scholar Edward Jablonski heard Cole play at age 15, he told Cole he played like Gershwin. Jablonski and Cole are both from Bay City, Mich.

CSO presents ‘Appalachian’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Carmel Symphony Orchestra Artistic Advisor/Principal Conductor Joel Smirnoff is convinced the orchestra’s final concert of the 2024-25 season is the perfect fit to launch into spring.

CONCERT

CSO’s production of “Appalachian Spring” is set for 7 p.m. March 16 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The concert is named for Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.”

Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6 Pastorale” was written at the same time as his “No. 5 Symphony.”

“The ‘Fifth Symphony’ is extremely serious,” Smirnoff said. “The ‘Pastorale’ was an attempt to leave the world of urbanization, which was happening around him. Cities were growing by leaps and bounds at that time, and it was an attempt to get back to the countryside and life that had been lived for so many years before urbanization.”

CSO board member Chuiyuan Meng, a music professor at Indiana University Indianapolis, is participating in a pre-concert talk.

The other main piece is Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6 Pastorale.”

The concert also includes Perry Grainger’s “Irish Tune from Country Derry” and his other Irish piece, “Molly on the Shore.” The other piece is “Shepherd’s Hey.”

Smirnoff said what ties the works together is that they form a populist music program.

“These are three composers who were very sensitive to the culture around them and the history of culture around societies,” Smirnoff said.

Smirnoff said Grainger is interesting because he was Australian, but he composed and celebrated folk music.

“Aaron Copland was the most populist composer of the 20th century,” Smirnoff said. “He celebrated some of the mythological heroes of the old West with Billy the Kid. This was his way to create something that wasn’t snobbish or elitist.”

“I think these two magnificent works are perfect for this time of the year,” Meng said. “One describes a European-flavored spring and nature and the other delivers the wonderful season with a strong American style.”

Meng said each movement of Beethoven’s piece depicts different aspects of nature.

“If the ‘Sixth Symphony’ is a countryside portrait with the romantic style aesthetics, the ‘Appalachian Spring’ is a total modern take on similar feelings,” Meng said, Composed by Copland in 1944, Meng said the piece was originally a ballet but was rearranged as an orchestral work

“This is a program for people who don’t necessarily listen to classical music. It’s very appealing that way,” Smirnoff said. “You might think of ‘Pastorale Symphony’ as a pops piece.”

For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

Smirnoff

Blueprint for Improvement: Elevated Indianapolis kitchen makeover

Commentary by Larry Greene

The owners of this 1994 builder-grade kitchen in northside Indianapolis’ Bolander Woods neighborhood loved its natural brightness but dreamed of a more polished, contemporary look. With updates like a custom hood, expanded island and clever storage solutions, we brought their vision to life, blending modern glamor with everyday practicality.

THE BLUEPRINT

• A striking custom-designed range hood takes center stage, combining elegance and functionality to anchor the space.

• The backsplash adds character and flair, seamlessly tying in gold accents with the range hood and fixtures.

• The new sink includes smart inserts — such as a cutting board, bins, strainer and dish rack — that slide into designated slots, making meal prep and cleanup effortless.

• Custom cabinet features, like a built-in mixer lift, spice drawers and a cutlery organizer, enhance storage and efficiency.

• By reshaping the island, we added seating and expanded countertop space, creating a more practical and inviting layout for cooking and hosting.

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.

Before After

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