April 15 - May 31, 2012

Vol. VI Issue VII April 15 - May 31, 2012

Topeka’s guide to art, entertainment, lifestyle + local flavor

Inside Get Fresh Party like it’s 2004

Blues, hidden art + More the mail prank cartoonist

FREE no joke

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ArtsConnect (13) Boho Mojo (7) Casa Bellesa (15) Debonaire’s (2) Envy Salon (23) Fast Forward (27) Flying Monkey Handcrafted Coffee (9) Mulvane Art Museum (3) Nathan Ham Photography (inside back) New City Cafe (25) Pastense (15) Pigskins / Boss Hawgs (back cover) Reliant Art (7) Reed’s Lakeside / Ringside (6) Red Barn Photography (25) Rowhouse Restaurant (27) Seafood Thyme (23) Serendipity (27) Studio 831 (27) The Dutch Goose (13) The Eclective (27) Warehouse 414

“Rock for Charity”

concert with Vandelyn Kross benefitting Breakthrough House May 5th, 2012 7PM at TPAC PLUS the two winners of the April 21st Battle of the Bands contest at Tailgators - 21st and Urish. in Topeka $10-$15 tickets at tpactix.org or ticketmaster.com - call 785-232-6807 for information - $5 tickets with military ID at TPAC box office only!

Thank you to our Platinum and Gold Sponsors!

Breakthrough House provides support for children, Veterans and adults in Shawnee County with mental health recovery.

Visit www.breakthroughhouse.org for more information.

Cheap Trick - Ratt - Dokken - Foreigner - Honeymoon Suite - Journey - Judas Priest - Loverboy - Motley Crue - Vandelyn Kross

- Night Ranger - Poison - R.E.O. Speedwagon -Thin Lizzy - Scorpions -

- The Cult - Van Halen - Rush - U2 - Motley Crue - Poison - Journey -

Vandelyn Kross plays - 38 Special - AC/DC - Aerosmith - Aldo Nova - Autograph - Billy Idol - Billy Squier - Bon Jovi - Bryan Adams

seveneightfive magazine

Publisher/Owner

April 15 - May 31, 2012 | Vol. VI Issue VII

Kerrice Mapes kerrice@seveneightfive.com

Poetry Editor

| in this issue |

Dennis Etzel Jr. poemslyrical@yahoo.com

Weekender Editor

Rio Cervantes-Reed

Marketing Specialist

Rio Cervantes-Reed rio@seveneightfive.com

Advertising

Kerrice Mapes + Rio Cervantes-Reed

photo by Jeff Carson | GIZMO Pictures

writers

Tommy Anderson Amber Bonnett Robin Cremer Tony Davis Dennis Etzel Jr. Kara Garcia Cale Herreman Larissa Keller Gary Piland Patrick Porubsky Rio Cervantes-Reed Kevin Reed Josh Rouse Boone Smith Macie Smith Regina Stephenson Michelle Ullom Tom Wah Janice Watkins Erin Wynkoop

photography

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

7 trap; local music heros 9 BARS GIVE BACK: battle of the bands 12 studio series at TCTA 14 ART: the mail prank cartoonist 24: Joe Bonamassa 26 Kansas music hall of fame 28 5Q: Artifact

SUBSCRIPTION $20

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Distribution

P.O. Box 750491 Topeka, KS 66675

Rio Cervantes-Reed Larissa Keller Jill Lira

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Liz Bell

Copy Editing

|on the cover| Dustin Dean photography @seveneightfive

D O’Brien

Bar WArs

photo by Colin MacMillan | Nathan Ham Photography

Jared Hitchens

Disclaimer: seveneightfive strives for accuracy in all of our materials, regrets errors, but cannot be held responsible.

We recommend contacting venues to confirm dates and events (sometimes they change).

3 MENU PROC: green river 4 BEER: Cinco de Mayo + Green Flash Brewery 6 SEEN + NOTED: foodie news 23 markets around town 28 “Fresh” recipes from RowHouse

seveneightfive direct

Tiffany Bonnewell EJ Drake Amber Farmer Adam Koger Gary Krohe Colin MacMillan Amber O’Dell Josh Rouse

seveneightfive is a free lifestyle magazine highlighting entertainment, art, local businesses + more in Topeka.

18 treasure in the bell tower 20 derby parties 22 dirt + history: archeology dig LOCAL FLAVOR

Layout / Illustrations

Aymen Ghali Amanda Reynolds Kerrice Mapes

Lifestyle

Dustin Dean, creative producer at jhP (Jones Hewitt Partners), works in broadcast, video and radio production, photography and copy writing. He is also a prankster, and admits that a prank which resulted in $500 of damage to a friend’s car, while wearing an undersized Spiderman costume, hasn’t changed his pranking ways.

Dustin is also co-owner of the Gatekeeper Hobbies: Comics and Games located at Gage Shopping Center.

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& ut $20 C sic m Ba Tri d r a r Be azo R t 0 igh s $2 a r e St hav S 10 s $ 12) d i K (up to c asi

B n’s & up e m 0 Wo ts $2 u C

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$7

e lleg t o & C un ry disco a t li t Mi den u t s

Debonaire’s All Types of Hair

Barber

Shop 611 SE Carnahan Ave. 611 SE Carnahan Ave

233-7626 233-7626

Lewis: 230-2612 8:30am -5:30pm Tues - Thur Michael: 250-2395 7am- 5:30pm Fri - Sat 8:30am - 5:30pm: Tues - Thur 7am - 5:30pm: Fri - Sat 2

#785events

Editor’s top 20 events for April 15 - May 31. Share your Top City Events with us before and during the fun. Tweet using hashtag #785events. Follow / Tweet us at: @seveneightfive | @KerriceM 1. April 14: 3rd Annual (and possible last) ReThink Topeka Exhibition and ArtWalk. | Art, music, poetry and theatre in Downtown Topeka. $2 button gets you entrance into eight venues. | Noon – 7:30p.

2. April 19: Lazy Toad Golf Tournament 3. Thursday: Ladies night: Sing karaoke at Los Charros with DJ Dreux | 7 to 10p 4. April 20: Crawl for a Cause | Downtown Topeka pub crawl to support Invisible Children and Veronica’s Voice. Go to “Crawl for a Cause / Topeka” on FB for more info. | 5–9p 5. April 21: Couture for Cancer | TPAC |4p 6. April 21: Final Battle of the Band | Tailgator’s | Two winners go on to concert for Breakthrough House May 5 | 8:30p 7. April 21: Canciones De Camacho | 6-8p | Casa de Boss Hawgs | Latin night featuring a special Latino fare menu and Mark Camacho’s eclectic mix of Mexican, Portuguese, Puerto Rican and AmericanLatin pop songs. | 100 seats available. Will sell out. Need to RSVP. 8. April 21: Redemption | Pro Boxing & MMA | KS Expo | 6:30p 9. April 25: The 2012 ARTY Awards | 5:30p Topeka Civic Theatre 10. April 27: Concealed Revealed Art Auction | Serendipity | 6:30p | Benefit for YWCA’s Women’s Empowerment.

11. APRIL 29: Bark-A-Paw-Looza Fundraising event for Friends of Hill’s Bark park for upkeep of Bark Park.

1 - 3p | Gage Park | Bring your dog for a rocking good time. Music, food, games, prizes and pet vendors.

12. May 1: Pocket Vinyl | Eric Stevenson slams on the piano and sings while Elizabeth Jancewicz paints on stage. The paintings are sold at the end of the show to the highest bidder. Hailing from CT, this duo will be inspiring and entertaining. | Boobie Trap’s Free Tuesday Concert Series| 10p 13. May 2: Joe Bonamassa | TPAC | 8p 14. May 4: The Great American Trailer Park Musical. A deliciously campy and trashy musical. | Opening Night | Topeka Civic Theatre 15. May 5: Kentucky Derby Parties: Serendipity 2p | Downtown Topeka Inc 3p 16. May 5: Soul Rebel & The Beast | Pigskin’s (Cinco de Mayo party on the terrace) 17. MAY 5: Cinco de May party | Los Charros 8p - 2a | Featuring Tropical Azul and DJ 151 - Ronald Ruiz | $10 18. May 12: Shall we Dance? A Topeka Habitat for Humanity Production. “Dancing with the Stars” style competition featuring three premier dance schools. PLUS recycled art auction from items found at the Topeka Habitat for Humanity ReStore| 6 – 10p 6th Ave Ballroom 19. May 19: Beans & Cornbread | Skinny’s 20. May 19: Show & Tell featuring Ellie Smith & The Commotion | Art, Music, Food, Coffee, Beer, Tattoos | Flying Monkey Handcrafted Coffee | 8 – 11:30p

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Go to seveneightfive. com and sign up for the weekender - a weekly eblast filled with the top art and music events of the week.

menu proc

menu proclamation • one item worth talking about

b y To m m y A n d e r s o n • p h o t o b y A d a m K o g e r

Washburn.edu/mulvane

green river

Ward Meade Park is the home of the Green River, which is a nostalgic drink composed of soda water, sugar, and lime syrup that has a deeply mellow yet iridescently lime flavor. The Green River is one of the best liquids to ever bless my taste buds, but to me it’s more than that—it’s a piece of my history that will never be forgotten.

I grew up in house on 3rd and Tyler, which is nearly a hop, skip, and jump from Ward Meade Park—a fact which was completely unknown to me at the time. I spent the greater majority of my pre-pubescent life blissfully ignorant of Ware Meade and its wonders while I was wheeling around on my 12 speed exploring the various reaches of the neighborhood.

During one of these escapades, I found a towering iron gate that was separating me from a few indistinguishable buildings, patched green, and a bit of a garden—it was other worldly. When I entered that park I felt like Columbus setting foot in America for the first time. I just followed a dirt road as if my feet were the first to tread its path until I stumbled upon the Potwin Drug Store. I proceeded to enter the Drug store and inside, much to my surprise, there was a living person behind the counter. I asked him about this place I “discovered” and he explained nearly 124 NW Fillmore the whole park to 368.3888 me. My discovery Hours: Mon - Sat: 10a - 4p was severely undermined but was Sunday: noon - 4p not regretted. He then went on to offer me something called the Green River. I was handed a small Styrofoam cup with green liquid in it. The color green was my favorite at the time, so I let the Green River flow into me and never looked back. aseveneightfive

Potwin Drug Store

90 Artists From 15 States Fabulous Art, Great Food & Beverages Music by Pastense, Bridges & Ashley Davis Children’s Art Activities

ADMIT ONE $5 in advance / $6 at the gate Children 12 and under FREE Saturday 10 am – 5 pm Sunday 10 am – 4 pm

Washburn University Campus Washburn.edu/mulvane

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mug shot

time to play on the fifth of may The upcoming holiday, Cinco de Mayo, although recognized regionally in Mexico, is more widely celebrated in the USA. So it makes sense that one of the most recognized and widely consumed breweries in the U.S. has taken on the task of providing beverages to help us celebrate the occasion. In the midst of the kinetic frenzy of the Cinco do Mayo fiestas, it may prove difficult to keep track of your favorite drink’s ingredients.

Our friends at Budweiser sympathize with our plight and offer low maintenance choices to quench our thirst amidst the Mexican food.

Landshark Lager

Let’s start with the very drinkable Landshark Lager.

This refreshing lager is brewed with a complex blend of hop varietals. It is easily enjoyed by itself, or makes a nice accompaniment to fish tacos. Top those tacos off with some sliced jalapenos, and the tingly coolness of the Landshark Lager on your tongue will be that much more appreciated.

Ale Alchemist will return June 1. Congrats on the new baby and we look forward to you returning to home brewing soon.

Next we have Bud Light Lime. Keeping with the Mexican tradition of adding lime to anything that doesn’t move, it is essentially a Bud Light, without the hassle of squeezing your own limes. This goes excellent with a fully-loaded plate of nachos or a sweet mango salsa with salty tortilla chips.

Lime-A-Rita

The Bud Light Lime is a versatile beer as Budweiser recommends adding it to their Lime-a-Rita. A tall glass of ice (salted rim is optional) beholds a refreshing treat (margarita with a twist, as the can says) with this blend of products. The Lime-a-Rita is available for a limited time over the summer, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to give this a try, with or without the addition of the Bud Light Lime. aseveneightfive

ale alchemist with patrick porubsky Chemical Curator University of Kansas

MUG SHOT: A quick word about beers found around town.

by Kevin Reed photos by Colin MacMillan Nathan Ham Photography

Green Flash Brewery

BudLight Lime

six degrees of frementation

ale alchemist + mug shot • it’s all about the beer

beer+

Green Flash six days a week

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think it is only fitting that each day should have the opportunity to end on a high note. Okay, maybe six days is the best I can hope for, because honestly, Monday can go straight to hell.

A great beer can help each day end on this high note. Mike and Lisa Hinkley, the owners of Green Flash Brewery in San Diego, are determined to help all of us end our day in such fashion.

The brewery’s name comes from a natural phenomenon that occurs on the west coast when the last rays of sunshine briefly turn the sky to a sparkling emerald. Brewmaster Chuck Silva uses this inspiration and his award winning expertise to create a modern twist on traditional beer styles.

So let’s raise a glass of Hop Head Red Ale in honor of Tuesday.

The hazy rust color of this beverage contains floral and fruity hop aromas and a touch of a dry aftertaste. Seeing a freshly poured glass sitting next to a medium grilled filet mignon definitely puts a perfect day in my calendar, and I suggest you make a date for the same.

In a salute to Hump Day, may I present a bottle of West Coast I.P.A. This tangerine dream contains a multidimensional hop experience with a pine and grapefruit finish. Think of it as a bridge to get you closer to the weekend.

A much needed companion for Thursday would be the Rayon Vert Belgian Style Pale Ale. Considered to be the flagship of Green Flash Brewery (translate the title from it’s French, and you’ll see why), this golden ale contains a yeast called Brettanomyces, which continually evolves the dry flavor. If you keep a bottle around long enough to gather dust, go ahead and drink it, it gets better as it ages. Or drink it right away; it complements a well-layered grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup.

Fridays can get a little crazy, so what better escort than Le Freak Ale. This dusty yellow refresher is created by melding a Belgian Trippel with an American Imperial I.P.A. It wields a strong aroma with remnants of banana flavoring. I recommend pairing this with a spin of the old Chic on vinyl, because Le Freak will have you dancing for Friday night. (Aaaaah, Freak Out!) Saturday is a day to throw caution to the wind. Clear out your schedule and make room for the curiously titled Palate Wrecker.

This West Coast inspired I.P.A. has a copper color that envelops and subdues the taste buds with its hop flavor. You will soon find repeated tasting are definitely required.

Finally, Sunday, the day for rest and relaxation. Time to kick back with a Double Stout Black Ale. The deep, dark, opaque liquid is a grand substitute for a late afternoon coffee. Enjoy the roasted malts as they blend into a mix of bitter chocolate and sweet caramel. This one is to be sipped slowly on the porch as the sun slowly descends to conclude the week. Perfect indeed. aseveneightfive

Get Green Flash: Burger Stand + Wellers carry West Coast I.P.A. Lazy Toad has bottles of Green Flash. You can also pick some up at Fleming Place + Devlin’s Liquor stores.

Not sure which one to try first? Old Chicago will host a “Meet the Brewer” sampling of Green Flash Brewery Beers on Wednesday, April 25 at 6p. Now you can choose how to end your perfect day.

seen + noted | cool things you should know about

sn +

foodie notes The Fryer Shack

1221 SW Huntoon | Opened March 23 Newest greasy hamburger joint.

Featuring steakburgers using a blend of sirloin and brisket from Hermans.

Carryout only | local fresh ingredients.

Benny Bo’s

821 SW 6th Ave | Opened March 11 Located in the former Tevis building, Benny Bo’s features Southern and Cajun cuisine. Editors’ enjoyed their jambalaya and homemade sweet potato pie.

Flying Monkey Handcrafted Coffee 1500 SW 17th Street Now serving full menu all day Wednesday - Saturday.

Pizagel’s

2830 SW Fairlawn Road Coffee and bagel or pizza and beer.

Open ‘till 9p now with live music on select Saturdays 7p. April 21 | Maple Twelve String .

RowHouse | New City

515 SW Van Buren | 4005 SW Gage Center Dr. Wine tasting: First Wednesday at New City | Every Thursday at RowHouse.

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by Rio Cervantes-Reed

German Fest Hordes of people will descend on the Oakland neighborhood for the promise of delicious ethnic food, live music and tons of fun. No, we’re not talking about the Fiesta Mexicana just yet. It’s time for the Germanfest.

This annual fundraiser for Holy Family School is sponsored by the Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish. It begins Saturday, June 2 at 4p with an Outdoor Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 312 NE Freeman Avenue. Food sales and festivities are from 5-11p, and continues at 10a on Sunday, June 3.

Enjoy authentic, homemade German food, live German music, and games and activities booths. The parish will also hold a drawing for a refurbished 1961 Chevrolet Stepside Truck.

For more information visit the event webpage at sacredheartstjosephcatholic.org. seveneightfive tip: Make room for all the delicious German calories by joining in the Brat Trot on May 26 at 8a. Begin at the Sacred Heart parking lot and loop through 3.1 miles of Oakland Register on-line by visiting active.com, and search for Brat Trot. aseveneightfive

primetime heroes help trap rock into year 20

trap; local music hero

by Richard Kelly • photo by Colin MacMillan | Nathan Ham Photography

T

here’s only one venue in Topeka where you can catch dubstep, metal and bluegrass blaring from the speakers on consecutive nights. Known as ‘The Boobie Trap Bar’, this venue’s low lighting, small stage, close-knit vibe and poster-covered walls have been enticing Topeka entertainment seekers since 2003.

The unique atmosphere of the venue is something Brian Chambers, owner, has worked to perfect for the last 19 years. When he originally took the bar under his wing in 1992, he termed it as “Goofies”, due to a nickname he had at the time. But in 2003, he sought a name change.

Little did he know the source of his new name would come from a passing truck driver who stopped into the bar.

“My wife called me one day and said ‘Brian, there’s this truck driver in here’ and they were the only people in there,” said Chambers. “And the truck driver said ‘If I had a bar, I would name it The Boobie Trap.’ She immediately called me and said ‘I think we have our new name.’”

At that time, the venue’s main attraction was karaoke, but a vocalist in a local metal band told Chambers he should try something new.

“About two weeks after I changed the name, Brian Owensby, a metal head and singer in a metal band, came up to me and said ‘what do you think about having bands here?’” said Chambers. “I said ‘it’s kind of small, but sure’ and I had a friend of mine bring in PA gear and away we went.”

Since then, Topekans have been rocking out, tapping their feet, snapping their fingers, and having an overall good time at “The Trap.”

A couple of months ago, a kickoff celebration to the 20th year for the venue brought new and old faces together for three nights of festivities. >> continued on next page

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Rusty Wiley (vocals/guitar), Colin MacMillan (guitar/vocals), Tim Schultz (bass) and Jory Valyer (drums).

primetime heroes superpowers Formed in 2002, The Primetime Heroes were a melodic pop punk band from Topeka who last played in October of 2006. They have two fulllength albums to date, a self-titled record and their sophomore release “A Date with Destiny.”

Both released on Noisome Records. The band was known for their energy on stage, playing gigs across the Midwest and even venturing through the Northeast.

On April 1, the band announced it will play two reunion shows on June 15-16 at The Boobie Trap Bar to help celebrate the venue’s 20th year under the ownership of Brian Chambers.

The band will perform with their original lineup; Rusty, Colin, Tim and Jory.

In January, the band recorded an EP at Black Lodge Studios in Eudora, Kan., which includes unreleased songs written following their last record in 2004. It will soon be available for free download.

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The Boobie Trap is a favorite venue for many bands because of the interaction with the audience.

Prime Time Heroes / Boobie Trap Bar continued

Thursday at Resistance | photo by Jeremy Gaston

the headliner

Held February 9-11, the events began with Resistance on the 9th, continued with metal band Midget Pounder on the 10th and ended with rock n’ roll band One of the biggest events the venue is looking forward to is a reunion show for Invisible Bike on Saturday night. the Primetime Heroes, a Topeka-based punk rock band that frequented The Boobie Jennie Ketter, who attended the ‘Invisible Trap Bar in the early to mid 2000s. The show announcement was made April 1 by Bike’ show, said she enjoys what The the band and the shows are expected to take place on June 15-16. There will be two Boobie Trap Bar does and tries to supporting bands each night, with one of them, Veloria, also having a reunion show spread awareness of the venue’s focus on on the 15th. providing an outlet for area musicians.

The idea for the show has been in the works since late December according to Jory “I am just out to spread the word about Valyer, drummer and pianist for Primetime Heroes and current bartender at The people who are supporting locally, like Boobie Trap Bar. He said Chambers was able to get the talks started and once all the The Boobie Trap,” said Ketter. members agreed on the show, the ball started rolling.

For Chambers, the weekend’s festivities Since then, Primetime Heroes has been able to record an EP and Colin MacMillan, were only the beginning of his 20th vocalist and guitarist for Primetime Heroes, said there will anniversary plans. Over the next year, he also be merchandise at the shows that will be thrown out to expects to have some of his best shows the audience. The shows will be the first live performances he’s ever booked. Some of the shows so for the band since October of 2006. far have included a March 6 show with Valyer said he, along with the rest of the band, is excited The Ataris and a March 22 show with about getting back onto the stage.

Kansas City’s Evalyn Awake shredding “The important thing about doing a reunion show to me is their guitars on the stage. that a lot of these people, especially the bands we’re playing Nick Marshall, guitarist/vocalist for with that weekend, are our friends,” said Valyer. “If you can Evalyn Awake, said venues like The get all your friends together for a weekend, it’s always going Boobie Trap Bar are some of his band’s to be a good time. You just can’t go wrong.” favorite, due to the interaction they can Doors will open at 9 p.m. each night and the cost will be have with the audience. $7 for the show. The band also said their new EP will be “We played at Rockfest with like 30,000 available online and will be free. people and it’s very impersonal,” said Marshall. “You’ve just got a big massive With all of the current hype, Chambers said this is a special crowd and you can’t see people’s faces time for him and his business. like you can here. You connect with the “I said to myself that this is the 20th year, and I want to energy a lot more here.” make it the biggest and the best year in live music for Topeka,” said Chambers. “I’m looking forward to a great year.” aseveneightfive

bars give back | battle of the bands at Tailgator’s

battle of the bands

by Larissa Kelly • poster provided

T

ailgator’s Pub and Grub is hosting the largest fundraiser the Topeka bar scene has supported since seveneightfive started the Bars Giving Back column. The fundraiser is a three weekend battle of the bands at Tailgator’s, followed by a concert at TPAC featuring Vandelyn Kross from Kansas City. The fundraiser is supporting Breakthrough House, a local non-profit that provides recovery support for individuals with mental illness, including veterans and youth.

One program the organization provides is the Compeer program, which provides mentoring for youth in the community. Funds raised from the concerts will go to support the Compeer program first, and additional funds will be used to provide financial assistance to the other three programs of the organization.

The battle of the bands will include well known local acts such as Chris Aytes and the Good Ambition, Monk’s Wine, Jangalang, and Slow Ya Roll. A total of eight acts will be performing on April 7 and 14, and two semi-finalists from each night will perform with host The Rising Tide on April 21. Two winners will be chosen by guest judges (including our own Kerrice Mapes, publisher) and the audience, and will perform at TPAC on May 5 with Vandelyn Kross. Tickets to the final battle night are just $5 at the door, and tickets to the show at TPAC are $10 and $15 ($5 for veterans with ID).

Cheri Faunce, director of the Compeer program at Breakthrough House as well as an employee at Tailgator’s, informed Danette Tipton, executive director of Breakthrough House, that Tailgator’s would be a great venue to host the battle. Chris Proffitt, owner of Tailgator’s, was more than happy to support the fundraiser. “Tailgator’s has really been the one donating the work involved, and doing all the organizing. We were all kind of saying ‘I don’t know the first thing about this,’ and Tailgator’s just took care of it,” recalls Tipton.

Through sponsorships by many local businesses, Breakthrough House has already covered all expenses for the event. All money earned from the cover charge at Tailgator’s (100% going to Breakthrough House) and ticket sales for the show at TPAC will go directly to the programs at Breakthrough House. The nonprofit wants the fundraiser to be an annual event for the organization, and with the support they have received from the community, the outlook is promising.

Tailgator’s is no stranger to helping charities, as they have hosted concerts and golf tournaments (not to mention placing in Bar Wars) in support of TARC, The Capper Foundation, and other community needs, such as the recent poker tournament for Harveyville. Proffitt and the crew at Tailgator’s are always eager to help the community. “I think bars are such a community environment. Everyone feels that bar is their home. I think our employees pushing it, supporting it, getting their friends and everybody behind it is the reason we are so successful.” Come show your support for veterans, teens, and our community, all while getting your groove on to some great local music at Tailgator’s and TPAC. aseveneightfive

Greg Fox, chef / owner at Rowhouse Restaurant has been tantalizing palates for over five years with his culinary vision at the Rowhouse. Dishes are midwest inspired and combine fresh grown herbs, simply structures and love. Sharing that last magic ingredient, “Fresh - recipes from RowHouse” debuted April 1.

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here is something about a unique dining experience which can only be found from locally-owned establishments.

Over the years, I have been drawn (and even dragged kicking and screaming at times) to the foodie lifestyle; learning to appreciate my food and drink beyond simply satisfaction of hunger or thirst. What this shift in perspective has taught me is that no matter where you are, there is always something to enjoy from local cuisine. While I traveled both nationally and internationally, I have tried to experience each region’s authentic local flavors, and after I settled down in Topeka, I saw no reason to change this practice.

Topeka boasts many incredible restaurants which cannot be found anywhere else, and one of my favorites since I returned to Topeka has been the RowHouse Restaurant at 515 SW Van Buren Street. Owner and Chef Greg Fox creates a concise, though ever-changing, menu, which delivers fusion American flavors unlike anything I had discovered in the area previously.

If you haven’t visited the RowHouse yet, do yourself a favor and check it out.

Every recipe is accompanied by a brilliant full-color photo. Beyond recipes, Chef Fox shares some of his cooking philosophy as well as Rowhouse’s story.

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For those, who like me, don’t have the ability to get out and try all the amazing possibilities of restaurants like the RowHouse nearly as often as one might wish, Chef Fox has graciously decided to release a collection of some of his favorite recipes in “Fresh.” I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an advance copy to see how my culinary skills stacked up against the chefs of this great establishment.

First, I should say that this book is much less technical then other cookbooks I have worked with in the past. Chef Fox uses minimal cooking jargon and clearly explains steps

SALAD: frisee, baby spinach, cheddar + apple salad with creamy dill dressing and candied bacon As soon as I saw the words “candied bacon,” I knew I would be making this salad, and was I ever glad I did. It took about 20 minutes for me to create, which is a little longer than I usually expect for a salad, but it was worth the wait.

Get FRESH These are just a few of Tony’s favorites. If you’d like to give some of Chef Fox’s recipes a try and find your own favorites, pick up a copy of “Fresh” at RowHouse

so that even an (extreme) amateur chef, like me, can feel capable of attempting any of these dishes. Secondly, every dish, from the smallest appetizer to the biggest entrée, is accompanied by a brilliant full-color photograph, which Chef Fox explains in his introduction are all exactly as would be served in the RowHouse dining room.

Needless to say, my dishes did not quite match the pictures, but I’m certain that I was able to at least approximate the flavors in my less-thancamera-ready attempts.

Beyond recipes, Chef Fox shares some of his cooking philosophy as well as the story of how the RowHouse went from a single-family home in 1885 to condemned buildings in the 1990’s and finally to a modern restaurant on the National Historic Register. These additional pieces help to demonstrate how important the Topeka community is to everyone at the RowHouse, as it relates to how the original vision for the restaurant was completely changed to grow into something completely unexpected and great.

“Fresh” is divided into six sections: Taste (appetizers), Salad, Soup, Vegetarian, Entrée, and Dessert. With more than sixty recipes, I knew I wouldn’t possibly be able to try them all in a short period of time, so I picked out one or two from each section that stood out to me and gave each a try. Everything was delicious— which comes at a bit of a surprise considering I’ve been accused of ruining boiling water. This must be entirely due to Chef Fox’s genius and possibly an ability of mine to follow an expert’s instructions. Maybe after a few more attempts I’ll feel comfortable enough to “Taste and Adjust” as Chef Fox’s recommends (though I think it’s likely I’ll leave the recipes as they are— without any complaint). aseveneightfive

515 Van Buren 235.1700 $37

ENTREÉ: Beef with wild mushrooms, bleu cheese and garlic mashed potatoes One of the best parts of food in Kansas, is the ready availability of high-quality beef (even if my preparation of said beef isn’t always doing it justice), and adding in mushroom ragout, bleu cheese, and homemade garlic mashed potatoes is always a perfect dinner in my house. Simple and quick recipe that yielded amazing results.

VEGETARIAN: Summer squash noodles with pesto cream and parmesan I love pasta, and this vegetable noodle dish was amazing. I would never have thought of using thin strips of squash or zucchini as a replacement for traditional noodles, but I’m sure this technique will find its way into other pasta dishes made in my home.

11

art | stuido series theater at Topeka Civic Theatre

theatre that makes you go hmm...

by Boone Smith | photos provided

performances tend to be much more intimate.

According to Shannon Reilly, artistic director for TCTA, the goal of the Studio Series “is to stretch the volunteer actor as well as our audience in new ways.

And we do it without the goal of making a buck. Unlike The Main Stage Productions, which have to pay the bills.”

T

he Topeka Civic Theatre + Academy (TCTA) is unique among community theaters across our country. It is the oldest in Kansas and one of the oldest in the country. Once located in a warehouse, TCTA is now in a renovated school building just east of 8th + Gage. TCTA stages more than 240 performances per year, which means that they are among the most active community theaters in the entire country. On average, there are only four Fridays and four Saturdays per year that the Topeka Civic Theatre is not hosting a show. This year, TCTA has eight Main Stage Productions, three Studio Series productions, three Youth Academy Productions, and two Theatre for Young Audience productions. In addition, they also host four different acting companies.

TCTA is also the only community theatre in the country that can boast having had sitting governor’s act in their shows four different times. For the record, those were Bill Graves (twice), Kathleen Sebelius, and Mark Parkinson at one time each.

Therefore, with such a prolific and hearty theater schedule, The Studio Series is unique among the staged productions that are put on in Topeka. Unlike The Main Stage Productions, which are held in the Sheffel Theater, a large venue where dinner and drinks are often served, the Studio Series shows their plays in the Oldfather, a theater with only 150 seats. As a result, the

The Main Stage Productions chooses their plays based on projected attendance and popularity. They are also known to edit their content in order to have more broad appeal. Not so with the Studio Series. The Studio Series shows are unedited, which separates them from the Main Stage.

They do not worry about offensive language or questionable subject matter, but instead choose to put on plays that are unseen. It’s about getting to do work that they don’t normally get to do.

So what kind of performances could you expect to see there? This is not at all like normal theatre fare. It can be risqué, like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”. It may also be rare, like a recent play called “Urine Town”, about a pervasive water shortage.

But what it will most certainly do is stretch the audience. “[The Studio Series] gives us a chance to do something different, and something new. Something challenging.” said Reilly.

Some great examples of the different, challenging and new material that they have performed within the past couple of years include “Twilight of the Golds,” a play that went into depth when it asked the question: if you knew that your child had a gene to make them gay, would you have the child or would you abort it? They have also recently put on “Tuesdays with Morrie,” a play about living, love, and a man dying of ALS. This past November they showed “Charlie Cox Runs with Scissors”, also about a man dying of ALS, but somehow much funnier. Over the summer they will be performing “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” a musical about a trailer park in tornado

season, and “The Shape of Things,” about a man who is willing to do absolutely anything in order to keep the affection of a girl he loves.

The studio series performs three plays per year, which breaks down to one musical (performed 7-9 times), one comedy (performed 5 times), and one drama (performed 5 times). The musicals frequently sell out, but rarely does that happen with the plays. Still, for about $15 per ticket, it is definitely a bargain.

“If you see a play [in the Studio Series], you’re going to talk about that play tomorrow. You’re going to be thinking about that play a week later,” said Reilly. “It’ll stay with you.” aseveneightfive

y l n o s ’ Tope ka d i v e 5-sTa r AnnuAl ChArity Golf tournAment

June 25

Full day oF golF, Food, beer and shenanigans!

For more inFo, stop by the goose.

3203 SW 10th | 785-357-8474 @thedutchgoose

Studio Series Upcoming shows in the Studio Series: The Great American Trailer Park Musical Tickets available to general public April 24 On stage from May 4 to May 20 The Shape of Things to Come Tickets available to general public June 12 On stage June 22 to June 30

ARTSConnect First Friday Art Walk 1 NIGHT | 40+ venues

May 4 Pick up our new map at any #ffaw stop! www.artsconnecttopeka.org

Visit www.topekacivictheatre.com for show times and tickets, or call 357-5211 for information about becoming a season ticket holder.

13

by Rio Cervantes-Reed • photo by Colin MacMillan | Nathan Ham Photography • pranks by Dustin Dean

the mail prank cartoonist 14

A

merican cartoonist, Edward Gorey once paraphrased Austrian composer, Franz Schubert when he said, “...there’s probably no happy nonsense.” Famous for his nonsensical drawings and literature, Gorey had to know that his work did bring much happiness, or a least a wry smile, to his readers’ faces.

One of those readers was Topeka’s own Dustin Dean. Inspired by Gorey’s, “Postcard Mysteries,” Dean had a postcard sent to his sister with the line, “Please send your recipe for treacle pudding.” It had no return address, and Dean had a coworker with flowery handwriting write the line. He also had a friend who was visiting from New York City take the postcard back with him to mail it so that it had an NYC postmark. It didn’t take long, however, for his sister, with help from their mother, to determine that Dean was the prankster.

This small act, performed 12 years ago, only emboldened Dean to continue with small, nonsensical, (and completely harmless) mail pranks. >> continued on next page

There is a new prankster in town. Dustin Dean’s nonsensical drawings bring smiles to corporate American workers, while telling credit card companies how he’d prefer to use their pre-paid postage.

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15

“Mail Pranks” is a collection of drawings returned to mass mailers in the prepaid envelopes they supply.

Dean is the creative producer for jhP (Jones Hewett Partners) advertising firm. That may be enough to know about him to assess that, yes, he is creative, but knowing that he is also co-owner of The Gatekeeper, a comic book store located at Gage Center, lends a little more knowledge to him as to where his creativity lies.

“I’ve always loved to draw.

Margins of my books and notebooks also had quick drawing, doodles. I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about them, they just happen. This isn’t fine art.”

These types of quick drawings are specifically where this story leads us.

Dean came to the attention of seveneightfive magazine because of a small collection of sketches that we noticed in a photo album on his Facebook page. Titled, “Mail Pranks,” the album contains a collection of drawings that Dean has returned to mass mailers in the prepaid envelopes they supply. A sampling of his mail prank drawings appear on these pages.

“It started out with notes, for example, ‘The person to your right has a crush on you,’” Dean says, and then he eventually started doing doodles. His only motive is that it makes him laugh.

“The postage is paid for, and I hope who ever sees it has a smile. But, even if someone else doesn’t get the joke, it doesn’t lessen my enjoyment. I still laugh as I lick the envelope and send it off.” aseveneightfive

h+n

@785heardnoted

?*@! overheard out+about

compiled by Erin Wynkoop illustration by Amanda Reynolds

“You need to stamp out cyber bullying on Facebook” @ Oscars “All the good stuff is in the trunk.” “Oh yes, it is.” @ Pigskins “I had a dream about you. You were “dating” Adam Levine, like it was just another day in your normal, fantastic life.” @ Boscos “Sweet baby Jesus! She’s got me listening to folk music on a Friday night.” @ Kansan Grill “It tastes like the juice Michael Jackson use to give babies.” @ College Hill “Um, we are always the upstairs groupies.” @ The Trap “I smell like broken dreams.” @ The Celtic Fox “Yeah right, there are no hot guys in Topeka.” @ Tuptim Thai “I’m going to spray tan so much I will look like a My Little Pony” @ Goose And that Cuban sandwich said, “Bam! I just fucked your mouth with some siraccha sauce @ Speck’s

Be sure to RT + Tweet @785HeardNoted with all your favorite witty tweets you hear out-and-about

17

the ascen treasure in the

F 18

or a little more than 50 years, three 20 foot long pipes rattled around Grace Cathedral. Starting in a storeroom, they settled stuck in one of the bell towers with the effects of heat and humidity of summer and the cold and dryness of the winter.

Inside each of the pipes was a panel of “The Ascension� a mural painted in the early 1920s by E. Martin Hennings, commissioned by the Cathedral. >> continued on next page

An art treasure hunt begins

sion bell tower

by Kathy Smith, Kent Wingerson, and Connie Vosburgh • photos by Colin MacMillan | Nathan Ham Photography ▶ [top] Mural of “The Ascension” by E. Martin Hennings. Ernest Martin Hennings (1886-1956) artwork has increased in value recently, with “Indian Summer” going for over 1.5 million at auction.

>> The Ascension continued

art hunt cont.

topeka style

“The Ascension” a mural painted in the early 1920s by E. Martin Hennings, was commissioned by the Cathedral after receiving a gift from Mr. and Mrs. John Reynolds Shelton, in loving memory of Mrs. Shelton. They were placed above the altar, where they remained until a change in décor in 1961 caused them to be taken down, rolled up and stuck in the pipes.

After over 50 years, a catastrophic fire at the Cathedral in the 1960s, and the heat and the cold of the bell tower, it was assumed that the contents of the pipes would be ruined. Every once in a while, however, someone would ask, “I wonder what happened to those murals?” It was assumed all along that they would be in terrible condition, and more trouble than they were worth to find out. More trouble, you see, because after the fire in the 1970s, the staircase leading to the top of the bell tower was replaced with a ladder, making it impossible to get the pipes out. Until recently.

Then the artist’s great-niece’s husband called the Cathedral and asked about the condition of the murals. Knowing that Hennings’ work has been going for top dollar at auctions, Chuck Merkner encouraged the Cathedral to see what was in the pipes.

A plan was set into motion. A window company was called to remove the glass from a window in the bell tower and a rope rigging was created to lower the first pipe to the ground which was carried to the Great Hall. All who were there wondered, “would the canvas have chunks of plaster buried in it? Did it suffer damage from the fire, water, heat or cold? Would the paint cause the canvas to be stuck onto itself? Would it all just be a sad, crumbly mess?”

With great anticipation, the first pipe was opened- the canvas only slid out a few feet and got stuck, but because it was just too much to wait to try to get it all out, a bit of the mural was unrolled. There was the hand of Jesus.

Over the next few hours, the other two pipes were lowered out of the tower and carried into the Great Hall. Restoration expert Bob Swain of Beauchamp’s Gallery was called in to unroll the panels and he assured everyone that they were in surprisingly good condition.

More research is now being done to find out more about the artist.

He was originally from Chicago, and in fact did some work for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad for their calendars (examples can be seen at the Great Overland Station). He settled in Taos in 1921 and became a member of the prestigious Taos Society of Artists.

An appraiser has been scheduled to determine the value of the mural on April. And so, our story will be continued…..

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derby

Check sevenieghtfive.com for more information and for a time lapse video of the hunt.

Two Kentucky Derby parties ensure you’ll have an excuse to wear a big hat and drink mint juleps.

K

entucky Derby hats are a must for the first race of horse racing’s Triple Crown and local artists are helping dress you. Derby hats have been created

by Topeka artists and will be auctioned off starting April 7 at downtowntopekainc.com. Hats are on display at Warehouse 414 (414 SE 2nd Street) and the proceeds benefit Downtown Topeka Inc. After you get the perfect hat, attend DTI’s Derby fundraising party on May 5 at the Jayhawk Tower.

Tickets are $50 and the event begins at 3p.

Features include mint juleps, a dessert bar, other refreshments, and of course, the big race (and betting. Yes live betting). aseveneightfive

DTI Derby Party

3p | Jayhawk Tower $50 | Includes drinks and dessert bar | Fundraiser for Downtown Topeka Inc.

S

Let’s Horse Around!

Dandy Derby Party

2p Serendipity | 820 N KS Ave Drinks, Food, Fun

erendipity and seveneightfive have teamed up to bring a Kentucky Derby party of huge proportions.

Under the leadership of Jenny Torrance-Harris, who has been known to throw great annual derby parties in Holiday Park, the team will be serving up the signature drinks and have the race on (of course). Other fun activities include games and peoples choice for hats. (Suggestion - bring Cinco de Mayo into the festivities and doctor up a sombrero. We’re thinking about it.) aseveneightfive

Poetry + Lit Events

April 14 | ReThink Topeka Dennis Etzel Jr. Boscos | 1:15p Begin Again: 1 50 KS Poets Read March 14 | 7p Emporia State University March 15 | 6 pm Matthew Porubsky Topeka Shawnee County Public Library (TSCPT)

The Waters

I had the special honor to interview Patricia Traxler, one of the first poets I read. She is known for her environmental, feminist poetry and work.

Dennis: Your literary career has spanned from poetry to fiction. What are you working on now?

Patricia: Poetry is always at the heart of my fiction, and it’s what drives me. For the last decade I’ve been working on three books concurrently. One of them is a novel set in Montana, which I’ve just finished and sent off to my agent. Then there’s my fourth poetry collection. The third book is my short-story collection, which looks with a kind of irony and dark humor at faith and broken faith in love relationships.

Dennis: What “role(s)” do you think poetry plays in society? And what role does your poetry serve?

Patricia: Poetry at its best should be dangerous, it should unsettle us and make us see the world, for better and worse, with fresh eyes and employing our fullest humanity. In relation to that, What about these jonquil bulbs that bear and bloom I think of Yeats’ line about the year after year beside the porch, as if the hand 1916 Easter Rising, “A terrible that planted them decades ago were still beauty is born.” Real awareness in the world to hail their bounty? And what is like that-painful and necesof the doe who comes from the woods to the edge sary, with a ‘terrible’ beauty at of the north field every evening, standing the heart of that knowing.” calm beside the rude highway that cuts through her heaven, as if nothing were there As for my own poetry, it doesn’t but the silence of wheat. Not knowledge, address themes from a grand but belief. Or our voices leaping back point of view. I try to address and forth over the wire, conjuring larger themes in an intimate, presence, as if distance and time and a life close-up sort of way. I think if we were nothing. (Think how time must prove itself could just underconstantly through movement, inventing observable stand what passes change.) Not having, but desiring. Your palm between two peoon my belly, fingers warm over hipbone, pulse ple in an intimate of your wrist twinned in the cells of my skin. Not setting-honesty photograph, but memory. Consider this: the Word and lies, fidelity made flesh. Oh, I know what love is. I once saw and broken faith, the heart still beating in the carcass of a butchered hen. longevity and at-

You could say we asked for it; we did everything but dance for it. Now, after the long drought, our world is drowning. Woods and fields lie deep in brackish water, and that odor holes up in the throat for days, caught like the rot of truths unspoken. The life we made is under water, wind and thunder batter the land all night, shake the walls. But I am calm with clarity. Faith and despair settle similarly in the skin, easing slowly past doubt. I can stand here at the window now and note the way the light from the moon has caught the rippling surface of the water as it rises to take the jutting cottonwoods, oaks, and elms.

trition, the whole range of human behaviors-we could more easily understand war, economics, history, sociology, psychology-probably even continental drift!

Dennis: I enjoyed reading your ecopoems in Begin Again: 150 Kansas Poems. Maybe you could apply the “two people” idea to the I-thou connection in poetry about nature?

Patricia: Hmmm, now you’re getting all Martin Buber on me! Buber believed that we form relationship (not relationships, plural-but relationship, however fleeting) with lots of people, even complete strangers who pass through our lives briefly. Those relationships change us, form us, enliven us and illuminate us. Buber’s ideas suggest a generosity of spirit, an expansive way of seeing others, even those we may not care for, because we change one another all the time, just by co-existing.

Poetry’s place in all that, I believe, is to sort of peel back the layers of protective insulation we wrap ourselves in, and in that way to help us see connections. That’s why I focus on the common denominator of relationship; in those connections so much is revealed of whom we are and what it means to be human, alive on the earth together and alone. aseveneightfive

Articles of Faith

If you would like to be informed of other Top City poetry readings, please look for Dennis on Facebook under “Top City Poetry Reading Series.”

alive on the Earth together and alone: an interview w/Patricia Traxler

poetry + literature | interview with Patricia Traxler

lit

poetry editor: Dennis Etzel Jr.

lifestyle • fun in the dirt

dig up some dirt + history Learn a little history...be an archeologist for a day or week

by Bob Hoard • photos provided by The Kansas Historical Society

A

d Astra, the sculpture of a Kansa Indian on top of the Kansas State Capitol dome, is a striking feature of the downtown skyline as you drive into town. It’s a reminder to the people of Kansas that before Kansas was a state, the Kansa Indians, among others, lived in northeast Kansas. Three of their villages were in Shawnee County, and one, called Fool’s Chief village, was occupied from 1830 to 1844 and is just outside the present city limits of Topeka.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to see what remains of this village? If you want to, you can. The Kansas Historical Society in Topeka is teaming up with the Kansas Anthropological Association (a group of amateur archeologists), the Kansas Department of Transportation, and archeologists from regional universities to conduct a scientific excavation of the village. They’re asking you to help.

The Kansas Archeology Training Program field school (regulars call it the KATP) will be conducted at the village June 2-17. Every summer this program allows individuals and families to work side by side with scientists to excavate an archeological site. Participants can work in the field excavating, or if you’re not a fan of being in the sun all day, you can work in an air-conditioned lab cleaning and sorting the artifacts from the site.

You can work as little as one day or for as much as Learn more: the whole two weeks. The field school moves to a KS Historical Society website different spot each year, but this year it’s here in kshs.org/p/kansas-archeologyTopeka. While there’s a lot of other things going on training-program-fieldin Topeka in June, participating in the excavation schoo-2012/14622 of this site will be something completely different, June 2 - 17 | Topeka and you’ll be learning about local history to boot.

KS Archeology

aseveneightfive 22

by Larissa Keller + Kerrice Mapes photos by Jeff Carson | GIZMO Pictures

downtown

library

lifestyle • farmers markets

markets

T

At the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, you can pick up good literature and groceries. Starting June 4, customers can pick up much more than books and DVDs. They can buy food directly from Kansas farmers.

The Monday Farmers Market is 8-11:30a in the West parking lot. The market includes locally grown produce, along with Kansas wheat bread, Native Kansas plants, fresh herbs, bedding plants and cut flowers.

mid-week Off the Avenue Market

Sponsored by Capital City Wellness kdheks.gov/bhp/farmers_market

Wednesdays 7:30a - noon 10th + Jackson Friday starts at 9a 8th + KS Ave

Starts mid-May

‘tis the season for fresh produce, local goods and a reason to get up at 7a on saturday

EXTENDED Hours Fresh Fish & Seafood Shop

he signs of growth are everywhere, from the flowering trees, to the tulips and unfortunately, the sound of lawn mowers. The start of spring is also the beginning of a weekly ritual for many people in Topeka – the Downtown Farmers Market. Opening day is Saturday, April 14th, and the market runs through mid-November. Locals bring produce, plants, baked goods, crafts, homemade food, and more every Saturday morning from 7:30a - noon. Head down to the market sooner than usual this year – the warm weather will no doubt bring bountiful produce earlier than last year. Don’t take a chance on missing early asparagus or rhubarb because you wanted to sleep in one more week. Get up, get dressed, and head downtown for fresh breakfast and coffee, then stroll around and bring home more local goods than you know what to do with. Before heading out the door, check out Larissa’s blog, Farmers Market Grab Bag, to learn more about new vendors as well as long-time favorites. (Blog at seveneightfive.com)

noto

A new style of the Saturday market opened in NOTO on April 7.

The market’s focus is on arts, antiques, fine crafts, flea market items and local produce, with a goal to have an area of heritage food booths reflective of the multicultural neighboring community. The market is the perfect partner to the already popular Downtown Farmers Market, making you stretch across Kansas Ave. Located on the North end of KS Ave, under the Memorial Bridge. aseveneightfive

Introducing the express pedicure at Envy Salon, because sometimes all you need is a quickie.

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M-F: 10:30am - 6:30pm saturday: 10:30am - 5pm Closed Sunday

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$25

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music • Joe Bonamassa

Bonamassa had faith in the idea of Manifest Destiny… “a concept of not ever saying if but when about reaching a goal.”

blues man

by Robin Cremer • photo contributed

I

f you’re a sucker for the sweet satisfying tone of a classic Les Paul, in the deft hands of a master musician, driving it through a wall of screaming souped-up tube amps, backed by a top notch band of seasoned professionals, you need to get downtown May 2. Joe Bonamassa and crew will be tearing up the stately Topeka Performing and Arts Center and rebuild it into the biggest, baddest blues joint in Northeast Kansas.

Guitarist magazine christened him the “New King of the Blues.”

Gibson.com has proclaimed, “There is no better Blues-Rock guitarist,” and even the Motor City madman Ted Nugent has gone on record regarding Bonamassa, pronouncing, “This kid deserves to be in the same class with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck.”

A fourth generation musician playing since age four, when his father gave him his first guitar, by seven he was nailing Jimi and Stevie Ray tunes. In his mid-teens, Bonamassa formed Bloodline with Erin Davis, Waylon Kreiger and Barry Oakley Jr. It was a union that produced an album and two Topeka Performing Arts Center chart singles, “Stone Mesmerizing blues-rock guitar Cold Hearted,” and tpactix.org for tickets “Dixie Peach.” The Tickets range from $47 -$77 turn of the century

Joe Bonamassa May 2

found him launching his solo career and cutting a slew of critically acclaimed albums, beginning in 2000, with “A New Day Yesterday,” with his most recent, “Dust Bowl” in 2011.

In 2008, Bonamassa celebrated 20 years as a professional musician with the release “Live from Nowhere in Particular.” An album clearly demonstrating the stage is where Bonamassa comes alive.

A collection of stunning blues readings (Sloe Gin, If Heartaches Were Nickels), stomping acoustic numbers (Woke Up Dreaming, High Water Everywhere) and lovingly reworked rock classics (ZZ Tops ‘Just Got Paid Today’, Ten Years After’s tragically overlooked ‘One Of These Days’, Jethro Tull’s ‘A New Day Yesterday’). Of the release, Bonamassa writes, “this record comes at a time that I feel is a culmination of 20 years of very hard work. During much of that time I existed in relative obscurity… there were moments when I wondered if I could really achieve what I believed was possible with my music, but, I also had faith in the idea of Manifest Destiny… a concept of not ever saying if but when about reaching a goal.”

In 2010, he realized his childhood dream of playing London’s 140-year-old concert hall, resulting in the DVD of the event: “Joe Bonamassa Live from the Royal Albert Hall.” During the course of the evening, 60s blues revivalist Eric Clapton took the stage for a mind-blowing jam of “Further on up the Road.” About the great Slowhand, Joe says, “the reason why I play the guitar the way I play the guitar is, above all, Clapton is really the god. If it wasn’t for Clapton, I’d be a different guitarist.” >> continued on next page

24

Joe Bonamassa and crew will be tearing up the stately Topeka Performing and Arts Center and rebuild it into the biggest, baddest blues joint in Northeast Kansas.

NEW CITY KNOWS LUNCH

Irish Blues rocker Rory Gallagher, Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green, and Free guitarist Paul Kossoff, among others from that era, also play a large part in the development of Bonamassa’s music. And let’s not forget the late great Master of the Telecaster, Danny Gatton, who was his mentor during his teen years.

Late March found Bonamassa releasing yet another live DVD, “Joe Bonamassa: Beacon Theatre - Live From New York,” with guest appearances by Beth Hart, John Hiatt and Paul Rodgers. With Tal Bergman on drums, Carmine Rojas on bass and Rick Melick on keyboards, the release promises to be another must have for Bonamassa fans and connoisseurs of great classic blues and rock music.

Topeka is honored to have an artist of this magnitude perform in our fair city. This is your chance to catch a regular “Joe” who realized a dream many years ago. Let’s get down to TPAC, Wednesday May 2 and show the kid some love.

Maybe he’ll make TopCity a regular stop on his treks across the nation and abroad. aseveneightfive

Gage Shopping Center & NOW in Downtown Topeka 715 S. Kansas Ave LUNCH:

11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | M - F

4005 Gage Center Drive

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Gage: 271.8646 • Downtown 215.8141 newcityonline.biz | Friend US on Facebook

25

history geeks • Kansas Music Hall of Fame

kansas music hall of fame The best of the best

by Deb Bisel • photos by Beth Myers

T

John Neal

opeka’s music history is so rich and diverse that it rivals any city better known in national music circles.

For proof, we have only to look at the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.

Founded in 2004 to recognize the significant contributions and achievements of musicians with a Kansas connection, the KMHOF holds a concert and induction ceremony each year at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, the former Red Dog Inn. Topeka is well-represented. This year, the band White Clover was honored, one of the many manifestations of the internationally known band, Kansas. Burlington Express from Topeka was inducted to the delight of a legion of fans.

Also inducted this year was Mike Finnigan and his late partner, Jerry Wood. Their collaboration, Crazed Hipsters, is a classic.

The 6-foot-five Finnigan came to the University of Kansas on a sports scholarship but the Hammond B-3 had more lure than the basketball. His performance on the album Electric Ladyland with Jimi Hendrix created an instant demand for his talent that has not waned over the decades. Finnigan commented on those early years in Kansas and their impact on his growth as an artist.

“In the 60s there was live music everywhere,” he said. “People didn’t think it was in their IPods or on MTV. There were scores of bars and nightclubs with live music all over Kansas.

And people went out to hear it, and to dance. If it weren’t for the thriving live scene, in Kansas and around the country, I wouldn’t still be in this business. Working in clubs every night was how I really learned to play. I didn’t make a lot of money, but I made enough for three squares, a place to live, and an instrument...and that was enough. I loved it!”

Finnigan was touring and unable to attend this years induction.

His former drummer, Ray “Bags” Bagby, organized a tribute group that included Dennis Laplant, Michael D, and Topekans John Neal and Gary Bisel. Their selections including the blues classic, “Death Letter,” which sounds like a downer until you hear a gravelly voice belting out those soulful lyrics. Finnigan and Wood is a must-have if you think you know the midwest music scene.

Multiple KMHOF inductees Bisel and Neal have been Finnigan fans and friends for years. Bisel played that same B-3 that Finnigan played for Hendrix and has fond memories of hauling around that heavy organ from gig to gig.

The Kansas Music Hall of Fame has a Facebook page and its annual concert/induction is open to the public or you can become a member in order to vote for inductions. aseveneightfive

26

▲Drummer Dave Spritzer (Josh Vowell and the Rumble) sat in with his old boss, Johnny Isom, who was inducted into the KSMHOF earlier this year.

Gary Bisel

RULE OF THIRDS

welcome to

We love dessert so much, we can’t decide on just one, & you’ll never have to.

785.235.1700 515 SW VAN BUREN TOPEKA RowHouseRestaurant.net WEEKLY UNIQUE MENU | RESERVATION RECOMMENDED

Upcoming Events for YPs Fast Forward is a program of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce designed to offer young professionals a place to socialize, network and grow in leadership potential through a variety of yearly programs.

For more information or to RSVP go to fastforwardtopeka.org

InsIders serIes Members FREE / Guests $10

Wednesday, May 4 | 11 am - 12:30 pm Hill’s Pet Nutrition Research and Development 1035 NE 43rd Street

Monthly networkIng socIals Members FREE / Guests $5 / 5- 7 pm / Thursday

April 26: Sports Car Club of America 6700 SW Topeka Blvd. Bldg 300 B

May 24: Briggs Kia 3411 S Topeka Blvd.

fastforwardtopeka.org 27

5Q: |five questions with Artifact

5Q Artifact

by Kara Garcia photo by Melissa Padilla

Artifact is comprised of front man Ross Williams, keyboardist Brock “Chili Bowl” Chart, bassist Joel “The Toad” Stratton, and Dave Liston on percussion.

Having performed in such showcases as LOUDsoftLOUD and Jam4Dan, the band is quickly gaining popularity. I sat down with some of the men of Artifact to discuss who they are as individuals and as a group.

When it comes to music, who are you biggest influences?

Ross: As an individual, Jimmy Hendrix was the first musician I really paid attention to and he has always been someone I come back to. I’ve gone through a lot of other artists on my journey as a songwriter, but probably the biggest influential discovery would be Spoon or anything Jack White has done. Joel: The band Wilco, and as far as jazz goes, Charles Mingus. Brock: Musically, I’d say Bill Evans is my favorite jazz piano player; I can’t get enough of his stuff. Dave: The guys with the biggest personalities behind the drum kit. Keith Moon, Chad Smith, Alex Van Halen, Elgin Jones... and guys who can command an entire symphony; Ricardo Mutti and Gustavo Dudamel.

Do any of you have a lucky charm or ritual for shows to make sure things go well?

Ross: I’ve learned to eat several hours before a gig, because the natural body mechanics of singing can get kind of awkward on stage [like] having to burp

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Joel “The Toad” Stratton - bass Brock “Chili Bowl” Chart – keyboard Ross Williams – vocals, guitar Dave Liston – drums or other bodily functions. Joel: I’m not really a superstitious guy. We had a bobcat skull, and Dave would put it on his drum set... but we lost it. Dave: A cigarette is usually a good idea, and warming up is always helpful.

Why is the band named ‘Artifact’?

Ross: I was reading a lot of post-modern philosophy. (Laughs) Honestly, that’s my real answer. I think it’s a really good reflection of the state of rock and roll, and it’s also an appropriate contemporary view of how our generation views media.

We’re there, and then we’re gone.

Basically, with the culture of things happening right now, always now, you forget about stuff that has already happened relatively quickly. I think the name “Artifact” recognizes that. It’s sort of cynical, but it’s also my way of just dealing with it.

What has been your favorite venue you’ve played at, so far?

Ross: We played a really good show at the Czar Bar recently. I’d like to play there again. Brock: We played on a stage set up in front of a bank vault. It was pretty cool. Ross: Yeah. I think we’d all

agree we’re grateful at any venue we play at. Brock: Just to play in front of people is really cool. Joel: I thought we played pretty well at The Celtic Fox, during Jam4Dan. Dave: There’s nothing like a good garage or living room show, I’ll tell ya that much.

If you weren’t a musician, how would you creatively express yourself?

Joel: I would just kill myself. Ross: That’s so dark. Joel: I don’t really have any other artistic talent. Maybe poetry? Ross: I’d probably do something in the sciences, or philosophy Brock: I can’t draw, but I would like to be able to draw. Dave: Pornography or photo-journalism Bonus Question.

Who is your favorite Disney princess, and why?

Ross: Jasmine from Aladdin, because I’m attracted to exotic women. Joel: If the Duchess from The Aristocats counts, I’m going with her. She’s a princess cat, because she goes out with a sexy jazz musician. Brock: I would also go with Jasmine, and have Nala from the Lion King as a close second. She’s kind of a bad ass. Dave: It would be Hulk Hogan if they allowed him at Disney. aseveneightfive

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