What to do this weekend? Glad you asked!

Hello lovelies,
I’ve got your weekend planned.
Seriously, down to the minute, planned.
I can’t believe how much great stuff there is going. I like to think its all in honor of my birthday weekend -- I can celebrate the whole weekend, right?

I. (first-ever) Indianapolis Songwriters Cafe Show - Friday, May 16th, 7:00 pm @ Boulevard Place Café
II. Otis Gibbs House Concert- Friday, May 16, 7 pm (arrive between 6:30-6:45 pm)
III. Jeff Holmes (of the Floating Men) –Friday, May 16, 8:00 pm @ Indy Hostel
IV. Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market – Saturday, May 17, 8:00-noon, behind BRHS
V. Cottage Home Neighborhood Home Tour- Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
VI. Broad Ripple Art Fair – Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
VII. ike Winter with Amy & Duane Summers – Saturday, May 17, 7:00 pm @ Indy Hostel.
VIII. Lare Williams and New Direction House Concert – Sunday, May 18, 6:00 pm.

I realized as I was typing the list that all of the events are nonsmoking and family friendly. And don’t feel like you need to just pick one this to do this weekend. – I think four out of eight is very reasonable.

Read on for details, descriptions and a way to get a free ticket to the Cottage Home Home Tour and a complimentary yoga session!
- I’m sure I’ll see you out and about,
xoxo, Nora


I. (first-ever) Indianapolis Songwriters Cafe Show
Bill Price, Frank Dean and Brent Bennett
Friday, May 16th, 7:00 pm, $5.
Boulevard Place Café
4155 Boulevard Place


Cliff Synder is the hardest working man in the singer/songwriter business. He’s kicking off the first of a series of Songwriters Café Shows. Cliff created this wonderful site: Songwriters Café. It is chock-full of information, schedules and one air-brushed photo of moi. Cliff has put his heart, soul, countless hours and money-where-his-mouth-is into this show. The rounded up the best-of-the best for this show. It would warm his little heart to see you there.
www.indianapolissongwriterscafe.com
www.billprice.info
www.frankdean.com
www.brentbennettmusic.com


II. Otis Gibbs House Concert
Friday, May 16, 7 pm (arrive between 6:30-6:45 pm)
$10

The Jackson’s are the new kids on the house concert circuit. They are hosting Wanamaker’s favorite son Otis Gibbs.
The details -
Who: You + your musically astute friends & family (no small children please)
Where: The Jackson’s house near Butler University
When: Friday, May 16 @ 7pm start time. Please arrive between 6:30 & 6:45
Why: Because we love good music by good people
Suggested Donation: $10 (100% of donations go to Otis)
Feel free to bring a snack or your favorite drink to share. NO RED WINE.
They have two 60-lb friendly dogs that will be locked up for the night. But if you are allergic, remember to take your allergy medicine.
They will send you a confirmation letter (which includes directions to our home in near Butler University on Indy’s North side) when you write back to let us know you'll be joining us for this great evening of music. RSVP to kyle@flatearthrecords.com
About Otis: Otis writes & sings songs that tell stories about small town life, simple pleasures, as well as protest songs championing workers rights.
Rick Cornell of NO DEPRESSION described Otis music as, “It’s the perfect mix of wit & grit.”
The CHAMPIAGN/URBANA CITY VIEW said, “Thinking Mans Country comes closest to the sound & wordsmithing of this brilliant singer/songwriter.”

www.otisgibbs.com
www.reverbnation.com/otisgibbs
www.flatearthrecords.com


III. Jeff Holmes (of the Floating Men)
Friday, May 16, 8:00 pm, $10
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave

The Indy Hostel has a house concert vibe, the only difference is the living room is bigger, brighter and has a better sound system than my house. And no stacks of books to trip over. Floating Man member Jeff Holmes is playing a solo show. I love this quote, “He's the illegitimate father of lit-rock and could've launched Americana—yet Jeff Holmes still keeps a day job after two decades of great songwriting. It's a dashing "I'm the biologist who's gonna save the world" kind of day job, but Renaissance men should be free to let the art come first… The only other consistency has been Holmes' ability to write incredibly indulgent music that's catchy and appealing. He's a timid intellectual at heart, but also a wordy bastard who's fearless in mining classic pop territory. That's enough to qualify him as a true outsider artist, but without the extra chromosome."
-J.R, Taylor , Black and White, Birmingham's City Paper
www.indyhostel.us
www.myspace.com/jeffholmesthefloatingmen

IV. Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market
behind Broad Ripple High School
Saturday, May 17, 8:00-noon

This is the third week for the Market. Last week’s purchases: a package of locally produced pork chops, goat cheese, 4-H geraniums, a poppy plant and two tomato plants. The pork chops are so big and hearty looking and enough for a family of four that they scared me and I tossed them in the freezer- I blame Joe the cute meat guy for making me lose focus. I’ve been snacking on the cheese all week and have managed not to kill any of the plants, yet. The Market has it all- pie, music and community. Check out musician Tom Duncan while you’re there.

V. Cottage Home Neighborhood Home Tour
Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
11:00-5:00
$10, available at each home

I adore the Cottage Home Neighborhood. Lovely houses and even more charming neighbors. I rode my bike to an event there last year. Before I headed home someone filled my tire with air, I’d had two home tours and a beer – all offered by people that I didn’t know. The home and garden tour features twelve eclectic homes…and, of course, gardens. For more information: www.cottagehome.info
I’ll be hanging out (docent is the official term) at the Henderson house on Saturday, and not just because Laura offered a free yoga class. She is still looking for a few more volunteers to help “man” their house- the reward: a pass to the tour and a yoga class for a two hour volunteer shift. Contact Laura for more details: leahpilates@gmail.com

VI. Broad Ripple Art Fair
Saturday, 10:00-6:00
Sunday, 10:00-5:00
Indianapolis Art Center$15 adults/$2 children

I don’t know that I can say much about this Art Fair that has not been said in the last 38 years.
Great art (say hi to Douglas David) and fabulous music (Michael Kelsey, The Richmonds and Ruditoonz to name a few).
Click here to download the program.


VII. Mike Winter with Amy & Duane Summers
Saturday, May 17
7:00 pm, $5
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave

Mike Winters... a blend of country rock influences with songs of love for God, country and family. A balance of tempo ballads and rockers.
Duane and Amy Summers... Amy is a singer songwriter with passion, powerful lyrics and a beautiful singing voice. Duane adds strong accompaniment and harmonies.

www.indyhostel.us


VIII. Lare Williams and New Directon
Home Fields Advantage Concert Series Season Finale
Sunday, May 18, 6 pm
$10 donation

I saved the best for last!
The Home Fields Advantage Concert Series sets the bar pretty darn high for house concerts.
I’ll let the lovely Cary Allen Fields give you the lowdown:
It's been a marvelous "Home Fields Advantage" house concert season, and we're going to wrap it up in style!
With frequently-requested original songs such as "Changing Town" often heard on The Fields Of Bluegrass Radio Hour, this national touring act hails from Western Michigan and is one of the finest contemporary bluegrass aggregations on the scene today.
Lare Williams, with his smooth and distinctive tenor voice, leads this highly-entertaining family band which also includes Patty and Baley Williams. Rounding out the quartet is banjo man Tod Chapman. Everyone contributes vocals, and the harmonies and fine ensemble playing of Lare Williams & New Direction are truly a thing to be heard and to behold!

Hear here:
www.myspace.com/larewilliamsnewdirection
www.larewilliams.com

And, in keeping with our Utopian vision for a better musical tomorrow,
100% goes to the artists.

And...

This is a pitch-in, so bring a dish or favorite drink, if you'd like.

Please RSVP ASAP!!! bluegrassindy@yahoo.com
This one will fill-up fast, there are only 25 seats available.

We'll send a confirmation letter (which includes directions to our illustrious hostess Cyndi's warm and welcoming home in Nora on Indy's north side) when you write back to let us know you'll be joining us for this great evening of music.

http://fieldsofbluegrass.com
http://myspace.com/fields_of_bluegrass

That’s all I’ve got folks- I’ll see you soon,
N.

Kriss Luckett and Greg Ziesmer May 10

first published in the nuvo

Kriss Luckett and Greg Ziesmer are wrapping up the 2007-2008 Indy Folk Series season. 

Read the preview here. 

Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 5. no 10

I’ve been super busy lately…I know, I know, what’s new Spitznogle? You’re always busy. Let’s see…to catch up, the MacBook arrived and I promptly burned a blister on to the top. That might have set a new record for how quickly I’ve dinged up something new.

The day the computer arrived was great. I got home in time to mow the lawn for the first time this year --for the first time since it's been 'my house, my yard.' The mower started up on the first pull and I finished five minutes before the rain began. I popped a bowl of popcorn and sat in my living room with the door open, lights off and candles lit. The house smelled great-- rain, springtime, freshly cut grass and the scent of a candle that I bought in Ireland. I didn't turn on the television all night (even though the pull of Ugly Betty, The Office and Grey's Anatomy was pretty heavy). I sat in my grandpa's old rocker in the dark and wrote and rocked and thought and rocked and wrote and enjoyed being in my house.

Around 11:00 I put my hand on the top of the computer to shut the lid and made a horrible discovery. I honestly thought I was going to faint. The beautiful smelling Belleck candle from had melted a spot on the top of the computer.

I’m happy to show off the new black MacBook, just pretend like you don’t see the big bump.

Justin Townes Earle

Friday, April 25, 2005

Spencer’s Stadium Tavern

Tammy Lieber and I trekked out of our Broad Ripple comfort zone to see Justin Townes Earle. I always try to write about Justin with out mentioning that he is the son of Steve Earle and namesake of Townes Van Zandt, but that is nearly impossible. And as much as he might not want it to be, it’s part of his story. I cannot imagine how hard it is to be 25 years old, sober for four years and constantly being compared to his iconic father.

This was my fourth time seeing Justin in Indianapolis, and I’m a big fan. I have one of his posters hanging in my office and listen to his “Yuma” CD often. I’m really enjoying watching Justin try out new styles and grow in to his own skin. I’m also thrilled to see that Indianapolis is starting to support him. The first couple of times that I saw him the same dozen people were in the audience. This show the dozen of us (minus Otis and Amy) were joined by fifty other people. It warmed my heart to see people singing along and dancing to Justin’s songs. I think a big part of that has to do with Justin’s new album being featured on the listening posts at Luna Music.

Justin played a song about being a 15 year-old in a Methadone clinic in North Carolina. It occurred to me that methadone is the new whiskey in country music songs.

Justin was touring with Cory Younts. Cory played harmonica, banjo and mandolin. The two created some good old honky-tonk fun. They played Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Justin teased Cory about his banjo “looks like some hillbilly put strings on a drum.”

For this first time since I’ve been seeing Justin he played one of his father’s songs, “because he was in a good mood.” Off stage Justin told me that he finally came around to singing his father’s songs after a fan pointed out that if someone came to see Arlo Guthrie, they would expect to hear a Woody Guthrie song and know that he was honoring his father’s music, not trying to be his father.

I purchased his new CD, “The Good Life,” but have not had a chance to listen to it yet. He played a lot of his new songs; they had a Western swing, honky-tonk flavor. I like how he’s experimenting with his sound, finding his own groove- just like any 25 year old should.

I also experimented with something at this show, trying to find my writing groove. I decided that I could take notes on my iPhone. It’s got a notebook feature and it lights up. Perfect solution, right? Wrong! I felt so lame, like I was sending text messages instead of listening to the music.
www.myspace.com/justintownesearle

Peter Sagal

Block Forum Series

Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation

The Block Forum series is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Peter Sagal is the host of the quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! And he’s very funny. He told us that he could not do his typical talk because he usually plays clips from the show and was not able to do that here. He talked about how Indiana is ripe for political pandering and we could play a good prank on the politicians by pretending that our only concern was with oversized golf clubs. You can read the whole essay on his Web site.

Peter just published his first book “The Book of Vice. Very Naughty Things (And How To Do Them). When he was signing my book, I mentioned that I’ve always wanted to be known as Naughty Nora, but I could never quite pull it off. Peter signed the book: To Naughty Nora, maybe this will help.

I’ll keep you posted.

http://www.petersagal.com/

Mini Marathon

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Thanks to all of the musicians who played along the Mini Marathon route. I cannot tell you how much it is appreciated. I really enjoyed Win With Willard, they were pop-y fresh faced goodness even that early in the morning, especially after I know they played at the Melody Inn the night before. Oh, to be young again.

Previews:
Second Friday, Second Helpings

Friday, May 9, 2008

9:00, 21+, donation to Second Helpings

The Upper Room (above Broad Ripple Steak House)

Cara Jean Wahlers, Jenn Christy and Dawn Matheson

This is the third installment of the Second Friday, Second Helpings series. The musicians (note the all-woman lineup) will trade songs and stories - my very favorite way to hear music. I’m already a big Cara fan (The Breakups, 19Clark25), I’ve been remiss in not hearing Jenn sooner and I’m not even sure if I’m spelling Dawn’s name properly – so it will be a fun new discovery!
Last month the show raised $100 for Second Helpings, it was really appreciated- noticed the gas prices recently? Feel free to bring rice and pasta- we use 125 pounds every single day.

Friday, May 16, 2008

7pm,

$5, all ages, non smoking

Frank Dean, Bill Price and Brent BennettBoulevard Place Café

4155 Boulevard Place

Cliff Snyder is presenting the first of a monthly songwriter series hosted by the Indianapolis Songwriters Café. Cliff is the hardest working man in the singer-songwriter world. He’s put together an amazing Web site. He describes the Indianapolis Songwriters Café as a “community bridge, bringing together information and resources for both local artists and fans of songwriter music.

The ISC will host a monthly show the third Friday of the every month at Boulevard Place Cafe, featuring three songwriters in the round. Creating a true listening room environment that will give both performers and audience an intimate, memorable experience where songs can be heard and stories can be told. The Web site is loaded with information on local venues, a community calendar, promoters and songwriter friendly press/radio contacts, open mic events, house concerts and more. ISC will serve as a one-stop shop for anything songwriter related in Indianapolis.

The long-term goal of the Indianapolis Songwriters Cafe is simple - to create an atmosphere & culture where Indianapolis finds more songwriters performing original music locally and to see more fans connected with artists.”

The Friday show will feature Frank Dean (Sindacato), Bill Price (Brains behind Pa) and Brent Bennett (Brent Bennett & The Movers).

Cliff has created a wonderful thing. Please check out the Web site for lots of great information. As a bonus, you get see my air-brushy professional photograph.

http://www.indianapolissongwriterscafe.com/

Broad Ripple Farmer’s Market

Saturday’s,

8:00-noon behind BRHS

May 10- Chad Mills

May 17- Tom Duncan

I had to miss the first week of the Market (Mini Marathon), so I’m looking forward to Saturday. Take some time to hang out and hear the music.

Tonic BallFriday,

November 21

You heard it here first- The King vs. Queen.

Yep, Elvis songs will be covered in the Fountain Square Theatre and Queen in Radio Radio.

Oh, baby

Emily Wood, Emily White and Abi Tapia

first published in nuvo

Preview for two great singer-songwriter shows featuring three amazing woman. Read it here.