41st annual Swiss Wine Festival 2012

41st annual Swiss Wine Festival
Aug. 23-26, 2012

The festival, held at the Paul Ogle Riverfront Park in Vevay, IN, is a four-day celebration commemorating Switzerland County’s wine-making roots and bragging rights as the “Birthplace of the First Successful Commercial Winery in the United States.”

Events

Wine Tasting Pavilion

Midwest Championship Grape Stomp

Arts & crafts

Amusement rides

Grand Festival Parade

Riverboat cruises

5K run/walk

Cheerleading competition

Live entertainment

Free video game truck for children and adults

Close Encounters of the Exotic Kind-includes lions, tigers, and elephants

Participating wineries

Buck Creek

Carousel

Chateau De Pique

Ertel Cellars

French Lick

Grateful Goat Vineyard

Harmony

Indiana Creek

Lanthier

Ridge

Windy Knoll

Winzerwald

Entertainment

Sammy Kershaw

Aaron Tippin\

Brittany Gillstrap

Hi-Tops

Kent Family

Diamondback

Hot Wax

Kristen Hobbs

Stevie and the Johns

I69

Dusty Road Band

The ZuZu African Acrobats

Kent Family Magic Circus

Daniel Lusk

Rik Roberts

joyUNSPEAKABLE

Upholding the Swiss Wine Festival tradition, gates open Thurs., Aug. 23 at 6 pm with the Little Swiss Polka and Edelweiss Dancers. Festivities on Saturday morning begins at 10 am with the Grand Festival Parade in downtown Vevay.

For more details on festival, entertainment and activities, and entry and parking costs, visit SwissWineFestival.org.

 Images: submitted by Swiss Wine Fest
Elizabeth J. Musgrave, who writes Gotta Go, is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Read her new column, Infused, at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several Indianapolis area newspapers. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Holbox Hosts Inaugural Food & Wine Festival 2012

Holbox, a small island just off Mexico's shore, celebrates the island's specialty dishes and top-notch chefs, with the first ever Gastronomic Festival from August 30 to September 3.

Organized by the Island of Holbox Restaurant Association, the festival welcomes locals and tourists to the small Mexican Caribbean Island located just northwest of Cancun. Guests can enjoy the natural scenery and sandy streets lined with Caribbean-style houses and sample the restaurants.

Offered as a package deal through local agencies, attendees will receive lunch and a three-course dinner, including dessert, at any of the 25 participating restaurants for just $36.

The scenic tropical location is only 26 miles long and separated from the Mexico's mainland by a shallow lagoon. According to IHRA, Holbox is considered to have some of the finest restaurants along the coast with diversified culinary options from Mexican to International fare.

The tiny island has more than 25 restaurants and Holbox chefs offer specialty dishes, including lobster pizza, crust pastor mushroom casserole and stuffed squid.

Seafood in Holbox is a specialty due to its freshness. People of Holbox Island make their living from fishing, so plan on seeing fishermen carrying that day's catch as they walk through the village.

Unspoiled paradise features white-sand beaches, calm, crystalline waters and exotic species of flora and fauna. Holbox is situated near three islands: Yalahau, Passion Island and Bird Island or Isla Morena.

On Sept. 2, a Salsa band will bring the inaugural Holbox Gastronomic Festival to a close in the town square as six chefs with the best dishes receive the honorary “Golden Fork Award.”

For more information, including a full list of restaurants and specialty dishes, visit HolboxGastronomia.com.

Images: Submitted by IHRA

Elizabeth J. Musgrave, who writes Gotta Go, is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Read her newest column, Infused, at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several Indianapolis area newspapers. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

New Location for Heartland Film Festival 2012 and Sneak Peek Fundraiser

 

*Press Release*
INDIANAPOLIS – After hosting the Heartland Film Festival on the south and north sides of Indianapolis for several years, Heartland Truly Moving Pictures announced today that it will move from the south side to the northwest side for the 21st Annual Heartland Film Festival. Films will continue to be shown at AMC Castleton Square 14 and now in its new location, AMC Traders Point 12. The 10-day festival will take place October 18-27. The decision, which organizers believe will increase opportunities for festival-goers, was made after the organization struggled to increase ticket sales and revenue in its south side venue, making it impossible to financially sustain a south side presence.

This year, with a record-breaking 1,240 film submissions, the 21st Annual Heartland Film Festival will feature more movie choices than ever before. The selection committee reviewed each film and has selected the “best of the best” in new, independent films from all over the world that will move and inspire people, and change the way they look at the world.

Heartland Festival Film Sneak Peek

Film enthusiasts who can’t wait until the October Festival can attend the August 23 Sneak Peek fundraising event. The event will feature several previews of this year’s films, a live auction and an opportunity for donors to become a part of the Festival’s success. All proceeds from the evening benefit Heartland Truly Moving Pictures.

What

Heartland Festival Film Sneak Peek

When

Thursday, August 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where

The Old National Centre, Corinthian Room, 502 N. New Jersey St.

Cost

Tickets $85 per person; VIP Tickets $750 for a group of six (Limited to 10 Packages)

Website

TrulyMovingPictures.org.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist and freelance writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her second column, Infused, at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Indy Hula Announces 2nd Annual Luau Aug. 18

Indy Hula will hold its second annual Luau in celebration of the Polynesian spirit and culture, Sat., Aug. 18, from 6-9 pm. The event takes place at Park Tudor School, Indianapolis.
The event assists Indy Hula to continue its mission to perpetuate the Polynesian culture primarily through education. Proceeds will be used to purchase costumes and implements for students of Indiana School of Polynesian Arts. Funds will also be used to send ISPA students to Polynesian cultural and language classes, dance seminars and workshops to create precious implements, leis, floral and feather head pieces, costumes, etc.

The evening of enchantment presents authentic food, dance and music of the Polynesian Islands, including Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, Hawaii and New Zealand.

WHEN

Sat., Aug. 18, 2012, 6 – 9 p.m.

WHERE

Park Tudor School

Clowes Commons

7200 North College Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46240

Cost

$25 per person; $10 per child ages 4 – 12

Tickets

IndyHula/Tickets2012

Menu

Kalua Pig * Chicken Long Rice * Shoyu Chicken * Steamed Rice

Lomi Salmon * Macaroni * Green Mixed Greens

Haupia (Coconut Pudding) * Marble, Chocolate and White Cake

For more information, visit IndyHula.org

Photo credit: Indy Hula
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living columnist and freelance travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her newest column,Infused at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

3rd Annual Indianapolis Scottish Highland Games & Festival 2012 offers Scotch Whisky Tastings, Kilts and Clans

The 3rd annual Indianapolis Scottish Highland Games and Festival will be held Sat., Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at German Park, 8600 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis.

Presented by the Scottish Society of Indianapolis, the day features world class amateur athletes competing in the caber toss, hammer throw and sheath toss. Scottish and Celtic music, bagpipe soloists and other performers will perform throughout the day.

Events and Activities

 Mary Queen of Scots and her Court (the Tudor Rose Players)

Clans' ceremonial presentation of champions to Queen

40-50 world-class amateur athletes competing in Highland games

Live entertainment on 2 stages all day

8 Celtic bands

Pipe Bands

Fountain Trust Pipers

Roving entertainers

Highland dancers

Scottish cuisine

Scottish beer

Scotch whisky

Scotch whisky tastings

Scottish merchandise market

Youth activities

Clan tents

Bonniest knees contest

Haggis Toss

Highland Cows

*  Limited, Free Parking On-Site 

** Volunteer opportunities still available

Tickets: $12 adult/$6 child-advance at IndyScotGamesandFest.com; $15/$8-gate; active duty military (ID required) free, children 6 and under-free

Photos: Scottish Society of Indianapolis
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her newest column, Infused at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Infused 101: Shrub Cocktails with Cielo Mixologst Cory Cuff

In INFUSED, Elizabeth J. Musgrave connects the art of spirits, wine and beer with culinary and creative arts

Infused 101: All About Shrubs

A resurgence of an old-fashioned bartender staple has emerged and is catching the fast train to Trendyville. Although it sounds like a landscaper's problem, shrubs are popping up in homes and bars nationwide creating confusion with novice and seasoned drinkers alike.

What is it? How do I use it? Can I make it myself?

Initially coming into contact with shrubs at Iozzo’s, Indianapolis, I became intrigued and started researching. Shrub, which means “to drink” in its native Arabic language, is also the word origin for sherbet and syrup as well. Becoming common in the 18th Century as a fruit, sugar and alcohol drink, modern day shrubs are added to mixed drinks to create a much more intense depth of flavor. If paired properly with the other ingredients, it can intensify, highlight and broaden the flavors of the drink.

My friends at Cielo, St. Louis’ swanky rooftop modern Italian restaurant and nightspot, which sits high atop Four Seasons Hotel, were kind enough to create a teaching video. I spoke with in-residence mixologist, Cory Cuff, Certified Specialist of Spirits. Cuff also instructs Cielo’s mixology courses offered to Four Season’s guests. Topics include, Basic Mixing, Spirits & Cocktail Era, Pure Shrubbery, Advanced Bartending and Bar Managing. Cuff’s Pure Shrubbery course teaches the definition, use and types of shrubs, as well as creating and using the cordials.

Infused: In one sentence; what is a shrub?

Cory Cuff: It’s a vinegar-based cordial.

I: Do you drink it by itself or in a cocktail?

CC: All good shrubs should be able to be drunk alone. However, you want to put it with ingredients that will highlight and emphasize what you’re trying to get across. Cucumber-lime shrub? Put it with tequila: it’s a natural fit and will elevate both elements.



I: How difficult is it to make at home?

CC: It’s not difficult to make it. It’s mostly the mind frame that I am going to put vinegar in a mixed drink. Once you get over that mind frame and treat it as a cordial or another mixing element, the sky is the limit.

I: Does it have to be refrigerated afterwards?

CC: It should be.

I: Is it cooked?

CC: It is boiled with sugar. You’ll boil it for about 10 minutes and that’s what you use. It softens the bite of the acid.

I: What type of vinegar?

CC: I’ve been using a lot of Champagne vinegar and, recently, balsamic. However you can make your own vinegar or use any vinegar you want. It’s the end product that matters.

Image and video courtesy of Cielo

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her newest column, Infused at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Book Review: Patchwork of Me by Gregory G. Allen

Sara Butler is messed up. Really messed up. To the point she talks to herself throughout the story. Attempting to put together her past, Sara works to unblock her mind and to make peace with what filters through in mere bits and pieces.

Patchwork of Me is a tale of a modern day Dorothy, of sorts, hoping a visit to Emerald City (in this case a tiny town in Maine) with her friends will get her home... well, to a home she likes.

Written by Gregory G. Allen, the author has no problem writing about flawed characters. Really flawed. In our interview, Allen stated flawed characters appeal to him because of their true-to-life likenesses and he uses them in his other works also, including Chicken Boy, Proud Pants and Well with My Soul.

Masking her self loathing with degrading, on-command-by-text-message sex, Sara also pretends in therapy she was left orphaned through an auto accident. The truth of why she was brought up in the foster care system is less clear and the root of her pain and self-destructive actions.

Facing her fears reluctantly, Sara is able to come full circle. Helping and supporting her friends, and receiving their support and help, creates a circle of strength for each of the four characters. Sara, frightened and still-a-child emotionally, unable to grow into adulthood until she deals with her lost childhood; Erick and Matty, her two friends dealing with their own identity issues accompany her on the trip to uncover her past. Closed-off Hahn refuses to discuss anything about herself and has to learn, like the other three, that sometimes friends are all the family you need.

Patchwork of Me, a winner of both the 2012 International Book Award-Women's Literature and the 2012 NY Book Festival-General Fiction, features believable characters and hits on real issues without losing the reader in a too-dramatic to be enjoyable style. Although serious problems are brought forth throughout, the book steers clear of depressing through the realistic interpersonal exchanges of the characters.

Bottom Line: Gregory Allen's Patchwork of Me is a journey into a web of friendship, believable characters and real-life situations, softened with the hope that everyone will be able to find a home and family, even if it's not the one you expected.

Click to purchase the works of Gregory G. Allen:
Patchwork of Me
Well with My Soul
Proud Pants
Chicken Boy

Gregory G. Allen is the author of Patchwork Of Me (Winner in the Fiction: Women's Lit category of the 2012 International Book Awards & 2012 NY Book Festival winner for General Fiction), Well With My Soul (finalist in the Literary Fiction category of The USA "Best Books  2011" Awards, short-listed for Indie Lit Awards) and Proud Pants: An Unconventional Memoir; and children's book, Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Super Hero with Autism (MeeGenius People's Choice Award grand prize winner).

Allen has been in the entertainment business for more than 20 as an actor, director, writer and producer, and has been featured and interviewed in The Advocate, Huffington Post, PBS' One-on-One with Steve Adubato, Sirius Radio The Morning Jolt and Next magazine.
Photos: Furnished by Gregory G. Allen

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her newest column, Infused at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Indiana Landmarks offers free tours in downtown Indianapolis

Indiana Landmarks offers three free tours of downtown Indianapolis through October. The tours will be held on Fridays and Saturdays. Times are arrange to enable visitors to enjoy all three tours in a single day. Reservations are required for groups of 10 and more.

Discover Monument Circle

A guided walking tour exploring Circle City's Monument Circle, including the impressive Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the historic buildings that encircle it.

* Tours depart at 10 a.m. from South Bend Chocolate Company, 30 Monument Circle, and may be canceled during inclement weather.

Indiana Landmarks Center
A $20 million restoration turned a vacant 1890s church into the Indiana Landmarks Center's elegant theaters and reception halls. The story is shared of the landmark that once ranked as the state's largest Methodist church, and the people and changes that revitalized it as a cultural center.

* Tours begin at noon in the lobby of Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Avenue.

The Morris-Butler House

Built in 1865, the house was restored in the Victorian fashion in the 1960s.

* Tours begin at 1 and 2 p.m. at the towered house, 1204 North Park Avenue (immediately east of Indiana Landmarks Center).

Indiana Landmarks also offers the three tours, and other city walking tours, for $5/person with a $50 minimum charge on a day and time of your choosing.

For more information, visit IndianaLandmarks.org.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her newest column, Infused at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Infused: Sassy at 88, Ethel's Brews offers Beer Cocktail recipes

Ethel's Brew, a Brooklyn-based brewery (say that 3 times fast) has opened in the borough with a distinct style unlike most. Your grandmother. The octogenarian face for the company, Ethel, leads the way in your craft beer adventures.

EB takes its Euro-style busty blonde and brews it with three different malts, several varieties of hops and a French barley.
The 6% ABV brew is named after Ethel Goldschmidt, a beer enthusiast with plenty of tang, just like her brew. She enjoys beer so much she took Burt's, her deceased husband, dream of brewing and turned into a reality. Not that she was inclined to name it after him, however. Ethel is like that. Feisty, straight forward and slightly flirty.

And Ethel? Is she busty and blonde?

Um...no. She is 88 years old and openly admits,and shows, all her sagging self with plenty of sass and humor. Various photos on the company's website and social media sites portray her in a swimsuit or lounging on settee with a beer in her hand and a humorous saying.

She reminds me of the Golden Girls gone bad. I am not even certain whether Ethel actually exists or is just a great advertising figure --- like Mr. Whimple or those guys from Gallo Wines.

The kolsch-style German ale is the first in Ethel's expanding family of ales. The company's ultimate goal is to include IPAs and foreigh-style stouts. For now, Ethel's Brew comes in 12 oz. bottles at local pubs and bars.

With cocktails being created from different origins, such as Champagne, these days, it's no surprise the New York micro brew has invented its own "brewtail". And how does Ethel feel about this mixing of her favorite amber with other flavors?

Keeping true to spunky form, Ethel created a cocktail and named it...after herself and a particular body part. I will let you go to the website (EthelsBrew.com) to get the full name of the drink. Here, I will just share the recipe...

Ethel's Cocktail

3 oz. Ethel's Brew

3 oz. vodka

Pink lemonade

Shake over ice and pour into cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh mint.

Images provided by Ethel's Brew

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her newest column, Infused at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Indiana Fever 11th annual Fever Bowling Tournament

Indiana Fever sponsors, season ticket holders, fans and local sports celebrities are treated to a night of bowling fun, pizza, autographs and a silent auction that includes unique memorabilia courtesy of the Indiana Fever, other WNBA teams and items of local interest.

The 2011 tournament raised nearly $17,000 for the

Be YOUnique Fund.

WHO
Indiana Fever players and coaches
Indiana Fever corporate partners, season ticket holders and fans

With the exception of Tamika Catchings who will be participating in the 2012 Olympics, the entire Fever team and coaching staff will serve up strikes at its 11th annual bowling tournament which benefits the Be YOUnique Fund, a grant fund of the Pacers Foundation that assists organizations that serve young women and girls.

WHEN
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 (6:30 p.m.; bowling begins at 7:00 p.m.)

WHERE
Pinheads in Fishers (13825 Britton Park Road, Fishers, Ind. 46038)

Images courtesy of Indiana Fever

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her newest column, Infused at GottaGo.us and FoodandDrinkDigital.com and as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published onGottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.