Chef Joseph’s at The Connoisseur Room: Summer 2016 Line up

As you may have guessed, Chef Joseph's, 115 E. Ohio St., is one of my favorite restaurants and hangouts in Indianapolis. Now, they have heard the cry of theater goers' needs for needing a place to go after the curtains close and have opened their posh place for late diners.

The downtown hot spot is pleased and honored to be named as one of Indy's 2016 Top 10 locations for Jazz in Indianapolis. The RAT pack-ish eatery has announced its live, local entertainment schedule.

Beginning in June, additional hours will be added to their Thursday and Friday evenings from 11 pm – 2 am. Featuring Jan & Casey's Groove Machine, the Charlie Balentine Trio, King Crabb, Ferris, the Yeager Swing Quartet, the James Knott Trio, Cozy Myers, Xenobia Green, Nancy Moore, Matthew Houghland, Yvonne Allu and Co., the late-night favored spot accepts reservations at ChefJosephs.com/reservations.

For more information about Chef Joseph’s at The Connoisseur Room, go to ChefJosephs.com

Images: Provided

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Indiana Historical Society (IHS) Concerts on the Canal 2016 Lineup

Thursday nights spent lounging along the canal in Downtown Indianapolis is a favorite among urbanites. A bottle (or two) of wine, nibblers and a blanket is all that is required for those wishing to enjoy the evening. The Concerts on the Canal series is hosted by the Indiana Historical Society throughout the summer.

This summer's concerts run from May 26 through July 28 with the new Free Admission Thursdays, which includes extended hours in the venue on concert dates. 

Musical entertainment begins at 6 p.m. on concert Thursdays and will feature a variety of styles from jazz, blues and swing to rock, R&B and pop favorites.

Free seating is available on the grassy knoll, which is across the canal from the History Center. Guests can also purchase seating on the History Center's Kruse Family Stardust Terrace in tables of eight ($50/$40 IHS members) or tables of four ($40/$30 IHS members), and single-seats at the community table ($10/$8 for IHS members).

No pets or smoking are allowed on the Terrace.

Patio visitors are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. All alcohol must be purchased on-site, and a cash bar will be offered. Guests can also purchase food from Hoaglin To Go, available through the History Center's Stardust Terrace Café and at an outdoor grill.

The History Center will offer free admission and extended hours on concert dates, until 8 p.m. Concertgoers are encouraged to take full advantage of access to the Indiana Experience, as well as a weekly selection of IHS's traveling exhibits. Exhibits explore topics such as Indiana disasters, the state's rich automotive past, the lives of Hoosiers during Prohibition and more.

In addition, IHS is making it possible for guests to enjoy a free day of fun and music leading up to the city's 4th of July fireworks. On Monday, July 4, the History Center will be open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., with free admission. From 5 - 9:30 p.m., IHS will offer a special patriotic concert.

The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, home of IHS and the Indiana Experience, is located at 450 W. Ohio St., downtown along the canal.

Membership, information and resources: (317) 232-1882 or IndianaHistory.org.

Concerts on the Canal 2016

May 26

Concert: The Cool City Band, featuring Shannon Forsell, Jimmy Guilford and Laney Wilson

(Swingin' music from the lounge era)

Traveling Exhibition: One Shot: The WWII Photography of John A. Bushemi

June 2

Concert: Flying Toasters (High energy dance favorites)

Traveling Exhibition: Hoosiers and Their Hooch: Perspectives on Prohibition

June 9

Concert: Actors Theatre of Indiana (Cole Porter Birthday Celebration)

Traveling Exhibition: A Visual Journey: From AIDS to Marriage Equality by Mark A. Lee

June 16

Concert: Indy Nile (Eclectic mix of classic rock, funk and blues)

Traveling Exhibition: The Great War: From Ration Lines to the Front Lines

June 23

Concert: The Funk Quarter (New Orleans Rhythm and Blues)

Traveling Exhibition: Steamboats a Comin' The Legacy of the New Orleans

June 30

Concert: Everett Greene (Love songs and jazz standards)

Traveling Exhibition: Auto Indiana

July 4

Concert: Indianapolis Municipal Band (5 to 6 p.m.) (Patriotic tunes and marches)

The Tad Robinson Band (7:30 to 9:30 p.m.) (Americana, soul and roots)

Traveling Exhibition: Faces in the Crowd: Indiana and the Political Process

July 7

Concert: Greta Speaks (Rock and pop classics)

Traveling Exhibition: Who is a Hoosier?

July 14

Concert: Brenda Williams (Classic R&B hits from the '60s and '70s)

Traveling Exhibition: The Golden Age: Indiana Literature (1880-1920)

July 21

Concert: IUPUI: David Mannell featuring Laura Hammer-Erhart, Becky Barton and Heather Hinton

(Bicentennial tribute and nostalgic favorites)

Traveling Exhibition: Auto Indiana

July 28

Concert: The Bishops (Party songs you love to dance to)

Traveling Exhibition: Indiana Disasters

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Entries Wanted: Top 10 Best Cocktails Inspired by the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 2016

Indianapolis is currently all abuzz with the annual excitement surrounding 500 miles of fast-paced adrenaline. With the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 quickly approaching, I've decided to dedicate a column to drinks inspired by the 100th running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Anyone wishing to submit a recipe, along with contact information and an image, please do so by May 10, 2016. The mixologist, sommelier, restaurant, company or bar's name will be featured, along with the bartender, recipe and image for the drinks chosen.

For an example of a previous year's winners ~ click here.

The main objective is the drink MUST contain spirits, wine and/or beer AND be inspired by the spectacular 100th running of Indy 500. Not just any drink will do for the sports heroes, celebrities and fans who will pack themselves into Indianapolis for the weeks of special events.

Questions can be sent to elizabeth@gottago.us or elizabethjmusgrave@gmail.com.

And, just like with that bold and daring great race,

Anything goes....

Tickets, schedule and directions: IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com

Photo credit: EJMusgave

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Theater Review: Beef and Boards: Guys and Dolls

Opening at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre this weekend in Indianapolis is the classic musical Guys and Dolls. Guys, as in wise guys, Dolls, as in the slang term for women you didn't marry.

The classic musical is fast-paced and centers around a group of guys who like illegal gambling and avoiding the cops. One, Nathan Detroit (Eddie Curry), is hooked on loving, but not marrying, Miss Adelaide (Deb Wims), a showgirl who still believes Detroit can become the husband she wants.
Sky Masterson is portrayed by Timothy Ford who returns to the north-side stage, and was last seen here in Singin' in the Rain  and White Christmas. Masterson's romantic interest, missionary Sarah Brown (Betsy Newton), comes into the mix via a bet with Detroit.

A few of the performers stand out in this performance:
Shaun Rice portraying Nicely-Nicely. Rice keeps it low key in the first half, but in the second half you see what he is really made of ~ vocally and energy-wise. Belting out (with ensemble), Sit down, You're Rockin' the Boat," Rice seems to come into his own rhythm. I would certainly like to see that same over-the-top confidence in the first half as well.

Wims camps it up beautifully as the naive, lovelorn Adelaide, giving a seamless performance as the lovable girl in over her head with Detroit. Her energy (and talent) never waiver, keeping the pace for others to achieve and shining as the brightest female performer.

Daniel Scharbrough shines as Lt. Brannigan ~ although I could see him cast as Big Jule as he towers over everyone and Jule is referred to as being a big, scary guy.

Curry brings his special energy as the nuptials-nervous craps-game arranger. From scampering about to get out of marriage, and getting everyone into an illegal dice game, Curry is obviously enjoying himself and brings us along for the fun.

Mark Goetzinger (always love seeing him on stage around town), makes even a minor role memorable as missionary Arvide Abernathy (the sign of a truly talented actor).

Bottom Line: Whether or not you have seen Guys and Dolls in the past, your best bet is to catch the high-energy production rolling at Beef and Boards.

Images: JulieCurryPhotography.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Top Events to Check out in Indy April 2016

There are a few upcoming events in the Indianapolis area to keep on your radar and get tickets for asap. One of these is the show, which I will be checking out Sunday at the 2 p.m. performance, called In The Mood.

A 1940s Big Band musical, will perform for two shows only at Carmel's Palladium. The music of an entire generation and our nation’s veterans.The brassy, singing, dancing and all-American 1940s musical highlights Swing music, Big Band and WWII music and dance.

Perfect for taking grandparents, parents and children to help connect multi generations through live music can open discussion on true historical events and help younger generations understand what the older generations went through to keep freedom for this country.

Included in the show is music by: Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskine Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra and other idols of the 1940s. Hit songs include Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Tuxedo Junction, Well Git It, On The Sunny Side of the Street, In the Mood and many more.

Venue: The Palladium at The Center for Performing Arts
Day/Date: April 3; 2 pm and 7 pm
Tickets: 317-843-3800 or at TheCenterForThePerformingArts.org.

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Also on the Gotta Go line up is this Saturday night ~ to be spent reviewing Beef and Boards' Guys and Dolls on its opening weekend. Having not seen it before (gasp), it will be fun to watch a story line so popular with no idea which way it will turn. I do know there is gambling and romance. I also noticed the buffet contains numerous gluten-free items on it as well.

Check back early next week for my review ~

Venue: Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre
Date: March 31 - May 15
Tickets: 317-872-9664 or BeefandBoards.com.

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The Naptown Roller Girls roller derby organization takes to the rink again at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Proving women can take the pain of roller action, the Tornado Sirens and Warning Belles vie for a victory at this family friendly event.

Image/JoanMarcus

Venue: Indiana State Fairgrounds

Date: April 2, 7 p.m.

Tickets: BrownTickets

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Broadway in Indianapolis will have Indy laughing it up again in The Book of Mormon. Returning for an encore performance, plan on the show to sell out quickly so get your tickets immediately or expect to be out of all the fun. Read my review from the original showing in town. I will be on hand to review this go 'round because you simply do not want to miss something this great.

Venue: Old National

Date: April 12 - 17

Tickets: BroadwayinIndianapolis.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Theater Review: Beef and Boards: Sister Act

Sister Act opened at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis, this week. As a top film with the same title (1992) starring Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith and Kathy Najimy, it was a big gamble adapting it for the live stage.

Hitting the live theater circuit to mixed reviews from critics, the show about nuns and gun-toting gangsters was a smash hit with audiences the world over.

It's almost better if you have not seen the film as the stage version differs in many ways. Most importantly ~ the music. It is no longer set in Las Vegas with 1950s hits being revamped into spiritually hip songs. Deloris Van Cartier (Zuri Washington) is not a Vegas casino lounge singer, but a '70s bar crooner in Philadelphia.

And the songs, rather than the snappy golden oldies' Top 100 radio tunes, are originals written for the live show. The switch isn't the responsibility of B&B (or any other theater), but the creators of the musical. They are unfamiliar, but still peppy.

What made the film great was the audacity of Deloris to take lounge tunes and switch the lyrics for the Catholic nun's choir. That, and the chemistry between Goldberg (as Deloris) and Smith (as Mother Superior). Add in Najimy's infectious laughter and quirky one-liners and there was no way the movie would not become a classic.

But does the live production hold up against the film?

Yes. And No.

Washington's Van Cartier zips along nicely with sarcastic remarks and annoys the Mother Superior  (portrayed superbly by Suzanne Stark) delightfully, with their back-and-forth banter being one of the more enjoyable parts of the show.

Another enjoyable part were the flawless vocals of Washington and Stark. Sister Mary Robert (played impeccably by Gabrielle Harker), joins these two top-notch performers with her talented vocals and her portrayal as the timid nun-to-be. Most notable were Stark's rendition of "Haven't Got a Prayer," which required her vocal strength; Washington's, "Raise Your Voice" (with Nuns), and Harker's, "The Life I Never Lead."

Lagging slightly in the middle with an extra dance and song, or two, from the gangsters, the play ran longer than a typical show. However, it is energetic, upbeat and outright funny.

Bottom Line: Beef and Boards' Sister Act shines with its strong female performers for this family friendly (and hilarious) production.

Tickets: BeefandBoards.com
Images: JulieCurryPhotography.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Theater Review: Actors Theatre of Indiana: Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd (Don Farrell) and Mrs. Lovett (Judy Fitzgerald)

Actors Theatre of Indiana, Carmel, opened the much-anticipated Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street production this weekend.

Familiar to fans of Stephen Sondheim, musicals and Broadway hits; the story became even more well known with the 2007 hit film Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street starring Johnny Depp. As good as the movie is, there are some stories which are best to experience via live theater ~ this is one of those shows.

Don Farrell as Sweeney Todd

Don Farrell takes on the title role of Sweeney Todd, in the black comedy with a sensationally sinister performance. Keeping the murderous role from becoming simply a serial killer on the loose, Farrell brings a vulnerable side of his character to light during, "The Barber and His Wife," allowing the audience to witness the happier youthful version of himself prior to losing his wife and daughter to the corrupt local Judge Turpin (Paul Nicely).

John Vessels as Adolfo Pirelli

Accompanying Todd in his razor-sharp removal of loathsome people is Mrs Lovett, played magnificently by Judy Fitzgerald.  Fitzgerald portrays the pie-making enabler with absolute abandon, sharing her contagious delight in the creative solution of her floundering meat pie cafe and Todd's need to slit throats of unworthy folks.

John Vessels is a pure delight as Adolpho Pirelli, the self-proclaimed, "King of Barbers," creating a larger-than-life caricature with his comedic talents. Vessels proves his vocal talent, as well, in the first victim's solo, "The Contest."

Caleb Wertz plays Tobias Ragg, abused waif and assistant to Pirelli then Lovett, with a maturity beyond his years. Craig Underwood takes sleazy to a new level with his portrayal of The Beadle.

The entire cast of this production is seamless and smooth, both in working with each other and portraying their individual characters, with all but the two leads portraying more than one character during the two-act play.

Bottom Line: Sweeney Todd is the best show I have reviewed at Actors Theatre of Indiana and is an absolute must-see for anyone in the Indy-metro area.

Tickets: TheCenterforthePerformingArts.org

Costumes: Katie Cowan Sickmeier

Images: Zach Rosing

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Theater Review: Broadway Across America ~ Indianapolis: Wizard of Oz

Broadway in Indianapolis brings flying monkeys, melting witches and a scary forest to the stage at Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University. Running through Jan. 17, Wizard of Oz opens to a packed audience.

When a live version of a film classic is attempted, it is perfectly natural to feel trepidation. Will it have the original score? What will be chopped out and what will be updated to the point of destroying that which made the show popular in the first place?

Relax. They nailed the song list, characters (minus the Lullaby League), and even have a rainbow or two.

In fact, this is in my Top 10 favorites Broadway Across America productions I have reviewed since 2007. The classic, beloved film is given the respect due it, with a couple extra bonus items inserted for updating purposes.Dorothy Gale, the little girl caught up in a tornado, is performed oh-so-believably by Sarak Lasko. From her vocal talent with the deal breaker song, "Over the Rainbow," to her sweetness with her new travel pals, you just fall for her. (Prepare to get misty-eyed when she bids farewell to those friends.)

Playing the wise-cracking, adorable Scarecrow is Jay McGill. The man of straw, in this modern version, is less about trying to prove his intellect and more like Dory from Pixar's "Finding Nemo" ~ adorable and ditzy.

Morgan Reynolds gets everyone's attention as the Tin Man, the minute he opens his mouth to sing his character's song of woe, "If I Only had a Heart."

A surprise insertion is after intermission when the witch is melted and the enslaved Winkies show their happiness with a killer dance sequence. A great addition to an otherwise quick scene, showing why remakes can be good.

Shani Hadjian cackles as good as Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West. She also brings out her girly side when she sings one of five new tunes, "Red Shoes Blues.

Certainly this production feels as if has been given a "Wicked" once over, in regards to one-liners and asides to the audience. This only serves to enrich the show bringing to a modern end, staving off any chance at a verbatim stale remake of the MGM classic.

Bottom Line: Broadway Across Indianapolis' Wizard of Oz brushes up the film classic endearing it to a whole new generation.

Images: Provided by BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

Tickets can be found at BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

 Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Theater Review: Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre: Run for your Wife

 Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis, opens its 43rd season with the return of a previous successful production: Run for Your Wife.

Continuing with its tradition of opening the new schedule with a comedy (typically a British farce), the 2016 season is no exception. The slapstick is set in 1985 London with John Smith (Eddie Curry) a cab driver.
An unassuming, congenial man, Smith is portrayed brilliantly by Curry once again to the delight of the audience. Playing the understandably nervous driver is a dead-on role for Curry whose other roles have included a Baptist minister, the unwizardly wizard of Oz and Clarence the Angel without Wings.
As the story unveils Smith has not just one wife, but two ~ living within just a few miles of each other, Curry makes you believe he is not a bad sort at all. In fact, you find yourself feeling sorry for the poor guy.

Sarah Hund steps into the role as one wife (Mary Smith), while Erin Cohenour takes on portraying the other wife (Barbara Smith). Hund's talents are well known in Indy, and shine once again in this show.

Jeffrey Stockberger brings his own comedic talents to the role of Stanley Gardner. Curry and Stockberger have been paired in many a comedy together on the B&B stage over the years giving them a polished rhythm. Stockberger seems to enjoy this role even more giving additional energy to the part of the shocked friend.

Bottom Line: Beef and Boards opens to a packed house with Run for Your Wife ~ and for good reason. It is a family friendly winter-blues beating show.

Images: JulieCurryphotography.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

One Minute Mason: When Mark Twain Met Carrie Nation

 Below, just might be, the funniest tale I have ever read about Mark Twain. Certainly the most amusing I have read regarding the infamous Carrie Nation.



One Minute Mason: When Mark Twain Met Carrie Nation



Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.