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Klipsch Music Center is celebrating its 25 year anniversary this year. Looking at the landscape today, it is hard to believe that in 1989 what was then known as Deer Creek Music Center stood in the middle of cornfields with very few homes around. In fact, that is still how I picture it. But today, located off of exit 210 on I69, Klipsch Music Center is virtually in the middle of urban sprawl. Homes are located on every side and Hamilton Town Center, with its 85 shops and restaurants, is just a mile away (which means it makes for a perfect stop before a show!).

I've attended my fair share of shows over the course of the last few years. Toby Keith was one of my favorites and I'm already looking forward to The Zac Brown Band this summer. But what I've never thought about, and what I've found interesting to find out, is how much of a community-minded landmark Klipsch Music Center is. What you might not realize is how many church events, graduations, Boy Scout activities and soccer games have been held on the grounds. Klipsch even has the opportunity for organizations to work concessions to earn money for their cause. And let's not forget the local workers who help make each concert possible - EMTs, security, ticket sales, concession workers and the list goes on.

It's true that Hamilton County wouldn't be the same without Klipsch. Outside of all the support it has given to the community, the best thing they are known for is the music. Countless acts have performed at Klipsch from Dave Matthews Band to Aerosmith to Kenny Chesney and the names keep coming.

But you may not know some of these facts:
• It takes a team of over 500 to put on a show.
• Since 1989, there have been three different names for the Venue: Deer Creek Music Center (1989-2001), Verizon Wireless Music Center (2001-2011) and now Klipsch Music Center.
• In 2000, there was a renovation and seating went from 20,000 to 24,000.
• Some of the MANY acts that have sold out the venue include: Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews Band, Grateful Dead, Phish, Pearl Jam, Metallica, KISS, Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Guns N Roses, John Mellencamp, Bon Jovi and Kenny Chesney.
• Jimmy Buffet has performed the most times.
• Some of the acts in the opening year included Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Dick Clark's 35th Anniversary Special and Ozzy Osbourne.
• My personal favorite fact: Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett held their wedding reception at the venue in 1993.
• Katy Perry was once an opening act.
• And regularly, Klipsch Music Center is ranked in the top five amphitheaters in the world!

Whether you all it Deer Creek, Verizon or Klipsch, one truth remains ... there is a lot of history at this venue and much more to come in the next 25 years! Happy Anniversary Klipsch Music Center!

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Stuck in the "dinner and a movie" rut when it comes to plans for an evening out? Shake up your routine and come experience the thrill of the theater! You don't have to make a trip to Broadway to find impressive talent-Hamilton County, Indiana is filled with venues to take in a memorable live performance.

Where to start? Noblesville's Belfry Theatre is a great candidate, putting on six productions a year that run the gamut from comedies to dramas to musicals. Seating is cozy and intimate, giving audience members an up-close view of the action and a true feel for what community theater is all about.

From April 5-21, you can catch a live performance of the beloved classic Little Shop of Horrors, a quirky and fun story about a blood-hungry plant called Audrey II that brings fame and fortune to an unsuspecting florist's assistant. With each scene a new and delightful twist unfolds-if you're a fan of romance, revenge, and humor, you're sure to get your fill. The superb cast of this 1960's era production brings the story to life through laughter, songs, and a wickedly surprising ending for the audience. (Curious? Go see for yourself!) Be sure to arrive early enough to snag a front-row seat and bring cash for an assortment of $1 refreshments at intermission.
And Belfry Theatre fans, go ahead and mark your calendars for June 7, when the next production, The Spitfire Grill, begins its run.

Hungry for more? The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel has (home of Booth Tarkington Civic Theater and Actors Theatre of Indiana) a busy month in store. At the Palladium, find your groove listening to Doc Severinsen's world-class jazz trumpet, be enchanted by the magical notes of Beethoven's Ninth, tap your foot to the music of Chick Corea and (fellow Hoosier) Gary Burton, or hear Michael McDonald belt out his Grammy-winning hits. There's even a FREE performance of Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem on April 19-don't miss this opportunity! At the Tarkington, April 26 kicks off a production of Into the Woods, a tale of a couple attempting to break a spell cast over them.

Head to Westfield for even more local talent. The Westfield Playhouse presents The Dealer Smiles beginning April 12, a lighthearted production about a middle-aged man who confronts issues of faith, God, and yes, even chocolate!  Also check out the Carmel Community Playhouse for another dose of excellent community theater.

Whatever your theater persuasion, Hamilton County, Indiana has more than enough to satisfy your inner thespian. Make plans to visit one of our outstanding performance arts venues today!

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Dance the night away or watch ballet dancers dance instead, golf at Prairie View or stroll through time at Conner Prairie, tap your foot to live music or put your bike tires to the pavement on the Monon Trail. Do all of this and more this weekend right here in Hamilton County! Read on for weekend warrior ideas or browse our online calendar for even more fun.

1. Plan to go for a night out on the town tonight for date night or with a group of friends! Stop at Mo's a Place for Steaks for dinner and to take advantage of their Thursday $5 Martini Night. Then head to Detour for more drink specials and Dance Night where DJ Lockstar will be playing dance hits. 

2. First Friday Open House at Nickel Plate Arts will be from 5-8 p.m. this Friday. This month's installment will feature screenings of Hoosier Hot Shot films and Bob Foster will be performing and sharing items from his Hoosier Hot Shot collection as well. The Hoosier Hot Shots are a group of comedians who were in films in the 30's and they grew up right here in Hamilton County! Also be sure to check out RC Metalworks just a block away from the arts campus. There you'll get a sneak peek of a metal archway by local artist Bonnie Ramirez that will be installed at the Nickel Plate Arts campus soon. 

3. Enjoy a performing arts show (or two!). The Gregory Hancock Dance Theater is presenting Under the Big Top. This full-length ballet features everything you love about the circus: the colors, the performers, the music, the spectacle, and even the side-show! Also opening this weekend is the Little Shop of Horrors at the Belfry Theater. This wacky and beloved show includes the famed character, Audrey II who is a giant carnivorous plant!

4. Head to Arcadia for an evening of live local music on Saturday. The Whipstitch Sallies will be performing the Hedgehog Music Showcase. The group is an all-female, all-singing, all-playing string band that is sure to delight the audience!  

5. This weekend is bringing some nice spring weather, which means nearly all of Hamilton County's beautiful golf courses will be open for business! Browse the extensive list of courses on the Indiana Premier Golf page or if you're planning on staying for a few days, build your own Stay & Play package for a great deal.

6. Speaking of the outdoors, activities at Conner Prairie are picking up now that their outdoor areas are open for the season! They are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through April 7 to accommodate spring breakers and staycation-ers. This weekend is also the debut of their April theme, Threads Through Time and the BANG! program where you can learn to fire a Civil War musket. Also, don't miss the beautiful new Nature Walk!

7. Hit the bike trails this weekend for some outside fun. If you're visiting and don't have a bike, don't worry. Just stop by Carmel Cyclery Bicycle Shop and rent one that's right for you, then hit the trails! The Monon Trail is conveniently located right by the shop, or explore the other trails throughout Hamilton County.  

8. Planning a wedding? Head to the bridal show at EventzPlus this Saturday from 12-4 p.m. Be sure to visit our booth to enter to win giveaways like certificates for a free day of parking at the Indianapolis Airport, Heavenly Sweets, Seven Sisters Florist, Zach Dobson Photography and more! (Click here for a coupon that will give you two free admissions to the show.) 

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Spring is trying its best to beat the last of winter here in Hamilton County! This means time it's time to begin exploring the outdoors, celebrate St. Patrick's Day, enjoy fun music, try new dishes, and more. Best of all? You can experience all of these things here in Hamilton County this coming weekend! Read on for great ideas and check out our online calendar for even more weekend fun.

1. "Beware the Ides of March," rather than stay in and worry, attend the Ides of March Improvised Shakespeare Workshop at the Nickel Plate Arts. Join seasoned improvisers from Comedy Sportz who will help participants craft improvised Shakespearian scenes. Everyone will have a role to play in this fun & silly tribute to the Bard!

2. Take time to explore all of the treasures at the Springtime in Indiana: Art, Craft & Gift Showcase this weekend. Head to the 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville that will be filled with art, crafts, repurposed items, antiques and more.

3. Head to Detour An American Grille this Saturday for a St. Patrick's Day celebration! They will be hosting a St. Patty's Party complete with green beer. The Carson Bros. Band will also be performing live.

4. Love ABBA? Don't miss The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presents: The Music of ABBA starting Rajaton! Rajaton is an a cappella group that will join the ISO to perform ABBA's chart-topping hits like "Dancing Queen." Hurry and grab tickets before they're gone and refer to #6 to see how to get tickets at a great price! 

5. Do not miss the celebration of St. Patrick's Day at locally owned restaurant Dooley O'Toole's! They will have special hours March 16 & 17 from 11am- 9:30pm and will be serving up awesome food and drinks. Some of the specials include traditional corned beef and cabbage and of course drink specials include green beer. There will also be specials on traditional Irish libations like Guinness and Jameson!

6. Take advantage of the great deals during Northiside Nights Restaurant Week. Not only are there 3 course menus available at great restaurants like Harry & Izzy's, Shiraz, Sahm's and more, but there are other great deals too! Discounted tickets for Leipzig Quartet on March 15, Music of ABBA presented by the ISO on March 17, and Barbara Cook & Michael Feinstein on March 23 are all available. What a great way to make an evening out even more special!

7. Fancy a spot of tea? Make reservations for this Saturday's Mad Hatter Tea at the R.L. Wilson House in Noblesville. Enjoy a 5-course tea and unbirthday celebration in the presence of the Mad Hatter himself who will provide entertainment. Finish the tea on a sweet note with a treat from Heavenly Sweets.

8. The first day of spring is fast approaching! Be ready to greet warmer weather in Hamilton County and get reacquainted with the great outdoors. Browse our Nature & Outdoor page that's filled with outdoor activity ideas, parks to visit, trails to explore and more. For golfers, our Indiana Premier Golf page is the place to find pristine courses and build a stay & play package just in time for spring!

 

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 Champaign, Illinois radio stations WDWS News Talk 1400 and WHMS 97.5 recently interivewed John Hughey, with The Center for the Performing Arts, and Jo Ann Klooz with the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau. It was a great chance to talk about the great things to do in Hamilton County to relieve cabin fever!  Take a listen by clicking on the links below:

Interview on WHMS

Interview on WDWS

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Our staff member Jo Ann enjoyed an impromptu dinner and show date night last Friday, here's a little about her fun experience:

My Valentine surprised me with an early celebration. ‘Dinner and a show' became really special in Carmel. It was our first visit to Mangia's in the Carmel City Center and we were wowed with a appetizer, brandied scallops and wild mushroom ravioli. The scallops were buttery; melt in your mouth goodness. The ravioli was delicious too!

After dinner it was off to the Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts to see The Actors Theater of Indiana's performance of The Musical of Musicals.
It's a parody of musical theatre genres with the same story, "You Must Pay The Rent" told in the styles of Rodgers and Hammerstein (Oklahoma, South Pacific), Stephen Sondheim (Company, Sweeney Todd), Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly, Mame), Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Evita), & Kander and Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret). June's character (for the Rodgers and Hammerstein scene) becomes Junita in the Andrew Lloyd Webber scene and it gets funnier as each scene unfolds. If you are a fan of musicals, have ever participated in community theater or been dragged to a performance, you will find this laugh out loud funny. This ensemble delivers a hilarious evening of entertainment with strong vocals and acting along with lightening quick costume changes and the barest of props to take the audience from one musical style to the next. The Musical of Musicals runs Thursdays through Sunday (matinee) until the end of February.

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The holiday season is definitely in full swing here in Hamilton County. It's time to gather up last minute gifts, enjoy time with family and friends, and explore Hamilton County's wintery offerings! Browse the selection of weekend ideas below, or make a custom search on our online calendar of events to find the perfect activity to enjoy.

1. Fancy a spot of tea? Two holiday teas are this weekend in Hamilton County! Rita's Garden Center & Tea Room is hosting their Christmas Teas on both Friday and Saturday. Or head to Noblesville on Saturday to attend the Holiday Extravaganza Tea at the R.L. Wilson House. To ensure your seat, reserve your spot today for these festive tea times!

2. Get your holiday shopping done! Attend a sale or event like Men's Night Out or the Holiday Sale at Main Street Shoppes  to grab gifts. Or venture to one of Hamilton County's malls like Clay Terrace, Hamilton Town Center, or The Fashion Mall for name brands and tons of variety. Browse our shopping page prior to your shopping trip to plan ahead and find even more great shops!  

3. Make a trip to Noblesville to find one-of-a-kind art that is both pleasing to view and pleasing to receive as a gift! Stop by the Birdie Gallery to see their latest exhibit: Fine Art Holiday Gifts. Next make your way down the road to the Nickel Plate Arts Campus that has special extended hours so you can visit the latest exhibit, "Settling In: Winter in Hamilton County". The best part is that all of the art is for sale too! 

4. Reserve Friday as family night and head to The Great American Songbook Movie Series showing of "Mary Poppins". Make it a fun evening out by grabbing dinner before or treats after the show at a local place. Check out our previous post for ideas!  

5. Treat the kiddos to a meal with Santa himself! The Mansion at Oak Hill is holding breakfasts and lunch with Santa. They are also holding Old Fashioned Christmas at the Mansion, a classic holiday dinner where Santa will also be in attendance. Good thing Santa likes to eat!

6. While you're shopping this Saturday at Carmel City Center, be on the lookout for some holiday cheer. Each Saturday in December, there will be live entertainment to provide a soundtrack while you shop! This week's entertainment will be from 2-4 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. Also check out the Winter Market this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.  

7. Reserve time this Sunday afternoon to attend the Holly Jolly Jamboree at Cool Creek Nature Center. This free event will feature photo with Santa and an Animals of the North Pole program with real animals including reindeer!

8. Surprise family or friends with tickets to a theater production or music performance. There are so many to choose from! "Joseph and Mary" at the Carmel Community Playhouse, "Scrooge: The Musical" at The Studio, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Tarkington and even more!  

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The Center for the Performing Arts is adding something new to their mix of musical offerings- classic movies! Beginning this weekend the Palladium will become host to the Great American Songbook Movie Series. This series will highlight classic movies that are designated as Heartland Truly Moving Pictures meaning that they are films that artistically express positive values of life. In addition to the showing of the films, many screenings will also include guest speakers and other educational opportunities.

The kick-off weekend for this fun new series will begin this Thursday and continue through Saturday. Thursday will feature "White Christmas" and Friday will have showings of "The Sound of Music" as well as "An American in Paris." The weekend will end with a family favorite "The Wizard of Oz" where audience members will be encouraged to sing along with their favorite tunes from the movie. The series will continue with monthly Friday showings of other inspiring classic movies. Best of all, admission is only $7.50 for each screening! It would make a great family outing, a nice get together with friends, or even a unique date night activity.  I'm personally looking forward to "Mary Poppins", I can't wait to see one of my childhood favorites on the big screen! 

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This month, enjoy everything from stirring musical performances to traditional holiday shows in our 8 Great Towns. See your favorite local groups and internationally-renowned artists and performers. Purchase tickets now for these exciting performances: 1. The Perfume Shop, now through December 11 at the Belfry Theatre in Noblesville, Indiana. A fun comedy about two bickering co-workers who unknowingly exchange love letters as anonymous pen pals. 2. Noblesville Symphony Orchestra presents Sounds of the Season, December 9 at Noblesville High School. 3. A Christmas Carol, December 8-18 at the Studio. The Carmel Repertory presents this Christmas classic. See who scares you the most" The ghost of Christmas past, present or future. 4. On December 9, Chris Isaak will perform his hit songs and holiday favorites at the Palladium. 5. Holidays with Angela! Indiana native and renowned soprano Angela Brown will join the Carmel Symphony Orchestra at the Palladium for two holiday performances on December 10. 6. Carmel Community Players Holiday Cabaret, December 16-18. Enjoy local talent and performers of all ages. Tickets only $10! 7. Carmel-based Actors Theatre of Indiana takes the show on the road to perform Frog and Toad,  December 16-18, at the Pike Performing Arts Center in Indianapolis. 8. Roald Dahls Willy Wonka beginning December 16 at the Tarkington. Parents and kids will love this modern-day classic about a little boy named Charlie who visits a wacky, wonderful chocolate factory. For an additional $15 per child, join in a Candy after-party? on December 17 and 18 to meet Charlie and Willy Wonka, visit the bubble room, and make a chocolate creation. 9. Boston Brass at the Palladium, December 17. Enjoy big band arrangements of classics like Joy to the World, Greensleeves, and Frosty the Snowman. Note: The Studio, the Tarkington and the Palladium are in the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana.  

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