Indiana attractions

The AMP is in the old Indy Water Company service bay, now part of 16 TECH

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“The AMP is focused on uplifting everyone in the Indianapolis culinary/retail community by featuring a diverse array of concepts from emerging businesses to established concepts and an approachable leasing structure designed to allow entrepreneurs a place to start out and scale up.” Quoted from The AMP website

Food service in a shipping container

The Black Orchid Barbers

 

 

 

 

 

The AMP is located in the HQO center of the 16 TECH on Indiana Avenue on the near west side. Offering a very wide variety of food establishments, you’ll find just about any type of eats and drinks there. Each eatery or retail establishment is housed in its own colorful customized shipping container.

Multiple eateries

Ice Cream Nachos w/ waffle cone chips

 

 

 

 

 

A most exotic offering: Irish Sea Moss from Jamaica showcases diversity.

Even though it is located within the 16 TECH complex, AMP stands on its own as a local hotspot for diversity, events and culture in Indianapolis. Featuring food stalls, an open-air bar, communal seating and ample community gathering and event space, it can host events with up to 1100 persons.

This man loves his work

Fabulously delicious hand made treats

 

 

 

 

 

Deli goods galore, note shipping container

There are 20+ vendors scattered around the food service shipping containers. There is also varied seating, including outdoor seating area, and the inside open seating wine bar. Food types cover a wide range of offerings, including some exotic items. We had eaten before we went, but plan to return sometime for a full meal. The comfortable seating includes tables large enough to hold your meal and your laptop. Our son commented that the overall ambiance reminded him of a university environment.

Good eats in Madison Indiana at the Off Broadway Taproom

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We looked this place up the day before we went on our day trip to Madison. We had several places on our list, including a place to eat. We found the Off Broadway Taproom downtown on Main Street not far from the Courthouse.

You have to look for the sign above the entrance foyer

The entrance door in the set back foyer

The menu listed on the website promised quite a large and varied list of culinary delights. Sher ordered and enjoyed the vegetarian Avocado Caprese:  Mozzarella, Avacado, Tomato, Basal oil, and Balsamic Glaze on a Ciabatta Bun

Sher’s Avocado Caprese

Maj’s Philly Cheesesteak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maj loved the Philly Cheesesteak with Shaved Ribeye, Sautéed Peppers and Onions, Provolone, Horsey Sauce and a Hoagie Bun.  We also ordered Soft Pretzels with House Beer Cheese and Sweet and Spicy Mustard. Both sandwiches came with fresh made potato chips.

Plenty of brews on tap

We enjoyed having lunch at the Off Broadway Taproom. The atmosphere is friendly, the service was excellent and the food was great. We both agreed that this is a pub to return too. We definitely recommend the self labeled “Madison’s Living Room”. That tag fits.

A splendid 1849 Greek Revival mansion on the Ohio River

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Madison, Indiana is a wonderful town on the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Louisville. The entire downtown has been declared a National Historic site due to the remarkable number of historic buildings including the Shrewsbury-Windle House.

The Official Designation Plaque

The “back door” on city street

 

 

 

 

 

One historic home brings back fond memories for me, as the most recent owners of the Shrewsbury-Windle house were close friends of my paternal grandparents, who also lived for a while in Madison.  As a young lad I remember many wonderful visits with John and Ann in the house. I loved climbing up and down that spiral stairway! John and Ann Windle founded the Historic Madison, Inc society.

3 story free standing spiral staircase

Frank Costigan was a famous architect who designed many Greek Revival style homes in both Indianapolis and Madison. The Shrewsbury House features 16-foot ceilings, 12 foot high entrance doors, intricate plaster moldings, and ornately carved stone details. The most remarkable (and acclaimed) feature is the 3 story, 53 step free standing spiral staircase. The stair case serves as a means of letting hot air raise and vent out of attic windows in addition to providing access to the second floor rooms.

The expansive yard, Ohio River in background past the far fence

Front door faces Ohio River, columns are typical Costigan style

Tours of the Shrewsbury-Windle House are available. For details please go to this page of Historic Madison Inc. In addition, I strongly recommend checking out this article outlining both the history of the house, and the history of John and Ann Windle’s ownership of the house and founding the Historic Madison, Inc society.

The Church Basement Ladies return to Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre

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Indianapolis Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is serving up laughs with Church Basement Ladies, now on stage through May 18. Prepared with love and peppered with humor, this is the original theatrical treat that got the Church Basement Ladies series cookin’.

Licia Watson and Karen Pappas return to reprise their roles as Vivan and Mavis, respectively. They’re joined by Carrie Neal as Karin, Anya Burke as Signe, and John Vessels as Pastor Gunderson.

Tickets to Beef & Boards productions are available exclusively through Beef & Boards, either online at Beef and Boards, seating charts available. You may also contact the box office at 317.872.9664. Make plans now, then order your tickets ASAP.  This popular show will sell out quickly…

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Presents Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in Jersey Boys

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Now on stage at Indy’s beloved Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is the Tony Award winning story of the music and successes of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Those of us who experienced youth in the 1960’s will be treated to a bit of time travel. You will find yourself once again immersed in the tune and lyrics of  “Sherry”, “Walk Like a Man” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, among many other hits.

 

The highly energized and very talented cast will keep your attention glued to the stage. Not only are the song offerings superbly performed, but the behind the scenes storylines explain in detail the ins and outs of the history of the group. The good times and the dark times are artfully presented. This story also details the fascinating secret of the group’s maintained 40 years of friendship.

 

 

Jersey Boys is rated PG-13 and is on stage through April 13. The performance we attended was a sell out, and tickets are selling quite quickly. Please see the complete performance schedule as additional showings are likely to be added. To buy tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664.

Legally Blonde The Musical now playing at Beef & Boards

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Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre brings “blonde” to the stage this summer with Legally Blonde The Musical. Based on the hit MGM movie, Legally Blonde was nominated for seven Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk awards, and gives fans all the fun from the film in this energetic musical.

Elle Woods (Olivia Broadwater), left, is not prepared to answer the question from Professor Callahan (Jeff Stockberger), far right, in his class at Harvard Law

Sorority president Elle Woods is shocked when instead of proposing, her boyfriend dumps her and states he is off the Harvard Law School. Elle won’t give up, and she soon finds herself enrolled in Harvard Law as well. Then the fun begins.

Emmett Forrest (Jacob Butler), right, encourages Elle Woods (Olivia Broadwater), left, to really work toward a law career instead of chasing her ex-boyfriend

This dynamic and vibrant production is filled with exciting characters. Local talent Olivia Broadwater, a graduate of Ball State University and Zionsville Community High School, makes her Beef & Boards debut as Elle Woods, who snaps stereotypes as she sets out to prove herself to the world. Griffin Cole also makes his Beef & Boards debut as Warner Huntington III, who she follows to Harvard after being dumped by him.

Hair stylist Paulette Bonafonte (Meagan Lewis-Michelson), left, sings about her love for “Ireland” to Elle Woods (Olivia Broadwater)

Starring as the friends she meets along the way are Jacob Butler as Emmett Forrest, Logan Moore as Kyle the UPS guy,  Jaddy Ciucci as Enid Hoopes, Logan Hill as Serena, Maya Mays as Margo, and Holly Wilder as Kate.

Paulette Bonafonte (Meagan Lewis-Michelson), center, is stunned by UPS delivery man Kyle (Logan Moore), right, as Elle Woods (Olivia Broadwater), left, watches

B&B favorites Deb Wims plays Fitness Queen Brook Wyndham, and Jeff Stockberger stars as the successful, but pompus and manipulative, Professor Callahan. And also featured are two wonderful canines, Daisy the toy poodle and Pugsley, a 10 year old English bulldog.

Fitness queen Brooke Wyndham (Deb Wims), top center, leads a workout at the Boston Women’s Correctional Facility

The action of music, song and dance is nearly non stop during both Act I and Act II. The story line of the girl who follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School develops both in plot and character development. The choreography is exciting and very well executed.

Elle’s sorority sisters appear as a Greek Chorus after a “tragedy” befalls her at Harvard

The production we attended was a complete sell out. A staff member told us that tickets are selling fast for all shows. Avoid disappointment, don’t wait to order your tickets. Legally Blonde The Musical is on stage through Aug. 25. The complete performance schedule is on  Beef & Boards Website. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664.

Mother’s Day at the historic Willard

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Today we (Maj and our son) took Sher out for a Mother’s Day luncheon. We had finished up a couple of quick shopping stops and Sher told me she wanted to go to the Willard for our celebratory meal.

Street view, note patio seating on left

Wonderful original curved stairway

Antique marble and cast iron fireplace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Willard is an historic building in Franklin, Indiana. The original brick house was built in 1860. Over the years different owners built more around the house, turning it into a hotel. Now it is a very popular local restaurant “where friends meet”.

Sher’s veggie pizza

That’s a basket of fries

There is a bun hiding under that

Thick delicious tenderloin!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Willard has a surprisingly complete menu for what used to be a pizza restaurant. The nice thing about the fare is that it offers favorites that we all enjoy. Sher ordered one of her favorite things: vegetarian topping pizza. Our son likes fries, so here came his basket of fries. I thoroughly enjoyed the breaded tenderloin. This culinary delight was twice as thick as most typical breaded tenderloins.

Yes, there is a full service bar…

Today the Willard was pretty busy when we arrived at 11:30. The place was packed by 12:15. Lots of folks were celebrating Mother’s Day same as we were. This historic establishment is worth a visit when you are in Franklin, Indiana. Check the website here.

Brownstown Indiana Ewing Depot Restoration

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In 2013 Brownstown Township in Jackson County Indiana funded a wonderful project to relocate and restore a portion of the original Ewing Depot. The structure was moved by truck and trailer to a newly prepared site on Front Street near the high school.

Moving the building, photo courtesy Brownstown Township website

The finished project

The building was not open the day we drove by. The depot is in great condition. There is a RR traffic signal installed as part of the display. More information and photos are available at the Brownstown Township website.