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Grumpy Old Men brings hilarious comedy to Beef & Boards

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Accident prone Harry (Jaddy Ciucci) reacts in pain after a mishap

Long time Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre professional actors and directors Eddie Curry and Jeff Stockberger take the stage by storm in the currently running production of Grumpy Old Men: The Musical. Set in the cold climes of Wabasha, Minnesota, the story joins the decades long running feud between John Gustafson (Curry) and Max Goldman (Stockberger) that is ramped up when Ariel Truax, an alluring lady (played by another B&B favorite Sarah Hund) moves in across the street from from John and Max.

Ariel (Sarah Hund), center, fuels the feud between John Gustafson (Eddie Curry), left, and Max Goldman (Jeff Stockberger), right

Max and John both want Ariel, as it has been years since they lost their wives. Throw in John’s daughter (Logan Hill) and Max’s son (Jacob A Butler) and their love interest adds yet another layer to the plots and hilarity of the interactions of the people of Wabasha.

John (Eddie Curry) hooks a boot while ice fishing with (from left) Max Goldman (Jeff Stockberger), Chuck Barrels (Ty Stover), and his father, “Grandpa” Gustafson (Douglas E. Stark)

Among the characters in the town are General Store owner Chuck Barrels (Ty Stoyer) and his just arrived cousin Punky Barrels (Karen Pappas), an ornery and vindictive IRS agent Sandra Snyder (Devan Mathias) and Grandpa Gustafson (Douglas E. Stark).

Ariel (Sarah Hund) gives Max (Jeff Stockberger) a cup of tea as he struggles to maintain his balance in one of the funniest interactions of the performance.

Curry and Stockberger once again shine with their performances playing off of each other. The constant banter between the two characters is filled with hard hitting one liners. Their expressions are priceless and both fit the “Grumpy Old Men” label perfectly. Curry and Stockberger reset the bar high for Grumpy Old Men.

Ariel (Sarah Hund), top, celebrates her arrival to Wabasha, Minnesota

No review of Grumpy Old Men: The Musical would be complete without mention of Douglas E. Stark’s portrayal of Grandpa Gustafson’s highly animated monologs that give son John very explicit instructions on how to carry on with Ariel. Let’s just say that the multiple double entendre uttered combined with, ah, explicit gestures leaves nothing that Grandpa is saying to imagination.

His lascivious father “Grandpa” Gustafson (Douglas E. Stark), left, gives John (Eddie Curry) some encouragement and life advice by singing “Life Is All About Livin'”

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, is now on stage through Oct. 1. This is the Indianapolis premiere for the show, which is rated PG-13 for adult language and content. Visit The B&B website for pricing and availability, or call the box office at 317.872.9664.

Beef & Boards unique tribute to Duke Ellington

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Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis is currently presenting a unique performance titled Sophisticated Ladies. This stylish and dynamic collection of Duke Ellington’s musical legacy is a rapid fire presentation of his musical genius.

Tenéh B. C. Karimu leads the Beef & Boards Orchestra in the Overture

Gigi Huang (center) performs “Dancers In Love” with Jonny Rouse (left) and Darius-Anthony Robinson, right

 

 

 

 

 

There is no real “story” to this production. Rather, you are treated to one number after another after another with literally no time in between. With dance and song the cast and orchestra brings a delightful “mini-story” into every number, some with the song lyrics and some with mime style dance and expressions during instrumental pieces.

Kelliann DeCarlo sings “Hit Me With A Hot Note And Watch Me Bounce”

Sean Blake and Tiffany Gilliam perform “I’m Beginning To See The Light”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making their first appearance at Beef & Boards are Darius-Anthony Robinson, Yvette Monique Clark, Kelliann DeCarlo, Zachary Dyer, Arika Lynn Casey, and Gigi Huang. Back again at the Beef & Boards stage are Tiffany Gilliam, Joseph Perkins Jr. , Sean Blake , and Jonny Rouse. Musical direction is by Tenéh B. C. Karimu and Kenney M. Green-Tilford is director and choreographer.

From left: Joseph Perkins Jr., Jonny Rouse, Darius-Anthony Robinson, and Zachary Dyer perform “Drop Me Off In Harlem”

Yvette Monique Clark sings “In A Sentimental Mood”

 

 

 

 

 

The talent on stage for Sophisticated Ladies is eye popping. The songs are belted out with style, power and beauty that would have made The Duke proud. The energy of the dance makes you ask yourself how the performers are keeping up with the non-stop pace of the show. How they make their many costume changes so quickly is also incredible. Vintage black and white photos of 1930’s Harlem night clubs like the Savoy and the Apollo as backdrops added to the experience.

Sean Blake (center) performs “Ko-Ko (The Card Game)” with (from left) Zachary Dyer, Darius-Anthony Robinson, Jonny Rouse, and Joseph Perkins Jr.

Sean Blake and Tiffany Gilliam perform “Music Is A Woman”

The company performs “It Don’t Mean A Thing” during the finale

The entire show is one thrilling number after another. I had to tap my foot to the music during each song. I sat there during the whole show with a grin on my face thinking “This is real music.”  The orchestra was superb, larger than normal and presented Duke Ellington’s music in a way that took you back to the hey-days of this musical era.

To purchase tickets online, visit the Beef and Boards website. Tickets are also available by calling the Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664 anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays).

 

Duke Ellington’s music celebrated on stage at Beef and Boards

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Starting Friday, July 14th, Indy’s Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre will present “Sophisticated Ladies” spotlighting the music of Duke Ellington.

This is part of the latest B&B’s Press Release:
This summer, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre celebrates 100 years since legendary jazz
pianist and composer Duke Ellington moved to New York City to perform in Broadway nightclubs with Sophisticated Ladies, a stylish and brassy retrospective of The Duke’s musical legacy now on stage. After moving to New York City in 1923 to perform in such legendary venues as the Exclusive Club in Harlem and the Hollywood Club, Ellington would go on to have extended residencies at the Cotton Club in Harlem. It is this period that is celebrated in Act I, with songs including “It Don’t Mean A Thing,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” “’A’ Train,” and “Hit Me With A Hot Note And Watch Me Bounce.”

Sophisticated Ladies celebrates the music of legendary jazz pianist Duke Ellington with more than two dozen songs taking audiences through his decades of contributions to American music.

Act II explores the private man as captured in his music, featuring “I’m Beginning To See The Light,” “Satin Doll,” I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good,” and “Sophisticated Lady.” Ellington recorded with such talents as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, and Charles Mingus. Sophisticated Ladies is a high-stepping salute inspired by the glamorous nightlife and sensuous highlife of Ellington, who would go on to tour Europe, Asia, West Africa, and South America, in addition to North America.

Get your tickets at the Beef & Boards website. We’re really looking forward to this performance, as it is hard to beat Duke Ellington’s genius when it comes to music. We’re going this weekend and we’ll let you know what we thought, probably Monday. Have a good weekend!

Central Indiana Air Quality Alert

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Smoke from Canadian wildfires have blanketed Central Indiana with enough smoke to prompt an air quality alert for Central Indiana on Tuesday June 27th. This covers our home county. This is part of an email distributed by the Indianapolis National Weather Service:

AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT WEDNESDAY NIGHT…
The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have declared an Air Action Day, in effect until midnight EDT Wednesday night.
An Air Quality Action Day for PM 2.5 has been issued. Fine particulate levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure.

The smoke is visible when you look outside, and there is even a faint smoke smell detected. It is more obvious in the country as seen in the photo below. Normally the tree line on the horizon is clearly seen with a dark green color.

An obvious smoky haze as you look across the fields

We are hunkered down in the house with the AC and air filter running. I was outside briefly and noticed some immediate congestion, and Sher also has felt the effect of the poor air quality. Hopefully the forecast will be correct, and by Thursday the smoke will start to dissipate.

Ever get so full you bring half your food home?

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That happened to us this afternoon. We went to Bargersville, Indiana to try out a new brewery and restaurant we just recently discovered on our way to another attraction. Here’s what we found:

Outside the entrance and the patio seating

View of the bar, lots of taps here!

 

 

 

 

 

Posing with the Taxman

Three professional tax accountants, while working in Belgium, became enamored with Belgian beer styles. Thus began the story of Taxman Brewing Company located in Bargersville, Indiana.  From the Taxman website “We selected the Town of Bargersville for the home of our brewery because it reminded us of the small brewery towns we visited in Europe.”

A flight of four to sample

Delicious warm pretzels and dipping sauces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crispy Brussel sprouts with feta, chilis, crushed almonds

Loaded smashburger, with good trimmings and double fried frites

A flight of four ales. Good stuff…

The Bargersville location is a comfortable place with outdoor patio seating and inside dining as well. The restaurant is family friendly, and has a large menu of farm to table choices. And of course you’ll have nearly 50 styles of beer from which to sample or buy. We had so much food that we ended up with 3 containers for our take home. Everything was absolutely scrumptious.  Service is near perfect and you really feel at home and welcome at this fun gastropub.

Current brews on tap and for sale.

A peek at the brewing tanks

 

 

 

 

 

The brewery has a capacity of 6000 barrels each year. Taxman self-distributes its brews across Indiana as well as offering them in the Bargersville’s restaurant and two other restaurants in Indy and Fortville. They brew a wide range of Belgian inspired ales, American farmhouse ales, Midwest saisons and has an extensive cellar program producing wine and spirit aged beers as well as sour, wild and funky ales.

Indiana claims more Carnegie libraries than any other state

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Famous 19th-century industrialist Andrew Carnegie donated over 40 million dollars that was used to build over 1650 libraries in large and small towns across America. Indiana received a total of over $2.6 million from the Carnegie Corporation. A total of 164 library buildings were built in the Hoosier State from 1901 to 1922, more than any other state in the Union.

The original structure, the plaque structure in the center of steps was added later

Shelbyville’s Carnegie Library was constructed early in the building program and held its grand opening on June 2, 1902. It was like most all of the other structures, including massive columns over the front entrance and a large ceiling/roof dome. Of course they were made with Indiana limestone.

The dome of the original structure is visible, with later additions in the foreground.

Over the years the Shelbyville Library has had several additions and renovations. One addition more than doubled the size of the original library. Most recently an adjacent former furniture store was obtained and after remodeling it now houses the library’s Genealogy and History Departments, instruction rooms and computer labs. This library and branches are a valuable part of Shelbyville and Shelby County’s community.

Grain elevator turned restaurant

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The Depot grain elevator building was first built in 1906 adjacent to the Pennsylvania RR tracks about a block south of the National Road. Throughout the decades the site changed hands, sat empty, and was finally bought by a group of Greenfield business men in order to stop impending destruction.

Hand hewed beams used in remodeling

Old conveyor belt bins from the elevator

Bar made from section of old grain bin

The reconstruction of the exterior and interior repurposed as much of the original building as possible. Look around, you will see marvelous examples of early 1900’s architectural details including hand hewed beams, wood planking and material handling conveyors and screens.

Main bar and beverage station

Looking at the basement machinery

1940’s CO-OP sign

Outdoor patio seating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today The Depot is a full service family restaurant with an adjacent “bar seating” area. The menu is quite extensive, and offers many types of cuisine and drink options. In addition there is a second floor seating area and bar suitable for special events. There is, on the main floor, a glass floor observation deck exposing some original machinery in the basement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sher enjoyed the Vegetarian Flat Bread and I ordered the Philly Cheese Steak with a side of Tater Tots. Both were most delicious with farm fresh ingredients. The iced tea, both sweetened and unsweetened was more tasty than most teas you find. All in all, this was a fun experience. The service was great, all the staff made you feel welcomed. The food and drinks were exceptional. The mantra of Food. Drinks. History. is perfect for the Depot.

Home town café

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You always hear that the local, non-chain eateries are the best. The Chaperral Cafe in Shelbyville, Indiana proves that theory is correct! Located a couple of blocks from the downtown square, this landmark is known for its all day breakfast and “the best breaded tenderloin” around.

Local history in photos

A sincere personal welcome

Bigger than your head!

You barely see the bun peeking out

Cut in half, still too big for the bun!

I had a wonderful lunch Friday. I met one of my sons there, and as a bonus he had my 2 year old grandson with him. A special treat for this PaPaw! I had wanted to visit the Chaperral for quite sometime as their breaded tenderloin has become legendary. (Breaded tenderloins are a Hoosier favorite!) Well, this sandwich absolutely exceeded my expectations. The tenderloin was just the right thickness, the breading was not overpowering and the “crunch” was perfect! I cut mine in half, ate part in the bun, the other with knife and fork. Gonna have to go back and try biscuits and gravy sometime soon!

Los Reyes Mexican restaurant

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On a day trip recently we stopped in Martinsville, Indiana for a bite to eat. We spotted Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant right on the downtown square. We lucked out and got a parking space right across from the restaurant. We appreciate it when we don’t have to walk very far! We enjoy Mexican cuisine, so we thought we’d give this place a try.

Entrance w/Court House across the street

Fancy sun dial

Colorful furnishings

 

 

 

 

 

Wall to wall decor

 

 

 

 

 

After the host escorted us to our table, it became apparent that this was going to be a treat for the eyes as well as the palate! We have been to a lot of Mexican restaurants, but this one had every square inch of the walls, tables, chairs and support columns completely covered with those colorful 3D raised decoration/pictures.

Good chips/salsa

Margarita!

Both our meals pictured

Sher ordered a vegetarian plate with enchilada, quesadilla and tostada served with frijoles. She also had a margarita. As I was driving, I had water with my beef chimichanga served up with frijoles and rice. We enjoyed the meal, served hot and of course we also enjoyed the chips and salsa. Seems as most Mexican restaurants have pretty much the same fare, but it still makes for a decent meal.