The Bass Geek

Part of the magic of living in Fountain Square is that you never know what’s going to come parading down the street.

On one day, though, we’ve got a relatively good idea of what’s going on.

On September 18th, the Fountain Square Art Parade returns to our beautiful neighborhood to showcase . . . well, to showcase. Past memorable entries include hordes of roller derby girls, a convertible full of blow-up dolls, human blades of grass being chased by lawnmowers, and so much more. The parade began as a project with the Indianapolis Museum of Art, but it was such a good idea that we decided to keep it going. And, to accomplish this goal, we’ve applied for a Pepsi Refresh grant to enhance our efforts and encourage even more neighborhood participation. Check out the grant page and remember that you can vote once a day for the entire month of September (using your Facebook account or Pepsi Refresh account). We want this to become a huge event, and we need your help. Vote early and vote often, please.

How busy is Radio Radio this weekend? Three nights of busy! The Battle of the Media Bands take place on Friday, and Jascha, Kate Lamont, and Everything, Now! Play Saturday. Sunday wraps up with The Dollyrots, The Cliks, and Hunter Valentine.

The Vollrath features Leo/Virgo night with DJ Linny McSkinny and The Bear Foote Jackson tonight. Float, float on. Tomorrow, check out the Laarks and Veseria.

The Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra plays Swing Night at the Fountain Square Theater tonight, and there’s live jazz at Maria’s Pizza tonight as well. Finally, check out the lounge music at the Brass Ring. Enjoy!

Radio Radio has a trio of indie rock goodness on Saturday – Elsinore, Jookabox, and Slothpop. Have at it.

The Vollrath brings in Hollis Brown, Castles, Veseria, The Yesway, and Govener tonight. Get there early and settle in for a long show, I guess. Tomorrow is slightly less crowded, with The Last Good Year, Modoc, Pictures of Then, and Canby.

The White Rabbit Cabaret and MOKB presents Ferraby Lionheart, Works Cited, and Justin Branam tonight. Saturday finds them hosting the Schlapentickle Family Burlesque & Revue. Thankfully, no slide shows.

And there’s live jazz at Maria’s Pizza in addition to lounge music at the Brass Ring. Enjoy, won’t you?

Radio Radio has but one show this weekend – the eclectic Toro Y Moi on Sunday.

Big Car Gallery hosts a huge night of music (a Decadent Music Party, as it were) with Jon Autry, ROOMS and Fair Fjola tonight. This will be a good night. I encourage you to go to this.

The White Rabbit Cabaret and My Old Kentucky Blog presents Jeremy Messersmith w/Noah East this evening. Drink it in, and drink it deep.

The Twilight Nites Big Band takes the stage at the Fountain Square Theater for Swing Night. For smaller-scale jazz, head over to Maria’s Pizza. And, for lounge music, there’s the Brass Ring. Enjoy!

P.S. The Steelers kick off their preseason this Saturday night. It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . .

Ah, GenCon. Would that we had something gaming-related to offer for you musically this weekend. As it is, Radio Radio offers you Phosphorescent tonight and Bigger Than Elvis tomorrow.

The Vollrath presents Stand and Deliver,XXX Smut and Money Shot tonight. Tomorrow, take in Will Phalen, Fairview, and Headless Thompson Gunners.

Big Car Gallery displays a bunch of art and hosts performance from Sea Krowns, Christian Taylor and Homeschool, Accordions, and others.

But does it stop there? MAID NON, MONSIEURS ET MADAMES! White Rabbit Cabaret throws the Burlesque Bingo Bango show tonight and Big Band night tomorrow.

And there’s jazz at Maria’s Pizza tonight, lounge music at the Brass Ring, and Dwight Edwards at the Smokehouse!

Too much, First Friday! Too much!

Enjoy all, and may all of your 20s be natural, GenConners.

Radio Radio helps bid farewell to heartland rockers The Elms this evening. It’s sold out, so hope you already have tickets. Tomorrow, the Curry-palooza political fundraiser takes place with a whole passel of acts.

The Vollrath presents Torche, Beings, Red Shadows, and Sorely Trying Days tonight. Tomorrow, it’s Arrah and the Ferns, Abner Trio, Prayer Breakfast, and Fields Of Industry.

The White Rabbit Cabaret has a busy weekend in front of them – tonight, it’s THE BEST NIGHT OF YOUR $!@# LIFE! Their emphasis, not mine, but you get the point of this burlesque show. Tomorrow night, they welcome Cheyenne Marie Mize and Bulletproof Tiger. Feel like hearing Cheyenne work with Bonnie “Prince” Billy. They’re giving away a whole freakin’ ALBUM at http://cheyennemariemize.bandcamp.com/album/among-the-gold. Enjoy.

And, as always, there’s live jazz Friday night at Maria’s Pizza and lounge music at the Brass Ring all weekend long. Enjoy.

Radio Radio brings Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes back for more rockabilly fun tonight. Tomorrow, We Are Hex celebrates the release of their new CD “Hail The Goer.”

The Vollrath has The Founders, Emulus, EdWord in my Pocket tonight and Deals Gone Bad with New York to Nowhere tomorrow.

The White Rabbit Cabaret features performances from Hassenpfeffer both Friday and Saturday night.

If such bawdy entertainment isn’t for you, consider the Blue Skies Big Band over at the Fountain Square Theater for Swing Night.

Arthur’s Music hosts a bluegrass jam Saturday afternoon – they note that well-behaved dogs are welcome, but still will not be allowed to play. All they want to play is nu-metal, anyway.

Finally, there’s jazz at Maria’s Pizza tonight and lounge music at the Brass Ring all weekend long. Enjoy!

Last year, some friends and I sat under the awning of a now-defunct local establishment and cheering the participants of the Fountain Square Art Parade. We were rather lonely, in that it was the wettest, coldest 4th of July I can remember, and the parade had shrunk a bit in both paraders and spectators. Nevertheless, roller derby girls, vintage fire trucks, and weirdly costumed individuals made their way through the streets of Fountain Square (if with a quicker pace than expected) to keep alive a new activity hoping to transform into a tradition. What else would give you the excuse to traipse past your neighbors in full lawn gnome regalia?

Quiet, Halloween. This isn’t about you.

Those of an artistic and creative bent should probably check out this year’s event, scheduled to coincide with the Fountain Square Art Festival and Masterpiece in a Day on September 18th. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we can see just how weird the entries can be. Between this year’s 4th of July celebrations (complete with black market trunk sales of fireworks) and the dancing bear/fairy video I saw shot on my street a few weeks ago, however, it make take a little effort to stand out from the local flair. I encourage a hearty and well-fought competition. Have at it.