Indiana History Center Concerts on the Canal…and more

‘Concerts on the Canal’ at the Indiana History Center.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

By Amy Lamb
Indiana History Center
http://indianahistory.org/

There are plenty of ways to enjoy downtown Indianapolis in the summer, and the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is offering several—its time-honored favorite Concerts on the Canal, popular Museum Nights on the Canal programming and Sunday hours in June and July. The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, home of the IHS and the Indiana Experience, is located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis, along the picturesque, historic CentralCanal.

On Thursday evenings this summer, the IHS will host some of the area’s best performers. The concert lineup includes a diverse selection of musical styles, from jazz, blues and classic rock to big band, swing and the Great American Songbook. Local and regional favorites like The Woomblies, The Flying Toasters, Cynthia Layne, The Cool City Band (featuring Shannon Forsell and Laney Wilson) and Jessie Brown are just a few of the acts on this season’s schedule.

Concerts take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays from May 29 to July 31, in addition to IHS’s annual Independence Day Bash on Friday, July 4, which will start at 5 p.m. with the Indianapolis Municipal Band and feature King James and the Verses.

Guests are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages to Concerts on the Canal, but food service is also provided in the HistoryCenter’s Stardust Terrace Café and at an outdoor grill, both operated by Hoaglin To Go. All alcohol must be purchased on-site, and a cash bar will be offered. No pets and no smoking are allowed on the Plaza. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the History Center’s parking lot.

Seating can be purchased on the Kruse Family Stardust Terrace in tables of eight ($45/$40 IHS members) or four ($35/$30 IHS members), and single-seats at the community table ($10/$9 for IHS members). Free seating is available across the canal on the grassy knoll. The 2014 Concerts on the Canal series is presented by The Indiana Rail Road Company, in partnership with the IUPUI Department of Music and Arts Technology.

For concert dates in June and July, IHS’s Museum Nights on the Canal will offer free Indiana Experience admission, as well as hands-on activities and extra entertainment, from 4 to 8 p.m. Indiana Experience admission will also be free on July 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum Nights on the Canal is presented by Citizens Energy Group and The Glick Fund, a CICF Fund.

Guests are also invited to take advantage of Sunday hours in June and July, when the History Center will be open from noon to 5 p.m. and offer additional programming. IHS is also proud to be part of the Blue Star Museum Program and extends free year-round admission to members of the active military and their families.

To reserve a table in advance or for more information, call the IHS at 317-232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.

Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest and presents a unique set of visitor exhibitions called the Indiana Experience. IHS also provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups, publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; produces and hosts art exhibitions, museum theater and outside performance groups; and provides youth, adult and family programming.

Indiana Historical Society’s 2014 Concerts on the Canal Schedule

May 29 – The Woomblies (Popular Motown, soul and rock)

June 5 – The Flying Toasters (High-energy dance favorites)

June 12 – Hopkins and Miller (Jazz of the 1920s and 1930s)

June 19 – Seth Jenkins and the Tides featuring Michael Beck and Dane Dye (Eclectic music from the 1950s to today)

June 26 – Cynthia Layne (R&B and jazz)

July 3 – Carmel Brass (Patriotic tunes)

July 4 – Indianapolis Municipal Band (Patriotic tunes and marches, 5 to 6:15 p.m.) and King James and the Verses (Classic rock and blues, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.)

July 10 – The Cool City Band featuring Shannon Forsell and Laney Wilson (Music of the Lounge Era)

July 17 – Deb Mullins (Cabaret with a mix of standards, bluesy jazz and pop)

July 24 – David Mannell with Laura Hammer-Erhart and Becky Barton with special guest John Alvarado (Classic music of Spain and Latin America, standards of musical theater)

July 31 – Jessie Brown (Country, rock and soul)

  

Museum Nights on the Canal and July 4 Programming

Hop, Skip and Jump (June 5, June 12 and July 24) – Meet up with your friends and learn how to salsa dance and do the swing and the foxtrot. Take a 30-minute lesson at 5:15 p.m. or 6 p.m.

Banding Together (May 29, June 19 and July 31) – Bring friends and coworkers – or come alone – to the History Center at 5:15 p.m. for a networking event to participate in improvisational activities and get to know new people.

Eleven for Eleven (July 10) – Did you know the Indiana 11th Regiment, formed during the Civil War, inspired the name of our city’s new soccer team? Learn 11 fun facts about the Indy Eleven and meet members of the team from 5 to 6 p.m.

Picturing Your Way Through History (June 26 and July 17) – Take a new look at the stunning architecture of the History Center through two interactive sessions at 5:15 p.m. or 6 p.m. Scope out creative shots to share on Instagram or even create a Vine.

What’s Red, White and Blue All Over? (July 3) – Is wine really good for you? Join us for a special wine and cheese tasting from 5:15 to 6 p.m. and hear what a member of the medical community has to say about the benefits of social time with friends and libations that serve you well.

Hoosiers Helping Hoosiers (July 4) – As you celebrate our country’s birth, spend a day here and find out how you can help others in our community.

 

Cool Sundays Programming

Racing Through History (June 1, June 15 and July 27) – Using toy cars, race on a track like no other in Indianapolis for a chance to win tickets to another favorite Indianapolis pastime, an Indianapolis Indians game.

Recipes Gone By/Recipes Made Anew (June 8, June 29, July 20) – Join us as we taste and explore dishes from Indiana’s history and make them new. We are pulling recipes from our collections and having local chefs interpret them with contemporary flare and local ingredients.

Snappier Pics (June 22 and July 13) – Tired of taking photos that don’t turn out? Learn from The Indianapolis Star photographers how to take the best possible photos from your smartphone

Hoosiers Helping Hoosiers (July 6) – As you celebrate our country’s birth, spend a day here and find out how you can help others in our community.

For more information, visit http://indianahistory.org/, or call 317-232-1882.