April 9, 2024 — Westfield

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The views of the columnists in Current in Westfield are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Brian Revercomb likes to stay busy. A management official with an electronic security provider by day, Revercomb has two other jobs that keep him busy outside of his regular 9-to-5.

When he isn’t coaching softball at Westfield High School, where he is in his ninth season, Revercomb can be found inside his workshop behind his home in Fishers. There, he’s slowly building up the business that honors his favorite hobby — woodworking.

“When I was in my early 20s, I was interested in making my own guitar,” Revercomb said. “My brother-in-law showed me how to use the tools and I started making electric guitars for myself and for my friends.”

Over the years, Revercomb kept up with the hobby, even working as a carpenter in the early 2000s. In 2020, he did a project for a friend of the family who told him he should consider woodworking as more than just a weekend time filler. Once his daughter went off to college that fall, he said it felt like the right time.

“I was sitting at home, she was gone, softball was slow at the time, so I started the business,” he said.

That’s when he launched Two Labs Furniture & Cabinetry.

Revercomb started woodworking for home interior projects, such as kitchen cabinets, laundry rooms, entertainment centers, office furniture, bathroom vanities, kitchen tables and bedroom sets.

“Pretty much furniture,” he said. “I haven’t made a lot of chairs, but tables, beds, I love doing live edge slabs with built-ins and making tables. I made a live edge maple top table for a family member recently.”

Revercomb also has a CNC machine — an automated tool that uses computer inputs for wood and other projects.

“Here in Fishers we have the Maker Playground. It’s a giant woodworking shop and

they have a 4-by-8 woodworking machine,” Revercomb said. “But I bought a small one at an estate sale and I can make all sorts of things.”

Revercomb learned a lot of his skills during his time as a carpenter, but much of his expertise is self-taught, coming from years of research and trial and error.

“I like to study and learn,” he said. “That’s probably the coaching part of me, where I’m always trying to improve myself as a coach, I’m always trying to improve myself for work as well, whether it’s my day job or woodworking.”

Revercomb said although mass produced furniture can be purchased cheaper, there’s something special about handcrafted pieces.

“A bedroom set I’m currently making, the tree that I’m using was cut down… and

the bedroom set is 90 percent going to be made from the same tree that was grown in Indiana,” he said. “They live in Indiana, so there’s a connection there. It’s a local business making it from a local tree. I think there’s a connection to folks there. The things I make, you can go and buy them where they are less expensive, but I think what I offer is quality in the way I build. I think people like well-made handcrafted pieces from local makers.”

In addition to the bigger jobs, Revercomb still loves the smaller projects, such as guitars, cutting boards and signs.

Revercomb said so far, a lot of his customers have come from word of mouth. But he hopes to expand as he branches out into more complicated jobs.

Revercomb’s work can be viewed at twolabsfurniture.com.

Brian Revercomb makes large pieces of furniture as well as small items, such as guitars and cutting boards, in his shop in Fishers. (Photo by Marney Simon)

DISPATCHES

Library closure – The Westfield Washington Public Library will temporarily close its doors April 22 as staff embark on the monumental task of packing up the library’s collections, furniture, and equipment and moving it to a new building at the corner of Westfield Boulevard and Park Street. During the closure, the library will not be answering phone calls, emails, or social media inquiries, however patrons can still access some services, including accessing the library’s digital collection. Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the countywide borrowing agreement, which allows cardholders to check out materials from non-Evergreen Indiana public libraries in Hamilton County. District residents can visit or call any other location in the Evergreen Indiana consortium of over 130 libraries to borrow items or get assistance with their accounts. For more information and updates on the relocation process, visit wwpl.lib.in.us/moving.

Road Closure – 196th Street between East Street and Grassy Branch is expected to close April 9 for approximately 60 days. During that closure, motorists should utilize the local detour via East Street, 191st Street and Grassy Branch.

Scholarship applications open – Westfield Education Foundation has opened its scholarship application period. Any student applying for secondary, technical or trade education is eligible to apply. The foundation offers 31 scholarship and award opportunities, and awards are based on more than GPA. The application deadline is April 11. For more information and to apply, go to wwswef.org/ scholarships.

Lions donations – The Westfield Lions Club will donate $6,500 to split among five local charitable organizations during the Poker for Sight, Texas Hold’em Tournaments April 26 and 27 at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Noblesville. At the event, the Lions will present $1,500 donations to Chairs of Honor, Indiana Diabetes Youth Camp, Third Phase Mission, and Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation. In addition, a check for $500 will be presented to Indy Thunder Beep Baseball. The club holds two national level poker tournaments annually, each with a total payout of $25,000, with $10,000 to the winner. For more information on Poker for Sight or to enter, visit lionspoker.org.

Westfield mayor vows transparency

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Mayor Scott Willis has been promoting his four-pillar plan to guide growth in Westfield during his term.

CITY NEWS

He said those pillars — public safety excellence; transparency and accountability; quality growth and livability; and empowerment and improvement — are a roadmap for his administration, and each includes a long list of objectives and goals.

“These four pillars, in my mind, are the recipe for success in our city and advancing Westfield over the next four years,” Willis told more than 140 residents at his first town hall meeting March 21 at Wood Winds Golf Club.

Willis said his goal is to keep residents involved and informed every step of the way.

“We’re looking at implementing a quarterly newsletter, and that will be a hard copy. It is going to be mailed to you, it is going to cover schools, the chamber of commerce, city council will have a way to communicate as well,” Willis said. “We’re just going to try to keep you up to date on things that are happening in the city.”

Willis said the city will continue to use social media and email updates, but hopes a newsletter, which will cost $16,000 to $17,000 per quarter to produce, will reach everyone, especially those who don’t follow the city’s digital platforms.

“We’re trying to hit it from every angle,” Willis said. “The way I look at my job, I’m the mayor, but I have 60,000 bosses. Every single person (who is a) resident of Westfield, I work for you. In a business relationship, if you never talk to your boss, you’re probably not going to be around very long, and you’re certainly not going to be successful. So, my goal is to communicate to you and I’ve really tried to instill that in my staff.”

Willis said the money spent on the newsletter is an investment in transparency.

“If we choose not to spend that money to communicate, you’re going to be in the dark, you’re not going to be happy with us,” Willis said. “We want to do the best we can to make sure that you understand we’re not hiding.”

Willis’ next town hall will take place at 7 p.m. June 20 at the new Westfield Washington Library. A tour of the new facility will begin at 6:30 p.m.

DISPATCHES

Indiana’s early Black settlement – The Westfield Washington Historical Society will host a presentation from 7 to 9pm April 16 with Bryan Glover, who will share the history and plans for the future of the Roberts Settlement, one of the first Black communities in Indiana. The pioneer set-

tlement, founded in 1835 by free Blacks of mixed racial heritage, is located north of Westfield, east of U.S. 31 on 276th Street in western Jackson Township. The event takes place at the Westfield Washington Historical Society & Museum, 130 Penn St., and is free to attend.

Westfield Mayor Scott Willis presents his four-pillar plan during the first of four quarterly town hall meetings in March at Wood Winds Golf Club. (Photo by Marney Simon)

Waste Management moves to direct billing

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

Billing changes for Waste Management accounts are now in place in Westfield.

CITY NEWS

The switch from the city billing for trash collection to residents paying Waste Management directly was made official April 1. Mayor Scott Willis said although the transition was on the rocky side, residents will now pay for their garbage pickup directly.

quired by Waste Management in August 2022. The contract runs through the end of 2025.

Willis told residents at a town hall meeting in March that in the weeks leading up to the switch, there was a good deal of incorrect information circulating following a mailer that came from Waste Management earlier than expected explaining the new process. That mailer led to workers at City Hall fielding hundreds of calls from confused residents.

“Nothing changes with the contract,” Willis said.

The refuse contract was originally made with Ray’s Trash Service, which was ac-

Willis said a provision regarding payment to Waste Management was the catalyst for the change. According to the mayor, when Waste Management took over the garbage pickup, the contract noted that the city would pay for the services, but only as bills were paid. Willis said delinquent refuse accounts are currently about $500,000 in arrears, money that Waste Management is not receiving even though they are providing those services.

The result was turning billing over to Waste Management, which means they can cut off collection services to those who don’t pay.

“Nothing will change in terms of the cost of your trash services,” Willis said. “Nothing is changing except that you’re now going to get a bill from Waste Management for the trash. You’ll still get a bill from the city for wastewater, but you will get a bill from Waste Management and it should be the exact same amount you were being billed

“Nothing will change in terms of the cost of your trash services.

Nothing is changing except that you’re now going to get a bill from Waste Management for the trash.”

– MAYOR SCOTT

WILLIS

from the city.”

Willis said that while he too was frustrated with some aspects of the trash service, there are positives, starting with removing the city as the middleman when it comes to reaching out to Waste Management. Willis reminded residents that Waste Management has an online platform that residents can use, including customizing their accounts to set up payments.

Trash and recycling pickup routes, as well as pickup days, are unaffected by the switch.

Residents can find information on the billing switch, as well as links to sign up for online payments with Waste Management at westfield.in.gov under the “departments” tab.

DISPATCHES

Congressional art contest – Submissions are being accepted for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Artistic Discovery Contest, which is open to all high school students. Winning artwork will be displayed for a year in the U.S. Capitol. Residents of Indiana’s 5th Congressional District may enter by dropping off entries by 5 p.m. April 16 at the Muncie District Office, 420 South High St., Suite 207, Muncie. Learn more at spartz.house.gov/ services/art-competition.

Hats Off to Spring fundraiser – The Hats Off to Spring fashion show and luncheon will be presented beginning at 10 a.m. May 1 at Ritz Charles, 12156 N. Meridian St. in Carmel. The fundraiser benefits the Little Sisters of the Poor who care for the elderly at the St. Augustine Home on W. 86th Street in Indianapolis. Proceeds will support ongoing operations of the St. Augustine Home for the Aged. Call 317-294-1955 for more information and an invitation. Learn more at staugustinehomeguild. org/st-augustine-home-guild/hots.

Willis

‘Green Day’ in Westfield

In Westfield, it turns out it actually is easy being green.

Westfield Parks & Recreation Department will present Green Day — a celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day — noon to 2 p.m. April 27 at Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S. Union St.

The free event will provide visitors with tips and techniques for green practices, presented by local organizations and vendors. Topics such as soil, trees, water and invasive species will be shared to help residents participate in green initiatives at home and throughout the community.

“Green Day is an important Parks Department initiative, and we are thrilled that a number of businesses and community organizations are partnering to make this an even bigger event.”

– MAYOR SCOTT WILLIS

The city will give away free native tree saplings while supplies last, courtesy of Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

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“Green Day is an important Parks Department initiative, and we are thrilled that a number of businesses and community organizations are partnering to make this an even bigger event. We work hard each year to be named a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation, and events like this help to inform the community of the work we’re doing that they may not see every day,” Mayor Scott Willis stated.

In addition to the Parks & Rec Department, participating organizations include City of Westfield Stormwater, Earth Charter Indiana, Greenways Foundation, Hamilton County Soil and Water, Westfield Green Together, Waste Management and Xanderbuilt Tree Care.

Free parking is available in the lot at the southwest corner of Poplar Street and Park Street and in designated spots along Jersey, Mill, and Union streets.

Learn more about Westfield Parks & Recreation at westfield.in.gov/ government.

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Seed Library now available

news@youarecurrent.com

The Westfield Washington Public Library has a new section for library patrons who have, or want to have, a green thumb.

GARDENING

The Westfield Library Foundation announced the grand opening of a new seed library at the facility at 333 West Hoover St. The addition, sponsored by Community First Bank of Indiana, provides a space where residents can access, borrow, exchange, or donate seeds for vegetables, herbs and flowers.

“The Seed Library will feature a diverse selection of seeds suitable for different growing conditions and seasons, catering to both novice and experienced gardeners alike,” stated Erin Downey, executive director of the Westfield Library Foundation.

Seed libraries serve as an important step toward developing a network of seed savers, creating locally adapted varieties, responding to climate change or loss of gene integrity due to GMOs and to preserve genetic diversity, according to the

The Seed Library is now available at Westfield Washington Public Library. (Photo courtesy of Westfield Library Foundation)

Seed Library Network. By providing free access to seeds, libraries encourage community members to grow their own food, support local ecosystems and engage in the age-old tradition of seed sharing.

“We are thrilled to partner with Community First Bank of Indiana to bring this valuable resource to our community,” Downey continued. “We are deeply grateful for their commitment to fostering community engagement, education, and sustainability.”

Learn more about seed libraries at seedlibraries.weebly.com.

For more on programs at Westfield Washington Library, visit wwpl.lib.in.us.

Brebeuf Jesuit senior guard kept getting better

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School senior guard Evan Haywood’s college recruiting stock has risen throughout his high school basketball career.

“I feel like I made a big jump this summer in my mindset and my work ethic,” said Haywood, a Carmel resident. “Ever since then, I just kept it consistent with my routine and my work ethic through the season (and) that kept me in a mode of consistency. I think I also got smarter and able to read the game better. I started to really start to understand film study and understanding my opponents’ strengths and weaknesses before each game.”

Braves coach Allen Glunt said the Butler University-bound Haywood’s confidence and leadership improved as a senior. He averaged 19.8 points per game this past season after averaging 14.3 ppg as a junior.

Glunt said the Braves, who finished 18-6, increased their pace this season.

“As we created more possessions in games, he was able to capitalize on that

MEET EVAN HAYWOOD

Favorite athlete: LeBron James

Favorite subject: English

Favorite TV show: “The Office.”

Favorite musician: Drake

with his ability to score,” Glunt said. “A very underrated aspect of his game that played into this as well is his ability to rebound.”

Haywood raised his rebounding average to 6.4 per game after averaging 4.3 rpg as a junior.

“As he worked his way through our program over the years, he has just consistently improved year to year,” Glunt said. “He has always been a very talented play-

Brebeuf Jesuit senior guard Evan Haywood averaged 19.8 points this past season. (Photo courtesy of Allen Glunt)

er. As more and more opportunities have presented themselves, he has been ready every step of the way. As his role became more prominent, he started bringing more guys along with him and he played a large role in our group’s cohesion. He’s as good

of a teammate as he is a player.”

Glunt, who took the post after Haywood’s sophomore season, said Haywood played behind a talented group of seniors as a sophomore.

“During that time, though, he never wavered in his work ethic and development, so that when he got his opportunity his junior year, he was ready to hit the ground running,” Glunt said. “He went from not being able to get on the floor as a sophomore to leading us in scoring his junior year. Pretty incredible, but the more I’ve gotten to know him these past two years, (it’s) not surprising at all.”

Haywood said his biggest improvement going into his junior year was learning to move without the ball.

“Not standing still while the play is being run and always moving around to find the open spot on the court, so I could make any sort of play,” he said.

Haywood said he chose Butler because of the coaching staff and the culture.

“They are winners and they know what it takes to win,” he said. “They also really value my entire game and see me as a person that can help them win games.”

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Counsel added to Grand Park negotiations

By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com

The City of Westfield has added legal representation as negotiations continue into the transition of management at Grand Park.

CITY NEWS

In December 2023, the city entered a Memorandum of Understanding with Grand Park Sports & Entertainment, a public-private partnership between the city, Keystone Group, Indy Sports & Entertainment, Indy Eleven and Bullpen Ventures for the transition.

To make sure all parties are represented, the city engaged Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP for “specific purposes regarding Grand Park matters,” according to a resolution approved by the council in March.

“The previous administration agreed to, properly, approval of having one law firm on both sides of the fence, both sides of the table,” Councilmember Patrick Tamm

said during the council’s regular meeting March 11. “What this does is, it brings in additional legal counsel for the benefit of the City Council as we work through the (MOU).”

Mayor Scott Willis said he supports the move, noting that it is in the city’s best interest to have its own separate legal counsel during negotiations.

“We have the opportunity for the Westfield City Council to engage separate legal counsel to help the city and more importantly the residents of Westfield through this very complex negotiation that we’re in the midst of,” Willis said. “The redevelopment commission and others, the city will have other attorneys in regarding development of parcels. There are a lot of different tentacles here and we as councilors felt the need to have our own legal representation on behalf of the city as well. We are not looking to be adverse, let me be clear, in any way, shape or form in this situation. We’re just doing this in the best interest of the taxpayers.”

OVERDUE HONOR

Westfield resident’s Jewish great-grandfather finally gets recognition from German city

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Aliza Shalit knew part of what her great-grandfather Paul Hirsch contributed to the German government.

But those contributions were wiped out when the Nazis came to power in the 1930s.

Shalit, a Westfield resident who works for the City of Carmel as a sign permit specialist, traveled to Dortmund, Germany, in late November 2023, when Hirsch was being honored for his contributions during a summit of European mayors to combat antisemitism.

“He played a big part in the creation of the great Berlin, taking all of these small towns around Berlin and making it into a truly large area under a single local government,” Shalit said of Hirsch. “From there, he was prime minister of Prussia (from 1918 to 1920) and then minister of the interior. Then they tried to have a coup (in Prussia), which basically failed. But during that time, a lot of people in government had to hide. So, he came back and became mayor of Dortmund in 1925 (by a vote of the city council). He took Dortmund, a really tiny town, and gathered all the towns around it and made a large, influential city.”

Hirsch retired from office because of health reasons in 1932, but when the Nazis took power in 1933, they took his pension away.

“They erased him from history,” Shalit said. “The (current) mayor of Dortmund said, ‘How does someone who has done so much become unknown?”

Forced to leave his home and move to a Jewish ghetto, Hirsch died on Aug. 1, 1940, at the age of 71.

“He died of malnutrition because of his poverty,” Shalit said. “There was no money and Jews were kicked out from one place to the other. They couldn’t get jobs. He was named an enemy of the state because of his involvement with politics.”

His wife died by suicide about a year later to avoid going to a concentration camp.

“More than 7,000 Jews in Berlin took their own lives,” Shalit said.

NEVER FORGETTING

Shalit said the ceremony was very emotional.

“They are looking to make it part of a permanent exhibit,” Shalit said. “They are talking about giving a yearly prize in his name.”

Shalit said Hirsch supported arts and education and the award might be in those areas.

Shalit, 50, grew up in Peru and moved to San Diego when she was 15.

Hirsch had two daughters, Thea and Eva. Shalit’s grandmother, Thea, moved to Peru in 1936 to become a nanny for a family. Shalit’s great aunt, Eva, didn’t want to leave her parents, but in 1939 she was persuaded to go with a family as a nanny in England and then South Africa. She eventually got a sponsorship to the U.S.

“She had been kicked out of medical school in Germany because Jews were not allowed to go to school with other people,” Shalit said.

Shalit’s father, Leopoldo Kahn, 80, made the trip with his daughter and other family members.

Aliza Shalit’s niece, Adi Amit, attended a game with Borussia Dortmund, her boyfriend’s favorite team. There, she met a man, Daniel Lörcher, and told him that her great-great-grandfather Paul Hirsch was the mayor of Dortmund. Lorcher works with Borussia Dortmund to take a socially active role and to combat antisemitism. They stayed connected and the team visited with her great-grandfather, Leopoldo Kahn, when the team visited a Jewish school in San Diego.

Amit, who was born in Israel, gave a speech at the ceremony honoring Hirsch.

“It felt unreal, the fact that everyone is standing there and waiting to hear about my great-great-grandfather,” Amit

said. “After reading about and hearing about the Holocaust so much, it was so unbelievable to think that only 80 years ago I would have been persecuted, like my ancestors. I felt an honor, not for me, but for him. Unfortunately, he lost everything — his pension, his wife, his own life. Up until that moment, there hasn’t been a proper memorial for him, so I was also happy to be involved, especially due to the fact it was a coincidence that I met Daniel Lörcher, who had a major part in this.”

Amit, who is a member of the Israel Defense Force, said after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel Oct. 7, 2023, she feels as a Jew she is at risk in the world.

“Everything can change for my people in just a second. I will be misjudged no matter what I do or say,” Amit said. “I find it more disgraceful and very sad, but unfortunately, not unbelievable (that Hirsch’s contributions were erased). It shows how thorough the whole process of the Holocaust has been, that it took him so long to be remembered for his political achievements. Without Oct. 7 happening, I assume that I would have felt honored and emotional for my great, great grandfather and my people.

“But after those horrendous acts taking place, I’ve felt like I have a voice, and that matters so much now, more than ever.”

ON THE COVER: From left, Diana Amit, Marilyn Kahn, Aliza Shalit, Leopoldo Kahn, Andreas Kahrs, Adi Amit and Judith Kahn. (Photo courtesy of Aliza Shalit)

Aliza Shalit in front of a photo of her great-grandfather. (Photo courtesy of Aliza Shalit)

Stuck in the middle

Commentary by Terry Anker

Whether it is a rock or a hard place, the 1972 Stealers Wheel hit song “Stuck in the Middle with You” best expressed the feeling that we’ve all had of being trapped. Scottish songwriters and musicians Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty specifically were talking about the pinch between some long-forgotten acquaintances and too many unproductive music industry executives. “When you started off with nothing and you’re proud that you’re a self-made man, and your friends they all come crawling, slap you on the back and say, ‘Please. Please!’” What do we owe? Who do we owe? Why do we owe?

ESSAY

While it is lost to history if the intent was for the clowns on the left to be one group and if the jokers on the right were the other, there is no doubt that the singers felt like there was nowhere safe to turn. We’ve all found ourselves pinned down by enemy fire. Our newly minted spouse wants us to commit to her holi -

day tradition and the mother who raised us decidedly does not agree. What words do we use to sort the conflict? Maybe we are simply negotiating a settlement between bickering siblings — perhaps our own children or even our aunts and uncles. What do we do when we don’t have a bias toward one position but still have found ourselves with some indeterminate obligation to be involved?

Everyone wants to have their position reinforced. Everyone wants to be in the majority. Still, it is a delicate dance to agree with opposing views with equal commitment. Is it a betrayal to opt out?

It is hard enough to escape those who’d simply take advantage of our good nature or success. But what of those who we genuinely care about? How do we survive being stuck in the middle?

Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent. com.

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A really groovy pratfall

Commentary by Danielle Wilson

It finally happened, friends. I fell off my wobble chair in the middle of class while wearing a dress. You’re welcome.

HUMOR

Our story begins at Wilsonstock, an annual lip sync battle that celebrates the music of the 1960s while teaching U.S. history students about the counterculture movement. Kids are required to take on the role of an artist or band and perform a song in costume. In the spirit of solidarity, I, too, dress up, usually in full flower-child regalia. As a devoted and enthusiastic karaoke fan, this is one of my most favorite lessons of the year.

Rounds 1 and 2 went well: An outstanding Jefferson Airplane number and a dead-on Jerry Garcia rendition of “Truckin’” overwhelmingly made up for a rather lackluster Stones performance and the fact that I kept getting hot flashes.

I was in my element by the time fifth period rolled in, excited to hear from Credence Clearwater Revival and Marvin Gaye. I assumed my position at my desk, manning Spotify and the lyrics projector, and cued

“The slick polyester blend of my paisley smock exaggerated the movements and the next thing I knew, I was slow-motion falling onto the floor. I could not save myself.”

– DANIELLE WILSON

the first act, “California Dreamin.’” As I started singing along and grooving on my stool, trying to get the crowd engaged by waving my phone flashlight, I shifted to the right too far, then overcompensated to the left. The slick polyester blend of my paisley smock exaggerated the movements and the next thing I knew, I was slow-motion falling onto the floor. I could not save myself. The ensuing hot flash had nothing to do with hormones. With all eyes on me, I climbed back onto my wobble chair and called for Jimi Hendrix. The show must go on. You’re welcome! Peace out.

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Danielle Wilson is a contributing columnist. You may email her at info@youarecurrent.com.

Sammy Miller and The Congregation to bring joyful jazz to the Palladium

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Sammy Miller’s chief objective is to present jazz in a way that will appeal to more people.

“We’re on a mission to spread joy. It doesn’t stop for anything,” Miller said. “It’s bigger than us. Whether it’s an educational thing I’m doing or performing in a concert hall, I feel more motivated than ever and the rest of the guys do, too.”

Sammy Miller and the Congregation will perform at 8 p.m. April 19 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

“I’m the drummer, I’m the bandleader, I’m the storyteller,” said Miller, a Los Angeles native who lives in New York. “We do a high-energy interactive show. It’s joyful jazz. It’s going to lift your spirit. We’re the gateway for jazz. We have a lot of access points. There is a theatrical component.”

The band started in 2014 when Miller was in his last year at The Juilliard School.

“We’re in it for life,’ Miller said of the band. “There is enough hardship in life. We want to surround it with beauty.”

The other members of the five-piece band performing at the Palladium will consist of Alphonso Horne, trumpet; Brandon Rose, bass; David Linard, piano; and Artie Black, tenor saxophone. Miller has performed with Horne and Linard, who is from Indianapolis, since he was at Juilliard.

“You might hear a Scott Joplin song like ‘The Entertainer,’” he said. “You might hear a Duke Ellington piece. You might hear an original piece. You really hear a whole canon of American music. It’s high-level entertainment.”

Although this is the band’s first time at the Palladium, it has performed in Indianapolis several times at The Jazz Kitchen.

“We mostly play concert halls, but we’ve always had a good time there,” Miller said. “We’ve heard the Palladium

is really special and a great place for musicians.”

Miller said the setlist is ever changing, also with some staples.

“We are always working on new stuff and playing new arrangements,” he said. “We’re trying to track the lineage of jazz. It’s like putting new wine in an old bottle.”

The band’s most recent digital release is “Live at Lincoln Center. It released “Little Egypt” in 2020.

Performing live is what is most important to the band.

“Live performance is what I’m interested in,” Miller said. “We have enough happening in the digital world. I’m really interested in human experiences. That’s what our core is. There have been years when we have done 250 shows.”

For tickets, visit thecenterpresents.org. For more, visit sammymillercongregation. com.

‘THE KING AND I’

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre production of “The King and I” runs through May 19 at the Indianapolis venue. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

‘VERDI’S REQUIEM’

The Carmel Symphony Orchestra presents “Verdi’s Requiem” at 7:30 p.m. April 13 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

“Johnny Folsom 4” is set for April 11, followed by Ari Axelrod April 12 and “Sweet Caroline: The Life and Music of Neil Diamond” April 13 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

’SYLVIA’

“Sylvia,” a play by A.R. Gurney, runs April 12 to 23 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

RAY CHEN

Violinist Ray Chen’s concert is set for 8 p.m. April 12 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

DISPATCH

CSO pre-concert talk set at 6:15 p.m. — The Carmel Symphony Orchestra and Anderson University choirs will perform “Verdi’s Requiem” at 7:30 p.m. April 13 at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Guests should plan to arrive by 6:15 in the Palladium main hall for a pre-concert talk hosted by CSO’s Music Director David Commanday and Cantor Melissa Cohen of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, Indianapolis. Cantor Melissa Cohen and her daughter Sadie Cohen will open the pre-concert program by singing duets of vocal music composed during the Holocaust. Riverside Junior High School string students will play from 6:30 to 7:15 in the Southwest lobby of the Palladium. For more, visit carmelsymphony.org or thecenterpresents.org.

Sammy Miller and The Congregation band members, Corbin Jones, Alphonso Horne, Sammy Miller, Ben Flocks and David Linard. For the Palladium show, Brandon Rose and Artie Black will appear instead of Flocks and Jones. (Photo courtesy of Sammy Miller)

ICC to host Sing-A-Thon

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Indianapolis Children’s Choir Artistic Director Joshua Pedde figures there is no place like home.

MUSIC

For the first time, the ICC Sing-A-Thon will be presented at the ICC Performing Arts Center at 9111 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis.

The Sing-A-Thon will be from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 20. The public is invited to join in person or watch online at icchoir.org or on ICC’s YouTube channel.

Indianapolis. This will be the first time it’ll be in our own space.”

The goal is to raise $40,000.

“It’s so nice to be able to have our own space, not only for our typical weekly rehearsals and events, but for special things like Sing-A-Thon, too,” said Pedde, a Carmel resident. “It’s like inviting the public into our own home to get a real glimpse into what it is that we do here at the ICC. Previously, Sing-A-Thon was held at various locations throughout the city that had performance space — locations like Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel and Broadway United Methodist Church in

“In recent years, we have raised close to $30,000, and this year we are hopeful that emerging from the pandemic and hosting the event in-person will help us reach the ambitious stretch goal of $40,000,” Pedde said, “All of the funds go directly toward all of the important work that we do here at the ICC to provide choir experiences and music education for children in central Indiana.”

The singers have an incentive. If they reach $5,000, Pedde will do a duet with associate artistic director Amy Hughley. The song will be chosen by the students.

“It’s a new incentive this year, and any time singers can see ICC directors doing something funny, they are all for it,” Pedde said. “I’m pretty nervous about what song they might pick for us to sing, but it’ll be worth it no matter the seemingly embarrassing cost.”

For the performance schedule and to donate, visit p2p.onecause.com/singathon24.

Pedde

After more than a decade of bringing some of world’s finest classical musicians and orchestras to the Palladium, the Center for the Performing Arts is taking its mission to the streets.

The Concert Truck, a mobile music venue, will deliver performances at 10 Indianapolis-area sites from April 23 to 27. In addition to private concerts for schools and other organizations, the tour will include two outdoor performances open to the general public.

“Our venues are among the finest in the region, but our commitment to accessibility calls for innovative approaches,” stated Jeffrey C. McDermott, the Center’s president and CEO. “The Concert Truck enables us to take high-quality, live classical music directly to people of all ages where they live, work and study.”

The public is invited to attend performances at 6:30 p.m. April 25, at VFW Fort Harrison Post 7119, 6525 N. Lee Road, Indianapolis; and 11 a.m. April 27 at Carmel City Center pedestrian plaza, near The Cake

Bake Shop, off Range Line Road south of City Center Drive.

Each location has parking, food and beverages available nearby. Attendees are encouraged to bring portable chairs.

Other performance locations are Tindley Accelerated School, Edison School of the Arts, KIPP Indy Public Schools, Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Midwest Academy in Carmel, Outreach Inc. youth homelessness services, and Hoosier Village Retirement Community.

Launched in 2016 in Columbia, S.C., the Concert Truck is a 16-foot box truck adapted into a mobile concert stage, complete with lights, sound system and grand piano.

The Concert Truck will visit 10 sites throughout the Indianapolis area. (Photo courtesy of the Center for the Performing Arts)

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