Best Of Indy 2012 by NUVO

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best of indy guide TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT .................................................... 08 SHOPPING ..................................................................................... 19 FOOD & DRINK ........................................................................... 28 MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE ................................................................. 41 INDEX .............................................................................................. 54 PUBLISHER: Kevin McKinney (kmckinney@nuvo.net) EDITOR: Jim Poyser (jpoyser@nuvo.net) ARTS EDITOR: Scott Shoger (sshoger@nuvo.net) MUSIC EDITOR: Katherine Coplen (kcoplen@nuvo.net) NEWS EDITOR: Rebecca Townsend (rtownsend@nuvo.net) EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Maxwell Cothrel, Hanna Fogel, Elise Lockwood, Kyle Long, Danielle Look, Jeff Reed, Jennifer Troemner, Justin Fox PHOTOGRAPHY: Mark Lee, Angela Leisure (unless otherwise noted) SENIOR DESIGNER: Asha Patel (apatel@nuvo.net) DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Christa Phelps (cphelps@nuvo.net) MARKETING MANAGER: Lauren Guidotti (lguidotti@nuvo.net) DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING: Mary Morgan (mmorgan@nuvo.net) BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Flahavin (kflahavin@nuvo.net)

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ARTS GUIDE September 5, 2012 Got questions, comments or suggestions about this or other NUVO CityGuides?

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Here we vote again.

Welcome to our annual poll where you, the NUVO reader, get to take over.

NUVO’s Best Of is now well over 20 years old, and through it, you get to hold forth about your favorite … well just about everything, when it comes to Indianapolis: music, food, drink, the arts and culture… We’ve tried to keep it as local as possible. There’s nothing wrong with non-local, it’s just that in these tough times, taking care of your neighbor is an essential survival strategy. So, while we might fail from time to time (i.e. list a business that isn’t locally owned), we’ve done the best we can, given there were over 1,000 total entries (not to mention the write-ins). Speaking of write-ins, you did it! In a number of instances, an entry had enough write-ins that they made the drop-down menu, a sure sign of grassroots progress. Thus, any entity that made it into the drop down menu will do so again next year. Related to this is the fact there are numerous winners this year that did NOT win last year. Throughout this guide, you’ll find those 2012 winners designated by a handy-dandy asterisk.

MAILING ADDRESS:

Every issue of NUVO is printed on 100% recycled paper.

So take a look and feast upon your choices for the BEST in Indianapolis and beyond! Congratulations to the winners. Go out and celebrate them, and if your personal faves are not on the list of winners, get ready for Best Of 2013. — EDITORS @ NUVO

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Indianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Voice for Sustainable Living www.indinali vinggreen.com

Out back at the Indianapolis Art Center.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT *indicates different winner than last year (2011)

Local Museum Children’s Museum of Indianapolis The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis appeals to kids of all ages, which explains why it has won this award more than any other cultural institution over the past two decades. Consider the recent rotating exhibits ranging from Hot Wheels (fo’ real, yo) to National Geographic Treasures of the Earth, and educational programming honoring the lives of young heroes such as Anne Frank and Ryan White. Add in a host of discount admission opportunities, on-going support of community programs and the pleasure of watching a dinosaur eternally breaking free of its captors. Plus, there’s more Dale Chihuly per square inch than anywhere outside of Dale Chihuly’s rec room. 3000 N. Meridian St, 334-4000, childrensmuseum.org. 2nd: Indianapolis Museum of Art 3rd: Indiana State Museum Local Art Gallery *Indianapolis Art Center The great thing about the Indianapolis Art Center is that it can be so many things to so many people, given the range of its programming — from painting classes to the annual Broad Ripple Art Fair, ArtReach (art education for kids in underserved communities)

to ArtsPark (the center’s outdoor garden featuring a rotating lineup of sculpture). And not to be missed are the center’s exhibitions, which run year-round in the three gallery spaces. Of particular note is Art from the Heartland, a biennial juried competition featuring some of the best art made in the Midwest. 820 E. 67th St., 2552464, indplsartcenter.org. 2nd: Stutz Art Space 3rd: Harrison Center Local Performing Arts Group Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Krzysztof Urbanski, or as we like to call him, the “Mighty Maestro,” made just the kind of splash we expected in his first year as the ISO’s music director, realizing coherent, sometimes idiosyncratic takes on classics like The Planets and the “Eroica” symphony, while adding some contemporary work from his homeland, Poland, like Penderecki’s Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima, for good measure The youngest leader of a major American symphony orchestra when appointed, he has proven up to the job — and will be in town and on the podium much more often in the coming season. Hilbert Circle Theatre box office, 45 Monument Circle, 639-4300, indianapolissymphony.org. 2nd: Dance Kaleidoscope 3rd: Indianapolis Children’s Choir

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Local Comedy venue/group Crackers (Broad Ripple) A mainstay in the city, Crackers has been voted Indy’s best comedy choice in the NUVO readers’ poll 20 out of the 21 times we’ve posed the question. While a handful of competing comedy clubs have come and gone and come again, Crackers has maintained great comedy at the Broad Ripple and Downtown locations. Headlining national comics, as well as a decent open mic with funny locals, mean you’re nearly guaranteed an evening of good laughs; affordable admission and bar prices means you’re likely not to feel ripped off. 6281 N. College Ave., 255-4211; crackerscomedy.com. 2nd: Comedy Sportz 3rd: Crackers (Downtown) Local Live Theatre Indiana Repertory Theatre August Wilson’s Radio Golf was the highlight of last season’s IRT slate, which, as is typical, featured a mix of bankable classic productions (A Christmas Carol, The Miracle Worker), more recent Broadway hits (God of Carnage) and one-person shows (including a world premiere of playwright-in-residence James Still’s I Live to Eat, based on the life of James Beard). Sondheim’s A Little Night Music is the most ambitious production on next season’s slate;

starring Grammy-award winner Sylvia McNair, it’s the kind of undertaking requiring the resources and professional talent available locally only to IRT. 140 W. Washington St., 635-5252, irtlive.com. 2nd: Phoenix 3rd: IndyFringe Local Film Festival Heartland Film Festival You’re not going to see the latest by, say, Gaspar Noe or Lars von Trier at the Heartland Film Festival, which has since 1992 been dedicated to honoring uplifting films that celebrate the human spirit. But even the most hardened cinephile — one who carries about an EpiPen for emergency treatment of schmaltz and sentimentality — will find something to engage with at each year’s festival. Like, for instance, 2010’s Waste Land, a documentary about social practice art in a Brazilian garbage dump, or last year’s Kinyarwanda, a Sundance winner about the Rwandan genocide. 1043 Virginia Ave., Suite 2, 464-9405, heartlandfilmfestival.org. 2nd: Indianapolis International Film Festival 3rd: Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival

One of the 46 for XLVI murals. Local Public Art Installation *46 for XLVI People will most certainly come, Indianapolis. When New Delhibased artist Moumita Ghosh came to town last month on an artist’s residency organized by the Harrison Center for the Arts, one of the big things that impressed her was the quality and quantity of public art. She might not have made the same comment a year back, before 46 murals went up across town for the Arts Council’s 46 for XLVI project as part of the city hosting the NFL’s Super Bowl. We awarded a Cultural Vision Award for the council’s efforts; great minds think collectively alike, because you voted the project best local art installation in its first year on the ballot. 631-3301, artscouncilofindianapolis.org/murals. 2nd: “LOVE” (Robert Indiana), IMA Grounds 3rd: “Ann Dancing” (Julian Opie), Mass Ave Local Cultural District Broad Ripple Picking the best local cultural district is a bit like picking your best child. Sure, you might like one or the other more on a given day, but you’d be hard-pressed to say just who is “best”; each has her or his pluses and minuses, after all. But apparently you broke your finger duckpin bowling and the guy at ComedySportz made fun of your

girlfriend’s Princess Leia hairdo until she cried. So you’ve forgiven Broad Ripple its excesses and given it all your love, celebrating its microbreweries, quirky vintage shops, bike trails and village feel. discoverbroadripplevillage.com. 2nd: Mass Ave 3rd: Fountain Square Local Public Park/Greenspace *IMA’s 100 Acres: Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park Other museums have their art and nature parks, but few have put so much time and energy into commissioning contemporary sculpture and installation art (as opposed to museums that shell out half their acquisition budget for, say, a rusted Richard Serra). Credit everyone behind 100 Acres, then, for working with young, innovative, hungry artists, including this year’s Indianapolis Island resident, A. Bitterman. And with the addition this year of Chop Stick, a concession stand hewn out of a single tulip tree, you can grab drinks, snacks and sunscreen while you roam. 4000 Michigan Road, 923-1331, imamuseum.org/100acres. 2nd: Downtown Canal/White River State Park 3rd: Eagle Creek Park Local College/University Butler Take a closer look at any of Butler’s departments, and you’re likely

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to find hard-working, risk-taking students and professors trying out new approaches to benefit the student body and the community at large. Stop by the Center for Urban Ecology, which just picked up a three-year grant to help the school engage with city leaders on sustainability and food issues. Or the Efroymson Center for Creative Writing, a new home for visiting writers and a nascent, student-run publishing house. Catch a show by Butler Theatre during its yearly, consciousness-raising international theatre residency. Or traipse across the Pharmacy Building’s new green roof, installed in March. 4600 Sunset Ave., 940-6000, butler.edu. 2nd: IUPUI 3rd: UIndy Local Blog/Web site *HistoricIndianapolis.com Tiffany Benedict Berkson, the founder and indefatigable force behind HistoricIndianapolis.com, lives to find the connections between people, places and things — including people born 400 years ago and places that have long since vanished without a trace. In a city like this one, where buildings have been bulldozed in the name of technocratic efficiency since Unigov was little more than an ominously Soviet-sounding master plan, that sort of urban archeology is essential work. And Berkson has been doing such work in an unusually accessible way. Her website, which she describes as an “online history museum,” puts across the latest finds by her and her collaborators in an unfussy, engaging style, making better use of social media and multimedia than any local organization with any variation on “history” in its name. Check out WTH Wednesdays for a quick laugh at boneheaded decisions by homeowners, and then dig in to the good stuff, including in-depth studies of once-landmarks like the Traction Terminal and Tomlinson Hall. 2nd: HoosierBeerGeek.com 3rd: MyOldKentuckyBlog.com

Local Radio Station WFYI-90.1 Call this a resounding vote for WFYI’s news and talk-centric programming approach introduced a few years back. The national programming is well-curated — and props to WFYI for giving excellent but less popular shows like The Moth Radio Hour, The Story and Vinyl Cafe a slot on the schedule. On the local level, John Krull’s public affairs talk show, No Limits, has been an extremely welcome addition, joining longtime productions Sound Medicine and Art of the Matter in doing the kind of essential reporting and storytelling not even on the radar of most stations on the commercial dial. 1630 N. Meridian St., 636-2020 ext. 0470, wfyi.org. 2nd: WTTS-92.3 3rd: WZPL-99.5 Local Radio Personality Bob and Tom What would life be like without Bob and Tom cackling away during morning drive time? Kristi Lee would have to fend off raunchy barbs from, say, random bartenders. Chick McGee would be forced to dispense advice under the moniker of Sir SelfEvident. Steve Allee — well, he’d still have a gig playing piano, but he’d be hard-pressed to find work in the song parody world. Countless comedians wouldn’t have to work off their hangovers at truck stops and diners — though they might get a little more sleep. And Bob and Tom themselves? They’d probably still be laughing away in the Morning Zoo Old Folks home. bobandtom.com. 2nd: Dave Smiley 3rd: Matthew Socey Local Television Station WTHR-13 Winning 11 of the past 12 years, WTHR is the local NBC affiliate and the clear favorite for NUVO readers in the local news department. The station picked up regional Emmys this year for live coverage of the State Fair stage collapse, investigative

Learn all about Indy history at HistoricIndianapolis.com.

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Istanbul Cafe

TURKISH CUISINE

Strut for this mutt. Local Charitable Event Mutt Strut (Humane Society of Indianapolis) The Humane Society of Indianapolis swept our non-profit categories for the year, taking home the society’s first win for Best Place to Volunteer, and once again winning Best Local Charitable Event for its super-sized dog walk, Mutt Strut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NUVO talked with Larry Messing, the society’s chief development officer, and Shawna Sims, a volunteer coordinator, to get a better sense of just why you dig on the society. 7929 N. Michigan Road, 872-5650, indyhumane.org.

are just thrilled to be out there and love the opportunity to get their dogs out as well as see other dogs from the area. We have at least 6,000 people there, and at least that many dogs.

NUVO: What are the coveted volunteer opportunities at the Humane Society?

NUVO: What’s the cutest thing you’ve seen so far working at the Humane Society?

LARRY MESSING: I think the one that everyone loves doing is spending time with the animals. Obviously, the best way we can make a dog or cat attractive to a potential adopter is to make sure that the animal is as socialized as possible. So through the volunteers, we give the animals an opportunity to have more human interaction, to get outside and get used to being walked. We have about 16 acres of property here, and we have trails. So a volunteer might take a dog out and walk him on the trails, or might just sit there and pet him.

SHAWNA SIMS: I guess a story that sticks out in my mind is about one of our long-term dogs, Liberty. She didn’t do well in our big dog room — she was a larger dog — so we had to move her into one of our puppy rooms. I just remember all of the volunteers working together. She was here for months, and we could tell she was starting to deteriorate mentally, but all the volunteers — our puppy partners, canine companions, advanced canine companions — all worked together to make sure she was getting good time out of her kennel and being trained. Everybody was just working together really hard to make sure we found her a home and eventually we did. That’s just an example of how all the volunteers work to do what’s best for the animals here.

NUVO: Do the dogs and cats get used to seeing certain volunteers?

935 South East Street Indianapolis, IN 46225 phone: (317) 974-1770

NUVO: Any memorable Mutt Strut stories? MESSING: The cool thing about Mutt Strut is that people dress their animals. We always have some coollooking animals out there that are dressed up. You’ll see everything from people dressing up in the racecar theme to just anything they want to do. It’s fun to watch people’s creativity.

MESSING: They’ll see different people. There are certain animals certain volunteers are drawn to, but they’ll get a lot of interactions with a MESSING: Just yesterday, we had lot of different people. someone come by and drop off a very NUVO: And that’s good for the tiny little kitten in our donation bin. It animals? was not weaned yet from its mother. The kitten’s no bigger than my hand. MESSING: Absolutely, because We have kittens here all the time — in their lifetime, when they get especially right now, this is a big kitten adopted, they’ll have interactions time for us. As I’ve always said before, with a lot of different people. when you’re a volunteer or when you NUVO: How big is the Mutt Strut for work at the Humane Society, there’s no way you can have a bad day, the community? because you can just go out into the MESSING: It’s huge. In the past two lobby and play with kittens or dogs, or three years, we’ve not always had and your day is made. the greatest weather. But it’s amazing. 2nd: Tonic Ball This last time we had some rain that (Second Helpings) came through, but people came out in droves and they had a great time. No 3rd: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure matter what the weather is, people

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Burlesque Troupe *Angel Burlesque HOW THEY DESCRIBE THEMSELVES: “We pride ourselves on being as theatrical and professional as possible.” — KATIE ANGEL

HOW OTHERS SEE THEM: “They run like a business, and they put on some very big events. They’re very organized and definitely theatrical.” — DESIREE DECARLO THE ROCKET DOLL REVUE

NUVO NOTES: Probably the city’s most elaborately staged troupe, Angel tends to assemble epic and sometimes ridiculously over-the-top tales around a central theme. Also, Jeff Angel is hands-down the greatest MC in the city. WHERE TO SEE THEM: Open Bra Night and other major performances at Crackers in Broad Ripple, plus frequent appearances around the city. 345-5782, angelburlesque.com, angelburlesque@gmail.com 2nd: Bottoms Up Burlesque 3rd: Hasenpfeffer

Angel Burlesque

Research Study for Children Ages 10-14 Years Old Doctors at IU School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and the Riley Hospital for Children are conducting a brain imaging study to find out more about what makes some children more likely to develop drug and alcohol problems as they get older. We are looking for healthy volunteers who do not have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, or any other mood disorder. These volunteers must not have any history of substance abuse in their immediate family. Participants must be 1014 years of age. Mental health evaluations will be provided free of charge. Risks will be disclosed prior to study enrollment. Participants will be compensated up to $225 for full study completion.

Call 317-948-3472 to ﬁnd out more information about this study and to learn if your child may be eligible.

Elite Indiana State Criterium ChampionshipS

Saturday, August 11 11:30am to 9:00pm Presented by

Visit us at Mass Ave Criterium on mac.nuvo.net or truesport.com

Start/Finish Line:

435 Mass Ave. – in the heart of the Mass Ave Cultural District. See European-style racing up close and personal as cyclists from around the Midwest race by you at 25-35 mph as they compete for $5k in cash and $5k in prizes!

Discover Mass Ave:

Grab a meal or stick around for a cool beverage in the afternoon as you shop, stroll, or just hang out with family friends in the heart of Indy’s Mass Ave Cultural District. This arts and theatre district offers a variety of public art, top-notch galleries, live music and theatre as well as eclectic restaurants, shops, and night spots.

Race Headquarters:

Race Registration and Information will be on the east side of the Chatterbox Building at 435 Mass Ave. Race day registration permitted for all races.

New Belgium Beer Garden:

The Beer Garden will be located at the corner of Mass Ave and Alabama St.

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sponsors: ponsors:

Neutral support:

Indy Service Course will provide mechanical assistance in a neutral wheel pit including race-day shift adjustments and ﬂat tires as well as Zipp wheels.

reporting that led to the firing of a Fishers official for abusing his takehome car privileges, feature stories on the Chicken Limo and the closing of the Odyssey Map Store, and interviews with a couple down-ontheir-luck dudes: Marcus Schrenker and Henry Lee Summer. 1000 N. Meridian St., 636-1313, wthr.com. 2nd: WFYI-20 3rd: WXIN-59 Local News Anchor/reporter (TV) Andrea Morehead, WTHR This the seventh win for Morehead, who is balancing her daily newsreading duties this summer with the launch of a show about genealogy, It’s a Family Reunion: What’s Your Story?, on local public television. The show’s pilot, which debuted in June, tells the story of the Glenn, Glover and White families of Sheridan, Ind., whose ancestry traces back to the first black families to live in their town. Developed by Morehead to tell inspiring stories of African-American life, It’s a Family Reunion will air occasionally throughout the year with the hopes of attracting potential investors; maybe WTHR will get into the episodic television game? 1000 N. Meridian St., 636-1313, wthr.com. 2nd: Angela Ganote, WXIN 3rd: Debby Knox, WISH Local Sports Reporter (TV/radio) Dave Calabro, WTHR Dave Calabro wins with a 15th consecutive victory in the Best of

Indy Readers’ Poll. Could there be a more recognizable sportscaster in this town? We think not, and apparently you don’t either. When he’s not on set, Calabro is reporting live from local, national and international sporting events with an Indy angle. He involves himself in the Indy sports community on a firsthand basis, making his recognition in the poll about familiarity and honor for his commitment. 1000 N. Meridian St., 636-1313, wthr.com. 2nd: Anthony Calhoun, WISH 3rd: Chris Hagan, WXIN Local Weather Forecaster (TV/radio) Angela Buchman, WISH Once again, we have to ask — really? You all are watching WTHR for the news, sports and traffic but switching to WISH for the weather? Apparently so, because Angela Buchman has won the Best Weather Forecaster award for the sixth time in nine years. She’s the only winner in the local television categories who doesn’t work at the NBC affiliate (though the Indianapolis Business Journal reported in June that WTHR was attempting to woo Buchman from her current job, so even this small victory for the other guys may prove short-lived). 1950 N. Meridian St., 923-8888, wishtv.com. 2nd: Chuck Lofton, WTHR 3rd: Paul Poteet, WZPL

Local Pro Sports Team Colts Let no one say you’re unfaithful, Indianapolis. Even in a year when the newly resurgent Pacers nearly knocked off the eventual NBA champion Miami Heat, you stood by your beloved Colts, who are licking their wounds after just about the worst season imaginable. But hope springs eternal, and with a new coaching staff and No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck, who could very well be the next Peyton Manning, it’s pretty much inconceivable that the team will repeat last year’s performance. In the meantime, it’ll be a lot easier to get into Lucas Oil Stadium for a game. 7001 W. 56th St., 297-2658, colts.com. 2nd: Pacers 3rd: Indians Local College/Amateur Sports Team Butler Bulldogs Basketball Another successful run in the world of local sports came to an end this year, with the Butler Bulldogs posting a 22-15 record that wasn’t quite good enough for either the NCAA or NIT tournaments. But that doesn’t mean the team isn’t benefitting from past glory. Last season was Butler’s final in the Horizon Conference. Next season all of Butler’s athletic teams will transfer to the more high-profile Atlantic 10, with the basketball team playing Xavier and St. Louis twice, and the other teams

in the conference once. They include Temple, Virginia Commonwealth and George Washington. 510 W. 49th St., 940-3647, butlersports.com. 2nd: Naptown Roller Girls 3rd: IUPUI Jaguars Basketball Local Place to Volunteer *Humane Society of Indianapolis NUVO readers sure love their cats and dogs, and by gosh, so do NUVO employees. So much so, in fact, we ourselves were fostering overflow kitties for a time in our own office! Sad, but we do so no longer; nor did we ever get that 24-hour “CatCam” set up. Too busy putting out a paper and maintaining a web site, perhaps. Anywho, what a great place to volunteer. You can cheer up the life of an animal in numerous ways: walking and feeding the animal, cleaning the cages, petting the furry beast, giving it some much-needed love, etc. A day spent at HSI is a day spent communing with nature. 7929 N. Michigan Road, 872-5650, indyhumane.org 2nd: Keep Indianapolis Beautiful 3rd: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana

Keep an eye on our A&E coverage at nuvo.net/indianapolis/ arts-entertainment

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Pride Parade Local Outdoor Festival *Circle City IN Pride First held in 2002, but with ties back to 1981, Circle City IN Pride has gone from drawing 6,000 attendees (in 2002) to this year’s total of 80,000. Spread throughout the grounds of the American Legion Mall and Veteran’s Memorial Plaza, those thousands gathered this year on the final day (June 9) of a week-long festival that included a concert, 5K run, picnic and drag show. As Indy Pride Inc. president Nick Murphy puts it, 2012 was the “first year where it felt like we finally cracked the nut for how to make the space work for us.” In prior years, festivals were held in space ranging from Mass Ave. to the much more intimate University Park. Attendees this year included families, church groups, (Democratic) politicians, a surprising number of representatives from car dealerships and, of course, drag queens as far as the eye could see. The festival always kicks off with a parade, which this year boasted so much free candy and other swag that a crowd of kids struggled to stuff all of it into their parents’ pockets and purses. And the younger generation certainly had pride of place; the grand marshal was Jordan Windle, who, at 12 years old, was one of the youngest divers ever to qualify for the USA Diving Olympic Team Trials. Windle also happens to have two dads, one of whom co-wrote a memoir with Windle about his adoption process, which began when dad picked up son from a Cambodian orphanage.

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Once the parade arrived Downtown, more than 300 vendors were on hand to get their message out, including The American Cancer Society, Indy Tennis, Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Naptown Roller Girls. But the live entertainment tends to draw the most interest. At this year’s festival, headliners Cazwell and Deborah Cox were flanked by the Pride of Indy Pep Band, Carrie & the Clams, the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, even a performance from a summer production of Rent at Footlite, to name a few. On the other end of the mall, the IndyMojo Stage hosted a running stream of different DJs including OhBeOne and Action Jackson, keeping up a dance party vibe all day. The festival is free to attend, but this year’s $5 suggested donation helped Indy Pride Inc. to more than double what it collected in 2011. Some of the money will head back to Indy Pride Inc. and its Chris Gonzalez Library and Archives (which houses materials pertaining the history of the city’s LGBT community). But the majority will head to organizations throughout the community (including the Indiana AIDS Fund, the Gregory Powers Direct Emergence Financial Assistance Fund, Indiana Youth Group and Step Up, Inc.), as well as the Indy Pride Inc.’s scholarship program. Indy Pride, Inc, P.O. Box 44403, Indianapolis, 46244, pridefestival@ indyprideinc.org. 2nd: Broad Ripple Art Fair 3rd: Talbott Street Art Fair

We are looking to add NEW talent to our team! We are seeking talented, hospitality service-minded individuals who are as committed as we are to providing outstanding guest satisfaction in a fastpaced high-energy environment!

Accepting applications at WWW.TOWNEPARK.COM

Stevi Stoesz is executive director of Indianapolis City Market. (photo by Brandon Knapp)

SHOPPING Indiana Beer Sun King Sun King Brewery’s products are seemingly everywhere — including at the top of the Best of Indy Readers’ Poll for the second consecutive year! From their Downtown tasting room and brewery (135 N. College Ave.) to Victory Field to liquor stores and bars across the city and beyond, Sun King has taken over our hearts and thirsts rather quickly. Among their newest innovations is the canning of two of their flagship beers, Sunlight Cream Ale and Osiris Pale Ale, and you can get your growler filled at their shop Monday through Saturdays. If you go to a bar that doesn’t have their brews — other popular selections include Wee Mac and Bitter Druid ESB — demand their inclusion. Don’t miss their seasonal and special brews, too. 135 N. College Ave., 602-3701, sunkingbrewing.com. 2nd: Upland 3rd: 3 Floyds Indiana Wine Oliver Winery This is the fifth time we’ve polled NUVO readers on what they consider the Best Indiana Wine, and each time Oliver Winery has come out on top. Started in the 1960s by Indiana University law professor William Oliver, this successful winery continues to offer a complete collection of quality wine from grapes grown in Indiana. Take the drive down

*indicates different winner than last year (2011)

to Bloomington and visit in person for the tour and tastings and to shop for a few take home bottles. Most fine wine retailers in the city carry a year-round selection of Oliver wines, all reasonably priced. 8024 N. S.R. 37, Bloomington, 812-876-5800, oliverwinery.com. 2nd: New Day Meadery 3rd: Easley Winery Local Liquor/Wine Retailer Kahn’s Kahn’s on Keystone wins this category again, making it the undisputed best place in Indy to find beer, wine and liquor (including an impressive stock of local products). We recommend that you either know what you want before you walk in, go directly to an employee and ask for a recommendation or set aside a few hours to browse the over 900 beers and 5,000 wines Kahn’s offers. The staff is knowledgeable and the frequent tastings, classes and other events give ample opportunity to take full advantage of the outstanding selection. 5341 N. Keystone Ave., 2519463, kahnsfinewines.com. 2nd: 21st Amendment 3rd: Goose the Market Place to buy locally produced foods *Indianapolis City Market Calling the City Market the place to be in Indy isn’t giving it enough credit. With more than 30 vendors, it’s a

thriving haven of the uniquely local, where you can find everything from fresh cut flowers to pastries hot out of the oven to gourmet crepes, and chow down while you’re taking a tour of the tomblike catacombs. And that’s just the regular business hours — throughout the year you’ll find a huge range of events, workshops and celebrations hosted in this spectacular historic site, and the weekly Indianapolis Farmers’ Market to boot. 222 E. Market St., 6349266, indycm.com. 2nd: Goose the Market 3rd: Broad Ripple Farmers’ Market Local Bakery/Sweets The Flying Cupcake Come to The Flying Cupcake for dreamy treats with names like What’s up Doc? (moist carrot cake packed with coconut and raisins topped with velvety cream cheese), Chocolate Ganache (chocolate cupcake topped with a rich chocolate ganache and white chocolate shavings), The Bee’s Knee’s (light honey pear cupcake scented with ginger and topped with honey buttercream) … we could go on, and on and on. Menu changes daily, if not hourly, which is why we recommend frequent visits. And be prepared to wait in line occasionally. These sweet things are the most popular in the city. 5617 N. Illinois St. and 715 Massachusetts Ave. plus locations on East 82nd

Street and in Carmel, 396-2696, theflyingcupcakebakery.com. 2nd: Long’s Bakery 3rd: Taylor’s Bakery Local Shopping for Books Big Hat Books Big Hat is going to need an awfully big trophy case. This is the sixth consecutive win as Best Local Book Store for Liz Barden and her cozy little shop in Broad Ripple. With a stock so carefully selected, it’s easy to spend a good deal of time perusing the shelves or mining the staff’s informed opinions for a good read. But it’s not just books that make Big Hat a winner. The big-name readings and book signings, mixed with an impressive list of local authors, fill a schedule rounded out with workshops and book clubs. 6510 Cornell Ave., 202-0203, bighatbooks.com. 2nd: Bookmama’s 3rd: Downtown Comics Local Shopping for Music LUNA Music NUVO readers seem to be spending an awful lot of time flipping through the bins of used and new LPs, CDs and a host of groovy books, quirky gifts and T-shirts that quickly become collectors’ items. Why else would it win best music store seven years running? Don’t miss the frequent allages in-store appearances by touring acts passing through Indy, when the joint is typically packed to the gills with every hipster and his/her brother within a 50-mile radius. Even if you hate hipsters, come to LUNA for the groovy

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Penske Honda staff, outstanding selection and free bumper stickers. 5202 N. College Ave., 283-5862, lunamusic.net. 2nd: Indy CD & Vinyl 3rd: Karma Records

466-1646; 13904 Town Center Blvd., Noblesville, 776-6699, threedog.com. 2nd: Pet Supplies Plus 3rd: Humane Society of Indianapolis

Local Shopping for Flowers McNamara For the record, McNamara has won this category 17 of 18 years that we’ve asked it. Which, quite frankly, makes it hard to come up with new superlatives to describe why it is undisputedly the best flower shop in Indianapolis. With the nicest and most helpful staff you’re likely to find anywhere, on top of affordable cut flowers and artistic arrangements, this family-run business has been a favorite Broad Ripple business for more than 50 years. 1111 E. 61st St. and six other area locations, 579-7900, mcnamaraflorist.com. 2nd: Posh Petals 3rd: Watt’s Blooming

Local Shopping for Gifts/Home Silver in the City While other stores may come close, they all seem to remain in the shadow of the shining star that is Kristin Kohn’s Silver and At Home in the City. This is the eighth consecutive win in the category for the store that shows no sign of letting the competition catch up. Maybe it’s the great Mass Ave location, or the amazing selection of beautiful, quirky, eco-friendly, artistic, original and (mostly) affordable items you can’t wait to buy yourself, those you love, and/or editors of your favorite local altweekly, lining the shelves of the shop that makes us all swoon. Whatever the reason, happy seventh, Silver! 434 Massachusetts Ave., 955-9925, shopsilverinthecity.com. 2nd: Global Gifts 3rd: Mass Ave Toys

Local Shopping for Pet Stuff *Three Dog Bakery Three Dog Bakery is all about pampering your four-legged friend, and they don’t cut any corners. With healthy ingredients like apples, carob and peanut butter, you might be tempted to keep some of Fido’s treats for yourself! You can also pick up rawhides, dishes, leashes, and even doggy soap to keep man’s best friend smelling fresh and fine. And cat people, have no fear: Three Dog Bakery also has a selection of cat toys, food and goodies for the feline in your life. 444 Massachusetts Ave., 238-0000; 844 Broad Ripple Ave.,

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Local Shopping for Bikes & Bike Gear *BGI Bicycle Garage Indy isn’t just a local bike shop. It’s a bike hub, a maintenance service, a center of the community, a site for reliable classifieds, and even a resource for cycling and fitness education (the website has a glossary of biking terms, for crying out loud!) In short, what doesn’t BGI do? The three locations are a convenient cycling distance away, no matter where you

Thank You Indy! from the entire staff of

for voting us the 2012 Best of Indy! Bicycle Garage Indy has been part of the Indiana bicycling scene since 1983. Starting from our ﬁrst store on the North side, and expanding to Greenwood and then Downtown in the exciting Indy Bike Hub YMCA in 2011. With the opening of our new North store in 2012, the staff at BGI continues to strive to offer our customers the best value, selection and service in bicycles and accessories in Indianapolis and Central Indiana. Thank you again po for your continued support!

Snips of Irvington Local Hair Salon *Snips of Irvington When taking a trip into Snips customers are reminded of walking into a neighborhood get-together rather than a business. Warm colors and lounge style couches, along with the kind voices from the stylists, greet anyone walking through the front door. “We’re a neighborhood salon. You’re going to come in and probably see a neighbor here,” Anthony Lineberry, co-owner and senior stylist, says of the atmosphere. Snips is located in the heart of historic Irvington on Indy’s Eastside, and the diverse culture of the area is reflected in the salon and the stylists working there. “We’ve worked really hard to hire not cookie cutter people,” says Lineberry, “The desire we’ve always had was to make sure we match the diversity of (Irvington).”

You’ll find local artists, housewives and their children, and government officials all sitting side by side. It’s a warm, friendly neighborhood salon which often retains its customers from the time they’re kids until they’ve got children of their own. Snips offers all the amenities of a high-class salon while not forgetting to keep in touch with the heart and soul of their customer base. “We really treat everybody like family,” says Lineberry. Snips is dedicated to offering the latest styles, techniques and fashions, regularly sending their staff to learn the “au courant” methodology in order to keep their customers looking sharp. 5731 E. Washington St., 356-2611, snips-in.com 2nd: The Vault 3rd: Salon Orange Moon

Randy Clark BGI Founder & President

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SOUTH - GREENWOOD Just seconds west of I-65

997 E County Line Road (317) 885-7194

Indy Bike Hub YMCA @ City Market 222 East Market St (317)-612-3099

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Bicycle Sales - Service - Rentals are in the city. (North) 4340 E. 82nd St., 842-4140; (South) 997 E. County Line Road, Greenwood, 885-7194; (Downtown) 222 E. Market St, Suite E101, 612-3099; bgindy.com. 2nd: Indy Cycle Specialist 3rd: Joe’s Cycles Local Shopping for New/Used Cars *Penske Honda There’s more to buying a new or used car than looking at fuel efficiency and mileage. Luckily, Penske Honda Indy can help you out with that. Winner of the President’s Award in 2011 for outstanding

customer service and facility operation, Penske Honda Indy strives to treat its customers with respect and integrity. They also participate in the Honda Certified Pre-Owned program, which is one of the best in the industry, to make sure you don’t end up with a lemon when you get a used car. If you’ve got any questions, give them a call, or log on to the website’s online chat to talk to one of their employees. 4140 E. 96th St., 866-296-7785 (new sales), penskehondaindy.com. 2nd: Butler Scion 3rd: Dreyer & Reinbold

Bicycle Garage Indy partners at the Indianapolis City Market The Indy Bike Hub YMCA is Indy’s (and the nation’s) unique bicycle & ﬁtness resource. Learn more at www.indybikehub.org Active Indy Tours offers bicycling, running and walking tours of Indianapolis from City Market. BGI Rental bikes are available for you or your out-oftown guests. Learn more at: www.activeindytours.com

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Local Shopping for Men’s Fashion Broad Ripple Vintage Not sure what that says about men in this town, but it does say that Broad Ripple Vintage remains a staple in the Indy fashion scene. Where else can you or your guy find all the necessary items for his wardrobe while remaining fashionable and frugal? More than a secondhand store, BR Vintage selects quality and quirky items that appeal to just about anyone with an affinity for previously worn items — particularly those with a funky vibe or post-modern irony. Racks are stuffed, so be prepared to do some digging. 824 E. 64th St., 255-4135, broadripplevintage.com. 2nd: Leon Tailoring 3rd: Rag-O-Rama Local Shopping for Women’s Fashion Pitaya Pitaya has been the favorite place for women’s fashion in Indy six of the past seven years and shows no signs of giving up the crown any time soon, thanks in very large part to a constantly changing inventory of fresh, stylish and mostly affordable items. Trendy and tailored, the selection is great and the staff is helpful. It’s a great way to spend part of any day when shopping in Broad Ripple! Pitaya’s interior is just as bright and shiny as the

Bicycle Garage Indy (see pg. 20)

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staff, which is always willing to help out. 842 Broad Ripple Ave., 4650000, pitayaonline.com. 2nd: IndySwank 3rd: Girly Chic Boutique Local Shopping for Vintage/ Consignment Fashion Broad Ripple Vintage It’s the eleventh consecutive win for Broad Ripple Vintage, and it doesn’t look as if the title is in danger of changing hands for a while. The perpetual Doors soundtrack, classic rock concert posters, paisley print and that faint musty smell inside of Broad Ripple Vintage gives you the feeling that you’re not just shopping for threads from the past, but that you have actually travelled back in time to the era of flower children and bell bottoms. With an everchanging selection, it’s the perfect place to score a retro-inspired look, find unique accessories or assemble a last minute Halloween costume. Just be sure that you have an ample amount of time — scouring the racks of clothing could easily take an entire afternoon. 824 E. 64th St., 2554135, broadripplevintage.com. 2nd: Toggery 3rd: Rag-O-Rama Local Shopping for Antiques/ Vintage Items Midland Arts & Antiques Market Nine wins for Midland Antiques Mall stretching all the way back to the mid-’90s as Best Local Antique Shop. Midland’s size, however, means “shop” in this case is actually a 40,000 square

Studio 2000

foot historic paradise for anyone with an eye for style, whether it be artsy and modern or chic and retro. More than 125 dealers boast furniture, china, glassware, paintings and more from yesterday and today. It’s best not to be in a rush here; the best items are often a bit obscured at a glance. 907 E. Michigan St., 267-9005, midlandathome.com. 2nd: Indianapolis Downtown Antique Mall 3rd: Southport Antique Mall Local Spa *Studio 2000 If you’re jonesing to feel as fabulous as the Great Gatsby, then head up to the second floor of the Circle Tower. Studio 2000, which is located in a building from 1929 and was a barber shop for 60 years before reopening as a spa in 1989, features the classy art deco styles of the Roaring ’20s with a daring modern edge. The talented team of stylists and attendants ranges from designers to masters to the directors themselves, with prices varying according to skill level. 55 Monument Circle, Suite 2000; 687-0010; studio2000spa.com. 2nd: Philipe’s Day Spa & Cosmetique 3rd: Villaggio Day Spa Local Health/Fitness Center *NIFS The National Institute for Fitness and Sport is a non-profit organization started in 1985 to bring a healthy, active way of life to Indiana, and

Thanks NUVO Readers for Voting City Market Best Place to Buy Locally Produced Foods Congrats to City Market merchants and Original Farmers’ Market vendors!

SHOP CITY MARKET MERCHANTS MONDAY - SATURDAY Wednesday summer concert series Wednesdays through October from 11:30am – 1:30pm on Whistler Plaza City Flea flea market 4th Saturday of every month May – September, 11am – 2pm on Whistler Plaza

Original Farmers’ Market every Wednesday from 9:30a.m. – 1:30p.m. through October

Parking available for $1 up to 2 hours for City Market and Original Farmers’ Market patrons Ask us how!

Indianapolis City Market, 222 E. Market Street 317-634-9266 | www.indycm.com

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Voted Best Cultural District Thanks, Indy!

Congrats to all the Broad Ripple winners!

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Local Yoga/Pilates Studio *Invoke Yoga & Pilates Invoke Yoga and Pilates studio offers the premier experience in Indianapolis for anyone looking for an energized lesson to revitalize body and mind at any fitness level.

immediately evident “the spiritual side sneaks in,” says Peddycord, “I think of it as a mindfulness and learning to calm the mind.”

Invoke also offers yoga teacher training in order to aid in fully achieving a unity between mind Recent renovations in December, and body while learning to bestow including new bamboo floors and that benefit upon others. Invoke’s equipment, have transformed the look other classes consist of pilates and feel of the interior of the studio. and ballet bar along with yoga taught in heated and non-heated Invoke offers a wide variety of sessions. Both mat and private classes from beginner for those sessions are available. who know next to nothing about yoga to advanced for those wishing Striving to go above and beyond to push themselves spiritually and the standard yoga studio, Invoke physically. “Our clients are athletic offers outdoor classes during the and do enjoy fitness, but we have warmer months. In addition Invoke a mindfulness to alignment and has partnered with the Village safety,” Amy Peddycord, owner Experience to introduce patrons to and instructor, says. The instructors exotic and historic locales. Invoke of Invoke are careful to pay plans for a retreat to the sanctuary attention to the needs of each of of New Harmony, Ind., in their students, striving for safety September to immerse the group while also challenging them to in relaxation and meditation while their fullest potential. they experience the history of the town. Invoke also has planned a Peddycord explains that the classes trip to Guatemala where attendees provide such a sense of community, will enjoy yoga sessions on the they seem more like classes with shore of Lake Atitlan surrounded family rather than mere fellow by three volcanoes. students. Those who come in for lessons range from college age 970 Fort Wayne Ave., Suite C, to retirees, each receiving the satellite location at 8660 Guion mind and body experience yoga Road, 631-9642, invokestudio.com and pilates have to offer. While 2nd: CITYOGA the physical benefits of yoga are 3rd: Indy House of Pilates

MORE THAN JUST BOWLIN BO WL LING IN NG ALLEY ALLE ALLE AL LEY LEY A BOWLING

PRIVATE BOWLING SUITES Wedding receptions Louie’s Bar Team building events and restaurant Birthday parties Britton Hall banquet Sand Volleyball center

Magic Bus it has been doing a great job. The 65,000 square-foot fitness center at IUPUI has more than 4,000 members, and is always looking for more. On top of that, NIFS offers an online wellness education program and more than 80 programs from Aqua Classes to Zumba. And these guys really know what they’re talking about: NIFS conducts research with their state-of-the-art equipment, brings health education to Indy, and services more than 40 fitness centers in 15 states. 250 University Blvd., 274-3432, nifs.org. 2nd: Indy Bike Hub YMCA 3rd: Lifetime Fitness Local Tattoo/Piercing Studio Metamorphosis Metamorphosis is on a 10-year winning streak as Best Tattoo/Piercing Studio. With a prime Broad Ripple location, professional and artistic staff, as well as one of the most extensive selections of body jewelry you’re likely to find anywhere, Metamorphosis has earned the Best of Indy designation. The nine professional artists include six tattoo artists who are eager to pair their creative energy with the desires of the customer to develop the

ideal tattoo. All artists have their own flavor, their own flair, which can be seen in the store’s expansive reference library, flash gallery and custom artwork. 828 Broad Ripple Ave., 4661666, metamorphosisink.com. 2nd: Artistic Skin Designs 3rd: Irish Ink Local Smoke/ Tobacco Shop Magic Bus Another in a long streak of wins for Magic Bus, a better-than-average head shop featuring plenty of papers, pipes and props to improve or enhance consumption, as well as a good selection of clothing (some hemp, some organic, most with funny/funky sayings on the front), personal products made from natural and organic ingredients, all manner of incense, candles and aromatherapy, only this one is conveniently located in a strip mall across the street from the high school. 1073 Broad Ripple Ave., 251-5463. 2nd: Hardwicke’s Pipe & Tobacco 3rd: The Cigar Bar Keep an eye on our coverage every day at nuvo.net

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Naisa Pan-Asian Café

FOOD & DRINK Local Chinese Restaurant *Naisa Pan-Asian Café The exotic-sounding name of this Fountain Square eatery is just “Asian” spelled backward, reinforcing the fact that Naisa is more than just a Chinese restaurant. Sure enough, you can get staples like General Tso’s chicken and chow mein, but other cultures are represented through dishes like the beef bulgogi (with homemade kimchi), spicy basil curry and shrimp tempura. The restaurant also offers delicious cinnamon sugar puffs accompanied by a light-bodied, fresh ginger sauce. For a beverage, try the tea, served in an iron pot brimming with chrysanthemum or jasmine leaves. 1025 Virginia Ave., 6023708, naisacafe.com. 2nd: Side Wok Café 3rd: King Dragon (Broad Ripple) Local Japanese Restaurant Naked Tchopstix Locally-launched chain Naked Tchopstix has taken home three consecutive wins for Best Local Japanese after breaking Sakura’s longtime stranglehold on the category. The bistro — which has outposts in Fort Wayne and Cincinnati, in addition to three local locations (Broad Ripple, 96th Street and the airport) — offers a full menu of sushi and sashimi options along with a sampling of Korean and Chinese options. One suggestion: The

*indicates different winner than last year (2011)

Spicy Sashimi Mix may be listed as an appetizer, but it makes a great meal with its combination of tuna, salmon and other fish diced and served in a martini glass. Multiple locations, 2525555 (Broad Ripple), tchopstix.com. 2nd: Sakura 3rd: H2O Sushi Local Thai Restaurant Siam Square A Fountain Square favorite, Siam Square serves up flavorful, fiery Thai dishes in a contemporary space decked in the red, orange and yellows of curry that’s as stimulating to the eye as the palate. Staple soups include the spicy thom yum and the silky thom kah gai. For a searing midday meal, try the Siam ginger plate lunch special, served with a spring roll to help douse the flames. For dessert, spoil your taste buds with an order of roti rolls — pan-fried flatbread smothered in sticky icing. 936 Virginia Ave., 636-8424, siamsquareindy.com. 2nd: Thai Cafe 3rd: Thai Spice Local Indian Restaurant India Garden Time was that India Garden and Shalimar battled this one out, no-holdsbarred, cage match-style, with servers at both joints politely suggesting that you might fill out a Best of Indy ballot

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(and you need only fill out one category — for Best Local Indian Restaurant — if you’re in a hurry). But we might declare India Garden dominant these days; this is their 16th win in 21 years. And while we have love in our heart for other Indian options, India Garden’s lunch buffet is an old stand-by; your faithful NUVO scribe is getting hungry just writing this blurb. 830 Broad Ripple Ave., 253-6060 and 207 N. Delaware St., 634-6060, indiagardenindy.com. 2nd: Shalimar 3rd: India Palace Local Italian Restaurant Mama Carolla’s There’s no shortage of great Italian restaurants in Indy, but NUVO readers can’t seem to break the Mama Carolla’s Old Italian habit. Good food and excellent ambiance, Mama’s provides a great dining experience for families, friends and couples. Add a glass of wine (or the whole bottle), a little grated parmesan, and you’re in for a wonderful meal and evening. 1031 E. 54th St., 259-9412, mamacarollas.com. 2nd: Iaria’s 3rd: Milano Inn Local Latin American Restaurant *La Hacienda You ask for it; you got it: La Hacienda serves up the kind of Mexican food

that draws in Hoosiers like nobody’s business, including just about every kind of combination plate you can imagine. Order off the a la carte menu for even more choices; the possibilities might boggle even the most sophisticated combinationorialist. Rest assured you can get a big ‘ol beer at the Hacienda (the menu jumps from 12 ounce to the 32 ounce option, with no intermediate step), as well as a wide selection of tequilas and margaritas. 6825 Graham Road, 577-2689; 3874 Lafayette Road, 290-0755; and 6429 E. Washington St., 357-8084; lahaciendaindy.com. 2nd: La Piedad 3rd: El Rodeo Local Greek/ Mediterranean Restaurant Santorini Greek Kitchen Call Santorini one of the best comeback stories of the past couple years. Barely two months after a fire in late 2010 caused an estimated $800,000 in damage, the kitchen was back in action, serving up the second-to-none galaktaboureko (semolina-based custard in phyllo), along with spanakopita, souvlaki, saganaki and the rest. Belly dancers perform on Friday and Saturday nights, so make reservations as the tables fill up fast. Settle down for a long meal — the portions are enormous — and rest assured that owners and staff alike are committed to remaining a community institution, even when dealt a less than ideal hand. 1417 Prospect St., 917-1117, greekkitchen.dine.com. 2nd: BARcelona Tapas 3rd: Greek Islands

“When you try it, you will love it!” —Chef Sentissi

Live Lute Flute every Saturday!

THANK YOU NUVO READERS FOR VOTING US

#1 - Best Local English Pub #1 - Best Mid Week Bar #2 - Best Bar Food #3 - Best Bartenders #3 - Best Local Wings 719 Massachusetts Ave | 917-8425 8211 E 116th St | 845-1090

Thank You for making Saffron Cafe Indy’s #1 Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in Nuvo’s 2012 Best of Indy!

Unique daily specials Everything on our menu is made from scratch!

Morocco imported food & wine

CALL TO RSVP. 317-917-0131 OR VISIT WWW.SAFFRONCAFE-INDY.COM Located downtown at 621 Ft. Wayne Ave., Indianapolis IN 46204

VOTED BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT BY NUVO READERS! 6825 GRAHAM ROAD (317) 577-2689 5625 LAWTON LOOP EAST DRIVE (317) 405-9395

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Saffron Café Local Middle Eastern/ North African Restaurant Saffron Café Saffron Café, which occupies a defiantly colorful location in the shadow of Downtown’s brutalist Federal Building, offers a wide variety of delicious North African (mostly Moroccan) cuisine. We recommend the delicate and delicious saffron rice foremost, but the antipasto plate — made up of hummus, zaalouk and bakoula — is high on the list as well. You might also try one of two specialty dishes: a kafta sandwich, comprised of finger rolls of finely ground, deeply seasoned and chargrilled beef served on an open-face pita; and the Couscous Royale, a medley of vegetables served over couscous and steamed in a clay pot. 621 Fort Wayne Ave., 917-0131, saffroncafe-indy.com. 2nd: Bosphorus 3rd: Egyptian Cafe Local English Pub/Celtic Food Chatham Tap Situated near the terminus of the Downtown leg of Mass Ave and alongside a tributary of the Cultural Trail, Chatham Tap has almost a perfect location, particularly to draw in the kind of pre/post-partiers with a hankering for English brew pub food with a whole lot of American outliers (say, the Cheeseburger pizza, which indeed tastes uncannily like a Big Mac, a sandwich they can’t mention on the menu for legal reasons), as well as a bar that always has at least a couple local

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brews on tap. And in this, the year of the Euro Championships while we gird our loins for the World Cup, keep in mind Chatham Tap for all your collective viewing needs. 719 Massachusetts Ave., 917-8425, chathamtap.com. 2nd: Red Lion Grog House 3rd: Broad Ripple Brewpub Local Deli/Sandwich Shop Shapiro’s Shapiro’s has been the favorite deli of NUVO readers for at least 21 years, and won this category every single time we’ve taken your votes. Hell, we started this blurb with the exact same sentence last year; only the number of years has changed (a little trade secret for you). And here’s a little budget-conscious consumer advice, hard won through the years: The trick at Shapiro’s is to avoid piling up the a la carte options, for if you end up with too many deviled eggs and broccoli salads on your tray, no longer will Shapiro’s stay true to its philosophy of pricing modestly. Instead, go for the main dishes — the meatloaf, the short ribs (when available), the swiss steak — which are indeed a deal, accompanied by a couple sides and bread. 808 S. Meridian St., 631-4041, shapiros.com. 2nd: Goose the Market 3rd: Ripple Bagel Deli Local Burgers Boogie Burger None have heretofore survived a move to that clapboard house alongside

Local Coffeehouse *Hubbard & Cravens Twenty-two years after Jerry Cravens and Rick Hubbard set up shop in Indy, Hubbard & Cravens is still brewing strong. The Indy coffee empire opened its seventh location a few weeks ago in Carmel and has plans for a San Diego store in the works. Combine those physical outposts with the company’s wholesale business, which has put Hubbard & Cravens coffee in restaurants and break rooms across the city, and it’s no wonder that a Best of Indy win was in store. The only question is why this is only H&C’s second. NUVO caught up with co-owner Marcy Hubbard (Rick’s wife) to talk all things H&C. NUVO: Aside from quality, what else is central to your philosophy? MARCY HUBBARD: Knowing that we source the coffee ourselves. We visit countries when we can — whether it’s a coffee country or a tea country — and try to meet the farmers and develop relationships. And then we come back with great coffee and a great story, and it’s much easier to sell that way. You want a great coffee, but nobody understands how much hard work goes into producing coffee. Mostly, it’s all done by hand. They toil and they get paid almost nothing. Going there can mean realizing how much work it takes and how much it means to a family to produce an acre of coffee — they can live a whole year on that. NUVO: Do you have a personal favorite when it comes to where your coffee is from?

HUBBARD: I would say some of the Ethiopians really are my favorite. They say coffee originated there. When you go to another country, it can be all one species of a coffee plant; and you go to Ethiopia and there could be 60 different leaves in an acre of coffee. It’s not even categorized. But it works, and you get a truly unique cup of coffee. NUVO: How would you characterize a good cup of Ethiopian coffee? HUBBARD: It can depend on the region. It can have lemony after-tones, it can have blueberry after-tones. Citrusy, fruity, kind of medium body, just with a lot of sparkle to it. Bright. NUVO: What’s your favorite way to have a cup of coffee? HUBBARD: We have a brand new way to brew iced coffee that’s at our location in Carmel — we don’t really do it at the other stores yet — but it’s just an awesome, very full-flavored cup of iced coffee. We just bought a little contraption called a Fretta. What it is, it’s like a long plastic tube, and you put ice in that tube. Then there’s a cone shape at the top where you put your filter and your coffee. We only use Kenyan or Costa Rican for iced coffee; we like those two single origin coffees. It’s just a slow pour — almost like how you do the hot coffee — and it just trickles down through the ice, very concentrated, so that by the time you’re ready to drink it and you put it over ice, it’s just perfect. 2nd: Lazy Daze 3rd: Monon Coffee Company

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Westfield Boulevard that used to house a rather strange jail-themed restaurant. But Boogie Burger, which recently relocated from a boxcar-of-a-space in the heart of Broad Ripple, seems to be making it work with no trouble at all, maybe because they’re keeping the basement jail cells off limits. Bacon is the standby on the burger menu, which goes big in a way equaled only by Bub’s in Carmel. But non-red meat options aren’t too shabby, notably the Mahi Mahi sandwich or salad and black bean burger. Don’t forget an order of garlic fries, best shared with a buddy or two. 1904 E. Broad Ripple Ave., 255-2540, boogieburger.com. 2nd: Bru Burger Bar 3rd: Scotty’s Brewhouse Local Pizza Bazbeaux Bazbeaux cannot be defeated. Hell, they even took over our old offices in Broad Ripple, ransacking and pillaging in the name of the pizza God. NUVO readers have never selected anything other than Bazbeaux as the city’s Best Pizza, making for 21 victories altogether. In addition to excellent locations (Mass Ave, Broad Ripple and Carmel) and terrific staff, what makes Bazbeaux so enjoyable is the variety of options. Pour over a massive list of ingredients and craft your own masterpiece, or skip the work and choose one of the standard favorites. 811 E. Westfield Blvd. (multiple locations), 255-5711, bazbeaux.com. 2nd: Jockamo 3rd: Pizzology

Boogie Burger

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Local Steak St. Elmo Steakhouse Indianapolis’ first steakhouse has also been chosen as its best time and again by NUVO readers. This is the 10th win for St. Elmo, and we have no doubt that it will not be the last. This Downtown institution has been serving perfectly cooked steaks exactly the way patrons ask for them for more than 100 years (not to mention a host of other delicious dishes and the best shrimp cocktail on the planet). While the choices are traditional, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Why mess with success? Classic steakhouse food served in an upscale saloon atmosphere works just fine. 127 S. Illinois St., 635-0636, stelmos.com. 2nd: Harry & Izzy’s 3rd: Bynum’s Steakhouse Local Wings Scotty’s Brewhouse If you check over in the Music and Nightlife BOI categories, you’ll find that Scotty’s Brewhouse won Best Bar Food, as well as Best Drink Specials and Best Bar for Sports Fans. And what do sports fans who like drink specials and bar food want to eat? Hot wings, of course! And Scotty’s has some pretty damn good ones — the Best Wings in the city according to NUVO readers. Make sure to try a variety of homemade sauces including brew, barbecue and honey mustard — offered in varying degrees of hotness. 1 Virginia Ave., 571-0808, scottysbrewhouse.com. 2nd: Maxine’s Chicken and Waffles 3rd: Chatham Tap Local Pork Tenderloin Mug-n-Bun Did somebody say tenderloin sandwich? The Mug-n-Bun drive-in restaurant’s patty is pounded out wide, then fried to a crisp, just the way it

should be. Some things that never change here: favorite onion rings, Dad’s Root Beer floats, dogs, fries, double cheeseburgers and more. Be sure to grab some cash (they don’t take credit cards) and eat a nice pork sandwich or a Coney dog covered in fried chili and wash it down with some root beer in a thick, frosty mug. 5211 W. 10th St., 244-5669, mug-n-bun.com. 2nd: Edwards Drive-In 3rd: Bourbon Street Local Breakfast/Brunch Dining Cafe Patachou Hard to disagree with this pick: The absolute best breakfast or brunch anywhere in the city can be found at Café Patachou (and, given the way Patachou has expanded over the past few years, it can now be found all over town). The restaurant’s original location in the MeridianKessler neighborhood has been serving up omelettes (including a creative daily special) and open-faced egg sandwiches for long enough to win this category every time it’s been on the ballot. Take a morning to taste for yourself. 4911 N. Pennsylvania St., 925-2823, cafepatachou.com. 2nd: 3 Sisters 3rd: Taste Local Late Night Dining Hot Box Pizza No better way to score with your hottest neighbor after the bars close than to head over or call up Broad Ripple’s favorite pizza joint for some late night craving satisfaction. The pies are delicious as the names are imaginative: The Popeye, Hot Chick, Big Al’s Fredo and (our favorite) the Dixie Chicken. While there are a few stores around town (as well as in West Lafayette and, oddly, Texas), we still like the Broad Ripple location best — and so do NUVO

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Yats’ Joe Vuskovich readers who voted it the best option for late-night munchies. Plus those ubiquitous plastic cups are always a cool bonus! 715 Broad Ripple Ave., 257-7500, getthehotbox.com. 2nd: Peppy Grill 3rd: Ripple Bagel Deli Local Vegan/Vegetarian Dining *Yats Yats won so many awards this year — heck, they win so many awards every year — that it’s tough to figure out what else to write about them. They indeed have veggie options on the menu daily, from the Notorious B&B (black beans and caramelized corn, best served with sour cream, cheese and a little bit of hot sauce) to the spinach mushroom etoufee to the succotash. At least two veggie options are generally available at any location on any given day; supplies may run out, though they usually don’t. And they taste good anywhere, including at Yats’ newest location in Carmel, opened in summer 2012. 2nd: 3 Sisters 3rd: Cafe Patachou Local Upscale Dining St. Elmo Steak House There are few greater honors in the world of American cuisine than a James Beard award. Call this is a big year then for St. Elmo, one of five restaurants awarded a 2012 James Beard American Classics award, given to “restaurants with timeless appeal … that are beloved for quality food

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that reflects the character of their community.” The Classics award is given to restaurants that are locally owned and have been in business for more than 10 years; St. Elmo has been open since 1902 and in local hands ever since. 127 S. Illinois St., 635-0636, stelmos.com. 2nd: Harry & Izzy’s 3rd: Recess Local Budget-minded Dining Yats NUVO readers love Yats! Which means you might have to wait in line behind a bunch of other people hungry for delicious Cajun and Creole offerings for just around six bucks (more for extra bread or a half-and-half serving). But the wait is worth it: This is soul food in a soulful place and you will only be a stranger once. Mardi Gras lasts all year, but the menu changes daily. multiple locations, 253-8817 (College Ave.), yatscajuncreole.com. 2nd: Papa Roux 3rd: Mug-n-Bun Local Romantic Dining Mama Carolla’s SoBro’s Mama Carolla’s may well be the most romantic restaurant in the city, primarily because it oozes ambiance. From the twinkling lights to heavy wood accents, all housed in what actually feels like a house, there’s something cozy and refreshing about a visit to Mama’s. The reasonable prices mean it’s

THANK YOU NUVO READERS FOR VOTING US #1 BEST BURGER

New Local Restaurant *Bru Burger Bar What makes a great burger? Everyone has their own opinion; but by any measure, the stylish Bru — open in time for the Super Bowl in a space formerly occupied by restaurants with “element” in their names — just vaulted to the top of this city’s must-visit burgeries. The Black and Blue and Provencal are criminally good. The bread rolls are nothing short of perfect, the toppings well thought out and complementary to the succulent meat. What’s more, they’re ideally proportioned, so that every ingredient can be tasted in a single bite. Add the best onion rings in town, and you have a nearperfect experience on your hands. Everything at Bru is prepared in-house, including the bread, ketchup and mayonnaise. The burgers are made to order from a proprietary blend of hormone-free sirloin, chuck and brisket, sourced from Creekstone Farms in Kansas. The chicken is Amish-raised. Certainly you pay a little more for meat of this quality, but it’s worth every penny if you care about provenance. If you’re not in the mood for intelligently-sourced farm animals, a generous and vibrant shrimp po’ boy — not too spicy, offering a pleasingly zingy mouthful of flavor — is a viable option on a menu that also includes highquality sandwiches and bar food. If you have room at the end of the meal, the chocolate milkshake is a delicious behemoth, and quite a challenge if you’ve just eaten two courses. Lighter, but just as indulgent, is the chocolate mousse trifle, a decadent take on a classic. And the Bru Margarita is a great way to work up an appetite. 410 Massachusetts Ave., 635-4278, bruonmass.com. 2nd: Twenty Tap 3rd: The Libertine

India Garden Best Indian Cuisine

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VOTED BEST INDIAN CUISINE IN NUVO’S BEST OF INDY 2012! ONE AND ONLY INDIAN RESTAURANT IN TOWN TO WIN BEST INDIA CUISINE EVERY YEAR SINCE WE OPENED OUR DOORS FOR BUSINESS (1993) BY NUVO, INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY AND #1 IN METROMIX BEST OF INDY!

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affordable for two, even with a good bottle of wine to complement the traditional Italian menu. When the weather permits, shepherd your date to the patio dining room for an even more romantic evening. (And don’t forget about their new café next door for breakfast — Good Morning Mama’s!) 1031 E. 54th St., 259-9412, mamacarollas.com. 2nd: Eagle’s Nest 3rd: Jazz Kitchen Service *St. Elmo Steak House St. Elmo’s attentive wait staff — clad in natty tuxes but in no way stuffy — helps guests every step of the way from deciding which cut of meat to enjoy or which of the several thousand award-winning wines to pair with their meals. Known for the classic turn-of-the-century Chicago saloon style décor, St. Elmo is the place to come to seal a business deal, celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy the company of St. Elmo’s diverse clientele. And it goes without saying it’s also a good spot for celebrity watching, particularly when the Super Bowl’s in town. 2nd: Jockamo 3rd: Scotty’s Brewhouse Wine List Corner Wine Bar Broad Ripple’s Corner Wine Bar brings a little bit of Paris bistro to an otherwise very Midwestern corner. NUVO readers have been so

impressed they’ve voted it as having the Best Wine List a total of nine times, going back to an early win in 1995. With over 150 wines and champagnes, this list has something for every taste and budget. Thankfully, this includes several excellent house wines. They also feature a menu that is imaginative and a perfect accompaniment to the wine. It’s a bit pricey, but excellent and well-worth the splurge. We recommend visiting Sunday, when a special discount menu is offered and an open mic night brimming with local talent takes over the basement. Desserts here are delicious, too. 6331 Guilford Ave., 255-5159, cornerwinebar.com. 2nd: Tastings 3rd: St. Elmo Steak House Place to Drink Local Beer Sun King The city’s first full-scale production brewery since Indianapolis Brewing Company closed in 1948 continues to garner your support. This is the third win for the tasting room, which shut its doors briefly in early July for brewery construction; we went to press before the room’s scheduled re-opening date (July 18), so you might call ahead to make sure the party is still on. Beer menus are always changing, though some favorites are standard. The tasting room is open Thursday through Saturday, though hours are a bit wacky; check out the website to see

if your schedule aligns with theirs. 135 N. College Ave., 602-3701, sunkingbrewing.com. 2nd: Twenty Tap 3rd: Thr3e Wise Men Food Truck *West Coast Tacos West Coast Tacos was the first rolling kitchen in Indianapolis more than a year and a half ago, and it keeps dishing up its light yet spicy fare to hungry customers throughout the city. This is unabashed street food, so the portions, while modest, are packed with flavor and designed to be enjoyed on foot (i.e. the contents of your taco won’t spill on your shirt or slacks, unless you’re really, really clumsy). The spicy pork and chicken teriyaki are both excellent choices that tend to be in stock, while occasional specials provide variety on any given day. @WestCoastTacos, thebestdamntacos.com. 2nd: duos 3rd: Scratch Outdoor Dining *Creation Cafe You see buildings like Creation Cafe in the corporate districts of many a recently-developed city, proud brick or limestone structures that held on as skyscrapers took flight, as parking lots settled over grassy lots, as monorails (!) snaked through parking garages. But aside from the intellectual pleasure of sitting on the deck at Creation Cafe (formerly

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Buggs Temple) and pondering the mysteries of history, it’s also a fine spot to catch a breeze, monitor the traffic on the canal and dig in to an extensive fusion menu that runs from burgers to mussels, BBQ to flatbreads. 337 W. 11th St., 9552389, creationcafeandeuphoria.com. 2nd: Flatwater 3rd: Broad Ripple Brewpub Local Restaurant Yats An ode to Joe: You, good sir, are a kinky-haired, whirlwind force for good, quick with a smile, manically hard-working (in a good way), an equal-opportunity employer who’s been known to give a guy a break, a crusader against credit cards, a provider of free eats to many a hungry partier (or NUVO employee). An ode to Joe’s food: You are familiar, yet different; spicy, but not overwhelming; embracing of vegetarians but unafraid of chorizo; delivered in large, filling portions (alas, occasionally on Styrofoam): the perfect quick meal for a panoply of Indy’s society, both high and otherwise. Multiple locations, 253-8817 (College Ave.), yatscajuncreole.com. 2nd: St. Elmo Steak House 3rd: Mama Carolla’s Keep an eye on our Food and Drink coverage at nuvo.net/indianapolis/food-drink

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Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE *indicates different winner than last year (2011)

Local Artist/Group Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band You are undoubtedly fond of Rev. Peyton and his Big Damn Band, the country blues outfit that made it cool to play a washboard again, if not to actually use one. After wrapping a host of festivals in Calgary and Ottawa, they’ve spent the year recording their new record, Between the Ditches (out on Side One Dummy Aug. 7). As you read this, they’re somewhere in the Wild West, touring Utah, Wyoming and other big, wide, red-rocked places. Between The Ditches was recorded and produced in Bloomington’s White Arc Studio by Paul Mahern. They’ll return to Indianapolis for an in-store performance at Indy CD and Vinyl and a stop at the State Fair before hitting the road again. bigdamnband.com. 2nd: Jennie DeVoe 3rd: Cara Jean Marcy Local Roots Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band You can’t escape the Rev and his Big Damn Band, Indy’s favorite band, which makes them Indy’s favorite roots band, too. The Rev is on tour across these United States, making stops from the West Coast to the East and returning to play at one of the newly-retooled State Fair concerts. Washboard in hand, this fast-churning throwback group whips

their crowds into a frenzy. They sell out venues and festival stages both in our city and across the country. bigdamnband.com. 2nd: Cara Jean Marcy 3rd: The Cousin Brothers Local Punk/Hardcore Gay Black Republican Gay Black Republican has claimed top punk honors in NUVO again. They can add this to their award for most improved band way back in 2003, the same year that we called their Ballet on Barbed Wire a top 10 local album. They’ve been doing the Dead Kennedysinspired thing since 2001, attacking this fair nation’s unchecked consumerism, war-mongering and magical thinking. These Punk Rock Night regulars will be back in September for another night of rabble-rousing. gayblackrepublican.com. 2nd: Vacation Club 3rd: Stand and Deliver Local Metal Devil to Pay Not strictly a metal band, Devil to Pay stands at the intersection of Sabbath-style metal, classic rock and postgrunge, with an attentiveness to melody and song structure that sets them apart from other riff-based bands. Not that you didn’t already know that — Devil to Pay is a regular winner in this category. The band is

in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign to fund their fourth full-length album, but they’ve already exceeded their goal by almost $1,000. All future funds will be used toward increasing production quality and time in the studio. deviltopay.net. 2nd: Coffinworm 3rd: Smoke Ring Local Jazz *Frank Glover Saxophonist-turned-clarinetist Frank Glover, easily one of Indy’s best jazzmen for the last 20 years, has finally won NUVO’s Best of Indy Jazz award. A former Gemini twin of the late, great jazz pianist Claude Sifferlin, with whom he was a regular at the Chatterbox and the Jazz Kitchen, Frank has probably logged more hours in Indy nightspots than any two musicians put together. Along the way he performed on stages as prestigious as Carnegie Hall, and recorded and produced five cutting-edge albums, including the internationally acclaimed Politico (2005) which, besides impressive soloing, also exhibits Glover’s composing and arranging prowess. One of the area’s most valuable yet under-appraised gems, Glover’s BOI award comes none too soon. owlstudios.com. 2nd: Rob Dixon (tie) 2nd: Cathy Morris (tie)

Local Blues *Governor Davis Having received an early blues education in the nightclubs of his native Chicago, and gone on to concoct his own stimulating blend of the genre, Indy-based singer and guitarist Governor Davis earns his third NUVO Best of Indy Blues award this year. Davis’ energetic mix of feel-good blues, soul, R&B, rock and funk, as well as his generous audience rapport, is legendary. One of the workin’est bands ever, and a staple of most major blues fests, Governor Davis and the Blues Ambassadors play up to 170 shows per year in the U.S. and abroad. The band just celebrated its 20th anniversary, which makes winning this year’s BOI award especially fitting. governordavisandthebluesambassadors.com. 2nd: Gordon Bonham 3rd: Gene Deer Local Label *GloryHole Records We wrote about GloryHole Records during our Psychedelic Square roundup of Fountain Square’s hottest and hippest bands. Helmed by Jim Peoni, GloryHole has released records (vinyl or cassette) for Indy artists Adam Kuhn, Apache Dropout, Christian Taylor & Homeschool, Crys, Learner Dancer and Vacation Club, with Knoxville-based Three Man Band and Bloomington-based Humans rounding out the roster. In the last few years GloryHole focused on nondigital, non-CD releases that highlight the best and brightest rock, psych and

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Live Music Venue (big: theater/amphitheater) The Vogue An Indianapolis staple for live music that has nearly come to be synonymous with Broad Ripple itself, The Vogue has been putting on live shows featuring national, regional and local acts for 30 years. NUVO readers continue to vote The Live Music Venue Vogue as the Best Live Music Theater/ (small: bar/club) Amphitheater in town, and we couldn’t Radio Radio agree more. The venue is one the most Radio Radio owner Tufty Clough dependable, perfectly located, mid-sized has recently opened a new Fountain concert halls in our city — a place where Square venue, the Mexican Dia De local bands play on the same stage Los Muertos-themed La Revolucion, as superstars. Look for some of those but he’ll be hard-pressed to top superstars this fall, when The Vogue his first club, the non-smoking, hosts The Jesus and Mary Chain and unostentatiously well-furnished, The Melvins. 6259 N. College Ave., 259intelligently-booked, spacious but 7029, thevogue.com. intimate Radio Radio. Consistently hosting some of the best and brightest 2nd: Murat local artists and a heavy rotation of 3rd: Egyptian Room up-and-coming and already arrived regional and national artists, Radio All-ages Venue Radio is one the best places to see a *Earth House show in town. The strong drinks and Earth House has had a truly spectacular well-mixed sound makes this longyear of free and low cost programs that lived club a big reason why Fountain span the realms of music, film, social Square remains a perennially cool part justice and community building. They’re of town. 1119 Prospect St., 955-0995, in the midst of planning some great futureshock.net. big new projects (that will be revealed in future NUVO features), but in the 2nd: Rathskeller meantime, Mass Ave residents and 3rd: Slippery Noodle punk music in the city, while allowing their artists complete creative control and a large portion of their product with which to do what they wish. gloryholerecords.tumblr.com. 2nd: Asthmatic Kitty 3rd: Owl Studios

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Downtowners can enjoy Earth House’s beautiful stained glass windows, relevant and exciting programming and great organic food in the cafe. Shows in the sanctuary are always all-ages, which is a great, clean place for all of us to jam to Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, The Head and the Heart and more. 237 N. East St., 636-4060, earthhousecollective.org. 2nd: Egyptian Room 3rd: Hoosier Dome

to add that an amazing pork tenderloin sandwich may or may not be the real appeal. Show off your best Madonna or Mick Jagger (or both) at the Lounge. 934 N. Pennsylvania St., 635-0361. 2nd: Metro 3rd: Mass Ave Pub

Bartenders Talbott Street Talbott is celebrating 10 years of entertainment encompassing “all communities and generations of all Open Mic Night walks of life.” They’re also celebrating Slippery Noodle their second year of Best Bartenders The winningest of all winners in the from NUVO. You can find those years we’ve been surveying you people bartenders all over the club: With — the Slippery Noodle can now claim several bars throughout the venue, a whopping and record-setting total you’re never far from a good drink at of 31 Best of Indy Awards. They’ve Talbott Street. Thanks to the helpful earned twelve as the city’s Best Open and fast bartenders, you never have to Mic Night over the past two decades wait too long either. Look for one our and 18 consecutive wins in the nowfavorite ladies, DJ Deanne, to make retired Best Blues Club category. Just the occasional appearance behind like the sign out front says “Dis is the bar as well. They’ll celebrate their it.” The Slippery Noodle really is the anniversary in September. 2145 N. best place in Indy for anyone who Talbot St., 931-1343, talbottstreet.com. truly likes live blues performed by the 2nd: Melody Inn best local and touring musicians. The 3rd: Chatham Tap history and infamy that comes with it being the oldest bar in the city doesn’t Place to People Watch hurt either. 372 S. Meridian St., 631Alley Cat 6974, slipperynoodlesound.com. The hole-in-the wall to beat all holes2nd: Locals Only in-the-wall has won best people 3rd: Earth House watching spot again. You can even start your watching outside, in the Karaoke Broad Ripple alleys you have to thread Living Room Lounge through to get there. Cheap drinks, It’s a fourth win for the downtown good music and lots of pool playing, Living Room Lounge as the city’s best the Cat is the coolest of the multiplace for karaoke. We confess to winners this year — and most others. loving the neighborhood vibe of the And did we mention you usually place and good-natured approach to don’t have to go home alone? 6267 the karaoke performances that feel a Carrollton Ave., 257-4036. little less intimidating than other, more 2nd: Talbott Street upscale bars. Upon reflection, we’d like 3rd: Old Point Tavern

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Bar Food Scotty’s Brewhouse The motto at Scotty’s Brewhouse is “Good Food, Good Brew, Good People” and NUVO readers obviously agree. Multiple wins in multiple categories over the past few years have established Scotty’s as a proven favorite. Having such a terrific menu and delicious food doesn’t hurt. All the typical appetizers, sandwiches and burgers are there, but the fresh ingredients, imaginative sauces and spices (lotsa hot stuff!) make these taste better than many local restaurants not hosting sports fans and running a packed bar and patio. 1 Virginia Ave., 571-0808, scottysbrewhouse.com. 2nd: Chatham Tap 3rd: Ale Emporium Place for Sports Fans Scotty’s Brewhouse Peyton’s gone, and we aren’t sure whether or not sports fans in Indy will know how to cope. Fortunately, Scotty’s will still be there even if No. 18 isn’t. One of the best places to stop before, during or after the big games and within walking distance of Lucas Oil Stadium, Victory Field and Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Scotty’s also has a great crowd eager to root on the home team when tickets aren’t available or a bar is the preferred vantage point to take in the action. The Sunday morning brunch menu is a big hit for those who don’t CONTINUED TO PAGE 46.

Nicky Blaine’s

Facebook.com/20past4andmore

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@20past4andmore

Local Hip-hop *Oreo Jones Since releasing his debut EP in 2010, Oreo Jones has rapidly risen through the ranks of Indianapolis MCs. You might be asking yourself how Jones has vaulted from a relative unknown to the top of NUVO’s “Best of Indy” list in just two short years. Well, it might be his versatility. The Warsaw, Ind., native spent his formative years exploring his hometown’s DIY punk rock scene. That foundation has provided the MC with an ability to convincingly spike his underground hip-hop creations with a liberal dose of indie sounds, resulting in a slew collaborations with Indy indie rockers like We Are Hex, Slothpop and Jookabox. It could also be Jones’ penchant for humor. Oreo has explored his comedic side in a series of popular YouTube videos called “Let’s Do Lunch,” a cooking show spoof featuring a cast of local music scenesters. There’s also Black Fabio, his side project with fellow Rad Summer artist DJ Action Jackson. Black Fabio re-imagines Jones and Jackson as a pair of blonde-coiffured matinee idols in a ridiculous send up of rap music’s image-conscious excesses. But it really has to do with his skills on the mic. Jones just happens to be a very talented rapper. You can witness these skills for yourself on his newest creation, Betty, available exclusively early to NUVO readers via a QR code in our cover story on Mr. Jones. oreojones.com.

What is that kitty whispering to Or eo Jones?

2nd: Rusty Redenbacher 3rd: Blake Allee

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Devil to Pay find tailgating as exciting as good food, good brew and good people. Warning: Scotty’s gets full fast, so get here early. 1 Virginia Ave., 571-0808, scottysbrewhouse.com. 2nd: Kilroy’s 3rd: Moe and Johnny’s Place for Suits Nicky Blaine’s The “pleasing cadence” of the name of our favorite martini spot isn’t an accident. The owner-operators chose it as an homage to Humphrey Bogart’s Casablanca character, Rick, but with a slight change to the rhyming, to become Nicky Blaine’s. But don’t worry about it; just order a martini. Voted best place for suits for six years running, this upscale speakeasy just off Monument Circle and deep underground offers fantastic drinks and a top-drawer selection of cigars in a beautiful and often stimulating environment. And we aren’t kidding about the martinis. Back in the day, we used to give a Best Martini in Indy award, and this place always won. 20 N. Meridian St., 6385588, nickyblaines.com. 2nd: St. Elmo’s 1933 Lounge 3rd: Ball & Biscuit

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Mid-week Club/Bar Chatham Tap Looks like NUVO readers are venturing beyond Broad Ripple more and more often, particularly during the week. Venues along the Mass Ave corridor continue to grow in popularity, as does the Cultural District. One of those growing hotspots is the lovely Chatham Tap. A great hangout for the Downtown crowd, Chatham Tap offers great drinks and nightly specials, as well as two taps always dedicated to local brew. The menu is fantastic as well — and by that we mean the garlic cheese fries make us whimper. Outdoor seating and great soccer fans round out the attraction. 719 Massachusetts Ave., 917-8425, chathamtap.com. 2nd: Sinking Ship 3rd: Twenty Tap Place for Punks Melody Inn You’d be hard-pressed to find a place better suited to local punks than the Melody Inn, and not just because it’s home to the long-running Punk Rock Night every Saturday. For six years in a row now,

Annie and Andy Skinner (a.k.a A-Squared)

BY AARON LINGENFELTER

DJ *A-Squared Industries DJs A-Squared Industries are so busy and pop up in so many unexpected places that one could imagine them as a gigantic company, perhaps with a full roster of employees and a multi-story office.

a mix of danceable Top 40s with throwback jams. They hold down Let Go! at the Lockerbie the first Tuesday of everything month, packing the floor with the sweatiest, grooviest crowd at any dance night we’ve ever seen. This spring, they launched Real Talk at the White Rabbit Cabaret, with You would be incorrect. A-Squared frequent collaborator DJ Action Industries, or A2, is just two Jackson; they provide your own extremely hard-working artists: personal set of 3-D glasses to peep Annie and Andy Skinner. the videography — infrared shots These mini-moguls are swiftly carving of the gyrating crowd — by Jordan Munson. They’ll be relaunching out their own musical empire; Sound Selector at the Sinking the Skinners have run a record Ship in August, an open turntable label, hosted a weekly radio show, promoted over 200 events, designed night where you’ll catch veteran masters like DJ Topspeed taking products for clients all over the over sets from party people trying city and worked in marketing and their first time on the turntables. promotions for a variety of groups. Consistently promoting and booking You’ll catch them as openers for high-profile acts like LTJ Bukem a compelling set of artists, they’ll be bringing ‘80s nostalgia acts The Jesus and Modeselektor and at massive outdoor events including the and Mary Chain and The Melvins to IDentity Electronic Music Festival the city in coming months. and the Indy 500 Snake Pit. But, promotions and marketing With all of their various and diverse aside, the Skinners have been projects, it would seem easy for crowned the Best DJs in our fair Annie and Andy to get fairly worn city, and, although it’s not by any out — but everything they do has means the only thing they do, they pour huge amounts of energy an energy and a newness. They’re constantly making progress on their and creativity into all their time company’s motto to “Help make behind the stacks. As house DJs Indianapolis a better place to live.” for the Naptown Roller Girls, they deftly handle the soundtrack for 2nd: Slater Hogan our beloved derby girls, blending 3rd: Indiana Jones

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Local Rock *The Twin Cats Success doesn’t come overnight or without work. Since their inception in 2004, The Twin Cats have spent the eight years practicing, performing, and perfecting their special blend of funk, jazz, and rock. Playing regular shows at hippie hangout The Mousetrap, The Twin Cats have earned an honest, devoted following of local music enthusiasts and carry the unofficial title of the venue’s house band.

Umphrey’s McGee stepped up to help — including drummer Kris Myers, who eased minds with his practical advice and contributed his time by sitting in with the band at the following night’s show.

Fast forward to 2012, the biggest year for The Twin Cats to date, and they were performing downtown in Super Bowl Village, on ESPN as the house band for SportsNation, in New York’s Times Square and as the opening band Being a good rock band means for multiple Umphrey’s McGee more than just playing face-melting shows. Currently in summer music music; it also means investing in festival mode, The Twin Cats your community and running your will hit the these events in the business with integrity. The Twin next three months: Whippersnap Cats boast recurring performances (Rockford, Ill.), Mojostock at local charity event Kammy’s Kause and at Knollfest, a single-day festival (Noblesville), Hoxeyville (Wellston, benefiting music and art departments Mich.), Jomeokee (Pinnacle, N.C.), Hyperion (Spencer, Ind.), and The in Indianapolis Public Schools. Werkout (Thornville, Ohio). Tragedy struck in August of 2010 With a rigorous schedule that when The Twin Cats had $15,000 worth of clothing, equipment and includes two weekly practice gear stolen from their van while sessions and relentless travel on performing in Chicago on the the weekends, The Twin Cats are first night of a short Midwestern continuously setting the bar higher tour. As word spread like wildfire and working tirelessly in their through Indianapolis, friends ascent to the top of the funk-rock and family rallied their support, and jam scene. thetwincats.com rounding up whatever they could 2nd: Living Proof to help the band recover from the blow. Even Chicago-based rockers 3rd: Harley Poe

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NUVO readers have named it their favorite and for good reason. The small bar helps you get intimate with the bands on stage. Punks abound here, as do a healthy dose of other non-conformists — all of whom know the Melody Inn has a longtime commitment to the local music scene (and self-expression). They’ve recently added new dance nights like Souldies — a mix of oldies and soul held down by burlesque dancers and local DJs — that are punk in their own way, too. 3826 N. Illinois St., 923-4707, melodyindy.com. 2nd: Alley Cat 3rd: Emerson Theater

45 Degrees

Place for Hippies Mousetrap Bar and Grill Perhaps no other venue in Indianapolis is better suited to jam bands, the smell of patchouli and a bunch of people just interested in grooving to some tunes and hanging out with friends than six-time winner of this category The Mousetrap Bar and Grill. With a good dose of live, mostly local, music as well as pool tables, big screens, darts and a dance floor that occasionally gets pretty crowded, the Mousetrap dominates this category for good reason. It’s the kind of place where everyone is made to feel welcome and most quickly make friends (or at least a friendly acquaintance). Say hi to the Indy Mojo crew, who hosts Altered Thurzdaze weekly and a variety of other events regularly. 5565 N. Keystone Ave., 255-3189, themousetrapbar.com. 2nd: Earth House 3rd: Lazy Daze

Ultra-Lounge *45 Degrees Brand new Best Ultra-Lounge Winner, Downtown lounge Forty Five° prides itself on having a fun, upscale environment with something for everyone; it’s been open since 2008 and has been innovating ever since. Named after the angle of the corner on which it’s located on Mass Ave, it’s part lunch-and-dinner restaurant/ sushi bar (where the meals are healthy and the desserts are to die for), part nightclub, part sports bar and part movie house, playing Sex and the City, James Bond movies and old Japanese samurai films on their numerous plasma-screen TVs. With half-price martinis on Thursdays, half-price sushi on Sundays, wellknown DJs like Cool Hand Lex and DJ E.D.I. manning the turntables every weekend (along with occasional appearances by nationally known DJs), Forty Five° is an ultra-lounge with something for everyone. 765 Massachusetts Ave., 634-4545, fortyfiveindy.com. 2nd: Blu 3rd: Blu Martini Place for Dancing Talbott Street One of the largest and hottest dance floors in the Midwest, great drink specials and sparkling drag queens might be enough for Talbott Street to be a “good” club for dancing, but the real reason this club wins first place and the title of “best” is

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the fantastic lineup of DJs — both house and touring. Best of the best is DJ Deanne who continues to make Talbott Street her home despite a hectic touring and bi-coastal living schedule. When the desire to dance has left your aching legs and feet, you can cool off upstairs in the SkyBar and watch the happenings below. 2145 N. Talbott St., 9311343, talbottstreet.com. 2nd: The Vogue 3rd: Ike & Jonesy’s

all looking for one thing: a little lovin’. They filter in from all over, after late shows at the Vogue and early drinks at Kilroy’s and Brothers or just looking for a cold brew for cheap. It’s one of our favorite places to spend last call in the city. Shoot some pool and get shot with Cupid’s arrow? We’ll stop the horrible jokes if you meet us for a beer. 2nd: Mineshaft 3rd: Wild Beaver

LGBT Club/Bar Talbott Street Talbott Street continues to be the city’s most popular club for samesex couples or those looking to do some same-sex coupling. It also happens to be one of the oldest, and still one of the best, dance clubs in Indianapolis. Gay, straight or bent in any manner, it doesn’t matter. House music is a staple, DJs are great and the live drag show is a must-see. Thursday night shows boast the most adventurous programming, including big-name DJs and touring alternative music acts. 2145 N. Talbott St., 931-1343, talbottstreet.com. 2nd: Metro 3rd: Greg’s

Place for a Lap Dance PT’s Showclub PT’s Showclub is the 13-time winner as the source for Indy’s Best Lap Dance. A “Gentlemen’s Club” offering dancing girls and drink specials every night of the week. The after hours show and specials begin weekend nights at 1 a.m. with drinks served until 3 a.m. and the party lasts until 5 a.m.; every third Thursday of the month is amateur night, where local ladies just learning how to strut their respective stuffs can get in some (wait for it) exposure before going pro and earn up to $500 in cash. 7916 Pendleton Pike, 545-5777, ptsshowclub.com. 2nd: Brad’s Brass Flamingo 3rd: Unicorn Club

Place for Hooking Up *Alley Cat It’s the (not-so-little) bar around the corner, filled with hipsters and dancers and late-night beer sippers,

Keep an eye on our Music & Nightlife coverage at nuvo.net/ indianapolis/music

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INDEX WINNERS:

45 Degrees...................................................... 49 46 for XLVI ........................................................ 9 A-Squared Industries Djs................................ 47 Alley Cat................................................... 43, 50 Andrea Morehead, WTHR ............................. 13 Angel Burlesque ............................................. 12 Angela Buchman, WISH ................................ 13 Bazbeaux ........................................................ 32 BGI .................................................................. 20 Big Hat Books ................................................. 19 Bob and Tom .................................................. 10 Boogie Burger................................................. 30 Broad Ripple ..................................................... 9 Broad Ripple Vintage .............................. 22, 23 Bru Burger Bar ................................................ 36 Butler University ............................................... 9 Butler Bulldogs Basketball ............................. 13 Cafe Patachou ................................................ 33 Chatham Tap ........................................... 30, 46 Children’s Museum of Indianapolis ................ 8 Corner Wine Bar ............................................. 37 Crackers (Broad Ripple) ................................... 8

Creation Café.................................................. 37 Dave Calabro, WTHR ..................................... 13 Devil to Pay..................................................... 41 Earth House .................................................... 42 The Flying Cupcake ........................................ 19 Frank Glover ................................................... 41 Gay Black Republican ...................................... 4 GloryHole Records.......................................... 41 Governor Davis............................................... 41 Heartland Film Festival .................................... 8 HistoricIndianapolis.com................................ 10 Hot Box Pizza ................................................. 33 Hubbard & Cravens........................................ 31 Humane Society of Indianapolis .................... 13 IMA’s 100 Acres ............................................... 9 India Garden................................................... 28 Indiana Repertory Theatre ............................... 8 Indianapolis Art Center .................................... 8 Indianapolis City Market................................ 19 Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra................... 8 Indy Pride ........................................................ 14 Invoke Yoga & Pilates .................................... 24

Kahn’s ............................................................. 19 La Hacienda .................................................... 28 Living Room Lounge ...................................... 43 LUNA Music.................................................... 19 Magic Bus ....................................................... 25 Mama Carolla’s ....................................... 28, 34 McNamara...................................................... 19 Melody Inn...................................................... 46 Metamorphosis .............................................. 25 Midland Arts & Antiques Market .................. 23 Mousetrap ...................................................... 49 Mug-n-Bun ..................................................... 33 Mutt Strut ....................................................... 11 Naked Tchopstix............................................. 28 Naisa Pan-Asian Café .................................... 28 Nicky Blaine’s ................................................. 46 NIFS ................................................................. 23 Oliver Winery .................................................. 19 Oreo Jones ...................................................... 45 Penske Honda................................................. 21 Pitaya .............................................................. 22 PT’s Showclub ................................................ 50

Radio Radio .................................................... 42 Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band ....................... 41 Saffron Cafe .................................................... 30 Santorini Greek Kitchen ................................. 28 Scotty’s Brewhouse ................................. 33, 44 Shapiro’s ......................................................... 30 Siam Square.................................................... 28 Silver in the City ............................................. 20 Slippery Noodle .............................................. 43 Snips of Irvington ........................................... 21 St. Elmo Steakhouse ......................... 33, 34, 37 Studio 2000 .................................................... 23 Sun King................................................... 19, 37 Talbott Street ..................................... 43, 49, 50 Three Dog Bakery........................................... 20 The Twin Cats................................................. 48 The Vogue....................................................... 42 West Coast Tacos ........................................... 37 WFYI 90.1 ....................................................... 10 WTHR 13......................................................... 10 Yats .......................................................... 34, 37

Food & Drink Breakfast/Brunch Dining: Cafe Patachou ......33 Budget-minded Dining: Yats ..........................34 Burgers: Boogie Burger ...................................30 Chinese Restaurant: Naisa Pan-Asian Café ..................................28 Coffeehouse: Hubbard & Cravens ..................31 Deli/Sandwich Shop: Shapiro’s .......................30 English Pub/Celtic Food: Chatham Tap .........30 Greek/Mediterranean Restaurant: Santorini Greek Kitchen ...............................28 Food Truck: West Coast Tacos .......................37 Indian Restaurant: India Garden ....................28 Italian Restaurant: Mama Carolla’s ...............28 Japanese Restaurant: Naked Tchopstix .........28 Late Night Dining: Hot Box Pizza ...................33 Latin American Restaurant: La Hacienda ......28 Local Restaurant: Yats ....................................37 Middle Eastern/No. African Restaurant: Saffron Cafe ...............................................................30 New Local Restaurant: Bru Burger Bar ..........36 Outdoor Dining: Creation Café.......................37 Pizza: Bazbeaux...............................................32 Place to Drink Local Beer: Sun King ...............37 Pork Tenderloin: Mug-n-Bun ..........................33 Romantic Dining: Mama Carolla’s .................34 Service: St. Elmo Steakhouse..........................37 Steak: St. Elmo Steakhouse ............................33 Thai Restaurant: Siam Square ........................28 Upscale Dining: St. Elmo Steak House ...........34 Vegan/Vegetarian Dining: Yats ......................34 Wine List: Corner Wine Bar ............................37 Wings: Scotty’s Brewhouse ............................33

Music & Nightlife All-ages Venue: Earth House ..........................42 Artist/Group: Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band ............................................41 Bar Food: Scotty’s Brewhouse ........................44 Bartenders: Talbott Street ...............................43 Blues: Governor Davis.....................................41 DJ: A-Squared Industries.................................47 Hip-hop: Oreo Jones........................................45 Jazz: Frank Glover ...........................................41 Karaoke: Living Room Lounge .......................43 Label: GloryHole Records................................41 LGBT Club/Bar: Talbott Street ........................50 Live Music Venue (bar/club): Radio Radio .....42 Live Music Venue (theater/amphitheater): The Vogue.....................................................42 Metal: Devil to Pay ..........................................41 Mid-week Club/Bar: Chatham Tap ................46 Open Mic Night: Slippery Noodle ..................43 Place for Dancing: Talbott Street ...................49 Place for Hippies: Mousetrap .........................49 Place for Hooking Up: Alley Cat .....................50 Place for a Lap Dance: PT’s Showclub ...........50 Place for Punks: Melody Inn ...........................46 Place for Sports Fans: Scotty’s Brewhouse ....44 Place for Suits: Nicky Blaine’s .........................46 Place to People Watch: Alley Cat ...................43 Punk/Hardcore: Gay Black Republican ..........41 Rock: The Twin Cats .......................................48 Roots: Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band ............41 Ultra-lounge: 45 degrees ................................49

WINNERS BY CATEGORY: Arts and Entertainment: Art Gallery: Indianapolis Art Center .................8 Blog/Web site: HistoricIndianapolis.com .......10 Burlesque Troupe: Angel Burlesque ...............12 Charitable Event: Mutt Strut...........................11 College/Amateur Sports Team: Butler Bulldogs Basketball ...........................13 College/University: Butler..................................9 Comedy venue/group: Crackers (Broad Ripple) .................................................8 Cultural District: Broad Ripple ..........................9 Film Festival: Heartland Film Festival ...............8 Live Theatre: Indiana Repertory Theatre.......... 8 Museum: Children’s Museum of Indianapolis ................................................8 News Anchor/reporter (TV): Andrea Morehead, WTHR ...........................13 Outdoor Festival: Indy Pride ...........................14 Performing Arts Group: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra ......................................8 Place to Volunteer: Humane Society of Indianapolis ..................................................13 Pro Sports Team: Colts....................................13 Public Art Installation: 46 for XLVI ...................9 Public Park/Greenspace: IMA’s 100 Acres .......9 Radio Personality: Bob and Tom ....................10 Radio Station: WFYI 90.1................................10 Sports Reporter (TV/radio): Dave Calabro, WTHR ...................................13 Television Station: WTHR 13 ..........................10 Weatherforecaster (TV/radio): Angela Buchman, WISH...............................13

Shopping Bakery/Sweets: The Flying Cupcake ..............19 Hair Salon: Snips of Irvington .........................21 Health/Fitness Center: NIFS ............................23 Indiana Beer: Sun King ...................................19 Indiana Wine: Oliver Winery...........................19 Liquor/Wine Retailer: Kahn’s ..........................19 Place to buy locally produced foods: Indianapolis City Market ..............................19 Shopping for Antiques/Vintage Items: Midland Arts & Antiques Market ................23 Shopping for Bikes & Bike Gear: BGI............. 20 Shopping for Books: Big Hat Books ...............19 Shopping for Flowers: McNamara .................19 Shopping for Gifts/Home: Silver in the City ...20 Shopping for Men’s Fashion: Broad Ripple Vintage ...................................22 Shopping for Music: LUNA Music ..................19 Shopping for New/Used Cars: Penske Honda...............................................21 Shopping for Petstuff: Three Dog Bakery ......20 Shopping for Vintage/Consignment Fashion: Broad Ripple Vintage ...................................23 Shopping for Women’s Fashion: Pitaya .........22 Tattoo/Piercing Studio: Metamorphosis ........25 Smoke/ Tobacco Shop: Magic Bus .................25 Spa: Studio 2000 .............................................23 Yoga/Pilates Studio: Invoke Yoga & Pilates ..................................24

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