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Founded March 20 2012, at Zionsville, IN Vol. XV, No. 1
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Opinions
The views of the columnists in Current in Zionsville are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
FEBRUARY & MARCH DINE IN DEALS!
Lincoln statue coming to downtown park
By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com
The newest addition to Lincoln Park will be a nod to the man himself.
An anonymous Zionsville donor intends to donate the funds for a statue of Abraham Lincoln to be erected in the park where the 16th president gave an impromptu speech in 1861.
The statue will cost between $100,000 and $120,000, according to Jarod Logsdon, superintendent of the Zionsville Parks and Recreation Department.
The life-size bronze statue of Lincoln will be placed somewhere around the fountain near Oak Street, so it is visible to traffic and pedestrians.
Ryan Feeney, owner of the Indy Art Forge, will create the statue. It’s his first time creating a president.
Initial renderings have Lincoln wearing his signature long trench coat, holding a top hat in his left hand and his right hand out in front as if giving a speech. The statue’s look is meant to be historically accurate.
“I was trying to come up with an interactive pose,” Feeney said.
Feeney’s work can be found around Indianapolis, including the statue of Peyton Manning outside of Lucas Oil Stadium. He’s working on a statue of Oscar Robertson for the Indiana Pacers. Feeney also is a full-time firefighter with the Indianapolis Fire Department.
It will take about a year to make the statue. Feeney said he will go through multiple meetings with those involved in the project to generate feedback on the final design.
There will be a public unveiling later. Logsdon said with the right care the statue could last more than 100 years.
GAZEBO NAMING RIGHTS
The Lincoln statue was one of a few updates the parks board heard at its March 11 meeting about Lincoln Park.
The parks department intends to solicit donations from the community for naming rights to the gazebo in the park.
The minimum donation sought is for $100,000 in exchange for naming rights for 25 years. The funds will go toward a future replacement of the gazebo.
Logsdon said they would entertain co-sponsors for the gazebo. Proposals for naming rights will be accepted until Aug. 1. The parks board will vote on the proposals.
REFRESH IS WITHIN BUDGET
The park’s refresh project, which includes a new gazebo, a lighted walkway and more landscaping, is within budget following some adjustments to the materials that will be used.
The project is expected to cost $979,792, which is $300,000 less than the bids the parks department received last year. The initial costs were higher than expected and caused the department to rethink some features of the project. Savings were found regarding the type of soils to be used, reducing the amount of stone and sacrificing some longevity, though none of the changes are expected to impact the look of the park.
If there are no unforeseen costs during construction, the project could come in under budget, Logsdon said. Construction is expected to start this spring and conclude in October.
West Clay at 131st & Towne Rd
An initial drawing of the Abraham Lincoln statue planned for Lincoln Park. (Image courtesy of Town of Zionsville and Ryan Feeney)
LUXURY BATH
Local resident returns from Dubai
By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com
A Zionsville man who was stuck in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates after military conflict broke out in the Middle East is back home safely.
Ismaila “Izo” Ndiaye, 54, landed back in the U.S. March 8 after having arrived in Dubai Feb. 26 for a business trip. He owns Oil Palace, a perfume shop in Indianapolis, and travels to Dubai at least once a year for oils.
The conflict began Feb. 26 when the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure, nuclear sites and leadership. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes across the region, which closed Dubai International Airport.
“It (missile strikes) sounds like an earthquake,” he said.
A trip to Dubai typically lasts only a few days, a week tops, for Ndiaye. He was originally scheduled to return home, following the airport’s reopening, March 15, but he said he was able to connect with someone from the United States government who managed to get him on an earlier flight.
“Things were getting more rough over there,” he said.
Despite conflict in the region, Ndiaye said he did not feel scared or unsafe. He was able to leave his hotel and enjoy the city.
“My experience was just seeing something I had never seen before,” Ndiaye said. “People were walking around like nothing happened.”
Ndiaye befriended a man from Switzerland, Rocco Bene, who also was stranded in Dubai.
“I was able to calm him down,” Ndiaye said. “He’s like a friend to me. We talk every day.”
Ndiaye also said he witnessed the UAE’s defense system, which intercepted most Iranian drone strikes.
“What I was really, really concerned about was my wife (back home) couldn’t sleep,” he said. “I was mainly worried for my family.”
Ndiaye, a native of the West African nation of Senegal, said he received alerts on his phone for when to take shelter or stay away from windows. He was originally a stone carver and artist who was invited to the United States by an art center in New York, where he taught after-school programs.
“I was the best artist in West Africa,” Ndiaye said.
He did similar work with the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Ndiaye said he’s considering reviving his art career in Dubai due to the area’s limestone.
“To be honest with you, Dubai is very, very nice,” he said. “You can’t describe Dubai.”
From left, Ismaila “Izo” Ndiaye of Zionsville, and Rocco Bene of Switzerland. They became friends while stuck together in Dubai following Iranian missile strikes. (Photo courtesy of Ismaila Ndiaye)
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COMMUNITY
Books explores lives, deaths of Negro Leaguers
By Spencer Durham news@youarecurrent.com
Zionsville author Chris Jensen’s newest baseball book explores the lives of more than 100 Negro League players and the circumstances of their deaths.
Published by McFarland and Co., “Tragedy in Black Baseball: Early Deaths of 136 Negro Leaguers” was released Feb. 26. It covers players from 1871 through 1950, starting with Octavius Catto.
Catto founded one of the first Black baseball clubs. But his most significant impact was off the field as a civil rights activist.
Catto, along with civil rights activist-orator Frederick Douglass, formed the National Equal Rights League for the promotion of Black equality. Catto also helped found the Philadelphia Equal Rights League.
Moreover, Catto served in the Union Army during the Civil War, seeing it as a way to further recognition for Black civil rights, helping form several Black regiments. Catto and Douglass were among the Black activists who rallied support for the 13th Amendment and abolition of slavery. He was assassinated Oct. 10, 1871, while walking home from voting — the first time Black men could do so in Philadelphia.
“That really kicks the book off,” Jensen said.
Jensen’s third book is the result of research conducted while writing his first two: “Baseball State by State” and “Baseball’s Two-Way Greats.” Baseball writing is the passion project for the 62 year old who made a career as a hardware journalist.
“I kept coming across these Negro Leagues players who died young,” Jensen said.
Tuberculosis was a common cause of death. Jensen said health care quality and access was very different for Black people compared to whites.
“When you had tuberculosis, it was a death sentence,” he said.
Some players featured in “Tragedy in Black Baseball” have Indianapolis connections, like C.I. Taylor.
Taylor owned and managed the Indianapolis ABCs in the 1910s, which included players like MLB Hall of Famer Oscar Charleston. The team saw a lot of
success under Taylor’s direction, just like his previous teams. Jensen said Taylor deserves a spot in the National Hall of Fame.
“There are probably a couple dozen guys who belong in there and deserve to have their stories told,” Jensen said of the players featured in his book.
When Taylor died of pneumonia, his wife took over ownership. Jensen said she is considered to be the first woman to own what is now considered a major league franchise.
Other early Black ballplayers died tragically.
Jensen said he discovered 20 players whose deaths were never brought to justice. Men like Fred Goree, the manager and possible owner of a Black Chicago ball club, who was beaten and shot to death after being pulled over for alleged speeding in a sundown town.
Jensen hopes his book serves as a research tool for future baseball writers.
“If I can serve as a resource for someone else working on a project … I think that’s worthwhile,” he said.
“Tragedy in Black Baseball” is available at Black Dog Books and Curious Squirrel Bookshop in Zionsville as well as through online sellers.
Chris Jensen’s third book, “Tragedy in Black Baseball: Early Deaths of 136 Negro Leaguers,” details the lives and deaths of Black ballplayers up until 1950. (Photo courtesy of Chris Jensen)
eCommunity.com/cancer
Byron H., patient
COMMUNITY
Seriously funny news cast
By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com
Zionsville’s newest news team is bringing the community the latest stories, interviews, food reviews and, most importantly, laughs — so long as one reporter’s mom says it’s OK
“Zionsville Today” is a satirical news show launched in January with videos on Facebook. The endeavor was created by Zionsville resident and film producer Dan Discenza. Joining him is Gavin Tedja, a 12-year-old student at Zionsville West Middle School.
Discenza most recently lived in Nashville, Tenn. He moved to Zionsville in early 2025 with his family and quickly grew to enjoy his new community. Wanting to make more connections, he came up with the comedy news program.
Discenza and Gavin linked up through a mutual connection. Discenza coordinates with Gavin’s mom, Amy.
“I just think kids do better stories than adults,” Discenza said. “I think it just makes great content.”
Enter junior correspondent and food reviewer Boone Tasterfield, Gavin’s on-camera persona. He’s the type of guy who scoffs at Papa John’s and calls chicken tenders, “tender chicken medallions.”
“My palate has always been more sophisticated than everyone else,” Gavin said in character.
Tasterfield claims he was kicked out
of his previous school after he “ran afoul of the school food industrial complex.”
Tedja has reviewed new restaurants Torchy’s Tacos, Sweetgreen and Gabels Bagels, as Boone Tasterfield.
Discenza is news anchor Tim Burr, who is hoping to land on his feet after claiming he was “unsummarily booted” from a Carmel morning show after celebrating too hard when the Indiana Pacers made last year’s NBA Finals.
“I’ve escaped the endless roundabouts and Olympic-sized swimming pools in Carmel to start a new life with my family in charming Zionsville,” Burr said in a video announcing “Zionsville Today.”
Burr’s going through a divorce as his wife claims “Zionsville Today” is not a real news anchor job, and he is a “questionable father at best,” according to one of the videos.
“Both are, in fact, true,” Burr said.
The anchor’s signature segment is the “Inside Scoop” where he interviews notable community figures over ice cream.
Discenza said ‘Zionsville Today’ is his love letter to the town.
“It feels like it should be more known,” he said. “This place needs to be on the map.”
Discenza said he’d like to add a high school student to the team as well as grow the type and frequency of videos they produce.
For more, visit “Zionsville Today” on Facebook.
LEASE FOR
Dan Discenza, right, as anchor Tim Burr, and Gavin Tedja, as food reviewer Boone Tasterfield, are the team behind “Zionsville Today.” (Photo by Spencer Durham)
Everwise Credit Union
Opens New Branch for Zionsville-Carmel Community
Everwise Credit Union is expanding to serve the ZionsvilleWest Carmel community with its fifth full-service branch in Hamilton County and its 19th branch in the greater Indianapolis region. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on April 21 at 10920 North Michigan Road.
The new branch reflects Everwise’s ongoing commitment to our members and community-focused service, offering convenient access for commuters and families traveling between neighborhoods, downtown Indianapolis and surrounding communities.
Situated along Michigan Road, the branch is intentionally placed to serve growing families, professionals and small businesses whose lives and work frequently cross city and county lines.
“As communities like Zionsville grow, the needs of the people who live and work there continue to evolve,” said Jay Gendics, Chief Banking Officer at Everwise Credit Union. “Having a presence here allows us to meet members where they are and support them with the financial services they rely on.”
Inside, members will find modern digital banking tools and a team focused on one-on-one financial guidance, helping members build long-term financial confidence, whether they are purchasing their first home, refinancing an auto loan or preparing for retirement.
In an era defined by digital banking, Everwise aims to be digitally convenient and humanly accessible.
“Banking has always been personal,” Gendics said. “Technology should make things easier, not replace genuine connection. Digitize the process, but never the relationship.”
Comfortable seating areas, private consultation rooms and integrated digital tools in the branch allow members to move seamlessly between technology and personal interaction. Members can stop in to ask questions, explore options or gain clarity about their next step with Everwise’s experienced professionals.
With a long history of supporting local schools, nonprofits and small businesses in local communities, Everwise is also looking forward to establishing stronger roots in Zionsville and West Carmel.
The organization invests more than $1 million annually into local initiatives including supporting lifelong learning through financial education and scholarships. Everwise’s annual “Day of Giving” mobilizes employees to support local non-profits through hands-on service.
Easter egg hunt set for April 4
By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com
The search for 35,000 Easter eggs is drawing near for children in Zionsville.
The Zionsville Lions Club will have its 35th “Eggnormous Egg Hunt” at 9 a.m. April 4 at Lions Park.
Breakfast for a donation and pictures with the Easter Bunny kick things off. There will be games, including an egg race and obstacle course, at 9:30 a.m.
Egg hunts start at 10 a.m. with children 1-2 and 3-4 years old. Older children start their egg hunts at 10:30 a.m.
Of the 35,000 eggs, more than 500 prize eggs will be up for grabs, including four Amazon Kindles. The Lions Club partners with local businesses for the prizes.
Some prizes will be received at
Photos sought for contest
news@youarecurrent.com
Individuals aged 60 and older are encouraged to submit their best pieces of art for the Boone County Senior Services’ 12th annual Art & Photography Contest.
Art can be submitted from 1:30-3:30 p.m. April 20 at the Lebanon Public Library, 104 E. Washington St., Lebanon.
Categories include: painting, amateur or advanced, and an open division for photography — natural or computer-enhanced. Amateur photographers are welcome to enter.
the event; others are redeemable at the businesses.
“It kind of gets people into the stores to support our local businesses,” said Cindy Mock, chair of the egg hunt.
The Easter egg hunt is free and registration isn’t required.
“Just show up with your baskets and have fun,” Mock said.
In case of rain, the event will be held indoors at the park.
Each artist can only enter one piece. There is no entry fee or preregistration.
Artwork will be judged and displayed April 21, with results available at the opening of an exhibition that afternoon from 2:30-4 p.m. The exhibit will be open to the public from April 22 through May 27. Pieces must be picked up between noon and 1:30 p.m. May 28.
The event is held in celebration of Older Americans Month in May.
For complete contest rules or general inquiries, contact Anita Bowen at 765-482-5220, 317-873-8939 or email bcssi@booneseniors.org.
Learn more at booneseniors.org
No Gimmicks, Just Growth
Pictured are, from left, Maggie Meiners, Maryann Hall, Grant Nailor, Zionsville Lions Club President Jason Baker, “Eggnormous Egg Hunt” Chair Cindy Mock and Max Bigler at the Lions Club egg hunt kickoff dinner. (Photo courtesy of Zionsville Lions Club)
HE LOVES A PARADE
Longtime volunteer key to success of 500 Festival’s annual event
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Al Wurster’s passion for the 500 Festival Parade began at an early age.
“When I was 8 or 9 years old, I went down to the parade to help my uncle sell programs,” he said. “The programs used to (feature) the floats, the history, that sort of thing. So, that was my first taste of being at the parade.”
The 63-year-old Zionsville resident became a volunteer with the seating committee in 1987.
“I worked my way up to chair of the parade and then moved on to the 500 Festival board for eight years,” he said. “I started with that role in the fall of 1999, with the first race being the 2000 (Indianapolis 500) race. My last race and time on the board was 2007, the year after I was chairman of the board in 2006.”
Wurster has remained involved with the parade, serving as track liaison coordinator. He also serves on the 500 Festival Foundation board. This year’s parade is set for May 23.
“It’s a great community event,” Wurster said. “The biggest event the 500 Festival does is the Mini-Marathon, and the second one is the parade. I’m engaged in logistics and where to stage things. I don’t get to see a whole lot of the fans because the fan experience starts at North Street and Pennsylvania Street, where I am. I see the first section of the crowd. But to see the kids and the energy there is really cool.”
As track liaison, Wurster helps get the 33 Indy 500 drivers from the drivers’ meeting at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the parade in Indianapolis.
“I coordinate the activities that happen at the track,” he said. “The staff does a great job getting the buses, beverages and snacks. The board gets everybody loaded up and we get the Borg-Warner Trophy (transported). We have a motorcade police escort to the parade route.”
After getting the drivers there, Wurster said he parks his car and heads to the starting line of the parade to work with longtime volunteer Chris Rehme to make sure everything is in order.
“I’ll absolutely do it as long as they’ll have me, as long as I don’t screw up,” Wurster said of volunteering.
Laura Bliss, vice president of operations for the 500 Festival, said Wurster’s contributions are major.
“Al’s dedication to the 500 Festival has been unwavering for decades,” Bliss said. “From his time on our board of directors beginning in 1999 to his continued involvement on the Parade Committee today, he has remained deeply committed to the success and tradition of the parade. His passion for the 500 Festival and our community truly embodies the spirit of this event.”
Wurster has attended all but two Indy 500 races since 1987, and one of those was 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic that kept fans from attending.
Prior to moving to Zionsville 2 1/2 years ago, Wurster lived in Noblesville.
Wurster is a commercial general contractor for Wurster Construction, a family business based in Indianapolis.
“I’m third generation, and my son (Max) is fourth generation,” he said.
Max, a Westfield resident, has been a 500 Festival Parade volunteer since graduating from college. Wurster has two other children, daughter Madison and son Fritz, who are not involved in the business. His first wife, Sally, died of breast cancer in 2016. He started dating his second wife, Marsha, in 2019 before they married in 2022.
FOND MEMORY
One of the neat things Al Wurster experienced while serving on the 500 Festival board was taking celebrities around the track for a parade lap before the race.
“One year I had actor Patrick Dempsey around the track,” Wurster said. “I knew he was on a TV show,
‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ but I didn’t know he went by the nickname ‘McDreamy.’ And as we were going around the track, everybody was yelling ‘McDreamy.’ He was just getting the biggest kick out of that. He was a great guy. There’s a lot of great people I’ve gotten to meet.”
ON THE COVER: Max Wurster, left, and his father Al Wurster at the 500 Festival Parade. (Photo courtesy of Al Wurster)
(Above) Al Wurster is a longtime 500 Festival Parade volunteer. (Photos courtesy of Al Wurster)
(Below) Max Wurster, left, and his father Al Wurster at the 500 Festival Parade.
VIEWS
Advice cramps my style
Commentary by Dick Wolfsie
I have leg cramps. I know the last thing you want to hear about is the medical problems of some two-bit humorist.
Sometimes, my calf cramps into a knot at night and the pain becomes unbearable. My hands also cramp, along with my fingers. Sometimes, it’s my thigh. Keep reading this column; it’s about to get funnier. I promise.
I was tempted to go online for advice. AI also seemed like a good option, assuming that AI stood for arthritis information.
By pure chance, I was downtown the other day to see my accountant about taxes. While in the elevator, I saw an old friend.
“Joel, I don’t like to complain, but at night I get these terrible …”
“Don’t tell me ... leg cramps. Me, too. Here’s what I recommend: Take vitamin E three times a day. It’s like a miracle.”
I’ve never trusted the internet for health information, but I am always eager to take advice in an elevator. To be certain, I called my doctor to ask for his opinion. He told me that vitamin E was not good for me because of an interaction with another medication I am taking for my cholesterol. Then he asked me exactly where I had gotten this faulty data. I told him the 14th floor of OneAmerica Tower.
“That’s a really stupid place to get medical advice,” he said. “You couldn’t wait another minute to get to Skyline Club? At least you’d have a good dinner before a bad night’s sleep.”
I went back to see my accountant later that week with some more forms. On the same elevator, I bumped into anoth-
er old buddy.
“Hey, Dick, word is out you are having leg cramps.”
“Wow, word sure travels up and down fast in this building. Well, what do you think? I’m always open to a second-floor opinion.”
“My dad had leg cramps, then he started drinking a gin and tonic every night before he went to bed, and he never had cramps again.”
Over the course of a month, I asked several friends for recommendations. Here are some of the remedies suggested: zinc, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin D, quinine, biofeedback, cherry extract, folic acid, potassium, pomegranate juice, turmeric and, of course, Tylenol (author’s note: Don’t send me any more suggestions. I have no room in my medicine cabinet).
It seems my legs tend to cramp after vigorous exercise. I’m not a doctor, but I am prescribing myself a complete lack of physical activity for the next six months. And a shot of gin before going to bed. I’d take it with tonic water, but I don’t believe everything I hear in elevators.
What worked? Wait till next week to hear about it.
This week’s commentary by Current Publishing essayist Terry Anker can be read at youarecurrent.com.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES
Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent. com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.
COLUMNIST ON THE WEB
Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.
Illusionist brings ‘Mansion’ to Carmel
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
There is one constant during a performance by illusionist Rick Thomas
“My show is centered around my ‘Mansion of Dreams,’” he said. “I wanted to create an evening where I invite the audience into my home or mansion and take them from room to room throughout my ‘Mansion of Dreams’ and show them how my dreams become a reality. I do the same in reverse by sharing with the audience how they can follow their dreams as well. The theme of the show is ‘Nothing happens until you dream.’”
Thomas will perform at 8 p.m. April 4 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
Thomas has received the highest recognition in the industry, the Illusionist of the World, presented by the World Magic Awards.
“I’m not a guy up there doing tricks,” Thomas said. “This goes far beyond magic and it’s a relationship that audiences will never forget.”
Thomas, who has won Entertainer of the Year and Show of the Year awards in Branson, Mo., has been a professional illusionist for 45 years.
“I was in Las Vegas for 20 straight years, and I had the most successful show for families in the history of Las Vegas,” he said. “I received a key to the City of Las Vegas.”
About 13 years ago, singer Andy Williams died and Thomas was asked to take over the 2,000-seat Moon River Theatre in Branson. Thomas now performs in the 700-seat Americana Theatre in Branson.
“I decided to go out there for one year and help them out,” he said. “Now, it’s our 12th year anniversary and I call Branson home. I know why Andy Williams called it home. He left Hollywood and never returned. It’s a beautiful part of the country. It gives me a chance to raise my family as I so desire and I get to tour the world be-
cause Branson is closed about three or four months a year.”
Thomas said he recently performed in England and Florida.
Thomas was the magician for Disneyland Hotel for two years when he began his career.
While in Las Vegas residencies at different casinos, he performed two shows a night for six nights for about 50 weeks a year.
“I (perform) about one month a year now in Las Vegas just to keep my name in Vegas,” he said. “But what’s funny about Las Vegas is, the longer you are there, the less of the world knows who you are. There are entertainers in Vegas who have been there for ages and outside of the Vegas community, if you’re not out there touring and traveling beyond Vegas, you al-
most disappear.”
Thomas has conducted five world tours in more than 50 nations.
“I know I did the Ohio State Fair and the Indiana State Fair when I was younger,” he said. “So, I did a lot of fairs in the industry before I started doing the big theaters. I had a lot of fun doing the fairs, and presenting a show in that atmosphere taught me a lot about how to handle crowds that weren’t particularly there to see your show.”
Thomas said the Palladium size of 1,600 seats is perfect for his show. He said he usually visits the venue the night before the show and discusses with cast and crew the setup for the next day.
For more, visit rickthomas.com and thecenterpresents.org.
‘PRETTY WOMAN’
“Pretty Woman” runs through April 4 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Feinstein’s cabaret presents “Now That’s Funny: Joey Villagomez” March 26, followed by Morgan James March 27-28 at Feinstein’s in Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. The performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘SCARLET LETTER’
Civic Theatre’s production of “The Scarlet Letter” runs through March 28 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit civictheatre.org.
‘THE DROWNING GIRLS’
Main Street Productions’ presentation of “The Drowning Girls” runs through March 29 at Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
‘AND
THEN THERE WERE NONE’
The Carmel Apprentice Theatre will present Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” March 27 to April 4 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.
THREE ITALIAN TENORS
“Direct from Rome: Three Italian Tenors” is 7 p.m. March 29 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Connick set for Carmel concert — Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer, composer and actor Harry Connick Jr. and his band are set to perform at 7:30 p.m. July 20 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. Tickets are on sale at TheCenterPresents.org.
Illusionist Rick Thomas will perform April 4 in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Rick Thomas)
big trees now!
price includes installation & warranty
British singer Harriet to perform in Plainfield
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
British singer Harriet’s first U.S. tour has been a success with several sold-out shows.
What she has enjoyed most has been finally being able to connect with her U.S. fans in person.
“So many people out here have supported me for years, so to be able to perform music for them live after so long is so exciting,” said Harriet Roberts, who performs under her first name. “I have also been loving traveling to all these new places. Everyone has been so welcoming and happy to have us, which makes all the difference. It’s going to take forever for us to cover the whole country, so I’m hoping to be back here as much as I can. We have a lot of ground to cover.”
Harriet will perform at 7 p.m. April 22 at Hendricks Live! in Plainfield.
“It will be the last date on this run, which is always extra special,” she said. “The audience can expect a few of my original songs. We’ve carefully chosen the ones we think will resonate the best with fans who love all this music from the ‘70s. I can’t wait for everyone to ‘get the feeling again.’”
Harriet said social media has been vital for gaining exposure in the U.S. “These platforms have helped me to understand where my fans are in the world and communicate with them through all this music that we have a mutual love for,” she said. “I love receiving comments and messages about what people’s favorite songs are, where they want me to come and visit on the road. It’s awesome.”
Harriet said the reaction to her album “Trying to Get the Feeling Again” has been wonderful. It includes covers such as “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King, “Mandy” by Barry Manilow, “Make it With You” by Bread and “Yesterday Once More” by The Carpenters.
“I do a meet-and-greet after every show, and the audiences are so emotional about this music,” she said. “It means so much to people, as it does to me. ‘Sailing’ is one of my favorite songs to perform in the set. It epitomizes this wonderful era and always gets a great reaction from the crowd. I also love hearing my guitarist and pianist Karme
(Caruso) perform it. The arrangement is so atmospheric.”
The Carpenters, Barry Manilow, Bread and Carole King were some of the U.S. artists that influenced her growing up.
“I have an eclectic taste in music,” she said. “The Beatles were huge for me growing up, (along with) The Eagles, ABBA, Led Zeppelin. I idolized Ella Fitzgerald when I first started singing properly as a kid. So, (it’s) quite a mixture.”
When she was first performing, Harriet downplayed her voice comparison with Karen Carpenter.
“I do feel more comfortable with the comparison now,” she said. “I struggled with it for many years as I never wanted to offend anyone and was keen to make a name for myself, but you can’t help how you sound. Songwriter John Bettis helped me so much with this. He wrote many of The Carpenters’ hits with Richard Carpenter, including ‘Yesterday Once More.’ We have been working together on original music, and he really gave me the confidence to just embrace the voice I’ve been given and just run with it. It’s a privilege to have something that is familiar and comforting for people. I’m very grateful for how it has connected me with audiences all over the world, who can then discover my original songs and, hopefully, connect with that music, too.”
For more, visit hendrickslive.com and harrietsings.com.
Harriet is set to perform April 22 at Hendricks Live!. (Photo courtesy of After The Mountain LLP)
16. Fishers N-S Road
17. ___ State Park (featuring water under the bridge)
19. Bad blood
20. Non-Rx
21. Herb that tastes like licorice
23. Wagering option, briefly
26. Secretary of State Rubio
30. Plow guy
31. ___ fatale
33. Zionsville Farmers’ Market corn unit
34. Smart-alecky
35. Arctic floater
36. Two-thirds of AOL
38. ___ State Park (featuring a big drop of water)
42. “Enough!”
43. Rapper on “Law & Order: SVU”
46. Group of plotters
50. IU conference foe
51. Delight
52. Connect
53. Front-wheel alignment
55. Nutritional fig.
56. Capital of Colombia
58. Point to pick
60. Tehran’s land
61. ___ State Park (featuring a water source not found in a waterbed mattress)
68. Stick with it!
69. Attention getter
70. Untidy
71. Boilermakers’ list of games, for short
72. Stately splendor
73. Battery terminal DOWN
1. Texter’s “incidentally”
2. ___ and aah
3. Lanka lead-in
4. Palindromic boy’s name
5. “Let’s get together”
6. Tuna type
7. AFC South, e.g.
8. Squeeze (out)
9. Soft ball brand
10. Eye part
11. Some skirts
12. Indiana State Prison long-term residents
13. Like a varied “crew”
18. Hoosier Dome sponsor, for awhile
22. Ford flop
23. Switch position
24. Business card abbr.
25. BSU hotshot
27. Lease
28. Caribbean music
29. Hole in the head?
32. Pacers Hall of Famer Daniels
36. Frequently, in verse
37. ___ King Cole
39. Part of an archipelago
40. Abner’s adjective
41. Evidence of an old wound
44. IND gate info
45. Mad Hatter’s drink
46. Ark measures
47. Winter coat
48. Galoot
49. Made amends
51. Puzzling situation
54. Brown County lodge
57. Letters of urgency
59. IRS employees
62. Chao Vietnamese Street Food soup
63. Sleep acronym
64. Little devil
65. Monument Circle music grp.
66. ‘60s psychedelic
67. Alkaline cleaner ANSWERS ON PAGE 19
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