Stutz Open House

The Stutz Artists Association's annual Open House is today and tomorrow in the Stutz Building, 212 West 10th Street, Indianapolis.

More than 70 artists open their studios to visitors during the two-day event. It's not only an opportunity to see the work of 70 local artists in one place at one time, it's a chance to see where and how the work is created. Artwork ranges from paintings, drawings and photography, to sculpture, jewelry and furniture.

In addition to being a great place to buy one-of-a-kind gifts - artwork ranges from $12 to $10,000 - the event offers a rare chance to see vintage cars in the historic Stutz car factory. Visitors also enjoy special gallery opening activities such as acoustic music and food vendors.

Tickets are $12 at the gate, with a special $8 Saturday re-entry with Friday's ticket stub. On Saturday only, kids 12 and under are free.

Click here for the 2011 frequently asked questions document -- including ticket outlets, parking, admission, afterparty and more.

(Photo courtesy of Stutz Artists Association)

Kathak Dance Comes to Indy

Expand your cultural horizons by attending a Kathak dance recital at 7 p.m. 14 May. Jogini Gandhi will present creative compositions in this style, one of eight classical Indian dance forms, at the Informatics Building, Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, 535 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis.

Tickets are $20 (just $15 for students). The performance is sponsored by the Fine Arts Committee of the India Association of Indianapolis.

Need more information? Contact Mahesh Merchant, Kshama Ranade, Arvind Thakkar, Chetan Shukla or Parvathy Hadley.

"Six Phases of African-American Genealogy"

"The Six Phases of African-American Genealogy" is the topic for a class at the Indiana Historical Society, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, from 10 a.m. to noon 21 May.

Genealogist Tony Burroughs (pictured), who will lead the class, has identified six distinct phases of research he considers to be the building blocks of African-American genealogy research. This program illustrates an overview of these phases, pointing out methods and sources for each, and progresses from beginning to more advanced research.

Burroughs taught genealogy at Chicago State University for 15 years. He is
the author of Black Roots: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree.

Cost for the class is $10. Admission to the Indiana Experience that day is complimentary for class attendees, who are also invited to a 1:30 p.m. screening of the new WFYI documentary Freedom Riders in the Basile Theater.

For more information or to register for the class, go online or call 317:232-1882.

"500" Tribute at Indiana State Museum

This year's the centennial of the 500-Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. One of the celebrations is 12 May in the Indiana State Museum, White River State Park, Indianapolis.

The Tribute will honor the Hulman-George Family and the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The evening begins with a VIP Reception on the Canal Terrace at 6 p.m. The Tribute begins at 7 p.m. in the Governor Frank O’Bannon Great Hall.

During the event, the museum will induct the late Tony Hulman into the American Originals Gallery. Artifacts from the past 100 years of racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will also be on display during the Tribute.

Tickets at $125 per person, or $175 per person if you'd like also to attend the VIP reception, are available from Charlie Shock, 317:233-9911; reservations deadline is Friday (6 May).

Honorary co-chairs are Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels Jr., Johnny Rutherford and Tony Stewart.

PS: be sure to wear black and white cocktail attire!

"La Traviata" at Clowes Hall

The Indianapolis Opera stages "La Traviata" at Clowes Memorial Hall, 4200 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, with performances 13 and 15 May, with music performed by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

Featuring some of opera’s most loved arias and ensembles, Giuseppe Verdi’s popular "La Traviata" soars with unparalleled drama and elegance. Violetta, a Parisian courtesan with a sordid past, falls madly in love with Alfredo, only to have her hopes destroyed when Alfredo’s father intervenes. Their spellbinding reunion is never to be missed.

Of course, it's performed in Italian -- but there will be easy-to-read translations projected above the stage.

GOP vs. Planned Parenthood

"It's amazing to think that the Republican-led Senate would put the health and welfare of women at risk just to score political points with their conservative and tea party base." (from the Indianapolis Times)

I don't usually quote Terry Burns, but this time he's spot on. This Indianapolis Observer wonders whether the Republicans supporting this measure are going to step in and pay for all the health care now given to Indiana residents by Planned Parenthood!

Do they really think we won't remember this idiocy at the next election?

Chutzpah

The Indianapolis Tea Party has asked the city to waive the parking bill for its 15 April "Tax Day Rally" at the Indiana Statehouse, reports Cory Shouten on IBJ.com.

Members of the group parked in metered spaces closed off to public parking by "emergency order" of the Indianapolis Police Department.

Without a waiver from the Board of Public Works, the group would have to pay $450, or $15 per meter per day for the 30 meters it reserved along Washington Street, said DPW spokeswoman Molly Deuberry.

Deuberry said the Tea Party event is the first time in memory a politically minded group characterized as a nonprofit has applied for a parking meter waiver, Shouten writes.