Though venues north of South Street often get the bulk of attention for live music in Indianapolis, the south side is certainly not to be overlooked. From the eclectic musical and scenic bounty of Mallow Run Winery’s outdoor concert series to the exemplary classical and jazz concerts offered by the University of Indianapolis, southsiders do not have to travel far for quality entertainment. These upcoming events will warm the soul as autumn’s brisk breezes begin to blow.
By Jason Hathaway
Mallow Run Winery
6964 W. Whiteland Road, Bargersville, (317) 422-1556, mallowrun.com/events-3
»A southside staple since 2005, Mallow Run Winery has not only drawn visitors to Bargersville for a taste of its prize-winning wines, but also for its seasonal social events. One of its most popular is the Picnic Concert Series, which invites music lovers of all ages out onto the winery’s lawn to enjoy twilight concerts, featuring anything from the rock and jazz from local bands to the classical and pops pieces of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Though this outdoor series comes to a close as fall begins, Mallow Run’s new Sycamore Room will provide a year-round venue for live music, weddings and other events.
Sept. 17 | American English
Mallow Run’s season finale of the 2016 Picnic Concert Series will take folks on a trip back to The Beatles’ early 1960s breakthrough period with American English, a Chicago-based complete Beatles tribute band. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 day of show. Time: Gates open at 6 p.m., and music starts at 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 | Labapalooza
Southside-based Labrador dog rescue organization Love of Labs Indiana is hosting its sixth annual Labapalooza fundraiser event. Celebrating the many Labrador lives saved by the canine rescue through “wine and song,” the event will feature live music from local bands, Mallow Run wine and a variety of vendors. Time: 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, go to lolin.org/labapalooza.shtml.
Oct. 2 | Encore
Held in the Sycamore Room, Encore is a fundraiser for Center Grove High School’s eight award-winning student choral ensembles. The event promises an evening of “dinner and dancing,” with performances from the student ensembles, and a live auction. Tickets are $40 per person or $310 for a table of eight. Time: 5 to 9 p.m. To register, go to centergrovechoirs.org/encore-registration.
Greenwood High School Auditorium
615 W. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood, (317) 889-4005
Oct. 29 | Greater Greenwood Community Band Halloween Concert
The members of the Greater Greenwood Community Band trade their formal performance clothes for costumes for the ensemble’s annual Halloween concert at Greenwood High School. The audience, too, is invited to wear costumes, and optional masks are provided at the door. This themed concert features spooky standards from classical and pop music lexicons, complete with dancers, black lights, a fog machine, video, ghosts and ghouls. Admission is free. A donation of canned goods for the Greenwood Salvation Army Food Bank is encouraged. For more information, visit greenwoodband.com/events.
The Willard
99 N. Main St., Franklin, (317) 738-966, thewillard.com
»Few things go as well with an Indiana autumn as good, old-fashioned bluegrass music. And, historic Franklin restaurant and pub The Willard offers some of the finest in the area, along with some of Johnson County’s most beloved pizza and sandwiches. In addition, the 156-year-old red-brick former home and hotel has the ideal atmosphere for catching an intimate acoustic show with some friends — hence The Willard’s slogan, “The Place where Friends Meet.” All shows are from 8 to 11 p.m.
Oct. 1 | The Stampede String Band
These Madison County boys are rising stars on the Indiana bluegrass and Americana music scene, having made the rounds at some of Indy’s top live music venues and folk music festivals across the state.
Oct. 8 and Dec. 16 | Flatland Harmony Experiment
Equally as comfortable playing bluegrass for a small, intimate show as in front of hundreds at a national bluegrass festival, this Noblesville-area trio of veteran musicians takes bluegrass to an unrivaled level. Averaging 100 concert dates a year from coast to coast, these talented singers and pickers truly put a new, modern twist on an age-old music style.
Oct. 14 | Tobe & Allie
This young, multi-instrument Indianapolis bluegrass duo is a treat, with soothing, soulful male-female vocal harmonies and a style that takes bluegrass back to its roots.
Nov. 12 | Midwest Rhythm Exchange
With a combination of spirited live performances and a commitment to bringing traditional styles of music to a modern audience, this high-energy Indianapolis acoustic quartet has quickly developed a reputation for its music throughout the region.
Franklin College
101 Branigan Blvd., Franklin, franklincollege.edu/academics/majors/new-music-franklin-college
»Franklin College boasts a renowned music department of talented student musicians and vocalists. During the fall semester the school’s music department will feature three classical music concerts. For more information, call (317) 738-8273 or email [email protected].
Nov. 1 | Chamber Concert
Featuring the talents of Franklin College’s music department students.
Time: 7 p.m. Location: Clarence E. & Inez R. Custer Theatre.
Dec. 6 | Instrumental Concert
Featuring the Franklin College String Ensemble and Wind Ensemble.
Time: 7 p.m. Location: Clarence E. & Inez R. Custer Theatre.
Dec. 9-10 | Choral Concert
Featuring the Franklin College Music Department students.
Time: 7 p.m. Dec. 9; 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Location: Clarence E. & Inez R. Custer Theatre
University of Indianapolis
1400 E. Hanna Ave., Indianapolis, (317) 788-3368, uindy.edu/arts/music
The University of Indianapolis invites music lovers to experience 18 world-class Monday evenings, beginning this fall, with its 2016-17 Faculty Artist Concert Series season. As the most comprehensive recital series in the area, the Faculty Artist performances are presented in the Ruth Lilly Performance Hall of the university’s Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center. All concerts are free to the public. For more information, call (317) 788-3255.
Sept. 19 | Faculty Artist Series: Gala Opening Concert with Maestro Raymond Leppard
Maestro Raymond Leppard, artist-in-residence at the university and conductor laureate of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, will conduct the University of Indianapolis Festival Orchestra and Choral Ensembles with selections from J.S. Bach, Joseph Haydn and Peter Warlock. Time: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Sept. 30 | Friday Nights at the Keyboard: “When Indiana Was Young: Bicentennial Edition”
“When Indiana Was Young” celebrates the Hoosier state’s 200th birthday with keyboard music from the early 18th century: the Baroque period in Europe and the time of New France and the Indiana Territory here in North America. Thomas Gerber takes a trip back in time, exploring what was going on musically in Europe, as well as what life was like in the frontier we now think of as our Hoosier homeland. Music by the Baroque era’s greatest composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, will occupy center stage. Time: 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Oct. 24 | Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra with Indianapolis Opera: “Horrors! Sorcerers, Witches, and Madness from Handel’s and Purcell’s Operas”
A first-ever collaboration between the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra and Indianapolis Opera, this program features eerie scenes from Baroque-era operas. Single tickets are $20 general admission, $15 seniors and $10 students. Time: 7:30 to 9:15 p.m.
Oct. 25 | “Echoing Scare: A Halloween Concert”
The dynamic period-instrument ensemble Echoing Air celebrates Halloween replete with witches, goblins and ghouls, and music of the 17th and 18th centuries. The audience is invited to arrive in costume for a judged costume contest. A portion of concert proceeds will benefit Riley Hospital for Children. Tickets: adults $10; students and seniors $5; free to all U of Indy faculty, staff and students. Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 5 | Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra: The Roaring 20s
The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra returns to the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, performing the definitive 1920s-era music of Paul Hindemith, Kurt Weill, Carl Nielsen and George Gershwin. Tickets: $35 general; $12 students; group rates available; U of Indy student discount available. Time: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
