The Percussive Arts Society has been headquartered in Indianapolis since 2007 and works very closely with Drum Corp International, Music For All (which hosts the Bands of America Grand Nationals) and Winter Guard International, three organizations also dedicated to helping students love and appreciate music.

This Saturday (November 21) is the grand opening of the Percussive Arts Society’s Rhythm! Discovery Center located in the basement of the Northwest corner of Maryland and Washington streets in downtown Indianapolis, just below the Indianapolis Arts Garden and Panera Bread.

As part of the grand opening festivities, admission is FREE this Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

In addition to learning about the rich history of percussive music, you’ll also get the opportunity to play many instruments. You can even play in a sound-proof demo recording studio! As a former high school drummer, I know I’ll be checking out this exhibit soon.

Take a look at the video below. Our good friend Lou Harry from the Indianaopolis Business Journal takes a tour of the Rhythm! Discover Center and tells a joke.

If you’re interested, follow Discovery! Rhythm Center on Twitter (@RhythmDiscovery) and Facebook

1 Comment » | Filed under: Announcements, Big City Activities, Central, Deals & Discounts, Family Activities, Indiana, Indianapolis, Museums, Performing Arts

We’ve written several posts about Columbus, Indiana before and today’s we’re excited to congratulate Columbus on their recent ranking as one of AOL Travel/Visa Signature’s  Ten Places To See In The U.S. Before You Die. Columbus is by far the smallest town on the list which includes such heavy hitters as New Orleans, The Grand Canyon, New York’s Times Square and The Strip in Las Vegas.

A small town of just 39,000, Columbus, Indiana has made a name for itself in the architectural community, and is considered one of the most architecturally-rich cities in the entire country. Columbus is home to buildings and sculptures by architectural visionaries like I.M. Pei, Dale Chihuly, and Eliel Saarinen.

Click the image above for more information about Columbus’ National Historic Landmarks and their cell phone tour.

Drop by the Columbus Area Visitors Center  to see a beautiful Chihuly chandelier and tour the bridges of Bartholomew County.

Find unique restaurants and great art in Columbus.

Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor has been around since 1900! Drop by for some lunch and try the famous Green River float.

Downtown Columbus is full of surprises and you can check out Indiana’s largest antique mall while you’re in town.

No Comments » | Filed under: Casual Dining, Columbus, Family Activities, Historical Sites, Indiana, Romantic Retreats, Rural & Small Towns, Shopping, South Central

My kids look forward to our summer outing to Holiday World every year. The roller coasters, the water slides, and of course, the souvenirs. Our last stop out of the park each trip is the gift shop, where they each choose one small item to remember their trip by. We’ve brought home t-shirts, keychains, snowglobes. Wouldn’t they flip if we brought home a bumper boat?!

Head to Holiday World this Saturday, November 21 and not one, but two bumper boats could be yours as the amusement park hosts an auction to shed some of its surplus items. If bumper boats are not your style, perhaps you could use tools or lighting equipment. I’m tempted by the announcement that there is “lots of Christmas garland and decorations” on the auction block — the place used to be called Santa Claus Land, so I’m seeing vintage Christmas in my mind.

For a more complete list of items to be auctioned, including commercial restaurant equipment, click here.

The bidding gets underway at 10am CST at the park’s Lakeside Shelter House, just off the main parking lot.

While you’re in town, stick around for the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration. Drive the 1.2 mile-long “Santa Claus Land of Lights,” do a little shopping at the Santa Claus Christmas Store, and take part in gingerbread making or fruitcake eating festitivities! Click here for more details.

1 Comment » | Filed under: Announcements, Deals & Discounts, Family Activities, Places To Go, Shopping, South Central, Things To Do

Looking for a gift for the one who has it all?
Look no further, check out INculture.org.

No Comments » | Filed under: Announcements, Arts & Culture, Indiana

This holiday season, create (or re-create) wonderful memories with family and friends. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Share your favorite holiday memories and traditions with us by adding to this list.

Festive Holiday Events & Displays
A Christmas Story Comes Home, Hammond – Celebrate this holiday classic based on growing up in Hammond, Indiana. November 1, 2009-January 10, 2010.

Christmas City Walkway of Lights, Marion – Fabulous 4.5 mile holiday light display featuring more than 2.5 million lights. November 26-December 31, 2009.

Christmas in Santa Claus – Two-day festival includes craft shows, a spectacular Christmas light tour and parade. December 12-13, 2009.

Conner Prairie by Candlelight, Fishers – Journey back to December 24, 1836 to celebrate Christmas with Prairietown’s residents. Fridays and Saturdays, December 4-19, 2009.

Ferdinand Christkindlmarkt, Ferdinand – Traditional German Christmas Market offering local artisan and crafters’ wares, seasonal foods and carriage rides. November 21 & 22, 2009.

Festival of Gingerbread, Fort Wayne – More than 100 handcrafted gingerbread houses made by children and culinary artists, gingerbread cookies and more. November 27-December 13, 2009.

It’s a Wonderful Life, French Lick – Enjoy this classical holiday show with dinner at the historic French Lick Resort. December 1-23, 2009.

Parke County Covered Bridge Christmas – Countywide celebration. Festivities include: visit with Santa, holiday shopping, music, food, home and cover bridge tours. December 4-6, 2009.

Holiday Shopping & Quaint Getaways
Madison – Explore this great National Historic Landmark on the Ohio River. It offers wonderful scenic views, Clifty Falls State Park, beautiful accommodations, Mundt’s famous fish candies, unique shops and the Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes. November 27-December 6, 2009.

New Harmony – Located on the banks of the Wabash River, this community began as a spiritual sanctuary then later became a haven for international scientists, scholars and educators seeking equality in communal living. Enjoy the Spirits of Harmonie, a seasonal celebration, offering festive foods, spirits and shops. November 28, 2009.

Outlet Mall Shopping abounds in Indiana. Great sales await, even at Midnight, at these select centers: Edinburgh Premium Outlet, Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet and The Outlet Shoppes at Fremont.

Shipshewana – Located in the Heart of Amish Country, this Amish community offers shopping, family-style dining and evening entertainment. Enter a Shipshewanderland with events like: Chocolate Day, Christmas tree adventure and the Ice festival. Through January 2, 2010.

Village of Nashville, Brown County – Hustle and bustle this holiday season in and out of shops, art studios and galleries to find that one-of-kind gift. Holiday festivities include: decorated storefronts, caroling and a Christmas Tree Walk. Through January 3, 2010.

The Village at Winona – Nestled along the shores of Winona Lake, this thriving arts community is home to numerous galleries, studios, shops, eateries and museums. This Christmas season also enjoy gingerbread house decorating and other fun holiday festivities. December 5, 2009.

Outdoor Fun
Chop down your own Christmas tree and enjoy holiday festivities at a local tree farm.

Ski and Snowboard to your heart’s content at Paoli Peaks in Paoli or Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources manages over 70 outdoor recreational properties across the state each offering their own unique experience. These properties offer great winter amenities like toboggan sliding at Pokagon State Park, winter hike program at Brown County State Park and cross-country skiing at Tippecanoe River State Park. Amenities vary per property.

May memories of unique Indiana experiences fill your home this holiday season!

No Comments » | Filed under: Amish, Arts & Culture, Casinos & Gaming, Family Activities, Festivals & Events, Hiking, Biking & Trails, Indiana, Performing Arts, Rural & Small Towns, Shopping, Statewide, Winter Activities

My youngest daughter will be performing Friday and Saturday at The Artist’s Studio in her first youth production, Pinnochio. She is one of 12 actors, ages 5 to 11, who have been on stage at least one night a week for the past 10 weeks all with the goal of taking a bow under the bright lights. While I won’t pretend that the production will attract the group tourism crowd, I do think youth plays are a great way to introduce families to what theatre is all about – and at a lower cost, typically $10 and under.

Here are a few of the other local youth theaters in Indiana that are worth checking out:

Young Actors Theatre (YAT) is the oldest independent youth theatre in Indianapolis, dating back to 1976. Led by Justin and Catherine Wade, who started their careers at YAT as youth performers, it is located in the Historic Athenaeum building in downtown Indianapolis. Performances are in the spring, summer and fall. Next up, Cinderella by the YAT Kidz in January 2010.

The Asante Children’s Theatre (ACT) in Indianapolis helps youth discover their hidden talents through the traditions of African and African-American performance arts.  Instructors use theatre, music, dance and storytelling to develop life skills. They also create wonderful productions through the ACT Academy as well as a professional touring company of ACT alumni.

Indianapolis also has the wonderful Children’s Theatre Institute which began in Chicago in 1992 as TheatreWorks. Indiana native James Leagre launched its first Indiana season in 2000. The institute now offers an Elementary Repertory and Junior High Repertory Company that perform throughout the year. You can catch the first production of the current season, “Vaudeville’s My Home,” Nov. 20 – 22.

According to its web site, Fort Wayne’s Firehouse Theater “protects your right to yell ‘Theater’ in a crowded Firehouse.” Along with that, they have produced a whopping 74 shows or events in the converted Enginehouse #10 – for a total of 289 performances – since June 2006! They currently are gearing up for their annual production of “A Christmas Carol,” set to begin Dec. 11.

Civic Youth Theatre of Greater Lafayette presents four productions a year starring youth ages 6 and older. Like most youth theatres, young people not only fill the stage, they take care of all the back-stage roles as well. The all-youth troupe will stage a production of Snow White, Feb. 26 – 28, 2010.

CrazyLake Art House in Greenfield has an art gallery, offers a plein aire and artist-in-residence program AND has an acting company. (Wow.) Teen actors get in on the artistry through a summer drama camp and special productions all year long, including “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” on Dec. 4 – 6 and Dec. 13.

If you – or your kids – love the theatre, why not check out a youth production? You may turn that love of acting into a hobby when you get back home.

No Comments » | Filed under: Arts & Culture, Family Activities, Performing Arts, Things To Do

Indiana Tourism welcomes today’s guest blogger, PK Kudori:

PK {Prabhakar} Koduri is a native of Indiana but now calls Indiana home. An alumni of the famed Indian Institutes of Technology, PK also has graduate degrees in Chemical Engineering and Business from University of Louisville and Indiana University-Bloomington respectively. When he is not dreaming up his next business idea PK can be found at the IMA getting his shoes and pants dirty trying to capture that perfect shot. You can also find him on Smaller Indiana and Facebook, and he maintains a portfolio/blog at http://www.photoindica.com.

Ever wonder where people go to take a vacation from a vacation? I think I found the answer this past weekend at the White Oaks Cabins near Patoka Lake. White Oaks Cabins are located right in the heart of the Hoosier National Forest in Taswell IN, a 3 hour 170 mile car ride from Indianapolis. White Oaks was founded by Bob Cadwallader, a veteran social worker, in 1995 on 45 acres of land he had originally acquired to build a homeless children’s shelter.

Those plans changed due to some unforeseen bureaucratic challenges and White Oaks was born. Bob, a very spiritual man and in tune with nature, is proud of his Welch ancestry. One can find ample evidence in the names that he chose for his cabins and the various paths around the property.

I got to White Oaks after sundown and I immediately the number of stars in the night sky. It is as if someone just turned on a bazillion little LEDs all at once. I stared at them for a few moments before being greeted by one of Bob’s assistants (I apologize for not remembering her name). The office was warm and welcoming and Bob made me feel right at home. We talked for a few minutes and he handed me a few guest books to read. His point was simple – rather than have him tell me why White Oaks was a special place he let his guests do the talking. I read through some that night and more the following morning over breakfast. What I quickly learnt was that for some folks coming to White Oaks was like therapy. They chose to come there for a variety of reasons – mend broken relationships, rekindle friendships, family reunions, de-stress, or just to get away from it all. Almost all of them left feeling better than when they came.

I was lucky enough to stay at Castle Genevieve, a cabin Bob built to honor the memory of his Grand Parents Anthony and Genevieve. A notable feature of the cabin is the 35 foot tower aptly named “Tower of Anthony” which looks great at night when lit.

The cabin is well appointed with a kitchen and comfortably sleeps a family or group of six. The decor is eclectic and one can even find a replica of a medieval sword going up the stairs to the bedrooms. A word of warning to those that cannot live without TV or Internet – there are no televisions or internet access. You will be lucky to get a cell phone signal , which I found out could be quite tricky. I had what one could describe as “withdrawal” symptoms. It felt wired to not have a TV running in the background or some other electronic noise.

The next day I woke up to the sound of birds and a gentle breeze outside. The weather was perfect and a balmy 70 degrees. I visited the main office once more before heading out to the lake. I was greeted at the entrance to the office by Bob’s Chocolate Lab “Big Red”.

Short on time I decided to visit Marengo Caves which were just a few miles away. Southern Indiana is known for its rich geological features and the caves are a treasure. Since I had my daughter Mira with me I took the shorter “Crystal Palace” tour which lasted about 45 minutes. The views are breathtaking and it is amazing that there is so much geological activity going on even today. The temperature inside the cave was an even 52 degrees – which answers the question as to where the cavemen chilled their beer .

I drove around for a little while trying to look for a place to eat. You will quickly find out that there are none of the “modern” amenities that us city folks are used to such as McDonalds or Subway. I ended up all the way in French Lick before I found a place. I should have asked for Bob’s advice before heading out about food places – may be next time. French Lick is home to the renowned West Baden Springs Hotel. I did not get a chance to tour the place as I had to meet some family back at the cabin. Later that evening we made a camp fire out in the meadow and cooked some hotdogs and bratwurst. We also made some smores and had a great time. I woke up the next day wishing I could stay there longer but life waits and it doesn’t like to be put on hold. I went by the office one last time to checkout and return the guest books. As I drove down the gravel path towards the exit I made a promise to myself, like many others before me that came to White Oaks, that I will be back.

For More Information Contact:

Bob Cadwallader

Information: (812) 338-3120 / Reservations: (877) 338-3120

White Oaks Cabins

2140 North Morgan Road

Taswell, Indiana 47175

Credits:

Accommodations Provided by:

White Oaks Cabins

2140 North Morgan Road

Taswell, Indiana 47175

Special Thanks to:

Jeremy Williams

Indiana Office of Tourism Development

www.visitindiana.com

Pat Coyle

Smaller Indiana

www.smallerindiana.com

No Comments » | Filed under: Arts & Culture, Camping, Family Activities, Fishing & Hunting, Hiking, Biking & Trails, Historical Sites, Indiana, Outdoor Adventures, Romantic Retreats, South, Unique Accommodations, Water Activities

Bedford, known as Limestone Country, offers a rich history of quarrying and carving Indiana, also known as Bedford, Limestone. There are many famous national structures made of this stone, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Empire State Building, the Pentagon and the new Yankee Stadium. Come see the process and learn the history via self-guided driving or guided tour. If you like history museums, Bedford has two devoted to the industy: Lawrence County Museum of History and the Land of Limestone Museum.

No Comments » | Filed under: Family Activities, Indiana, Museums, Outdoor Adventures, Rural & Small Towns, South Central

Indiana Tourism welcomes today’s guest blogger, Curt Brantingham:

Curt Brantingham is the Public Relations Manager for the Indiana Office of Tourism Development. Curt has been with the office since August 2006 and worked at the Indianapolis Zoo before that. You can find out more about the Indiana Office of Tourism Development at the Indiana Media Insider Blog.

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden in Evansville has two very cool new reasons to visit. The zoo recently announced that two female jaguar cubs were born at the facility on September 22. The cubs will make their debut on exhibit beginning in late November in AMAZONIA Forest of Riches, an indoor tropical rainforest exhibit that opened in 2008. Live streaming video from inside the jaguar den will also be available at www.meskerjagcam.com. The two “jagcams” will provide a window into the cats’ world anytime, day or night. The Zoo plans to hold an online naming contest for the cubs when they go on display. The birth of these jaguar cubs is very significant. As of 2007, there were only about 44 jaguars in facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

“This is truly a ‘Wow Factor’ to be working with the cubs and will be incredibly rewarding to watch our visitors experience their growth,” said Amos Morris, Executive Director, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. “We use successful births as a benchmark of great care.”

In Fort Wayne, the nationally-acclaimed Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo reports that the 2009 season ended with a record 610,949 visitors. That breaks the previous record of 541,399 visitors set in 1996. A survey conducted during the summer shows that visitors came from at least 40 states in 2009. The zoo’s new $9 million African Journey exhibit opened in June and was a big draw for members and first-time visitors. The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is open from April through mid-October, and hosts the annual Great Zoo Halloween. It will reopen to visitors on April 24, 2010.

Source: Mesker Park Zoo and the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo

No Comments » | Filed under: East, Evansville, Family Activities, Fort Wayne, Indiana, South

Indiana Tourism welcomes today’s guest blogger, Christy Glesing:

A native Hoosier and proud Purdue alumnus, Christy and her family live in Indianapolis. A 15-year veteran of community development and tourism in Indiana, she believes the strength of a community is determined by the imagination and persistence of its people.

We just missed the peak of fall colors in southern Indiana. But the landscape of rural Indiana was beautiful just the same as I drove the kids to my parents’ house for an overnight visit. My trek began in Indianapolis where I grew up and now live. Located in the center of a triangle made by Bloomington, Vincennes and Terre Haute, it takes just over an hour to get to Bloomfield from Indy.

I like to take I-70 to the Cloverdale exit as we did to get to my grandma’s house when I was growing up. I remember stopping at the Clover Queen drive-in for soft-serve ice cream on the way home. It has morphed into commercial storage units now. As we continue down S.R. 231 toward Spencer, we pass the Hill Top Restaurant. It’s a nice meeting place for my very large family. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed many family-style dinners atop the hill that overlooks the Owen Valley.

As we drive into town, I picture it as the one-horse kind of town it might have been before the highway went through. Bookended by a bustling McDonalds to the north and Wal-mart to the south, Spencer’s main claim to fame is a few miles north at McCormick’s Creek State Park, where a hike to Wolf Cave is a must.

As we turn off the main road and cross the town square, I chuckle to myself as I always do when we pass the sign for Juliebob’s Antiques. While no connection to the store, it carries the name of my younger siblings. Once I cross the bridge over the White River, I know I have 12 miles of twisting, turning, dipping back roads and several one-lane bridges to pass along Pottersville road. Yes, we really do go over the river and through the woods to get to grandmother’s house. This is the best part of the trip for me. With no stops, but one, and few other cars around, I can really ride the open road. Even in a less-than-stealthy minivan.

Once we arrive, I can relax and take in the beauty of my parents’ 110-acre property. A century-old log cabin – rumored to once be a hideout for famed gangster John Dillinger – still stands to greet us as does the barn that’s not as old or as sturdy. What’s left of the color on the trees is reflected in the pond next to the house which causes me to reflect to myself, it’s good to be back home again in southern Indiana.

4 Comments » | Filed under: Family Activities, Indiana, Rural & Small Towns, South Central