You're Invited: Kick Off Celebration Tues., April 14

Join us this Tues., April 14, at 1:30 p.m. for a short celebration and presentation to kick off the next phase of construction along the Northeast Corridor of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick. We're hoping the rain will hold off so that we can hold the event in the alley behind Chatham Tap and Scholar's Inn Restaurant and Lounge, between Mass Ave. and College Ave., which is part of the Cultural Trail route. Our rain location is across the street inside the Firefighters Union Hall, 748 Massachusetts Ave. Photo: The Longest Dinner, a fundraiser for Indy Fringe Festival and the Cultural Trail, was held in the alley last August.

Speakers will include City of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) President Brian Payne, Arts Council of Indianapolis Public Art Director Mindy Taylor Ross and Best Chocolate in Town owner Elizabeth Garber.  

Scholar's Inn Restaurant and Lounge will provide free refreshments. The Mass Ave. Merchants Association will raffle off a basket of gifts from J. Benzal, Sakura Urban, Comedy Sportz, Mass Ave Wine Shoppe, Nestle Inn, Stout's Shoes, Arts a Poppin, Global Gifts, Mass Ave Toys, Best Chocolate in Town, and Silver in the City plus a Mass Ave T-shirt and Mass Ave Tote.  

April 14 only Special Cultural Trail kick-off discounts from Mass Ave merchants
J. Benzal - 15% off
Stout's - 50% off Keen Bags
10% of sales donated to the Trail: Silver in the City, Mass Ave Toys, Best Chocolate in Town, Global Gifts (must mention at time of sale at Global)
Chatham Tap - $4 margaritas, $3 Dirty Helen on tap, $3.50 microbrew bottles, half price wines by the glass 

The Nestle Inn, 637 N. East St., is offering $25 off one night's stay for Indianapolis Cultural Trail Blazers, which is a giving group of those who have contributed $100 or more. For other Mass Ave patrons, it is offering $10 off one night's stay. Reservations may be made any time and are subject to availability. 

Upcoming Public Meetings

The public is welcome to attend any upcoming meeting to learn more about the Cultural Trail project:

Wed., Apr. 15, 6 p.m., Fletcher Place and Fountain Square Public Meeting, Fountain Square Theatre Building, 1105 Prospect St. Covering Southeast Corridor plans.

Next quarterly brown-bag meeting:

Tues., May 19, noon to 1 p.m., Nestle Inn, 637 N. East St. Cultural Trail team members will provide updates on construction for the next two phases: Northeast and North Corridors.

Todd Rundgren + "Ann Dancing"

The Indianapolis Star Buzz Page reported April 8 that after rock singer/song-writer Todd Rundgren performed at the Vogue in Broad Ripple, he went for chili at Mass Ave's Old Point Tavern and stopped to gaze at "Ann Dancing."  The Star quoted his wife Michele saying: "'We loved that dancing figure,' said Michele, who added that Todd suggested it might be a good place to leave dollar donations."

"Ann Dancing," by Julian Opie is the Cultural Trail's first public art installation at the corner of Alabama St., Vermont St. and Mass Ave.  Todd -- or anyone -- can make donations online today to support "Ann Dancing" and the other Cultural Trail public art installations.  

Support Mass Ave During Construction

The Northeast Corridor is nearly one mile long, winding through the Mass Ave Cultural District. Construction is expected to last through 2010. 

A very important way you can support the Cultural Trail is to support the businesses along and near the route that are particularly affected by the construction. 

For more information on Mass Ave, its restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and upcoming events visit www.DiscoverMassAve.com.