travel | INside White River State Park

Dig IN 2012: A Taste of Indiana

Posted in Events, tagged @WhiteRiverStPrk, Art, Artisans, Canal, Culture, Did You Know, different foods, entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fun, healthy choices, IN, Indiana, Indianapolis, LOOP, Music, nature, Outdoors, Park, Parks, Sculptures, taste of indiana, TeamWRSP, Things to do, travel, vacation, White River State Park, WINDY, WRSP on August 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Indianapolis, IN | August 26th, 2012 | www.inwhiteriver.com

This weekend is full of events for White River State Park!

On Sunday, August 26 in the Celebration plaza we will be hosting Dig IN: A Taste of Indiana, one of the most important events this summer.

Starting in 2009, this event is a way to appreciate the agriculture in Indiana and enlighten those that forget that we have more than corn in this state!

Dig IN brings Indiana growers, farmers, brewers, vintners, and other artisans from all over the state to White River State Park.

People will be allowed to sample various foods, drinks, and produce of their choice for free (included in the ticket price.)

Along with samples of the different foods and drinks there will also be chances to watch chefs create their masterpieces right in front of you, several different presentations on healthy choices when cooking at home, organic options, and plenty more.

Show your Indiana pride and come to White River State Park for some great food, great beer, and even better wine!

For more information on the event visit www.digindiana.org.

This event asks that you buy one ticket ($30 in advance and $40 at gate) and the rest of the day is free. You can buy tickets online here: http://digin2012.eventbrite.com/ or stop by the White River State Park Visitor’s Center to purchase in person.

stay in the LOOP! #TeamWRSP

Bob Dylan at the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at WRSP!

Posted in Concerts, Events, tagged @WhiteRiverStPrk, animals, Art, Barack Obama, Bob Dylan, Canal, Culture, current-events, Did You Know, entertainment, Events, farm bureau insurance, Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn, Festivals, Fun, IN, Indiana, Indianapolis, lifetime opportunity, LOOP, medal of freedom, Music, nature, Outdoors, Parks, politics, social unrest, TeamWRSP, Things to do, travel, vacation, White River State Park, WINDY, WRSP on August 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Indianapolis, IN | August 25, 2012 | www.inwhiteriver.com

The legend has come back to White River State Park!

Bob Dylan at the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park!

Bob Dylan will be scheduled to perform at the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn on Saturday, August 25, 2012.

Performing for the past 50 years Dylan is still aweing the audience with his poetic lyrics and refreshing rhythms.

Known for his whole career, Dylan is best known for his political, philosophical, and poetic lyrics that have led to various Hall of Fame placements, awards, and even a Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

During the social unrest from the civil war Dylan became and still is an idol to several and his anti-war songs are still being used today.

Starting out as a Jewish freshman in college in 1959 Bob Dylan has certainly made a name for himself and White River State Park is honored to have him perform for us again. Come out and enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity and enjoy the talent Dylan will shower the audience with on Saturday!

stay in the LOOP! #TeamWRSP

Dukes of September at Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at WRSP!

Posted in Concerts, Events, tagged @WhiteRiverStPrk, Boz Scaggs, Canal, Culture, Did You Know, Donald Fagen, Doobie Brothers, Dukes of September Rhythm Revue, entertainment, Events, farm bureau insurance, Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn, Festivals, Fun, IN, Indiana, Indianapolis, LOOP, Michael McDonald, Music, nature, Outdoors, own music, Parks, rhythm revue, soul revue, Steely Dan, steve miller band, TeamWRSP, Things to do, travel, vacation, Walter Becker, White River State Park, WINDY, WRSP on August 23, 2012| 1 Comment »

Indianapolis, IN | August 24th, 2012 | www.inwhiteriver.com

Dukes of September at the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park

Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, and Boz Scaggs are bringing their talent to the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn on Friday, August 24 as the Dukes of September Rhythm Revue.

This supergroup brings the jazz, blues, and soul this summer’s concert series has been needing at White River State Park. These three plan to bring back songs from their previous career as The New York Rock and Soul Revue as well as several covers they have picked up along the years.

To explain a little bit about this supergroup, Donald Fagen was the co-founder of Steely Dan alongside Walter Becker in his early career. After the two split in 1981, Fagen went through his solo career which brought him three albums and another on the way.

Michael McDonald is a 5 time Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter. His career with Steely Dan led him to another successful career in the Doobie Brothers until 1982. Along with various appearances and performances for his solo career McDonald is hard at work with the current tour.

Boz Scaggs started out in the Steve Miller Band and went on to focus on a solo career. After a small hiatus in the 1980’s he continues to record his own music and hop along this tour that will bring them all here to Indianapolis!

It wasn’t until 2010 that Fagen, McDonald, and Scaggs agreed to bring back the music and hit the road for touring after The New York Rock and Soul Revue split ways in 1993. This show will certainly bring back memories from a decade ago and refresh the audience with a variety of music.

Did you know??

Michael McDonald was hired as an additional singer in the early 1970’s tours of Steely Dan because Donald Fagen had severe stage fright.

William Royce is the actual name given to Boz Scaggs. In his early years a schoolmate gave him the nickname “Bosley” which eventually led to Boz.

stay in the LOOP! #TeamWRSP

Posted in Events, tagged @WhiteRiverStPrk, Canal, Culture, dairy cow, Did You Know, entertainment, Events, exposition hall, facebook, Festivals, fried oreos, Fun, google, IN, Indiana, Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis, LOOP, Military Park, Music, nature, Outdoors, Parks, sports, TeamWRSP, Things to do, travel, vacation, White River State Park, WINDY, WRSP on August 9, 2012| 1 Comment »

Indianapolis, IN | August 9th, 2012 | www.inwhiteriver.com

Welcome to the Indiana State Fair

While celebrating the year of the dairy cow at the Indiana State Fair during the next two weeks, be sure to stop by and visit Team WRSP in the Exposition Hall by the Midway!

While at the Fair, White River State Park will have park information and Indiana travel guides and maps to pick up! The Department of Tourism booth is your one stop shop for both WRSP guides and great Indiana information.

We will be there every day through Monday and then again next Friday and Saturday, giving you plenty of opportunities to come say hello!

As always, surveys will be available for WRSP fans to win free concert tickets or tickets to our many attractions. And of course, if you feel like dropping off some deep fried Oreos when you visit, we wouldn’t mind that either.

stay in the LOOP! #TeamWRSP

Recap: Florence + the Machine at WRSP

Posted in Concerts, Events, tagged @WhiteRiverStPrk, Canal, concert goers, Culture, Did You Know, dog days, Dog Days Are Over, entertainment, Events, facebook, farm bureau insurance, Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn, Festivals, flo flo, Florence, Florence & the Machine, Fun, google, IN, Indiana, Indianapolis, Music, nature, Outdoors, Parks, TeamWRSP, Things to do, travel, treasure box, upbeat songs, vacation, Walkmen, What the Water Gave Me, White River State Park, WINDY, WRSP on August 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Blog Recap: Indianapolis, IN | July 29, 2012 | www.inwhiteriver.com

Florence + the Machine at The Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park

A sold out show brought thousands of people out to the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn July 29 to experience Florence & the Machine.

The Walkmen were the perfect band to warm up the stage with upbeat songs to get the audience on their feet dancing.

Florence awed the crowd in her long flowing dress and vocals that sounded as though one was casually listening to her CD.

Some of the songs performed were Dog days are over, Shake it up, What the water gave me, and others from her newest album.

The energy provided from the band was easily seen as Florence pranced and danced onstage and even offstage throughout the crowd.

A grateful Florence even gained a small treasure box from a fan before leaving the stage.

This is the second time Florence & the Machine have joined us and we hope that next year we can be gifted with their presence again for all that missed it!

Concert Goers at Florence and the Machine

Flo Flo at the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park

stay in the LOOP! #TeamWRSP

Florence + the Machine at Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at WRSP!

Posted in Concerts, Events, tagged @WhiteRiverStPrk, Artisans, Canal, Concert, concert attendees, Culture, Did You Know, entertainment, Events, facebook, farm bureau insurance, Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn, Florence & the Machine, Fun, IN, Indiana, Indianapolis, LOOP, Music, nature, Outdoors, Parks, TeamWRSP, Things to do, travel, umbrellas, vacation, Walkmen, water bottle, White River State Park, WINDY, WRSP on July 27, 2012| 3 Comments »

Indianapolis, IN | July 29th, 2012

If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet for the Florence + the Machine concert on Sunday July 29th at the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park, then you may be out of luck, because this concert is SOLD OUT!

However, there may be a chance that the band will be release a few more seats. You can call 317-249-2752 for info.

For those of you that already have your tickets the gates will be opening at 6:00 pm with the show starting at 7:00 pm.

As of right now blankets are permitted as well as umbrellas (36″ or shorter) into the venue. You may bring your own lawn chairs, however our comfy beach chairs will be distributed to all concert attendees. You may also bring one liter or smaller factory sealed water bottle with you. You may also bring a clear empty cup or water bottle to fill up inside the gates.

Check out our venue page at http://inwhiteriver.wrsp.in.gov/ATTRACTIONS/Attraction/AttractionID/10.

Visit our FAQ facebook page to answer any of your questions at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150288509791989

Also check out Florence + the Machine at www.florenceandthemachine.net

as well as The Walkmen at www.thewalkmen.com

stay in the LOOP! #TeamWRSP

HART’s Shakespeare on the Canal

Posted in Events, tagged @WhiteRiverStPrk, Art, Artisans, Canal, Culture, Desdemona, Did You Know, entertainment, Events, facebook, Festivals, Fun, green eyed monster, IN, Indiana, Indianapolis, Merchant of Venice, moor of venice, Music, nature, Othello, othello the moor of venice, Outdoors, Parks, repertory theatre, right hand man, Shakespeare, subtle displays, TeamWRSP, Things to do, travel, vacation, Washington Street Bridge, White River State Park, William Shakespeare, WINDY, WRSP on July 24, 2012| 3 Comments »

Blog Recap: Indianapolis, IN | July 20th, 2012 | inwhiteriver.com

HART performing Othello for Shakespeare on the Canal at White River State Park

Love, deception, and envy were all in the air last weekend as the Heartland Actors Repertory Theatre (HART) brought their magic to Celebration Amphitheater at White River State Park for Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice.”

With performances on Friday and Saturday evening with a matinee on Sunday, HART’s team brought Shakespeare enthusiasts and first-time theatergoers to the free show in the Park on the banks of the White River.

“Othello” centers around the title character, played by HART’s David Alan, who is married to Desdemona. A vicious Shakespearian love triangle is created between Othello, his wife, and Othello’s right-hand man Cassio.

Envy, the “green-eyed monster,” is the central theme of this play, and is carried through during the entire performance. Although there is obvious jealousy between Othello and Cassio for Desdemona’s affections, more subtle displays of envy are also seen between Cassio and Othello’s ensign, Iago. This adds another layer of human emotion to the tragic show.

Park guests at each performance were given chairs to sit on and were welcome to bring food and drinks for a picnic. Additionally, the Cajun food truck Some of This, Some of That was parked on the Washington Street Bridge next to the performance, offering audience members drinks and sandwiches during the three hour production.

Past Shakespeare on the Canal performances by HART include “The Merchant of Venice,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.”

For more information on HART, auditions, and upcoming shows, visit heartlandactors.com.

HART performing Othello for Shakespeare on the Canal at White River State Park

stay in the LOOP! #TeamWRSP

Vintage INdiana Wine and Food Festival

Posted in Events, tagged @WhiteRiverStPrk, Canal, Casey James, Culture, dessert wines, Did You Know, entertainment, Events, Festivals, Fun, IN, Indiana, indiana wine, Indianapolis, midwestern climate, Military Park, Music, nature, Outdoors, Parks, relative novice, signature wine, TeamWRSP, Things to do, Traminette, travel, vacation, vintage indiana, White River State Park, WINDY, Wine, Wine tasting, Winery, WRSP on July 24, 2012| 1 Comment »

Blog Recap: Indianapolis, IN | June 2nd, 2012 | www.inwhiteriver.com

As a college student on a college budget, my only prior knowledge of “fine” wine was the variety you can only get from a box (“Cardboardeaux,” the kids affectionately call it these days).

So when I attended the Vintage Indiana Wine & Food Festival this summer, I had no idea what to expect from my first-ever wine tasting experience.

I entered the gates of White River State Park’s Military Park a relative novice; while I didn’t consider myself a wine expert by the time I left, the event was the perfect venue for a few of my girlfriends and me to learn the basics of wine production and tasting, sparking an interest that will come in handy the next time we’re planning our next big get-together.

The Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival is an annual showcase of the best of Indiana’s local wineries in a family-friendly environment. For a little over twenty dollars, attendees received unlimited samples of more than 200 wines from around the state — appeasing a wide range from experienced winos and newbies like myself.

After receiving our Vintage Indiana etched tasting glass, we made our way to several of the vendors’ tents, taking the time to converse with each winery’s knowledgeable staff about the various types we were trying. Most volunteered to take us down their wine list — from dry to dessert wines — explaining each offering in great detail while answering the (many) questions that came to our minds.

Almost every winery offered a Traminette, dubbed the signature wine of the state of Indiana for its grapes’ tenacity in the Midwestern climate. My favorite wine sampled came from first-time Vintage Indiana exhibitors Monkey Hollow Winery: the Pasture Limit, a Concord rose aged in a bourbon barrel.

In addition to its tasting tents, Vintage Indiana also offered helpful seminars on topics like food pairings and at-home production. A kids zone featured face painting, a cartoonist, and balloon artists to please the 20-and-under crowd, while munchies were kept at bay by Bazbeaux Pizza, Jamaican Blue Lagoon Catering, and the Taco Lassi food truck.

Bottles were available for purchase at every tent, of which most attendees took advantage to set up a picnic near the live music stage, where local favorite Jennie DeVoe and American Idol star Casey James performed later in the day.

Overall, Vintage Indiana was a great event to kick off a long-awaited summer of beer and wine festivals. And after learning about all of the fantastic local producers in Indiana, you can bet the next time I enjoy a libation, it won’t be from a box.

Butler Wine at Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival at White River State Park!

Oliver Winery at Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival at White River State Park

stay in the LOOP! #TeamWRSP