Emily Hurd with Special Guest Carson Diersing

Emily Hurd put on a great show in the Indy Hostel lounge on Saturday night!  Here’s an account of the evening by an Indy Hostel staffer:

Last night was another incredible night of song, performance, and energy here at the Indy Hostel!  Emily
Hurd made her way down from Chicago with her key board, and led us down the road of life playing songs from her first
collection ‘Potent One’ all the way to her latest title track ‘Long Lost Ghosts’.  She is a prolific writer and even
shared with us a tune she wrote earlier in the day while hanging out at the Fresh Market up the street
from the Hostel. Her stories of life, love, and her passion of writing songs kept the crowd anxious for the
next- she is magical!

As for the special guest – earlier in the afternoon Emily visited with Penny Lane on WSVX Radio in Shelbyville
talking up her performance at the Indy Hostel that is to take place later that evening.  It was then Emily
was introduced to a demo CD of Penny’s son Carson who plays harmonica. Penny was encouraged to
come to the show and her son could sit in on some numbers, that’s exactly what happened!  Emily’s
humble, grateful, and easy character made the duo sparkle with the freshness and excitement of the
first dance at the high school prom. Did I mention that Carson is 14 years old? What a talented guy!

With munchies on the table and a beverage in hand we all had a great time and enjoyed yet one more
beautiful night of creation in the Indy Hostel Lounge. If you get a chance to catch Emily next time she
passes through do it and hopefully the event will take place at the Indy Hostel again! Hope to see you here!

For a lineup of events to come at the Indy Hostel, visit our events page and if you’re looking for an awesome place to stay in Indy, we’re the place to be!

New Art Space: Indy Hostel

Reblogged from words & maps & lines & glue:

I’m always on the lookout for new places to show artwork, both for myself and my various artsy friends, so I was excited when someone from the Indy Hostel contacted me about a potential exhibit.  Indianapolis has but one hostel…a colorful, lovely home situation in Broad Ripple with comfortable furnishings and reasonable rates.  The gallery space is basically a large living room (sans furniture) so it feels very homey, yet open and conducive to moving about the room.  Add a bit of track lighting on …

Thanks for the blog love from “words & maps & lines & glue”
Our next art show is this Saturday from 7-9pm, artist details to come!

Events AFTER the Super Bowl

As hard as it may be to imagine, there will be even more events after all of the Giants and Patriots fans have left Indianapolis.  Head to the Indy Hostel for a great lineup of eventsin February to keep the excitement going after the big game!

Jamie Dickerson's Self Portrait

-Jamie Dickerson Art Show Opening-
Saturday, February 11 / 7-9pm / FREE

The Indy Hostel is pleased to be hosting its next installment in a series of art show opening events! Join us for a lively art show featuring work by Jamie Dickerson.

Jamie Dickerson is currently a student at Herron School of Art and will display works from her digital collection.  “Everywhere is beauty, everywhere truth is spoken (even in the lies), and there is something that speaks that words cannot, can never convey accurately. Abstract art is one way to fulfill this need – it speaks to us without words or sound, but through color, shape, and symbols,” explains Jamie.  Her work has been featured at the Oranje Art & Music Exposition and various galleries throughout Indianapolis.  She will be on hand at Saturday’s show for questions and refreshments will be provided as well!

-Emily Hurd Concert-
Saturday, February 18 / 8pm/ $10

Emily Hurd is an inspirational national indie act, performing for growing pockets of loyal followers who revel in her ample cache of new and old original songs. Lush vocals, vibrant acoustic production, and tones of defiant optimism run through all the songs on Emily Hurd’s latest album, “Long Lost Ghosts”.

-Weekly Yoga Classes-
Mondays at 6:30pm / Thursdays at 7:30pm/ $10 per class

Take time out for yourself. Each Monday and Thursday night we empty out the lounge and roll out the mats, and welcome all our friends in to feel better; don’t miss this amazing practice. Karen Newton, with Kriya Yoga Center, is a certified instructor in both Yoga and Yoga Therapy. Please don’t miss this excellent opportunity to treat yourself to a wonderful experience.

Blustery Winter Night with Mitchell & Harris

Harris on the left, Mitchell on the right

The weather outside was frightful, indeed.  But the Indy Hostel lounge was the perfect cozy venue for some Americana tunes from the duo Mitchell & Harris.  The group is comprised of Anna Mae Mitchell who played acoustic guitar and Pat Harris who slapped the electric upright bass.  Both also write their songs and sing great harmonies.  They were also accompanied by their adorable “tour manager” a spunky tan and white Corgi.

Mitchell & Harris focused on songs from their first (and only!) lovely album Traveling by Moonlight.  There were upbeat songs and slower ballads, both with heartfelt lyrics.  Many of Harris’s songs dealt with subjects of family and memories of his home state of Michigan, all of which came with great and often hilarious explanations from Pat himself.  One of the stand out songs was dubbed the “obligatory running from the law tune” by Harris and had great vocals from Anna with an upbeat bass line from Harris.  All of the songs created a great homey mood for a cold winter’s night!

Coming up next at the Indy Hostel:
FREE February Art Show Opening featuring Meg Rainwater
Saturday, Feb. 4 from 7-9 PM

January Events to Come

Here at the Indy Hostel, we are excited for the holiday season!  And while we don’t have any events left in December, we have a great line-up starting in the new year.  Happy Holidays, best wishes to you in the New Year & see you soon at the Indy Hostel!

"The Garden"- a selection from the "Around Indy: From Fall to Winter" collection

Art Opening Featuring Courtland Blade
When: Saturday, January 7 from 7-9 pm
How much: FREE!
Courtland Blade’s “Around Indy: From Fall to Winter” collection will be on display and for sale.  This body of work exhibits the beauty of Indianapolis’s shift from fall to winter as well as the isolation created by a cultural shift in how our spaces are constructed.  Join with friends to enjoy free refreshments and beautiful original art!

 

Weekly Yoga Classes at the Hostel
When: Mondays from 6:30-7:30pm & Thursdays from 7:30-8:45pm
How much: Only $10
Please note that yoga classes will not be held from December 26-January 8, but will start again on Monday, January 9!

The Mitchell & Harris duo

 

Mitchell & Harris Concert
When: Friday, January 13 at 8pm
How much: Only $10
Come to the Indy Hostel lounge for a concert featuring singer/guitarist Anna Mae Mitchell and songwriter/bassist G. Pat Harris.  The duo will perform plenty of songs from their new album Traveling by Moonlight.  Click here for a preview of their roots sound.

Thank Goodness!

During the time of the year when many people are reflecting upon the things they are thankful for, here at the Indy Hostel would like to take some time do the same.  Of course we are thankful for our many guests, our friends, and our staff, but also we are very thankful for our two wonderful interns!  They help us do so much to continue to make the hostel a great place to stay, so here’s a bit about them so you can get to know how great they are too.

Meet LeEricca!

Hi! My name is LeEricca, and I am an intern at Indy Hostel. I have received my Associates Degree in Hospitality Administration, specifically in Event Planning and Management. I hope to receive my Bachelors degree from IUPUI in Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management. I decided to go into the hospitality industry because I love meeting and interacting with new people and I’ve always worked in the hospitality industry. At Indy Hostel, I am responsible for general duties at the hostel and outside projects. Some of my outside projects include creating a working brochure rack and generating group and convention sales. Working at the Hostel has given me great opportunities to meet new people from all over and expand my knowledge of the industry. I have met people from at least three different countries, made new friends, and great contacts.

Meet Jennifer!

I’m Jennifer. I am currently a senior at IUPUI, graduating in May, very excited to get started with my career! I am a tourism conventions and events management major, hoping to work in corporate events, either at a hotel or business. I love working in the hospitality industry, and working with people every day, they never fail to make me smile! I have been working at the hostel for about a month now and I really love it! I get to work with the guests as well as the events with promoting and booking. It has been a lot of fun and I really enjoy everyone I get to work with.

Style & Grace

Coyote grace playing for a packed Indy Hostel lounge

Last night the Indy Hostel lounge was packed with friends and with good reason- Coyote Grace graced the stage with their compelling presence!  Coyote Grace is no stranger to Indianapolis, in fact they performed here in spring as well, and this time they filled the Indy Hostel lounge with fans to debut songs their newest album.  Their new full length album Now Take Flight is only a week old, but the trio performed songs from it flawlessly (much like all of their other songs…).

Joe Stevens, Ingrid Elizabeth and Michael Connolly came from humble beginnings performing for anyone who would listen in Pike’s Place Market in Seattle.  After touring with the Indigo Girls last year, the trio is now promoting their new album and made a well received stop in Indianapolis at the Indy Hostel to share their talents.

Coyote Grace has a wonderful, full, folky sound and each individual’s voice and instrument compliments the other two.  One of the most impressive musical feats was the use of dramatic crescendos and decrescendos to kick songs into high gear or to bring a gentle feel.  Coyote Grace’s guitarist Joe Stevens draws inspiration from his own experiences during gender transitioning and the band is definitely not shy about sharing other experiences dealing with such things.  It made for a great balance between lively and silly songs as well as sentimental and heartfelt tunes.  One of the stand out songs that brought laughter and smiles to the crowd was “Kansas”, a playful song about falling in love with a barista.  The show was great and I’m sure all the fans will agree- we can’t wait to host Coyote Grace again at the Indy Hostel!

To learn more about other events at the Indy Hostel check out our events page: www.indyhostel.us/events/index.html

What’s Next?

I’m sure you’re asking yourself many things on this windy Monday like– Is my house going to blow down?  What’s happening next at the Indy Hostel?  Can Chuck Norris really divide by zero?  Do I have to stay at the hostel to go to the events there?  What is the meaning of life?  How awesome is the Indy Hostel, really?  Well friends, we have all the answers (to half of that list)…

Event FAQs

• Do I have to stay the night at the hostel in order to attend the events?
• NO! You can swing by and spend a few hours at the event, but you are also welcome to make reservations to stay.
• Can I bring beverages and food to the events?
• YES! But please enjoy them respectfully and responsibly (and maybe bring some to share…).
• Do I have to buy tickets for concerts before I get to the show?
• NOT REALLY! Some of our events are ticketed and have pre-sale tickets, however you can always show up to the event and pay the entry fee then.  Other events are free so you can show up as you please!  Check individual event listings for details.
• How awesome is the Indy Hostel, really?
• We are so super awesome it will literally knock your socks off, so come visit us whether you’re staying the night or stopping by for an event!

Upcoming Events

Coyote Grace
Friday, November 18 / 8pm / $10
This soulful, bluesy, folksy trio will grace the Indy Hostel lounge and fill it with unique sounds and most likely a large crowd!

Tad Lupton Art Show
Saturday, December 3 / 7-9pm/ FREE
Join us for our 2nd installment of our monthly art shows!  December will feature Tad, a talented painter who works with oil paint to create beautiful landscapes.

Indianapolis Vegetarian Society Pot Luck

Saturday, December 10 / 12-1:30pm / FREE

December’s theme? You guessed it, the best holiday dish re-creation! This is where you get to show everyone how you veg*nized holiday favorites and share ideas for the holidays. The favorite re-creation wins a prize! Don’t worry, you don’t have to re-create a holiday favorite to come, just bring your favorite veg*n dish, a place setting, and the recipe for a great time.

Whirlwind Weekend

What a weekend it was at the Indy Hostel!  This past weekend there were two events hosted in the Indy Hostel lounge: an art show opening on Saturday and a concert on Sunday.  It was great to see so many faces at the hostel to enjoy the fruits of the artists’ labor!

Guests enjoy each other's company & Sandi Ballard's photography at the art show.

Here’s what our intern Jenn had to say about the art show on Saturday evening:

“We had a fantastic turn out at the mother daughter photography show this past Saturday featuring Sandi Ballard. The photographs shown depicted everything from scenery shots to still black and white photography, and still shots of everyday people. Guests had a great time admiring the photographs while mingling with each other, enjoying refreshments, and talking to the artist to learn more about each one. The show was a true success with some of the guests even taking home a few of their favorite photographs. Thank you so much to Sandi Ballard and her daughter for letting us host their work! The photographs will remain on display until next month’s show featuring Tad Lupton.”

Hungrytown performs a relaxing Sunday evening show.

On Sunday, Hungrytown stopped by the Indy Hostel lounge to share their musical talents.  The band is no stranger to the Indy Hostel, in fact they played  the same stage only a few years ago.  Hungrytown is a husband and wife duo comprised of Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson.  The pair harmonized beautifully and strummed guitars and at times Ken would switch to a harmonica, banjo, or a mandolin.  Most of the songs had an old-school feel with subjects that can still be related to today.  Before each song a great introduction was given that really set the scene and put the audience into the right state of mind to enjoy and understand the tunes.  One of the stand out songs was one that imitated the sounds of a calliope at a fair- a haunting melody with great lyrics.  And in case you were wondering, the name Hungrytown comes from the name of a road that the pair encountered while traveling.  If you’re Hungry for even more info (I bet they’ve never heard that one before) then check out their website and Facebook page.

Overall, it was a great weekend for enjoying the arts with friends!  Check out our events page to see what’s next at the Indy Hostel.  While we don’t have any events this weekend, check out our Facebook page to see how you could win free tickets for  the new play “Almost Heaven”!

Ukuleles, Accordions & Guitars- Oh My!

This past Friday on October 14- ukulele, accordion & guitar sounds wafted throughout the Indy Hostel and into the ears of the pleased audience members and guests.  This unplugged show featured Wishing Chair and opening act by Kat Alice.

Kat Alice strumming away on her ukulele.

Kat Alice, a young lady with Indy roots, opened the show with a selection of mainly original songs.  Kat had a pleasing and unique vocal sound that was complimented by ukulele strumming.  Her songs were short and sweet with playful yet meaningful lyrics- the perfect listening material for a lazy Sunday afternoon.  It was easy to tell that Kat puts her whole self into her music it was very enjoyable to watch her play!  Check out her websitefor a preview of some of her songs and to see where in Indy she’ll be playing next.

Wishing Chair took to the stage next to bring some “folk & roll” sounds to the Indy Hostel.   The duo consisting of Miriam Davidson and Kiya Heartwood have been playing together for over 15 years and it is evident in their comfortable and confident stage presence.

Wishing Chair folkin' & rollin'

Miriam played different instruments throughout the show including a banjo and an accordion while Kiya stuck to the lead vocals and guitar. The pair actually produced a very full and rich sound for there only being two of them!  They played many original songs with subjects ranging from historical figures to tarot cards, all of which were explained by interesting and insightful back stories.  The set list also  included many selections that encouraged audience participation, which added to their sound and of course was very fun.  Wishing Chair is currently beginning work on their ninth album and are continuing to tour throughout the US, check out their website for more info!

Thanks to Kat Alice and Wishing Chair for a great show at the Indy Hostel!  Be sure to check our Facebook, Twitter, and events page for upcoming events and hostel news!