Indy.com
Today:
Christmas gifts for art lovers
Posted: Dec 20, 2007 in Things to do, Culture
Tags:
Still looking for that perfect holiday gift for the arts and entertainment lover on your list?
Don't fret, we're here to help with ideas that will surely make you a hit in this year's best gift-giving category.
From visual arts to theater, classical music and pop music, there's plenty to be found in local museums, theaters, bookstores, record stores and online.
For the lover of visual arts, theater and classical music
Indy Arts Card
What it is: Just ask, and the Arts Council of Indianapolis will provide a card containing an ever-changing menu of discounts and other amenities connected with visual- and performing-arts venues. "If you're attending events with any kind of frequency," said Mike Knight, the Arts Council's manager of media relations, "you're going to be able to save what I call a significant amount of money over a period of time."
How to use it: To get access to the recently updated registration form, go to www.indyarts.org.
Who it's for: Arts lovers of all ages, with a variety of tastes.
*Where to find it: *Cards may be picked up at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, Washington and Illinois streets, or call (317) 631-3301 and the Arts Council will mail you one.
Cost: Free.
Indiana Repertory Theatre Flex Pass
What it is: A coupon book containing packs of three, four or six tickets that may be used for the remainder of the IRT's 2007-08 season. This is but one version of a marketing tool many arts groups now offer.
How to use it: With three- and six-ticket packages, each ticket must be used for a different show. Four-packs may be split up or used all at once. The coupons are not tickets. For each show, make a reservation through the box office (317) 635-5252.
Who it's for: Theatergoers who avoid subscriptions because of unpredictable schedules.
Where to find it: IRT subscription line, (317) 916-2100.
Cost: Three tickets for $95, four for $125, six for $179.
Classical piano recordings
What it is: Three new solo albums on the Harmonia Mundi label by winners of the Indianapolis-based American Pianists Association Classical Fellowship Awards. The artists featured are 2006 winners Stephen Beus and Spencer Myer, and 2003 winner Michael Sheppard. Beus plays sonatas by Charles Griffes and Alexander Scriabin. Myer performs Claude Debussy's second book of "Preludes." Sheppard plays Stephen Hough's settings of show tunes by Richard Rodgers.
Who it's for: Piano devotees.
Where to find it: www.americanpianists.org, various bookstore Web sites, or call (317) 940-9945.
Cost: $21.98.
--Whitney Smith
For the pop-music lover
"The Traveling Wilburys Collection"
What it is: George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne joined forces as the Traveling Wilburys in 1988 to make a rollicking roots-rock album. After Obison's death the same year, the surviving members made a follow-up album. "For a few recording sessions, they were kids again -- having lots of fun," says Indianapolis-based musician Joe Hart. Wilburys music was out of print for several years, but "The Traveling Wilburys Collection" includes a DVD, bonus tracks and both original albums. While "Handle with Care," "End of the Line" and "She's My Baby" were hit singles, Dylan's "Tweeter and the Monkey Man" and Petty's "Cool Dry Place" are worthy of attentive listening.
Who it's for: Fans of Petty's "Full Moon Fever" album and Dylan's "Love and Theft."
Where to find it: Various music stores.
Cost: $29.98.
"Creem - America's Only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine"
What it is: From 1968 to 1987, Creem magazine roared out of Detroit with reckless, flippant coverage of glam rock, power pop, punk and metal music. This 272-page book collects original stories and photos from the up-close-and-personal magazine that folded in 1988 after a new owner moved operations to California. "Creem seemed to embody the decadence of rock 'n' roll and heavy metal, and it really came across in its pages," says Indianapolis-based musician Shelby Kelley. When Hoosier rock star John Mellencamp made Creem's cover in 1984, he told the magazine, "Before I was in the business, I had zero drive. I was married with a kid, didn't have a job, didn't want a job."
Who it's for: Music fans who know counterculture cool isn't limited to the East and West coasts.
Where to find it: Various bookstores.
Cost: $29.95.
Rockcycle items
What it is: Rockcycle, a memorabilia store that opened in September at Castleton Square Mall, sells products such as purses, three-ring binders and bookmarks (pictured here) made from used vinyl albums and their cardboard packaging. "I picked up a Van Halen message board and a Beatles notebook for my 11- and 13-year-old sons, who are big music fans but have never owned a record," Indianapolis-based musician Kim Easton says. "It's a great place to get gifts because you can make them so personal."
Who it's for: Today's teenagers who have discovered the sounds of the '60s, '70s and '80s, and yesterday's teenagers who heard the sounds the first time.
Where to find it: Castleton Square Mall, 6020 E. 82nd St. (317) 596-1300, www.rockcycleonline.com.
Cost: $4.99 for keychains made from cassette inserts to $69.99 for purses made from album covers.
--David Lindquist
For the lover of visual arts and museum
Check out these great gift ideas found at area museum shops:
Indianapolis Museum of Art
4000 Michigan Road, (317) 231-1331, www.imamuseum.org.
Men's necktie
What it is: A necktie designed by Austrian painter and graphic artist Gustav Klimt.
Who's it for: Any guy who has an appreciation for the Modernist art movement.
Cost: $40.
Sticky notes
What it is: Sculptural bloc paper that can be shaped into different forms.
Who's it for: Anyone who likes self-stick notes with an unusual twist.
Cost: $20.
Jeweled art
What it is: Fishbowl pendant.
How it is used: This pendant should be placed on a chain to add a little glamour to the neckline.
Who's it for: The woman who likes wearing works of art.
Cost: $55.
Indiana State Museum
650 W. Washington St. (317) 232-1637, www.indianamuseum.org.
Handbag
What it is: A purse designed by Indiana's Vera Bradley.
Who's it for: Any women who has a thing for purses.
Cost: $48.
Cookbook
What it is: A collection of recipes from the L.S. Ayres Tea Room.
Who's it for: Fans of the L.S. Ayres Tea Room and its ever-popular Chicken Velvet Soup.
Cost: $15.
Photo album
What it is: "Greetings from Indianapolis" keepsake.
Who's it for: A budding photographer or the family historian.
Cost: $22.95.
Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art
340 N. Senate Ave., (317) 634-6622, www.indymoca.org.
Wine opener
What it is: A whimsical corkscrew.
Who's it for: Wine aficionados.
Cost: $39.
Eiteljorg Museum
500 W. Washington St., (317) 636-9378, www.eiteljorg.org.
Cowboy boot slippers
What it is: The perfect slipper.
Who's it for: The woman who is a cowgirl at heart.
Cost: $38.95.
Panorama belt
What it is: A man's belt made from recycled copper.
Who's it for: Your favorite cowboy.
Cost: $210.
Bracelets
What it is: Various styles of bracelets made from recycled copper.
Who's it for: Men and women.
Cost: $32.95 each.
Necklaces
What it is: Various styles of necklaces made of onyx, jade and water pearls.
Who's it for: Any special someone.
Cost: $75 each.
--T.J. Banes
Don't forget the Indianapolis Art Center for your last-minute gifts:) Gift certificates for art classes, original handmade gifts from the Basile Studio Shop...just to name TWO!
Merry Christmas!!!