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Bar crawl: The Good Life Bar & Grill
Posted: Jan 09, 2008 in Things to do, Nightlife
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Near-Speedway bar finds rhythm
Click here to watch the 'Taffy On The Town at Good Life Bar and Grill' video
8 p.m.
Who knew the good life was so easily attainable? A short drive from the city's center on West 16th Street, The Good Life Bar & Grill sits between Downtown and Speedway proper. A small collection of cars is parked behind the building, a respectable turnout for the early hour.
The bar is much larger inside than the exterior suggests, but it's empty, save for a small group of people and a cacophony of hand drums. Each Thursday night, The Good Life plays host to Kafe Kuumba, Indiana's longest-running weekly spoken-word event.
Kuumba, which means creativity in Swahili, was launched in April of 1997 by the Midtown Writers Association. Since then, a core group of writers and drummers have welcomed an ever-changing cast of participants into their circle.
James R. Depp Sr. reads his poetry from the stage while a semi-circle of relatives and friends accompany him with an assortment of drums. The vice president of the Midtown Writers Association exudes dreadlocked gravitas.
8:13 p.m.
The Good Life's location had been home to several other bars but lay fallow for three years after Grover Wilcher purchased the property. The bar is a sideline project for Wilcher, who spends most of his time working in real estate and also owns a retail kiosk at a Southside mall.
The bar decor wouldn't blow anyone away, but it's nicer than I expected it to be considering the exterior and the condition of other retail spaces in the area. "It's only a quarter finished," Wilcher says. He plans to add a streetside deck, garage doors, and an ultra lounge by race time this spring. Wilcher says the renovated kitchen will serve Japanese cuisine.
8:45 p.m.
Kristina Depp, 30, drums with her mother, Karen, 62. Kristina has been coming regularly for the last three years but only reads on occasion. She considers herself an amateur writer, but enjoys playing drums with the group.
Tony Williams has been a regular since 1998. The paraplegic poet uses a wheelchair (the result of a shooting) and spends time talking to kids about steering clear of gang life. He enjoys reading his work and playing drums each week. "It's an outlet for me, like therapy."
8:54 p.m.
The Good Life Bar & Grill is easy enough to find, but the good life itself proves to be elusive, more a process than a destination, both for the bar and the poets who inhabited it tonight.
Destination: The Good Life Bar & Grill
Where: 2816 W. 16th St., (317) 685-1600.
Hours: 1 p.m. to close Monday through Sunday.
Details: Smoking, DJ, live music, television, MC/V.
Though this article could have taken a more uplifting spin, I guess some publicity is better than none at all.
I agree with you MomJara. The tone of the article from beginning to end wasn't very inviting... Generally, I like Neal's work, but I suppose he just wasn't feeling this one.
Exhibit A: "A small collection of cars is parked behind the building"
Exhibit B: "The bar is much larger inside than the exterior suggests, but it's empty"
Exhibit C: "lay fallow for three years after Grover Wilcher purchased the property"
Exhibit D: "The bar decor wouldn't blow anyone away, but it's nicer than I expected it to be considering the exterior "
I don't try to put a spin on anything, I just show up, describe the scene and try to capture the personality of what's going on there.
SIAM and I know most of the attendees pretty well. We also had an opportunity to get to know Grover Wilcher a little better. He is a very humble dude, with a lot of talent, direction, and focus, who will achieve whatever success he designs for himself. In other words, Grover Wilcher is a man to watch...