Masterpiece in a Day and Oranje

Saturday, September 17, 2005 will be a busy day for the creative people of Indianapolis, Indiana.

First there's Masterpiece in a Day. Here's a message about the event from Jim Walker, Executive Director of Big Car:

On Sept. 17 in Fountain Square, you'll have a chance to win $1,000 for your work of visual art (representational or non-representational) your writing (poetry or prose) or your song (you are randomly paired with another musician to create a duo). All you have to do is spend a good chunk of the day in this great neighborhood being creative and hanging out with other creative types!

Any kind of art form -- even video and photography -- is welcome (as long as you can get it done in the alloted amount of time and don't leave the neighborhood to do it). Any kind of musical instrument -- or lack thereof (you can sing or beat box) is welcome (laptops, electronic
samplers, ukuleles, the spoons, etc. -- all OK). And any style of writing is fine. You could write about what you really see or soar off into fantasy... But watch those fantasies -- everything needs to be appropriate for an audience that includes kids.

Masterpiece in a Day starts with on-the-spot registration between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. You then have until 3 p.m. to make your masterpiece. Then our crack judges will pick the winners to be announced at 5 p.m.

There's no charge for competing. If you finish early or bring friends, then all kinds of other entertainment awaits -- from a free art fair to live traditional country music to a beer tent to creative activities for the kids taught by professional art, writing and music teachers.

Pre-register today (think of it as RSVP-ing at www.discoverfountainsquare.com) or visit www.bigcar.org for more info. And then you can begin thinking of how you'll spend $1,000 (or the $500 second prizes or $200 third prizes wouldn't be too shabby either) -- even though you're really in it for artistic reasons.

I hope to see all of you at Masterpiece in a Day. And I hope to be able to hand $1,000 to one of you (or the $500 second prizes or $200 third prizes wouldn't be too shabby either).

If you don't want to compete, show up to listen to poetry and short stories written on the streets and hear musicians making and performing their songs of Fountain Square. Local restaurants will be selling food and neighborhood stores will be open for shoppers.

Here's a schedule for the day:

9 a.m. -- Registration begins. Coffee and donuts for sale.

9:30 a.m. -- Art fair opens

10 a.m. -- Activities for kids begin at Contest Central (in the Murphy Building off of Virginia Ave.)

10:30 a.m. -- Contest registration closes

11 a.m. -- Traditional country music concert begins on the music stage at Shelby and Prospect streets with Marcy Hook kicking it off.

11 a.m. -- Venders begin selling food, drinks and beer

11:30 a.m. -- Graham Case on the Music Stage

Noon -- Computer labs open in the community center for writers to begin typing work

12 p.m. -- Tecumseh Flyers on the Music Stage

12:45 p.m. -- Punkin Holler Boys on the Music Stage

1:30 p.m. -- Freightliners on the Music Stage

2:15 -- Tumbleweeds on the Music Stage

3 p.m. -- All entries for art and writing contests are due at Contest Central.

3-5 p.m. -- Live performance of the Music Contest

6 p.m. -- Announcement of all winners

If you're not too worn out from Masterpiece in a Day, you might want to check out Oranje:

ORANJE, the Midwest’s premiere contemporary art & music event is back for our 4th annual showcase. ORANJE will take place on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2005 from 8pm until 3am.
We are extremely excited to announce that this year ORANJE will be held at 1601 North Pennsylvania, in the former Herron School of Art, located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis! This is a beautiful, historic building with a rich art history. Get ready for three floors filled with aural and visual stimulation that will blow your mind!!! Planning and preparations are underway for the ultimate interactive experience of art & music … ORANJE!!! INDULGE YOUR SENSES!!!

Visit http://www.oranjeindy.com/ for more info about Oranje.