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Lorraine Ball

Lorraine Ball's Blog (59)

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Indy Fringe Review - Cool Table

Cool Table is fast paced sketch comedy in the style of Saturday Night Live or Mad TV. While some of the individual sketches are funny, overall the show reminds me of the SNL episodes from some of the off years in the early 90's. Much of the humor seems geared for an audience of teenage boys, with fart and Dick jokes, but some of the sketches are really funny. My favorite is a group of ice fisherman discussion feelings and relationships with the emotion and attitude of a group of teenage girls.… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on August 25, 2009 at 5:28pm — No Comments

IndyFringe Review: Phil the Void

At IndyFringe 2008 I stopped in to see Phil the Void because I had time between shows and there was nothing else I really wanted to see. I loved the program, and was really looking forward to seeing him again this year. And I wasn't disappointed. Intelligent humor, with jokes that move quickly from topic to topic, Phil challenges his audience to look at familiar items in unfamiliar ways. Before the s… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on August 25, 2009 at 5:22pm — No Comments

I Played Bingo with Wanda and Rhonda

My only complaint about Wanda and Rhonda's Bitchin Bingo Bash was that it ended too soon. I was enjoying my game of bingo, hoping I would win, and laughing out loud at the outrageous things Wanda and Rhonda would say. These two fraternal twin sisters ( portrayed by local actors Adam O. Crowe and Tony McDonald, seem to share nothing in common as they gossip, discuss politics and religion, insult… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on August 22, 2009 at 11:06am — 1 Comment

Go Go Go to see "Gone, Gone, Gone"!

My first show of the 2009 IndyFringe Season. So many good choices. We opted for "Gone, Gone, Gone" at the Earth House. And before I talk about the program itself, let me give kudos to the venue. Located in an old church a few blocks off of Mass Avenue, it is worth the walk! The cafe on the first floor was a wonderful gathering place before the show, and if you get there in time, do sample the Blueberry or strawberry smoothies. The upstai… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on August 22, 2009 at 10:50am — No Comments

Fringe Launches Today!

IndyFringe kicks off tonight at the Opening Parade and Kickoff Preview - Here are the details: Fifth Fringe Celebration: Parade and Preview Party - Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, 6 pm. - Mass Ave to the Outdoor Stage Help us celebrate FifthFringe and kick off the festival with the Fringe Parade and Preview Party. Sitting and watching this parade is not option - time to join in the Fringe fun! The par… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on August 20, 2009 at 2:01pm — 1 Comment

I will be at IndyFringe.. Will You?

Andy I and had a blast last year, and are looking forward to being back on Mass Ave for the festival again this year. It you have never been to Fringe, well it is alot like this! Look close, and you will even see a few Smoosiers in the video. Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on August 8, 2009 at 8:47am — 2 Comments

I will be at IndyFringe.. Will You?

Andy I and had a blast last year, and are looking forward to being back on Mass Ave for the festival again this year. It you have never been to Fringe, well it is alot like this! Look close, and you will even see a few Smoosiers in the video. Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on August 8, 2009 at 8:47am — No Comments

Big Connections, Big Ideas

On a regular basis people tell me people in Indiana aren't as cool, hip, smart or interesting as people on the coasts. And I just don't believe it. I have found some amazing, passionate, interesting people with life changing idea, right here in Indiana. And yesterday about 275 of them gathered at the Cabaret Theater for the Inaugural Smaller Indiana, Bigger Ideas Conference.

If you were there, please share your thoughts. If you weren't here is just a taste of what you missed with some

… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on June 25, 2009 at 3:44pm — 6 Comments

Read This Before You Attend Smaller Indiana Bigger Ideas!

Just read a brief post by Seth Godin, and as usual, he makes me think. This post entitled Why Am I Here, challenges you to do more then just show up at a conference or a meeting. Why are you attending, what do you hope to learn, who do you hope to meet? While good questions for any event, this is great advice for anyone attending Smaller Indiana, Bigger ideas, because this event is about participation and conversat… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on June 14, 2009 at 7:05pm — No Comments

I Am Attending Smaller Indiana Bigger Ideas Because I Need Some Random Input!

Do you sit in the same place everyday? Drive to and from work along the same route? Tackle problems in the same manner? Habits are easy, and they help us get through the day. Do them too often, however, and you end up in a rut. Let the ruts get too deep and it is hard to find a new solution to a problem or challenge. Sometimes drastic measures are needed to break out of the rut When I need a few fresh ideas I occasional resort to a brainstorming technique called “Random Input.” This technique… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on June 3, 2009 at 9:48pm — 1 Comment

Have You Seen the New Public Art by George Rickey?

One of the coolest things Indy does each summer is feature "Urban Art Installations" I think large scale artworks by sculptures on either temporary or permanent display, creating a unique visual experience for visitors, and residents as well. They create another reason to come downtown! This video show the works of George Rickey, the newest artist to be included to our downtown community. I love the look of the pieces and am looking forward to driving downtown and seeing them in person.… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on May 28, 2009 at 2:53pm — No Comments

Memorial Day - All Kinds of Heros

The story of two heroes begins four years ago, in the US Army headquarters in a small town in Germany. A young solider was assigned the duty of sitting at the reception desk, greeting visitors as they arrived. It was a small town, and it was rare to have visitors, and so he sat, day after day. One day, his solitude was interrupted when an old woman, walked into the building and stood in front of his desk, waiting for him to acknowledge her. When he did, she said haltingly, in very broken Englis… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on May 25, 2009 at 12:41pm — 4 Comments

Friday Night in Indy - So Much to Do - So Many Choices!

I love this time of year in Indy. The weather is finally nice enough to enjoy an evening outdoors, their are lots of great choices. When people tell me there is nothing going on in the city, I tell them they aren't looking very hard. So where will you be tonight? I will be starting my evening at the Bloggers Anonymous Meet Up this evening hosted by Erik Deckers Then I will be meeting Andy at the Stuz for their annual… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on April 24, 2009 at 1:19pm — 4 Comments

31 Days to a Better Blog - Is Anyone Else Doing the Program?

I no longer think of myself as a novice blogger. I have been blogging daily on Business Notes from Roundpeg for 15 months and IndyBiz will celebrate it's 3 year anniversary in June. But even after all this time, and hundreds of posts, I still have so much to learn, so I have signed up for ProBlogger - Darren Rowse's program: 31 Days to a Better Blog. Every day… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on April 8, 2009 at 8:30am — 1 Comment

Smaller Indiana Relationships Begin With Your Photo

This morning I read Seth Godin's post about the choice of profile pictures for your Social Media account. I think these are great guidelines, with a few exceptions for Smaller Indiana. Here is his list, with my additions in (italics). 1. Have a professional or a dedicated amateur take your picture. 2. Use a white background, or at least a neutral one. No trees! No snowstorms! 3. The idea of having your significant other in the pict… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on April 5, 2009 at 11:34am — 8 Comments

Why Discount Tire Gets My Vote

This originally ran on my blog, and was so popular with my readers, I thought I would share it here. Tonight, I saw a great example of a company using Twitter to put a personal face on their brand. I had a flat tire, and my wonderful husband (@aballstudio for those of you who follow Twitter) took the tire to Discount Tire to get it repaired or replaced. While waiting to get it fixed, he sent the following Tweet: “@roundp… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on April 2, 2009 at 8:30pm — 2 Comments

Sometimes You Just Have to Try Something New

About a week ago, my son borrowed my iPhone to listen to Pandora as we were driving. He created his own play list starting with bands I would never have chosen. But the way Pandora works, these artists are now part of my list, and Pandora will offer other music and artists it thinks I might like based on this starting point. So suddenly, I am listening to bands like Gorillaz and Gym Class Heroes, and discovering I really enjoy a lot of the music. While some of the songs presented are not my tas… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on March 11, 2009 at 12:22am — 7 Comments

Indy Is Always Surprising. The Art of Giselle Trujillo

Last night the opening of Giselle Trujillo's sculpture exhibit was a rare treat. A dancer by training, Giselle brings a sense of movement into these delicate pieces. With most of them suspended from the ceiling they seem to dance by themselves.
Find more photos like this on Smaller Indiana
The highlight of the evening was a troop of modern dancers, (mostly children) who danced with and arou… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on February 22, 2009 at 7:40am — No Comments

What Small Business Owners Can Learn from My Father-In-Law

Myron Ball, my father-in-law turns 85 today. Alert and independent, he still drives ( though maybe he shouldn't) to see friends and patients. A podiatrist, he has outlived most of his patients, but he still makes house calls to elderly ( what is elderly when you are 85?) shut-ins and nursing home residents. Myron still travels, mostly here in the US these days, but also enjoys time at home with his wife… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on January 25, 2009 at 12:30pm — 4 Comments

7 Things You Probably Don't Know About me.

I have really enjoyed reading the "7" lists from people I know, and don't to discover things in common and things I would never have thought to ask. Cindy Hartman tagged me, so I guess it is my turn. 1 - I was born in Brooklyn, and lived in a building which was built on the site of Ebbets Field, the old Dodger Stadium. I literally lived 17stories above 3… Continue

Added by Lorraine Ball on January 22, 2009 at 8:35pm — 10 Comments

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Indiana's Best - Designers 10 Replies

Started by Evan Burke in Design. Last reply by Lorraine Ball 36 minutes ago.

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Started by Pat Coyle in Questions and Answers. Last reply by Ben McCann 1 day ago.

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Started by asa blevins in Arts & Culture. Last reply by Mrs. Cara Dafforn 1 day ago.

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