By Nancy Edwards
For those who missed Indy Jazz Fest or simply can’t get enough of the blues, good news: the Nickel Plate Jazz & Blues Festival is bringing live entertainment, local wine and Cajun cuisine to the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 6 Municipal Dr.
Chateau Thomas Winery will present Fishers’ inaugural Nickel Plate Jazz & Blues Festival from 7 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 27. Participating artists include Bullet Proof SoulBand, Harvey Cook, Gene Deer, Cynthia Layne, Daeon Forever and Tony Cheeseborough.
“This is another variation of bringing popular artists to the stage, offering food from a popular food truck and providing a great atmosphere in downtown Fishers,” said Public Relations Director for the Town of Fishers, Maura Leon-Barber. “Our goal is to host community events for free at the amphitheater.”
Derrick “D.roq” Muncie, singer and trumpeter for local-based Bullet Proof SoulBand, is producing the event as well, which he calls a “huge blessing.” Muncie is no stranger to the area. His band performs each Thursday night at Main Event Neighborhood Bar & Grill in Fishers.
“The fact that we get to perform at an amphitheater is a first of one of its kind; Fishers is a lovely place to start this (festival),” he said. “To see all the (performers), like the incredible Gene Deer and Harvey Cook, that’s a really nice deal. As an artist I am so grateful to share this incredible stage with all of these amazing entertainers and this real live Hoosier Jazz Blues and Soul music fest.”
Creole meals from Some of This Some of That, an Indianapolis-based food truck, will provide their comfort food, perfect for a night of jazz and blues. Guests can choose among the Po’Boy sandwich, crawfish, jambalaya, catfish and jerk chicken for their evening munchies.
Chateau Thomas Winery will serve a variety of wine to wash down the Cajun food. The winery, one of the state’s oldest, is well-known for its deep reds and soft whites.
This event is free. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets or set up their own lawn chairs, get comfortable, and watch the sunset over the amphitheater. For more information, call 317.595.3111 or visit www.fishers.in.us/.