We have all seen those commercials that usually involve some intense moment, with things moving in slow motion along with the epic music in the background. That music you love may be from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff?

Now is your chance to hear that music live in Fort Wayne this fall. The Heartland Chamber Choral is opening its 16^th season with what is sure to be an epic show. Not only because they are singing Carmina Burana, but they are also pairing with two other local groups to make these two nights a must see!

Heartland Chamber Chorale and Heartland Festival Chorus are pairing with the Fort Wayne Ballet and the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir for an unforgettable performance. Never before have these three groups paired to open their seasons.

Carmina Burana by Carl Orff combines music and dance to tell the story of the fortune’s wheel, ever turning from fickle fortune, waning wealth, spring’s joy, life’s transience, and the pleasures and perils of drinking, gambling, and lust.

Performances will be held at the Arts United Center in Downtown Fort Wayne.  They will be Friday September 21, 2012 at 8 pm and Sunday September 23, 2012 at 2:30 pm. The Fort Wayne Ballet is having a Season Grand Opening Reception after the Friday night performance in the Ian Rolland Gallery at the Arts United Center.

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The guys of Rascal Flatts: Joe Don Rooney, Gary Levox and Jay DeMarcus

I’ve been a Rascal Flatts fan for years, have seen them in concert countless times and even had the opportunity to meet them in person, twice.  And, if this tells you anything, the first dance at our wedding, was their song, “Here.”  I’m pretty sure if I had the money, I would have tried to get them to actually play at my wedding!  So, when I heard that they were once again making a tour stop in the Fort, I was immediately on board.

Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney have only been in the country spotlight for a little over a decade, but their powerful ballads and summer party anthems have sky-rocketed them to success in the country music genre and beyond.  They have received more than forty major awards, including the Academy of Country Music’s “Vocal Group of the Year,” which they have won seven times and with more than 21 million albums sold, they have seen thirteen of their singles go number one on the charts.  They released their eighth studio album, “Changed,” in April, which features their current single, “Come Wake Me Up.”

Me with Rascal Flatts

I can honestly say that I can’t pick one of their songs as my favorite; there are just too many that I love, but I can always find that one song that exactly matches how I’m feeling. The energy and excitement of the Flatts crowd from the first piano chord to the very last guitar riff is amazing. If you aren’t a Rascal Flatts fan or have never experienced their music at a live show, this is one that I guarantee you will not regret.

Rascal Flatts stops at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum with the “Changed” Tour on Friday, October 5^th at 7 p.m. They bring with them special guests, Little Big Town, The Eli Young Band and Eden’s Edge.  Tickets are still available at $23, $47.75 and $61.75 (these prices do not include the normal Ticketmaster fees). Visit the Coliseum box office, any Ticketmaster location, or www.ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets.

And, you can CLICK HERE for a chance to win a Fort Wayne getaway with tickets to see the show!

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So you’re planning a trip to Fort Wayne, and you’re curious as to where is the best place to spend a night out on the town. Ask anyone, and their succinct reply would be “The Landing.”

Columbia Street, downtown, also known as “The Landing”

Why The Landing, you ask? Not only will you get a taste of some excellent local cuisine but the local music scene also. If not for those reasons, then for the endless dancing. All of this on one quaint little street that forms the “crossbar” of the H that is South Calhoun and South Harrison Streets. But why is it called “The Landing,” you ask? Quite simply, It’s called that because in a past life it was a landing—a port—for canal boats.

Only a fraction of the much larger Wabash and Erie Canal system, ground for Fort Wayne’s section of this pre-railroad transportation wonder was broken on February 22, 1832 and dedicated on July 4, 1843. With that, not only were Lake Erie and the Ohio River connected, but the city’s incredible growth was initiated. Aside from the feat of engineering that was the canal itself, its most distinguishing features were its two boat turning basins. One, the Orbison Basin, was located on Harrison Street, and the other, the Comparet Basin, was located on Lafayette. In addition to the canal, it was also right there on The Landing that Fort Wayne’s first Post Office (1820), hotel (1823), newspaper (1833), theater (1851), and railway station (1853) were built. But like so many other innovations of its kind that were born into that age of rapid progress that was the 19th century, it was destined for a short life.

Dock Street, next to the elevated railroad track.

Commerce eventually moved to the rails and the canal was abandoned in 1874. It was then sold to the Nickel Plate Railroad in 1880 and closed permanently in 1882. Fortunately, a bit of it can be seen in the John Brown Canal House just around the corner on Superior Street and the elevated railway track that closely traces the its route. And, as a sort of homage, the street that runs parallel to the track is called Dock Street, because that’s what it was—a dock.

Now when you find yourself Downtown on The Landing standing on the corner of South Calhoun and Columbia after you’ve had Mexican food the way it should be at El Charrito, saw some of the local music for which Fort Wayne is famous at Columbia St. West, and danced to the best music of the last three decades at Flashback, or, only a few doors down, to the hottest Latin music in the city at the Cancún night club, you can look south, imagine the grand canal and know how The Landing and Dock Street got their names.

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Fort Wayne has a few under-rated night-life establishments worth checking out. Here are a few “dive bars” I recommend:

• The Brass Rail:  John Commorato Jr. and Corey Rader have owned this bar/music venue, located at 1121 Broadway, since June 2007.  This 21+ place is a hot spot for music entertainment, especially national acts. There aren’t too many places in town where you can catch a quality out-of-town band on a Tuesday night.  The best part: you can catch bands of all musical genres-from metal, to punk, to bluegrass–all under one roof! Be sure to order their signature drink–a PBR!

• Deer Park Pub: A favorite of University of St. Francis students, the Deer Park Pub boasts more than 52 different import beers. Not a beer fan? They also offer fine wines, ports and dinner specials at reasonable prices. I would describe this pub as “cozy.” The intimate atmosphere also makes for a unique experience. A la “Cheers,” the bar tender comes to know your name. The Deer Park is known for attracting artists from a variety of musical genres, from solo acoustic performances to cabaret style shows hammered out on our 1930′s depression era piano.

• O’Sullivan’s Italian Pub: Don’t be fooled by the name: O’Sullivan’s is not much of an Italian joint as it is a dive bar. (They do serve up a mean pizza, though!) Boasting a full bar, and regular music entertainment, “O’s” as the locals call it, is worth checking out. Oh, and be sure to look on their walls for kitschy memorabilia.

So, there you have it: three ways to see Fort Wayne’s nightlife in a different light. Insider’s Note: Be sure to have plenty of cash on hand, as there is often a minimum purchase requirement to use plastic.

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The Botanical Roots concert series returns to the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory every Friday night from July 27th through August 31st.

Summer in Fort Wayne is definitely the season for great music and great concerts! On top of the already great concert series, another one is getting ready to start on July 27^th. That’s right! The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory’s concert series Botanical Roots is back for its 7^th year. You can expect a great concert every Friday night until August 31^st. All performances will be held outside on the Terrace. Rain or Shine, there will be a concert!

Each concert consists of a national touring act with a local band as the opener. These concerts are not something you will want to miss. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Opening act begins at 8:30 pm. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, but not outside food or drink will be allowed. You are allowed to bring your own lawn chair. Admission is $6 for adults. Admission is free for children 12 and under.

This year’s lineup includes:

Friday July 27^th: Kenny Neal, Blues, With the Todd Harrold Band

Friday, August 3^rd: Unknown Hinson, Rockabilly (Satire, not recommended for young audiences), With the Kenny Taylor Trio

Friday, August 10^th: The Aggrolites, Reggae/Ska, With Black Cat Mambo

Friday, August 17^th: The Honeybees, Rockabilly, With Scratch ‘n Sniff

Friday, August 24^th: Gizzae, Reggae, With Dan Dickerson

Friday, August 31^st:The Lost Bayou Ramblers, Cajun, With Old and Dirty

For more information in this great concert series, visit the Botanical Roots website.

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