First Friday effort to feature Ellusion band, more activity

Members of the Terre Haute-based band Ellusion, scheduled to perform an acoustic show June 6 at First Friday on the square are (from left) Jeremy Bates, guitar; 
Tom Kelly, vocals and harmonica; and Tom Whiteman, drums. (courtesy photo)

With nicer weather expected Friday, the second in a series of Greencastle First Friday efforts is set to bring the community together with live music and a family atmosphere and even wider participation than the inaugural effort.

The monthly First Friday celebration, which began in May, will continue through October with a special musical event slated monthly on the north side of the square from 6-9 p.m.

This week's live outdoor entertainment (remember to bring lawnchairs to ensure comfortable seating) will be Ellusion, a Terre Haute-based rock band that has performed a number of times at The Swizzle Stick as well as during the Greencastle Music Festival sponsored by Almost Home.

Friday's musical offering will be an acoustic version of Ellusion, featuring Tom Kelly on vocals, Jeremy Bates on guitar and Tom Whiteman on the drums.

Organizers Gail Smith of Almost Home and The Swizzle Stick and Tami Van Rensselaer of the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center have been spreading their enthusiasm for a celebration of the revitalized downtown, enlisting local merchants and other organizations in the effort.

Despite a damp, chilly inaugural event in May, they were encouraged by a large turnout inside local businesses and envision the First Friday effort building as the second event nears.

"So many people, local people, came up to me and said, 'What a great idea,'" Smith said following the initial effort. "They said they were so excited about coming to the next one."

That will be this Friday, June 6.

Van Rensselaer pointed out that a number of participants this month will be focusing on music as well.

"It's noteworthy," she said, "that Myers Market with be doing their thing all day along with music (DJ Jarett Query) and Starbucks will have music inside and Moore's Bar will even have karaoke later."

And, of course, War Radio will make its monthly first Friday of the month appearance inside The Swizzle Stick, beginning at 9 p.m. after Ellusion's outdoor performance ends.

Those downtown businesses taking part in First Friday this week include:

-- Chief's, 5 E. Franklin St., celebrating National Bubba Day with a Bubba's Blackened Voodoo strip steak dinner for $18.99.

-- Myers Market, 302 E. Washington St., offering a day-long patio party with barbecue and a DJ, Jarett Query.

-- Moore's Bar and Grill, 17 S. Indiana St., with First Friday dinner and drink specials (to avoid the construction, use the rear entrance off the Vine Street parking lot), along with karaoke beginning at 10 p.m.

-- Almost Home and The Swizzle Stick, 15 W. Franklin St., with a cookout serving Myers Market brats and homemade strawberry shortcake, along with Shocktop beer tasting and a performance inside The Swizzle by War Radio, beginning at 9 p.m.

-- Starbucks, 2 E. Washington St., offering half-price frappuccino drinks 6-9 p.m. and a live performance by Paisley in its mezzanine at 7 p.m.

-- Apostrophe Art Space, 25 W. Franklin St., featuring an art show and sale 5-9 p.m.

Eitel's Florist, 17 S. Vine St., featuring Friday Flowers/buy one stem, get one free, and free DaBrand Chocolatier candy bar with a $10 purchase.

-- Mason Jewelers, 10 W. Washington St., offering free professional cleaning and inspection of jewelry all day until 7 p.m.

-- Shuee and Sons Furniture and Bedding, open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and featuring the latest in Serta Sleep Systems and Klaussner Furniture.

-- Dance Workshop, 2 N. Jackson St., offering free fitness classes. Beginners and seniors, 10-11 a.m.; Zumba at 9 a.m.; and boot camp at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, this month also marks the beginning of a number of pop-up booths occurring on the square as part of First Friday. This Friday's participants include:

-- York Automotive, which will bring two new cars to display and will offer a sign-up for an oil change giveaway every 30 minutes.

-- John Crosby with Pap's Metal Yard Art featuring metal artwork created from antique farm equipment.

-- Identity Hair Design with Erica Carrington raffling off hair products and offering free samples to promote her services.

-- Martha Jane Today with Martha Wharton offering art/craft pieces and photo/mixed media items and stenciling.

-- Garage Door Solutions with Dan Wager promoting models of garage doors and openers.

The First Friday concept, organizers have noted, has support from the Arts Council, Main Street Greencastle, the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce and the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center.

To help facilitate the activity on the square, Franklin Street will be closed between Jackson and Indiana (the north side of the courthouse) from 4:30-10 p.m.