But . . .

You're tired of paying for the ever-escalating price of tickets to attend a concert at Conseco Fieldhouse, Lucas Oil Stadium, Verizon Wireless Music Center, or other large and mid-size Indianapolis venues?

You're tired of paying ridiculous cover charges at big corporate bars for the tourists downtown, getting poor service, overpriced drinks, having to breathe in the insidiously-unhealthy fog of cigarette and cigar smoke, and then tolerate drunken patrons. And don't forget, paying for parking, or spending fifteen minutes looking for a free parking place.

You just want to hear good music.

Have you considered the seeking out the little gems that may be hidden in your very own neighborhood?

What "gems" you ask?

There are two such little gems in my own neighborhood. I live in Irvington. It's a nice, old historic neighborhood located on the east side of Indianapolis. The two little gems are Lazy Daze Coffee House and the historic Irvington Theatre.

Think you can't hear good music or other performance art at these two venues? Think again!

Lazy Daze Coffee House (once again voted as Channel 6's "A List, Best Local Businesses, Best Coffee House in Indianapolis", features both music and poetry (it also displays and sell fine art by local painters, photographers, and stained glass artists). Many of the musicians who play at Lazy Daze (inside or outside on their shaded, spacious deck (weather dependant) are young, just beginning performers; however, you can also catch performances by Indianapolis music royalty. Lazy Daze just hosted an acoustic pairing of Rick Freeman, a co-founder of the legendary "Spirtles" and blues legend, Fast John Scharbrough. Imagine having relaxed with a great cup of coffee while having listened to these two performing together.

And on Thursday nights, Lazy Daze hosts "In The Company Of Shakespeare", an open mic for beginning and established poets. Poetry doesn't have to be some boring old stuff you read years ago in your high school or college textbooks. Hearing and seeing it performed live is totally different --- it is passionate and, for lack of better words, real.

The Irvington Theatre recently hosted a night of stand-up comics. The evening was so successful, they're already planning more such shows. The recently-reopened historic theatre has also hosted local and regional bands. Due to the increasing public response, the theatre is scheduling more shows. It has hosted many inde, metal, and blues bands. There is even talk of hosting plays.

The advantage of attending a concert or other performance at one of these two venues is that they're cheap in comparison to the bigger venues, they're healthier (hey, whoever got a DUI on coffee?!") and you when you're finished, you can walk home!

If you're tired of paying the ridiculously high prices for tickets for a concert in Indianapolis, consider seeking out the hidden music gems in your own neighborhood.

You won't have to smell alcohol or breathe in the insidious fog of cigarette and cigar smoke; rather, you might just smell the wonderful aroma of fresh-brewed coffee and enjoy a good concert in Indianapolis.