Ben Risinger

Irvington Noir photo shoot

So…as I walk out of my house on Friday afternoon my neighbor John Siskin (a professional photographer) asks me if I would want to be in a photo shoot as a model?! Really? I asked if he was serious and he said absolutely. John is a part of the Irvington Photo Club who shoot different scenes around the Eastside, “Irvington” area. The club was looking for a tough guy who could act as a “gangster type” of dude from the days of the 30’s-40’s (Noir). I guess that is me!

The Irvington Photo Club is putting together a book of scenes that are classic, old school, black and white and just cool. The book will be coming out later this year around October, just in time for the awesome Irvington Halloween Festival! Thanks for the experience – I had a lot of fun! Kudos go out to Slick Laroo (@slicklaroo) for the behind the scenes shots.
You can find the photo club online at www.irivingtonphotoclub.com and via social media at Facebook (www.facebook.com/Irvphotoclub) and Flickr (www.flickr.com/groups/irvingtonphotoclub/).
Here are a few shots from the night:

IndyFringe 2012

IndyFringe offers so much to the Indianapolis community throughout the entire year. The Basile Theatre hosts show from a variety of performers and artists from around the county.

Please enjoy my blog from Somnium Media on IndyFringe 2012 and the upcoming festival! DoItIndy is also going to have their first party on Thursday, August 23rd. More to come soon…

Follow IndyFringe on Facebook, Twitter and Google +.

CLICK HERE to read my blog on IndyFringe

Go Ape! Treetop Adventure at Eagle Creek Park

FIVE Ziplines. Tarzan swing ropes, bridges, rope ladders, and more await you at Eagle Creek Park’s newest attraction – Go Ape! Treetop Adventure. The entire course takes two to three hours and you never know it – time flies by! Lol. I took roaming reporter Slick Laroo and my friend McCully (she designs the DoItIndy logos) with me to have fun and see what this new adventure was all about.

Seriously – if you travel to the Treetop Adventure wear good shoes and not too much clothing. You will be twisting, swinging, bending, climbing and having a great time. This is THE thing for an outdoor fun junkie!

So grab your family and friends…because this is cool. Have fun this summer and experience all that Indy Parks has to offer. If the Treetop Adventure isn’t for you, the Indy parks department will have something that you will like! For more Indy Parks and Recreation info: Indy Parks official website.

For more information on Go Ape!: Go Ape official website

Hello Summer

Memorial Day weekend was great this year. Relaxing. Grateful for a wonderful city and the fantastic Indy Parks!
Nothing like the pool at Ellenberger Park. More swim sessions await!

Shrimp Boil & Jazz Music = a perfect summer combo

Two of my favorite things: GOOD jazz music and a shrimp boil. When I recently received an email talking about how the two were going to be paired up at The Jazz Kitchen, I was very excited! 🙂 The Jazz Kitchen will be offering a New Orleans Night every Tuesday in Broad Ripple. Awesomeness.

Smooth jazz music on their patio paired along with a special shrimp boil (Shrimp, Sausage, Potatoes, and Indiana Sweet Corn) and $4 Sun King cans is perfect. My mouth waters as I write this blog.

The atmosphere was amazing as I devoured some great food, sipped on a Sun King beer (Cream Ale) and listened to music from The Red Hot Whiskey Sippers. This event will take place weekly through the summer on the patio. Perfect place for a nice date or relaxed evening with friends and family. If you want something different and cool to do – this is it! Be Urban.

For more information please visit www.thejazzkitchen.com or you can find them on Facebook and Twitter @thejazzkitchen.

One of my favorite Geek things – Foursquare

Yeah…I’m a social media nerd and I LOVE Foursquare. Check-ins are cool and it makes me smile when I get a new badge. I recently wrote my first social mediaesque blog for our company, Somnium Media and it was on this very topic! After 656 days out and 3,812 check-ins as of April 9, 2012 I have to say I am hooked. Please enjoy a few of my badges below as I had to share some. As you can tell I like Pizza…5x. That is a lot of pizza check-ins.

My personal Foursquare page – Foursquare.com/benrisinger

Click Here to read my blog from the Somnium Media website

My Ghost Story “Spirits on Tap”

Almost one year ago Tolin and I took part in a paranormal investigation at Si Greene’s Pub! I know. BUT…What a crazy, surreal and cool night we had in the bar with members of Paranormal 911 Investigations. I never thought I would experience what I did and have it make me think of things so much differently. I tell everyone this and it is the truth – you see it on TV and think and think whatever (or at least I did) but when you experience this for real…WOW.

Big Ben and Tolin from DoItIndy went on a paranormal investigation — Big Ben and Tolin talk ghosts at Si Greene’s Pub

A few months later the investigation got picked up by the television show My Ghost Story and before you knew it, we were going to be featured. I flew out to California with Jerry Maple (co-owner of Si Greene’s Pub) and we did our interviews on the chair (part you see where we have this spooky looking background and are talking). Then, the show flew a cameraman out to shoot video at the bar and get general shots and some reenactment scenes with all who were involved that night. The night vision footage you see is real from that night…and very spooky. I do believe that Si Greene’s Pub is “haunted” and has spirits that live or reside there. I’m not scared and will still go back as we love our neighborhood watering hole!

A couple of weeks ago our segment aired on the Biography channel. A link to the show is below – we are the first segment up.

So what do you think Indianapolis?

Paranormal 911 Investigations website | DoItIndy website

Somnium Media

I am very proud to announce that I have started a new media and communications company in the Indianapolis area with two partners! I am now a Principal at Somnium Media along with Stephanie Eppich Daily and Susan Decker. We offer public relations, social media, writing and more. Somnium in Latin means “the dream.”

Call us today at 317.643.0099 if we can help you!

@SomniumMedia | Facebook | Google +

Please click the link below to read my first blog on the Somnium Media website. Thanks!

http://www.somniummedia.com/somnium-media-came-to-be/

Indianapolis Humane Society’s – Mutt Strut 2012

I really love dogs – I grew up with a dog and now I have my own beautiful girl, Nala. Last year we covered Mutt Strut with DoItIndy and walked Nala on the track of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Had a fun time.

SO…DoItIndy partnered with the humane society to give something back to YOU in 2012! We are now a proud sponsor of the event that gives back to the doggies in Indy – Mutt Strut!

If you register now through April 19th and use the promo code “DoItIndy2012” you will receive $5 off registration! WooHoo! That is a good deal.

Please follow the link below to go to www.DoItIndy.com for more information and to learn how to register!

http://doitindy.com/2012/04/10/proud-sponsor-of-mutt-strut-2012/

Nala - the best dog in the world — I had to include Nala. She is excited for this year's Mutt Strut!

Indiana Artisan Marketplace

I’m very proud to be a Hoosier. I’ve lived in Indiana, Ohio and Florida but have spent most of my life in our grand state. Hoosiers are cool, Hoosiers are talented and Hoosiers make some really cool stuff.

Indiana Artisan is just that – the best that Indiana has to offer. From their website (www.indianaartisan.org), “This collaborative organization brings together Indiana’s talented Artisans’ one-of-a-kind art and food creations – in stores and on trails crisscrossing the state. Their select work enriches the lives of Hoosiers and visitors.”

I think that says it all. For sure.

This weekend at the Expo Hall at the Indiana State Fairgrounds you will be able to buy art, food and drink from the best of the best. The 2nd Indiana Artisan Marketplace made the DoItIndy Top 5 urban events of the week – check out our video here (www.youtube.com/doitindy). Support local, especially in today’s day and age. Have fun and get your dose of the best of Indiana.

For more information and Artisan who will be on hand for the event click here http://indianaartisan.org/news_releases.php?nID=3