Cool Stuff To Do

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: Best USA Museum

I grew up going to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. When I became an adult, it was always a treat to still walk in the doors – some of my favorite memories are shooting Top 5 lists or an event with DoItIndy at the museum. Congrats. #BeUrban

Around Indy

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Photo provided by the museum and used with written permission.

Press Release
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/

USA Today polled its readers to determine the best family museum in the nation. Hundreds of thousands voted and the winner is The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis!

Discerning families are searching for quality museums and attractions that the whole family can enjoy together. Voters made it clear they want to spend quality time together, learning and creating wonderful family memories in a place that has something special for every age and every interest.

The 10Best article states: “Families would be challenged to find a more impressive museum for the little ones. This Indianapolis attraction is the largest children’s museum on the globe, with over 29 acres to its name. Exhibits include everything from dinosaurs to immersive cultural experiences. Consistently ranked as a top family destination in the nation, The…

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The Year 2013 in Pictures – Indy, SlickLaroo and the Michigan Mitten

What a year 2013 was….BIG changes on all fronts. Life, work and much more has changed in 12 months. So…for all you Indy peeps and beyond, my third year in pictures list.

2012 Year in Pictures Blog | 2011 Year in Pictures Blog

The year started off well with the amazing New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at Union Station

Shooting a promo video for Red’s Classic Barber Shop. I love that place – hot shaves, haircuts and man stuff.

DoItIndy was a proud sponsor of the Norton Records benefit party with Cheetah Chrome and Deezen.

I proposed to my wife on live TV in early February 2013.

I love roller derby. DoItIndy was a proud sponsor of the Naptown Roller Girls for three years.

Slick Laroo and I dined at White Castle for Valentine’s day 2013

The Burton’s National Maple Syrup Festival is amazing.

I love Mutt Strutt. This was my third year to walk in the fun on the most famous race track in the world. Posing at the Brickyard.

Yes. I do like beer, especially local craft beer. Here I am representing DoItIndy with my cousin Eric (Eat Urban). 30th Annual Brew Ha-Ha at the Phoenix Theatre.

My final Saturday morning with Fox 59 and DoItIndy before moving to Grand Rapids. #BeUrban

I got married to the wonderful Slick Laroo.

Slick and I went to the pumpkin patch in the Mitten.

Slick and I went to the Dunneback Farm pumpkin patch in the Mitten.

I started a very cool job at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. I work in new media and community relations.

I started a job at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. I work in new media and community relations.

I got to walk as a Mary Free Bed elf in the Grand Rapids Santa Parade.

Slick and I decided to become cat people. We adopted a kitty and named her Betty. Nala and Betty and best friends.

Slick and I decided to become cat people. We adopted a kitty and named her Betty. Nala and Betty are best friends.

IndyFringe Theatre and Fest – An Indy love of mine

Introducing the 2012 IndyFringe – DoItIndy party. More in 2013!

When we started DoItIndy in 2010 a theatre and its shows hit my radar very quickly – IndyFringe. I love to look back at the first IndyFringe Winter Magic Festival which is where I met Pauline Moffat, executive director. I didn’t know it at the time but that would be the start of an amazing relationship. Check out one of our first videos – we have gotten A LOT better now. 🙂

Months later I was looking at the BIG IndyFringe Festival program and thought to myself, “we need to get involved.” That is exactly what happened. In 2012 I came on board to help work with the social media efforts of IndyFringe and to do some communications volunteering. Amazing. I never truly knew how much good the organization does for SO MANY people. Can I say amazing again.

In 2012 we started the first ever “official” hahstag for the IndyFringe Theatre Festival – #Fringe12. I had no idea what would happen – we trended for multiple days in Indy, the festival grew over 20 percent and we were engaged with more people than ever before. I can’t say it all happened because of social media, but a LOT did. Plus DoItIndy came on as a sponsor and had a COOL party at the #Fringe beer tent.

After that I returned to my graduate classes in the fall and had the opportunity to create a public relations plan for a nonprofit company in Indy. Of course I wanted to use IndyFringe – our group of four created a campaign that was amazing, strategic and used both traditional and new media. Let’s say that it has worked.

The first big part was indyfringetalk.org – a blog that talks about theatre, volunteerism, Indy, tech and more. The blog has been live now for about a month and we have seen some amazing writing and comments! Exactly what we envisioned it being – a tool to connect with more of our audience. Phase two – the actual indyfringe.org website and it needed some help. Patrick McCarney (tech director) took the lead and together we helped create what you see today. More info, easier navigation, Progressive site (changes for mobile devices) and a streamlined look.

If you would like to read a few of my IndyFringe blogs here you go:
Why I volunteer and love IndyFringe
IndyFringe and social media – it can work

Across the Arts 2013 Speaker – A Gleeful Literary Celebration

I have a local Indy friend who recently called me and said that I had to be a part of this new conference. Amy P can be quite persuasive so I said OK without really understanding what was going on. 🙂

Amy introduced me to a fantastic person named Andy Murphy and I was set. This is gonna be BIG people. Across the Arts is a new writing conference to be held on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at the Carmel Palladium.

The website states, “A Gleeful literary celebration — Indiana’s finest filmmakers, best-selling NY Times authors, award-winning newspaper journalists, columnists, magazine writers and editors, publishers and noted musicians will join together in the “Writer’s Studio” in the magnificent Palladium Theater in Carmel, Indiana on July 20th. This accomplished cast of talent all LIVE in Indiana and are NATIONALLY recognized.”

The list of authors, media people, local celebrities and more is AMAZING. The hosts for the day will be Debby Knox, award-winning news anchor at WISH-TV, an affiliate of CBS; Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, President and CEO of the Center for the Performing Arts and Liz Brainard, First Lady of the City of Carmel.

Publishers, Filmmakers, book authors, personalities and a social media panel. I get the honor of chatting up how to best use social media with local online faves Amy Stark of Stark Reality Check and Elizabeth Musgrave of Gotta Go.

Get your event tickets HERE. More info on the Write Stuff Writers and Across the Arts 13 HERE. Make sure to connect to Write Stuff Writer Conferences on Facebook and use the hashtag #AcrossArts13 on Twitter.

Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination

I geeked out. I really do love Star Wars, back to seeing my first film (Return of the Jedi) in the movie theatre with my parents when I was a kid. Star Wars Rules. The Indiana State Museum has a new exhibit, Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. The whole purpose of the exhibit is to show you some COOL Star Wars relics and show you how our own technology and science came into play when creating new science fiction!

Yes there are lots of different ships, costumes and vehicles. PLUS – you can ride a land speeder replicator (hover ship), play games and visit some of the worlds (Tattoine, Hoth, Corruscant and more) of Star Wars. The exhibit is not only fun, but educational for children too!

Check out the video with Aja May – social media guru for the museum.

Video interview with Aja

I have camped out for the opening of Episode 1 and loved the re releases of Star Wars in the late 90’s (I actually got a job working at a movie theatre just to watch the movies). As a 35 year old man, I still love to get a good Star Wars toy and read the books.

CLICK HERE to see more pics of the Star Wars Exhibit

The exhibit which shows you movie memorabilia and real science and technology runs now through September 2013. In the end, amazing time and when you pay the $10 admission price you get to see the rest of the museum as well! Now that is a good deal.

I was taken prisoner by the Empire. I escaped…

Bands 4 Boobies 2013

Give Back - come and party with us to live, local music.

Proud sponsor & emcee of the 2013 Bands 4 Boobies charity rock show.

My good friend, Shawn June (writer of the DoItIndy theme song) called me up a few weeks ago and told me about a new charity show. Bands 4 Boobies. He asked if I might be interested in being involved and helping spread the word and have the crew help emcee. I was completely sold on the idea when he asked. My mother (Barb) is a breast cancer survivor and then a decade later had another cancer battle. Thank goodness she beat the odds both times and is still with us. I will do this for her.

Hanging out with my parents at an Indianapolis Colts game in 2012.

DoItIndy Music Editor MPCavalier’s blog

I chatted with Jason Oldham of Audio Hitmen (creator of show) and told him we were in. There will be TWO locations on Saturday, April 20, 2013 for Bands 4 Boobies. Kelly’s Pub on the west side of Indianapolis and Drifty’s Sports Pub on the south side of Indy. Jason will be emcee of Kelly’s Pub and the DoItIndy crew will be emcees of Drifty’s Pub! Fun starts at 7:30 p.m.

More info and band lineups online. Please like the Facebook page of Bands 4 Boobies and be informed. Thanks for all your help.

Audio Hitmen in the DoItIndy studio to film a promo for Bands 4 Boobies.

Revenue North Conference Speaker

Learn about many different techniques for business from the Revenue North conference.

Learn about many different tricks and techniques for business from the Indianapolis Revenue North Business Growth Conference.

I was recently asked to speak at the new Revenue North Business Growth Conference happening Thursday, March 21st. My topic will be using social media for small and medium sized business. Just because we can all post to Facebook and Twitter, that doesn’t mean you are doing it right. Social media is a tactic that if utilized correctly, can build your audience better than you ever thought. Read more on my breakout session HERE.

Topics covered will include finance, video, public relations, writing, SEO, branding, work and life balance and more! Don’t miss out on this fantastic one day conference to help take your business to a new level.
CLICK HERE for Conference Details

Don’t miss out. Lots of amazing Indianapolis area professionals to network with and learn from. Yes, we can all post to our social media pages…but do it right, engage and analyze!

Brackets for Good in Indy

Proud media sponsor of the 2013 Brackets for Good.

When I was a child my father used to volunteer for the Madison County (Anderson, Indiana) American Red Cross chapter. I remember being 10 or 11 years old and helping him with a ducky derby race along the White River. My dad looked at me and said, “You always have to help out Son. No matter where you are or what you do, you have to help people out.” I never thought much of that until I was older. Now, I am proud to help give back to Indianapolis and the people who need help.

I remember seeing Brackets for Good last year, but it got by me. This year, I knew DoItIndy had to help out in the best way we could, promotions. Someday we will have funds to donate, but not yet. Our reach is far and wide and reaches many mediums so I contacted the #BFG13 guys. I was very glad to hear their enthusiasm as I told them we could help out and try to get the word ALL OVER INDY! 🙂

Brackets for Good website

So…if you can: $1 equals 1 point. Support your favorite out of the Indianapolis group. A grand prize awaits the nonprofit that raises the most points!

CLICK HERE to view the DoItIndy blog that talks the bracket more

Thanks for all your help. DoItIndy is always committed to helping Indianapolis in any way we can, and this is just the right fit.

#BFG13

Test blog post for class

WooHoo.

WordPress is cool. WordPress is easy. WordPress is mobile.

A Drink with Ben & Steve: Google + Hangout

Ben and Steve will chat social media, the drink of the week and life on the 30 minute weekly webcast.

A few weeks ago a friend of mine, Steve Neville, of Intelligent Designs Media said we should chat social media more. We geek out. I completely agreed as I’m a social media junkie and can talk platforms and strategies all the time. Yes, this conversation was had while drinking a beer.

SO…a Google + Hangout was thought up. There are a lot of different podcasts about social media, but none focus on being a gentleman, having a gentleman’s beverage and social media. This week we chat #Vine – the new web six second video platform to use with Twitter.

I hope that you will join us to chat social media and just have some fun. The link to the Google + Hangout will be posted around 7:10-7:15 on Thursday evening via our Twitter handles. We will also take live questions and chat from Twitter – please use the hashtag #DrinkWBS to chime in and say hi!

Ben Risinger on Twitter: @Ben Risinger | Steve Neville on Twitter: @IntelMediaGroup

BenRisinger.com

Public Relations, New Media, Education, Life, and the Michigan Mitten