Soul singer Allison Victoria, jam band 800 lb. Gorilla and indie-rockers Veseria are the latest acts scheduled in the Center for the Performing Arts’ new Studio Series, which presents the best in local and regional original music in an intimate nightclub-style or listening-room setting.
Better known for its stately 1,600-seat Palladium concert hall, the Center hopes to attract a young and diverse audience to more casual events at its black-box Studio Theater, which can be set up in various configurations from standing space to 200-person seating. Studio Series events feature a cash bar and free parking in the adjacent Center Garage off 3rd Avenue SW.
The series kicked off Dec. 6 with a co-headlined bill of singer-songwriter Brett Wiscons and indie-folk band Sarah Grain & the Billions of Stars. Tickets are on sale now for three fresh dates:
- 29 – Allison Victoria and her band
- April 4 – 800 lb. Gorilla
- May 30 – Veseria
Three groups have been added to the Studio Series lineup at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. They are indie-rockers Veseria (top left), 800 lb. Gorilla (bottom left) and Allison Victoria (right). (Photos provided)
Each show begins at 8 p.m. and is open to all ages. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 in advance through the Palladium Box Office, online at TheCenterPresents.org or by phone (317) 843-3800. The concerts are part of the 2019-20 Center Presents Season sponsored by Allied Solutions.
About the artists
Singer-songwriter Allison Victoria has quickly built a strong reputation and fan base since she began playing Indianapolis open mic events in 2016. She was a featured artist at the Arts Council of Indianapolis’ 2019 Art & Soul festival, and her blend of soul, hip-hop, R&B, folk and gospel sounds has been heard on WFYI-FM’s Small Studio Sessions. Victoria collaborates often with other local artists and has performed at many events organized by local promoter Old Soul Entertainment.
A growing presence on the Midwest jam scene, Indianapolis-based 800 lb. Gorilla blends indie-esque songcraft with funk, jazz and electronica influences to create a driving, danceable sound. Fronted by Mark Humphrey (guitar, lead vocals), Kwame Newton (keyboards, saxophone, vocals), and Andy Greenwell (keyboards, lead vocals), the band has shared stages with national acts including The Main Squeeze, Twiddle, Roots of Creation, The Werks and Particle. 800 lb. Gorilla’s new studio album is titled Metro Manila.
Led by the husband/wife songwriting team of Patrick and Jen Roberts, Veseria is an Indianapolis band that mixes rock, folk, blues and punk into a fusion that defies categorization. Their 2017 Romanus Records release, RLTVTY, was met by praise from critics and fans alike, with HuffPost describing the album as “dynamic and visceral” and Tattoo.com calling it “a burning flame of passion and desire.” Having performed alongside a range of acts from Panic! At the Disco to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Veseria is a regular at local music festivals and soon will release its third full-length album.
About the Center for the Performing Arts
The mission of the nonprofit Center for the Performing Arts is to engage and inspire the Central Indiana community through enriching arts experiences. The Center presents and hosts hundreds of events each year, including the Center Presents performance series, featuring the best in classical, jazz, pop, rock, country, comedy and other genres. The campus in Carmel includes a 1,600-seat concert hall, the Palladium; a 500-seat proscenium theater, the Tarkington; and the black-box Studio Theater. The Center is home to the affiliated Great American Songbook Foundation and provides space and support services for six resident companies: Actors Theatre of Indiana, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, Civic Theatre, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and Indiana Wind Symphony. The Center also provides educational and experiential programming for people of all ages. More information is available at TheCenterPresents.org.