When the walls come tumbling down
Yesterday, the building at 424 S. Walnut Street in Bloomington was torn down. To many, this represented the end of an era, as memories of the business which had most recently stood in that location seemed to tumble as the bricks of the building did. The Players Pub began somewhat accidently more than 15 years ago after Greg Hill bought the property to house a Reiki Studio in the upstairs section. He never intended to own a bar in town and felt as if he was winging it on a daily basis. His thoughts were to use the space as a place to offer music to the community, and wound up doing so, 7 days a week.
It was a unique concept at the time, and he grew the business through word of mouth. The Pub, as it was typically known, was considered an adult’s bar . . . a place where those uninterested in the downtown college scene could go to be with other adults and enjoy music and company in a relaxed atmosphere. Local performer, Darran Mosley had this to say about the demolition on Social Media, “[The Pub was the] place where I performed with The Dynamics for the first time. The band’s home base. It was the only place that many people 50+ felt a part of for nightlife entertainment. It’s been gone for a few years but seeing the actual building go is just a hard part of getting older in Bloomington.”
The Players Pub quickly became known as a musician’s mecca, hosting thousands of acts from local to national recognition, and of various genres. Numerous local musicians reminisced on Facebook yesterday to share their experiences at the iconic pub. Jenn Cristy, King Bee and the Stingers, The Dynamics, Soul Street, 8-Track Mind, Fistful of Bacon, The Dew Daddies, and many others have recently stirred up positive thoughts of one of Bloomington’s preferred stages.
Greg Hill passed less than 6 years after opening the place, and he might not have truly known the positive impact he has left on our community! Standing about 6’7”, the gentle giant was always quick with a joke, and would make sure he personally greeted everyone in the place, every night. He laid the canvass and the mural which was created grew more and more beautiful with each passing year. Lifelong friendships and comradery will be his lasting legacy, and that of The Players Pub.
Indiana Arts Commission Update
The Indiana Arts the Commission reviewed and approved the 2021 On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator local expansion in partnership with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The Indiana SBDC, which is a program of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, approved $208,000 in federal funding provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration through the CARES Act to support this initiative.
By expanding the program, over 100 creative small businesses across the state will be equipped with entrepreneurship training, a community network, a goal plan, and direct financial support to put the lessons into action. Five local teams were approved by the Commission and will begin training next week. Those teams include:
- Gary/Hammond, led by South Shore Arts
- Huntington, led by Pathfinder Services/Huntington Arts and Entrepreneurship Center
- Marion, led by Marion Design Co.
- Salem and Huntingburg, led by IU Center for Rural Engagement
- New Albany, led by Carnegie Center for Arts and History
The Commission also approved goals for the agency which center around providing pathways to learning in the arts, advancing the agencies efforts in inclusion, diversity, equity, and access, and continuing to provide leadership in response to the impact the pandemic has had on the arts and culture sector. The agency is also focused on transitioning executive leadership as executive director Ricci plans to retire this fall.
Lastly, in a presentation on current funding trends, staff provided data that illustrated the increased demand IAC funding programs are experiencing. Over the past five years, the number of grantees has grown by 39% and this upward trend in demand is anticipated to continue. Also provided was a first look at equity in funding for IAC’s core grant programs. The next Quarterly Business Meeting will be held virtually on Friday, June 25, 2021. We hope that you will tune in.
Former Indiana National Guardsmen to become V Corps deputy commanding general
Former Indiana National Guard soldier promoted to major general and took the support reins of V Corps, headquartered at the U.S. Army installation situated south of the Ohio River about 40 southwest of Louisville, Kentucky. Maj. Gen. Robert D. Burke, most recently the Deputy Chief of Staff Multinational Corps Northeast based in Poland, received his two-star rank during a ceremony attended among others by Indiana National Guard Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Dale Lyles. V Corps organizes, prepares, develops strategic understanding, establishes an enduring rotational headquarters capability in Poland, and builds capability and capacity to shape, deter, fight and win in Europe.
On Order, V Corps, alongside allies and partners, competes forward in Europe to promote interoperability, counter malign influence and deter aggression. When directed, commands and controls Army, joint and combined forces in response to crises or, should conflict occur, fights and wins in large-scale combat operations. Prior to serving overseas, Burke led the Indiana National Guard’s 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Lawrence, Indiana. During his tenure, the 76th was the first National Guard brigade to lead Pacific Pathways in 2018. The team’s soldiers also participated in high-profile exercises including eXportable Combat Training Capability program in 2016 and Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana in 2017.
While a traditional Indiana National Guardsman, Burke also served as an Indiana State Police Officer, and several troopers made the trip south to support one of their own. During his military career Burke has received the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal among many others. He’s served as the 38th Infantry Division’s operations officer and has commanded two battalion-sized formations. Burke and his wife, Tina, have four children: Tyler, Kayli, Macy and Kyle.