Here's an example of a new twist on an old craft, if ever there were one. The fresh young artist Steve Sizelove presents this month his dramatic interpretations of blown glass at his first major solo exhibition, at the Indianapolis Art Center's Hurt Gallery in Broad Ripple.

The exhibit "Steve Sizelove: Glass in the Flame: A Contemporary Exploration of Venetian Design" displays Sizelove's passion for creatively interpreting novel methods for producing flamework glass. Vivid yellows, aquatic blues, and scarlet reds color the attenuated forms of his goblets and vessels.

His innovative creations in the forms of goblets in particular have earned Sizelove frequent recognition over the past couple of years, including the "Emerging Artists Award" from The Flow magazine in 2005. These pieces and more are on view from Dec. 1, 2006 through Jan. 28, 2007 at the Hurt Gallery of the Indianapolis Art Center. 820 E. 67th St. 317.255.2464.

The holiday season is customarily a time of festivity. Occasionally, however, it can be an appropriate time to reflect upon our blessings of community, security, and stability. With this month’s presentation of “I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady From Rwanda”, theatergoers in Indianapolis have an opportunity to contemplate just such advantages.

In stark contrast to other lighthearted seasonal topics, this 90-minute play deals with genocide and its traumatic psychological effects.

Remarkably, the story dealing with the extermination of entire populations is related to the audience by just two actors. The emotional depiction of a developing intimate friendship follows the therapeutic authorship of a young Rwandan refugee’s book. Humor, however, tempers the darkness of the material and sustains the movement of the action throughout the play.

To bask in the healing message of this play, visit the Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St. The play runs from November 15 until December 23. 317.635.5252.

Why can’t they just cut hair like they used to, without all the electronic new-age music and mood-infused shampoos? And, please, no more of those $2 haircuts using Vietnam-era clippers, either.

Well, apparently they can...and do. At Red’s.

Red’s Classic Barber Shop is the new place in downtown Indianapolis to get that old-fashioned quality haircut . The retro barber shop evokes a 1930s feel, with masculine décor, including dark wood, leather couches and vintage barber chairs. And, as in the old days, you can get your spats shined at one of the two antique-replica shoeshine stands.

The classic cut at Red's comes with a well-grounded price of $19. Red’s is located in the six-story Victoria Centre, a newly renovated, brick-clad building at 22 East Washington Street, just one block from Monument Circle and will be opening Dec. 15. 317.407.8557.

Quit whining! Eiteljorg's new exhibit shows
what commuting by stagecoach was like

If you think that the flight from Indianapolis to Chicago is long, have a look at the new permanent exhibit at the Eiteljorg Museum. It’s of a Concord stagecoach of the sort that Wild West travelers would have relied upon in their commute from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Deadwood, Dakota Territory, in their jobs devoted to scraping a few flecks of gold from the Black Hills.

The new Interactive Stagecoach Exhibit allows visitors to immerse themselves in the experience of stagecoach travel. Computer displays paired with period clothing that visitors can actually don puts visitors right back in the 1880s.

Hanson Wheel & Wagon Shop created this replica of the Concord stagecoach originally manufactured by Abbot and Downing in Concord, New Hampshire, during the last half of the 19th century. On view and ready for you to climb aboard at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art at 500 W. Washington. The exhibit opened on Nov. 27, 2006, and will remain on display until Dec. 31, 2007. 317.636.9378.

They say that everything that’s old is new again, and that’s true in Indianapolis, too. Downtown Indianapolis now greets a new dog in town, the King David Dogs gourmet lunchtime hot dog grill. However, area old-timers might recognize the name. It’s a historic brand that’s just been resurrected by the grandson of the brand’s founder.

Originally, the quarter-pound, all-beef hot dog was just one of the offerings of the Hene Meat Company in the 1940s; now, the new incarnation of the brand has been incorporated into a fully developed, specialized restaurant devoted to hot dog lovers.

The dogs at this new King David Dogs come in nearly a dozen different standard “breeds”, but the variations provided by the toppings are limitless. Begin with the peppy South of the Border Dog (fondly referred to as the Chihuahua) and cross it with salsa or sauerkraut or swiss cheese. Mate the BBQ Dog with sweet relish, sport peppers, or bacon for a new taste. Any variation can be enjoyed while visiting the heart of Indianapolis; the grill is located at 15 North Pennsylvania Street, just one block away from Monument Circle. 317.632.DOGS. Grand opening was Nov. 14.