Treasure comes in many forms, some more easily identifiable than others. From the outside, one has no clue of the treasure that is Skip's Party Place in Angola, IN. Angola is the last city in northeastern Indiana whose name is visible on the State Farm Road Atlas map of our fair state and is a stone's throw from Michigan and Ohio. Skip's is located in the heart of downtown about 1/4 of a block west of the town square (which is really a circle!) in a treasure of a building. When you walk through the door, the warmth that is Skip's actually reaches out and enfolds. Wednesday night is "Blues Night", and the party starts around 9. Manager Steve Hamilton is a true blues man and is all over his club enjoying the music and blues fans who regularly frequent the club, many of whom drive an hour or two to come. From the stained glass ceiling insets, to the rich patina of the bar, to the sound system, to the elevated stage visible from all over the club, to the hundreds and hundreds of musical instruments adorning most of the walls, to the signed pictures of artists on the remaining wall space, to the seldom empty dance floor, everything about Skip's shouts, "Enjoy yourself!! This is a party." My first visit in late-September was awe-inspiring. There's so much to see in addition to first class entertainment, that it could be overwhelming to someone new to true partying. Those who really like to party have the perfect spot - Skip's Party Place. The crowd is welcoming and full of energy - energy that they insist on sharing-with the artists performing, with each other dancing, with everyone. Sitting down all night is not allowed because it just isn't possible in the atmosphere that exists in Skip's. From the front door to the back, upstairs and down, the place is packed with party people. September 29th marked my formal introduction to Skip's, a fascinating place. It was also the date my curiosity was piqued. Just looking around the club at the walls, the stained glass in the ceiling, the rich old wood pointed to what surely must be a rich history and a club that is the perfect place to hear some blues. Wednesday nights seem to end way too early because of the euphoria a visit to Skip's produces, and the trip back to Indy is easier after all the fun. Steve Hamilton loves the blues, and it show. They have created a club that caters to the blues, and all the pieces fit. It is a club in which the blues musicians love to play and where they are treated with respect. As a result, the musicians work really hard to please the crowd. The crowd, in turn, works really hard to express its appreciation for the musicians' efforts. Overseeing the entire scene is the man whose love of the blues created this distinctive masterpiece. A second trip to Skip's in November reaffirmed that it is the Party Place. We danced into the club, over to our seats to unload our purses and up onto the dance floor - never missing a beat. The band was jammin', and the place was jumpin'!! Big fun was once again the theme of the night. From the front to the back and side to side, everyone was involved. The ambience was infectious, and the cure was right there in Skip's. It is difficult to find words for the feelings Skip's evokes. Steve said it best when he said it is a "good building", and that is true. The building exudes good vibes, which only enhance the camaraderie that exists between the people who work at and frequent Skip's. Skip's feels like home - with a live blues band playing and a bunch of friends partying. Several years ago when major remodeling was done to the club, Skip and Steve discovered true treasure in the materials from the building and were able to re-use just about everything they found. Skip's Party Place is an experience -one that is well worth a 2 1/2 hour drive (one way, folks!) and a treasure, created and nurtured by Skip Hamilton, preserved and grown by Steve Hamilton, two men who have remained true to the treasure of the blues. Experience Skip's for yourself. BBW |