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02/21/2013 - Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show celebrates 40th anniversary Feb 28-Mar 3 at Memorial Coliseum

FORT WAYNE – One of the Tri-State area’s most beloved traditions returns February 28-March 3, when the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show, presented by Windows, Doors & More, opens at the Allen County Memorial Coliseum for its 40th anniversary edition.

Show owner & producer Karen Tejera says this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the best, most comprehensive and entertaining shows in its long history. More than 650 exhibits will be on hand with a wide array of the very latest in home and garden products and services. Showgoers will be able to obtain invaluable advice from an impressive roster of home and garden experts, and tour numerous gardens that can serve as idea-starters for their own unique landscapes.

The popular interactive kids’ area also returns this year. Themed “Old McDonald’s Farm,” the kids’ area provides a fun and festive diversion for the entire family just off the main show floor. Features include a variety of hands-on exhibits, a petting zoo, adoptable pets, ballet and martial arts demonstrations, and much more.

A great line-up of home and garden celebrities is set to entertain and educate showgoers. Included are:

Jeff Holper, better known to fans as “The Mole Hunter;”
2011 Food Network Star finalist Jyll Everman;
Erica Glasener, host of HGTV’s “A Gardener’s Diary,” and
perennially popular morel mushroom maestro, Alex Babich.

The Master Gardeners’ Stage also will be a busy spot again this year, Tejera noted, with sessions scheduled to examine the urban forest, perennials, herb gardening, rain barrels, tomatoes, butterflies, shrubs, hydrangeas, and soil.

Also on hand demonstrating their incredible skills will be the artists of Creative Comedy Balloon & Face Art. Their fantastic balloon sculptures will decorate various areas throughout the show, while one-on-one interaction with fans will take place in the “Old McDonald’s Farm” kids’ area.

Nearly 50,000 home & garden enthusiasts are anticipated to attend the Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show in 2013. “This always is like homecoming for us,” said Tejera, whose father, Ernie Kerns, founded the show and whose daughter, Becky Williamson, now works with her to plan the annual exhibition.

“We always love seeing so many friends and colleagues who have been along on this ride with us for 40 years,” she said. “We work year-round to present the best show possible for Fort Wayne. The people who live here in the Tri-State area have so much pride in their homes, and we love being able to bring them the best and newest in home and garden products and services every year. We do our best to make the show a one-stop-shop for all things home and garden, and to make it an entertaining event that’s a great destination for the entire family.

“We are so grateful for the support and friendship of the people of Fort Wayne and surrounding areas, for 40 years now, and look forward to bringing the show to all of you for many, many years to come!”

The Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show runs Thursday, February 28 through Sunday, March 3 inside Allen County Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Avenue, Fort Wayne. Hours Thursday and Friday are 11 am to 9 pm; Saturday 10 am to 9 pm, and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm.

Admission is $10 adults; $6 seniors 65 & better. Children 15 and under are free. Parking is $4 per vehicle in convenient, well-lit Coliseum lots.

Visit www.home-gardenshow.com for additional information, including details on $2 discount coupons for admission.

The Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show is presented by Windows, Doors & More, and sponsored by American Family Insurance. The show is a member of the Home & Garden Show Executives International, and has been selected for membership by Premier Home Shows, an organization affiliated with only the finest home and garden shows in North America.

02/04/2013 - Stan Liddell, Owner of Piere's, Passes Away

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Stan Liddell, owner of Liddell Investment Co, the holding company of Piere's Entertainment Center, passed away today.

Stan was an influential part of Fort Wayne Nightlife for as long as most can remember. If you are from the area, it is very likely that you have enjoyed a concert on Piere's million dollar main stage, danced in The Zone, Cyber Club or Club V. Sang a drunk cover in Crooners Karaoke Bar or enjoyed a game and wings in the All Star Sports Bar.

I personally am thankful for all the great times my friends and I had at Piere's over the last 7 years. I am also thankful for knowing that while we were all getting highly intoxicated and having a great time, we always had a shuttle waiting to give us a safe ride home.

Thank you Stan, for all those great times, great concerts, and the many safe rides home. We are sure that you are already starting a great party in heaven.

Stan Liddell

July 12, 1936 - February 4, 2013

11/08/2012 - Journey With Pat Benatar & Loverboy (POSTPONED)

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Journey has had to postpone a number of shows, including their November 11, 2012

show at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

The show has been postponed due to singer Arnel Pineda being diagnosed with with severe laryngeal and esophageal inflammation. He is under doctors orders not to perform.

The following is from the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum's website.

Date(s):

Sunday, November 11 2012 7:00 PM

Location: Arena

The following JOURNEY concerts with special guests Pat Benatar featuring Neil Giraldo, and Loverboy, are being POSTPONED.

Thursday, November 8, 2012 at the Ford Center in Evansville, IN
Saturday, November 10, 2012 at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Sunday, November 11, 2012 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, IN
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at the iWireless Center in Moline, IL
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at the Tyson Center in Sioux City, IA

Singer Arnel Pineda has been diagnosed with severe laryngeal and esophageal inflammation and is under doctor s orders not to perform for the next week.

The JOURNEY tour will resume on Friday, November 16, 2012 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, WI.

Tickets for the above-mentioned postponed concerts will be honored for the new concert dates, which will be rescheduled for January/February 2013. Refunds can be obtained at point of purchase.

We will inform everyone as soon as a new date is set for this show.

11/06/2012 - Fire at Coldwater Marriott

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Smoke filled a wing at the Marriott on Coldwater Road around 11:30pm Monday night when an electrical fire broke out in an unoccupied room.

The culprit was found to be a malfunction in a second floor room's heating unit. Nobody was in this room, but around a dozen other rooms in that part of the hotel were occupied.

There have been no injuries reported and occupants have been moved to new rooms away from where the fire broke out.

The FWFD continue to investigate though there are no clues leading to the belief of arson at this time.

09/12/2012 - TinCaps Start Championship Series Tonight

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The TinCaps are back in the Championship for the second time in 4 years! Games #1 and #2 are away, in Appleton, Wisconsin. Don't worry though, Parkview Field is open with a live video feed of the games.

Seating is general admission and FREE! There will be a sound feed provided by ESPN Fort Wayne 1380AM. You won't miss any of the game and there will also be concessions available.

Here is the schedule for the Championship series.

Game 1 at Timber Rattlers

7:35pm on September 12th (Wednesday)

Game 2 at Timber Rattlers

1:05pm on September 13th (Thursday)

Game 3 at Parkview Field

7:05pm on September 15th (Saturday)

Game 4 (If Needed) at Parkview Field

5:05pm on September 16th (Sunday)

Game 5 (If Needed) at Parkview Field

7:05pm on September 17th (Monday)

Comment here or visit our Facebook to discuss this topic.

09/10/2012 - Reports Say Gin Mill Closes Doors

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 08:00:00 GMT

While scouring Facebook this morning we noticed a lot of talk that the Gin Mill on State Street has closed. This closing was sudden and there are a few different rumors on why.

The most popular rumor has the Gin Mill turning into a bank and another has them turning into a Chipotle. No matter the reason, we think this is a sad day. The Gin Mill was always a fun time.

Comment here or visit our Facebook to discuss this topic.

09/09/2012 - Stabbing at Fort Wayne's Piere's Entertainment Center Leads To More Violence

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 08:00:00 GMT

We are once again talking about violence at a Fort Wayne nightclub. This time the violence went further than ever before.

The violence started at Piere's Entertainment Center. Police reported to the nightclub around 3:30am when a stabbing was reported.

The victim was then being transported to the hospital via ambulance, when the vehicle of family and friends who were following, were then shot.

The black Impala was at a stoplight when a white car next to them opened fire. It was reported that all three in the Impala were seriously injured. The white car then shot at the ambulance. The driver of the ambulance was also injured, but not to the same extent.

The police arrested all four suspects after the white car was reportedly seen at the McDonald's at Fairfield and Jefferson downtown.

Comment here or visit our Facebook page to discuss this incident.

08/23/2012 - Cosmos Closes, Becoming Culver's

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:00:00 GMT

If you were planning on visiting Cosmos at the corner of Lima and Washington Center Road, you will have to go down the road to their other location.

The owners closed the doors Sunday after they finalized a deal to sell their building to Culver's ButterBurgers & Frozen Custard.

This will be Culver's third Fort Wayne location. The other two are on West Jefferson and Dupont Roads. Before closing this location, Cosmo's had two locations. One on Washington Center Road and the other on St. Joe Center Road.

Cosmo's is a Fort Wayne staple, widely considered one of the top breakfast stops in town.

How do you feel about the closing of the Washington Center Cosmo's?

07/29/2012 - Van Halen Cancelled at Memorial Coliseum

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Memorial Coliseum has announced the cancellation of the Van Halen concert on July 31, 2012. ALL TICKETS WILL BE REFUNDED. You may have to go to your point of purchase to receive your refund. This show had been previously postponed until it became evident that there would be no rescheduled date.

11/29/2011 - Sports & Spirits Cited, 7 Arrested

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The cops were called to Sports & Spirits Bar & Grill where they found multiple drugs and drug related paraphernalia.

The call led to the arrests of 7 individuals after cops found marijuana and what was believed to be crack cocaine. The bar was also cited for multiple counts of allowing a minor to loiter and were warned on counts of gaming.

Sports & Spirits is located at 1723 East Wayne Street.

08/31/2011 - Are Bar Owners Liable for Shootings?

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

With the impending lawsuit that was filed against bar owner George Kotsopoulos, the question arises of whom is responsible for the actions of patrons.

With the number of shootings that have happened at bars and nightclubs in Fort Wayne over the past couple years, this is almost certain to come up again, now that the first wrongful death suit has been filed.

We want to know what you're thinking. Is it the bar owners responsibility? Should you be able to sue anybody for actions that someone else acted out?

06/02/2011 - GermanFest 2011

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:00:00 GMT

GermanFest 2011 marks the 30th Anniversary of one of Fort Wayne's most cherished annual festivals. While the better part of GermanFest is located at Headwaters Park, there are numerous events throughout Fort Wayne.

From June 5-12 you will be able to celebrate Essen, Trinken, und Gemutlichkeit. ("Eating, Drinking, and having a really good time")

There are many daily events throughout the eight (8) day festival that include a Deutsche Messe (German Mass), a Eleganza Baroque GermanFest Concert, city-wide Chicken Dance and much more.

Don't forget to keep your eyes out for "Prost" - The German Stein Public Art Project that has been coordinated to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Fort Wayne's GermanFest. Four foot tall, fiberglass German steins will be sponsored by local businesses, groups and individuals and then will be decorated by local artists. Being displayed for all of Germanfest patrons to see!

You can find the full schedule of events for German Fest HERE

Let us know what events you are most looking forward to at GermanFest 2011 by visiting us at FortWayneNightOut.com on Facebook!

06/01/2011 - AFA 7 - SUPREMACY Main Event Announcement

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Absolute Fighting Alliance will once again take center stage at Piere's Entertainment Center on July 23, 2011.

Fighting in the main event will be Rocky "Stonefist" France battling against Brandon Bolt.

Stay tuned for all of the AFA 7 - SUPREMACY announcements!

05/22/2011 - Eagles 3512 Raises $3,540 For the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer

Sun, 22 May 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Saturday was a good day for both Eagles3512 and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer as $3,540 was raised during their charity poker tournament.

With a buy-in of $360 a portion went directly to the Vera Bradley Foundation and the rest to the prize pool.

The winner of the tournament walked away with a cool $13,000 and a Yamaha V-Star 650 Motorcycle.

You can find out more about the Eagles 3512 Charity Casino and all the good they do for the community right here on FortWayneNightOut.com!

04/25/2011 - Cirque Du Soleil Coming To Fort Wayne In September

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:00:00 GMT

When most Americans hear "Cirque du Soleil", they think Las Vegas. Truth is that Cirque du Soleil actually hails from Montreal, Quebec and is featured on every continent aside from Antartica.

Fort Wayne will get their chance to see Quidam, the newest Cirque du Soleil road show. There will be eight (8) shows starting September 21 and running through September 25.

Tickets will go on sale May 2 at CirqueDuSoleil.com or if you are a Cirque Club member, you can get discounted tickets now at CirqueClub.com.

Show Synopsis

Young ZoÃ© is bored; her parents, distant and apathetic, ignore her. Her life has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world -- the world of Quidam -- where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul.

Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past and swallowed by the crowd. It could be anyone, anybody. Someone coming or going at the heart of our anonymous society. A member of the crowd, one of the silent majority. The one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. This is the "quidam" whom this show allows to speak. This is the place that beckons -- place for dreaming and genuine relations where all quidams, by proclaiming their individuality, can finally emerge from anonymity.

Synopsis and photos taken from CirqueDuSoleil.com

04/22/2011 - FREE Coffee at Fort Wayne Starbucks on Earth Day

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:00:00 GMT
Starbucks is taking Earth Day serious. Are you?

Fort Wayne Starbucks stores are giving away free coffee or tea to anyone that brings in their own reusable mug.

STARBUCKS LOCATIONS

*CLICK LINK TO GO TO EACH LOCATIONS PROFILE WHERE YOU CAN GET GOOGLE MAP DIRECTIONS!*

502 West Jefferson Boulevard
4120 West Jefferson Boulevard
3905 East State Boulevard
301 East Coliseum Boulevard
6403 Lima Road
3801 Coldwater Road
10030 Lima Road
4201 Coldwater Road
2132 East Dupont Road
5723 Coventry Lane

Grab your mug and enjoy some great Starbucks coffee or tea... for FREE!
TODAY, APRIL 22nd, ONLY!

04/13/2011 - Vera Bradley Outlet Sale Back At Coliseum

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 08:00:00 GMT
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (FortWayneNightOut.com) - In 2010 women from all over the country helped the Vera Bradley outlet sale set new attendance records.

With the sale starting today at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum you should be able to expect more of the same for 2011.

Visitors come because of the great deals. Up to 65% off on some products. This brings in women from all over the country. The crowd may even grow due to the fact that for the first time, Vera Bradley is selling stock.

Wednesday and Thursday are open to people that purchased tickets. These two days are sold out. Friday through Sunday are open to the public free of charge. Parking is $4.00 for the main lot and $8.00 for the Preferred Lot.

Find the full schedule for the Vera Bradley Outlet show by clicking Specials/Events on the Facebook!

04/12/2011 - Ray Flores: The Voice Of The Absolute Fighting Alliance (AFA)

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:00:00 GMT
Fort Wayne's own Absolute Fighting Alliance (AFA) features pro and amateur fighters along with top notch production. They don't fall short with Ray Flores, one of the industries most highly regarded commentators and play-by-play announcers.

Ray is fresh off of his trip to England, where he was an announcer and commentator for the 10th Legion Championship Fighting VIII: SYMBOL OF POWER.

In the past he has also been seen as the featured ring announcer for HDNet's "Inside MMA" as well as doing play-by-play on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

In June 2010 he was the play-by-play man for Fite Nite's 8 Man Lightweight Tournament in San Jose, Costa Rica, which was an international pay-per-view event.

This coming Saturday, April 16th, 2011, he will be heard as the ring announcer and commentator for AFA 6:UPRISING at Piere's Entertainment Center

See what Ray Flores had to say about the Absolute Fighting Alliance in our exclusive interview.

FortWayneNightOut.com - How did you get into announcing MMA events?

Ray Flores - I started announcing MMA events when I was 17 years old. I started off doing local television in East Chicago, Indiana, for the local TV station ECTV. At the time, Miguel Torres, the current UFC bantamweight was coming up through the ranks. I did a story on Miguel for our news show and it gained a lot of attention. We then started showing all the fight cards Miguel fought on locally.

We showed the fights on tape delay a week after the show and our viewers were able to see Miguel fight on a regular basis. For ring announcing, Joe Goytia hired me to do his event, "The Total Fight Challenge", which was at the Hammond Civic Center. That was about 4 years ago. Mike Davis hired me for his Cut Throat MMA promotion. I was very fortunate that these individuals gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills.

FortWayneNightOut.com - What event that you have announced, is the most prominent?

Ray Flores - Every event that I work is pretty prominent. I find myself very fortunate to work for some of the best promotions around. It's an honor to be a part of some tremendous organizations. MMA fans are so passionate and it doesn't matter where you go, they are always supporting this great sport.

FortWayneNightOut.com - What are your goals as an MMA play-by-play announcer and/or commentator?

Ray Flores - My goal is to continue to work for world class organizations all over the globe. It has been an honor and pleasure to work for some of the best promotions around. I have preformed for some great crowds and great fans. Once Mr. Buffer or Mr. Goldberg are to retire and set off into the sunset, which is a very long time from now, it is my goal to work as either the cage announcer or play-by-play announcer for the UFC. The UFC is the biggest MMA company on the planet.

Dana White and the Fertita brothers have worked very hard to make this one of the biggest sports in the world.

Everyone around the fighting world talks about what is going on in the UFC. When the UFC has an event, all eyes in the combat sports world are on the octagon. It would be an honor to work for the UFC.

It would also be great to work for Strikeforce as well. With Zuffa (Zuffa is also the holding company of the Ultimate Fighting Championships) recently purchasing the Strikeforce organization, I see them really flourishing.

FortWayneNightOut.com - In comparison to other MMA organizations, how do you think the AFA stacks up?

Ray Flores - I think AFA stacks up as one of the elite. Justin Villella and Steve Staley are two promoters who care about putting on great shows. They deliver with great fights and by entertaining the fans every minute they attend an AFA event.

Steve Staley and Justin Villella are very passionate about bringing forth the best AFA show possible. They make sure that the fans get their monies worth.

Every AFA event gets bigger, better, and leaves fans with so many memorable moments.

FortWayneNightOut.com - If a fan was to ask you, "Why should I attend an AFA event?" What would be your answer?

Ray Flores - I would tell them that they will get a night of action, excitement, and world class fights. The energy in MMA is unmatched to any sport on the planet.

When you go to AFA event, expect the unexpected. Expect to see something you may not have seen before in the sport. Expect to see some amazing performances. Expect to see these tremendous athletes lay it on the line and go for the win.

Expect to see battles inside the AFA cage.

FortWayneNightOut.com - What are your expectations for AFA 6:UPRISING

Ray Flores - My expectations for AFA 6 Uprising are to continue to see the fighters within the AFA roster continue to climb in their ascension towards mixed martial arts supremacy.

I'm excited to see the William Hill/Hector Urbina match up. I think that fight is going to be an absolute battle and fantastic main event. I've seen William fight on several occasions and he always brings it.

I'm also looking forward to seeing Moses "Mayhem" Mccraney make his pro debut. Moses is an up and coming star in the light-heavyweight division and I'm looking forward to seeing him grow more as a fighter.

FortWayneNightOut.com - You have been with the AFA since the beginning. What are your expectations for the AFA going into the future?

Ray Flores - This is going to be one of the elite promotions in the country. There is something special about what Justin and Steve are doing. Being with AFA since the beginning, I can remember AFA 1. I was sitting there being blown away watching Rocky France and Jason Gilliam wage an epic battle. It was one of the best fights I've ever seen. Justin said it best, it was a local MMA version of Hagler/Hearns. There was drama, excitement, desire, passion, and most importantly, the guys laid it on the line.

I can also remember sitting cage side and commentating with former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez. Ricco came to AFA because he knew that there is something special with what Steve and Justin are doing. Not only did he commentate, but he fought this past July in AFA 5: PARKING LOT BEATDOWN 2, against Bobby Martinez.

Catch AFA 6: UPRISING this Saturday, April 16th, 2011.

Enter to win free tickets by visiting FortWayneNightOut.com On Facebook or when you text "AFAFights" to 70000! Read our exclusive interview with AFA promoters Steve Staley and Justin Villella HERE

04/10/2011 - Fort Wayne Nightclub/Bar Shootings

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 08:00:00 GMT
APRIL 10, 2011 - FORT WAYNE, Ind. (FortWayneNightOut.com) - It is the weekend and you are looking to have a good time. You go out with your friends and have a few drinks. It is all fun, until you hear gunshots. This has become an all to familiar thing for some Fort Wayne patrons over the past year.

With last nights shooting in the parking lot of Zambuca's Italian Pub Fort Wayne has had it's fair share of night club shootings over the past year.

Going back to last years "two-in-one-night" on May 8th, 2010 when shootings occurred at both Piere's Entertainment Center and Rick O'Shays Irish Pub parking lots.

The incident at Rick O'Shays Irish Pub ended with 20-year-old Hector Tenorio losing his life.

Fast forward just a short while later and there was yet another incident at Rick O'shays. This time, shots were fired inside the club around 1:30AM on November 7th, 2010 leaving 23-year-old Jeffery Moore and 22-year-old Jaquan Gentry fatally wounded.

Less than one month ago there was another shooting at Piere's Entertainment Center that left two people injured.

There is now a man in critical condition after being shot at Zambuca's Italian Pub. This gives us five shootings that have happened in a bar or in a bar parking lot since last May.

Here at FortWayneNightOut.com, we want each and every patron of Fort Wayne to be able to enjoy themselves when they go out.

Most of all, we want each and every one of you to be safe when you go out.

Do you think bars/clubs/event venues need better security?

What else can be done to stop these violent incidents?

Stop by our FACEBOOK Page and let us know all of your thoughts.

04/05/2011 - AFA 6: UPRISING Interview With Promoters Steve Staley and Justin Villella

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:00:00 GMT
In 2009 the Absolute Fighting Alliance (AFA) made its debut at Piere's Entertainment Center with UNLEASH HELL. Unlike most Midwest fighting organizations, the AFA has been steadily growing since.

From amateurs to ex UFC champions, the AFA features top fighters from not only the Fort Wayne area, but from all around the world. Their events are top of the line and no detail is left unnoticed. They feature a top-of-the-line presentation, professional referee that can be seen on TV officiating UFC events and one of the top MMA announcers in the business.

On April 16th, 2011 the Absolute Fighting Alliance will once again take over Piere's Entertainment Center with AFA 6: UPRISING. UPRISING is the follow up to the action packed and sold out AFA 5: Return of the Champions event that happened earlier this year at Piere's.

We recently sat down with the Absolute Fighting Alliance promoters, Justin Villella and Steve Staley to find out what we can expect from AFA 6: UPRISING.

Check out the interview below!

FortWayneNightOut.com - How did the AFA come about and when?

Justin Villella - I started the AFA in 2009 and had the first event, AFA 1: UNLEASH HELL at Piere's on June 6, 2009. Steve and I talked and we merged the AFA (Absolute Fighting Alliance) and his Silver Crown Fights organization. We did our first show together soon after and have not looked back since!

FortWayneNightOut.com - What criteria do you have for a fighter to compete in the AFA?

Steve Staley - We look for three (3) things in a fighter. They must be respectful to the sport and their opponent, they must have great cage fighting skills and they must have high integrity and character.

Justin Villella - We also love fighters that keep their word and don't have to be babysat.

FortWayneNightOut.com - What can fans expect at AFA 6: UPRISING?

Justin Villella - Fans will be treated to some of the best up and coming and established MMA fighters in the business. Fans will get a world-class experience with pay-per-view level performance and production from the weigh-ins to the final bell.

Steve Staley - To sum up an AFA event quickly, the fans will get non-stop, heart pounding action with the highest quality matchups.

FortWayneNightOut.com - What sets AFA 6: UPRISING apart from previous AFA events?

Justin Villella - The fight card for AFA 6: UPRISING is the most complete and skilled fight card that the AFA has produced. It is filled from top to bottom with fighters that feature both striking and submission styles. It will contain some of the best bout anywhere in 2011.

FortWayneNightOut.com - Can you fill us in on the fight card for UPRISING?

Steve Staley - We are bringing in one of the best fighters in his ranks, Hector El Toro Urbina. He is a former Bellator fighter, Elite XC, KOTC fighter. Plus we have five (5) pro bouts and five (5) title bouts featuring other very talented fighters!

FortWayneNightOut.com - Who is the AFA announcer with the commanding voice?

Justin Villella - His name is Ray Flores and he is the most talented announcer and commentator in the business today. Ray brings a resume that extends across the world working for top MMA organizations. He has been with the AFA family since its inception and has announced every AFA event including commentary with former AFA and UFC veteran Ricco Rodriguez at AFA 3: TRIUMPH. Ray is truly a master of his craft.

FortWayneNightOut.com - What has been your favorite match-up in an AFA event thus far?

Justin Villella - One of my favorite AFA bouts of all-time was France-Gilliam at AFA 1: UNLEASH HELL. This bout epitomizes what the AFA likes to bring in every bout. AFA Pro Lightweight Champion Rocky "Stonefist" France was up against AFA Absolute Champion and UFC veteran Jason "The Gizzard" Gilliam. These two fighters came out swinging and did not stop until the fight was ended after the 2nd round due to doctor's stoppage. The fight reminded me of Hagler-Hearns or something out of a movie. This was an ABSOLUTEly tremendous bout.

Steve Staley - In my opinion the Moses "Mayham" McCraney VS Chuckie "Flying Taco" Geyer matchup was amazing at AFA 5: Return of the Champions. Chuckie is the HWY AFA Champion and cut 40+ pounds to take on Moses. Moses is the current AFA 205 champion. There was a lot of hype for this fight and it went down in front of a sold out crowd at Piere's. It was a great fight and the sportsmanship between the two was unmatched. The fans definitely got their monies worth.

FortWayneNightOut.com - What is the ultimate goal of the AFA?

Justin Villella - The ultimate goal of the AFA is to become an elite MMA organization recognized throughout the world.

Steve Staley - We also like to build the sport in a positive way, I believe there are a lot of people that have a negative interpretation of the sport and they think it's barbaric and it really isn't.

FortWayneNightOut.com - Can you tell us a little bit about the main event?

Steve Staley - It will be an amazing main event between Hector EL Toro Urbina and William Hill who is out of Chicago. William is a very experienced opponent with over 40 professional fights. I believe it will be non-stop action and the fans will be very happy to see two quality opponents in the main event. Plus it is at Pieres Entertainment Center which is one of the best venues in the country to watch live MMA. New fans should come out and watch it Up Close and Personal, the Pieres way.

FortWayneNightOut.com - In closing, this will be FortWayneNightOut.com's third AFA event that we have sponsored. We had a blast at both AFA: Parking Lot Beatdown 2 and AFA 5: Return of the Champions, as well have our friends that attended with us. Is there anything you would like to say to the great fans that have supported and will continue to support the AFA?

Justin Villella - I would like to personally thank FortWayneNightOut.com and each and every AFA fan for their continued support and presence at all AFA events. The AFA will continue to bring world class talent and headliners to each and every show. The AFA will continue to make the fighters and fans the driving force behind all AFA events.

Text AFAFIGHTS to 70000 to be entered to win two (2) VIP Table Seats and search FortWayneNightOut.com on Facebook and "Like" them for another chance to win one of two different pairs of tickets from FortWayneNightOut.com

03/31/2011 - 40 For The Angola Four

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:00:00 GMT
As a young company, FortWayneNightOut.com is aspiring to not only provide valuable information to our community, but to also do great things for the community as well.

Over the past 24+ hours, we have been able to witness a great community gesture.

The "40 For The Angola Four" is a combined effort from Oasis Radio Group sister Stations U.S. 93.3 and HOT 107.9 .

Teri Armstrong and AJ Macguire from "The Pretty Early Show" U.S. 93.3 and "Austin and Alana in the AM" on HOT 107.9 have pledged to stay "On Air" until they raise $40,000 for the families of Matthew Riley Zimmer, Evan Weaver, Matthew Roe and Alexx Bauer.

We have been flipping between U.S. 93.3 and HOT 107.9 and have heard some of the calls they have received. Most touching was a call from Matthew Roe's sister and cousin.

The support that this community has given to these unfortunate families reminds us of why we love the great city of Fort Wayne.

The "40 For The Angola Four" is still going on and you can find out how to help below.

U.S. 93.3
U.S. 93.3 is reaching out to help a grieving Angola community who lost 4 teenage boys over the weekend in a deadly collision in Alabama while driving home from Spring Break.

The Pretty Early Show has pledged to stay on the air until $40,000 is raised total.

Online donations will continue Wednesday, March 30. In the mean time please call 260-483-9393. U.S. 93.3 Website

HOT 107.9
HOT 107.9 is reaching out to help a grieving Angola community who lost 4 teenage boys over the weekend in a deadly collision in Alabama while driving home from Spring Break.

The Triple A Show has pledged to stay on the air until $40,000 is raised total.

Online donations will continue Wednesday, March 30. In the mean time please call 260-748-4468. HOT 107.9 Website

03/06/2011 - How We Can Help Your Business

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 08:00:00 GMT
FortWayneNightout.com promotes; restaurants, bars, dinner/drink specials, events and event venues, entertainment, bands, hotels, taxi/limo services and everything else that gives Fort Wayne area residents something to do!

How do we do it?

We help your establishment by using "new age" marketing tactics. Everything from online profiles, banner advertising, mobile marketing, social media, and our Android (iPhone coming soon) application.

Premiere Profiles - The Premiere Profile service gives you the opportunity to promote your drink/dinner specials, band gigs, or events. Each listing is individually indexed in search engines (google, bing, yahoo, etc.) giving your business maximum exposure! Premiere Profiles are only $60 per month!
Banner Advertising - FortWayneNightOut.com offers high exposure banner advertising that gives your business the advantage over other establishments in being seen by our websites visitors! Banner advertising starts at only $100 per month!
Mobile Marketing - Text messaging and SMS messaging may be the most popular activity in the world today. Around 90% of all TXT/SMS messages are read within 15 minutes! We do not sell "text lists" instead, we help you build your list of people that WANT to you about your specials and events! Mobile Marketing plans start at just $24.99 per month!
Social Media - We use our growing social media following to promote your specials and events! We also invite all or our friends to follow your business! This service is FREE with the purchase of a Premiere Profile!
Android APP - We just recently launched our "MyNightOut" application in the Android Marketplace and it will soon be available in the iPhone Marketplace. This app allows potential customers to see all the specials and events listed through premiere profiles on FortWayneNightOut.com right on their phone! Best of yet, this service is FREE with the purchase of a Premiere Profile! See the "MyNightOut" app HERE

FortWayneNightOut.com is the most feasible marketing tool for your business! We are a fraction of the cost of "old school" methods of advertising and we offer the new styles that are growing at a very fast rate!

If you want more info, email Ricky Butts at rbutts@fortwaynenightout.com or give him a call at 260-446-8108!

03/06/2011 - Mike Moses Presents: Art & Soul of the City

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 08:00:00 GMT
World Class Entertainment At A World Class Venue
In Fort Wayne
The Philmore on Broadway Welcomes
HBO Def Poetry Poet Abyss
Indiana Blues Woman of the Year Carol Lockridge
And Fort Wayne American Idol Winner Zaiah

Fort Wayne, INâ--January 25, 2011â--Mike Moses Presents will roll out the red carpet for its 2nd anniversary with HBO Def Poetry Poet Abyss. The show will take place at The Philmore on Broadway, Saturday -- March 19, 2011 at 7:30pm. Tickets for this semi-formal event will cost $25 per person which includes a culinary fest of hors d'oeuvres.

Abyss "A Bright Young Soul Seeking" will hit the stage with an unexplainable force of nature. This Peabody Award winner has a poetic mouth for such times as the present, and breathes spirit into dead art forms.This self taught musician actor and spoken word artists has traveled the world gracing major stages and has performed with Prince and many others. Carol Lockridge a native of Detroit but now a citizen of Fort Wayne was named by the Indiana Blues Society as that organizations top Blues Woman of the Year for 2010 she recently released her CD entitled 'You Make Me Blue' which has been receiving much airplay on blues station around the world. Zaiah a Fort Wayne Native and South Side High School Graduate won the Majic 95.1, WFFT 55 FOX Make me an Idol contest Formerly Catablu restaurant and also formerly The Broadway Theater and now the Philmore offers a venue that rivals some of the best venues in large major cities from around the world complimenting all of this is some great food from one of Fort Wayne's Best loved Restaurants, Club Soda World Class Entertainment at a World Class Venue is what Abyss, Carol Lockridge and Zaiah will bring to Fort Wayne -- March 19th, at the Philmore on Broadway.

Why travel to Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, New York City or Los Angelos to contend with the hassle of expensive parking, heavy traffic, and other chaos when Fort Wayne now has the top performers coming to town?

The Philmore on Broadway is located at 2441 Broadway Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46807 (260-745-1000). For further information and advance ticket purchase, please visit www.mikemosespresents.com. and http://www.philmoreonbroadway.com

02/09/2011 - A Special Valentine's Day Dinner

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 08:00:00 GMT
If you are looking for that perfect Valentine's Day dinner at a perfect price, look no further than Woodland Lounge and their Valentine's Day Dinner event.

For $25 you and your significant other will get a 3-course meal (salad, entree, dessert) with your choice of 1 of 4 different entrees. Each couple will also get special pricing on wine bottles and $1 off all martinis. Couples will also receive a surprise table centerpiece gift from Woodland Lounge.

Chadd Michaels and the Brat Pack will be setting the mood by performing songs by greats like; Frank Sinatra, Dean martin, Michael Buble and many others.

There is no better way to to spend a special evening with that special someone, but don't worry if you don't have a date, singles are welcome too!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so don't wait until it is too late to get your reservations in. Just call 260-490-6836 and reserve your table. $25/couple and $15/single.

12/19/2010 - Big Eyed Fish Review By: A Better Fort

Sun, 19 Dec 2010 08:00:00 GMT

A Better Fort Charitable Organization is a non-for profit charitable organization with a focus on community development. Within our mission of supporting Fort Wayne, we have decided to attend a locally owned restaurant twice a month to review Fort Wayne's finest dining.

Our 1^st week we decided to have a great dinning experience at Big Eyed Fish located on 1502 North Wells street. Our opinions mentioned throughout the context of our reviews are solely opinions; we are not food critics or experts. As we will try to promote a positive commentary on our experience, those who own or affiliate with each restaurant must not take our critics as negative or demeaning. Here is what we thought of Big Eyed Fish, enjoy!
Big Eyed Fish is a neighborhood restaurant bar and grille. The menu items we selected where the large fish Sandwich, cheeseburger and hot wings. We also had a chance to try some of the dessert. Of the twelve cheesecake options from the menu, we choose red velvet cheesecake.
The Cheeseburger was well served with garnishing on the side and fairly tasting. The first item to mention is the phenomenal price point that is more than accommodating and affordable for its size. If you like your cheese slightly melted, than this burger would be great for you as it was served before melting the cheese. The meat was cooked all the way through as well done. To compliment the cheeseburger the curly fries reminded us of Arby's! The fries were perfectly curly with just the right amount of crisp outside and flavor.
The hot wings sauce was one of the best we have tasted on the Fort Wayne bar and restaurant scene. Though the Big Eyed Fish is our first review, we were very impressed from our past experiences with other restaurants. Another plus for the wings, were they were cooked all the way through and large in size. Looking for a great wing choice to visit in Fort Wayne? This is the place!
Our last menu option was the large fish platter. Being this was one of the "house favorites" we had high expectations for this entre. Our expectations were toppled with the "moms home style" seasoning. It was great! With this platter you also have the option of home style or regular fries. Depending on how cooked you like your fries, take note that they were not crispy by any means! Some of us enjoyed the soft fries while the majority of us would have preferred them cooked longer.
The Big Eyed Fish, neighborhood feel with a neighborhood grille. There was limited parking, enough for a neighborhood stop-in but small for catering events or "packing" the restaurant. Overall, we had an enjoyable experience from our service to the meal. We give the Big Eyed Fish a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Visit A Better Fort Charitable Organization by CLICKING HERE

12/16/2010 - WIN TICKETS! (AFA - Return of the Champions @ Piere's)

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:00:00 GMT
FortWayneNightOut.com is giving away 4 tickets to the AFA - Return of the Champions MMA Cagefighting event at Piere's on January 15th, 2011.

Vist & "Like" our new Official Fan Page on Facebook and automatically be entered to win a 2 pack of tickets!

Keep an eye on our fan page and website for ways to enter a separate drawing for a 2 pack of tickets!

12/10/2010 - New Years 2011 at Break & Run

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:00:00 GMT
While welcoming in 2011 Break & Run is pulling out all the stops and offering the best deals!

Break & Run NYE 2011 is the event to end all events of 2010 and usher in a new decade.
All drinks are $1!!!!!
Free food buffet!!!!!
Champagne toast at midnight!!!!!
Free party favors!!!!!

Cover is $10/person or $15 for couples. Don't spend the last minutes of 2010 at a lame party! Enjoy it with your friends at Break & Run!