We will miss you Rich!

Richard Guelinas 1939-2008

He was our friend, an amazing cook, a volunteer at the Chamber of Commerce, assisted many with their taxes, encouraged people to go after their dream, rarely spoke bad of others, always looked on the bright side, didn't sweat the details, shared a glass of champagne with his friends as often as possible, very generous, would do whatever he could to help others, got me hooked on his baguettes!
I only knew Rich for a year and the above is just a bit of the impression he left on me. We worked closely together at Naughty Grapes. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to know and love him.
I will miss you!
Deby

Disobedient Deby

Hi!
You may have noticed, this blog has not been maintained for quite awhile now.
Disobedient Deby has moved on to focusing on other entrepreneurships.
If you are interested, click on the bee:

Otherwise, please contact Naughty Grapes directly for Naughty Grapes Wine Bar Bistro updates.

Volume 1, Issue 5

"Hey sweet thang!"

Sweetest day! This Saturday, October 20th!

Grab your sweetie and visit Naughty Grapes this Saturday for Sweetest Day SPECIALS! Executive Chef Rich will be whipping up some decadently delightful dishes for the occasion. PLUS—a free flute of champagne with every meal!

What a SWEET deal!

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We will be hosting our annual HALLOWEEN PARTY once again on Wednesday, October 31st!

Best Male & Best Female costumes

receive a Chilling bottle of Champagne!

Drink Special—

Witches Brew $3

The whole gang will be there!

Don't forget to vote for your favorite bartender in NWI Entertainer's Bartender of the Month!

VOTE FOR KATIE!

Katie works on Wednesday nights which is also, as you know, Ladies Night ($1 glass of champagne for the ladies)

To Vote call NWI Entertainer at (219) 763-3000 or email rolym05@comcast.net

For more info: www.nwientertainer.com

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ENTERTAINMENT LINE-UP!

Music starts at 8pm!

• Thur Oct 18 Blues Man Group
• Fri Oct 19 Calumet Brothers Band
• Sat Oct 20 The Good Timez Band
• Tues Oct 23 Bob Heckler
• Wed Oct 24 Rich Boban
• Thur Oct 25 Blues Man Group
• Fri Oct 26 Calumet Brothers Band
• Sat Oct 27 The Good Timez Band
• Tues Oct 30 Bob Heckler
• Wed Oct 31 Rich Boban

September--Late but great--news! Volume 1, Issue 4

• Tuesday, Sept. 25th Bob Heckler
• Wednesday, Sept. 26th Rich Boban
• Thursday, Sept. 27th Blues Man Group
• Friday, Sept. 28th Rich Boban
• Saturday, Sept. 29th David Mathis
  

I must apologize to those who have been awaiting pictures from the evening with Freek Johnson on August 25th. It was literally a packed house.
Along with the storms a few weeks ago, it was like lightening struck my computer. Do NOT have your computer on in a storm--and if so, have one of those backup power things. The damage was luckily limited, but a hassle.
Please see above for the remaining line-up for Sept. and pictures from that momentous occasion with Freek Johnson below.

Neighbor—Don’t fence us out!

As many of you may have noticed, a fence went up next door at our friendly (uh-hem) neighbors establishment. Perhaps we should start a boycott?

We will NOT buy tires from you till you take your fence down!

There are alternative places to park around our house within a short walking distance. Check out the sides streets, there are friendlier neighbors nearby, & there is a lot on the SE corner that seems to be accommodating.

I hear Sears has good deals on tires.

Vote! Please do your civic duty & vote for Katie!

We feel bad that Katie was specifically left out of the Favorite Bartender of the Month Campaign. We thought she was ineligible & she was excluded. Let’s make it up to her—you all know her & love her. She works on Wednesday nights.

Call NWI Entertainer at (219) 763-3000 & VOTE FOR KATIE!

Or EMAIL your vote: rolym05@comcast.net

Volume 1, Issue 3

HOT NEWS! HOT NEWS! HOT NEWS! HOT NEWS!

The rumors are true...there will indeed be a FREEK JOHNSON comeback!

Legendary Freek Johnson, former regular performers at the Grapes, have agreed to return for a

NAUGHTY GRAPES ~ FREEK JOHNSON REUNION!

(photos circa 2001--courtesy of the internet taken at Naughty Grapes)

Don't miss this exclusive performance! True jazz at it's finest!
Their music will electrify the soul within you!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25TH!

SEE YOU THERE!

Click here to hear a sample of what you will experience on the 25th ~ from Freek Johnson's MySpace!

DON'T FORGET!

MONDAYS ~Open Mic Nite at 8pm!

AUGUST Musical Line-up:

1-Wed. David Mathis

2-Thurs. Good Timez Band

3-Fri George Colakovic

4-Sat. George Colakovic

7-Tues. Bob Heckler

8-Wed. Rich Boban

9-Thurs. Blues Man Group

10-Fri. Tom Matecki

11-Sat. Bobby Troy

14-Tues. David Boban

15-Wed. Rich Boban

16-Thurs. Blues Man Group

17-Fri. Rich Boban

18-Sat. Good Timez Band

21-Tues. Bob Heckler

22 -Wed. Rich Boban

23-Thurs. Blues Man Group

24-Fri. Bobby Troy

25-Sat. FREEK JOHNSON!

28-Tues. Tom Matecki

29 -Wed. Rich Boban

30-Thurs. Blues Man Group

31-Fri.Rich Boban

The History of Naughty Grapes!

The following article was written by Naughty Grapes own Marketing Operations Manager, Disobedient Deby and published in the July issue of NWI ENTERTAINER.
You can pick up the July issue of "Your Source for Northwest Indiana Happenings" at the Grapes or any other area club.

The History of Naughty Grapes Wine Bar Bistro

Naughty Grapes opened June 29^th 2001. John Desmaretz’s original concept was to build a small quaint environment that had great food, good jazz and great wines. It was designed for an affluent crowd; one that enjoyed the finer things in life and didn’t want to have to travel to Chicago. It took six months to open primarily because it was so unique—in an old house.

Why a house?

He knew the concept he wanted to display had to have a different type of environment. “Too many places fall short of great ambiance because they are working with storefronts and poorly designed buildings”, says John. It was love at first sight with 513 N Main Street. He knew he could shape it into something special and something people would remember. He worked hard to maintain a 17^th century feel but inundate it with pop art and unique dressings to make it interesting. It continues to have a warm feel with a perfect environment to cruise while listening to jazz and enjoying great culinary arts.

The house was built in 1906. It was family owned for many years then turned into a boarding house in the late 80’s. A mother and her daughter started gentrification in 1996 and it took them five years to complete. When John bought the house he added the bar, restaurant and internals to make it Naughty Grapes.

According to a couple of dining psychics who picked up some vibes, the house is haunted. One former chef insists that someone spoke in his ear as he was shutting off the lights upstairs one evening. There are also strange noises that occur at times. Things like the sound of someone walking up or down the stairs when you are in the other part of the house. As far as anyone knows, there have been no sightings.

John shares, “I have been told many times that there is no place like Naughty Grapes anywhere in the world. It needs to be experienced. Who else in Northwest Indiana has a Jacuzzi bathtub in their bathroom?”

Volume 1, Issue 2

We will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th—due to the lack of interest, however we will be celebrating...

BASTILLE DAY!

Saturday, July 14th!

Join us for Rich’s savoring French Onion Soup and other French cuisine special-al-ities.

We'll feature French wine specials. And our beautiful bartenders will be whipping up a Bastille Day Cocktail for the occasion. Look for fun events at Naughty Grapes in honor of this French national holiday.

FREEK JOHNSON comeback? John has hinted of a comeback. Stayed tuned.

Who is Freek Johnson? (borrowed from myspace, click on pic)

Freek Johnson is not your grandfathers jazz; their fans describe their sound as eclectic, tight, controlled chaos, and highly caffeinated. Going on their 9th year as a group, the Freek has built a hard-core, diverse fan base in Indiana and Illinois. Together, they create completely original compositions guaranteed to please old-school and new-school music fans. The Freek and its members have graced the stages of the Vic Theatre, Double Door, The Green Mill, The Backroom, and Andys, and were a regular feature at the Naughty Grapes for over two years.

LQQK! A new publication is in our area that features photos, articles, and tidbits about the Northwest Indiana nightlife (including Naughty Grapes Wine Bar Bistro). The magazine is free and loaded with good reading/looking material. And...it's FREE! Pick-up a copy at your favorite frequently fraternized bistro. You may see or read about someone you know. Did I happen to mention it's free?

MUSICAL LINE-UP & JULY DATES TO REMEMBER:

MONDAYS open mic nite at 8pm!

• 3-Tues. - David Mathis
• 4-Wed. - CLOSED
• 5-Thurs. - The Good Timez
• 6-Fri. - Bobby Troy
• 7-Sat. - George Colakoviv
• 10-Tues. - Bob Heckler
• 11-Wed. - Rich Boban
• 12-Thurs. - Blues Man Group
• 13-Fri. - Rich Boban
• 14-Sat. - BASTILLE DAY
  
• 14-Sat. - The Good Timez
• 17-Tues. - David Boban
• 18-Wed. - Rich Boban
• 19-Thurs. - Blues Man Group
• 20-Fri. - Rich Boban
• 21-Sat. - Bobby Troy
• 24-Tues. - Bob Heckler
• 25 -Wed. - Rich Boban
• 26-Thurs. - Blues Man Group
• 27-Fri. - The Good Timez
• 28-Sat. - George Colakoviv
• 31-Tues. - David Boban