Dear Indy,
Today’s stories celebrate the heroic spirit of dancers that risk it all — even if for a short moment — to make us feel alive by showing us what is humanly possible.
We’re also highlighting poets, an arts community that wants to see their local art museum thrive and the abundance of music in our city right now.
Lastly, we have a ticket giveaway! (Scroll down to Time Machine for details.)
WHAT’S NEW IN ARTS & CULTURE
In the spirit of new beginnings, we asked local community members what’s on their wishlist for Le Monte G. Booker Sr., the new CEO at Newfields.
Fall is a great time to ride a bike. We have 9 ideas for mapping your next ride on local trails or for joining group rides for all fitness levels.
A fishnetted femmeboi, a bendy babe and a lascivious metal performer are just some of the 10 burlesque dancers from Indy’s stages featured in this list.
In case you missed something, see all arts and culture coverage here.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
Last Saturday we attended the open mic hosted by poets Corey Ewing, Mariah Ivey and Januarie York at Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest. Besides sharing beautiful poetry, some of the readers told the audience about their upcoming events.
- Cory Ewing: The VOCAB open mic happens every second Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m. at the White Rabbit Cabaret.
- Mat Davis: “Sometimes Y,” an open mic that follows in the footsteps of poet Etheridge Knight, happens at the Chatterbox every first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m.
- C.S. Carrier: He and Michelle Niemann will host NIGHTJAR, featuring Indy poet Autumn Pryor, at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Tube Factory.
- Mariah Ivey: THE RE-UP: An Art & Wellness Fest will happen 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 19.
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
CITY CHATTER
What’s Good, Friends!
Back in my mid-20s, I was a faithful bus rider. This was pre-Red Line and pre a lot of the amenities that riders enjoy these days. Without sounding like a curmudgeonly elder, I’ll spare my looooong list of “back in my day” comments.
For 10 years, you could catch me on the 38, 39, 4 or the 10, going back and forth to work as a waitress or a reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder. I chronicled my adventures on Tumblr as a way to show others that public transit wasn’t some scary, sketchy thing, but a cornerstone of any thriving city.
When Mirror Indy got the opportunity to support People We Meet on the Bus, I leaped at the chance! It’s so cool that public transit is being championed in such a creative way.
This weekend, Mirror Indy will pull double-duty again as we sponsor the People We Meet on the Bus open-mic and zine launch at 6 p.m. Friday at 10 East Arts and Afro Ball Indy at 8 p.m. Saturday at Cinderwood Event Center.
The zine launch is free but AfroBall Indy is a ticketed event.
On Monday, we’ll be working, but if you’re lucky enough to have Indigenous People’s Day off, I encourage you to engage with some small form of activism. The Eiteljorg Museum is hosting a free community celebration and the Indiana Daily Student has some worthwhile recommendations as well.
Peace!
—Ebony Chappel, Free Press Indiana market director
MUSIC NEWS
If there’s anything I like more than concerts, it’s free concerts. Right now, Indianapolis music fans have several opportunities to experience live music without putting a dent in your pocketbook.
I’m really jazzed for a performance from violinist Vijay Gupta this Friday on Butler University’s campus, as well as the Clint Breeze and Sarah Grain & The Billions of Stars sets coming up at the Garfield Park Art Center.
Here’s a roundup of free shows to add to your calendar.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
TIME MACHINE
Little-known fact (maybe) about me: I love movement. Strength training is my focus, but I’d love to explore dancing. There’s something special about unspoken body communication. This week, I’m inspired by dancer Nataly Batana’s memory about her time with a local Mexican dance group.
“‘Destrampados’ was the name of a quebradita dance group from Mexico, that was formed here in Indy in 2005 by a group of young men and women. We usually met to practice at Christian Park on the east side.
“My favorite memories are from performing at universities, schools, churches — even at special events like Family Day and ‘El Grito’ — and our great friend Ted (Somerville) taking photos of us.
“People of all races were surprised to see the spinning movements and the kind of juggling we did with the music. The audience always responded with applause and shouts.”
Somerville shared more photos and told us about his time photographing “Destrampados.”
Want to win tickets to AfroBall? Share your cool Indy memory with me by Thursday 5p.m. Send it to me with a photo to ariana.beedie@mirrorindy.org.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
CLASSIFIEDS
- The Indianapolis Foundation is hiring a communications and community engagement intern.
- Indy Design Factory can make your signage dreams a reality.
- Embrace fall’s cozy vibes with a $10 pumpkin paint & sip Oct. 26 at Rejoicing Vines
- Come to EmbodieDance at Indy Movement Arts ready to play, sweat and laugh. 10-11 a.m.Tuesdays and Thursdays; $16/class.
- Thinking of getting your nose pierced? Try Animation Art Studio.
Send us your creative service ad to hello@mirrorindy.org and write “Classifieds” in the subject line.
Thanks for reading.
You can reach me at jennifer.delgadillo@mirrorindy.org. I’d love to hear from you!
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This newsletter was written by Jennifer Delgadillo and edited by Mirror Indy’s managing editor of innovation, Amanda Kingsbury.
Play List’s illustrations are by Rebekah Nolan.
The audio version of this newsletter was recorded and edited with Joseph Kilbourn.
The music in the audio version of this newsletter is “Treasure Everywhere” by Forestero.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
