Hello Indy,
Not to stress you out, but even though it feels like Halloween happened already, it hasn’t. And after those kids come knocking to take your candy (bowl included) you’ll have to drive for a few days through “Swift City” (which will be great for local businesses), then watch the map change colors on TV for the 2024 elections.
And before you know it, it’s Thanksgiving and then the other holidays follow…
Woof. Let’s take a deep breath.
We will navigate through all of this stuff with you. One thing at a time. Starting with Tay-Tay, plus other ideas to keep ourselves chill.
We, too, need to take it slow.
WHAT’S NEW IN ARTS & CULTURE
The fact of life is that downtown Indianapolis belongs to the Swifties Nov. 1-3. Wanting to steer away from the crowds is okay! If this sounds like your speed, we have 11 lower-key, lower-cost fun things to do this weekend.
No one does Halloween like the Irvington neighborhood. We sent photographer Ted Somerville to capture some of the best dressed, and he delivered Furbies, Soviet submarines and Mrs. Roper.
Artists Rafael Caro and Erica Parker — who also illustrate some of Mirror Indy’s Culture Journals — designed a mural for Rhodius Park with community input. We have the details and the pictures.
In case you missed something, see all arts and culture coverage here.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
At Mirror Indy, we’re exercising our civic duty. We hope you do that, too, and that you come to our party with all your election questions and hot takes. It’s free with RSVP.
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
CITY CHATTER
What’s good, friends!
Can I keep it real with y’all? I’m a little zonked. Tired. Wore TF out. I know I’m not alone. ‘Tis the season to slow our collective roll and take a chill pill.
I am so grateful for opportunities to relax, relate and release in community through offerings like the annual Spirit & Place Festival. This year’s theme, Gratitude, seems awfully fitting for the time we’re living in.
I’m inviting you to peruse the Spirit & Place website and find something to do that will feed your soul.
While The Testimony Service’s post-election Gratitude Tea event I’m hosting is sold-out, there are so many other things to enjoy including the public conversation happening on Nov. 10 with myself, Dacher Keltner and R. Eric Thomas.
As our mantra for The Testimony Service goes, I Made It. You Made It. We Made It. Together.
Take care of yourselves, and each other.
Peace!
— Ebony Chappel, market director at Free Press Indiana
MUSIC NEWS
Last Friday, I went to Fountain Square’s Square Cat Vinyl for the launch party of Mina and the Wondrous Flying Machine’s album, “Quiet Little Wreckonings.” Another Indianapolis-based group, Mother The Band, opened the show.
It’s been a while since I’ve been transfixed; the music was atmospheric, the stage design and lighting had a hazy, psychedelic effect.
The show reminded me of the fun times I had with one of my best friends, Jes. Our friendship was largely built around our love of music and sneaking into shows when we were underage.
This Monday marked 10 years since Jes died suddenly, not long after graduating from high school. The show could have been a sad reminder, but as Mother The Band’s Rebekah Kay sang about the importance of friendship in “Circle,” I was thankful for the friends I have and the ones I’ve lost.
I can’t promise you’ll have an epiphany every time you catch a show, but I recommend getting out there and seeing the transformative magic that can come from live music.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
TIME MACHINE
Remember Indianapolis Contemporary?
Formerly known as the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art or iMOCA, the gallery was founded in 2001.
I/C showed works in local spaces like the Alexander Hotel, the Murphy Art Center, Indiana Landmarks and Cat Head Press. Along with exhibitions, I/C released ABSTRACT by PRINTtEXT, a magazine featuring interviews with musicians, artists and more.
Mirror Indy arts and culture editor Jennifer Delgadillo and I wrote for ABSTRACT until I/C closed in 2020.
I interviewed national artists like BOSCO, NNAMDÏ and Deantoni Parks.
In 2019, I/C released “Epiphany,” the first print ABSTRACT issue featuring myself, Bree Jo’Ann, Karen Pope, Bella Bravo and more. Hoy Polloy Art Gallery hosted a public reading and I was lucky enough to perform with a growing baby in my belly.
What cool local Indy memories do you have? Send them to me with a photo to ariana.beedie@mirrorindy.org.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
CULTURE JOURNAL
Every once in a while we like to assign a Culture Journal to Mirror Indy staff so that we can share our favorite spots with you. With Halloween approaching, it was a no-brainer to ask managing editor of innovation, Amanda Kingsbury, to do it — her birthday falls on Halloween (happy birthday!) and she also lives in Irvington.
Here’s a sample:
Day One:
It’s not even 6 p.m., and some dude dressed as the Grim Reaper nods solemnly as I breeze past him, en route to get my ice cream fix at LiftOff Creamery in Irvington. Two scoops of Graham Central Station in a waffle cup, please.
Every year, I look for an unofficial sign that Halloween has arrived in my eastside neighborhood, named after Washington Irving. Irvington has no connection to “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” author, but 150 years ago, the founders thought the area had spooky vibes. The neighborhood turned the aura into a brand.
Random Grim Reaper is definitely this year’s sign.
CLASSIFIEDS
- Estimated at 350 years-old, this Chinquapin Oak provides important services like shade and improved air quality.
- Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve is one of Indiana’s finest nature preserves, located right within Eagle Creek Park.
- The arboretum at the Indiana Statehouse has a “Moon Tree” sycamore because the tree seed traveled to space.
- Marott Woods is Indy’s “living laboratory” nature preserve.
- Free to the public, Warbler Woods is private property that is managed as a bird and wildlife refuge.
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 web producer, Gwen Ragno.
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.
