Dear Indy,
I Made Rock ‘N’ Roll will finally be here tomorrow.
The music festival will pay tribute to the genre’s Black roots while also enabling Indy residents to rock to some of this generation’s top performers.
Mirror Indy is a proud sponsor. Some of our journalists will be staffing a table, so be sure to stop by and say hi.
But before you go, lower those tinted shades and read up on our guides.
- First, hear from Community Journalism Director Ariana Beedie about why it’s so important for the festival to showcase Black creators
- Learn from DJ and emcee Rusty Redenbacher, who shared more about the acts — and a list of tips on what to do
- Scroll through merch expert Michelle Anastasia’s suggestions for six fits influenced by Black music icons
- Get in the right mindset by jamming to Documenters Assignment Editor Sharlene Birdsong’s playlist on Spotify
And now we have a new post from Beedie interviewing two musicians who will be performing at the festival.
Drayco McCoy, front person for the hardcore band Inner Peace, said he’s “ready to be inspired” by the other acts.
“I like to take notes,” he said.
Joy Oladokun, a singer-songwriter, reflected on her start while preparing for the festival.
“I grew up in a small town and only saw pictures of Garth Brooks, John Denver and Tim McGraw with guitars,” Oladokun said. “For me to see a picture of Tracy Chapman, someone who looks like me, playing guitar just opened a whole new world.”
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In other news
- Many Haitians are continuing to immigrate to their new homes in Indianapolis, which makes holidays like Haitian Flag Day all that much more important. A community event on Saturday, hosted by the nonprofit Haitian Association of Indiana, is not only an opportunity for Haitians to celebrate their culture but also to share it with the wider community. “We just want people to come and enjoy our culture,” said Dominique Dumornay, case manager for the Haitian Association of Indiana. “We want everybody to come so that they can get what I would call a flavor or a taste of Haiti. You know with the food, but also just to learn a little bit about Haiti.” Learn more about Saturday’s event here.
- This week’s Culture Journal comes from arts and culture reporter Breanna Cooper. Experience Breanna’s week at Kan-Kan, Mansion Society and Indy CD & Vinyl.
- Indy Documenters attended a Pike Township school board meeting last week, where they learned about the district’s teacher of the year and principal of the year.
What’s going on around the city
- Tomorrow, May 18: Celebrate Summer with the Fountain Fletcher District. Starting at noon, you can browse art galleries, find pop-up shops, get a headshot taken, and more throughout the district. Free.
- Saturday, May 18: Get your fix of Chicago Blues at the Slippery Noodle, 372 S. Meridian St., with the Jack Whittle Trio. Though they’ve played all over the Midwest, this is the band’s first time bringing their American roots music to the Slippery Noodle. Free.
- Tuesday, May 21: Think you have The Right Stuff to take first place in a boy band trivia contest? Test your knowledge with Green Light Entertainment LLC’s Boy Band Trivia at Metazoa Brewing Co., 140 S. College Ave., at 6:30 p.m. Free, but be sure to reserve a table!
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- Chalkbeat Indiana: Several policies designed to promote equity are being codified by the school board. One board member said the district has already been making the changes under Superintendent Aleesia Johnson but now any future administrators will also follow the policies.
- Indianapolis Business Journal: Could a westside soccer park be transformed into a complex worthy of the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup? That’s the goal of a group of local investors, who have set aside $45 million to upgrade and redevelop Kunz Memorial Soccer Stadium.
- IndyStar: Have about $1,000 to spare? If so, you might be interested in helicopter flights to the Indy 500.
Reporters’ Notebook:
Carley Lanich and Claire Rafford
What time is it? Summertime!
OK, we won’t quote the entirety of the cinematic masterpiece that is “High School Musical 2,” but that’s your homework if you haven’t seen it.
This time of year means one thing for us education reporters: summer stories. While school is winding down for lots of Indianapolis students, it’s a myth that education reporters just get to chill when the weather gets warm. The news never stops!
For example, IUPUI’s long-awaited split will be official July 1, so expect plenty of coverage of that. In addition, lots of students these days take classes year-round, so it’s not as though campuses will empty for the summer.
IPS also is gearing up for its big middle school transition next fall and there’s lots of discussion to be had about high school diploma changes and getting students back on track with reading.
Still, with school out, we definitely have more time on our hands than usual. That means we’re on the hunt for some spectacular summer stories (say that five times fast).
So, what are you up to this summer? Let us know at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org and claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org.
— Carley Lanich, K-12 education reporter, and Claire Rafford, higher ed reporter
Have a question or suggestion for our reporters? Contact them here.
Reflections
When I opened the New York Times’ list of the best books published since 2000, I anticipated being welcomed with a barrage of affirmation that yes, I am a reader of the world’s best books.
Alas, I stopped my scrolling after 10 years revealed I had read just four (at least on the landing page): “A Promised Land” by President Barack Obama; “Evicted” by Matthew Desmond; “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates; and “The Sixth Extinction” by Elizabeth Kolbert.
Guess I have some catching up to do.
How’d you all do?
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
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