Summer kinda crept up on us and that means there’s a festival every single weekend. Hit up Black: A Festival of Joy, Indiana Black Expo, Indy Shorts and Indy Dance Festival.
How much would you purchase at a market where all items are $10 or less? See for yourself at Soul of the City.
Analog junkies can find their way to Gluestick Mini Zine Fest. Thespians can grab a seat to watch “Ride the Cyclone,” Summer Stock Stage’s “King Lear” and Footlite Musicals’ “Footloose.”
Use this list to find things to do all month long.
Woodworking with Deeply Ingrained
🗓️ 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, July 1
📍 East Washington library branch, 2822 E. Washington St.
🎟️ Free, but must register.
Kids ages 6-12 can learn basic woodworking skills and how to use tools safely to build their own project. Each participant starts with raw materials and leaves with a functional finished piece.
The Monument Knows
🗓️5 p.m. Wednesday, July 1
📍Mounument Circle
🎟️Free
Monumental Gestures is hosting its first public conversation of The Monument Knows, a new project exploring the histories and possibilities of Monument Circle and the Soldiers & Sailors Monument. The project asks a simple but deep question: What does the monument know?
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Black Photography Exhibit
🗓️ July 1-Aug. 1
📍 Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ Free
We Are Indy Arts will honor African American artists who have been pioneers in the art form of photography. The opening reception is 5:30-7:45 p.m. July 7 in the Simon Reading Room.
‘The Colored Museum’
🗓️ July 2-11
📍The District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave.
🎟️$18-28
This satirical work celebrates, critiques and reclaims the narratives that have shaped the Black experience in America. Deborah Asante, founder and artistic director of Asante Children’s Theatre, will direct.
Saloon Night
🗓️ 3-7 p.m. Friday, July 3
📍 Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St.
🎟️ Free with museum membership
On Saloon Night, you can attend a Western-themed concert with performances from local band Indy Annies and line dancing. While there, see “Cowboy Couture: The Fashion of Jerry Lee Atwood,” an exhibit of Indianapolis-based designs and their connection to pop culture and the American West.
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First Friday: Backlot
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 3
📍 Backlot, 5635 Bonna Ave.
🎟️ Free
Shop from local vendors or admire the artwork from burgeoning artists in Irvington and beyond. The Backlot indoor artists space has a secret passage to The Magpie Artspace.
First Friday: Factory Arts District
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 3
📍 Factory Arts District, 1125 E. Brookside Ave.
🎟️Free
One stop at the Factory Arts District means you can see works from artists at over 20 studios and galleries. The Schwitzer Gallery will feature the launch of a new clothing brand, “Genevere Antonei,” by local fashion designer Tendai Phillips.
First Friday: Harrison Center
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 3
📍 Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free
Walk around to view artwork created by artist MJ Coyle in the Harrison Gallery. Cole’s abstract paintings explore the intersection of memory, landscape and imagination. In the City Gallery, you’ll find a collection of oil paintings by artist Courtland Blade inspired by Indianapolis spaces and everyday scenes.
Atomic Shows
🗓️ 7 p.m. Friday, July 3
📍 Atomic Bowl, 1105 Prospect St.
🎟️$10
Listen to local folk and country bands — Work Friends, Circle City Bandit and Chorin.
Our Afrikan Haus
🗓️ 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Friday, July 3
📍Tinker House, 1101 E. 16th St.
🎟️$10-20
Start your weekend on the dance floor where you’ll find African dance music. Dance to Amapiano, 3 Step, Afrohouse, Afrotech and Gqom rhythms.
Today is Tonight
🗓️ 6 p.m. Saturday, July 4
📍 State Street Pub, 243 N. State Ave.
🎟️$5
Hang out, draw and watch a “definitely-not-propaganda video/film/collage” with Spike Smelley. Afterwards watch the Fourth of July fireworks from the pub patio and stick around for celebratory semiquincentennial dance music spun by DJ Jannell Jannell Jannell.
Anywhere Everywhere
🗓️ 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4
📍 HI-FI, 1043 Virginia Ave.
🎟️ $26.26, 21+
The pop-up party founded by Ferris Booler, returns on the Fourth of July. Come with an open mind ready to immerse yourself in music by DJs Ferris, Pastel Death and Marz.
Beginning Fiction Writing
🗓️ July 6-Aug. 3
📍 Zoom
🎟️$168-300
Do you often get overwhelmed when writing a story? Dedicate every Monday for a whole month to getting your creative engines revved up and moving. Practice basic character formation exercises and learn how to write vivid scenes and scenarios for your characters.
Bike & Bootcamp
🗓️ 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 7
📍 Orange Bridge (near Colts Canal PlaySpace)
🎟️ Free, but must sign a waiver
Participants will ride 2-4 miles by bike with several stops for body weight and other exercises like squats, dips, stairs, wall sits and push-ups.
‘Ride the Cyclone’
🗓️ July 9-Aug 2
📍 Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ $17-52
The play tells the story of six teens part of a Canadian chamber choir who die in a tragic roller coaster accident. After their deaths, they find themselves in the afterlife, where a mechanical fortune-telling machine offers them a chance to return to life by competing in a contest.
Summer Kickback
🗓️ 6:30-11 p.m. Friday, July 10
📍 North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave.
🎟️$26 or pay-what-you-can
Jai-Lyn Norwood founded Indy Black Climbers to create a more inclusive rock climbing environment in the city. All experience levels are welcome.
Teddy Bear Concert Series
🗓️ 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11
📍 Glendale library branch, 3660 E. 60th St.
🎟️ Free
Do you have a little musical genius on your hands? These concerts introduce children ages 3-7 to instruments as they move with the music, play real violins and interact with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra musicians.
Indiana Black Expo Film Festival
🗓️ 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 11
📍 Indiana Black Expo, 601 N. Shortridge Road
🎟️ Free
Emerging and established filmmakers who work to reflect authentic Black experiences, past, present and future, come together in this film festival. You can catch a screening of “Unforgettable,” a feature film — adapted from a stage play — about the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s on Black communities.
BLACK: A Festival of Joy
🗓️ 3-9 p.m. Saturday, July 11
📍 Taggart Memorial Amphitheater at Riverside Regional Park, 1856 Burdsal Parkway
🎟️ Free
BLACK: A Festival of Joy started in 2022. Four festivals later, it’s an even bigger celebration of Black joy with DJs, dancing, food trucks, community conversations and activities for kids. Stay tuned for the lineup of performers.
Vintage Movie Night
🗓️ 8 p.m. Saturday, July 11
📍 Garfield Park Art Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive
🎟️$5
“There’s Always a Woman” is a screwball comedy and murder mystery. The film follows a struggling private investigator, Bill Reardon, and his amateur-sleuth wife, Sally, who secretly keeps his agency running and attempts to solve a murder case while competing with her husband.
Gluestick Mini Zine Fest
🗓️ Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, July 12
📍 CAMi, 1125 Cruft St.
🎟️ Free
Celebrate a decade of zines with a handful of creators and vendors at HQ Books and Records, one of the storefronts at CAMi. The fest is also a homegoing service as organizers say farewell to “Gluestick” alias and say hello “Authentic Resource.”
Grocer Tour
🗓️ 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14
📍 Healer, 3631 E. Raymond St.
🎟️ $12
Grocer, a Philadelphia-based band, is making a stop in Naptown while on tour. The trio is throwing a show with help from local bands Tramp and Hathaway.
‘Newsies: The Broadway Musical’
🗓️ July 15-19
📍 Schrott Center for the Arts, 610 W. 46th St.
🎟️ Start at $31.55
Based on the historic Newsboys Strike of 1899, the musical follows Jack Kelly and his fellow newsies as they fight for fairness against powerful publishers. The young performers of this Summer Stock Stage production are prepared to blow you away with singing and choreography.
Soulful Sounds in Indianapolis
🗓️ 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15
📍 Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center, 2820 N. Meridian St.
🎟️ $50-90
Acute Inflections, a New York-based musical duo, promises to bring you a Harlem Renaissance-inspired experience with duets, comedy and freestyles. Fans of Erykah Badu and Billie Holiday might appreciate their fresh take on timeless jazz and R&B records.
Photobook Throwdown
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Thursday, July 16
📍 Aurora PhotoCenter, 1125 E. Brookside Ave.
🎟️ Free
This is for the photography lovers who feel like the medium doesn’t get enough appreciation as an artform. Share your favorite shots from your photobook. Don’t have a book in mind to share? You can also comb through Aurora’s photobook library of over 300 titles.
‘Shrek’
🗓️ 7:30-10 p.m. Thursday, July 16
📍 White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St.
🎟️$5-20
Bring your picnic blanket or lawn chairs to watch a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess from Lord Farquaad to get his land back.
Music Heritage Festival
🗓️ 6 p.m. Friday, July 17
📍 IU Michael Carroll Stadium, 1001 W. New York St.
🎟️ Start at $20
Indiana Black Expo has been one of the largest events showcasing Black culture for over 50 years. This signature Summer Celebration event brings generations together through R&B music. The outdoor concert’s lineup includes Kem, King George, South Bend native October London and Midnight Star.
Footlite Musicals presents ‘Footloose’ the Musical
🗓️ Thursday-Sundays; July 17-26
📍 Hedback Community Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama St.
🎟️ $17-27
In this Footlite “Footloose” performance, most of the performers are ages 13-18 and part of Footlite Young Artists Production. The musical follows Ren and his mother who move from Chicago to a small conservative town. He’s prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school, but he’s not prepared for the local ban on dancing established by the local preacher.
Indy Dance Festival
🗓️ July 18-19
📍 Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave.
🎟️ Individual classes are $25; $60 for day passes
It’s a weekend full of masterclasses, a panel discussion and dance performances. Try something new — there’s a host of different dance styles, including ballet, breakin’, Limón modern, sandunga and bachata fusion footwork.
Summerfest
🗓️11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 18
📍Mass Ave Cultural District
🎟️Free
A block party full of festivities and celebration on Mass Ave. Stroll or get chauffeured on a golf cart to shop the Sidewalk Sale and groove to music while browsing artist and maker booths.
Hot Clown Summer Trinket Swap Spectacular
🗓️ Noon-2 p.m. Saturday, July 18
📍 Lapis Lily Market, 1060 N. Capitol Ave.
🎟️ Free, but must register
It’s an unhinged hot-girl-clown trinket swap to celebrate Lapis Lily Market’s last day in the Startup 317 space inside The Stutz. Wear your hottest and weirdest clown costume to win a trophy.
Paper Airplanes Bookclub
🗓️ 2-4 p.m. Saturday, July 18
📍 Ujamaa Community Bookstore, 2424 Dr. MLK Jr. St.
🎟️ Free
Keaun Michael Brown’s book club will be boarding soon. This month’s destination? Puerto Rico.
You’ll discuss “Now We Will Be Happy,” a short story collection centered around Afro-Puerto Ricans. Plus, join a Dominoes tournament and try traditional Puerto Rican food.
Art Workshop Series
🗓️ 3-7 p.m. Saturday, July 18
📍 The Amp at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd.
🎟️ Free
Shop from Latino vendors and learn how to make paper floral bouquets and plant kits with Hispanic Cultural Hub.
Chreece Last Shot Competition
🗓️ 8-10 p.m. Saturday, July 18
📍 Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St.
🎟️ Free
Gather and witness three finalists from the Chreece online hip-hop performance competition take the stage. The artists will perform in front of a panel of expert judges.
The stakes are high because the winner snags the last paid slot at the Chreece Hip Hop Festival on Aug. 29 in Fountain Square.
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Naptown Getdown
🗓️ 8 p.m. Saturday, July 18
📍 Love Indy Bar & Grill, 4623 E. 10th St.
🎟️ $15
A couple drinks might get you to the dance floor to bust a move while DJs Chef Stew, Suprawilliw96 and TrizzyFM spin house, disco and funk records.
Book Bedazzling
🗓️Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, July 19
📍The Whispering Shelf, 414 N. College Ave.
🎟️$39.19
Come solo or with a friend to decorate your book with gems, charms and embellishments. All supplies are included.
Indy Shorts International Film Festival
🗓️ July 21-25
📍 Indy Art Center, 820 E. 67th St.
🎟️$14.69
Watch 300 short films, including five Indiana-based LIFT films which premiere at the festival. Filmmakers are competing for more than $35,000 in cash prizes.
‘KING LEAR’
🗓️July 23-Aug. 1
📍Taggart Memorial Ampitheater at Riverside Park, 1856 Burdsal Parkway
🎟️Free-$33.85
Dive into drama with Indianapolis Shakespeare Company’s “King Lear,” where an aging monarch divides his kingdom among his three daughters based on their flattery. Indy Shakes wants to make Shakespeare feel immediate, accessible and meaningful in our current moment.
Summer Bash
🗓️ 1-5 p.m. Friday, July 24
📍 IPS School 63, 1163 N. Belmont Ave.
🎟️ Free
Matchbook Learning is throwing an annual resource fair to help westside families during the upcoming school year. An on-site vaccine clinic, sports physicals and other community resources are available for free.
Big Gay Summer’s End
🗓️ July 25-26
📍 The Amp at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd.
🎟️ Free
Beat the heat and spend up to five hours indoors eating and shopping from over 50 LGBTQ+ vendors and artists.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live
🗓️ July 25-26
📍 Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St.
🎟️ Start at $54.45
Get ready for more heat and action. The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks will perform stunts and the all-new No-Handed Front Flip will be performed by the FMX riders.
Back-To-School Block Party
🗓️ 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 25
📍 Indianapolis Urban League, 777 Indiana Ave.
🎟️ Free
Families can grab food, community resources and school supplies. There will also be an Urban Farmer’s Market, a book mobile, face painting and a talent showcase featuring Cupid, creator of the Cupid Shuffle.
Soul of the City
🗓️ 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 25
📍 Ujamaa Community Bookstore, 2424 Dr. MLK. Jr St.
🎟️ Free
Black Dolla Connect is transforming Ujamaa Community Bookstore’s parking lot into a flea market. Shop a curated mix of new, handcrafted and gently loved items, all priced at $10 or less.
Bellies & Bullsh*t Block Party
🗓️ 3 p.m. Saturday, July 25
📍 World Famous Hot Boys, 1004 Virginia Ave.
🎟️ Free
“Bellies and Bullsh*t” is a local pop culture and comedy podcast hosted by Brion and Dmatt. They bring their “big belly energy” to each episode every Friday.
Their annual block party is taking over Fountain Square. Look out for food, positive vibes and some of their best and not-so-best advice.
Author Talk with Jim Voyles Jr.
🗓️6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 28
📍Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️Free
Known as “lawyer of the stars,” Voyles has represented a number of high-profile clients, including boxer Mike Tyson, former Indiana Pacers player Stephen Jackson, the late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay and former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez.
He will discuss his new book, “ALL RISE: My Life and Trials with the Famous, the Infamous, and the Misunderstood,” which is a behind-the-scenes look at his legal career, from celebrity court cases to the complexities of the American justice system.
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Improv Competition
🗓️ 7:30-9 p.m. Friday, July 31
📍 The Wit Theater, 3808 Shelby St.
🎟️ $15-20; plus group packages
ComedySportz is bringing fun improvisation to everyone. Think “Whose Line is it Anyway?” with a sporting twist. Two teams compete for laughs, points and a trophy.
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Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
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