Indianapolis will be at the center of the basketball universe as the best players flock to the city for NBA All-Star 2024, from Feb.15-18.
Basketball is the star, but it will share the stage with a variety of arts and music experiences for locals and visitors to indulge in. From murals to an underground hip-hop showcase, we put together an extensive guide of the arts and culture in Indy to ensure your NBA All-Star Weekend is a slam dunk.
Note: IndyGo is offering free rides Feb. 15-18. Extended hours are available for certain routes leaving from the Julia M. Carson Transit Center (CTC) Downtown with the latest departure at 12:30 a.m. The CTC is within walking distance of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the site of the NBA All-Star game on Feb. 18.
Need help riding the bus? Follow along as Mirror Indy service reporter Sophie Young hops on the Red Line for the first time.
One-Time Experiences:
Grails, Inc. All-Star Sneaker Summit Workshop and Q&A featuring Award-Winning Sneaker Designer Dr. D’Wayne Edwards
Wednesday, Feb. 14, Castleton Square Mall (near south entrance), 6020 E. 82nd St.
Having created more than 500 footwear styles for premier entertainers such as Tupac, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Notorious B.I.G., PLC Detroit founder and president Dr. D’Wayne Edwards hosts this very special workshop and Q&A at Grails Inc.’s Castleton Square Mall location.
17th annual All-Star Gospel Celebration
7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave.
Kick off the weekend at one of Indy’s most cherished landmarks. Performances include Grammy award-winning artists Dante Bowe and Kelontae Gavin, along with gospel saxophonist Angella Christie and FOX’s “The Four” winner Evvie McKinney. At the concert, actor/comedian Mike Epps, his wife, Kyra Epps, and Indiana Pacers center Oscar Tshiebwe will also receive special awards. Tickets start at $75.
Creative Carter Presents: All-Star Weekend featuring Boosie
10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16, The Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave.
One of Southern hip-hop’s most prominent figures, Boosie Badazz, aka “Boosie,” will headline a special Friday night show at the Vogue in Broad Ripple. Tickets range from $75-$150.
Michelob ULTRA Courtside Concert featuring T-Pain & Zedd
9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16, Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave.
Two marquee acts team up for this thrilling Friday night affair. A man who needs no introduction, R&B superstar T-Pain, is joined on the bill by electronic dance music superstar Zedd, who co-headlined the Indy 500 Snake Pit in 2017. Tickets are $75.
All-Star 2024 Skate Jam Weekend
10:30 p.m. Feb. 17 to 3 a.m. Feb. 18, Skateland Indy, 3902 N. Glen Arm Road
Get rollin on All-Star weekend with DJ Sneaks and DJ Jigg. Hosted by Roller Skate Indianapolis. $20 admission before 12:30 a.m. and $25 admission after 12:30 a.m.
NBWA Women’s Empowerment Summit and Men’s Panel
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, NCAA Conference and Events Center, 700 W. Washington St.
The National Basketball Wives Association (NBWA) hosts its fifth annual Summit at NBA All-Star Weekend 2024. Carrying the theme of “Crowned,” the event will feature actress, television host and film director Vivica A. Fox, author and broadcast journalist Gayle King, ESPN featured commentator Stephen A. Smith, and many more entrepreneurs, business owners and real estate moguls. Tickets are $250.
Hennessy Arena at Hilbert Circle
2-6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17 Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Cir.
The immersive outdoor and indoor experience will feature a live taping of the 520 Club Podcast hosted by Jeff Teague. Hennessy Arena will also showcase interactive cocktails, live DJ sets, a basketball court installation, celebrity appearances and much more. Guests will have the opportunity to take shots on the court, take photos at our press wall for their socials and enjoy Hennessy cocktails. Free.
NBA Experiences Saturday Pregame Concert featuring Keith Urban
3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave.
This official All-Star Weekend concert will feature a performance from contemporary country star Keith Urban. Tickets are $75.
2024 Meet the Artists XXXVI Exhibit and Gala Opening Reception
5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
View the works of prominent local Black artists while also enjoying a family-friendly evening of live music, poetry, a fashion show, and more. Free.
10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, 242 E. Market St., Ste. 100
MELT is BUTTER’s after party, produced by GANGGANG. Immerse yourself in dynamic DJ sets, art installations, and a vibrant VIP experience. This special edition of MELT will occur at the Indianapolis City Market.
9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, 4000 N Michigan Rd.
Join NBA star George Hill and friends to dance the night away in THE LUME Indianapolis featuring Van Gogh at All-Starry Night presented by Uncle Nearest. The event is produced by Amp Harris Productions. Tickets are $175-$185.
Creative Carter Presents: All-Star Weekend featuring 2 Chainz
10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, The Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave.
Having collaborated with everyone from Drake to Pharrell Williams over the course of his illustrious career, 2 Chainz headlines another star-studded night of hip-hop at the Vogue in celebration of NBA All-Star Weekend. Tickets are $75.
NBA Experiences All-Star Game Pregame Concert featuring Lil Wayne
3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 18, Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave.
One of modern hip-hop’s biggest stars, Lil Wayne will headline the final NBA Experiences concert at the the Indiana Convention Center ahead of the 73rd NBA All-Star Game later that night.
NBA All-Star Weekend Art Show at Phiri Art Gallery
Feb. 18, Phiri Art Gallery, 120 E. Market St.
Stop by Phiri Art Gallery before the NBA All-Star Game tips off on Sunday, Feb. 18 for a special All-Star Weekend art show, complete with music, art, games and more.
Weekend-long experiences:
All-Star 2024: A Collection from the Hearts and Minds of Saint Avenue and Fitz
Noon to 6 p.m., Feb. 14-18, Butter Shop in the Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave.
Indianapolis artist Fitz and locally based streetwear brand Saint Avenue show what their minds can do together with this special fashion collaboration show at the Stutz. Free.
Feb. 9-11 and Feb. 16-18, Crispus Attucks High School, 1140 Doctor M.L.K. Jr St.
All roads lead to Crispus Attucks High School with this original play about the storied all-Black basketball team what won the 1955 Indiana State Championship, led by Oscar Robertson. Tickets are free for community performances from Feb. 9-11 and tickets are $20 to $30 for the Feb. 16-18 shows. Presented by Deborah Asante & Artists.
Feb. 16-18, Living Room Theaters, 745 E. 9th St., Ste. 810
To celebrate their 30th anniversary, SLAM basketball magazine is launching the first-ever film festival exclusively focused on basketball. In honor of NBA All-Star weekend, Indianapolis will be the fest’s first host city. In addition to films and post-screening Q&As, the festival will also feature panel conversations with filmmakers, player-owned production companies, and network executives in the sports film and documentary space. Tickets start at $15.
BUTTER Fine Art Fair at Indy’s Home Court
Feb. 16-18, Indianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St.
GANGGANG’s annual fine arts fair is set to make a special appearance at NBA All-Star Weekend, showcasing works from more than 30 Black artists.
Pro tip: While at the Artsgarden, check out the two temporary murals by Indianapolis artists Jingo de la Rosa and Jonathan Southern at the east and west facades. The two pieces will pay tribute to Indiana’s unique love affair with the game of basketball. Free.
Chreece Presents: Nap City The Basement
Feb. 16-18, 10 W. Washington St. (former Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery location)
After making its triumphant return in 2023, Chreece hip-hop festival presents this special All-Star Weekend showcase featuring some of the biggest and brightest stars of Indianapolis and beyond. More details to come.
Walk and Talk x All-Star Weekend
Feb. 16-18, downtown Indianapolis
Local historian Sampson Levingston and his team at Through2Eyes Indiana are set to host roughly five walking tours daily over the course of All-Star weekend, focused on 24 “Hoosier Historia Moments.” They’ll discuss the transformation of downtown Indianapolis, along Washington Street, and the diverse group of athletes and artists who made it happen. Free.
For the Love of the Game: An All-Star Inspired Art Collection by Finger Creations
Feb. 2-March 1, Gallery Forty Two, 42 E. Washington St.
The chic, elegant gallery presents an All Star-themed art collection by multimedia artist Finger Creations featuring portraits of basketball players who have inspired our love of the game. Free.
Public Art Experiences:
Public Art Crawls presented by Rokh
Feb. 17 and 18
Since launching Public Art For All: A Public Art Census, Rokh has uncovered over 3,000 public artworks created by artists in the Circle City. The multidisciplinary, cultural equity, research and design studio will now host a pair of free public art tours over NBA All-Star Weekend, including a Circle City Public Art Tour on Saturday, Feb. 17 as well as a Black & Brilliant Public Art Tour on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Hoosier Historia
A group of 24 artists from across Indiana will interpret some of the most iconic people, moments and places in the state’s basketball history on 6-foot basketball sculptures. These large public art pieces are a partnership between the Host Committee, the Marion County Capital Improvement Board, and the Indy Arts Council, and will be on display throughout “Indy’s Home Court” for the duration of NBA All-Star weekend.
Light Installations
- Two projection-mapped artworks, created by Blockhouse Studios in Bloomington and a video arts collaboration by renowned Australian artist Wendy Yu, will be displayed on the T-Mobile Building and the District Tap Building respectively, 2 W. Washington St. and 141 S. Meridian St. This Wendy Yu collaboration features local dancers with Iibada Dance Company, 31Svn Dance Academy, and Dance Kaleidoscope, as well as basketball players with the WNBA and Butler University.
- At the northwest and southwest quadrants of Monument Circle, a light installation from Innovative will bring all the excitement of a “buzzer beater” experience.
- Australia-based design studio Atelier Sisu’s immersive public art installation, “Evanescent,” features large glowing basketball-like orbs at Hudnut Commons, on the corner of Maryland and Capitol Streets.
Sidewalk Galleries
Indy Arts Council, in partnership with the City of Indianapolis and downtown property owners, installed large-scale versions of works by local artists to decorate storefronts along the streets of “Indy’s Home Court.” Here’s where to find some of the mural installations:
- Capitol Avenue’ss underpass, between the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium: featuring India Cruse-Griffin’s brilliant “The Court,” the original of which is on display inside th Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- Jackson Place, where it’s adjacent to Union Station: Salma Taman, Liz Wierzbicki, Phyllicia Carr, and Christina Hollering.
- CSX Building, on the east end of Georgia Street: Eric Stine, Jennifer Broemel, Brittany Murray, Denielle Mowery Hake, Amiah Mims, Faith Blackwell, Gurkan Mihci, Boxx the Artist, DeJuan Wortham, Scott Johnson, and Gretchen Katner, plus a poem by Franklin Oliver.
- Circle Centre Mall: Rebecca Sauve, Dana Powell Smith, Taylor Bamgbose, Kyle Morgan, and Kyng Rhodes. Additionally, artwork by JD Bills and poems by Maude Atlas Cottone and Ken Honeywell.
- Monument Circle, northwest quadrant: Six works by Israel Solomon from his “Indiana Fever” series, the originals of which currently hang inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- 7 N. Meridian St., at the northeast corner of Meridian and Washington streets.: Koda Witsken’s tribute to “Hoosier Hysteria,” the original of which currently hangs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- At 924 N. Pennsylvania St., a large triptych by Asli Narin, a newly named DeHaan Artist of Distinction.
Beyond the court…
On the Pennsylvania and Delaware rail underpasses, just north of South Street, local artists Josh Brinson (Bezol One) and Mike Graves curated a survey of 15 of Indy’s most fascinating street and graffiti artists. The pieces on the Pennsylvania underpass will be basketball-themed, while the Delaware underpass will be a collection of freestyle pieces.
Participating Indy artists include:
Rob Bentley, Bezol One, Rafael Caro, Lucian Agape, Tylar Dickmeyer, Tusk 100, Mike Graves, Nathaniel Johnson, Slice, Ess McKee, Ron Lewhorn, Holly Sims, Invisible Hometown, Koda Witsken, and Fitz.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
