Listen here:
We’re recovering from the little bit of Beryl that made it through Indy by playing music, brainstorming where to eat, cozying up to books and contemplating our lives. Quite a bit, actually.
Between Ariana Beedie’s Flashback, the Cafe Tacvba concert pics and our new social media strategist’s TV show recommendation, the nostalgia is strong in this edition.
WHAT’S NEW IN ARTS & CULTURE
BLACK: A Festival of Joy happens Saturday, July 13, at the Taggart Memorial Amphitheatre at Riverside Park. There will be live music, vendors and, of course, great food.
See Mirror Indy’s photos of Mexican rock bands Café Tacvba and Caifanes at the last concert of their 2024 North America tour, which happened here in Indianapolis.
También puedes leer esta historia en español aquí.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
- “Even though ‘Life During Wartime’ was released in 1979, it resonates with me today. This version by DJ Tunez has the afrobeat backbone that makes me think, ‘This is what David Byrne would sound like if he were Gen Z.’” — Sharlene Birdsong, Indy Documenters assignment editor
- “I spend too much money at Tomorrow Bookstore on Mass Ave. My favorite find has been ‘It Lasts Forever and Then It’s Over’ by Anne de Marcken.” — Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
- “I’m going to buy pho broth from King Wok, on Lafayette Road. Soup is such a comfort food, and now I won’t have to spend hours simmering the broth!” — Sophie Young, service journalism reporter
- “I’ve been in a nostalgia funk and have been watching reruns of the UPN/CW ‘Girlfriends’ starring Tracee Ellis Ross. It follows the friendship and love lives of four Black women in Los Angeles.” — Mesgana Waiss, social media strategist
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
CITY CHATTER
What’s good, friends! My name is Ebony Chappel and by day, I serve as market director for Mirror Indy’s support organization, Free Press Indiana.
My nights and weekends are when I let my proverbial freak flag fly by throwing and attending events steeped in my curiosity and desire for whimsical experiences.
REMINDER: If anyone tells you there’s nothing to do in Indy, please know they’re uninformed and possibly… kinda boring. Forward this newsletter to them, ASAP!
- As mentioned earlier, BLACK: A Festival of Joy returns for the third year this weekend. I am proud to serve as co-chair of this festival with Nigel Long of GANGGANG. This event is centered on the magic that is BLACKNESS and the inherent joy of Black people here in Indianapolis. The Mirror Indy team will be on site chatting with attendees and handing out cool swag, so stop by and say hello!
- If you haven’t taken a Walk & Talk with Sampson Levingston, Monday, July 15 at noon is an excellent opportunity. Sampson will lead a free group tour through the Haughville neighborhood starting at the Christamore House. The tour ends with a performance from the Indy Dunkers! Learn more here.
—Ebony Chappel, Free Press Indiana market director
MUSIC NEWS
No matter what genre you’re into, there’s an artist in Indianapolis making music that sounds like it was made just for you.
This week, I made a playlist for Play List featuring local bands Everything, Now! — which just put out a new record “Hideout Mountain” — and The Get Well Susans, along with some bands outside of Indy, such as Bailen and Mint Green.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
TIME MACHINE
Since “The Bear” season 3 premiered, I’m reminded of the time I met Lionel Boyce at a Tyler the Creator concert at Old National Centre in 2015.
In the show, Boyce creates pastry masterpieces as the character Marcus Brooks. When I met him, he was L-Boy, an Odd Future member and hype man.
He greeted me with a sweaty hug after a wild show. Tyler doesn’t play small venues anymore, so you won’t catch L-Boy at a concert. But, you can hear him saying, “Yes, chef,” in a chaotic kitchen on FX’s “The Bear” on Hulu. I’ll be watching.
What cool Indy memories do you have? Send them to me (with a photo) at ariana.beedie@mirrorindy.org.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
CULTURE JOURNAL
Someone always has to go first, and our first-ever Culture Journal was written by artist Jenny DelFuego, who shared a week of eating and gallery hopping with us.
Here’s an excerpt from a moment when Jenny meets up with her art crush:
“10:30 a.m.: I swirl the steamy coffee grounds from the French press, stack the dishes and wonder how it will be to meet this stranger. CA wears a paint-flecked apron and spies me curiously. Her eyebrows raise when our eyes meet.”
CLASSIFIEDS
- Get your pants hemmed with La Costurera Zamora. Call (317) 960-7890 for inquiries.
- Agi Jagi Shop is where plushies are born. Maggie makes soft goods of your favorite characters.
- Used books for readers of all kinds! Browse Newland Books’ Instagram shop.
- Looking for affordable piñatas? Stop by Dulceria El Caramelo, open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Sundays at 5122 W. Pike Plaza Road.
- At IndyHenna, Pam Shah and Minal Shah have a combined 60 years of experience making simple and detailed designs.
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.
The music in the audio version of this newsletter is “Treasure Everywhere” by Forestero.
Play List’s illustrations are by Rebekah Nolan.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
