Jennifer Delgadillo is off on a cool art adventure in Michigan, so this is Amanda Kingsbury, filling in.
In this week’s Play List, we are on the lookout for two things: The elusive pawpaw fruit known as the “Indiana banana” and the real history of country music in Indianapolis.
Plus, Ebony Chappel has me thinking thoughts about … fictional postal worker Cliff Clavin??? (Thanks, Ebony.) And Ariana Beedie takes us back to her childhood on eight wheels.
WHAT’S NEW IN ARTS & CULTURE
This just in: October has been declared Country Music Month in Indianapolis. Reporter Breanna Cooper talked to local musicians to find out what it would mean to celebrate the true history of the genre in our city.
Eat, drink and dance at Fiesta on Sept. 21 at Military Park. The free event, hosted by La Plaza as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, will also have a health fair and fun for kids.
‘Tis the season for pawpaw picking. The fruit known as the “Indiana banana” isn’t easy to find when you’re out hiking in the woods, but it’s worth the hunt. We’ll show you where to look.
In case you missed something, see all arts and culture coverage here.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
We asked Mariachi Sol Jalisciense what they’re up to these days:
- “I’ve been listening to Mariachi Vargas a lot. ‘El Son de la Negra’ is my favorite song by them.”
— Enrique Blanco, guitarrón player - “I’m enjoying going to the gym. I go in the mornings because it helps me prepare for the day. We play one show a day on average during Latino Heritage Month.”
— Uriel Martinez, trumpet player - “I’m always studying and preparing. I watch a lot of YouTube music videos, like Javier Solis, Jose Alfredo Jimenez and Pedro Infante — the classics. Newer music by Pepe Aguilar, Pedrito Fernández and Alejandro Fernandez too.”
— Miguel Angel Landeros, vihuela, guitar and violin player
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
CITY CHATTER
What’s good, friends!
The other day, I was thinking that sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name. Somewhere where they’re always glad you came. You wanna go where you can see, our troubles, and our abundance, are all the same. If you haven’t caught on by now, are you even old enough to read this?
Kidding! Seriously though, there’s something about that ‘Cheers-y’ feeling that had me at the Ritz Lounge twice last weekend.
The watering hole celebrated its grand re-re-re opening Saturday and the affordable drinks and food have been delighting newcomers and Ritz vets. Stop through 2628 Harding soon and tell Janeen and the squad that Ebony sent you.
Saturday night, I attended the AfroStylez Fashion Show put on by Indy Black Professionals and AfroBall Indy. Mirror Indy is a proud sponsor of the AfroBall events this year.
As a person who has sat front row at plenty of fashion shows with no fashions, I was thrilled to see such excellent craftsmanship and creativity at the Global Village Welcome Center. Six stunning African designers had pieces on display and I saw thousands of dollars worth of things that I wanted for my wardrobe. Thanks to my darling beau, I left with a hand-beaded purse from Benny’s Beadings and jewelry from ADWA Fashion.
On Thursday, I’ll be hopping onstage at the Indiana Repertory Theatre as a community speller during the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I was a spelling bee champ in eighth grade and would’ve made it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee if it weren’t for the word “solsitial,” which is spelled in a way that makes no logical sense.
Damn.
Looks like things worked out for your girl, anyhow!
Anywhoo, “Putnam County” has rave reviews so I can’t wait to see it. Tix start at $25 and the show runs until October 13.
— Ebony Chappel, market director at Free Press Indiana
MUSIC NEWS
I’ve never really needed an excuse to celebrate country music. While reporting on efforts to make October “Country Music Month” in Indy, though, I had a chance to learn more about the history of the genre here in my hometown.
From Lulu Jackson – one of the first musicians in the city to cut a country album – to ongoing efforts locally to celebrate Black influence in popular music, there’s so much to know and celebrate.
In that spirit, here’s a playlist with songs from Lulu Jackson, Grand Ole Opry sensation Charley Pride, and a duet from Ray Charles and Willie Nelson.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
TIME MACHINE
Remember when going to the skating rink was a regular activity? For some, I know it’s still a regular event.
Many of my childhood memories are linked to the old USA West, now known as Skateland. Before 2020 (which feels like decades ago), a few friends and I took advantage of the $2 Tuesday rates.
I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t realize the rink was still multi-generationally popping. I saw aunties, uncles, little kids, and seniors gliding and finding their groove on eight wheels.
It was fun to reconnect with a beloved childhood activity and see people of all ages still enjoying the skating rink.
Skateland turned 50 this year. What cool memories do you have of skating there? Send them to me along with a photo to ariana.beedie@mirrorindy.org.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
CLASSIFIEDS
- See “Shrek” for free Sept. 19 at Schrott Center for the Arts.
- Shop at ArtMix and support artists with disabilities.
- Free samples from your favorite eateries at the Sept. 27 Near Eastside Arts Walk.
- Get local author Marc Allan’s book, “Better Writing in About an Hour,” for $4.99.
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 amanda.kingsbury@mirrorindy.org. I’d love to hear from you!
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This newsletter was written by Amanda Kingsbury and edited by Sophie Young, Mirror Indy’s service reporter.
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.
