Today’s newsletter is read to you by Kan-Kan Cinema’s cult classic movie host and infamous drag entity Vanity Rex.
Over the weekend, “Will & Harper” was released on Netflix. The film follows comedian Will Ferrell and his longtime collaborator and best friend, Harper Steele, on a cross-country roadtrip following Steele’s coming out as a trans woman.
One of their stops was Indianapolis, where they watched a Pacers game, met Gov. Eric Holcomb and were the subject of transphobic tweets.
As a palette cleanser of those mean tweets, I’d like to offer reporter Breanna Cooper’s story about Coby Palmer, an incredible human being who died last week at age 80.
In their time among us, Palmer raised more than $3 million for HIV/AIDS service organizations and made Indy a better place for everyone.
In today’s newsletter we also have tips for October First Friday and details about “Toni Stone,” the play that celebrates the first woman to play in the Negro Leagues — right here in Indianapolis.
WHAT’S NEW IN ARTS & CULTURE
The cast and crew of “Toni Stone” hope more people will become familiar with the story of the first woman to play in the Negro Leagues, with the Indianapolis Clowns in 1953. The performance by the Indianapolis Black Theatre Company runs through Oct. 6 at The District Theatre.
This Friday is First Friday and we have some tips for where to go and what to see.
Ted Somerville’s photos of bands, fans and dancers at the Circle City Classic parade are the mid-week treat we all needed.
In case you missed something, see all arts and culture coverage here.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
We asked the crew of the film “Dirty Laundry” by 12 Stars Media to tell us what they’re up to. The film will debut at the 33rd Heartland International Film Festival, which happens Oct. 10-20.
- “Next weekend is action packed. ‘Toni Stone’ at the District Theatre is at the top of my list. Then, I’m excited to attend Proof: a Midwest Lit Fest at the Harrison Center. Topping off my weekend are rehearsals for a show I’m directing at the Indiana State Museum — ‘Seeds of Freedom, The Spiritual Roots of the American Civil Rights Movement’. It opens on Oct. 10.”
— Deborah Asante, actress (appearing as the Mysterious Stranger in ‘Dirty Laundry’), writer and director - “I’ll be celebrating my mom’s birthday. We’re starting with donuts at Jacob’s Orchard, followed by a hike at Hayes Arboretum to enjoy the fall colors. After that, I’ll be flying out to kick off a week of filming for a project in Europe.”
— Grant Michael, director of photography, 12 Stars Media and “Dirty Laundry” - “Bittersweetly, I’ll be attending one of the last summer farmers markets of the season. Our family loves farmers markets, but the changing seasons bring us a little more time to stay indoors and spend time together in different ways.”
— Rocky Walls, co-founder of 12 Stars Media and writer/director of “Dirty Laundry”
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
CITY CHATTER
What’s good, friends!
This past weekend, I attended the opening retreat for The Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series: Class XLVIII aka The Great 48. #RAHRAH
Twenty-five civic leaders from different backgrounds and professions gathered to learn more about our city and one another.
To respect the sanctity of the moment, I won’t share all the deets but what I will say is, there’s something special about being in nature. It begs us to slow down, reflect, offer a bit of kindness and care in an otherwise rushed and ragged world, where what’s important to me and my bottom line supersedes all.
Luckily, our bonding time wasn’t disrupted by Hurricane Helene’s presence but many of our neighbors were not so lucky. My heart goes out to all the people without shelter, power, clean water and comfort.
This weekend, I’ll be headed to Cleo’s Bodega for the final Grapevine event of the season. Every First Friday, DJ Grapevine (Nigel Long) brings out some of the city’s best DJs, artists, vendors and more for a stellar outdoor kickback on the westside. After, I usually like to wrap up at McGowan Hall for live jazz from the Christopher Pitts Trio. It’s a nice vibe. Hope to see you there!
—Ebony Chappel, Free Press Indiana market director
MUSIC NEWS
As soon as it hits 70 degrees, I’m locked in for Spooky Season. It might not have the same marketability as Christmas music, but Halloween has its fair share of tunes to help you get in the spirit.
Case in point: For 15 years, Indy cinematographer Jordan Holtane has been making the “Hallowe’en Spookshow” playlist.
Enjoy these eclectic monster tunes and set the mood for pumpkin carving, ghost hunting or however you celebrate the scary, weird and just plain fun time of the year.
If you get through all 16 Spookshow playlists, know that a new one will drop Saturday.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
TIME MACHINE
Remember when a local insurance company commissioned local artists to create art about their Hoosier identity last year?
Maureen Shiel Miller and I curated “generations” for Gregory & Appel.
The show honors the work of Indianapolis artists and their personal stories. Each artist shared details about their journey, culture and tradition. Clayton Hamilton, Brittany Fukushina, Chanya (Pim) Ruby, Greg Rose and Ikenna Stovall were some of the artists featured.
This creative partnership with Gregory & Appel creates “a space for more meaningful connection and draws attention to the value of local art.”
On Friday, “generations” returns with a second installment, featuring 20 new works by local artists including Beatriz Vasquez, Daniel Del Real, ess mckee, Hannah Paz-Westbrook and Kyng Rhodes.
Learn more about the exhibition and RSVP.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
CULTURE JOURNAL
This week’s culture journal is by Coye Lloyd, a moonlighting barista at Commissary and a PhD student at IU Indianapolis. She’s the film gal and go-to person at Kan-Kan Cinema for topics from Black horror to women in film.
Here’s an excerpt from her journal:
Day Three: Tuesday
I didn’t really do anything, other than go to my first class of the semester. It’s a research methods class that has already helped give more shape to my interests and motivations for school. Very excited for what the semester has in store. For dinner, we ordered Jet’s Pizza delivery (dangerous!) — some of the best chain pizza money can buy.
CLASSIFIEDS
- Frida’s Flowers creates a world where culture, color and community are intensely celebrated.
- Reminisce on your abuelito’s menudo with Taqueria Ranchito. They have menudo on the menu every weekend.
- Bespoke custom-made suits and shirts in Indy? Lee’s Custom Tailoring is your guy.
- Looking for a string quartet for your wedding? A jazz combo for your conference? A brass band just for fun? Call the IU Indianapolis Jacobs School of Music.
- Pick up some lip balm, mocktails and soap for a self-care weekend at Rooftop Fruit in Fountain Square.
Send us your creative service ad to hello@mirrorindy.org and write “Classifieds” in the subject line.
Thanks for reading.
This newsletter was kindly read to you by infamous drag entity Vanity Rex, Kan-Kan Cinema’s cult classic movie host.
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.
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.
