Dear Indy,
It’s official. The chrysanthemums are out and the trees are either changing color or totally naked. All signs point to the sweet spot known as “sweater weather.”
For some, this transition to colder days with less sunshine also means feeling a little down.
Wherever your enthusiasm falls, we hope that today’s Play List stories get you out exploring the city in new ways. As always, we have ideas for things to do, but also plenty more to nourish your soul with local arts and culture good stuff.
WHAT’S NEW IN ARTS & CULTURE
IndyGo’s latest project, the Purple Line, connects Indianapolis and Lawrence residents to restaurants, art galleries and neighborhood resources. Reporter Breanna Cooper put together a cultural crawl along the new bus line that includes places to enjoy art, food and drink.
Did you know that Hoosiers used to kick back at chili parlors? And that chili is Mexican food? Historian Nicole Martinez-LeGrand celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with Mirror Indy by sharing stories about the Mexican foods that stirred passions in Indy. For example, that time someone got stabbed over tamales.
Many local artists and arts administrators lined up to share concerns about the lack of local arts funding at a recent City-County Council Parks and Recreation Committee meeting. Indy Documenters were there to gather all you need to know about it.
In case you missed something, see all arts and culture coverage here.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
Do you have questions about election season? Are you an early-bird voter who has already cast your ballot? No matter where you fall in line, we want you to join us at the Mirror Indy Votes! Pre-Election Party.
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
CITY CHATTER
What’s good, friends!
Like many of you, I wear lots of hats. That’s the life of a multi-hyphenate busy body who enjoys the art, the magic, of bringing folks together.
One of those hats is being one-half of The Testimony Service, a community-centric ministry that seeks to gather people, no matter their faith practice, to celebrate goodness.
Myself and my ministry partner Sarah Jene, in partnership with Cultivating Communities, are hosting Joyful Noise, a community jam session/open mic from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at The Bridge Indy. All musicians and vocalists are welcome. Don’t worry if you’re not musically inclined, we’ll show you how to clap along and still have a good time.
This event is free and open to all ages.
Sarah and I are also thrilled to be a part of Spirit & Place Festival again this year with a Gratitude Tea happening from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7 at Broadway United Methodist Church. This event will include a DIY tea bar and a sound bath meditation session.
The Gratitude Tea is free and open to all ages as well but you must RSVP as space is limited.
I am also proud to announce that I’ve been invited to serve as a panelist at Spirit & Place’s Annual Public Conversation alongside Dacher Keltner, founder of the Greater Good Science Center and author of Awe: The Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. The talk, happening from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10, will be moderated by R. Eric Thomas — best-selling author of “Here for It, or, How to Save your Soul in America” and “Congratulations, The Best is Over!”
I hope to see you all out and about! Peace! ✌🏾
—Ebony Chappel, Free Press Indiana market director
MUSIC NEWS
Looking for weekend plans?
The Garfield Park Art & Music Festival happens 3-9 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 19. Enjoy a day of live music, food and browse through over 50 local vendor tables. The music kicks off at 4 p.m., with a lineup that includes The Last IV, Remington Hill, Electric Sunshine, Hush Hush and more. West side neighborhood reporter Enrique Saenz has the details.
Another event to mark your calendars for: Ayiti in the Heartland, 6:30-9 p.m. Nov. 1, at Indiana Landmarks will celebrate Haitian arts, music, food and culture. The band Akoustic will be providing live music, and you can see paintings by Indianapolis artist Johnson Simon. The event is free, and any donations will go toward the Dieudonne Foundation in their mission to enhance maternal health outcomes in Indianapolis.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
TIME MACHINE
Remember when thrifting was cool in Indy? I miss the old days. I’m mostly joking because the local thrifting scene is thriving at the boutique level.
Let me start by giving props to Naptown Thrift, Zodiac Vintage, Lux & Ivy and Vintage Kulture for holding the scene down. They’ve helped fill the hole that the thrifting gem Value World left in my heart when their stores closed in 2018.
I remember leaving the Fountain Square, 52nd and Keystone, or West 38th Street locations with huge bags full of iconic pieces that didn’t break the bank.
I also miss the ’80s yacht-rock soundtrack that each Value World location always seemed to keep on rotation.
As a recovering Value World shopper — I’ve recovered a little — I’ve elevated to other stores, in-person and online. (It’s funny to think that before 2020, I rarely shopped online.) But, I still feel incomplete so I’m looking for options.
Where do you shop locally? Do you have a favorite thrifting spot or style memory? Let me know at ariana.beedie@mirrorindy.org.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
CLASSIFIEDS
- Pick up some cheap vinyl from the $2 bins outside Luna Music, 5202 N. College Ave.
- Free yoga class: Community Yoga Nidra 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at Irvington Wellness Center.
- Find cheap ways to check out Indianapolis museums, from free days to military and access pass programs.
- Order copies of the zine that celebrates all things bus system: “People We Meet on the Bus.”
- Some of the best things in life are free. Here are some ideas.
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 web producer, Gwen Ragno.
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.
