There’s this moment in a concert or at church when you’re singing along with a room full of other people and you feel something profound. Even though every person there is living a separate life, you’re connected, just for a moment.
Art, music, creativity, faith and language bring us together. That’s what is celebrated at the Spirit & Place festival that IU Indianapolis puts on in November every year. This year, the festival’s theme is connections, and there are 33 events from Nov. 5-15.
That’s a lot to pick from, so we chose seven events that dive into Indianapolis history, bring out your creativity or help you make connections, whether it’s with pets or people.
Mark your calendar for these 7 events
Herbert Hawkins’ Legacy on Indiana Avenue: Memory, place and community
📍 Center for Black Literature & Culture, Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
🗓️ 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10
🎟️ Free
Herbert Hawkins operated a bootleg taxicab company that gave Black people rides during a time when white drivers could refuse to work in Black neighborhoods. Learn more about Hawkins’ place in the rich history of Indiana Avenue through stories, photos and conversations with local author Michelle Dartis and the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis.
More Than Companions: The art and science of human-animal connection
📍 FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic, 1505 Massachusetts Ave.
🗓️ 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10
🎟️ Free
Is your pet a part of your family? Learn about the science behind how animals and humans love each other. Hear from a veterinarian, a mental health counselor and an award-winning pet photographer. Then, show off your best photos of your pet to join in on a community art display.
Better Together: Rediscovering what connects us
📍 St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St.
🗓️ 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11
🎟️ Free
When the world feels divided, how do we find common ground with our neighbors? That’s the question that community leaders will tackle through a group discussion, music and a poetry performance. There will be ASL interpretation. While you’re there, share your own message of hope using a typewriter from Indy Type Shop.
Generations in Harmony
📍 Eskenazi Health Thomas & Arlene Grande Campus, 6002 E. 38th St.
🗓️ 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11
🎟️ Free
No matter what age you are, you can join the Indianapolis Children’s Choir for a day. You’ll learn three songs that are beloved by three different generations. Once you’re done, a communal performance will bring all the generations together.
Beyond these Gates: Remembering home, the prison and a place yet to be
📍 Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar, 1258 Windsor St.
🗓️ 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11
🎟️ $10
The former Indiana Women’s Prison site lies empty on the east side of Indianapolis. But before it closed, it was a sort of home for the women inside. At this gathering, you will think through how to remember the site and the stories it holds with art, oral histories and podcasting. Then, dream about what the future could look like. Register ahead of time for this one.
Speed Faithing: Quick connections across faiths
📍 Lille Bønne Community Living Room, 701 E. McCarty St.
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12
🎟️ Free
It’s like speed-dating, but for learning more about people from different faiths. You’ve got three minutes to chat — don’t worry, you don’t have to come up with the questions. This series of guided conversations is meant to help people understand each other and connect.
There will be food after the main event, and it’s all happening inside a 154-year-old Danish church that’s turned into a community space in Fletcher Place.
Artists Building Community: How creativity connects schools to the world
📍 Arts for Learning & 1000 Words Gallery, 3328 E. 10th St.
🗓️ 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14
🎟️ Free
Bring your kids or bring out your inner kid at this open house-style exhibit of student and teacher artwork. Enjoy music and dance performances by students, and stay to discuss how creativity makes schools and communities better.
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Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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