Twenty-eight days in February may not be enough to brave the chilly temperatures and explore over 40 of the coolest events in town. The shortest month of the year brings us Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, Chinese New Year and the start of Ramadan.
Naptown delivers productions with heavy topics such as domestic violence in “Lorena: A Tabloid Epic,” infants “lent” from orphanages in “Borrowed Babies,” and gentrification in “St. Sebastian.”
Switch up your Valentine’s Day plans, swing over to the opening reception of Meet the Artists or watch fierce models light up the runway at the Unspoken Desires fashion show. Or, grab some girlfriends and hit up a few Galentine’s Day craft parties.
Use this list to stay busy all month long.
Feb. 1-8 🔝
The Exorcist
🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1
📍 Kan Kan Cinema & Bar, 1258 Windsor St.
🎟️ $15
“The Exorcist,” released in 1973, is one of the most profitable horror movies ever made. Stage magician Rob Zabrecky will kick off the showing with a short presentation about the origins of séances and the 1800s spiritualist craze.
Tiny Art, Big Love
🗓️ Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1
📍 Maker’s Alley in The Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave.
🎟️ Free, but must register
Over 30 artists will showcase miniature wares, tiny artworks and handcrafted trinkets. Attendees can enjoy a tiny matcha cart, mini-portrait sessions, music and a photo booth.
Incomprehensible Light: Bach Cantatas & The Prophet Simeon
🗓️ 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1
📍 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 6050 N. Meridian St.
🎟️ $15-35
Classical music buffs can experience Bach at his most profound in two cantatas: “Ich habe genug” for solo bass, sung by Jesse Blumberg, and the chorale cantata “Mit Fried und Freud.” To round out the concert, Adriane Post and Priscilla Herreid will perform Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor, BWV 1060R.
‘Joe Turner’s Come and Gone’
🗓️ Feb. 1-22
📍 Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St.
🎟️ $27+
Acclaimed playwright August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is set at a Pittsburgh boarding house in 1911. The play examines the lives of descendants of formerly enslaved African Americans, who migrated north in search of jobs and opportunity. At the center of the play is Herald Loomis, who is searching for his lost wife and a sense of his own identity.
Visiting Writers Series: Clint Smith
🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4
📍 Shelton Auditorium, 1000 W. 42nd St.
🎟️ Free
Clint Smith’s favorite job was being a high school English teacher. The New Orleans native is a staff writer for The Atlantic and host of “Crash Course: Black American History.” He will read from his nonfiction book, “How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America,” and two poetry collections: “Above Ground” and “Counting Descent.”
First Thursday: Intro to Faye
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5
📍 Faye Gallery, 1106 E.16th St.
🎟️ Free
Solely Wine founder Amanda McLaurin opened a new art gallery in November 2025. The gallery exhibits are curated by Mali Bacon, co-founder of GANGGANG. Faye Gallery is also named after Bacon’s grandmother. Grab wine, see art and listen to poetry from Tasha Jones and Januarie York.
‘Borrowed Babies’
🗓️ Feb. 5-22
📍 Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ $17-32
From 1919-1969, colleges used “practice babies” from orphanages to prepare home economics students for motherhood. The play, loosely based on this history, follows a home economics professor who questions her life’s journey after an encounter with a former practice baby.
First Friday: Harrison Center
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6
📍 Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free
Walk the different floors to view art exhibits, including “Forgotten Graces” by Kevin West, who reflects on the quiet, overlooked moments of childhood through his paintings. Plus, “Call Me EMO” by Caleb Keitt features paintings, textile banners, silk-printed posters and apparel inspired by Black culture and nostalgia.
State Street Club
🗓️ 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6
📍 State Street Pub, 243 N. State Ave.
🎟️ $10, 21+
Pull up early to experience the “Pieces of a Picture” group art exhibition. The rest of the night will consist of DJs spinning vinyl.
Flanner Fringe Lab
🗓️ Feb. 6-7
📍 Flanner House campus, 2424 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
🎟️ Free, or pay-what-you-can
The two-day play festival, organized by Austin Dean Ashford and IF Theatre, will feature original works from Black playwrights.
Black History for Youth
🗓️ 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
📍 The Amp at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd.
🎟️ Free, but must RSVP
Kids ages 12-18 can learn about Black history in a fun and engaging way. Event organizer Brother Jamaal Shabazz will also help connect youth to Black people in a variety of careers and creative industries.
The Brown Sugar Suite
🗓️ 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
📍 Arts for Lawrence, 8920 Otis Ave.
🎟️ $30
Last year, renowned R&B artist D’Angelo died of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was known for his smooth vocals, delicate instrumentation and songwriting. Bashiri Asad and his band will pay tribute to the musician and his 1995 debut album, “Brown Sugar.”
Hardcore Punk Concert
🗓️ 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
📍 Healer, 3631 Raymond St.
🎟️ $10
Get a close-up look at bands — xToBearx, Staring Contest, Slur and Harm of Will — that make up Indy’s hardcore punk scene.
Naptown Getdown
🗓️ 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7
📍 Ritz Lounge, 2628 N. Harding St.
🎟️ $5
Get to the dance floor to hear DJs Chef Stew, Suprawilliw96 and TrizzyFM spin house, disco and funk records.
Black History Month Pop-Up
🗓️ Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8
📍 1656 Club, 1656 English Ave.
🎟️ Free
Grab coffee, smoothies and tea, and shop from Black artists, vintage sellers and business owners.
Propylaeum Tour
🗓️ 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8
📍 Propylaeum, 1410 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ $10-15
Take a deep dive into the history of the Indianapolis Propylaeum, a Queen Anne-style landmark in the Old Northside neighborhood. Built in 1890 as a private residence, the building has served as a hub for arts, culture and women’s leadership.
Beckenhorst Singers Concert
🗓️ 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8
📍 North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St.
🎟️ $15-35
Craig Courtney will conduct the Beckenhorst Singers as they perform songs such as “O Holy Night” that will be a part of North Church’s fall and Christmas 2026 release.
Galentine’s Craft Party
🗓️ 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8
📍 The Rejoicing Vine Winery, 8440 W. 82nd St.
🎟️ $28.52
Create your own affirmation card deck using prints, rhinestones, stickers and collage materials. Each ticket includes two Polaroids.
‘St. Sebastian’
🗓️ 3 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1, 6, 7 and 8
📍 The Basile Theatre at IF, 719 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ $20-35
In this dark comedy, lovers Ben and Gideon leave their city life to flip a fixer-upper home. Ben fails to mention one detail: the house is in a historically Black neighborhood. Through humor, “St. Sebastian” pulls back the curtain on how subtle racism can hide behind the mask of good intentions and “wokeness.”
Feb. 9-15 🔝
Galentine’s Day Soiree
🗓️ 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11
📍 Maker’s Alley at The Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave.
🎟️ $40-50, 18+
Celebrate with sweet treats, celebrity crushes and creativity. A ticket to this Connection Club event includes a trinket box for you to turn into a fake cake, free drinks and cupcakes, a compact mirror to bedazzle and decorating supplies.
‘ADO’
🗓️ Various times and days, Feb. 12-March 3
📍 Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ $17-52
Hero is falsely accused of infidelity by her fiancé, publicly shamed by her father, and left at the altar on her wedding day. Inspired by Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” this new comedy offers a fresh take.
Los Ángeles Azules: Cumbia Sin Fronteras U.S. Tour
🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12
📍 Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave.
🎟️ $75+
Los Ángeles Azules are leading Mexican cumbia worldwide. They have over 17 million listeners on Spotify and have even taken the genre to Coachella. This is your chance to see them live in Indy.
Listen, Please
🗓️ 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12
📍 Chatterbox Jazz Club, 435 Mass Ave.
🎟️ $5
Warm up to the words of local poets — Mitchell L. Douglas, Scoot Swain and Vinny Corsaro — and the music of Steven Jones Trio.
‘We Them Ones’ Comedy Tour
🗓️ 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13
📍 Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St.
🎟️ $94+
Belly laughing is good for the soul, especially when the folks telling the jokes are considered some of the funniest people on the planet.
2026 Meet the Artists
🗓️ 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14
📍 Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ Free
“Love in Action” is the theme for the 38th annual Meet the Artists show. The exhibit provides an avenue for local Black artists to show off their creative works in front of a large audience. The Feb. 14 opening reception will feature music, comedy, a fashion show, youth workshops and vendors. The exhibit is open through March 28.
Love Jones Experience
🗓️ 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14
📍 Martin University, 2186 Sherman Drive
🎟️ $28.52-39.19
Love, good music and poetry will be in the air. Enjoy performances by local artists, including Bashiri Asad, Allison Victoria, Poetic Deep, Jus Renee and Tony Styxx.
Heartcore: The Valentine’s Day Party
🗓️ 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14
📍 Turntable Indy, 6281 N. College Ave.
🎟️ $29, 18+
For singles, couples, situationships and maybe even your ex. Dance to pink strobes, glitter, EDM and 2010s love songs.
Unspoken Desires Fashion Show
🗓️ 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 (doors open at 6)
📍 Old Irvington Masonic Lodge, 5515 E. Washington St.
🎟️ $15, 18+
On Instagram event organizer Say Less Is More wrote, “Some desires aren’t meant to be spoken, they’re meant to be seen.” The show will be jam-packed with looks from local designers worn on the runway by fierce models. I would advise binge watching a couple episodes of “America’s Next Top Model.”
Crochet Circles
🗓️ Noon-2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15
📍 Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
🎟️ Free
Learn how to crochet with instructor Kayla B. Open to all ages and all levels. Materials provided while supplies last.
Feb. 16-22 🔝
Carnival
🗓️ 7 p.m. to midnight Monday, Feb. 16
📍 Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine, 834 E. 64th St.
🎟️ Free
Do Valentine’s Day in Carnival style — maximum Latin American and Caribbean glamour — with food, drinks, dance and a performance from Mariachi Sol Jalisciense.
Crafts at the Cinema
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17
📍 Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ Free
Floss ‘n’ Goss is a monthly craft club. Watch “13 Going On 30,” work on a project and make a friend or two.
Visiting Writers Series: Morgan Parker
🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19
📍 Shelton Auditorium, 1000 W. 42nd St.
🎟️ Free
Morgan Parker is a poet, essayist and novelist. During the event, she will read from her book, “Who Put This Song On?” Her poetry collection, “There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé,” celebrates and mourns Black American womanhood. She writes, “The only thing more beautiful than Beyoncé is God, and God is a Black woman sipping rosé and drawing a lavender bath, texting her mom, belly-laughing in the therapist’s office.”
‘Soul: Reimagined’
🗓️ 3 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20-22
📍 Arts for Lawrence, 8920 Otis Ave.
🎟️ $15-55
“Soul: Reimagined” uses fresh choreography to celebrate the influence of Black creativity across generations.
The State of Our Girls
🗓️ 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
📍 Frederick Douglass Family Center, 1616 E. 25th St.
🎟️ Free
Get free resources and information about community organizations that support the mental wellness, mentorship and advocacy of girls in Indiana.
POP!
🗓️ 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
📍 Re:Public Gallery, 2301 E. 10th St.
🎟️ Free
Chris Aragon’s first solo art show will showcase some of his favorite paintings he’s made over the years.
‘Mansfield Park’
🗓️ 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21-22
📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave.
🎟️ $12-52
This chamber opera performed by a 13-piece orchestral ensemble is based on the 1814 novel by Jane Austen. The narrative follows Fanny Price, who is sent as a child to live with her wealthy aunt and uncle at their family estate, Mansfield Park.
Black Youth Author Fair
🗓️ Noon-2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22
📍 Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
🎟️ Free
Young, local Black authors such as Thomas Carter Jr. will share their experiences as published writers, plus read and discuss their books. Carter is the author of two books: “The ABC’s of Money” and “Thomas and the Treasure Hunt Quest.”
Related
How to teach kids to be smart about money
Get advice from a 10-year-old, a teacher and a finance director (who’s also a dad).
Black to Life
🗓️ 3-8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22
📍 10 East Arts Hub, 3137 E. 10th St.
🎟️ Free, or $5 donation
Come dressed as your favorite Black historical or iconic figure. There will be an open mic, music, trivia, food, crafts and vendors.
Feb. 23-28 🔝
‘The Inquisitor’
🗓️ 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23
📍 Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Ave.
🎟️ Free
Barbara Jordan transformed U.S. politics with her sharp intellect and moral clarity in the 1960s and ’70s. What many don’t know is that she is considered the first Black and LGBTQ+ woman of Congress. The documentary follows Jordan’s life as a politician from Nixon’s impeachment to civil rights battles, and includes her private struggles as political pressure forced her to hide her sexuality.
Queer and Trans Climbing Night
🗓️ 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23
📍 North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave.
🎟️ Pay what you can
Folks from the queer and trans community can climb, hang out and hold discussions every second and fourth Monday. After climbing, head up to the Top Out Café for drinks.
Prize Ribbons
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25
📍 Patina Gallery, 2201 E. Michigan St.
🎟️ $20-30
Learn how to cut and fold ribbons into pins, ornaments or keychains. This event coincides with the gallery’s “Tunnel of Love” exhibit featuring art from Meghan Curran and Jess Stapp and handmade valentines made by Indy residents.
‘Lorena: A Tabloid Epic’
🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25
📍 Lilly Hall Studio Theatre, 4741 Clarendon Road E Drive
🎟️ $41.92, 18+
The tabloid culture of the early 1990s serves as the backdrop for this New Harmony Project production. The play portrays the true story of Lorena Bobbitt, a woman who cut off her husband’s penis in 1993, after he raped and abused her for years. It aims to offer an honest portrayal of domestic violence and the impact of media on public perception.
Storytelling Drawing Hour
🗓️ 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26
📍 Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free
Everyone has a story to tell. During storytelling drawing sessions, artists will capture the stories of long-term Indy residents and create art based on those stories.
Picturing Black History
🗓️ 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28
📍 Loudmouth Books, 212 E.16th St.
🎟️ Free, but must register
Historian and writer Damarius Johnson will talk about his book, “Picturing Black History,” which contains essays and rarely seen photographs of Black Americans. The Black History Month event will feature a Q&A and a book signing.
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Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
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