34 things to do in March in Indianapolis

Spring is approaching! If you’ve been feeling nature’s call to emerge, the arts are a great way to reintroduce your brain to the world. Get started with this local list.

Some highlights: Don’t miss the March 18 talk at Butler University by Ed Park, an author and founding editor of “The Believer,” a literary magazine Dear Mom usually has stocked. Blaque Dynamite returns to The Jazz Kitchen March 14, bringing his fluid force on the drums.

Mike Graves and the BRIDGE Collective — which has created local public art you’ve probably seen out and about — has a show that opens March 7 at the Harrison Center. Free community gatherings and clubs are hosted at library branches, the perfect “third space.”

Use this list to find your scene, discover something new or remind you of old.

Use these buttons to jump down the list to events in a specific week.

March 1-8 🔝

Act a Foo Live

🗓️ 6-10 p.m. Saturday, March 1
📍 The AMP at 16Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd.
🎟️ $10-$20

Business networking and comedy come together with the Act a Foo Improv Crew. Head over to the Amp for food, mingling and laughs.

Lachi is an New York City-based singer-songwriter. Credit: Provided photo/Schrott Center for the Arts

No Limits Celebration: An Evening with Lachi

🗓️ 6-10 p.m. Saturday, March 1
📍 Butler University Arts and Events Center, 610 W. 46th St.
🎟️ $50

Enjoy a keynote concert with acclaimed singer-songwriter Lachi — weaving together narrative storytelling, high-energy piano and insight on current disability culture and inclusion practices. Then, hear Lachi chat with emcee Kathy Nimmer after the show.

Snack, Drink, and Ink!

🗓️ Various dates March 1-29
📍 Cat Head Press, 3125 E. 10th St.
🎟️ $50

Join local artist Megan Curran for an evening of designing your own tee! Afterward, hang out while Cat Head presses them for you. Bring your own snacks and bevs.

Rasheed Newson is an author, a television drama writer and an executive producer. Credit: Provided photo/Delbrook Visiting Writers Series

Delbrook Visiting Writers Series: Rasheed Newson

🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4
📍 Schrott Center for the Arts, 610 W 46th St.
🎟️ Free

Writer Rasheed Newson returns to Indianapolis to discuss his work in television writing and his debut novel, “My Government Means to Kill Me.”

“Not So Secret Garden”

🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 7
📍 Long-Sharp Gallery, 1 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ Free

See this group show of paintings, drawings, and sculpture from 13 artists touching on elements, seasons, and flora and fauna.

First Friday at the Harrison Center

🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 7
📍 Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free

Indianapolis-based artist Israel Solomon shares a solo exhibition, “11:11” in the Harrison Gallery. In the Gallery Annex, see “10-Year Portfolio” by Mike Graves and the Bridge Collective.

“Sovereign Spirits” by Jason Wesaw

🗓️ 6-10 p.m. Friday, March 7
📍 Tube Factory Artspace, 1125 Cruft St.
🎟️ Free

Potawatomi (Turtle Clan) artist Jason Wesaw’s exhibits sculpture, drawings and prints touch on the beliefs of his culture–related to and using materials from the Tube Factory campus.

Jason Wesaw works in an array of media including ceramics, textiles, works on paper and traditional cultural pieces. Credit: Tube Factory Artspace

“The Gold Rush,” is a 1925 American silent comedy film written, produced, and directed by Charlie Chaplin. Credit: Provided photo/Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra

Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush”

🗓️ 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 8
📍 Schrott Center for the Arts, 610 W. 46th St.
🎟️ $35 and up

Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra presents “The Gold Rush” for the 100th anniversary of the famous silent film.

“MACHINA”

🗓️ 9 p.m. Saturday, March 8
📍 Blind Tiger, 304 E. New York St.
🎟️ $10

The DJ series dedicated to underground Latin club music features Chicago-based DJ J. Cordova and Indy-based DJs Tico Barber, Petito and Mestizo.

Teddy Bear Concert with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

🗓️ 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8
📍 Indianapolis Public Library – Eagle Branch, 3905 Moller Road
🎟️ Free

Enjoy “The Giant’s Violin,” the story of a boy who believes a giant and his violin are living in his attic. Bring your kids and their teddy bears for a morning of movement, music and learning about instruments.

March 9-15 🔝

Poison Ruin, Beton Arme, Inner Peace and Crisis Actor

🗓️ 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 10
📍 Healer, 3631 E. Raymond St.
🎟️ $12-$15

See choice punk and hardcore bands from Indianapolis, Montreal and Philadelphia.

The flyer for the show, featuring many punk bands. Credit: Provided photo/Healer

Cut, Paste, and Draw: A Creative Workshop for Adults

🗓️ 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11
📍 Central Library, 40 E. St Clair St.
🎟️ Free

Step into a creative, relaxed space to explore your artistic side through collage, drawing and coloring. All materials are provided.

VOCAB feat. Sunshine Lombre

🗓️ 8-11 p.m. Wednesday, March 12
📍 The White Rabbit Cabaret, 1116 Prospect St.
🎟️ $10

Hosted by Corey Ewing and Januarie York, this monthly poetry showcase presents BIPOC and LQBTQ+ voices. This month features Chicago-based dancer and poet Sunshine Lombre.

VOCAB happens every second Wednesday of the month. Credit: Provided photo/VOCAB

Meet Your Neighbor: Venezuela

🗓️ 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 13
📍 Indianapolis Public Library Wayne Branch, 198 S. Girls School Road
🎟️ Free

Join Ana Tovar from the Southeast Community Center to learn about the Indianapolis Venezuelan community – their culture, how Indianapolis became their home and the challenges they face.

Art Club

🗓️ 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13
📍 Spades Park library branch, 1801 Nowland Ave.
🎟️ Free

Stay the whole time, or just drop in to make something fun for kid’s art club. Intended for ages 6-11. Snacks and art supplies will be provided.

Horror Night Featuring The Oracle of Lofi and Lousy Sue

🗓️ 7-10 p.m. Friday, March 14
📍 Postal Recording, 1144 S. Belmont Ave.
🎟️ $10

Celebrate the completion of The Oracle of Lofi’s first record, recorded at Postal, with performances by The Oracle and Lousy Sue. Dress goth or don’t.

The Oracle of Lofi is Post-punk, outlaw country, horror, dark paganism, Southern gothic band. Credit: The Oracle of Lofi

Blaque Dynamite is a jazz musician from Texas. Credit: Provided photo/Blaque Dynamite

Blaque Dynamite Organ Trio

🗓️ 7 & 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 14
📍 The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.
🎟️ $30-$50

Grammy-nominated jazz drummer Blaque Dynamite returns to The Jazz Kitchen, with James Francies on organ and keys and Joe Cleveland on bass.

🗓️ 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14
📍 Dream Palace Books & Coffee, 111 E. 16th St.
🎟️ Free

Gather for an evening of community — share about yourself, your interests or support you may need.

Exploring Emotions with The Color Monster

🗓️ 1-2 p.m. Friday, March 14
📍 Irvington library branch, 10 S. Audubon Road
🎟️ Free

Working with the book “The Color Monster,” kids can use watercolors to explore their emotions and creativity. Caregivers will also receive activities to take home. Recommended for ages 3-7.

March 16-22 🔝

Delbrook Visiting Writers Series: Ed Park

🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18
📍 Schrott Center for the Arts
🎟️ Free

New York City-based writer Ed Park is the author of fiction, essays and reviews, and is also a founding editor of “The Believer.” Hear him speak about his work and life.

Ed Park is an American journalist and novelist. Credit: Provided photo/Delbrook Visiting Writers Series

Cathy Morris

🗓️ 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19
📍 The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.
🎟️ $15-$30

Indy-based violinist and vocalist Cathy Morris will take the stage with the style she calls “party jazz.”

Cathy Morris is a composer and musician. Credit: Provided photo/Cathy Morris

Women’s History Walking Tour of Irvington

🗓️ 10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 19
📍 Indianapolis Public Library – Irvington Branch, 10 S. Audubon Road
🎟️ Free

Join Sampson Levingston, aka Through2Eyes, on a walk through this historic eastside neighborhood as he tells the stories of influential women who lived there – specifically the life and legacy of Madge Oberholtzer.

Nourishing Well: Black Women and the Poetics of Sacred Space

🗓️ Through March 20
📍 Gallery 924 at Indy Arts Council, 924 N. Pennsylvania St.
🎟️ Free

Curated by Mariah Ivey, this multimedia art exhibition explores the narratives, experiences and intersecting identities of Black women through poetry, film, photography and visual art.

The art show “Nourishing Well” is on display at Gallery 924. Credit: Indy Arts Council

Art in Bloom

🗓️ March 20-23
📍 Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road
🎟️ $9-$32

Embrace the beginning of spring with 55 flower arrangements, each inspired by a work on view in the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

2025 Marian McFadden Memorial Lecture with Timothy Egan

🗓️ 7-8 p.m. Thursday, March 20
📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave.
🎟️ Free

This special discussion and book signing features acclaimed writer and historian Timothy Egan, author of “Fever In The Heartland.”

🗓️ 2-4 p.m. Thursday, March 20
📍 Central Library, 40 E. St Clair St.
🎟️ Free

Help a large-scale fiber art piece called “The Village” come to life by creating yarn pom poms.

Naptones Music Awards

🗓️ 7-10 p.m. Saturday, March 22
📍 P30, 3039 N. Post Road
🎟️ $10

The Naptones is an awards celebration of everything Indiana music. Enjoy a red carpet experience from 5-6:45 p.m. before the ceremony, then head in to celebrate Indiana artists and mingle with industry professionals.