PLAY LIST

Dear Play Listers,Hispanic Heritage Month, where we celebrate the contributions of Latinos to the history and culture of the United States, kicked off on Sept. 15.One way to note the occasion is to support local, Latino-owned small businesses. Check out shops and restaurants in your neighborhood, get curious, try new things and go beyond the influencer rec list. Another way to celebrate is by attending one of these 24 events we rounded up with the help of Latinos Indy. The list includes everything from dance parties to networking opportunities and festivals.  And, you could also share this Latina-written newsletter with your friends. This is an arts and culture newsletter, after all! Take me to perreo parties and great food events.Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

How’s it going Play Listers,Because of all those years kicking off the school year in September, I’m hardwired to start things this month. Whether that be ordering a 2027 planner or deep-cleaning my house to welcome the change of seasons, the month feels packed with checklists.If that’s you, too, that’s ok! We’re getting things done. But don’t forget to have fun and let loose here and there. Smell flowers, kiss someone, treat yourself to a theater show.We have details here for how to do that right here.  Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,In September, we’ll be saying goodbye (some of us unwillingly) to summer and ushering in autumn. To kick off the month, I made you a “things to do” list and sprinkled a little bit of everything for every possible mood you might find yourself in.Use this list to find fun in the city all month long.Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,Do you know what “La Chona” is? My 8-month-old son danced to it for the first time with me last Saturday at the Polkas Norteñas Fest at the Indiana State Museum.Musician Polka Bob from Indy Polkamotion was there to highlight the musical connections between Europe and the north of Mexico. Indy Folklore Academy and Grupo Folklorico Macehuani were there, too.Listen here and then dance around your kitchen so that you get an idea. (They say everyone should dance to “La Chona” at least once in their lives.)Anyway, we have art news today about things going on in the city, including a benefit concert to raise funds for people affected by the recent floods and the scoop on the new Pots & Pans Pie Co. location. Stick around for a summery radish recipe with community cookbook writer Keaun Michael-Brown — he’s taking us to the Philippines this time.Buckle up and let’s get to it!Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Hello Play Listers,It’s been a week.We’re thinking of everyone affected by floodwaters. If you missed Mirror Indy’s reporting on the historic flooding of local neighborhoods, please see this list of flood relief resources.If you are an artist or creative who lost their work, art supplies or equipment you use to make a living and you want to tell your story, please reach out to arts & culture reporter Mesgana Waiss at [email protected] in this newsletter:Chreece is Aug. 29 and we made a guide of some things we’re looking forward to.Midwest Leak has closed its bookstore and creative space.Tomatoes are showing up everywhere. Why?Fletcher Place is considering an outdoor drinking area.What we’re hearing from the arts community in the aftermath of the flooding.Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,Today we have a back-to-school poem written by teacher/poet David Strange. You might know David from the open mic series Listen, Please, which happens every second Thursday at Chatterbox Jazz Club.We also have a look at six IndyFringe plays. With 63 acts and over 300 performances across six venues, you will need help making choices!There’s art news and updates and fun things to do. And we have them all right here. Listen to what’s new. We got you. Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,The Indiana State Fair kicks off Friday. Are you even ready?I made a quick primer so that you don’t get caught crying helplessly over corn on the cob.First: If you want discounts on admission tickets, parking passes and ride wristbands, you have to buy before 11:59 p.m. Aug. 6.Next, old-timey is in — a VHS revival, a state fair train and a big tent circus were announced as part of this year’s experience. Feeling like it’s been a long time since your last fair? Here’s a reminder of what it sounds like to be there, in close proximity to beautiful animals, people of all walks of life and delicious corndogs. My advice to you is don’t sleep on the vegetable art. It features everything from the Loch Ness Monster to cute clown pumpkins. What we’ll see this year has me on the edge of my seat.Lastly, Gene Simmons and his band will perform on Aug. 20. He told WISH TV that he’s been around for 50 years, so if he has any children running around in Indy, to “please come up and say hi.”Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Hang on tight to the very last pool days of the summer.Soon, kids and teachers will be back to school and the city pools will close even though it’ll still be hot outside. You’ll just have to drink a tall glass of water and attend any of these 40 events arts & culture reporter Mesgana Waiss rounded up for us. Expect a Phoebe Bridgers’ album release party, a historic Black burlesque exhibit, live Iranian music and free outdoor festivals.40 things to do in Indy right here 💦Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,Close your eyes and listen.Can you hear that?That’s lawnmowers and kids giggling while splashing water. There’s construction somewhere — everywhere — and people making deals at a garage sale.These are the sounds of summer as collected by sound artist Clockwork Janz, who goes around the city recording everyday sounds like a music treasure hunter.You can hear them all here and then find your own with the help of a little scavenger hunt sheet we made for you. Clockwork said taking a moment to listen can slow your heart and reduce stress. Why don’t you give it a try?Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,July is scorching us. Stay cool with the news we have for you today. We have drive-in movie recs, a video game shop to check out and documentaries you can stream from home or watch at an outdoor film festival. We also have a conversation with two filmmakers — Jessica Dunn and Michael Moskaliuk — who will show their first movie at the Indy Shorts Film Festival. Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Lister,You are invited to the cookout. This is an episode you don’t want to miss. We have:A new Potluck Party video featuring barbecue magic.Baroque music goodness with musician Robert Bolyard. He will tell us about the Blakeman Gerber Indianapolis International Baroque Competition and play the viola de gamba for us!Thoughts on hospitality in a new City Chatter by Ebony Chappel.Here's the playlist the Baroque Competition made for us.Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

This edition of Play List is a big lunch.Reporter Mesgana Waiss has been covering Mirror Indy’s arts and culture beat for over a year now. In that time she has written about budget cuts to arts organizations, did a look back at 10 years of the Chreece hip-hop festival and launched weekly reels with ideas for things to do.Last week, Mesgana won the Excellence in QPOC Coverage Award from the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists for the story, “The hottest party in Indy that you’ve never heard of.” Today we’re celebrating and revisiting some of her best work.We also have a new “Ari Makes a Friend” and some things to do for Fourth of July.Let’s get to it.Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,Just from eavesdropping in the Mirror Indy newsroom I know people around me are going to the Caribbean, the Grand Canyon and New York City.But not all of us will get to travel — be it because of gas prices or because it simply is not a good time.Whether you’re staying home because you have to or want to, we have a guide for a delightful staycation in Indianapolis. It packs outdoor music venues, great patios, good corndogs and the perfect sunset.See our summer in Indianapolis tips here. Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,It’s lunch time, and as I type this, I’m dreaming of the feta fries from Yazsh, the ones recommended by Byron and April Elliott in their illustrated near east side food adventure.And so, in the spirit of hunger — metaphorical and physical — I share this collection of Mirror Indy stories that answer the age-old question: Where should we go eat? Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,Save this email. Share this email. Print this email.It's filled with info on many of the city's major events, music series and Juneteenth celebrations.If you’re like me, you’ll pull out your paper planner and just get to blocking what you’re doing when, underlining the events you definitely don’t want to miss.You can see our full calendar with 57 things to do in June here.Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,We invited artist Israel Solomon to read the newsletter for you today. We’re doing this to highlight the new Mirror Indy merch store, featuring limited-edition tote bags, journals and puzzles with his artwork. You may have seen Israel’s paintings at BUTTER or the Children’s Museum. His works stand out for being colorful, with people and objects painted to look like bright shapes with hard angles. Besides reading the news, Israel will also tell us a little more about his painting style, what he keeps in his tote bag and all the cool places in Indianapolis he likes to visit.Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

It’s almost Race Day, baby. The Indianapolis 500 is “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” and we all get to be a part of it. If you have the passion and the patience, you can make your way to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and watch it live. Or you can celebrate Race Day with porch parties, family get-togethers, full-blown barbecues or what have you.I usually see it in person with my uncle-in-law Tim McDonough. (Whatup, Tim!) The man is passionate about racing, and it’s contagious. He weaves through the hundreds of thousands of people at the track like Neo from “The Matrix” dodging bullets. It’s amazing to see.He sits in his infield bleacher seat, faces the track, brings out his little pocket radio, pops in his wired earbuds and disappears into pure racing bliss. The man is right where he wants to be all year.So, however you choose to be a part of our unofficial holiday, get psyched and embrace tradition. IT’S ALMOST RACE DAY, BABY!--- Enrique Saenz, westside reporterGet more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dearest Play Listers,Do you know how you’re spending your summer yet? It’ll be here in a blink. For some, it already kinda is. Prom happened, graduation caps went up in the air, the Chreece headliners were announced and the signups for the public library’s summer reading program started.It’s the perfect time to choose patio seating or get an ice cream cone. Everyone is looking pretty outside. So don’t delay! Catch up your calendar with our May things to do list. And read on for your weekly dose of arts and culture vitamins.Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dear Play Listers,Now that I’m a new mom, I’m looking around in this new-to-me landscape of advertisements and celebrations for Mother’s Day. According to Good Housekeeping magazine (which my mother read religiously from the 1970s until the early 2000s), Mother’s Day started as an anti-war movement. It evolved to what it is now, a $25 billion commercial holiday. This makes me think. How can we make sure Mother’s Day is not another Black Friday?If you read on, you might get ideas to take your special señora to a plant sale or a drag race. Plan to see new art with her or take her to a fancy event that raises funds for a good cause. Get creative and make it meaningful. That’s my humble, newbie advice.Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Greetings Play Listers,If headlines about tech bros, the AI takeover and data centers have you feeling like tossing your phone into a sinkhole, you might find this edition of Play List highly stimulating and helpful. But first, this Friday is the first day of May and you know what that means: Reporter Mesgana Waiss combed through thousands of events and made a list with 40 events you can only attend IRL.We have gallery, museum and art fair openings, a book bedazzling event, a gathering that celebrates women with yoga and live music, and a party that makes lemonade out of a big lemon (the construction happening right in front of their hot dog business).We also have a story about an Indy Offline event where people have to put their phones in a lockbox.Let’s get to it.Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.