Memorial Day Weekend Events in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Motor Speedway. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

By Taylor Newell
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
http://indydt.com/

From museum events to race parties to Pacers playoff hysteria, Downtown will make any occasion a “memorial” one!  Be sure to check out the travel and parking tips below before you head Downtown. 

500 Festival and race activities:

 

Friday, May 24

Join Indianapolis officials and residents as they pay special tribute to our military and fallen Hoosier soldiers at the 500 Festival Memorial Service presented by Rolls Royce taking place on Monument Circle at noon. General Daniel B. Allyn, 20th commander of United States Army Forces Command will be the featured speaker. Afterwards, head to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Coors Light Carb Day, featuring legendary rock band Poison starting at 3:30 p.m. Admission is $20.

 

Saturday, May 25

Don’t miss the IPL 500 Festival Parade starting at noon, featuring celebrities, costumed characters, breathtaking floats, marching bands, giant balloons and the 33 starting drivers of the Indianapolis 500. The 2012 WNBA Champion Indiana Fever will serve as Grand Marshal. For more information, visitwww.500festival.com/parade.

 

Head to the Elbow Room Pub and watch the parade from the patio or dining room!  Breakfast is served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Family dining will also be available in a smoke-free environment. The Skyline Club is offering a 500 Parade Brunch at 10 a.m. for $24.95 for brunch only or a combo price (brunch and parade) of $42.95 for adults and various discounted prices for children. Reservations required; call 263.5000.  Reserve a seat for parade viewing at Hoosier Park’s Winners Circle patio. Guests 18 and older will have a front row seat – $20, plus $15 minimum purchase each. Reserve ahead at 656.7223 or pay at the door.

 

At the Motor Speedway, check out Legends Day at the Indy 500 honoring legendary racer, Parnelli Jones. Other events include a memorabilia show, vintage Spring Car and Midget Displays and the world’s largest autograph session with Indianapolis 500 veterans from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 

Sunday, May 26

The 97^th running of the Indianapolis 500 will start at noon at the IMS. Need a ride to the race?  Take a roundtrip bus from one of three Downtown locations: Sodrel Truck Lines Lot, IUPUI campus or Hampton Inn.  Pre-race shuttles will run from 8 a.m. – noon to the track.  Return shuttles run for two hours post-race.  The cost is $25 per person (round-trip or one-way) or $40 per person (guaranteed seat at specific time) for the premium upgrade. For more information for Downtown locations visit www.indy500parking.com or look below to see which color coded route works best:

 

#1 Pink Route

Downtown South location – Sodrel Truck Lines North Lot

1220 S. West St., Indianapolis (Corner of West and Morris streets)

 

#2 Black Route

Downtown North location – IUPUI

IUPUI Parking Lots 73 & 92 (Corner of Michigan and California streets)

 

#3 Purple Route

Downtown location – The Hampton Inn

105 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis (Across from Circle Centre and Hard Rock Café)

 

Beat the Heat!

The Pacers have advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2004! Game three against the Miami Heat takes place at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Sunday, May 26 at 8:30 p.m. The crowd will be “checkered-out” for race day – every fan in attendance will receive a Pacers checkered t-shirt! A pre-game party will begin on Pennsylvania Street outside the Fieldhouse at 5 p.m. with a fenced-off area serving beer for fans 21 and older. The Pacers are anticipating another sell-out crowd of 18,165.

 

Other Downtown fun this weekend:

 

Humanoid automatons and landspeeders are coming to life at the Indiana State Museum! The museum will be hosting the grand opening of the StarWars®: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit May 24 from midnight to 4 a.m. Tickets are $50 and include admission, the Millennium Falcon interactive experience, a chance to win prizes and a commemorative gift. Unable to attend the midnight opening? The exhibit runs through Sept. 2 and is $10 in addition to general admission. Explore the six films, the science used behind them and see actual props and costumes. Call 317.232.1637 for ticketing information or visit www.indianamuseum.org.

 

Head over to Fountain Square this weekend for a night of dancing and dining. Beginning Swing Dance Lessons start at 7:30 p.m. May 24 at The Fountain Square Theatre and are followed by The Stardusters at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $12 at 7:30 and $10 at 8:30 p.m. Afterwards, head over to the seasonal opening of the Rooftop Garden for dinner provided by End of the Line Public House. Guests must be 21 or older. For more information, visitwww.fountainsquareindy.com.

 

The Indianapolis Museum of Art hosts the “Hold It!” family activity on May 25 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., offering the whole family hands-on experience with different types of art, artist materials and art samples. Visit www.imamuseum.org for more.

 

Chef Joseph’s at The Connoisseur Room is the place to be on Friday and Saturday night if you are looking to enjoy good music and great meals in a relaxing ambiance. Enjoy FREE entertainment during your dining experience provided by John Phillips May 24 and Barbara Randall May 25. Visitwww.chefjosephs.com.

 

There is something for all ages at the Indianapolis Propylaeum. On May 24, the Prop hosts a Wine Pairing and Eight Course Dinner from 7 – 10 p.m. for $75. Bring the children to the Teen Mystery Dinner May 25 from 5 – 8 p.m. for $20.  Call 638.7881or visit www.thepropylaeum.org.

 

Luenell: The Uncut Diva performs live at Old National Centre May 24 at 9 p.m. Tickets range from $32 – $62. Visit www.livenation.com for ticket information.

 

Bring the family and friends to Lucas Oil Stadium Friday at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. or Saturday at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. to receive special “Parade Day” tours of the facility. Adult admission is $10 and children ages 4-12, seniors and military are $7. Visit www.lucasoilstadium.com or call 262.8600.

 

Memorial Day (May 27) is your final chance to check out the Hot Wheels For Real™ exhibit at The Children’s Museum.  Keep the race spirit alive with full-sized Hot Wheels^® cars.  All ages will receive youth admission rates through the end of May. To print the coupon, visit www.childrensmuseum.org/may-discount.

 

Cap off your Memorial Day weekend at Victory Field for the Indianapolis Indians game against the Pawtucket Red Sox the evening of Memorial Day.  Come hungry to the ballpark because Monday Dollar Menu will be in full-swing! Hot dogs, peanuts, Cracker Jack, popcorn and potato chips are all $1 each. Game time is 6:05 p.m. Visit www.indyindians.com.

 

Downtown parking and traveling tips:

 

Everyone can find parking, arrive at their destination on time and enjoy all the excitement this weekend if a few simple tips are followed. 

Prepare:

• Plan your driving & walking route into and through Downtown ahead of time.
• Use interstates to travel to and leave Downtown.
• Enter Downtown from the side on which you plan to park.
• Allow plenty of extra travel time to Downtown.
• Be aware that travel through Downtown will be limited to streets away from the core area.
• Relax during peak exit times.

• Wear comfortable shoes, park once and enjoy the walk.

• Carpool or use IndyGo if possible.
• Download the “Indy Downtown” App for iPhone or Android phones at www.indydt.com/IndyDowntownApp.cfm.

Park:

• Downtown parking is abundant.  There are more than 72,500 parking spaces Downtown.
• Log onto www.indydt.com for Downtown maps with attraction and parking information.  Print out the map and bring it with you.
• Select a couple of parking alternatives before you leave home.
• Plan to use a garage or lot.  Most meters near the event sites are restricted during this time.
• Some parking facilities and lots may not be open to the public.
• NOTE: Parking meters will be FREE on Friday, May 24 during the 500 Festival Memorial Service in a three-block radius of Monument Circle. Meters will also be FREE all day Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day holiday).

 

Wicket World of Croquet® at Pres. Harrison Home, June 1

Wicket World of Croquet on June 1.
Image provided by the museum and used with written permission.

By Bob Burchfield, Editor
AroundIndy.com, LLC
http://aroundindy.com/harrisonhome.php

The 19th annual Wicket World of Croquet® is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, 2013, at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 North Delaware Street, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Where else can you enjoy your favorite beverage while playing croquet on the lawn of a former President of the United States?

Tournament play begins at 1:00 p.m. and continues until 6:00 p.m, with a mixer set for 5-8:30 p.m that includes drinks, food and open play. This event is an “all-white” attire; many people arrive with parasols, argyle, lace and other fun frills. All players and guests must wear white and are encouraged to look sharp.  Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed, best nod to Victorian era fashion and most creative team “uniforms.”

Teams of two may register to compete in the tournament for $140. Individual mixer tickets are $40. Proceeds benefit the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.

New business sponsors this year include Just Pop In, Three Days in Paris, Circle City Sweet, and Sun King Brewery.

For more information, visit http://www.bhpsite.org/, or call 317-631-1888.

Editor’s Acknowledgement: Brittany Smith.

Things to do in Indianapolis, May 13-19, 2013

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pagoda. Pole Day is Saturday, May 18.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2011, all rights reserved.

Things to do in Indianapolis

May 12-19, 2013

• Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• Practice Days at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
• Indiana Pacers NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
• Mecum Auto Auction at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
• 43rd Broad Ripple Art Fair at the Indianapolis Art Center
• Civil War Days at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
• RiverRoots Music and Folk Arts Festival in Madison
• Kenny Chesney in Concert at Memorial Coliseum in Ft. Wayne
• Indianapolis Alleycats Ultimate Disc League at Kuntz Stadium
• Indianapolis Indians Baseball at Victory Field

Free publicity for your events! Submit an event.

May Events in Downtown Indianapolis

May means it’s 500 Festival time in Indianapolis.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2010, all rights reserved.

By Taylor Newell
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
http://indydt.com/

May is here! Along with the outstanding lineup of annual 500 Festival events, Downtown will be buzzing with new exhibits, big sports action and the grand opening of the beautiful Indianapolis Cultural Trail. See below for highlights of what we have to look forward to this month.

Velocity: Downtown’s Strategic Plan & public survey

Velocity, a co-created, five-year strategic plan for Downtown Indianapolis, officially launched April 23 with a special event at the Indianapolis Artsgarden. Velocity includes six advisory groups, each addressing critical issues and opportunities for Downtown; (1) Vibrant Economic Development, (2) Public Spaces & Activation, (3) Multi-Modal Transportation Solutions, (4) Downtown Environment & Experience, (5) Housing, Neighborhoods & Livability and (6) Arts, Culture & Attractions.

Gathering public opinion is essential to the success of Velocity, and a public survey was created to give a voice to Downtown workers, residents, students and visitors on Downtown’s future. The brief survey can be accessed online through June 1 in both English and Spanish at www.indyvelocity.com/velocity-public-survey. Survey results will help outline priorities and shape the framework for Velocity.

For more information visit www.indyvelocity.com and follow @IndyVelocity on Twitter.

May 11: Indianapolis Cultural Trail grand opening, Georgia Street sidewalk cafes & other big events

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail grand opening kicks off with a ribbon cutting at 3:45 p.m. on May 10 at Market and Alabama streets near Indianapolis City Market. The “Get Down On It” celebration begins May 11 with more than 80 different family-friendly programs along the entire trail Downtown. Programs include musical and artistic performers, dancers, balloon rides and much more. See all of the programs, performance times and locations at www.indyculturaltrail.org/getdownonit. All “Get Down On It” programs are open to the public, and most are FREE!

Also on May 11:

Georgia Street bar and restaurant sidewalk cafes will officially open for lunch and dinner, plus several family-friendly programs will take place on all three blocks of the street. Highlights include a high school singing competition modeled after “The Voice,” band and choir performances, aerial acrobats and more. Food trucks and Sun King beer sales will be available on the west block.

The Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day & Rookie Run takes place on Monument Circle from noon – 4 p.m. and features FREE prizes, face painting, games, food and a FREE performance from The KIDZ BOP Kids.

INDYCOG’s 4th annual celebration of bike culture in Indianapolis, 2 Wheels 1 City, takes place 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Indianapolis City Market with bike-related fun, food, Sun King beer and more. Don’t forget to leave the car at home May 17 for INDYCOG’s annual Bike to Work Day with Mayor Ballard!

Visit www.indydt.com/streetclosings.cfm for details on traffic restrictions as information becomes available.

Bring Mom Downtown this Mother’s Day

Downtown restaurants and attractions help to make Mother’s Day extra special with events like Mother’s Day Weekend at the Zoo and FREE admission to Rhythm Discovery Center. Moms and families can enjoy Mother’s Day brunches at Downtown restaurants like the Indianapolis Propylaeum, First Watch and The Rathskeller. Visit www.indydt.com/mothersday.cfm for complete information.

Zoom into 500 Festival events!

Here is a lineup of May 500 Festival events taking place Downtown:

May 11: Chase 500 Festival Kids’ Day and Rookie Run

May 24: 500 Festival Memorial Service presented by Rolls-Royce

May 25: IPL 500 Festival Parade

May 25: Regions 500 Festival Snakepit Ball presented by Cindy and Paul Skjodt (SOLD OUT)

Downtown sports: Pacers playoffs, Indians, Lacrosse & more

The Pacers are in the NBA playoffs for the third consecutive season! The Blue and Gold take a 3-2 series lead to Atlanta against the Hawks tonight and if necessary, Game 7 would be played Sunday, May 5 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indianapolis Indians’ regular season is in full-swing at Victory Field with 12 home games May 10 – 17 and 27 – 30. The world-champion Indiana Fever kick of their season with a pre-season home game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse May 15 against the San Antonio Silver Stars and play their first regular-season home game May 31 against the Atlanta Dream. NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Quarterfinals will be at Lucas Oil Stadium May 19 with matchups at noon and 2:30 p.m.

Big shows hit the stage Downtown

Now – May 12: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – Indiana Repertory Theatre

Now – May 25: “Bathroom Humor” – Theatre on the Square

May 3: Royal Comedy Tour with Sommore – Old National Centre

May 7: Jillian Michaels “Maximize Your Life” Tour – Old National Centre

May 8: MTV Jams presents Fabolous & Pusha T – Old National Centre

May 9: Lewis Black – Old National Centre

May 9 – June 9: “4000 Miles” – Phoenix Theatre

May 10: Tracy Morgan – Old National Centre

May 11: Paul Anka – Old National Centre

May 17 & 19: Indianapolis School of Ballet’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – Scottish Rite Cathedral

*May 30: Of Monsters and Men – The Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park

May 30 – June 1: Urbański Conducts Gershwin (ISO) – Hilbert Circle Theatre

*Opening show of the 2013 summer concert series at the Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park. Click the link to see the full summer lineup – shows are continuing to be announced!

New exhibits opening

See more than 60 beautifully crafted cloths, garments and embellished objects from North and Sub-Saharan Africa beginning today, May 3, as Majestic African Textiles opens in the FREE Gerald and Dorit Paul Galleries at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Drums From the Circle City comes to Rhythm Discovery Center May 11 bringing the history of percussion and manufacturing closer to home with a focus on Indiana in the turn of the 20th Century.

Explore the iconic Star Wars films as you never have before by discovering the real science behind all six movies, plus real props and costumes at Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, opening May 25 at the Indiana State Museum. The doors will open at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 24 for a special midnight opening, including exhibit admission, the Millennium Falcon experience, parking, food and beverage for $50.

For more information, visit http://indydt.com/, or call 317-237-2222.

6th Annual Asian Fest at the State Museum, May 11

Indiana State Museum. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2010, all rights reserved.

By Young-Hee Yedinak
Asian American Alliance Board
http://aaalliance.org/asian-fest

Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Asia without leaving home.  Asian American Alliance, Inc. (AAAI) proudly presents the Sixth Annual Asian Fest on Saturday, May 11, 2013, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at White River State Park on the front lawn of the Indiana State Museum, 650 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. Admission is free.

The Asian Fest is a true showcase of what makes Central Indiana an ethnically vibrant and interesting place to live. Instead of traveling 12 hours across the globe, festival goers can enjoy the many and diverse cultures of Asia in the heart of downtown Indianapolis on May 11th.  This year’s Asian Fest is part of the downtown Cultural Trail celebration called “Get Down On It,” which marks the official opening of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

2013 Asian Fest
Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Front Lawn of Indiana State Museum
Free Admission
www.aaalliance.org/asian-fest

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:

-Entertaining cultural performances
-Cultural discovery of the featured country – Philippines
-Traditional costumes fashion show
-McDonald’s Family Pavilion
-Asian games and activities
-Children’s play area
-Asian cuisine and merchandise vendors

SCHEDULED PERFORMANCES:

-Fort Wayne Taiko (Japanese Drumming)
-Sayaw Philippine Cultural Dance Co.
-Chinese music orchestra
-North Indian Nrityangan Kathak Dance Academy
-Martial Arts demonstration
-Indy Hula Dance
-Chinese Dragon & Lion Dance
-Japanese Koto artist Garret Uyeno
-Parasia musical group

The Asian Fest is made possible by the support of these generous sponsors: McDonald’s, Kroger, Lilly, Crowe Horwath, PNC Bank, BioStorage, FoxConn, Telamon Corporation,  Mark & Grevel Consulting, LLC, WellPoint/Anthem, Global Interactions, Sinchai Dental, WTHR-TV, Indiana State Museum, Zink Distributing Company, NUVO, and RealScene TV.

Asian American Alliance, Inc. is a local 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to empower Asian Americans to serve and lead in businesses and communities. Visit www.aaalliance.org for more information.