Sunrise Eagle Watch, Jan. 18, 2022

Press Release
Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Mississinewa Lake hosts Sunrise Eagle Watch, Jan. 18, 2022.

Greet the morning with bald eagles at Mississinewa Lake’s annual Sunrise Eagle Watch on Jan. 18, 2022.

Meet at Mississinewa’s Miami State Recreation Area (SRA) boat launch at 6:30 a.m. to caravan to the largest documented bald eagle roost in Indiana. Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars, cameras, and spotting scopes.

After the eagle watch, have breakfast with birds from Salamonie Raptor Center back at Miami SRA for a free-will donation at 9 a.m.

Registration is required by calling 260-468-2127. Accessible parking available at the roost, please make requests during registration.Mississinewa Lake is at 4673 S. 625 E., Peru, 46970.

For more information on other programs from Upper Wabash Interpretive Services, see dnr.IN.gov/uwis or Facebook.com/UpperWabash.

Jingle and Mingle at the City Market, Dec. 8, 2021 @indycm

By Amy Crook
On behalf of the Indianapolis City Market

Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis City Market (222 E. Market St.) is proud to present “Jingle & Mingle” a last minute market with local vendors, artists and entertainment to take place on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, from 12 to 6 pm.

“Jingle & Mingle” presented by the Indianapolis City Market is a special holiday event that will feature musical performances, cooking demonstrations and local artists. Businesses will showcase their work and products available for purchase. Many market house merchants will have special presentations and offer daily specials.

This year’s only large-scale “City Market presents” holiday engagement event, is a great opportunity to continue to support and inspire merchants who have remained resilient throughout the pandemic and foster deeper relationships between existing and new merchants.

Musical performances by Valerie Phelps and The Phelps Connection, Classical Music Indy and DJ Kyle Long. 

Artists from Reclaiming The Space, an art activation which took place in October 2020 where 17 artists painted the barricades that surround Market Street construction, will be popping up with their art, large and small, with live paintings by Deonna Craig and Alex Kim. Event flyer designed by Kaila Austin, a Reclaiming The Space artist.

Artist activations at Jingle & Mingle made possible by a Cultural Connection Grant, which is part of the #IndyKeepsCreating 2021 Series, a program powered by the City of Indianapolis led by the Arts Council of Indianapolis, administered by Big Car Collaborative.

The Historic Indianapolis City Market has been a great place for small, well known, locally owned businesses to get their start. Check out Just Cookies, His & Hers Boutique, Jack’s Barber Shop just to name a few. Several vendors have breakfast offerings including Mambo’s Cheesesteak Grill which opens at 8:00 a.m.

Tomlinson Tap Room anchors the City Market’s evening and weekend business, Tuesday through Thursday: 2-9 pm; Friday: 12-9 pm; and Saturday: 11 am to 6 pm. 

Gift certificates are available for purchase directly from the Indianapolis City Market and can be used at a variety of market house eateries, shops and at Tomlinson Tap Room. Consider buying in bulk to treat your staff this holiday season. Email info@indycm.com to order or obtain more information.

Snowfall Express opens @IndianaMuseum Nov. 26, 2021

By Bob Burchfield, Editor
AroundIndy.com, LLC

The Indiana State Museum debuts its new Snowfall Express train ride and exhibit for the 2021 holiday season, opening Nov. 26 and covering 13,000 square feet on the 3rd floor of the museum. The Snowfall Express is part of the museum’s popular Celebration Crossing holiday festivities presented each year.

Well…

Let me tell you this: the museum has totally outdone itself with this exhibit! The amount of craftsmanship and artistry that has gone into this exhibit is nothing short of outstanding! With a 4 1/2 minute train ride, music and audio, special effects, animation, and even a snowfall, this is one charming exhibit that is a perfect complement to the holiday season!

If you’ve got youngsters in your household, Snowfall Express is a great new option in downtown Indy in 2021 while you are visiting this year’s Celebration Crossing. I love it, and I hope you and your kids will love it, too!

The Indiana State Museum is located in White River State Park at 650 West Washington Street in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information about Celebration Crossing and the Snowfall Express, visit https://www.indianamuseum.org/experiences/celebration-crossing/.

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The Indiana State Museum provided free parking and admission for media members to attend the preview on Nov. 22, 2021.

Hendricks County Indiana Gift Guide @HendricksCounty

Hendricks County Unveils Its Holiday Gift Guide, Giveaway for 2021

By Josh Duke
Visit Hendricks County

DANVILLE, IN (November 15, 2021) –A jewelry advent calendar and a charcuterie hot cocoa board are two of the latest featured gifts on this year’s One-of-a-Kind Finds Holiday Gift Guide.

The holiday tradition that has spanned nearly 10 years returned this week as Visit Hendricks County unveiled its top 20 gifts that can be purchased at locally owned Hendricks County shops.

Visit Hendricks County staff scoured the county to find the best gifts in hopes of encouraging residents to shop local this holiday season and visitors to check out one-of-a-kind gifts they can’t find anywhere else.

Showcasing unique gifts for every member of the family, the online guide at www.VisitHendricksCounty.com/gift features jewelry, food, stocking stuffers, home decor, artist creations, handmade products, fun experiences and so much more with a heavy emphasis placed on items or experiences unique to Hendricks County. Visit Hendricks County also has a giveaway worth $350 that includes a one-night hotel stay during the promotion.

For more information about the gift guide, our holiday giveaway or things to do in Hendricks County, go to VisitHendricksCounty.com or stay updated on Facebook, Twitter or the  Hendricks County Insider blog.

The Hendricks County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc., d/b/a Visit Hendricks County attracts visitors to the county by promoting and developing tourism, which stimulates economic growth and enhances quality of life.  For more information, go to  VisitHendricksCounty.com or call 317-718-8750.

“A Christmas Carol” at Indiana Repertory Theatre @irtlive

Indy’s holiday tradition A Christmas Carol returns to the Indiana Repertory Theatre 
After a forced pause, the annual favorite lights up the stage with new changes, hope

Indianapolis, Ind.—After an interruption of its decades-long run due to COVID-19 last season, the Indiana Repertory Theatre joyfully brings back its holiday tradition of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol this month. Featuring the return of local acting favorites and the familiar hopeful spirit, this version, adapted by Tom Haas, will be directed for the first time by IRT’s Playwright-in-Residence James Still and will feature a new Scrooge, Indianapolis’ own Rob Johansen. This reimagined treasure will be live on the OneAmerica Mainstage November 26 – December 26 and available for streaming December 10 – 26, 2021.

“We have been longing to return to the beloved landscape of A Christmas Carol, having interrupted its 25-year stage life during COVID,” IRT’s Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director Janet Allen said. “The production will preserve the many beauties of our historic production, while re-examining Dickens’ text to find new resonances to our current times. It will also mark the return of beloved local actors David Alan Anderson, Ryan Artzberger (our Scrooge of the last many years), and Jennifer Johansen, playing new roles.  Given our social isolation and worries during the pandemic, we need the heart-opening lessons of A Christmas Carol like never before.”

At its heart, A Christmas Carol is a tale of redemption: of the scourge of isolation and fear examined and overcome through the guidance of four ghosts. Bringing that journey to new life, Rob Johansen will step into the iconic role of Scrooge. While Johansen is new to Scrooge, he’s not new to A Christmas Carol. It’s his 14th year in the production and his 50th production at the IRT.

“Each year the IRT lovingly makes a new version that celebrates Mr. Dickens’ story of redemption and like all art that endures over time, our relationship to A Christmas Carol continues to evolve as the story finds new meaning,” James Still said. “The IRT production is a celebration between actors and audience that ultimately restores a sense of awe and gratitude.”

HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES
IRT’s focus on artistry is also matched by its focus on safety, and entry to the IRT will require a mask and photo ID, as well as proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test (administered no more than 72 hours prior to the performance). This vaccine and mask requirement will also apply to IRT artists (except when performing), staff, and volunteer ushers.

In an effort to welcome families and offer greater accessibility for all to share in the joy of live theatre and our holiday tradition, unvaccinated children between the ages of 4 – 11 who attend A Christmas Carol with vaccinated adults will only be required to wear a mask and are not required to have a PCR test. Due to production content and length, IRT’s policy is that children under 4 are not permitted in the Theatre.

The IRT will also have two performances of A Christmas Carol solely for patrons who are fully vaccinated. There are no exceptions for these performances and all patrons, regardless of age, must be fully vaccinated.

Vaccination-only A Christmas Carol performances: Sunday, December 12 at 6 pm and Tuesday, December 21 at 7:30 pm.  

Please visit irtlive.com/faq for the full information regarding IRT’s health and safety policies.