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No Limits Celebration at Indiana School for the Blind, July 22, 2023
Press Release
Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation
INDIANAPOLIS: The Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation (IBCF) is excited to welcome acclaimed musician A.J. Croce to Indianapolis on Saturday, July 22, 2023, for the foundation’s annual No Limits Celebration.
Held in the historic 1930s-style auditorium at Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI), 7725 North College Avenue in Indianapolis, the performance will be preceded by a pre-concert reception featuring local jazz artist, Reggie Bishop, and a meal from the Jazz Kitchen — all of which is included with the price of admission.
The No Limits Arts Series aims to strengthen inclusiveness and remove social barriers in the arts for individuals with disabilities. In keeping with the goals of No Limits: An Arts Series Focused on Access for All, made initially possible by the Strengthening Indianapolis Through Arts and Cultural Innovation grant from Lilly Endowment, IBCF in partnership with ISBVI, brings artists of all abilities to the stage that mirror the strengths and abilities of students at ISBVI.
The public is invited onto the school grounds to not only experience internationally known artists and musicians but learn about the programs at ISBVI helping students succeed academically and socially.
“The Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation is passionate about bringing high-caliber artists to the ISBVI auditorium stage each year whose career and artistry shine a light on abilities and confront perceived notions surrounding those with vision impairments. A.J. Croce is a multi-talented performer – pianist, singer, and songwriter, who will transform the audience musically and challenge any limiting perceptions,” says IBCF executive director, Laura Alvarado.
A virtuosic piano player, A.J. Croce toured with B.B. King and Ray Charles before reaching the age of 21, and over his career, he has performed with a wide range of musicians, from Willie Nelson to the Neville Brothers; Béla Fleck to Ry Cooder. Son of the late Jim Croce, A.J. has blazed his own trail as an artist, releasing 10 studio albums including 2021’s By Request.
Following his performance, A.J. Croce will take part in a Q&A with event emcee Kathy Nimmer, reflecting on his life’s journey as a musician. Concert attendees are also invited to attend this intimate sit-down conversation at no additional fee.
Tickets can be purchased here for the 2023 No Limits Celebration.
Juneteenth Black Heritage Concert, June 19, 2023
By Jen Thomas
On behalf of Indiana Landmarks Center
Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program is honoring Juneteenth with a concert and art show featuring local talent on Monday, June 19.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Indiana Landmarks will celebrate with an evening of performances at Indiana Landmarks Center featuring contemporary gospel group Men in the Fire, R&B group The Downstroke Band and improv comedians Act A Foo. In addition, the artist group “WE ARE Indy Arts” will showcase works in a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media during a special exhibit in the Rapp Family Gallery at Indiana Landmarks Center.
Throughout the evening, event promoter and emcee Thomas J. Griffin and entertainers will share brief facts about Indiana’s Black heritage compiled by Shari Scales, a local writer/researcher. Indiana Landmarks President Marsh Davis and Black Heritage Preservation Program Director Eunice Trotter will open the event with brief remarks.
“This isn’t simply a celebration of a historic day. It’s a celebration of Black history and Black culture,” said Trotter. “The result will be a Juneteenth event that is as enriching as it is entertaining.”
The concert begins at 6 p.m. in Grand Hall, with an opportunity to visit the art gallery after the concert until 9 p.m. Sponsors and VIP ticket purchasers can attend a 4 p.m. reception and meet-the-artists event in the Rapp Family Gallery, where they will enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres and an opportunity to purchase art. Sponsors and VIP ticket holders will also receive premium concert seating.
The art exhibit is being curated by Anthony Radford, who will install the exhibit for the June 7 First Friday event, leaving it intact through the Juneteenth holiday. Featured artists are Dana P Smith, Angelita Hampton, Lorenzo Bryant, Jax Robin, Precious Norris, Durango, Landon Taylor, Kenny Mason, Dallas Garrett, Octavius Lettsome, Lundyn-Christelle, and Iliyas Tomasiewicz (Sir Altium).
Ticket prices are $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP tickets. Indiana Landmarks member tickets are $20 and $40.
WHAT: Juneteenth Concert and Art Show
WHEN: June 19
4 p.m.: VIP reception and meet-the-artists event in the Rapp Family Gallery
6 p.m.: Concert in the Grand Hall
WHERE: Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis
COST: $25 for general admission ($20 for Indiana Landmarks members)
$50 for VIP tickets ($40 for Indiana Landmarks members)
To purchase tickets: bit.ly/ILJuneteenthConcert23
Bloombox Festival @HarrisonCtrArts, June 17, 2023
By Erika Blue
Harrison Center for the Arts
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 1, 2023)– It’s time for the annual Bloombox Festival (formerly IMAF) with the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange (IHE) on June 17th from 12 pm to 8 pm at the Harrison Center.
Now in its 22nd year, Bloombox is a free, daylong festival held at 1505 North Delaware Street in Indy’s Old Northside neighborhood highlighting the best independent local and regional musicians, visual artists, food vendors, and crafters.
Founded in 2002, Bloombox celebrates musicians who perform original live music and artists who create original work. As part of the Harrison Center’s Cultural Entrepreneur Initiative, this year’s festival is coordinated by high school senior Taylor Solomon and junior Grace Graves.
In the courtyard, two stages feature continuous music throughout the day. Rusty Redenbacher returns as emcee. An exciting line-up from a wide range of musical genres is in store for attendees. The 2023 Bloombox band line-up includes:
Shvdy Rollins (formerly known as Huckleberry Funk)
Seaux Chill (Nabil Ince) will be performing work from his “Deep Currents” project. This is a collection of five songs and accompanying music videos that Ince is creating as part of a songwriting residency at the Harrison Center.
The project aims to amplify stories from historically Black neighborhoods in Indianapolis, harnessing multimedia art to combat cultural erasure and gentrification. This work was made possible by a 2022 Joyce Award from the Joyce Foundation, a $75,000 grant he received in collaboration with the Harrison Center.
Inside the building and surrounding the Harrison Center, vendors peddle their wares in the juried INDIEana Handicraft Exchange Summer Show. This contemporary craft fair consciously celebrates modern handmade goods, the relationship between creator and consumer, and local, alternative economies. IHE highlights local crafters and artisans as well as exposes Indianapolis to some of the best vendors on the national indie craft fair map.
Inside the Harrison Center, the galleries feature work by Hannah Paz-Westbrook, Abi Ogle & Kayb Joseph, Dan Thompson, Bobby Gilbreath, Mailinh Ho, Emily Wingate, and Emily Archer.
A variety of food trucks will provide delicious food options, Sun King Brewery will serve locally-produced beer, and Ash & Elm will serve cider. ArtMix returns with their popular ice cream fundraiser featuring handmade ceramic bowls. The free roller skating rink will return as well!
With support from Sun King Brewing, @ Properties, Compendium Group, Renew Dental Arts, and Penrod Society.
Interested in volunteering at Bloombox? Volunteers receive a free t-shirt, food, and drink voucher. Email info@harrisoncenter.org to receive the signup link. For updates about Bloombox, follow @bloomboxindy on Instagram and like Facebook.com/bloomboxindy.
Unity Concert To Feature Two New @indycchoir Pieces, May 6, 2023
By Emma Diebold Robinson
Indianapolis Children’s Choir
INDIANAPOLIS – – On May 6, 2023, singers from across central Indiana will come together to debut two new songs during its Unity Season Concert. The Season Concert performance will showcase children in kindergarten through 10th grade. They will sing a selection of songs at 3:00 pm at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. This exciting concert brings together singers from the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and its affiliates, the Columbus Indiana Children’s Choir and the Anderson Area Children’s Choir, in a celebration of what connects us all—music.
In addition to a bringing singers together, this concert also features exciting collaborations with composers and musicians. Singers will be accompanied by the Directors’ Jazz Orchestra, a talented group of musicians which has roots in Madison County and is the resident band for the Pendleton Heights Jazz Festival.
“Unity is going to be a true celebration of coming together to celebrate hope, joy, and music,” says Joshua Pedde, Artistic Director of the ICC. “We are so excited and honored to be debuting two new pieces of music from very talented composers that both illustrate what it means to come together in unity.”
Terang, a song commissioned especially for the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, focuses on a Malay proverb. It explores the fading performance art of Malay-Kelantanese Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet) tradition by featuring various choral techniques that represent duality. The text translates to “a person alone, dies alone; but two people together will talk/discuss/converse.” Terang is the first commission by an American choir by composer Tracy Wong, who hails from Malaysia and currently resides and teaches in Canada. “We are so excited to learn more about the shadow puppet tradition and the cultures represented in this piece – ICC exposes us to so many languages and cultures and this piece is something so entirely new and different,” shared an ICC singer.
Hope is a Waking Dream, composed by Greg Gilpin, is another song making its debut at the Unity concert. The song is based on text from Aristotle that aims to inspire both the performers and audience to seek unity and ignore the divisions among us.
Tickets are $14 each and can be purchased online in advance at icchoir.org/tickets. Ages 5 and under can attend for free but require a ticket. If the concerts do not sell out in advance, additional tickets will be available for purchase at the door prior to the performance.
Bryan Adams @ims Miller Lite Carb Day Concert
AroundIndy.com staff photo.
Press Release
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Bryan Adams, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, will headline the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert on Friday, May 26, 2023, at 4 pm at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, performing hits spanning his more than 40-year career.
Adams will be joined by special guest Soul Asylum, which will open the show.
Tickets are on sale now at IMS.com, by calling 317-492-6700 or 800-822-INDY (4639) or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building.
“Bryan Adams is one of the most exciting live musicians in rock,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “He’s full energy all the time in his shows, and we know our fans will love rocking along to hit after hit during his performance.”
With 17 studio albums, including four new studio albums in 2022, Adams’ songwriting has earned him numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award, three Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations and 20 Juno Awards.
His 2022 studio albums included “So Happy It Hurts” (nominated for a Grammy) and “Pretty Woman – The Musical,” as well as Classic Pt. I and Pt. II, which feature new recordings of his greatest hits, including “Summer of 69,” “Heaven” and “Run To You.”
In addition to his first Indianapolis concert since 2010, Adams is playing throughout the United States, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in 2023.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Bryan Adams to Miller Lite Carb Day, bringing the best of 80s rock to the greatest weekend in racing,” Miller Lite Field Marketing Manager Kathy Barton said. “We can’t wait to crack open a cold Miller Lite and enjoy a night to remember on the main stage.”
Soul Asylum has been one of the most inspiring and hardworking bands in the rock scene since the 80s. Soul Asylum earned steady alternative radio and MTV airplay on the strength of the Billboard Hot 100 Top 5 hit “Runaway Train,” which won the Grammy for Best Rock Song. Known for its raucous but emphatic combination of punk energy, guitar-fueled firepower and songs that range from aggression to heartfelt, the quartet now includes front man Dave Pirner, drummer Michael Bland, lead guitarist Ryan Smith and bassist Jeremy Tappero. Buoyed by an energetic and unparalleled live show and Pirner’s prolific songwriting, Soul Asylum isn’t stopping anytime soon.
Miller Lite Carb Day general admission tickets start at just $30. A limited number of concert pit package upgrades that include general admission are available for $55. A very limited supply of exclusive VIP platform tickets also is available for $250, including concert pit access, snacks, two complimentary drinks and dedicated bars. Ticket prices will increase as the concert draws closer, so fans are encouraged to buy now.
All general admission, concert pit and VIP Deck concert tickets include admission to the concert and to on-track activities that day at IMS, which include the final practice for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the INDYCAR Pit Stop Challenge.
The 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 28. Tickets are on sale at IMS.com or by calling or visiting the IMS Ticket Office.
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