There Will Be Magic in Indianapolis, July 12-17, 2016

The Downtown Marriott is host to the Society of American Magicians Conference.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

By Dal Sanders
The Society of American Magicians

More than 400 magicians from around the world will magically appear (via planes, trains and automobiles) July 12-17, 2016, in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The Society of American Magicians Annual Convention will be held at The Indianapolis Marriott Downtown and will feature the world’s greatest magic acts, illusions and entertainers.

The multi-day event will feature performances by famous magicians from around the world, with several stage shows, close-up shows, magic lectures, and special events. There will be a contest that will highlight close-up magic acts and another one for stage performers. There will be exhibitors selling magic props, books, videos, publications, collectibles and items related to magic and other variety arts.

The convention also features events for young magicians and alternative events for non-magicians. Gala stage shows are held every night for the conventioneers and tickets to these exciting evening events are also sold to the public. Tickets for the public shows are available from Eventbrite. Go to http://www.magicsam.com/page/indytickets for more information.

The Stars of Tomorrow show highlights some of the best up-and-coming magicians from ages 7-17. This show, a highlight for over 20 years at the Society of American Magicians’ annual convention, has featured magicians including Matt Franco (a recent top winner of America’s Got Talent), and other magic television stars including Megan Knowles-Bacon, David Boyd, Trigg Watson, Krystyn Lambert, and current stage show producer, Kayla Drescher.

If you are downtown, you will likely see some impromptu shows. The first ever Table-Hoppers Magic Championship will be held at the Champions Bar and Grill, located on the ground floor of the convention hotel. You will be able to see amazing magicians preform at your table and Champions will also offer specialty magic-themed beverages and daily specials until 1:00 AM.

“This is a chance for magicians to come together, hang out and enjoy each other’s company,” said S.A.M. Past National President and Convention Producer Mark Weidhaas. “It is also a chance for non-magic audiences to experience and enjoy the art of magic.”

The Society of American Magicians was founded on May 10, 1902, in Martinka’s famous magic shop in New York City, New York. It is the oldest and most prestigious magical society in the world and for over a century it has promoted the ideals shared by Harry Kellar, Harry Houdini, Howard Thurston and more than 47,000 others world-wide who have held membership in the Society. Those ideals include the elevation of the Art of Magic, the promotion of harmony among magicians, and the opposition of the unnecessary public exposure of magical effects.

Downtown Indy Buskers Project Launches Today

IndyFringe Street Sign. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

By Bob Schultz
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
http://www.indydt.com/

Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. (IDI), in partnership with IndyFringe and with the support of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, is investing in a Downtown Buskers Campaign to encourage street performance/busking throughout Downtown. At various times throughout the pilot period of late summer 2014, street performers under the guidance of IndyFringe will entertain Downtown residents/visitors. The campaign starts July 25-26, 2014, in downtown Indianapolis.

Busking is the practice of performing in public spaces for gratuities/tips, and can include anything from musicians, poets and storytellers, to magicians, living statues and hoopers. According to IndyFringe, buskers come from all walks of life and bring fun and entertainment with them. They want to share their art-form with the public on the oldest stage in the world – outside, on sidewalks and in the parks – where theatre began a long time ago.

“Busking is an age-old art form,” said Pauline Moffat, executive director of IndyFringe. “It brings vibrancy and fun to city streets; it defines a world-class city and demonstrates the breadth of hidden talent in our community.”  Through its participation, IndyFringe hopes to add more awareness of its annual Fringe Fest, as well, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer. The Fest runs Aug. 14 – 24 in the Mass Ave Cultural District.

In 2013, IDI and several Indianapolis-based civic organizations launched Velocity, a co-created, five year strategic action plan for Downtown. One of the objectives cited in the Velocity plan was to promote collaborations that will cultivate participation in events and experiences Downtown. A specific tactic referenced under that objective was to “create a plan and encourage participation in pop-up entertainment Downtown (a.k.a. busking).”

“This campaign is designed to encourage a culture of urban busking in Downtown,” said Sherry Seiwert, president of Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. “There is an enjoyment of the surprise factor of spontaneous arts and cultural experiences and we want to grow these types of experiences in Downtown. Partnering with IndyFringe presents us with an ideal opportunity to work with street entertainers who know the art – and science – of quality street performance.”

From approximately 6-10 p.m. each Friday and Saturday evening from July 25 to Aug. 23, street performers under the leadership of IndyFringe will busk in various public places downtown, including Georgia Street, Monument Circle and up and down Mass Ave. IndyFringe and the Indiana Acoustic Music Society is having an open call for artists to join the growing street team and learn the skills needed to engage an audience. However, special permits are not required for buskers. Anyone can busk on public property in Indianapolis as long as doing so does not impede the public right-of-way.

For more information, visit http://www.indyfringe.org/, or call 317-869-6660.

Things to do in Indianapolis, Mar. 31-Apr. 6, 2014

“Superhero” by Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, Apr. 4-5.
Image provided by the theatre and used with written permission.

15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana
VERIFY ALL EVENT LISTINGS TO BE CERTAIN THEY WILL BE HELD AS SCHEDULED

1. TUE-SUN: ‘Memphis the Musical’ at Clowes Memorial Hall
2. THU: Trisha Yearwood in Concert at the Carmel Palladium
3. THU: Itzhak Perlman in Concert at the Indiana University Auditorium
4. SAT: Smiley Prom at the Crane Bay Event Center
5. TUE: Community Tuesday at White River State Park
6. TUE: Taylor Martin’s Indy Magic Monthly at Theatre on the Square
7. MON, WED, SUN: Indiana Pacers NBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
8. FRI: Food Truck Friday on Georgia Street in Downtown Indianapolis
9. THU-SUN: ‘Fables, Fairy Tales, and Physics’ ArtsFest at Butler University
10. FRI-SAT: ‘SUPERHERO’ by Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel
11. WED, FRI: Indiana Ice USHL Ice Hockey at Pan Am Pavilion
12. MON: ‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’ at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne
13. TUE: Indianapolis Symphonic Band Concert at Warren Performing Arts Center
14. MON-SUN: ‘Gnome Away From Home’ at Garfield Park Conservatory
15. SUN:‘Going…Going…Gone’ at the IndyFringe Theatre

To see thousands of upcoming event listings and things to do in Indianapolis and Indiana, visit our main Web site at http://aroundindy.com/, or go mobile at http://aroundindy.com/mobile.

Things to do in Indianapolis, Feb. 3-9, 2014

Tootsie Pops Concert at North Central High School, Feb. 8.

Things to do in Indianapolis and Indiana
For the week of February 3-9, 2014

15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana
VERIFY ALL EVENT LISTINGS DUE TO THE WEATHER

1. FRI-SUN: Indianapolis Sport, Fitness and Hobby Show at the State Fairgrounds
2. SAT: Sankofa Black Heritage Festival at the Indiana State Museum
3. SAT: Nuclear Cowboyz at Lucas Oil Stadium
4. TUE: Community Tuesday at White River State Park
5. TUE: Taylor Martin’s Indy Magic Monthly at Theatre on the Square
6. FRI: REO Speedwagon in Concert at Ball State University
7. THU-SUN: Hearthside Supper at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
8. FRI: 5th Annual Winter Nights Film Series at the Museum of Art
9. MON, FRI: Indiana Pacers NBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
10. THU-SUN: ‘Cats’ at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre
11. SAT: Tootsie Pops Concert at North Central High School
12. FRI: Dark Star Orchestra at the Old National Centre
13. SAT: Indiana Ice USHL Ice Hockey at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
14. SUN: Purdue Glee Club and Singing Hoosiers Live at Warren Performing Arts Center
15. SAT: Creativity Fest at Indiana Landmarks Center

To see thousands of upcoming event listings and things to do in Indianapolis and Indiana, visit our main Web site at http://aroundindy.com/, or visit our Mobile Web site at http://aroundindy.com/mobile/mobile.php.

Things to do in Indianapolis, Jan. 6-12, 2014

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

15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana
For the week of  January 6-12, 2014

VERIFY ALL EVENT LISTINGS DUE TO THE WEATHER

1. SAT-SUN: 46th Annual Indy RV Expo at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
2. SAT-SUN: Greater Indianapolis Garage Sale and Marketplace at the State Fairgrounds
3. TUE, FRI: Indiana Pacers NBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
4. TUE: Community Tuesday at White River State Park
5. TUE: Taylor Martin’s Indy Magic Monthly at Theatre on the Square
6. FRI: 5th Annual Winter Nights Film Series at the Museum of Art
7. FRI-SAT: Monster Jam at the Ford Center in Evansville
8. TUE-SUN: ‘Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure’ at the Eiteljorg Museum
9. FRI-SAT: Indiana Ice USHL Ice Hockey
10. THU, SAT: College Men’s Basketball at Butler University
11. TUE-SUN: ‘Lend Me a Tenor’ at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre
12. TUE-SUN: ‘Ann Luther: Threads of Life’ Exhibit at Arthur M. Glick JCC
13. SUN: College Men’s Basketball at Purdue University
14. SAT: ‘Farm to Fork’ Winter Farmers Market at Normandy Farms
15. WED: Indiana Mic-Off at Morty’s Comedy Joint