Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration Concerts, July 20-21, 2018 @inblackexpo

Indiana Black Expo Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana Black Expo, Inc. recently announced its weekend lineup for the 48th Summer Celebration featuring a new New Jack Swing concert on the entertainment stage in the free exhibition hall inside the Indiana Convention Center.

Grammy Award winning singer, song writer and Broadway actress Stephanie Mills, R&B Group After 7 and British R&B sensation “Loose Ends will perform during the Music Heritage Festival l Free Outdoor Concert at the American Legion Mall on Friday, July 20, 2018.

IBE has added another free concert for attendees to enjoy inside the free exhibition hall on Saturday July 21st. Titled the New Jack Swing concert, exhibit hall attendees will see performances from three-time Grammy nominated “Al B. Sure, chart topping vocalist “Christopher Williams” and “Big Bub of the group “Today.”

Later on Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Summer Celebration attendees will enjoy a concert featuring R&B group Maze and Frankie Beverly, Grammy winning singer, song writer Brandy and the creator of New Jack Swing Teddy Riley & Blackstreet.

Tickets for Saturday’s concert go on sale Monday, February 19, 2018 and are available at the Indiana Black Expo office located at 3145 North Meridian Street or Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, at all Ticket Master outlets, ticketmaster.com — or by visiting IBE’s website at http://indianablackexpo.com or by calling 317.923.3037.

The 48th Annual Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration runs from July 12 – 22, 2018 and will impact over 200,000 visitors.

 

 

50th Gen Con Gaming Convention, Aug. 17-20, 2017

Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

By Stacia Kirby
On behalf of Gen Con

Gen Con Sells Out Historic 50th Convention

Indianapolis (August 14, 2017) Gen Con, North America’s longest-running and best-attended tabletop game convention, has announced a complete sellout of badges for its 50th convention to be held August 17-20 in the Indiana Convention Center. The convention will not sell badges on-site and attendees, as in prior years, will be asked to display their badges while attending the show. In addition to its 50th convention, this Gen Con marks 15 years in Indianapolis.

“Our team is ecstatic to see so many choose to celebrate gaming history with us at the historic Gen Con 50,” said Adrian Swartout, Gen Con CEO. “In this milestone year, we have seen gamers from around the world decide to make Gen Con their summer destination, and we’re anticipating our best show yet. We’ve made optimizing the attendee experience a core goal for Gen Con 50, and we are committed to balancing growth with world class programming.”

In 2016, Gen Con had attendees from all 50 states, every Canadian province, and more than 60 countries. This year, the convention has expanded to the field level of Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, in addition to its space in the Indiana Convention Center and participating hotels. For the first time, Gen Con also will host a concert in Bankers Life Fieldhouse with a performance by Grammy winning recording artists They Might Be Giants. This concert and entrance to Lucas Oil Stadium both require Gen Con 50 badges.

About Gen Con

Gen Con LLC produces the largest consumer hobby, fantasy, science fiction, and adventure game convention in North America, Gen Con, The Best Four Days in Gaming!™. Acquired in 2002 by former CEO and founder of Wizards of the Coast, Peter Adkison, the company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Celebrating 50 years in 2017, Gen Con 50 will be sponsored by Mayfair Games, Paizo, Inc., and Rio Grande Games. For more information, visit http://gencon.com/

NCAA Div I Hoops @thefieldhouse, Mar. 17 & 19, 2017

Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2016, all rights reserved.

By Brett Williams
Indiana Sports Corp.

The 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship preliminary rounds hosted by the Horizon League, IUPUI and Indiana Sports Corp will be held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday, March 17 and Sunday, March 19, 2017.

Single-session tickets for the Division I men’s championship preliminary rounds are now on sale. Tickets are available at www.NCAA.com/mbbtickets.

“Indianapolis is excited to welcome back NCAA men’s basketball fans from across the country to kick-off March Madness with the First and Second Rounds at Bankers Life Fieldhouse,” said Ryan Vaughn, Indiana Sports Corp president. “Hoosiers know basketball and they are looking forward to taking part in the action all weekend.”

The NCAA encourages fans to use www.NCAA.com/mbbtickets for ticket purchases to ensure they are receiving genuine NCAA championship tickets and not counterfeits. PrimeSport, the official ticket and hospitality provider of the NCAA, also has official tickets and hospitality options available through The NCAA Experience for every location of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, including the Final Four in Phoenix. For more information on The NCAA Experience, or to purchase tickets, please visit NCAA.com/VIP.

NCAA, Final Four, March Madness and The NCAA Experience are trademarks of the NCAA. All other licenses or trademarks are property of their respective holders.

New Year’s Eve 2016 in Downtown Indianapolis

Monument Circle decorated for the holiday season in downtown Indianapolis. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2015, all rights reserved.

By Jennifer Hanson
Downtown Indy, Inc.

Downtown Indianapolis is the place to be when the clock strikes 12 this New Year’s Eve! From numerous parties to family-friendly events to dinner in style, ring in 2017 right. To view all these events online, visit: www.downtownindy.org/event-collection/52/new-years-eve/.

Be safe – don’t drink and drive. Plan your transit to and from your Downtown NYE destination ahead of time. For more information on Downtown parking visit: www.downtownindy.org/get-around-downtown/park/. For information on Downtown bus routes visit: www.downtownindy.org/get-around-downtown/bus/.

Georgia Street – all ages

Downtown Indy, Inc.’s New Year’s Eve Celebration presented by The Indiana Union Construction Industry,

Georgia Street; FREE

Georgia Street is the place to be this New Year’s Eve! Come for an exciting entertainment line-up, stimulating sights, plenty of food and drink and a unique midnight extravaganza all for FREE! The celebration takes place 8 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Headlining the event will be the electronic dance group Jump Smokers along with bands Standout Story, 87 Southbound and Just’A Band. The all-ages evening includes the Hoosier Lottery Countdown Pavilion inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse as a chance for revelers to step out of the cold. Full bars and food trucks will be available throughout the night as well. And at 11:59 p.m., an IndyCar hoisted high above the crowd will once again descend with fireworks at midnight!

Schedule of performers include:

Main Stage on Georgia Street

8 – 8:45 p.m. – 87 Southbound

9:15 – 10 p.m. – Standout Story

10:30 – 12:00 p.m. – Jump Smokers

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

10 – 11:30 p.m. – Just’A Band

Although hotel rooms are going quickly, guests for this event can stay at any of the Hilton family of hotels in Downtown Indianapolis, the official New Year’s Eve hotel partner.

Family-friendly events

Countdown to Noon, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, $22.50; youth (ages 2-17) $18.50; seniors (60+) $21.50; youth under 2 free

Experience all the fun of New Year’s Eve at a reasonable hour. Celebrate the final day of 2016 with activities, music from Grammy-nominated musician Zak Morgan and countdowns to 2017 at noon and 1 p.m. Receive hats and other festive favors for the big moment while supplies last.

Family New Year’s Eve, Indiana State Museum, $15, $9 members

The clocks are pushed forward and the New Year is celebrated early to allow children of all ages to enjoy the festivities. End the year with a family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration in the Governor Frank O’Bannon Great Hall. Enjoy jugglers, face painting and train rides from 6 – 9 p.m. with the balloon drop at 8 p.m. Reservations for the event are recommended.

New Year’s Eve with ComedySportz, The Athenaeum Theatre, $20; $18 for students and seniors

Welcome in the New Year with the most unique comedy show around! There are two celebrations – the first from 7:30 – 9 p.m. and the second from 10:30 p.m. – midnight (ending with a countdown to midnight) – and two live improvisation matches, where ComedySportz players battle each other for a prize.

Adults 21+ celebrations

New Year’s Eve Party with Zanna Doo, The Rathskeller, $50 in advance; $55 at the door

Enjoy New Year’s Eve with a hors d’oeuvre buffet, party favors and a midnight champagne toast at The Rathskeller. Doors open at 6 p.m., opening acts perform from 7 – 8:30 p.m. and Zanna Doo performs from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.

New Year’s Eve Bash at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis; $45 – $80

Kick off 2017 at Hyatt Regency Indianapolis with one of three hotel and party packages. This action-packed night of entertainment and celebration includes several live musical performances on three stages, a fantasy casino “player’s lounge” and a midnight 15,000 balloon drop in the center of the atrium lobby. Entertainment includes performances by The Flying Toasters, My Yellow Rickshaw, Corey Cox, Hunter Smith Band, DJ Brian Jackson, Casino Games and Pyramid of Enlightenment. The party begins at 8 p.m. and the dress code is dressy casual.

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball, Union Station, $50 general admission; $99 VIP

Celebrate the 10th annual New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball with three parties for the price of one ticket taking place in three ballrooms within Union Station. Living Proof in the Grand Hall will play all your favorite party songs; 80s rock band Mullet Over will entertain in the Iron Horse Lounge and “club-style” music provided by P3 Productions will take place in the Illinois Street Ballroom. The party begins at 8:30 p.m.

CIROC the New Year, Regions Bank Tower, $130

Ring in 2017 at Indy’s only rooftop event from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. and enjoy a 360-degree view of Downtown. This event features a premium open bar all evening with light appetizers, champagne toast and a special midnight presentation. Music provided by DJ Indiana Jones, DJ Gabby Love, Action Jackson, Lemi Vice, Mass Appeal, DJ Rican and DJ Jozyano.

New Year’s Eve: A Gatsby Affair, The Pavilion at Pan Am, $95 – $100

A NYE Gatsby Affair at The Pavilion will be a one of kind New Year’s Eve experience at Indy’s newest event venue! With music from Sinclair Wheeler, Slater Hogan and a special performance by Kayla Noel, this event will have you dancing into 2017 with more than 1,000 other partygoers. Early bird tickets start at $100, providing each guest with amenities including a premium open bar, midnight champagne toast, silk aerialists, party favors, a photo booth, a live stream of Downtown Indy, Inc.’s New Year’s Eve on Georgia Street and more!

New Year’s Eve at Howl at the Moon, $25 – $110

Howl at the Moon offers three different packages to help ring in 2017: Champagne Supernova ($110) includes reserved seating, dinner from 7 – 10 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight with party favors. Just Dance ($90) offers the same amenities as Champagne Supernova, except standing room only. For both packages guests must arrive between 7 – 10 p.m. General admission is $25, which includes guaranteed entry with guests arriving between 8 p.m. – midnight.

Hard Rock Café New Year’s Eve Party, $30 – $225

Rock in the New Year at Hard Rock Café with live music from DJ T-Bone and multiple event packages. The Party like a Rock Star Couple package ($225) includes two dinner buffets, one hotel room, party favors and two champagne toasts. The Rock and Roll package ($50) includes one buffet dinner, party favors and a champagne toast. General Admission ($30) includes a reserved seat, buffet dinner and champagne toast. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the dinner buffet is served from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.

New Year’s Eve Date Night, Chef JJ’s, $75 per person + 21 percent service fee

Share an evening with that special someone with fresh, local food prepared by Chef JJ’s culinary team. Tickets include beer or wine tasters, a five-course dinner and a sweet treat to take home. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. and concluding at approximately 8:30 p.m. Non-refundable, non-transferable seat deposits are available for $40.

New Year’s Eve Limo Bus Crawl, various locations, $49.95; prices will increase

Returning for a sixth straight year, party in style on a limo bus with My Drink On! This package includes no cover, champagne toasts at midnight, party favors, drink specials and a photo hunt. Limo buses will do constant loops and should arrive to each venue every 15 minutes (traffic pending).

Downtown sports for New Year’s Eve/day

The Indiana University men’s basketball team will face off against the University of Louisville at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Dec. 31 at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are sold out on the primary ticket market, but are still available via secondary ticket sites such as Stubhub, TicketMaster, etc.

The Indianapolis Colts play the season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. Go Colts!

Hotel packages

Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites

New Year’s Eve Dinner only package:
Five-course meal for two
Party favors
Champagne toast
Complimentary valet parking
The Alexander

Overnight stay in an art-centric deluxe guest room
Prosecco and chocolate covered strawberries
Brunch for two in Market Table
Late check out 1 p.m.

October 2016 Events in Downtown Indy

 

Indianapolis, Indiana as viewed from the west bank of the White River.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2015, all rights reserved.

By Jennifer Hanson
Downtown Indy, Inc.

Audition for the Circle of Lights
Calling all entertainers, singers, musicians, dancers and local talent of Central Indiana! First round auditions for Downtown Indy, Inc.’s Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW #481 will take place Saturday, Oct. 1 from 8:30 a.m. – noon and Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 4 – 7:30 p.m. at IBEW 481, 1828 N. Meridian St. Selected finalists from the first auditions will be called back for a final audition taking place in mid-October.

Inaugural Red Bull Air Race
The Red Bull Air Race World Championships is the ultimate motorsport competition in the sky. Pilots will navigate an aerial racetrack in the skies above the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, maneuvering through air-filled pylons in the fastest time possible while incurring the least amount of penalties possible. The race takes place Oct. 1 and 2.

Pinking of the Canal
To kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Colts host the Pinking of the Canal at the Ohio Street Basin on the Downtown Canal Walk Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. – 1p.m. The event is free and will include live music, free limited-edition Colts pink posters, Colts Cheerleaders and more.

Happy Birthday Indiana
Indiana celebrates its bicentennial this year. Events to commemorate the Hoosier State’s 200th birthday include:

· An opportunity to learn more about our state’s history, Hoosier Homecoming brings communities together from all across Indiana Oct. 15 from noon – 4:30 p.m. at the Indiana State House. Free activities and entertainment will be provided, along with the dedication of Bicentennial Plaza and the State House Education Center in the State Library and celebrate the culmination of the Bicentennial Torch Relay.
· The Indianapolis Public Library invites adults for a Bicentennial book discussion about the state’s cultural and social history Sept. 20 from 6 – 8 p.m. The book, “The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf” by Mohja Kahf, highlights a devout Muslim girl growing up in Indiana in the 1970s. The discussion will involve what it means to be Muslim in America today and will take place in Central Library’s Clowes Auditorium.
· For more bicentennial activities and events, visit our blog.

Hauntingly good Halloween events
The Children’s Museum Guild will feature its 53rd annual Haunted House from Oct. 8 – 30. The theme this year is Cursed Castle and tickets are $8. Also at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, don’t miss the Black Hat Bash, the city’s biggest family-friendly Halloween party Oct. 7 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Zoo Boo returns to the Indianapolis Zoo Oct. 7 – 9, 14 – 16, 21 – 23, 28 – 30 from 2 – 7 p.m. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes.

For adults wanting to celebrate Halloween, Hilbert Circle Theatre hosts the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for Haunted Hilbert on Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Dress is “Masquerade Chic” and the proceeds benefit the ISO’s education programs. You must be 21+ to attend.

Fall into Festivals
Help celebrate German-American Day with GermanFest Oct. 8 from noon – 8 p.m. at the Anteneaum. The event will feature wiener dog races, a strong man competition, German beer and food by the Indianapolis Sangerchor and ZwergenLand for kids. Admission is $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

More than 275 film screenings will be featured at the 25th annual Heartland Film Festival Oct. 20 – 30. The Festival provides a unique opportunity for audiences to interact with more than 100 filmmakers, and see films from all over the world. Opening night festivities take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Oct. 20.

Sports back in action 
The Pacers return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse Oct. 4 for the first home preseason matchup and open the regular season Oct. 26 vs. the Dallas Mavericks at 7 p.m. The Colts play two home games: a Super Bowl XLI rematch vs. the Chicago Bears Oct. 9 and the Kansas City Chiefs Oct. 30. The Indy Fuel begins its season Oct. 14 and the Indy Eleven play two home games Oct. 15 & 22.

Welcome back National FFA Convention
Thousands of young adult FFA members clad in their signature navy blue jackets will be in town once again for the annual convention Oct. 19 – 22. The gathering will include educational seminars and expos at the Indiana Convention Center, along with plenty of food trucks on Georgia Street Oct. 20 & 21.

For more information, visit http://downtownindy.org/ or call 317-237-2222.