Circus Coming to Children’s Museum Feb. 18, 2017

Photos provided by the Children’s Museum and used with written permission.

By Leslie Olsen
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Have you ever thought about running away to join the circus? Now you have a unique opportunity and you don’t even have to pack your suitcase!

“Circus — Starring YOU!” is a colorful, highly interactive exhibit filled with the sights, sounds and even some of the enticing food smells of some of the greatest shows on Earth.

Opening at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on February 18, 2017, children and families are invited to step right up and join three rings of circus fun and history under the big top.

See the circus world as it was decades ago when it served as a rare form of exotic entertainment. Experience what has changed, and what has remained the same including the highly skilled athletes and performers who dazzle and amaze. Become part of the circus family as you dare to walk the virtual tightrope, learn to juggle, or practice your rigging skills.

“Visiting the circus has been a family tradition for millions over the centuries. Nowhere will you see such teamwork and talent that is passed from generation to generation,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum. “We want our visitors, which often consist of multiple generations to share those circus memories, create new memories, and practice teamwork and build confidence as they conquer circus skills together.”

Here is a sampling of some of the fun families will experience when they join The Children’s Museum circus experience:

· Virtual Reality Tightrope: Experience the thrill of the high wire when you put on a headset and walk along a “wire” from one basket to another in a realistic simulation of a classic circus act.

· Lyra Rings: Practice a real circus aerial act using real equipment in a safe and secure environment.

· Rigging Knots: Learn to tie and secure knots similar to those used in real circus rigging.

· Juggling: Work together as a family on a stationary roller board to learn the rhythm and timing of basic juggling then try your new skills using scarves or beanbags.

· Roman Ladders: Two sizes of ladders allow you and all members of your family to practice acrobatic skills on special ladders created just for circuses.

· Clown Car: Dress in clown costumes and see how many of your family members you can “fit” in a simulated clown car. Don’t forget to take your family selfie!

Clown Face-Painting Touchscreen Game: Create your own clown face after learning the different types of clowns. Email your finished product to yourself.

Circus — Starring YOU! is presented by Chick-fil-A. It is supported by Purdue University and Aquafina. For more information, visit http://childrensmuseum.org/, or call 317-334-3322.

Downtown Indy Events on Martin Luther King Day 2017 @IndyDT

By Jennifer Hanson
Downtown Indy, Inc.

Celebrate the birth of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by taking advantage of special offerings in Downtown Indy. FREE admission to Downtown’s top attractions, volunteer opportunities and more help make this year’s tribute to the iconic civil rights leader a fun, meaningful one for the family. To view all these events online, visit: www.downtownindy.org/event-coll…/…/martin-luther-king-jr-day.

Indianapolis Museum of Art
FREE admission with donation on Sunday, Jan. 15 from 1 – 4 p.m.
Spend the afternoon at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hear Indy poets, singers and artists speak of love. Practice mindfulness, relieve anxiety through a large group meditation, and engage with others through activities and random acts of kindness. Donations can include non-perishable food items, toiletries and school supplies for the MLK Community Center.

White River State Park
Receive FREE admission Monday, Jan. 16 with a donation of one non-perishable food item per person, per attraction for Gleaner’s Food Bank. The Park is also offering complimentary parking. Visitors may park in the underground garage located off Washington Street in front of the Indiana State Museum, in the surface parking lots at the Indianapolis Zoo and Victory Field and in the surface parking lot across from Victory Field next to the Park’s Visitor’s Center.

Eiteljorg Museum
Enjoy the museum’s holiday exhibit, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure and Titan of the West: The Adams Collection of Western and Native America Art. Be sure to check out the lunch specials at the Eiteljorg Museum Cafe.

Indiana State Museum
Films, activities and performance art fill the museum in celebration of the life of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Indiana First Robotics Team from Southport High School will make a special appearance. The museum in its entirety is open to the public, and engages visitors in unique and meaningful ways that reflect the vision of MLK, Jr. Stay for lunch – the Farmer’s Market Café will be open.

Eskenazi Health and the Indianapolis Indians will offer free health screenings at the Indiana State Museum. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., nurses will also be available to discuss the importance of primary and preventive care. Anyone who participates in the health screenings will receive a complimentary ticket to Opening Night at Victory Field on April 6 courtesy of the Indianapolis Indians. Plus, Rowdie, the Indians mascot, will stop by for autographs between 11 a.m. and noon.

Indianapolis Zoo
Walk the grounds and see animals, especially the ones that love the cooler temperatures. Favorite activities will include petting sharks, looking eye-to-eye with orangutans and gazing at dolphins (12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.)

NCAA Hall of Champions
Get your workout in at the NCAA Hall of Champions where current and former student athletes lead classes. Guests can participate in a scavenger hunt and register for hourly raffle prizes. At 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., watch the film “Game of Change,” involving the 1963 NCAA men’s basketball tournament regional semifinal. Mississippi State, an all-white team, sneaks out of town in the middle of the night despite protests from the governor and state police of Mississippi to play a Loyola team that features four black starters.

IMAX Theatre
Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience, narrated by Brad Pitt, the film is a one-of-a-kind celebration of life and the grand history of the cosmos, transporting audiences into a vast yet up close and personal journey that spans the eons from Big Bang to the dinosaur age to our present human world. Shown for free as space permits at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3 p.m. Make sure to get your IMAX tickets early that morning as there is limited seating capacity and tickets are typically gone before noon.

Indiana Historical Society
FREE admission on Monday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Head to Indiana Historical Society for performances, programs and service opportunities, as well as free admission to the award winning Indiana Experience. Watch a short play featuring Hoosier reactions to Robert F. Kennedy’s speech in Indianapolis the night Dr. King was assassinated. The theater will also be home to a special performance by the Griot Drum Ensemble at 1:30 and 4 p.m. This presentation will treat visitors to African folktales accompanied by traditional instruments. guests can fill in a dream cloud with words or pictures featuring their own hopes for the future. The IHS traveling exhibition Who is a Hoosier? will also be on display.

Guests are invited to help pack care packages to benefit HealthNet Homeless Initiative Program, with items provided by Target and the Gentle Dentist. HealthNet will also be collecting new or gently used cold-weather items – hats, gloves, socks, coats and hand warmers – for its Homeless Initiative Program in honor of Jill Buck and two of her children who were killed in a crash in 2015.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
FREE admission on Monday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
At The Children’s Museum enjoy activities, storytelling by Portia Jackson about courageous children from the Civil Rights Movement (11:30 a.m., 12:30 & 1:30 p.m.) and performances by The Griot Drum Ensemble (10:30 & 11:45 a.m.) and the Freetown Village Singing Troupe (1 p.m.)

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Music of the Earth Festival
FREE performance, Monday, Jan. 16, noon at Eskenazi Hospital
Seven Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra musicians, led by violinists Sherry Hong and Charles Morey, will take listeners on a poetic journey through an intimate performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. The performance takes place at the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital: Eli Lilly and Company Foundation Concourse.

Day of Service at IUPUI
Monday, Jan. 16 from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Hundreds of students, faculty and guests will volunteer at various sites around Indianapolis for the IUPUI Day of Service – a tribute to Dr. King’s commitment to service and social justice. Participants meet at the IUPUI Campus Center.

Landmark for Peace Memorial
Of course, if you are headed to Downtown Indy, stop by Martin Luther King Park (1702 Broadway St.), the site where Robert Kennedy gave his memorable speech the night King was assassinated in 1968. The park is home to the Landmark for Peace memorial sculpture, designed and executed by Indiana artist Greg Perry. The sculpture – showcasing King and Kennedy reaching out to each other – honors the contributions of both leaders.

http://blog.downtownindy.org/family-friendly-events-for-ml…/

2017 Programs and Events at the Children’s Museum @TCMIndy

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2015, all rights reserved.

By Leslie Olsen
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

STEM Strong

The world’s largest children’s museum will be STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) strong in 2017. The museum recently invested more than $8 million in science-focused exhibits and programs including Beyond Spaceship Earth, (which includes the one-of-a-kind Schaefer Planetarium and Space Object Theater), and the reimagined Dow AgroSciences ScienceWorks.

The first exhibit launches visitors into space aboard a recreated International Space Station, allowing them to see what it’s really like to work and live in space.

The Planetarium and Space Object Theater currently features the NASA space capsule Liberty Bell 7, piloted by Indiana native and astronaut Gus Grissom in 1961 on America’s second manned space flight. It raises and lowers on a pedestal as families watch a video—making children and families feel as though they’re watching it float in space as they learn more about it.

Explore the work of real scientists like hydrologists, naturalists, and geologists in ScienceWorks. See how people like engineers, farmers, and others use science process skills to ask questions and seek answers to help us in our daily lives.

New in 2017

Chocolate Slide

Feb. 4–April 22, 2017

When it’s dark, gloomy, and cold outside, it’s fun inside the world’s largest children’s museum for families who whoosh down the 47’ chocolate slide. With the museum’s Sunburst Atrium transformed into a Willy Wonka-inspired wonderland, families are encouraged to zoom down the slide that is themed like a river of chocolate, and purchase sweet treats and good eats in the Chocolate Cafe.

Circus—Starring YOU!

Feb. 18–Nov. 26, 2017

Children and families will enter the Big Top, meet performers, “walk” a virtual reality tightrope, and step through time to learn the history of the circus. Then visitors will be invited to get into the act and become a performer themselves. Museum magic will allow families to ‘look’ like they’re being shot out of a cannon or appear to be the world’s strongest men/women flexing their muscles as they lift foam barbells. Daredevils will be able to attempt feats like the roman ladder, rolla bolla, and lyra rings on interactives designed to provide a peek into what it takes to perform under the big top!

Hot Wheels™: Race to Win™

(May 13–July 30, 2017)

Just in time for summer vacation and the Indy 500, the museum will open Hot Wheels™: Race to Win™. This exhibit will get you revved up for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Immersive activities for three generations of Hot Wheels® fans will help families understand the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts behind what makes cars go faster. There will be a combination of real race cars and toy cars along with the iconic orange track and a pit stop challenge. Real drivers will also visit on select dates to share their racing secrets. This exhibit is touring the country over the next few years and returning to The Children’s Museum each summer.

American POP: The Galleries for American Arts and Popular Culture

Permanent exhibit opens June 17, 2017

Reminisce about fads or pop culture events that affected your life and learn what shaped those things into becoming hot or hip. American POP: The Galleries for American Arts and Popular Culture will showcase American TV shows, movies, music, and fashion that can bring us together across generations. American POP is a new permanent exhibit that will explore how popular culture has influenced our daily lives in the past and the present, and imagine how it may shape the future.

DANCE!

June 17, 2017–April 2018

DANCE! is the first temporary exhibit to be featured in The Galleries for American Arts and Popular Culture. Visitors to this exhibit should be ready to move their feet to the beat and join the fun. This multigenerational exhibit looks at dance styles through the ages and around the world. Families who feel daring may want to put on their dancing shoes and take the stage to showcase their best dance moves.

Haunted House

Oct. 7–31, 2017

The nation’s oldest haunted house leads visitors through Wicked Woods with werewolves and witches. After 54 years of haunting, the museum’s head witches have created the perfect potion for all things haunted. From campfires to caves, creatures to creepy cabins, and terrible tales to haunted trails, there is something for people of all ages. There will be lights-on family-friendly hours and frightening hours for the brave of heart.

Santa’s Arrival, Jolly Days, & Countdown to Noon

Advance elves are on the lookout for Santa Claus the day after Thanksgiving. Once his helpers spot the Jolly Old Elf, they rappel from the roof of the building to greet him. Santa then races in onboard an Indy Racing Experience two-seater IndyCar to greet all the good girls and boys. Jolly Days: Winter Wonderland will be open Nov. 24, 2017 through early January 2017. Families can visit Santa through Dec. 24, and participate in pretend ice fishing, ice-skating, and holiday baking. There will also be a castle to climb and a magical snow globe that, with a push of a button, allows visitors to let it snow! Those who want to ring in the new year (2018) are invited to Countdown to Noon drop by drop at North America’s largest water clock.

LAST CHANCE to See Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit

Now until Jan. 22, 2017

That last day to visit Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit before it begins its museum tour across the country is January 22nd. Spotlighting Doc’s role as the health and wellness ambassador for young children, the experience brings the magical storytelling of “Doc McStuffins” to life through hands-on activities for young children and their families that impart life-lessons about health and wellness. Through imaginative play and intergenerational learning, visitors are transported to a world inspired by Doc’s backyard playhouse clinic; There, they share the joy of bringing their favorite toys to life as they learn more about sta ying healthy, caring for others, while problem solving.

For more information visit http://childrensmuseum.org/, or call 317-334-3322.

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.

Free Admission Sundays for College Students at the Children’s Museum

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2015, all rights reserved.

By Leslie Olsen
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Fun for Free!

Calling All College Students!

Take a Study Break, Reboot, Enjoy Free Admission on Sundays!

WHO:
Students enrolled in Indiana colleges, universities or online.

WHAT:
Free admission on Sundays from September 4-December 18, 2016.

WHERE:
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana

WHEN:
Sundays from September 4-December 18, 2016, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

WHY:
Why not? The Children’s Museum features famous props from feature films, real space equipment used by astronauts, pieces by famous artists, and more! Put down the book and experience something extraordinary! (Selfies encouraged.)

DETAILS:
All full-time and part-time students enrolled in Indiana colleges or universities are eligible for free admission with a valid college photo ID. Limit one adult per ID please. Online students who do not have student ID’s may bring a copy of the current class schedule as proof of enrollment.

About The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children’s Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Instagram @childrensmuseum, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum, and YouTube.com/IndyTCM