Martin Luther King Day 2015 in Downtown Indianapolis

Indianapolis skyline. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2011, all rights reserved.

By Amanda Dorman
Downtown Indy, Inc.

Celebrate MLK Day Downtown

Many FREE events offered Jan. 19, plus Devour Downtown in full swing

Celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by taking advantage of special offerings in Downtown Indianapolis on the holiday. FREE admission to Downtown’s top attractions, appearances by local celebrities and more help make this year’s tribute to the iconic civil rights leader a fun, meaningful one for the family!

Don’t forget: metered parking Downtown is FREE on certain holidays, including MLK Jr. Day.

IUPUI’s Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service

Hundreds of IUPUI students, faculty, staff, and community members will volunteer at community sites across Indy on Jan. 19 as a way to honor Dr. King’s commitment to service and social justice.

White River State Park: FREE admission to the following attractions with donation of one non-perishable food item per person, per attraction for Gleaner’s Food Bank.

• Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art – open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Indianapolis Zoo – open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Indiana State Museum – open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• NCAA Hall of Champions – open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• IMAX Theater – Watch Island of Lemurs for FREE at 11:25 a.m., 12:50 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:40 p.m. and 5 p.m. (as space allows).
• FREE health screenings from Eskenazi Health from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Indiana State Museum. Screening participants receive one ticket voucher to the Indianapolis Indians Opening Night on April 9.

The Children’s Museum: FREE admission from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Celebrate the life, achievements, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with special activities, storytelling and performances by The Griot Drum Ensemble and Epiphany Dance Collective.

Indiana Historical Society: FREE admission from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Take part in the National Day of Service by packing care packages to benefit the Wheeler Mission from noon – 4 p.m. Visitors may also meet prominent Indianapolis physician Dr. Harvey Middleton in You Are There 1939: Healing Bodies, Changing Minds, as well as attend a discussion highlighting collection items documenting Indianapolis’ African-American communities. Enjoy FREE admission to Indiana Experience.

Indianapolis Museum of Art: FREE admission to Speaking of Love from 2 – 5 p.m.

Hear Indianapolis writers, poets, singers and artists speaking of love in the galleries as we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of speaking truth and love to powers that sought to divide humanity based on fear and prejudices. Participate in a social art experiment and bring letters or notes that comfort, encourage, uplift, compliment or motivate and give them to people you don’t know.

Rhythm! Discovery Center: FREE admission from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Enjoy a special presentation with the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation about Indianapolis’ jazz tradition and Indiana Avenue.

Devour Downtown Winterfest kicks off

“Open wide” for Devour Downtown, launching on MLK Day and running through Feb. 1. Participating Devour Downtown restaurants will offer guests pre-fixe menus ranging from $10 – $35 while showcasing specialty dishes and highlighting popular items. Several lunch and dinner menus are two for $30. New participants this year include: Burgerhaus, Spoke & Steele, Chilly Water Brewing Company, Tow Yard Brewing Company and more. Several Downtown venues will offer special discounts during Devour Downtown, including: NCAA Hall of Champions, Rhythm Discovery Center, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana Historical Society and Theatre on the Square.

Harlem Globetrotters

The iconic Harlem Globetrotters are coming to town beginning Jan. 19 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Ever seen a 4-point shot in basketball? You just might.

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

Indy Restaurants Extend Devour Downtown Menus

Cerulean, 339 S Delaware, is one of the restaurants extending its Devour Downtown menu.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

Press Release
Devour Downtown Winterfest
http://devourdowntown.org/

Join these select restaurants who are offering their Devour Downtown menu beyond the Feb. 2 end date – just for you!

B’s Po Boy	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
BARcelona Tapas	(Offering Dinner only Monday through Friday, as well as on Sunday; available lunch and dinner on Saturday)
Bazbeaux	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Black Market	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Bu da lounge	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Capital Grille	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Cerulean	(Extending menus thru Feb. 6)
Champions Sunday	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Circle City Bar and Grill	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Elbow Room	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Eagle’s Nest	(Extending menus thru Feb. 6)
Fogo	(Offering menu Sundays in February – 9th, 16th & 23rd)
Greek Islands	(Extending menus  thru Feb. 9)
Harry & Izzy’s	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Iaria’s	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Libertine	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Maxine’s	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Mesh	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Napolese	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Palomino	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Pearl Street	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Rathskeller	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Sahm’s	(Extending menus thru Feb. 8)
Santorini Greek Kitchen	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Skyline Club	(Extending menus thru Feb. 8)
St. Elmo	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)
Tavern On South	(Extending menus thru Feb. 6)
TGI Fridays	(Extending menus thru Feb. 9)

Devour Downtown is brought to you by the Indianapolis Downtown Restaurant & Hospitality Association (IDRHA), a chapter of the Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association. For more information, visit http://devourdowntown.org/, or call 317-673-4211.

Things to do in Indianapolis, Jan. 26-Feb. 2, 2014

Devour Downtown Winterfest continues daily through Feb. 2.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

Things to do in Indianapolis
For the week of Jan. 26 to Feb. 2, 2014

1. MON-SUN: 92nd Annual Indianapolis Home Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
2. MON-SUN: ‘Devour Downtown’ Winterfest in Indianapolis
3. FRI: 5th Annual Winter Nights Film Series at the Museum of Art
4. FRI-SUN: Hearthside Supper at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
5. WED: ‘A Downton Abbey Evening’ at the Carmel Palladium
6. SUN: College Men’s Basketball at Indiana University
7. THU: Darius Rucker in Concert at the Allen County Coliseum
8. THU, SAT: Indiana Pacers NBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
9. THU: Indiana Ice USHL Ice Hockey at Pan Am Pavilion
10. FRI-SUN: ‘Defending the Caveman’ at Theatre on the Square
11. FRI-SUN: ‘The Color Purple’ at the Indianapolis Athenaeum Theatre
12. FRI: Kenny Rogers in Concert at the Carmel Palladium
13. MON-SUN: ‘Ice Age Giants: The Mystery of Mammoths and Mastodons’ at the State Museum
14. SAT: Indy Winter Farmers Market at the Indianapolis City Market
15. MON: ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne

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

Things to do in Indianapolis, Jan. 20-26, 2014

Harlem Globetrotters, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Jan. 20.
Photo provided by Indianapolis Downtown, Inc., and used with written permission.

Things to do in Indianapolis and Indiana
For the week of Jan. 20-26, 2014

15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana

1. FRI-SUN: 92nd Annual Indianapolis Home Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
2. WED-SUN: Disney on Ice at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
3. MON: Harlem Globetrotters Live at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
4. MON-SUN: ‘Devour Downtown’ Winterfest in Indianapolis
5. THU-SUN: Mizpah Shrine Circus and Fair at the Allen County Coliseum
6. FRI: 5th Annual Winter Nights Film Series at the Museum of Art
7. SAT-SUN: Indiana Fishing Expo 2014 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds
8. SAT: Monster Jam 2014 at Lucas Oil Stadium
9. SAT: Madeleine Peyroux in Concert at the Carmel Palladium
10. SUN: ‘Rock of Ages’ at the Old National Centre
11. THU-SUN: ‘Defending the Caveman’ at Theatre on the Square
12. SUN: College Men’s Basketball at Indiana University
13. SAT: Cincinnati Reds Caravan at Castleton Square Mall
14. TUE-THU: Indiana Horticultural Congress and Trade Show at Wyndham West Hotel
15. SAT: Inaugural YMCA Revolution Ball at Crane Bay Event 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 AroundIndy.com Mobile on your smartphone or tablet PC at http://aroundindy.com/mobile/mobile.php.

December/January Events in Downtown Indianapolis

Free admission at the IMAX Theatre on Jan. 20.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

By Amanda Dorman
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
http://indydt.com/

Holidays winding down

Still searching for one last dose of holiday cheer? Downtown opportunities are plentiful. As the holidays wind down in Downtown Indy, make sure to check out our Holidays Happenings page to stay up-to-date on events at the end of December:  http://www.indydt.com/holidaymedia.cfm. A fan favorite, 12 Free Days in Downtown Indy, ends Dec. 24.  Ride the Yule Slide at Jolly Days Winter Wonderland at the Children’s Museum. Get decorating ideas from the early 20th century at Christmas at Lilly House. Take the Santa Claus Express train at Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum. Enjoy dazzling twinkle lights at Christmas at the Zoo. See the landmarks and trains at the Eiteljorg Museum’s Jingle Rails.  The Circle of Lights display will remain lit through Jan. 10. 

Ring in the New Year Downtown!

Whether you are looking for live music, good food or family-friendly festivities, there are plenty of fun ways to celebrate the New Year Downtown! Visit http://www.indydt.com/nye.cfm for a list of Downtown New Year’s Eve events. Check back for updates as more Downtown events and specials are announced.

2014 Beautification Calendar

Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. (IDI) is planning for Downtown’s beautification in 2014. IDI’s Beautification Calendar is distributed to hundreds of Downtown businesses to encourage clean properties and colorful landscaping. Different color themes are created to add variety and a cohesive, sophisticated atmosphere as each season changes. Businesses and landscapers can be creative and choose flowers appropriate to site conditions. Find 2014 color themes here (think: blue, yellow and orange for spring). Also, IDI recently planted 15 new trees thanks to IPL’s Trees for Tomorrow program, helping to keep Downtown green and vibrant! 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day promotions and events

Hoosiers will be able to choose from wide range of FREE or inexpensive events taking place Jan. 20 for MLK Day. Some of these special events include FREE admission to White River State Park attractions, including the Indianapolis Zoo, Indiana State Museum, IMAX Theatre, Eiteljorg and NCAA Hall of Champions. Also enjoy FREE admission and activities at Victory Field. Visitors are asked to bring one canned food item per person for donation to Gleaner’s Food Bank.

Gather the family and enjoy a FREE admission to the Children’s Museum. The IMA will host a community day from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. with art, film, music and a celebration of the Theater of Inclusion’s community-built art project, One and All. The IUPUI Campus Center hosts its 13th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hundreds of students and faculty will volunteer at various community sites around the city.  As most kids will have the day off from school, many families are expected to spend the day taking part in one or more of these activities.

Devour Downtown Winterfest kicks off Jan. 20
Anticipate more Downtown diners as 50+ Downtown restaurants offer specially-priced menu items. Participating Downtown restaurants will offer guests $30 – $35 per-person menus plus gratuity and tax while showcasing specialty dishes and highlighting popular items from their menus. Several lunch and dinner menus are two for $30!  For a list of participating restaurants, visit www.devourdowntown.org. 

Big names take the stage

Harlem Globetrotters, Jan. 20, Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Disney on Ice Princesses & Heroes, Jan. 22 – Jan. 26, Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Rock of Ages, Jan. 26, Old National Centre 

Downtown bustling with sports action

Downtown will stay busy with several Indiana Pacers games and Indiana Ice matches throughout December and January. Pacers fans will be packing Bankers Life Fieldhouse Dec. 28 & 31 and Jan. 4, 7, 10, 14, 16, 18, & 30. The Indiana Ice play at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Dec. 30 and Jan. 3 & 11 and at Pan Am Pavilion Jan. 4, 10 & 30. The iconic Harlem Globetrotters return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse Jan. 20.

For more information, visit http://indydt.com/, or call 317-237-2222.