Martin Luther King Day Events in Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Museum of Art is one of several venues offering free admission in connection with Martin Luther King Day. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2015, all rights reserved.

By Amanda Dorman
Downtown Indy, Inc.

Celebrate the birth of 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-collection/42/martin-luther-king-jr-day.

Indianapolis Museum of Art

FREE admission on Sunday, Jan. 17 from 1 – 5 p.m.

The IMA is partnering with local artists to offer an afternoon of written, spoken and interactive expressions of love in the galleries. Guests can spread messages of love inspired by works of art or the world around them. Poets and performers, curated in partnership with Old Soul Entertainment, will present throughout the afternoon (1 – 4 p.m.)

White River State Park

Receive FREE admission Monday, Jan. 18 with a donation of one non-perishable food item per person, per attraction for Gleaner’s Food Bank.

• Eiteljorg Museum: Enjoy the museum’s holiday exhibit, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure and the Contemporary Art Fellowship exhibit, CONVERSATIONS, plus the museum’s world-class art collection. Be sure to check out the lunch specials at the Eiteljorg Museum Café.
• Indiana State Museum: Enjoy films, activities and performance. Visitors can see first-hand two of the documents that laid the foundation for equality:  the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment. Actors from the Phoenix Theatre will present excerpts from “Butler.” Eskenazi Health and the Indianapolis Indians will offer free health screenings at the Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will receive a complimentary ticket to Opening Night at Victory Field.
• Indianapolis Zoo: Walk the grounds and see animals, especially the ones that love the cooler temperatures. Visitors can also enjoy a free Dolphin Adventure Show.
• NCAA Hall of Champions: Visitors can shoot hoops in the NCAA Hall of Champions court where current and former student athletes lead classes. 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.
• IMAX Theatre: Experience the film “Hubble: The IMAX Experience” shown for FREE as space permits at 10 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. Tickets are typically sold out by noon.

Day of Service volunteer opportunity through IUPUI

On Saturday, January 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.

Indiana Historical Society

FREE admission on Monday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Visitors can enjoy performances, programs and service opportunities, as well as 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, view original materials related to MLK and the Civil Rights Movement in Indiana and pack care packages to benefit Wheeler Mission.

IHS and HealthNet are setting a goal to collect 500 much-needed winter clothing items. From Jan. 11 – Jan. 18, IHS will accept donations of new or gently-used winter coats, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. The items will benefit the HealthNet Homeless Initiative Program, which serves more than 3,000 homeless individuals in Marion County each year.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

FREE admission on Monday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Visitors can enjoy activities, storytelling and performances by The Griot Drum Ensemble.

Rhythm! Discovery Center

FREE admission on Monday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Join Indianapolis Jazz Foundation for a kid-friendly jazz concert with the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation at 11 a.m. in celebration of King.

Harlem Globetrotters

The iconic Harlem Globetrotters come to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. See incredible ball handling wizardry and enjoy some good laughs with the family. Tickets start at $23.

For more information, call 317-237-2222.

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.

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.

Things to do in Indianapolis, Dec. 30 to Jan. 5

Historic Union Station is the site of the Masquerade Ball on New Year’s Eve.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

Things to do in Indianapolis
For the week of Dec. 30, 2013 to Jan. 5, 2014

15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana

1. TUE: 7th Annual New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at Union Station
2. MON-WED: 2014 Indy Auto Show at the Indiana Convention Center
3. TUE: New Year’s Eve Rock ‘n’ Roll Ball at the Hyatt Regency
4. TUE, SAT: Indiana Pacers NBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
5. MON-TUE, THU-SUN: Winter Fun Days at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
6. TUE: Grand Caribbean New Year’s Eve Party at Indiana Grand Casino
7. TUE: Family New Year’s Eve Event at the Indiana State Museum
8. SAT: College Men’s Basketball at Indiana University
9. TUE: ‘CIROC the New Year’ at Regions Bank Tower
10. SUN: Super Sunday Indy Automotive Swap Meet at the State Fairgrounds
11. MON, FRI: Indiana Ice USHL Ice Hockey at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
12. THU: Harlem Globetrotters Live at the Allen County Coliseum
13. TUE: ‘Countdown to Noon’ at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
14. SAT-SUN: Winter Warmup Weekend at Mallow Run Winery
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 visit AroundIndy.com Mobile on your smartphone or tablet PC at http://aroundindy.com/mobile/mobile.php.