“Glitz and Glamour” Exhibit at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site @PresBenHarrison

The stately Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2019, all rights reserved.

By Angela Tuell
On behalf of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

INDIANAPOLIS (February 11, 2019)– The newest exhibit at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site [1230 North Delaware St., Indianapolis], Glitz & Glamour in the White House, will feature two centuries of fashion, glitz and glam from the Executive Office. The exhibit, opening March 7, 2019, showcases over-the-top gifts, accessories, heartfelt folk art, ostentatious furniture and one-of-a-kind keepsakes surrounding the presidency of the United States.

The gifts received from foreign heads of state are part of the record of American diplomacy. Gifts from American and foreign citizens often expressed either personal warmth or their feelings for the president. Many of these gifts are examples of the finest decorative arts and craftsmanship available around the world. Come explore these artifacts for yourself, from gimmicky apparel to stately pearl-adorned evening gowns, heartfelt folk-art to ostentatious furniture, solid gold commemorative coins to questionable keepsakes.

The Glitz & Glamour exhibit will hold its grand opening on Thursday, March 7 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided at this open house-style event, which will take place in the Welcome Center of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The event is open to the public. Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/GlitzGrandOpening.

Come see for yourself, from gimmicky apparel to heartfelt folk art and ostentatious furniture to one-of-a-kind keepsakes, You won’t be able to unsee some of these over-the-top accoutrements.

Glitz & Glamour will run through December 31, 2019.

The Presidential Site offers daily guided tours. Tours are on the hour and half-hour, and last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Hours are Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Members may attend for free, and the general public may purchase tickets for $6 per person. Tickets may be reserved at www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org.

For additional details visit http://www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org/visit.

April Events in Downtown Indianapolis

Monument Circle at dusk. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

By Taylor Newell
Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
http://indydt.com/

Warm spring weather is finally in the forecast – so how will you celebrate? How about with a brewery bike ride from Sun King to Victory Field for the Indianapolis Indians’ season opener? Or jogging in the Susan G. Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure? Bring the kids to Earth Day Indiana Festival to learn about fun ways to protect Mother Earth before walking over to the 500 Festival “Rev Your Engines Concert” with Gavin DeGraw and Jon McLaughlin. Or maybe just grab a pint from the outdoor cafes on the Georgia Street Boardwalk before heading to watch the Pacers, who just clinched their third consecutive NBA playoff spot. Whether you’re headed Downtown for a weekend with the family or just looking for after-work fun with friends, there is a lot to do and see Downtown this month.

Spring sports

The Indianapolis Indians open their season at home April 4 against the Columbus Clippers at 7 p.m. – if the outside temperature is below 60 degrees by the start of the game, every person in attendance will receive a FREE ticket to another Indians game of their choosing! Head to Sun King Brewery at 4 p.m. and Bike to the Ballpark with Mayor Ballard, INDYCOG and NUVO. Grab a Victory Lager, Sun King’s custom Indians brew, and enjoy some grub from Nacho Mama and Groovy Guys Fries food trucks.

The Pacers clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs for the third consecutive season and wrap up their regular season at Bankers Life Fieldhouse April 17 against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Pacers also face the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers April 5, 9 and 12. Register for 2013 playoff tickets now through April 9.

The Indiana Ice wrap up their regular season with four home games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 6, 7, 13 and 14. The first 500 fans at the April 6 game will receive an Ice water bottle, the April 7 game a Hardee’s Chill Girl calendar and the first 1,000 fans at the April 13 game will take home a team photo.

See the Naptown Roller Girls in action April 5 against the Detroit Derby Girls at the Indiana Convention Center and April 27 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Run around!

Take off on one of the many Downtown run/walks in April, including the Central Indiana Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday April 20. The run, for both competitive and non-competitive participants, begins at Military Park and also offers warm-up Zumba, a Kids’ Dash and more. For the first time ever, Mass Ave will be turned pink for the race starting April 19. The IUPUI Student Foundation is hosting a life-sized game of Candy Land at IUPUI’s Carrol Stadium from noon to 3 p.m. April 20.

Here are some other Downtown run/walks throughout April:

April 6:   500 Festival Training Series 15K at the NCAA Hall of Champions

April 13: Rock the Relay at White River State Park

April 13: Strip ‘N Run at Scotty’s Brewhouse

April 25: FDIC Courage and Valor 5K at White River State Park

April 27: Walk MS Indianapolis at Military Park

April 28: Best Buddies Run/Walk at Indiana State Museum

Find up-to-date information on road closures and lane restrictions at www.indydt.com/streetclosings.cfm.

An artful April

The provocative, social rights-centric work of famed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei comes to the Indianapolis Museum of Art April 5 with the opening of Ai Weiwei: According to What? The exhibition features more than 30 works spanning longer than 20 years of Ai’s career, exploring universal topics of culture, history, politics and tradition. Informational iPads will be available around the gallery offering interactive information about the artist. Admission to this special exhibit is $12 for adults, $6 for children 7 – 17 and FREE for IMA members and kids under 6. An opening reception and talk will take place April 4 at 6:30 p.m.

As the weather warms, the IMA hosts special outdoor activities throughout April like the Perennial Premiere on April 6, Art in the Park: Spring Up! on Saturdays in April and the Garden Club Flower Show April 27. View the online calendar here.

Special exhibits open on the evening of April 5 for First Friday include “Contents Have Shifted” at the Harrison Center for the Arts, a “First Look” show at the Stutz Artist Association and an Indy Jazz Fest High School All-Stars performance at Indy Reads books. The Stutz Artist Association hosts the 20^th Annual Raymond James Stutz Arists Open House April 26 and 27, displaying the works of 70 local artists available for purchase.

Big performances coming Downtown

On April 27, the 500 Festival “Rev Your Engines Concert” returns to Monument Circle featuring Gavin DeGraw and Indiana-native Jon McLaughlin. The concert is FREE and begins at 8 p.m. Other major Downtown performances in April include:

April 4 – May 5
Clybourne Park at Phoenix Theatre

April 5 – 27
Blackpool & Parrish at Theatre on the Square

April 6
Joe Rogan at Old National Centre

April 10 – May 12
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Indiana Repertory Theatre

April 14
Keyshia Cole at Old National Centre

April 18
Celtic Woman at Old National Centre

April 19 – 20
Finals of the APA Classical Fellowship Awards at Hilbert Circle Theatre

April 21
Indianapolis School of Ballet performance at Indianapolis Arsgarden

April 26
Taylor Swift “The Red Tour” at Bankers Life Fieldhouse

April 29
The Flaming Lips at Old National Centre

Notable events and conventions

April 5 – 6             Just Give Me Jesus

Indiana Convention Center; Fri. 7 – 9 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; FREE
This event is designed to be a life-changing revival for women. Registration is not required.

April 12                Clustertruck

Georgia Street, west block; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; FREE
Food trucks will line up on the west block of Georgia Street along the boardwalk during lunch.

April 18                Jalen Rose – Economic Club of Indiana Luncheon

Indiana Convention Center; noon – 1:30 p.m.; $35 ($30 members)
This month’s luncheon, the Economic Club of Indiana hosts Jalen Rose, former Indiana Pacer and founder of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy.

April 22 – 27           Fire Department Instructors Conference

Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium
FDIC is the premier conference and exhibition for the fire industry bringing 28,000 attendees to the Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. Many events will take place throughout Downtown during the conference.

April 27                Earth Day Indiana Festival

White River State Park; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; FREE
Celebrate Mother Earth in a special way this year with live music, kids activities, great food and 140 special environmental exhibits. Kids will have the chance to build their own bird feeder, see wild animals, plant seeds and more.

April 27                 Rollin’ with Dean

Indiana State Museum; 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; FREE with museum admission
Dust the winter off your motorcycle and join other enthusiasts at the Museum to enjoy live music and family-friendly activities, including a James Dean look-a-like contest!

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