Jingle Rails @EiteljorgMuseum thru Jan. 15, 2018

Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

By Bryan Corbin
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

INDIANAPOLIS – The iconic landmarks of Hollywood are new additions this year to the Eiteljorg Museum’s holiday model train display, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure. Now open, Jingle Rails continues at the Eiteljorg through Jan. 15, 2018.

One of the most affordable holiday attractions in the Indianapolis area, Jingle Rails features electric trains that crisscross delightful miniature replicas of famous landscapes — from the skyline of Indianapolis to the impressive sights of the American West — that visitors can walk through, around and under.

Trains chug through backdrops constructed of all-natural materials, including bark, acorns, tree roots and honeycomb. Model railroad tracks carry the nine G-scale trains past dioramas depicting Lucas Oil Stadium, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Aspen Ski Resort, Hoover Dam, Golden Gate Bridge and others, and the scenes are decked out in holiday lights.

For this season, the eighth year of Jingle Rails, a new destination on the model train itinerary is a replica Hollywood, including famous film industry locations. The mountaintop Hollywood sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with handprints and footprints of the stars, the Paramount Studios gates, the Warner Bros. water tower, a Western-movie studio set and the Griffith Park Observatory all are depicted in miniature.

Discount tickets to Jingle Rails can be ordered in advance online by visiting the museum’s website, www.eiteljorg.org. With the online ticket discount, all adults are $11, youth ages five to 17 are $6, and children ages four and under are free.

Visiting the Eiteljorg during the holiday season has become an annual family tradition for many. Last year, more than 41,000 visitors experienced the spectacular train display.

“With its intricate recreations of iconic Western scenes, Jingle Rails sparks children’s imaginations and brings back nostalgic memories of favorite Western landmarks for parents and grandparents,” said John Vanausdall, Eiteljorg president and CEO. “We are delighted that families return to the Eiteljorg Museum each holiday season to experience Jingle Rails. Between the familiar scenes they already enjoy and the new Hollywood landscape, it again will be a treasured experience for all ages.”

The Jingle Rails dioramas were designed and artistically created out of natural materials by Paul Busse and his company, Applied Imagination in Alexandria, Ky. They built similar installations at the New York Botanical Garden and the United States Botanic Garden in Washington D.C.

Special programming is held at the Eiteljorg during the duration of Jingle Rails. Screenings of the holiday film The Polar Express take place at Dec. 16 and Dec. 20, both at 1 p.m. Check www.eiteljorg.org for daily details.

While visiting the Eiteljorg to experience Jingle Rails, museum-goers also can see a special exhibition of contemporary Native American art called Native Art Now!, view the museum’s permanent galleries, enjoy the kid-friendly R.B. Annis Western Family Experience, grab a bite at the Museum Café and shop at the Museum Store. Recognized by USA Today as a “10 Best” Indianapolis holiday attraction, Jingle Rails is included with regular admission to the Eiteljorg Museum.

Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure at the Eiteljorg Museum is presented by The Indiana Rail Road and sponsored by Katz Sapper & Miller, the Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Power & Light Co., the Kortepeter family, Faegre Baker Daniels, Stuart’s Moving and Storage, the Butler Foundation, L.G. and Alyce Edwards and other sponsors.

Photo credits: (c) AroundIndy.com, LLC. All rights reserved. Event listings: https://aroundindy.com/eiteljorg.php

Things to do in Indianapolis, Jan. 6-12, 2014

Indiana State Fairgrounds. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2010, all rights reserved.

15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana
For the week of  January 6-12, 2014

VERIFY ALL EVENT LISTINGS DUE TO THE WEATHER

1. SAT-SUN: 46th Annual Indy RV Expo at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
2. SAT-SUN: Greater Indianapolis Garage Sale and Marketplace at the State Fairgrounds
3. TUE, FRI: Indiana Pacers NBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
4. TUE: Community Tuesday at White River State Park
5. TUE: Taylor Martin’s Indy Magic Monthly at Theatre on the Square
6. FRI: 5th Annual Winter Nights Film Series at the Museum of Art
7. FRI-SAT: Monster Jam at the Ford Center in Evansville
8. TUE-SUN: ‘Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure’ at the Eiteljorg Museum
9. FRI-SAT: Indiana Ice USHL Ice Hockey
10. THU, SAT: College Men’s Basketball at Butler University
11. TUE-SUN: ‘Lend Me a Tenor’ at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre
12. TUE-SUN: ‘Ann Luther: Threads of Life’ Exhibit at Arthur M. Glick JCC
13. SUN: College Men’s Basketball at Purdue University
14. SAT: ‘Farm to Fork’ Winter Farmers Market at Normandy Farms
15. WED: Indiana Mic-Off at Morty’s Comedy Joint

Things to do in Indianapolis, Dec. 23-29, 2013

Indianapolis Auto Show at the Convention Center, Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana
For the week of December 23-29, 2013

1. THU-SUN: 2014 Indy Auto Show at the Indiana Convention Center
2. SAT: Indiana Pacers NBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
3. SUN: Indianapolis Colts NFL Football at Lucas Oil Stadium
4. SAT: Naptown Roller Girls at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
5. MON: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra ‘Yuletide Celebration’ at Hilbert Circle Theatre
6. FRI-SAT: Shipshewana Ice Festival in LaGrange County
7. FRI-SUN: Winter Fun Days at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
8. SAT: Styx in Concert at Star Plaza Theatre
9. SUN: Led Zeppelin 2 at the Old National Centre
10. TUE, THU-SUN: ‘Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure’ at the Eiteljorg Museum
11. THU-SAT: Winterfest 2013 at the Indiana History Center
12. MON-TUE, THU-SUN: ‘Ice Age Giants: The Mystery of Mammoths and Mastodons’ at the State Museum
13. MON, THU-SUN: 45th Annual ‘Christmas at the Zoo’ at the Indianapolis Zoo
14. FRI: ‘A Candlelight Evening on Delaware Street’ in Indianapolis
15. SAT: 9th Annual ‘Race to the New Year’ 5K Walk and Run in Westfield

To see thousands of upcoming events and things to do in Indianapolis and Indiana, visit our main Web site at http://aroundindy.com/, or check out 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.

Things to do in Indianapolis, Dec. 9-15, 2013

Conservatory Crossing at Garfield Park.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2012, all rights reserved.

Things to do in Indianapolis
For the week of Dec. 9-15, 2013

15 Public Events in Indianapolis and Indiana

1. SUN: Indianapolis Colts NFL Football at Lucas Oil Stadium
2. WED: Justin Timberlake in Concert at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
3. TUE, FRI: Indiana Pacers NBA Basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
4. THU: Yelp’s 3rd Annual ‘Totally Bazaar’ Shopping Party at Old City Hall
5. SAT: 2nd Annual ’12 Chefs of Christmas’ Benefit at Tomlinson Tap Room
6. MON-SUN: Celebration Crossing at the Indiana State Museum
7. TUE-SUN: ‘Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure’ at the Eiteljorg Museum
8. WED-SUN: 45th Annual ‘Christmas at the Zoo’ at the Indianapolis Zoo
9. WED-SUN: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra ‘Yuletide Celebration’ at Hilbert Circle Theatre
10. THU-SUN: Gingerbread Village at Conner Prairie Interactive History Park
11. SAT: Winterfest 2013 at the Indiana History Center
12. SAT: Broad Ripple Lights Up! Festival in Indianapolis
13. THU: Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Concert at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
14. MON-SUN: Conservatory Crossing at Garfield Park Conservatory
15. FRI: Dave Koz in Concert at the Carmel Palladium

To see thousands of things to do in Indianapolis and upcoming events, visit our main Web site at: http://aroundindy.com/, also available in a mobile version for smartphones and tablet PCs at: http://aroundindy.com/mobile/.