Free Admission at White River State Park Venues, Jan. 16, 2017

White River State Park in Indianapolis, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2010, all rights reserved.

By Jen Thomas
On behalf of White River State Park

White River State Park celebrates MLK, Jr. Day with free admissions

Synopsis: Park attractions open for free in exchange for food donations to benefit Gleaners; Free health screenings offered by Eskenazi Health

INDIANAPOLIS – Visitors to White River State Park attractions will receive free admission and free parking on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 16, 2017, with a canned good donation (one can per person, per attraction).

In addition to enjoying the attractions themselves, MLK Jr. Day visitors to the Park
can:
• Watch films with Dr. King’s speeches at the Indiana State Museum.
• View “Game of Change,” a film featuring a historic basketball game in 1963 where Mississippi State disregarded an unwritten Mississippi rule against playing integrated teams, at the NCAA Hall of Champions.
• Catch Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum the day before it chugs out of town.
• Get a free ticket to the Indianapolis Indians’ season opener if they complete a health screening at the State Museum.
• See animals that love the cooler temperatures and plenty of indoor exhibits at the Zoo.
• Experience the IMAX® film “Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience” for free.

Since it started 17 years ago, the Park’s partnership with Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana on this one-day, annual event has resulted in more than 95 tons of non-perishable, canned food donations.

“The food drive not only helps Hoosiers in need, but allows families to enjoy these wonderful facilities at no cost,” said John Elliott, Gleaners’ president & CEO.

Special activities will take place throughout the day at most of the major attractions that make up White River State Park: Eiteljorg Museum, IMAX® Theater, Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis Zoo and the NCAA® Hall of Champions. The Indianapolis Indians will have activities at the State Museum.

“I love how our visitors rise to the occasion by filling the donation bins to benefit those less fortunate, while enjoying plenty of entertainment and healthy activities throughout the day,” said Carolene Mays-Medley, executive director of White River State Park.

The following FREE activities at Park attractions will be taking place on MLK Day:

• 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. Mississippi State overcame an unwritten Mississippi rule against playing integrated teams with a cloak-and-dagger flight to the North just one step ahead of a court injunction.

• Indianapolis Zoo: Visitors can 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 (presentations are at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.).

• IMAX Theater: 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… and beyond. 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 State Museum: Films, activities and performance art fill the museum in celebration of the life and times of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Indiana First Robotics Team from Southport High School will make a special appearance, and the Farmer’s Market Café will offer lunch.

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.

• Eiteljorg Museum: Visitors can immerse themselves in Native American and Western cultures with the museum’s many exhibits. It’s your last chance to visit Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure, a one-of-a-kind G-scale train experience featuring the Vegas Strip, Mt. Rushmore, Yosemite, the Golden Gate Bridge, Soldiers and Sailors Monument and much more. Named a USA Today “10 Best” Indy holiday attraction in 2014, Jingle Rails features trains that chug along nearly 1,200 feet of track through a network of trestles, bridges and tunnels with detailed replicas of national treasures.

The Park is also offering complimentary parking on MLK, Jr. Day. 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. Parking is not guaranteed and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about White River State Park, visit http://www.whiteriverstatepark.org/, or call 317-233-2434.

Fall Fun in Downtown Indy, September 2016

Bike Riding in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2016, all rights reserved.

By Jennifer Hanson
Downtown Indy, Inc.

Indians: Craft Beer for a Cause

Support Downtown Indy, Inc. by purchasing tickets to the Indianapolis Indians game Sept. 1.2016. DII is excited to partner with the Indianapolis Indians and Sun King Brewing for Craft Beer for a Cause. A portion of every ticket purchased ($5 for Box and Reserved Seats and $4 for Lawn) will be donated to the Downtown Indy, Inc. Beautification Fund. Get tickets (and save) using promo code downtownindy.

INspired Beauty on Monument Circle

Downtown Indianapolis is one of the most beautiful and clean downtowns in the nation – and not by accident. We are celebrating our Downtown with the second annual INspired Beauty, a fundraiser to benefit the Downtown Indy, Inc. Beautification Fund, Thursday, Sept. 15 from 5 – 7 p.m. on Monument Circle. Enjoy live music, tasty tapas, Sun King beer and Southern Wine and Spirits, great company and incredible views in the heart of our Downtown. Professional gardeners and landscapers will compete “Iron Chef” style as they each assemble container gardens on location in a competition, which will be raffled off at the conclusion of the event. Tickets can be purchased online for $25 or at the door for $30. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

Fall into the festivities

The arrival of September brings a diverse lineup of fall festivals to Downtown Indianapolis, celebrating culture, art, food, sports and more. As the weather starts to cool, it’s the perfect time to bring the family to one or more of these unique events.

· Sept.3: Indy Labor Fest, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., is a three-block festival on Georgia Street featuring music from Yacht Rock Revue, food, drinks and a kid’s zone.

· Sept. 9 – 27: White River Festival, a 19-day celebration of the White River, includes art exhibits and performances, family activities, river clean ups and more.

· Sept. 10: Penrod Arts Fair, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, showcases more than 300 artists, six stages and a special children’s area. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

· Sept. 10: Sun King CANvitational, from 1 – 5 p.m. on Georgia Street, showcases more than 45 craft breweries, local eats from food trucks and live music. General admission is $40; general admission with early entry at noon is $75 and designated driver tickets are $10.

· Sept. 15 – 18: 21st annual Indy Irish Fest takes over Military Park with live music, dancing, food, sporting events, shopping and a kid’s craft tent and game area. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 day of; $10 for students; $5 for children 5 – 13 and military and FREE for children 4 and under.

· Sept. 15 – 24: Indy Jazz Fest, at various times and locations around Indianapolis, features some of the most popular jazz and blues artists celebrating GRAMMY Award-winner Wes Montgomery. Downtown venues include Madame Walker Theatre, Indiana Landmarks, IUPUI, Cabaret at The Columbia Club and Central Library.

· Sept. 16: Monument Circle Oktoberfest, from 7 – 11 p.m., boasts an authentic German Biergarten, traditional German fare and Polka Boy live. FREE admission.

· Sept. 17: Fiesta Indianapolis, from noon – 10 p.m. at American Legion Mall, is one of the longest-running ethnic festivals in the state, bringing together 15,000+ people each year. The festival features Latino music, dance, art, food and children’s activities. FREE admission.

· Sept. 17: Rooftop Garden Oktoberfest takes place noon – 6 p.m at Fountain Square Theatre featuring Bratwurst and Knackwurst from Claus’ German Sausage & Meats, as well as German Beer from Sun King on tap to wash down other Oktoberfest favorites.

· Sept. 18: Hispanic Heritage Fiesta, noon – 4 p.m. at the Indianapolis Zoo, celebrates the culture and traditions of Latin America with decorations, family activities and Latin-inspired food. FREE for Zoo members.

· Sept. 24: Herron-Morton Oktoberfest, from 2 – 9 p.m. at Herron Morton Place Park, includes live music, plus local beer and food trucks. Admission is $10 and FREE for kids 13 and under.

· Sept. 24: Indianapolis Chinese Festival, from noon – 6 p.m. at IUPUI Wood Plaza, honors the Chinese Moon Festival through traditional art and performances, tai chi and martial arts demonstrations, Chinese games and authentic Chinese food. Admission is FREE.

33rd annual Circle City Classic

Circle City Classic weekend returns to Downtown Indy, showcasing the spirit, energy and tradition of America’s historically black colleges and universities. The Classic draws an average of 175,000 people from across the country annually to be a part of an energized weekend that includes a parade, pep rally, musical performances, well-known celebrities, a battle of the bands and two historically black college football teams colliding head-to-head at Lucas Oil Stadium. This year’s game takes place Sept. 24.

September sports: the Colts are back

Celebrate the return of football with the FREE Colts Kickoff Concert on Georgia Street Sept. 10 from 5 – 10 p.m. Enjoy music from Clayton Anderson, Southern Country and headliner Eli Young Band, plus giveaways, appearances by the Colts cheerleaders and Blue, a beer garden and food from the Kilroy’s Bar n’ Grill. The Indianapolis Colts play the Detroit Lions to kick off the season at home Sept. 11 at 4:25 p.m. Head to the Bud Light Tailgate on Georgia Street before home games.

Indy Eleven plays at IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium Sept. 3 against Tama Bay, Sept. 17 against Miami FC and Sept. 24 against New York. Purchase tickets here and use code downtown and ticket proceeds will benefit Downtown beautification.

Performing arts are ready to amaze

The Indiana Repertory Theatre opens the new season with The Three Musketeers, running Sept. 20 – Oct. 15. Follow the legendary tale of danger, royalty and romance on stage.

For a touch of the classical, don’t miss the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Night Gala Sept. 24. Grab a date for Happy Hour at the Symphony Sept. 15, the ISO and The Doo Wop Project Sept. 16 & 17, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in concert Sept. 23 & 25 and Andre Watts plays Beethoven Sept. 29 – Oct. 1.

Downtown Indy, Inc.’s Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW #481 Auditions

Showcase your talents for a chance to perform at Downtown Indy, Inc.’s Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW #481. Talented singers, dancers and entertainers alike can audition Saturday, Oct. 1 or Tuesday, Oct. 4. Selected entertainers will appear in front of thousands of people at the Circle of Lights Friday, Nov. 25 on Monument Circle and on WTHR-13. No registration is required.

Get fit!

September weather is perfect to get outside and walk or run around Downtown Indianapolis while supporting any number of causes. Check out the Glo Run Sept. 3 in White River State Park and come pack Sept. 10 for the Indianapolis Heart Walk. Cheer on runners/walkers for the Indy Women’s Half Marathon & 5K Sept. 17, stepping off at Monument Circle. The Torch Relay Everyday Heroes 5K Fun Run/Walk also takes place Sept. 17 at the Indiana State Museum.

The Teal Ribbon Ovarian Cancer Run/Walk starts at City Market Sept. 24, while the Walk to Defeat ALS takes place at White River State Park. Don’t miss the IUPUI Regatta on the Downtown Indy Canal Walk Sept. 24, as well.

For more information, call 317-237-2222.

May 2016 in Downtown Indianapolis

Indianapolis skyline. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2015, all rights reserved.

By Amanda Dorman
Downtown Indy, Inc.

Wholesale District Beautification Day
Community members are coming together for a morning of partnership, productivity and fun as district employees participate in the ninth annual Wholesale District Beautification Day Monday, May 2. More than 200 volunteers will create a clean, pedestrian-friendly environment for the district’s sidewalks, store fronts and businesses. Tasks include sweeping the sidewalks and curbs, removing stickers, painting over graffiti and picking up litter.

100th Running HandleBar Hot Lap on Monument Circle
In the spirit of the 100th Running of the Indy 500, HandleBar, Downtown Indy, Inc. and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are hosting the 100th Running HandleBar Hot Lap on Monument Circle Friday, May 6 at 11:30 a.m. Races include one-on-one laps around Monument Circle with pit stops and vehicle tweaks. The races will be structured into a 24-team single elimination bracket, narrowing down Indy’s best, culminating in a championship race between the top two teams. Businesses are invited to register a team (10 participants) online for $100/team.

Georgia Street comes to life with Downtown Indy, Inc.’s Summer Series
Downtown Indy, Inc. has again partnered with local fitness studios for Workout Wednesday – fun, all-levels group fitness sessions on the Boardwalk. Hip Hop on Georgia Street in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis begins May 4 and reoccurs weekly from noon – 12:45 p.m. Each workout will begin with a local personality/celebrity for the warm-up. The celebrity will be announced each week via Twitter (@GeorgiaStIndy). A new addition to Workout Wednesday this year will be Sunrise Yoga on the Canal in partnership with Invoke Studio. Sunrise Yoga begins June 1 and takes place weekly on the Vermont Street Plaza from 6 – 6:45 a.m.

Happy Hour Thursdays return to the Boardwalk beginning May 5.
Georgia Street’s center block will turn into a work respite from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. every Thursday. Listen to music from live DJs, relax with friends and order appetizers and drinks from the Boardwalk Bar staffed by the Omni Severin Bar. There’s no cover charge, but all attendees must be 21 and older.

Downtown workers can also enjoy ongoing Food Truck Fridays.
Eat lunch alfresco on the Georgia Street Boardwalk and enjoy the sights and sounds of Downtown during weekly from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

May means 500 Festival events
Race fans are invited to Rock-IN-Roar 500 – a music festival and community celebration on Georgia Street that officially “drops the green flag” on Race Week in Indianapolis. On May 20 from 5 – 10:30 p.m., 500 local musicians, led by John Mellencamp keyboardist Troye Kinnett and IndyCar driver Will Power, join together to perform One Republic’s “Love Runs Out” in a musical tribute to the spirit of the 100th Indy 500. Attendees can witness SPECTACLE: Sights & Sounds of the Indy 500 on Georgia Street, featuring a unique light show with some of the most memorable radio calls from the past 100 years. Following this FREE Rock-IN-Roar 500, SPECTACLE will run at 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. May 21 – 29.

The 40th OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon takes off Saturday, May 7 at 7:30 a.m. The course begins at the intersection of Washington and West streets, heads west to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and does a complete lap around the 2.5 mile track before heading back down New York Street. In addition to the Mini, kids ages 3 – 10 can participate in the non-competitive Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run May 14 at 10:30 a.m. After the Mini, head to Military Park for the FREE 500 Festival Post Race Party.

The 60th IPL 500 Festival Parade kicks off at noon May 28 at noon. About 300,000 spectators from around the country will line the streets of Indianapolis for one of the nation’s premier parades. The month-long roster of events culminates with the 100th running of the Indy 500 on May 29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Original Farmers’ Market returns May 4
Downtown’s Original Farmers’ Market returns to Indianapolis City Market on May 4 and continues every Wednesday through October. The market is open from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Market Street between Delaware and Alabama Streets. Market Street will be closed each Wednesday during this time.

Bring Mom Downtown on Mother’s Day
Downtown attractions and restaurants will make Mother’s Day extra special. Visit Mother’s Day Weekend at the Indianapolis Zoo May 7 and 8 and enjoy a Zoo-wide scavenger hunt, photo stations, free treats and more. Attend Mother’s Day at the IRT on May 8 and enjoy brunch at noon followed by a performance of The Mousetrap at 2 p.m. Georgia Reese’s is offering a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet all day from 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Hot happenings at Downtown attractions
Mini Golf that combines original art and playful competition is coming to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The much anticipated Artist Designed Mini Golf opens to the public May 10. The course features 18 holes designed by local and regional artists and in honor of Indiana’s Bicentennial, each hole is inspired by Indiana history and landmarks. Tickets are FREE for IMA members and included in regular admission for non-members.

Easley Winery’s outdoor music series Groovin’ in the Garden kicks off on May 21 and runs through September. Enjoy daily wine specials and live music in a relaxing environment every Saturday from 2 – 5 p.m. This series is FREE.

Indiana Historical Society’s Concerts on the Canal return on May 26 and take place every Thursday night from 6 – 8 p.m. through July 28. The 2016 Concerts on the Canal series features a spectacular lineup of entertainers including Shannon Forsell, Flying Toasters, Funk Quarter and The Bishops. Seating is FREE on the grassy hill across the Canal or reserve a table on the terrace for extra.

Cheer on your favorite teams
Catch one (or more) of the 16 Indianapolis Indians home games at Victory Field this month. Enjoy monthly promos including 2-for-1 Tuesdays, Thursday Craft Beer Night, Friday Fireworks and Kid’s Eat Free Sundays. On May 3, share your favorite game with your pup: Bark in the Park allows dogs and their owners a chance to enjoy the game from the right field lawn. There are two chances to catch the Indy Eleven at home: May 7 and May 21.

For more information, call 317-237-2222.

Bacon and Beer Classic at Victory Field, July 11, 2015

Bacon and Beer Classic at Victory Field. Image provided by the event organizers and used with written permission.

By Sam Schaible
On behalf of the Bacon and Beer Classic

Bacon and beer — what combination could be better? Taste all the deliciousness for yourself at the Bacon and Beer Classic. Held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, this event brings together over 75 of the best local breweries and restaurants for an unforgettable mix of food and fun.

Cannonball Productions brings the Bacon and Beer Classic (www.baconandbeerclassic.com) to Victory Field, for an all-you-can-eat-and-drink tasting experience.

Guests can choose to attend the Brunch session (1 to 4 p.m), or the Dinner session (7 to 10 p.m.). VIP guests will have 1-hour early admission (12p.m. and 6p.m. respectively), entrance to the VIP area on the warning track and dugouts, samples of exclusive craft beer on the field, and more.

In between all-inclusive craft beer samples from local breweries and bacon-inspired tastes from local restaurants, guests can dance to music and bring out their inner kid by playing interactive games (think inflatable bungee run and cornhole).

Hosted in major and minor league baseball stadiums on non-game day Saturdays across America, the Bacon and Beer Classic national tour visited New York City, Seattle and the Bay Area earlier this year and has grown exponentially to include more than 10 destinations nationwide in 2015.

“Indianapolis is a hot spot for craft beer and is the unofficial ‘pork state’, so we’re very excited to tap into the market with the first Midwest Bacon and Beer Classic!” says Kate Levenstien, founder of Cannonball Productions and Bacon and Beer Classic.

The all-star line up of breweries and restaurants participating grows each day. Over 50 local brewers including Bier Brewery, Fountain Square Brewing Co., People’s Brewing and Quaff On Brewing are all signed up to serve at least two of their most coveted craft selections.

Chefs from 30 expected restaurants are challenged to bring their most inventive and delicious bacon-inspired dishes to the plate. Local restaurants including Shoefly Public House, The Exchange Pub + Kitchen, Fermenti Artisan, The Pint Room and The District Tap will be dishing out their best bacon-themed dishes. The combination of refreshing craft beer and delectable bacon is sure to please all palettes!

The Bacon and Beer Classic also brings in an all-star lineup at each event to judge all the sips and tastes, and award winners in select categories. This year’s judges include Indianapolis Star food and beverage reporters Liz Biro and Amy Haneline; founder of the blog and website Eat.Drink.Indy, Jolene Ketzenberger; and Certified Cicerone Bob Mack; Jennifer Rubenstein, editor, and Rachel Russell, writer, at Edible Indy, among others.

The Bacon and Beer Classic is always an all-inclusive event! General Admission tickets are $49. Fans may choose to purchase the VIP Experience ticket for $89. All tickets include a souvenir Bacon and Beer Classic branded glass to take home.

Designated driver tickets are available at a cost of $29 for unlimited bacon. Indy’s Bacon and Beer Classic welcomes families and children with unlimited bacon tickets for kids 5-20 for $19.

Cannonball Productions partners with neighborhood vendors and organizations to give the event that local hometown feel. This year they have partnered with the Indianapolis chapter of the American Cancer Society.

For up-to-date information on the event, please visit: http://www.baconandbeerclassic.com/

Direct link to tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/indianapolis-bacon-and-beer-cla…

Facebook: facebook.com/bandbclassic

Twitter: @bandbclassic

Instagram: bandbclassic

Hashtag: ‪#‎bandbclassic‬

Downtown Indy gets festive in June 2015

Antipasto salad at the Italian Street Festival. AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2010, all rights reserved.

By Amanda Dorman
Downtown Indy, Inc.

Family-friendly outdoor festivals take the forefront in June with the return of many annual Downtown favorites.

The Christ Church Cathedral Women’s Strawberry Festival returns to Monument Circle to serve an estimated six tons of strawberries and 18,000 homemade shortcakes on Thursday, June 11, 2015.

Thousands of people will gather outside of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and enjoy 25 different Italian meats, pastas, salads and desserts during Italian Street Festival June 12 & 13 (see photo above).

The Circle City IN Pride Festival, Indiana’s largest LGBT celebration, takes place at American Legion Mall June 13.

Sip on craft beer from more than 50 local and national breweries at Brew-Ha-Ha on Park Avenue June 20.

On June 27 & 28, check out the Eiteljorg Museum’s Indian Market and Festival, one of the Midwest’s largest Indian markets.

Other big June festivals:

June 6: Vintage Indiana Wine and Food Festival

June 13: PBS Kids in the Park

June 13 & 14: Talbot Street Art Fair

June13: INDIEana Handicraft Exchange

June 18: Marsh Cookout on the Circle

June 20: Asian Fest

June 21: Familia Fest

Take in the sights and sounds of summer

Summer concerts are officially here and national and local artists alike will bring Downtown to life this June.

The Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park hosts an exciting June summer concert lineup, with Third Eye Blind and Dashboard Confessional kicking off the season on May 30. See Alabama Shakes June 2, Cage the Elephant June 7, Hozier June 11, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals June 13, Rob Zombie June 14, Barenaked Ladies June 17, Flogging Molly June 17 and David Gray/Amos Lee June 27.

At Old National Centre, fans of all genres of music can catch big names including:

June 5: Juicy J

June 11: Heart

June 16: Rob Thomas

June 17: The Smashing Pumpkins: In Plainsong – An Acoustic Electro Evening

June 27: Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake

Catch two more shows at The Cabaret at the Columbia Club: Indy Men’s Chorus: A Night at the Cabaret on June 12 and Linda Lavin: Now on June 26 & 27.

There are several options for enjoying live tunes outside this summer. Indiana Historical Society’s “Concerts on the Canal” kick off May 28 and continue every Thursday at 6 – 8 p.m. through the end of July. Reserve a table on the Stardust Terrace or bring a chair or blanket and take a seat on the grassy hill right off the Canal.

Easley Winery offers free concerts every Saturday from 2 – 5 p.m. as part of their “Groovin’ in the Garden” concert series.

Enjoy great live music, animals, rides, delicious food and more Friday nights June 19 through July 10 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Indianapolis Zoo’s Zoolapalooza Concert Series.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art kicks off Summer Nights Film Series on June 5 with National Lampoon’s Vacation. Other June showings include Heathers June 12; Casablanca June 19 and Psycho June 26. The series continues every summer Friday through Aug. 28. Films begin at dusk with pre-show activities at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12; $6 for members.

Go car-free this summer

WalkScore.com ranks Downtown Indy as a “Walker’s Paradise” and Sports Illustrated named Indy as “the most walkable Downtown in America.”

That’s why Downtown Indy is challenging the public to go car-free this summer with the new Car-Free Indy program. Ride your bike, take the bus or walk for a more sustainable city. Participants can up online, create a profile, set a goal and track progress now through August. The program strives to have 1,000 participants and save 30,000 miles of commuting by the end of the summer. Prizes will be awarded monthly.

Georgia Street action

Happy Hours kicked off with a bang, with more than 400 people attending each week. Wind down your week at Downtown’s hometown hangout every Thursday from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Enjoy live DJs or bands, appetizers from the Severin Bar and domestic beers and craft brews including Flat 12 and Upland. This event is free to attend.

Workout Wednesdays continues through the end of July on Georgia Street’s west block. Downtown Indy has again partnered with the YMCA to provide fun, all-levels group fitness for FREE Workout Wednesdays weekly from noon – 12:45 p.m. thanks to Buckingham Companies.

Eat lunch alfresco on the Boardwalk and enjoy the sights and sounds of Downtown during Food Truck Fridays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Cheer the Fever, join the Tribe and more Downtown sports

Catch one (or more) of the 15 Indianapolis Indians home games at Victory Field in June. Enjoy monthly promos including 2-for-1 Tuesdays, Thursday Craft Beer Night, Friday Fireworks and Kid’s Eat Free Sundays.

On June 4, catch the Celebrity Softball Challenge at Victory Field. This game features Indianapolis Colts Robert Mathis and teammate Dwayne Allen, along with other local sports stars as well as mascots and media personalities. The Home Run Derby competition begins at 6 p.m., followed by the seven inning Celebrity Softball Game at 7 p.m.

The Indiana Fever home opener is June 6 against the Minnesota Lynx. Catch four more games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse this month: June 12, 14, 20 & 26. Every Indiana Fever game of the 2015 season will be broadcast either online or on radio or television.

And there’s one more chance to catch the Indy Eleven at home for the season. The team plays FC Edmonton June 13 at IUPUI.

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