Drink this tall glass of arts and culture: tips, stories, parties and radio.

*Opens the fridge*

We are mid-month and these “things to do” still smell good. So does this list of free concerts for this summer and beyond.

We are staying fresh. But, we also have a ton of new things for you, including stories about an art hub for photographers in the near east side, a southside LGBTQ-owned comic store and free public art tours during WNBA All-Star weekend.

Plus, a celebration of poet Mari Evans’ birthday, thoughts on bus fares from the zine makers at People We Meet on the Bus and a lemonade stand fundraiser for kids experiencing homelessness.

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org.

Feeling “81355ed” for the good culture things.

Summer is in full swing.

The city pools are poppin’, the sidewalks are sizzling and your neighbors just can’t stop mowing the lawn at too early a.m.

This edition of Play List celebrates Naptown’s new music, WNBA All-Star weekend, kids that are done with school and some very special happenings happening around town, including our very own Play List variety show.

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org.

Picnic this Saturday, plus things to do!

If it feels like June flew by, it’s because it did.

Perhaps it was the combination of breaking news every single day, plus the Pacers and the Fever, and just regular life.

July starts next week — next week!

Today we have a brand-new calendar of things to do, an exhibition about the city’s toxic heritage, some pretty neat Juneteenth photos, as well as other chit-chatty stuff to keep you in the loop.

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org.

Teen art show, basketball art and a new Culture Journal.

Greetings friends,

Today we have a story about a local artist who said he believes he was censored by Newfields when he was asked to remove his artwork depicting Trump from an art show. Newfields said that although they were unable to display this work of art, they will continue to champion diverse voices.

We also have a visit from our friendly neighborhood public art ambassador, Danicia Monét Malone, who has basketball on her mind.

Last but not least, we have a ticket giveaway — scroll down to see how you can win tickets for PopCon 2025.

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org.

Plus: $5 theater, a cool new cafe and festivals to attend.

I don’t know about you, but I keep refreshing the news lately, keeping an eye on the many things happening — not just in Indy, but in other places, too.

It can be easy to forget the part we play in the bigger things when they are only headlines to us, but the big issues are personal to many of us here in Indy.

Every week when I sit to write this newsletter, I'm always inspired by the resilience shown by the creatives in our city, making art and celebrating no matter what. I’m reminded that joy is a right that no one should be able to take away from us.

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org.

Free art shows, cuts to arts funding and a new culture journal.

Buckle up because we have a lot of stuff today.

This Friday is First Friday, which means there are tons of places to be and lots of art to see. And, this is all happening in the midst of arts budget cuts. What does that mean for your favorite galleries and arts organizations?

And, don’t forget we’ve stepped into shiny June, which means we’re celebrating Pride and Juneteenth.

We have a new culture journal by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster Kevin Lin; a City Chatter by Ebony Chappel; tips for things to do from the Mirror Indy newsroom and so much more.

Let’s get to it.

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org.

It’s about to be a lit summer.

With June around the corner, we did our monthly homework of scavenging neighborhood flyers, social media posts and Eventbrite pages, and texting our busy friends who know what’s up to compile a list for you.

We have 48 things to do in June — 48! Parades, porch parties, concerts, little wine soirées and art shows are all on the menu.

Obviously, you don’t have to do all of them, but if you do, pace yourself, drink lots of water and then send us a message to let us know how that went for you.

Are you doing okay?

Have you talked to your loved ones lately?

You have, because you brought them with you to all 48 things, I bet.

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org.

Malcolm X, Chef Oya and Chasten Buttigieg walk into a newsletter

Last Sunday, people gathered at Riverside Family Center to celebrate Malcolm X on the weekend of his 100th birthday, when the Indianapolis City-County Council proclaimed May 19, 2025, as Malcolm X Day.

We have some photos of the celebration you can see.

More than a handful of times, when I was a tutor with the Vonnegut Youth Writing Center, I worked with Shortridge High School students as they discovered Malcolm X for the first time. I remember editing essays and learning a lot myself.

We mostly used the research database from the Indianapolis Public Library to find sources, photographs and lots of interesting information. This is all free to anyone with a library card!

So even if it's a few days later, you can join in commemorating the 100th birthday of Malcolm X by doing a little research. See what ideas come up for you, and if you want, share them with us!

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org.