Take a swim in an Indy Parks pool
Grab your towel and sunscreen and head to an Indy Parks pool this summer. Indy Parks’ outdoor pools are open now until Aug. 7.
In the last two years, Indy Parks has invested $6.5 million to repair leaking pipes, update infrastructure and add amenities, giving park patrons a fun and sustainable summertime activity.
Indy Parks operates 15 outdoor pools, five indoor pools and Eagle Creek Beach. In 2008 the pools leaked nearly 35 million gallons of water from corroded pipes. The systems have been repaired and renovations to improve park patrons’ experiences and transform the aquatics facilities are on track.
New amenities include shade structures, climbing walls and deck furniture, plus an overall “facelift” with newly painted slide structures, updated bathhouse facilities and additional installations of spray features.
Here are some of the pool highlights:
• New pool and speed slide at Bethel Park Aquatic Center.
• A new spray feature at Riverside Aquatic Center.
• New Wes Montgomery Spray Park.
• ADA chairs at all aquatic centers.
• A three-story tube slide at Sahm Park Aquatic Center.
• New spray ground at Gustafson Park Pool.
• Fully updated beach house at Eagle Creek Beach.
• Plunge Harbor slide and aquatic obstacle course at Eagle Creek Beach.
For more information about pool schedules, fees, events and the 15 spray grounds, visit www.indyparks.org, call (317) 327-PARK or pick up a Summer Fun Guide.
Vintage Indiana festival
Vintage Indiana, a festival of wine, food and fun, will celebrate the 12th annual festival on June 4. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Indianapolis’ Military Park.
With the purchase of an adult ticket, guests will experience Indiana wineries as they offer samples of more than 200 award-winning wines, and the cooking stage will teach guests just how to pair that perfect wine with food. The first 10,000 tickets will also receive an etched wine glass.
In addition to wine tastings, guests can enjoy live music from local favorites Reverend Payton’s Big Damn Band, Jennie DeVoe and Brigid’s Cross.
Delicious foods from some of Indiana’s culinary experts will be available in addition to many artists’ booths for guests to browse.
There will also be a KidZone for interactive and child-friendly fun.
Tickets for adults aged 21 and older are $22 in advance and $25 at the gate. Tickets for designated drivers are $10. Tickets for those aged 6 through 20 are $5, and kids 5 and under are free.
Advanced tickets are sold at Marsh Supermarkets, participating wineries or online at VintageIndiana.com.
‘Avenue Q’ to open at Phoenix
The Phoenix Theatre has opened “Avenue Q,” and will be playing through July 10 on the Mainstage. “Avenue Q,” with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and original story by Jeff Whitty, opened off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in March 2003, where it gained rave reviews, and was extended four times.
The Phoenix is the first regional, professional theater to produce the show, which was the winner of the 2004 Tony for Best Musical, with a local professional cast and crew.
“Avenue Q” is part flesh, part felt (puppets) and packed with heart. This musical tells the story of a recent college graduate named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. (He started at Avenue A, but kept looking until he found an Avenue in his price range.) There, he meets Kate (the girl next door), Rod (the Republican), Trekkie (Internet sexpert), Lucy (the slut) and other colorful characters who help Princeton finally discover his purpose in life.
Summer reading program
Children of all ages and families are invited to begin an epic journey of science discovery and reading achievement during the Indianapolis Public Library’s 2011 Summer Reading Program, “A Science Odyssey.”
From June 6 – Aug. 1, the Summer Reading Program will give participants the opportunity to enhance their reading skills and earn points for all reading activity. Points can then be exchanged for a variety of great prizes.
In addition to the reading program, the Indianapolis Public Library will present a number of science-related workshops for children to enhance their knowledge of the physical and chemical world and capture their imagination.
This year’s theme reflects a new two-year library initiative to bolster young people’s interest and proficiency in science subjects.
For more information on the 2011 Summer Reading Program, call (317) 275-4099 or visit www.imcpl.org.
B&B and Beatles concert
The Beatles are back in both look and sound when “1964…The Tribute” returns by popular demand to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre for concerts on June 6 and 7.
The four men who portray the Beatles have been hailed by critics and fans alike as the most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute in the world.
Concerts begin at 8 p.m. both days. All seats are $49, and include a buffet dinner. For tickets, contact the box office any day between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at (317) 872-9664. For more information, visit www.beefandboards.com.
Violinist to present concert-lecture
The International Violin Competition of Indianapolis (IVCI) 2010-2011 Laureate Series will present its final concert-lecture of the season featuring renowned violinist Arnold Steinhardt in “Chaconne Anyone?” on June 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St.
In “Chaconne Anyone?”, a full-length event originally presented at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, Steinhardt talks about the masterpiece that every aspiring violinist must study and eventually perform – Bach’s Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor.
Tickets for the concert are $25 for adults, $20 for senior citizens (ages 60 and above), and $10 for students. Tickets are available at (317) 637-4574 or online at www.violin.org.
