There are many annual staples in a well-rounded Indianapolis summer: days at the zoo, Indians games at Victory Field, outdoor movies at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Pride Week, Fiesta Indianapolis, Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration … and the list goes on.
Beyond these summer essentials, there are several unique events and exhibits happening this year. The Recorder curated the following list to help you take advantage of the 15 glorious weeks from Memorial Day to Labor Day:
Hot Wheels: Race to Win
Buckle up and race with the most famous toy vehicles on the planet — Hot Wheels! This behind-the-scenes look at the thrilling world of racing investigates the scientific process for designing super-fast cars. Hands-on experiences, authentic race gear, and captivating memorabilia will engage families in the process of experimenting with speed, power and performance using Hot Wheels cars and track. This exhibit opens at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis May 13 and runs through July 30.
Mini-golf at the IMA
Try out a brand-new mini-golf course at the Indianapolis Museum of Art this summer. Local and regional artists have created artistic masterpieces that focus on the natural world. From Africa to Utah and from rivers to volcanoes, this course will take you on an outdoor adventure. The course will be open May 28–Sept. 3.
Magnificent Macaws at the zoo
The skies at the Indianapolis Zoo will be filled with cascades of color when Magnificent Macaws take off starting May 27. Seven species of these big, brightly colored birds will fly from destinations across the Zoo — in open air above the heads of zoo guests — to the new Bicentennial Pavilion for daily public presentations. Zoo visitors can watch the macaws’ in-air artistry multiple times each day, then see them up close at the new permanent exhibit.
American POP
American POP, a new permanent exhibit, opens at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on June 17. It’s an interactive exhibit exploring how TV shows, movies, music, comics, toys, fashion and more have shaped our daily lives in the past and the present. The exhibit will showcase a changing selection of memorabilia.
Bankers Life Fieldhouse concerts
Several excellent Black music artists will bring down the house at Bankers Life Fieldhouse with concerts throughout the summer. Boyz II Men (June 18), Babyface and Fantasia (July 15), Bruno Mars (Aug. 13) and Earth, Wind & Fire (Aug. 15) are already on the books. Ticket prices vary. Visit livenation.com for more details and a list of other coming shows.
