The end of summer is approaching.
While fall doesn’t officially start until Sept. 22, Labor Day is traditionally considered the end of summer. Once upon a time it signaled the start of a new school year, the last chance to get your swim on in the public pool as they close for the winter and the last time for the fashion-conscious to wear white.
As with anything in life, things often evolve and now most schools begin the academic year in late July or early to mid August, which caused public pools to close earlier, and that that “no white after Labor Day rule,” while there are still some diehards out there who say, ‘no way!” a many a fashionista dismissed that fashion mandate a long time ago.
While many of the traditions of Labor Day are fluid, the true meaning of the day itself hasn’t changed. Always the first Monday of September, Labor Day honors the workers who keep America’s economy chugging along. The day became an official holiday on June 28, 1884.
As we say goodbye to the season of fun in the sun, here’s a list of local activities to end your summer with a bang.
Catch an Indians game
The Indianapolis Indians have a few home games left in the season, so if you haven’t gone yet there’s still time to catch a home game or two.
Upcoming games are:
7:15 p.m. Aug. 31 against Louisville Bats.
6:05 p.m. Sept. 1 against Louisville Bats.
Visit indyindians.com for more information.
Cooking up jazz
Grammy award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum will perform at the Jazz Kitchen. Whalum played sax on “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston and has more than 25 solo recordings. Whalum is an ordained minister and is host of the podcast, Bible in Your Ear (BIYE).
Show time: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Jazz Kitchen. 5377 N. College Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
Flying away soon
Butterfly Kaleidoscope at the Indianapolis Zoo will close after Labor Day. Walk through the indoor garden where you’ll see more than 30 species of butterflies. Newly hatched butterflies are released each day. Butterfly Kaleidoscope is included with regular admission.
Zoo hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Holidays. Visit indianapoliszoo.com for admission prices.
Colts history
Beat the heat and take a trip to the Indiana Historical Society to view Indianapolis Colts: The Exhibit, which features interactive digital activities, player interviews, artifacts, videos and photographs to tell the story of the Colts in Indianapolis. In addition to Colts history, the exhibit highlights America’s football roots, which started with rugby.
Museum hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Free for members and children under 5. Adults. $9; age 60 and older, $8; ages 5-17, $5. Location: 450 W. Ohio St.
Sample the city
Devour Indy is almost over! Sept. 2 is the last day to visit restaurants throughout the city for specially priced three-course meals. No matter where you live, there’s a restaurant — or several — participating in Devour Indy on your side of town.
For a list of participating restaurants, visit devourindy.com
Hip hop icon
Legendary rapper Bun B, half of the Texas duo UGK, will perform at the Vogue. Bun B and Pimp C started making music in the 1980s and became UGK after the demise of a previous group, Four Black Ministers. After Pimp C’s untimely death in 2007, Bun B became a solo artist.
Showtime: 10 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Vogue, 6529 N. College Ave. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $40.
Contact Editor Oseye Boyd at 317-762-7850. Follow her on Twitter @oseye_boyd.
