Celebrate 317 Day this Sunday

Midwest Leak Magazine and Nap or Nothing will host the annual “317 Day” to celebrate and support Indianapolis artists, entrepreneurs and business owners this Sunday, March 17.

The day will feature multiple events and vendors, all created and hosted by Indianapolis natives, including musical artists, chefs, clothing brands and podcasting spaces, from 9 a.m. until midnight. According to Midwest Leak creator and Editor Le’Deana Brown and Nap or Nothing CEO Antonio Maxie, 317 Day is about collaboration between Indianapolis creatives and celebrating Indianapolis culture.

“I think culture is always important to celebrate, whether small or big,” Maxie said. “The art community here in Indianapolis is growing, it’s thriving and it should be celebrated. It’s being celebrated on a lot of different platforms, but 317 Day is going to be a platform that we take up a notch every year because the community deserves that.”

Brown and Maxie started the celebration after a Midwest Leak promotional visit to St. Louis in 2014 that happened to fall on March 14. While there, St. Louis was celebrating their own 314 Day, named after an area code in St. Louis. The following year, Midwest Leak and Nap or Nothing hosted their first 317 Day, and they say the momentum has been growing each year since.

According to Brown and Maxie, this year’s event will start Sunday morning with breakfast at Tako Seoul and a prayer from Pastor Jeffery Johnson II. From there, the festivities will move to 416 Wabash St., with multiple options to mingle, shop Indianapolis businesses, listen to music from Indianapolis artists and celebrate the city’s culture.

From 1-5 p.m., a family-friendly vendor experience with Indianapolis artists, chefs and businesses will include DJs playing music, food trucks, a 317 Day treasure hunt shopping experience, Black Business Bus Tour, 317 Day food experience and more.

During that time, there will also be a space for Indianapolis media creators to meet, network and create content all in one place.

“The goal is to emphasize intentional collaboration. So, we are opening up the doors and the platform for everyone to exchange their gifts,” Brown said.

This space will be called “The Great Gift Exchange,” providing a unique mix of celebration and creation during 317 Day.

“It’s especially an invitation to creators and media to come out and use the space at 416 Wabash to record their podcast, to meet new people and conduct interviews, to check out some of the vendor products and do product reviews. So, it’s all a big cycle of support,” Brown said.

Then, at 3:17 p.m., Jack Daniels will sponsor a 317 Day toast that will also include water for those who want to toast without alcohol.

The music experience, hosted by Amani TreNiner and Tony Styxx and including live performances from Indianapolis artists and a Jack Daniels Honey VIP Lounge, will start at 5 p.m. and finish the night.

“I think we just want people to leave with a great experience, looking forward to next year,” Maxie said. “I love repping the 317, and I just hope that it is contagious.”

Contact Racial Justice Reporter Garrett Simms at 317-762-7847