Page 5 - Demo

INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2025 A5COMMUNITY ARTS CALENDAR: FREE AND LOW-COST THINGS TO DO IN JULYchloegm@indyrecorder.comBy CHLOE McGOWAN%u00a0Indianapolis kicked off July with a patriotic bang.The Fourth of July has come and gone, but summer in the city is just getting started. From the WNBA All-Star Weekend to Indiana Black Expo, the Water Lantern Festival and Shakespeare in the park, the Recorder compiled a list of some free and low-cost things to do throughout the rest of July.Friday, July 11Bashiri Asad at the Jazz Kitchen %u2014 $15-$40The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.Bashiri Asad will perform his new show %u201cThe Everyday SoulSinger,%u201d at the Jazz Kitchen, taking audiences on an intimate journey through soul, story and his latest album.thejazzkitchen.comSaturday, July 12Garden Soiree to benefi t The Villages of Indiana %u2014 $50Former Indy Taxi Cab Company, 1520 N. Alabama St.The fourth annual Garden Soiree invites guests 21+ to explore the lush gardens of Joe and Julie Whitsett while enjoying live music, hand-crafted cocktails and a seek-and-find mural with all proceeds benefiting The Villages of Indiana.villageskids.orgIndianapolis Water Lantern Festival %u2014 $30.99Military Park, 601 W. New York St.Hoosiers of all ages and backgrounds are invited to connect with friends, family and loved ones as they decorate and release lanterns onto the water. Guests can also enjoy live music, vendors, a scavenger hunt and food trucks leading up to the lantern launch.waterlanternfestival.com/events/indianapolisBlack: A Festival of Joy %u2014 FREERiverside Park, 2420 E. Riverside DriveReturning for its fourth year, Black: A Festival of Joy brings the community together in the summer to celebrate Black joy, featuring live music, DJs and performances, interactive art, Black-owned vendors and food trucks in addition to wellness spaces and community conversations.blackjoyindy.comSunday, July 132025 Levitt VIBE Indianapolis Music Series: July Concert %u2014 FREETube Factory, 1125 Cruft St.Wife Patrol, Technicolor Band and Florelis Jimenez round out the line up for the Levit Vibe free summer concert series presented by Big Car Collaborative and Arte Mexicano en Indiana. Guests will also have access to the Fiesta on the Go #2 food trucks, games and a Chreece pop-up.bigcar.orgWednesday, July 16Indy Reads Chess Club %u2014 FREEIndy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.The first and third Wednesdays at Indy Reads are open to kids and families learning or interested in playing chess. Hosted by the letter C and Cloud City Youth with Coach C, boards, sets and clocks are all provided.indyreads.org/event/indy-reads-chess-club-29Thursday, July 17Indianapolis Jazz Collective presents Christmas in July %u2014 $25Indianapolis Art Center, 829 E. 67th St.The 2025 Jazz at the Center outdoor summer concert series continues with an exclusive alpha prerelease concert celebrating %u201cJazz on Christmas.%u201dindyjazzfoundation.org/jazz-at-the-centerFriday, July 18Cultural Arts Pavilion Exhibition & Art Speaks Cafe %u2014 FREEIndiana Convention Center, Rooms 140-142, 100 S. Capitol Ave.Presented as part of Indiana Black Expo%u2019s 2025 Summer Celebration, the Cultural Arts Pavilion invites visual and performing artists to indulge in %u201cCourt vision: The Art of Resilience and Excellence,%u201d highlighting the power of women and girls through stories of athletes, artists and change makers.summercelebration.net%u201cMicah Meets a Mimi Wata%u201d %u2014 $15-$25Fonseca Theatre, 2508 W. Michigan St.Written by Prentiss Matthews III, the African mythology-inspired %u201cMicah Meets a Mimi Wata%u201d follows a young Black boy named Micah who learns about the power of friendship, mer-magic and the joy of being yourself after encountering the musical Mimi Wata.%u00a0fonsecatheatre.orgSPARK X WNBA All-Star Art Market %u2014 FREEMonument Circle, Downtown IndianapolisIn honor of the WNBA All-Star 2025, SPARK is teaming up with the WNBA to present an art market featuring women artists and basketball-inspired designs on Monument Circle.indyarts.org/event/spark-x-wnba-all-star-artmarketSaturday, July 19A Space for Us %u2014 $28.49-$33.99Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave.Produced by F.A.M.E. Foundation Inc., in partnership with IBE, %u201cA Space For Us%u201d presents an immersive cultural celebration intersecting fashion, music, dance, visual arts and storytelling.posh.vip/e/a-space-for-usICON Party %u2022 50 Years of Hip-Hop %u2014 $20The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave.Baked by Old Soul Entertainment and Sir Doug, ICON is hosting a party celebrating 50 years of hiphop with drinks, dancing and live music.instantseats.comIndy Dance Festival %u2014 $25-$30Tobias Theatre, Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan RoadReturning for a third year in a row, the Indy Dance Festival highlights local and visiting performers, showcasing the diversity of movement and experiences within the Indianapolis dance community.indydancecouncil.org/indy-dance-festivalMass Ave Summerfest %u2014 FREE600 Block of Massachusetts Ave.The Mass Ave Cultural Arts District is celebrating summer with a day-long event featuring an artisan%u2019s market, live music, a kid%u2019s zone and more.massaveindy.orgSunday, July 20%u201cHadestown: Teen Edition%u201d %u2014 $15-$25Hedback Theatre, 1847 N. Alabama St.Footlite Musicals presents the teen edition of the Broadway musical which reimagines the Greek tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice, Hades and Persephone and the fates.footlite.org/buy-ticketsMonday, July 21DMing 4 Theatre %u2014 $16Gamer%u2019s Loot, 6020 E 82nd St.Presented by the 4th Wall Players, guests will be guided through the world of Shakespeare%u2019s plays in a D&D-style adventure.4thwallplayers.org/events/dming-4-theatre-scxlpTuesday, July 22Indy Shorts International Film Festival %u2014 $60+Living Room Theatres, address and Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan RoadPresented by Heartland Film, the 8th annual Indy Shorts International Film Festival returns to present 253 short films across 39 programs screening over six days.heartlandfilm.org/indyshortsWednesday, July 23%u201cThe Spongebob Musical%u201d %u2014 $26-$45Schrott Center for the Arts, 610 W. 46th St.Presented by Summer Stock Stage, %u201cThe Spongebob Musical%u201d follows the beloved characters from Bikini Bottom as they work together to save their underwater home from a pending volcanic eruption.butlerartscenter.org/performances/the-spongebobmusicalThursday, July 24%u201cComedy of Errors%u201d %u2014 FREETaggart Memorial Amphitheatre, Riverside Park, 2420 E. Riverside Drive.Presented by the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company in partnership with Act A Foo improv crew, %u201cComedy of Errors%u201d is a fun twist on Shakespeare%u2019s comedy set at Daytona Beach in the 1980s.indyshakes.com/productionsFriday, July 25Jazz in the Alley %u2014 FREEThe Alley, 924 Pennsylvania St.The Alley Sessions, presented by Glick Art, kicks off the season by welcoming Rob Dixon and Triology join Brenda Williams for a blend of jazz, blues and Motown performances.thecabaret.org/eventsTuesday, July 29Bizarre Book Bazaar %u2014 FREEThe Whispering Shelf, 414 N. College Ave.Hosted by The Whispering Shelf, July%u2019s Bizarre Book Bazaar brings book lovers together for a discussion on %u201cPatricia Wants to Cuddle%u201d by Samantha Allen.eventbrite.comWednesday, July 30One Night. One Song. One Voice. %u2013 a One Night Choir event hosted by One Voice Indy %u2014 FREEDriven NeuroRecovery Center, 1300 E. 96th St.Hosted by One Voice Indy, this One Night Choir offers singers from all backgrounds and skill levels a chance to come together and make music. Guests will learn %u201cWith a Little Help From by Friends%u201d by the Beatles alongside One Voice Indy%u2019s a cappella chorus.onevoiceindy.org/eventsJuly Damsels in Distress %u2014 FREEThe Whispering Shelf, 414 N. College Ave.The Whispering Shelf %u2019s July fantasy book club discussion covering %u201cLegendborn%u201d by Tracy Deonn.eventbrite.comPlease note: Admission and ticket prices listed are general and before taxes/fees.Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.Indy Dance Festival features performances from local and visiting artists at the Tobias Theatre at Newfi elds July 19-20. (Photo provided/Indy Dance Council via website)