How many weekends have you spent laying on your couch or bed in your fuzzy pajamas, eating some greasy food that you DoorDashed, while binge watching Netflix and HBO Max? Too many. Way. Too. Many. Call up a friend you haven’t seen in awhile or take your hot date out on the town, because it is officially time for you to feel the moonlight/sunlight on your skin. Listed below are seven weekend plans that will get you up off the couch and supporting the Indianapolis creative community, night and day:
Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie | Rhythm! Discovery Center
1258 Windsor Street | 110 West Washington Street
So, you’ve changed out of your fuzzy pajamas and have ditched Netflix for a night out at the Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie. You can rave with your friends about the latest film from the arthouse cinema over meals, snacks, and drinks from award-winning Chef Abbi Merriss. Upgrade your evening while also supporting the Indianapolis Film Project which utilizes the Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie as their home base.
After a fun night of movies and food, you can spend the next morning embracing your inner musician and visit the Rhythm! Discovery Center. The R!DC is the only interactive drum and percussion museum in the world and is the byproduct of the creative vision of the Percussive Arts Society. You can learn from a variety of interactive educational experiences, study different playing techniques, and enjoy music from local artists and ensembles.
The Rhythm! Discovery Center is temporarily closed due to a pipe burst and will reopen in early 2023.
Chatterbox Jazz Club | Kicasso Sneaker Art Bar
435 Massachusetts Avenue | 6416 Ferguson Street
Chatterbox Jazz Club is the self-proclaimed “Best Dive Jazz Club” in Indianapolis. It has served as inspiration for filmmakers and mentioned in several news articles. With live music almost every night, the Chatterbox Jazz Club is a great chance to see and support local jazz musicians and power down your brain after a long week of hard work.
Now, you’ve probably heard of franchise canvas painting places like Painting with a Twist, but the locally owned Kicasso Sneaker Art Bar puts a whole new spin on canvas painting. The day after hearing some killer jazz music, you and your friends can book a reservation to custom paint your own pair of canvas shoes. The classes at Kicasso are self-guided with instructors who can encourage you to embrace your creative side. Not only do you get to spend your weekend morning relaxing while painting, but you get to leave with your own wearable artwork.
Crackers Comedy Club | Indianapolis City Market
207 N Delaware Street | 222 E Market Street
If the joy and laughter from your favorite sitcoms are what got you through the pandemic, then you will thoroughly enjoy a night out at Crackers Comedy Club. It’s their personal goal to be inclusive of every guest and comedian, while also bringing a fun night of hearty laughs to Indianapolis. Crackers has hosted countless comedians over the past few decades and continues to present Open Mic Nights to help aspiring comedians foster their talent.
So you spent the past night laughing your way to a six-pack—why not keep the smiles going and visit the Indianapolis City Market the following day? Home to authentic ethnic cuisine and locally-designed jewelry and accessories, the Indianapolis City Market is a fantastic opportunity to explore your interests and try new things, while also supporting local creative small-business owners.
Melody Inn Punk Rock Night | The Ruins at Holliday Park
3826 N Illinois Street | 6363 Spring Mill Road
Every Saturday at 8 p.m., it’s Punk Rock Night at the Melody Inn! Punk Rock Night is one of the longest-running weekly punk rock showcases, and gives local and touring punk rock artists an opportunity to perform. This is an awesome occasion to rock out with your friends, while also supporting Indianapolis’s punk rock scene.
After a rowdy night at the Melody Inn, you can devote the following day to relaxing by taking a morning stroll through the Ruins at Holliday Park. The Ruins were once the St. Paul Building of New York City, which was torn down in the 1950s to make way for a new skyscraper. The facade of the building was designed by Karl Bitter with three statues made from Indiana limestone called “the Races of Man.” Elmer Taflinger created sketches for the display of the sculptures in Holliday Park and was chosen to carry out the design. Relish a peaceful morning walk while appreciating artwork with a rich historical and creative background.
Illusions The Drag Queen Dinner Show | Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
5760 Sunnyside Road | 500 West Washington Street
If you are interested in seeing some of the best celebrity impersonations in Indianapolis, Illusions the Drag Queen Dinner Show is an amazing place to go to support your local drag queens. With gigs ranging from musical performances to comedy routines, you can witness the long-running art form that has an extensive history in Indy.
The following day, you can do a complete 180 from drag queen dinner shows and visit the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. Along with collections of extraordinary Western and Native American Art, the museum boasts a contemporary Native American art collection that has been ranked among the best in the world. Take the opportunity to appreciate and learn about the art, culture, and history of the Indigenous people of North America and the American West.
Candlelight Concerts | 317 Charcuterie
Multiple Locations | 61 City Center Drive
Fever hosts concerts illuminated by candlelight in some of Indianapolis’s most iconic locations such as the Scottish Rite Cathedral and the Fountain Square Theatre. You can appreciate the ambiance of hundreds of flickering candles while listening to some classic live music. My personal favorite show is Listeso String Quartet’s A Tribute to Taylor Swift!
After a classy evening of live music, you may want to continue your bougie weekend by taking a day trip to 317 Charcuterie. You can be your own foodie-creative and order from a variety of charcuterie boards where you can mix and match your food, experimenting with an array of flavors.
Mind Tripping Show | GRT Hot Glass Studios
120 W Market Street | 6400 S Brookville Road
The Mind Tripping Show is both one of the longest-running live theater shows in Indianapolis and also one of the most highly reviewed. Performers Christian and Katalina put on interactive acts such as mind reading, psychological illusions, and comedy. This dynamic duo promises that their show will blow your mind, and they do deliver!
To keep up with the theme of a “mind blowing” weekend, the following day, take a class at GRT Hot Glass Studios and learn how to create your own piece of hot glass artwork. You might not believe that you have the creative talent to do it, but GRT Hot Glass Studios will offer you a mind blowing once in a lifetime creative experience that you will spend the following week telling all of your friends about.
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