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✅ Your Friday night plans

First Fridays around the Circle City

This is artist Kyle Ragsdale’s studio at the Harrison Center. | Photo by INDYtoday team

First Fridays originated as a way to encourage the community to explore local art galleries + small businesses and discover what their city has to offer.

We asked you where you go for First Fridays + here’s what you said (plus a few of our favorites):

Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St. | 6-9 p.m.
This 65,000-sqft labyrinth of a building opens up its many artist studios + features new art gallery openings every month. Pro tip: Usually, May’s First Friday is themed after the Indy 500, during which the IMS gives away porch decorating kits for the race.

Tube Factory artspace, 1125 S. Cruft St. | 6-10 p.m.
The hybrid art museum + community center is a project by Big Car Collaborative — a local nonprofit art and design organization. You’re sure to find some of Indy’s most unusual and innovative art here.

Murphy Arts Center, 1043 Virginia Ave. | 6-10 p.m.
This is a one-stop shop for artwork, live music, thrift shopping, and tiny museum perusing. While you’re in the neighborhood, don’t forget to stop by Mystery Fun Club — you’re bound to stumble upon a new fave artist there.

map of First Friday locations — Map out your Friday plans.
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Screenshot via Proxi Maps

Circle City Industrial Complex, 1125 E. Brookside Ave. | 6-9 p.m.
Explore 100+ artists’ work, grab a drink at Centerpoint Brewing or 8th Day Distillery, and park for free at this epicenter for creatives. Don’t forget to say hi to the artists with their studio doors open.

North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave. | 5-10 p.m.
You’ll be able to shop local artwork, listen to a live DJ, and grab a pint of beer at this near east side gym. Pro tip: If you’re looking to climb, day passes for the bouldering gym are only $10 on First Fridays.

Hampton Design Studio & Shop, 5515 E. Washington St. | 5-9 p.m.
Use this local decor shop as your jumping off point to explore several special events throughout the Irvington neighborhood on First Fridays. Catch a local artist pop-up here + then head over to places like Scarlet Lane and Market Vintage to find more Hoosier art, treats, and drinks.

Asked

Where do you go for First Fridays?

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Events

Friday, May 5

Renaiddance - Beyoncé Dance Night | Friday, May 5 | 9 p.m. | The Vogue Theatre, 6259 N. College Ave., Indianapolis | $15-$25 | Expect to hear every song on “Renaissance” alongside the disco + techno scenes that inspired it at this dance night.

Saturday, May 6

National Tennis Month: Wheelchair & Adaptive Tennis | Saturday, May 6 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Broad Ripple Park, 1500 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis | Free | Join Wheelchair and Adaptive Tennis of Indiana and NJTL of Indianapolis for this one-day event to give tennis a try.

Sunday, May 7

POP Bop | Sunday, May 7 | 1-3 p.m. | Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis | Free | Fly a kite, build a model bridge + listen to live music to celebrate the reopening of the historic Nowland Avenue Bridge with Pathways Over Pogue’s.

Monday, May 8

Indiana Civil Rights Commission Visit | Monday, May 8-Thursday, May 11 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Indianapolis Public Library, 4180 N. College Ave., Indianapolis | Free | An intake specialist will be on site to answer questions about protection from discrimination, share educational resources + assist individuals with filing discrimination complaints.
Theo Katzman | Monday, May 8 | 8 p.m. | Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis | $25 | Catch the multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter + member of funk band Vulfpeck live on stage.

Tuesday, May 9

Lunch Break Live on Monument Circle | Tuesday, May 9-Tuesday, June 27 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Monument Circle - Southwest Quad, Indianapolis | Free | Bring your lunch or stop by a visiting food truck + enjoy live music from local artists.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

A 215-acre nature preserve will be taking the place of the former Wolf Run Golf Club in Zionsville. A $5.5 million bond was approved by the town council that will allow the town to buy it + redevelop it into Carpenter Nature Preserve with trails, a nature center, and outdoor classrooms. (IBJ)

Open

A new brick + mortar plant shop is taking root in Fountain Square. Serendipity Plants is now open at 2614 Shelby St. Its hours are Wednesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed

Naptown Hot Chicken + Orleans Fish Shack — both owned by Dave Brown — are now closed inside Circle Centre Mall, due to decreased foot traffic. Don’t worry, Hoosiers, it looks like he’s looking for new locations to open up shop. (IndyStar)

Number

$5 million. That’s how much money the 500 Festival Foundation hopes to raise for its education, fitness, and leadership development programming. More than 35,000 students + families interact with the 500 Festival to learn about the history of the race each year. Make a donation. (IBJ)

Biz

Indy Biz Pass is a new initiative to help Black business owners grow their success. About 100 business-minded Hoosiers will receive this pass to access The Speak Easy, P30, and Nexus Impact Center for a year, funded by the Lilly Endowment grant. Learn more. (WRTV)

Ranked

Which Hoosier pizza place reigns supreme? According to Reader’s Digest, that would be Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, based on the publication’s use of local knowledge, sales, and reviews. You can grab a slice for yourself in Irvington, Greenwood, or Lawrence.

Finance

This card features a whopping 18 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers (that’s well into 2024) and an additional 0% intro APR on purchases. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It also gives you the chance to rake in cash back deals — with no annual fee.*

Wellness

Want to kickstart your metabolism? (Who doesn’t?) Meet Metabolic Daily, a multi-strain probiotic that helps your body do more with the food you eat by boosting sugar and carb metabolism and reducing sugar cravings and energy slumps. Use code 6AMCITY for 20% off your first month of any membership.*

Holiday

Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Enter: Floom’s limited edition Mother’s Day arrangements. Browse one-of-a-kind bouquets featuring tulips, roses, peonies, orchids, and more. Plus, peruse the selection of indoor plants. Shop now.

Fun Fact

National Beverage Day is this Saturday, May 6. In celebration, we’re featuring some of our Six & Main beverage brands across our markets including a|dash, Blanchard’s Coffee, Sarilla, Matcha Nude, and more. Start sipping now.

Pets

🐶 There’s a new dog park in town

There’s a new dog park in town

Indy's downtown dog park with a dog running

Don’t forget to clean up after your pups before you leave. | Photo via @indyculturaltrail

It won’t be such a ruff life for downtown dogs, now that Pawp-Up Pup Park is open at Lugar Plaza (200 E. Washington St.).

The park is open to responsible pet owners daily from dawn until dusk + is conveniently located right off the Indianapolis Cultural Trail — a perfect pit stop while you and your doggo explore downtown.

Heads up: Pawp-Up is indeed a pop-up + will only be open until Friday, June 30, so make plans to visit with your furry friend soon.

Shoutout

Happy birthday, INDYoday member Beth M. We hope your special day (May 6) is filled with all of your favorite things in Indianapolis! — INDYtoday team

Your voice is valuable, and so are the special moments in your life. Shoutouts allow us to celebrate job promotions, anniversaries, and exciting experiences right here in Indianapolis.

Become a INDYtoday member today to reserve your shoutout and celebrate with tens of thousands of locals.

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The Wrap

Anna Bowman in a black shirt and jewelry

Today’s edition by:
Anna Bowman

From the editor

I have one more recommendation for a First Friday experience. Project One Studio will be hosting its inaugural First Friday tonight from 6-9 p.m. at 3151 Kirkbride Way, Ste. C. The organization has been around Indy for the past five years and is opening its doors to the public so Hoosiers can meet the team, view past projects + tour its fabrication shop and studio.

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