Plus, a mullet champion rises among us.
 
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Today’s Forecast

56º | Cloudy | 20% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:56 a.m. | Sunset 7:04 p.m.
 

💀 We got the funk

The history of Indianapolis’ “Funky Bones”
Funky Bones sculpture in Virginia B. Fairbanks Nature Park
John Green fans will remember this art piece from “The Fault in Our Stars.” | Photo via @indystreetart
Driving around town this month, you’ve probably seen hundreds of spooky, scary skeletons in yards, on porches, and hanging from the antennae of cars. But there’s one perennial skelly resident in Indy who’s more funky than frightening.

We’re talking, of course, about “Funky Bones,” a public artpiece located in The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park at Newfields. Here’s a bit of history behind our groovy friend.

The artists

“Funky Bones” was specifically designed for the Newfields grounds by Atelier Van Lieshout, a Dutch artist collective led by Joep van Lieshout. Lieshout stated that the piece’s concept was inspired by admiration for the Native American people and their artwork, so closely linked to nature, in contrast with “this time of rapid production and consumption.”

During visits to Newfields, Lieshout also observed visitors sitting on rocks, and decided that “Funky Bones” could provide much-needed comfortable seating options.

Funky bones art sculpture outside at 100 Acres

Fun fact: While the benches vary in length and width, they are all approximately 26 inches in height, and require regular cleaning to maintain their white color.

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Photo by @thetravelxblog

The construction

“Funky Bones” consists of 20 bone-shaped benches that form a large stylized human skeleton. These benches were constructed primarily from fiberglass and filled with a lightweight foam material.

To weatherproof the benches against the climate, they were coated in polyester resin and secured into the ground with concrete by the design and installation crew at Newfields after shipping from Rotterdam.

The impact

Thanks to its photogenic looks, interactive qualities, and free admission, “Funky Bones” has become a popular spot for picnickers, lovebirds, and families alike. It’s perhaps best known as the setting for a romantic picnic in the novel “The Fault in Our Stars,” by Indianapolis-based author John Green — although the scene in the film adaptation was actually shot on a recreation in Pittsburgh.

Your turn to be the artist. Have a pic of “Funky Bones” that’s funky fresh? Send it our way and we’ll shout out our faves at the end of the week.
 
Events
Monday, Oct. 16
  • Circulating Sound Concert | Monday, Oct. 16 | 6-7 p.m. | Indianapolis Public Library Martindale-Brightwood Branch, 2434 N. Sherman Dr., Indianapolis | Free | This concert highlights local jazz musicians who are sure to please your ears and your soul.
Tuesday, Oct. 17
  • Family Game Night | Tuesday, Oct. 17 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis | Free | Have fun with giant-sized games or classic and modern board, card, and dice games for kids and families.
Wednesday, Oct. 18
  • Kyiv Grand Ballet presents Snow White | Wednesday, Oct. 18 | 7 p.m. | Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis | $33-$85 | This ballet takes the vibrant, fantastical style of a Disney animated movie and sets it to the musical motifs of Polish composer Bogdan Pavlovsky.
  • Twilight Tales: Strange Encounters | Wednesday, Oct. 18-Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 7-8 p.m. | Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $20 | Discover otherworldly creatures and strange objects hidden within the darkness of the museum with only a flashlight to guide your way.
Thursday, Oct. 19
  • STRONGHER: A Women’s Cancer Monthly Workshop Series | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 3:30-5 p.m. | YMCA Avondale, 3908 Meadows Dr., Indianapolis | Free | Learn about the benefits of exercise in this workshop for women who are proactive in their health, newly diagnosed cancer survivors, and their caregivers.
Friday, Oct. 20
  • Halloween Costume Party | Friday, Oct. 20 | 5-11 p.m. | North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave., Indianapolis | $0-$10 | Come climb in your costume and then head up to Top Out Cafe for music, dancing, and drinks.
  • Booquet Enchantment: A Ghostly Halloween Bouquet Arranging Class | Friday, Oct. 20 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Plat 99 - The Alexander, 333 S. Delaware St., Indianapolis | $45 | Embark on a magical journey of crafting Halloween florals, complete with a frightfully delicious cocktail to ignite your holiday spirit.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Drink

Should you really drink 8 glasses of water per day?
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LMNT supports all activities — from trail running with the family to making healthier spicy margaritas with the girls. | Photos by LMNT
Since the 1940s, we’ve been told to drink eight glasses of water per day. But drinking beyond thirst dilutes blood electrolyte levels (especially sodium levels), leading to headaches, low energy, cramps, confusion, or worse.

The key? Add electrolytes into the mix.

Enter: LMNT.

Created by scientists, LMNT has enough sodium, potassium, and magnesium to get you truly hydrated. It has zero sugar and artificial colors — while offering fan-fave flavors like Citrus Salt and Raspberry Salt.
Get a free sample pack with any purchase
News Notes
Real Estate
  • Looking to live a little more sustainably? Check out Beville Greens, a community of six environmentally-friendly homes with a shared green space and community gardens. The two completed homes will be open for tours on Sunday, Oct. 22. and are listed for $300,000. (WISH)
Try This
  • Calling all true crime fanatics: How’d you like to solve a real Indiana murder? A “Whodunit?” murder mystery party on Friday, Oct. 20 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. will task you with solving a real-life case from the 1900s. Get tickets before they mysteriously vanish. (WRTV)
Coming Soon
Eat
  • Close out Hispanic Heritage Month by visiting Paradise Mx, a new ice cream shop in Southport. Its menu has quickly expanded from sweet treats like ice cream and crepas to savory dishes centered on elote and chicharrones as well. (WTHR)
Hoosier
  • Anderson’s John Poor is known for his magnificent mullet — which is currently in the running for the best in the US in Mullet Champ’s 2023 Mane Event. Cast your vote. (WRTV)
Holiday
  • Planning your trick-or-treating route for Halloween night? Check out times across central Indiana. (WISH)
Try This
  • What would you do with $1 million? Retire early? Buy a vacation home? All of the above? ICYMI, here’s your chance: The Two Million Dollar Puzzle awards each buyer with a cash reward — and two people will snag that lucky $1 million. Use code 6AMCITY for an extra 10% off.*
Pets

😽 A cattitude of gratitude

Adopt a furever friend at these Indianapolis animal shelters
INDYtoday: INDY_Shea cats_OCT23
City Editor Shea rescued both of her cats and almost adopted 17 more while browsing shelters for this article. | Photo by INDYtoday team
They say dogs are man’s best friend, but we’re not kitten around when we say we’re pretty sure that phrase was invented before cats came into the picture. Today is Global Cat Day, and in honor of our feline friends, here are a few shelters around town where you can litter-ly adopt a cat (or a dog, we’re not judging) right meow.
Not ready to take in a new fur baby today? You can ask about paw-lunteer or donation opportunities instead. Here are a few more rescues in need of support:
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The Wrap
 
Shea Stapley.png

Today’s edition by:
Shea
From the editor
Seriously, if you’ve written off cats for years, I’d recommend giving one a shot. They’re incredibly easy to take care of and can be just as loving as dogs. Some even claim that the vibration frequencies from their purrs can heal and calm their owners — now that sounds purrfect to me.
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