Plus, we crown our coffee shop bracket champion.
 
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69º | 10% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:32 a.m. |
Sunset 8:06 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

From our friends at WTHR

 
🍄 A strong morel code
INDYtoday: INDY_morel mushrooms cooking foraging spring edibles_MAR24
Morel season in Indiana usually starts in early- to mid-April and lasts about a month. | Photo by @nealjbrown
Sometimes all the inspiration you need for a springtime meal can be growing right in your own backyard. Edible wild plants and flowers are starting to pop up everywhere, so we’ve put together a guide on where to forage (aka wildcraft) a few of the most popular and delicious edibles that grow around central Indiana.

Morel mushrooms

Morels can cost up to $60 per pound online or at small markets — so why not find your own? Indiana is home to at least three different types of morels, which usually pop up in April.

Try looking near the bases of dead or dying American elms, cottonwoods, or apple trees. You may also have luck finding the spongy shrooms near healthy tulip trees or aspens. Pro tip: You don’t need a license to harvest morels from public lands in Indiana, as long as they aren’t being used commercially.

INDYtoday: INDY_foraging spring edibles dandelions_MAR24

Dandelions can be found almost anywhere — but you’ll want to go for plants that are away from roadways and other pollutants if you’re going to consume them.

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Photo by INDYtoday team

Dandelions

Early spring is also a great time to harvest the landscaper’s nightmare and turn it into the herbalist’s dream. We don’t have to tell you where to look for this one — chances are you have dandelions growing in your yard right now.

Dandelion leaves, flowers, and roots can all be used in various salads, teas, and topical oils. Health claims include digestion and immune system support.

Violets

Wild violets are usually quite easy to find in shady, wooded areas with rich soil. Keep in mind that the edible wild varieties are not the same as African violets, a popular but inedible houseplant. Violet leaves can also look similar to lesser calandine, a toxic wild plant. If you’re unsure if you’ve found lesser calandine, wait for the plant to flower. If it’s yellow, it’s calandine.

Both the leaves and flowers of wild violets are edible and rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. They’re most often used in syrups or vinegars, or as a garnish for a spring salad.
 
Events
 
Friday, March 29
  • Squared Circle Expo IV | Friday, March 29-Saturday, March 30 | 4-11 p.m. | Wyndham Indianapolis West, 2544 Executive Dr., Indianapolis | $25-$225 | The wrestling fan convention returns for another year of superstar meet and greets, memorabilia vendors, Q+A panels, and live pro wrestling.
Saturday, March 30
  • Glendale Branch Grand Opening | Saturday, March 30 | 10 a.m.-4:40 p.m. | Indianapolis Public Library Glendale Branch, 6101 N. Keystone Ave. | Free | Celebrate the branch’s reopening with fun family activities, cake, and live music + entertainment.
  • Easter Egg 5K | Saturday, March 30 | 11 a.m. | Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $20-$45 | Bring the whole family for a 5K race ending in an Easter party and egg hunts for all ages.
  • Guelaguetza Mosaicos Festival 2024 | Saturday, March 30 | 12-4 p.m. | Central Library, 40 E. Saint Clair St., Indianapolis | Free | Travel to Mexico without leaving Indianapolis with live performances, a food truck, community mercado (shops), and informational booths.
Sunday, March 31
  • And I Will Follow by Bennett Ayres | Friday, March 29-Sunday, April 7 | Times vary | Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis | $15-$40 | Embark on a journey into the depths of the human psyche with this true crime one-man show.
Monday, April 1
  • Indy Actors’ Playground | Monday, April 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis | Free | Watch local actors cold-read the plays they’ve always wanted to perform.
Tuesday, April 2
  • Indianapolis Indians vs. Memphis Redbirds | Tuesday, April 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Victory Field, 501 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis | $13-$90 | Come out to Victory Field for the first home game of 2024, complete with $1 concessions.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
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Plan Ahead
 
Summer Forecast: 7 can’t-miss shows to add to your calendar
an aerial shot of an outdoor music pavillion
Ruoff is the perfect low-key setting to gather with friends and listen to the (impressively loud) music. | Photo courtesy of Eric Church
Warm weather and good music? Count us in. Say hello to the summer season lineup at Ruoff Music Centre, Everwise Amphitheater, and Old National Centre. Peep a selection of their upcoming shows:

Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park (Opening day: Friday, April 26)
Explore the full calendar of shows.

Ruoff Music Center (Opening day: Thursday, May 23)
See the full lineup of shows and plan a trip to Noblesville this summer.

Old National Centre
Beat the heat with great indoor shows happening all year round at Old National Centre.
 
News Notes
 
Announced
  • The Picklr’s first Indiana club will celebrate its grand opening this summer at 3810 E. 82nd St. The 30,000-sqft club will feature 10 indoor courts, a pro shop, private event space, leagues, tournaments, youth academies, and open play. It’s the first of more than five clubs to open in the Indy area.
Community
  • After learning that the 128-year-old Church of the Holy Cross was slated for demolition, the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission protected the building by designating it as a historic landmark. The decision will need to be approved by the Department of Metropolitan Development and City-County Council. (WTHR)
Plan Ahead
  • The Indianapolis Public Library announced that all branches will be closed on Monday, April 8 due to traffic concerns surrounding the eclipse. You can still check out materials online or return physical items to dropboxes. (IndyStar)
Concert
  • Now we’re (not) stressed out — Grammy-award winning band Twenty One Pilots is coming to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Oct. 8 as part of “The Clancy World Tour.” Tickets go on sale Friday, April 1 at 10 a.m. (WTHR)
Try This
  • Want to go beyond helping the Indianapolis Zoo choose a name for its new rhino calf? A new encounter will give participants an up close and personal experience with mom Zenzele and her baby. The experience will run from April 11 to June 9. Get tickets. (WTHR)
Development
  • Construction has begun on an $11 million bridge over the White River that will connect Carmel’s Hazel Landing Park with Fishers’ Heritage Park. Currently, visitors have to drive three miles to get between the parks. The bridge is expected to open in the fall of 2025. (WISH)
Arts
  • Artist Koda Witsken and NBA player Gary Harris are teaming up to create two murals on the basketball courts at Brooks School Park in Fishers. On Saturday, May 18, the park will celebrate with a basketball tournament + a three-point shooting competition. Fill out an interest form to be considered. (IBJ)
Sports
  • Could we see two all ACC Elite Eight matchups? Find out what Locked On hosts Candace Cooper and Kenton Gibbs think with the latest ACC podcast.
    Fun Fact
    • The Indiana Grown label designates products truly from Indiana. With 2,000+ members encompassing the supply chain across farms, small businesses, markets, and restaurants, the initiative extends beyond just produce and livestock. Learn where else you can find the label.*
    Finance
     
    Answered
     
    🏆 It was meant to bean
    INDYtoday: INDY_coffee shop mm bracket winner Gaia_MAR24
    Gaia is one of our favorite spots in town for plants, coffee, and conversation. | Graphic by @6amcity + photo by @gaiacafeandbotanical
    And the bracket winner is… Gaia Cafe & Botanical, voted best coffee shop in Indy by our readers and social media followers in our INDYtoday coffee shop bracket. We highly recommend stopping by and congratulating them while picking up a delicious latte or freshly baked muffin.

    We want to extend a major “thank you” to all of you for participating in our bracket challenge the past few weeks. We’ve had a blast seeing how the votes shook out, and we hope you did too.

    Looking for more coffee shops around town? Check out our guide.
     
    The Buy
     
    The handy dandy jar opener you never knew you needed. Mount it under a kitchen cabinet and easily twist open jars and bottles with one hand. Bonus: The jar opener was designed to be easy to use for older adults and those with carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis.
     
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    The Wrap
     
    Shea Stapley.png Today’s edition by:
    Shea
    From the editor
    Confession: I really hate mushrooms. But I do love the taste of violets, so I’m hoping to forage some this year and make my own syrup to use in an Aviation mocktail.
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