09.05.2024

Today’s Forecast

🌻 Now that’s what I call a wallflower

A tour of Broad Ripple’s Flower Alley

INDYtoday: INDY_Broad Ripple Flower Alley Be Celebrated mural_SEP24

Since Muck and other artists started painting in 2019, flower murals have become an unofficial mascot for Broad Ripple, gracing the facades of many homes beyond the original alleyway. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Anyone who’s driven down 61st Street in the last few years has probably noticed a street sign for “Flower Alley” just past Carrollton Avenue. But those who turn down the narrow alleyway discover a community art project in full bloom.

INDYtoday: INDY_Broad Ripple Flower Alley Be Natural mural_SEP24 — The naming concept for the murals was the brainchild of neighborhood member Chad Fallis.
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Photo by INDYtoday team

In 2019, Broad Ripple resident Deborah Jacobs banded together with several neighbors to hire traveling mural artist Jules Muck to paint their garages. These original murals included the “Be free” poppies and the “Be love” roses.

The rest is art history. News of the murals spread like wildflowers through the neighborhood, with the alley eventually expanding on both sides of 61st Street and beyond.

INDYtoday: INDY_Broad Ripple Flower Alley Be Bold mural_SEPT24 — Flowers on the alley’s murals include sunflowers, roses, poppies, mums, tulips, peonies, water lilies, and even cactus flowers.
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Photo by INDYtoday team

Each mural encourages viewers to spread positive values, with appeals like “Be joyful” and “Be brave.” Many of the murals were painted by Muck over several trips back to Indy, while a few were contributed by talented local artists, including @hooplaletters and @megsj1art.

Which mural is your favorite?

See the whole bouquet

Asked

Which history topic should we cover next?

A. Local buildings designed by Kurt Vonnegut Sr.
B. Indy’s oldest churches + cathedrals
C. The Great Squirrel Stampede
D. Indy’s oldest school buildings
E. Meridian Street’s most expensive mansions

Class is in session

Events

Thursday, Sept. 5

Venardos Circus | Thursday, Sept. 5-Sunday, Sept. 15 | Times vary | The Shops at Perry Crossing | $17-$60 | Marvel at the stunts + magic from this Broadway-style animal-free circus.

Friday, Sept. 6

Coffee with the Curator | Friday, Sept. 6 | 8:30-9 a.m. | Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site | $0-$6 | Enjoy coffee + donuts while perusing rare and interesting collection items.
Pink Pony Party: The Femininomin-encore | Friday, Sept. 6 | 8 p.m. | The Vogue Theatre | $10-$25 | Get it hot like Papa John at this dance party celebrating your favorite artist’s favorite artist.
Bad Momz of Comedy: One Night Only | Friday, Sept. 6 | 9:30-10:30 p.m. | Comedy Sportz Indianapolis | $25 | Laugh until your sides hurt with these hilarious Chicago comics.

Saturday, Sept. 7

St. Joan of Arc French Market | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 12-10 p.m. | St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church | Cost of purchase | Live out your “Emily in Paris” fantasy at this street fair with live music, art, and dozens of French dishes + wines to try.
Eighth Annual Hoagie-Eating Contest | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 2:30-4 p.m. | Hoagies and Hops Butler-Tarkington | $0-$25, RSVP to compete | See who can eat an 18-inch Italian hoagie the fastest while raising funds for HVAF of Indiana.

Keep your friends close, but our calendar closer

Click here to have your event featured.

Drink

🥃 Raise a glass to Bourbon Heritage Month

Hotel Tango’s lineup of bourbon can be enjoyed on the rocks or mixed in a cocktail. | Photo provided by Hotel Tango Distillery

Celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month at Indiana’s oldest bar, The Slippery Noodle.

The beloved establishment, which opened its doors in 1850, is honoring Hotel Tango, Indiana’s veteran-owned distillery, with a limited-time bourbon cocktail menu throughout September.

So, what’s on the menu? We recommend trying the Hotel Tango Bourbon Mule or indulging in the Hotel Tango Pineapple Bourbon Sour. And don’t miss out on a delicious Fluffernutter shot, featuring ‘Shmallow Toasted Marshmallow Whiskey.

Cheers, Indy

News Notes

Sports

For the first time since 2016, the Fever clinched a spot in the WNBA playoffs. The postseason will begin on Sunday, Sept. 22 — and depending on the team’s performance for the next couple weeks, Indy may end up hosting. Watch what happens. (WTHR)

Festival

Chicken lovers, raise your glasses. The fourth annual Chicken + Beer Festival returns to University Park on Saturday, Oct. 19 with 35+ local food and beverage vendors. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 9 a.m. (WTHR)

Biz

Bottleworks District announced that Indiana Members Credit Union (IMCU) will be moving its headquarters to the project’s Phase II new construction. It will occupy ~74,000 sqft, roughly 85% of the total available office space planned for the development.

Arts

At the 60th anniversary celebration of The Beatles’ visit to Indy, the State Fairgrounds + artist Cory Heimann unveiled a new permanent mural depicting the band. It’s made up of 2,368 hand-solved Rubik’s Cubes. We can’t even solve one... (WTHR)

Tech

Last summer, sensors invented by a Purdue professor and her students were installed under I-69 on the south side that can digitally relay road strength information to engineers. Now, the sensors are being piloted in 12 other states, with hopes that they’ll change road construction nationwide. (WTHR)

Listen

Which Colts players can compete for NFL Awards this season? Find out with Locked On.

Environment

🦋 Monarch mania

Celebrate and learn about the monarch migration through Indianapolis

INDYtoday: INDY_monarch butterfly Eagle Creek Park_SEPT24

City Editor Shea spotted this monarch at Eagle Creek Park during last migration season. | Photo by INDYtoday team

If you live in an area with a lot of flowers (no, not just the Flower Alley murals), you probably already know this: Monarch migration season will soon be underway.

Mid to late September is the peak time to see monarchs travel across Indy, and several gatherings are taking place around town to celebrate + support the beautiful butterflies.

Migration Celebration | Saturday, Sept. 14 | Cool Creek Nature Center | Enjoy live music, crafts, hiking, games, food trucks, and an informational speech from a monarch expert. You can even take home a milkweed plant to grow for next year’s caterpillars.

Monarch Butterfly Tagging | Saturday, Sept. 21 | Marian University | Help capture, attach butterfly-safe tracking stickers to, and release wild monarchs. Data will be sent to the Monarch Watch organization, which keeps track of butterfly sightings and their path down to their winter hibernation sites.

More monarch resources

The Buy

The Buy 9.05.24 (Affiliate)

A bottle of Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 76 Perfume. The limited edition fall scent features notes of jasmine, amber, and black currant.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Shea

From the editor

As a history buff, I love keeping up with Historic Indianapolis. I’ve learned so much about historic buildings + architecture thanks to its thorough articles and old photographs.

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