Liz Gomez-Lunch Break Live Tuesdays presented by Lake City Bank
2023-05-09 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join us for the soft return of SPARK Monument Circle with live music from Colombian singer and guitarist, Liz Gomez.

Food Trucks, Chef Dan’s & Paul’s Kitchen, will be onsite starting at 11am.
Music performance 12-1pm in the SW Quad of Monument Circle.

We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based in the southwest quadrant.

Jay Elliot-Lunch Break Live Tuesdays presented by Lake City Bank
2023-05-30 11:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join us for the soft return of SPARK Monument Circle with live music from Jay Elliot! Food trucks, Gauchos Fire and Wild Boar BBQ, will be onsite starting at 11am. Music performance 12-1pm.

Since fronting acclaimed Indianapolis-based rock outfit Stereo Deluxe, J. Elliott has become known for his riveting and dynamic solo live performances, both with just acoustic guitar and full band. With the release of his new single, “How To Be A Man”, he is again revealing to the world his ability to deftly create smart, insightful songs about his life and observations… while growing a devoted audience that is fully aware of how special and unique his voice and songs truly are.

We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based in the southwest quadrant.

Emma Hall-Lunch Break Live Tuesdays presented by Lake City Bank
2023-06-06 11:30 - 13:30 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Singer-songwriter Emma Hall pairs introspective lyrics and winding chord progressions with heartrending melodies, making something equal parts wistful and beautiful.”

Music performance 12-1pm in the SW Quad of Monument Circle.
Food Truck-Treats By Fee

We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based in the southwest quadrant.

Keith Beatty-Lunch Break Live Tuesdays presented by Lake City Bank
2023-06-20 11:30 - 13:30 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Hands down…Keith Beatty was born to sing. Growing up in Indianapolis and moving on to sing in the Indiana University Choral Ensemble, the crooner made his mark on teachers and students and was known as the man with the melodic voice.
Unleashing the music deep down, Beatty writes music for life, not hype. He sings with passion, emphasis, and with a way that will warm the coldest heart. He speaks truth to his listeners giving them a dose of reality a la his life experiences.
As a true talent that can draw you in with one stroke of his guitar, Beatty strongly believes music is life recorded, and those who love R&B and Soul will hear sweet sounds out of lips that only bring what’s real. Like the songs sang by Aretha Franklin and the Temptations, Keith Beatty’s songs will be added to the history books as songs from an artist with true talent.

Food Truck: Taste of Manila

We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based in the southwest quadrant.

Peyton Womok- Lunch Break Live Tuesdays presented by Lake City Bank
2023-06-27 11:30 - 13:30 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Known for his skills as a saxophonist, Peyton Womak’s music incorporates his sax playing to innovatively allow him to cross over multiple genres from Smooth Jazz, Funk, R&B, Hip-Hop/Rap, to Pop. He is known for performing popular covers loved and cherished by many while also performing original pieces of his own.
“I have created a public brand and image that expresses my passion, energy, and personal story through my art,” says Womak.
Through his artistic journey, he has worked alongside artists such as Lil Nas X, Bootsy Collins, Babyface, Take A Day Trip, members of Kanye West’s team, After 7, and other Emmy/Grammy award-winning artists.

His music performance will start after the National Anthem plays at noon.

We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based in the southwest quadrant.

Bashiri Asad- Lunch Break Live Tuesdays presented by Lake City Bank
2023-07-11 11:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join us for the soft return of SPARK Monument Circle with live music from Bashiri Asad! Food trucks, Bearded Bagel and Tijuana Flats, will be onsite starting at 11am. Music performance 12-1pm.

“He laughs. He cries. He loves. He dreams. Just like you, everyday. He feels deeply, and turns his feelings into music. Soul music. Music that says exactly how you feel, everyday. Bashiri Asad is the “Everyday Soul Singer,” and he will remind you that feeling what you feel, in your soul, is just fine. IndySoul is his passion, and he exudes this with every song!

We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based in the southwest quadrant

Mina Keohane- Lunch Break Live Tuesdays presented by Lake City Bank
2023-07-11 11:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join us for SPARK on the Circle with live music from Mina Keohane! Food trucks, will be onsite starting at 11am. Music performance 12-1pm.

“…full of surprises. She possesses a songbird’s voice, a wisdom beyond her years and a delightfully smooth way of gliding across the piano keys. Everything from mournful sonic sculptures to crisp, lightweight ballads carried the day — always in celebration of the moment, whether it be the memory of something long gone or the freshness of something new.” –Nuvo Newsweekly
Mina Keohane is an Indianapolis based composer/performer. Her music is a piano-driven cross-pollination of singer-songwriter, indie rock and a hint of jazz using lush chords and impulsive lines to create a distinctive sound. Her songs have been described as “if Joni Mitchell and Aimee Mann had a baby with Charles Mingus.” She spends most of her time writing music for commercials and short films, as well as playing keyboards and accordion with Public Universal Friend, Sarah Grain & the Billions of Stars, Nashville-based recording artist Brandon Whyde, The Dopacetics, Teresa Reynolds and the Slicktones, and her own band Mina & the Wondrous Flying Machine. She has had the opportunity and privilege of opening for many wonderful artists including Becca Stevens, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats, Blues Traveler, Dwight Yoakam, Esme Patterson & Robby Krieger.

We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based in the southwest quadrant.

Cyanotype Workshop with Asli Narin
2023-07-14 11:00 - 16:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Cyanotype is a camera-less photography made out in the sun, rather than in a darkroom. You place objects — such as plants — on top of a piece of photo-treated paper, and then use the sun to expose the paper. The result is an image that is an exact outline of the object. It’s a fun and magical way to engage photography! Although it may be new to modern people, cyanotype has been around since photography was invented in the 1800s.

Come explore the creative possibilities of this fascinating process with Indianapolis-based artist Asli Narin. Narin often incorporates cyanotype into her artistic practice. She will give a short talk about cyanotype at the beginning of each hour, and then you will make your own cyanotypes with Narin’s assistance.

We will have some objects on hand to experiment with, but feel free to bring your own objects. Flat items usually work best, and cyanotype can be messy, so precious things like family heirlooms should probably stay at home. All other necessary materials will be provided free at the workshop.

This activity is best suited for artists 7+ years old; minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Asli Narin (1985, Istanbul) is a visual artist and an educator based in Indianapolis, US. Narin’s artistic practice is based on photography as well as video, installation, and performance, inspired by nature and the cities. Taking inspiration from walking and wandering, she explores the human experience through forms and abstractions. Her subjects are often the thresholds and dualities of life.

Image: Anna Atkins is famous for these cyanotypes she made of British algae in the 1840s. A book she made out of her cyanotypes is considered to be the first photobook ever made.

In partnership with Aurora PhotoCenter for SPARK on the Circle .

Artist led activities & Lunch at Lockerbie
2023-07-20 11:30 - 13:30 | Needler’s Market, 320 N New Jersey, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
Join us at Lockerbie Marketplace on Thursday, July 20 from 11:30 am – 1 pm in the downtown greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market for artist-led activities like our Post Card Project, WQRT DJ mix, Mexican street-style food by Latin Flavor, and games like Ping pong, foosball, and giant Jenga.
All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

The Sound Healing with Hoai-Huong Nguyen
2023-08-15 08:00 - 17:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
“Immerse yourself in the soothing tones of Sound bathing. Join Christ Church Cathedral on their front lawn for a meditative time of Rest and Renewal.
Please bring a blanket, yoga mat or pillow with you. Chairs will be provided for those that need it.

The Cathedral will also be unveiling their chalk art installation on the sidewalk next to the church.”

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Where? New for 2023, the SPARK park utilizes the brick streets between the monument and the sidewalk on the southwest quadrant between Market Street on the west side of the monument and South Meridian. The southwest is in front of Emmis and next to South Bend Chocolate Company.

Cut Paper Art with Christina Hollering
2023-08-16 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join artist Christina Hollering in an all-ages cut paper collage workshop celebrating the creative possibilities of paper. Learn how to intuitively create compelling compositions using the principles of design. All materials are provided; just come prepared to cut, paste, and play!

Christina Hollering is a cut paper artist and associate professor at Herron School of Art and Design. Her artwork centers around themes of biology, the environment, and the interplay between art and science, inspiring viewers to contemplate their relationship with nature.

SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.
What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project. Read more about Big Car Collaborative’s approach to placemaking and socially engaged art.
When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

FreeTown Village: The Rev. Samuel P. Strong
2023-08-17 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
In the “Day in the Life of Rev. Samuel P. Strong”, you’ll listen to the moving story of Rev. Strong’s kidnapping into slavery and his daring escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Share his encounters with legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

Freetown Village is a living history museum with the mission to educate the public about African American lives, arts, and culture in Indiana through living history, exhibits, allied programs, and the collection and preservation of artifacts.

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Where? New for 2023, the SPARK park utilizes the brick streets between the monument and the sidewalk on the southwest quadrant between Market Street on the west side of the monument and South Meridian. The southwest is in front of Emmis and next to South Bend Chocolate Company.

Lunch Break Live with Peyton Womock presented by Lake City Bank
2023-08-22 12:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Peyton Womock is an artist known for his skills as a saxophonist. His music incorporates his sax playing to innovatively allow him to cross over multiple genres from Smooth Jazz, Funk, R&B, Hip-Hop/Rap, to Pop. He is known for performing popular covers loved and cherished by many while also performing original pieces of his very own. You are truly in for a unique experience due to his performance energy being second to none when it comes to hitting the stage.

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Boo! A knitting/graffiti project with Mary Jo Bayliss
2023-08-23 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
A gathering where knitting and graffiti collide! Simultaneously inspired by traditional knitting and graffiti, this ever-evolving piece combines fiber adjacent activities, coloring sheets derived from graffiti and knitting motifs, and opportunities for participants to share their creative path stories.
You are invited to come join the fun, because without YOU, Boo, this project can’t happen.

About the artist:
Mary Jo Bayliss specializes in creating environments that help people feel at ease using space, light and color to achieve these goals.

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Chreece on the Circle -Harry Otaku
2023-08-24 18:00 - 19:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
1994, Megaman X was ripe out the box with detailed graphics and progressive sounds. This perfect audio and visual harmony would provide core inspiration to a budding otaku–who would take the namesake to a whole new level. Harry Otaku makes a unique soundscape utilizing influences from: Hip-Hop, Soul, anime, film, and video games. Everything Harry Otaku makes, he puts a personal spin on, making each creation a vivid, prismatic reflection from the heart. He continues to explore all the genres of music, but is currently focused on: learning the ones and twos of DJing and finding the truest path of self/self-expression.

Chreece hip hop festival returns to Indianapolis Saturday August 26th. The full-day festival will feature more than 80+ Indianapolis-area artists, DJs and producers, as well as national acts 9th Wonder, redveil, Kari Faux, Jordan Ward and Pink Siifu at the top of the bill. Eight Fountain Square venues will host the performances, most of which will be open to all ages. Vendors, Art Instilations, Pro Wrestling and More.

What’s Spark On The Circle? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project. Read more about Big Car Collaborative’s approach to placemaking and socially engaged art.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Lockerbie Night Market – Performance by Bashiri Asad, Artisan Vendors, Beer Garden, and more…
2023-08-24 18:00 - 21:00 | Needler’s Market, 320 N New Jersey, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
Join us at Lockerbie Marketplace — a lovely greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market. Purchase goods from local artisans, enjoy local food by Herts BBQ and live music by Bashiri Asad. Music from 7-8 pm. Sun King beer and chilled wine are also available for purchase at the pop-up beer garden located right off the Cultural Trail on Alabama Street.

All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

Cyanotype Workshop with Aurora PhotoCenter
2023-08-25 11:00 - 13:00
Cyanotype is a camera-less photography made out in the sun, rather than in a darkroom. You place objects — such as plants — on top of a piece of photo-treated paper, and then use the sun to expose the paper. The result is an image that is an exact outline of the object. It’s a fun and magical way to engage photography! Although it may be new to modern people, cyanotype has been around since photography was invented in the 1800s.
Come explore the creative possibilities of this fascinating process!
We will have some objects on hand to experiment with, but feel free to bring your own objects. Flat items usually work best, and cyanotype can be messy, so precious things like family heirlooms should probably stay at home. All other necessary materials will be provided free at the workshop.
In partnership with Aurora PhotoCenter for SPARK on the Circle.
This activity is best suited for artists 7+ years old; minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Lunch Break Live with Laura Balke presented by Lake City Bank
2023-08-29 12:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Indiana native Laura K. Balke has been writing songs for as long as she can remember. Through the years her music has explored folk, pop, and country stylings while weaving tales from her life. Laura will be performing an acoustic set of songs from across her discography for Lunch Break Live.

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Poetry & Art with John Clark
2023-08-30 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join Indianapolis-based visual artist, Big Car co-founder and writer John Clark to make drawings, poems, and short stories…or a combination of all three!

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Freetown Village: The Madam Walker Story
2023-09-07 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
In honor of Madam CJ Walker’s great achievements and contributions, Freetown Village Inc. brings you this one-woman show of her story through “different” eyes.
Join us for the amazing story of America’s first woman self-made millionaire. Learn about the rich legacy she created for women, African Americans, and Indianapolis!
Freetown Village is a living history museum with the mission to educate the public about African American lives, arts, and culture in Indiana through living history, exhibits, allied programs, and the collection and preservation of artifacts.
SPARK is a partnership with Downtown Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission — and funded by the Capital Improvements Board. It is a continuation of our work last year and in 2015 on the Circle. Check our website for more.
At Big Car, we approach our work at the Circle as a site- and community-specific socially engaged art and creative placemaking project. The SPARK on the Circle pop-up park was collaboratively designed with Indianapolis-based Merritt Chase to be a restorative public place where people of all walks of life can relax, play, socialize, and engage with art and artists in the heart of our city.

Music Instrument building with Rob Funkhouser
2023-09-13 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join composer and sound artist Rob Funkhouser for a workshop exploring the hidden sounds of everyday objects. Funkhouser will guide audiences through strategies for using amplification to reimagine the world of tiny sounds happening around them through the use of musical instruments, household items, and contact microphones. Participants will get the chance to explore a set of instruments and objects, and will also be guided on a short walk to find new sounds hidden in the environment around Monument Circle. No previous skills are required. Family friendly.

About:
Rob Funkhouser is a composer, performer, and instrument builder who can never quite sit still. His work is concerned with ideas of place, memory, and pattern and he is interested in interrogating the interstitial spaces between established genres. He holds an M.M. from Butler University in Music Composition, and most recently completed Peace of Mind, Speed of Thought for Classical Music Indy. He has released projects through various labels in three different countries, but finds his home turf on Auris Apothecary and Medium Sound. His current projects include an ongoing series of recordings and writing under the title Walking Music, building a new set of instruments in collaboration with artist Justin Cooper, and ongoing work on new performance tools for music and installations. In 2020, he began a long-term living residency with Big Car as part of their APLR program. He also serves as Education Manager for the Rhythm Discovery Center, where he runs public programming for schools and community members. He has collaborated with diverse groups including Forward Motion, Los Angeles Percussion Quartet, So Percussion, No Exit Theater, and Chicago-based director Ryan Gleason.

SPARK is a partnership with Downtown Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission — and funded by the Capital Improvements Board. It is a continuation of our work last year and in 2015 on the Circle. Check our website for more.
At Big Car, we approach our work at the Circle as a site- and community-specific socially engaged art and creative placemaking project. The SPARK on the Circle pop-up park was collaboratively designed with Indianapolis-based Merritt Chase to be a restorative public place where people of all walks of life can relax, play, socialize, and engage with art and artists in the heart of our city.

Live music, food & artist-led activities at Lockerbie Place
2023-09-21 11:30 - 13:30 | Needler’s Market, 320 N New Jersey, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
Join us for live music by Awetree and food by Chomp’z Truck. Games like foosball, ping pong, chess & checkers, and giant Jenga are available for additional entertainment.
About Awetree
Awetree is the ukulele-pop project of Indianapolis-based singer songwriter Audrey Coy. Lyrically inspired by the complexities of interpersonal relationships, Awetree explores the sadness and hope of love and friendship.

All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

Lunch Break Live with Mandog
2023-10-03 12:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
A producer/visual artist from Indianapolis, IN, Mandog combines elements from everywhere and anywhere and cooks them down into a nice Mandog soup. Hip-hop is his specialty, but you might find him boppin’ around in other genres as well.
Mandog was the Champion of the 6th Annual Jay Brookinz Beat Battle at The Vogue Theater (2014) and had another first place finish at a Jay Brookinz Battle League round at the Hi-Fi (2015).

SPARK is a partnership with Downtown Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission — and funded by the Capital Improvements Board. It is a continuation of our work last year and in 2015 on the Circle.
At Big Car, we approach our work at the Circle as a site- and community-specific socially engaged art and creative placemaking project. The SPARK on the Circle pop-up park was collaboratively designed with Indianapolis-based Merritt Chase to be a restorative public place where people of all walks of life can relax, play, socialize, and engage with art and artists in the heart of our city.

Circle Side Chats with Kevin McKelvey
2023-10-05 12:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Making, Keeping, and Poeting a Place
This program will give a brief overview of creative placemaking and placekeeping and discuss the importance of place in the poetry of James Whitcomb Riley, Mari Evans, and Etheridge Knight.
Bio: Kevin McKelvey is a place-based poet, writer, designer, and social practice artist who also teaches at University of Indianapolis. His poems have appeared widely in journals, books, and as pieces of public art. McKelvey currently serves on the board of Central Indiana Land Trust and regularly consults on grants, placemaking, professional writing, and creative writing.
Circle Side Chats is in partnership with Indiana Humanities. Indiana Humanities is a statewide nonprofit that infuses the humanities into our daily lives. We do this by providing grants, convening discussions, uplifting humanities scholars, spotlighting humanities organizations and activities, and creating our own programs that help Hoosiers think, read and talk.

Scavenger Hunt with Brittany Fukushima
2023-10-07 12:00 - 14:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join us to kick off an on-going scavenger hunt, find all the little art sculptures and more around the Circle.
About the artist: Brittany Fukushima is an Indianapolis-based painter and teaching artist who uses their practice to interpret their environment. Drawing and painting become a means to investigate the natural world, express the intangible, and to present alternate ways of seeing. Recently, they have experimented with paint making using foraged pigments. Teaching is an integral part of their process as it keeps them in community and provides fresh perspectives. Brittany currently teaches at the Indianapolis Art Center and is a graduate of Herron School of Art and Design. They have exhibited throughout Indianapolis and Chicago and their work has been featured by Butter, WFYI and Pattern Magazine.
SPARK is a partnership with Downtown Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission — and funded by the Capital Improvements Board. It is a continuation of our work last year and in 2015 on the Circle.
At Big Car, we approach our work at the Circle as a site- and community-specific socially engaged art and creative placemaking project. The SPARK on the Circle pop-up park was collaboratively designed with Indianapolis-based Merritt Chase to be a restorative public place where people of all walks of life can relax, play, socialize, and engage with art and artists in the heart of our city.

Lunch Break Live-Cara Jean Wahlers
2023-10-10 12:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Wahlers is an Indianapolis based singer-songwriter and performer. Her fondness for folk music from the 60s and 70s gave her a sturdy understanding of storytelling, and she’s taken those cues to develop her own unique style of writing – a revealing balancing act of personal experience and inevitable human truth.
She has released an album called “Goodnight Charlotte” withcollaborator and cellist Grover Parido and plays in the Indianapolis and surrounding areas both solo and as a duo.
SPARK is a partnership with Downtown Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission — and funded by the Capital Improvements Board. It is a continuation of our work last year and in 2015 on the Circle.
At Big Car, we approach our work at the Circle as a site- and community-specific socially engaged art and creative placemaking project. The SPARK on the Circle pop-up park was collaboratively designed with Indianapolis-based Merritt Chase to be a restorative public place where people of all walks of life can relax, play, socialize, and engage with art and artists in the heart of our city.

Found Art with Giselle Trujillo
2023-10-11 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join Giselle Trujillo in creating a found art piece! Visitors will work in a variety of mediums to help create something unique!
SPARK is a partnership with Downtown Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission — and funded by the Capital Improvements Board. It is a continuation of our work last year and in 2015 on the Circle.
At Big Car, we approach our work at the Circle as a site- and community-specific socially engaged art and creative placemaking project. The SPARK on the Circle pop-up park was collaboratively designed with Indianapolis-based Merritt Chase to be a restorative public place where people of all walks of life can relax, play, socialize, and engage with art and artists in the heart of our city.

Circle Side Chats with Deedee Davis
2023-10-12 12:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
The Magic Circle
In October of 1900, the Fall Festivities Society of Indianapolis promoted a week-long carnival with its central focus being the Magic Circle. Monument Circle was transformed with a dizzying array of attractions, parades, performers and animals all in the glow of “electric illuminations.” Yet, despite all the enchantment, the Magic Circle Carnival was a one-time marvel in Indianapolis’ history.
Bio: Deedee Davis is a Herron-Morton resident with an interest in Indianapolis history, specifically historic residential architecture and Greenlawn Cemetery. She oversees digital collections for the Herron School of Art Library at IUPUI.
Circle Side Chats is in partnership with Indiana Humanities. Indiana Humanities is a statewide nonprofit that infuses the humanities into our daily lives. We do this by providing grants, convening discussions, uplifting humanities scholars, spotlighting humanities organizations and activities, and creating our own programs that help Hoosiers think, read and talk.
SPARK is a partnership with Downtown Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission — and funded by the Capital Improvements Board. It is a continuation of our work last year and in 2015 on the Circle.
At Big Car, we approach our work at the Circle as a site- and community-specific socially engaged art and creative placemaking project. The SPARK on the Circle pop-up park was collaboratively designed with Indianapolis-based Merritt Chase to be a restorative public place where people of all walks of life can relax, play, socialize, and engage with art and artists in the heart of our city.

Ink Workshop with Brittany Fukushima
2023-10-14 12:00 - 14:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join SPARK artist in residence Brittany Fukushima for an all-levels ink painting workshop. In this workshop, you’ll learn basic ink techniques and how to paint intuitively using colors handmade by the artist. See the raw materials that go into ink-making and leave inspired to create your own. All materials are provided!
SPARK is a partnership with Downtown Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission — and funded by the Capital Improvements Board. It is a continuation of our work last year and in 2015 on the Circle.
At Big Car, we approach our work at the Circle as a site- and community-specific socially engaged art and creative placemaking project. The SPARK on the Circle pop-up park was collaboratively designed with Indianapolis-based Merritt Chase to be a restorative public place where people of all walks of life can relax, play, socialize, and engage with art and artists in the heart of our city.

Sofar Sounds at SPARK
2023-10-14 20:00 - 22:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
WHAT’S A SOFAR SOUNDS SHOW?
Sofar transforms everyday spaces – like a rooftop or art gallery – and turns them into captivating, intimate venues for secret, live music performances, creating an immersive experience that brings guests and artists closer together. Each Sofar is small, and typically features three diverse acts, with no headliner.

SPARK is a partnership with Downtown Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission — and funded by the Capital Improvements Board. It is a continuation of our work last year and in 2015 on the Circle.
At Big Car, we approach our work at the Circle as a site- and community-specific socially engaged art and creative placemaking project. The SPARK on the Circle pop-up park was collaboratively designed with Indianapolis-based Merritt Chase to be a restorative public place where people of all walks of life can relax, play, socialize, and engage with art and artists in the heart of our city.
