Art, Music, Cocktails, Movies, and More
If you’ve never been to a First Friday event in Fountain Square, you’re sorely missing out. First Friday events are becoming more popular across U.S. cities, and downtown Indy and Fountain Square have taken First Friday celebrations to another level.
I’ve lived here three years now, but my initial First Friday experience involved food trucks (can you ever go wrong with food trucks?). If you’re close to the downtown area, be sure to check out the First Friday Food Truck Festival outside of Old National Centre. There’s one more left for the year (on October 2nd) and if you have never experienced Indy’s food truck scene, it’s a great place to get started. It’s also very easy to bike to from Fountain Square.
Fountain Square’s First Friday celebrations always vary, though you can be certain there will be deals on food and booze, gallery showings, live music, and often, a film screening. This past Friday had a multitude of events, including free music, art shows, and a screening of the short film “Molly”. After dinner at Pure Eatery, one of my favorite local haunts, a friend and I explored the upstairs of the Murphy Arts Center.
Upstairs, we looked around at a few art exhibits in the DO317 Lounge and Gallery by artists R6D4, Ronlewhorn Industries, and Corey Zeigert. There was a large crowd in attendance, with cocktails and beer available to buy, and some artists playing live music in the corridors and lobbies.
R6D4 (Jason Rowland) showcased pieces that represented his pop style, with a heavy comic book and cartoon influence.
Ronlewhorn Industries (Aaron Scamihorn) presented hand screen printed art, such as band posters, movie prints, and pop culture pieces. His style had a slight comic book feel, with more of a vintage aesthetic.
Corey Zeigert displayed an intriguing array of images with funny, inspirational, and slightly nostalgic idioms that he felt captures his experience of growing up in the Midwest.
Fans of the artists could purchase pieces or smaller versions of their work (including magnets, pins, stickers, smaller prints, etc).
If you’re ever out and about in Fountain Square on a First Friday evening, head over to the downtown area for a plethora of fun First Friday options. If art isn’t your thing, check out a live show, enjoy discounted drinks and food, or pop in to Heartland Films for a film viewing. Or, explore the area and venture further down Shelby to Accerlation Art & Photography, right in front of Fountain Square Brewery (they almost always have live music, an event, or food trucks in their lot), head north up Virginia into Fletcher Place (with more First Friday options), or just branch out and explore different parts of the Murphy Arts Center.