Founded March 12, 2024, at Indianapolis, IN Vol. I, No. 25
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Mon: 20% off total bill
Tues: 1/2 price bottles of wine
Sat: FREE: kids meal, dessert or appetizer when you spend $25 or more
Nonprofit that helps Indiana breast cancer patients turns 25
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
People going through cancer treatment can feel exhausted and overwhelmed, and sometimes don’t have the energy for basic tasks, like cleaning the house.
That’s where IWIN steps in. The Indianapolis-based nonprofit offers grants to people statewide who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The grants can go toward various expenses, such as child or pet care, yardwork, massages or even gas cards to help with transportation to and from treatment.
The nonprofit was founded in 2000 by Nancy Shepard, a longtime surgical nurse. She said it all started when a close friend and co-worker was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 30s. Shepard was with her friend through surgery, post-op care and treatment, and saw firsthand how challenging it can be — not only to undergo treatment but to manage everyday activities.
“It just became really apparent to me at that time … what is out there right now for that everyday support?” Shepard said. “And there wasn’t. At the time, there was more, ‘Find a cure.’ you know, ‘Put the money toward research,’ but people needed to keep moving forward and those burdens were not being supported. That’s how this really became present to me — how do we take the burden off of them?”
IWIN stands for Indiana Women in Need, but the organization has always helped anyone going through breast cancer treatment.
“It started out with a very, very active volunteer group and a board,” Shepard said. “Then when we grew and our numbers were growing and we were reaching out and our fundraising was feeling secure, that’s when we went into hiring a program director that concentrated on managing
the recipients and their needs and orchestrating their services.”
The nonprofit has added a couple more staff since then, including new Executive Director Sara Hauck, who is a breast cancer survivor and was a recipient of an IWIN grant. Hauck said she used her grant for a massage, groceries and gas for her car.
“It was just super helpful, hopeful, uplifting — such a joy to choose where I wanted to spend money,” she said. “That was really nice — because everything else was just funneled toward the medical bills.”
Hauck later joined the IWIN board and then, when the organization was ready to hire an executive director in 2024, she knew she needed to apply.
With the organization turning 25 in 2025, Hauck said they’re planning a big celebration in the fall, the Illuminate Gala, set for Sept. 27 at the Renaissance North Hotel in Carmel. The gala will be larger than their previous fundraisers — and coed.
“IWIN has done a pink pajama party for 17 years and it’s exactly what you think it is — pink, sparkly, all ladies and just a lot of fun, and that’s been an amazing fundraiser,” she said. “The downside of it is, we can
only market to and invite women, and we have a lot of people who have supported IWIN over the years that are male, female, whatever you may be. And so for the 25th, we really just wanted to wrap our arms around everyone who has supported us.”
While fundraising through events and donations is a big part of the organization’s revenue, it also receives funds through grants, sponsorships and corporate donations. Hauck said they were able to give out 824 grants in 2024, totaling about $400,000. Since it started in 2000, she said, they’ve provided grants to about 8,800 Hoosiers.
Shepard said she’s happy the organization she started 25 years ago has been able to provide a needed service, although she’d be happier if and when that service becomes obsolete.
“As long as people are still getting diagnosed from the efforts of the other organizations to get early mammograms and diagnostic mammograms in the hands of anyone and everyone that we can, then I’m glad that we are here when those people are in need,” she said.
For more, visit iwinfoundation.org.
From left, IWIN founder Nancy Shepard, Connie Larkey and IWIN Executive Director
Sara Hauck at an IWIN event.
(Photo courtesy of IWIN)
NORTH INDY MARCH EVENTS
EITELJORG OFFERS SPECIAL EXHIBITS
On March 1, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art will host a guided tour of the Western Art Galleries focused on Women’s History Month. Also on March 1, the museum will open an exhibit of a large installation art piece fashioned of barbed wire, titled “Radio,” created by artist Richard Swanson and open through fall 2025. Both are included with regular museum admission. Continuing at the Eiteljorg through March 9 is a traveling exhibition of Native glass sculptures, “Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight,” featuring more than 60 illuminated glass sculptures by acclaimed Tlingit artist Preston Singletary, telling a story from oral tradition of the Tlingit people of the Pacific Northwest Coast. For more, visit eiteljorg. org.
HOLLIDAY PARK TRAIL RUN
Registration is open for the 25th annual Holliday Park Trail Run, set for March 14 and 15. On March 14, the park will host a Family Fun Night, including a 1-mile kids run followed by the tot trot, plus a bonfire and s’mores behind the park’s Nature Center. Race day on March 15 includes the 5-mile run and 3-mile hike. Proceeds from the Trail Run goes to the Holliday Park Foundation to support environmental education programs, capital improvements and trail maintenance. To register, visit hollidaypark.org/trail-run.
INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Indianapolis Public Library offers numerous programs for all ages at its various branches in March, including Gardening for Pollinators garden workshop on March 1 at the Glendale Branch; Remembering and Teaching the Holocaust on March 2 at the Central Library; A citizenship class March 3 at the West Perry Branch; Art Adventures for preschoolers March 4 at the Martindale-Brightwood Branch; and Storytime at different times at all branches. For more, visit attend.indypl.org/events.
DISPATCHES
MyEyeDr. opens new office — National optical retailer MyEyeDr. Has opened its 11th Indianapolis office, 4335 E. 82nd. St., in the Shoppes at Rivers Edge. The national chain has more than 850 locations, offering optometry services and eyeglass and contact lens retail sales. For more, visit myeyedr.com.
Are you ready to unlock a world of possibilities with exceptional sound quality and a great listening experience? Meridian Audiology will demonstrate how Phonak Infinio, a revolutionary platform of new cutting-edge hearing aids, can elevate your hearing even during the challenges of everyday life!
FOOD
A taste of southern Brazil
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
A new restaurant off 86th Street is serving up a taste of southern Brazil, with an all-you-can-eat buffet that includes selections of traditional Brazilian food and grill chefs who come to the table with skewers of perfectly grilled meat and seafood.
Terra Gaucha, 8487 Union Chapel Rd., is more of a dining experience than a typical restaurant meal, manager Katie McKinney said.
“We have our first part of the dining experience, which is going to be our gourmet hot-cold bar,” she said, indicating an extensive, four-sided buffet in the center of the large restaurant. “We do feature over 45 different dishes. We have fruits, vegetables, cheeses, cured meats. We have authentic Brazilian dishes, rice and beans, so that’s going to be the first part to the dining experience.”
The second part is the all-you-can eat churrasco — Brazilian barbecue.
“That’s where we have our meats roasting over a charcoal open-flame pit, and our chefs are going to walk around with over 18 different types of meat on skewers, and they’ll slice the meat right at the table for you, whichever temperature you like,” McKinney said.
Alison
Wyss,
Au.D. Kira VonBlon, M.S. Doctor of Audiology Certified Audiologist
ily, neighbors and stuff like this, and we cook.”
In keeping with that tradition, Terra Gaucha’s buffet has a large selection of salads, tropical fruit and traditional Brazilian items such as rice and beans with farofa — a powder made from ground cassava, also called yuca — and palmitos — hearts of palm, a mild vegetable harvested from the core of palm trees.
When diners have had their fill of the buffet, they’re tempted by regular visits from the grill chefs. A variety of cuts include sirloin caps, beef tenderloin and rib eye steak; lamb chops; chicken with bacon; pork ribs and sausages; salmon; and shrimp.
Operations Manager, Ronaldo Chiesa, who is originally from southern Brazil, said the restaurant uses the region’s traditional way of cooking meat. He said it’s a part of the culture to gather as a large group to cook and share food, and they wanted to bring that tradition to Indianapolis.
“People love to make a party,” he said of Brazilians. “They can say they don’t have too much money, but all the time, they are happy and celebrate. (In) south Brazil, Sundays for us is amazing. We bring fam-
The meat is perfectly grilled and Chiesa said the beef is seasoned only with sea salt. Other cuts have lemon pepper and marinades. A creamy horseradish sauce is available for those who want to add it to their beef, plus mint jelly for the lamb.
In addition to all that, diners are served polenta fritters, mashed potatoes and buns made from farofa and parmesan cheese. And, if there’s any room left, the menu has a variety of desserts.
For more, visit terragaucha.com/ location-indianapolis.
MORE DINING OPTIONS
Culinary Dropout and Flower Child, two new restaurants from Fox Restaurant Concepts, are now open in Nora Plaza. Located off 86th Street between College Avenue and Keystone, these establishments mark the company’s Indianapolis debut. Culinary Dropout offers a lively atmosphere with signature dishes like braised pork ribs and soft pretzels with provolone fondue, plus live music and big-screen TVs. Flower Child provides fresh, healthy meals catering to diverse dietary needs, prepared in an open kitchen. For more about these restaurants, visit youarecurrent.com/?p=253096 or head over to our Instagram @youarecurrent for a video walkthrough
Terra Gaucha grill chefs bring skewers of different barbecued meat to the table, cutting off slices for diners.
(Photo courtesy of Terra Gaucha)
Ascension St. Vincent center named for Lucas family
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
During a ceremony at the hospital Feb. 4, Ascension St. Vincent officials announced that its new brain and spine center at the 86th Street campus will be named the Lucas Family Brain and Spine Center, in honor of longtime supporters Katie and Morgan Lucas of Carmel. Stephan Masoncup. chief strategy officer for Ascension St. Vincent, told the group gathered for the announcement that the new center is the third phase of a $325 million expansion announced in 2021, which also included a new parking facility and the recently opened women’s and infants hospital that connects to the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.
HEALTH CARE
been patients. She gave birth to her two sons there, she said, and their son Hunter was treated first as a newborn for RSV and later, in 2023, for a cyst on his brain.
Masoncup thanked the Lucases for their past and continued support of Ascension St. Vincent.
“Your legacy of giving doesn’t just impact the community, it impacts countless lives and today I’m thrilled to share some very exciting news with everyone here,” he said. “It is my great honor to announce that Katie, Morgan and the entire Lucas family have made a transformative gift that will shape the future of brain and spine care here at St Vincent. Their generosity will impact critical areas, such as technology, education, research and patient navigation.”
Katie Lucas said that besides supporting the hospital, her family members have
“Thanks to the expertise of Dr. Jodi Smith, the team at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital and by the grace and goodness of God, Hunter underwent a very successful surgery,” she said. “These experiences cemented our appreciation for the lifesaving, faith-based care that Ascension St. Vincent provides.”
Masoncup said the new 109,000-squarefoot center will offer neurosurgical and endovascular brain and spine care, with eight operating rooms, 38 ICU beds and a suite of neuro-imaging technology.
The new center’s construction is almost complete and is due to open in the spring.
The Lucas family founded and continues to operate Lucas Oil, an Indianapolis-based company. The amount of the family’s donation was not disclosed.
The newly named Lucas Family Brain and Spine Center is revealed.
Stephan Masoncup. chief strategy officer for Ascension St. Vincent, right, announced that the new brain and spine center will be named for the Lucas family, gathered at left. (Photos by Leila Kheiry)
OrthoIndy begins spinal implant clinical trial
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
OrthoIndy has treated the first patient worldwide with a new spinal fusion implant using an innovative spine surgery approach and is accepting additional patients with degenerative disc disease to participate in a clinical trial using the new method.
HEALTH CARE
OrthoIndy had already started treating patients in the OASIS clinical trial using the transforaminal interbody fusion technique, or TLIF. The recent surgery used the anterior lumbar interbody fusion approach, or ALIF.
In the TLIF approach, the patient lies on their stomach while the surgeon inserts the implant into a small cage placed within the spine’s disc space. Bone recovered from the patient during surgery aids in the healing process.
Indianapolis Sailing Club Academy for Adults and Youth who want to learn to sail. Programs are held on Geist Reservoir from 13 beautiful acres of the Indianapolis Sailing Club. All lessons are for beginners to more advanced including some race training. Adult lessons are free for club members. Junior Sailors receive a discount on camp if sailing club members. Lessons include water safety, weather awareness, knot tying, on and off the water training and coaching.
The ALIF technique accesses the spine through the abdomen while the patient lies on their back. According to the announcement, that approach minimizes trauma, reduces blood loss and allows for the use of a larger implant cage for better stability and outcomes. Typically, bone is not recovered from the patient using that method, and a synthetic bone graft like OsteoAdapt SP is used.
OsteoAdapt SP, developed by Theradaptive, Inc., contains an engineered protein designed to encourage bone growth while eliminating the risks of disease transmission associated with donor bone grafts.
In December, Theradaptive received FDA approval to study the product with the ALIF technique and the first patient was treated at OrthoIndy by Dr. M. Craig McMains.
“This patient experienced noticeably less pain upon leaving the hospital than when he arrived,” McMains stated.
Dr. David Schwartz, another spine surgeon at OrthoIndy, performed the earlier
OrthoIndy is conducting a clinical trial on a new spinal fusion implant. (Photo courtesy of OrthoIndy)
TLIF procedure. McMains and Schwartz are recruiting additional patients with degenerative disc disease to participate in the feasibility trial, which includes monitoring and advanced imaging to ensure safety and track progress for two years following surgery. The trial has received approval for 78 patients.
McMains said in an email that the treatment could provide an alternative to currently approved products.
“If the trial is successful, it could produce a new type of bioactive bone graft for spine surgeon use,” he said. “This would potentially improve patient outcomes in spinal fusions.”
Interested patients can call OrthoIndy for more details at 317-802-2000. For more about the trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov.
OrthoIndy has offices in various locations in the greater Indianapolis area, including Carmel, Indianapolis, Fishers and Westfield.
For more, visit orthoindy.com.
DISPATCH
See our website at w www.indianapolissailing.org for a photo tour and to obtain more information about programs & memberships. Or please contact Michelle Sarber at o office@indianapolissailing.org for more details or to ask about training programs.
IPL, nonprofits to mark KKK trial anniversary — The Indianapolis Public Library and local civic organizations have teamed up to reflect on the 100-year anniversary of the 1925 trial of D.C. Stephenson, a Ku Klux Klan leader convicted of the rape and murder of Indianapolis resident Madge Oberholtzer. The trial, conducted in Noblesville, marked the decline of the Indiana KKK, which wielded significant political and social power in the 1920s. To view the events schedule, visit indypl.org/stephenson-trial-anniversary.
Clay (half-day)
Art Camps (half-day)
Clay (half-day)
Art (full-day)
Art/Drama Combo (full-day)
Art/Clay Combo (half- and full-day options)
YMCA of Greater Indianapolis offers a variety of summer camps
By Marney Simon marney@youarecurrent.com
The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has a full schedule of summer drop-off camps at more than a dozen locations, including Westfield, Fishers and Fort Benjamin Harrison.
Traditional day camps focus on time-honored summer camp activities like swimming, arts and crafts and the great outdoors.
Discovery Camps focus on STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and math — for children ages 5 to 12 with add-on enrichment and sports clinics. Discovery Camps are hosted at Fall Creek Elementary and Sand Creek Intermediate in Fishers.
Sports clinics include traditional sports like basketball, soccer and volleyball while enrichment clinics include topics like Artrageous, Parks & Playgrounds, Lego and Mad Scientist. Parents can add a camp swimming lesson to their child’s day.
“The YMCA is a place where everyone belongs,” Director of Operations/Youth Development for YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Cara Scott said. “With a wide range of program offerings, 15 camp
locations, camps for ages 5-15 and care from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., we feel confident there’s a camp for everyone at the YMCA. “
Camps also provide access for children of all abilities.
“The YMCA is for all,” Scott said. “We are proud to work with families and create accommodation plans to help children have a successful and enjoyable experience at the YMCA. Accommodation forms are offered to families during the enrollment process.”
The newest location — the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield — adds the attraction of a brand-new 54,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility. The location includes a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and pickleball; a fitness center; group exercise studios; a walking track; and an Olympic-sized pool.
The site’s amenities stretch beyond summer camps and into daily enrichment activities for youth and adults.
“It houses a teaching kitchen for healthy cooking classes, child care facilities, including a Play and Learn area and Kids Adventure Zone, an intergenerational room for all ages to connect
Traditional day camps are available at YMCA of Greater Indianapolis locations in Westfield and Fishers. (Photo courtesy of YMCA of Greater Indianapolis)
Registration is available for day camps and STEAM camps at the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis locations in Westfield and Fishers.
(Photo courtesy of YMCA of Greater Indianapolis)
Continued from Page 2
and classrooms dedicated to collegiate learning and community education,” Scott said. “The facility is attached to the Westfield Washington Schools’ Aquatic Center, which includes a 10-lane Olympic-sized pool. This YMCA serves as a community cornerstone, fostering health, wellness and social connections among Westfield residents.”
The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis has a 170-year history.
“The YMCA is special because it brings people together and creates a real sense of community,” Scott said. “It’s a place where everyone — kids, families and individuals — can feel welcome, stay active, learn new things and build connections. Whether it’s through sports, classes, or community programs, the Y is all about supporting people and making a positive impact.”
Representatives said whether it’s summer camp or day-to-day activities, the Y is for all.
“A Y membership opens the door to endless ways to stay active and connected all summer long,” YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Associate VP of PR and Marketing Communications Tony Wise said. “Families can enjoy open swim at the pool, play basketball, volleyball and pickleball in the gym, or take a walk on our indoor track. Almost all of our Greater Indianapolis locations offer family-friendly events, wellness challenges and volunteer opportunities, helping people stay engaged and involved. And perhaps one of the best parts? The friendships and sense of belonging that naturally come from being part of a supportive, welcoming community. The Y is a place where you don’t just pass the time, you make meaningful memories.”
Learn more about YMCA of Greater Indianapolis summer camp options at tinyurl.com/4wp8m669. Registration links are available at tinyurl.com/8de4t9py.
JAM
Camps for Ages 6-8 / 9-11
Camp
news@youarecurrent.com
Camp Cathedral provides a safe and enriching environment for campers in kindergarten through 8th grade. With more than 50 different camps to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Camp Cathedral runs from June 2 to July 25.
Campers can explore their interests in theater, music, art, community service and STEM. Sports enthusiasts can improve their skills with coaching from top high school coaches. Leadership and adventure camps also are available. Before and after camp care is available. For more, visit campcathedral.com.
iCode Fishers offers engaging STEM and coding camps for kids
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iCode Fishers offers a variety of engaging STEM and coding camps for kids of all ages and skill levels. Whether it’s summer, winter, spring break or a school holiday, iCode Fishers has the perfect camp for every young explorer.
Campers can dive into exciting fields like robotics, Minecraft, Roblox, engineering, game design, drones and programming languages like Python, Lua and Java. From introductory programming with Scratch to advanced AI engineering, iCode Fishers offers a range of programs designed to inspire and empower kids with skills for the future.
Camps are available for various age groups and run throughout the year. For more, visit icodeschool. com/fishers/camps.
Camp Invention fosters creativity
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
For the last 35 years, Camp Invention has been helping children foster a spirit of creativity and problem-solving at weeklong day programs throughout the U.S.
learn about optical illusions and how special effects are used in art, movies, theater and animation. They will have an opportunity to invent moving props and build a spinning animation device.
This year, participants entering kindergarten through sixth grade will have the opportunity to explore what it takes to become an inventor through four handson modules, collectively known as Camp Invention: Discover. Locally, the program will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9 to 12 at Eagle Elementary in Zionsville and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 7 to 11 at St. Louis de Montfort School in Fishers.
The modules, which are new each year, are inspired by inductees into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, which partners with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to offer the program.
“Any child with an interest in pursuing science, technology, engineering, math or art is going to be best served by this,” said Corey Nielsen, marketing coordinator for the National Inventors Hall of Fame. “But every child can benefit from this, because it engenders a lot of different ways of thinking, creativity and inventiveness.”
The 2025 modules are:
• Illusion Workshop — Campers will
• Claw Arcade — Campers will construct (and fill with prizes) their own claw machine and study claws in nature.
• Penguin Launch — Campers will learn about penguin colonies with the help of a robotic research penguin. They will design launchers to propel their own magnetic, wearable, plush penguin and learn how to make instant snow.
• In Control — Campers will assemble a custom control panel with a transmitter and receiver and explore the use of artificial intelligence in everyday items. They also will learn the basics of Morse Code. For middle school students who have aged out of Camp Invention, a training program is available. High school and college students can participate as leadership interns.
The camp costs $285 at St. Louis de Montfort and $310 at Eagle Elementary. Nielsen said discounts are available at various times at invent.org/save, including the largest discount available March 20. Sibling discounts and payment plans are available.
Campers build their own claw machine at Camp Invention: Discover. (Photo courtesy of Corey Nielsen)
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Let the music play — at summer camp
Students of various musical abilities, from none to excellent, have multiple opportunities this summer to explore and expand their music experiences through summer camps designed just for them.
School of Rock, Bach to Rock and the Fishers Music and Arts Academy each offer weeklong summer camps for all ages and abilities, with different weeks providing brand-new experiences for returning campers.
School of Rock
At the School of Rock in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville, camps are designed for children as young as 6 years old, said Manager Matt McFarland.
“They are basically our entire program condensed into a week,” he said. “We have kids that come in that have never touched an instrument on Monday and then by Friday, they’re performing an actual show for their parents with their bandmates.”
The program has camps for different age groups up to 18, according to the website. McFarland said they have songwriting camps, recording camps and even a Taylor Swift camp.
“Kind of a wide variety of all the genres and different styles for any student, really,” he said, adding that the camps are all focused on rock music and typical rock instruments — guitar, drums, keyboard and vocals.
McFarland said that while each camp is one week long, kids can sign up for multiple weeks.
“We’ve had kids do every single week and it’s great. Obviously, they learn a ton throughout the summer,” he said. “That’s kind of the cool thing about rock music is, because it’s such a wide genre, there’s so much in there that they can learn.”
School of Rock has camps scheduled Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the summer
months. For more, visit schoolofrock.com and click on the Camps and Workshops tab.
Fishers Music and Arts Academy
The Fishers Music and Arts Academy is somewhat new to the scene, opening about a year ago in its own building —
9746 Olympia Dr. in Fishers — by founder and longtime piano teacher
Sally Eppert. Eppert said it’s been an interesting journey and she’s grateful for the help and advice she’s received through national and international music school organizations, along with the support of the community. In addition to piano lessons, the school teaches guitar, percussion, strings and voice. She said one goal is for every student to learn to read music.
Continued on Page 7
Fishers Music and Arts Academy offers lessons in piano, guitar, percussion, strings and voice. (Photo courtesy of Fishers Music and Arts Academy)
School of Rock in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville has various summer camps focused on rock music, including a Taylor Swift camp. (Photo courtesy of School of Rock)
Continued from Page 4
“But we also work with students from, right away — it doesn’t matter if they’re 4 or 5, or if they’re 45 or if they’re 85 — we want students to learn that they can make music, that they can make it up,” Eppert said. “I feel like that is such an important release in this day and age, to be able to find a place where you can let go of some of your emotions (through improvisation).”
The school will offer four weeks of summer camps this year, with each weeklong camp offering instruction in a variety of instruments from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“It’s the idea of beginners coming in and doing music, learning about the piano, but also doing voice and drums, too, because, oh my gosh, when I started, I didn’t get to touch anything but the piano and now to get to sing into a microphone when you first start — so empowering,” she said, adding that the kids will make up a song and perform it at the end of each week.
For more, visit fishersmaa.com.
Bach to Rock
Bach To Rock, with locations in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville, also offers weeklong camps during the summer months and will take students as young as 3 1/2, said co-owner Jennifer Flickner.
“Three-and-a-half and potty trained,” she clarified, adding that kids up to age 17 can sign up for a half-day camp or a full-day camp, with different programs offered for different age groups and interests.
The camp for the youngest kids is designed to be fast-moving because sitting still is hard, she said, and it provides an opportunity for students to explore all kinds of instruments.
“There’s a little bit of an artsy element to it — the kids will make or decorate their shirts,” she said, which the students wear for the performance at the end of the week. “This is for all of our camps. Everybody does a performance on the last day.”
Older students don’t need experience,
Bach to Rock, with locations in Fishers, Carmel and Zionsville, offers summer camps for ages 3 1/2 - 17. (Photo courtesy of Bach to Rock)
either, Flickner said. They’ll be grouped with kids of similar abilities and a coach helps each group learn songs and — very important — come up with a band name.
“They could be the Marshmallow Cows,” she said. “We have very interesting names that come up. It could be Late Night Vibes, the Flaming Cheeseburgers, those are the types of things that happen over here.”
Bach to Rock also offers a Glee Camp that focuses on singing and dancing, a DJ Camp and a Recording Arts Music Production Camp, which teaches audio production using computers and recording equipment.
The recording group also helps record the rock bands’ performances, so each camper has a music track to take home.
For more, visit bachtorock.com and click on the “Camps” tab.
SUMMER CAMP
Summer art camps at SullivanMunce Cultural Center
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SullivanMunce Cultural Center invites youth and teens to explore their creativity this summer with a variety of exciting art camps. From in-depth clay camps to nature-inspired art adventures and time-traveling theatrical productions, there’s a camp for every young artist.
Campers can learn throwing and glazing techniques in Youth Clay Camp, create art with organic materials in Nature’s Palette, embark on historical adventures in Time Travelers camp, explore global art traditions in Art Around the World, bring mythical creatures to life in Mythical & Magical camp, or dive into a world of color in Color Explosion! camp.
Camps run from June 2 to Aug. 1, with both half-day and full-day options available. For more, visit sullivanmunce.org.
Watch Us Weave offers summer weaving camps and classes
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Watch Us Weave in Zionsville offers a variety of weaving camps and classes this summer for teens, pre-teens and adults.
Teens and pre-teens can participate in week-long summer camps designed to introduce the joy of weaving and inspire a lifelong hobby. Adults can sign up for custom personalized weaving classes tailored to their individual interests and skill levels.
Watch Us Weave is located at 45 South Elm Street in downtown Zionsville. For more or to register for camps, call 317-379-7569 or visit watchusfarm.com.
CAMPERS CELEBRATE WITH PIZZA + KONA ICE FOR LUNCH! BOYS + GIRLS AGES 5 - 14, ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS WELCOME!
Summer of discovery at Summer U Camps
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University High School will host Summer U camps from June 2 to Aug. 1, offering fun and engaging activities for children in pre-K through 12th grade. Campers can choose from a variety of programs, including STEM, arts, athletics and more.
Hands-on activities will spark curiosity and inspire learning on University High
School’s campus. Program options include sports, games, esports, technology, science, math, rocketry, robotics, LEGO, Minecraft, Star Wars, Dungeons & Dragons, American Doll, worldbuilding, dinosaurs, cooking and baking, musical theater, writing, arts, nature and more. Before and after care is available.
For more, visit universityhighschool. org/summer.
RoundTripper Sports Academy announces sports classes and camps
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RoundTripper Sports Academy offers a variety of sports camps this summer for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Professional instructors provide personalized attention in small class settings, maintaining a 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Summer camps run from June 2 to June 27, with various sports and skill development options available. Early registration is recommended as camp spaces are limited.
For more, visit roundtripper.com/classes-camps.
M14Hoops camps offer variety of specialized training
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
M14Hoops summer camps offer a bit of everything for young basketball players.
Nick Daniels is the managing partner for M14Hoops Indianapolis. M14Hoops, which has sites in Westfield and Noblesville. The summer camps will be held in June and July. The camps are designed for boys and girls in third through eighth grade.
The Noblesville M14 camp is held at the Mojo Up Sports Complex at Finch Creek, which is the training center. The Westfield M14 training center is the Pacers Athletic Center, but the camp will be held in Farmers Bank Fieldhouse in Lebanon.
Daniels, who also is managing partner of M14 in Cincinnati and Phoenix, is the head of player and staff development for M14Hoops.
FISHERS • CARMEL • AVON • GREENWOOD
Robotics Summer Camp
FOR KIDS 6 YEARS AND OLDER
“Each week, we offer a morning and afternoon option, or they can stay all day with us and they get lunch,” Daniels said. “Each camp has a different skill focus. Our No. 1 goal for camps is they learn, they get better and they have fun. We want to create a fun environment. If they want to improve their skills, this is a good way to do it.”
There are camps for ballhandling, scoring, shooting, 3-on-3, “let’s play” and shooting and defense.
“We get a lot of the kids that train with us regularly throughout the year,” Daniels said. “It’s also a great time for players to try our program who haven’t tried it. Our camps are popular for new players and current players.”
Daniels played collegiately for Purdue University Fort Wayne, which was then Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Daniels had planned to play basketball overseas but ended up working part time for M14, which was just starting in Chicago. In 2016, he came to the Indianapolis area to launch the second location.
M14 is named after founder Matt Miller, who wore No. 14 when he played. He played for four colleges, finishing his career with Bellarmine University. He then played professionally overseas.
The camps are run by full-time staff. Daniels said the camp counselors are part-time staff and college athletes.
The Noblesville site is directed by Randy Reed and the Westfield director is Eric Easter.
For more, visit noblesville.m14hoops. com and westfield.m14hoops.com.
Nick Daniels is the managing partner for M14Hoops Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy of Nick Daniels)
Kids Explore Robotics will host interactive summer camps for children 6 and older throughout the summer. The camps will be offered at several locations throughout the Indianapolis area, including Greenwood, Fishers, Carmel and Avon.
Each camp session will take place over five days, with time options available 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. The first session begins June 2 in Greenwood, and the last session begins July 21 in Avon.
Children will have the opportunity to learn about, build and code two robots, which are designed to accomplish a variety of tasks. Robots can be coded to play different drumbeats, relay traffic patterns, do pull-ups and much more. At the end of camp, kids get to keep two of the robots they worked on. Vinod Agrawal, one of the founders of Kids Explore Robotics, shared one of the benefits of their approach to teaching.
“(Children) are learning to make changes to the code and seeing the immediate impact of what the robot does,” Agrawal said. “So, they relate, ‘I can make this
change to the code to make the robot do different things.’ It inspires their curiosity, and they can be as creative as they want.”
Agrawal and his son, Aarav Agrawal, founded Kids Explore Robotics two years ago when Aarav, a then-junior in high school, expressed interest in teaching kids about robotics to inspire interest in STEM. Since then, Aarav and Vinod have designed and developed 14 different robots, 50 different activities and crafted a curriculum to educate children about the process of robotics through various classes. They personally engineered and designed wooden and 3D-printed materials that are used to build the robots.
The robots have an open-concept design to increase children’s understanding of the inner workings of motors, micro-controllers and coding.
Besides summer camps, Kids Explore Robotics offers free one-hour classes each week and several other classes and courses. Kids Explore Robotics also offers several online summer camps. The cost for the summer camp is $259 per person for the in-person summer camp and $279 per person for the online camp. For more, visit kidsexplorerobotics.com.
STEM skills are stressed at Kids Explore Robotics. (Photo courtesy of Kids Explore Robotics)
Wright’s Gymnastics to host themed summer camps
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
With several summer camps available for children, Wright’s Gymnastics, with locations in Noblesville, Fishers and Westfield, has weekly themes for all camps.
Wright’s Gymnastics Director of Marketing Lauren Lofgren said the camps, which start at the end of May and run until early August, will have several activities each week for children ages 3 through 13.
“They get to come and do all sorts of activities, crafts and games,” Lofgren said. “We also will do a different theme each week, like ‘Pirates and Pixies,’ to keep things exciting. It influences their crafts and games.”
With daily access to the gym, Lofgren said children can play throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and have opportunities to learn gymnastics skills.
“In the gym, they are playing the entire time, but there is a lesson that will go on, too,” Lofgren said. “The kids will walk away having learned something. Suppose they’re not currently enrolled in classes, or they’ve never done gymnastics or
ninja — a combination of gymnastics and parkour. In that case, they’re going to experience it and learn a bit more about getting upside down with their bodies.”
Although activities vary by location, most of Wright’s camps also will have water and outdoor activities throughout the week.
“We get the kids outside at least twice a day, weather permitting, and we have inflatable slides, scooters and basketball,” Lofgren said. “It’s a really active camp. We’re trying to keep them moving as much as possible but with a couple of opportunities for downtime as well.”
Lofgren said weekly themes keep kids engaged in a range of activities.
“The biggest thing we’re incorporating this year is trying to get a form of entertainment for each week that applies to the theme,” Lofgren said. ‘My favorite part is when they make friends through these days and want to sign up for another camp. It’s like controlled chaos because they’re running around and giggling. I look forward to it.”
Registration is open for Wright’s Gymnastics summer camps at wrightsgymnastics.com.
Kids stay active during Wright’s Gymnastics camps. (Photo courtesy of Wright’s Gymnastics)
Zionsville’s Z’Camp summer day camp registration opens March 5
news@youarecurrent.com
Z’Camp in Zionsville opens registration for its 2025 summer day camp program March 5. The camp serves children in preschool through 6th grade. Campers participate in a variety of activities throughout the summer, including sports, games, arts and crafts, and field trips.
Camp hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The daily schedule includes morning meetings, organized activities, lunch, swimming, and snacks. Z’Camp offers weekly sessions from June 4 to July 25, with a special all-day field trip week from July 21 to 25.
Families receive discounts when enrolling multiple children. Campers can attend for a single week or multiple weeks. For more, visit zcamponline.com.
Z’Camp registration begins March 5. (Photo courtesy ZCS Zcamp)
Indy Stem Camps provides exciting Minecraft-themed STEM camps for children in grades 1-8. Founded by a physics teacher, Indy Stem Camps has entertained and educated more than 10,000 children with a focus on creative, cooperative gameplay in a social setting.
Campers enjoy their own computer
workstation in a secure multiplayer environment guided by knowledgeable counselors. With eight unique camp titles to choose from, there’s something for everyone, from beginners to advanced levels.
Camps run from June 2 to Aug. 1, for 3 hours daily over five days, with options for both creative and survival gameplay. For more, visit indystemcamps.com.
Indiana Basketball Academy summer camps tip off soon
news@youarecurrent.com
The Indiana Basketball Academy tips off its 29th year of summer basketball camps for boys and girls ages 5-14, starting May 27. With 18 weeks of camp available at two convenient locations in Carmel and Lebanon, IBA offers a fun and engaging environment for players of all experience levels.
Campers can expect to learn and work
Our summer programs are open to all Central Indiana students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, and offer a great introduction to the extraordinary opportunities available at Park Tudor.
From Cub Camp for 3 & 4 year-olds to options for high school students, Park Tudor summer programs offer something for everyone – arts & crafts, sports, performing arts, science, literature, chess & gaming, and more!
on drills and fundamental skills, play games, compete in contests, make new friends and hear coaches’ stories. Each camper will receive a T-shirt and collect NBA cards. Full-day campers also will enjoy pizza and Kona Ice for lunch on competition Fridays.
Camps run through Aug. 1, with options for full or half days. For more, visit playiba.com/camps.
The Point Theater to have music-filled summer camps
news@youarecurrent.com
The Point Theater at 1950 E. Greyhound Pass has numerous opportunities for children to gain theater experience this summer.
Set Sail with Moana — themed musical theater day camps
At this camp, designed for students ages 4 through 6 for half days or students ages 7 through 10 for full days, children will participate in acting, singing and choreography to create an end-ofweek performance for family and friends. There are three weeks and locations available for this camp. They are:
• June 9 through 13: 3600 W. 96th St., Indianapolis
• June 16 through 20: 621 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel
• June 23 through 27: 1870 W. Oak St., Zionsville Musical-in-a-Week
After a two-year hiatus, the Musicalin-a-Week, fast-paced, high-energy camp is back. This camp challenges students to rehearse and perform “Elf” in five days and is best for children ages 11 through 18.
There are two weeks available for this camp at CrossRoads Church in Westfield, 19201 Grassy Branch Rd. They are June 9 through 13 and June 23 through 27.
Play-in-a-Day: A one-day theatrical adventure
Play-in-a-Day is a camp designed for children who like a challenge but prefer to skip singing and dancing. This year’s play, “How to Get Away with a Murder
The Point Theater offers a variety of music-themed camps. (Photo courtesy The Point Theater)
Mystery” by Don Zolidis, offers a fastpaced experience where students ages 11 through 18 rehearse in the morning and perform for an audience in the afternoon.
Play-in-a-Day will take place June 17 at the Marian University Theater, 3200 Cold Spring Rd., Indianapolis. Improv Camp
The Improv Camp is a half-day camp for children ages 11 through 18 that sharpens comedic timing, spontaneity and creativity through engaging improv games.
The camp is grouped by age at CrossRoads Church at Westfield, 19201 Grassy Branch Rd. Time slots are:
• July 7 through 11, ages 11 through 13, 1 to 4 p.m.
• July 7 through 11, ages 14 through 18, 9 a.m. to noon
For more, visit thepointtheater.org.
Central Indiana Academy of Dance announces summer dance camps
news@youarecurrent.com
The Central Indiana Academy of Dance in Carmel offers a variety of summer dance camps for children aged 3 to 9.
Camps for ages 3 to 6 run from 9 a.m. to noon and feature themes like Moana and Maui’s Adventures, Frozen Summer Celebration, Moana and Maui’s Island Luau, Fairytale Princesses and Princes, and Frozen Prince &
Princess Party.
For ages 6 to 9, CIAD offers a Youth Summer Ballet Intensive from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., when dancers with at least one year of training can enjoy a variety of dance classes, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, PBT, pre-pointe and stretch and conditioning.
Camps run from June 2 to Aug. 1. For more, visit ciaodance.com.
Musicologie announces summer music camps for kids and teens
news@youarecurrent.com
Musicologie in Noblesville offers a summer of music fun with three exciting camps designed for ages 4 to 15. Mini Musicians Camp introduces young children ages 4 to 6 to the joy of music through rhythm games, improvisation, and creative projects. Music Explorers Camp, for ages 7 to 10, allows campers to explore music through composition, improvisation and collaborative projects, culminating in a final performance. Rock Band Boot Camp is an immersive camp for teens ages 11 to 15 that allows them to form bands, write songs and perform like rock stars.
Camps are available in June, July, and August, with both full-day and half-day options. Early-bird and multi-kid discounts are available. For more, visit go.musicologie.com/ summer-camps.html.
Musicologie offers music camps for ages 4 to 15 (Photo courtesy Musicologie
Kids’ summer camp workshops at Board & Brush
news@youarecurrent.com
Board & Brush Noblesville invites children 6 and older to participate in their creative Kids’ Camp Workshops this summer. Each workshop features a fun theme and allows kids to enjoy hands-on activities while creating personalized projects.
Themes include S’mores Campout, Ice Cream Sundae Bar, Christmas in
July, Popcorn Bar, Beach Party and Pajama Pizza Party. Children ages 6 to 8 must be accompanied by an adult; children 9 and older can attend solo.
Workshops are held on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and include two projects, a snack and a drink. The cost is $75 per child. Pre-registration is required. For more, visit boardandbrush.com/ noblesville.
International School of Indiana offers summer camp for central Indiana students
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The International School of Indiana offers summer programming for incoming kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Campers can choose from a variety of programs, including language learning, enrichment and sports camps. Language Summer Camp, hosted in partnership with the Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies,
June 2-6
June 23-27
July 7-11
July 14-18
July 21-25
July 28- Aug 1 July 7-11
Moana and Maui’s Adventures Frozen Summer Celebration
Rapunzel’s Summer Adventures FULL Moana and Maui’s Island Luau
Fairytale Princesses and Princes
Frozen Prince & Princess Party
Youth Summer Ballet Intensive
provides language immersion experiences in French, Mandarin, Spanish and Arabic. Enrichment Camps offer STEM activities, writing and arts, and cultural learning. The new Amazing Athletes Sports Camp allows campers to explore different sports themes each week. Weekly sessions run from June 16 to July 25. For more, visit isind.org/events/ summercamp.
Fortune Academy offers summer camp for students with learning differences
news@youarecurrent.com
Fortune Academy, a school for students with learning differences, offers a unique summer camp program combining academic remediation with traditional summer camp activities. The program runs from June 9 to 27.
Mornings focus on educational breakout sessions using the Orton-Gillingham approach, while afternoons are dedicated to hands-on activities and field trips. Before and aftercare are available.
The camp offers a variety of breakout groups focusing on different academic and therapeutic areas.
For more, visit thefortuneacademy.org/summer-camp.
Indianapolis Children’s Choir announces summer music camp
news@youarecurrent.com
The Indianapolis Children’s Choir announces its Summer Music Camp 2025, “Just a Dream Away,” for children entering first through eighth grade. Two sessions are available: June 2-5 and July 21-24.
Campers will enjoy a week of singing, instrument exploration, music games and crafts, culminating in a concert performance. The camp takes place at the ICC Performing Arts Center in Indianapolis. Financial assistance is available. For more, visit icchoir.com/camps.
OFFLINE MATCHES
FIND Indianapolis offers a new kind of speed dating
By Samantha Kupiainen northindy@youarecurrent.com
Bo Turner is an Indianapolis-based business owner on a mission to change the dating narrative and provide singles the space to safely meet other local singles in person through her business, FIND Indianapolis.
According to a 2023 Pew Research Study, 1 in 5 partnered adults under 30 say they met their current spouse or partner on a dating site or app. Of those, Tinder is the most popular — roughly 46 percent of those who met online have used Tinder. About 31 percent have used Match and 28 percent have used Bumble.
But online dating is not always successful. Turner, who is happily married and met her husband through a dating app, kept hearing dating horror stories from her friends. They’d share their bad dates and negative online dating experiences, which left Turner wondering how she could help her friends meet people in a different way.
“There’s got to be a better way to date or another option besides these dating apps,” she said.
Even though she’s married, Turner wanted to help her friends find love, too. She was inspired by an Instagram ad to come up with a solution for her friend’s dating woes.
“I was scrolling on Instagram, and I came across these really fun ‘pitch your single friend’ events in Los Angeles,” Turner said. “It looked like so much fun. I thought, ‘I want to bring this to Indianapolis,’ and looked to see if anything currently existed.”
Turner found that there were no companies locally that mirrored the one she saw on social media, and after contacting the Los Angeles-based company, its employees were able to advise her on how to bring similar speed-dating events to Indianapolis.
“I reached out to the company in Los Angeles and was like, ‘Hey, how can I do this in Indianapolis? Do you franchise? How does this work?’” she said. “They said they don’t franchise or anything, but ‘We’re happy to mentor you and get you set up and advise you on how to do speed-dating
and singles events.’ I actually license their software to run speed-dating events.”
In September 2024, Turner launched FIND Indianapolis, a company focused on hosting modern, in-person dating events around Indiana. FIND Indianapolis has three core events, the first is speed-dating get-togethers. She hosts speed-dating events in Indianapolis, Carmel, Bloomington and Fort Wayne. All events are sorted
by age group so participants are dating people around the same age.
Turner also hosts events that are gender-specific, such as women seeking women and men seeking men. To maximize speed daters’ chances of finding a match, everyone fills out a questionnaire before the event and meets with only their most compatible matches.
FIND Indianapolis also hosts Single
ABOUT BO TURNER
Bo Turner is a 29-year-old entrepreneur and business owner, originally from South Bend. She has lived in Indianapolis for about five years.
Prior to founding FIND Indianapolis, Turner co-owned a marketing agency for four years. She has one employee at FIND Indianapolis who assists her with events, but for the most part, Turner runs the show by herself.
As FIND Indianapolis grows, Turner said she wants her company to be known for its “really positive speed dating experiences and bringing that modern twist to it.”
Socials, which are activity-based singles events that can include a pasta-making night, pickleball tournament, wine tasting, etc. Its third and final event is the “pitch your single friend” event, scheduled once per quarter. During that event, 15 people “pitch” their single friends to an audience in hopes of finding someone who appreciates them as much as they do.
When Turner first launched FIND Indianapolis, she hosted two to three dating events a month. At the start of 2025, she hosted eight events in January alone and had 12 dating events set for February.
Something Turner always says at the end of each event is, “I hope I don’t see you again. But if you don’t find love, I hope to see you another time.”
For more, visit findindianapolis.com.
ON THE COVER: Speed dating participants talk during a FIND Indianapolis event at Pens Mechanical Co., a restaurant in Indianapolis’
Bottleworks District. (Photo courtesy of Bo Turner)
(Above) FIND Indianapolis, an in-person dating service, hosts “Pitch Your Friend” events, where people introduce their single friends to a crowd of potential partners. (Photos courtesy of Bo Turner)
Turner
(Below) Speed daters participate in a FIND Indianapolis event in downtown Indy.
TobyMac’s ‘Life After Death’ album features deeply personal songs
By Alan Sculley editorial@youarecurrent.com
TobyMac remembers going to his first official songwriting session for his most recent album, “Life After Death,” and it wasn’t the usual pleasant feeling.
“I was driving out there and I was like, ‘What am I doing? Am I going to write a song like everything’s back to normal?’” sad TobyMac, who will perform on the “Hits Deep” tour at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. “It made me sick, almost, honestly.”
Normally, the Christian music artist said writing songs with a collaborator would be exciting, something to anticipate as an artist wonders if some creative magic will happen in that writing room that day. But these weren’t normal times for TobyMac (whose given name is Toby McKeehan).
In October 2019, his oldest son, Truett Foster McKeehan, the oldest of his five children, died from an accidental overdose. An aspiring musician, Truett, 21, had just launched his solo career. He had battled addictions in his past, but signs were pointing toward a bright future, and Truett’s father was proud of what his son had seemingly overcome and accomplished.
“You feel like you shouldn’t go back to what (you do),” TobyMac said of the first writing session. “If you go back to normal, in some way you’re dishonoring your lost loved one. But when I got there, I just started writing this song ‘Faithfully.’ It was so deeply personal to me, about God’s faithfulness at the hardest time in my life.”
It should be noted that “Faithfully” wasn’t the first song TobyMac had written about losing his son. He released the top 5 single, “21 Years,” in January 2020. “‘21 Years’ came like almost within the first month, but it was because I didn’t view that as songwriting,” TobyMac said. “I viewed that as a song to honor my
son’s life. Thank God for the 21 years I got to interact with my boy. I immediately started just turning my faith to God and trying, trying. There were times when I struggled through that, but I found God to be kind in the end and I wanted to remember all of the best things about my son in that song.”
As he moved forward with songwriting, it became clear that “Life After Death” would be about losing Truett and the path toward healing that TobyMac and his family had taken over the preceding two years.
“Life After Death” starts on a hopeful note with “Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)” and “The Goodness,” songs that promise God will be “rolling up His sleeves” to help in times of trouble. And even when songs touch on “dark days” and “long nights” (as on “Show Up Choose Love,” “Faithfully” and “Rest”), he said a similar ray of hope from God’s love filters through the lyrics. Musically, the material isn’t the downer the subject matter might suggest. Several songs touch on sadness and loss. But the soulful “Help
Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)” and the hip-hop track “Life On It” are upbeat and at times even bouncy, while “Deeper” and “Fire’s Burnin’” are chipper bits of R&Blaced pop.
“The Goodness” became a key song in helping TobyMac find his emotional footing during the writing, as it describes how God is the unshakable goodness in life.
“I didn’t think I’d ever write another song that felt like joy or was uptempo,” TobyMac said. “And when I got hit with that, there was just so much promise in it for me at that moment, that that song poured out of me.”
Honest and relatable lyrics — and lots of catchy songs that have blended hiphop, R&B, pop and rock — have been key ingredients in making TobyMac one of Christian music’s biggest stars. He began his career alongside Michael Tait and Kevin Max in the trailblazing and hugely popular Christian hip-hop group, DC Talk before he launched his solo career in 2001.
In all, TobyMac’s eight solo albums have sold more than five million copies combined and won seven Grammy Awards. So far “Life After Death” has given TobyMac three No. 1 Christian music singles in “Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight),” “The Goodness” and “Cornerstone” (as well the top 5 single in “Promised Land”) to go with his seven previous chart-topping songs.
Those chart-topping songs figure to be included in TobyMac’s shows on his “Hits Deep” tour. As the tour title suggests, TobyMac’s set will focus on his hit songs from throughout his career. He might also include a song or two from “Heaven On My Mind,” the new album that he’s releasing March 7.
“The beautiful part about it (‘Life After Death’) is we’ve already had three significant singles off it, so those three, I’m not forcing them into the hits category,” TobyMac said.
For more, visit ticketmaster.com
‘JERSEY BOYS’
“Jersey Boys” runs through April 13 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.
‘PRIDE AND PREJUDICE’
Carmel Community Players’ production of “Pride and Prejudice” runs from Feb. 28 to March 9 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
‘SHOWSTOPPERS’
The Songbook Foundation will screen “Showstoppers,” a documentary about women of television variety shows in the 1960s and ’70s, at 2 p.m. March 2 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Eric Baker Presents “Sounds and Stories” at 7:30 p.m. March 1 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.
‘THE CAT IN THE HAT’
Civic Theatre’s production of “The Cat in the Hat” is set for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 1 at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts at Carmel. For more, visit the thecenterpresents.org.
‘LITTLE WOMEN’
The Belfry Theatre and Hamilton County Theatre Guild’s production of “Little Women” runs through March 2 at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St., Noblesville. For tickets, visit thebelfrytheatre.com or call or text 317-773-1085.
DISPATCH
IWS concert set for March 1 — Indiana Wind Symphony’s “An Extraordinary Life” concert will pay tribute to the composer Joseph Bologne. The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. March 1 at the Studio Theater at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Bologne emerged from enslavement in the Caribbean to become a composer, violinist and acclaimed conductor. For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
TobyMac performs at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Photo courtesy of TobyMac)
‘Pride and Prejudice’ set
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
When Alec Cole watched the 2005 movie “Pride and Prejudice,” it was love at first sight.
PLAY
“I’ve been a big fan of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ for about six or seven years. I watched the (2005 movie) and fell in love with the characters. and then started watching that every Valentine’s Day,” Cole said. “I would host a little ‘Pride and Prejudice’ watch party. It’s a sweet, quintessential romantic story and it’s a feel-good tale.”
too much as being this cold, dark character. He’s a little rough, but he’s trying.”
In contrast to Cole, prior to being cast as Lizzy, Speedway resident Katie Endres had never read the book or seen the movie.
“So, that was my homework after I got cast,” Endres said. “It’s been an honor to play one of the most iconic literary female characters of all time. She’s such a strong and complex character. It’s been really fulfilling, and having a great ensemble behind me makes it all the more fun and even easier to me.”
Cole plays Mr. Darcy in Carmel Community Players’ production of “Pride and Prejudice,” which runs Feb. 28 to March 9 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel.
“It’s absolutely a dream role for me,” he said.
Cole, who lives on the south side of Indianapolis, also watched the BBC’s 1995 miniseries to prepare for the role.
“He’s certainly an exciting character to play,” Cole said. “He almost gets maligned
Samantha Kelly, a 2015 North Central High School graduate and north Indianapolis resident, is making her directorial debut.
“I’ve seen several renditions of it,” Kelly said. “I like how (playwright) Kate Hamill made everything funny because Jane Austen is usually hard to make funny. It’s a lighthearted version.”
There are eight performances, including a recently added 2:30 p.m. March 8 matinee. For more, visit carmelplayers.org.
Cole
Blueprint for Improvement: Modern Zionsville bathroom
Commentary by Larry Greene
This home in Zionsville’s Thornhill neighborhood was ready for an upgrade, starting with its hall galley bathroom. With the original layout preserved, our team reimagined the space as a monochromatic modern retreat tailored to fit the homeowner’s routine. By integrating thoughtful design elements, we transformed the bathroom into a fresh, contemporary space with improved functionality.
THE BLUEPRINT
• Replacing the combined tub and shower with a spacious walk-in shower adds functionality and a sleek, modern aesthetic.
• Tonal gray penny tile accents the shower, providing contrast to the room’s clean lines and adding movement and texture.
• The new vanity maximizes storage space and style, with a glass-front cabinet that keeps the room feeling open and airy.
• Matte black hardware and fixtures add a contemporary touch, creating bold contrast against the room’s lighter tones.
Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.
After
Before
CONTRACTOR GUIDE 2025
Discover the ideal solution for homeowners in and around Hamilton and Boone Counties seeking assistance with their projects. This comprehensive guide will publish on March 25 and it connects you with the perfect company to bring your visions to life. Reach all 131,191 households in Carmel, Fishers, Geist, Noblesville, North Indy, Westfield, and Zionsville through U.S. Mail at a single, affordable price. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to showcase your offerings to a wide audience and help homeowners bring their projects to fruition.
Space reservations due: Ad content due: Advertorial content due: March 14 March 17 March 17
For advertisings opportunities by email ads@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444
