the kit agenda

SPRING CLEANING CAN WAIT. CENTRAL INDIANA IS BOOMING AND BLOOMING WITH EVENTS TO ESCORT US OUT OF HIBERNATION!

Music & Entertainment

FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD March 26, 8 p.m. Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road has all the grandiosity, sentimentality and glamor you’d expect. It’s a celebration of the showman’s entire career – a retirement party if you will – and serves as a “thank you” to all his fans. Be sure to grab tickets early so you don’t miss this amazing performance. Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis; (317) 917-2727; bankerslifefieldhouse.com

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS March 3-29 This ultimate “whodunit” involves a luxury train trapped in a snowdrift, a dining car full of glamorous passengers and a dead body with multiple stab wounds. Follow Hercule Poirot, the world’s greatest detective, as he solves this intricate plot before the train moves on. Tickets start at $25. Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis; (317) 635-5252; irtlive.com

NATHANIEL RATELIFF: IT’S STILL ALRIGHT March 17, 8 p.m. The It’s Still Alright Tour supports Rateliff’s first solo album since 2013’s “Falling Faster Than You Can Run”. The show promises a combination of solo/acoustic performances and Rateliff backed by a full band. Tickets start at $29. Murat Theatre at Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis; (317) 231-0000; oldnationalcentre.com

ELTON JOHN: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS April 2-May 10 Inspired by the 1951 Academy Award-winning film, “An American in Paris” weds music and movement, song and story. It follows World War II veteran Jerry Mulligan, who makes Paris his home. But Jerry’s life becomes complicated when he meets Lise, a Parisian shop girl with a secret of her own. Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis; (317) 872-9664; beefandboards.com

MATILDA April 24-May 9 Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, this Tony Award-winning masterpiece captures the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Tickets start at $51. The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts, 1 Center Green, Carmel; (317) 843-3800; thecenterpresents.org

DAMN YANKEES April 24-May 17 Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to Satan for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory against the Yankees. This wicked musical comedy is light, fastpaced and devilishly clever. It’s a homerun, packed with allAmerican subject matter and irreverent humor. The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts, 4 Center Green, Carmel; (317) 843-3800; thecenterpresents.org

WE’VE FINALLY ARRIVED AT THE SWEET DAYS OF SPRING. TEMPERATURES ARE CLIMBING, MOODS ARE LIFTING AND OUR CALENDARS ARE FILLING UP WITH FUN AND FOOD.

arts & culture

40TH ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE March 13, 11:30 a.m. Get your green on and head downtown for the parade. More than 40 organizations, schools, corporations and families will march in celebration of Irish heritage. After the main event, stick around for the Tent Party. Downtown Indianapolis; (317) 498-5299; indystpats.com

SHAMROCK THE DISTRICT March 13-15 For the third year in a row, Muldoon’s is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day extravaganza. Get ready for a weekend of fun, food, green beer and fabulous nightly entertainment. Muldoon’s, 111 W. Main St., Carmel; (317) 571-1116; visithamiltoncounty.com

arts & culture

CARMEL ROTARY BOURBON FEST March 14, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Attendees can taste a variety of bourbons, sample food from local restaurants and listen to live music. The 21-and-over event will have a silent auction, which will end at 8:30 p.m. Limited VIP admission gets you in early (5:30 p.m.) for an expert-guided tasting tour. Platform 24, 12400 Meridian St., Two Meridian Park Place Suite 150, Carmel; (765) 387-7697; carmelrotary.com

INDIANA FLOWER + PATIO SHOW March 14-22 Don’t miss nine days of inspiring gardens, plants, workshops and outdoor-living experts. The annual Indiana Flowers + Patio Show will host Laura Dowling, Chief Floral Designer at the White House from 2009-2015. Tickets are $15 at the door; children ages 12 and under get in free. Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis; (317) 705-8719; indianaflowerandpatioshow.com

SPRING BLOOMS March 20-May 17 Warm up to the season by watching the magic of spring unfold with half a million blooms. Be sure to grab a beverage from the Beer Garden, too, which is included with admission ($18 for adults, $10 for youth, free for children ages 5 and under). Newfields, 4000 Michigan Rd., Indianapolis; (317) 923-1331; discovernewfields.org

CARMEL CITY CENTER BRIDAL SIP AND SHOP March 28, 1-4 p.m. Brides, head to Carmel City Center for a one-stop shopping experience, including luxury wedding invitations, rehearsal dinner options, bridal registries, fine jewelry, lingerie, gowns and more! Toasting is in order, so take advantage of one of the five local businesses serving sangria and champagne. Tour Hotel Carmichael’s banquet space and guest rooms from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Carmel City Center, Carmel; Located at the southwest corner of Rangeline Rd. and City Center Drive, (866) 892-8990; carmelcitycenter.com

5TH ANNUAL ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT April 11, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Explore the vineyards at Blackhawk Winery with an adult Easter egg hunt! Prizes include wine-themed gifts, and you’ll receive a gift bag that matches your most “valuable” egg. (Every gift bag is worth at least $15.) The grounds will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with music and food available all day long. Blackhawk Winery & Vineyard, 28153 Ditch Rd., Sheridan

family & education

PASSPORT TO HI-TECH March 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Young ones interested in science, engineering, biology, chemistry or computers will enjoy this STEM-centered event, which includes plenty of interactive activities. Kids can talk to experts from hightech companies and test out plenty of tech toys. It’s free to attend with the cost of general admission. Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers; (317) 776-6000; connerprairie.org

LET’S GET EGG-CITED AND BRUNCH March 26, 6:30-9 p.m. Join Chef Amy on a journey to create “The Perfect Brunch”. The owner of A Cut Above Catering will teach you a variety of recipes. By the end of this intimate, two-hour culinary experience, you’ll be able to cook a three-course Easter meal! Tickets are $75. A Cut Above Catering, 12955 Old Meridian St., Carmel; (317) 575-9514; visithamiltoncounty.com

GNOME AWAY FROM HOME March 21-April 5 Where do garden gnomes go for spring break? To the conservatory, o’course! This whimsical springtime display is fun for all ages and only $10 per family. The little ones can even build their own gnome or fairy house on March 28. Register online for this one-hour workshop. Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis; (317) 327-7184; garfieldgardensconservatory.org

INDIANAPOLIS CULTURAL TRAIL EGGSTRAVAGANZA April 11 Head downtown for Indy’s largest public egg hunt! At least 15,000 eggs will be hidden along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, each filled with prizes and promotions. There will be a come-as-you-please hunt, as well as three “official” hunts – one in Fletcher Place, one in Chatham Arch and one on the Glick Peace Walk. Indianapolis Cultural Trail; Indianapolis; (317) 653-1948; indyculturaltrail.org

MUTT STRUT: THE GREATEST SPECTACLE IN DOG WALKING April 25, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mutt Strut is a one-of-a-kind event for pets of all shapes and sizes. Join the thousands of people (and animals) from across Indiana who participate. Walk the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway track, kiss the bricks and enjoy a fun day outdoors, all in support of IndyHumane. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4790 W. 16th St., Indianapolis; (317) 872-5650; indymuttstrut.org

PUBLISHER Kelly McVey

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ashlie Hartgraves

GUEST EDITOR Courtney Leach

WRITERS Alyssa Chase Brooke Reynolds Dawn Olsen Susan Beckwith Tessa Judge

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Whonsetler LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Wil Foster PHOTOGRAPHER Kelly Benton PHOTOGRAPHER Julie Taylor Reed AD DESIGNER

HOME + FASHION Laura Walters FASHION STYLIST Sophie Fleetwood FASHION STYLIST Rachel Rae Hadley HOME STYLIST

MARKETING Gary Nickander

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LET’S CELEBRATE SPRING

Spring is my favorite time of year. I love to watch it unfold ... the first hints of purple in the woods, green leaves growing, the scent of lilacs in the air. From the moment my peonies burst from the ground, I watch for their blooms.

In this issue of Kit, we celebrate longer, greener days by taking time to recognize traditions both old and new. In honor of Women’s History Month, we follow two women who’ve made a difference in Indiana on a trip to explore their family histories at the Allen County Public Library’s world-renowned Genealogy Center. On page XX, experience their discoveries firsthand— and use our kit to help you bring your own history to life. It’s so inspiring to learn about the women who came before us and all they did to pave our way. I inherited my passion for baking from my mother, Joan, and my Norwegian Grandma, Nettie, who made all kinds of baked goods, including donuts, rolls and date cookies. She inspired my sister, Kari Nickander, to open a donut shop of her own, which we feature on page XX. Kari, my other sister Carla, Mom and I honor our Norwegian ancestors by making lefse, a traditional soft flatbread made from potatoes. When we get together to roll dough and slip it on the griddle, we’re all full of flour from head to toe—sharing stories and making memories. Sometimes the beauty of baking is as much about the process as the product. Yet the product can be lovely, too, as you’ll see in our feature on page XX, which showcases six local bakers (including Kari) along with their creations and inspirations. Come on in and celebrate with us!

KELLY McVEY, KIT PUBLISHER