Dearest PlayListers,

IU beat Ohio State in the Big Ten championship on Saturday at Lucas Oil. Now, before you take me for a football fan, let me clarify: I am simply in love with one. My football fan is an IU alum. His name is Aaron. And I want to tell you about watching the game at Sahm’s Tavern in Irvington.

Aaron and I don’t regularly go out for games, but this one felt special. We didn’t know what to expect, but we hoped Sahm’s would have the game on at least a couple of TVs.

My friends, Sahm’s had the game on every single TV. The bar was filled with IU fans — and a few brave Ohio State stans.

Even for less-than-enthusastic me, it was impossible not to be swept up into the drama of the game and the sense of community established so quickly among the surrounding tables. When we finally left to walk home, we were practically glowing.

I tell you this because the wonder of a collective experience never gets old for me. This week, I hope you’re able to go out and find the same.

In this episode:

• CAMi opens in May 2026
• Give your neighborhood signal box a makeover
• Top nine plays to catch by May 2026
• Mirror Indy's ’90s-sitcom themed birthday video
• Neighbors gathering to pack winter survival kits
• Protest rave video and playlist

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.

You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

What’s up PlayListers,

I hope your Thanksgiving weekend was splendid. Mine started off rough. It took my family and me six hours to drive to Indy from Michigan during the snowstorm. Nothing like a whiteout on I-69 in a small compact car.

On the same day, I hit the road again, this time to Ohio to bask in the music of R&B phenom and multi-instrumentalist Leon Thomas. He’s part Prince and part Musiq Soulchild. After almost every song, he shredded on the guitar, switched to his bass then ad libbed his favorite vocal riffs and runs.

I was so determined to let loose at the concert that I refused to wear a coat to the venue. Don’t be like me — wear all that you need to stay warm.

Now that we’re back home for the holidays, we have 45 ideas in this list to stay busy and cheerful in the city all December long.

And it might be the best one yet. I found jingles and reindeers, parties with loud music and quiet church tours.

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.

You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Fellow PlayListers, hello!

I’m Jenny Walton — not to be confused with your regular host Jennifer Delgadillo. I’m in your inbox because I’m constantly asking friends how I can help, and Delgadillo took me up on it. So, here we are. For the next few months you’ll see me most Wednesdays, with an occasional appearance from Mesgana Waiss.

And what luck that we start this new friendship right as we swing into the wonders (and stress) of holiday festivities!

Thanks to the wit and wisdom of Brent Aldrich, I’m contributing corn and green beans to my family’s Thanksgiving this year.

And someone please send my undying love to the crew that compiled Mirror Indy’s holiday gift guide. My. Undying. Love.

Striking the balance between shopping local and finding perfect, affordable gifts . . . well, it’s enough to make me look forward to those dark days of January. Dare I suggest this guide might make shopping fun for me this year?

I dare say, I do.

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.

You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.