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.

Greetings PlayListers,

Last Saturday, I went to the Los Tigres del Norte concert at Clowes Hall. The regional Mexican band that started in the late ‘60s has a large following with the Mexican and Latin American diaspora.

It was an event filled with parents and their children, grandparents and friends. Some of us were on dates. We all danced at some point.

Los Tigres del Norte perform songs about immigration, life and love. They are the only band to record at Folsom Prison in California since Johnny Cash did in 1968!

My personal favorites are “Golpes en el Corazon” and “La Carta.” When they sang “America (América),” dancers came out with flags from El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and other Latin American countries, reminding the audience that when someone says, “I’m American,” that can include far more than just the U.S.

With this in mind, I’m kicking off the holiday season feeling grateful that I can enjoy a little bit of “back home” here in Indianapolis, where I’ve lived for longer than I ever did in Mexico.

Where calling myself a Hoosier is just as complex as it is true.

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’m writing our beloved arts & culture newsletter this week while Jennifer Delgadillo is out.

Are you enjoying the snow? I’m not! I’m kinda upset because it’s been on my to-do list to buy some stylish accessories for the season. I’m talking leather gloves, striped balaclavas and a mean fur ushanka.

Hopefully, I can source some of these much-needed pieces for my winter wardrobe at the Totally Rad Vintage Fest this weekend. It’s an event you won't want to miss.

While on the topic of shopping, my long-awaited thrift crawl will be published soon. And there’s still time to add to my enormous list. If you have some recs for more lowkey spots, hit me up!

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

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

Dear Play Listers,

Do you feel the year rolling in on you? Because I do.

As I type these words, meat departments everywhere are placing turkey bulk orders. “The Nutcracker’s” mouse army is practicing their ballet steps. Families across our city and beyond are wondering if they should invite uncle hot-button-issue to the holiday table.

So I say this to you as much as I say it to myself:

Take it one week at a time. Yes, book your holiday show tickets now, because they sell out quickly. But also remember the role of patience and kindness in making these days a little smoother.

While you’re at it, take a moment and enjoy the fall leaves — Mirror Indy is inviting everyone to share their fall foliage photos. We will publish them Nov. 10 with the hope you sink into them as if they were a pile of leaves.

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

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

Legendary boxer Muhammad Ali once said, "Don't count the days; make the days count,” so we found 48 things to make November count.

In November, we get to turn the clock an hour back for daylight savings time (more sleep!). We also get Thanksgiving, Dia de Muertos, Veterans Day and Small Business Saturday. All month, we get to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

And although it’s easy to get caught up in the stress of wanting to do everything, to avoid FOMO, to keep going when we’ve run out of breath, remember: You only have to do the things that make your heart feel good.

Be present, build memories, love your city and others. Don’t forget: The best photos are the ones you take with your eyes and mind.

See 48 things to do in November.

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

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

Whats up Play Listers,

Do you have your costume ready? I normally just wear my witch hat and make sure to cackle loud when kids come by trick-or-treating.

But this year, work bought me a lion costume for this little thing earlier in the summer. I feel that I can get some extra mileage out of it.

Besides regular ol’ candy slinging for Halloween Day, I’m planning to attend the International District’s Trunk or Treat, 3-6 p.m. Oct. 25, with some of my Mirror Indy pals.

If you tell me how you’re dressing up, I’ll add it to next week’s newsletter.

The people want to know!

Here's our Halloween playlist.

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

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