Eat this newsletter! (Fries, bistec, bolognese, kasari)

Your guide to a dreamy staycation

Dear Play Listers, Just from eavesdropping in the Mirror Indy newsroom I know people around me are going to the Caribbean, the Grand Canyon and New York City. But not all of us will get to travel — be it because of gas prices or because it simply is not a good time. Whether you’re staying home because you have to or want to, we have a guide for a delightful staycation in Indianapolis. It packs outdoor music venues, great patios, good corndogs and the perfect sunset. See our summer in Indianapolis tips here.  [https://mirrorindy.org/summertime-and-the-livin-is-easy-staycation-indianapolis-seth-johnson/] Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts [https://mirrorindy.org/arts]. You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter [https://mirrorindy.org/newsletters/playlist/].

Eat this newsletter! (Fries, bistec, bolognese, kasari)

Dear Play Listers, It’s lunch time, and as I type this, I’m dreaming of the feta fries from Yazsh, the ones recommended by Byron and April Elliott in their illustrated near east side food adventure [https://mirrorindy.org/illustrated-food-tour-woodruff-place-arsenal-heights-indianapolis-byron-elliott/]. And so, in the spirit of hunger — metaphorical and physical — I share this collection of Mirror Indy stories that answer the age-old question: Where should we go eat?  Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts [https://mirrorindy.org/arts]. You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter [https://mirrorindy.org/newsletters/playlist/].

57 things to do in June. Plus, etiquette tips from DJ MetroGnome

Dear Play Listers, Save this email. Share this email. Print this email. It's filled with info on many of the city's major events, music series and Juneteenth celebrations. If you’re like me, you’ll pull out your paper planner and just get to blocking what you’re doing when, underlining the events you definitely don’t want to miss. You can see our full calendar with 57 things to do in June here. [https://mirrorindy.org/june-2026-things-to-do-indianapolis-art-concerts-food/] Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts [https://mirrorindy.org/arts]. You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter [https://mirrorindy.org/newsletters/playlist/].

Bring your cool tote bag to these places

Dear Play Listers, We invited artist Israel Solomon to read the newsletter for you today. We’re doing this to highlight the new Mirror Indy merch store [https://mirrorindy.org/shop/], featuring limited-edition tote bags, journals and puzzles with his artwork.  You may have seen Israel’s paintings at BUTTER or the Children’s Museum. His works stand out for being colorful, with people and objects painted to look like bright shapes with hard angles.  Besides reading the news, Israel will also tell us a little more about his painting style, what he keeps in his tote bag and all the cool places in Indianapolis he likes to visit. Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts [https://mirrorindy.org/arts]. You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter [https://mirrorindy.org/newsletters/playlist/].

🏁 It’s almost Race Day, baby

It’s almost Race Day, baby. The Indianapolis 500 is “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” and we all get to be a part of it.  If you have the passion and the patience, you can make your way to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and watch it live. Or you can celebrate Race Day with porch parties, family get-togethers, full-blown barbecues or what have you. I usually see it in person with my uncle-in-law Tim McDonough. (Whatup, Tim!) The man is passionate about racing, and it’s contagious. He weaves through the hundreds of thousands of people at the track like Neo from “The Matrix” dodging bullets. It’s amazing to see. He sits in his infield bleacher seat, faces the track, brings out his little pocket radio, pops in his wired earbuds and disappears into pure racing bliss. The man is right where he wants to be all year. So, however you choose to be a part of our unofficial holiday, get psyched and embrace tradition. IT’S ALMOST RACE DAY, BABY! --- Enrique Saenz, westside reporter Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts [https://mirrorindy.org/arts]. You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter [https://mirrorindy.org/newsletters/playlist/].