Gen Con’s expansion to Lucas Oil is test for conventions
Gen Con is the biggest and highest-profile convention to use both the stadium and convention center since the 2011 expansion—and others are watching to see how it works.
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State poised to reap record lottery payout
The Hoosier Lottery is having a banner year, thanks in part to this winter’s record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot mania and other efforts to better reach Indiana players.
LOU’S VIEWS: A big hand for ‘Hand to God’; ‘Murder Ballad’ lacks steam
Love, death, and a possessed puppet take the stages of the Phoenix Theatre and Cardinal Stage.
DINING: Aurelio’s fishes for Fishers pizza biz
It hasn’t gotten the groundswell of attention that Giordano’s did when opening here, but Chicago’s Aurelio’s has a strong, deserved fan base
LOPRESTI: How well do you know your IHSAA champions?
Last year’s crop included numerous close finishes and compelling stories.
Literacy leader, radio show host to leave Indy
Travis DiNicola, the longtime executive director of Indy Reads and a fervent supporter of the local arts community through WFYI’s “The Art of the Matter,” plans to move to Pennsylvania by summer’s end.
Two founding partners in ComedySportz exit stage right
Two of the three partners who established the local franchise of the improv-comedy theater have decided to sell their shares to new players.
Priority list includes open-air Wes Anderson, an artful bike ride, more
It’s officially summer, which means outdoor activities, a musical from Bob Harbin, and lots of concert choices.
LOPRESTI: Cubs fans are gleeful, but can’t shake anxiety
At this giddy moment, a bunch of Cubs fans are out there in Indy. And since the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was still farmland the last time the Cubs won the World Series in 1908, they all usually pretty much share the same dread of history.
DINING: New Cubs pub in Zionsville appeals to homesick Chicagoans
Rush on Main pushes such staples as Italian beef and Chicago dogs.
LOU’S VIEWS: Big shows cap seasons for ISO and ComedySportz
Two events provided chances for these very different arts organizations to push their limits.
Proposed $20M Carmel development includes steakhouse, town homes
Chuck Lazzara, who owns the Ritz Charles with his wife, has revealed plans for Monon and Main, a mixed-use project on the southwest corner of Main Street and the Monon Trail.
Longtime nightclub known for drag shows closing
Talbott Street Nightclub, which opened in 2002 on the city’s near-north side, announced it will quit serving patrons June 25.
Progress stalled on proposed downtown concert venue
Progress on redeveloping part of the old General Motors stamping plant land into a downtown concert venue appears to have hit a stumbling block over financing, an official for the RACER Trust told Indianapolis City-County Council members Monday.
Indianapolis Zoo closing 28-year-old polar bear exhibit
Tundra, a 29-year-old polar bear at the Indianapolis Zoo, is being moved to the Detroit Zoo, officials said Monday.
Priority list includes an evil sock puppet, crimes of passion, more
Plus the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra opens its Conner Prairie season.
Favorite dishes of Zoobilation 2016
Judging duties only required me to try about a dozen dishes. Instead, though, I unselfishly tried to go the distance.
Indy lands convention with 50,000 visitors, $35M impact
Primerica Inc.’s annual gathering will be one of the city’s five biggest conventions in 2017. The deal came together in a matter of weeks, which is exceedingly rare in the world of mega-conventions.
Restroom neutrality becomes hospitality sales tool
Only 1 percent of the events booked over the last year at the Indiana Convention Center asked for gender-neutral bathrooms, but hospitality experts say it’s a big and growing issue.
YouTube stars, multiple genres help boost locally created PopCon
The inaugural outing of Indy PopCon, in 2014, generated about 9,000 turnstile spins. Last year’s event had 24,000.