Indianapolis attractions

We went to Irvington’s Spooky Organ Concert

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Irvington is an historic neighborhood on the near eastside of Indianapolis. As part of it’s famed annual Halloween Festival, Our Lady of Lourdes Church was the site of a “Spooky Organ Concert” last night.

Our Lady of Lourdes main entrance

 

 

 

 

 

 

The free concert began at 6:00 PM, with the church sanctuary filled to capacity. Bach’s Fugue in G Minor opened the program played, of course, on the church organ. Very talented local musicians performed a variety of numbers including movie scores, Broadway hits and other spooky themes.  We really enjoyed this delightful musical celebration of the Halloween season.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Tootsie” now on stage through Nov. 23

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What an awesome  show we saw last night! Tootsie the Musical is now on stage at Indy’s beloved Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre and wow what a show it is. Based on the famous Dustin Hoffman1982 film, the musical Tootsie brings several new modern twists to a tale of the lengths one pursues for success.

Attempting to start a legitimate relationship with her, Michael Dorsey (Jonathan Cobrda) talks with a relutant Julie Nichols (Renée Jackson)

The chaotic story of  a male actor who hides his identity as a women to get work provides an exciting, funny, talent filled musical with a marvelous cast, great choreography, music, sets and costumes. You’ll laugh, smile and tap your feet throughout the show.

Michael Dorsey (Jonathan Cobrda) doesn’t understand why he can’t get an acting job and wonders “Whatddya Do” in this situation

Backed into a corner by his own actions, Michael Dorsey (Jonathan Cobrda), dressed as Dorothy Michaels, appeals to her to help him by singing “Talk to Me Dorothy”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Cobrda makes his Beef & Boards debut in the starring role of Michael Dorsey and Dorothy Michaels. His skill on stage is emphasized as he effortlessly moves from the two distinct characters of Michael and Dorothy. Opposite Cobrda is Renee Jackson, in the role of Michael’s love interest, Julie Nichols. Oh the twists that come from this relationship!

Ron Carlisle (Don Farrell) demonstrates the choreography to the cast of “Juliet’s Curse”

Payton Reilly is cast as Michael’s ex-girlfriend Sandy Lester, and Don Farrell fills the role of the show’s director, Ron Carlisle. B&B veteran Jeff Stockberger plays Michaels’ agent. Tyler Belo is Michael’s roommate Jeff Slater, and Matthew Rella as the self-centered actor Max Van Horn. Rella had the same role previously in the 1st National Broadway Tour of Tootsie.

Dorothy Michaels (Jonathan Cobrda), center, is overwhelmed by the number “I’m Alive” in the musical “Juliet’s Curse”

Tootsie is on stage through Nov. 23 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. Tickets to Beef & Boards productions are available exclusively through Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, either online at beefandboards.com, or by contacting the box office at 317.872.9664. Tootsie is rated R for adult themes, strong profane language, and mature content.

ALL PHOTOS BY INDY GHOST LIGHT

 

Government shutdown stops union election at Indiana casino

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The Addison Times and The Indianapolis Business Journal has reported that a scheduled union election at Caesar’s Horseshoe Casino, located about 30 miles southeast of Indianapolis, was indefinitely delayed by The National Labor Relations Board, due to the federal government shutdown.

More than 200 Horseshoe Indianapolis Casino workers plan to strike today. Teamsters Local 135 said the workers, dealers and floor supervisors are seeking union recognition. They proposed using a neutral third party to conduct the vote on the original Oct. 17 date. Teamsters President Dustin Roach said the strike aims to pressure Caesars to agree to the alternate election plan.

Horseshoe Indianapolis, now owned by Caesars Entertainment, employs around 1,400 people and was Indiana’s 2024 second-highest grossing casino with $336 million in revenue.

 

“Heartbreak Hotel” brings the story of Elvis to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

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Indianapolis Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is excited to bring the official Elvis Presley bio-musical, Heartbreak Hotel, to the stage through October 12, 2025. The show tells the story of Elvis and his rise to fame in a unique way. A young Elvis helps his grown persona cope with his life of fame and fortune through the years.

Kid Elvis (Henry Kirk) appears to guide Elvis Presley (Nicholas Voss), who is in crisis mode

The cast includes Nicholas Voss making his Beef & Boards debut in the role of Elvis Presley. B&B veterans are Sarah Hund as Gladys Presley, Eddie Curry  as Colonel Tom Parker, Benjamin Nurthen as Scotty Moore, and Matt Smolko  as Bill Black.

Elvis Presley, center, performs at the Louisiana Hayride show in 1954

Henry Kirk, also in his B&B debut, is wonderful in his portrayal of Kid Elvis. He is an eight grader in a local Indy school system. His previous experience in national stage productions is evident in the quality of his performance, which is truly a highlight of the Heartbreak Hotel musical.

Heartbreak Hotel  features over 20 Elvis trademark songs including, “That’s All Right,” “All Shook Up,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Burning Love,” “Good Rockin’ Tonight,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Are You Lonesome,” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” Couple these classic tunes with chronological events in Presley’s career and you have a fascinating look at the The King of Rock and Roll.

Elvis Presley, center, performs “Viva Las Vegas”

Heartbreak Hotel is on stage through Oct. 12. Tickets to Beef & Boards productions are available exclusively through Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, either at Beef & Boards website, or by contacting the box office at 317.872.9664. Tickets range from $57 to $85 and include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre announces its 2026 (53rd) season

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Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre is offering a truly awesome season this coming year. The beloved Indianapolis Northwest side  Dinner Theatre will present mystery and mayhem, felines and fairy tales, and fire and rain for its 53rd Season in 2026.

SHOW NAMES AND DATES

The Mousetrap (Jan. 6 – Feb. 15) First time at B&B’s since 1978

Pretty Woman (Feb. 19 – April 4) The Beef & Boards Stage Debut

Singin’ in The Rain (April 9 – May 23) The beloved MGM classic!

“Singin’ in the rain”

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (May 28 – July 12)

The Play That Goes Wrong (July 16 – Aug. 23) Beef & Boards Debut

Ring of Fire returns (Aug. 27 – Oct. 4) Johnny Cash’s iconic playlist

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sensation,  CATS (Oct. 8 – Nov. 22)

Cast of “CATS”

Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Nov. 27 – Dec. 31) Beef & Boards Debut

Sales for 2026 VIP Memberships are now open to the public. Individual tickets for all 2026 Season shows are on sale to the general public starting Oct. 1, 2025, and may be purchased by visiting Beef & Boards website, or calling the box office at 317.872.9664 (closed Mondays). Tickets for main stage shows range from $59.50 to $87.50, and include a dinner buffet, full fruit & salad bar, coffee, tea, and lemonade. Note: Discounts are available for groups and kids ages 3-15. Children under age 3 are not admitted to mainstage shows.

The Pyramids, an Indianapolis landmark since 1972

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Construction began in 1967 on the first of three unique 11 story buildings for the College Life Insurance Company. The architectural firm of Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates was hired to design the Insurance company’s expected need for a headquarters complex. This style of design is often called Brutalist architecture.

Signage plus Landscaping

Facing South

Facing North

Each Pyramid is eleven stories, each with an L-shaped concrete core facing the north and west. The concrete supports each floor. The south and east facing exteriors are covered in reflective glass. The concrete sections contain restrooms and elevators.  The floors themselves are airy, well lit via the two wide walls of windows in each structure.  Ownership has changed hands several times, and as of this writing there is “For Lease” signage displayed.

Broadway’s “Waitress” comes to Indy’s Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre

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Theater entrance

Laughter and music made for an entertaining evening at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre last night. We saw a delightful stage version of the musical Waitress, featuring the music of Sara Bareilles and inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s movie. Nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Waitress celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the culinary magic of delicious pies.

Jenna, center, pours sugar as she prepares a new pie with Becky, left, and Dawn, right

Jenna is a waitress in a small roadside diner, stuck in an abusive marriage, and dreams of getting away to start her own shop. Jenna’s fellow waitresses include  Becky  and Dawn. All three go through romantic encounters, sharing their singing talents along the way. Please be aware, this show is an adult themed show, not suitable for kids.

Ogie surprises Dawn with flowers at the diner where she works

Keirsten Hodgens makes her Beef & Boards debut in the role of Jenna, along with Chanel Edwards-Frederick in the role of Jenna’s friend, Becky. Grace Atherholt plays another friend, Dawn, with Brett Mutter as Ogie, Logan Moore as Earl, and Douglas E. Stark (He owns the place!) as Joe. Also making their Beef & Boards debuts are Noah Berry as Dr. Pomatter and Adam du Plessis as Cal, the diner owner.

The waitresses wipe off tables as they prepare to open Joe’s Pie Diner

These talented cast members were superb in their singing, line delivery and character development. The degree of professionalism in this production is evident across all Stephanie Torns, who performed in the original Broadway cast of Waitress, is both Director and Choreographer for the show. Kristy Templet is music director of the terrific on stage orchestra. This theatrical production is unique and eclectic with a touch of erotic thrown in. Prepare to laugh and be entertained.

Jenna gives her new doctor, Dr. Pomatter a pie she’d intended for her former doctor

Waitress is on stage through Aug. 31. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. To buy tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664. Waitress is rated PG-13 for mature content including adult language, violence, and adult themes.

Sixty foot tall mural of Pacers Reggie Miller

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Reggie Miller played college ball at UCLA and was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1987 in the 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall). Miller only played for the Pacers until he retired in 2005.

Standing at 60-ft tall, this is the tallest of the murals in downtown Indianapolis. Portraying Reggie Miller, one of the Pacers’ most renowned players. This creation by mural artist Pamela Bliss was completed in 2018. Bliss has created several striking murals in Indianapolis.

Reggie is taking one of his favorite shots on the Northeast corner of “The Mich” building address 127 E. Michigan St. The mural faces North Delaware Street. Boom Baby!

An often overlooked monument to Indiana history

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One very busy intersection in Indianapolis is where Southeastern Avenue angles into East Washington Street just east of the I-70  overpass. Chances are good that you’ve never noticed the tall limestone obelisk on a concrete deck next to the sidewalk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The obelisk was installed in 1916 to recognize the 100 year anniversary of the State of Indiana’s admission into the Union. This project was taken on and executed by the Cornelius Cole Fairbanks Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.  This Chapter organized in 1907, and remains active today. This is the Chapter’s website.

The Garage, Indy’s unique Food Hall

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The Bottleworks District of Indianapolis is a vibrant area in close proximity to the intersection of I-70 and I-65, once known as the “spaghetti bowl”. Bounded by N. College Ave, 10th Street, Bellefontaine St, and Massachusetts Avenue, this is the home of The Garage Food Hall.

Comfy patio, great for socializing

Beautiful 30’s era architecture

Intimate outside seating

 

 

 

 

 

The Garage Food Hall is a 30,000 square foot food and market hall that occupies two of the historic Coca-Cola bottling plant’s original garage buildings. The Art Deco terracotta facades faithfully protect the 1930s industrial architecture facades. Large roll-up doors allow for a seamless indoor and outdoor experience.

Authentic “British” Fish & Chips

Hard Truth Distillery

Mouth watering Asian Hibachi Grilled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Garage  hosts a variety of food and beverage vendors each bringing top culinary creative chefs and drink creators together in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Distilleries, breweries and wineries are represented. Menus from around the world also serve hungry visitors with about any type of cuisine you can think of.

Traditional Mexican cuisine with Asian-fusion taqueria

Gaucho’s Fire: The best of Brazil’s street food

 

 

 

 

 

Per visitindy.com: “Axle’s is the spot for a cold one after work”

In addition to the many food and drink vendors at this unique and historic facility, there are retail and service businesses included in the roster of establishments.  Specialty gifts, clothing, spa services and a full service barber and beauty shop are among the non food vendor offerings.

Fun picture at the electric bicycle shop

Parking is absolutely hassle free at The Garage. Lot 4, adjacent to the building. Open Monday – Friday from 9AM -5 PM parking is only $2.00. Weekdays 11 AM – 3 PM First hour is Free. More details at The Garage website here.