• The senseless death of Purdue Polytech at Englewood student James Johnson III has rocked the east side. The young man had a promising future, and was the 317 Fruit Man, serving fresh fruit to underserved people in our community. He was also on the basketball team. There are many questions still unanswered about his murder on Lowell Ave. on Feb. 4; if you have any information about the crime, please call IMPD Homicide Detective Michael Wright at 317-327-3475 or e-mail him at Michael.Wright@indy.gov. A fund has been set up to help James’ family with expenses; visit http://ow.ly/bt6S50MLjZU to help out.
• The comedic romp Always a Bridesmaid will open at Buck Creek Players and run from Feb. 10-17. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at www.buckcreekplayers.com. The Playhouse is located at 11150 Southeastern Ave.
• Centerpoint Brewing and Indiana On Tap will present their 6th Annual Frigid Digits Winter Beer Fest on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 1-5 p.m. Admission is $35 in advance online at event.ontaptickets.com or $45 at the door, if there are any tickets left. The festival will feature samples from over 25 Indiana craft breweries and distilleries. It is an outdoor event under the partially-covered outdoor lot in front of Centerpoint, located at 1125 E. Brookside Ave. There will be heating areas and food trucks, plus entertainment and games. A good time will be had by all, no doubt.
• Eddy Hacker State Farm will host a gardening workshop and seed swap on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 5-7 p.m. at his office at 211 S. Ritter, Suite G. He will have seeds and soil to start your 2023 garden, plus snacks. Please RSVP on his Facebook Event page, Eddy Hacker State Farm/Irvington Seed Workshop.
• The Indianapolis Public Library will host the 35th anniversary Meet the Artists Exhibit from Feb. 1-March 25, featuring Master Artists. There will be a gala opening reception on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 5:30-10 p.m. that features Steve “Scoop” Jefferson and Karen Campbell. There will be youth workshops and entertainment in the Learning Curve, and lots of entertainment for adults as well. Free limited parking is available in the Library’s parking garage.
• Registration for Indy Parks Summer Day Camps is now open. Fourteen parks participate in the programs, including Ellenberger, Garfield, Brookside, and Southeastway. Day camps are available for all age groups and encompass many interests, including the arts, animals, nature, and physical activity. Visit indy.gov/agency/department-of-parks-and-recreation for more information about this year’s offerings.
• If you missed OnyxFest, the state’s only live theatre festival for Black playwrights, you can stream all six shows this month for free, thanks to Butler University. Visit http://flyrail.butlerartscenter.org/onyxfest to start watching!