• First Friday art tours are beginning to open back up with in-person events. Circle City Industrial Complex will be open May 7 from 6-9 p.m. and several studios will be open as well as businesses in the former Schwitzer building at 1125 Brookside Ave. Front Door Design in Irvington (6101 E. Washington) will also be open for First Friday, offering a look at some beautiful furnishings for the home and featured artists Robert Hunt and Devin Shively from Real Art Small. Also in Irvington, swing by Hampton’s Designs at 5515 E. Washington St. for cool local artists. The Harrison Center will also be open, but you must register before going. Visit harrisoncenter.org to register.
• Hilltop Tavern will be celebrating its 21st Anniversary on Saturday, May 15 with Michigan Street Blues Band at 5 p.m. While the Hilltop has been an east side icon for decades before, this is the 21st anniversary with these owners. The address is 6500 E. 10th St.
• The Bona Thompson Memorial Center will close for Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9. You can still see their new exhibitions on Saturday, though. Hours are from 1-4 p.m. The latest exhibits include “Irvington Commercial Part II” and “Trees.” The Bona is located at 5350 University Ave.
• The ISSMA Organizational Contest was held virtually this year, and Warren Central had a clean sweep, collecting Gold ratings for every ensemble that participated. Congratulations go out to the students and leaders of the Connection, Hi-Lites, Honors Band, Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Orchestra.
• The Indiana State Fair is returning! After it was cancelled due to the pandemic, this year organizers are aiming for the fair to run from July 30-Aug. 22, and will celebrate the Hoosier spirit. The fair will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and an additional weekend was added. They are working with the Marion County Health Department to ensure the safety of guests and vendors. We really missed it last year, didn’t we?
• The Marion County Public Health Dept. is taking walk-ins of 18+ year olds for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines at the eastside clinic at 9503 E. 33rd St. Hours are Tues. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed. & Thurs. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged. Visit ourshot.in.gov, call 211, or call the Health Dept. directly at 317-221-2100 to register or get more information. Currently, only about 26% of Indianapolis residents are fully vaccinated as of May 3.
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9. Happy Mother’s Day to all who nurtured us!