Local organizations to host free, multi-genre outdoor concert series at Garfield Park

INDIANAPOLIS — Starting next month, Central Indiana residents can come to a park on the near southside of Indianapolis for a series of free multi-genre outdoor concerts and creative community gatherings.

Big Car Collaborative, Art Mexicano en Indiana, Indy Parks and other partners are bringing the Levitt VIBE Indianapolis Music Series to Garfield Park on various Sunday afternoons in September and October. The concerts, which last from 12 to 3 p.m., begin on Sept. 1.

The local entities are partnering with the Los Angeles-based Levitt Foundation to bring the free, family-friendly concerts to the Garfield Park Art Center, located at 2432 Conservatory Dr. in Indianapolis.

According to its website, the Levitt Foundation is an organization that “leverages the power of free, live music to strengthen the social fabric of communities, creating places people love while amplifying local pride, injecting joy into underused public spaces and fostering more equitable, healthy and thriving communities one city, and one concert, at a time.”

“We believe access to the arts and open green space are fundamental human rights,” the foundation’s website reads.

A number of genres will be represented throughout the seven concerts in September and October, including:

• Jazz
• Latin
• Ambient and electronic
• Soul, pop and rock
• Folk and old-style country
• Spoken word and poetry

The free events also include a number of other activities including poetry activities, interactive art making, postcard coloring, a food truck and select local vendors. On concert days, the Garfield Park Art Center will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., giving attendees the chance to visit the art gallery and access restrooms.

The lineups for the seven shows part of the Levitt VIBE Indianapolis Music Series include:

Sept. 1

• Sylvia Thomas
• El Mirambaso
• The Roundups
• Mina and the Wondrous Flying Machine

Food Truck: Arepas

Sept. 8

• Regan Shalome
• Mffred
• Mariachi Sol Jalisciense
• Forgotten Tribe

Food Truck: Sakura Express

Sept. 22

• Indianapolis Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
• La Máquina del Tiempo
• Lasana Kazembe
• Native Sun

Food Truck: Chef Dan’s

Sept. 29

• Giselle Montoya
• Jordan Munson
• Rock E. Bassoon
• Allison Victoria

Food Truck: Garnacha Spot

Oct. 6

• Giselle Trujillo
• Caldwell/Tester
• Eli Winter Trio
• Elisa Harkins

Food Truck: Three Marias Mex Food Truck

Oct. 13

• Clint Breeze Quartet
• Juan William Chavez
• Sarah Grain and Billions of Stars
• Girl Ultra

Food Truck: Taste of Manilla

Oct. 20

• Rodrigo Hernandez
• Light Study
• Gamelan Mojomanis
• Nathaniel Russell
• Bitchin Bajas

Food Truck: TBA

There will be some provided seating for attendees. However, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Attendees are also able to bring their own food and drink.

This series of concerts are a collaboration between Arte Mexicano en Indiana, Big Car Collaborative, the city of Indianapolis/Indy Parks, local and national musicians, local vendors artists and poets with the Friends of Garfield Park organization as well as the Bean Creek and Garfield Park neighborhoods. Sponsorship support for the event is also being funded through the Levitt Foundation, the Efroymson Family Fund and Citizens Energy.

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