Your guide to WNBA All-Star week in Indianapolis
Why it matters: For the second consecutive year, our hoops-loving community will host the best players, the trendiest celebs and the most passionate fans for the ultimate basketball celebration.
Zoom in: Here is your complete guide to all the sights, sounds and flavors of WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis.
The music
🎤 One of the largest stages being rocked this weekend is Everwise Amphitheatre for Saturday's Fever Fest, a single-day music and comedy festival courtesy of Kevin Hart's Heartbeat media company.
Comedy headliners include Cedric The Entertainer, Leslie Jones, Deon Cole and Aida Rodriguez.
Tunes will be provided by The Kid LAROI, G-Eazy and BIA.
The intrigue: Indiana Fever guard Sydney Colson will also make her stand-up comedy debut during the event.
Showtime is 6pm Saturday. Tickets start at $78.25.
After the jokes and songs, DJ D*Nice takes over as host, and Everwise Amphitheatre will host an official WNBA All-Star Game watch party.
🎸 Much as it did when Taylor Swift came to town, Musical Family Tree is hooking us up with a curated series of free pop-up performances by local artists from 10am-7pm on Friday and Saturday.
They'll play on the Starbucks Patio at North Meridian and East Pearl streets and the All-Star Stage at the Indiana Convention Center.
Deckademics will present local DJs between sessions.
💃🏾 Indy Dance Council will host a series of events including a dance jam, silent disco, freestyle lessons, street dance battle and salsa dance party on two stages from 10am-7pm on Friday and Saturday.
Check them out in the south block of Monument Circle and the All-Star Stage at the Indiana Convention Center.
The art
🎨 An all-star squad of visual artists will welcome sports fans to the city, including the South Bend artist chosen to create a mural of Tamika Catchings on Mass Ave.
The public is invited to a ribbon cutting for Nate Baranowski's piece at 6:15pm Wednesday at 402 N. New Jersey St.
Baranowski also created a 3D chalk mural on the southeast corner of Illinois and Washington streets, and guests are encouraged to snap a selfie from "inside" the illusion.
🖼️ The Sidewalk Galleries are making a comeback to beautify downtown storefronts with murals and poetry.
Called the "Victory Series," the murals at the Motto Hotel construction fence, the Emmis Building, Star Bank, and AES windows on Monument Circle were made by Indy artists Tasha Beckwith, Tiffany Black Behzad, Christina Hollering, Shaunt'e Lewis and Ashley Nora.
It is curated by Koda Witsken.
🖌️ Beckwith will also provide designs for a postcard making activity during the Pop-up Art Market at SPARK on the Circle, 10am-8pm Friday and 9am-8pm Saturday.
The gathering will have food, live music, face painting and a comfortable place to chill amid the All-Star excitement.
🧑🎨 Indianapolis artists Phyllicia Carr and Amiah Mims have created two temporary murals you can check out now at the Indianapolis Artsgarden.
Four "W" sculptures fabricated by Expo Arts will pop up on Georgia Street, Monument Circle and Morris Bicentennial Unity Plaza.
🥳 IBE's Summer Celebration will give artists a place to shine at their Cultural Arts Pavilion and Art Speaks Café.
" Court Vision: The Art of Resilience and Excellence" inside the Indiana Convention Center is a special exhibit celebrating the power of women and girls through visuals and performances.
The cafe will be open 12-7pm Friday-Sunday.
The food
🍾 Sip bubbly at a launch party for Collins Avé, an Indianapolis-based champagne brand sourced from France.
INVY Nightclub, 225 S. Meridian St., Thursday, 9pm.
Tickets start at $25.
🥂 You get another chance to try Collins Avé with an afternoon of bubbles, bites and beats in Bottleworks.
The Fountain Room, 830 Mass Ave., Friday, 2-5pm.
Tickets are $40.
🍹 Party during the day at Morrison Lounge, with special guest hosts to be announced. Come for the food and drinks. Stay for the vibes.
47 S. Meridian St., Saturday, 3-8pm
🥃 Enjoy happy hour at The Flatiron with specials on small plates and cocktails.
605 N. Pennsylvania St.
Thursday-Saturday, happy hour in the Flatiron bar 4-7pm and downstairs in Bootleggers bar from 7-10pm.
🤑 Several other downtown restaurants are offering special meal deals as well, according to the IBJ.
Connor's Kitchen + Bar is offering "The #22," a $40/person, three-course meal inspired by Caitlin Clark.
High Velocity Sports Bar is offering the "From Downtown" Three-Pointer three-course meal for $35/person.
Ralston's Drafthouse is giving anyone with an All-Star event ticket 50% off any food item.
Plus, many downtown bars and restaurants will have themed drinks on the menus.
🍤 Plus: Here are some of Axios Indy's favorite spots in and around the All-Star action.
Astrea, Indy's newest rooftop bar that's just blocks from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Commission Row, the bougie Steakhouse loved by Charles Barkley, is perfect for Sunday brunch.
St. Elmo Steak House in an Indianapolis institution. You can get a taste without breaking the bank during happy hour.
Café Patachou is another institution, but for lunch. There is a downtown location just steps from the action, but if you journey just a mile north you can munch at their newest spot in the Stutz development. The vibes (and neighboring dive bar) are worth the extra effort, in our opinion. You can even walk or bike right up the scenic downtown canal to get there.
The culture
👟 The minds behind Indy's Chreece Hip-Hop Festival are giving the city a "glow up."
The Glow Up Lounge is a free, immersive event taking over part of Monument Circle from 12-6pm Friday and 10am-7pm Saturday.
Sneaker customization station, airbrush tattoos, face gems, nail art, custom apparel, refreshing juices, a curated local music sound station and more are on tap.
🚶 History buffs can also learn about Indy's art and culture via two walking tours.
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