First Fridays

Where to check out Gen Con costumes, what to see at the State Fair, a winery concert, and more.

“I can’t wait for the Indianapolis Museum of Art ‘Project IMA Fashion Show’ on October 9. It’s truly one of the best-produced fashion events in our city—a must-see!”

Here’s how her biz began: “I went out and realized it was really expensive to drink. So I took glue and scrapbooking paper and just made a flask. I put it on social media, and it blew up. Sold out at First Friday in Fountain Square.”

The Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association’s monthly art tour has changed a lot in seven years, now boasting nearly 40 participating studios and galleries—plus a huge range of unofficial events.

There are new traditions and rites of passage taking root here, from reading (and spotting the local landmarks in) John Green’s novel to hovering in the helium-filled balloon over Conner Prairie. So we created a fresh set of iconic local experiences—“The New Indy Must-Do List.”

Going to the movies is one of the best things you can do on a Friday night. Not paying for the movie would only make the night that much better. As part of downtown’s First Friday art walk every month, Heartland Truly Moving Pictures shows uplifting independent films—for free! The next event, tonight from 6 to 10 p.m., is even more special: The lineup will preview this month’s Heartland Film Festival with a screening of an entire short film and select trailers from the upcoming competition.