6 @INDYFOODKING PRESENTS A GUIDE TO PRIDE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LIFE IN INDY 10 BOTTLING STATE FAIR NOSTALGIA Turning Lemon ShakeUps into a Cocktail Classic 14 INDY’S BARTENDER BATTLE The Inaugural Gather Cup Delivers a Bartending Showdown
18 PINBALL INDY STYLE
Nostalgia Fuels Indy’s Growing Pinball Community
PUBLISHERS
MICHAEL & LINDSAY DURR michael@townepost.com (630) 853-1142
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
ASHLEE BORUFF
RYAN GABBERT
MELISSA GIBSON
STEPHANIE DUNCAN
SHAUN HUGHES
DYLYN ROSE
Forty5 and Indy Parks Deliver Live Music in Broad Ripple
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK
CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS
MANGING EDITOR DEVON DEAN
COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011 FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT FRANCHISING.TOWNEPOST.COM
CONTACT THE PUBLISHER
Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?
1
RADICAL STITCH
12 PM
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, 500 West Washington St. The Evolving Story of Beadwork. Beadwork is an eloquent and innovative form of contemporary Native/Indigenous art, and “Radical Stitch” brings its beauty, creativity, and cultural significance into focus.
4
WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA
7:30 PM
Guggman Haus Brewing Co. 1701 Gent Ave.
Hosted by Hambone’s Trivia. Free to play with gift card prizes for the top three teams. Family friendly. Food available.
5
JEREMY PIVEN LIVE
Clowes Memorial Hall
7:30 PM
6 ART OF NETWORKING
5–6 PM
Harrison Center, 1505 N Delaware St.
Held at the Harrison Gallery every first Friday of the month, this event encourages creative connection and relationship-building.
INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
11 AM, Hilbert Circle Theatre 45 Monument Cir.
9
QUEER + TRANS CLIMBING NIGHT! | CAELAN L.
6:30–8:30 PM North Mass Boulder, 1411 Roosevelt Ave. Come meet up with others from the queer and trans community to climb, hang out, and hold discussions every second and fourth Monday of the month.
16
SUMMER ROBOTICS CAMPBUILD YOUR OWN ROBOTS - HANDS-ON ROBOTICS AND CODING
9 AM–12 PM
Indiana IoT Lab, 9059 Technology Ln. For Ages: 6–16. Kids learn to build and program robots in this action-packed week of hands-on learning, creative problem-solving, and teamwork.
17
INDIANA FEVER VS. CONNECTICUT SUN 7 PM
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 N. Pennsylvania St.
MT. JOY - HOPE WE HAVE FUN TOUR
8:30 PM
Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St.
Everwise Amphitheater clear bag policy: Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC tote bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” and/or small clutch bags (6” x 9”).
19
THIRD THURSDAYS IN BROAD RIPPLE VILLAGE
6–9 PM
Experience. Explore. Enjoy. Broad Ripple Village comes alive with music, creativity, and community every Third Thursday!
20
JAWS: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE
7 PM
Indiana State Museum, 650 W Washington St.
Original release date: June 20, 1975. Presented in IMAX Digital. Part of IMAX Indy’s year-long celebration of great film.
Angie Mercer Matthew Kubal Matthew Mundy
@INDYFOODKING PRESENTS
A GUIDE TO PRIDE
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LIFE IN INDY
Hey foodie friends! Shaun here, and we’re back for Season Three of the IndyFoodKing Guide to Pride! This time, I’m thrilled to welcome a new friend to the community kingdom: Life in Indy (@yourlifeinindy). Yay!
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible people who make Indy Pride (@indypride) happen each year. It’s a labor of love, and their hard work deserves to be celebrated. There’s always room for you at my table — especially now, when showing up for each other matters more than ever.
This guide is about how Indianapolis celebrates Pride and the many places around our city where you can feel that spirit all year long.
Here’s my hot take: From Michigan City to Evansville and everywhere in between, LGBTQIA+ Hoosiers and allies will gather in Indy on June 14 and 15 for two days of celebration. Festivities kick off with the Indy Pride Parade at 10 a.m. on Mass Ave. The weekend continues at Monument Circle and the American Legion Mall with a Pride Festival that’s free and open to all ages.
QUICK PLUG: Don’t forget to support local Pride events across Indiana — Greenwood, Westfield, Spencer, South Bend and more. They need your support too.
Indy Pride is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a stacked lineup: Natasha Bedingfield (yes, I will be screaming “Unwritten”), Tinashe, Big Wild, Coco & Breezy and local favorite Pat Yo Weave. You’ll find food vendors, bars with alcoholic and nonalcoholic options, sponsor activations and plenty of joy. The Word of Mouth: 2-Day Music Series offers tickets from general admission to luxe cabanas — and don’t forget your clear bag (they’re serious about that!).
Major love to Flags for Good (@flagsforgood) for supporting the event and the community year-round. Their new shop in Fletcher Place at 646 Virginia Ave. is a must-visit. That giant flag on the cover? Yup, that’s from them.
For a more family-friendly vibe, check out the Celebration on the Circle, also hosted by Indy Pride. Held on Monument Circle, it features local drag artists, performers and leaders on the Community Stage, plus food trucks and artisan vendors — including a Sunday collab with Indy Gay Market. ASL interpretation is provided to ensure accessibility for everyone.
Now onto the good eats and local gems you can visit any day of the year.
Let’s start with food and drink. Whether it’s a cozy dinner or a night on the town, these spots show up: Wisanggeni Pawon, Circle City Eats, Top Out Café, Indy Indians Game at The Vic, Bodhi, Half Liter, Mama Carolla’s, St. Elmo Steak House, Just Pop
In, Sam’s Silver Circle, Illumine Coffee, Blue Mind Roasting, Gold Leaf, Perk Up Brotgarten, Greek Islands, Almost Famous, The Health Club, Mako Hemp Co., Café Oztara, Shelby Street Tavern and Gather 22.
For something a little different, try the live jazz at Chatterbox, various film festivals with Heartland Film, the nonalcoholic offerings at Orangily or the upbeat vibe at English Ivy’s, Tini, Metro, Mass Ave Pub, Downtown Ollie’s or Gregs. Breweries like Big Lug, Guggman Haus, Upland and Sun King Brewery to cideries like Ash & Elm and distilleries like Hotel Tango, 8th Day, Four Finger and Hi & Mighty are crafting some delicious things.
Retail therapy? Yes, please. Silver in the City, Heritage Clothier and Home and Newman & Co. offer curated style and warm service. Tomorrow Bookstore is a dream for readers.
Frida’s Flowers virtually decorates my life. I love what you do — beautiful!
Stonewall Sports has brought me boundless community beyond my biggest dreams. Kickball, dodgeball, pickleball, volleyball, softball and more are offered to connect with our fellow community members.
And if you’re heading to a concert this summer, use promo code SHAUN to skip the ticket fees starting June 2 for Rock the Ruins and Broad Ripple Park shows.
Wellness matters, too. Elite Back and Body keeps me feeling my best (shoutout to you, Caleb!).
Organizations are also doing essential, ongoing work for the community: Trans Solutions, Damien Center, Indiana AIDS Fund and the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis are dedicated to care and safety. The Indiana Rainbow Chamber of Commerce is helping LGBTQ+ professionals and entrepreneurs thrive.
And one last thing to put on your radar: Epicurean’s Pogue’s Pride Dinner and Market. It’s a delicious, meaningful gathering where food and community unite to honor inclusiveness. Show up hungry.
Put anything that’s Epicurean on your radar.
Wherever you go, whoever you’re with — Pride is about showing up as your whole self and making space for others to do the same. Indy, you do that beautifully.
Happy Pride, my friends!
B OTTLING STATE FAIR NOSTALGIA
TURNING LEMON SHAKE-UPS INTO A COCKTAIL CLASSIC
Writer / Ryan Gabbert Photographer / Michael Durr
Dan and Jamie Fahrner / Owners
For countless Hoosiers, summer and the State Fair go hand in hand. At the fair, elephant ears, corndogs, and lemon shakeups aren’t just treats but beloved traditions. Just the thought of these iconic fair foods stirs up vivid childhood memories for many people. Now, one company has discovered a way to capture that nostalgia in a can.
Shake Up, previously known as Hi & Mighty Distillery, was founded in 2022 by husband-and-wife duo Dan and Jamie Fahrner. After spending 15 years in brand marketing, Dan felt a persistent pull from the universe nudging him toward a different path.
“A few years ago, I started getting interested in the idea of creating a brand of my own, something my wife and I could work on together,” Fahrner says. “We’ve always been into cocktails (kind of cocktail nerds, honestly), so we naturally found ourselves drawn to the spirits world.”
Inspired by their extensive travels around the world, the idea of opening a distillery began to take shape, and Hi & Mighty was born. Soon after launch, Nick Traeger joined the team, bringing with him culinary and mixology expertise along with a fresh perspective on flavor development.
With this vision in mind, the team set out to open shop. They soon found a home at a place familiar to so many around the state: the Indianapolis Fairgrounds.
It was a fitting choice, given the Fahrner family’s strong ties to the long-standing traditions of the state and county fairs.
“One of those early products, now our flagship, is called the Lemon Shake-Up. It’s a cocktail made with real lemon, cane sugar and gin,” Fahrner says. “It’s inspired by the classic lemon shake-ups you’d get at county or state fairs.”
Part of why they aligned with the State Fair was due to proximity, but there’s also a personal connection: Jamie grew up selling barbecue with her dad at county fairs. So that fair and festival culture has been in their DNA from the start.
In March 2025, the decision was made to rebrand, and the company became Shake Up. Building on the success of the Lemon ShakeUp canned cocktail, the company launched several bold new flavors. It now offers a Peach Shake Up, Cherry Shake Up, Iced Tea and Lemon Shake Up, and Blueberry Shake Up. Whatever the preference, there’s a flavor for everyone.
In addition to the canned cocktails, Shake Up also sells bottles of the gin used to make the drinks. Two different styles are available: Big Fuss, a dry savory gin, and Big Heart, a wild floral gin.
These products can be found at liquor stores and supermarkets across Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Looking toward the future, the team at Shake Up wants to expand operations to other states and continue growing the brand.
“At this point, the goal for the business is less about a specific place and more about the product,” Fahrner says. “We now have the ability to scale and grow both regionally and nationally. Our main focus is on building strong brand recognition here in the Midwest. That’s where people are most familiar with the lemon shake-up, whether it’s the flavor, the concept, or just the nostalgia tied to it. Indiana will always be home, and it’ll likely remain our biggest market because of our deep roots here. But we’re definitely looking to expand, reaching new audiences in places like Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota and beyond. We want to connect with people who grew up enjoying lemon shake-ups and introduce
Imagine
the product to those who haven’t had the chance yet. That’s really the heart of our vision moving forward.”
Summer holds a special place in the hearts of many; school’s out, and the season of fun begins. For generations of Hoosiers, the Indiana State Fair has been a cherished part of that summer tradition, often marking the final celebration before the school year returns. The memories of those hot August days are almost always tied to one thing: food. It’s the food that sets the fair apart, and it continues to be a hotbed of culinary innovation. Where else can you find a bacon-wrapped Twinkie alongside a glazed donut cheeseburger?
While everyone has their personal favorites, one treat stands above the rest as a fairground essential: the Lemon Shake-Up.
The team at Shake Up has captured the spirit of summer by blending nostalgic charm with bold, citrusy brightness to create their signature canned cocktails. The flagship Lemon Shake-Up, along with a lineup of other crave-worthy flavors, offers a cool, refreshing way to sip through the heat in style.
For more information, visit their website at drinkshakeup.com or follow them on social media.
your home, totally organized!
Custom Closets, Garage Cabinets, Home Offices, Laundries, Pantries, Wall Beds, and more!
INDY’S BARTENDER BATTLE
THE INAUGURAL GATHER CUP DELIVERS A BARTENDING SHOWDOWN
Gather 22 hosted its inaugural cocktail competition, the Gather Cup, back in April. This high-energy contest pitted Indy’s top bartenders against each other in a battle of skill, speed and creativity, allowing them to showcase their talents beyond the bar and share their passion for mixology with the Indianapolis community.
At its core, the Gather Cup is a celebration of the talent and creativity in Indy’s bartending scene. “We didn’t want another formal competition. We wanted something that felt fast, raw and real—more ‘Top Chef’ than the traditional cocktail competition,” said Madeline Curtis-Long, director of marketing and events at Gather 22.
Key features of the event included blind spirit draws, mystery ingredient rounds and on-the-spot cocktail creation. Eight local bartenders were carefully selected based on creativity, presence and community impact. “These are people who not only make great drinks but define the culture of Indy’s bar scene,” Long said. The contestants faced off in three elimination rounds, all vying for a $500 cash prize, industry bragging rights and the coveted title of Gather Cup champion. For a Monday night, turnout exceeded expectations, with more than 100 people attending the event.
The evening featured surprising and daring drink creations. “One bartender built a bold mezcal cocktail with savory layers that really stood out. Another used basil eau de vie in a way that felt unexpected but completely balanced,” Long said. The final round featured a mystery absinthe ingredient and had a full room of captivated fans watching. The winner? Juliana Silva from Taxman Brewing took the
Writer / Stephanie Duncan Photographer / Michael Durr
Inaugural Gather Cup Winner Juliana Silva from Taxman Brewing
title. “She was thoughtful, consistent and brought a clear point of view to every round,” Long said. “Her final drink sealed it— intentional, well-executed and unmistakably hers.”
If you missed this year’s Gather Cup, don’t worry—plans are already in the works for next year.
“We’re already planning to make next year bigger and better. We’re thinking more TVs, a satellite bar and more space for the crowd,” Long said. “Juliana will be back to defend her title, and we’re working on launching a formal application system for bartenders who want in.”
So, if you think you’ve got what it takes to be Indy’s best bartender—or want to nominate someone—Gather 22 intends to grow the event. “The Gather Cup isn’t just a competition; it’s a celebration of the people who make Indy’s hospitality scene so special,” Long said. “We’re just getting started.”
Gather 22 is a West Coast-inspired restaurant focusing on fresh, seasonal dishes that reflect cuisines inspired by the owner’s travels. It’s a popular destination in Indy’s Near Northside neighborhood at 22 E. 22nd St. To learn more about the next Gather Cup, apply to compete or nominate a bartender, visit gather22.com.
FIRST FRIDAY ARTIST PROFILE
KYLE RAGSDALE
Writer / Ryan Gabbert
July’s Harrison Center featured First Friday artist is Kyle Ragsdale.
Growing up in Texas and New Mexico, Ragsdale takes inspiration from the vibrant mix of cultures and wild natural spaces surrounding him. His journey into art as a child, and to this day, he remains deeply inspired by the beauty of people sharing experiences.
Ragsdale starts his pieces by putting a large base of oil paints on a canvas. From there, he uses plastic combs, trowels and palette knives to create textured images. An intuitive painter, Ragsdale goes with the flow when painting.
“While the paintings created for this show will feature the usual wild cast of fictional characters that appear in much of my work - circus animals, historical figures, dancers, etc., they will be cavorting with beloved Indianapolis landmarks as their backdrop,” he says.
This free event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the HC near 16th and Delaware. In addition to the exhibition, there is also live music, open art studios and other activities to create a vibrant community atmosphere.
For more information on the artist, visit kyleragsdale.com.
PINBALL INDY STYLE
NOSTALGIA FUELS INDY’S GROWING PINBALL COMMUNITY
Writer / Ashlee Boruff
Photographer / Dylyn Rose
Every pinball enthusiast I’ve spoken to is not only passionate about pinball but also about the growing community. No matter a person’s age or skill level, each player wants the best for the Indy pinball scene — a growing community that has become so much more than just games for many people.
It’s no shock that all things ’90s have come back around, but games never died out. The gaming and toy industries continue to grow, producing more and more new goodies. But what about the classics like G.I. Joe, He-Man, Thundercats and My Little Pony? The Toy Pit at 3827 N. College Ave. has you covered, offering thousands of toys and game options. Opening in 2009 in Fort Wayne and moving to Indianapolis in 2014, The Toy Pit is the largest toy shop in Indianapolis. Not only does the shop buy and trade, but it also has a lovely collection of pinball machines open for play.
It’s not a big leap from toy collectors to pinball enthusiasts — many pinball players’ stories start with childhood memories and nostalgia. That’s exactly what got Joe Bayer
into the Indy pinball scene and leading league nights at Tappers Arcade Bar.
“When I was a kid, my dad picked up a machine for $50 from a yard sale. I thought it was the coolest thing ever,” Bayer said.
Flash forward to adult Joe trying, like the
rest of us, to get through COVID. He found 16-Bit Bar+Arcade on New York Avenue, which opened in 2019. From there, he heard about Tappers on Virginia Avenue in Fountain Square and hasn’t left since.
“I run leagues at Tappers every Tuesday night. League is essentially a mini
for the fun,” Bayer said.
Tappers is a much more laid-back local scene versus the more high-energy 16-Bit. Both have great drinks and a wide selection of arcade and console games, but Tappers has the edge when it comes to pinball. With more than 25 meticulously maintained machines, it’s the best place for gameplay, drinks and laid-back fun.
“The Indy pinball scene is small but great, especially in Fountain Square. We have beginners to world-ranking players here weekly. The PinVault in the Murphy Building is a great co-op that holds open play on First Fridays and multiple tournaments,” Bayer said.
The PinVault opened in 2016 with approximately 25 machines available to the public on First Fridays for a small door fee. It also hosts Sunday and Friday tournaments for players ready for more advanced action.
There’s pinball to play across all of Indianapolis. In Broad Ripple, you’ll find Black Circle Brewing and Loom. Black Circle on 46th Street hosts nightly shows, from bands to burlesque. Alongside it is Loom, a laundromat that houses several pinball machines. Grab your laundry, lots
of quarters and a spot at Loom to enjoy the afternoon — and a beer from Black Circle, too.
On the east side, you’ll find the extraspecial Irvington Pinball Lodge on the third floor of the old Masonic Lodge. The Lodge is like no place you’ve seen, hosting
more than 100 immaculate machines from modern to vintage. The space itself is the iconic three-story Masonic Lodge No. 666, now hosting monthly art shows along with pinball open plays — a current favorite for locals.
The Pin Lodge, as it’s affectionately called, started in 2022 after a group of buddies came up with a plan to share their treasures with the community. Fully owned by a local couple and maintained by a group of friends, it’s a labor of love.
“It started as one machine at the Lodge, then the full collection was moved there because we were running out of room everywhere else. A group of guys playing weekly at someone’s house turned into ‘how can we share this with others?’” said Jace Mitchell.
Jace and his wife, Beth, handle the Pin Lodge schedules, socials and merchandise — all as volunteers. Along with several players who maintain the machines, the Pin Lodge is 100% volunteer-run. Currently, it’s open for play only once a
month but occasionally opens for special events. The third floor also hosts monthly art shows.
This drop-in format is great for those new to pinball or experienced players who want to try every game they can find. For $10, you get unlimited play during open sessions. All ages are welcome to come, have fun and meet new people.
“When you walk through those doors into a room with over 100 machines, you just forget your troubles and have fun. It’s a blessing and rewarding to get to do this. The Indy pinball community is full of incredible people,” Mitchell said.
The next open play night is June 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Pin Lodge. Stay up to date with other pop-up events by following @ indy_pinball_ on Instagram.
Check out all the mentioned locations on Facebook: PinVault, Tappers Arcade Bar, Black Circle, Loom, 16-Bit Bar+Arcade and Irvington Lodge Events.
SUMMER CONCERT TIME FORTY5 AND INDY PARKS DELIVER LIVE
MUSIC IN BROAD RIPPLE
Writer / Melissa Gibson
We’ve seen the success of Rock the Ruins at Holliday Park and other outdoor concert series. Many communities have made a tradition of packing up the lawn chairs or blankets and enjoying an evening with live music at a park throughout the year.
This summer, Broad Ripple Park will bring something similar to residents and visitors.
Forty5, in partnership with Indy Parks, will launch a pilot live music series, making Broad Ripple a destination for arts, community and entertainment.
“Forty5 owns and operates The Vogue and our newest venue, Turntable, among others. We’ve created and fine-tuned our indoor venues and it’s been really exciting,” said Jenny Boyts, CEO of Forty5. “About five years ago, Rock the Ruins was born at Holliday Park and we’ve had good success there, but it was also an opportunity to continue a partnership with the community parks.”
The original partnership led Forty5 to a new opportunity in the heart of Broad Ripple.
On July 20, Shakey Graves: And the War Came 10th Anniversary Tour will bring his combination of blues, folk, country and rock to the stage. He’s partnered with PLUS1, donating $1 per ticket to support the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.
On August 8, don’t miss Toad the Wet Sprocket and Semisonic, in addition to Sixpence None the Richer. The alternative rock band
THE HEALTH
landed hits in the 1990s and continues to perform internationally.
On August 9, Drive-By Truckers and Deer Tick will perform with special guest Thelma and the Sleaze. The former have released 14 studio albums and played more than 2,500 shows in the past three decades. They plan to bring some of their best hits to the stage in Broad Ripple.
“Folks are excited about the genre and caliber of artists we can bring. These are national touring bands and highly successful,” Boyts said.
It’s not the first time Broad Ripple Park has offered live music, but after a long hiatus from the pandemic and lengthy construction in town, Boyts said the hope is their new program will be a catalyst for growth.
“We want to use these weekends to spotlight the local businesses and what’s going on in the Village. Folks know Broad Ripple to be the music hub or heartbeat of the city. More local businesses are popping up, and the live music series allows us to show it off,” Boyts said.
The park was originally established in 1822 and has a rich history of recreational activities. It was once known as White City Amusement Park, Indianapolis’ version of Coney Island, and later hosted the Olympic swimming trials.
As the area experiences a resurgence, plans are underway to once again make Broad Ripple the place everyone wants to be.
Many are excited about how the summer event could inspire more for Broad Ripple in the future.
“It’s an opportunity to elevate the Village as a destination for both residents and visitors. This will build on the park’s master plan, which includes live music as part of its vision — bringing new
energy to Broad Ripple,” said Councilor John Barth.
They’re encouraging concertgoers to enjoy the dining establishments, shop and explore.
“At Forty5, we’re committed to playing our part. We want folks to walk, grab a bike with Indy Share and utilize the new RiverWalk. IndyGo is also adding an additional stop right in front of the park,” Boyts said. “Grab a bite to eat before the show and let’s enjoy some of these outdoor events.”
Boyts said so much of her career has been about economic development and partnerships. The better the community is doing, the more success and flexibility they enjoy.
With success this summer, Forty5 hopes to continue working with Indy Parks and creating new opportunities for Indy residents in the future.
“We’re not steering away from indoor venues, but our hope is we learn a lot this summer and have a future with outdoor events. If the permanent venue in the master plan is actualized, we hope to play a role in that, making sure it centers around community voice and neighborhood experience,” Boyts said. “If there’s a conversation about permanent infrastructure and live performances, we want to be a part of it.”
For now, they are hoping to welcome residents and visitors alike to Broad Ripple this summer for those traditional days of live music, food, drinks and fun.
“We’re excited to be outdoors in Broad Ripple. This is where we live and work and play, and I think folks will enjoy what we bring this summer,” Boyts said.
Tickets are on sale now at forty5.com.
LISTEN UP!
MICHAEL AND JOHN CHAT WITH JENNY BOYTS, CEO OF FORTY5. LEARN ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE FORTY5 MUSIC VENUES, INCLUDING THE ICONIC VOGUE THEATER. WE WILL ALSO COVER SOME OF THE AWESOME MUSIC FESTIVALS COMING TO TOWN THIS SUMMER.
