Top 8 things to do in Indy this weekend: April 6-8

If you’re looking for something to do in Indianapolis this weekend, you’ll have plenty of options. There are plenty of things happening that are sure to keep you busy.

1. Indianapolis Indians Opening Weekend

If you’re headed over to Victory Field this Friday for the first pitch of the Indian’s 2018 season (vs. the Columbus Clippers), you’ll want to trade the peanuts for hot chocolate! Spring may have started over two weeks ago, but we’ve seen more winter in that time span than we did for most of November to March combined! We’ll continue the late winter trend this weekend with a chance for a wintry mix Friday night, which could hamper the opening night Bike to the Ballpark and post-game Fireworks. If they do manage to get the game in Friday, you’ll get to come back to a (hopefully) more pleasant game some other time in April thanks to the Indians’ “60 Degree Guarantee.”

Also in the Indy Sports World, the Indy Fuel have their final three regular season games in a row at home: Friday: v. Cincinnati, Saturday: v. Toledo and Sunday: v. Kalamazoo.

2. April ‘First Friday’ Festivities

Outdoor festival/event season begins to ramp up this month, which will be much more pleasant once the weather decides to get onboard.  April’s ‘First Friday’ festivities are mostly indoors, which will get you outside of the cold and potential wintry weather. The City Market will host ‘Art at the Market’ beginning at 6 p.m. This is one of the newest venues for First Friday in Indianapolis to enjoy local artists, a live performance from local folk musicians The Two Starlighters, plenty of food options and the Tomlinson Tap Room. A clothing swap will also begin at 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Murphy Arts Center. Rhett Miller w/ Bea will perform at the Hi-Fi with doors opening at 7 p.m. and 4 different DJs set to take the stage later in the night. The Tube Factory and Garfield Park will host a market beginning at 6 p.m. to celebrate local artists, musicians, food trucks and vendors by featuring them. The Herron School of Art and Design Painting Thesis exhibition will also take place at the Tube Factory featuring: Chase Palmer, Tillman Reyes, Genevieve St. Arnaud, Lydia Crouse and Tom Day.

3. 7th Annual Sour Wild Funk Fest

General admission tickets are still available for the sour beer event of the year here in Indianapolis. Upland Brewery is hosting the Sour Wild Funk Fest this Saturday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Mavris Arts & Event Center. It’s an annual celebration of the best sour, wild, and funky beers in the country ( maybe even the entire world) and the only one of its kind in the Midwest. You’ll be able to sample from 150 different beers from over 50 different breweries.

4. AJR

Three brothers born and raised in New York City turned certified US platinum recording artists will perform at the Egyptian Room of the Old National Centre this Friday at 7 p.m. Their biggest hit, ‘I’m Ready’ has nearly 24 million views on YouTube and over 34 million streams on Spotify. Tickets start at $89.

5. Pinewood Derby

Here’s a fun event for the whole family that will get you out of the cold this weekend. The Indiana State Museum is hosting the ‘Second Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The track alone is impressive — two stories high and 125 feet long. Participants from around the state can test their vehicles’ performance with fun runs Tuesday-Friday. Admission is $5 for scouts and scout family members. All other spectators will be able to watch with paid museum admission.

6. 2nd Annual Bhangra Competition

Circle City Bhangra will be hosting its 2nd annual Bhangra competition this Saturday at the Franklin Central High School Auditorium. Bhangra (a blend between music and dance which originates from the Punjab region of India) teams from across North America will compete this Saturday with the show beginning promptly at 6 p.m. Tickets are available online for $20 or at the door for $25.  

7 . Arsenio Hall

Comedian Arsenio Hall will have four shows in town this weekend at Morty’s Comedy Joint. The versatile actor, comedian and producer is probably best known for his Emmy Award-winning late night talk show “The Arsenio Hall Show,” that made him a household name. Performances are at 7:15 and 9:45 p.m. both Friday and Saturday night with tickets starting at $30.

8. Family Day: International Day of Flowers

Even though it may look and feel wintry again this weekend, the Elder Greenhouse at Newfields will be much more spring-like with an international flower exhibition and demonstrations this Saturday. Travel the world as you explore Newfields’ campus, celebrating floral and cultural traditions. Enjoy a hula dance in Tahiti, make a floating flower basket in Thailand, delight your palate in Mexico, and try some yoga in India. You can also enjoy their Beer Garden, flower market, art-making activities, story and gallery tours, and more flowers. The event begins at 11 a.m. and is included with admission to Newfields.