This weekend, two opera performances are coming to the Toby Theater at Newfields.
One is called, “Brundibar” and the other is called, “Vedem.”
Members of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir will perform with Indy Opera resident artists in two performances nested into one show.
You can see these shows from Friday, March 18 to Sunday, March 20.
Amy Hughley, pianist and associate artistic director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, and Matt Cooksey, baritone and director of “Brundibar” and “Vedem,” joined us Monday to share what you can expect from these shows, how the circumstances surrounding these shows relate back to the Holocaust, the Indy Opera and the Indy Children Choir’s first-time collaboration and more.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit indyopera.org or call 317.283.3531.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The latest and biggest digital art exhibition to come to Newfields is now open to all visitors.
THE LUME Indianapolis, an interactive display full of the work of famed artist Vincent Van Gogh, debuted Tuesday morning and welcomed a line of fans.
Jonathan Berger, Newfields deputy director of marketing and external affairs, says this debut has been five to six years in the making. THE LUME is also officially the largest continuous exhibition space to be open at Newfields in its 138-year history.
Berger describes it as a “multi-sensory” experience. Inside the exhibit, you’ll find moving Van Gogh images, sound and even smells.
“We’ve taken all of these Van Gogh images and they start to come alive,” he said. “They move [and] It’s like you’re there. It’s like you’re standing in a Van Gogh painting as it’s being painted around you. I think it’s a way that you can be reintroduced to those paintings, throw in some great music and also aroma and it’s this fully immersive experience.”
Berger says “The Starry Night” (1889) in the first gallery, is an experience that stands out to him and is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Randall Newsome also got to check out another part of the exhibit that’s drawing attention called “Van Gogh Yourself,” where you take a selfie and end up inside of one of Van Gogh’s paintings. Check out the interview to see how it works.
THE LUME also features a café and a gift shop. Click here for tickets to the exhibit.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Disco balls and pulsing beats transformed the main lobby of Newfields, formerly the Indianapolis Museum of Art, into an ’80s dance club Wednesday morning for the final “Seasonal Affective Disco” of the winter.
The two-hour event acts as both a physical workout and “intention-setting” exercise for fatigued Hoosiers battling any of the numerous symptoms of winter blues or midweek slump, instructors said.
“Anybody who’s lived in the Midwest has woken up and been like, ‘This is going to be a struggle,'” instructor Lauren Curry told 24-Hour News 8. “We’re helping people kickstart their dreary, sad winter mornings.”
Newfields is not making light of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), organizers said, emphasizing the research-based benefits of exercise in fighting depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.
More than 14 million Americans struggle with SAD – depression that occurs at the same time every year, typically during the fall and winter months – according to the latest figures from the American Academy of Family Physicians. Symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite and weight, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, social withdrawal, feelings of hopelessness and thoughts of suicide.
“I’m definitely one of those people who just has the worst time getting out of bed in the winter,” said Seasonal Affective Disco organizer, Bryn Jackson. “Something like this gives me a reason to get up and get out.”
Dylan Riley, formerly unfamiliar with disco moves, broke a sweat on the dance floor and found himself enjoying the experience of trying something new.
“I can run every day, anywhere,” explained Riley. “But this got us moving and dancing in ways that I normally probably wouldn’t. You just start acting goofy and everyone lets their guard down.”
Learning new skills and stimulating the brain in different ways can also alleviate symptoms of depression, according to experts.
Although Wednesday marked the final Seasonal Affective Disco of the winter, organizers said Newfields may begin hosting regular morning dance parties throughout the year – possibly dubbed “Disco at Dawn” – if the public is interested.