Ah, the end-of-year holidays… what a great time to allow your ears some nostalgia and familiar listening. And what better way to get in the holiday mood than by making a date night or taking the kids to listen to great local live music! For an aspiring musician, watching the pros demonstrate how it’s done is a truly priceless experience. Here is a list of top venues and other places in the Indianapolis area that will capture these timeless moments.
7. Nickel Plate Amphitheater
Located in the heart of Fishers’ Nickel Plate District, this outdoor space provides plenty of weekend concerts and events pertaining to the holiday. A local favorite is the “Winter Wonderland” event, happening on December 1st from 2:00 to 8:00p.
https://www.playfishers.com/218/Winter-Wonderland-Holiday-Fun
6. The Jazz Kitchen
A smaller venue in Broad Ripple more appropriate for a date night, the Jazz Kitchen will surely be filled with music of the holiday season during the upcoming weeks. Also, as a bonus, our very own Charlie Ballantine and his quartet will be performing there on November 30th!
https://www.thejazzkitchen.com/
5. Indiana Repertory Theatre
This historic 1927 theatre will present the family favorite A Christmas Carol from November 17-December 26. Don’t miss celebrating the holidays at the IRT this year!
https://www.irtlive.com/plays-and-events/2018-2019/a-christmas-carol-2018
4. Old National Centre
If you enjoy the fusing of music with visual art in the form of dance, you will not want to miss the performance of the Great Russian Nutcracker at the Old National Centre in the Mass Ave district this season. Russia’s biggest ballet stars will make an appearance in the United States, some for the first time!
https://www.nutcracker.com/your-city/get-tickets/indianapolis
3. Bankers Life Fieldhouse
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is coming to Indianapolis on December 5th! In fact, I just saw this show (Ghosts of Christmas Eve) in Pennsylvania last week and it was not just a concert. It was an experience. I recommend seeing TSO as soon as you are able! Presented in Broadway-style, this particular show tells the story of a little runaway girl who upon meeting an abandoned theatre’s janitor, receives life-changing experiences through spirits of the building’s past.
2. Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler University
This year, the famed television program “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical” is handsomely making its way to the stage at Butler! This family-oriented presentation features all the most well-known characters such as Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Clarice, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, and of course, Rudolph.
https://butlerartscenter.org/event/rudolph-red-nosed-reindeer-musical
1. Hilbert Circle Theatre
One of Indianapolis’ most beloved holiday events, the annual IPL Yuletide Celebration with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will never disappoint. World of Dance contender Expressenz will also take the stage new this year! Although the ISO performs this show dozens of times in December, be sure to get your tickets early as they go quickly!
https://www.indianapolissymphony.org/event-detail/symfuny-yuletide
On behalf of all of us at Vibe Music Academy, we’d like to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. Maybe we’ll even catch you at one of these Indianapolis favorites!
- Tyler Long, Music Instructor/Administrative Assistant at Vibe Music Academy.
