The New Naptown

My last blog was an ode to Chicago in the summertime, so I think it's only fair for me to give praise to the city that is stealing me away.  I originally decided to move back to Indianapolis for my girlfriend, not for the city, but recently I have discovered a cultural presence that I never knew existed.  

I've only been away from Indy for two and a half years, so I'm pretty sure the cultural flavor was there during my tenure at Butler University, but my experiences were limited to Campus and Broad Ripple--that's it.  That's all I knew about the Circle City, and you couldn't tell me any different.  I had my nose in the air and laughed at anyone that even suggested that Indianapolis had an alternative culture worth talking about.  Insert foot in mouth.

I've discovered that you can find local live music on a nightly basis, or shop and dine at some of the most unique and trendy stores and restaurants on Mass Ave.  If you haven't already done so, you NEED to get out to a Naptown Roller Girls bout. (I recommend the suicide seating for the full experience)  But, the bottom line is that there is plenty to do in Indianapolis besides hitting the Broad Ripple strip.

I attended the Indy Culture Matters rally down in the circle back in April which really opened my eyes to not only the sheer volume of cultural activities that are available, but the passion that the people of Indy have for culture.  Smaller cities like Indianapolis offer a more intimate experience of cultural events because they have a preverbal "chip on their shoulder" about establishing themselves as a culture capital.  This fact alone makes it possible for anyone to get involved in the "see-and-do" that is available.  All you need to do is pick up a NUVO, or better yet, follow them on Facebook and Twitter, to find out about weekly events--it's that easy.  

So, while I'm definitely going to miss Chicago, I am equally excited to explore more of the New Naptown that has so much to offer .