THINGS TO DO

11 places to get your culture fix in Downtown Indy

Leslie Bailey and Wei-Huan Chen
Works of art can be found throughout The Alexander Hotel. Not a guest? You can still tour the public hallways.

Indianapolis is a sports-centric city. But Downtown Indy is also home to art, music, and performances that are not to be missed. Here are 11 places where you can squeeze in a bit of culture.

First Friday

Here in Indy, the First Friday of the month means one thing — a Downtown art explosion. Starting around 6 p.m. April 3, there will be gallery openings and receptions galore. This event, I might add, beats most sports games in at least one aspect: people watching. I've seen a lot more than beards, tattoos and piercings at First Friday — current fashion inspirations range from the 1990s to the 1890s.

Downtown, idada.org/first-friday-map.

Kuaba Gallery

Overlooking Meridian Street just off the circle is Kuaba Gallery. Featuring the works of African-American artists, the collection includes everything from ceramics and sculptures to paintings, furniture and jewelry. Free smells from Jimmy Johns upon entry and exit.

1 N. Meridian St., (317) 955-8405, kuaba.com.

The Alexander

If you're staying at The Alexander, you won't have to go far for a culture fix. Commissioned works of art can be found throughout the entire hotel from the lobby to the 157 guest rooms. Not a guest? Check out the graffiti art in the parking garage or visit Plat 99: Mixology Lounge, then take a tour inside the public hallways.

333 S. Delaware St., (317) 624-8200, thealexander.com.

The Indianapolis Artsgarden over the intersection of Illinois and Washington streets hosts monthly visual art exhibitions and live performances, and is also your Cultural Concierge for information, maps, and tickets to arts events.

The Artsgarden

See the dome over the intersection of Washington and Illinois Streets? That's Indianapolis Artsgarden. The space hosts monthly visual art exhibitions and live performances, and is also your Cultural Concierge for information, maps, and tickets to arts events.

110 W. Washington St., (317) 624-2563, indyarts.org.

Long-Sharp Gallery

One of the perks of staying at the Conrad hotel is that you can visit the Long-Sharp gallery 24-hours a day. The gallery, which has featured works from Banksy to Warhol, is available to tour by appointment but you can also see art by Robert Indiana and William John Kennedy in the hotel lobby.

50 S. Washington St., (866) 370-1601, modernmastersfab.com/long-sharp-gallery.

Cultural Trail

Arguably the best way to see the top destinations in Downtown Indy, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail connects six cultural districts, seven public art projects, and 25 bike-share stations via an 8-mile trail.

indyculturaltrail.org.

Public art walk

The city's myriad murals, sculptures and painted traffic signal boxes are a storybook for the city's history. Hang out with Hoosier jazz legends David Baker, J.J. Johnson, Freddie Hubbard and Wes Montgomery, who line the mural at Musicians' Repair & Sales (332 N. Capitol Ave.) then duck down under the Michigan Street canal bridge for "Hoosier Hospitality on the Boatload of Knowledge." Of course, there's the unmissable "My Affair with Kurt Vonnegut" at 345 Massachusetts Ave.

Downtown, indyartsguide.org/public_art/listing.

Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art

Helping keep Indianapolis weird and trendy, iMOCA is the city's premiere presenter of contemporary art. While you're at the museum's great Fountain Square location, venture upstairs to explore the various galleries and art stores at the Murphy Arts Center.

1043 Virginia Ave., (317) 634-6622, indymoca.org.

Indiana Repertory Theatre

The drama's not all on the court. IRT's "What I Learned in Paris" runs through April 12.

140 W. Washington St., (317) 635-5252, irtlive.com.

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Come down to the iconic Hilbert Center Theatre and treat yourself to the best classical music in town. If you're staying in town for the week, globe-trotting maestro Krzysztof Urbanski leads an "All Beethoven" program April 9-11.

45 Monument Circle, (317) 231-6798, indianapolissymphony.org.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Feeling lucky? The Eiteljorg, which features a wide range of art and programming celebrating Western and Native American history, has a fascinating exhibit, "Gold! Riches and Ruin." Explore how the gold rush changed America by panning for gold at the Hunt Studio or meet Belinda Mulrooney, one of the richest women at the Klondike at the turn of the 20th century.

500 W. Washington St., (317) 636-9378, eiteljorg.org.

Call Star reporter Leslie Bailey at (317) 444-6094 and follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram: @Lesalina. Call Star reporter Wei-Huan Chen at (317) 444-6249 and follow him on Twitter: @weihuanchen.