Winter Arts Guide 2015: IndyStar staff picks

What do local arts and culture organizations think are their hottest tickets this winter? Check out nearly 40 events in our special publication in today's Star.

NEAL TAFLINGER, AUDIENCE ANALYST

The Cripple of Inishmaan

Various times Feb. 5-March 1, Phoenix Theatre, 749 N. Park Ave., $20-33, phoenixtheatre.org, (317) 635-7529.

Black comedy is more Irish than a black and tan, and "The Cripple of Inishmaan" is black as they come. A take-off on a fabricated mid-20th century documentary about hard times on an Irish island, the play focuses on a challenged young man and his quest for stardom.

Casablanca: Film + Live Orchestra

8 p.m. Feb. 13, 8 p.m. Feb. 14, 3 p.m. Feb 15, Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle, $10-$91, indianapolissymphony.org, (317) 639-4300.

Of all the restored movie palaces in all the towns in all the world, maestro Jack Everly walks into ours. The ISO's pops conductor will lead the orchestra through the score of the classic movie while it rolls on a screen above the stage. Play it, Jack.

Transformers: More than meets the eye

March 7-July 26, The Children's Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St., adults $19.50, seniors $18.50, kids $14.50, infants free, childrensmuseum.org, (317) 334-4000.

With "Transformers" celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, this exhibit is a shameless, bald-faced attempt by TCM to draw 35-year old dads like me who grew up with Autobots and Decepticons into the museum with kids who may or may not have any familiarity with the awful Michael Bay movies of more recent vintage. And I'm totally into it. My son will be into it too, and he'll learn about design and engineering along the way.

LESLIE BAILEY, THE ADVENTURESS

Erwin Wurm: Euclidean Exercises

Now through June 21, Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road, free until April 7 when $18 museum admission is implemented, (317) 923-1331, imamuseum.org.

Become the art at "One Minute Sculptures" where Austrian artist Erwin Wurm invites visitors to complete his works. Instructional drawings and everyday items such as cleaning bottles and shoes are provided, and it's the viewer's job to bring the "sculpture" to life. The goal is to hold the pose for 60 seconds but a picture will last longer. Post yours on social media using the hashtag #IMAWurm.

Transitioning art installation at Pattern

March 6-31, Pattern, 877 Massachusetts Ave., patternindy.com.

The Pattern Store will host a month-long, transitioning art installation by Herron School of Art graduate Taryn Cassella. Built from mixed-materials, the installation will be a modern twist on dressing screens that will evolve and interact with the store.

Dee Dee Bridgewater: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald

8 p.m. Feb. 20, The Palladium, 355 City Center Drive, Carmel, $38-$95, (317) 843-3800, thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.

Ella Fitzgerald fans (myself included) won't want to miss this performance by jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater. She'll be singing songs from her Grammy Award winning CD, "Dear Ella."

MICHELLE KWAJAFA, ONLINE PRODUCER

Ragamala Dance

8:00 p.m. Jan. 31, Clowes Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., $30 to $40, (317) 940-6444, cloweshall.org.

Directors Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy collaborate with jazz saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa on "Song of the Jasmine." The dance company has toured nationally and internationally. Blending classical Indian dancing with Western aesthetics, Ragamala Dance explores rhythym, spirituality and motion in a manner that beautifully reflects on our multicultural world.

Adult Swim at the Children's Museum

8 p.m. to midnight Feb. 21, The Children's Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St., $65 to $95, (317) 334-4000, adultswimindy.com.

"A night of play for your inner child." Who doesn't need that? Shake off the winter blues and have a glass of wine (or two) while enjoying all the cool things inside the museum - including the carousel. Music, games and tasty tidbits round out the evening. Proceeds support innovative arts education for youth across Indiana.

Nikon Small World

Now through March 29, Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., included with museum admission ($8.50 to $13), (317) 232-1637, indianamuseum.org.

Art meets science. Microphotography reveals fascinating facets of nature not visible to the human eye alone. Brilliant patterns and colors tell the story of life. Since this is only running until March 29, now is the time to go and be dazzled by the little things.

DAVID LINDQUIST, POP CULTURE AND MUSIC WRITER

Brazilian Carnaval

10 p.m. Feb. 14, Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave., $15, (317) 332-5612, CulturalCannibals.com.

For a taste of pre-Lent Rio here in the Heartland, the Jazz Kitchen will present a Carnaval party highlighted by dozens of percussionists from the IU Brazilian Ensemble. Samba dancers and traditional cuisine and beverages round out the program that's a nod to full-tilt indulgence in the days before Ash Wednesday.

The Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band

6 p.m. Feb. 17, Indy CD and Vinyl, 806 Broad Ripple Ave., free, (317) 259-1012, IndyCDandVinyl.com.

To celebrate new album "So Delicious," the Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band will extend its tradition of playing a free, all-ages record-release show at Indy CD and Vinyl. The acoustic blues trio is a new signee to Yazoo Records, a label known for issuing landmark recordings by Charley Patton, Mississippi John Hurt and Indianapolis guitarist Scrapper Blackwell.

"Raisin' Cane: A Harlem Renaissance Odyssey"

8 p.m. Feb. 27, Clowes Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., $25 to $35, (317) 940-6444, ClowesHall.org.

Jasmine Guy, an actress-singer known for her work on NBC sitcom "A Different World," headlines this tribute to Harlem's surge in cultural activity during the early 20th century. The Avery Sharpe Trio, led by bass player Sharpe, will accompany Guy.

MICHELLE PEMBERTON, PHOTOGRAPHER

Zoolala: An Arctic Affair

7:30 p.m. to midnight, White River Gardens, 1200 W. Washington St., $125, indianapoliszoo.com/events-and-groups/zoo-events/zoolala, (317) 630-2058.

Zoolala - kind of like less-wild Zoobilation for young professionals - is a mix of fun, food, and philanthropy, with opportunities for networking. The event supports the zoo's mission to advance animal conservation.

Buckaroo Bash

9 p.m. Feb. 6, Radio Radio, 1119 E. Prospect St., $7, futureshock.net.

The Burning Mules, the Whipstitch Sallies, and the Jon Strahl Band will celebrate the music of country icon Buck Owens with a finger-picking night of country, blues, and bluegrass.

London Grammar

8 p.m., Deluxe in Old National Center 502 N. New Jersey St., (317) 231-0000, oldnationalcentre.com.

London Grammar's November show was cancelled, but the British electro pop trio - whose "Hey Now" was used in a Fall 2014 J'adore Dior TV spot featuring actress Charlize Theron - will make it up to fans in February.

FRANK ESPICH, PHOTOGRAPHER

Sophie Faught Quartet

7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Feb. 13, Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave., $10-$12, thejazzkitchen.com.

Local jazz sax aficionado, teacher, composer, Sophie Faught and her quartet, will be performing exclusive music featured from their up coming vinyl release, Three Muses. The record is inspired by the work of Steven Sickles, a local abstract painter; every song was composed for one of his works. Artist, Sickles will be attending with a sampling of his art.

Meet the Artist XXVII event at Central Library

Jan. 28-March 28, Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St. indypl.org.

One of the city's most celebrated cultural events will return for its 27th year when the works of 18 locally prominent African-American artists will be on display during regular museum hours. The public can meet the artists and enjoy an evening of entertainment - including a high-energy fashion show - during a special Valentine's Day "Meet the Artists Gala Reception" 5 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14. Admission is free.

Spin: Art by Dorothy Stites Alig

Opens Feb. 28, Basile Gallery, Herron School of Art and Design, 735 W. New York St., free, herron.iupui.edu/. Artist's reception will be a First Friday evening event, March 6.

Indianapolis artist Dorothy Stites Alig recently back from Turkey, where she spent 10 days photographing Islamic architecture and the whirling dervish which inspired her latest technique: Traditional and digital printmaking with ink drawing and painting, playing on the dual meanings of the word spin.

WILL HIGGINS, REPORTER

Fantasy, Fate and War: A Midwinter Russian Festival

8 p.m. Jan. 23, Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, Hilbert Circle Theatre, Monument Circle, $15 to $81, $10 for students.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra highlights the history and culture of Russia through three weeks of concerts starting Jan. 23 with Scheherazade featuring Philippe Quint, violin and Krzysztof Urbański, conducting. Urbanski, of the ISO, conducts the Feb. 6 concert, too — Shostakovich. The middle concert features conductor Han-Na Chang and pianist Vadym Kholodenkho.

Phil Campbell exhibition, iMOCA

Feb. 6 (First Friday), Murphy Art Center, 1043 Virginia Ave., Suite 5, free, indymoca.org.

The artist Phillip Campbell, one of the artistic founders of modern-day Fountain Square, has a show at the Indianapolis Museum of Modern Art that features a large, wooden, hand-carved mural — flowers, a boat, catfish.

The Cat in the Hat, on stage

Feb. 24-28, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, 3 Center Green, Suite 200, Carmel, $15 adults, under 18 $10, civictheatre.org.

It's a play based on the Dr. Seuss classic, the one featuring Thing One and Thing Two. It's an adaptation of the National Theatre in London's production. It's just 40 minutes, so kids should be able to sit still for it.

AMY HANELINE, BEVERAGE REPORTER

Copland's Appalachian Spring

8 p.m. Feb. 26, Mount Pleasant Christian Church, 381 N. Bluff Rd., Greenwood, $10 to $20, indianapolissymphony.org, (317) 639-4300.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's 317 Series is bringing its programs to surrounding communities. This concert features Gershwin's Concerto in F, John Adams' Lollapalooza, and Copland's Appalachian Spring.

The Maroon 5 World Tour 2015

7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., $27-$123, bankerslifefieldhouse.com, (800) 745-3000.

Because Adam Levine. Need I say more?

Elegant Vintages International Wine Auction

March 14, Conrad Hotel, 50 W. Washington St., $175 to $325, indianapoliszoo.com, (317) 630-2001

Dress up and drink fine and rare wines from around the world, all to raise money for the care of all the animals and plants of the Indianapolis Zoo.