We’ve seen the success of Rock the Ruins at Holliday Park and other outdoor concert series. Many communities have made a tradition of packing up the lawn chairs or blankets and enjoying an evening with live music at a park throughout the year.
This summer, Broad Ripple Park will bring something similar to residents and visitors.
Forty5, in partnership with Indy Parks, will launch a pilot live music series, making Broad Ripple a destination for arts, community and entertainment.
“Forty5 owns and operates The Vogue and our newest venue, Turntable, among others. We’ve created and fine-tuned our indoor venues and it’s been really exciting,” said Jenny Boyts, CEO of Forty5. “About five years ago, Rock the Ruins was born at Holliday Park and we’ve had good success there, but it was also an opportunity to continue a partnership with the community parks.”
The original partnership led Forty5 to a new opportunity in the heart of Broad Ripple.
On July 20, Shakey Graves: And the War Came 10th Anniversary Tour will bring his combination of blues, folk, country and rock to the stage. He’s partnered with PLUS1, donating $1 per ticket to support the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.
On August 8, don’t miss Toad the Wet Sprocket and Semisonic, in addition to Sixpence None the Richer. The alternative rock band landed hits in the 1990s and continues to perform internationally.
On August 9, Drive-By Truckers and Deer Tick will perform with special guest Thelma and the Sleaze. The former have released 14 studio albums and played more than 2,500 shows in the past three decades. They plan to bring some of their best hits to the stage in Broad Ripple.
“Folks are excited about the genre and caliber of artists we can bring. These are national
touring bands and highly successful,” Boyts said.
It’s not the first time Broad Ripple Park has offered live music, but after a long hiatus from the pandemic and lengthy construction in town, Boyts said the hope is their new program will be a catalyst for growth.
“We want to use these weekends to spotlight the local businesses and what’s going on in the Village. Folks know Broad Ripple to be the music hub or heartbeat of the city. More local businesses are popping up, and the live music series allows us to show it off,” Boyts said.
The park was originally established in 1822 and has a rich history of recreational activities. It was once known as White City Amusement Park, Indianapolis’ version of Coney Island, and later hosted the Olympic swimming trials.
As the area experiences a resurgence, plans are underway to once again make Broad Ripple the place everyone wants to be.
Many are excited about how the summer event could inspire more for Broad Ripple in the future.
“It’s an opportunity to elevate the Village as a destination for both residents and visitors. This will build on the park’s master plan, which includes live music as part of its vision — bringing new energy to Broad Ripple,” said Councilor John Barth.
They’re encouraging concertgoers to enjoy the dining establishments, shop and explore.
“At Forty5, we’re committed to playing our part. We want folks to walk, grab a bike with Indy Share and utilize the new RiverWalk. IndyGo is also adding an additional stop right in front of the park,” Boyts said. “Grab a bite to eat before the show and let’s enjoy some of these outdoor events.”
Boyts said so much of her career has been about economic development and partnerships. The better the community is doing, the more success and flexibility they enjoy.
With success this summer, Forty5 hopes to continue working with Indy Parks and creating new opportunities for Indy residents in the future.
“We’re not steering away from indoor venues, but our hope is we learn a lot this summer and have a future with outdoor events. If the permanent venue in the master plan is actualized, we hope to play a role in that, making sure it centers around community voice and neighborhood experience,” Boyts said. “If there’s a conversation about permanent infrastructure and live performances, we want to be a part of it.”
For now, they are hoping to welcome residents and visitors alike to Broad Ripple this summer for those traditional days of live music, food, drinks and fun.
“We’re excited to be outdoors in Broad Ripple. This is where we live and work and play, and I think folks will enjoy what we bring this summer,” Boyts said.
Tickets are on sale now at forty5.com.
