TONIGHT

Expect a mostly cloudy evening with a chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight, cooling down to a low around 63°F. Winds from the north-northeast around 7 mph keep things breezy enough to whisk some of the clouds away.

TOMORROW

Indianapolis will see isolated showers amidst partly to mostly cloudy skies, with a high near 76°F. The south-southwest winds at 13 to 18 mph might just add an extra sway to your outdoor decorations. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo responsibly as the skies might sprinkle a little.

TOMORROW NIGHT

As the festivities wind down, so does the chance of rain, dropping to 30%. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a low around 66°F. The south wind at 6 to 8 mph will continue to provide a gentle reminder of the passing day.

MONDAY

Start the week with your umbrellas at hand! Showers are likely, with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. The day will be mostly cloudy with a high near 73°F and south-southwest winds at 15 to 25 mph, increasing the likelihood of a wet commute.

MONDAY NIGHT

The showers persist into the night, mainly before 2 AM, followed by a possible thunderstorm. It’ll be mostly cloudy with lows dipping to around 58°F. South-southwest winds at 8 to 13 mph bring a persistent dampness into the night.

TUESDAY

A tempestuous day with showers and thunderstorms likely throughout the day. The high will reach up to 80°F, accompanied by gusty south winds at 15 to 30 mph. A great day to keep the rain gear handy, as these storms could bring about significant rainfall.

TUESDAY NIGHT

The unsettled weather continues with a 60% chance of early night showers before clearing up. Expect partly cloudy skies and a low around 63°F. Winds will shift slightly to the northwest at around 7 mph.

WEDNESDAY

The heart of the week brings a high near 84°F under partly sunny skies, a perfect setup for those planning midweek outings. Southwest winds at 9 to 11 mph will add to the pleasant conditions, despite the 50% chance of thunderstorms later in the day.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy with a slight chill as the low drops to around 64°F. South winds continue at about 10 mph, keeping the air fresh and the night alive.

8 DAY FORECAST

Looking ahead, Thursday offers a chance of showers with highs in the mid-70s. Friday will see isolated showers but cooler, with a high near 68°F. The weekend appears dry with highs in the mid to upper 60s, setting the stage for a calm and pleasant weekend.

(MIRROR INDY) — Indianapolis has a tasty list of food festivals that can’t be missed, like homemade meatballs at Holy Rosary’s huge Italian Festival and near-endless suds and wing sauces at Chicken & Beer Fest.

Dig a little deeper into America’s culinary crossroads and you’ll find a feast of hidden-gem and culturally diverse spring and summer events that tempt your appetite, spark your curiosity, and fill your soul. 

Noon, May 11, 4141 S. East St., Indianapolis. Free entry.

Mangos are so beloved and important in the Philippines that Filipinos call them “golden fruit” and “fruit of the gods.” Indulge in all the velvety sweetness of the country’s national fruit in desserts like mango floats, mango ice candy and mango ice cream. There are savory mango dishes and mango drinks, too, all at The Philippine Cultural Community Center. 

8 a.m.-1 p.m. June 30, 11717 42nd Street Indianapolis. Free, but reservations required.

Pack mints and enjoy all the magic of everything garlic at this hands-on harvest festival. Get right in there and help loosen the soil. Then, learn how to cure bulbs you pulled from the ground. Everyone who helps gets to take home five pounds of garlic. The day includes lunch and an optional light breakfast.

June 22 and 23, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Free entry for kids; $20-$25 for adults.

Indigenous communities that existed before colonization in what is now Indiana included the Kickapoo, Lenape, Miami, Piankashaw, Potawatomi, Shawnee, Wea and Wyandot or Wyandotte. Learn about the foods of native cultures past and present as well as music, dance, storytelling and hands-on artmaking at the family-friendly event featuring more than 140 vendors. 

Noon, May 25, 8902 E. 38th St., Indianapolis. Free for all.

Twelve Black-owned food trucks vie to be named best of the best at Community Alliance of the Far Eastside. Judges consider execution, appearance and taste. Keep your own score for the People’s Choice award. Entrants include 2023 People’s Choice champion House of SoulRollz, famous for egg rolls full of collards and smoked turkey. The 2023 juried winner, Good Vegan/Bad Vegan, will be there, too, with dishes like its “chicken” and waffles, raw tacos and award-winning buffalo “chicken” ranch fries. 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 14, 3350 N. German Church Road., Indianapolis. Free for all. 

Savor India’s delicious feast of regional flavors and world influences at this Hindu Temple of Central Indiana festival. Experience Mumbai street food, like the spicy vegetable dish pav bhaji, served with soft rolls. Try Indo-Chinese stir-fried hakka noodles. Also discover South Indian dishes, for instance the fluffy rice cakes called “idlis” and milky sweet filter coffee. Indian music and dance happen as vendors sell everything from fashion to trinkets. 

2-4 p.m. May 5, June 2, July 21, Aug. 4, Sept. 8, and Oct. 12; 2424 Doctor M.L.K. Jr. St., Indianapolis. Free entry, but tickets required.

This on-going celebration at Ujamaa Community Bookstore is a chance to learn about Afro food origins and experience the culinary art of local chefs. Flanner House’s director of food justice Candace Boyd Simmons, also co-host of the Black Girls Eating podcast, curates the culinary book list. Reservations are required. Space is limited.

11 a.m.-4 p.m., June 9, Stage Door Irvington, Bonna Ave., Indianapolis. Free entry, but $20 to attend talks.

Savory mushroom tacos, anyone? How about mushroom-infused drinks? The magical and tasty world of mushrooms provides an unforgettable experience combining culinary delights with education and entertainment. The immersive speaker series delves into growing, foraging and cooking mushrooms, as well as their medicinal properties. The event is free, but the speaker series costs $20, and tickets are limited.

Noon, May 5, 3585 Commercial Drive, Indianapolis. Free for all. 

Tucked in along the south side of Indiana Discount Mall, next door to the Saraga off Lafayette Road, Indy Taco Fest maintains a small-community feel. Family-run food trucks and vendors serve real-deal tacos but also tamales, gorditas and more. 

5 p.m. to midnight, May 31 and June 1, 6000 W. 34th St., Indianapolis. Free for all.

Food drawing from the global culinary traditions of the Circle City’s ethnically diverse West Side takes center stage at this International Marketplace neighborhood party. Papusas, brats, elotes and tortas are some of the foods you may encounter alongside family-friendly games and live music by local artists. 

Noon, Sept. 21, 4141 S. East St., Indianapolis. Free for all.

According to legend, a man trying to comfort his neighbors invented Chinese, stuffed dumplings almost 2,000 years ago during a freezing Han Dynasty winter. Whatever their origins, dumplings spread far and wide, including to the Phillipines, where the pork-stuffed variety are known as siomai. Steamed buns are called “siopao.” If you’re the person who lives for dim sum, this tasty gathering at The Philippine Cultural Community Center is for you.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis is a historical home for Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses.

In coastal cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, “Chinatowns” exist, but not in Indianapolis. President of Asian American Alliance Rupal Thanawala explains, “In many states and cities, Chinatowns really evolved because foreigners were not welcomed in the city. There were many neighborhoods that didn’t let them live there.”

Chinatowns became a safe haven from prejudice and racist laws. While these cities became magnets for Asians in the early 1800s, eventually they moved to Indiana. Originally from China, Moy Kee moved to Indianapolis in 1897.

He was the first citizen who had the right to vote and during that time not everyone was allowed to vote. Key opened up several businesses in the city. He is indiana’s first Asian American citizen. His face is plastered on the mural on Bicentennial Unity Plaza.

“He was the first citizen who had the right to vote and during that time,” Thanawala said. “Not everyone was allowed to vote. This is perfect timing since next week is election and to think at that time, 130-140 years back, a Chinese man could vote in the state.”

“Asian Americans make up 2% of Indiana’s population, and because Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are spread out throughout the state, there isn’t really an official hub,” said Thanawala.

Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, an historian and curator at Indiana Historical Society, pointed out that the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra used to be Bamboo Inn, a Chinese restaurant from 1918 to 1961.

“Right here in the middle right above the roof, there is a huge sign that says chop suey,” said Martinez-LeGrand. Martinez-LeGrand described it as a booming restaurant in a prime real estate. She adds that they contributed to the local economy, even donating war bonds during WWII. The restaurant flourished with white patrons especially during the height of the KKK. Martinez-LeGrand showed photographs of waiters, and on another image, white customers posing in the front of the eatery.

“I think its important to see themselves in history to see who is supporting them in history,” Martinez-LeGrand said. “It’s important to know it existed here on the circle, which is prime real estate at the time.”