INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A local artist has brought a burst of color and culture to the streets of Indianapolis.

A newly painted traffic signal box at U.S. 31 and Edgewood Avenue has turned heads while celebrating Burmese heritage. Designer and painter Yan Yan poured 105 hours into the artwork “Our Enlightenment.” He finished the project in November.

“It showcases different motifs of the Burmese community, especially Indianapolis in the way of cultural practices in Indianapolis,” Yan said.

The Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center supported the artwork as part of its cultural art initiative called the Southdale Traffic Signal Public Art Heritage Project, which features a variety of traffic signal boxes.

“From dances to wresting and also other symbols and instruments as well as cultural motifs like traditional attire,” Yan said.

Each side of the box tells a story and highlights Burmese culture. “The location was actually given to me by the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center, but the location is where the majority of the Burmese population and residents are at.”

Indianapolis has one of the largest Burmese populations in the country, with many in Perry Township on the city’s south side.

Yan says he wants to bring the stories of Burmese refugees to life. He came to Indianapolis as a refugee in 2012. “Now I’m working at a refugee resettlement agency called Exodus Immigration.”

Yan also is selling stickers that celebrate a piece of Burmese cultural artistry. Half of the proceeds will go towards helping Burmese refugees. They’re available at Top Point Royal Cafe, a new Burmese coffee shop on the south side of Indianapolis.

A main character from the TV comedy series “Glee” and several stars from Broadway’s “Wicked” will sing at The Cabaret this year.

Matthew Morrison, who played energetic glee club leader Mr. Schuester, will deliver a deeply personal show with “Rhythms and Revelations” in March and lead free masterclasses for more than 500 local high school students while he’s in Indianapolis. Fans of Broadway’s “Wicked” will recognize Norbert Leo Butz, Derek Klena and Patti Murin from the New York and touring shows.

The Cabaret, 924 N. Pennsylvania St., announced a 2025 winter-spring season that’s chock-full of Tony and Grammy award winners and star singer-songwriters who will share behind-the-scenes stories as they perform works that have been central to their personal and professional lives.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $150, with discounts for students and those ages 35 and under. Tickets are on sale now for Butz’s February show at thecabaret.org. The pre-sale for subscribers and donors who give $250 and more starts at 10 a.m. Jan. 9. General ticket sales begin at 10 a.m. Jan. 14.

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Here is The Cabaret’s schedule from February through mid-June.

• Feb. 14-15: Norbert Leo Butz. Starred in Broadway musicals “Catch Me If You Can” and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” — for which he won Tony and Drama Desk awards — as well as on TV and film. Butz’ Indianapolis show also will include original compositions and covers from the likes of Tom Waits and Elton John.
• March 7-8: Matthew Morrison. Along with “Glee,” known for his turns in Broadway’s “Hairspray” and “The Light in the Piazza.” In describing “Rhythms and Revelations,” Morrison writes that he’s “stepping outside of all the characters I’ve played” as he explores his own authenticity and vulnerability.
• April 4: Jazzmeia Horn. Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and arranger whose albums include “A Social Call” and “Love and Liberation.” With big band album “Dear Love—”, Horn includes poetry and spoken word while talking about her community, love and herself.
• April 12: Ball State’s Next Generation. Showcase performed by students in the university’s Department of Theatre and Dance.
• April 25-26: Derek Klena. Merges his experience of fatherhood with music that’s shaped him over the years. Klena’s credits include Broadway’s “Jagged Little Pill,” “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” and “Wicked,” and he’s appeared on TV in “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and “Quantico.”
• May 2: The Big Broadway Sing-Along. Sing-along celebrating Broadway with Indianapolis favorites Scott Semester and Sean Baker.
• May 9-10: Joaquina Kalukango. Especially known for her Tony Award-winning performance in Broadway’s “Paradise Square,” other stage credits include “Slave Play” and “Into the Woods.” Kalukango also played Betty X in the film “One Night in Miami.”
• May 16-17: Patti Murin. Star turns include Broadway’s “Wicked” and “Frozen” as well as TV credits that include Hallmark Channel movies and “Royal Pains.” Her show “Once Upon a Stage” explores balancing motherhood and a performing career.
• June 13: Bashiri Asad. Indianapolis-based artist who’s a 2025 Cabaret Artist in Residence. In “The Everyday SoulSinger,” audiences will hear the style that Asad calls “IndySoul,” which includes influences from shoo-wop style singing groups, classical music, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder.

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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.