Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Jazz Foundation empowers youth through comprehensive jazz education
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Jazz Futures program, organized by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, aims to inspire high school musicians through a comprehensive curriculum more than 22 sessions spanning seven months. Classes are held Sundays from 3 to 5 PM at the Luddy School of Informatics, 335 West Michigan St.
Founded in 1996 as a 501(c)(three) organization, the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation promotes jazz heritage in the community. One of its flagship events, the Indy Jazz Fest, celebrates the city’s historical contributions to jazz, featuring legendary artists like Cole Porter and Wes Montgomery who shaped Indianapolis’ vibrant music scene.
The Jazz Futures program focuses heavily on education, providing young musicians with training in jazz repertoire, improvisation, history and more. “Well, that’s one of the pillars of the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, you know, the education part of it,” said Pavel. “We have legacy and other things, but the education is like, okay, let’s get, you know, the young musicians interested early enough so they can develop a career.”
The program not only nurtures musical talent but also instills valuable life skills. Local jazz legend Rob Dixon noted, “Yeah, I mean, it’s a program that I think we’ve had great results with a lot of the students. And one of the things about it, too, is they get to understand that jazz is an American art form and it educates them in a way that I think a lot of the past Jazz Futures students, even though they don’t go into music, they become successful in life.” His perspective highlights the broader impact of music education on personal development, with alumni achieving success in various fields.
Pavel and Rob were excited about the current cohort of students, emphasizing the importance of bringing jazz to a younger audience, particularly those who may not have access to small group combos.
Their work with the students represents a culmination of years of effort to improve access to jazz education throughout Indianapolis, especially in underserved communities.
The foundation aims to reverse negative effects caused by urban development, which has fragmented traditionally Black neighborhoods and marginalized their rich cultural history.
The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation is committed to advancing artists of color through education and performance opportunities. They strive to ensure that the legacy of influential artists is not only preserved but also celebrated through ongoing community engagement at events like the Indy Jazz Fest.
The Jazz Futures program will continue through its seven-month curriculum, offering performances and learning experiences for the students. The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation plans to maintain its commitment to jazz education and community involvement with various events throughout the year.
Forty-one names comprised the 11th layer of Springer’s “The Forgiving Sea VI,” an interactive painting that invites people to wr
Elizabeth Gabriel, Mirror Indy
(MIRROR INDY) — The Garfield Park Conservatory will host multiple family-friendly events throughout June. The events include plant shows, kid’s story time and Dollar Menu Night, which allows residents to harvest and eat veggies from a community garden.
Events at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, range in price and some require advance registration.
The Indianapolis Bonsai Club will have displays and answer questions about a variety of bonsai. Vendors will have items for purchase.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6, 1-5 p.m. June 7
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Preschoolers ages 2-5 can participate in nature-themed storytime and crafts.
🗓️ 10-11 a.m. June 9
🎟️ $6 per child
Residents of all ages can harvest and eat veggies from Blakes’ Garden. Advance registration is preferred.
🗓️ 6-7 p.m. June 10
🎟️ $1 per person
Focused on ages 2-8, participants will listen to a nature-themed story and explore Blakes’ Garden. Attendees will relocate to a classroom if there’s inclement weather.
🗓️ 10 a.m. June 12
🎟️ Free
Up to 15 neighbors ages 10 and up will learn to ferment kimchi. Registration is required.
🗓️ 1-2 p.m. June 13
🎟️ $15 per person
Kids ages 2-5 can plant and harvest crops in the Children’s Garden. Registration is required.
🗓️ 11 a.m. to noon June 24
🎟️ $6 per child
The Indiana Insectivores will display tropical and native Indiana predator plants. Plants will also be available for purchase. Those who attend the plant show will also have free entry to the Predatory Plants Presentation 1-2 p.m. June 27.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27, 1-5 p.m. June 28
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Community Love Fest 2026, an initiative happening over four days, will start on Wednesday at an Indianapolis church.
The STR8UP Mentoring Foundation, touted as an Indianapolis-based nonprofit to help at-risk urban youths, aims for the event to be a safe and productive start to summer for Indianapolis youth and families.
The kickoff rally will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, 4958 Ribble Road. That’s off East 30th Street west of its intersections with Massachusetts Avenue and Emerson Avenue.
A community cleanup day will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday at 3036 N. Sherman Drive, just north of East 30th Street.
A basketball tournament and a health and resource fair will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Washington Park, 3130 E. 30th St.
STR8UP programs include educational partnerships that support students from kindergarten through young adulthood, and intramural sports to encourage teamwork and healthy competition.
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