Game On
Photography by: 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
Compiled by: Melissa Fears and Ashley Petry
THE BIG EVENT
Super Bowl XLVI: 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 5
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis
Georgia Street in Indianapolis will soon be bustling with sports fans from across the nation as they revel in the festivities for Super Bowl XLVI. The Super Bowl Host Committee is transforming the area into a week-long entertainment hub, which will include zip-line rides, a football-field replica and two concert stages featuring more than 80 live bands. The lineup of free events begins Jan. 27. The outdoor epicenter of the activities, known as Super Bowl Village, will claim a three-block stretch of Georgia Street between the Indiana Convention Center and Conseco Fieldhouse, and the party is going to get started well before game-day kickoff. “We are really encouraging residents to come the weekend before or throughout all of the week leading up to the Super Bowl,” says Morgan Greenlee, senior communications manager at the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association. Those looking for warm indoor fun can head to the NFL Experience ($25 for adults and $20 for children), a football theme park produced by the National Football League that will offer games, displays, football clinics, free autograph sessions and a memorabilia show. The theme park, which also opens Jan. 27, will be housed in the newly remodeled Indiana Convention Center, where it will take up the entire 500,000 square feet. And if that isn’t enough to fill your entire social schedule, there’s more.
Jan. 27
“Chaos is a Friend of Mine: Cultural Icons from the Jim Irsay Collection” Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay will showcase his eclectic artifacts throughout Super Bowl week at the Indiana State Museum (www.indianamuseum.org).
Jan. 28
Near Eastside Legacy 5K Run/Walk and Health Fair: The 5K run/walk, which starts at Arsenal Tech High School, will highlight Near Eastside Legacy Project revitalization efforts and raise funds for long-term projects. The event also includes a health fair with a variety of free screenings (www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/legacy-project-overview). Indy Super Cure—Komen Tissue Bank Donation Indy’s Super Cure invites the public to help in the fight against breast cancer by donating breast tissue at the IU Simon Cancer Center (www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/indy-super-cure).
Jan. 31
Super Bowl Media Day: More than 5,000 fans will get the opportunity to sit in the stands as media professionals interview members of the participating Super Bowl teams (www.indianapolissuperbowl.com).
Feb. 2
Z-Bowl Winterfest Zionsville kicks off its Super Celebration Site festivities with outdoor concerts, game-day specials and a city-wide exhibition of football-themed art from the permanent collection of the National Art Museum of Sport (www.zbowl2012.com).
Feb. 3
Habitat for Humanity Super Build 46: Help build wall panels for the future homes of low-income families in the greater Indianapolis area (www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/super-build-46).
Pro Football Hall of Fame—Merlin Olsen Luncheon: The luncheon, to be held at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, will raise money for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees Assistance Fund (www.profootballhof.com).
2012 NFL Alumni Player of the Year Awards Show: For nearly three decades, NFL Alumni has honored its stars at an annual Player of the Year Awards Show, held this year at the Scottish Rite Cathedral (www.nflalumni.org).
13th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration: The Gospel Celebration will bring NFL players and Grammy Award-winning gospel artists together on stage. The concert, at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University, also serves as a fundraiser for national and local charities (www.superbowlgospel.com).
Feb. 4
Super Bowl Breakfast: The breakfast, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, features the Bart Starr Award, which recognizes a current NFL player for outstanding character and leadership. Past winners have included Drew Brees, Kurt Warner, LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Woodson, Mike Singletary and Reggie White.
Taste of the NFL: This nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to stopping hunger in America, will bring its annual fundraiser to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. The food and wine event, dubbed “The Party with a Purpose,” will feature more than 35 food stations where guests can sample fine cuisine, mingle with chefs and players, and participate in a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit food banks in 32 NFL markets (www.TasteoftheNFL.com).
The Seventh Annual NFL Charities Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic: The NFL Charities Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic will be held at Woodland Bowl. Attendees will range from Pro Football Hall of Fame members to celebrities, local philanthropists and business owners (www.nflcharities.org/fundraising/sb_funding). For details on the Super Bowl Village schedule, as well as road restrictions and recommended travel routes, visit www.indianapolissuperbowl.com. To skip the traffic, hop on one of the shuttles leaving from select Super Celebration Sites in Fishers, Carmel and Noblesville—where you might also encounter a welcoming flash-mob performance. Visit www.8greattowns.com for more info.
TIP: Get up-to-date information. Visit Know Before You Go online. It will assist local residents and out-of-town visitors in their travels to downtown Indianapolis for work purposes and Super Bowl events, according to Morgan Greenlee, senior communications manager for the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association. “It will provide detailed information about road restrictions, recommended travel routes, downloadable maps and real-time updates and to navigate downtown Indianapolis during Super Bowl XLVI,” she says. Visit the Know Before You Go tab at www.IndianapolisSuperBowl.com.
TIP: Have transportation and lodging, but still want a coveted ticket? Visit www.nfl.com/ticketexchange for a chance to buy a seat. Tickets are going fast, and even nosebleed section tickets can set you back at least $2,500 a piece.
Indianapolis Bucket List
Sometimes it takes something like a Super Bowl to see the Circle City with new eyes—as a first-time visitor would see it. That’s why we checked in with the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association to get ideas on things to do this month that you might not have otherwise considered. Here, the ICVA’s ‘Must Do’ Indianapolis bucket list.
It’s a Cold Weather Super Bowl: Embrace it with Hot Chocolate from Trader’s Point Creamery Head just 20 minutes north of downtown’s Super Bowl hysteria and visit Trader’s Point Creamery. This family-owned organic dairy farm produces the yogurt on Whole Foods’ shelves nationwide. Visit the milking parlor to watch the milking and bottling process and then get ready to taste the best hot chocolate in town.
Eat at Harry & Izzy’s — co-owned by Peyton Manning. This sister restaurant of St. Elmo’s Steakhouse boasts what Travel Channel calls “The World’s Spiciest Dish,” its famous shrimp cocktail that is created from freshly shaved horseradish daily. Manning is known to frequent the restaurants post-game for a perfect steak.
Shop at Indy Boutiques: Indianapolis was ranked the ‘Sixth Best Shopping City’ in America by Forbes, and the ICVA recommends eastside Irvington neighborhood’s Homespun, Mass Ave.’s Silver in the City and Fountain Square’s Indy Swank for goods with local flair. You might even find a handbag made from recycled material of the former RCA Dome.
Zip-line in February in Indy? Why, Yes. Indianapolis pulled out all the stops in the three-block downtown pedestrian promenade off Georgia Street. During the Super Bowl it will become a mecca for football fans. Free and open to the public, the area will offer street vendors, two stages of live music, big screen TVs, heaters and an enclave for each NFL team. Available for $10 a ride, glide over the fans on the street on a zip-line.
Climb to the top of Monument Circle’s Soldiers and Sailors Monument: Climb to the top of Monument Circle’s Soldiers and Sailors Monument Indianapolis is second to Washington, D.C., in the number of monuments and memorials, so you’ll definitely want to check out at least one. Why not take in the breathtaking views of the city by heading up to the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, located at the epicenter of downtown.
A Super Bowl Timeout
Maybe you’re not a sports fan to begin with, or maybe you’re just sick of the incessant Super Bowl chatter. Need a timeout? Here are five ways to get away from the gridiron during Super Bowl weekend. For other ideas, check out our events calendar on page 112 or here on our website.
Enjoy some peace and quiet with a Winter Night Hike through Central Park, organized by Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation (Feb. 3, www.carmelclayparks.com).
Catch one of Carmel Community Players’ final performances of “Company,” a Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth. Songs include “What Would We Do Without You?” and “Side by Side by Side” (through Feb. 4, www.carmelplayers.org).
Escape to the past with an interactive Hearthside Supper experience at Conner Prairie. You’ll help prepare a candlelit feast with recipes straight from a 19th-century cookbook—and there won’t be a TV or radio in sight (Feb. 2-5, www.connerprairie.org).
Take advantage of this last chance to see Material World, an exhibition at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The ornamented textiles, from court dresses to modern couture, show how clothing can be used to display wealth, status and power (through Feb. 6, www.imamuseum.org).
Get away from it all—literally—with a weekend jaunt to one of those little Hoosier towns you’ve been meaning to visit. Our travel story on page 82 highlights 10 of the most romantic getaways across the state.
Ready to have some fun? Hamilton County is looking for a few good men, women and children to create “Super” Cheer Mobs to welcome visitors Feb. 1 to 3 at area hotels, restaurants and bars. If you have a group that can sing, cheer, dance and just have fun, sign up to be part of the Hamilton County Hospitality Cheer Mob program by visiting www.8GreatTowns.com/BigGame.
- February 8
“ Medicaid Informational Discussion”
Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library - February 9
“6th Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance”
Cool Creek Nature Center - February 10
“Dark Star Orchestra”
Old National Centre - February 10
““Lend Me a Tenor””
The Tarkington at the Center for the Performing Arts - February 10
““Godspell””
The Studio Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts - February 10
““Titanic: The Musical””
The Belfry Theatre - February 11
“Godspell””
The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts - February 11
“The 500 Festival Training Series”
- February 11
“Valentine’s Day Tea at the Simply Sweet Shoppe”
Simply Sweet Shoppe in Carmel - February 11
““Valentine’s Day Show””
Peewinkle's Puppet Studio - February 11
“Valentine's Day Tea for Kids, Parents, and Me! ”
Simply Sweet Shoppe in Carmel - February 11
“"Love, Tragedy and Romance – A Valentine’s Concert" ”
Paramount Theatre Centre, Anderson - February 15
“Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters ”
The Palladium - February 15
“Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance”
The Mansion at Oak Hill - February 16
“Legally Blonde the Musical”
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - February 16
““Legally Blonde the Musical””
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - February 17
“13-Time Grammy Nominee Bruce Hornsby”
The Palladium - February 17
“Butler Ballet”
Clowes Memorial Hall - February 18
“An Introduction to Dog Sledding”
Cool Creek Nature Center - February 19
“Relive the magic of Motown”
The Palladium - February 20
“Colors N Cups Event”
Gallery 116 - February 21
“Simon Armitage”
Clowes Memorial Hall - February 22
“The Magic School Bus Celebrates 25 Years ”
Clowes Memorial Hall - February 22
“The Tschaikowski St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra”
The Palladium - February 24
“Cirque du Soleil's “Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour””
Conseco Fieldhouse - February 24
“Winter Nights Film Series”
The Toby at the IMA - February 24
“The Playing For Change Band”
Clowes Memorial Hall - February 25
“21st annual Woodcarver & Turner Exhibit and Sale”
Eagle Creek Park's Earth Discovery Center - February 25
“Chris Botti”
The Palladium - February 26
“Race around the world with the Indiana Wind Symphony”
The Palladium - February 27
“"Ruditoonz"”
Monon Community Center - February 28
“"Freedom Train" tells the remarkable story of Harriet Tubman”
Clowes Memorial Hall - March 1
“9th Annual Taste of Carmel”
Carmel Ritz Charles - March 17
“Winter Market at Carmel City Center ”
719 Hanover Place on the interior of Carmel City Center - March 17
“2nd Annual Mad Hatter Tea”
R.L. Wilson House in Noblesville - March 25
“Hearthside Suppers at Conner Prairie”
Conner Prairie Interactive History Park - March 26
“Bobbi Lancaster Performs”
Monon Community Center - March 31
“Children's Egg Hunt & Dog-Gone Egg Hunt”
West Park - April 12
“The Music Man”
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - April 14
“"One in Seven: Just the Tip of the Iceberg." 26th Anniversary Gala”
The mansion at Oak Hill - April 21
“Bugs Bunny at the Symphony”
Paramount Theatre Centre - April 21
“Fishers Tri Kappa Garage Sale”
Fishers Junior High School - April 23
“Stacia Demos Performs”
Monon Community Center - May 31
“The Wizard of Oz”
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - July 19
“Nunsense”
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - August 30
“Chicago”
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - October 11
“A Church Basement Ladies Christmas”
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre - November 29
“A Beef & Boards Christmas”
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre