Culture

Culture

Summer events in Indianapolis and surrounding areas

By Taylor Goebes | June 9

It’s officially summer time in Indianapolis. People may be sitting at home bored, wondering what to do. Good thing Indianapolis has fun and interactive events almost every day in the summer to keep everyone entertained and connected with the community. Many events are free or low cost, allowing students and the greater Indianapolis community to enjoy their summer without breaking the bank. 

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Politics

Local organizations to host second annual Peace Walk in honor of National Youth Violence Prevention Week

By Salsabil F. Qaddoura | April 22

In 2024, youth violence prevention organizations in Indianapolis came together to host the inaugural Peace Walk, where hundreds of attendees gathered to stand up for a safer and more peaceful future. Gift Akintomide, a senior at Ben Davis University High School, is passionate about social justice and ...

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Culture

How IU Indy students have been affected by the current AI revolution

By Ian Janke | April 14

In the 21st century, many students have reaped the benefits of the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence in computers. The past decade has shown the growth of AI assistants such as Grammarly and Photomath. In 2022, a new AI tool called ChatGPT started gaining popularity, which has become both a tool and disruptor of education.  

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Culture

2025 Ramadan at IUI: Muslim students find community and connection through student-organized events

By Salsabil F. Qaddoura and Umu Sow | April 4

There are roughly two billion Muslims on the entire planet, with nearly 50,000 Muslims living in Indiana. Muslims across the world, in Indiana and at IU Indianapolis, recently observed the holy month of Ramadan.Islam is one of the three Abrahamic religions, with the literal definition of the word “Islam” ...

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Culture

“The Art of Resistance”: Dr. Orna Tsultem’s latest exhibition highlights how transformative art can arise from oppression

By Salsabil F. Qaddoura | April 1

Dr. Uranchimeg (Orna) Tsultem is an esteemed, award winning art historian, dedicating her career to amplifying the voices of East Asian artists, particularly Mongolian artists, across the West. Her latest exhibition, “Mongol Zurag: The Art of Resistance,” was hosted in Venice, Italy, from April 20 to Nov. 24, 2024. This one-of-a-kind, innovative curation of contemporary art artfully addresses questions on national identity as well as the preservation of cultural heritage and traditions. Mongol Zurag refers to the specific style of artwork (mediums, characteristics used, etc.). 

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Culture

“Kingdom Come Deliverance II” is already a huge success

By Lukas Tunis | March 6

Warhorse Studios’ “Kingdom Come Deliverance II” is set to be one of the most successful games released on Steam this year.  Playing “Kingdom Come Deliverance II” can be a bewildering and challenging experience for those unfamiliar with medieval history. It is unapologetic in its willingness to force the player to problem solve, and this makes it all the more rewarding. The game places you in the shoes of Henry, a young blacksmith’s son turned soldier living in medieval Bohemia (the modern-day Czech Republic) in the year 1403, a time of social upheaval and a brewing civil war between two would-be kings. 

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Culture

Picks and predictions for the 97th Academy Awards

By Trevor Stucker | Feb. 27

The past two years saw the Best Picture winning films receiving seven Oscars. This year could potentially continue that streak, with “Emilia Perez,” “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave” and “Wicked” all scoring eight or more nominations. Will we get another Oscar sweeper ...

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Local

Indianapolis reinvents historic landmark

By Abby Godsen | Feb. 26

The Indianapolis catacombs have been a focal point of local city history for decades, acting as a popular tourist landmark. As part of a larger redevelopment plan proposed in 2022, Indianapolis began an excavation project to unearth them making it more accessible to the public. 

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Culture

Oscar nominations: Who got snubbed and what surprised

By Trevor Stucker | Jan. 29

“Emilia Perez” led the way with 13 nominations, with “The Brutalist” and “Wicked” not far behind with 10 nominations each.

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Culture

Final predictions for the 2025 Academy Awards

By Trevor Stucker | Jan. 16

With the 2025 Academy Awards nominations coming out on Jan. 23, I wanted to take a look at what I think will appear in each category. After careful consideration, here are my predicted nominees for the 2025 Academy Awards

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Culture

Final predictions for Best Picture at the 2025 Academy Awards

By Trevor Stucker | Jan. 16

With the Golden Globes and Critics Choice awards taking place throughout the past week, it’s becoming more clear what the Academy will nominate as the best of 2024. Before the nominations announcement on Jan. 23, I want to take a look at what will likely be the biggest contenders for Best Picture.“Anora"Sean ...

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Culture

Swadesh, a home away from home

By Heaven Xiong | Dec. 16

Anish Bhawal stands in a separate corner of a lit up gym room, using his eyes to check off tasks in preparation of Garba. For many attending, the festival marks a lively night of culture, music and fun. But for Bhawal, and those within the executive board, it signifies the reestablishment of a home away from home for many Indian international students. 

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Culture

Robert Rebein leads inspiring reading as part of the Reiberg reading series

By Melanie Contreras | Nov. 25

As part of the Rufus & Louise Reading Series, a showcase of active authors visiting campus to share their works, Professor Robert Rebein hosted a comical yet intriguing reading of his recently published book, “The Last Rancher,” on Nov. 7. 

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Reviews

Review: ShinDig, a bite and party for just about anyone

By Heaven Xiong | Nov. 22

As the weather transitions to windy days and brighter colors of leaves, a new cuisine sensation has trickled into the outskirts of the downtown Indianapolis area. Located on 1351 Roosevelt Ave. with its entrance facing away from the road, diners may be deceived from seeing it entirely. But enter from the south side, and they will find themselves in front of Cunningham Restaurant Group’s newest feat: ShinDig.

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Reviews

REVIEW: Authentic or amiss, Netflix’s two new Menendez Brothers productions invoke an unavoidable discussion

By Ruby Olston | Nov. 12

Nearly 30 years after Lyle and Erik Menendez were given multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole, Netflix’s back-to-back features about the notorious parricide case played an unexpected role in the recent recommendation for resentencing.Director, writer and producer Ryan Murphy, an ...

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Reviews

Review: Halsey’s “The Great Impersonator” is their most diverse album yet

By Kylee Leahy | Nov. 4

Alternative-pop artist Halsey released the lead single “The End” for her highly anticipated fifth studio album “The Great Impersonator” on June 4. “The End” was carried with finger-strummed guitar chords and melancholic vocals, a far cry from many of their past singles, which were grounded ...

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Culture

Spooky season at AMC: BlumFest 2024 horror movie screenings

By Umu Sow | Oct. 16

Blumhouse, a horror production company, will be partnering with AMC this fall to host BlumFest, which rescreens a few of their popular horror films in theaters. Screenings are offered every Wednesday night until Oct. 30. 52 cities in the U.S. at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. local time. The streaming schedule ...

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Film

REVIEW: Why you should see the Pharrell WIlliams Lego documentary, “Piece by Piece”

By Trevor Stucker | Oct. 9

"Piece by Piece" releases in theaters on October 11th.

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Local

Fall into these local Autumn festivities

By Kylee Leahy | Oct. 8

While it doesn’t feel any less like summer here on campus, October has officially begun. Rain or shine, here are some local fall favorites to get you in the mood for the falling leaves. 

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Culture

Cultural Connections participates in first Regatta

By Kondwani Mzumara | Oct. 3

Cultural Connections at IUI made their first appearance at the 16th Annual Regatta on Saturday, Sep. 29 in Military Park. The first-year organization rowed their canoes on an overcast and intermittently rainy day in Indianapolis. While the weather posed challenges, Cultural Connections managed to complete their first Regatta as an organization.