Friends, I know I don’t have to tell you, but this cold is brutal.

As I write this, the space heater at my feet just shut off — reminding me (again) that it’s on the same circuit as the space heater that was running in the bedroom.

I’m taking the precautions I can, and I’m checking in on my neighbors. I’m sure you are, too. And I’m sure many of you are also feeling a little restless, wherever you are cooped up.

A bit further down, I’ll mention hoodox.tv, a streaming service that shares documentaries “that connect Hoosiers, spark conversations, and inspire positive change in Indiana.” That story made me think of Musical Family Tree, a searchable catalogue of Hoosier bands. And, of course, there’s the digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Not to mention this list of free digital streaming services offered through the Indianapolis Public Library.

So, wherever you are this week, I hope you find something new to explore!

In this issue:

Valentine's Day on a budget

Can you make a 5-minute film for $5,000?

Warm up with a ‘soup crawl’ through Indy

Teresa Reynolds pays tribute to Babyface while building her own legacy

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.

You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dearest PlayListers,

I don’t know about you, but writer Emily Worrell and I were just talking about how bummed out we feel. Winter — even when it’s not all that cold — makes it hard to catch all the sunlight we need to feel like decent versions of ourselves.

This is about the time of year I find myself sneaking off with a book to the Garfield Park Conservatory over lunch or in the cracks of my weekend. But I’ve found that a good dose of bright, cheerful art goes a long way, too.

Shea Stapley has pulled together a list of local artists who do just that, infusing their work with the color and whimsy that Indiana winters seem to so desperately lack. These artists are all over our city, from the Broad Ripple Flower Alley to the Children’s Museum to the CAMi Campus, and I suggest you take a look!

In this episode

• Indy Dance Film Fest at the Kan-Kan Jan. 27
• Gina Lee Robbins exhibit at Storage Space
• Art classes to learn a new creative skill
• Video: Ray Hutchins and The Palace on REVERB

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.

You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.

Dearest PlayListers,

Last Friday night, I stayed home to work on a jigsaw puzzle. Don’t get me wrong, puzzles are the best. But here I am, writing this newsletter, telling you to get out and experience the world.

So, in honor of the impulse to curl up, I’m telling you about Booth. It’s a literary magazine curated and produced by folks from Butler University’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program that specializes in short stories, personal essays and poetry. Much of Booth is quirky. All of it is a marvel. And the Winter 2026 digital issue is now available to read online for free.

As a current editor for Booth, I’m compelled to call attention to a few other local literary magazines you might like: The Flying Island, The Indianapolis Review and Belt Magazine. (Belt is more regional, but I think you’ll love it.) This is not an exhaustive list, but it’ll get you started!

In this episode:

• 12 ways to celebrate MLK Day Jan. 19
• Ciara Myst reps the Indiana drag scene on "RuPaul's Drag Race"
• Healing, renewal and recovery at the Harrison Center this month
• Jazz musician Brandon Meeks got a $10,000 grant to honor Indiana jazz greats

Get more Indianapolis arts and culture coverage at MirrorIndy.org/Arts.

You can also subscribe to get the Play List email newsletter.