I can’t believe it’s almost May. Where’d April go?

The warm weather has been amazing and I’m sure everyone is poised to get out and get some sun this weekend…

Speaking of the weekend – it’s WEDNESDAY, and you know I’ve got the take on the hottest upcoming events on the multi-cultural scene! If you’re not headed out of town for the Kentucky Derby, check out what’s happenin’ in and around Indy.

I plan to be out and about this weekend, so if you see me, be sure to say hello!

Here’s the goodness to look forward to -

TONIGHT! Wednesday, April 29

Get some culture about yourself

Dozens of rarely seen photographs of men, women and children reveal the span of emotions of the African American experience. Shadow and Substance celebrates “the strengths and accomplishments of African Americans in the face of oppression, subjugation and political disenfranchisement.” From early images of slaves and Civil War soldiers to new voters and political activists, the exhibit is filled with remarkable illustrations of achievement and shocking evidence of intolerance.

Where: Indiana State Musuem
When: Daily (ends May 17)
Price: $7 for adults, $6.50 seniors and $4 for children 3 to 12

For more information, please call 317.232.1637.

Eat out tomorrow. Make reservations today. It’s for a GREAT cause.

Please support Indy’s 15th Annual Dining Out for Life Thursday, April 30! Area restaurants will participate in the largest restaurant event in the Indianapolis area benefiting the Damien Center and hundreds of people living with HIV & AIDS throughout our region.

Making a difference is as easy as going out to eat! Have you made your reservation at a Dining Out for Life restaurant for April 30?

56 restaurants are donating 25-50% of sales on April 30 to the Damien Center. Gather your friends today and make your reservation today!

A full list of restaurants is online at: http://damien.org/photos.shtml or http://www.diningoutforlife.com/...
Breakfast, lunch and dinner all count! You can make a whole day of Dining Out for Life. Premiere Restaurants (donating 50%): Blu Martini, Arni’s, Palomino’s, Forty Five Degrees, Le Petit Chou, Cafe Patachou, and Adobo Grill.

I hear there’s going to be an afterparty with a live at Forty Five Degrees (on the corner of Mass Ave and College). Party starts at 10 p.m. and Forty Five Degrees will continue donating 50% of sales through the party.

Go online and pick your places to eat. You can make difference. Do it.

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Thursday, April 30

Party with a purpose – A Piece of Me

April is National Organ Donor Awareness Month! No, admission to this event won’t cost you a lung, but you need to have your face in the place for a night of live music, poetry, and comedy for a great cause.

This event is hosted by Warren B. Hall and will feature:

- The poets of FightingWordsPoetry.com (aLLEN iMAGERY, nSAYchable, Mike Perez, St. Peace)

- A SPECIAL live performance from alpha.live featuring Blackberry Jam and C-Ray

AND comedians Chad Daniels and Mike Malone

Tickets are available NOW at Morty’s box office or online at http://www.MortysComedy.com

Where: Mortys Comedy Joint – 3625 East 96th Street, Indianapolis
When: Doors open at 6 p.m.; show starts promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit The Valinda Jones Fund. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the National Kidney Foundation.

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Friday, May 1

It’s time again for the Wheeler Arts Community Open House! (insert applause here)

Participating resident artists include: Amory Abbot, Lindsey Davidson, Susan Hodgin, Josh Johnson, Latent Image Studio, Jerome Neal, MaryAnne Nguyen, Tim Maher, Wendy Mathieson, Sean Scott, Amanda Stirn, Ryan VanHoy, Derek Walker, and Libby Walker.

In the Gallery will be a group show by INvision: Alliance of Photographic Artists.

Where: Wheeler Arts Community – Fountain Square
When: Friday, May 1 through Sat., May 2, from 6 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free

Come check out the art of local guest artists and hear some live music. On Friday, Daryl Spurlock will be playing in the upper atrium; Saturday, Tim Brickley will play in the lower atrium.

For more information, please call 317.916.8894.

Relax in style

Enjoy sweet jazz, delicious food, tasty drinks, and the cozy atmosphere of the Vitesse Lounge with music provided by Cynthia Layne & Reggie Bishop.

Where: Conrad Hotel, 50 W. Washington St.
When: Show starts at 9 p.m.

For more information and ticket prices, please call 317.713.5000

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Saturday, May 2

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, early

The 6th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival takes place this Saturday at Garfield Park. This family-friendly affair features great food, arts and crafts, kiddie activities and community information booths.

Proceeds go to the Mexican Scholarship Fund.

Where: Garfield Park, 2450 Shelby St. in south Indy
When: Noon to 8 p.m.

For more information, please call 317.327.7220.

Cinco de Mayo at El Meson Mexican Restaurant

- FREE Mexican buffet until midnight;

- Live music by Indy’s favorite Salsa band Bembé featuring new keyboard player, Christian Rezza, from Peru. Rezza has played with Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Roberto Blades, Orquesta Internacional Sabor

- DJ Aztecprinz, DJ Jimmie Jim and DJ Phlipp will play the hottest Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, & Reggaeton from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.;

- Dance performance by Las Chicas El Meson;

- Rueda performance by OpenSourceSalsa;

- Drink specials all night;

- FREE parking

$5 Cover before 10 p.m.; $10 after 10. 21 and over. For more information, please e-mail yang@intosalsa.com.

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That’s all folks! Have a safe, fun and fabulous weekend. Please let me know if I have missed any events.