RELATED EVENTS

• First Friday

Robert F. Kennedy speaks to an Indianapolis crowd shortly after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Ray Boomhower will discuss the significance of the speech April 4 at the Indiana History Center.

Simon Lamsma will perform at the Indiana History Center Basile Theater April 8. (Submitted photo)

A drawing by Indy native Nat Russell. Russell's new exhibit, "Thing," will be on display at Big Car Gallery for First Friday.

1. Robert F. Kennedy & the 1968 Indiana Primary

Noon April 4, free, Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., (317) 232-1882, www.indianahistory.org.

When Robert F. Kennedy arrived in Indianapolis on April 4, 1968, the young presidential hopeful planned to deliver a campaign speech to a largely black audience in a poor area. When news broke of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, police advised Kennedy to forgo the speech. But Kennedy insisted on addressing the crowd, who, it turned out, hadn't yet heard the tragic news. The speech he gave that day is now considered one of the great ones in American political history. Today, on its anniversary, Ray Boomhower, Indiana Historical Society Press managing editor, will discuss its lasting significance.

2. The Silver Lining

7:30 p.m. April 8, $20, Indiana History Center Basile Theater, 450 W. Ohio St., (317) 637-4574, www.violin.org.

Mozart, Ravel and Grieg all wrote exceptionally beautiful music for the violin. But such nuanced beauty requires a masterful violinist to properly convey it. You can rest assured that Simone Lamsma is one such violinist. The Dutch musician, who won the silver medal at the 2006 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, has a "crystalline technique" according to www.violin.org. This performance will mark Lamsma's first professional engagement in the United States.

3. Chris Abani

7:30 p.m. April 9, free, Butler University, Atherton Union Riley Room, 4600 Sunset Ave., (317) 940-9861.

Two years after writing his first book at age 16, the Nigerian-born Chris Abani was arrested and jailed on accusations that his book inspired the failed coup of General Vatsa. In and out of prisons from 1985 to 1991, Abani eventually ended up on Death Row, accused of treason. He was later freed, and now lives in California, where he is a professor at the University of California, Riverside. Abani's time as a political prisoner strongly informs his recent works, which include "Song For Night," "The Virgin of Flames" and "Becoming Abigail."

4. Nat Russell's 'Thing'

6 p.m. to midnight April 4, free, Big Car Gallery, 1043 Virginia Ave., (317) 450-6630, www.bigcar.org.

If you're an artist or musician in Indianapolis, there's a good chance the name Nat Russell rings a bell. Russell, an Indianapolis native and Ball State graduate, made a name for himself playing in such area bands as Birds of America and the Impossible Shapes. These days, Russell works in San Diego as a commercial and fine artist, and recently has garnered national attention for his quirky T-shirt and skateboard designs. This exhibit at Big Car will be accompanied by work from another Indianapolis native, Lisa Choinacky.

5. Cole Porter Film Series: Jonestown

Noon, April 3, free, Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., (317) 232-1882, www.indianahistory.org.

It's easy to forget that before Jim Jones became the charismatic leader of the Peoples Temple, he was an aspiring young preacher from Indiana who sold monkeys door to door to raise money to start his own church. Most know that Jones led his congregation to a sad, dark end in Guyana, South America. But not everyone understands why, or how, it happened. Through first-person accounts, this documentary provides surprising insight into the minds of both Jones and those who followed him.