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.

When I pitched the idea to write about thrift and vintage stores in Indianapolis, I didn’t think it would take six months to complete.

The main challenge was getting realistic about how many stores I would include. There are over 30 “thrift” shops in Naptown. So narrowing the list was a battle.

In the end, I focused on three vintage store owners and their most prized possessions. Some of them were scored from hoarder houses (yes, you read that right), dumpsters or even the side of the road.

I wanted this story to be accessible, even if you’re not an avid thrifter; that’s why you’ll find a vocab list and a shortlist of 14 stores to check out if you find my life’s work too long.

My most ambitious project to date is not just for the fashion gurus. Thrifting can be for everyone — no matter where you fall in the aisle.

In this episode:

• 31 things to do in January in Indianapolis
• Shop the records that inspire tastemakers of Indy’s music scene
• The Kut Gallery trims hair, but grows community and storytelling
• REVERB interview and performance featuring Nathan Graham

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

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

Dearest PlayListers,

As the final days of 2025 slip through our sugar-coated fingers, many of us are looking back — perhaps a bit astounded by all that we’ve lived through. A lot of life can happen in 365 days.

And all that life is easy to lose track of when you’re doing the same things. Eating at the same places. Sitting on the same couch, gazing at the same screens. Not that there’s anything wrong with a routine, but much of the value arts and culture brings to our lives is distinguishing one day from another.

The same can be said about a news article. The visual parts of a story are often what catch our attention. They have a way of sticking with us far longer, too.

So, in the spirit of reflection, the Mirror Indy team has pulled together a collection of our favorite photos and original artwork from 2025. We hope you enjoy them!

In this episode:

• Our Lady of Guadalupe sights and sound
• Kitchen of Culture on the south side
• Four local game designers to know
• Listen: "O Holy Night" a cappella
• How to celebrate Kwanzaa
• The Christmas House
• Your New Year "sound oracle"

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

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