Pandemic wreaks havoc on massive wedding industry
The onslaught of COVID-19 cases in Indiana, just as wedding season was getting underway, has forced thousands of couples to make quick and often heart-wrenching decisions about how to proceed.
Arts & Entertainment
Articles
Conventions rush to reschedule, make most of 2020 events
The local tourism industry is bracing for a “very tough” end to 2020, despite efforts to reopen the state by July 4.
Laura Holzman: Arts play an essential role in challenging times
It’s no surprise that those of us who see the arts as a core part of our identity are finding ways to connect with creative expression even when we can’t gather in theaters, in the studio, on the street or in the gallery. We stream performances, collaborate remotely or document life at home.
Chicago-area businessman acquires Indiana Beach
By purchasing the 94-year-old attraction, Gene Staples said he is “preventing the loss of another one of America’s icons.”
Black Expo calls off in-person Summer Celebration, Circle City Classic events
Organizers say they are planning to provide some events digitally. Officials said they are particularly concerned about the disproportionate effect the coronavirus is having on African Americans.
Downtown hotel occupancy fell 91% as health crisis escalated
The entire market saw a 68% drop in occupancy from the week of March 1-7 to the week of March 29-April 4, according to data from Tennessee-based hotel research firm STR.
CIB, Visit Indy reducing executive pay to cope with pandemic losses
The Capital Improvement Board of Marion County and Visit Indy said they are implementing several cost-cutting maneuvers ahead of expected drops in tax revenue over the next several months.
New Noblesville mayor makes push to restore Hobbs Station, 10-acre railyard
A planned $1.5 million investment in Noblesville’s historic railyard is designed to draw visitors into downtown, but it also might put the city’s rocky relationship with rail back on track.
Owner of Try It Tiny files bankruptcy, dissolves company
The Airbnb concept for tiny houses was dissolved March 23 with more than $765,000 in outstanding business debt.
Liz Biro leaves Indianapolis Star after six years on restaurant beat
In a column, Biro said her final day at the Star was Friday, and she left her job so she could move “back closer” to “her East Coast family.”
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra puts musicians on unpaid furlough, lays off half of staff
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra said it has applied for financial relief through the federal Paycheck Protection Program and advised employees to seek unemployment benefits.
Indiana Repertory Theatre sues insurer over rejected claim tied to virus crisis
IRT, the state’s largest not-for-profit professional theater, says its insurer refused to cover a “business interruption” claim tied to the coronavirus crisis.
Museums, performance venues expect to withstand closures
Facing millions of dollars in lost revenue from the COVID-19 outbreak, major arts and cultural attractions throughout Indianapolis are slashing budgets, cutting staff and dipping into reserves or endowments to make ends meet.
‘It’s all ruined—there’s no demand,’ hotelier says
MHG President Sanjay Patel has been through tough times in the hotel industry before—but nothing quite like this.
City’s contemporary art organization ceasing operations after 19 years
Indianapolis Contemporary—known as the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art up until 11 months ago—announced Thursday that it was calling it quits after an internal review “determined it was not economically feasible to continue operations.”
Downtown Indy launches new Circle light show to express hope during pandemic
Two Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra musicians were enlisted to help produce a light and music show on Monument Circle to offer hope to the local community and countries around the world. The show airs multiple times every night from 9 p.m. until midnight, but officials are encouraging people to watch it online.
Owner: Indiana Beach amusement park could reopen this year
White County officials recently agreed to offer $3 million in incentives to lure potential buyers for the 94-year-old resort.
City’s biggest hotels consider closures as industry lobbies for tax relief to ease outbreak impact
The owners of the city’s two largest hotels are considering closing them amid drastic decreases in business caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
In ‘devastating’ decision, IRT cancels final three productions of season
The decision follows new guidance for public gatherings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that on Monday was adopted by both the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana.
Capital Improvement Board braces for big losses from COVID-19 outbreak
The head of the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County, which owns and manages the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, on Friday acknowledged there will be an “obvious impact” from the virus.