FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS — The 2015 Spirit & Place Festival, a legacy project of The Polis Center, part of the IU School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, begins today and runs through Nov. 15.
This year’s festival will feature 31 programs including performances, exhibits and conversations held at venues across Central Indiana. These programs will explore the theme of “Dream” through the lenses of neuroscience, song, religion, social justice, dance and more, highlighting the voices of youth, elders, veterans, visual artists, neighborhoods and others who dare to dream.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary year, Spirit & Place, the city’s largest collaborative festival, engages about 19,000 people annually through its programs presented in partnership with more than 100 organizations.
Today’s kickoff from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Glendale Branch Library, 6101 N. Keystone Ave., will be a surrealist party the public won’t soon forget, according to festival organizers. Attendees will participate in writing and drawing games. Themed refreshments for the free event will include green apples and peculiar finger foods. Music and art will round out the evening. Costumes and headwear are encouraged.
The Spirit & Place Festival was born out of a “public conversation” between Kurt Vonnegut, Dan Wakefield and John Updike in 1996 when the three literary giants explored the connection between the arts, humanities and religion.
This year, the signature Public Conversation, titled “New Dreams for Indy,” will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, 600 W. 70th St. Presenters will include Phyllis Boyd of Groundwork Indy, David Sklar of the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council, Marshawn Wolley of Visit Indy and Rev. Anastassia Zinke of All Souls Unitarian Church – Indianapolis.
A full listing of events is available at http://spiritandplace.org.