Zionsville Cultural District

Welcome to the Zionsville Cultural District’s website.

Concert series survey

Have you attended any of our weekly concerts this summer? Have a minute to spare to fill out a short survey? Thank you!

Survey link: docs.google.com/forms/d/11WF6DHQoJ2h0mWj0BsrXxnoP4xU-KOBr7f7r86ZUU2Q/edit#responses

We are a 501(c)3, help us in
our cultural efforts!

Wednesday Augyst 4, 2021 Concert: Zionsville Concert Band Presents The Circle City Trumpets & The Zionsville Band Saxophone Ensemble

Join us in Lincoln Park on Wednesday August 4th from 7-8:30 pm to be treated to music by The Circle City Trumpets and The Zionsville Band Saxophone Ensemble!

Kona Ice will be available on site for purchase. Come join us!

Thank you to our sponsors:
CURRENT
National Bank of Indianapolis
Control Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
Robert Goodman Jewelers
ARN Funeral & Cremation Services
Lowder Insurance.

About the group:
In 2013, a group of 4 trumpet players from the Phillip’s Music Guild, formed the core of the Tinsel Trumpets ensemble. The original intent was to perform a holiday concert every year alongside other Phillip’s Guild groups the “Jingle Bones” and the “Saxy Santas”. The trumpet players had so much fun, they decided to continue to get together and play all genres of music and to expand the group, thus forming what would become the Circle City Trumpets. Since that time, the CCT has played various concerts and private venues, and still gathers to play the holiday concert every year as the Tinsel Trumpets.

Wednesday July 28, 2021 Concert: Beautiful Day - A U2 Tribute Band

Lions Park
7:00-8:30 PM

Join us at 6:30 pm to hear music by Mr. Daniel before Beautiful Day takes the stage!

Thank you to our sponsors:
CURRENT
Boone County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Lions Club
Zionsville Little League
The National Bank of Indianapolis
Control Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
Storen Financial
Don R. Fitzpatrick Fine Art
Lowder Insurance
Robert Goodman Jewelers
Zionsville Optimist Club
Zionsville Physical Therapy

About the artist:
https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulMusicalLife

Wednesday July 21, 2021 Concert: Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters

Lions Park
7:00-8:30 PM

Join us at 6:30 pm to hear music by Mr. Daniel before Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters take the stage!

Thank you to our sponsors:
CURRENT
Boone County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Lions Club
Zionsville Little League
The National Bank of Indianapolis
Control Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
Storen Financial
Don R. Fitzpatrick Fine Art
Lowder Insurance
Robert Goodman Jewelers
Zionsville Optimist Club
Zionsville Physical Therapy

About the artist:
https://www.facebook.com/nickdittmeiermusic

"Nick Dittmeier is a singer-songwriter from Southern Indiana. He’s released two solo ep’s, “Extra Better” in 2013 and “Light of Day” in 2014. With the support of his backing/touring band, The Sawdusters, he has released two full length albums, “Midwest Heart/ Southern Blues” in 2016 and “All Damn Day” in 2018. These albums are gritty collections of songs, full of characters who were developed while staring over the dash of a beat up tour van, cruising through towns all over the South and Midwest.

His newest release, “Companion (Extended Edition)”, features a four song studio collection from 2019 on Side A. Side B, titled “Alive From a Barbershop in Southern Indiana” is a live acoustic listening room set.
Relentless touring through the United States and Europe have accompanied these releases, and he will be on the road in 2021 and beyond."

Wednesday July 14, 2021 Concert: Sax Pistols

Join us at 6:30 pm to hear music by Mr. Daniel before the Sax Pistols take the stage!

Sax Pistols play the Zionsville ZCD Concert Series - Lions Park Gazebo
Free admission!
Free Parking!
All Ages welcome!
Early show - 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Sax Pistols!
Awesome!!
Bring your lawn chairs, tables, blankets, drinks, and rock out with us!

Thank you to our sponsors:
CURRENT
Boone County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Lions Club
Zionsville Little League
The National Bank of Indianapolis
Control Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
Storen Financial
Don R. Fitzpatrick Fine Art
Lowder Insurance
Robert Goodman Jewelers
Zionsville Optimist Club
Zionsville Physical Therapy

About the artist:
https://www.facebook.com/SaxPistols/

Wednesday July 7, 2021 Concert: Kyle Bledsoe Trio

Lions Park
7:00-8:30 PM

Join us at 6:30 pm to hear music by Mr. Daniel before the Kyle Bledsoe Trio takes the stage!

Thank you to our sponsors:
CURRENT
Boone County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Lions Club
Zionsville Little League
The National Bank of Indianapolis
Control Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
Storen Financial
Don R. Fitzpatrick Fine Art
Lowder Insurance
Robert Goodman Jewelers
Zionsville Optimist Club
Zionsville Physical Therapy
About the artist:
Web: http://www.kylebledsoe.com

A soulful multi-instrumentalist out of Lafayette, Indiana, Kyle Bledsoe and the Kyle Bledsoe Trio will make you move your body! Intense and intricate guitar work, strong soulful vocals, and an all-around total GET-DOWN! Hard-hitting blues riffs, funky on-the-fly looping, and a solid bed of rhythm from Jeremi Pattengale on bass, and Jeffrey Lageveen on drums. Don’t be afraid to have a good time!

Wednesday June 30, 2021 Concert: Bitter Oak Revival

Lions Park
7:00-8:30 PM

We will be outside at Lions Park tonight! Bring your chairs and a picnic.

Join us at 6:30 pm to hear music by Mr. Daniel before Bitter Oak Revival takes the stage!

Thank you to our sponsors:
CURRENT
Boone County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Lions Club
Zionsville Little League
The National Bank of Indianapolis
Control Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
Storen Financial
Don R. Fitzpatrick Fine Art
Lowder Insurance
Robert Goodman Jewelers
Zionsville Optimist Club
Zionsville Physical Therapy

About the artist:
Bitter Oak Revival has been playing gigs from Central Indiana to Kentucky for several years. Their straight forward brand of acoustic Americana covers stretch from Chris Stapleton to Jason Isbell.

Wednesday June 23, 2021 Concert: Matt Woods & The Natural Disasters

Lions Park
7:00-8:30 PM

Join us at 6:30 PM to hear Mr. Daniel at Lions Park!

Matt Woods & the Natural Disasters will perform from 7-8:30 PM.

Thank you to our sponsors:
CURRENT
Boone County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Lions Club
Control Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
The National Bank of Indianapolis
Zionsville Little League
Storen Financial
Don R. Fitzpatrick Fine Art
Lowder Insurance
Robert Goodman Jewelers
Zionsville Optimist Club
Zionsville Physical Therapy

About the artist:
https://www.facebook.com/mattwoodsmusic

Matt Woods is a product of Appalachia. You can hear his East Tennessee roots tangled in the lines of his songs and it is through this filter he distills the world, both external and internal, into his unique brand of songwriting. You can call it Americana, folk rock, even country music but no matter what it’s called it is, at it core, honest and heartfelt. Spending most of his time on the road, either engaging listeners as a solo artist or enrapturing them with his band, Matt Woods and the Natural Disasters, he would say, if asked, that he is “just trying to share some truth and get along.” 2019 brought the release of Woods’ 4th full length studio album, Natural Disasters, and an impressive touring schedule in support of it across the US and Europe, the latter of which having become a yearly endeavor since the release of 2016’s How To Survive. As the global Covid-19 pandemic brought touring to a halt, Matt moved forward in other ways including keeping connected via online events, writing for future releases, and even releasing an EP titled Mornings After as a companion piece to the 2019 album.

Wednesday June 16, 2021 Concert: Fruteland Jackson

Lions Park
7:00-8:30 PM

Join us at 6:30 PM to hear Mr. Daniel at Lions Park!

Fruteland Jackson will perform from 7-8:30 PM.

Thank you to our sponsors:
CURRENT
Boone County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Lions Club
Control Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
The National Bank of Indianapolis
Zionsville Little League
Storen Financial
Don R. Fitzpatrick Fine Art
Lowder Insurance
Robert Goodman Jewelers
Zionsville Optimist Club
Zionsville Physical Therapy

Fruteland plays acoustic guitar, focusing on pre-war and post-war blues ranging from Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzey to Memphis Minnie and Elizabeth Cotton, ragtime, and other blues styles.

About the artist:
https://www.facebook.com/fruteland.jackson

Electro-Fi recording artist Fruteland Jackson is a HistoryMaker (www.thehistorymakers.com).
He is an author, storyteller, and oral historian. Fruteland is a five-time Blues Music Award Nominee and recipient of the Blues Foundation's "Keeping the Blues Alive" award. He plays traditional acoustic blues and other music from the heart. Since 1992 he has presented the award-winning *All About the Blues Series- Blues in the School Programs. His program motto is "Try, Trust, and Triumph." Fruteland works to bring more music education in our schools.

Wednesday June 9, 2021 Concert: DUDE!

Lions Park
7:00-8:30 PM

Join us at 6:30 PM to hear Mr. Daniel at Lions Park!

DUDE! will perform from 7-8:30 PM.

Thank you to our sponsors:
CURRENT
Boone County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Lions Club
Control Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
The National Bank of Indianapolis
Zionsville Little League
Storen Financial
Don R. Fitzpatrick Fine Art
Lowder Insurance
Robert Goodman Jewelers
Zionsville Optimist Club
Zionsville Physical Therapy

https://www.facebook.com/Dudeindy

DUDE! is a five-member dance pop band from Indianapolis, Indiana that plays everything from to Adele to Zeppelin and A-Ha to Lady Gaga. DUDE! is fronted by Renée Michelle Merrifield, a versatile female singer and charismatic star. Renée is backed by session sidemen musicians: John Emhardt, Tony Medeiros (Healing Sixes), Jimmy “JPS3” Slaymon (Alter Ego), and Marc Johnson (Wonderdrug).
DUDE! was formed in 2010 as an outlet to play the biggest hits over the years, DUDE! has generated a massive fanbase and has gone onto play to sold out crowds at top venues throughout the Midwest. DUDE! has become a crowd favorite and is one of the most popular bands in Indianapolis. The versatility of their set list makes DUDE! a perfect fit for a summer festival, nightclub, wedding, or formal event.

Wednesday June 2, 2021 Concert: Brenda Williams

Due to rain, join us inside on Wed. June 2 at 7:00 pm at the Lions Clubhouse for the Brenda Williams concert.

Address: 115 S. Elm St. Zionsville, IN 46077

Mr. Daniel will perform at 6:30 pm.

Thank you to our sponsors:
CURRENT
Boone County Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Lions Club
Control Tech Heating & Air Conditioning
The National Bank of Indianapolis
Zionsville Little League
Storen Financial
Don R. Fitzpatrick Fine Art
Lowder Insurance
Robert Goodman Jewelers
Zionsville Optimist Club
Zionsville Physical Therapy

2021 Dahlia Giveaway

The Zionsville Cultural District is pleased to announce its third annual Dahlia tuber giveaway.
Thanks to the generosity of the Village Garden Club and the Boone County Master Gardeners,
dahlias will be made available as long as supplies last, starting at 8AM on Saturday, May 22nd.
Distribution will take place at the Zionsville Farmers Market, back in the Village this year, on
Main Street between Hawthorne and Pine Streets. Information on growing techniques will be
made available as well. There is a wide selection of colors, forms, and sizes of dahlias available.

Begun in 2019, this initiative was created to bring attention to the town’s horticultural history
when it was known as “Dahlia City”. Two commercial nurseries were located in the Village,
selling dahlias and other flowers to customers around the country. One of the varieties created
here was called, “Zion’s Pride”, which won its breeder, Fred Gresh, a Gold Medal at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

The Zionsville Cultural District aims to encourage gardeners to grow dahlias as a way to
beautify neighborhoods and highlight a significant segment of the town’s history. Recipients of
the free tubers will be asked to bring their prized blooms back in late summer to share their
form and beauty.

All in This Together for Social Justice

A message of social justice, unity, diversity and inclusion for all people told through the viewpoints of four Zionsville students – that is what is at the heart of the traffic control box at the northwest corner of Main and Sycamore Streets.

The project, “All in This Together for Social Justice,” is the brainchild of an 8th grade Zionsville Middle School student Phoebe. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter murals, Phoebe organized an art contest as part of a Girl Scout silver award. Phoebe raised all the funds to accomplish this project.

Phoebe worked in collaboration with the Zionsville Cultural District, the Mayor’s office, Palette Art Studio and Robert Goodman Jewelers. Art entries were submitted and a panel of judges selected the winners. Judges included Phoebe, Senator J.D. Ford, Zionsville artist Cynthia Young, Zionsville business owner Lolly Mahaney, Zionsville photographer Tom Casalini and Zionsville Diversity Coalition member Monisha Mitchell. A winner was selected from each Zionsville school: elementary, middle and high school.

The traffic control box features the words “All in This Together,” transgender symbols, a raised fist symbolizing unity and solidarity with our community figuratively standing up for social justice and lifting up those who are made to feel unequal and other imagery that brings awareness to social justice and unity. As the Town of Zionsville continues to be engaged in honest community dialogue around social justice, diversity and inclusion, this art project is indicative of the students’ perseverance and their generation’s willingness to become engaged in supporting human rights at a young age.

Making art is often a form of self-expression, a way for the artist to paint, draw, sing or form what they or others feel strongly about. Artwork can move people to look closer at their own emotions, at social issues and at the environment that surrounds them. Thanks to these young students, the topic of social justice is being discussed, opposed, considered, supported and impacted here in Zionsville.

I think there are a lot of really strong, young leaders in this community, and it’s exciting the way that they want to make a difference,” said Mayor Emily Styron. “This is our message that social justice matters and that these are part of our values as a town. We’re committed to the meaning of the message.”

Ribbon cutting ceremony held on October 25, 2020.

The art on this traffic control box created a safe space for our town’s youth to share messages of social justice and unity and for self-expression. As a community, we are opening our eyes to the topics of diversity and inclusion and letting our students’ voices for positive change to be heard. In doing so, we will become a destination for people of all walks of life.

“This artwork serves as a beautiful and resilient representation of social justice in our community. Let the voice of these young change-makers ring positively in our Zionsville community,” said Mayor Emily Styron.

If the artwork has moved you, the Town of Zionsville encourages you to keep the momentum going and ask for ways to continue to have a dialogue around social justice. Projects like this help define and shape the quality of life in Zionsville. They speak to the important, although sometimes difficult, conversations our town is engaged in.

Artist Statement: Phoebe, Zionsville Middle School

“All in This Together”

The “All in this Together” themed social justice box was inspired by other street art around Indianapolis and around the country. I feel that art is a beautiful way for students to express their vision of social justice for all. My panel reflects the theme through representing everyone. I included symbols of physical disabilities, LGBTQ+ and Black Lives Matter, alongside images of peace and love in the world. I believe that only if we are all in this together, we will make it through.

Artist Statement: Grace, Zionsville Community High School

“Unity Over Division”

My artwork reveals that despite our many differences, at the end of the day we are all human and have loving hearts within us to spread love and lift one another up. We should come together and take a stance and promote the diverse nature of our world. My intention was that the fist be transparent because I didn’t want it to be labeled by a color but instead a raised fist that symbolizes unity and solidarity. My hope is that my artwork will inspire others in Zionsville to lift those that are different than us up high so that they can feel the strong support and know that WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

Artist Statement: Audrey, Zionsville West Middle School

“Hope”

My art is supposed to represent unity and equality among everyone, no matter race, religion, sex or body type. I tried to represent many different groups of people because I wanted the minorities of Zionsville to have a piece of art they could look at and know they are beautiful and loved. The woman in the middle is supposed to represent all of Earth.

Artist Statement: Nina, Eagle Elementary

“Together”

My artwork shows all kinds of people protesting together for peace and justice. Social justice means to me that things are fair for everyone no matter who you are, where you live or come from, how much money you have, or what you look like.

"Poetry and Popcorn" at Sullivan Munce Cultural Center

The ZCD (Zionsville Cultural District) joined with Brick Street Poetry to bring a program entitled "Poetry and Popcorn" to the Village on Saturday, September 26, 2020. Young poets who had entered the Sidewalk Poetry Contest this year were invited to read their poems aloud outdoors at the Sullivan Munce Cultural Center on Hawthorne Street. All Covid protections were taken. Popcorn was available, but only in individual Skinny Popcorn packages upon leaving the event.

Each of the five participants was scheduled for a particular time so that their family would know when to be there. Chairs were placed at a safe distance, and all were wiped down between readings.
The poets did a masterful job of reading their original works, and Mother Nature provided a perfect backdrop with early-autumn sunshine. First-place winner of the Sidewalk Poetry Contest, Charlotte Bricker, and second-place winner, Talia Diffendal, were thrilled to see that the actual stamps of their poems had arrived and were displayed on easels at the Cultural Center. The poems will be stamped into Zionsville sidewalks by the local street department at a later date.

Participating in the fun in addition to Charlotte and Talia were Nina Tucker, Kennedy Creasy, and Mateo Nunes.

Second Annual Dahlia Exhibition Announced

The Zionsville Cultural District announces its second annual Dahlia Exhibition, to be held from 9AM to Noon on Saturday, September 19th, at PALETTE: Community Art Center, 295 S. Main St., Zionsville. All gardeners are invited to bring along their prized Dahlia blooms to be displayed with dozens of others. Thanks to a grant from the Zionsville Village Garden Club and the generosity of Dahlia expert, Alan Strader, over 100 tubers and plants were distributed for free to those wishing to give Dahlia growing a try.

The exhibition is part of the organization’s Dahlia City Initiative which aims to bring to light the town’s former history as “Dahlia City”, when two nurseries in the village produced Dahlia tubers mailed to gardeners around the country. Dahlias were in fashion during the 1920’s to 1940’s, with many local residents filling their yards with these showy blooms. The Zionsville Cultural District aims to encourage gardeners to grow dahlias as a way to beautify neighborhoods and highlight a significant segment of the town’s history.

All are welcome to participate. Educational information will be available on growing and overwintering Dahlias. Everyone is urged to bring a bud vase or bottle in which to display their blooms, and to wear masks.
For more information, please contact Mark Zelonis at (317) 258-2071.

Sidewalk Poetry Contest Winners
July 8, 2020

Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Sidewalk Poetry Contest, Charlotte Bricker and Talia Diffendal! We are working with the Town of Zionsville to determine the location where they'll be stamped. Please stay tuned.

The sun is rising.
Colors fill the sky.
They soar and they dance.Stars slip away.
Sunlight piercing the dark.
All is very quiet.

Charlotte Bricker, age 10

The aged home on the corner,
oh, the changes it has weathered. A gentle pull and a tug,
on the heartstrings tethered.
Cherished over generations,
Fond memories gathered.

Talia Diffendal, age 10

Sidewalk Poetry Contest Update
June 2, 2020

Thank you to everyone who entered the Sidewalk Poetry Contest!

Despite the tenuous time we are living in, we received more than 30 submissions which would not have been possible without the support of our community. The next step is for the poems to be judged by a panel this month. Winners will be notified immediately at the conclusion of judging. Next, stamps will be ordered and the Zionsville Cultural District will coordinate with the town of Zionsville for sidewalk availability.

Dahlia Giveaway
May 21, 2020

The Zionsville Cultural District is pleased to announce its second annual Dahlia tuber giveaway. Thanks to the generosity of the Village Garden Club, dahlias will be made available as long as supplies last, starting at 9AM on Saturday, June 6th. Distribution will take place at Blooms by Dragonfly, 176 S. Main Street, your local Zionsville florist available for your everyday floral needs, weddings and events. Information on growing techniques will be made available as well.

Begun in 2019, this initiative was created to bring attention to the town’s horticultural history when it was known as “Dahlia City”. Two commercial nurseries were located in the Village, selling dahlias and other flowers to customers around the country. One of the varieties created here was called, “Zion’s Pride”, which won its breeder, Fred Gresh, a Gold Medal at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.
The Zionsville Cultural District aims to encourage gardeners to grow dahlias as a way to beautify neighborhoods and highlight a significant segment of the town’s history. Recipients of the free tubers will be asked to bring their prized blooms back in late summer, at a location yet to be determined, to share their form and beauty.

Fox59 Your Town Friday: Getting to the root of Zionsville’s flowery past
Friday February 28, 2020

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. – If you’ve driven through Zionsville lately, you may have noticed something very plain has turned into something quite fancy.

The Zionsville Cultural District had a vision for a traffic utility box based on life here a century ago.

“Back in the late 1920s through maybe the early 1940s, there was a big national craze for growing dahlias,” said Mark Zelonis, a member of the Zionsville Cultural District.

Zionsville was known as “Dahlia City” and two local nurseries did very well. They were called Tudor Gardens and Parkway Gardens and they were adjacent to each other in the Zionsville village. In 1933, both competed at the Chicago World’s Fair.

“Mr. Fred Gresh with Parkway Gardens won the top prize, a gold medal for a dahlia that he produced and bred himself that he termed Zion's Pride,” said Mark.

Mark happens to be a retired horticulturist. In fact, he was the director of horticulture at the Indianapolis Museum of Art before retirement. He searched dahlia groups high and low worldwide for a Zion’s Pride.

“And they all think it's gone to the dahlia heavens somewhere, but we know what it looked like because we found an article about Mr. Gresh in the Indy Star way back in 1933. It has a depiction of the flower, describing it as being lemon yellow.”

Zionsville artist Cynthia Young won a competition to decorate the traffic box at 106th and Zionsville Road. She was given the theme and the Indy Star clues, and she started sketching.

“They told me they wanted it to be dahlia related, and so I thought of a botanical look,” said Cynthia. “In my normal artwork I use a lot of ink and so my original drawing was in ink. It gave it a Japanese botanical quality, and then it was figuring out the colors that I wanted to use.”

She thought blue worked nicely with the lemon yellow.

Check out her transformation.

Mark and the Zionsville Cultural District have more traffic boxes in the works.

There are plans for more murals around town.

And they also want you to make sure you look down to enjoy the work of local poets!

“We have a stamp made where they actually stamp that poem right into the sidewalk, so it's there permanently,” said Mark.

The next poetry competition starts soon and a new round of poets will get to christen their work. There are about a dozen etched into sidewalks around the village right now.

You might also see some artistic crosswalks in the future.

“Zionsville only has I think 3 stoplights here in town, but there are a lot of places where people need to cross the street where there is no stoplight,” said Mark. “So we're hoping to get an artist to design some very decorative crosswalks that people would be safer on, but also bring more attention to the talents that are here in town.”

In the meantime, Mark will continue his quest to make Zionsville a dahlia destination again, and with any luck, find the legendary Zion’s Pride.

For more on Cynthia’s artwork, click the following link:
http://cynthiayoungart.com/

Cynthia also did the Walking Man statue near one of the town’s walking trails. She put maps of the trails on him, along with plants and flowers native to Indiana. The state bird, a cardinal, is on his shoulder.

To see the interview with Mark, visit: fox59.com/morning-news/your-town-friday-getting-to-the-root-of-zionsvilles-flowery-past/

Help us continue our mission by donating

The Mission of the Zionsville Cultural District is "to enrich the lives of residents and visitors by promoting and celebrating our arts, history and culture".

We're raising money for Zionsville Cultural District and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. Your contributions help fund our various public art projects in our community such as the ZCD concert series and sidewalk poetry contest, and more to come.

To donate, click the link below:

Progress on the traffic signal control box at 106th St & Zionsville Rd.

October 14, 2019
Local artist Cynthia Young continues work on the traffic signal control box at 106th & Zionsville Rd.

Be sure to follow ZCD on Facebook for updates!

Look up! The Town of Zionsville and the Zionsville Cultural District are proud to announce that a new public art mural will be coming to downtown Zionsville this spring.

The 266-square foot mural will be displayed on the back of the building located at 98 Main Street. The back of this building faces First Street and is a prominent location within the downtown village district.

The mural will be a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln in striking colors, tying into the building’s close proximity to Lincoln Park.