The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, a longstanding gem in the city’s cultural crown, is gearing up for its annual “Festival of Carols.” The holiday tradition, known for its world-class performances and heartwarming atmosphere, will take place December 20-23 at the Palladium and Butler University.

Artistic Director Eric Stark emphasized the unique collaborations that make the event special, highlighting a partnership with Lawrence Central High School’s choir. A standout feature this year includes Indianapolis broadcasting legend Debby Knox, who will lend her voice as a narrator for “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

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You might know her as the cranky, rule following employee on the hit show “The Office,” but Angela Kinsey is starring in a much different role for the Hallmark Channel.Kinsey is starring in the “Countdown to Christmas” kick-off “Confessions of a Christmas Letter.”

The movie is set to premiere November 17th on Hallmark Channel, as part of the network’s 15th Annual “Countdown to Christmas” programming event and will have Angela Kinsey starring in her first Hallmark movie, plus, a special cameo from Kinsey’s former “The Office” co-star Brian Baumgartner.

The movie follows Settie Rose, played by Angela Kinsey, a quirky family matriarch. Settie enters her town’s annual holiday letter-writing contest but needs help, so she hires struggling novelist Juan, played by Alec Santos, to craft the perfect letter.

When a mix-up leads to the rumor that Juan is engaged to Settie’s daughter Lily, played Lillian Doucet-Roche, the whole family scrambles to keep up the charade.

As Juan bonds with the Roses and overcomes his writer’s block, Settie learns that embracing her imperfect family is what truly makes her story special.

Kinsey joined the Life.Style.Live! crew to talk about the movie and her iconic role in “The Office.”

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The upcoming Circle City Sound concert offers Indianapolis residents a chance to support veterans through an evening of music and community engagement. The free concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on November 11 at Lutheran High School, will feature patriotic music and popular show tunes. David Zimmerman, Director of Circle City Sound, emphasized the group’s commitment to giving back to the community, noting, “We’ve done this for several years to celebrate our vets in the community, and we hope people come out to support.”

Ashlee Walls-Pierce, VP for Advancement at HVAF, highlighted the organization’s mission to end veteran homelessness. “One in 10 homeless individuals in Indianapolis is a veteran,” she stated, describing HVAF’s work to provide housing, employment assistance, mental health support, and a food and hygiene pantry. HVAF serves around 400 veterans monthly, offering essential resources to help them rebuild their lives. The pantry allows veterans the dignity of choosing items they need, including fresh produce, meat, and hygiene products.

Attendees of the concert can support HVAF’s efforts through monetary and in-kind donations. A donation basket will be available for those who wish to contribute. “While the concert is free, we appreciate any donations for our veterans,” Walls-Pierce added. HVAF accepts monetary donations, non-perishable food, gently used clothing, and new socks, underwear, and undershirts.

For more information on how to support HVAF and local veterans, attendees can speak with HVAF representatives at the concert or visit hvafofindiana.org.

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The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra continues its 2024-25 season this fall with an exciting Pops series led by Enrico Lopez-Yañez, the newly appointed principal guest conductor of Pops. This season’s lineup includes “La Vida Loca: Latin Pop Hits of the 1990s and 2000s,” featuring music from legendary Latin artists like Enrique Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, Santana, and Ricky Martin. Lopez-Yañez shared his excitement for the event, noting that the symphony’s variety and range make every show unique.

Lopez-Yañez highlighted that unlike traditional symphony performances, “La Vida Loca” will be interactive, encouraging the audience to dance and sing along. “This is all about dancing, singing along, having a good time,” he added, mentioning crowd favorites like “Macarena,” which is sure to get attendees on their feet.

The “La Vida Loca” performances will take place at the Hilbert Circle Theatre on Friday, November 8, at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and Saturday, November 9, at 7 p.m. For additional details or to purchase tickets, visit indianapolissymphony.org/event/latin-pops-hits/.

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Watching veteran comic Bill Bellamy perform is getting a glimpse into what makes this man tick. With an effortlessly smooth approach, Bellamy discusses topics and themes that we've heard a thousand times before (like sex and relationships) but with his unique, hilariously raunchy point of view. We wouldn't expect anything less from the man who coined the phrase "booty call."

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Have you ever wanted to walk with ghosts?

Amy Bruner — known for her work on the shows “Kindred Spirits,” “Ghost Hunters” and “Paranormal Lockdown” — talked with “All Indiana” host Felicia Michelle about an upcoming event.

Bruner will be featured at the Walking with Ghosts event starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Hobart Art Theater in northwest Indiana.

You can also join Walking with Ghosts w/ Amy Bruni in Indianapolis on October 18.

You can get tickets by visiting MadHatterShows.com.

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The 33rd annual Heartland International Film Festival is set to kick off this week in Indianapolis, and it’s bringing with it a lineup of films that promises to engage and inspire.

Among the highlights is the much-anticipated documentary Driven to Save Lives, which tells the poignant story of Brian Clauson, a talented racer whose tragic passing in 2016 sparked a significant movement for organ and tissue donation.

Running for 11 days, the festival will showcase a mix of films from major studios like Netflix and Prime Video, alongside impactful documentaries like Driven to Save Lives. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to catch films before they hit streaming platforms or theaters. “You might even see some familiar faces—like Will Ferrell—before anyone else,” Jessica noted, highlighting the festival’s role as a precursor to the awards season.

The Heartland Film Festival serves as the perfect platform for these moving and transformative stories. As the festival unfolds, Driven to Save Lives stands out as a film that has the potential to inspire change and make a lasting impact beyond the world of racing.

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Comedian Lavell Crawford is one of the hottest stars in the comedy scene. With his unique style and undeniable charisma, he’s capturing the attention of audiences across the nation. Crawford recently filmed a new one-hour special, titled “Can A Brother Get Some Love?”, in his hometown of St. Louis, now available on DVD from Entertainment One.

Crawford’s impressive resume doesn’t stop there. He has made notable appearances on popular television shows, including a guest spot on Comedy Central’s “Workaholics” and a recurring role in AMC’s Emmy Award-winning series “Breaking Bad.” Fans will also remember him from his regular appearances as a panelist on E! Entertainment’s “Chelsea Lately” and as a staple on “Lopez Tonight,” where he showcased his comedic prowess through various sketches.

Known for his larger-than-life personality and relatable humor, Crawford is not just a television star; he is also one of the hottest touring comedy acts.

This weekend, comedy fans have the chance to see Lavell Crawford live at the Helium Comedy Club, where he will be performing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. For ticket information, visit Helium Comedy Club | Special Event: Lavell Crawford.

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