BOC Music Fest

Basile Opera Center Music Fest
in the Heart of Historic Meridian-Kessler

April 11-12, 2026 | The Basile Opera Center | FREE
4011 N. Pennsylvania St. | Indianapolis, IN 46205

FAMILY DAY: April 11, 2026 | 12 PM - 4 PM
PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE: April 12, 2026 | 2 PM - 5 PM

Schedule & Registration Open Now!

In celebration & promotion of our local community artists and arts organizations, Indianapolis Opera is hosting a FREE two-day performing arts festival at the Basile Opera Center in the heart of the historic Meridian-Kessler neighborhood. This inclusive and multigenerational event features performances and experiences to engage families, neighbors, and music lovers of all ages - from vocal, orchestral, & dance performances to theater & dance classes and hands-on arts experiences, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Register for your free tickets to Music Fest events below!
Registration is encouraged, but walk-ups are welcome!

View Schedule & Register Here!

SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026 | FAMILY DAY

12:00 PM | Children's Opera: Camilla Paints the Town!
Target Audience: Pre-K through 5th grade / All Ages Welcome
Length: 35 minutes, followed by Q&A

Join us for an original children’s opera with the Resident Artists of Indianapolis Opera! This year’s opera, Camilla Paints the Town, features music by Mozart and tells the story of Camilla the Chameleon who has only ever known a world of black and white. But one day, she discovers her colors and begins to see the world with a newfound wonder. She excitedly brings a little color to the lives of everyone she meets, who each finds the colorful way she sees things to be both intriguing and perhaps a little scary. In the end, we'll see if Camilla's new friends can see the beauty in a fresh new perspective!

12:45 PM | St. Joan of Arc Cantor Choir
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 15 minutes

Directed by Jennifer Garza, the St. Joan of Arc Cantor Choir will present a varied program of choral music for trebel voices. The choir features students in 4th through 8th grade, ages ranging from 9-14.
Program:
"Melodies From Heaven," Kirk Franklin
"Lord, I Lift Your Name on High"
"He Is Exalted"
"This Is Me", The Greatest Showman
"The Climb," Miley Cyrus

1:00 PM | Music & Movement with Anna Mounts
Target Audience: Pre-K through 5th grade / All Ages Welcome
Length: 30 minutes

Join us for a music education workshop with the Anna Mounts of the James Garfield School 31 & Theodore Potter School 74! We’ll explore all the ways we can feel and find rhythm by moving our bodies in ways that make us feel confident and connected with our music!

1:30 PM | Hip Hop Dance Class with Austin "Sirlimitless" Day
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 30 minutes

Join Sir Limitless for his hip hop-influenced dance classes designed for beginner to intermediate dancers. This session is built to be accessible, expressive, and fun, whether it’s your first time dancing or you are looking to reconnect with movement. Come ready to move, learn, and vibe!

2:00 PM | String Solos - Indianapolis Suzuki Academy
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 30 minutes

Enjoy violin and cello performances by high school students of the Indianapolis Suzuki Academy. The program features expressive works by Carl Bohm, Antonio Vivaldi, Fritz Kreisler, and more.

These performances showcase the skill, dedication, and musical artistry nurtured through the Suzuki method.

2:30 PM | Bollywood Dance Class with Usha Sirimalle
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 30 minutes

Using a creative mix of technique, energy, emotion, but most of all massive fun, Usha will teach you poses, grace, hand and foot movements and expressions, all key elements of Bollywood dance, and allows you to explore the meanings of songs, then dance and act them out. Bollywood is an upbeat fusion dance class that showcases Indian traditional (Bhangra), classical and modern (influenced by Hip Hop and salsa) movement. It is one of the most lively, vibrant and rhythmic dance styles.

3:00 PM | Indianapolis Youth Orchestra String Quartet
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 30 minutes

Indianapolis Youth Orchestra String Quartet featuring Nathan Vaught (violin), Mary Anderson (violin), Ezra King (viola), and Eliza Epple (cello).

The Indianapolis Youth Orchestra String Quartet is a newly formed ensemble featuring talented young musicians from within the orchestra program. Dedicated to exploring the rich tradition of chamber music, this quartet brings energy, artistry, and collaboration to every performance. They will be sharing selections of your favorite quartet classics and beloved works for this performance.

3:30 PM | West African Dance Class with Tawj Monroe
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 45 minutes

This West African Dance community class, taught by Tawj Monroe, is an open level dance class that explores traditional songs, dances, and rhythms from various cultures in West Africa. This high energy class is accompanied by live drumming.

More Saturday Fun!

12:00 - 4:00 PM | Kid's Ink Book Fair
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 4 hours

Join us in the Basile Opera Center Salon throughout Saturday for a book fair with Kid's Ink!

With nearly 40 years of expertise and experience, Kids Ink is dedicated to offering a variety of services to bring the best books and authors to area schools and libraries. Our mission is to serve our community with a diverse offering of books, gifts and events that inspire, inform and entertain, helping children of all ages and backgrounds, live imaginative and rich lives.

2:30-3:30 PM | String Instrument Petting Zoo
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 60 minutes

Have you ever wanted to try the Violin, Cello, or Harp? Step into the world of music at our Instrument Petting Zoo! Kids and families can see, touch, and try playing the violin, cello, and harp, guided by expert faculty from the Indianapolis Suzuki Academy. This hands-on experience is fun, interactive, and perfect for aspiring musicians of all ages!

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2026 | PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE

2:00 PM | Sunset Syndicate - Saxophone Quartet
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 35 minutes

The Sunset Syndicate is an Indianapolis based saxophone quartet founded by multi-genre saxophonists. The ensemble was created to explore new sounds and voices in contemporary quartet repertoire. The Sunset Syndicate frequently collaborates with local composers and non-profit arts organizations to commission new music, put on performances, lead masterclasses, and offer recording opportunities. Its members are Cecily Terhune (soprano), Brandon Douthitt (alto), Evan Drybread (tenor), and Julian Orem (baritone). Sunset Syndicate has been a featured artist with Sound Ecologies, Butler University, Anderson University, and University of Indianapolis.

2:40 PM | Freshly Brewed A Cappella
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 20 minutes

Freshly Brewed A Cappella is Butler University's upper voices a cappella ensemble in Indianapolis, Indiana. Established in 2004, Freshly Brewed arranges all of their own music and covers everything from Stevie Wonder to Harry Styles.

3:00 PM | Indianapolis Early Music Festival
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 40 minutes

Indianapolis Early Music (IEM) is America's oldest continuous presenter of Early Music, established in 1966 as a not-for-profit organization to enrich, educate, and entertain audiences with the music of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and early classic eras.

IEM is chiefly known for its annual summer Early Music Festival, a series of six concerts over four weeks, which presents national and international performers, performing on instruments of the period.

3:45 PM | Relevations Dance Theatre
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 30 minutes

Relevations is an Indianapolis-based Professional Dance Theater which aims to serve those with less dance and art accessibility. We hope to inspire and motivate future performers and artists everywhere, by creating a safe and affirming space that helps them find and use their creative voice.

4:15 PM | Broadway at the Basile
Target Audience: All Ages Welcome
Length: 45 minutes

The Indianapolis Opera Resident Artists present a delightful revue of Broadway hits! From Rodgers & Hammerstein to Stephen Schwartz, this concert will feature everything from timeless Golden Age classics to uplifting contemporary favorites! In this engaging experience, the talented Artists not only sing a variety of musicial theater styles and selections, but they also share a bit about their personal journeys and the stories behind the music.

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