Connection through community.

Downtown New Albany is home to a booming creative community. With more than 100 artists’ work to explore, multiple galleries, tons of bars, restaurants and boutiques within walking distance and ample free parking, New Albany is one of the best First Friday destinations.

On the first Friday of each month, bars, restaurants, galleries and retail businesses celebrate the arts across Downtown & Uptown New Albany. This is the night that bars, restaurants, shops & more open their doors to the public and our large exceptional arts community with the goal of connections through creativity.

OUR FEATURED ARTIST: TBD

To learn more about participating locations, artists, and to become a participant yourself, visit the link below.
We can’t wait to see you there!

Harmony in Artistry: A Creative Friendship Odyssey in Filmmaking, Music, Modeling, DJ-ing, Animation, and Illustration

ABOUT HEART BEHIND THE ART
It all started with an idea, and it catalyzed with enthusiasm. The Root is a place for inclusion, collaboration, and innovation. It’s where locals are celebrated and stories are heard. Heart Behind The Art, held at The Root, is art in all aspects – from visual to culinary and everything in between. Volume XII is about the synergy and inspiration created by a group of friends who happen to live together. Though they work well together, this group has individual talents in music, animation, comedy, poetry, filmmaking, and more! Not only is this a way for visitors to experience local art and culture, but it gives the artists a platform to share the reason for creating their art in the first place.

Food provided by The Wizard of Art and cash bar provided by the New Albany Wine Shop!!

ARTIST LINEUP

• Justin Eckerd (AKA BLMRKT) | Music Producer, Engineer, Recording Artist

• Kathy Eckerd (AKA Tomboy Barbie) | DJ, Producer, Author

• Allen Witcher | Animator, Filmmaker, Recording Artist

• Jay J | Recording Artist

• Autumn Lashea | Recording Artist

• Eric Brown | Comedian

EVENT FORMAT

6:00- 6:15 Allen Witcher Musical Performance
6:20 - 6:30 Tahj “Wizard of Art” Shares about his culinary and other art
6:35 - 6:50 Jay J Musical Performance
6:55 - 7:05 Kathy Eckerd Poetry Reading
7:05 - 7:20 Autumn Lashea Musical Performance
7:20 - 7:30 Eric Brown Comedy Performance
7:35 - 7:45 Justin Eckerd Talks about production and creative friends
7:45 - 8:00 Closing Q&A with all artists and performers

Connection through community.

Downtown New Albany is home to a booming creative community. With more than 100 artists’ work to explore, multiple galleries, tons of bars, restaurants and boutiques within walking distance and ample free parking, New Albany is one of the best First Friday destinations.

On the first Friday of each month, bars, restaurants, galleries and retail businesses celebrate the arts across Downtown & Uptown New Albany. This is the night that bars, restaurants, shops & more open their doors to the public and our large exceptional arts community with the goal of connections through creativity.

OUR FEATURED ARTIST: TBD

To learn more about participating locations, artists, and to become a participant yourself, visit the link below.
We can’t wait to see you there!

Connection through community.

Downtown New Albany is home to a booming creative community. With more than 100 artists’ work to explore, multiple galleries, tons of bars, restaurants and boutiques within walking distance and ample free parking, New Albany is one of the best First Friday destinations.

On the first Friday of each month, bars, restaurants, galleries and retail businesses celebrate the arts across Downtown & Uptown New Albany. This is the night that bars, restaurants, shops & more open their doors to the public and our large exceptional arts community with the goal of connections through creativity.

OUR FEATURED ARTIST: TBD

To learn more about participating locations, artists, and to become a participant yourself, visit the link below.
We can’t wait to see you there!

Ahoy, me hearties and landlubbers alike! Prepare to set sail on a musical voyage like no other as Drunk & Sailor be takin' the stage fer a night of raucous revelry and shanty singin'!

Come one, come all to witness the spectacle as Drunk & Sailor belt out their sea-farin' tunes for the general public. Feel the salty spray of the ocean in yer hair as ye sway and jig to the rhythm of their rollickin' melodies. It'll be a show to shiver yer timbers and warm yer cockles!

And fear not, for there'll be grog aplenty to keep the spirits high and grub to satisfy even the most ravenous of appetites. So come aboard, me hearties, and let Drunk & Sailor whisk ye away on a voyage ye won't soon forget. Arrr!

But hold fast, ye scallywags! For those lucky enough to be VIP guests, the adventure don't end there! Ye'll have the chance to step aboard the band's very own recording studio and witness history in the makin' as they lay down a single fit for Davy Jones himself. And what's more, ye might find yerself immortalized on that very track, forever etched in the annals of pirate lore!

And that ain't all, me hearties! Mingle with the crew themselves as ye partake in a lively Q&A session, where ye can ask 'em anything from their favorite plunderin' tales to the secrets of their musical magic. It'll be an up-close-and-personal encounter with the legends themselves!

ABOUT THE BAND
Drunk & Sailor have been entertaining pirates and people-who-don’t-yet-know-they’re-pirates at Renaissance Faires, conventions, and bars for over a decade now. They rile up the crowd and get them drinking like few other acts can, singing a combination of traditional sea shanties, Irish drinking songs, music they wrote themselves, and occasional ridiculous cover songs.  Their charm and off-the-cuff banter is hard to resist, too. Drunk & Sailor shows are a high-energy, interactive party. (Un)lucky audience members often find themselves dragged onstage to participate.

Drunk & Sailor have officially recorded six CDs, although the first two are so terrible they are now hard-to-find collector’s items. Three of the other four can be ordered online here, and the most recent one must be purchased directly from the pirates themselves.

Phillip McGuinness and Captain Amos met in 2005 as cast members of the Kentucky Renaissance Faire. After a couple years of doing improv acting together, they started appropriating unused stages with a guitar and a will to entertain. AmpersAndrew joined the band in 2014.

Phillip McGuinness is the drunk, and he does his best to live up to his title. He always accepts alcoholic beverages as a tip, and if you tell him to hold your drink for a minute you’d best not expect to get it back. When he is not under the table, Phillip does freelance writing and editing, and deals used books to book addicts.

Captain Amos Muirhead is the sailor, and he wants (nay, DEMANDS!) your participation. You can never go wrong by looking Captain Amos in the eyes and telling him how awesome he is. When the Captain is in port, he makes additional booty as a dance instructor.

AmpersAndrew is, well, the ampersand. That’s the problem with having a band name that clearly indicates a duo and then adding a third member to it. AmpersAndrew brings 75% of the musical talent to the band, but sadly whether or not you see him at a show depends upon his whim. He just finished law school (no kidding!) and can’t commit to being at every show.Drunk & Sailor have been entertaining pirates and people-who-don’t-yet-know-they’re-pirates at Renaissance Faires, conventions, and bars for over a decade now. They rile up the crowd and get them drinking like few other acts can, singing a combination of traditional sea shanties, Irish drinking songs, music they wrote themselves, and occasional ridiculous cover songs.  Their charm and off-the-cuff banter is hard to resist, too. Drunk & Sailor shows are a high-energy, interactive party. (Un)lucky audience members often find themselves dragged onstage to participate.

Drunk & Sailor have officially recorded six CDs, although the first two are so terrible they are now hard-to-find collector’s items. Three of the other four can be ordered online here, and the most recent one must be purchased directly from the pirates themselves.

Phillip McGuinness and Captain Amos met in 2005 as cast members of the Kentucky Renaissance Faire. After a couple years of doing improv acting together, they started appropriating unused stages with a guitar and a will to entertain. AmpersAndrew joined the band in 2014.

Phillip McGuinness is the drunk, and he does his best to live up to his title. He always accepts alcoholic beverages as a tip, and if you tell him to hold your drink for a minute you’d best not expect to get it back. When he is not under the table, Phillip does freelance writing and editing, and deals used books to book addicts.

Captain Amos Muirhead is the sailor, and he wants (nay, DEMANDS!) your participation. You can never go wrong by looking Captain Amos in the eyes and telling him how awesome he is. When the Captain is in port, he makes additional booty as a dance instructor.

AmpersAndrew is, well, the ampersand. That’s the problem with having a band name that clearly indicates a duo and then adding a third member to it. AmpersAndrew brings 75% of the musical talent to the band, but sadly whether or not you see him at a show depends upon his whim. He just finished law school (no kidding!) and can’t commit to being at every show.

Join us out at our Innovation & Technology campus, Novaparke, for a Beginner-Level Yoga class with Loft Yoga Studio every Tuesday of the month.

This class is for you if…
— You’re curious about yoga but are unable to commit to a studio at this time
— You have never practiced yoga before
— You are sensitive to heat and would like to practice in normal room temperature
— You would like to experience a new location for business and entrepreneurship right in your backyard!

100% of proceeds from Community Yoga will be donated to Let Us Learn, Inc. a Floyd County non-profit providing healthy food and cooking classes to those who need it in our community!

Questions? Contact Brittany directly at (812) 972-1057 or email info@loftyogastudio.com!

Connection through community.

Downtown New Albany is home to a booming creative community. With more than 100 artists’ work to explore, multiple galleries, tons of bars, restaurants and boutiques within walking distance and ample free parking, New Albany is one of the best First Friday destinations.

On the first Friday of each month, bars, restaurants, galleries and retail businesses celebrate the arts across Downtown & Uptown New Albany. This is the night that bars, restaurants, shops & more open their doors to the public and our large exceptional arts community with the goal of connections through creativity.

OUR FEATURED ARTIST:

To learn more about participating locations, artists, and to become a participant yourself, visit the link below.
We can’t wait to see you there!

The Root has been offering Heart Behind the Art to help celebrate local creators & artists.  Well this one is different!  Only because now The Root has partnered with Brandon's House Counseling Center to help bring more awareness to mental health for teens in our community.  

What a combination...people who have such creative talents with people who need a safe place to be heard.  

This event is a mutually beneficial art showcase in that artist will be offering their creations to help continue their crafts.  But also in that we'll have a live auction towards the end of the evening to help raise funds to cover kids' costs of counseling at Brandon's House.  

Please come and celebrate our local artist and raise awareness of teen mental health.  

Donate & Tickets

ABOUT

Heart Behind the Art is an event series hosted by The Root that is designed to create community, cultivate inspiration, and provide artists with a platform to showcase their work, whatever the medium. This is the eleventh event of this amazing series and includes a remarkable lineup of some creative people! Each artist has a different type of canvas. Check out Volume XI's amazing group of artists!

Hannah Johnston: sculptures
Scarlet M (she’s only 11 yrs old!): drawing and painting
Alex Banet: paintings on canvas
Josh Bleeker: paintings

Grab a free cup of coffee and a pastry and join us at The Root (110 E Market St, New Albany, IN) for our Second Cup event featuring Tess Peevey, Founder and Digital Strategist at Main St Kickstart, LLC, an innovative MarTech company specializing in automating SEO, Social Media Marketing, and Online Reputation Management for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Her startup focuses on providing affordable ecosystems to sustain and grow businesses. Main St Kickstart offers scalable, cost-effective marketing solutions, training, coaching and mentoring for online business growth.

Tess is a seasoned MarTech professional and boasts extensive experience spanning several years. Beyond her role as an entrepreneur, she is a trailblazer in the dynamic field of digital marketing. Tess's journey exemplifies her dedication to technology, creativity, and the entrepreneurial spirit. In her speech, she will discuss her career roadmap and share insights into the challenges and triumphs of launching a software startup.

Second Cup is made possible through a partnership with Novaparke, The Root, and The Floyd County Library.

No registration is required and all are welcome.

This community class is free for members and offered on a donation basis, with a suggested donation of $10/per class, but no one will be turned away for an inability to pay. ⁠
⁠
Community yoga is an all levels class. We encourage those who are curious about yoga, as well as seasoned practitioners to join us and share the amazing benefits of a yoga practice. ⁠
⁠
Community Yoga at The Root classes are taught by Element Yoga Teachers, Carrie Klaus and Taylor Outram. Carrie and Taylor are both registered with the Yoga Alliance.⁠ Check out the schedule below for the next few class dates!

Element Yoga and Ayurvedic Wellness is a community partner. Learn more about them and the rest of our awesome partners that make The Root great.

This community class is free for members and offered on a donation basis, with a suggested donation of $10/per class, but no one will be turned away for an inability to pay. ⁠
⁠
Community yoga is an all levels class. We encourage those who are curious about yoga, as well as seasoned practitioners to join us and share the amazing benefits of a yoga practice. ⁠
⁠
Community Yoga at The Root classes are taught by Element Yoga Teachers, Carrie Klaus and Taylor Outram. Carrie and Taylor are both registered with the Yoga Alliance.⁠ Check out the schedule below for the next few class dates!

Element Yoga and Ayurvedic Wellness is a community partner. Learn more about them and the rest of our awesome partners that make The Root great.

Are you interested in improving the organizational health of your business AND improving productivity AND maximizing joy and fulfillment for your employees?

As a Certified Working Genius Facilitator and Organizational health consultant, Vic Roos has received hands-on training from the Table Group team and have been equipped with the tools and resources to help people leverage the Working Genius model with individuals, teams and organizations.

Please join us at The Root as Vic gives an overview of the Working Genius model and how it can be used in:

-Leadership development/coaching
- Job alignment/adjustments
- Team building, cohesion and productivity
- Creating a common language and clarity around stages of work 

Plus, we’ll be serving Legacy Pizza and Bakery!

Is yours a new business?  A mature business?  Or somewhere in between? 

 To help you find the starting line, Larry Ricke of Ricke & Associates, developed a simple checklist.  It will only take a few minutes to complete, but it will give you a very good idea of what you need to do to start your business planning on the right foot.

 Please join us to hear Larry and his team discuss this important step in creating a sound business plan and hear stories and insights of several businesses the team has worked with through their 50 years in downtown New Albany. 

Plus, we’ll be serving Legacy Pizza and Bakery!

Grab a free cup of coffee and a pastry and join us for our Second Cup launch at Novaparke Innovation and Technology Campus (111 Innovation Pkwy, Georgetown, IN)! This monthly gathering helps build business communities by engaging, educating, and connecting local entrepreneurs, innovators, and other interested community members. 

On Wednesday, November 8th from 8 AM - 9 AM, we are kicking off Second Cup with a guest presentation by Rich Boling, Vice President of Corporate Advancement at Redwire, a leader in space infrastructure.  

Rich will speak about Redwire's accomplishment in 3D bioprinting human tissue in space aboard the International Space Station. He will share the distinct advantages of bioprinting in space, and discuss the potential for broader applications, including tissue replacement therapy.

Learn about this innovative work and Redwire's 3D BioFabrication Facility. A Q&A session with the audience will follow. 

Second Cup is made possible through a partnership with Novaparke, The Root, and The Floyd County Library. 

No registration is required. This event is open to the public. A light breakfast will be provided. 

This community class is free for members and offered on a donation basis, with a suggested donation of $10/per class, but no one will be turned away for an inability to pay. ⁠
⁠
Community yoga is an all levels class. We encourage those who are curious about yoga, as well as seasoned practitioners to join us and share the amazing benefits of a yoga practice. ⁠
⁠
Community Yoga at The Root classes are taught by Element Yoga Teachers, Carrie Klaus and Taylor Outram. Carrie and Taylor are both registered with the Yoga Alliance.⁠ Check out the schedule below for the next few class dates!

Element Yoga and Ayurvedic Wellness is a community partner. Learn more about them and the rest of our awesome partners that make The Root great.

Join us for an exciting evening of art and culture as we celebrate the talents of local artists and the vibrant downtown community! Our downtown art walk will take you on a tour of some of the most creative and unique businesses in the area, each showcasing the work of talented artists.

Stroll from shop to shop, gallery to gallery, and soak up the atmosphere of our beautiful downtown neighborhood. Meet the artists behind the artwork and learn about their creative process, inspiration, and techniques. Whether you're an avid art collector, a curious visitor, or simply looking for a fun night out, this event has something for everyone.

From paintings and illustrations to photography and music, there will be a diverse range of styles and mediums to enjoy. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase artwork directly from the artists, so you can take a piece of the evening home with you.

This will occur every third Friday of the month.

Participating businesses and artists include:
- Fostered Up Art
- Regalo
- Kozy Kandles
- The Root
- SiliconCafe
- Chestnuts and Pearl
- Eureka! Menswear
- Sew Fitting
- Pluto Comics
- Mozart in the Knobs
- The Wizard of Art
- Zeller Financial Services
- Meraki
- Lili Mosley
- Matt McRae/Midwestern Gothic
- Cortlan Waters Bartley
- Bourne Schweitzer Gallery
- Aung Oo
- Serena Fleener
- Larry Basham
- Rick Banda
- Robert Reynolds
- Lunaversol
- PhatShayn
- Michele’s Apothecary & Blends
- Mr. Nice Guy
- Disc Crazy

And the list will continue to grow! Check the event page for updates on participants, a map, and more!

So mark your calendar and join us for an unforgettable evening of art, community, and fun. We can't wait to see you there!

We're having a space showcase for The Nest where creatives can network, meet our In-House Sound Engineer, Blkmrkt, AKA Justin Eckerd, learn more about membership and benefits, and collectively create a song together! Renowned music producer, Jon Woo, will also be in attendance.

This community class is free for members and offered on a donation basis, with a suggested donation of $10/per class, but no one will be turned away for an inability to pay. ⁠
⁠
Community yoga is an all levels class. We encourage those who are curious about yoga, as well as seasoned practitioners to join us and share the amazing benefits of a yoga practice. ⁠
⁠
Community Yoga at The Root classes are taught by Element Yoga Teachers, Carrie Klaus and Taylor Outram. Carrie and Taylor are both registered with the Yoga Alliance.⁠ Check out the schedule below for the next few class dates!

Element Yoga and Ayurvedic Wellness is a community partner. Learn more about them and the rest of our awesome partners that make The Root great.

Councilman JT has announced his fourth annual "22 for 22" charity event to combat veteran suicide, set to take place on September 23rd, 2023. The event continues the councilman's mission to support Mission 22, an organization that tirelessly works to raise awareness about veteran suicide in the United States.

In this year's event, Councilman JT plans to walk an impressive 22 kilometers through the heart of New Albany, a significant departure from his previous routes along the city's greenway. This change in venue is designed to further integrate the event with the local community, drawing more attention to this crucial issue.

The "22 for 22" walk will conclude at The Root, located at 110 E. Market, New Albany, Indiana. This final destination will serve as more than the endpoint of Councilman JT's walk; it will be the gathering place for community members to access valuable resources. Here, attendees will find information on mental health support, veteran services, and ways to help our nation's heroes.

Following the walk, a town hall meeting will be held, offering an opportunity for community engagement and open dialogue. Councilman JT encourages all to attend, stating: "Please join me on this walk, show up at the after event, or donate. This is our collective fight against veteran suicide, and your participation matters."

The event symbolizes the 22 veterans that tragically take their lives daily in the United States. Councilman JT's commitment to walking 22 kilometers is not just about the physical journey but also about the journey toward a society that better understands and supports its veterans.

For those unable to participate directly, donations are highly encouraged. All proceeds will go directly to Mission 22 to support their ongoing efforts in tackling veteran suicide.

We had such a great time at our last lunch and learn that we decided to do it again, this time with Grant Meyer, a financial advisor for Northwestern Mutual.

Join us for "Your Most Valuable Asset" and munch on some Legacy Pizza and Bakery! Grant will be teaching us about the home run opportunity for every business owner, how the self employed view investing, and ultimately how they view finances differently as they age.

ABOUT GRANT MEYER

Grant Meyer, a Sellersburg IN native, began his career with Northwestern Mutual as a College Financial Representative in Quincy, IL during Spring of 2016. He was a regionally recognized intern while also attending Quincy University and serving as a student athlete. Grant graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Communication and his Master’s degree in Business Administration. He joined the firm full-time following the completion of his graduate studies in 2017.

Grant has a strong belief in continuous improvement and education---- and the value it brings to the clients he serves. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, a Retirement Income Certified Professional, and is currently studying to become a Chartered Financial Consultant.

Grant has a passion for helping people think bigger and enjoys challenging those around him to identify what drives them in life. He spends much of his time with the Silver Creek HS basketball team serving as a volunteer coach. He also volunteers as Treasurer for the Associate Board for Gilda’s Club of Kentuckiana. If you ever see him with downtime, you will find him, his wife Nicole, and their daughter Valerie on a camping trip enjoying the simple things in life.

This month, we’re excited to showcase our artist-in-residence, Cortlan Waters Bartley!

We first met Cortlan Waters-Bartley during the Indiana Arts Commission Artist Workshop with the Carnegie Center and The Floyd Library and were immediately drawn to her energy and talent! So what will you see Cortlan doing at The Root?

- A wide variety of lettering work, from large scale window and chalkboard lettering designs to small scale, traditional dip pen calligraphy
- Interactive design projects with input from members and visitors
- Digital work using her iPad Pro and Procreate
- Custom signage on wood or acrylic surfaces

…to name a few! Be sure to stop in for a visit to see and experience her art!

We’re also excited to be hosting some new faces for this Art Walk!

Ça et Là Imports is a business Cassandra Alexander started with her fiance in 2021. They import high quality, handmade items from our community in the South of France including hand painted pottery, garden decor, and hand-sewn purses and totes. They're an international couple hoping to share the elegance and taste of Provence across the Atlantic in our Kentuckiana community. They enjoy sharing information about the individual artisans who craft each piece of art by hand and discussing their craft and Southern lifestyle with our neighbors! The website includes a few photos of the type of art they sell. You can find them at www.caetlaimports.myshopify.com or on social media:
Facebook: caetlaimports
Instagram: @caetlaimports

Energetically in Harmony is a minority owned business, run by Patty Matsumoto. She sells handmade jewelry from all around the world, made from precious stones and crystals and crafted with the intention of bringing balance and healing to those who wear them.  Patty’s passion is to use her calling and intuition as an energy coach, teacher, and guide providing support to all those who are called to her. Her art is to act as a unifier of relationships between mind and body using a variety of modalities including Reiki and Hawaiian Shamanism. You can visit her website at www.eih111.com or find her on social media: 
Facebook: eih11
Instagram: @energetically_in_harmony

Both businesses are woman owned and run with the intention of bringing their communities together in a space of honor and appreciation for art, culture, and balanced lifestyle.

ABOUT THE ART WALK

Join us for an exciting evening of art and culture as we celebrate the talents of local artists and the vibrant downtown community! Our downtown art walk will take you on a tour of some of the most creative and unique businesses in the area, each showcasing the work of talented artists.

Stroll from shop to shop, gallery to gallery, and soak up the atmosphere of our beautiful downtown neighborhood. Meet the artists behind the artwork and learn about their creative process, inspiration, and techniques. Whether you're an avid art collector, a curious visitor, or simply looking for a fun night out, this event has something for everyone.

From paintings and illustrations to photography and music, there will be a diverse range of styles and mediums to enjoy. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase artwork directly from the artists, so you can take a piece of the evening home with you.

This will occur every third Friday of the month.

So mark your calendar and join us for an unforgettable evening of art, community, and fun. We can't wait to see you there!

Cowork with us on Fridays and eat Legacy Pizza for lunch! Members get a 10% off coupon when you visit their store! Buy a Day Pass here.

Legacy Pizza FB & IG