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On a special Pride month edition of Cultural Manifesto, we’re celebrating the legacy of Labyris, a feminist lesbian bar that operated near downtown Indianapolis from 1978 to 1984. Kyle Long speaks with the club’s founder Mary Byrne. He also talks with Lē Weaver, an Indianapolis musician who performed at Labyris, including rare recordings of Lē performing live at Labyris.

For the next two weeks on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll explore the history of Rhythm Machine, a legendary funk band that emerged from Indianapolis during the 1970s. On this week’s show we’ll be joined by the band’s guitarist, Maurice Puckett, who will share his memories of performing on the Avenue.

This week on Cultural Manifesto, we’ll talk with rapper Parris Ladame. She has a new album out titled “Pressure P”. And we’ll catch up with the Indianapolis vocalist and composer Hanna Benn about how 2023 is becoming her breakout year.

On this edition of Finding Etheridge, Mat Davis talks with Michaal L L Collins. Collins is an Indianapolis-based poet, writer and literary critic. Collins was a close friend and protege of Etheridge Knight.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue we’ll share the final episode in our two-part series exploring the history of Rhythm Machine, a legendary funk band that emerged from Indianapolis during the 1970s. In this episode, we’ll be joined by Rhythm Machine’s guitarist Maurice Puckett, and saxophonist Donald Harris.

This week on Cultural Manifesto we’ll talk with the reggae music icon, Ziggy Marley, about his work in the new Spiderman film, his history of performing for PBS Kids’ shows and more. And we’ll catch up with the Indianapolis-based jazz drummer, and hip-hop artist Dorian Phelps about his band, Hurricane and The Gang’s debut recording, Capture the Flag.

During the 1970s, the Indianapolis music scene produced several important funk bands – including Amnesty, an eight-piece ensemble known for their hard-hitting grooves and soaring vocal harmonies.

This week on Cultural Manifesto, hear an interview with Bill Levin, best known as the founder of Indiana’s First Church of Cannabis. Levin also has a substantial history in the Indianapolis music scene, promoting punk rock concerts and managing punk rock bands - including the legendary Zero Boys.

Amnesty was a legendary Indianapolis funk band, known for their hard-hitting grooves and soaring vocal harmonies. The music Amnesty recorded at 700 West has been streamed millions of times online and sampled in hip-hop tracks by Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, and Ye - the artist formerly known as Kanye West. On this week’s episode we’ll discuss Amnesty’s legacy, and share rare unreleased demo recordings from the band.

Dawn Hampton was best known for her work as a jazz and cabaret singer. She was a member of Indianapolis’ legendary Hampton family and performed extensively on the Avenue during the 1940s, and ‘50s. During the 1960s, and ‘70s Dawn became a popular singer in New York City, where she was known as the “queen of cabaret.”