The Alley Sessions Return on four Fridays – July 25 through Aug. 15 – with jazz, soul, blues and more
Two members of the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame will kick off the fifth season of The Alley at The Cabaret, which organizers at The Cabaret say is “bigger, bolder and more vibrant than ever.” The free outdoor summer music series will once again transform the alley next to The Cabaret into a thriving pop-up festival and cultural destination where community, music and art converge.
With four unforgettable Friday nights of performances starting July 25 through Aug. 15, Cabaret leaders said the milestone season, presented by Glick Art, promises genre-spanning musical acts, engaging visual art experiences, and the signature community-first atmosphere that has made The Alley Sessions a cherished summer tradition.
“The Alley was born out of a desire to make high-quality music and art experiences more accessible to all, and five years later, we’re still growing,” said Valerie Phelps, artistic associate at The Cabaret and curator of The Alley Sessions. “We’re thrilled to mark this anniversary with a phenomenal lineup that highlights Indy’s top talent and celebrates the city’s cultural richness.”
Designed as an open, inclusive gathering space, The Alley at The Cabaret features café tables, chairs and shade umbrellas surrounded by colorful public art. Guests can enjoy food and libations provided by The Jazz Kitchen, shop local artisans and vendors, and explore contemporary works at Indy Arts Council’s Gallery 924, which will be open during August performances. And thanks to WICR 88.7 FM, each show will be broadcast live to reach even more music lovers across Central Indiana.
Performances are FREE, family-friendly, and open to all. Leashed dogs are welcome, and water bowls will be provided.
Reservations for table seating opened May 30, at THECABARET.ORG/THEALLEY or at 317-275-1169. Table seating with shade umbrellas is limited, but guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs for general seating with no reservations required.
FRIDAY, JULY 25 – JAZZ IN THE ALLEY / Rob Dixon & Triology open The Alley Sessions with legendary saxophone grooves and infectious energy, joined by dynamic vocalist Brenda Williams, known for her sultry blend of jazz, blues and Motown.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 – ART & SOUL IN THE ALLEY / with Art & Soul 2025 featured artists and alumni. Presented in partnership with the Indy Arts Council, this evening celebrates Black excellence in the arts with 2025 Art & Soul featured artists Akili Ni Mali, genre-defying R&B, soul, and jazz; and Brandon Lott, smooth and reflective neo-soul. Plus, Art & Soul alumna PsyWrn Simone (aka Ashlee Baskin) known for bringing activism to her genre-blending musical style described as “Neo-Afro Soul with a side of funk.”
FRIDAY, AUG. 8 – BLUES IN THE ALLEY / Queen Delphine & The Crown Jewels, led by Harriett Ellis, brings classic blues heat followed by Rebekah Meldrum, a Mississippi Delta-blues powerhouse whose voice carries generations of soul.
FRIDAY, AUG. 15 – BASHIRI ASAD & OKARA IMANI / The Cabaret’s 2025 artists in residence,
Bashiri Asad, the king of “IndySoul,” blends classic soul and groove, and Okara Imani & The Call, an electrifying collective, fuse alternative R&B, jazz-hop, and poetic storytelling.
Indy Arts Council’s Gallery 924 will be open during all August shows featuring works by local visual artists. Guests can also explore vendor booths featuring local artists, artisans, and creative businesses. WICR 88.7 FM will be on-site for pre-show broadcasts beginning at 6 p.m., and all shows will air live on WICR.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Performances are 7 to 8:15 p.m. Bar closes at 8:30 p.m.
The Alley was created in 2020 as a collaborative project between The Cabaret, Buckingham Companies and the Indy Arts Council, supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., to transform a once-underutilized space into a vibrant hub for the arts. Designed in partnership with local artists Quincy Owens and Luke Crawley, The Alley features murals, public seating, greenery, and an original mural by artist Kwazar Martin as the performance backdrop.
