Celebrating Women in Music During AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025
It Was a Red Hot Summer in Indy!
Indianapolis was on fire during the AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 Weekend, July 18–19! As thousands of fans flooded downtown for the excitement of the basketball games, Musical Family Tree (MFT), in partnership with the Indy Arts Council and the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee, turned up the heat with a vibrant series of arts and culture activations. From high-energy performances to unexpected collaborations, it was a weekend that celebrated not only the power of women in sports but also in music, dance, and creative expression.
Why Women in Music?
This year, MFT put out a call specifically for women, women-identifying, and women-fronted musical acts—and the response was overwhelming. It made perfect sense: the WNBA represents empowerment, athleticism, and visibility for women and girls, and so should the cultural programming surrounding it. Elevating women in music during this moment created a powerful synergy that resonated with fans and passersby alike. Women have long played a vital role in shaping Indiana’s music scene across every genre, and this was a chance to honor that legacy—and its future.
Music in the Heart of Downtown
With 32 performance slots and over 55 musicians involved, the music never stopped (well… until it stormed—more on that later). MFT curated two days of live music at high-traffic downtown spots, including both Starbucks on S. Meridian and the Conrad Hotel’s outdoor lounge. These locations became lively mini-concert spaces where WNBA fans could get an authentic taste of Indy’s incredible local music.
Every artist brought original music, passion, and powerful performances to the streets of Indianapolis. Whether it was jazzy vocals floating through the air or fierce rock riffs echoing off the buildings, the weekend highlighted the depth and diversity of Indiana’s music talent.
Immersive Arts & Culture Experiences
Downtown Indy was transformed into “Indy’s Home Court” through immersive public art, vibrant signage, dance, music, murals, and an open-air arts market—all part of the All-Star Arts & Culture program, free and open to the public. These activations weren’t just beautiful backdrops—they were statements of pride, creativity, and community. They centered women and girls in the arts, just as the WNBA centers them in sport, and created a city-wide atmosphere of celebration and empowerment.
MFT was thrilled to contribute to this transformation, helping activate the streets with music that matched the energy and intention of the weekend. We’re always proud to work at the intersection of music, equity, and community.
A First-Time Collaboration with Indy Dance Council
One of the most memorable parts of the weekend was a brand-new collaboration with the Indy Dance Council—our first time joining forces. At the Conrad location, audiences were treated to a rare and electric combination: live bands performing alongside live tap dancers.
On Friday, Pavel & Direct Contact’s Latin jazz sound fused perfectly with rhythmic footwork from tap dancers. Lead singer Leah Crane’s voice soared over the band’s salsa grooves while dancers turned the sidewalk into a stage. On Saturday, the Teresa Reynolds Trio brought their soulful, expressive tunes to another dynamic tap performance. This fusion of music and movement was mesmerizing, and it drew a crowd eager to soak up every beat. Tap is meant to be performed with live music, and this collaboration brought it to life in a truly special way.
Supporting Local Artists with Equity and Opportunity
At MFT, we believe in equitable access and fair pay for artists. Every single performer was compensated for their work. These paid public performances not only validate the artists' work—they give them the visibility, momentum, and confidence to keep creating.
Original music matters. Seeing musicians share their creativity with the public is a powerful reminder of what art can do: it connects, inspires, and uplifts. We were proud to offer that stage to so many talented women musicians over the weekend.
A Stormy Twist to a Sizzling Weekend
Unfortunately, the Indiana weather had plans of its own. On Saturday afternoon, a fast-moving storm swept through, forcing the cancellation of the remaining performances for safety reasons. While we were disappointed that some artists didn’t get their chance to play, the safety of our performers, crew, and audiences was our top priority.
One artist we want to give a special shout-out to is Phoebe Ritchie, who had prepared a brand-new original song about the Indiana Fever specifically to perform during her All-Star set. Though she didn’t get to perform it, we hope to see her—and that song—on stage again soon!
Thank You!
A massive thank you to all the artists who performed and brought such heart to the weekend. Please seek out their music, stream it, buy it, and share it—support local!
Big love and gratitude to MFT Board Observer Kati Taylor for her tireless work booking and scheduling artists, managing volunteers, and producing such a fantastic weekend of music. And thank you to Bryan Robison, MFT Treasurer, for ensuring that every artist was paid promptly and fairly.
And, a Big Thank you also to our Amazing volunteers!
We’re also incredibly grateful to the Indy Arts Council and the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee for giving us the opportunity to showcase Indiana’s rich musical talent and help shine a spotlight on women in music.
Stay tuned for more from MFT—and keep supporting Indiana music!