INDIANAPOLIS—Over the weekend Sun King hosted the inaugural CANvitational, showcasing some of the best canned craft beer from across America. However, the event was more than just a beer festival, it was a chance for Sun King to give back to the community and opportunity to highlight and support high-impact arts projects through the in the community. To find those projects, Sun King chose power2give, an initiative of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, as the resource to discover organizations with particularly special projects that needed and deserved support.

As an ongoing supporter of the work of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, Sun King is proud to partner with the power2give initiative to create meaningful community impact and support for the arts in Indianapolis. Five organizations were selected to participate in the project funding opportunity; Dance Kaleidoscope, Indiana Writers Center, New World Youth Orchestras, Spotlight Players, and VSA Indiana. All attended the CANvitational and showcased their projects in an effort to garner votes from the crowds.

By popular vote, VSA Indiana took first place and will receive $5000 to fund their projectsupporting a year-round series of free, public programs held in VSA Indiana’s adaptive studios, located in the Harrison Center for the Arts. VSA Indiana’s mission is to provide access to lifelong learning and creative expression through the arts of people with disabilities in Indiana and each First Friday guests can sample a new workshop led by a professional VSA artist. The line-up features inclusive workshops in ceramics, 2-D art, music, drama/movement, and more!

VSA Indiana (formerly Very Special Art) has been serving Hoosiers for over 30 years.

More information on the group and the project can be found at: http://www.vsai.org and

http://power2give.org/Indianapolis/Project/Detail?projectId=2394

The remaining organizations will each receive $1 to $1 matching for their power2give projects up to $1000.  More information about each of the groups and links to the projects can be found at the link below:

Dance Kaleidoscope- http://www.dancekal.org

http://power2give.org/Indianapolis/Project/Detail?projectId=2391

Indiana Writers Center- http://www.indianawriters.org

http://power2give.org/Indianapolis/Project/Detail?projectId=2287

New World Youth Orchestras- http://www.nwyso.org

http://power2give.org/Indianapolis/Project/Detail?projectId=2318

Spotlight Players- http://www.spotlight-players.org

http://power2give.org/Indianapolis/Project/Detail?projectId=2225

About Sun King Brewing Company

Sun King Brewing Company is the brainchild of Dave Colt and Clay Robinson. With the help of family and friends – Omar Robinson, Andy Fagg and Steve Koers – the first keg of Sun King beer rolled out the door for delivery in July 2009. Now available on tap and in cans at over a thousand locations throughout Indiana, Sun King has grown into the second-largest beer brewer in the state. The company’s commitment to handcrafted seasonal and specialty beers has been rewarded with multiple medals at the Indiana Brewers Cup, Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup competitions. Visit www.sunkingbrewing.com for more information.

About the Arts Council of Indianapolis

The Arts Council of Indianapolis builds financial support and widespread appreciation for meaningful engagement in the arts. The Arts Council envisions an arts and cultural community that is recognized as a leading arts and cultural destination.  In support of the organization’s mission and bold vision, an energized and committed board of directors fuels the qualified and experienced staff of arts professionals. The Arts Council grants the city’s arts-related funds through competitive grant programs, provides fellowships to talented artists in all disciplines, participates in and leads community initiatives in the arts, elevates artists and arts organizations through increased visibility and programming, public art programs for the city of Indianapolis, and convenes groups and encourages collaboration in the arts.

Visit indyarts.org for more information about the Arts Council of Indianapolis and our services to the arts community.

INDIANAPOLIS—In 2009, Sun King Brewery brought Indianapolis local beer for the first time since the Indianapolis Brewing Company closed its doors in 1948. On Saturday, Sept. 28, history will be made again when Sun King hosts the inaugural CANvitational, the Midwest’s first-ever canned craft beer festival.

The Sun King CANvitational will bring more than 30 craft breweries representing 16 states to Georgia Street and Pan Am Plaza from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets, available online at www.canvitational.com, are $50 for general admission and $75 for early entry.

“We’re incredibly excited to share the beers from these breweries with attendees, especially considering that most of the breweries’ beers aren’t available in Indiana or in many cases outside of their home markets,” said Sun King owner Clay Robinson. “We’ve assembled an all-star lineup of canning breweries from all over the country and our goal is to showcase the great craft beer that is driving the canned craft beer revolution!”

Each of the breweries was selected because of the quality of beer they are producing and, as the name of the event suggests, the festival will feature breweries that can their beers. For decades, the beer bottle was seen as the premier container; however, thanks to breweries like those participating in the CANvitational, a canning renaissance has put pint cans, tall boys and the 12 oz. standard back on the map in a whole new light.

“Cans are a superior vessel for packaging craft beer because they protect the beer from two of its greatest enemies, light and oxygen,” Robinson said. “Every can has a food-safe liner that keeps the beer from ever coming in contact with metal and the result is beer that tastes fresher and more like the brewer intended. Cans also take less fuel to ship and are less expensive and energy intensive to recycle, making them an incredibly sustainable packaging choice.”

In addition to great, canned craft beer, attendees will have plenty of food options for purchase from food trucks that will line Georgia Street, as well as a tent with options from the Omni on Pan Am Plaza. Music will be provided throughout the event by DJ Helicon and DJ Action Jackson.

INDIANAPOLIS—Sun King is excited to announce our newest partnership with Lucas Oil Stadium! Starting today at the International Cup Championship Soccer match, fans attending events at Lucas Oil Stadium will have access to locally brewed beer.

Sunlight Cream Ale, Wee Mac Scottish Ale, and Osiris Pale Ale will be available on draft at two ‘Backyard Brews’ locations near sections 109 and 132 on the main concourse. 16 oz. cans of Sun King will be available at various beer stands, cantinas, grills, and popcorn locations throughout the venue, as well as, in the Club Level bars. Fans shouldn’t have to wander far to enjoy a Fresh•Local•Beer.

“Our goal from the beginning has been to become Indianapolis’ beer,” said Dave Colt, Sun King owner and head brewer. “With our beer now available at every major sports venue in the city, it feels like we are realizing a dream! Keep an eye out for Sun King wherever you frequent for concessions while visiting Lucas Oil Stadium and help support your local brewery