by Trevor Potts
The city of Indianapolis gathers today (Monday, July 1) to celebrate the life and artistry of one of its true artistic and spiritual luminaries, Katrina Bolyard of the band manners, please., who passed just over two weeks ago, but who will live on always in the hearts and kindness of all those she touched in her time here. No words can do justice to the light force that was Katrina “Kat” Bolyard, but the outpouring of support and love shown since her passing speaks to the tremendous influence she has – and always will have – on Indianapolis music, art, culture and spirit. Anyone who ever got a chance to see her band live was transformed by her ferocity, her vulnerability, her whimsy, her passion and her conviction, whether performing as an advocate of equality, reproductive rights or domestic violence prevention. Kat epitomized, in the words of Jack Kerouac, one of “the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”
A celebration of the life and enduring legacy of Katrina Bolyard will be held at the Speakeasy (5255 Winthrop Ave, Indianapolis) tonight, Monday, July 1, from 5:30-7:30 pm.
We at Where Words Ignite Worlds would like to join in offering our deepest sympathy to Kat’s family for their loss, and also to join in honoring one of our city’s all-time most magnificent artistic talents and radiant souls. Katrina, you will be dearly missed, and you will live on forever in our hearts, and in those of all you touched in your moments here.
Because her band manners, please. knew her on a level that few others did, we close this tribute with the collective words offered by her bandmates, in celebration of a life so well lived:
The world lost an incredibly special and wildly adored human this week and we are all fucking heartbroken💔😭 Katrina Bolyard was a goddamn legend on and off the stage, living her life to the fullest with an unmatched flair, making music from the very depths of her soul, and fiercely loving with reckless abandon. We will forever treasure the countless hours spent with Kat performing, creating, and practicing music…hours that often spilled well into the night because, truth be told, we had more fun than anything just hanging out together, falling over in raucous laughter, dancing like fools, and sharing in good times and bad. Kat’s musical talents, lyrical prowess, powerful and playful delivery, iconic style, and brazen approach to life sprinkled with endless delighted humor will continue to inspire us. So it’s no wonder that her sudden departure leaves a gaping hole in each of our hearts — and undoubtedly in the hearts of every person that had the pleasure of knowing her. She loved each & every one of you sunnybears to your core. And your sweet puppers, too.
Katrina, you were like family to us and will be sorely missed forever and ever. This tribute falls flatter’n a mashed tater french fry stuck to the underside of yer grandpappy’s left shoe…but your singular voice will be bouncing around the corners of our minds and blasting through our speakers until the end of time. We love you to absolute pieces. Thanks for leaving us all better than you found us🖤😞
Hug a dog, ride the river, kiss your friends on the mouth, stay strange (but don’t be a stranger), and mind your manners, please. We will never be the same. HEEHAW💔🫏 🐊🐊💥🍤🍤🍤
Band fam forever xxo,
Jennasen, Deak & Nick
✨To honor our good friend Katrina, her dear family has extended their invitation to celebrate her life at the Speakeasy on Monday, July 1st 530-730pm.