Broadway in Louisville: Performance Preview – Les Misérables – October 1 – 6, 2024
The Heart of Valjean – Nick Cartell on Fatherhood, Loss, and 1,200 Nights of Les Mis
Nick Cartell steps into the spotlight, alone on stage. For the audience, it’s a performance. For Cartell, it’s personal. After more than 1,200 performances as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, this role isn’t just a job — it’s a mirror. Every night, Cartell finds something new in the part: a glance, a note, a reaction. Each moment is a reminder that Valjean’s story is also his own.
It’s that kind of energy, authenticity, and vulnerability that audiences can look forward to when one of Broadway’s most iconic musicals, Les Misérables, comes to Louisville in October.
“If you haven’t seen the show yet, take the leap. Come and join us,” Cartell says. “You’ll come away thankful that you did, especially with everything happening in our world right now. An audience can come together, sit in one space and connect with these characters. There is a collective energy that comes with seeing theater.”
Celebration of the Arts POSTPONED to April 19, 2025
UPDATE: Due to inclement weather, Fund for the Arts will now host Celebration of the Arts (originally September 28, 2024) on April 19, 2025.
Originally part of the Paristown Fall Art Fest, Celebration of the Arts will now be a part of Paristown’s Spring into Derby Art Fest, in Christy’s Garden from 10 am – 4 pm on April 19. Paristown will then welcome Juicebox Heroes, who perform that night at 7 pm.
Festival Fever: Bourbon & Beyond Ready to Roll with All-Star Line-up
With the return of the regions largest music festival September 19 – 22, 2024, Bourbon & Beyond is ready to host over a hundred thousand fans to four days of amazing music across four stages as well as other entertainment and culinary experiences.
From the moment the line-up announcement came out for this year’s festival, fans have been on the edge of their seats for the final line-up and set times. Well, the wait is over, and the line-up is stellar as advertised. Featuring music industry icons such as Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Dave Matthews Band, Sting and more, tickets are few and far between and it seems that we are on the forefront of what will be another amazing weekend!
Blues Icon Buddy Guy to Perform at Whitney Hall Tuesday, August 13
(Show Review by Adam Richards & Doug Dreisbach) Buddy Guy came to Whitney Hall on August 13 for his Damn Right Farewell Tour, and left his fans with a great goodbye. The 88 year old living legend put on an amazing performance with a tremendous band backing him up consisting of drums, bass, a smokin’ secondary lead guitar and keyboard player who both showed their skills with several fantastic break out solos. He told stories from his past and held captivated the audience with every word and note played. He still has the voice and can wail on the guitar. Be sure to check him out if you can.
Buddy Guy, an iconic figure in the world of blues music, is coming to Louisville on Tuesday, August 13th for his “Damn Right Farewell Tour”. The show will take place at Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts and will be a testament to his enduring legacy and contribution to music.
Announced as his final major tour, it has been a bittersweet event for his fans, marking the end of an era while celebrating his incredible body of work. The tour’s name is a nod to his famous catchphrase, “Damn right, I’ve got the blues,” which is also the title of his Grammy-winning 1991 album.
Announced as his final major tour, it has been a bittersweet event for his fans, marking the end of an era while celebrating his incredible body of work. The tour’s name is a nod to his famous catchphrase, “Damn right, I’ve got the blues,” which is also the title of his Grammy-winning 1991 album.
4th Annual Summer Beer Fest Returns to Frazier Museum – Sat. July 27
The Frazier History Museum has announced its fourth annual Summer Beer Fest at Frazier, which will again be a block party in front of the museum on Main and Ninth Street. This year’s Beer Fest will feature more than 200 specialty beers, food, retail, live street music by brass bands—including a “Chicken Dance” for all in attendance—and a fun zone with games and activities! “This summer tradition in downtown Louisville started four years ago,” president and CEO Andy Treinen said. “This will be our third year shutting down Main Street for 1,200 beer lovers to celebrate right alongside our amazing Kentucky brewers from nine different Kentucky counties!”
Speed Art Museum Exhibit Spotlight: Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrored Room – LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER
The Speed Art Museum is excited to unveil Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrored Room – LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER. This installation marks the first time an “infinity room” has been presented in Kentucky and is on special loan from the Art Gallery of Ontario. The immersive exhibit envelops the visitor inside a large, mirrored space with stainless-steel spheres suspended from the ceiling and arranged on the floor.
The reflective spheres recall Kusama’s installation Narcissus Garden, which was first shown at the 1966 Venice Biennale.
Fund for the Arts: Cultural Pass Kick-off
The 2024 Cultural Pass and Summer Reading offer “passport to creativity” for Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana young people
School’s out and the 2024 Cultural Pass and library summer reading programs are here to prevent summer learning loss, provide fun and free arts and culture experiences, and inspire young people ages 0-21 to take full advantage of their passport to creativity! Cultural Pass programs are available in Jefferson, Bullitt, and Oldham counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana.
Event Spotlight: St. Matthews Summer Fest Set for June 22
The streets of St. Matthews will come alive at this highly anticipated street fest – St. Matthews Summer Fest 2024 on June 22, 2024, from 12pm to 10pm. The event will take place along Frankfort Ave between Lexington Rd and Bauer Ave, as well as in Gerstle’s parking lot.
This year’s St. Matthews Summer Fest promises to be a big day of fun featuring an array of attractions for the whole family to enjoy. With free admission and open to the public, attendees can expect a day filled with family fun, delicious food, captivating live music, and the opportunity to support local artisans and businesses.
Railbird Rocks Lexington June 1 & 2 with All-Star Line-up
Festival season is heating up and the Railbird Festival in Lexington is ready to rock this weekend.
Chris Stapleton and Noah Kahan headline this years festival along with over 30 artists across three stages including Hozier, Turnpike Troubadours, Counting Crows, Lord Huron, Wynonna Judd, Dwight Yoakam, and Elle King.
Fund for the Arts: Cultural Pass Kickoff Event June 1 – Free to Attend
The 2024 Cultural Pass and Summer Reading offers a “passport to creativity” for Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana young people
School’s out and the 2024 Cultural Pass and library summer reading programs are here to prevent summer learning loss, provide fun and free arts and culture experiences, and inspire young people ages 0-21 to take full advantage of their passport to creativity! Cultural Pass programs are available in Jefferson, Bullitt, and Oldham counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana.
Performance Preview: Broadway in Louisville – Beetlejuice – May 14 – 19, 2024 – Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center
Grief, Growth, and Ghosts: Jesse Sharp on Bringing Depth to Charles Deetz in Beetlejuice’s Louisville Run
Get ready, Louisville! It’s time to say “Beetlejuice” three times and unleash a whirlwind of laughter, heart, and ghostly shenanigans at the Kentucky Center from May 14-19, 2024.
Louisville Orchestra Secures $4.3 Million in State Funding to Continue “In Harmony – The Commonwealth Tour” for Two More Years
April 16, 2024 –The Louisville Orchestra, under the visionary leadership of Music Director Teddy Abrams, is thrilled to announce the continuation of “In Harmony – The Commonwealth Tour” through 2024 to 2026, bolstered by a significant $4.3 million funding allocation from the Kentucky State Legislature. This landmark initiative, which began in 2022, has already made a profound impact, reaching over 27,000 Kentuckians across 38 counties through more than 125 events, and is now set to extend its reach further into the heart of Kentucky communities. This funding will enable the orchestra to deepen community engagement and enrich the cultural fabric across urban and rural divides throughout the state.
Rock the Country 2-Day Music Festival Invades Ashland, Kentucky April 19 & 20
(Ashland, Kentucky) Rock The Country is making its second stop in Ashland, Kentucky, April 19 and 20 at Boyd County Fairgrounds. Artists featured at Rock The Country will include Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Travis Tritt, Miranda Lambert, and Brantley Gilbert many more kicking off this summer’s most anticipated festival. The picturesque Boyd County Fairgrounds is the perfect venue, providing attendees with an unforgettable experience filled with camping under the stars, indulging in sensational music, and weaving cherished memories with friends and family.
Audience Spotlight: Wild Lights Lantern Festival – Louisville Zoo – March 23 – May 19, 2024
The Louisville Zoo is excited to re-create the magic of their popular lantern festival again this year promising to be bigger and brighter than ever! If you haven’t been to an “illumination” event, this is your chance to check out one of the best around.
Dive deep and celebrate the vibrant colors of the coral reefs, see nature come to life on the 1.4 mile journey of interactive moving displays and explore ancient Chinese myths and legends, including magnificent dragons and a breathtaking phoenix tunnel. The festival includes all-new illuminated archways and larger-than-life displays allowing you to become part of the magic.
The wonder of Wild Lights is sure to create glowing smiles and bright memories for all.
Kentucky Author Forum presents Renee Fleming – Teddy Abrams Plays Master of Ceremonies – April 8
On April 8th, the University of Louisville Kentucky Author Forum is welcoming singing legend and health advocate, Renée Fleming. She will discuss her upcoming book, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness. Louisville Orchestra conductor Teddy Abrams will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Renée Fleming is one of the most acclaimed singers of our time, performing on the stages of the world’s greatest opera houses and concert halls. Honored with five Grammy awards and the U.S. National Medal of Arts, she has sung for momentous occasions from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to the Super Bowl. Fleming’s new book, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, draws upon her own experience as an advocate to showcase the breadth of this booming field.
Performance Preview: Broadway in Louisville: Clue (March 5 – 10, 2024)
Bringing Clue to Life: The Journey from Board Game to Stage Mystery
Get ready to play detective, Louisville!
Clue, the board game that has enthralled players since 1949, jumps off the table and onto the stage, bringing a whirlwind of mystery and laughter to The Kentucky Center. From March 5 to 10, the roll of the dice comes to life, and Louisville will be smack in the middle of the action — minus the risk of becoming the next victim, of course!
Audience Interview: Raphaela Platow – Director – Speed Art Museum
The Speed Art Museum stands as a testament to artistic exploration and cultural immersion. Founded in 1927, the Speed is not only the oldest and largest art museum in Kentucky, but also boasts a vibrant and diverse collection that has been applauded by the deep appreciation for the arts in the community, fostering artistic dialogue and igniting imaginations for generations.
We caught up with Director Raphaela Platow to hear more about her background, the importance of The Speed and the exciting new season of exhibits.
Listen to the full interview below:
Kentucky Center Celebration: 40 Years of Memories
The Kentucky Center opened in November of 1983 under the direction of Gov. John Y. Brown and a combined project budget from the state as well as local donors. Brown was quoted as saying there hasn’t been a more productive investment by the state than that of the arts center. He might be correct!
Over the years, The Kentucky Center has been the anchor for the arts and home to the major productions of Broadway in Louisville, the magical concerts of the Louisville Orchestra, the elegance of the Louisville Ballet and some of the biggest names in music, comedy, and entertainment. The Kentucky Center has hosted world leaders, presidential debates, and town halls on its stages. For 40 years, the flagship venue has proven to have been a great investment for the community, the city of Louisville and the entire commonwealth.
Looking back over the years, memories were made that will last a lifetime. We caught up with some friends of The Kentucky Center to find out what they love about the venue, as well as some of their favorite memories.
Audience Event Outlook: Shakespeare in Love Gala & 2024 Season Announcement
The team at Kentucky Shakespeare is gearing up for a big night of fun for their annual Shakespeare in Love Gala that will surely be an evening you won’t want to miss. The gala will be held at 21c Museum and Hotel on Saturday, February 10th and will be the ninth gala Kentucky Shakespeare has hosted.
“We are excited for the gala as it serves as a fundraiser as well as a party!” Commented producing artistic director, Matt Wallace. “We will also announce our 2024 Shakespeare Festival in Central Park lineup, spend time with our amazing staff and raffle various gift baskets and have some great silent auction items including a Chef’s Table dinner experience for eight with Chef Todd Alexander and a Churchill Downs Finish Line Suite. There will be opportunities to donate to Kentucky Shakespeare at the event and people can also always support with tax-deductible donations online at kyshakespeare.com/donate and at Venmo @KYShakes. Funds raised go to support our many programs from free Shakespeare in the Parks to education tours and community outreach!”
Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers and more to Headline Bourbon & Beyond – Sept. 19-22
Coming off the heels of a hugely successful 2024 festival headlined by the biggest names in the music industry, Bourbon & Beyond is back and ready for its biggest year ever at the Highland Festival Grounds September 19-22. The festival released another all-star line-up featuring Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Dave Matthews Bands and more.
The weekend will be another chance to hang out with 100,000 of your closest friends and enjoy music from iconic bands and musicians while enjoying refreshing cocktails and impeccable food.
Founder and producer of the festival is Danny Wimmer of Danny Wimmer presents who truly loves Louisville and can’t wait for another year for the festival. “Bourbon & Beyond is our love letter to the city of Louisville and the great state of Kentucky,” says Danny Wimmer, Founder of Danny Wimmer Presents. “We can’t wait to showcase why Louisville has become our home away from home, so having the opportunity to curate an unbelievable festival experience rooted in amazing musical performances combined with our passion for bourbon and culinary arts is our dream come true.”
Tickets and information can be found at BourbonandBeyond.com
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