Louisville’s festival season never really ends — and if you’ve ever wondered who’s behind many of the city’s most energetic, eclectic, and wildly fun community events, look no further than local entrepreneur and event producer Trevor Cravens. As co-owner of HB Productions and Crowler Catering, Cravens and his business partner, Tish Gainey, have spent the last decade shaping the city’s cultural calendar with beloved traditions like Tailspin Ale Fest, NuLu Bock Fest, Germantown Oktoberfest, St. Matthews Summerfest, the Bowman Aviation Festival, and nearly 30 other vibrant experiences.
We caught up with Cravens to hear about the in’s and out’s of making great events for the Louisville community. Listen to it here:
When Ben Robinson stepped into the role of General Director and CEO of Kentucky Opera this fall, it felt less like a new hire and more like the closing of a very personal circle. “Kentucky is where I got my start,” he said during a recent interview.
Back in the 2008-09 season, Robinson was a studio artist at the Kentucky Opera — fresh out of school, singing five productions in five different languages. “It was like being shot out of a cannon,” he laughs, “but one thing was crystal clear: this is a town that really has a great investment in the arts.”
Anthony Krutzkamp working with two dancers in rehearsal for The Brown-Forman Nutcracker.
When Louisville Ballet announced that Kentucky native Anthony Krutzkamp would become its new Artistic Director, the excitement was immediate and well-earned. A celebrated former principal dancer and a rising leader in the national ballet world, Krutzkamp brings with him not only extraordinary artistic experience but a deep personal connection to the state he still calls home.
We caught up with Krutzkamp to hear about his career and what he is looking forward to about his new role at the Louisville Ballet. Listen to the interview here:
Louisville’s art scene has long been tied to its cultural cornerstones — bourbon, horseracing, and the Derby spirit. Few artists embody those themes with as much energy and authenticity as Chasson Higdon, a local painter whose work can be found everywhere — from private homes to hotels and even surprise restaurants miles from home.
For Higdon, art is more than a profession. It’s a lifelong obsession.
When you walk into one of Dee Dee Taylor’s hemp stores — 502 Hemp in Middletown, 812 Hemp in Clarksville, or her newest shop inside Logan Street Market — you’ll notice something right away. The vibe is less about sales and more about education. Taylor, a longtime advocate for safe and responsible cannabis use, has built her business around one simple idea: these products can change lives if people understand how to use them correctly.
In a recent conversation with Audience Magazine, Gaffigan offered a spirited preview of what fans can expect from his upcoming Louisville performances, which he’s dubbed his “Bourbon Set.”
“My bourbon awakening—my bourbon birth, if you will—happened during the pandemic,” Gaffigan said. “Since then, I’ve developed material about bourbon, American whiskey, the culture, the history, and just my general obsession with it.”
Louisville audiences will be the first to see this specialized show, though still part of his “Everything is Wonderful” tour, the Louisville performances are designed as a celebration of Kentucky’s signature spirit and its cultural impact. In addition, he will also be appearing at the Bourbon & Beyond Music Festival on Sunday Sept. 14th for part of their Fork & Flask culinary and bourbon experiences.
