Louisville Ballet returns to the historic Brown Theatre for an exhilarating update to the timeless classic, Swan Lake. The inaugural production of the 70th Anniversary season, Swan Lake has been reimagined again from Artistic and Executive Director Robert Curran’s original premiere in 2016.
Curran collaborates with Louisville-based media artists, Ryan Daly and Garrett Crabtree, laser scenic designers, and Tiffany Woodard, costume designer, to create a unique interpretation of this classic tale of love and betrayal.
When the pandemic shut down stages around the world, entertainers and audiences alike were left searching for ways to fill their entertainment needs. Livestreams and other creative collaborations were plentiful and fantastic, but they didn’t quite replace the feeling you get at a live performance: The bass in your belly. The camaraderie of fellow fans.
The energy from the lights going down and hearing that first note, to the moments after the final encore when the lights come back on.
After a long and quiet year and a half, Old Forester’s Paristown Hall is ready to rock again with a lineup of bands and musicians that will bring audiences to their feet. The first performance will feature The Paul Thorn Band on Aug. 27. It is sure to be a show you won’t want to miss.
The mission of the Louisville Balletis to make moving art that inspires connection, conversation, and a profound sense of community by striving for bold collaborations and nurturing the next generation of artists, celebrating diversity and creating access for all. This has been a year to really push those boundaries and reconfigure the way the ballet achieves some of these goals.
Audience publisher, G. Douglas Dreisbach, caught up with Louisville Ballet Artistic Director, Robert Curran, who has led the company through a re-imagined Season of Illumination to bring the community in Louisville and beyond the magic of the ballet.
For millions of Americans, the holiday season isn’t complete without a trip to the theatre to watch The Nutcracker,choreographed by Val Caniparoli. But in 2020, safety supersedes tradition, leaving venues around the country dark for the foreseeable future.
Such is the case for The Kentucky Center, where the Louisville Ballet performs this holiday classic. This June, the company announced the 2020-21 Season of Illumination will be all-digital and include a new ballet art film production entitled Kentucky! Volume 1and the Brown-Forman Nutcracker, with more productions to be announced later.
While many regard the pivot as bittersweet, artistic director Robert Curran says it was an unexpectedly easy decision, and one that has brought a renewed sense of excitement to the company.
Louisville is known for its culinary scene, nightlife, entertainment, and of course, the performing arts. We also have an abundance of talented musicians, ranging from orchestra performers to vocalists and everything in between.
One of the most notable bands to originate here is My Morning Jacket, featuring Louisville native Jim James, who has led the band since its inception in 1988. The latest Louisvillian to make worldwide waves is hip-hop all-star Jack Harlow, who has had success with his catchy lyrics and smooth rhythm and rhymes. His current hit, “What’s Poppin,” features several Louisville references, including Vincenzo’s restaurant and the University of Louisville basketball team.
One musician familiar with the spotlight and entertaining crowds large and small is local jazz, R&B and rock powerhouse singer/songwriter Carly Johnson. Having performed with artists such as Norah Jones, Bonnie Prince Billy, Houndmouth, and My Morning Jacket, as well as playing in a jazz guitar duo with critically acclaimed local musician, Craig Wagner, she has become a well-known and respected name in the Louisville music scene.
Her latest masterpiece is a song she wrote for a dear friend who courageously fought lung cancer with the power of positivity, and was an inspiration to everyone around her.
The song is titled Burn Your Fears and is accompanied by a video that was filmed at Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in partnership with the Louisville Ballet and Kentucky Performing Arts.
When it comes to creativity, Louisville certainly is at the top of its game. Once again, the creative minds of musicians around the city have collaborated to create an uplifting video that features lyrics and landmarks from around Louisville.
The song and musicians were organized by Louisville Orchestra Music Director Teddy Abrams. It features two dozen artists from different backgrounds from bluegrass to rock. Included in the long list of contributors are Jim James and Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket, singer/songwriter Will Oldham, cellist/composer Ben Sollee, Scott Carney of Wax Fang, percussionist Dani Markham, hip hop star Jecorey Arthur, gospel singer Jason Clayborn, singer Carly Johnson and others from Louisville’s music scene.
