Kentucky Center Presents
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 Magazine -Your Connection to Louisville Arts & Entertainment! Sign-up for FREE Today!
In collaboration with the performing arts groups of Louisville, we are excited to bring you Audience Magazine, an all-digital publication that delivers a behind-the-scenes look into the performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation.
Audience Magazine highlights enlightening articles and information about the arts groups as well as spotlights on Louisville Landmarks and interviews with inspirational representatives from the arts community. And the best part about it all is …. it’s FREE!
Golden Girls U.S. Tour Brings Laughs To Louisville March 26
Thank you for being a…fan! Following sold out performances and rave reviews across the country in 2023, The Golden Girls are back and better than ever with a brand new stage show that’s more exciting than a trip to the Rusty Anchor.
Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue will head to more than 40 cities in 2024 including a stop at Louisville’s Brown Theatre on March 26 for One Night Only.
Tickets are on sale Friday, October 13, starting at $38.50 and can be purchased at KentuckyPerformingArts.org. A very special VIP photo experience add-on includes photos with the actors on the Golden Girls set after the show.
Audience Interview: Greg Proops, Whose Live Anyway – April 2 – The Brown Theatre
“Whose Line is it Anyway” is an improv TV show adapted from a British show of the same name. It first aired in America in 1998 and has been popular ever since. Hosted by household names like Drew Carey and Wayne Brady, it features a group of actors and friends taking suggested themes from audiences and featured guests, and acting them out on stage.
In Whose Live Anyway coming to the Brown Theatre on April 2, cast members Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray will leave you gasping for air at the witty scenes they invent before your very eyes. Audience participation is key, so you might be asked for suggested themes or even to join the cast on stage.
We caught up with Proops, an actor-comedian who has appeared on many of the televised shows and is now immersed in the Whose Live tour, to talk about what we can expect from the show.
Listen to the full interview below:
Shen Yun: A Performance You’ve Been Waiting For – December 30
This holiday season Louisville theatergoers are in for a world-class treat with the return of New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts to the Kentucky Centre on Dec. 30. It’s just what you’ve been waiting for! And just in time to usher in the hope and bright promise of the new year!
Shen Yun is an internationally acclaimed performance that will leave you renewed, uplifted, and inspired. Gather your loved ones together and immerse in this timeless artistic experience of the ancient art form at the heart of the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company. You’ll be mesmerized by the elegance and expressiveness of classical Chinese dance, filled with grace, beauty, energy—like poetry in motion.
It’s a comprehensive dance system cultivated over 5,000 years. The stunning athleticism of its leaps and spins, performed by the world’s finest classical Chinese dancers, will keep you on the edge of your seats.
Dirty Dancing in Concert Coming to Louisville November 9
Relive the timeless love story of Baby and Johnny as global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), GEA Live and Karl Sydow, along with presenters Innovation Arts & Entertainment and Kentucky Performing Arts, announce Dirty Dancing in Concert, celebrating the film’s 35th anniversary on a full-size cinema screen with a band and singers live on stage. With a soundtrack that defined a generation, Dirty Dancing in Concert promises to bring a new thrilling experience to the 80s classic!
Audiences attending Dirty Dancing in Concert will experience the hit film in a unique and unforgettable way. A complete screening of the digitally remastered film will play as a band and singers perform the songs live, in sync with the film. Stay for the encore party and continue to sing and dance along with the band to your favorite Dirty Dancing songs.
Audience Interview: Andre Kimo Stone Guess – President & CEO – Fund for the Arts
Fund for the Arts President & CEO, Andre Stone Kimo Guess
The Fund for the Arts is a vital asset for the arts in Louisville. Its goal is to provide arts access and education, and foster diversity, as well as promote the city as a nationally recognized epicenter of the arts. During a roller coaster of a year — the arts and the community overall are just now starting to rebound from the challenges of the pandemic — Christen Boone, who has navigated the Fund for the past seven years, announced her resignation.
After a national search for a new President and CEO, the Fund for the Arts’ next chapter will be led by one of Louisville’s own, Andre Kimo Stone Guess. On Tuesday, June 30, Guess was publicly introduced at the Fund for the Arts Summer Arts Kick-off that was attended by Mayor Greg Fischer, this year’s Campaign Chairperson, and Brown-Forman Chairman, Campbell Brown, Board Chairman and CEO of Stock Yards Bank, James ‘Ja’ Hillebrand, and outgoing President & CEO for the Fund, Christen Boone.
Audience publisher, G. Douglas Dreisbach, caught up with Guess to learn more about his background, his interest in the arts and the community, and what he is excited about for the future of the Fund for the Arts.
Listen to the full interview below:
Audience Spotlight: Jim Brickman Brings Comfort & Joy at Home for the Holiday
There is no doubt that this holiday season will not look like past years. Longstanding traditions may be put on hold, family gatherings may be limited, and things will just be different.
With the COVID virus continuing to wreak havoc on the world as we once knew it, businesses from every industry have been affected. Among those hit the hardest have been concert venues, most of which have been dark since March. Musicians and industry leaders have stepped up to help venues in any way they can. One of them is musician Jim Brickman.
With multiple awards, gold and platinum albums, and collaborations with artists such as Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Johnny Mathis, Olivia Newton John, and more, Brickman’s music has enlightened millions and now he wants to bring the sounds of the holidays to your home with the Comfort & Joy at Home Virtual Holiday Tour streamed live on December 10 to benefit Kentucky Performing Arts.
Audience Interview: Carly Johnson: Her Vision Her Hope
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 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 titled Burn Your Fears that she wrote for a dear friend who courageously fought lung cancer with the power of positivity, and was an inspiration to everyone around her.She also released a video compilation in partnership with the Louisville Ballet and Orchestra musicians filmed at Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.
Audience publisher, G. Douglas Dreisbach caught up with Carly to hear more about the song and upcoming album, her inspiration in writing it and how the partnership with the Louisville Ballet and Kentucky Performing Arts came to be.
Louisville Music Icons Unveil Lift up Louisville Song – Check it out!
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.
Audience Interview: Kentucky Performing Arts: Kim Baker, President & CEO
Kentucky Performing Arts’ family of venues are the primary performance spaces for several major art groups in Louisville, including PNC Broadway in Louisville, Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Ballet and more. The KPA venues are The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, the Brown Theatre and Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, Louisville’s newest, state-of-the-art performance venue.
KPA venues are currently closed due to the COVID-19 social distancing protocols. Audience publisher, Douglas Dreisbach, caught up with KPA President and CEO, Kim Baker, to see how they are doing amid the current situation. This interview was also featured in the April edition of Audience Magazine.
Arts & Entertainment Coronavirus (COVID-19) Closures & Cancellations
We are all saddened about the need to cancel so many events due to situation with COVID-19. However, we also understand that we need to follow the proper protocol of government official to do whatever we can to reduce the further spread of the virus.
Each performance requires so much hard work and dedication from performers, directors, stage crew, volunteers, patrons and more to perform at the highest level. We are don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but we do want to keep you informed on the status of the upcoming shows and performances around Louisville. Below is a list of news and information about closures and cancellations for upcoming Louisville events, shows and performances.
**This page will be updated regularly.
Pablo Picasso Exhibition Comes to KMAC
LOUISVILLE, KY – Tickets are now on sale for the upcoming exhibition Picasso: From Antibes to Louisville presented by UPS. The show will open at KMAC Museum in downtown Louisville on December 14, 2019.
Picasso: From Antibes to Louisville, running through March 22, 2020, will bring together approximately 50 ceramics and works on paper created by Pablo Picasso between 1931 and 1956. these works are part of the collection of the Musee Picasso in Antibes, France, and the exhibition is one that has never before been seen outside of Europe.
Kentucky Center Presents ‘Home Free Dive Bar Saints’
“Dive Bar Saints” is the title track in Home Free’s latest album, released in September of this year. The band’s rich, Southern harmonies come from their four vocalists (Tim Foust, Rob Lundquist, Austin Brown, Adam Chance) and beatboxer Adam Rupp.
Now, Home Free is bringing their new and older music to The Brown Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, at 8 p.m. With praise rolling in from the likes of Rolling Stone, Country Living, Perez Hilton, FOX & Friends, and AXS.com, the extraordinary showmen electrify crowds with a one-of-a-kind live show, mixing Nashville standards, soaring originals, and quick-witted humor that brings audiences to their feet with energy and laughter.
The Kentucky Center Opens 36th Season with Lewis Black, Wu-Tang Clan, Lyle Lovett and more!
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts is offering a wide variety of entertainment as it opens its 36th arts season – including a bevy of shows at the historic Brown Theatre and the newly opened standing room venue, Old Forester’s Paristown Hall. Fall performances will feature rap group Wu-Tang Clan, the return of singer Lyle Lovett, comedian Lewis Black, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and many others.
View the current season lineup at www.kentuckycenter.org.
Take a trip to Pine Mountain
In a few recording sessions scattered over the autumn, winter and spring of 2017 and 2018, 44 musicians and writers from all across Kentucky gathered on the slopes of Pine Mountain in Harlan County to make a record. Their aim: Connect all of us to the important work of the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust. Produced and Engineered by Daniel Martin Moore, sales of the Pine Mountain Sessions album directly benefit the Lands Trust and the Pine Mountain Settlement School.
Railbird Fest Set for August 10 & 11 at Keeneland Racecourse – Lexington, KY
Get ready to experience Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky like never before with the first-ever Railbird Festival, taking place August 10th and 11th! A Kentucky extravaganza through and through, Railbird is centered around music, bourbon, and equine with performances by The Raconteurs, Hozier, Tyler Childers, Brandi Carlile, and more! CLICK HERE for more information and tickets!
The Mavericks are back and coming to Louisville Sept. 26
Sometimes all you need for things to go right is a little time.
The Mavericks—masters of country-Latin rock ’n’ roll, born in the rich cultural mix of Miami then tempered in Nashville’s country hothouse—rode high in the country and rock charts of the 1990s with culture-crossing hits like “What A Crying Shame” and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down.” Then they conquered Europe with the titanic feel-good party classic “Dance The Night Away”, a 400,000-seller in the UK. Yet nothing lasts forever, and in 2004 The Mavericks went on hiatus while frontman Raul Malo explored new musical avenues.
Ready to get it on with Theo Von?
Now is the time to get your tickets to see one of the hottest performers in stand-up. Theo Von will be in Louisville for a one-night-only show on Saturday, Aug. 17, in the Bomhard Theater at the Kentucky Center for the Arts.
Comedian and podcast host Theo Von is on the rise as he continues to sell out theaters worldwide while gaining millions of downloads per month of his popular podcast This Past Weekend.
The guy is everywhere these days. He can be seen in his very own Netflix Original comedy special, No Offense. Theo’s podcast, This Past Weekend, is one of the top comedy podcasts, garnering 3.5 million listens a month. Theo has appeared numerous times on Joe Rogan’s podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, and regularly on Joey Diaz’s The Church of What’s Happening Now. He was voted guest of the year on The Fighter and the Kid by TFATK listeners in 2017.
The Kentucky Center’s ArtsReach presents Dance Out Loud Sunday, April 28th @ 4:00 PM at Bomhard Theater
The 3rd annual Dance Out Loud event will feature dancers of all ages and abilities, from pre-school to professional, performing African, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, tap, and lyrical choreography.
Performers include:
ArtsReach Our Voices Dance Collective
Brandon Ragland, Louisville Ballet
ArtsReach Cabbage Patch Dance Studio
Daysia Cathey
D.E.S.T.I.N.E.D. Dance Company
Genesis Arts
La’Nita Rocknettes School of Dance
Waterworks Dance Theater
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