Other Arts & Info
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.
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
Exhibit Spotlight: The Bitter and the Sweet: Kentucky Sugar Chests, Enslavement and the Transatlantic World – 1790-1865
The Speed Art Museum is excited to open a new exhibit to ring in the New year. The Bitter and the Sweet: Kentucky Sugar Chests, Enslavement, and the Transatlantic World 1790-1865 will run through April 7th and boldly reexamines the Kentucky sugar chest and related objects within the broader, intertwined contexts of the Atlantic economy, the vicious human toll of enslavement, and the complex transportation systems that brought sugar to Kentucky from the West Indies and sugar-growing regions of the Americas.
Skilled Kentucky cabinetmakers used local materials to create these highly specialized furniture pieces to store costly refined white and brown sugar that was grown and harvested by enslaved men, women and children. Taking a closer look, visitors learn that the backstory behind these beautiful pieces isn’t as gleaming as the polished silver or glimmering walnut and cherry items the museum has on display.
11th Annual Tailspin Ale Fest Set for Saturday, March 2
Tailspin Ale Fest, the premier celebration of craft beer and community, is back for its 11th year on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the iconic Bowman Field in Louisville, Kentucky. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a lineup of exceptional features and activities for attendees to enjoy. The Tailspin Crew is ready to produce a “Knock Out” Experience benefiting Pints for Parkinson’s-TKO, serving people with Parkinson’s through regular exercise, a bit of boxing and community enrichment enabling them to fight against the progression of the disease while staying functionally active – giving hope for the future.
Tickets and info available at tailspinalefest.com/tickets
Ticket Giveaway – Houndmouth @ Headliners Music Hall – Friday, November 24
Spend an evening with local favorites Houndmouth at Headliners Music Hall for an evening of alternative rock and blues that you won’t want to miss.
We are giving away two tickets to the show this Friday, November 24th and they could be yours! Simply fill out the information below to be entered to win. We will announce the winner on Friday morning.
CLICK HERE for a chance to win!
Good luck!
Farm Aid Festival Retruns to Indiana Sept. 23 – Feat. Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and more
INDIANAPOLIS — Farm Aid’s Music and Food Festival is returning to Noblesville, Indiana, on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Ruoff Music Center.
Farm Aid 2023 — a full day of music, family farmers, HOMEGROWN food and agrarian experiences — will feature performances by Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds), and Margo Price, as well as Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson, Allison Russell, The String Cheese Incident, and Particle Kid.
Festival Preview: Bourbon & Beyond – September 14-17 – Louisville, Kentucky
Who is ready for another weekend of chest pounding music from iconic bands and musicians while enjoying refreshing cocktails and impeccable food? Fold in over 100,000 of your closest festival loving friends and you know it will be a weekend to remember!
Bourbon & Beyond is tuned up and ready to return to the Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center in Louisville on September 14, 15, 16 and 17 for what will be another great weekend of celebrating the perfect blend of bourbon, food and music.
Jack Harlow Returns for 6 Show Tour of Kentucky
Multiple GRAMMY-nominated rapper, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Jack Harlow announces first-of-its-kind, No Place Like Home: The Kentucky Tour. Produced by Live Nation and Production Simple, the Kentucky superstar will take his 3rd annual hometown shows to a new level with an exclusive 6-city tour, with stops across Kentucky. The tour will kick off on Friday, November 24th at Owensboro Sports Center in Owensboro and will wrap up in Lexington at Rupp Arena on Sunday, December 3rd.
KET’s New ‘Inside Louisville’ Production to Focus on Louisville Personalities
KET is unveiling a new program that’s all about Louisville!
Inside Louisville, hosted by Kelsey Starks, features conversations with Louisville’s biggest newsmakers and personalities, celebrating the people, places and traditions that make the River City such a vibrant and diverse community. The half-hour weekly program also features stories that explore Kentucky’s largest city, spotlighting its neighborhoods, nightlife and noteworthy attractions.
ACT Louisville Productions and Pandora Productions Announce Cast and Performances for Regional Premier of “The Prom”
ACT Louisville Productions (ALP) producers Beth Craig Hall and Randy Blevins along with Pandora Productions Producing Artistic Director Michael J. Drury have announced performances and the cast of the regional premiere of the musical The Prom. Each performance at The Henry Clay Theatre August 11 – 26 will include a community Prom experience complete with refreshments for sale, photo opportunities, a Prom royalty selection, along with dancing before the show and at intermission. In the spirit of the show, attendees are encouraged to dress in their most authentic Prom attire. Tickets to all fourteen performances are now on sale at actlouisville.com starting at $29.
Audience Interview: Andre Kimo Stone Guess – President & CEO – Fund for the Arts
The Fund for the Arts is one of the most important organizations dedicated to the local arts. It was founded in 1949 and is one of the two oldest United Arts Funds in the country. The focus of the group is to support, promote, and develop the arts, artists, and arts organizations to help create a healthy and vibrant community for all.
With a vision for a healthy and vibrant community where everyone embraces the art that exists in our lives every day, everyone contributes to the well-being of our arts community, and it is understood that everyone belongs to the arts community, FFTA plays an important role in our arts community.
We caught up with president and CEO, Andre Kimo Stone Guess, who is a Louisville-native growing up in the Smoketown area, and accepted what he considers the right job at the right time just two years ago.
Andre’s energy, compassion and dedication to the local arts scene is inspiring and we are excited to hear what he has been doing in his first two years, what he is working on now, and what he hopes to come in the future.
Listen to the full interview below:
Audience Interview: Comedian Rodney Carrington – March 24 – Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts
When it comes to the great comedians over the years, names like Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Robin Williams, Rodney Dangerfield and Eddie Murphy come to mind. More modern names might include Chris Rock, Jim Gaffigan, Ron White, Jeff Foxworthy, Dave Chappelle and several others. Live comedy is something that has a long-standing history and a bright future and delivers audiences a personal experience based on how you interpret what they are trying to convey. Whatever the content might be, it all seems to fit the personality of the person who is delivering it with one goal in mind, to make their audiences laugh.
We recently caught up with one of the top comedians on tour today, Rodney Carrington, who has his own niche of great comedy, combined with songs that are cleverly written with topics that well, might just make you feel awkward depending on who you’re watching it with.
Nevertheless, his fans love him and we can’t wait to see him at Whitney Hall on March 24th. (Do your research before you go as the content might not be appropriate for younger audiences.)
Audience502 publisher, G. Douglas Dreisbach, caught up with him to find out more about his career and what fans can expect when he hits the stage in March.
Check out the full interview and get your tickets to his show at KentuckyPerformingArts.org
Louisville Live Music & Event Venue Directory
Louisville is loaded with great venues to catch live music. We are excited to present some of our favorites.
Keep an eye on our Entertainement Calendar and the venue websites for upcoming events around the city.
Enjoy!
Performance Preview: The Brown-Forman Nutcracker – Dec. 9-23
A delightful holiday tradition for audiences of all ages, Louisville Ballet’s beloved production, The Brown-Forman Nutcracker, returns to the stage December 9-23, 2022 at The Kentucky Center’s Whitney Hall.
With beautiful choreography by Val Caniparoli performed to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score – played live by the Louisville Orchestra and conducted by Louisville Ballet Music Director Tara Simoncic – this local treat is the perfect addition to annual holiday celebrations.
Don’t miss this amazing holiday tradition. Get tickets and information at LouisvilleBallet.org
Performance Preview: The Brown-Forman Nutcracker – Louisville Ballet
A Louisville Ballet tradition since 1963, The Brown-Forman Nutcracker returns to the Kentucky Center with exciting updates to the classic. A magical story for all ages, the show dazzles with beautiful performances by the artists of Louisville Ballet, Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece symphony played live by The Louisville Orchestra, and the sweet addition of children’s cast dancers from throughout the community.
Louisville Ballet’s artists are delighted to bring this beloved holiday experience live for the first time since 2019. Natalie Harris, Director of Marketing for the organization, remarks, “We can’t emphasize how exciting it is to be performing live and to bring back the magic of the season to so many in our community.” This feat of artistic collaboration between professional cast dancers, children’s ballet school students, local craftsmen and designers of the set and costumes, and musicians from The Louisville Orchestra must not be missed.
Performance Preview: Louisville Ballet: Swan Lake – November 11-14
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.
Audience Interview: Teddy Abrams – Louisville Orchestra’s Music Director – Season Outlook
The Louisville Orchestra has been a staple in the arts community since Robert Whitney founded the company in 1937, when Charles Farnsley served as mayor of Louisville. Farnsley led the orchestra as its music director for 30 years, until 1967, and then turned the reins over to Jorge Mester from 1967 to 1979. Farnsley returned in 2006 until 2014, after several other talented music directors came and went.
In 2014, the company introduced the current music director, Teddy Abrams who brought new and exciting energy to LO and the city of Louisville. He is an inspiration to many, a thought leader for the arts community as a whole, and the city is lucky to have him. We are excited to celebrate his work as he embarks on his fifth season with the Louisville Orchestra, and one that is likely to be the most anticipated ever.
Audience Magazine publisher, G. Douglas Dreisbach, caught up with Abrams to learn more about his background, his interest in music and the community, and what he is excited about for the upcoming season.
Teddy Abrams Interview – Part 1
Teddy Abrams Interview – Part 2
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:
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