A behind-the-scenes look into Louisville’s performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation.
2024
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Connection is why we’re here. It is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.
– Brené Brown, author and researcher
One of the greatest gifts the performing arts give to us is a sense of community. The arts quite literally bring people together.
If it’s one particular play, comedian or musician, you can count on the crowd in attendance being of like minds. We love that — when we’re mingling with patrons in The Kentucky Center lobby before a Broadway show, we know that we have at least one thing in common with everyone else there.
But when it comes to a music or arts festival with tons of acts and activities to choose from, each person might have a completely different reason for attending, or have very different tastes than the person standing next to them. And we love that, too.
Because when people of different backgrounds and persuasions get together, something magical happens. For one day or one weekend, we are all connected. We belong. We are a community.
You’ve got two amazing opportunities for community and connection coming up soon, and we’re pleased to feature the details about each one in this issue of Audience Magazine. You can expect stellar musical acts and so much more at Bourbon and Beyond on page 16, and a wide variety of art, music, and activities at The Big Four Arts Festival on page 18.
If festivals aren’t you’re thing, you can still find plenty of ways to connect with others at the many, many fantastic shows on the calendar between now and the holidays. For a sneak peek, check out our Event Outlook on page 11. On September 7, an indie film starring two of Louisville's favorite singer-songwriters premiers at Paristown. Read all about it on page 9. We’ve also got a few cool announcements you don’t want to miss on page 6
As always, we’re grateful to our advertisers for allowing us to connect you (see what we did there?) with Louisville’s performing arts scene each month, free of charge. Check back in September for exciting show previews and more great content.
We’re got our wristbands ready, so we’ll see you at the next festival!
We all belong,
Amy & Doug
Louisville hosts the homecoming premiere of an indie feature film starring two popular singersongwriters in September. Screen the film and enjoy original, live music from the movie!
The summer is in full swing, and we are excited about all of the upcoming concerts, festivals and more. Stay in the loop with our Event Outlook and we'll see you around soon!
16
The biggest music festival of the year is back and we can't wait for four days of music, food and fun. Get the scoop on our top acts to see, as well as other exciting opportunities to take in all of the experiences the festival has become known for. Enjoy!
One of Louisville's most anticipated art events kicks off festival season on September 7 and 8. You don't want to miss this unique blend of fine art, live music, and familyfriendly activities set against the backdrop of the Ohio River.
The Speed Art Museum is excited to present a first for Kentucky — Yayoi Kusama's infinity room installation. Don't miss this immersive experience, where visitors can contemplate the meaning of "infinity" though an illusory mirrored space.
Find out what's happening around Louisville and nationwide in the arts and entertainment world.
A behind-the-scenes look into Louisville’s performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation.
PUBLISHER
The Audience Group, Inc.
G. Douglas Dreisbach
MANAGING EDITOR
Amy Higgs
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Rhonda Mefford
SALES & MARKETING
G. Douglas Dreisbach
CONTRIBUTORS
Bourbon & Beyond
Big 4 Arts Festival
Speed Art Museum
TO READ CURRENT AND PREVIOUS AUDIENCE PLAYBILLS AND PERFORMANCE GUIDES, GO TO ISSUU.COM/AUDIENCE502.
On the Cover: Sting performing in Halifax, July 2023. Image courtesy of D&W/Sting.com. Thanks to Cuffe & Taylor + Rhodes Media. Catch Sting in Louisville next month at Bourbon & Beyond. Read more on page 16
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Audience Magazine is a platform for the arts in Louisville. If you have an article idea or something you think we should cover, email ahiggs@theaudiencegroup.com
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Audience® Magazine is published by The Audience Group, Inc. 136 St. Matthews Avenue #300 Louisville, KY 40207 502.212.5177 | Audience502.com
( LOUISVILLE ) AUDIENCE502 LAUNCHES ANNUAL ARTS
SEASON CALENDAR AND EXPANDS AUDIENCE MAGAZINE
Audience502 is excited to publish its inaugural Arts Season Calendar that features the full seasons of the major arts groups in Louisville, including Broadway in Louisville, Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Ballet, Kentucky Opera, Derby Dinner Playhouse, and more.
Complimentary copies of the calendar will be available at Kentucky Performing Arts venues, including The Kentucky Center and Brown Theatre, as well as Derby Dinner Playhouse, coffee shops and other select locations around the city. The group is also expanding its monthly magazine in 2024 to include four printed editions that will also be available at locations around the Louisville area.
( LOUISVILLE ) STING ADDED TO BOURBON & BEYOND MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP
Seventeen-time Grammy Award-winning icon Sting is set to make his much-anticipated debut at the Bourbon & Beyond music festival held Sept. 19 to 22 at the Highland Festival Grounds at Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. This adds to an already stellar lineup of over 100 bands and musicians that will perform on five stages over the weekend. including Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Dave Matthews Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, My Morning Jacket, Lyle Lovett, Whiskey Myers, and many more.
“While we will miss Neil Young at Bourbon this year, we’re excited to welcome a music legend, Sting, to the Bourbon & Beyond lineup,” said Danny Wimmer, Founder of festival organizer Danny Wimmer Presents. “We've been trying to bring Sting to the festival since 2018, and it’s an incredible honor to have him join us for what will undoubtedly be our biggest and most unforgettable year ever.”
The national tour of Come From Away returns to Louisville for a special three-performance run at The Kentucky Center on Jan. 11 and 12. The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical is based on the events in the Newfoundland town of Gander during the week following the September 11, 2001, attacks. On that fateful day, 38 planes carrying approximately 7,000 passengers were ordered to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport.
The characters in the musical are based on actual Gander residents and the stranded travelers they housed and fed.
The Grateful Dead, one of the world’s most iconic bands is being recognized by The Kennedy Center for a lifetime of achievement in the arts. They are part of the 47th Kennedy Center class and will be honored with an evening of tributes, testimonials and performances on Dec. 8 at Washington, D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The ceremony will be broadcast on CBS on Dec. 23.
Starting out as a folk-infused quintet in psychedelic-era 1960s San Francisco, the Grateful Dead steadily morphed into a cultural phenomenon and one of the most successful touring acts of all time.
“There’s a lot of ingredients that go into it,” drummer Mickey Hart said, when asked about the music’s longevity. “The fans say that the shows feel like home. It gives them that feeling of connectiveness and community and joy and love for life and the music.”
Currently calling themselves Dead and Co. with guitarist John Mayer taking Garcia’s place, the band is in the midst of a severalmonth residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
Other Kennedy Center honorees include director Francis Ford Coppola, Jazz Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, blues legend Bonnie Raitt, and the legendary Harlem theater The Apollo, which has launched generations of Black artists.
The iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, The Eagles, recently announced an extended residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas with 20 shows taking place from September 2024 through January 2025.
At each show, fans can expect “the ultimate connection” to the group’s iconic catalog — including their acclaimed 1976 “Hotel California” album — with an immersive live experience showcased on the venue’s 3D super sound-enhanced screen. Originally, there were just eight shows announced for September and October, but due to tremendous demand, additional dates were added.
TAH Kentucky Gift Cards are perfect gift ideas for any occasion for anyone on your gift list. Gift cards can be used at all Kentucky State Resort Parks (except Breaks Interstate Park), the Kentucky Artisan Center, the Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Historical Society’s 1792 Store. Use gift cards to purchase anything from meals to lodging or gift shop items.
Paristown is proud to announce the Louisville premiere of the Indie film, “Heart Strings,” which was shot entirely in Louisville. The event is a homecoming for local singer-songwriters Carly Johnson and Sam Varga, who have leading roles in film.
Previously debuted at the Fantasporto Film Festival in Portugal and premiered in the United States at the Miami Film Festival, the Louisville homecoming premiere will take place at Christy’s Garden, 720 Brent St., on Saturday, September 7. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Ticket holders can walk the red carpet and enjoy a “meet and greet” cocktail reception with the cast from 6 to 7 p.m. Cast members will give a live performance of their own music, as well as original songs from the movie from 7 to 8 p.m.
In addition to Johnson and Varga, “Heart Strings” lead actors include accomplished recording artists Maggie Koerner and AJ Haynes, singersongwriters from the nationally acclaimed New Orleans band Seratones.
The concert will be followed by a showing of “Heart Strings” on the enormous outdoor screen on Old Forester’s Paristown Hall. With an outstanding original soundtrack, the film tells the story of singer-songwriter couples who compete in the “Americana Dream” music competition show. The characters’ journey is an uplifting personal adventure that leads them to ask, “What do they value most in life?
The feature film is directed by Ate de Jong, one of Europe’s most eclectic award-winning directors, best known for the cult classic “Drop-Dead Fred.”
KOERNER
MAY YOUR SONG BE STRONG
STEPHAN SAID CARLY JOHNSON A.J. HAYNES JONATHAN DE AZEVEDO MICHELLE MALENTINA
SCORE RANDY EDELMAN TITLE SONG PERFORMED BY THE BELLAMY BROTHERS
earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Edelman is also a pop recording artist. He wrote the song, “Weekend in New England,” which was recorded by Barry Manilow, as well as numerous other hits recorded by Patty LaBelle, Nelly, The Carpenters and many others.
DESIGN SOPHIE HYTKEN SOUND DESIGN MARCUS MOLL EDITOR EDGAR BURCKSEN CAMERA JARED MOOSSY PRODUCERS ELLIS GOODMAN ATE DE JONG STEVEN GAYDOS SCREENPLAY STEVEN GAYDOS & ATE DE JONG DIRECTOR ATE DE JONG
are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. No outside food and beverage are permitted at the event.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.paristown.com.
We are about halfway through the summer and outdoor entertainment is at its peak! Whether you are looking for music, festivals or fairs, chances are you will find what you are looking for in our Event Outlook this month!
8
Sean of the South:
Starring Sean Dietrich
The Kentucky Center, Bomhard Theater
Sean Dietrich is Sean of the South.
As an author, musician, and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South, this middle-school dropout turned multiinstrumentalist pulls out all the stops with witty anecdotes, nostalgic songs, humorous observations, and blue-collar love of life. No show is the same.
9
Southern Accents:
The Ultimate Tribute to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Mercury Ballroom
Southern Accents delivers an authentic, high-energy homage to the iconic rock band. Featuring faithful renditions of all the classics, the band captures the spirit and sound of the originals, offering fans an exhilarating, nostalgic experience reminiscent of Petty's legendary performances.
175th St. Joe’s Summer Picnic St. Joseph’s Children’s Home on Frankfort Avenue
This year marks the 175th anniversary of the St. Joe’s Picnic on Frankfort Avenue. Enjoy a weekend of family fun featuring live music from Back 2 Mac on Friday night. The Saturday lineup includes the Louisville Bluegrass Band, Scene 7, Johnny Berry, Famous on Friday, and RearView Mirror. There will be games, kids’ activities, good food, and you’ll have a chance at winning a decadent dessert from one of the cake booths. Proceeds go toward supporting #sjkids and helping to advance their mission of providing inclusive and compassionate care to ensure a safe home and a bright future for every child in our diverse community.
13
Buddy Guy: Damn Right Farewell
Blues/R&B/Soul
The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall
At age 87, Buddy Guy is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, a pioneer of Chicago’s fabled West Side sound, and a living link to the city’s halcyon days of electric blues. Buddy Guy has received eight Grammy Awards, a 2015 Lifetime Achievement Grammy, 38 Blues Music Awards (the most any artist has received), the Billboard Magazine Century Award for distinguished artistic achievement, a Kennedy Center Honor,
and the Presidential National Medal of Arts. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him No. 23 in its 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
After Hours @ The Speed Art Museum
Every third Friday, the museum stays open until 10 p.m. Each After Hours event comes alive with an eclectic mix of music, performances, a cash bar plus food available by a pop-up from Marigold Catering, and of course art! Come experience the Speed after hours as you’ve never experienced it before. Every After Hours offers something different, exploring new themes and welcoming artists and entertainers of all kinds
28
91.9 WFPK Waterfront Wednesday Matthew Sweet, Friko, Nise the Nymph Waterfront Park
The 22nd season of Waterfront Wednesdays continues as Louisville’s favorite concert series. Held the last Wednesday of every month through September, don’t miss this opportunity to see some great acts as the sun sets on the Ohio River.
Jersey Boys
Derby Dinner Playhouse
Follow the evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history. This award-winning musical takes you behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and features electrifying
performances of their chart-topping hits! Visit DerbyDinner.com for performance dates and times.
Cirque du Soleil – OVO
Performing Arts
YUM! Center
Cirque du Soleil is thrilled to announce its return to Louisville with a newly revisited high-energy and high-acrobatic production. OVO is a colorful intrusion into a new day in the life of insects; a non-stop riot of energy and movement. Through show-stopping acrobatics highlighting the unique personalities and abilities of selected insect species, OVO explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy.
Big Four Arts Festival
Waterfront Park
The Big Four Arts Festival has been the most attended (20,000+) two-day event ever held at Waterfront Park on the Big Four Bridge lawn and is held every year on the weekend following Labor Day. The festival is known for its 150+ juried artists, easy in-out access, spacious booth layouts, and many artist amenities.
10
The 502s: Great American Road Trip Pop/Folk/High Energy Mercury Ballroom
The 502s are a lively indie folk band known for their infectious energy and heartfelt performances. Blending catchy melodies with rich harmonies and spirited instrumentation, they create a joyous, foot-stomping sound. Their engaging stage presence and feel-good music make them a favorite at festivals and venues worldwide.
12
Art of Bourbon Speed Art Museum
Kentucky's premier bourbon auction. All proceeds support education programs and exhibitions at the Speed Art Museum.
13
Germantown Oktoberfest 2024
Hauck’s Handy Store
Germantown Oktoberfest 2024 is returning to Goss Avenue on Friday, September 13, with an expanded block party edition from Spratt to McHenry. Dust off your dirndl and lederhosen and get your drinking arm ready for the @SamAdams Stein Hoisting Contest, plus many more beer games and the Weiner Dog Races, too. Schnitzelberg’s own MonnikBeer Co.’s Kaiser Von Schnitzelberg will be flowing all night long, plus a special collaboration brew with Heine Bros. Coffee Co.
14
Louisville Orchestra
The Planets – Season Opener!
Louisville Palace
Conductor: Paolo Bortolameolli; Piano: David Fray
Experience Gustav Holst’s stirring and beloved masterwork, “The Planets,” as well as Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 21” underneath the starry sky of the Louisville Palace.
Bourbon & Beyond Music Festival
Highlands Festival Grounds
Don’t miss the biggest music festival of the year with headliners like Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Dave Matthews Band, My Morning Jacket, Lyle Lovett, Bruce Hornsby, Cody Jinks, Whiskey Myers, Charles Wesley Godwin, and many more.
20
Steve Martin & Martin Short: The Dukes of Funnytown
Comedy
Louisville Palace
Steve Martin and Martin Short have collaborated on the big screen, the small screen, and stages across America. They will bring their latest tour to Louisville this fall. Come hear them share stories, tell jokes, and even weave in some music for a show you won’t want to miss.
20
After Hours @ The Speed Art Museum
Every third Friday, the museum stays open until 10 p.m. Each After Hours event comes alive with an eclectic mix of music, performances, a cash bar plus food available by a pop-up from Marigold Catering, and of course art! Come experience the Speed after hours as you’ve never experienced it before. Every After Hours offers something different, exploring new themes and welcoming artists and entertainers of all kinds
The String Cheese Incident
Bluegrass/Rock/Jam Band
Louisville Palace
The String Cheese Incident is an American jam band known for blending genres like luegrass, rock, electronica, and funk. Formed in 1993, they are celebrated for their improvisational live performances, eclectic sound, and devoted fan base, often drawing comparisons to the Grateful Dead and Phish in the jam band scene.
1-6
Broadway in Louisville
Les Miserables
The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall
Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, Les Misérables. Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Mis tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit.
3-Nov. 10
Dracula
Derby Dinner Playhouse
Professor Van Helsing must hunt down and destroy the evil Count Dracula, ending in a shocking confrontation between the King of Vampires and those who would rid the world of him. This adaptation, written by William McNulty, is an action-packed retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic tale of horror. Visit DerbyDinner.com for performance dates and times.
St. James Court Art Show
Historic Old Louisville
A Louisville tradition, the St. James Court Art Show is a juried fine arts and contemporary crafts show featuring over 600 artists from around the United States held among the country’s largest collection of Victorian homes in the heart of historic Old Louisville. The 4-square block, outdoor art show takes place annually on the first weekend of October, featuring six unique sections at St. James Court, Belgravia Court, Fourth Street, Third Street, 1300 Section, and West End Baptist Church.
Violent Femmes
Punk/Rock
Paristown Hall
The Violent Femmes are an influential American folk-punk band known for their raw, acoustic sound and introspective lyrics. Formed in 1980, their music blends punk energy with folk melodies, highlighted by hits like “Blister in the Sun.” The band's unconventional style and rebellious spirit have earned them a dedicated cult following.
Marcus King: Mood Swings Tour
Blues/Southern Rock
The Louisville Palace
Marcus King is known for his authentic soulful blend of blues, rock, and Southern music. His powerful vocals and exceptional guitar skills have garnered widespread acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.
Hispanico
Performance Art
Brown Theatre
Ballet Hispánico is the largest Latine/ Latinx/Hispanic cultural organization in the United States and one of America’s cultural treasures. Its three main programs, the dance company, School of Dance, and Community Arts Partnerships, bring communities together to celebrate the multifaceted Latinx diasporas.
Lewis Black: Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour
Comedy
Brown Theater
Two-time Grammy award winning comedian/actor/writer Lewis Black uses his trademark style of comedic yelling and finger pointing to expose the absurdities of life. His comedic brilliance makes people laugh at life’s hypocrisies and the insanity he sees in the world. He has performed throughout the world, including at Carnegie Hall and Broadway. His latest stand-up special, Tragically, I Need You, released earlier this year, has already surpassed 1.3 million views on YouTube.
Grateville Dead Music Festival: Celebrating a Decade Together
Brown Forman Amphitheatre at Waterfront Park
Don’t miss another year of celebrating the music of one of the most iconic bands in history, The Grateful Dead. Featuring regional and local tribute bands honoring the creative lyrics and eclectic sounds of bluegrass, folk, and classic rock, you are sure to have a full weekend of fun with a dozen bands and plenty of food and refreshments.
19
Louisville Orchestra Carmina Burana
The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall
Conductor: Teddy Abrams Choir: Louisville Chamber Choir
Discover Carmina Burana and Michael Tilson Thomas’s “Meditations on Rilke,” with the Louisville Chamber Choir, a journey through music’s power and passion.
Every third Friday, the museum stays open until 10 p.m. Each After Hours event comes alive with an eclectic mix of music, performances, a cash bar plus food available by a pop-up from Marigold Catering, and of course art! Come experience the Speed after hours as you’ve never experienced it before. Every After Hours offers something different, exploring new themes and welcoming artists and entertainers of all kinds
23
Louisville Orchestra (UN)Silent Film: Nosferatu
The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall
Back by popular demand, experience the classic Nosferatu, with a new score by Sebastian Chang, a fusion of cinematic horror and live orchestral innovation.
23
The Black Keys: International Players Tour
Rock/Blues
YUM! Center
The Black Keys are an American rock duo formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. The group consists of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums). They began as an independent act, recording music in basements and self-producing their records. Eventually, they emerged
as one of the most popular garage rock artists during a second wave of the genre’s revival in the 2000s.
24
Little Feat: Can’t Be Satisfied Tour
Classic Rock
Louisville Palace
Little Feat is very possibly the last-manstanding example of what used to be the norm in American music, a fusion of a broad span of styles and genres into something utterly distinctive. They combined earthy, organic material with first-rate musicianship in a combination that transcends boundaries. Little Feat took California rock, funk, folk, jazz, country, rockabilly, and New Orleans swamp boogie and more, stirred it into a rich gumbo, and has been leading people in joyful dance ever since.
25-26
Louisville Orchestra
Star Trek: Musical Voyage Through The Stars
The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall Conductor: Bob Bernhardt
Boldly go on an interstellar musical journey featuring the greatest hits of the Star Trek franchise.
2
Craig Ferguson: Pants on Fire Comedy
The Kentucky Center, Bomhard Theater
Craig Ferguson is a multiple Grammynominated, Peabody and Emmy Awardwinning actor, writer, producer, director, and comedian with a diverse career that encompasses film, television, and the stage. He is a New York Times bestselling author and has recorded numerous stand-up specials for Netflix, Epix, Comedy Central, and Amazon. The wildly popular “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” ran on CBS for 10 years and remains a cult favorite on YouTube, racking up millions of views every year on fan posted bootleg clips.
2
The Bacchanal Speed Art Museum
Don't miss the Speed Art Museum's annual costumed cocktail party and
one of the top social events of the year. Delight your senses with live performances, drinks and light bites, all through the immersive spirit of art and creativity.
9
Louisville Orchestra
Rick Steves' Europe: A Symphonic Journey
The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall
Rick Steves, America’s leading authority on European travel, teams up with the Louisville Orchestra for a musical journey that begins in the United States, and touches down in seven different European countries. This unique concert celebrates music’s power to stir the patriotic soul.
8
Paul Thorn
Southern Rock/Blues
The Kentucky Center, Bomhard Theater
Paul Thorn is a charismatic singersongwriter known for his blend of Southern rock, blues, and Americana. With a distinctive voice and witty, insightful lyrics, he crafts songs that resonate with authenticity and humor. Thorn's engaging storytelling and dynamic performances have earned him a loyal fan base and critical acclaim.
13-Dec.31
A Wonderful Life
Derby Dinner Playhouse
An adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic film brought to vibrant theatrical life! This uplifting story follows the extraordinary lives of ordinary people and celebrates the innate goodness in us all. A holiday must!
Know of a great concert, performance, or arts event we should share?
Email the details to ddreisbach@theaudiencegroup.com.
For a full list of performing arts and entertainment events in Louisville, visit our Event Calendar at Audience502.com.
September 19-22
It’s almost time for the biggest music festival of the year, and we can’t wait to see, hear, and experience it all. This year’s Bourbon & Beyond lineup is full of top headliners, a few legends from past eras, as well as some up and comers, who are all coming together for a collage of music genres that range from rock to bluegrass and everything in between.
In addition to the sounds on the stages, the festival will also celebrate bourbon, Kentucky’s native spirit, as well as some of the nation’s biggest chef superstars with culinary demonstrations and discussion panels making for a wellrounded, action-packed weekend. Be sure to plan your day accordingly to take in all of the sights and sounds of Bourbon & Beyond.
In what was already a stellar lineup of some of the biggest names in the music industry, Bourbon & Beyond recently announced that 17-time Grammy Awardwinning icon Sting is set to make his much-anticipated debut on Thursday of the festival alongside his new power rock trio, Sting 3.0. The music legend takes the place of rock icon, Neil Young, who had to cancel due to health reasons.
Performing with virtuoso guitarist and longtime collaborator, Dominic Miller, and dynamic drummer Chris Maas (Mumford & Sons, Maggie Rogers), Sting will perform the most electrifying hits from his vast catalog through the lens of a tight three-piece combo.
Reviews from recent shows have been great, with setlists that include top hits from The Police including “Message in a Bottle,” “King of Pain,” and “Roxanne,” as well as tracks deeper in his library, including “Englishman in New York” and “Fields of Gold,” so we are surely in for a great night.
“While we will miss Neil Young at Bourbon this year, we’re excited to welcome a music legend, Sting, to the Bourbon & Beyond lineup,” said Danny Wimmer, Founder of festival organizer Danny Wimmer Presents. “We've been trying to bring Sting to Bourbon for you since 2018, and it’s an incredible honor to have him join us for what will undoubtedly be our biggest and most unforgettable year ever.”
With over 100 bands scheduled to perform in four days, it would be quite the accomplishment to see them all. The box
on the opposite page highlights some of the bands we look forward to seeing each day. We also plan to catch some of the other acts (as the opportunities present themselves) throughout the weekend!
While the music lineup for this year’s festival is clearly top-notch, the festival also showcases Kentucky’s finest bourbons and culinary programming from some of the nation’s top chefs. Don’t miss a wide array of bourbon tastings and workshops with an amazing roster of culinary and spirits talent who will curate unique food and beverage pairings on site and will include multisensory opportunities showcasing the country’s best chefs and immersive bourbon culture.
Leading The Culinary Atelier demonstrations will be hosts Chef Chris Santos (“Chopped”), and Chef Edward Lee (“The Mind of a Chef”). They will be joined by other acclaimed chefs, including Tiffani Faison (chef and Food Network TV personality), Marc Murphy (Michelin Chef), Kelsey Barnard Clark (winner of Top Chef Season 16), and local Chef Noam Bilitzer (“Chopped”),
who recently opened MeeshMeesh in Louisville.
The hosts of The Bourbon Experience include bourbon expert Chris Blandford and Chef Amanda Freitag (“Top Chef” and “Chopped”) and will feature daily tapings of the Firkin Podcast, world-renowned bourbon expert Fred Minnick and premium brands such as Pappy & Co, Angel’s Envy, Woodford Reserve, Old Rip Van Winkle, and many more.
Other special guests participating in the culinary and bourbon programming will include The Bacon Brothers (Kevin and Michael Bacon), Mat Kearney, Melissa Etheridge, Jim Gaffigan, Charles Wesley Godwin, Derek Trucks, Molly Tuttle, Young The Giant, and more.
“There is no better time than Bourbon & Beyond when the best of music, chefs and bourbon enthusiasts get together for a magical festival where memories are made and life is celebrated,” said Chef Edward Lee. “It gets better every year, and I can't wait to see what 2024 has in store for us all. Cheers!”
Another highlight of the festival is the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar. Featuring the
best bluegrass bands, line dancing and expertly curated picks of Kentucky’s finest, the Bourbon Trail is coming right to Bourbon & Beyond.
Bourbon lovers can also stop by Chris Picks MiniBar for select single barrels curated especially for Bourbon & Beyond; The Hunter’s Club for rare and vintage sips; and the Jim Beam Tiki Barrel Bar for the perfect oasis to make the festival vacation complete. In addition to select bourbon experiences, fans can enjoy other cocktail offerings at Blackened Presents, The Whiskey Bar.
Music lovers and musicians can also spend time at The Music Experience powered by American Musical Supply, featuring music gear to play, giveaways, special deals, selfie stations, guitar and drum contests, and more.
Bourbon & Beyond Weekend General Admission, VIP, and Beyond VIP passes, as well as single-day general admission and VIP passes for Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, are still available at bourbonandbeyond.com. Saturday single-day passes are sold out.
THURSDAY
Sting (Headliner) Beck
Lyle Lovett
FRIDAY
Dave Matthews Band (Headliner)
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Chris Isaak
The Red Clay Strays
Carles Wesley Godwin
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers JJ Grey & Mofro
SATURDAY
Zach Bryan (Headliner)
Whiskey Myers
Cody Jinks
SUNDAY
Tyler Childers (Headliner)
My Morning Jacket
The War on Drugs
Milky Chance
The full lineup can be found at bourbonandbeyond.com/lineup
The eighth annual Big Four Arts Festival, Louisville's premier art event on the river, is set to kick off the city's festival season on September 7 and 8. This highly anticipated two-day celebration will take place at the Big Four Bridge Lawn in Waterfront Park, offering attendees a unique blend of fine art, live music, and family-friendly activities against the backdrop of the Ohio River.
Festival highlights include over 150 juried fine artists, craftsmen, jewelers, and artisans, live music, hands-on art activities for all ages, festival food trucks and beverages, including beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails and, of course, beautiful waterfront views and access to the Big Four Walking Bridge.
The Big Four Arts Festival has been one of the top arts festivals in the region drawing 20,000 visitors annually. Its prime location, just a two-minute drive from Downtown Louisville, attracts patrons from both Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
"We're proud to present an event that not only showcases incredible artistic
talent but also contributes to our community," said Louis Nunnelley, Festival Director. "The support from both artists and attendees has been phenomenal, and we're excited to build on that success in 2024."
Ticket proceeds benefit Bridgehaven Mental Health Services. The festival's commitment to excellence has been recognized with the Rose Award from Louisville's Convention & Visitors Bureau for its positive impact on local commerce.
For more information, visit bigfourbridgeartsfestival.com or contact the festival office at (502) 435-7602.
• When: Saturday, September 7, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, September 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Location: Big Four Bridge Lawn, Waterfront Park, 1103 River Road
• Admission: $5. Tickets are available at the entrance and on the festival website.
• Parking: Free street parking available, with overflow parking at nearby Lynn Family Stadium lot
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 providing reflections of the visitor uniquely in each. The reflective spheres recall Kusama’s installation Narcissus Garden, which was first shown at the 1966 Venice Biennale.
LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER is a 90-second “immersive experience,” where visitors are encouraged to contemplate the meaning of "infinity" though an illusory mirrored space that provides introspection and optical play.
Many consider Kusama, born in 1929 in Tokyo, one of the most important and well-known living artists in the world today.
"It's not every day that a museum will have an artwork like this on display," said Speed Director Raphaela Platow. "This is one of only a few recent presentations of Kusama's work anywhere in the South, providing our community a firsthand
opportunity to experience and engage with a pioneering and historically significant work of immersive art. It is truly something to behold, and offers and opportunity for self-inquiry and catharsis, both individual and collective."
This is an example of one of Kusama's seminal artworks that explores ideas of introspection and “self-obliteration” through repetition and play with space, light, color, and time. An icon of global contemporary art, Kusama has eclipsed art historical categorization even as her multifaceted practice has found kinship over the decades with movements such as minimalism, pop art, and surrealism.
“It’s thrilling to host one of Kusama’s signature, immersive ‘infinity rooms.’
The artist, who recently turned 95, has become a true icon of contemporary culture through not only her artworks and performances but also her collaborations with fashion houses, design brands, and so much more,” said Tyler Balckwell, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Speed. “Over the decades, Kusama has become a unique,
transgressive trailblazer for women as a female artist in a male-dominated art world. Now, here in Kentucky for the first time, we can all enter her imagination simply by walking into her mirrored artwork."
In addition to the infinity room, visitors are also encouraged to visit the "Infinity Lab" where they can continue their experience by engaging with reflective materials to tap into their own creativity, explore ideas of "infinity" and illusion, and build a community-created, evolving installation.
"It's very open-ended." said Karen Gillenwater, Speed's Director of Learning, Engagement, and Belonging. "Guests can create a sculpture out of foil provided in the lab, and then select a spot in the lab to display it, or they can cover furniture and other objects with reflective materials and hang out and enjoy the space. We have intentionally made it very inviting and family friendly."
The exhibit will be on display through January 12, and tickets are available at SpeedMuseum.org .
Image courtesy of ©YAYOI KUSAMA. INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM – LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER, 2017. Courtesy of the artist, David Zwirner, Ota Fine Arts, and Victoria Miro. Collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario.
July 12, 2024–January 12, 2025
Enter an infinite world of wonder, mystery, and imagination.
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrored Room– LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER, on special loan from the Art Gallery of Ontario, explores ideas of “self-obliteration” through repetition and play with space, light, color, and time. This immersive presentation will mark the first time that a major work by Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929, Japan) has ever been on view in Kentucky.
Leading Sponsors:
Brooke Brown Barzun and Matthew Barzun
Victoria and Paul J. Diaz
Susan and Allan Lavin
Exhibition season sponsored by:
Cary Brown and Steven E. Epstein
Debra and Ronald Murphy
Sociable Weaver Foundation
Tickets at speedmuseum.org
Share that message everywhere you go with the new Kentucky Arts Special License Plate. You can order it now from drive.ky.gov or get it at your county clerk’s office. A portion of each order supports Kentuckians for the Arts in our arts advocacy work.
Kentuckians for the Arts is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to inform elected officials and the public about the value of the arts and arts education. Find out more about KFTA and how you can become a member at: KFTA.wildapricot.org