A behind-the-scenes look into Louisville’s performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation.
magazine
JANUARY 2024
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THANK YOU, 2023... NEXT! Life is like art. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. Find what you prefer. Or get a blank canvas and paint it your way. – Pamela Storch, composer, concert pianist, and artist
We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. We *might* have indulged a little too much ourselves … but the good news is, the first month of the year offers a fresh start. Our top New Year’s resolutions are always the same — level up our support of local performing arts groups, attend more shows, and encourage all of you to do the same! (Hey, some people set crazy-big goals for themselves. We just stick with what we know!) Seriously, though, it won’t be difficult to stick with our resolutions, what with all the fantastic live performances on the calendar in January and February. In this issue of Audience Magazine, we’ve compiled a list of our faves on page 11. A top pick is none other than Disney’s Frozen, which will hit the stage at The Kentucky Center January 24 to February 4. The best part? It’s a homecoming for a Louisville native in the cast! Read more on page 6. There may or may not be snow on the ground during the show’s run, but this spellbinding production is sure to give you chills. Amy Higgs Managing Editor
Another must-see: Be sure to check out the 26th annual Louisville Jewish Film Festival that kicks off on February 3. With a diverse and exciting lineup of both short and feature-length films, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Read more on page 16. Speaking of diverse artists, Jewish painter Marc Chagall will be celebrated on stage and in a panel discussion at the Speed. Find out more on page 23. For fun beyond the theater during these dreary winter months, check out our feature stories on a thrilling new Downtown gaming venue, a resort across the river, plus some options for cold-weather, outdoor activities at Kentucky’s state parks. We don’t know about you, but we love a blank canvas. We’ve got our brushes and palette out, poised to start adding color from all the performances we plan to attend this year. What will you “paint” on yours? As the curtain rises (for the first of many times in 2024),
Amy & Doug
G. Douglas Dreisbach Publisher
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TABLE of CONTENTS JANUARY 2024
6 AN ENCHANTING JOURNEY
PLUS...
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11
15
16
Audience Outlook
Louisville's Latest & Hottest Play!
Louisville Jewish Film Festival
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Cozy Up in Winter Cottages
A Blissful Escape
The Bitter and the Sweet
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TICKET
GIVEAWAYS
SPECIAL INVITES
SHOW PREVIEWS Subscribe to Visit Audience502.com for articles and information about the arts and entertainment in Louisville including performance previews, reviews, ticket giveaways and more. Subscribe to Audience Magazine for FREE to stay in the know about the hottest events and behind-the-scenes looks.
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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
Daniel Chioco Derby City Gaming French Lick Resort Jewish Community Center Kentucky Tourism Arts & Heritage Cabinet Speed Art Museum
TO READ CURRENT AND PREVIOUS AUDIENCE PLAYBILLS AND PERFORMANCE GUIDES, GO TO ISSUU.COM/AUDIENCE502.
On the Cover: The company of Disney's Frozen North American Tour features Louisville native Jack Brewer. Photo by Deenvan Meer. Learn more on page 6.
GOT AN ARTICLE IDEA? 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 © Copyright 2024. The Audience Group, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.
Audience® Magazine is published by The Audience Group, Inc. 136 St. Matthews Avenue #300 Louisville, KY 40207 502.212.5177 | Audience502.com 5
PERFORMANCE PREVIEW
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LOUISVILLE NATIVE JACK BREWER PERFORMS FOR HOMETOWN AUDIENCES IN DISNEY’S FROZEN by Daniel Chioco
he Kentucky Center is buzzing with excitement as Louisville eagerly awaits the arrival of the Broadway sensation, Disney’s Frozen, on January 24. This production isn't just another high-profile event for the city; it's a homecoming for one of Louisville's own, Jack Brewer.
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themes of self-discovery, bravery, and the unbreakable ties of family. At its heart, Disney’s Frozen is a tale of family, sacrifice, and love. It's a story that transcends age, resonating with both the young and the young at heart.
Brewer has earned a spot in the ensemble of this acclaimed touring show, playing the charming Oaken. His journey from local theater to the grandeur of Broadway encapsulates a story of dedication, talent, and the support from a vibrant arts community. The touring production is a visual, musical, and emotional feast that goes beyond a typical theater experience. It's an immersive journey into a world where love triumphs and dreams come true, though not always in the way we expect.
Audiences can expect mesmerizing special effects, including transformative sets that conjure icy landscapes and ethereal northern lights. The production also features heart-stirring renditions of the iconic songs “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” along with new numbers that deepen the characters' stories.
ONE PERFORMER’S LOUISVILLE ROOTS
PERFORMANCE PREVIEW January 24 - February 4, 2024
THE COOL MAGIC OF FROZEN
For fans of the film, the stage adaptation brings an added layer of spectacle to this already enchanting story.
Brewer’s story starts right here in the Louisville area, a region known for nurturing its arts scene and its people.
Since its debut in 2010, the movie “Frozen” and its enduringly catchy soundtrack have captivated audiences worldwide. In 2019, the beloved animated film became a breathtaking Broadway musical.
"I got my start in theater at Oldham County School Arts Center (OCSAC). I was there every single day [from age 9] until graduation,” Brewer recalls fondly. From ballet to jazz, tap to musicals, and intensive voice lessons, he immersed himself in every aspect of performance.
The story revolves around the bond between two sisters, Elsa and Anna, and their journey of trials and tribulations, highlighting
“From my first musical at nine years old to voice lessons as I got older, OCSAC was where I grew not just as a performer, but as a
The backstage is like a well-oiled machine. Everyone from the crew to the cast works in perfect harmony to bring this story to life. – Jack Brewer
Caroline Bowman as Elsa in Frozen North American Tour. Photo by Deenvan Meer.
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PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY
Lauren Nicole Chapman as Anna and Will Savarese as Prince Hans in the Frozen North American Tour. PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY
person,” he says. Specifically, Brewer is grateful to his mentors, Kathie Davis and Trina Jackson. “I wouldn’t be where I am — who I am — today without them. Brewer’s story is not just one of personal achievement but a reflection of a rich arts community that encourages and elevates its youth to reach for the stars.
JOURNEY TO THE NATIONAL STAGE After establishing his craft in the Louisville theater community, Brewer took a significant step forward by attending the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory. “It was a game-changer for me. It was there that I really started to understand what it takes to make it in this industry,” he says. Soon after graduating in April 2021, Brewer took another bold step and moved to New York City, ready to embrace the challenges of the Big Apple. “Training in theater nearly every day for almost 15 years prepared me for this, but nothing quite prepares you for NYC,” he says. In Frozen, Brewer plays the role of Oaken, the affable shopkeeper with a penchant for hearty greetings and warmth. “It’s a role that requires you to be high energy all the time,” he says. Since the musical’s premiere in 2019, Brewer estimates he has performed as Oaken about 350 times. “Playing Oaken is physically and vocally taxing, but it's incredibly rewarding,” he adds. His preparation for this role involved not only drawing inspiration from the original film but also intensive vocal training to capture Oaken’s unique cadence and jovial spirit. Additionally, as part of the ensemble, Brewer embraces the diversity of roles he portrays throughout the musical. “Each performance is an opportunity to bring something new, to keep the character fresh and engaging,” he says. 8
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Collin Baja as Sven and Jeremy Davis as Olaf in the Frozen North American Tour.
A PEAK BEHIND THE CURTAIN There’s more magic to the production than what audiences see on stage. The backstage synergy is not just about technical precision; it’s a testament to the collaborative spirit that is the hallmark of Broadway. “The backstage is like a well-oiled machine,” Brewer says. "Everyone from the crew to the cast works in perfect harmony to bring this story to life.” A great example of this synergy is during Elsa’s dress change, a stunning transformation made possible by a dedicated team of over 30 people. The audience sees a seamless costume change on stage, but behind the scenes, it takes dozens to pull off the technical wizardry required for such showstopping moments. “Witnessing the seamless teamwork that goes into creating these magical moments is awe-inspiring,” Brewer says. To young actors dreaming of the stage, he offers these words of encouragement: “Stay dedicated and work hard. The journey is challenging, but every bit of effort and time you invest now will pave the way to a future you’ve always dreamt of. Believe in yourself, and keep pushing forward.” Brewer’s own success is a living example of where passion, perseverance, and dedication can lead in the world of theater. Come celebrate our native son’s journey to the stage and his homecoming performance at The Kentucky Center! It’s not too late to get tickets. Visit Louisville.Broadway.com or call (502) 584-7777. A U D I E N C E
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The KY Lottery has raised over $4 BILLION
for college scholarships and grants.
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To learn more visit: KYLottery.com T O A U D I E N C E F R E E !
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AUDIENCE OUTLOOK
KICK OFF 2024 WITH OUR EVENT PICKS
If attending more concerts and performing arts events is on your New Year’s resolutions list, we have you covered. There are plenty of fantastic opportunities to take in the theater, live music, comedy shows and other great performances in the first few weeks of 2024. We hope you like our preferred event listings below and get the chance to check out a few of them. For a full list of performing arts and entertainment events in Louisville, check out our event calendar at Audience502.com.
JANUARY
26 Town Mountain Alt-county/bluegrass | Mercury Ballroom
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Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular Brown Theatre
Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, Town Mountain is the sum of all its vast and intricate influences — this bastion of alt-country rebellion and honky-tonk attitude pushed through the hardscrabble Southern Appalachian lens of its origin.
The Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular: Birthday Edition is an Era-by-Era tribute concert celebrating the music and magic of Elvis Presley. The concert begins with the early rock-a-billy, the military years, the movie years, the ’68 comeback special in black leather and the show closes with the Las Vegas concert years.
19 Louisville Orchestra: Queens of Soul Whitney Hall An evening featuring hits made famous by the reigning divas of Soul and R&B: Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, Adele and more!
24 - Feb. 4 PNC Broadway in Louisville: Disney’s Frozen Whitney Hall Frozen features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®winning film, plus an expanded score
Frozen
with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Don’t miss an unforgettable theatrical experience filled with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, and powerhouse performances, Frozen is everything you want in a musical: It’s moving. It’s spectacular. And above all, it’s pure Broadway joy.
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26 Back 2 Mac w/ Those Damn Torpedoes Tribute bands | Headliners Music Hall Enjoy the sounds of Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty with Back 2 Mac and
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Those Damn Torpedoes. Both always give a great show, and for a $15 ticket, you can’t go wrong!
theatrical performances from Kentucky Shakespeare Festival actors, tarot readings, poetry buskers from Sarabande Books, raffles, DJ & dancing, BrownForman cocktails, hors d’oeuvres by Proof, desserts, the group’s 64th season announcement, and more surprises!
FEBRUARY 1 Elvie Shane: Damascus Acoustic Stories Tour Country/classic rock | Mercury Ballroom
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3 &10 StageOne Family Theatre: Number the Stars Bomhard Theater During the German occupation of Denmark in World War II, the Nazis closed down Jewish-owned businesses and began to round up the Jews for relocation to concentration camps for the final solution. In this stirring play, young Annemarie and Kirsti Johansen face soldiers, interrogations, fierce dogs, personal danger, the loss of loved ones, and their own fears as they try to help their friend Ellen Rosen escape across the ocean to Sweden safely.
8 Drake White: The Bridge Tour Smooth country | Mercury Ballroom Enjoy an evening of smooth country with catchy lyrics and beats mixed with blues, funk, rock ‘n’ roll and reggae.
10 Kentucky Shakespeare in Love 2024 Gala 21c Museum Hotel The special evening features live music from the Jerry Tolson Jazz Trio,
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17 Trey McLaughlin & the Sounds of Zamar Bomhard Theater Trey M. McLaughlin is a passionate vocalist, educator, composer, arranger, and clinician. Known for fusing together an eclectic mix of musical genres, he arranges and performs original works with his own touring and recording ensemble, The Sounds of Zamar, who concluded their first national tour in the 2018-19 season.
As a native of small-town Kentucky whose influences range from Dwight Yoakam and Steve Earle to classic rock, gospel, R&B and hip-hop, Elvie Shame has emerged as a country star with his heart on his sleeve. The Cleverlys with Whiskey Bent Valley Boys Country/bluegrass | Headliners Music Hall The genius reworking of classic songs into hillbilly harmonies makes an evening with The Cleverlys one to remember. Listen to originals from the band as well as reworked songs like “No-Diggity,” “Creep,” “Love Shack.” and more performed with their own flair.
comedy about being a “slave to duty.” W.S. Gilbert’s witty wordplay coupled with Arthur Sullivan’s memorable music make for a rollicking night at the theater. (Sung in English with English captions.)
19 Joe Bonamassa Blues | Louisville Palace
14 Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan – I’ve Had It – Hot Sh*t Tour Comedy | Bomhard Theater Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan are taking their podcast on the road. No city is safe from Jen and Pump’s extensive list of “Had Its.” Join this hilarious duo for a night of world class sh*t talking.
Joe Bonamassa is an American blues rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He started his career at the age of 12 when he opened for B.B. King, and has since released 15 solo albums, out of which 11 have achieved the No. 1 position on the Billboard Blues charts. Don’t miss your chance to see this blues icon in the beautiful Louisville Palace theater.
12 The Tillers bluegrass/folk | ZanzaBar The Tillers is a bluegrass, folk music band from Cincinnati that has been playing their own distinctive sound of stringband-style folk music for over a decade, touring all over the country and across the sea. One reviewer shared: “Like no other group I’ve ever heard, the Tillers are able to break your heart with an intangible, timeless pain. Combined, they harmonize like the celestial monochorde of old, awakening once again the ancient muses to strum the heartstrings of man.”
16-24 Kentucky Opera: The Pirates of Penzance Opera | Brown Theatre Performance dates are February 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24. Leap years come around every four years. For one young pirate, it causes mayhem and turmoil in this
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February 22-March 3 CenterStage presents: The Prom The Shapira Foundation Auditorium Performances are February 22, 24, 25, 29 and March 2, 3. Four fading Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town Indiana prom — and the press is involved — they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue, and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the dance on the straight and narrow — but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny. Now, Broadway’s brassiest are coming to join the fight and they are ready to kick-ball-change the world.
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NOW OPEN
LOUISVILLE’S HOTTEST PLAY Spin and win on up to 500 of the hottest games in our smoking and non-smoking areas. Watch and wager at our action-packed Race & Sports Book. Grab a drink at one of the lively bars or a souvenir at the Kentucky Derby Gift Shop. Whether you want to get your night off to a hot start or give it a thrilling finish, Derby City Gaming Downtown is Louisville’s hottest play!
140 South 4th Street Louisville, K Y 40202 downtown.derbycitygaming.com Must be 21 or older. Gambling problem? Call 1- 80 0 - GAMBLER.
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NEW HOT SPOT
LOUISVILLE’S LATEST & HOTTEST PLAY! Check out Derby City Gaming in Downtown Louisville
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lay it up at Louisville’s new, must-visit destination for fine wine, bourbon, cocktails, and of course, game play, at Derby City Gaming Downtown! Whether you’re looking for a new place to hang out before or after a show at The Kentucky Center or other downtown event, or you just want to try something new and fun, give Derby City Gaming Downtown a shot. The property features several great areas to kick back and relax, including The Fascinator Wine Bar, a contemporary space with seating areas conducive for conversation while you enjoy delectable charcuterie boards and sip on your favorite wines from an expansive list. Derby City Gaming Downtown also boasts the city’s newest bourbon and cigar bar with Trophy Bar Bourbon & Cigars, featuring an impressive list of Kentucky bourbons, hand-rolled cigars, and an outdoor cigar lounge. This new, $90 million property demonstrates Louisville-based Churchill Downs’ continued investment in the city. In addition to the famed racetrack on
Central Avenue that has undergone over $100 million of renovations over the past decade, the company’s Derby City Gaming & Hotel, located just off I-264 on Poplar Level Road, has been wellreceived by entertainment and gaming enthusiasts alike. While there are no table games at Derby City Downtown, if you like playing the slot machines, you will love to “spin and win” on close to 500 of the latest and greatest games like Buffalo, Wheel of Fortune, Ultimate Fire Link and more! Plus, with a non-smoking gaming floor and an open-air smoking and gaming patio, you can choose to play your way in the environment you prefer. No visit is complete without making a stop at the Kentucky Derby Gift Shop, J A N U A R Y
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where you’ll find a variety of branded Kentucky Derby and Derby City Gaming Downtown merchandise, and more unique souvenirs. So, whether you need a place to go before a show, or you want a hot start or a thrilling finish to a night out on the town, Derby City Gaming Downtown is Louisville’s hottest play! Derby City Gaming Downtown is located at 140 S. Fourth St., across from the Kentucky International Convention Center. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit Downtown.DerbyCityGaming.com for details. 15
EVENTS WE LOVE
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LOUISVILLE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL A Celebration on Screen: February 3 - 18, 2024
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ICHNESS & DIVERSITY
The Trager Family Jewish Community Center will host its 26th annual Louisville Jewish Film Festival from Saturday, February 3, to Sunday, February 18. The festival will showcase six in-person films at venues around town, including the Baxter Theatre, Speed Museum Cinema, Louisville Slugger Museum, and the Trager Family JCC, as well as four full-length and seven short films available for audiences to watch in the comfort of their own homes. Through feature films, shorts, documentaries, and student films, as well as conversations and community engagement, the festival shows how the power of film can change lives.
OPENING NIGHT The opening night film, “Remembering Gene Wilder,” will be shown live at the Trager Family JCC in the Shapira Foundation Auditorium on Saturday, February 3. The affectionate biographical documentary displays the full measure of Gene Wilder’s gifts as a comedic actor of great depth, a writer, a director, and a mensch. Told in part through Wilder’s own voice, from his audiobook recording of his memoir, the film offers generous helpings of clips from across Wilder’s career – “The Producers,” “Willy Wonka,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” and more – and poignant home movies from his marriage to Gilda Radner. The film will be accompanied by an opening night reception at 7 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and bar.
VIRTUAL FILMS Virtual films can be viewed from home and will be available for a week at a time 16
murdered. Posthumously, “The Boy” and Winner won the best screenplay and Prix Interculturel awards at the 2023 Filmschoolfest Munich.
SPECIAL GUEST, ACTOR SAUL RUBINEK
Saul Rubinek
to enjoy. Highlights include “SHTTL,” starring Saul Rubinek, a film that shares a day in the life of a Yiddish Ukrainian village on the Polish border 24 hours before the Nazi invasion. A filmmaker returns from Kyiv to his rural village to marry the love of his life, instead of the Rabbi’s daughter he is expected to wed. In “Matchmaking,” the main character, Moti Bernstein, is the perfect match for every bride – good looks, a good family, a good mind. In search of a wife, he meets the best girls in the Orthodox world, but he falls for the one girl he can never have. Against everything he knows and every value he holds dear, Moti is forced into the most unexpected and unusual of stratagems in his attempt to prove that love can conquer all. “The Boy” features a father and his emotionally fragile son forced to deal with yet another round of rockets aimed at their kibbutz bordering the Gaza strip. The film has received acclaim while sharing an immense sadness as the director, Yahav Winner, was killed on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists burst into his bedroom in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. During the invasion, Winner fought the terrorists, allowing his wife and their one-month-old daughter to escape, while horrifically, he was
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Event programming will accompany several films to encourage conversation and engagement. One of the highlights will feature actor Saul Rubinek, star of the film, “SHTTL,” who will join local Louisville audiences in a virtual environment on Wednesday, February 7, at 7 p.m. to talk about the film. Rubinek was born in a displaced-persons camp in Allied-occupied Germany in 1948. The Rubinek family emigrated to Canada the year he was born, and his parents encouraged him to pursue acting. Rubinek has had a successful career as an actor in well-known films and television shows including “Frasier” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as well as most recently in the Amazon series, “Hunters.”
TICKETS & FESTIVAL PACKAGES The 2024 festival offers a blend of comedies, dramas, documentaries, and short films from filmmakers and countries around the globe. Individual, student and ticket packages (including virtual passes and in-person/live passes) are available at jewishlouisville.org/filmfestival. Full festival passes, opening night reception tickets and Shorts & Shots tickets are available at the same link. Tickets for individual films start at $12, and student pricing is available for $5 for live events. Discounted virtual and in-person film festival passes to watch multiple films are also available.
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! y a d o t Join Your Trager Family JCC Membership Includes: 100+ Weekly Group Fitness Classes State-of-the-Art Cardio Equipment: Peloton Bikes, Relentless Rope, Ski Erg and Assault Rowers Free Weights and Weight Machines Indoor and Outdoor Courts for Basketball & Pickleball Indoor Heated Lap Pool & Family Recreational Pool FREE Childcare While You Workout – JPLAY on-site
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A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4 17 40205 502-238-2721 •J membership@jewishlouisville.org • 3600 Dutchmans Lane • Louisville, KY
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DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT
COZY UP IN WINTER COTTAGES Embrace the crisp winter air at Kentucky State Parks
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s the new year draws closer, thoughts turn to New Year’s resolutions and goals for the months ahead. If your resolutions involve exercising, spending more time in nature and less time on screens, we have the perfect solution for you: booking a Kentucky State Parks winter cottage. In the winter, you can embrace the crisp atmosphere and avoid mosquitoes on the trails. With fewer crowds, you are better able to hear and see birds and wildlife. Bare branches also allow for unparalleled views of the scenery. The cottages at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, John James Audubon State Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, and Pine Mountain State Resort Park are all well-equipped for your winter stay. With kitchens, fireplaces, and other amenities, the cottages provide a cozy welcome from the cold. At Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, 17 miles of hiking trails wind through the park, providing breathtaking views. The famous Moonbow Trail connects with many backpacking paths in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Be sure to check Parks.ky.gov for 2024 Moonbow dates. Cook a hearty dinner in your cottage’s kitchen, which contains full sizedappliances and a coffee pot, along with flatware, cookware, and dishware. Or venture to the lodge’s Riverview Restaurant for meals. Winter is a prime time to visit John James Audubon State Resort Park as well. Birdwatchers can view seven types of woodpeckers, waterfowl, mixed flocks, and more. The Audubon Wetlands boardwalk provides a wonderful location for viewing beavers, otters, turtles, frogs, fish, and many other wild creatures. Be sure to stop by the museum, which includes the Audubon family story and displays over 200 objects, including Audubon’s stunning masterwork, The Birds of America.
The Nature Center sits on the edge of the park’s nature preserve and includes a wildlife observation room, the Audubon Theater, and the Discovery & Learning Center. Book a one-bedroom cottage or an ADA-accessible two-bedroom cottage at Audubon, all of which contain a fireplace, cooking utensils, tableware, and linens. Breathe in the clean mountain air at Natural Bridge State Resort Park, where one-bedroom and two-bedroom cottages are available. Additionally, the Hemlock Lodge is open year-round. The Sandstone Arches Restaurant boasts gorgeous scenery, and the Trails End Tavern serves Kentucky wine and spirits. In addition to the famous Natural Bridge, you can explore the Red River Gorge area and enjoy the historic Nature Center. Winter birdwatching can make it easier to spy various species of woodpeckers, kinglets, nuthatches, wrens, and sparrows. Year-round residents include the northern cardinal, American goldfinch, indigo bunting, great blue heron, and wild turkey, among others. Revered for being the first Kentucky State Park, the historic Pine Mountain State Resort Park is an ideal winter weekend destination. From hiking the J A N U A R Y
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famed Chained Rock Trail to relaxing in a rocking chair in the Herndon J. Evans Lodge, you can be as active or relaxed as you like. Enjoy the scenery in the Mountain View Restaurant as you dive into a hot brown. Afterward, curl up by the stone fireplace in one of the pet-friendly cottages, and venture onto the porch or deck for wildlife sightings. One and two-bedroom cottages are available, along with a onebedroom log cabin. Whichever park you choose for your winter weekend, you have excellent options. Book your winter getaway at Parks.ky.gov. Explore Kentucky’s 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks with restaurants, 30 campgrounds, and 13 golf courses. 19
DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT
A BLISSFUL ESCAPE Check In to French Lick Resort, Then Check Out for a Bit
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hen it’s time to hit the pause button for a few days, French Lick Resort is a blissful escape just a short drive from Louisville that will let you experience life as it should be, on your own terms. Maybe it’s morning coffee on the veranda and a stroll through the historic gardens. An afternoon at the spa, unwinding with that massage you’ve been promising yourself. A day on the links tackling one of the Midwest’s top golf courses. An evening of cocktails and great conversation under the famed West Baden Springs Hotel dome. Whatever your terms might be, from the moment you check in at the historic French Lick Springs Hotel or West Baden Springs Hotel, allow yourself to check out for a while.
TAKE IN THE SIGHTS Hit up 1875: The Steakhouse for their signature Bloody Mary with a personality. Or, order up the award-winning French Lick Manhattan made with the French Lick Select Woodford Reserve personally crafted by the resort’s food & beverage team. Rejuvenate with a spa afternoon or get a rush up at the sporting clays range, featuring sporting clays and archery experiences; or even saddle up for a horseback trail ride; explore 10-plus miles of trails via foot or mountain bike; or just locate some sunny real estate by the pool or hot tub. However you prefer to unwind, there are plenty of ways to choose your own adventure.
PLAY BUCKET-LIST GOLF... Nowhere else in the world can you play two courses designed by World Golf Hall of Fame architects together on the same property. The modern majesty of a Pete Dye layout on one course and the classic 20
aura of a Donald Ross design on the other, the No. 1 and No. 2 Indiana golf courses on Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play” list are both available, as well as a nine-hole Valley Links Course. It all adds up to 45 challenging holes and one satisfying checkmark on that golfing bucket list.
...THEN PLAY A LITTLE MORE The casino at French Lisk provides a safe, clean, and friendly gaming experience that’s a cut above with a non-smoking casino floor loaded with your favorite slot machines and table games. Also, don’t miss the chance to watch and wager on your favorite teams at the sportsbook kiosks, and catch the action on the big screens in the sportsbook viewing area.
GET OUT & ABOUT When it comes time to branch out and explore beyond the resort, small-town Indiana delivers some big-time surprises. Enjoy a throwback experience with a train excursion on the French Lick Scenic Railway. (And while you’re at it, start planning ahead and book tickets for their popular Polar Express rides next winter.) Take a spirited side trip to the French Lick Winery and Spirits of French Lick Distillery, offering wine tastings and unique craft spirits and cocktails, as well as distillery tours.
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Coming with the kids? Carve out some time for the Drive-Thru Safari Park at nearby Wilstem Wildlife Park and see 40 species of animals — from alpacas to zebras — right from your car. With Big Splash Adventure water park also in French Lick, and more attractions like Patoka Lake, Marengo Cave, and Cave Country Canoes within a short drive, you might need to stay for a while to experience everything Southern Indiana has to offer.
KICK BACK AND RELAX Life tends to slow down here. We like it that way. Find a shady spot on the veranda, settle into a comfy rocker, and rock the day away at French Lick Springs Hotel. The ultimate in serenity, and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Especially when you’re enjoying a couple scoops of ice cream, or a drink from the lobby bar. (Or better yet, both.) And who wouldn’t want to decompress at West Baden Springs Hotel? Whether it’s from your own guestroom balcony overlooking the atrium, or cozied up in a comfortable chair enjoying live jazz music every evening, you can truly lose yourself for a while in this serene, spectacular setting. For more about French Lick Resort or to book your stay, visit FrenchLick.com.
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Stay-cation. Day trip. Night out. Whatever your speed, we’ll treat you to a change of pace.
SCAN CODE OR VISIT FRENCHLICK.COM TO START YOUR GETAWAY. Must be 21 years or older to enter the casino. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.9.WITH.IT or text INGAMB to 53342! J A N U A R Y
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November 15, 2023 – April 7, 2024 The Bitter and the Sweet: Kentucky Sugar Chests, Enslavement, and the Transatlantic World 1790–1865 reexamines the iconic Kentucky sugar chest
Planning, research, and development for this exhibition was supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art.
within the broader, intertwined historical contexts of the Atlantic economy, the vicious human toll of enslavement, and the complex transportation and merchant systems that brought sugar to Kentucky from the West Indies and sugar-growing regions of the Americas. Sugar furniture and related objects, artwork, tools, and archival materials will reflect the bitter reality of sugar production and trade from New World beginnings to the end of the Civil War. 22
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Exhibition season sponsored by: Cary Brown and Steven E. Epstein Sociable Weaver Foundation Debra and Ronald Murphy DAV FAM Art Fund
speedmuseum.org
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ART NEWS
THE BITTER AND THE SWEET
Kentucky Sugar Chests, Enslavement, and the Transatlantic World - 1790-1865
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he 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 runs from now through April 7. The exhibit 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 cabinet makers 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. “It’s important to place these objects within a deeper and more meaningful historical context to show why these pieces of furniture exist in the first place. I think many people are unfamiliar with how deeply involved enslaved people were in the growing of sugar and how sugar became a global desire,” says Jennifer Downs, the Speed’s Terra Foundation Assistant Curator. Prominently displayed in Kentucky parlors or dining rooms, a fashionable sugar chest reflected the wealthy status of its owner, and supported social
rituals such as coffee, tea, and alcohol consumption, which further showcased and reinforced prosperity. However, “not everyone could afford to purchase sugar in quantities large enough to require a specific piece of furniture to store it,” Downs says. The powerful nostalgic sentiment that has long been associated with utilitarian sugar furniture, which often incorporates fanciful and regionally specific decoration, contradicts the history of the sweet substance it was made to store. “It is vitally important for museums to address the complicated histories of many objects in their collections and reframe objects within more inclusive contexts to reflect the diverse communities that they serve,” Downs adds. S P E E D
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Housed in the museum’s Kentucky Gallery, The Bitter and the Sweet is viewed as a first-of-its kind hybrid artand-history exhibition that features a variety of media, including sugar furniture, related objects, contemporary artwork, archival materials, 19th century tools and video material. For more information, visit SpeedMuseum.org 23
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