A behind-the-scenes look into Louisville’s performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation.
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The best is yet to come, and won't that be fine? You think you've seen the sun, but you ain't seen it shine.”
– Frank Sinatra
Amy Higgs Managing Editor
G. Douglas Dreisbach Publisher
Welp, summertime is barreling through our fair city. While that may mean our legs stick to leather car seats and we risk third-degree burns every time we reach for a seatbelt, the hottest season in The Ville doesn’t last forever. Thank goodness!
We couldn’t agree more with the man himself, Ol’ Blue Eyes, that the best days are ahead of us when it comes to performing arts and entertainment. There are still plenty of events to look forward to this month and next, but — dare we say it — it’s time to start planning for fall.
While we’re wiping sweat out of our eyes, we’ll be dreaming of cooler temperatures and even cooler concerts, plays, exhibits and more slated for September and beyond. Check out the expanded Events Outlook on page 6 for all the details.
Speaking of exhibits, there’s an immersive experience on loan from a Canadian museum you won’t want to miss that’s coming the Speed this month. Learn more on page 14. If you’re looking for art with local flair, check out the feature on the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea on page 13.
While the temperatures may still feel like Faulkner’s “Long Hot Summer” on steroids, we are catching a hint of fall in the oh-so-humid air. We want to thank our loyal advertisers for allowing us to bring you the latest arts and entertainment news, no matter the season or the weather.
It’s cool, we’re cool, everything is cool…
Amy & Doug
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
Kentucky Tourism Arts & Heritage Cabinet
Speed Art Museum
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On the Cover: Don't miss Croce Plays Croce and Get the Led Out, playing this month at the Brown Theatre. For this summer's hottest shows, read our Event Outlook on page 6.
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The calendar for the next few months is jam-packed with a wide array of concerts, shows, performances and festivals. We hope you like our preferred event listings below and get the chance to check out a few of them!
July 1 - Aug. 11
Kentucky Shakespeare in Central Park
46 Performances through Aug. 11
The 2024 season of Kentucky Shakespeare in Central Park kicked off with the beloved timeless tale of Romeo & Juliet, a tale of star-crossed lovers caught between two worlds. Romance leads to loss, then grace, in this beautiful and tragic love story. Next up is The Comedy of Errors, a madcap comedy of a farcical tale of long-lost siblings, mistaken identities, love at first sight, and happily-ever-afters. The season wraps with The Tempest, Shakespeare’s final play, and is a testament to the redeeming power of love and forgiveness, featuring fools, spirits, monsters, shipwrecks, and magical spells.
July 12 - Jan. 12, 2025
Speed Museum
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrored Room
– LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER
On July 12, the Speed Art Museum presents 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 exhibit is a 90-second “immersive experience” where visitors are enveloped in Kusama’s distinctive artistic universe through mirrored surfaces, reflective spheres, and recurring motifs of infinity.
16
Croce Plays Croce
Folk/light rock
Brown Theatre
Multi-faceted singer/songwriter A.J. Croce is hitting the road again in celebration of two more of his father, Jim Croce’s, legendary albums, 1973’s “Life and Times” and his final release, “I Got A Name,” in addition to songs from “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.” The show features a legendary band and a moving multimedia presentation accompanying Jim’s songs — which, on the previous tour, included hits, “Operator (That’s
Not the Way It Feels),” “Time in a Bottle,” and more. It was fan-demand and the camaraderie that A.J. felt with the audience, the players, and the connection to his father’s timeless music that inspired him to embark on this 50th anniversary tour.
Classic rock
Louisville Palace
Having sold over 17 million albums worldwide, performed across more than 4,000 stages, and captivated a radio audience that exceeds 1 billion, Night Ranger has both epitomized and transcended the arena rock sound and style well beyond that era. The band continues to grow their ever-evolving fanbase, and they are proof that powerful songs alongside incredibly talented musicians are the perfect formula for continued success. Hit songs include “Sister Christian,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” and “When You Close Your Eyes.”
20
Stones Tribute Show
Mercury Ballroom
Satisfaction is the international touring tribute to the World’s Greatest Rock &
Roll Band. This highly ranked Billboard production has over 24 years of touring experience with over 4,000 performances worldwide to its credit.
21
Get the Led Out:
A Celebration of the Mighty Zep Brown Theatre
Get The Led Out is a group of professional musicians who are passionate about their love of the music of Led Zeppelin. It’s been their mission to bring the studio recordings of “The Mighty Zep” to life on the big concert stage. This is not an impersonator act but rather a group of musicians who were fans first, striving to do justice to one of the greatest bands in rock history!
30
Charley Crockett
Blues/Texas country Iroquois Amphitheater
Charley Crockett is an American blues, Texas-country and Americana musician who is also a singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He most recently played Waterfront Wednesday and Railbird Festival in Lexington in 2023. You can bet this will be a great show.
31
91.9 WFPK Waterfront Wednesday Modern English, SNACKTIME, Digby Waterfront Park
The 22nd season of Waterfront Wednesdays continues as Louisville’s
favorite concert series. Held on the last Wednesday of every month from April to September, don’t miss this opportunity to see some great acts as the sun sets on the Ohio River.
Mac
Louisville Palace
One of the most popular Fleetwood Mac tribute bands is coming to the Louisville Palace and will perform all of your favorite classics from the iconic band.
4
Seth Walker
Blues/Pop/Classic Rock
The Kentucky Center, Mex Theater
Seth Walker is often cited as one of the most prolific contemporary Americana artists on the scene today. He’s a multidimensional talent who combines a gift for melody and lyric alongside a rich, Gospel-drenched, Southern-inflected voice with a true-blue knack for getting around on the guitar.
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.
1-29
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.
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.
26
Aerosmith PEACE OUT:
The Farewell Tour (w. The Black Crows) YUM! Center
Four-time Grammy award-winning and diamond-certified rock legends
Aerosmith come to Louisville with special guests The Black Crowes to celebrate 50 years as America’s greatest rock band. The show will feature THX Certified Live! high-fidelity, calibrating each arena with leading-edge technology so fans don’t miss a beat of Aerosmith’s classic rock tunes in top quality audio.
26
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
We are proud to support the Arts.
Since 1904, Stock Yards Bank & Trust has been a cornerstone of the Louisville community. Our team is dedicated to supporting the people and businesses of this city through thick and thin. We provide the resources and experience of a national bank, with the knowledge, familiarity, and trust that can only come from a hometown bank.
McNulty, is an action-packed retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic tale of horror. Visit DerbyDinner.com for performance dates and times.
4-6
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.
4 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.
Dec.13 - 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!
17
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.
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.
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 Award-winning 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.
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.
For a full list of performing arts and entertainment events in Louisville, visit our Event Calendar at Audience502.com.
Handmade jewelry, colorful pottery, locally made jams, handcrafted leather bags — these are just a few of the items that can be found at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. Featuring works from over 850 Kentucky-based artists and small businesses in one building, the center is a popular stop for locals and travelers alike. The center is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Located just off I-75 in Berea, the center celebrates Kentucky’s artisans through sales, exhibits and displays, along with special events and artist demonstrations. By directly purchasing works from artists for resale, the Kentucky Artisan Center supports local artists and businesses while increasing their exposure. Visitors from across the world pull over to view 25,000 square feet of crafts and fine art.
Regularly held special exhibits show off photography, paintings, quilts, and other pieces by local artists. The exhibits are free of charge and open to the public. Demonstrations may include jewelry making, plein air painting, carving, and more.
The center offers plenty of unique gift ideas throughout the year, including for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and birthdays. Be sure to stop by for holiday shopping when the center boasts an array of specially decorated Christmas trees full of festive ornaments and décor.
If you’re hungry, stop by the Artisan Café & Grill, open daily. The café serves breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m., where you can sample choices such as bacon and sausage biscuits. Lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with options such as roasted turkey sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs. Save room for dessert, which includes freshly made pies and cakes, muffins, cookies, and Sav’s Ice Cream made in Lexington.
The center also contains full rest-stop services, as well as plenty of on-site parking, including spaces for buses and RVs.
Tourism information about Berea and other Kentucky destinations is available for those who want to explore further. Berea is Kentucky’s official Folk Art & Craft Capital and is only two miles from the center. Check out the working artist studios, historic Boone Tavern, galleries, and shops.
Group tours at the center are an option for travelers and may be arranged by emailing Teresa Parrett at teresa.parrett@ky.gov.
Stay up to date on special events and featured artists by following the center on Facebook at @Kentucky. Artisan.Center and visiting the website, kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.
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.
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