Chevy Chaser Magazine, June 2024

SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

DOZENS OF GREAT EVENTS TO FILL YOUR SUMMER DAYS AND NIGHTS

LIFTING BLACK VOICES EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLACK WRITERS IN THE COMMONWEALTH

COMMON GROUND

LOCAL AUTHORS AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE CONCURRENT BOOK RELEASES

Kentucky

Nick S. Morrow, DMD W. Scott Jenkins, DMD, MD

Matthew N. Gayheart, DMD, MD

Contributors

Michelle Aiello is a Chicago-born writer, editor and indie publisher. Her interests include living room karaoke, snail mail and all things vintage. She lives in downtown Lexington with her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Ivy June. She contributes to our monthly “tadoo list” (our calendar of cultural happenings, page 31.

Liz Carey (“Lifting Black Voices,” page 25) is a Kentucky-born journalist, author and writing teacher living in Lexington. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her porch with her dog, her cat, a great book and a relatively good glass of wine.

Smiley Pete contributor Shannon Clinton (“Craveworthy,” page 7) is an Elizabethtown native who now lives in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. A proud graduate of Western Kentucky University’s journalism program, she has been a full-time freelance writer for 21 years for publications across the Southeast. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending to her collections of vintage Pyrex and hot sauce.

Journalist, writer and photographer Tom Eblen formerly served as the metro/state columnist for the Lexington HeraldLeader from 2008 to 2019 and the newspaper’s managing editor from 1998-2008. He now serves as the Carnegie Center’s literary arts liaison, and contributed the photography for “Lifting Black Voices.”

Emily Giancarlo (photography for “Common Ground”) is a professional photographer based out of Lexington, specializing in lifestyle and commercial photography. For more information and images, visit www.emilygiancarlo.com.

Fascinated by the elements that build the culture of a community Brent Owen (“Funny Business,” page 25) has contributed to a variety of publications over the past two decades, including Kentukcy Monthly, LEO Weekly and Voice-Tribune.

Born and raised in the commonwealth, artist and researcher Jacelyn Sturgill (“Common Ground,” page 19) supports all things Kentucky and enjoys an adventure-filled life with her husband, hound dog and elderly cat. ■

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CRAVE WORTHY CULINARY NEWS TO USE

BY SHANNON CLINTON

Capitalizing on the craze for customized carbonated drinks, a new “dirty soda” truck, Fizzy Fox has begun quenching customers’ thirst for drinks with a twist.

The business is owned by Daniel Osborne and Lee Ware, who say the vehicle is about as unique as its beverages: It’s a retired ambulance that served as a Chinese food truck before Fizzy Fox took the reins.

Osbourne said the inspiration for the name Fizzy Fox came about through a brainstorming session with his son, Yasuo, who manages the daily truck operations.

“I love alliterations, and we wanted to brand in a way appealing to a growing demographic of young people who are interested in Asian pop culture themes such as Anime, K-Pop, Manga, video games, and kids card games,” Osborne said.

The truck will appear 11 a.m.-4 p.m. most days on Southland Drive, either in front of Marikka’s or across the street in front of Southland Bagel. Customers can select a soda base — either plain club soda or a variety of name brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper — and up to four add-ins from a large list of syrups, purees, half and half, whipped cream and popping boba.

“The possible combinations are nearly endless,” he said.

In other local food and beverage industry news:

• The Cincinnati restaurant group Mazunte has opened its first Lexington location, Mazunte Bodega, at 903 Manchester St. Ste. 150., serving a wide variety of tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and more.

• Shake ’n Crave is now open at 535 S. Upper St., Ste. 175, Lexington, with crepes, waffles, pancakes and more.

• The Winchester-based soda company Ale-8-One has issued a limited release of Blackberry Ale-8-One, on the heels of the recent return of Peach Ale-8-One. Both flavors are available at select locations this summer, until they sell out.

• Country Boy Brewing appropriately kicked off a partnership on Cinco de Mayo with Georgetown-based Tienda San Juan Taqueria, which will be offering authentic Mexican fare at the brewery’s Georgetown taproom kitchen. In celebration, a new margarita flavored beer, Coug-a-Rita, was launched.

• We’re bidding a fond foodie farewell to a few locations this issue, including Hi View Meats of Georgetown, which is shuttering as of May 31 after 41 years in business; Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen’s Townley Center location, which is closing after 10 years; and the final location of Saul Good near Fayette Mall, which had been open since 2008. n

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Lifting Black Voices

KENTUCKY BLACK WRITERS COLLABORATIVE EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLACK WRITERS IN KENTUCKY

STORY BY LIZ CAREY

The years 2020 through 2023 marked a disruptive and transformative time for many businesses and organizations. Much of this was caused by the effects of the pandemic, but also by the deep political unrest spurred by the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police officers and a coinciding uptick in conversations surrounding racial inequalities.

The leadership of the local literary hub Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning was among those who felt a strong pull to help affect change during this time, sparking conversations about what it meant to be a Black writer in Kentucky. It was in the midst of these discussions, in the spring of 2020, that the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative was formed under the umbrella of the Carnegie Center.

“There was an uprising in response to the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd all over the world. Businesses and nonprofits began to ask themselves, ‘What are we doing to support the black community?’” said Claudia Love Mair, a writer who had taken classes at the Carnegie Center and was involved in those initial conversations. She now serves as the coordinator for the KBWC. “The Carnegie Center was no exception. We asked, ‘Are we doing enough for the Black community? Is putting a Black Lives Matter sign in the window enough?’ And the answer was ‘No, it’s not enough.’”

PHOTO BY TOM EBLEN

Claudia Love Mair is the coordinator for the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative. The organization was formed under the umbrella of the local nonprofit Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning.

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The Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative was formed to foster increased opportunities for Black writers across the state to learn, grow and create in an uplifting space. Free to join and open to any Black writer in the state, the organization provides its members with access to free classes at the Carnegie Center as well as scholarships to the organization’s Author Academy, a nine-month certificate program that provides writers with the support to grow rapidly in their craft and to prepare their work for publication, and the Carnegie Center’s annual Books-in-Progress Conference. In the short time since its inception, the Collaborative has also come to organize a collection of new events for its members and the surrounding community, including a poetry series called “Burn the Mic,” a book club called “Black and Lit,” and an event for Black writers to share their work called “Say It Loud,” which is produced in partnership with WUKY Public Radio.

It’s a long way for the Carnegie to come, Mair said: The Carnegie hasn’t always been an inviting place for the Black community.

“Like many predominantly white spaces, Black people didn’t always feel welcomed here,” she said. “If you look at the history of this place, when it was originally an Andrew Carnegie Library, Black people were not even allowed to go through the library. They were sequestered in what was called the ‘Colored Reading Room.’… The librarian would have to pick the book out and bring it to the colored reading room (for Black residents).”

The KBWC seeks to rectify some of the economic, educational and publishing disparities Black writers have faced over the years.

“The decision was made to offer free classes to any Black Kentuckian who wanted to take any class at the Carnegie Center,” she said. “The Black Writers collaborative has become one of Carnegie Center’s most visible organizations — we’ve brought in over 500 participants between 2022 and 2023 to the Carnegie Center to enjoy these events. We’ve done a lot to amplify and elevate marginalized voices.”

According to Carnegie Center executive director Jennifer Mattox, the program extends beyond central Kentucky.

“It’s not just for Lexingtonians,” she said. “[KBWC] has a lot of events that are reaching out to Black writers at all stages of their writing. People who come to these [events] are seeing people who look like them, who have stories that are like theirs that they can relate to.”

KBWC has hosted readings and other literary events at a variety of local venues, including Luigart Studios (writer Eugenia Johnson Smith pictured at left), the Carnegie Center and the WUKY studios.

(Below) Lexington writer Deidra White was the featured speaker for the April installment of “Burn the Mic,” a poetry series organized by the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative.

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And the work produced is not just for Black audiences, she said.

“For so long, Black voices were suppressed and you didn’t find as many books by Black published authors,” Mattox said. “Now we’re celebrating them in a way that readers from all backgrounds can really learn about these wonderful books and read them for themselves.”

Mattox, who has worked at the Carnegie Center for nearly 20 years, said the change in classes and events since KBWC’s inception has been striking, with the organization serving a more diverse demographic in its classes than ever before.

“It used to be that we saw the most diverse demographic in our Family, Fun and Learning events, which continue to be very diverse. But now we’re seeing more diversity in our class students as well,” Mattox said. “We’re really reaching people who need these classes and who want these classes, and are helping them especially with their writing and getting their voices heard.”

For KBWC member Eugenia JohnsonSmith, the program has helped her in her writing career and in publishing her book, “Positive Power.” Smith said she started taking classes at the Carnegie in 2016, but KBWC has provided her with greater access to classes and other opportunities over the past few years, she said.

“The Black Writers collaborative has become one of Carnegie Center’s most visible organizations — we’ve brought in over 500 participants between 2022 and 2023 to the Carnegie Center to enjoy these events. We’ve done a lot to amplify and elevate marginalized voices.”

LOCAL WRITER CLAUDIA LOVE MAIR

“I think that everyone who’s able to take advantage of it should,” she said. “It helps [Black writers] to know that they’re not the only one — it helps them to connect with other writers.”

Smith said she gets more than just instruction out of it.

“It has provided me with support, encouragement and opportunity,” she said. “I’ve been able to share what I’ve written in various venues because of KBWC. For me personally, [getting published] was going to happen anyway, but I think KBWC helped to make it happen faster and gave me access to classes that helped me hone the skills that I needed to get it done.”

Membership to the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative is free to any Black writer in Kentucky at any stage of their writing journey. Anyone interested can sign up on the Carnegie Center website or contact Claudia Love Mair at ClaudiaLove@Carnegie CenterLex.org. n

Lexington playwright and KBWC member Ossunike Anke at the Carnegie Center’s 2023 Books- inProgress Conference.

SUMMER READING PICKS

The staff of Lexington’s Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning has laid out a selection of great books with Kentucky ties to add to your summer reading list this year.

Not Here to Stay Friends

By Kaitlyn Hill

When teenage aspiring screenwriter Sloan agrees to spend a summer of fun with her long-time best friend Liam in her dream city of Los Angeles, she doesn’t expect to be roped into participating in a teen reality dating show, much less to start developing romantic feelings for Liam. This funny, quirky YA romance is the perfect pick-me-up in book form, brimming with heart and lovable characters to whom teens and adults alike can relate. Local author Kaitlyn Hill’s writing is effervescent, and I can’t wait for her next book (coming this spring!).

– Review by Maggie Garnett, Registrar & Program Associate

Murder on the Orient Express

By Agatha Christie

A classic whodunnit, and perhaps Agatha Christie’s most famous novel, “Murder on the Orient Express” is a classic ‘locked room’ mystery featuring the inimitable Hercule Poirot. For the modern reader, there is the joy of Christie’s complex plots, her insistence on truth telling (the clues ARE all there, if you pay attention), and Poirot’s determined charm and interest in human psychology. We also see Christie’s strong female characters on full display. Many contemporary crime novels trace their roots to Christie, and “Murder on the Orient Express” is the author at the height of her powers. This book celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, and while it might not have been written with a Kentucky connection in mind, it’s Carnegie Center’s book selection for the annual Carnegie Classics event, taking place on Nov. 9.

Hard Justice: Issue One

By Bryce Oquaye and Wesley Gift

Reminiscent of ’90s buddy cop films like Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour, “Hard Justice” is a martial arts action-packed comic series that delivers summer excitement. In issue one, Lexington artist Bryce Oquaye blends both Japanese manga tradition and American-style comics to illustrate Berea writer Wesley Gift’s story of Joseph “Saint” Raines’s search for justice for the murder of his brother, in which he encounters an unlikely teammate in Rex Samson. This exhilarating story is packed with humor and combat but ends with an exploration of ethics between two grieving men. The next issue will be released this summer, so follow this series to see where Saint and Rex find themselves next.

– Review by Lucy Jayes, Development Associate

The Lost Letters of Aisling

By Cynthia Ellingsen

In Lexington author Cynthia Ellingsen’s dual timeline novel, Rainey honors the wishes of her ill grandmother Evie by returning with her to Aisling, Ireland, where Rainey searches for lost letters Evie wrote as a teen shortly after WWII. During those years, Evie was forced to keep secrets and hide from those who would do her and her friend harm. Rainey tries to unravel the mystery around the letters and in finding them, discovers more questions that remain to be answered. This bestselling novel was an Amazon “First Read” selection for March 2024.

– Review by Jennifer Hester Mattox, Executive Director

The Heartbreak Years

By Minda Honey

Minda Honey’s “The Heartbreak Years” takes the reader from Louisville, Kentucky, to Los Angeles, California, to Denver, Colorado, and back again through the writer’s unapologetic and vulnerable retelling of dating and drinking in her 20s. Honey’s untempered voice will make you laugh out loud while offering incredible insights into race relations during the Obama years and searching for love during the rise of online dating. This memoir will have you rooting for the narrator as she navigates the so-called “defining decade” to finally learn she’s had everything she’s sought all along.

– Review by Tracee de Hahn, Carnegie Center Author Academy

– Review by Lucy Jayes, Development Associate

Praise Song for the Kitchen Ghosts

By Crystal Wilkinson

Crystal Wilkinson begins “Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts” with a quote from Gayl Jones, illustrating how Black grannies and mamas pass on what they’ve lived through, and there’s no doubt our foremothers lived many hours in their kitchens making sustenance with love and masterful skill. This luminous memoir with recipes is a true praisesong to Wilkinson’s ancestors. With stunning prose and gorgeous photographs, Wilkinson gives readers a taste of Black life through five generations of her family’s cooks. She reminds us of the strength of familial ties and how love lives on, in both our hearts and our kitchens.

– Review by Claudia Love Mair, Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative Coordinator

Beware the Tall Grass

By Ellen Birkett Morris

When Louisville author Ellen Birkett Morris heard an NPR story about the phenomenon of young children with traumatic memories of other people’s past lives, she thought there might be a good novel in it — and she was right. Morris’ debut novel, which won the Donald L. Jordan Literary Prize, tells the parallel stories of Thomas Boone, a horse-crazy Montana ranch kid who is sent off to fight in Vietnam, and Eve Sloane, whose preschooler Charlie begins having nightmares and saying some very strange things. What unfolds is a tightly written page-turner you won’t want to put down.

– Review by Tom Eblen, Carnegie Center Literary Arts Liaison

Scissors, Paper, Rock

By Fenton Johnson

When Fenton Johnson’s novel was published in 1993, it was the first to address the AIDS crisis in a rural context. Much has changed since then, and much hasn’t. One thing that has remained constant is the emotional power of this beautifully written story of a young, gay man who comes home to rural Kentucky to care for a dying father and then must face his own mortality. You won’t soon forget this story about memory, love, grief and the bonds of family. Kentucky Humanities chose “Scissors, Paper, Rock” as its statewide read this year, and Johnson was recently inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame.

SMALL GROUP FITNESS

– Review by Tom Eblen, Carnegie Center Literary Arts Liaison n

Taylor Adams Aleena Ahmad Isaac Ammerman

Toko Ashida Jack Backer Arushi Bansal

Grant Barntsen Lily Beck

Jack Bernard Chase Butler Dan Calzini

Beverly Castillo-Tellez

Will Claggett Dylan Clarke

Caroline Anne Clay

Reese Collins Walt Cowles James Owen Fenwick

Tyler Francis Olivia Gaines Noah Gallagher

Anthony Hana Zoe Jenkins Ella Kitchens

Juliette Longbottom

Henry Lynch Ben Matheny

CONGRATULATIONS to the Sayre School Class of 2024!

Sarah VanemonHaley Waldschmidt

Greer WebbRachel WilliamsKatherine Xu

Lauren Miller

Vanessa Mc Caughley

Ella Rhea Miller

Zabe Nash Wilkes Offutt

Josha Partin Asha Pemble

Calvin Perez

Daria Pfister Ian Reesor Abby Rubin

Mahek Sandhu Charlie Scoggin Caroline Shane

Audrey Shirley Connor Smith Travis Smith Madelyn Steinberg

Lauren Stigers Grayson Swan

Danni Yang

COMMON GROUND

BONDED OVER SHARED PASSIONS AND LIFE EXPERIENCES, TWO LOCAL AUTHORS CELEBRATE RELEASE OF UPCOMING BOOKS THIS MONTH

STORY BY JACELYN STURGILL | PHOTOS BY EMILY GIANCARLO

Local authors and friends

Whitney Collins, left, and Michelle Hollingshead.

PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO

Friendships can have any number of origin stories. They usually begin when people share similar interests and are placed in each other’s company on a regular basis. While many friendships never move beyond the surface-level commonalities, every once in a while, a friendship that started with those basic common interests grows into something deeper. Such was the case for two Lexington women who have built a unique bond around their shared goals, passions, heartaches and successes.

Whitney Collins and Michelle Hollingshead met a couple years ago while playing tennis at a local clinic, and they soon realized that not only were they neighbors in the Kenwick/Mentelle neighborhoods, but also that both were authors. These coincidences certainly fed their initial connections, but soon Collins and Hollingshead would come to learn that they had more in common than anyone could have guessed.

One day while discussing their authorship, it dawned on them that they were both actively writing new books: Hollingshead was working on her first book, a nonfiction work titled “Meaning Indicator: Finding Significance through Challenge, Work and Love,” while Collins was working on her second book, a collection of short stories called “Ricky & Other Love Stories.”

“Meaning Indicator: Finding Significance through Challenge, Work and Love” establishes why we need a new way of thinking about meaning and why we need it now. By introducing four dimensions of meaning – comprehension, purpose, significance and

belonging – the book helps its readers explore how to experience meaning through various aspects of their lives, with practical exercises and stories. Collins’ book has been described as a collection of nearly two dozen “dark and derelict” tales that tackle “love and the stories we tell ourselves about it” through humor, horror and elements of Southern Gothic and magic realism.

Not only were these authors simultaneously writing their books, but remarkably, both books are also slated to be released this June.

“The books were being written at the same time, and [now] the books are coming out at the same time, which is really serendipitous,” Collins said. “That’s not normal in the publishing industry to have that kind of synchronicity with someone.”

At this discovery, the two started getting together for coffee and discussing the writing and publishing process. Collins had already gone through the process once before, so she became a valuable aid for Hollingshead. The two met regularly for months, sharing advice and bouncing creative ideas off one another.

“She just kept encouraging me,” Hollingshead recalled. “She’s telling me, ‘You just have to keep going.’ So, I did. And as we continue to work through the steps, a lot of times, one of us will have a creative spark that will then generate a creative spark for the other one. It’s been fantastic.”

PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO

Michelle Hollingshead’s debut book, “Meaning Indicator: Finding Significance through Challenge, Work and Love,” explores dimensions of finding meaning.

PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO

Whitney Collins’ “Ricky and Other Love Stories” is a collection of short stories that blends elements of Southern Gothic, speculative fiction and horror.

In the early days of their meetings, they were both still in the writing stage of their upcoming books. These coffee talks started with a focus on the books but evolved to become a deeper connection as they delved into the similarities and themes that their works were both capturing: primarily, the impacts of our human stories. These authors believe that storytelling and communication are key to the authenticity of human relationships. Not only this, but they share the idea that our stories shape us and give us our personal identity.

“We make meaning through our stories and human experience,” Hollingshead said.

Collins and Hollingshead both understand that people are balancing the complexities of life. Every day on social media and in personal conversations, we see people sharing good news. But these authors believe it is just as important to share the hard times, too. Whether your experience is one of happiness or heartache, challenge or success, they believe you should feel encouraged to share it.

“I don’t feel like anything in life is black and

Collins and Hollingshead met regularly during the process of writing their books, sharing advice, encouragement and otherwise finding camaraderie in their shared experiences.

PHOTO BY EMILY GIANCARLO

similarities, but above all else, they value their common ground in striving to leave a positive impact through their work.

Today they would tell you that their bond is only growing. What was once a professional relationship has blossomed into a deep friendship that they each describe as supportive, exciting and uplifting. Collins and Hollingshead both told stories of celebrating the other when one of them was being humble about a success.

“I don’t think that there is any competition at all in our friendship. It’s all about, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so excited about what you’re doing. I can’t wait to watch you thrive and the project succeed,’” Collins said. “I’ve never felt an ounce of anything other than excitement.”

Without divulging too much about their upcoming plans, there is more in store for these women. With their book releases coming up soon, they are even planning a collaboration for their launch parties and book signing events.

“It’s been a really supportive friendship, but also, an endeavor that we’ve gone through together. We do very different things, but there’s so much overlap in the passion behind our work and in what we hope that these books bring to other people,” Collins concluded. “We hope to kind of crack people open a little bit.” n

white. In any given day, you’re going to have something funny juxtaposed with something dark or very troubling,” Collins said.

With such a mindset of saving space for others’ stories, the women naturally began to share and explore their own stories together during their meetings. Gradually, the authors discovered their own paths of challenge and love were quite similar.

“I see our lives like a Venn diagram. When we first met, there was nothing but this small overlap,” Collins joked. “Then the more we got to know each other, there became a major overlap in what we had in common.”

Of course, they already knew at this point that they were both Lexington authors who lived in the same neighborhood and who both enjoyed an active lifestyle, but through the conversations that followed, the women would discover many other parts of their stories that run parallel. Both women are mothers who had switched careers midlife. And they both had experienced the grief of losing a brother — an event that heavily influenced their lives and books. There are a multitude of other

Book Release Party

LexArts will host a joint book launch to celebrate the release of Whitney Collins’ and Michelle Hollingshead’s new books at ArtsPlace (161 N. Mill St) on Sat., Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.

More information on these books and their authors can be found at the authors’ websites: michellehollingshead.com and whitneycollins.com/ricky.

Funny Business

A LOOK AT LEXINGTON’S EVOLVING RELATIONSHIP WITH STAND-UP COMEDY

STORY BY BRENT OWEN

Stand-up comedy is having a moment.

These days, it seems comedians are everywhere in our collective sightline, whether it is 60-second clips of crowd work on TikTok, an endless deluge of specials from new and established comics on Netflix and other streaming services, or an onslaught of podcasts hosted by comedians. With a 2023 Pollstar study showing that standup comedy sales have nearly tripled over the past decade, the industry is permeating pop culture in a way it never really has before.

With a long-running comedy club that’s well-known and respected amongst touring acts and an increasing number of high-profile comedy shows being booked at larger venues around town, Lexington has both a rich history and vibrant present when it comes to funny business. With this in mind, we’re taking this moment to explore the city’s relationship with stand-up comedy, starting with a big picture look at how the industry has unfolded on a national scale over the past 50 years.

How We Got Here

It’s hard to imagine a time not so long ago when high quality, well-produced comedy specials were not just a click away. But at the dawn of stand-up comedy as we know it today, comics were primarily seen doing five-minute sets on late night talk shows; or those who could afford premium cable could catch the handful of hour-long stand-up specials released by HBO each year starting in the mid 1970s, from comics like George Carlin, Robin Williams or Robert Klein. Beyond that, the only way to really see stand-up comedy was to go to find a comedy club.

That all changed when the cable channel Comedy Central showed up and quickly established itself as the conduit through which many in the current generation of popular comics were first exposed to the craft. In the 1990s, the network started showing half-hour specials from young comics no one had ever heard of before like Dane Cook, Sarah Silverman and Mitch Hedberg — comedians who didn’t necessarily look familiar, but who looked a lot like the kids who were watching from home or their dorm rooms, ultimately inspiring a new generation to take to the stage.

Comedian Nikki Glaser performed at the Lexington Opera House in February 2023.

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Then in the late aughts, Netflix entered the streaming arena, utilizing stand-up specials early on as an inexpensive way to build content. Soon, the streaming service became an industry-disrupting force that was making thousands of hours of stand-up comedy available at the fingertips of millions of viewers. It didn’t take long for many young comics to ride the wave of the Netflix revolution to fame and fortune.

Open Mics

But how did those comedians really get their start?

The first thing any comedian will tell you is that stage time is the key to getting good at comedy. The stage is where most comics write material, it’s where they find their voice, and most importantly, it’s where they find out what’s funny…live, on-stage, without a net.

To this principle, young comics utilize open mics, often in alternative venues like bars, bookstores — I’ve even heard of one happening in a barber shop. In Lexington, you’ll find comedy open mics at neighborhood bars like Twisted Cork, Timmy Two Times and Cosmic Fry. Of course, Comedy OffBroadway, the city’s long-running full-time comedy club, hosts an open mic as well.

Jon Bass is a local comedian who frequents the open mics here in Lexington. Originally from Pulaski, Tennessee, Bass has been in the Bluegrass for 15 years now.

“For a market the size of Lexington it does have more open mic options than one might expect,” he said, “but not enough to get the stage time you need to move to the next level.”

Bass regularly travels to Louisville, Cincinnati, Nashville, and even Austin, Texas to get stage time at various clubs and open mic shows (and yes, he has a podcast).

Bass’ entry into performing came from an early stint in a punk rock band.

“Music was what I had always done, and it was what I thought I would want to do,” he explained. All that changed when he attended a comedy open mic as an audience member three years ago. Today, he’s a fixture in comedy scenes all over the region. When he’s not clocking stage time at open mics or emceeing professional gigs in clubs, Bass puts lots of energy into hosting Lexington’s iteration of the “Don’t Tell Comedy”

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series, a national brand of secret pop-up comedy shows taking place at select cities across the world. Bass regularly hosts pop-ups at various venues around town, with each show featuring a secret performer at a secret location, to be revealed to ticket holders the day of the show.

“Coming from punk rock and the ‘do it yourself’ mentality of that scene, I had to do something,” Bass said. “I honestly feel like you only get to take away what you put in. So, I want to help provide a stage here in Lexington that will help other comics grow into next-level performers.”

The Club

A town can have all of the open mics in the world, but if it doesn’t have a full-time comedy club, bringing new, professional comics through every week, it would be nearly impossible to have a viable comedy community. Comedy clubs give young comics stage time in front of paying audiences as openers for national touring comedians — opportunities that are invaluable to a growing performer.

Lexington’s only full-time comedy club is Comedy Off-Broadway located in Lexington Green. The club opened in 1987 at a location downtown on Broadway by a group of investors that included Jeff Gilstrap, who soon took complete ownership of the club. By 1994, Lexington was experiencing a rebirth and a growth spurt, and the thriving downtown gave Gilstrap the sense that the club’s parking frustrations were not going to get any better were the location to remain downtown.

So, they packed up and moved to the suburbs, the Lexington Green space the club still occupies. It’s an intimate room with plenty of parking, one that current owner Jordan Hawley doesn’t foresee abandoning anytime in the near future. After Gilstrap passed away unexpectedly in 2005, Hawley, who started at the club in 1996, continued to manage its day-to-day affairs, eventually purchasing the club from Gilstrap’s widow in 2009.

“I have been here 28 years, and I’m not even the longest running employee,” Hawley said. The club’s longstanding and loyal staff is what Hawley attributes much of the club’s nearly 40 years of success; the club’s emphasis on being a theater first, bar second, and its enforcement of the “no talking or disruptions” policy for the audience has also been cited as factors for its success.

To look back, many of the biggest names in comedy today performed at Comedy

Off-Broadway on their way up. Arenafilling names like Nate Bargatze, Jo Koy and Bert Kreischer, as well as theaterheadlining comics like Nikki Glaser, Taylor Tomlinson and Tony Hinchcliffe, all cut their teeth on that little stage in Lexington Green at one time.

When asked about the Netflix disruption of the industry, Hawley admitted that it was initially perceived as a threat by many in his line of work.

“Streaming became ubiquitous, and then specials were released one after another. A lot of owners got scared at people having the more inexpensive option of staying home and watching stand-up comedy,” Hawley said. “[But] personally, I think for my club, it’s been a net-positive. It has gotten people more engaged with stand-up and more interested in going out and discovering who the next Tom Segura is going to be.”

The Theater and Arena

If you’re not looking for the next big thing, but rather the current big thing, you should look no further than Oak View Group, a national company specializing in live entertainment that was hired two years ago to book and promote shows at Lexington Opera House and Rupp Arena. With a strong history booking nationally recognized talent, the organization has injected a new energy and level of acts coming through Lexington in recent months and years.

The Lexington Opera House has a surprisingly rich history in comedy. Opened in 1887, early Vaudeville acts like Al Jolsen, W.C. Fields and Will Rogers all performed there. Humorists, as they were known then, established the foundations of what would be known as stand-up comedy by the middle of the 20th century. That early legacy carries on with

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the comedians who headline there today — comedians like Heather McMahan and Leanne Morgan, who both filmed their respective streaming specials in the theater during the last year. The venue has also hosted stand-up shows from Mark Normand, Lewis Black and Pete Davidson in recent months, with performances from David Spade, David Cross and Mark Maron on the calendar for later this year.

However, in more and more cases, top performing comedians need the biggest room in town to accommodate their fanbase — Rupp Arena has recently featured marquee comics like Jim Gaffigan, Nate Bargatze, Gabriel Iglesias and Dave Chappelle.

Trevor Chesler, OVG’s director of booking for Rupp and the Opera House, insists that the success in booking big comedy shows is directly correlated to Comedy Off-Broadway’s history in town.

“Comedy Off-Broadway has been such an establishment in town for building comedy in the market — I don’t think we have the scene that supports shows as big as ours, without Comedy Off-Broadway,” Chesler said. “They have and continue to maintain a high standard of comedy here, and because of that standard, Lexington audiences won’t buy into second-rate acts. They keep us stepping our game up, as they should.”

Chesler thinks larger venues hold as valuable spaces in a comedy scene as any other venue.

“It really doesn’t matter the size of the room – you don’t get to an arena without playing a theater, you don’t get to a theater without graduating from the club, and you’ll never play a club without starting at open mics,” Chesler said. “The fact is, you cannot make a big room laugh, unless you learn how to make a small one laugh first.” n Lexington’s independent comedy club, Comedy Off Broadway has hosted many acts over the years who have since gone on to perform at Rupp Arena and other larger venues.

This summer, Synergy is partnering with God’s Pantry to help provide food assistance to Fayette County children who may be left food-insecure during public school breaks. To do this, we are offering a free air-conditioning maintenance check in exchange for a bag of groceries to donate to God’s Pantry. Our technician will pick up the food during your appointment.

Synergy Home is excited to welcome their newest Comfort Advisor Brandon Franz to their team! Brandon has been in the industry since 2001. He is an expert with HVAC systems. Feel free to reach out to Brandon for a free estimate at 859-487-9869. Call Synergy Home for a free estimate for any of your home improvement needs: solar, HVAC, geothermal, generators, or spray foam encapsulation. Brandon, and their other Comfort Advisors, would be more than happy to meet with you to discuss your needs and options.

2024 SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

As we approach the wild ride that summertime in Kentucky can bring, we’ve collected all the pertinent details for the best summer music series, festivals and other events taking place in & around Lexington this season.

july 8-14, 2024

Lexington Burger Week features $7, one-of-a-kind burgers at participating restaurants across the city! Each restaurant will create a special burger that is not on the regular menu. Participating chefs once again try to create the most unique burgers in town. This is the best week of the year!

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS: Agave & Rye • Barn Door Grill at Bluegrass Stockyard Bear and the Butcher • Bru Burger Bar • Campus Pub Crank and Boom • Drake’s • First Watch • Harry’s • Jack Brown’s Kentucky Strong BBQ • LexLive • Marriott Infinity Marriott Greatroom • Mi Pequena Hacienda MiMi’s Southern Style Cooking • Nic & Norman’s Rackhouse Tavern • Sage Rabbit • Stella’s • Wild Eggs and more ...

SPONSORSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE

2024 SUMMER EVENT SERIES

A look at various live music, film, theater and other recurring series taking place regularly throughout the warm weather months.

Big Band & Jazz Series

Tuesdays through Aug. 13, 7-8:30 p.m. Takes place at Moondance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St. (through July 2) and Ecton Park, 956 Turkey Foot Rd. (July 9-Aug. 13) www.lexingtonky.gov/big-band-jazz

One of Lexington’s longest-running and most beloved concert series returns with a full schedule of weekly big band and jazz music planned at Moondance Amphitheater and Ecton Park. Picnics are encouraged, and patrons should bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating.

Moondance Amphitheater schedule:

• June 4 – Keith McAlily Quartet with Kirby Davis

• June 11 – Miles Osland Little Big Band

• June 18 – Lee Carroll’s C the Beat

• June 25 – Walnut Street Ramblers

• July 2 – Lexington Summer Concert Band – Big and BOOM

Ecton Park Schedule:

• July 9 – Tim Lake and the Blue Jazz Persuaders

• July 16 – DOJO – DiMartino Osland Jazz Orchestra

• July 23 – Brett Evans Trombone Orchestra

• July 30 – Mark Gardner

• Aug. 6 – Marlin McKay Quintet

• Aug 13 – RPM Quintet

Central

Bank Thursday Night Live

Thursdays, 5-8 p.m. (through Oct. 10)

Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Tandy Park, 251 W. Main Street

www.downtownlex.com/signature-events/ central-bank-thursday-night-live/

Central Bank Thursday Night Live is a free, weekly outdoor event featuring live music from local and regional bands, food and beverage vendors and more. Taking place downtown under the Fifth Third Pavilion, the event is held rain or shine, with hundreds of attendees gathering each month.

The summer schedule is below; visit the event website for the full season line-up and additional details.

2024 Summer Schedule:

• June 6 – 64West

• June 13 – Five Below Band

• June 20 – Positive Movement Band

• June 27 – Lauren Mink

• July 11 – Bedford Band

• July 18 – The BANDj Experience

• July 25 – Brett Higgins and the Family

• Aug. 1 – The Twiggenburys

• Aug. 8 – The Ranahans

• Aug. 15 – The Tim Talbert Project

• Aug. 22 – Kenny Owens & Group Therapy

• Aug. 29 – Blacktop Rodeo

Eastside Evenings

July 31-Sept. 7, 6-8 p.m.

Charles Young Park, 215 Midland Ave. www.lexingtonky.gov/Eastside-Evenings

Lexington’s newest outdoor concert series brings live music to the Eastside. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating while enjoying live R&B, soul, funk and dance music.

2024 Schedule:

• July 13 – The Positive Movement Band

• Aug. 10 – Tee Dee Young

• Sept. 7 – Honeychild

PHOTO FURNISHED Jazz artist Marlin McKay will bring his quintent to Ecton Park on Aug. 6 for the Big Band & Jazz series.

Lexington songwriter Lauren Mink will perform at Central Bank Thursday Night Live on June 27.

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First Friday Berea Levitt

AMP Berea Music Series

First Friday and Saturday evenings of each month (May-September) 6:30-9 p.m. www.firstfridayberea.com

Celebrating 10 years this summer, First Friday Berea will present 10 free summer concerts with the Levitt AMP Berea Music Series in the Berea Park Expansion (Berea Skate Park). The concerts will showcase a diverse roster of regional, national and internationally touring acts, including Haitian, Latin and Malian-fusion artists as well as rock, jazz, old time, funk and soul genres.

The events will also feature food trucks, a pop-up market and children’s activities on an event site with playground access, general/ADA parking, restrooms and a great deal of shade.

Guests are encouraged to bring their chairs or blankets and stay the evening.

2024 Schedule:

• June 7 – Sabine McCalla

• June 23 – Juneteenth Celebration with Malcolm Davis and Sistah LaLa

• July 2 – Pop–up at the Berea Farmers Market with Yapa and Mariachi

• July 5 – Pop–up at the Eastridge Community Garden with Darby Wilcox

• Aug. 2 – Sia Tolno / Afro Dead and A’ja Haynes

• Aug. 3 – Wayne Graham and Bedford

• Sept. 6 – Bella’s Bartok and Walk Sign Chestnut

• Sept. 7 – Sam Gleaves and the Montvales

Free Friday Flicks

Fridays, June 7-28

Activities start at 7 p.m., movie starts at dark Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens-Boonesboro Road

www.lexingtonky.gov/friday-flicks

This outdoor summer film series features vendors and family-friendly activities before the screening of a family-friendly film.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

2024 Film Schedule:

• June 7 – “Wonka”

• June 14 – “Trolls Band Together”

• June 21 – “Migration”

• June 28 – “The Super Mario Brothers Movie”

From the Front Porch Concert Series

June 29, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 21 (6-8 p.m.)

Isaac Murphy Art Garden 577 E. Third St. www.lexingtonky.gov

Taking place at the footprint of Isaac and Lucy Murphy’s home, this free summer jazz series is presented by Phoenix Rising Lex and Lexington Parks & Recreation. Attendees can bring blankets and chairs for a picnic, or grab dinner from a food truck on site. Performers will be announced on social media as the events near.

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New Orleans folk artist Sabine McCalla will perform June 7 at First Friday Berea, a 10-concert series presented by the Levitt AMP Berea Music Series.

Pioneer Playhouse

Tues.-Sat., June 7-Aug. 10 Dinner & show at 7:30 p.m.; shows start at 8:30 p.m. Pioneer Playhouse, 840 Stanford Road, Danville, Kentucky www.pioneerplayhouse.com

This summer, Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theater celebrates its 75th anniversary with a schedule featuring three different theatrical productions, a one-of-a-kind musical extravaganza weekend, and a 75th Anniversary Gala. On the schedule of productions is “The 39 Steps,” a two-time Tony-awardwinning comedy based on the Alfred Hitchcock movie; “That Book Woman,” a world premiere original honoring the historical Pack Horse Librarians of Eastern Kentucky; and “Fireflies,” a comedy about finding love when you least expect it. The 75th anniversary gala, a “glam and glitzy party,” will feature food, drink, comedian/emcee Joe Deuce, and live music from Michael Fly and the Sound. Finally, the season will end with the musical production “We Three Kings: An Elvis Experience,” a musical journey through four iconic Elvis Presley eras.

2024 Summer Schedule:

• June 7-29 – “The 39 Steps”

• June 15 – 75th Anniversary Gala

• July 2-20 – “That Book Woman”

• July 23-Aug. 10 – “Fireflies”

• Aug. 15-17 – “We Three Kings: An Elvis Experience”

Shaker Village Music on the Lawn

Fridays and Saturdays May-Oct. (6:30 p.m. May-Aug.; 5:30 p.m. Sept.-Oct.)

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd. www.shakervillageky.org/events/ music-on-the-lawn-16/

Shaker Village’s Music on the Lawn offers an opportunity to enjoy live music, outdoor dining and specialty cocktails around a fire pit in an idyllic historic farm setting. Outdoor dining is limited and dependent on weather. Attendees are encouraged to pack a chair.

The June and July schedule is below; visit the event website for the full season schedule and additional details.

June and July Schedule:

• June 1 – Joanah Loomer

• June 7 – Scott Collins

• June 8 – Dean Phelps

• June 14 – Randy Kaplan

• June 15 – Mike Archer (4-6 p.m.); Shane White (6:30 p.m.)

• June 21 – Keith Williams

• June 22 – Carrie Johnson

• June 28 – Burton Joyner

• June 29 – Past Time Trio

• July 5 – Chris Weiss

• July 6 – Dean Phelps

• July 12 – Scott Collins

• July 13 – Shane White

• July 19 – Randy Kaplan

• July 20 – Carrie Johnson

• July 26 – Keith Williams

• July 27 – Mike Archer

Southland Jamboree

Thursdays through August (7 p.m.)

Moondance Amphitheater 1152 Monarch St. www.southlandjamboree.org

Held each Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, this free, family-friendly bluegrass music concert series takes place at Moondance Amphitheater in Beaumont Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets — and instruments for the casual jam sessions that often take place after the show.

2024 Summer Schedule:

• June 6 – Ida Clare

• June 13 – Fast Track

• June 20 – Custom Made Bluegrass

• June 27 – Rounder’s Station

• July 4 – Mash Grass

• July 11 – Hammertowne

• July 18 – West Liberty Mountain Boys

• July 25 – Fenced In

• Aug. 1 – Cane Run Bluegrass

• Aug. 8 – Bibelhauser Brothers

• Aug. 15 — Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers

• Aug. 22 – Coaltown Dixies

• Aug. 29 – String Roots Trio

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Pioneer Playhouse, Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theatre, celebrates its 75th anniversary this summer.

Summer Classics Film Series

Wednesdays through Sept. 4 (1:30 and 7:15 p.m.)

The Kentucky Theatre, 214 East Main St. www.kentuckytheatre.org/summer-classics

For almost three decades, The Kentucky Theatre has been screening classic films on Wednesdays from late May until early September. This year’s nostalgic lineup features something for every film fan. Visit the series website for tickets and details.

2024 Summer Classics Film Series Schedule:

• June 5 – “Desk Set”

• June 12 – “Auntie Mame”

• June 19 – “Snow White”

• June 26 – “E.T.”

• July 3 – “The Red Shoes”

• July 10 – “Taxi Driver”

• July 17 – “Jurassic Park”

• July 24 – “The Third Man”

• July 31 – “The Jerk”

• Aug. 7 – “Rebecca”

• Aug. 14 – “To Sir, With Love”

• Aug. 21 – “Cinema Paradiso”

• Aug. 28 – “Rocky”

• Sept. 4 – “The Big Lebowski”

Summer Nights in Suburbia

Fridays, 7 p.m. (May 24-Sept. 13) • MoonDance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch Dr. (Beaumont Circle) www.lexingtonky.gov/summer-nights-suburbia

Taking place every other Friday, this summer concert series features live music from a wide variety of genres. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food vendors will be on-site.

2024 Schedule:

• June 7 – Born Cross-Eyed

• June 21 – The New Developments

• July 5 – Red, White, & Blues with Tee Dee Young

• July 19 – NVRMND

• Aug. 2 – The Minks

• Aug. 16 – Honeychild

• Aug. 30 – Vinyl Richie

• Sept. 13 – Moondance Foundation Festival Fundraiser

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“To Sir, With Love” will be screened Aug. 14 at The Kentucky Theatre as part of the Summer Classics Film Series.

The Chevy Chase Street Fair

JUNE 29TH, 4-10PM @ 800 BLOCK OF EUCLID

30+ Local Vendors • Live Music • Kids Activities Street Food • Craft Beer & Cocktails and more!

Performing Live: 4pm - Dead Air Dennis and Bryan Himes 5:15pm - Bedford • 6:45pm - DeBraun Thomas 8:30 - Second Hand News Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band

The Chevy Chase Street Fair is a production of Smiley Pete Publishing in partnership with the Chevy Chase Merchants Association

Tahlsound Concert Series

May 26, June TBD (Southland Street Fair), July 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22

Gates at 5 p.m., music at 6 p.m.

The Oleika Great Lawn, 302 Southland Dr. www.tahlsound.com

What started in 2017 as a full-day outdoor festival celebrating Lexington music has evolved into a series of smaller-scale concerts featuring local and regional acts, taking place on select Sundays throughout the warm-weather season.

Organized by a small collective of longtime friends and local musicians, the event has always focused heavily on the arts and business culture surrounding Southland Drive. (The name Tahlsound is an anagram for “Southland.”) The event’s home base is the grassy field behind Oleika Shriners’ Temple, which features a permanent stage and plenty of room for kids and dogs to roam in a contained, fenced-in space. Tahlsound hosts its own standalone concerts throughout much of its season, but in the spirit of collaborative cross-promotion, also partners with other local events during select months.

2024 Schedule:

• June TBD – Southland Street Fair (Tahlsound will book the music for the street fair, which takes place along Southland Drive)

• July 28 – Lawgiver the Kingson, Charlie Brown Superstar, Deep Nourished Roots (Lexington Reggae Fest)

• Aug. 25 – TBD

• Sept. 22 – TBD

Talon Winery: Jazz on the Porch and Other Live Music

Fri.-Sun. • Times vary, but music typically occurs 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. on Fri.; 4-7 p.m. on Sat.; and 3-6 p.m. on Sun. 7086 Tates Creek Road www.talonwine.com

Talon Winery, a family-run 300-acre winery located in the beautiful countryside of Lexington’s outskirts, offers live music every weekend throughout the summer, including a monthly series called Jazz on the Porch, which is hosted in conjunction with the Jazz Arts Foundation. More than 25 varieties of unique wine are available for purchase, both by the glass and by the bottle. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets or additional seating during live music events, as tables are limited.

Jazz on the Porch at Talon Winery: (Visit Talon’s website for the full schedule of summer music!)

• June 30 – Blue Groove Jazz

• July 28 – Backbeat

• Aug. 25 – Baja Yetis

• Sept. 29 – David Hall

Tunes in the Vines

Sundays, 2-4:30 p.m. (through Oct. 27) Equus Run Vineyards, 1280 Moores Mill Rd. equusrunvineyards.com

Equus Run Vineyards’ Tunes in the Vines is a weekly concert series that features a variety of musicians. Wine and local beers are available for purchase and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a picnic (no outside alcohol is permitted).

Summer schedule is below; visit event website for full season schedule and details.

2024 Schedule:

• June 2 – Ebony & Ivory

• June 9 – The Twiggenburys

• June 16 – Dudley Roberts & Steve Gullette

• June 23 – Black Top Rodeo

• June 30 – Blake Jones & Family

• July 7 – Bedford

• July 14 – Chris Carpenter

• July 21 – Superfecta

• July 28 – Logan Leet

• Aug. 4 – Boogie G & The Titanics

• Aug. 11 – Whiskey River

• Aug. 18 – Louden-Mundane

• Aug. 25 – HI-5

PHOTO BY EIGHT 20 EIGHT INC.

Jamaican reggae artist Lawgiver the Kingson will headline Lexington Reggae Fest, presented in conjunction with the Tahlsound concert series, on July 28.

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Boogie G and the Titanics will play Equus Run Vineyard’s Tunes in the Vine series on Aug. 4.

2024 FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

The Great American Brass Band Festival

May 30-June 1 • Danville, Kentucky www.gabbf.org

Held annually in multiple venues including on the campus of Centre College and downtown Danville, this free and family-friendly festival presents a variety of programs, presentations and performances centering on brass band music. Visit the event website for the complete music lineup and additional details.

Railbird Festival

June 1-2 • The Infield at Red Mile, 1200 Red Mile Road • www.railbirdfest.com

Lexington’s biggest music festival returns to Red Mile, with a weekend of performances from more than 30 Americana, roots, rock and bluegrass artists, including Noah Kahan, Counting Crows, Wynona Judd, Hozier, Chris Stapleton, Dwight Yoakam and more.

No BS Brass Band will headline Danville’s Great American Brass Band Festival on Saturday, June 1.

Lexington Lions Club Bluegrass Fair

June 6-16 • Bluegrass Fairgrounds at Masterson Station Park, 3051 Leestown Road thebluegrassfair.com

The Lexington Lions Club Bluegrass Fair has been a family tradition for more than 60 years. This annual event, which is a fundraiser for the club’s charitable work, features carnival-style rides, games and attractions. Visit the event’s website as it nears for additional information and tickets.

“It’s a

Grand Night for Singing!”

June 7-9; 14-16 • Show start times vary; see event website for more information Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. finearts.uky.edu/music/events/its-grandnight-singing-2024

For more than 30 years, this popular, Emmy-winning music revue has featured the best from Billboard to Broadway, starring UK Opera Theatre and community performers.

Beer Cheese Festival

June 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Downtown Winchester, Kentucky beercheesefestival.com

Kentucky songwriter Chris Stapleton will headline Railbird Festival, taking place June 1-2 at The Infield at Red Mile.

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Now in its 14th year, the Beer Cheese Festival will once again take over the streets of downtown Winchester, Ky, with live music, retail vendors, Ale-8-One, and beer cheese samples from more than 10 vendors. Attendees are encouraged to vote on their favorite beer cheese and to pick up some of the cheesey dip to take home from the beer cheese store, located in front of the courthouse. Attendees are encouraged to visit the event website before the event to purchase “digital beer cheese bucks.”

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SATURDAY, JUNE 8

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Fayette County Extension Office 1140 Harry Sykes Way, Lexington, KY 40504

Cooking demos, inflatables, vaccinations, health screenings & more!

Open to the public

Free parking on site

Learn more and register for a prize drawing at ukhealthcare.com/behealthy

June 10th-15th

20% off ALL in stock Needlepoint Canvas! No Special or Custom Orders

Specials throughout the week!

10th & 11th: 15% off Toy Department

12th & 13th:

30% off 1 Canvas for Bag Ladies 14th & 15th: 15% off Project Bags

PlayThink Festival

June 12-16

• Terrapin Hill Farm, 7695 Mackville Rd, • Harrodsburg, Kentucky playthinkfestival.com

PlayThink is a movement, music and arts festival featuring “playshops” and entertainment options for a variety of ages, interests and physical ability levels. This unique, family-friendly camping event encourages creativity and playfulness with workshops on “flow” arts like hula hoop and yoga, kid’s arts and crafts, performance art and more. Music acts including Wookiefoot, Electric Blue Yonder and Katrina Lilly are slated to perform at this year’s event.

SoulFeast

June 14-23

• www.soulfeastweek.com

SoulFeast Week is a multi-faceted collection of events celebrating local Black culture, with a special focus on the food and beverage industry. This year’s events include a Farm Dinner at Coleman Farm on June 14; SoulTeenth Fest at MoonDance Amphitheatre on June 15; a “Cocktails and Cigars” event at The Void Sake Company on June 15; a Hip Hop Brunch at Lost Palm on June 16; and a Soulful Sunday Gospel Brunch at La Brasa event venue on June 23. Also under the Soulfest Week umbrella is Black Restaurant Week (June 17-23),

presented in partnership with Black Soil KY; participating restaurants will create a unique, off-menu food entree for $12, with each entree featuring at least one ingredient sourced from a Black farmer or producer in Kentucky. Check the event website for more details on participating restaurants, as well as links to tickets and more on other SoulFeast Week events.

Ashland Lawn Party

June 22, 5:30-9 p.m.

Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate, 120 Sycamore Road henryclay.org/events

This annual summer party on the lawn of Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate features cocktails, live music, catered dinner under a tent, and a live and silent auction.

Chevy Chase Street Fair

June 29, 4-10 p.m. Euclid Avenue near High Street

Produced by Smiley Pete Publishing in partnership with Chevy Chase Merchants Association, Chevy Chase Street Fair returns with more than 30 local vendors showcasing what they do best. The 800 block of Euclid Avenue will be closed off for the block party. Live music, kids activities, street food, craft beer and cocktails will be available.

Lexington Pride Festival

June 29, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St www.lexpridefest.org

For over a decade, this annual celebration has been empowering and bringing awareness to the LGBTQIA+ community. Taking place in a family-friendly environment and attracting thousands of attendees, the festival-style event features live entertainment, speakers, a diverse array of vendors, food trucks, community booths and activities.

Fourth of July Celebration

July 1-5 • Various locations www.lexingtonky.gov/fourthofjuly

Lexington’s Fourth of July celebration will kick off on July 1 with an Ice Cream Social at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park, followed by a Patriotic Concert featuring The Lexington Philharmonic on July 3. The fun continues on July 4 with the 48th annual Bluegrass 10,000 and Fun Run, a downtown street festival and parade, and a fireworks show starting at 10 p.m. Summer Nights: Red, White & Blues, an evening of music at Moondance Amphitheater with local blues legend Tee Dee Young, will close out the week’s festivities on July 5.

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Taking place at Terrapin Hill Farm, the unique festival PlayThink offers a variety of performances, experiences and “playshops” focusing on vitality, fun and well-being.

Lexington Burger Week

July 8-14 • Various locations www.lexingtonburgerweek.com

One of the city’s most anticipated annual culinary events, Lexington Burger Week gives chefs from dozens of participating restaurants the chance to try creating the most unique burgers in town. Each restaurant will feature a one-of-a-kind burger not on its regular menu for $7 throughout the week, giving patrons the impetus to try out tons of new flavors and eateries. Fans can track their progress using the free Lexington Burger Week app.

For a full list of participating restaurants, featured burgers and recommended wine pairings, visit the Lexington Burger Week website as the event nears.

Lexington Burger Week is produced by Smiley Pete Publishing, this magazine’s parent company.

Harry Dean Stanton Fest

July 12-14 • Various venues www.harrydeanstantonfest.com

With a mix of free and ticketed events taking place at various venues around Lexington, this annual film festival pays tribute to the iconic character actor and Kentucky native who appeared in nearly 200 films over his prolific six-decade career.

Friday, July 12: This year’s festival kicks off with a cemetery screening of the 1984 comedic sci-fi classic “Repo Man” at Blue Grass Memorial Gardens, Harry Dean Stanton’s final resting place. Gates at 8 p.m., screening to begin at dusk.

Saturday, July 13: Saturday will kick off with a free screening at The Farish Theater of “Cool Hand Luke” (noon), followed by a Q&A between Allison Anders, a Kentuckyborn director who worked on the set of Stanton’s film “Paris, Texas,” and the postpunk band Mydolls, who appeared in that film (2:30). The Q&A will be followed by a screening of “Pretty in Pink” at 3:15 p.m.

Later that evening, at 7 p.m., doors will open at The Green Lantern for a rock show featuring Tommy Stinson, the former bass player for The Replacements who went on to forge his own career after that band dissolved in 1991, and Mydolls

Sunday, July 14: Sunday’s programming will begin with back-to-back, free screenings of “Cisco Pike” (1 p.m.) and “The Rose” (2:50 p.m.) at The Farish Theatre. The evening will conclude with a screening of “This Must Be The Place,” which stars Sean Penn, at the Kentucky Theatre (doors at 6 p.m., film at 7 p.m.). The evening’s film screening will be preceded by

a Q&A with actor/musician Will Oldham, who teamed up with David Byrne to contribute to the film’s soundtrack.

Crave Food + Music Festival

July 27-28 • MoonDance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St. www.cravelexington.com

Now in its 11th year, Smiley Pete’s flagship festival returns to its Beaumont Circle roots after nearly a decade at Masterson Station Park. The event features dozens of food vendors, from food trucks and pop-ups to brick-and-mortar restaurants, each offering a variety of different-sized portions to encourage culinary exploration. The family-friendly festival atmosphere also features live music; a performance stage with culinary demos; craft beer and cocktails; inflatables, games and other kids’ activities.

Movie Jail is among the acts to perform at this year’s Crave Food + Music Festival, taking place July 27-28.

This year’s music lineup includes 10 Foot Pole, Brother Smith, Movie Jail, Bedford, Baja Yetis, The Swells, Rough Customers and more. The full lineup of music, food vendors and other details will be announced as the event nears.

Ballet Under the Stars

July 31-Aug. 4 (8 p.m. pre-show, with main curtain at 9 p.m.)

Woodland Park, 601 East High St. www.lexingtonky.gov/ballet-under-stars

Ballet Under the Stars is an outdoor dance celebration featuring a youth production followed by a main show starring professional dancers from Kentucky Ballet Theatre. This year’s pre-show will be “Ballet 13: A Tribute to Taylor Swift,” featuring music from Taylor Swift’s iconic discography. The main show featuring professional dancers from Kentucky Ballet Theatre will follow. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

Shaker Village Craft Fair

Aug. 3-4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Rd. shakervillageky.org/events/craft-fair-5/

One of Kentucky’s top craft-centric happenings, the Shaker Village Craft Fair attracts elite regional artisans as well as up-and-coming artists. The annual event offers a wide assortment of crafts from pottery, jewelry and glassware to woven rugs, needlecraft, basketry, leather goods, floral design and Shaker reproductions. General admission to Shaker Village – which includes access to historic tours, exhibits and other Shaker Village experiences – is discounted during this weekend; attendees can also enjoy the Shaker Village bar, live music and food trucks.

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Tommy Stinson, the former bass player for The Replacements, will perform at The Green Lantern on July 13 as part of Harry Dean Stanton Fest.

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Picnic with the Pops: “The Kings, Queens & Prince of Rock”

Aug. 10, gates at 4 p.m.

The Meadow at Keeneland, 4201 Versailles Rd. • www.lexpops.com

For over three decades, this favorite local summer event sees The Lexington Philharmonic teaming up with a special guest artist or artists to perform an evening of popular music in the idyllic meadow at Keeneland near Keene Barn. Attendees can purchase tables of eight or general admission seating, as well as a picnic dinner to enjoy. (Food will also be available to purchase from vendors on-site.) Other attractions for the lively event include a table decorating contest, cocktail contest and costume contest.

This year’s show will be “The Kings, Queens & Prince of Rock,” with a set list featuring favorite hits by Elvis, Michael Jackson, Queen, Tina Turner and Prince.

Woodland Art Fair

Aug. 17-18 (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday)

Woodland Park, 601 E. High St. www.woodlandartfair.org

Now in its 48th year, the Woodland Art Fair

— produced by the Lexington Art League and Lexington Parks and Recreation — is one of Lexington’s most celebrated cultural events. It features artists and makers selling unique, handcrafted items ranging from ceramics and wood art to jewelry and photographs, along with food and beverage vendors, live music and more, in a relaxed and shaded park setting.

Expansion: Lexington’s Psychedelic Experience

Aug. 22-24 • Various venues www.expansionlex.com

Now in its sixth year, the audio-visual festival Expansion has grown into a three-day event spanning multiple venues and media forms, including music, film and projection mapping and other visual art. This year’s event lineup includes an evening of live concert films at The Kentucky Theatre (Aug. 22) and a local/regional music showcase at Al’s Bar (Aug. 23), and will culminate with a music and visual art extravaganza featuring Babe Rainbow, jjuujjuu, Mr. Gnome and more at The Burl Outdoors (Aug. 24), with accompanying analog liquid light, video synthesis and projection-mapped visuals from visual artists Psensibil, Liquified and Chud Lights. n

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The immersive, multi-venue Expansion Festival returns to Lexington Aug. 22-24.

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One of the city’s favorite arts events, Woodland Art Fair returns to Woodland Park Aug. 17-18.

The Honeywood Cocktail DRINKS OF THE MONTH

RECIPE BY

OUITA MICHEL, OWNER/CHEF AT THE HOLLY HILL CO. FAMILY OF RESTAURANTS: HONEYWOOD, HOLLY HILL INN, WALLACE STATION, WINDY CORNER, ZIM’S

PHOTO BY TALITHA SCHROEDER

The historic Midway home that now houses the restaurant Holly Hill Inn was once known as Hermosa, and was home to a hostess supreme named Honeywood Parrish Rouse. The inspiration for the Lexington restaurant Honeywood, which is located in The Summit at Fritz Farm, Rouse welcomed guests with open doors and a table full of good food and drink. She loved three things: spending time with friends and family, a delicious meal, and a stiff drink, preferably one made with good Kentucky whiskey — just like her namesake cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz. Woodford Rye

• ½ oz. Aperol

• 1 oz. grapefruit honey syrup (see recipe below)

• 1 oz. fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice

Method:

Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. Add all ingredients and shake until well-blended. Strain into a coupe and garnish with a piece of grapefruit peel.

Grapefruit Honey Syrup:

(Makes 1.5 cups/enough for 12 cocktails)

• ½ cup grapefruit juice (Ruby Red is recommend)

• 1/2 cup honey (smoked is nice)

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 2-inch piece ginger (peeled and sliced)

Add all ingredients to saucepan and simmer on low for about 10 minutes. Let cool, then strain into a container and refrigerate or freeze until needed. n

PHOTO BY

TALITHA SCHROEDER

Events Calendar

CONCERTS & GIGS

Southern Culture on the Skids. June 7. Formed in 1983 by UNC-Chapel Hill grad student Rick Miller, Southern Culture on the Skids is a band known for its infectious energy and legendary live shows, which have been said to be a testament to the pure joy and release that comes with foot-stomping, good-time rock and roll. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com

Maggie Rose. June 8. Harkening back to early 1970s Laurel Canyon, Maggie Rose’s new album “No One Gets Out Alive” deals with equally dark and uplifting themes: disillusionment in relationships, female empowerment and living in the moment, with the singer/songwriter’s big, soulful voice taking center stage. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com

Gwar. June 12. Blood. Spectacle. Mythology. Costumes. And more blood. When you think of shock-metal outfit Gwar, those words are likely the first that come to mind, and with good reason. Gwar stands out for their memorable, visceral performances and for the intimate connection the group has with their fans. 7 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com

Anne Wilson. June 12. On her Rebel Tour, country Grammy-nominated rising star Anne Wilson will be joined by fellow country singer Jordan Rowe. Fans can expect to hear new hits like "Strong” and "Rain in the Rearview," plus favorites like “Hey Girl,” “My Jesus,” and many more. 7 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com

Tim McGraw. June 15. Known for his hits that include "It's Your Love," "Just to See You Smile," and "Live Like You Were Dying," Tim McGraw has sold over 90 million records worldwide, achieved 46 worldwide number-one singles and 19 number-one albums, won numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards, and holds the record for being the most-played country artist on radio since his debut in 1992. 7 p.m. Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St. www.rupparena.com

Murder by Death. June 18. Taking their moniker from the 1976 Neil Simon-scripted comedy of the same name, Bloomington, Indiana's Murder by Death delivers a heady blend of brooding and erudite balladry and orchestral indie rock that draws from country, folk, rock and musical theater. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com

Jenny Lewis. June 18. Jenny Lewis is back with "Joy'All," her fifth solo album and a genre-hopping journey through soul, R&B, country and classic singersongwriter vibes. Produced by Dave Cobb, the album marks a fresh start for Lewis on a new label, Blue Note/Capitol Records. 8 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com

John Hiatt. June 19. Throughout his fourdecade career, John Hiatt's exploration of multiple genres including Americana, punk and new wave, has always been infused with thought-provoking themes ranging from hard truths to existential crises. 8 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com

Lucinda Williams. June 20. One of the most critically acclaimed singersongwriters in America today, Lucinda Williams is an artist who transcends any one style and has won Grammy Awards for rock, country and folk music. During a career spanning five decades, her songs have been recorded by Tom Petty, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless and Mary Chapin Carpenter to name only a few. 7:30 p.m. The Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St. www.kentuckytheatre.org

Shakey Graves. June 26. Across his career, Shakey Graves — the performance moniker of Austin, Texas-born Alejandro Rose-Garcia — has intentionally created musical adventures tailored to each fan: burning CDs and putting them in personalized decorated bags, building intricate scavenger hunts that send fans in search of unique tapes and Bandcamp-exclusive releases. His music

combines blues, folk, country, and rock and roll. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com

Shamarr Allen. June 28. Hailing from the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Allen has influences in jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk rhythms, blues and country. He is the lead vocalist and trumpeter of his band Shamarr Allen and The Underdawgs. In addition to performing with his band, Allen has collaborated with many renowned artists like Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle, Galactic, Harrick Connick Jr. and Lenny Kravitz. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com

Jenny Lewis will perform June 18 at the Lexington Opera House.

PHOTO BY AUTUMN DE WILDE/ COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

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ART & EXHIBITS

Robert Oglander: Busy Every Day. On display through June 8. Born into a family of clothiers in 1930, Robert Oglander was a merchant in his family’s clothing business for many years. While he always gravitated towards the creative elements of the business, he never thought of himself as an artist, until a chance encounter with a woman latch-hooking a rug in the early 1970s sparked in him a fascination with that craft. He ordered a kit for himself to try, and subsequently embarked on a kind of self-imposed apprenticeship, spending years learning to hook. As he grew more comfortable with the process, his work became more ambitious and complex. In the 24 pieces exhibited here, the artist’s eye for color, composition, and texture is immediately clear, perhaps refined over his long career in the clothing industry. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and by appointment. Institute 193, 215 N. Limestone Street. institute193.org

Israel Campos: Cleansing of the Sentinels. On display through June 16. Building from the Chicano art movement that emerged among Mexican-Americans in the late 1960s to resist assimilation, claim identity and express the complexity of being caught between two cultures, the Los Angeles-based artist Israel Campos creates prints and paintings that merge pre-Columbian iconographies with contemporary American culture. In this exhibit, he presents five new large-scale paintings of anthropomorphized palm trees being subsumed by fire and water — a meditation on the impacts of climate change on human and nonhuman life. Gallery hours: 1-5 p.m. Tues.-Fri., by appointment Sat-Mon. 2nd Story, 522 West Short Street, second floor www.2ndstory.art

Art at the Cathedral: “The Power of Color.”

On display through June 24. Art at the Cathedral (AATC) is a voluntary committee made up of art lovers within the Christ Church Cathedral and its community, with the goal to provide sacred space for artists who feel that visual art is one of their modes of spirituality. Artists of many different faiths participate in the exhibits. The current exhibit is themed on color and how it shapes and lifts our mood, spirit and well-being. Christ Church Cathedral, 166 Market St. www.ccclex.org/art

Community Gallery Invitational. On display through June 17. The Community Gallery at the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center presents a group show of local artists working in various media formats, including Paula Zaglul, Jerielle Hanlon, Amanda Bridges, J. GarlandSykes, Carey Gough, Michael Blake Nelson, Chase Miles-Harris and Madison Kelley. Gallery hours: Tues.-Thurs.: 11 a.m. -5 p.m.; Fri.: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center Community Gallery, 141 E. Main St. www.lexingtonky.gov/aboutdowntown-arts-center

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"Cleansing of the Sentinels," an exhibit of art by Los Angeles-based artist Israel Campos, is on display at 2nd Story Gallery through June 16.

THEATER, PERFORMANCE & MORE

Voices Amplified: “Head Over Heels.”

June 1-2. Voices Amplified, a non-profit theatre company, presents a high-energy Pride Month musical comedy set to the Go-Go’s music. The story follows a royal family's quest to save their kingdom, discovering love and self-acceptance along the way. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sat.; 4 p.m. Sun. Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, 141 E. Main St. www.ci.ovationtix. com/36286/production/1197764

Kentucky Humane Society Mutt Strut. June 8. Mutt Strut is one of the Kentucky Humane Society’s largest fundraising events of the year. The Mutt Strut 5K is central to the event, but attendees can also shop exclusive LHS merchandise, play games and support local vendors at this dog-friendly event. Money raised comes at a critical time when the number of

animals in need is at its highest. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Coldstream Park, 1850 Pisacano Dr. www.lexingtonhumanesociety.org/event/ mutt-strut-2

Kenwick Bungalow Tour. June 9. The Kenwick Neighborhood Association presents the 2024 Kenwick Bungalow Tour. Eight homes and gardens will be open to tour. Every house featured might not be a bungalow, but each showcases the uniqueness of the neighborhood. Tickets can be purchased at Victory Christian Church during event hours, with proceeds to benefit a variety of neighborhood projects and events. 1-5 p.m. www.kenwick.org

Negativland and SUE-C Double Feature: “We Can Really Feel Like We’re Here.” June 10. Legendary “sound collage” group Negativland collaborate with “real-time cinema” visual artist SUE-C for this touring audio-visual performance about our minds, our realities, and the evolving forms of media and technology that orchestrate our perceptions. The evening begins with a one-time-only screening

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of the amazing feature film “Stand By For Failure: A Documentary About Negativland,” followed by a live stage performance from Negativland accompanied by SUE-C’s unique and immersive visuals. 7 p.m. The Kentucky Theatre, 214 Main St. www.kentuckytheater.org

Kentucky Wine and Vine Fest. June 15. Now in its 21st year, Kentucky’s premiere wine event celebrates wineries from across the state, with wine tastings, arts and crafts vendors, craft food, inflatables for the kids and games and activities for all ages. 12-7 p.m. Jessamine County Fairgrounds, 100 Park Dr., Nicholasville www.kywinefest.com

Kentuckians Chorus: “Moonlight Melodies.” June 15. A Lexington staple since 1960, The Kentuckians Chorus will fill the air with music in the upcoming concert “Moonlight Melodies.” This special event will showcase the diverse talents of central Kentucky’s premier barber shop community chorus, featuring a repertoire that spans styles and eras, from traditional barbershop classics to contemporary a cappella arrangements. The concert will also include special performances from quartets and ensembles within the chorus. 7:30 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.thekentuckians.org

Wanda Sykes

JUNE 13

Wanda Sykes is a force to be reckoned with in comedy. A stand-up veteran, she honed her sharp wit and social commentary before landing a breakout role as a writer on "The Chris Rock Show," which earned her an Emmy. Since then, she's become a multi-talented star, excelling in acting and writing across television and film, all while captivating audiences with her signature blend of humor and social awareness. 7:30 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com

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WANDA SYKES PHOTO FURNISHED

THEATER, PERFORMANCE & MORE

Jim Norton. June 21. Jim Norton is a multi-talented comedian, radio personality, actor and two-time New York Times bestselling author. A fixture in the comedy world for over 30 years, he’s performed stand-up across the globe, filling clubs and theaters with laughter. He co-hosts “The Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Show” on SiriusXM and the UFC podcast “UFC Unfiltered.” 8 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com

Chevy Chase Street Fair. June 29. Produced by Smiley Pete Publishing in partnership with Chevy Chase Merchants Association, the ever-popular block party Chevy Chase Street Fair returns with more than 30 local vendors, live music, kids’ activities, street food, craft beer and cocktails and neighborhood camaraderie. 4-10 p.m. Euclid Avenue, between Ashland and High Street.

David Spade

JUNE 30

David Spade's sharp tongue and dry wit landed him a coveted spot on "Saturday Night Live” in the ‘90s. This launched him into comedic fame, where he continues to deliver hilarious performances. From memorable SNL characters to starring roles in films like “Tommy Boy” and “Joe Dirt,” Spade has become synonymous with finding humor in the unexpected and the absurd. 8 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com n

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PETE’S PROPERTIES

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