Middletown Magazine July 2022 by Towne Post Network, Inc.

MAGAZINE

JULY 2022

Smile

SOLUTION

SMILE PROJECT LOUISVILLE FOUNDER TALKS ORIGINS OF HIS GROWING ENDEAVOR IN STRIDE Runner Joe Burkett Finishes 2nd in Boston Marathon’s Visual Impairment Division RIGHT ON CUE The Fox Den Opens With Billiards, Bites, Brews and More

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JULY 2022

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26 6

Runner Joe Burkett Finishes 2nd in Boston Marathon’s Visual Impairment Division

Danny Wimmer Presents Continues to Grow Its Louisville Festival Events

IN STRIDE

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Strength Training Is a Crucial Health Component

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SMILE SOLUTION

Smile Project Louisville Founder Talks Origins of His Growing Endeavor

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Joe Burket

IN STRIDE

RUNNER JOE BURKETT FINISHES 2ND IN BOSTON MARATHON’S VISUAL IMPAIRMENT DIVISION Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided

Joe Burket wasn’t sure if he would make it to Boston. After qualifying in the visual impairment division for the Boston Marathon at the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes National Championships, Burket was set to make his debut at the world’s oldest marathon in October of 2021. After a series of events impacted both his travel and running plans, doubt began to seep into Burket’s mind regarding whether he would actually run the race. Originally planning to take a Southwest flight with his wife and two children, Burket and his family were sitting at the gate when their flight was one of many canceled by the airline. That left Burket scrambling to find a replacement. He did, but only for himself, forcing him to fly solo with a long layover

just to get to Boston. After landing, his fortunes seemingly turned for the better, as the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired staff arranged for someone to meet Burket at the airport and transport him to his hotel, while his family was able to find another flight into Boston the following day. After arriving, Burket got another piece of bad news. One of the two guides set to help Burket navigate the 26.2-mile course had broken his toe and would be unable to run. Thankfully, his remaining guide found a willing replacement in the area, and Burket could finally focus on the race. Burket finished the marathon in a time of 3:18:23 and placed second in the men’s vision impairment division, earning $750 for his performance. He said the time wasn’t what he had hoped, but was proud of the way he finished the race.

6 / MIDDLETOWN MAGAZINE / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

“I was hoping to break 3:15, but I had the travel issues and I wasn’t eating great,” Burket says. “I got to about mile 15 and had the feeling this isn’t my day. The last five miles turned into survival mode towards the finish. I knew I was in second place at that point in the blind division so I just changed my strategy, stayed calm and held it together. It wasn’t my best race, but it was Boston. It’s not supposed to be an easy race.” This was the first Boston Marathon with a visual impairment division with prize money, making the event even more special for Burket. With the new division, Burket and his fellow competitors were sent out onto the course earlier than the rest of the field, giving him a unique feeling of running the race without the typical crowd of runners. “It was wonderful,” Burket says. “They treat us kind of like the VIP runners. We had our names on the bibs like the professionals.

On the front of my shirt it said ‘Joseph’ on it. The whole race they’re yelling my name, ‘Go Joseph - you’re looking good Joseph.’ They’re actually calling me by name and it was a really unique experience.”

decent,” Burket says. “I usually meet up with runners a few days a week and run with them. Any other runs I need to do, I’ve been in St. Mathews for close to 20 years and I have that map in my head of where I want to go.”

Burket, 39, hasn’t always been blind. He was diagnosed with a rare condition known as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy in 2012 that caused him to begin losing his sight. It wasn’t long after discovering the condition that he was legally blind.

Locally, Burket enjoys running the track at Waggener High School, Norbourne Estates, Macon Avenue and Seneca Park. When he is in marathon training he runs five to six days per week and 45 to 55 miles, receiving help from the community along the way.

A 2000 graduate of Trinity High School and a member of the cross-country team, Burket had been what he calls a “fair-weathered” runner when he was younger. He started getting more serious about the sport once he lost his vision, and says he is a better runner now than when he was sighted. His longtime familiarity with St. Mathews is a big advantage as he trains throughout the community.

“It’s just trying to work that in, between work and family,” Burket says of his training. “It’s another part-time job. I have a wife that is understanding, grandparents that are willing to help out and I have the luxury of nice neighbors. My parents are close to St. Mathews and my dad will drive me to Seneca Park so I can meet up with others to run. It’s an individual sport but it’s a full team of people that got me to Boston.”

“I don’t have central vision but I have peripheral so my orientation mobility is

While Burket usually runs with guides in

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find a comfortable straight shot where I can run ahead, turn around and run back to them, and they’ll help me put together a run where I need guides and where I’m comfortable running by myself.”

Joe Burket finished the marathon in a time of 3:18:23.

races, he does run by himself while training or with a local group of runners. He credits them for teaching him how to be a better runner when he was first getting serious about the sport, and helping him comfortably get miles in. “I got a lot faster chasing these guys around,” Burket says. “They are much more experienced and smarter runners than me. A lot of times what I have to do is piecemeal a run. If I have to speed up I

When he isn’t running, Burket works for the Department of Veterans Affairs assisting with disability compensation. A college baseball player at Bellarmine University, Burket has tried other sports geared towards the visually impaired such as goalball and beep baseball, but enjoys running the most. “Running is such an individual sport,” Burket says. “If I can find the time and someone to help me, I can just pick up and go. I just need a pair of running shoes and a clear road to run on. I can do it whenever, wherever. It’s something I feel really comfortable doing. When I’m running with other people it clears my mind and it’s a nice moment of freedom. It’s one of the freest moments of my life of just not worrying.”

Burket has a few races planned in the near future. He has committed to the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes National Championships in 2022. Burket will also compete in the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon in 2022, the site of his first half marathon in 2012, with Boston in 2022 on his radar as well. “I keep finding a new goal - just challenging myself to be better,” he says. “I have reached new levels I didn’t think I’d hit, just a little bit at a time.” Burket says doesn’t want to be defined by his disability. “It’s really cool being the second-fastest blind runner at the Boston Marathon but I still compare myself to other runners,” Burket says. “I don’t want to just beat other blind people, I want to beat everyone. I don’t want to be known as the blind runner. I want to be the runner who happens to be blind.”

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JOIN THE RESISTANCE

STRENGTH TRAINING IS A CRUCIAL HEALTH COMPONENT Writer / Melissa Horsell, Certified Jazzercise Instructor, Jazzercise Middletown Photography Provided

You know that exercise is a crucial aspect of your physical and mental wellness. You hear it from your doctor, see it on TV and read it in magazines. But what kind of exercise should you be doing? Cardiovascular exercises such as walking or running may come to mind first - both are great options for cardiovascular health and weight loss. Lately, you have probably also heard that it is important to incorporate strength training in your exercise routine. But why is strength training so important, and how do you do it? It is an unfortunate fact that as we age, we naturally lose muscle mass. It’s important to incorporate strength training into your overall fitness routine for several reasons:

BONE DENSITY Strong bodies have strong bones, and strength training can significantly increase your bone density.

MUSCLE MASS Muscle mass naturally decreases as we age, but strength training can actually reverse that. With regular strength training, you’ll see an increase in your lean muscle mass.

JOINT FLEXIBILITY Keeping your joints healthy and flexible will help you to stay mobile as you age. Strength training is proven to increase your joint flexibility, and decrease the symptoms of stiffness and even arthritis.

INCREASED BALANCE Maintaining a strong sense of balance becomes increasingly important as we age, as the risks associated with falling increase. Strength training works to increase your sense of balance, and reduce your risk of falls and injury.

BETTER CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH One of the biggest benefits of weightlifting and strength training is lowering the probability of life-altering heart attacks and strokes. Strength training includes exercises such as weightlifting, resistance bands and weight machines. But you do not have to use big, fancy (sometimes scary) gym equipment to build and tone your muscles. There are several simple strength training exercises you can do right from home, simply by using your own body weight. Think lunges, pushups, crunches and planks. For those who prefer a little more structure or just need the added motivation, there are group fitness classes that, led by a professional instructor, can meet your strength training needs. Whether you are looking to build muscle, tighten and tone, or just maintain your current strength and stability, remember to dedicate 20 to 60 minutes, two to three times per week, to strength training, in addition to your cardiovascular program.

TownePost.com / JULY 2022 / 9

Michael Ray with his daughter Maddie.

Smile

SOLUTION SMILE PROJECT LOUISVILLE FOUNDER TALKS ORIGINS OF HIS GROWING ENDEAVOR Writer / Carrie Vittitoe Photography Provided

moment in February of 2018 with someone at a Wendy’s drive-through window.

There are times in life when it feels difficult to smile. Maybe you have experienced a death in the family, or the loss of a job or a friendship. Maybe you’ve felt overwhelmed by a career or school coursework. Maybe you slept poorly and had a long day of meetings or travel. Michael Ray, founder of Smile Project Louisville, knows from his own experience that helping others find a reason to smile is one of the most powerful and transformational acts a person and an organization can do.

This particular day was a bad one. Ray had long worked in the financial services and mortgage industry, but knew he was going to lose his job. As a dad of four children with all kinds of responsibilities, this felt really heavy. “All I wanted in the moment was some chili from Wendy’s,” he says. “I laugh about it now.” He drove to Wendy’s to satisfy that urge, and had an interaction with an employee working the drive-through who made him smile. “I felt the energy,” he says. “I felt alive. I felt so uplifted.” He took a photo with this stranger and posted it to social media.

Unlike the birth of a human, the birth of a movement or organization doesn’t necessarily have an official timestamp. Something happens and ideas marinate, sometimes for months or even years. Ray had a defining

What Ray knew, in ways that a lot of people don’t, is how meaningful a smile alone can be to change a person’s mood or even 10 / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

the trajectory of their day. His 22-year-old daughter Maddie has Down syndrome and is mostly nonverbal. He has never heard her say “I love you,” but he has felt her love through her smiles. Between his relationship with Maddie and his encounter at the Wendy’s, Ray began to shape ideas and plans in his head. It was at this point that he became intentional about making people all over the city of Louisville smile. “I felt in these moments with these strangers a sense of love, a sense of joy,” he says. “Pictures with people evolved into conversations.” He began asking people about what was good in their lives, posting these conversations on social media, and receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.

After about 18 months of pictures and videos of conversations, Ray began to wonder what impact he could have if he did a random act of kindness to make another person smile. In August of 2019 he went to the Kroger at Broadway and 26th Street, met a single mom and handed her $50. He continued to do these random acts of kindness each week into the fall months.

As the popularity of Ray’s posts grew, people in the community began letting him know of individuals they knew who needed a smile in their lives. The first such person who reached out to Ray told him about an elementary school teacher in Louisville’s south end with Stage III colon cancer. “Even

though she was battling for her life, she was still coming in every day and having this positive force on teachers and students,” Ray says. He visited her school to give joy back to her. Ray knows there are hardships in life and has experienced them himself. He lost a son. He did lose his mortgage industry job in 2018. He lost his home and his marriage fell apart. “I wound up as a 43-year-old guy

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left inspirational messages for people.” He had to be creative, and literally bought a 10’ pole from a home improvement store to pass balloons and gift cards to people. He covered himself in a plastic drop cloth so he could hug people. Even though COVID-19 seems to be leveling off a bit, Ray tries to be outside and 6’ or more away from people so he doesn’t have to mask his smile.

living with his parents, when at one point in time I really thought I was being driven by material things,” he says. “I looked back on my life going, ‘God, I wish I could have found that place of happiness even though the circumstances were awful.’ ” COVID-19 had an impact on Smile Project

Louisville because part of what Ray has always done is be in people’s “space.” He would regularly hug people or put his arms around them if they cried. He had to rethink making people smile and interacting with them due to the virus. Soon after COVID-19 began to sicken people locally, he says, “I bought 50 balloons and went behind Norton Brownsboro Hospital. I tied balloons on doctors’ and nurses’ cars, and

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Making people smile has, of course, brought Ray immense joy, but he also realized that for some people, their needs go way beyond what a smile and a $50 can bring them. Last Christmas, Smile Project Louisville raised a little over $2,000 to give to single mothers who work in the restaurant industry. Ray has traveled to Texas, California and Florida to spread the word about the endeavor and take it beyond Kentuckiana. He may at

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some point even visit schools to help inspire young people to make others smile in both large and small ways. His goals are to continue to help others in bigger and better ways, and to encourage the community to be part of it. Ray has sometimes received comments asking why he takes photos and videos of his encounters to make others smile. Why doesn’t he do his good works quietly, without fanfare? He refers to his encounter with a homeless man in NuLu that he posted on social media. Someone from England responded to the post offering to wire $100 to Smile Project Louisville, to give to this man. “Someone from England watched the video and opened their heart,” he says. “That’s why we video - because it impacts and influences people to create change.” Learn more at smileprojectlouisville.com.

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Maurice and Marilyn Harrod

Smooth Operators MAURICE AND MARILYN HARROD BRING A DISTINCTIVE FLAIR TO THEIR INTERNET RADIO STATION

Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided

Maurice and Marilyn Harrod aren’t your average married couple. They each hold a title in addition to husband and wife they’re co-hosts. The Harrods host and produce “Smooth Drinks and Jams” each week from their basement in Jeffersontown, on an internetonly radio station they created, Smooth Radio A-21. Listeners tune in from all over the world to hear the couple interview special guests, discuss current events, and play a wide selection of music including smooth jazz, urban classics and R&B. Originally planned to just be a 24/7 music

station, the couple eventually started hosting “Smooth Drinks and Jams” as a way to add a new element to Smooth Radio A-21 and help bring awareness to other businesses. The show airs live from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. each Friday, and generally features a 20- to 40-minute interview in addition to music, talk and even comedy, with listener interaction throughout. “We started the Friday night show just doing music, but people like talk so we started including some talk into it,” Marilyn says. “We had the idea of using the platform help other people promote their businesses or whatever they were doing. That’s always something we have enjoyed doing, helping other people.” 14 / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

A veteran of the radio industry for more than 30 years, Maurice had an interest in creating his own station and began researching what equipment would be needed. After getting everything set up and curating the station’s playlist, Marilyn encouraged her husband to add “Smooth Drinks and Jams” to the schedule, allowing the duo to further connect with their listeners. “Once I decided to create the station, I bought a mixer and a couple of microphones and we already had the computer, and that’s all we needed,” Maurice says. “I figured out how to get it working, we sat across from each other and we have a good time. The program is called ‘Smooth Drinks and Jams,’ so we usually

have a drink and talk about that too.”

“Smooth Drinks and Jams” began in November of 2019 and now spans more The station’s name, Smooth Radio A-21, has than 150 episodes. The fact that the sentimental value to the couple. “Smooth” show started right before the COVID-19 honors Maurice’s hometown of Washington, pandemic that forced many to stay in their D.C., where he says everyone has a smooth homes has increased the show’s presence aura to them, and also alludes to the type of in listeners’ lives around the world. During music normally played on the station. The the height of the pandemic, Maurice was “A” is a tribute to an old friend of Maurice also hosting a show titled “Music Therapy” named Albert, who recently passed away. on Wednesdays, which also gave listeners a The “21” is a reference to Maurice’s old college football number. Maurice says he and Albert grew up near a radio station and always wanted to own one together. “Our dream was to have a radio station when we grew up,” Maurice says. “That never happened, but the ‘A’ is for him. Every time we are there, I can feel his spirit with us. He was my best friend in the world. We were friends since I was 10 years old and he passed away five years ago. The name was a tribute to him.” “Smooth Drinks and Jams” has become the signature show of the station, and something Maurice and Marilyn look forward to hosting each week. The show strives to highlight different individuals in the music, entertainment and tourism industries, and has featured such guests as Leslie Drayton, a founding member of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, and Betty Winston Baye, an author, journalist and talk show host. The couple promotes appearances on their show mainly through social media and word of mouth, and have gotten very positive responses from their listeners.

“Our listenership really grew after the pandemic because people were staying in,” Marilyn says. “We provided a really good outlet for people who were home on Friday nights. When we go on hiatus, they’re like, ‘OK, just don’t be gone too long.’ The music is fabulous. I’ve heard a lot of DJs, but

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“People are really excited to come on our show,” Marilyn says. “A lot of these people may not have a chance to be on other shows yet, so hopefully by us offering these opportunities, others will hear about them. We have people who can really sell their products. We just like promoting people and getting their names out there so others can know about them. We’re very proud of the group of people we’ve had on the show. It continues to build.”

chance to further engage with the station’s creators.

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Maurice’s voice and his selection of music is outstanding.” The show gives people a chance to connect from all over the world, with many listeners tuning in on a weekly basis. Most notable is Ms. Clara, dubbed “The Mother of the Show,” who is 93 years old and lives in Richmond, Virginia. Maurice and Marilyn

were able to meet Ms. Clara when they were in the Richmond area, which was a big thrill to all of them. Each show routinely pulls in hundreds of listeners, represented all across the United States and several other countries. Maurice and Marilyn will also host radio parties by request, providing music and

a worldwide broadcast, along with an opportunity for attendees to interact with each other and the hosts. “We started doing parties and celebrations when people weren’t able to go to parties,” Marilyn says. “You may have a relative in California you want to do a surprise party for. We will get whoever you want to come

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on the station and we can do those types of parties for you. One of our friends took ill, so to treat him to something special we gave him a surprise birthday party just as a treat for him. Friends and families would call in from different spots to say happy birthday. It was a lot of fun.” This isn’t the first time Maurice and Marilyn have worked alongside each other on a project. The couple worked in a car rental shop together in the past, and also in the school system side by side, creating programs to highlight black history within Jefferson County schools. The pair performed workshops in about 80 schools countywide. “We are very compatible,” Maurice says. “People used to wonder how we could work together, but we’re best friends so that’s where we’d rather be. We wouldn’t want to be with anyone else other than each other. It just works out well for us. We are very fortunate in that way.”

Maurice and Marilyn don’t have any set plans for the future, but would love to find a sponsor for the show and increase their audience moving forward. Mainly, they are enjoying spending time together and having fun. “Right now we’re just rolling with what it is,” Maurice says. “If at some point we could move to a different platform to go

commercial and make money off it, that would be a goal. But right now we are just enjoy exposing a lot of different people to the public, at no profit. It’s easy and no pressure on us. On Friday it gives us a chance to release and relax, to connect with our friends and family.” Fore more info, visit smoothradioa-21.com.

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CENTER STAGE DANNY WIMMER PRESENTS CONTINUES TO GROW ITS LOUISVILLE FESTIVAL EVENTS and a location that is a stone’s throw from the bourbon capital of the world - Bardstown. More than 10 years ago, music industry veteran and concert promoter extraordinaire Danny Wimmer discovered for himself what made Louisville special. With his staff at Danny Wimmer Presents, he has spent the years since creating several destination music festivals to help people outside the city’s boundaries explore what makes Louisville so special, and remind locals what the city has to offer guests who visit.

Danny Wimmer Writer / Carrie Vittitoe Photography Provided

Louisville is a city with a lot to offer - a decent cost of living, a vibrant arts community, a reputation as a foodie town,

Life was born in 2014.

Even though music festivals typically last one weekend, they are definitely not an inexpensive endeavor, which is why the Danny Wimmer Presents team took its time in bringing a second festival to fruition. “When we enter a new market, we go in with one festival and see if that market has the legs to sustain a second, third or fourth festival,” says Chamie McCurry, chief marketing officer at Danny Wimmer Presents. Louder Than Life’s success led to the creation of Bourbon & Beyond Danny Wimmer’s initial visit to Louisville five years ago. “The emphasis of Bourbon wasn’t related to music. He had become enamored with bourbon and was considering & Beyond from day one was always to launching his own brand. “I immediately felt highlight the bourbon as much as the lineup,” McCurry says. at home everywhere I went in Louisville,” he says. “There was a real pride, sense of While Louder Than Life is a very rockcommunity and charm that I just fell in love specific festival, Bourbon & Beyond with. It’s my home away from home.” includes country, classic rock, alt-rock, bluegrass and indie-alt, and is what He decided he wanted to create a music festival that would focus on rock music, but McCurry calls a lifestyle festival. “It has several genres represented,” she says. “It has remain rooted in the local landscape with a little bit of everything for everyone. The bourbon as an integral part. Louder Than 20 / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

bourbon and culinary aspect is elevated at that festival.” Both festivals are held at the Kentucky Exposition Center, last four days each, and include an opportunity for attendees to camp on-site. Different pass options give concertgoers the ability to pick and choose which days (or all the days) they want to attend. It is possible for attendees to make an entire vacation out of the festivals, since there is so much to do in Louisville and surrounding areas on the days in between. “The long-term growth of this is that we want people coming in for two weeks and experiencing Louisville on the days when there isn’t an active festival happening,” McCurry says. The influx of attendees from all over the country provides a financial boon to the city. According to McCurry, a 2019 independent study calculated the economic impact of both festivals at more than $43 million. Of course, COVID-19 affected

many public events and their financial windfalls for communities. While Louder Than Life took a hiatus in 2020 and came back in 2021, Bourbon & Beyond is only just now returning after a two-year break, which in some ways feels like starting over. “We’re working to reintroduce that brand to the marketplace,” McCurry says. Through the years some things have changed with the concerts, which is to be expected. Both festivals began as two-day, two-stage festivals, but their popularity has led to growth. Both festivals now have four stages of music, and Bourbon & Beyond has two additional stages for workshops and presentations. The lineup has expanded as well. Louder Than Life now showcases 90 musicians and bands, while Bourbon & Beyond sees more than 50 musical acts performing. Putting together music festivals this large takes a massive amount of planning, not only because of the music, but also because of the camping option and all the logistics

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that ensue. “Across the street we have car, tent and RV camping,” McCurry says. “Fans can arrive on Wednesday, set up their campgrounds and live on-site with us for the festival weekend.”

Center, the Louisville Police Department. We have an entire office and production team that works closely with our local partners in building out the most fanfriendly and safe concert experience.”

The staff members at Danny Wimmer Presents spend all year preparing for these festivals to ensure attendees have the best experience possible. Essentially, McCurry says the company is building a small city. “We plan all year for it,” she says. “We work very closely with the City of Louisville, the parks department, the Kentucky Expo

The boots-on-the-ground staff in Louisville frequently checks on little things in the months and weeks before the shows, like how the grass is growing and how rainwater drains, so that any problems can be addressed beforehand. Before, during and after the music festivals,

Danny Wimmer Presents uses social media to assess attendees’ expectations and experiences. “We’re able to make changes and adapt pretty quickly,” McCurry says. In 2021, when rain prevented grassy areas from draining at Louder Than Life, staff brought in tons of gravel to alleviate standing water. After the event, surveys are sent to attendees to get their feedback. “We know it is a very competitive marketplace for consumers’ entertainment dollars,” McCurry says. “We want them to feel very satisfied.”

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In 2021 Louder Than Life became the biggest rock festival in the country, with 160,000 passes sold. “Now we’re doing everything we can to get 40,000 people a day there,” McCurry says. The headliners for the Louder Than Life festival, which runs from September 22 to 25, include Nine Inch Nails, Kiss, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the festival is also shining a light on up-and-coming bands. The Danny Wimmer Presents talent team spends a lot of time and energy booking artists that are getting airplay and buzz. In 2021 the company introduced its Twitch channel, DWPresents,

which streams original content from unsigned musicians and bands, some of which have gotten signed and made it to the Louder Than Life stage. The feel of Bourbon & Beyond is a little different. It’s a little more mellow, and could be considered the slow and steady wind-up to Louder Than Life the following weekend. Of course this doesn’t mean the musicians who perform at Bourbon & Beyond this year, from September 15 to 18, can’t totally rock it out. Jack White, Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon, and Chris Stapleton are some of the

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big-name headliners. To be sure, part of the attraction of Bourbon & Beyond is the “beyond” aspect, which includes different bars, workshops and experiences with bourbon experts. Bourbon lovers can get their fill of rare and experimental bourbons at The Silver Dollar Hunter’s Club. And if you don’t like bourbon, don’t worry - there will also be a wine garden and craft beer area. For more info, visit dannywimmerpresents.com.

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future everything. We’re not going to be able to survive without their knowledge, expertise and passion, so we want to help them understand money, budgeting and credit.”

“It’s full service without cash,” Griffin says. “But you still have access to cash using the live video teller machines.”

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CCU leaders decided that based on needs, market growth and the trends they were CCU, one of the largest credit unions in seeing in the market space, the university Kentucky, has five Louisville branches and one campus branch would be more productive as a At that branch they ccuky.org in Shelbyville, which enables them to establish contactless branch with live video tellers. have one certified a number of rewarding partnerships. That, financial counselor in turn, helps them live out their cherished “It’s like going through a drive-through, just and can take a dive philosophy. CCU’s partnerships primarily without the tube system,” Griffin says. “You into members’ focus on financial education for youth. Three touch the screen and a live person greets credit histories to main partnerships include the University of you who can answer on-the-spot questions, help them get on Louisville, the Louisville Urban League, and take care of your transaction and offer track. CONNECT the Louisville Central Community Center referrals.” (LCCC). In August of 2021, If you’re ATM savvy and don’t want to talk to CCU rolled out a robust digital banking The Louisville Urban League tries to defeat a live person, the machine is dual-purpose and platform that has features like Zelle, a U.S.stereotypes in the west end of Louisville, an can accommodate that as well. based digital payment network. area plagued with socioeconomic issues. “They’re working hard to not only make the west end a residential place of choice for folks to live, but also a place of choice for businesses to open up and thrive,” says Glenn Griffin, operations regional manager at CCU. LCCC also works to improve the life of Louisville’s youth, especially in the west end. “It’s an underserved area so we’re doing our best to help bring it back to life,” Griffin says. CCU is the official credit union of the University of Louisville - the pillar of the community. “Partnering with the university gives us the opportunity to better the lives of today’s youth,” Griffin says. “They’re our future politicians, future accountants, future artists,

Throughout the past year, CCU has converted all of their branch drive-throughs to live video tellers because it’s more efficient. “You get the same level of service from it, but one associate can operate three or four machines at a time,” Griffin says. “It allows our associates to become an expert in everything they do because their focus is broader. Plus, they’re better able to navigate member situations in a timely fashion.” NuLu, the East Market District of downtown, is known for area boutiques, art galleries and delicious restaurants. CCU’s grand opening of their downtown NuLu location was in the fall of 2021. This cashless location has two teller machines and three financial service representatives who assist with new accounts, new loans, credit cards, notary stamps and account maintenance. TownePost.com / JULY 2022 / 25

“You can instantly send money back to other institutions who participate in Zelle,” Griffin says. “For example, if you have a student in college, you can get on the app, go into Zelle and send them cash in a matter of seconds.” Another nice feature is that you can see every account you’re linked to. For example, if there are four members in your family and you’re all joined, with a single login you can see everything that goes on in all four accounts. In addition, everything is in real time. Plus, you can check out the history and view images of transactions. “We have many great features with this digital banking platform and have gotten tons of wonderful feedback from our members,” says Griffin, who notes that they’re growing every day. “We’re excited about the opportunities we can bring to every person in this region.”

Acting OUT ACT LOUISVILLE PRODUCTIONS HOPES TO FILL A LOCAL ARTS NICHE best of the best in Los Angeles and New York. The only thing we are missing here is access to high-level training. That’s why we are so passionate to provide it.” Hall says there are a lot of great theater companies in the area for people to explore their interest in the theater arts, but not much for those looking for that next-level training after they have discovered their passion for the stage. “We want the opportunity for the kids we have to train with industry professionals in a professional production,” Hall says. “Louisville is such an artsy town. This is just one little area that we thought had a missing piece, and we are filling that piece in the art jigsaw puzzle.”

Randy Blevins and Beth Craig Hall Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photographer / Zachary Burrell

With ACT Louisville Productions (ALP), Founder and Director Beth Craig Hall and Producer Randy Blevins are giving local youths the opportunity to develop their theater talents at a high level and get feedback from professionals in the industry. The former college classmates bring a vast amount of industry knowledge and hope to provide opportunities for local aspiring performers. “There’s so much talent here in our backyard,” Blevins says. “I think we forget that sometimes. We want to make sure there is space for young talent in the Midwest to succeed. With technology the way it is now, we should be able to put our talent in auditions against the

The brainchild of Hall, ALP officially kicked things off in 2021 after the duo had contemplated starting the company for years. With an age focus ranging from grade-school-aged children to those just finishing high school, ALP is looking to capture the unique traits of this age group. “They are the most passionate and driven about being a performer than they probably ever will be in their lives,” Blevins says. “If we can get them then they have a wonderful chance to move up with that career, and at the very least they can learn what possibilities there are within that field.”

26 / JULY 2022 / TownePost.com

Photo by Bill Brymer

“The age group that we serve is the hungriest and the most passionate demographic for the performing arts and there are very few roles for that group,” Hall adds. “You are so limited in the opportunities provided for you.” There are two main components of ALP. A series of week-long summer camps allow attendees to discover the arts and take their talents to the next level while interacting with Broadway professionals such as Shoshana Bean, Nikki Renée Daniels, Jeff Kready, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Michael Potts and Gerry McIntyre. Students take part in singing, dancing and acting training, led by Hall and others with experience in the industry. “Most kids have to go out of town to get high-level, intensive training in the arts,” Hall says. “We wanted to make sure they could get that in their own backyard and not have to travel. It’s a very intensive training week. The rigor and professionalism are at another level.” The second component is a live production known as Arts at the Amphitheater that features roles for both adults and children. Last year ALP put on “The Wizard of Oz” across several nights at Iroquois Amphitheater, bringing back live performances to the famed outdoor venue. Demand for tickets increased each night ALP put on the show due to the high production value, and the

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team has even higher expectations for this year as they present “The Sound of Music” July 15 through 19. ALP will also present “13: The Musical” this November at the Performing Arts Louisville studio in St. Matthews. “I didn’t hear anything negative and what I mostly heard was, ‘I didn’t think it would be that good,’” Blevins says. “That’s what I’m most happy about. We exceeded expectations. Now that we’ve shown something, I think we will reach a lot more people. We’re hoping, now that we’ve established ourselves, that even more will come out this summer for ‘The Sound of Music.’ ” The camps and the live performances allow young, aspiring actors to discover what it takes to be a professional in the theater industry, which includes roles beyond what is on stage. Hall and Blevins want to make sure they are showing all the possibilities out there and tapping into the talents of each individual, even if that means not pursuing a career in theater at all. “If these children never decide to pursue this, the skills and lessons they learn will make them successful professionals,” Hall says. “The things you learn as a performer are the things that will make you successful no matter what industry you choose. They get to see the 50-plus professionals that we hire, and come in and do things other than perform on the stage. You have marketing, projections, builders,

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sound, music, lights. The possibilities they are exposed to are unbelievable. What we teach in the arts is how to communicate, to get what they want and how to ask for it, and to know their role. I’m sure plenty of professionals would have loved to figure that out before they went to their first interview. The arts make everyone better.” ALP does have two sister companies, both founded by Hall. The Actors Center For Training and Performing Arts Louisville are each headquartered in the St. Matthews area, with working studios to train those of any skill level in the performing arts industry. The location in St. Matthews Station provides benefits to those students and their families who take part, and is visible to the community.

“We partnered with the city and used community centers all over to hold auditions,” Blevins says. “We wouldn’t have seen some of the talent we saw if we had just said, ‘Come to us.’ There is talent all over this community. Sometimes they don’t have access or the ability to come out to us where we’re having auditions, and what a shame because they don’t even know what they have. By seeing that and allowing them to come to these camps just to explore their talents could be life changing, and open up an incredible opportunity for these kids.” The ALP team wants to continue making sure there is space in this area of the country for individuals to receive high-level training and use those skills to move forward within the industry. They see the City of Louisville only beginning to reach its potential in the performing arts sector.

“I would say the advantage is you’re 15 minutes from anywhere in the city,” Hall says. “There are a lot of great local businesses and restaurants for families to go get a bite to eat while they’re waiting for their kids. There are things to do that are close. It was almost like “Louisville should be a Broadway destination,” Blevins says. “We should be producing new work that goes to Broadway. It doesn’t it was meant to be for us.” have to be Washington, D.C. It doesn’t have to be Chicago. We are an arts town. That’s what we should be doing. I think in five Increasing access to their trainings is a huge priority for ALP. Hall years that’s what we will be doing. People here care about that and and Blevins strive to provide opportunities to those who may support it.” not otherwise be able to seek out and undertake the trainings. Through auditions and trainings throughout metro Louisville, and For more info, visit actlouisville.com. scholarships to deserving students, ALP has uncovered talent that wouldn’t have been discovered otherwise throughout the community.

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CLOSING CREDITS LOCALS PREPARE TO BID FAREWELL TO VILLAGE 8 THEATERS Writer / Carrie Vittitoe Photography Provided

The Village 8 in St. Matthews may not have had the style of the Brown Theater or the Palace, two other historic film venues in town, but for many Louisville residents, it was the source of many warm memories. People who began seeing movies there as children when it opened in 1975 brought their own children and grandchildren to experience the joy of discount films. Matt Kohorst started with Village 8 well over a decade ago as an assistant manager. While he loves movies, it wasn’t film that brought him to the theater, but rather a desire to gain some management experience. Eventually he was promoted to general manager and is now seeing Village 8 off as the staff prepares to screen its last movies in early July. Up until a few years ago, movies were shown by way of film projector equipment, which allowed projectionists to thread reels of 35-millimeter film onto a projector to display movie images onto a huge screen. When Kohorst first began working at Village 8, the company was still

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MANAGING AT VILLAGE 8 HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE. WE MANAGED TO OPERATE AND SUCCESSFULLY MAINTAIN ONE OF THE LAST SECOND-RUN THEATERS IN OUR ZONE DISTRICT.-MATT KOHORST

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phased it out in 2014 and 2015. The projectors were converted entirely to digital, and there weren’t projectionists on staff after that, which meant managers had to be comfortable with the digital projection equipment. Kohorst says when films arrived at Village 8 after 2015, they were on hard drives. One of his responsibilities was to get the movies ready to show, which includes getting the server to ingest the digital film’s contents, getting the ads, trailers and ratings loaded, setting the cues for when the lights dim, and adjusting the volume levels. “If all goes right, the movies start on time,” he says. Digital films are encrypted, which means Village 8 cannot play a film until a specific date and time determined by the movie distributor. Kohorst says the distributor sends a digital key, also known as a key delivery message, via email. Kohorst or one of his managers loads the key onto a USB drive and then plugs it into the projector. At this point the movie is unlocked and can be viewed by audiences. When asked about the impacts of COVID-19, Kohorst says “2020 was an incredibly challenging year for us as a local business. Like most cities, Louisville had a period of time when the government forced a mandatory shutdown for all nonessential businesses. During this time we decided to run curbside concessions where

folks could stop by and pick up popcorn, sodas and other snacks. We also at this time donated half of our entire perishable inventory to the Ronald McDonald House. The theater was able to reopen around midsummer, but with limited capacity and studios pushing popular releases back.” Continuity is something Village 8 also has always had in terms of its clientele. “We have regulars who have been coming here since the 1980s,” Kohorst says. “Not many places can boast that. Patrons come in all the time saying, ‘This was the first place I ever saw a movie,’ ‘This was the first job I ever had,’ or, ‘I had my first date here at Village so many years ago.’ It holds a warm nostalgia for many Louisvillians, and that’s something we hold dearly.” “Managing at Village 8 has been an absolute pleasure,” he continues. “We managed to operate and successfully maintain one of the last second-run theaters in our zone district. Despite the rise of streaming services and shortened second-run playing windows, we were extremely busy up until the sale of the Village shopping center. Now that it is official that we are closing, our regular customers have been sharing stories. For many of them, this was the theater they came to when they were growing up. For me, I will always think of it as my home away from home. I have nothing but pleasant memories from this place, and being a job that’s all someone could ask for.”

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