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Championship Tractor Pulls Each Day

The 53rd National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) kicked off it’s annual 4-day stretch yesterday at the Kentucky Exposition Center.  At the show, more than 850 exhibitors and displays – from well-recognized names such as John Deere, Case IH, Mahindra, Blaster, and Perdue to upcoming companies – introduce attendees to the latest products as well as established staples in the agriculture industry.

If visitors to the NFMS are not in the market for new farm implements, the Gifts and Craft Market, located in the South Wing upper Mezzanine level, features everything from farm toys and locally made confections to belt buckles and mattresses. The Market is open during show hours.

In addition to visiting with the vendors at the show, visitors are invited to attend free seminars and television program tapings that cover everything from how to improve growing methods to the latest marketing trends in the industry.

Free programs are available at the show, with information also available in the free show app.

Doors open at 9AM each day of the show, which closes at 6PM daily. While admission to the show is free, Kentucky Exposition Center parking is $8 per vehicle at the gates. Concessions are available onsite from many different places, including a variety of Kentucky raised products.

Following the NFMS each evening, visitors can stick around and witness the noise and excitement of the Annual Championship Tractor Pull sponsored by Sygenta. Spectators will see competitors from across North American in a variety of trucks and tractors – from souped up farm diesels to alcohol burners to specially-built monster machines featuring multiple V-8 engines bolted together on a frame – dragging a weighted sled down the dirt track to see who can pull it the farthest.

The associated Championship Tractor Pull celebrates its golden anniversary this year, marking 50 years of massive horsepower. The event starts each night of the NFMS at 7PM with an additional competition on Saturday at noon. Admission to the Championship Tractor Pull is not included with the NFMS. Tickets may be purchased online with prices starting at $20. Parking for the pull is also $8, but if you are already at the NFMS, you do not need to pay it again unless you leave and come back. It is recommended that visitors bring ear protection, as some of the pulling machines are very loud.

During show hours, visitors interested in the machines being featured in the truck and tractor pull can stop by Broadbent Arena to see the trucks and tractors up close and have the chance to meet some of the drivers.

If you’re looking for some family fun to be had this weekend, be sure to stop by the National Farm Machinery Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

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Photo: Actors Theatre of Louisville

Actors Theatre of Louisville is proud to announce the 2018—2019 Season, beginning in September. Artistic Director Les Waters introduces the lineup, “In the coming season, we examine identity and ask ‘Who are we and how did we get here?’ We are delighted to welcome back Lucas Hnath with his witty and electrifying A Doll’s House, Part 2 and Dominique Morisseau with Pipeline, her incisive and heartfelt look at education and the responsibilities of being a parent. We are proud to produce the Broadway hit The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, both a thrilling ‘whodunnit’ and ‘who am I?.’ In the acclaimed Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, Mr. Felder examines the life of immigrant and American legend Irving Berlin through song and story. It’s 2018, and together we’ll ask ‘who are you and how did you become who you are now?’”

Managing Director Kevin E. Moore adds, “The strength of this lineup speaks to the dedication and passion Les has for this organization and this community. Since Les announced his departure in October, he’s worked closely with the theatre’s artistic team to program the upcoming season. We are honored to work alongside him through this year’s Humana Festival of New American Plays and will look forward to welcoming him back to Louisville as a guest artist in the future.”

Actors Theatre kicks off the Brown-Forman Series with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, beginning September 18, 2018, directed by Associate Artistic Director Meredith McDonough. The Tony Award-winning play, based on the popular novel by Mark Haddon, is a masterful portrait of fifteen-year-old Christopher, a mathematics prodigy who is autistic. Simon Stephens’ script is as much a mystery as it is an evocative coming-of-age story.

Obie Award-winning playwright and Humana Festival alumnus Lucas Hnath’s work takes the stage in Louisville once again with A Doll’s House, Part 2, which imagines protagonist Nora’s return 15 years after the final, iconic moments of Henrik Ibsen’s seminal masterpiece A Doll’s House. In what The New Yorker called Hnath’s “strongest yet,” Nora and the Helmer family grapple with “the compromises we all make for comfort, and the faith required to make a change” (TheaterMania). Pirronne Yousefzadeh will direct in the intimate Victor Jory Theatre, with performances beginning October 2, 2018.

Dominique Morisseau’s Pipeline thrusts audiences into the classroom in this wrenching portrayal of a mother and son wrestling with the American education system’s “school-to-prison pipeline” for men of color. The New York Times calls Morisseau “a playwright of piercing eloquence,” as Louisville audiences discovered during last year’s production of Skeleton Crew. Pipeline will begin performances beginning January 8, 2019 in the Bingham Theatre.

In the Pamela Brown Auditorium, consummate showman Hershey Felder takes the stage as Irving Berlin. Featuring beloved standards like “God Bless America,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “White Christmas,” Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin melds song and story in a love letter to the man whose work continues to define the great American songbook. The production, directed by Trevor Hay, begins January 29, 2019.

Actors Theatre will celebrate the holidays with Louisville’s favorite traditions: Fifth Third Bank’s Dracula, adapted by William McNulty, September 7—October 31, 2018, and Fifth Third Bank’s A Christmas Carol, adapted by Barbara Field, November 20—December 23, 2018. Last year’s sold-out production of Joe Mantello’s adaptation of David Sedaris’s hilarious The Santaland Diaries is back by popular demand. Associate Artistic Director Meredith McDonough will once again direct the irreverent audience favorite in the Victor Jory Theatre, November 15—December 23, 2018.

The 2018-2019 Season will culminate in the 43rd Humana Festival of New American Plays, March 1—April 7, 2019. The Festival is a world-renowned event, and an opportunity to see groundbreaking, brand-new work by American theatre’s most talented playwrights. The Festival is underwritten by the Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Humana, Inc. The 43rd Humana Festival lineup will be announced in November, 2018.

The 2018-2019 Season is generously supported by Brown-Forman, the official season sponsor, with additional support from Fund for the Arts, the Kentucky Arts Council and Yum! Brands, which supports the student matinee series.

2018-2019 Season Ticket Packages are on sale now, with 6- and 8-Play Brown-Forman Series Season Ticket Packages starting at just $130. Brown-Forman Season Ticket Holders receive a host of benefits including free admission to exciting Actors Theatre events, 30% off additional ticket purchases and discounted parking. Packages are also available for seniors, educators and individuals 35 years of age and under. Single tickets for Fifth Third Bank’s Dracula and A Christmas Carol as well as The Santaland Diaries will go on sale on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, and the entire 2018-2019 Season will go on sale on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. Actors Theatre’s Box Office is located at 316 West Main Street, Louisville, KY, 40202, and can be reached by calling 502.584.1205.

Actors Theatre is committed to making the theatre going experience accessible to everyone and offers open caption and audio-described performances throughout the season. Large print programs and assistive listening devices are also available at every performance. For a full performance schedule and more information about Actors Theatre’s access services, visit ActorsTheatre.org/your-visit/accessibility.

On Saturday, March 10, Music Director, Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra bring award winning bluegrass fiddler, Michael Cleveland, and his band Flamekeeper to the LO Pops at The Kentucky Center. Along with Michael Cleveland + Flamekeeper hits like “Lonesome Desert” (featured on Cleveland’s most recent solo album Fiddler’s Dream), and the band’s unique take on Julian Lennon’s hit “Too Late for Goodbyes,” Teddy Abrams has also included two dance episodes of Aaron Copland’s Rodeo and Jeremy Kittel’s Pando in the mix.

Tickets for Michael Cleveland + Flamekeeper with the LO Pops range from $27 – $85 and are available by calling 502.584.7777 or online at LouisvilleOrchestra.org.

Michael Cleveland + Flamekeeper make their debut with orchestra. Their hard-driving traditional bluegrass is joins the orchestra in a concert that promises to be an amazing evening of music. Michael Cleveland grew up in Henderson, Indiana, and calls Southern Indiana his home. Now only in his mid-30s, Cleveland is one of the most acclaimed bluegrass fiddle player in the world!

Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart is bringing Disney•Pixar’s record-breaking animated feature Finding Dory to the ice for the first time in this live production produced by Feld Entertainment. The ice skating extravaganza featuring Disney

Photo: KFC Yum! Center

Pixar’s Inside Out, Disney’s Frozen and other beloved Disney stories visits Louisville from April 5 to 8 for five performances at KFC Yum! Center.  Tickets go on sale Tuesday, February 13.

Just keep swimming with Dory, Nemo, Marlin and new pal Hank from Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory as they embark on a life-changing excursion to find her parents and discover the true meaning of family.

Cheer with the Emotions from Disney Pixar’s Inside Out –Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust– as they help Riley find the confidence to win the hockey championship and experience the emotional rollercoaster of growing up.

Venture to wintery world of Arendelle where Olaf and Kristoff help reunite royal sisters Anna and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen and learn love is the most powerful magic of all.

See Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana and the Disney Princesses make their dreams come true through their virtues of bravery, kindness and perseverance. And celebrate true friendship with Buzz Lightyear, Woody and The Toy Story gang. Make unforgettable memories with Mickey, Minnie and all your Disney friends when Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart skates into your hometown!

Tickets for Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart start at $18. All seats are reserved, and tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster, (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Date and Time of Performances at KFC Yum! Center:

  • Thursday, April 5 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, April 6 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 7 – 1:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 7 – 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 8 – 1:00 p.m.

Photo: Louisville Metro Council

It is a unique event designed to spotlight up and coming talent of Louisville’s young people in all areas of the arts while encouraging opportunities for a better future.

Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) and the Yearlings Club have joined together to present “Louisville Has Talent and Opportunity” Showcase to the community on Saturday, February 10th at the Kentucky African American Heritage Center.

“As a way to celebrate the beginning of Black History Month, this will be a great event to showcase the talents of our young people and encourage them to continue pursuing their dreams,” says Hamilton. “Our goal is to bring together many different groups and agencies to show young people what opportunities lie ahead in various fields from the arts, education and business areas.”

In one area of the Heritage Center, the event will showcase young people in a variety of arts ranging from Rhythm & Blues music to Gospel, Stand Up Comedy to Poetry and Dance, a variety of arts beginning at 1:00pm.

“This is an opportunity and example to go in a different direction for some and a continued enhanced direction for others,” says Mike Roberson of the Yearlings Club. “So come out Feb 10th and bring a young person with you.”

Beginning at 10:00am, the Heritage Center will also host Opportunity Vendors such as the University of Louisville, Simmons College of KY, the Kentucky Youth Career Center (a division of JCPS), the Louisville Urban League, the Metropolitan Sewer District, the Louisville division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Edwards Jones Internship program.

The event will bring a host of local businesses, organizations and activities like Voter Registration, the Metro United Way and the Better Business Bureau to provide additional information on each groups program.

The Kentucky African American Heritage Center is located at 1701 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.

Admission to the “Louisville Has Talent and Opportunity” Showcase is free and will run from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

For more information contact: Councilwoman Hamilton’s office at 574-1105.

Viewers have embraced NBC’s This Is Us, a show that celebrates human connection and the power of family. Fans of all ages overwhelmingly relate to the humor, depth, and vibrancy that Chrissy Metz brings to playing “Kate Pearson” on the beloved series.

This spring, join Chrissy on her This Is Me Tour for an evening of honest conversation about life and its lessons – featuring real advice, tough love, and shared moments of are-you-kidding-me, I-wish-I-was laughter. Chrissy will share the struggles and triumphs of her life, and invites you to join her on a journey toward self-acceptance, embracing the lives we want and deserve.

he Kentucky Center Presents

CHRISSY METZ – THIS IS ME Tour

Friday, April 6, 8 p.m.

The Kentucky Center, Bomhard Theater

Each ticket includes a copy of Chrissy Metz’s memoir, This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today. 

Tickets go on sale to the public through The Kentucky Center Ticket Service on Friday, February 9, at 10 a.m., online, by phone (584-7777), and at The Kentucky Center box office (501 W. Main).  Standard tickets start at $50, reserved seating, fees apply. VIP Experience tickets are $95, and include priority seating, the book, and a Meet & Greet plus photo opportunity.

Louisville Parks and Recreation has been selected to receive $25,000 as part of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge (the Challenge) Spotlight Award. Ten winners and five honorable mentions were selected for their ability to address the need to improve opportunities for all Americans – regardless of income, education or ethnic background – to take an active role in healthy living.

Jefferson Memorial Forest, and its award-winning ECHO (Engaging Children Outdoors) has been highlighted as a Spotlight Award winner for identifying creative partnerships and enacting sustainable and replicable programs that address the unique health issues facing Louisville. The goal of Louisville ECHO is to create opportunities in west Louisville where every resident has access to a safe and healthy environment that increases physical activity, reduces stress, and leads to healthier lives through outdoor recreation and environmental education and stewardship.
Louisville ECHO began in 2008 with seed funding from the U.S. Forest Service to provide multiple nature experiences for 4th grade students at three Title I public schools in west Louisville.

With Louisville Metro support; the continued support of the U.S. Forest Service; multi-sector partners such as the Metro Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness and YouthBuild Louisville; and funding partners, including the Aetna Foundation and Wilderness Louisville, Inc. Louisville ECHO has expanded to include multiple complementary components providing meaningful nature experiences for nearly 2,500 youth annually across multiple ages.

“On behalf of our staff and volunteers at Jefferson Memorial Forest, we thank the Aetna Foundation, APHA, and NaCo for this award in support our efforts to sustain and grow Louisville ECHO,” said Bennett Knox, parks administrator for Jefferson Memorial Forest. “We appreciate this award as it recognizes multi-sector and multi-partner nature of Louisville ECHO whereby all involved are working towards the same goal of creating a healthier, more vibrant, community through access to nature within our urban core.”

 

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