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SubscribeDon’t Miss the Last Day of the 2017 ComicCon in Louisville
The first two full days of vendors, panels, and celebrity guests at Fandomfest 2017 are over, but there is still one more day to head out to the ComicCon. The event has met with some challenges this year, but if they are preventing anyone – aside from several celebrity cancellations – from coming out to the event, it isn’t showing. The aisles and meeting rooms of the Jefferson Mall Event Center, formerly Macy’s, are packed with attendees, costumed and otherwise. Although the venue change was last minute, the new location offers many conveniences that were not previously available such as ample free parking and more affordable food options on site.
Attendees so far have been treated to a wide array of events, including a very interactive (and hilarious) Q&A session with Matthew Lillard, a trailer for an independent Star Wars film that will raise money for Norton’s Children’s hospital, Q&A panels with Paul Michael Glaser, Sean Gunn, and Brian Cummings, as well as more educational panels to help new authors, artists, and cosplayers, and much more.
There are plenty of vendors from all across the region sharing their art, books, toys, comics, memorabilia, costume pieces, and many other wares. If you walk around long enough, you may even see amazingly detailed, fully functional R2D2 or BB8 droids wandering the aisles, courtesy of the R2D2 and BB8 Builders Clubs.
Today marks the last day of the three day event and there is stilt plenty to see and do. There are more Q&A sessions including actors from the Kill Bill series, discussions about female superheroes, Supernatural, Star Wars, and Attack on Titan, a chance to see the aforementioned Star Wars trailer, and a children’s cosplay contest. Doors open at 11:00 AM. Continue reading
Louisville Metro Animal Services expected its Pay It Forward free adopton promotion to last about a month, but Louisvillians proved LMAS wrong! Six months later, the free adoption promotion is still going strong, thanks to Jefferson County’s compassionate animal lovers who continue to pay it forward.
The free adoption promotion got underway in January when LMAS offered $1,000 worth of free adoptions. LMAS asked adopters to pay it forward with donations to help cover adoption fees of other shelter pets. LMAS promised to continue offering free adoptions until the money ran out. Today, the Pay It Forward free adoption promotion is still going strong, thanks to those who continue to donate!
As a result, more than 400 additional animals have been adopted, compared to year-to-date 2016, in which 150 animals were adopted! LMAS hopes to continue this life-saving promotion indefinitely. Continued support from compassionate community members gives LMAS hope that this goal will become a reality.
Help save a shelter pet today and pay it forward! Click here to make a donation to LMAS’ non-profit fundraising entity, Friends of Metro Animal Services. FOMAS is dedicated to saving animals’ lives. Help them help the shelter pets of LMAS!
Pay It Forward FREE adoptions include vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery and microchip. All cats (6 mos. or older) and dogs (40 lbs. or more) are free. Puppies and kittens are not included in the Pay It Forward FREE adoption promotion. The promotion is meant to encourage the adoption of animals who are often overlooked in the shelter.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Nature-based adventure will be the focus of Metro Parks and Recreation programming during the West Louisville Appreciation Days in Shawnee Park, when the department’s Jefferson Memorial Forest and Natural Areas Division and its partners will offer a variety of outdoor fun for youth and adults alike.
Kids will have the opportunity to canoe, fish ride bikes, navigate a climbing wall and engage in archery free of charge on Saturday, July 29, from 1-5 p.m.
The programming is part of the Louisville Outdoor Recreation Initiative, which would create new recreational amenities in West Louisville, including the proposed Shawnee Outdoor Learning Center, which would be operated by the Metro Parks and Recreation’s Natural Areas Division.
From 2-4 p.m., the Outdoor Learning Center’s consultant team will be on hand to educate residents about the two sites within Shawnee Park that are being considered. Feedback gathered at the event will be used to determine site selection.
“Please come out and lend your voice to this initiative,” said Bennett Knox, Administrator for the Natural Areas Division. “This will create new and exciting opportunities for youth and families from across west Louisville to experience the outdoors close to home.”
For more information on the West Louisville Outdoor Recreation Initiative, please click here.
Fandomfest 2017 is ready to kick off tomorrow afternoon at the Jefferson Mall on Outer Loop. The event, which draws fans of many genres from sci-fi and horror to comic books and literary works to anime and other art. 2017 marks the 12th year for the event, which started out as Fright Night in 2005.
Fandomfest runs from July 28 through 30 at the Jefferson Mall Event Space which many may remember as the former Macy’s. Doors are open 4PM to 10PM Friday, 10AM to 7PM Saturday with after-hours events until 2AM, and 11AM to the 4PM close of the show on Sunday. This marks the third home for Fandomfest in as many years after the event moved from the downtown Kentucky International Convention Center due to construction and from the Kentucky Exposition Center due to contract issues.
The new venue brings two floors of vendors, celebrity appearances, fan group meetings, gaming activities and – in a welcome change from previous years – ample free parking for attendees and easy access to shopping and dining opportunities.
The 2017 Fandomfest features celebrities such as Matthew Lillard; Netflix hit Stranger Things’ Peyton Wich (Troy); Flash Gordon’s Sam Jones; Rogue One’s Princess Leia, Ingvild Deila; Original Starsky, Paul Michael Glaser, WWE stars Sting and Al Snow, along with many other voice, television, and movie actors, authors, artists, and more. A partial list of appearances is available on the Fandomfest website.
In addition to celebrity appearances, meet and greets, Q&A sessions, the event also plays host to a large marketplace where collectors can find both new and vintage toys, artwork, novels and more. On top of that, there are numerous panels that discuss topics like Science in Comics, games like Fandom Jeopardy, competitions like the Cosplay Contest, and helpful sessions like Writing Tips for Genre Writing. Attendees looking to relax can even participate in some free retro gaming sessions.
Find full schedules, hours, panels, and more in the official Fandomfest app for iOS and Android or on the event website, fandomfest.com.
Tickets are available at the event box office (cash only) and in advance online starting at $30.
Neighborhood Place and numerous community partners will offer seven back to school events in July and early August. These events will provide free school supplies while supplies last as well as a wide range of services and resources to help local youth and families be better prepared for the start of school year.
The bulk of the supplies and funding for these events comes from area businesses, churches, schools and individual donors. To learn more about specific activities, eligibility and other requirements, please refer to list below:
July 27, Back to School Festival at Valley High School, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 10200 Dixie Highway. For more information call 363-1483. This annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school. School supplies and backpacks will be provided while supplies last to families that participate in three, ten-minute ‘mini-trainings’. Over twenty presenters and more than forty vendors will be at the event plus mascots and lots of hands on fun to help everyone “Unlock Your Superhero Powers”. Sponsored by South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, Cane Run Neighborhood Place, Louisville Metro Department of Resilience and Community Services, South Jefferson Community Partnership, Drug-Free Communities Grant, area JCPS schools, Kidz Club, Kosair Charities, Fairdale Christian Church, Fairdale First Baptist Church and Valley View Church.
Aug. 3, Back To School Festival at the Academy at Shawnee, 1 – 4 p.m.
Located at 4018 West Market St. For more information call 485-7230. This annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school. School supplies and backpacks will be provided while supplies last. JCPS Family Youth Resource Center Coordinators will complete CAP referrals for families needing clothing and uniform assistance. This event is sponsored in collaboration with the ESL Newcomer Academy, The Kidz Club, Service for Peace, Jefferson County Public Schools Family Youth Service Centers, KentuckyOne Health, Northwest Neighborhood Place and Louisville Metro Department of Resilience and Community Services.
August 4, Back to School Festival at Cochran Elementary School, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 500 West Gaulbert Ave. For more information call 634-6050. This annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school. School supplies and backpacks will be provided while supplies last to families that visit at least 10 vendor booths. The Smile Academy of Kentucky will provide cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants for children 2-18 years of age. Walgreens will be administering flu shots for children 9 years and older and limited immunizations for children 14 and over. Also Quality Care for Kids will provide on-site vision and hearing exams. Sponsored by Bridges of Hope, Neighborhood Place, Louisville Metro Department of Resilience and Community Services, JCPS, and Bridges of Hope Community Council.
Aug 5, Back to School Event at Meyzeek Middle School, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 828 S. Jackson St. Call 574-6638 for more information. Open to students kindergarten through high school. Free backpacks with essential school supplies for the coming year will be distributed while supplies last. Your child must be present to receive school supplies. Smile Academy will provide free dental screenings. Many other local community venders and agencies will be in the gym to provide information for families. Families may complete a CAP referral during the event as well for clothing and uniform assistance. Sponsored by Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services and area JCPS schools.
August 5, Back to School Distribution at Southwick Community Center, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 3621 Southern Ave. Call 485-6710 for more information. The annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school. JCPS Family Youth Resource Center Coordinators will complete CAP referrals for families needing clothing and uniform assistance. School supplies will be distributed (while supplies last) and other helpful resources will be available. Sponsored in part by Ujima Neighborhood Place and Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services, JCPS’ Family Youth Service Centers and several community collaborative partners.
Aug. 10, Back to School Festival at Olmsted Academy North, 1 – 7 p.m.
Located at 4530 Bellevue Ave. Call 313-4089 for more information. Open to all students in grades Kindergarten through high school. Free backpacks, school supplies and health and hygiene products will be provided while supplies last. Educational and community resources will be available to help offer a strong start to the new school year. The festival will also include vision and hearing screenings, blood pressure and diabetes checks, clothing assistance referrals and more. Lunch will be provided for children and adults. Sponsored by South Central Neighborhood Place, Diamond Cluster MC, Olmsted Academy North and South YSC, Kenwood Elementary FRC, Hazelwood Elementary FRC, Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services, and Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital.
Aug 12, Back to School Festival at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 1501 Rangeland Rd. Call 313-4498 or 313-4700 for more information. This annual event is open to families with children in kindergarten through high school. Free backpacks and grade-appropriate school supplies (while supplies last) will be provided. Free lunches will be served to kids by JCPS Nutrition Services. Your child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. A Community Resource Fair will include diabetes and blood pressure checks, YMCA program, voter registration, library services and lots of fun and music. Event sponsored in part by First Neighborhood Place, area JCPS schools, and Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services.
Travis Wall has been nominated for a stunning 7th consecutive Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Choreography’ for his groundbreaking work on the popular FOX television show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. He was the Emmy winner in 2015. He is nominated this year for routines ‘Send In The Clowns,’ ‘The Mirror’ and ‘She Used To Be Mine’. Fellow nominees are Derek Hough, Fred Tallaksen, and Mandy Moore, who was nominated twice. The Emmy Award winners will be announced on the 68th Annual Emmy Awards Show, September 17 on CBS.
Travis Wall has become a leading presence in the world of commercial dance. His dance company Shaping Sound this year launched their second show After The Curtain, following the spell-binding Dance Reimagined which toured North America for four years.
Shaping Sound After The Curtain will play Louisville’s historic Brown Theatre (315 W. Broadway, Louisville 40202) on Sunday, November 5.
Tickets are on sale now through The Kentucky Center Ticket Service online, by phone at 502.584.7777, and at the box office (501 W. Main Street, Louisville 40202).
After The Curtain has received rave reviews, including the Los Angeles Times, who recently wrote: “Like a good film scene, this dance spectacle lingers after the curtain falls.” And TheaterJones Dallas, who called the show “Overwhelmingly beautiful,” adding: “Seeing the show once isn’t enough to fully register the vastness of the production.”
According to Triangle Magazine, “After The Curtain is the pinnacle of contemporary dance!” Conceived and choreographed by Travis Wall, the show tells the story of a man fighting to find his creative voice after the death of his one true love. Heart-wrenching, breath-taking, and ultimately uplifting, this is one dance show that audiences will remember forever. Travis Wall will be dancing in the show throughout the tour schedule, and he will be joined by his Shaping Sound co-founders Teddy Forance and Nick Lazzarini.
Travis Wall was the runner-up for the Fox reality show So You Think You Can Dance Season 2, and is currently a resident choreographer for the national dance competition show. He choreographed the music video for Carrie Underwood’s “Something In The Water”, which won the CMT Video of the Year, as well as stage shows for Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato. Additional TV credits include choreographing the 82nd Academy Awards, Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary Special on ABC, the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and an episode of Pretty Little Liars featuring Maddie Ziegler. Feature Film credits include choreography for The Wedding Ringer starring Kevin Hart and the contemporary numbers for the feature film Step Up Revolution. He had the privilege of working with First Lady Michelle Obama on her Let’s Move campaign, creating the GimmeFive routine that was performed on Ellen and at The White House. Travis teaches with NUVO Dance Convention.
Advance tickets and parking for the 2017 Kentucky State Fair are now discounted and on sale at:
- Kentucky State Fair’s new app now through midnight Aug. 16, app is available on Google Play and the App Store.
- www.ticketforce.com now through midnight Aug. 16.
- Participating Kroger locations now through 10 p.m. Aug. 16.
Save with each advance ticket purchased.
Ticket Advance After Aug. 16
Adult $7 $10
Child (6-12)* $7 $10
Senior $7 $10
Parking $5 $10
*Children 5 and under are free.