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The Clifton Center has partnered with Old National Bank and Strothman and Company to offer complimentary tickets for local students to attend select concerts that are part of the Center’s 2015-2016 Louisville Heritage Project. Students from 1st grade through college are invited to enjoy and discover musical and cultural traditions from different regions of the world and the U.S., from Latin America to Appalachia. In addition to free admittance to select concerts, participating students will receive a passport that will get stamped at each concert they attend, giving them a chance to earn a Clifton Center T-shirt.
Free tickets are available for the following concerts (more will be added, visit cliftoncenter.org for updates to the season):
Hot Rize – Friday, September 18
Cumbia All Stars and Trio Brasileiro – Sunday, September 27
Roland Dyens – Thursday, October 1
Dave Liebman – Wednesday, October 21
Eric Bibb and Corey Harris – Thursday, February 4
Dom Flemons – Thursday, March 3
To reserve free students tickets, visit www.CliftonCenter.org and use the promotional code: PASSPORT when checking out. Student status will be verified at Will Call when picking up tickets, and college students must present a valid ID. Students will receive their Passport at the first concert they attend. Tickets also available at the door, based on availability.
The Clifton Center also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Louisville Metro Government, Music Go Round, West Sixth Street Brewing Company, DD Williamson, Republic Bank, Carmichael’s Bookstore, 91.9 WFPK, and the Friends of the Clifton Center. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, also provides operating support to the Clifton Center with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Thunder, Derby, Travelling Events All Included on List
Courtesy: Kentuckytourism.com
Several events hosted in Louisville have received the honor of inclusion on the Top 100 Events in the United States 2015 list. At least two are Louisville-specific events, while others are events that are “just passing through.” Still more events have connections to Louisville and the Commonwealth – which just goes to show why My Old Kentucky Home is a great place to live.
Among Sporting Events, the Kentucky Derby ranked at number seven. The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports was edged out by heavyweight events such as the Super Bowl and the Daytona 500 race.
Also ahead of the Derby was another sporting event with Louisville and Kentucky connections: the NCAA Men’s Final Four. Last year, Kentucky made it to the Final Four in Indianapolis before being defeated, while Louisville was knocked out earlier in the tournament. The previous year, Louisville and Kentucky met in the Midwest Regional of the tournament and the year before that Louisville rose to the top to beat Michigan for the Championship title. Louisville, of course, also plays host to earlier rounds of the tournament.
In the Festivals, Parades & Holiday Events category, Louisville also got a nod for Thunder Over Louisville, which took 9th place in the category. The Derby Festival celebration ranked behind events including Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New Year’s Eve in Times Square, and Mardi Gras.
Under the heading of Political Events, ranked third (ahead of the State of the Union address) was the National Rifle Association Annual Meetings & Exhibits. Although the 2015 NRAAM event was held just down I-65 in Nashville, next year’s event will be held right here in Louisville at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Top honors in the Entertainment Industry Events category went to Comic-Con International and, although “the big show” is held in San Diego, Louisville does play host to it’s own versions of the show through FandomFest and the Derby City Comic Con.
View the full list of Top Events in the US at BizBash.com.
The 2015 Kentucky State Fair concluded its 111th edition on Sunday and, in the process, recorded a higher number of attendees than in recent years. This year’s event drew 601,672 visitors to the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is more than a 16% increase in attendance from the 515,937 visitors who attended the rain-soaked fair in 2014. This marks the sixth time in the last 10 years that attendance has exceeded 600,000. The attendance record was set in 1994 when 684,356 visitors passed through the fair gates.
Visitors to all 11 days of the Fair were rewarded with sunny skies and warm temperatures, minus any inclement weather, making the Turf Concert Series performances all well-attended. Along with the favorable weather helping with improved attendance figures, several new initiatives debuted this year that were geared toward making the Fair more accessible and affordable.
These included advanced discounted parking and admission tickets available for purchase at Kroger, Walmart, and online at Ticketmaster. Those riding TARC to the Fair, which nearly 1,000 visitors took advantage of, received half off of a regular-priced adult admission. The age for free child admission was raised from 3 to 5. Additionally, there were two “carload days” where $20 covered entry for an entire vehicle.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather over the duration of this year’s fair, and that was a big part of why we saw such a dramatic increase in attendance, along with several new discount programs offered for the first time,” said President and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe. “Once again the exhibitors and organizers of the Fair put on a world class demonstration of attractions, competitions and live performances that represent the best Kentucky has to offer.”
The 11-day event generated approximately $16.5 million in economic impact across the community and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and was responsible for creating hundreds of temporary jobs.
Next year’s Kentucky State Fair will be held August 18-28, 2016. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org. For highlights, photos, and more from the 2015 Kentucky State Fair, be sure to visit the Louisville Dispatch Facebook page.
The Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA) will host the 7th Annual Louisville Brewfest on Friday, September 25th from 4:00pm to 10:00pm at the Louisville Slugger Field, 401 East Main Street. The event is presented by BoomBozz Pizza & Taphouse and will feature independent local and regional beer, wine and bourbon, as well as food vendors and a silent auction. Admission is $5 which includes a souvenir cup. Attendees must be 21 or older to enjoy the beer, wine and bourbon. (Designated drivers get free admission.) VIP tickets are $45 and include access to exclusive beers, special gifts made by local artisans, and larger pours in a commemorative festival glass. For more info, visit www.keeplouisvilleweird.com.
In addition to sampling brews from 19 different local and regional breweries, festival goers will have the exclusive opportunity to taste a limited edition beer created especially for this event by Louisville’s Mayor Greg Fischer. Working with Goodwood Brewing Company, Mayor Fischer provided input on the recipe for an Irish Oatmeal Stout style beer, and he will participate in the brewing process at a media event on Friday, August 28th at 10am at Goodwood, 636 E. Main Street. Local musician Ben Sollee will also create his own variety of beer in collaboration with Apocalypse Brew Works that event attendees can sample.
Also new to the event this year will be an interactive activity where attendees can glue bottle caps and other items to an art piece to show their local love. Returning again is the “Brewseum”, a self-directed journey through the history of craft beer in Louisville, supported by demos and ‘how-to’ areas, created by Paul Young. An after party will also be hosted by The Haymarket Whiskey Bar, with free admission for Brewfest attendees.
Participating local brewers include Against the Grain, Akasha Brewing Company, Apocalypse Brew Works, Bluegrass Brewing Company, Cumberland Brewery, Falls City Beer, Goodwood Brewing Company, Monnik Brewing Company (formerly Beer Engine), New Albanian Brewing Company, and Sterling Beer. Guest brewers from the region include Central State Brewing Company from Indianapolis, Country Boy Brewing from Lexington, Eight Ball Brewing from Newport, Flat 12 Bierworks from Indianapolis, Kentucky Ale from Lexington, Rivertown Brewing Company from Cincinnati, Tin Man Brewing from Evansville, Upland from Bloomington and West 6th from Lexington. Locally made wines from Horseshoe Bend Vineyard & Winery, Old 502 Winery, Purple Toad Winery, and Smith-Berry Winery will also be available, as well as bourbon from Heaven Hill Distilleries.
The 7th Annual Louisville Brewfest is sponsored by Boombozz Pizza & Taphouse, Manny & Merle, Joella’s Hot Chicken, Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Heaven Hill Brands, Yellow Cab, The Haymarket Whiskey Bar, Buckhead Mountain Grill, Eclipse Bank, LEO Weekly, Louisville Magazine, Louisville.com, LouisvilleHotBytes.com, Nachbar, Abbey Road on the River, vo2 Multisport, WAKY radio, WFPK, Falls City Beer, Universal Linen, YELP Louisville, ValuMarket, Louisvillebeer.com, and Old 502 Winery.
There is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the final days of the 2015 Kentucky State Fair, which runs through this Sunday.
There is entertainment for everyone at the fair. Children (and kids at heart) will enjoy the performing animal acts like JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Challenge, Miller’s Border Collies, and Cuzzin’ Grumpy’s Porkchop Revue. Fair-goers looking for thrills will want to check acts like the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei or Team FMX.
Foodies looking for something interesting for their pallets may want to try a few of the many vendors that are selling unique items like the Philly Cheesesteak Doughnut Burger, a deep fried bacon-wrapped Oreo, or some traditional Kentucky favorites with a twist like the Hot Brown on a Stick or the deep fried Derby Pie. There are also cooking contests and demonstrations throughout the day as well. On Friday, there’s a Taste of Beef Challenge and Cast Iron Skillet competition. Those interested in farming will enjoy a walk through the Agriculture exhibits to see various fruits, vegetables, and grains that were grown throughout the state, including a pumpkin that weighs over 800 lbs.
Attendees interested in the performing arts won’t have to look far. Alumni and faculty of the Jefferson County Youth Performing Arts School are performing two different musicals celebrating the history of the Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation. Dance lovers will also be able to see cloggers, square dancers, and other forms of dancing during the fair daily.
For the animal lovers there are sheep, swine and beef cattle competitions daily and, on Sunday, there will be a draft horse and mule pull. For a more hands on experience with animals, there is the Discovery Farm in the exhibit hall where fair goers can see ducklings learning to swim, learn about dairy, and have a chance to see chickens hatch. The World’s Championship Horse Show is wrapping as well. Free seating is available in Freedom Hall starting at 9:00 AM in the Upper Level.
There is no shortage of musical entertainment either. Visitors to the 2015 Kentucky State Fair can visit any of the many venues placed throughout the grounds. There are a variety of bands playing all day that will surely suit everyone’s tastes. There are also concerts nightly in the Cardinal Stadium, many of them free with fair admission. Charlie Daniels with Colt Ford will be playing Friday at 8:00 PM and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts with Devour the Day will be playing at the same time on Saturday. Sunday at 8:00 PM Boyz II Men and Kool & The Gang will be playing. Tickets for this show can be purchased through Ticketmaster with prices ranging from $50 to $1800, which includes standard fair admission.
Be sure to check out our 2015 Kentucky State Fair album on Facebook for more photos of all the action.
Shawnee Park will have music, fun and the Annual Molly Leonard Awards
Shawnee Park will once again host a very special event in September designed to bring together families, friends, young and old as Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton and the District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Committee announce the 2015 Community Celebration set for Saturday, September 19th.
“Once a year, we want to bring everyone together who has helped make a difference in the district and honor those who have given their time and talent for the benefit of all,” says Hamilton (D-5). “It is a time to kick back and enjoy the last days of summer.”
The Celebration will be held at the Shawnee Park Amphitheater from 10:00am until dusk. A wide variety of sounds and other entertainment is planned and will be announced.
From 10:00am to 2:00pm Children’s Activities will be underway.
There will be a Custom Showcase Car Show all day
From 3:00pm to 8:00pm, there will local music and cultural talent featuring: Tony Fish, The Louisville Connection, The Unlimited Show Band, Maestro J, Mike B, and Roots and Wings.
The highlight of the Celebration is always the Annual Molly Leonard Community Service Awards. The Awards are presented to salute many dedicated volunteers in the District 5 Community.
Molly Leonard was a well-respected and dedicated community activist and leader in the Portland neighborhood for many years and began volunteering in the community at the age of 13 who was well known and well-loved by the people of Portland. In 2014, The Portland Community Center was renamed in her honor.
“There are many volunteers who deserve our thanks for taking the time and effort to help others and our community,” says Hamilton. “These awards are our way of showing our thanks and gratitude for all they do.”
If you wish to nominate someone for a Molly Leonard Community Service Award, the deadline is September 4th to submit their name and bio to the Councilwoman’s office.
“The important thing to remember is this Celebration is a time to relax. So come enjoy yourself, kick back with your friends as the days cool down and enjoy the sounds of Jazz, R&B, and the spoken word,” says Hamilton.
The Celebration is also looking for vendors of all kinds including food, crafts, information , nonprofit and community groups and other. If you are a vendor or would like to volunteer to help with all the fun, contact Councilwoman Hamilton’s office at 574-1105 or email myra.friend-ellis@louisvilleky.gov.
Event set for tomorrow at Southwest YMCA
Councilmen Rick Blackwell (D-12) and David Yates (D-25) have a special night planned to help kick off the new school year for students. The Back to School Bash is set for Friday, August 21st from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Southwest YMCA.
“As an educator, I know the importance of starting the new school year on a positive note,” says Blackwell. “I am excited to again partner with the Southwest YMCA to host this celebration for our students and their families.”
The Back to School Bash will feature swimming, food and fun; and it’s all free. There will be inflatables, group fitness demonstrations and swim time at the Y’s pool. Mad Science will be on hand for kids to make their own slime and cotton candy.
“This is a great family event that helps our children ease into the new school year as the summer winds down,” says Yates. “It is also an opportunity to explore the many programs offered by the Southwest YMCA and how it serves our community year round.”
For Safety reasons the Southwest YMCA has the following rules in place:
- Family appropriate swim wear must be worn in the swimming pool. A white t-shirt can be worn on top of suit for women and as a shirt for men if you choose. Cut-offs or shorts will not be permitted as swim wear in the pool.
- Minimum of one adult per child in the pool for children 6 and under.
- One parent required to stay in pool area (not necessarily in the water) for children 7 and older.
- Children 7 and older who want to swim in the deep end will be required to take a swim safety test.
- This is a family event—an adult must stay with the children—no drop offs.
Pizza, drinks, and cookies will be provided by Metro Council Districts 12 and 25.
The Southwest YMCA is located at 2800 Fordhaven Road, just off of St. Anthony Church Road. The event is free and no reservations or YMCA membership are required.
If you would like more information about the Back to School Bash, contact Councilman Blackwell’s office at 574-1112 or Councilman Yates’ office at 574-1125.
