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Photo: Kentucky Derby Museum
The Kentucky Derby Museum’s multi-million dollar expansion project is officially underway after a groundbreaking ceremony today in the Museum’s garden terrace. The project will add over 11,000 square feet of brand new space to the Museum. It also includes the renovation of 5,000 square feet of existing space. It will be the largest expansion of the Museum’s footprint since the building was constructed in 1985 and one of the largest renovations since a major refurbishing project following damaging flooding in 2009.
The expansion will provide a greater visitor experience for guests with an emphasis on new exhibit space, featuring the collection of legendary trainer, D. Wayne Lukas. It also creates space to display key pieces of the Bill Shoemaker collection, which has been housed in the Museum’s archives for many years. The expanded second floor will also include additional meeting and rental space. The Museum will build an entirely new third floor within the expansion footprint to house administrative offices, a large conference room and storage areas.
On the ground level, a new stable will house the Museum’s resident Thoroughbred and companion horse. The area will include seating for educational programming. It also features more than 7,400 square feet of covered space that can be set for various events, including outdoor weddings, dinners, parties and more. With the addition of the new rental space, the Museum will be able to accommodate much larger groups for special events.
Construction will begin this month and will include the demolition of the stable, the relocation of the Finish Line pole and the removal of more than 3,000 square feet of pavers. Major construction work inside the Museum will get underway following Kentucky Derby 144.
“We’ve seen the number of visitors coming through our doors growing consistently, reaching 230,000 in 2017. Building off that momentum, we wanted to create something that would take the Museum to the next level and offer a truly outstanding experience to our guests as we showcase the extraordinary event that is the Kentucky Derby, “Kentucky Derby Museum President and CEO Patrick Armstrong said.
The Museum will remain open to visitors during the entire duration of the project. The expansion will be completed by November, in time for the 2018 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs Racetrack. Following the groundbreaking ceremony, Kentucky Derby Museum employees gave Winston, the Museum’s miniature horse for 22 years, a fond farewell as he headed off into retirement at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky. With a final victory lap through the Museum, Winston made his way out the Museum’s front doors for the last time as employees and well-wishers cheered him on his way!
Winston came to the Kentucky Derby Museum at two years old, in the fall of 1995. He’s been the companion horse to more than 30 resident Thoroughbreds, including three horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby, Perfect Drift, Phantom on Tour and Twinspired, as well as Kentucky Derby 135 winner, Mine that Bird.
He’s also thrown out the first pitch at the Louisville Bats game, helped Churchill Downs pick the Derby winner ahead of the race, supported many charitable organizations around town and performed more than ten marriage proposals with his “Will You Marry Me?” blanket!
The Muhammad Ali Center’s fifth annual international photography contest and exhibition, Shining a Light, opens to the public on March 8th, International Women’s Day. The theme of this year’s exhibition, Experiences of Refugee Women, illustrates the innumerable issues of rights and justice that these women face every day through a prolific look at their lives before and after resettlement. The exhibit features images of women from ten refugee groups: Rohingya, Syrian, Kurdish, Sarhawi, Ahmadiyyan, Afghan, Bhutanese, Iraqi, Congolese, and Somali.
Informed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Women’s Refugee Commission, the photographic submissions were asked to depict one or more of the following issues as they pertain to Refugee Women’s lived experiences:
- Gender-Based Violence
- Livelihoods
- Education
- Rights and Justice
- Sexual and Reproductive Health
The Center corroborated with Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM) on the text for this exhibit to ensure that the information disseminated is accurate and effective. Inspired by Muhammad Ali’s core principles, Respect & Giving, the Center’s programming related to Global Citizenship aims to inspire to act locally and to think and behave globally. Visitors will learn how they can support refugee women, like those featured in the exhibit, in Louisville and on a global scale.
Shining a Light, featuring 35 photos, will be on display at the Ali Center from March 8 to June 24, 2018. The cost of the exhibit is included in regular admission pricing.
The Center received 75 entries from 14 countries. The photos were judged by a panel entirely made up of women in order to create a unique perspective for the exhibit.
Top entries include: “Rohingya Refugee Exodus” by KM Asad, Bangladesh; “She Never Cry” by Afriadi Hikmal, Indonesia; “An Innocent Smile of Rohingya Girl” by Sohel Parvez Hague, Bangladesh.
This month, people who travel Dixie Highway had the chance to see detailed plans for the $35 million New Dixie Highway Project and offer their feedback.
Dozens attended an open house at Shively Community Center on Feb. 15, 2018, to talk with project leaders about construction plans, bus design, ramp improvements and more. In addition to the open house, project leaders continue to gather input with an online feedback form.
New Dixie Highway Project is designed to create transportation and safety improvements along the busy roadway. The project will concentrate on three major areas of improvement:
- Roadway safety and design improvements, including raised medians and left-hand-only turn lanes, along the most congested and dangerous section (Crums Lane to Greenwood Road). Project Map (PDF)
- The region’s first bus rapid transit route, with eight priority buses and three dozen highly visible stations that will improve travel times for both transit riders and motorists. Bus Route Details (PDF)
- A new Intelligent Transportation System that will improve and coordinate traffic signal timing along the entire corridor.
Construction on the project began in December, and is expected to conclude in December 2019. It’s the first major project under Mayor Greg Fischer’s MOVE Louisville initiative, which seeks to modernize and improve transportation across the metro area. The project is fueled by a combination of federal, state and local funds.
For more information:
There’s a full line-up of events open to the public at the Kentucky Exposition Center the first weekend in March. From remodeling your dream home to watching a demolition derby, there’s something for everyone March 2-4.
- Louisville Home, Garden and Remodeling Show – March 2-4 The Home, Garden & Remodeling Show presented by Champion Windows is the largest home show in the state and one of the largest in the nation. More than 350 vendors participate each year and the show includes entertaining features and informative seminars. For more information, visit www.louisvillehomeshow.com.
- Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo – March 2-4 The Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo includes 12 different breed shows and sales as well as junior competition, judging competition and a trade show. For more information, visit http://kybeefexpo.com/index.htm.
- Kentucky Crafted: The Market – March 2-4 The Kentucky Crafted Market is the Kentucky Arts Council’s premier event of Kentucky artistry produced each year. The show features the highest quality art, craft, literature, music, film and food found in the state. For more information, visit http://artscouncil.ky.gov/KAC/Showcasing/Event_Market.htm.
- NDDA Presents the 3rd Annual Bluegrass Bash – March 3 Bluegrass Bash is bringing the car-crunching action of the demolition derby to Freedom Hall. More than 160 drivers will compete car-against-car until the last four cars still running are declared the winners. For more information, visit http://www.nationaldemoderby.com.
- Cheer Derby – March 3-4 Cheer Derby is a family fun and high energy all-star cheerleading competition. For more information, visit https://www.cheerderby.com.
Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle and $20 per bus. For more information about the Kentucky Exposition, visit www.kyexpo.org.
The Beargrass Creek Greenway trail, in its entirety, is closed indefinitely due to the recent flooding event in Louisville.
Floodwaters and flash flooding have damaged – and even washed away – major portions of the paved bicycle path.
A major section of the trail has already been closed since last summer due to an MSD basin project and is scheduled to be closed through 2019. A map of the previous closure can be found here.
There is no timetable currently available on repairs or when the path will re-open.
The Muhammad Ali Center will be closed to visitors until Tuesday, March 6th, due to the Ohio River’s historic flooding.
Rising water levels within the city-owned parking garage and elevator pits have forced the Ali Center to shut down power to its elevators. Once the flooding recedes, the Ali Center will need adequate time to clean and evaluate the safety and integrity of the elevators. There is no reported damage to the Ali Center at this time.
Donald Lassere, President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center, said, “The safety of the Ali Center’s visitors and employees is of the utmost importance to us, so we appreciate the public’s understanding and patience as we continue to monitor the effects that Ohio River flooding is having on our facility and the PARC garage.”
Visit alicenter.org for updates and information about the modified hours of operation.
Photo: KFC Yum! Center
They dropped a few hints this past weekend and now it is official… Metallica’s WorldWired Tour returns to North America this Fall! Following last summer’s 25 date sold-out stadium run, this year Metallica is bringing the in-the-round production currently being seen in European arenas to the U.S. and Canada kicking off on September 2, 2018, in Madison, WI. Along the way they will be visiting 34 cities that they did not go to last year, and a few that they haven’t been to in decades, including Grand Forks, ND (nearly 30 years), Sioux Falls, SD, El Paso, TX, Birmingham, AL (nearly 26 years) and State College, PA (20 years). About time, wouldn’t you say?!
The Fall/Winter tour will mark a few firsts for the band. Each show will get rolling with the Light It Up pre-show party hosted by their very good friend Jim Breuer. Jim, along with a DJ to get the night rocking with some great tunes, hits the stage before the band with comedy, fan interaction, giveaways and much more. And if you love to travel and one show just isn’t enough, then perhaps the Wherever I May Roam Black Ticket is for you! For the first time in ‘Tallica history, you may purchase one ticket that will allow you floor access to any Metallica show on the 2018/2019 North American tour. Feel like trucking to Tulsa? Booking to Boise? Motoring to Minneapolis? No problem… you pick the show, call us no less than 48 hours before the gig and you’re in! A limited number of 250 of these Black Tickets* will be available for $598 (yes… celebrating the re-issue of the Garage Days Re-Revisited EP!). All sale dates and times below.
Of course, some things don’t change! As they have been doing for most of the WorldWired shows, every ticket purchased includes your choice of a standard physical or standard digital copy of Hardwired…To Self-Destruct. Keep it for yourself or gift it to a friend or family member. You’ll receive info via e-mail after your ticket purchase on how to obtain your copy.** The enhanced experience options designed to take your Metalli-night to the next level are also returning as Metallica continue to partner with the team that makes it all happen at CID Entertainment. You’ll have three options of special enhanced experiences, including premium tickets and amenities ranging from early access to the venue and the “Memory Remains” exhibit of memorabilia to meeting some of the band(!) For full package details, visit https://www.cidentertainment.com/events/metallica-worldwired-tour
Finally, Metallica continue to raise funds for their All Within My Hands Foundation, which supports a cross-section of national, local and Bay Area charities, music education programs and local food banks. Continuing their collaboration with Crowdrise, Metallica encourage you to make a donation when purchasing tickets to the upcoming shows and each time you donate, you’ll be entered to win tickets, pre-show party passes, meet and greet passes, and one lucky winner will be flown to the last show on the tour. For more information, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/Metallica2018
“Enough!” you say. “How do I get tickets?” Presales for Fan Club members begin tomorrow, February 27th. Visit https://metallica.com/metclub for all the details. Citi card members may purchase tickets beginning at 11:00 AM local time tomorrow, February 27th and Spotify will have pre-sale tickets starting on Wednesday February 28th. For a complete list of other presales, visit https://metallica.com Public on-sale begins Friday, March 2nd at 10:00 AM local time.
*“Wherever I May Roam” Black Tickets are non-transferable and if re-sold will be revoked. Each ticket is good for entry to Metallica specific shows and may not be used for festivals, promotional shows, benefit concerts or any other dates not included in the 34 city North American tour announced on February 26, 2018. Use of a Black Ticket will require a reservation for each show you plan to attend no less than 48 hours in advance. More details about how to use your Black Ticket will be sent to purchasers via e-mail.
**Every ticket purchased through official outlets includes your choice of a standard physical or standard digital copy of Hardwired…To Self-Destruct. Fans should expect to receive information from Warner Music Artist Services on how to redeem their albums WITHIN 21 business days after their purchase. Full details of how you can gift the album, should you have already purchased, will be given on the redemption page.