Kentucky Arts and Culture

Inspiring students through poetry

Michele Sokol and Frankfort State Journal — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:02:50 +0000

Frank X Walker visited The Academy Wednesday morning to brainwash a class of about 20 students. But what Kentucky’s poet laureate described as brainwashing was really a creative exercise to show the students that poetry is connected to the brain. Walker drew a rectangle with a circle in the middle of it on the whiteboard and asked the students to tell him what they saw.

List of Historic Places includes 15 proposed sites

Kentucky News Content Service — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:17:42 +0000

Fifteen nominations to the National Register of Historic Places were approved today during a meeting of the Kentucky Historic Preservation Review Board at Metro Development Center in Louisville.

Longtime gig suits Lexington Singers, keyboardist Jay Flippin

Rich Copley and Lexington Herald Leader — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Their favorite key boardist is honored this weekend by the Lexington Singers. Jay Flippin, who’s also well known in academic circles, often accompanies the region’s choral groups. So, Rich Copley, who covers culture for the Lexington Herald Leader, says Flippin’s work is the focus of a Saturday afternoon concert. Read more...

Fundraiser allows Living Arts and Sciences Center Expansion

Stu Johnson — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:42:27 +0000

Everything is coming together financially for a major expansion of Lexington’s Living Arts and Science Center. A milestone in a fundraising effort came this week. Director Heather Lyons says school buses are a common site outside the historic Living Arts and Science Center. She says they drop off some of the 40-thousand children and adults who visit her center each year.

Classics Bookend LexPhil's 2013-14 Season

WEKU Staff — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:22:42 +0000

Classics will bookend the Lexington Philharmonic’s next season. Artistic Director Scott Terrell says they’ll start in September with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.” And then, to finish up the season, Terrell will conduct Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. “The seminal work to end the year, which is Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony. It will be my first Beethoven 9, so as a conductor and student of music, there are pillars that one takes on, that is one of them,” said Terrell.

Celebrity Shoes on Display in Louisville

Charles Compton — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:29:54 +0000

Oprah Winfrey once explained this way her outlook on life after rising from a difficult childhood to a status of wealth and influence: "Though I am grateful for the blessings of wealth, it hasn't changed who I am," she said in her magazine. "My feet are still on the ground. I'm just wearing better shoes." Which brings the (maybe not obvious) question: What do those shoes look like? Louisville has something of an answer. The Muhammad Ali Center is exhibiting about a dozen pairs of shoes from famous and significant people; the Right Foot exhibit an addition to the traveling Global Shoes project of shoes worn by people from around the world meant to spotlight cultures through footwear.

The Great Louisville Gatsby Mystery: Where Is Daisy's House?

Louisville Public Media — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:03:37 +0000

When I moved to Louisville as a freshman English major, one of the first bits of trivia I learned about my new city was that Daisy’s house from “The Great Gatsby” was right down the street. Daisy Buchanan, the It Girl at the heart of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, was socialite Daisy Fay when poor soldier Jay Gatsby courted her during a brief stint at Louisville’s Camp Taylor, where Gatsby – like the author himself – trained during the first World War.

Louisville Distillery Joins Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Janet Patton and Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:49:31 +0000

The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, a $10 million tourism center for bourbon maker Heaven Hill, will become the eighth distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The five-story Evan Williams center, on Main Street in downtown Louisville, is scheduled to open in October. On Thursday, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer toasted the news, alongside bourbon industry representatives.

Field for 139th Kentucky Oaks Down to 10

Louisville Public Media — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:11:56 +0000

More than 110,000 fans are expected at Churchill Downs Friday for the 139th running of the Kentucky Oaks. Oaks Day has long been considered “Louisville’s Day at the Races,” and in recent years has also become platform to heighten awareness of breast cancer and raise money for research.

Bowling Green Singer Advances on 'The Voice'

The Daily News and Bowling Green — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:26:32 +0000

Justin Rivers, 29, of Bowling Green, will continue his journey on “The Voice,” after advancing Tuesday night to next week’s live performances on the NBC singing competition show. Rivers, who is worship pastor at Crossland Community Church, was pitted against fellow contestant Savannah Berry during the knockout rounds broadcasted Tuesday.

Two Frankfort Natives Nominated for Tony Awards

The State Journal — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:49:42 +0000

Two Frankfort natives have been nominated for Tony Awards, highlighting their work in theater. George C. Wolfe was nominated in the best director category for his work on Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy.” He’s one of four directors competing for the Tony in that category. And Will Chase was nominated for best actor in a featured role in a musical for his performance in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” He’s among five men vying for the award.

Arts Council Awards Grants for Senior Programs

Louisville Public Media — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:17:35 +0000

The Kentucky Arts Council awarded more than $50,000 in grants to six organizations to provide “creative aging and lifelong learning” arts programs for Kentucky’s senior citizens. The Arts Access Assistance grants were created last fall to support programming for specific underserved groups. The first fiscal year of funding will support programs for the state’s senior citizens.

Kentucky Inducts First African American Poet Laureate

Lousiville Public Media — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:09:34 +0000

In the annual Kentucky Writers' Day program at the Capitol, Governor Steve Beshear inducted poet Frank X Walker as the state's new poet laureate. Walker is the first African American to hold the post, and at 53 years old, the University of Kentucky professor is also the youngest. The Kentucky Arts Council announced Walker's appointment in February.

Grammy-Award Winning Percussionist Performs at EKU

Roger Duvall and Charles Compton, WEKU — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Almost the entire life of Andy Narell has been devoted to mastering the steel drum. The steel drum, also known as the steel pan, was invented in Trinidad, where it was first made from the lids placed atop oil drums. The Grammy-Award winning percussionist describes his instrument as an engineering feat that defies the odds. Narell spoke with WEKU’s Roger Duvall.

Hatfield-McCoy River Trails Set to Open

Elizabeth Thompson and Appalachian News-Express — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:49:07 +0000

Pikeville's Hatfield and McCoy River Trails will open Friday for people to enjoy floating down the calm waters of the Levisa Fork River this summer. The service will offer canoes, kayaks and float tubes to rent and have two- and four- hour trails to choose from.

Derby Day Plans Set for Downtown Frankfort

The State Journal — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:02:12 +0000

For the third year in a row, residents and visitors will converge on downtown Frankfort for the Governor’s Derby Celebration, the traditional local precursor to the Kentucky Derby. The event, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4, is free to the public.

Lexington Marching Band to Play at 2014 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Josh Kegley and Lexington Herald-Leader — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:32:47 +0000

The Paul Laurence Dunbar High School marching band has been selected to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2014. Wesley Whatley, creative director for Macy's, flew from New York City to Lexington to make the surprise announcement during a concert Thursday night. Whatley said more than 175 bands applied to participate in the parade, and just 10 were selected.

Mary Todd Lincoln Subject of Documentary Airing Monday

Stu Johnson, WEKU and Charles Compton, WEKU — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:15:00 +0000

Her personality, the times and her background gave Mary Todd Lincoln a place in history and made her one of the more controversial first ladies to occupy the White House. The Lexington native is the subject of a documentary airing Monday on C-Span. Producer Mark Farkas says his documentary fills gaps left by Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film “Lincoln.” Reporter Stu Johnson spoke with Farkas.

37th Hillbilly Days Festival This Weekend

Stu Johnson — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:49:10 +0000

Thousands of people converge on Pike County this weekend for the 37^th annual Hillbilly Days Festival. It will feature crafts, food, and games plus a good dose of Appalachian heritage in downtown Pikeville. Some 300 vendors have set up for the event. Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President Jared Arnette says it’s a time to show their pride and products.

Jennifer Lawrence, Rand Paul Among Time Magazine's 'Most Influential'

Louisville Public Media — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:21:19 +0000

Time magazine has issued its 100 "most influential people in the world" with two Kentuckians on the list. Actress Jennifer Lawrence—an Academy Award winner and star of The Hunger Games franchise—is listed among influential artists, alongside Steven Spielberg, Frank Ocean and Jimmy Fallon. Though she now lives in California, Lawrence was born and raised in Louisville and her family is still in town. (And she was recently spotted at a Louisville coffeeshop.)

Heaven Hill Celebrates Milestone

Forrest Berkshire and Kentucky Standard — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:40:06 +0000

Heaven Hill Distilleries celebrated a milestone in its history Tuesday with the filling of its 6.5 millionth barrel of straight Kentucky bourbon. Local elected officials and bourbon industry professionals gathered in the cistern room to witness the filling of a new white oak barrel marked No. 6,500,000 with 53 gallons of the spirit. “It is indeed a proud day for our company and our extended Heaven Hill family,” Max Shapira, Heaven Hill president, said.

Sporting Art Auction at Keeneland

Stu Johnson — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:21:48 +0000

An inaugural auction of Sporting Art is planned this fall at Keeneland. It will feature a wide assortment of paintings and sculptures of equine, hunting, and fishing from the U.S. and England. The first Sporting Art Auction will follow Keeneland’s fall meet and November sales event. It will include about 200 artworks from contemporary British and American painters and sculptors. Keeneland President Bill Thomason says it’ll cap off a busy autumn.

New Abandoned Cemetary Upkeep Programs

Stu Johnson — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:19:28 +0000

Volunteers will soon be recruited for the maintenance of Kentucky’s abandoned cemeteries. Through its “Adopt a Cemetery” program, Ann Johnson of the Kentucky Historical Society, says people can commit to the care and restoration of abandoned graveyards. “But, they would take care of it and go back and do a maintenance like maybe once a year. That type of thing. And if they want to discontinue that, they can discontinue that. We would hope that they would not, but at least, if they’ve adopted it to begin with, then they’ve gotten it cleaned up and in really good shape, that’s the most important thing,” said Johnson.

Book Traces Bourbon's Influence on U.S. History

Charles Compton, WEKU — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:51:37 +0000

It might not be uniquely Kentuckian, but bourbon is certainly uniquely American. Its roots can be traced back to the first European colonists who discovered corn whisky was a nice alternative to rum. A new book from Louisville Historian Michael Veach traces bourbon’s influence on US history. Veach spoke with reporter Charles Compton.

Changes in the 'Hunt' Tradition

Stu Johnson — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:58:16 +0000

The Iroquois Hunt Club has a long history. Founded in 1880, the central Kentucky club is named for Iroquois, the first American horse to win the English Derby. 133 years later, the Iroquois Hunt Club remains active from October through March. Most hunts today focus on coyotes, not fox. Deaths are rare, but member Glenye Oakford says they do occur. “People think we come out specifically to kill and it is called hunting and I suppose maybe that’s why people think that. But, it’s very, very difficult when you are riding with a pack of hounds and that is the only way of catching a wild animal running over territory it is intimately familiar with,” said Oakford.

Lexington Media Pioneer Sue Wylie Announces Retirement

Scott Sloan and The Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:04:46 +0000

Sue Wylie, a longtime Lexington talk radio host for WVLK-590 AM and a television anchor before that, announced her retirement Monday. "I thought about it a long time," she said. "Your heart just tells you when it's time to go." Wylie leaves a considerable legacy. Recognized as a pioneering woman in broadcasting, she was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame in 1999.

Lexington Tattoo Project Brings Poetry to Life

Rich Copley, Lexington Herald Leader — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:38:27 +0000

It is not unusual for Bianca Spriggs to be reading her poetry on a Saturday night. But something is different this evening at Lexington’s West Sixth Brewing: A lot of people in the audience have portions of Spriggs’ poem, “The _______ of the Universe,” written on their bodies. It’s a Magnetic Poetry party for the Lexington Tattoo Project, the latest community involvement art project from Lexington artists Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova.

Lexington Center Museum will Feature Titanic Artifacts

Mary Meehan and Lexington Herald-Leader — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:01:31 +0000

Cue a power ballad, stretch your arms out like you're king of the world and scribble "Oct. 5, 2013" in your sketch book because a Titanic exhibit is coming this fall to Lexington Center Museum & Gallery. The real, haunting remnants of the world's worst maritime disaster are featured in Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, a display that explains the fate of the 1,500 souls who perished in the cold Atlantic 101 years ago.

Kentucky Military History Museum Reopens

Cheryl Truman and Lexington Herald-Leader — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:40:51 +0000

Trevor Jones pulled up a window blind on the second story of the Kentucky Military History Museum to reveal one of the state's most stunning views. There's the Kentucky River with little boats bobbing, downtown Frankfort, and off on a far hill, the Kentucky Capitol. It's a reminder of how impressive the Kentucky landscape can be. And the Kentucky Military History Museum is a reminder of some of the commonwealth's impressive historical artifacts.

Kentucky Repertory Theatre in Horse Cave Closes

Louisville Public Media — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 19:03:03 +0000

After 35 seasons, Kentucky Repertory Theatre (formerly Horse Cave Theatre) in Hart County has turned off the lights. Jobe Publishing reported earlier this week that the board of directors voted to close the organization. Under the direction of producing artistic consultant Ken Hailey, the theater staged 14 shows in 2012, but it wasn't enough to save the theater financially or re-ignite the passion Kentucky and the theater community once held for the official state repertory theater.