Kentucky Arts and Culture

Kentucky's racetracks starting Friday can apply for permission to allow bets on historical races. But despite a needed boost in business, some tracks are leery of adding "Instant Racing" immediately. The regulations that allow Instant Racing become effective July 1 and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will accept applications from the racetracks. Many tracks hope it can boost declining revenues and make them competitive with tracks in surrounding states, but a legal challenge by the Family Foundation has made them take pause.

The Herald-Leader's "Kentucky Bucket List" of 50 experiences every Kentuckian should do, see or have while living in our commonwealth, received tremendous response from readers after it was published June 17. Inspired by Parade magazine's recent cover story on "America's Bucket List," The Herald-Leader's list — which was far from exhaustive — spurred readers to suggest ideas that we didn't include. So today, The Herald-Leader shares 20 readers' suggestions of experiences to have in Kentucky before you die.

The polar bear cub Qannik arrived in a UPS Boeing 747 last night in Kentucky as reported by dueling twitter accounts.  There are two accounts currently claiming to be none other than Qannik herself.  One is @QannikthecubLZ (Official Louisville Zoo account), the other is the rogue @QannikBearaccount.

Among the top events this weekend for lovers of horses or lovers of history is a new exhibit featuring artifacts from horse-based societies in central Asia.  Also, the University of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble gives Kentuckians the same performance they’ll soon offer the “crowned heads of Europe.”   And, a new drama in Lexington mixes marriage with murder.  Rich Copley of the Lexington Herald Leader offers this preview.

Most people have at least a notion of the things they want to see, do and experience before they die, aka their "bucket list": Climb a mountain, fall in love, see the Grand Canyon. But how should that list be tailored to Kentuckians? What are the things every Kentuckian should do, see or experience while living in our beautiful, often misunderstood state? What are the cultural touchstones that make Kentucky what it is and that would be a shame not to experience? What things go deep into the Kentucky experience? And how many of them can you accomplish this summer, which officially starts Tuesday?

A two-year collaboration between Greg and Becky Goodman, owners of Mount Brilliant Farm, and internationally known interior decorator Mona Hajj has resulted in Hajj's new coffee table book, Interior Visions (Random House, $50), featuring the farm. Texan Greg Goodman and his wife, Becky, bought Mount Brilliant Farm in 1995 and discovered that they would be caretakers of a significant slice of Bluegrass history. That history dates back to 1774, when Kentucky was part of Virginia and 2,000 acres of land on what is now Russell Cave Road was given as a land grant to William Russell for his family's service in the French and Indian War.

The Goin’ Back to Harlan Bluegrass Committee will host their sixth annual Goin’ Back to Harlan Bluegrass Music Festival June 23-25, at the Harlan campus of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. “We have an outstanding lineup of bands this year,” said committee member Jerry Haynes. “There’s fiddles, banjos, guitars, mandolins, basses and dobros and then there’s singing — everybody’s doing it and most are really good.”

Summer destinations rely more this year on their neighbors for support.  Instead of tourists, summer events like the Ichthus Christian Rock Festival near Wilmore, The Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown and A Grand Night for Singing at the University of Kentucky, now target local audiences.  Reporter Rich Copley of the Lexington Herald Leader offers an explanation.

Most people have at least a notion of the things they want to see, do and experience before they die, aka their "bucket list": Climb a mountain, fall in love, see the Grand Canyon. But how should that list be tailored to Kentuckians?  The Weekender/LexGo Central, has come up with "Kentucky's Bucket List," inspired by Parade magazine's recent cover story on "America's Bucket List."  What are the things every Kentuckian should do, see or experience while living in our beautiful, often misunderstood state? What are the cultural touchstones that make Kentucky what it is and that would be a shame not to experience? What things go deep into the Kentucky experience? And how many of them can you accomplish this summer, which officially starts Tuesday? Here's our list of 50 experiences, in no particular order, compiled from suggestions offered by readers and staff members.

The 2011 Great American Brass Band Festival has marched through Danville, and once again organizers are pleased with the event. Niki Kinkade, director of the brass band festival, said, “It was a perfect festival, and we’re looking forward to it next year.” The crowd was better than it has been in the last several years, according to Kinkade, giving some credit to “fantastic” weather. Even the short rain shower Saturday afternoon helped to cool things off and didn’t dampen the event.

The sun was shining and the skies were clear Saturday morning for Danville's 22nd annual Great American Brass Band Festival parade. The warm, dry weather was a nice change of pace from previous parades, said Danville resident Linda Knight.

While there’s no doubt that Saturday is the star of the Great American Brass Band Festival, Friday has developed into more than simply a warm-up act for the main event. Beginning with the history conference at 9 a.m. and wrapping up with a concert more than 12 hours later, Friday features a full slate of opportunities for festival-goers to get the party started, both in Danville and at venues outside the city.

A stolen Italian painting that’s been in the Speed Museum’s collection for nearly 40 years is now on display in Louisville for the last time. The Speed purchased the piece in 1973 for $38,000, and museum officials didn’t know it was stolen until a few months ago. The Speed worked with the U.S. and Italian governments to organize the art’s return. But before the painting is sent back to Italy it will be on display at the Speed through July 3rd.

In the arts calendar, some weekends are busier that ever.  Rich Copley of the Lexington Herald Leader offers an explanation.  Plus, he previews the Great American Brass Band Festival, A Grand Night for Singing, the Festival of the Bluegrass and an organist convention, which all take place this weekend in central Kentucky.

The school year’s opera students become song and dance men and women this weekend at the University of Kentucky.  For the 19th year, UK Opera is staging a “Grand Night for Singing”.  Not only is the summertime tradition a favorite among audiences, but, Director Everett McCorvey says it also teaches important lessons to his students.

Danville will host its 22nd annual Great American Brass Band Festival this weekend. “The Great American Brass Band Festival is all about community,” says Niki Kinkade, executive director of the festival. “The community makes this happen."