Kentucky Arts and Culture

From "Addams" to "Yoakum," EKU Center 3rd Season Unveiled

Charles Compton — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:37:44 +0000

The new season at the E-K-U Center for the Arts will be heavy with Broadway musicals, seasoned with rock and country music. The musicals range from “Mamma Mia,” “Flashdance the Musical” and “Rock of Ages” to “The Addams Family,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Man of La Mancha.” As for country-western performers, there are Dwight Yoakum and LeAnn Rimes. Plus, there are tribute bands performing the music of Pink Floyd, Queen, the BeeGees and the Beatles. Chicago also performs.

"God" and Gatewood Examined at Natasha's Bistro

Rich Copley and Lexington Herald Leader — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:00:00 +0000

From the art of the politician to an examination for the Almighty, a small venue in downtown Lexington is the focus of a lot cultural activity this weekend. Plus there’s a new scheme afoot to decorate the city. Here with a preview is Rich Copley, who covers the arts for the Lexington Herald Leader. Rich spoke with WEKU’s Charles Compton.

Bluegrass, Brass Bands and Broadway this Weekend in Central Kentucky

Rich Copley and Lexington Herald Leader — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:00:00 +0000

From brass bands to stringed bands, music festivals dominate the scene this weekend in central Kentucky. Plus, opera students at the University of Kentucky are on stage with a summertime favorite. Rich Copley, who covers culture for the Lexington Herald, has a preview.

At Cemeteries, Live Plants can Outlast Stone Memorials

Stu Johnson and WEKU News — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Living flowers at Kentucky gravesites often memorialize a loved one for generations. The practice of family heritage gardening is discussed this weekend at a workshop in Frankfort. Kentucky Historical Society Senior Librarian Cheri Daniels, who will lead a session, says the living plants found at some gravesides are real reminders of a family’s history.

Bluegrass Musicians take over Lexington Nightlife and Street Corners

Stu Johnson and WEKU News — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 02:36:00 +0000

Don’t be surprised if, when you least expect it, you hear some Bluegrass Music in downtown Lexington this week. It’s part of the Best of Bluegrass Event. A fair amount of ‘busking’ is going on this week. It’s the term that described ‘playing music in a public place, usually while soliciting for money.’ Across from Lexington City Hall, Johnny Campbell and his wife Whitney played fiddle and guitar. Campbell says he’s part of a band from Nashville called ‘Bluegrass Drifters.’

Taking to the Stage for the 64th Time

Stu Johnsons Weku — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:26:48 +0000

The show will go on again this weekend at Danville’s Pioneer Playhouse. The outdoor theater is beginning its 64th year of operation this summer. Managing Director Heather Henson admits it’s difficult to keep this type of theater business going in this day and time. Henson says her mother, Charlotte, is a driving force behind ‘Pioneer Playhouse.’

Broadway Live lineup includes 'Memphis,' 'Chicago' and 'Bring It On'

Rich Copley and Lexington Herald Leader — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:43:55 +0000

The Lexington Opera House's 2013-14 Broadway Live season will open with one of the series' greatest successes and will close with a show that is up for the Tony Award for best musical.OK, Bring it On: The Musical isn't going to win the Tony. But its inclusion marks a milestone for the series, which has edged closer to current Broadway programming each year. Opera House general manager Luanne Franklin says the stronger lineups of shows are a direct result of the series' programming strategy in recent years. Read more...

Planting a Sustainable Crop of Local Art

Stu Johnson WEKU — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:58:41 +0000

An initiative in Lexington adds meaning to the phrase ‘growing local artists.’ Learning a lesson from the agriculture community, the Lexington Art League is launching its own C-S-A. Typically, C-S-A is short for Community Supported Agriculture. But, in this case it stands for “Community Supported Art.”

Chamber Music "Eschers" in Summer

Rich Copley and Lexington Herald Leader — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

A gateway to summer opens this Memorial Day weekend at Shaker Village. Rich Copley, who covers culture for the Lexington Herald Leader, says organizers hope younger fans will be drawn there for the annual Chamber Music Festival of Lexington. Rich discussed it and the holiday’s other events with WEKU’s Charles Compton Read more...

Top Honor for Kentucky Welcome Center

Stu Johnson and WEKU News — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:02:40 +0000

A far western Kentucky welcome center takes a top honor today. The Whitehaven Welcome Center in McCracken County is being recognized as the state’s best maintained rest area for 2012. Maintenance Foreman Ronnie Wilson has worked at the Paducah facility for some 26 years. “I’ve got a bunch of good people working for me that works hard, you know, take pride in what they do. That’s the only way you could win it, to do that,” said Wilson.

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.)