Arts Weekly

A fictional drama, based on a historical event is spawning a community forum including local religious leaders.  A Lexington group is the first to stage “The Trial of God” in the Commonwealth.  The forum is being held to foster an interfaith dialogue about the issues raised by the controversial play.

Earlier this month, the final Chautauqua Lecture of the year at Eastern Kentucky University featured The Poetry of Thomas Merton.   Until his accidental death in 1968, the Roman Catholic monk lived at the Abbey of Gethsemani, a Trappist monastery near Bardstown. 

For 21 years, Ben Chandler served Kentuckians in the U.S. House of Representatives.  This summer, he’ll find find himself in a new role, as he says, "telling Kentucky’s story" as Executive Director of the Kentucky Humanities Council.  We spoke this week with Mr.Chandler about the position he assumes on July 1st.

A new series of concerts kicks off in Somerset next weekend.   Singer/songwriter Pierce Pettis will open The Red Gate Sessions on Friday evening May 17.

If not in the movie, at least in the book, Kentucky figures prominently in “The Great Gatsby.”  Another movie based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald masterwork is released this weekend.  Rich Copley, who covers culture for the Lexington Herald Leader, dusted off his college copy, and discussed it with WEKU’s Charles Compton.

A decade ago, just off I-75 in Berea, the Commonwealth launched an experiment in marketing.  It built the Kentucky Artisan Center and stocked its shelves with locally made products.  The center has since been a stop for travelers seeking arts and crafts, a meal and a clean restroom.  WEKU’s Charles Compton reports.

Accustomed to theaters and museums..reporter Rich Copley found himself in a different venue recently…a courtroom.  Rich, who covers culture for the Lexington Herald Leader, won access to public documents describing alleged mismanagement at the EKU Center for the Arts.  Those allegations eventually resulted in the resignation of center director Debra Hoskins.  He spoke with WEKU reporter Charles Compton.

The Kentucky Bach Choir is getting ready for its spring concert with performance of the music of Bach and Handel. The group was founded in 2007 as the Lexington Bach Choir.  London, Kentucky native Marlon Hurst became artistic director in 2009 when choir founder Richard Sowers took a job out of state.  

Kentucky has spawned its fair share of Hollywood actors….from Patricia Neal to Jennifer Lawrence, and now, Michael Shannon.  The Lexington native cancelled an appearance this weekend at the Kentucky Theater, but Shannon’s newest film still opens there.  Rich Copley, who covers culture for the Lexington Herald Leader, spoke about this weekend’s events with WEKU’s Charles Compton.

The latest in Tween-literature is recreated this weekend by the Lexington Public Library.  “Night Circus” author Erin Morgenstern helps in a fundraiser at Red Mile’s Round Barn.  Here with a preview of it and the weekend’s other events is Rich Copley, who covers culture for the Lexington Herald Leader.