Arts Weekly

Young people and others in Hazard will be treated to a performance of Shakespeare next week. John Hingsbergen reports that Kentucky Shakespeare, based in Louisville, is bringing Julius Caesar to the Hazard Community and Technical College.

Marking spring in much of the Bluegrass, a series of arts and cultural events is set for this weekend.  When it comes to such events, reporter Rich Copley says the big kahuna is Keeneland’s spring race meet.  Rich covers arts and culture for the Lexington Herald Leader.

Born out of a "class assignment" at Yale University, the Enso String Quartet now performs almost half a year touring the country and internationally. They team up with the Boston Brass to present an evening of music on the theme of the story of Romeo and Juliet featuring the music of Prokofiev, Berstein and Elvis Costello. WEKU's Roger Duvall spoke with cellist Richard Belcher. 

Since its debut in 1742, Messiah has established itself as one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.  During this Easter weekend, the WEKU Stations are presenting a unique production of George Frideric Handel's oratorio in its original orchestration.

Although most people know it as a popular TV series, The Odd Couple first came to light on stage.  The Neil Simon comedy premiered on Broadway in 1965 and was made into a movie three years later.   As a TV sitcom, 114 episodes aired on ABC between 1970 and 75.

Yo-Yo Ma performed for two American presidents before the age of ten and is perhaps one of the best-known living classical musicians. 

Students were allowed to organize the newest art show at the Lexington Art League.  Rich Copley, who covers culture for the Lexington Herald Leader, says they came up with a fascinating result.  He talked about it and this weekend’s other events with WEKU’s Charles Compton.

Perhaps no TV theme is more recognizable than that of The Addams Family.  The unconventional sit-com aired on ABC for just two seasons, starting in the Fall of 1964.  It was based on characters created in the 1930's by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams.

Baby boomers and re-run watchers probably know The Addams Family best from the black and white TV series of the 1960's.  As luck would have it, one of the original characters from that series is also in town this weekend.

The term "folk music" can refer to a lot of different styles. Folk tunes are the basis for much of the classical music of Bela Bartok and Aaron Copeland. Ethnic music of Africa inspired the writing of Paul Simon for his multi-Grammy-award-winning album Graceland.

The Lexington Art League takes its art out of the gallery and onto the streets September 21st, 2012 for its second "pARTy for Everyone."