“The Nutcracker” will return to the stage this December. | Photo provided by the Louisville Ballet
Derby City currently boasts more than a dozen theater companies and venues + is home to the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, which is the oldest ongoing celebration of Shakespeare’s work in the country.
So with that in mind, we thought we’d pull back the red curtains on a few upcoming musicals, plays, and ballets taking the stage this fall and winter. From new off-Broadway shows to classic holiday performances, allow us to usher you to your seat for these 7 shows.
See it: Thurs., Nov. 17-Sat., Nov. 19 Where: Art Sanctuary, 1433 S. Shelby St.
Redline Performing Arts knows it’s a nice day for a white wedding, which is why they’re not only performing this musical rendition of the 1998 film of the same name, but also decorating the venue to look like a wedding reception so audience members can feel a part of the show. Bonus: VIP tickets come with a charcuterie board.
See it: Tues., Nov. 29-Sun., Dec. 4 Where: Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center
Based on the 1990 film of the same name, this musical first premiered in Chicago in 2018 before taking Broadway — and now you’ll have the chance to see one of the most romantic stories of all time unfold live on stage in downtown Louisville. DYK: The musical features an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams.
See it: Fri., Dec. 9-Thurs., Dec. 29 Where: Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center
Travel to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy during this holiday classic with the Louisville Ballet + live music performed by The Louisville Orchestra.
See it: Wed., Dec.14-Fri., Dec. 23 Where: Bingham Theater, Actors Theatre of Louisville
This year, Actors Theatre is pushing the boundaries of this haunting holiday adaptation by mixing live performance with a spirit world realized through motion-capture technology.
Listening to the Dark Universe | Thu., Oct. 20 | 7-8 p.m. | Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium, 106 W. Brandeis Ave. | Free | Hear from Vanderbilt Professor Karan Jani about how gravitational waves inform black holes + what the stars and universe are made of.
Yoga with Plants | Thu., Oct. 20 | 6:30-7:15 p.m. | Mahonia, 822 E. Market St. | $25.00 | Stretch among the lush greenery at this NuLu plant shop + each ticket includes a miniature succulent or cactus to take home.
Friday
3rd Annual Shelby Park Pumpkin Patch | Fri., Oct. 21 | 5-8 p.m. | Shelby Park, 600 E. Oak St. | Free | Carve a free pumpkin in the park + enjoy music, kids’ activities, and a beer garden.
Bulleit Distilling Co.’s Frontier Fair | Fri., Oct. 21 | 6-9 p.m. | Bulleit Distilling Co., 3464 Benson Pike, Shelbyville | $10 | Listen to music from rising Nashville star Jenny Teator + enjoy food trucks and craft cocktails on the grounds of this bourbon distillery.
Saturday
Fall Foliage & Geology Cruise | Sat., Oct. 22 | 1-3:30 p.m. | Belle of Louisville | $39.99 | Cruise into autumn on a steamboat tour of the Ohio River while taking in views of the colorful fall foliage along the riverbanks.
TEN20 Spooktacular | Sun., Oct. 23 | 2 p.m. | TEN20 Craft Brewery, 1020 E. Washington St. | Free | Spend Sunday afternoon with local vendors + live music, trick-or-treating, and tarot card readings at this Butchertown brewery.
Tuesday
The Moth StorySLAM | Tues., Oct. 25 | 7 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall | $15.00 | Hear members of the audience tell real-life tales in this storytelling competition.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Winter is coming. A widespread frost is expected through 10 a.m. this morning. After the early morning chill, we can look to sunny skies + temps in the 50s, but later this evening, a low of around 32 degrees is expected to swoop back in — so bundle up Louisvillians, and protect those outdoor plants. (The Courier-Journal)
Announced
Yesterday, we learnedJack Harlow would be hosting the Oct. 29 episode of “Saturday Night Live” and today, the Louisville rap star announced a hometown show on Sun., Dec. 18 at the KFC Yum! Center. Ticket sales begin tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Brandon Alvis, a leading paranormal investigator + cast member of A&E’s “Ghost Hunters,” is headed to Derby City on Fri., Oct. 28. Brandon recently released a new book, “Elements of A Haunting,” and will be at The Bodhi Tree 3-6 p.m. to share haunting stories and hear a few of yours, too. 👻
Opening
New-to-market medical spa Louisville Aestheticsheld its grand opening in the East End last week in the new Hurstbourne Town Center at 9345 Leesgate Rd. The high-end clinic offers services like botox, micro-needling, medical-grade facials + more. Book an appointment.
Development
The Highlands’ 1920s-esque boutique hotel, The Bellwether, is expanding close to home. So close, it’s literally next door. The self-service hotel purchased the historic building next door and has begun work on the Bellwether House, a four-bedroom, 4.5-bath home to accommodate large groups + is expected to be ready next spring. 🏨
Number
22,000. That’s how many people are here in Louisville for the Equip Exposition this week at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The tradeshow is the largest of its kind showcasing lawn and garden, light construction, and landscape equipment. The economic impact from the exposition is estimated to be nearly $18 million.
Outdoors
Louisville Grows has received $15,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation to increase the tree canopy in low-income neighborhoods across the river in Jeffersonville and Clarksville. The funds will allow the nonprofit to plant 60 trees + needs volunteers for the tree planting day on Sat., Oct. 22. Help plant some trees. 🌳
Shop
The National Council of Jewish Womenwill host the annual Fashion Encore event at the Nearly New Shop (1250 Bardstown Rd.) from Sat., Oct. 22 to Mon., Oct. 24. Shop fall + winter merchandise, plus attend Scarf Schoolwhere volunteers will teach participants how to style and tie scarves.
Between school drop-off and pick-up, after-school activities + more, we can’t be the only Louisvillians who could use some fuel savings at the pump. Pro tip: Boost members earn double fuel points at Kroger ⛽ *
Environment
Mayor Greg Fischersigned an Executive Order setting more ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The new targets formally commit Louisville to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2040 or sooner.
Eat
The foodie forecast for Pizza Lupo is cloudy with a 100% chance of meatballs. The Butchertown eatery — recently named for having the best pizza crust — has brought spaghetti and meatballs back to its menu. The classic pasta dish is composed of locally-sourced beef, house-made pasta, organic tomatoes, parmigiano + almond bread crumbs. 🍝
Job
Coldwell Banker McMahan is seeking candidates for its New Licensee program, which provides training, mentoring, and coaching to individuals who want to establish their own successful real estate business. For consideration, email your resume to Lesley DePaola, Career Development Director.*
If you WFH like us, it’s nearly time to break out the space heater. Solve chilly mornings the energy efficient way with theDr. Infrared Heater that warms objects, not the air. Hello, cozy legs. Bonus:Heat your patio with infrared, too. 🔥*
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Culture
Lights, camera, lasers
Louisville lasers take Cincinnati, OH
Lapis Laser’s installation took over an alley next to 21C Museum Hotel. | Video by LOUtoday
This past weekend Blink, the US’s largest light, art, and projection mapping experience, lit up over 30 blocks in downtown Cincinnati, OH — and Louisvillians Ryan Daly + Garrett Crabtree Jr. represented Derby City.
The award-winning duo that makes up Lapis Laser Display specializes in original laser compositions and installations — you might have seen their work at The Holiday Laser Dome, the Louisville Ballet’s production of “Swan Lake,” + more.
Their installation at this year’s Blink fest filled the alleyway next to Cincy’s 21C Museum Hotel. The show featured eight lasers, 16 mirrors, 40 DMX flood lights, and six hazers — which are similar to fog machines and needed in order to see the lasers at work — and was set to house music mixed by Garrett.
Catch Ryan and Garret’s next laser endeavor at the Mega Cavern’s annual Lights Under Louisville opening on Fri., Nov. 11.
Today’s issue was written by Senior City Editor Katie.
Editor’s pick: I’m a member at the Trager Family JCC and the last couple of Mondays the community center has been closed in observance of the Jewish holidays Sukkot + Shemini Atzert.
Sukkot, which began on Sun., Oct. 9 and ended on Sun., Oct. 16, is one of Judaism’s three central pilgrimage festivals – along with Passover and Shavuot. It’s custom to build a sukkah, or a temporary hut with three walls, as part of the festivities. See the JCC’s sukkah below.
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