Let’s give ‘em something to talk about

8 Louisville-themed table topics for the holiday season

A 2,300 pound, 11 foot wide disco ball sits in the middle of Louisville's Fourth Street Live! corridor.

Kentucky’s Largest Disco Ball, Y’all at its debut on Fourth Street Live! | Photo by World’s Largest Disco Ball, Y’all

Dreading the debates and cringe questions that tend to take over holiday meals? Consider employing one of these eight table topics — they may just lead to your favorite conversation yet.

Disco balls y’all

In the 1970s, Derby City spun out around 90% of disco balls made in the world and is home to Kentucky’s largest one ever made. Now that’s something to “Hustle” about.

Did you know there’s a cemetery in a parking lot?

A 19th century graveyard is protected in this St. Matthews shopping center parking lot — as if Louisville wasn’t weird enough.

The Cliffhangers plane has been crashed for nearly 35 years.

A plane crashed a Headliners Music Hall

Okay, so it wasn’t a real plane crash, but it sure does look like one. Impress your friends and family with this tall tale of a nosedived plane in Irish Hill.

LOU businesses people miss the most

Take the fam on a trip down memory lane with this list that remembers the best Derby City bygones.

What happened to the Riverfrogs hockey team?

Leap back in time to when Louisville had its own minor league hockey team that played at Broadbent Arena — which according to some, had a hot tub.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s carbon copy in Old Louisville

A blueprint carbon copy of Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Winslow House was built in Old Louisville in 1905. Today, it’s an art gallery.

The buffalo at Preston + Brandeis are made from wood and wire.

Preston Street — where the buffalo roam

Have you met the buffalo family of Preston Street? Talk about a head turner.

Hadley Pottery lives on

It almost closed this year, but philanthropist and investor Brook Smith swooped in to save this beloved 83-year-old ceramic company.

What local topics are you talking about around the dinner table?

SPILL THE TEA

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Monday, Dec. 19

A Festivus for the Rest of Us: Round 4 | Monday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. | The Merryweather, 1101 Lydia St., Louisville | Free | Celebrate this non-commercial holiday inspired by the sitcom “Seinfeld” with trivia, themed drinks, and an aluminum pole.
Trager Family JCC Hanukkah Celebration | Monday, Dec. 19 | 4-6:30 p.m. | Trager Family JCC, 3600 Dutchmans Ln., Louisville | Free | Eat latkes and enjoy live music, crafts, and games for the whole family.

Tuesday, Dec. 20

Open Mic Night | Tuesday, Dec. 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Falls City Beer, 901 E. Liberty St., Louisville | Free | Visit this taproom every Tuesday for plenty of laughs while drinking great local beer.

Wednesday, Dec. 21

Pickin’ and Pottery | Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 3-8 p.m. | Hadley Pottery, 1570 Story Ave., Louisville | Free | Listen to Kentucky-style instrumental music from Mike Shroeder and Steve Cooley while you shop — plus hot cider and treats.

Thursday, Dec. 22

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker | Thursday, Dec. 22-Friday, Dec. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville | $39.20-$168 | Travel to the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy during this holiday classic with the Louisville Ballet and The Louisville Orchestra.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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Weather

37º | Cloudy | 4% chance of rain

Announced

This is not a joke. “Impractical Jokers” star Joe Gatto announced additional dates for his “Night of Comedy” tour and Louisville is on the list. Gatto will perform at The Brown Theatre on Friday, Feb. 3. Get tickets.

Development

The Louisville Free Public Library broke ground on a new location in Fern Creek. The 18,000-sqft library — supported by $8.7 million from Metro — will be located next to Fern Creek High School. Its design features natural lighting, meeting rooms, and children and teens spaces. 📚

Coming Soon

A new Airbnb for night owls is open for booking in Schnitzelburg. Hangover House is located above the MerryWeather bar at 1101 Lydia St. and specializes in late-night check-ins. The one-bedroom apartment sleeps four, has an eat-in kitchen, and a Star Wars pinball machine. Stays start at $109. 🦉

Biz

Shelby Park brewery Atrium announced it will expand to Norton Commons early next year. The experimental brewery — think: pineapple upside down cake-flavored sour beers — hasn’t set an opening date, but the new taproom will be located in North Village Town Square next to YogaSix at 11209 River Beauty Loop.
In more brewing news... Butchertown Brewing brewed up some new digs inside Mellwood Art Center. You can now find its taproom in the courtyard of the arts center with additional seating and extended hours. The brewery will remain on the second floor and expand into a larger barrel-aging facility. 🍺

Concert

Tickets are on sale to see the classic 1990s rock band Third Eye Blind at The Louisville Palace. The group — known for hits like “Semi-Charmed Life” and “How’s It Going to Be” — will perform on Monday, April 3 and tickets range $39-$279.50.

Shop

Give the gift of a quality shave month after month with a Harry’s trial set and blade subscription. Choose your handle color, refill frequency, and let the good shave days roll in for as little as $5 on sign-up (yes, you heard that right). 🪒*
If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for someone on your list, look no further. Let us introduce you to gift cards from our LOUtoday shop, Six & Main. Purchase a gift card today. 🎁

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THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Katie.

Editor’s pick: Douglass Loop has seen a lot of change this year.

TEN20 Brewery and Dad’s Coffee have replaced the former Heine Brothers Coffee — plus, Breadworks Bakery closed. However, it’s not the first time the triangle has seen businesses come and go. Check out this photo of the area in 1936 where Steiden Stores was, long before Heine Brothers or TEN20.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Celebrate Hanukkah in LOU.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Katie Molck, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Mandey Lee | Advertise with us.

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