Plus, "Cocaine Bear" hits theaters tomorrow.

February is “The Greatest”

Iconic February moments in Muhammad Ali’s history

Black and white image of Muhammad Ali in the corner of a boxing ring.
Ali fought Leon Spinks for the first time in 1978. | Photo via Muhammad Ali Center
The Muhammad Ali Center downtown is a hub of all things Ali, and we love its “On this Day” Facebook posts sharing sporting feats and history about Louisville’s heavyweight champ.

In fact, this entire month is an important one for “the greatest of all time.” In February 1957, he met Angelo Dundee, the boxing trainer who coached him for 21 years and was in his corner for all but two of his professional fights.

Here are seven more moments in the boxer’s life that took place this month:

Feb. 7, 1961 | At 19 years old, Ali — then still going by his birth name Cassius Claydefeated Jim Robinson in one minute and 34 seconds during a scheduled eight-round fight.

Feb. 10, 1962 | Ali makes his first professional boxing appearance at Madison Square Garden in a match against Sonny Banks — who he beat in the fourth round after being knocked down for the first time as a pro.

Feb. 14, 1973 | Elvis Presley gives Ali a jewel-studded robe before a fight against Joe Bugner.

Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali wearing a white, jeweled robe.

After receiving the robe from Elvis, Ali wore it into the ring before defeating Joe Bugner. | Photo via Muhammad Ali Center

Feb. 15, 1978 | Ali loses a match to Leon Spinks during their first fight ever. Spinks would be the only boxer to take a title away from Ali.

Feb. 18, 1964 | The Beatles stopped by to visit Ali while he was training for his first fight against Sonny Liston.

Muhammad Ali pretend punching English rock band the Beatles.

The Beatles met Muhammad Ali at the Fifth Street Gym in Florida. | Photo via Muhammad Ali Center

Feb. 21, 1961 | Ali beat Donnie Fleeman in the seventh round of their match at Miami Beach Auditorium. It was the first time Ali boxed six rounds in a fight.

February 2019 | Muhammad Ali’s Cave Hill Cemetery gravesite is listed on the “7 Places to Celebrate Black Athletes.” The list recognizes sporting legends for their activism in honor of Black History Month. Ali received the Liberty Medal in 2012 for his work advocating for humanitarian causes, civil rights, and religious freedom — which also made him a social justice icon.

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Thursday, Feb. 23
  • “13: The Musical” | Thursday, Feb. 23-Sunday, March 5 | Times vary | Trager Family Jewish Community Center, 3600 Dutchmans Ln., Louisville | $25 | Catch this musical about being 13, fitting in, and standing out.
Friday, Feb. 24
  • Kentucky Flea Market Spring Fling 2023 | Friday, Feb. 24-Sunday, Feb. 26 | Times vary | Kentucky Expo Center, 937 Phillips Ln., Louisville | Free | Shop over 500 booths with antiques, collectibles, clothing, and more.
  • 4th Annual Fish Fry-Days | Friday, Feb. 24 | 6-9 p.m. | The Merryweather, 1101 Lydia St., Louisville | Free | Enjoy beer pitcher specials and fried seafood from POCO.
Saturday, Feb. 25
  • Celebration of Science: Boundless Reach | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 6 p.m.-12 a.m. | Kentucky Science Center, 727 W. Main St., Louisville | $300-$3,000 | Support science across the commonwealth at this gala with a cocktail reception, dinner, and science-themed entertainment.
  • BIKINI BOTTOM RAVE | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 9 p.m. | Mercury Ballroom, 611 S 4th St., Louisville | $22-$32 | Travel to the famous pineapple under the sea during this Spongebob-themed dance party.
Sunday, Feb. 26
  • Black History Film Series: “My Name is Pauli Murray” | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Main Library, 301 York St., Louisville | Free | Watch a movie about the life and ideas of Pauli Murray, a non-binary lawyer, activist, and poet followed by a panel discussion.
  • Family Friendly Silent Disco | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 2-5 p.m. | TEN20 Craft Brewery, 1020 E. Washington St., Louisville | $5 | Bring the family out for a kid-friendly dance benefitting AMPED Louisville.
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.
100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 74º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain
Festival
  • Against the Grain is bringing back Burgoo Bash for a second year on Saturday, March 18. The professional and amateur cook-off will bring the Kentucky stew out of the Hot Brown shadow and into the mouths of hungry patrons — for $10-$15. Plus, new this year, a bourbon cocktail contest.
Eat
  • And I said, what about Breakfast At Tiffany’s? Clifton-based restaurant Morning Fork is dishing out a themed brunch Wednesday, March 1-Saturday, March 5 based on the 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn. Tiffany’s pancakes and a “Diamonds in the Sky” champagne cocktail are both on the menu. Reservations are recommended. 🥞
  • Between school activities and a busy lifestyle, it can be easy to turn to the drive thru or eating out. Home Cuisine puts the “easy” back into evening meals by delivering chef-crafted dinners straight to your front door. See which meal plan works best for your family. 🍽️ *
History
  • Reckoning Inc., a nonprofit that examines the history of slavery in America, is hosting a workshop on Saturday, Feb. 25, 12-2 p.m. to help Black Louisvillians trace their family tree. The Introduction to African American Genealogy event will be led by genealogist Denyce Peuyon at the Stephen Family Life Center. (WDRB)
Outdoors
  • It’s nearly spring planting thyme and Louisville Grows’ annual Seeds & Starts Sale is ready to get you growing. Gardeners can pick up veggies, herbs, and flowers started by the nonprofit’s volunteers on Saturday, April 15 and Saturday, May 13 at its Portland greenhouse. 🌱
Listen
  • Calling all bibliophiles. Level up your reading routine with an Audible Membership. Why we love it: we can listen to our favorite books and discover new titles while doing everyday tasks like commuting, walking the dog, cooking, and cleaning. Sign up for your first 30 days free. 📚*
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You’re gonna hear it roar 🐻

Where to see “Cocaine Bear” in Louisville

LOUtoday_cocaine bear
“Cocaine Bear” follows a group of oddball cops, criminals, tourists and teens in a Georgia forest. | Poster courtesy of Brownstone Productions
The story of Kentucky’s “Cocaine Bear” is a tale as old as time in the bluegrass state — weaving its strangeness onto merchandise like shirts and even “blow globes.” And now the pop culture icon is hitting the big screen tomorrow, February 24 with the release of the feature-length movie, “Cocaine Bear.”

The movie is loosely based on the true story (with jarring headlines) from 1985 when a black bear ate a bag of cocaine after it was ditched from a drug dealer’s plane. Here’s a few notes on the film:
Genre: Dark comedy
Director: Elizabeth Banks — Effie Trinket from “The Hunger Games” film franchise
Run time: 1 hr, 35 min

Here’s where to see it:
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Katie.

Editor’s pick: I’m not much of a gamer, but there’s a new adventure video game that takes place in Mammoth Cave that might have me picking up a new hobby.

“Kentucky Route Zero” is a five-episode narrative game where players take on the role of antique dealer Conway and navigate delivering goods via a highway running through the cave system.

It was developed by three Kentuckians who definitely let their Kentucky culture shine. The game is full of little Kentucky Easter eggs — like a narration by Louisville musician Bonnie Prince Billy in a part of the game where players must dial a real phone number (270-301-5797). Go ahead, give it a ring.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Learn about Louisville’s religious communities.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Katie Molck, Lennie Omalza, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Mandey Lee | Advertise with us.

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