Sports

• The most qualified and experienced staff in the region on both the boys and the girls side
• Year-round training at a world-class training facility
• Exposure and guidance in the college recruitment process
• Invitations to participate in domestic and international tournaments against some of the world’s best professional youth clubs
• And so much more

Academy success stories

• The Wynder brothers: In 2021, Josh signed a contract with Louisville City FC, making him the second player to complete the local path to pro following his older brother, Elijah. Earlier this year, Elijah cemented his commitment to LouCity with a contract extension for the 2024 USL Championship season.
• Colin Elder: The Bullitt East High School senior and academy player recently made his LouCity debut in the 85th minute of the home opener against El Paso Locomotive FC. Elder’s celebrated his debut (and the win for LouCity) by attending his prom later that evening.
• Ella Sanchez: After appearing in two of the US’ three group stage games in the 2022 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, Ella helped the Americans advance to the knockout stage.
• Ammerah Maamry: Fellow Racing Academy member Ammerah served as a reserve goalkeeper for Morocco in the 2022 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
• The Dallas Cup: Just this past weekend, LouCity’s U19 squad became the first Kentucky-based club to win a trophy at this prestigious invitation-only tournament that has featured legends of the game such as David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Wayne Rooney.

• Adam Sandler | Tuesday, Apr. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | KFC YUM! Center, 1 Arena Plaza, Louisville | $36.50-$164.50 | Adam Sandler’s new tour promises fresh material, hilarious songs, and a ton of fun.

• Wade and Alice Houston: Leading by Example | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Frazier History Museum, 829 W. Main St., Louisville | $20-$25 | The Houstons — a prominent Louisville couple who were friends with Muhammad Ali — will discuss life lessons, what’s kept them grounded + the importance of giving back.
• Bad Friends with Andrew Santino & Bobby Lee | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th St., Louisville | $37.50-$65 | These comedians are reveling in the triumph of their hit podcast “Bad Friends” by taking their show on the road.

• Derby Tails Bourbon Tasting | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 7-8 p.m. | Club K9 Dog Park & Bar, 9316 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville | $40 | Bring your pups along while you sample four bourbons and hear bourbon steward Phil Kollins chronicle the history of bourbon and its ties to the Kentucky Derby.

• Earth Day Trivia | Friday, Apr. 21 | 5-8:30 p.m. | The Parklands of Floyds Fork, Broad Run Park, 11551 Bardstown Rd., Louisville | Free | Show off your nature knowledge + snag food and drinks from Gallant Fox Brewing Company and Just Piggin’ Out food truck.

• Gore’s SmokeOut BBQ and Melt 502 — the two restaurants selected for the OneWest retail accelerator program — are holding soft openings this Friday, April 21. The businesses are being provided with furnished retail spaces + two-year residencies to hone their concepts. Both restaurants will officially open next month.

• Louisville’s Community Crosswalks program, which stemmed from a Bloomberg study that found a 50% drop in crashes where asphalt art is installed, kicked off with a crosswalk painting by artist Wilfred Sieg III. The piece near 4th Street Live! features a bright floral design. (WDRB)

• The KMAC museum is throwing a free exhibition launch party this Friday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m. The event will give the community a first look at new exhibitions, this one being “Shapeshifting,” a solo show featuring work by Masako Miki.

• Giraffe feeding has returned to the Louisville Zoo. The close-up encounters — kind of like when City Editor Lennie met a sloth —are available daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m

• A new book, “If You Write Me a Letter, Send It Here: Voices of Russell In a Time of Change,” chronicles the Russell neighborhood through the eyes of the people who know it best. The book is $25 and can be ordered online.

• Get your best ideas ready. The next iteration of Startup Weekend Louisville will be held at the University of Louisville’s Health Equity Innovation Hub (515 W. Market St.) June 9-11. The event will include networking and one-minute pitches + a variety of workshops and “Shark Tank” style presentations. (KY Inno)

• US Air Force veteran and former accordion player Joe Troje celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by loved ones at The Grand Senior Living in East Louisville. Joe and his wife, Dot, have been married since Oct. 17, 1953, and have four children. (WHAS11)

• Looking for fresh ideas for dinner? Start the week with a Southwest kick + celebrate Meatless Monday with this Tex-Mex Tomato Black Bean Soup or Southwest Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl recipe. Bonus: Both are ready in 30 minutes or less. *

• Now may be a good time to transfer your balance. This leading balance transfer card offers 0% intro APR for 21 months and no annual fee. Eliminating interest payments? A no-brainer.*

• Ditch the hangover without having to ditch your favorite cocktail with Ritual Zero Proof Spirits. The award-winning brand makes non-alcoholic rum, tequila, gin, and whiskey so you can enjoy the ritual of having a drink without feeling icky the following day. Psst — check out Ritual’s collection of cocktail recipes.