Today’s Forecast

47º | Mostly cloudy | 7% chance of rain
Sunrise 8:00 a.m. | Sunset 5:39 p.m.

The greatest mural of all time

Famous street artist paints new mural of Muhammad Ali

Blue, red, and yellow mural of Muhammad Ali on the side of a brick building.

Shepard Fairey began painting the mural on Saturday, April 22. | Photo via Fleur de Lis Communications

A new mural of Muhammad Ali is being dedicated this afternoon at the Chestnut Street YMCA in the Russell neighborhood. The seven-story mural on the side of the YMCA building was created by street artist Shepard Fairey, who is known for designing the Barack Obama “Hope” poster for the 2008 US presidential election.

Work began on the painting four days ago and is based on a photograph taken by Ali’s personal photographer Howard L. Bingham. It also incorporates text based on his philosophies and role as the Messenger of Peace for the United Nations.

“I’m a big fan of Muhammad Ali for his athleticism, but equally so for his activism and his philanthropy and outspokenness on issues I care about. So I think to have this mural on the YMCA where he actually trained as a kid in the city he grew up in is a really amazing opportunity,” Shepard said in an interview with Louisville Visual Arts.

Shepard solicited the help of Louisville artists, held a public workshop + heard feedback from the YMCA Black Achievers to help influence the direction of the Ali mural.

Following the dedication of the mural, a group art show featuring some of Shepard’s work called “Outside Influence” will open at PORTAL’s Common Art Gallery (1512 Portland Ave.) at 6 p.m. and run through Sunday, May 7.

In tandem with the opening of “Outside Influence,” a second show stacked with the work of Ralph Steadman will open. “Ride the Thunder: The Artistic Legacy of Hunter S. Thompson, Ralph Steadman, Gonzo” is a collection of original works and narratives from the iconic duo, as well as a portrait of Jack Harlow.

The “Outside Influence” opening will include a DJ set by Shephard + prints of the Ali mural will be available for purchase.

Asked

True or false: Muhammad Ali’s 1960 Summer Olympics gold medal is at the bottom of the Ohio River.

Take the quiz

Events

Wednesday, April 26

WFPK Waterfront Wednesday with Durand Jones | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 5 p.m. | Big Four Lawn in Waterfront Park, 401 River Rd., Louisville | Free | Bring a blanket or a chair to see the opening show of this outdoor, summer concert series.

Thursday, April 27

Absinthe Mint Julep Cocktail Class | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Copper & Kings Distillery, 1121 E. Washington St., Louisville | $50 | Learn how to mix up this classic Derby drink using absinthe + leave with a mint julep lapel pin and stainless steel branded julep mug.
Louisville Ballet: “Carnival of the Animals” | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Louisville Central Community Center, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville | Free | Participate in this interactive, family-friendly ballet program.

Friday, April 28

Vine Street Imports Wine Show | Friday, Apr. 28 | 4-7 p.m. | The Breeze, 1247 S. Shelby St., Louisville | $10 | Try 20+ wines from this New Jersey-based distributor that specializes in Australian and South African wines.
Great Balloon Glow | Friday, Apr. 28 | 8 p.m. | Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville at Waterfront Park, 129 E. River Rd., Louisville | Free with Pegasus Pin | See hot air balloons light up against the backdrop of the Ohio River.
Sixteen Candles - The Ultimate 80s Tribute | Friday, Apr. 28 | 9 p.m. | Mercury Ballroom, 611 S. 4th St., Louisville | $16 | Hear your favorite 1980s songs live at this tribute concert.

Saturday, April 29

Spring Market | Saturday, Apr. 29 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Westport Village, 1315 Herr Ln., Louisville | Free | Peruse 18 local vendors with art, gifts, treats, and more.

Sunday, April 30

Shakespeare in the Parks | Sunday, Apr. 30 | 6:30 p.m. | Sun Valley Park, 6616 Ashby Ln., Louisville | Free | Bring a chair or blanket and catch a performance of “Hamlet” by Kentucky Shakespeare.

Events calendar here

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🏡 Discover your new home at the 2023 Showcase of Residential Communities

Living room with fireplace and built-in bookshelves

The showcase is a great way to see the newest trends sweeping across the building industry. | Photo via Unsplash

Looking to purchase your first home, next home, or forever home? Curious about the latest trends and custom designs? Searching for your perfect community? Now through Sunday, May 7, Louisvillians are invited to explore the Showcase of Residential Communities, which offers new or existing homeowners the opportunity to discover and design their new home.

Produced by the Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville, this free, two-week event features 15 residential communities and 100+ new home designs. Think: flexible living spaces, move-in ready new homes, a variety of price points, and so much more.*

Explore builders and communities

News Notes

Development

If you’ve driven down Second Street recently between Market and Main streets, then you’ve probably noticed a crater where an empty lot used to be. The giant hole is the beginnings of a new $60 million Hilton hotel set to open in May 2024. See renderings of the future six-story hotel. (WDRB)

Civic

Mayor Craig Greenberg announced new efforts to improve mental health treatment at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. The plan includes a revamped intake evaluation conducted by mental health professionals and a request for a new health care services provider once Metro Corrections current contract with Wellpath expires in July. (Louisville Public Media)

Opening

Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience (624 W. Main St.) will soon be buzzing. The local, award-winning whiskey brand will cut the ribbon on its micro-distillery, bar, and retail shop this Friday, April 28. The experience will offer cocktail classes and tours, as well as education on its secondary maturation process — AKA cask finishing.

Eat

The Asia Institute Crane House is kicking off Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a kamayan Filipino brunch on Sunday, April 30, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The meal will highlight the traditional Filipino method of eating with your hands. Snag tickets for $75.

Drink

The Breeze wine shop in Shelby Park is showcasing Vine Street Imports, an Australian and South African wine importer, on Friday, April 28, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. For $10 you can try 20+ wines, some of which have never been in Kentucky before.

Plan Ahead

Tacos, Tequila, and Turntables will return for a second year at NuLu’s Guacamole restaurant on Cinco de Mayo. The street party will feature a rooftop DJ, 360° camera photo booth, bourbon giveaways, a taco truck + a full Patron bar from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Today Is

National Pretzel Day — AKA the most important day of the year for Stanley Hudson from “The Office.” If you’ve got a hankering for one of these fluffy on the inside, crisp and perfectly salted on the outside snacks, celebrate with this at-home pretzel kit or this gourmet pretzel pack.

Announced

Congratulations Nora R., the winner of our product survey! We hope you enjoy your $500 cash prize, and we thank you for providing your feedback. Responses from this survey are helping us improve our newsletter.

Wellness

This metabolism supplement is endorsed by Halle Berry and backed by science

Metabolic Daily is formulated with Akkermansia muciniphila (only available at Pendulum) and other next generation strains. | Photo by Sean Dagen

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Answered

“Is Barry Manilow coming to The Ville?”

Barry Manilow playing a piano on a blue-lit stage. — Barry Manilow at The Nobel Peace Price Concert 2010.
|
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

He sure is, “Mandy.”

The famous singer-songwriter, whose career spans seven decades starting in the 1960s, will take the stage at the KFC Yum! Center on Monday, Aug. 21.

Local presale tickets go on sale this Thursday, April 27 at 10 a.m. — just use the code: SMILE.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Katie

From the editor

April is going to the goats. The Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Dr. Ryan Quarles signed a proclamation on Monday, April 24 declaring April as Goat Month across the commonwealth. Good thing we celebrated early baaack in March with our LOUtoday baby goat.

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