Music

• Static Major | Static — aka Stephen Ellis Garrett, Jr. — co-wrote the Grammy Award-winning song “Lollipop” with Lil Wayne + appeared in the music video, which was dedicated to him following his death in February 2008. He also co-produced the Ginuwine hit “Pony” and worked with other artists like Aaliyah and Destiny’s Child over an 18-year career as a singer, songwriter, and record producer.
• Hill Sisters | This duo may not have ended up on your 2023 Spotify wrapped, but you probably know all the words to their most famous song. In 1893, Mildred + Patty Hill composed the music for “Good Morning to All,” which later became “The Happy Birthday Song.”
  

Sports

• Rajon Rondo | The former Eastern High School Eagle played 16 seasons in the NBA, and was a member of two championship teams.
• Howard Schnellenberger | A graduate of Flaget, a former Derby City high school, Schnellenberger coached the University of Louisville football program from 1985 to 1994. His 32-year coaching career also included a national championship with the Miami Hurricanes. ‘Schnelly’ died in 2021.

Community

• Dr. Allan Lansing | The late surgeon’s career featured several notable achievements, including: the world’s first spleen transplant, an artificial heart implant, and thousands of open heart surgeries. Bellarmine University’s School of Nursing is named in his honor.
• John Y. Brown Jr. and Ellie Brown | The deceased former Kentucky governor + his professional basketball executive ex-wife were a formidable power couple in their day. Together, they’re credited with financially boosting several downtown institutions, like Actor’s Theatre, the YMCA, and the Ali Center.

• Caravan Comedy Contest | Wednesday, Jan. 3 | 7:30-9 p.m. | The Caravan Comedy Club, 1250 Bardstown Rd., Louisville | $17 | Help decide which comic will make it to the next round in this stand-up comedy competition.

• Vinyl Night: Led Zeppelin | Thursday, Jan. 4 | 6-9 p.m. | 3rd Turn Brewing, 10408 Watterson Trail, Louisville | Free | Drink beer as you jam to “Stairway to Heaven” and other hits from this influential rock band.
• Louisville Cardinals vs. Duke Blue Devils Women’s Basketball | Thursday, Jan. 4 | 8 p.m. | KFC YUM! Center, 1 Arena Plaza, Louisville | $14 | See the 17th-ranked Cards in their ACC home opener.

• “Four Daughters (Le filles d’Olfa)” | Friday, Jan. 5-Saturday, Jan. 6 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville | $8-$12 | Watch this award-winning documentary that portrays the ties between mother and daughter.
• “Sugar in Our Wounds” | Friday, Jan. 5-Sunday, Jan. 7 | Multiple times | Henry Clay, 604 S. 3rd St., Louisville | $20-$28 | Experience playwright Donja R. Love’s lyrical play, exploring queer love in Black history.

• Whet Your Palette | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Logan Street Market, 1001 Logan St., Louisville | $12-$30 | Choose a canvas, subject, style, and color combination to paint at your own pace during this drop-in event.
• “Sense and Sensibility” | Saturday, Jan. 6-Sunday, Jan. 14 | Multiple times | Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville | $29 | This play adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel will be performed by Kentucky Shakespeare.

• First Sunday Nature Walk | Sunday, Jan. 7 | 2-3 p.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, 2075 Clermont Rd., Clermont | $10-$15 | Enjoy the outdoors during this guided monthly hike.

• A boutique hotel + bourbon experience is in the works for a growing part of downtown Louisville. Derby City Lofts is planned for the corner of 5th and Market Streets, near the new Derby City Gaming Downtown. A bourbon experience will occupy the first floor, with 20 Airbnb-style units upstairs. (Louisville Business First)

• Beyond the Sun Modern Restaurant and Lounge is open in the Highlands. Located in the former Mellow Mushroom space at 1023 Bardstown Rd., the first-floor dining room offers seafood, pasta, and steaks, while the upstairs bar serves up drinks + pub food, like wings.

• A new bourbon experience + fine dining restaurant is coming to Whiskey Row. Monk’s Road Boiler House is set to open this spring in the former Bearno’s by the Bridge space. It’s the first Louisville-based establishment for Log Still Distillery, which is located in Nelson County.

• Richard Price is the new director of the Louisville Metro Government’s Department of Codes and Regulations. He will head up the office that issues building permits and inspects new construction, among other responsibilities. Collectively, Price brings 20+ years of experience to the role.

• From lowering the state income tax to new fees for electric vehicle owners, nearly a dozen new state laws took effect on New Year’s Day. Read up on the new statutes. (WDRB)

• The Premier Lacrosse League All-Star Game is coming back to Louisville. The league will host its festivities Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14 at the University of Louisville’s Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium. It’ll be the second year in a row that Derby City has hosted the event.

• 3.6 million. That’s how many total book checkouts the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) reported for 2023. The number includes print books, ebooks, and audiobooks. See LFPL’s list of most popular titles.

• The first baby of Louisville’s new year was born at Baptist Health, just 51 minutes after the ball dropped to ring in 2024. Baby Alexander’s mother said he was a New Year’s surprise, because the due date was January 7th. (WDRB)

• Happy New Year. Start 2024 off right with quick, easy, and healthy eats. Try these Paleo Instant Pot Tikka Masala + Mediterranean Grilled Salmon recipes.*