April 23, 2024

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72º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:55 a.m. | Sunset 87:27 p.m.
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If these walls could talk

LOU_Epping_District_Broadway_Theater_JUN2022

The historic Broadway Theater once hosted concerts from the likes of Black Sabbath and Santana. | Photo by Zayne Isom

“I have driven past this building my entire life... and I had no idea (it) existed.”

Located at 816 E. Broadway, the old Broadway Theater was once a staple of Louisville culture. The 800-seat space was built in 1915, and over its lifetime it served a number of purposes:

It originally was home to vaudeville performances through the 1920s.
In the 1930s, it was converted into a movie house — the old school projectors are still there.
By the 1970s, the theater was known as Mad Hatter’s nightclub, hosting nationally touring rock acts like Pink Floyd, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, and Santana. (That rock history lives on with the space hosting studios for LRS102, an online rock music radio station.)
Since then, the theater was nearly demolished before it was converted into a furniture store + the home of Launch Louisville, a former co-working space.

A black-and-white photo of a theater. — The Broadway Theater, as it appeared when it opened in 1915.
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Photo courtesy Archives & Special Collections, University of Louisville

That quote at the start of this piece is from Terry Zink, who’s family is hoping to breathe life into the dilapidated space. Last month, Zink hosted an open house that brought ~200 people inside the old theater.

Zink spoke about the plans for the space to local real estate agent + content creator Sam Heine. They include a two-phase redevelopment:

Phase one: Clean up the old theater and turn it into an event space for art shows, weddings, galleries, corporate events, and more.
Phase two: “Reactivate” the Broadway Theater to “remember what this place was born to do.”

The project is part of the Epping District, a stretch of historic buildings along the 800 block of East Broadway. The group redeveloping the stretch was founded by Anna Sorrell + Rachel Zink.

“I’ve told people... if you want to see the ‘before’ you better hurry up and get down here,” Zink said. “We’re starting to move forward.”

Asked

Would you attend a show at a new Broadway Theater?

A. Of course — nothing says entertainment like, “Broadway”
B. Depends on the show
C. No, Louisville has enough theaters already

Give your regards to Broadway

Events

Tuesday, April 23

Garden & Gun Distilled Launch Party | Tuesday, April 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Stitzel-Weller Distillery, 3860 Fitzgerald Rd., Shively | $85 | Hear from Garden & Gun Editor-in-Chief David DiBenedetto + enjoy Blade and Bow bourbon cocktails and live music.

Wednesday, April 24

KY Career Center Job Fair | Wednesday, April 24 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Kentucky Career Center, 600 Cedar St., Louisville | Free | Get your resume in front of 25+ employers, including Republic Bank, the Omni Hotel, and Derby City Gaming.

Thursday, April 25

Ladies’ Night Out: Derby Edition | Thursday, April 25 | 5-8 p.m. | Westport Village, 1215 Herr Ln., Louisville | Free | Pick up that final piece for your Derby ‘fit, while you listen to music from a live DJ.
April Book Club: “This Could Be Us” | Thursday, April 25 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Rosettes, 730 E. Market St., Louisville | $15 | Discuss “This Could Be Us” by Kennedy Ryan with other romance fans.
The Monk’s Road Experience: Heightening Our Senses | Thursday, April 25 | 7-8:30 p.m. | The Frazier History Museum, 829 W. Main St., Louisville | $40-$45 | Tap your toes to the live music of Kaleb Cecil while you sample recipes from Monk’s Road’s new restaurant on Whiskey Row + sip whiskey.

Friday, April 26

Coffee Series: Mahler 6 | Friday, April 26 | 11 a.m. | Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Performing Arts Center, 501 W. Main St., Louisville | $33-$38 | Sip coffee while you listen to the Louisville Orchestra perform classical music, including “Symphony No. 6" by Gustav Mahler.

Saturday, April 27

TKO Flight Club presents The Kentucky Bourby 2024 | Saturday, April 27 | 6-10 p.m. | Progress Park, 4501 Progress Blvd., Louisville | $100-$1,000 | Drink bourbon, enter raffles, bid in an auction, and enjoy food, drinks, and horse racing at this charity event that works to fight Parkinson’s disease.

Events calendar here

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Shop

Get derby-ready with Six & Main

Giddy up. Whether you’re going to the Kentucky Derby or hosting a watch party, we have the perfect items from local makers to make the day special.

There’s no such thing as too many accessories. Arrive in style with this blue and white equestrian scarf and a pair of Babloo earrings.

Be everyone’s favorite attendee. Taste the Bluegrass state with a special Kentucky Derby Macaron Box featuring flavors like Bourbon Ball and KY Chocolate Walnut Pie.

Test your bartending skills making a Mint Julep in these solid brass cups. Keep the vibes going at home with this clean mint and sugar scented candle – a simple reminder of the southern classic.

You may bet on horses, but you don’t have to bet on being Derby-ready with our full shopping guide. Keep browsing here.

News Notes

Edu

Jefferson County Public Schools is set to build an $18 million Early Childhood Learning Center, located in Buechel at 3950 Frederica Dr., near Watterson Elementary School. Construction on the ~50,000 sqft facility — which will feature 23 classrooms — will start in June, with an opening slated for 2026. (Louisville Business First)

Plan Ahead

This year’s Buy Local Fair will be held at Lynn Family Stadium on Saturday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop local retailers, organizations, and artists + enjoy music, food, and drinks. If you and your small business want to take part, there’s still time to register.

Drink

Sample whiskey from Green River Distillery and learn about APRON Inc. — a nonprofit supporting workers in Louisville’s service industry — at a Happy Hour Friend-Raiser at Monnik Beer Co. Tomorrow night, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., enjoy food + drink specials and spin the wheel for free swag.

History

Oliver Lewis, the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, was 18 years old when he rode Aristides to victory in 1874. Ahead of Kentucky Derby 150, the Courier Journal looked into the life of a man whose story had been lost to time.

Sports

Potential future Cards are taking visits to UofL — and they’re coming from power conference programs. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Fun Fact

On the ceiling of the Palace Theatre’s lobby, there are sculptures of 139 famous faces, including composers Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. See for yourself.

Pets

Is your four-legged friend anxious? 502 Hemp Wellness offers CBD for Pets, designed to soothe dogs and cats in stressful situations. Think: fireworks displays, air shows, and thunderstorms. Learn more + shop.*†

†Please note: Legalities in your state may vary. 502 Hemp Wellness Center advises consumers to read the company’s terms and conditions, consult a physician before trying products, start only with small amounts, and to not consume products before driving or before a drug test. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by LOUtoday.

The Buy

The Maizie Clarke Collection. If you’re looking for ways to prepare for the Kentucky Derby, this brand has the sweetest derby-inspired products.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jeff

From the editor

Last week, we asked you which “Hometown Hero” banner should eventually be placed on the Starks Building downtown, and apparently your hearts were really in it. You chose Dr. Allan Lansing, the noted local surgeon who performed thousands of heart surgeries in his career.

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* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

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