07.30.2024

Today’s Forecast

92º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:44 a.m. | Sunset 8:54 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

Kentucky on the canvas

Kentucky’s master of fantasy Larry Elmore

Larry Elmore gestures at paintings on his walls

Elmore’s house is filled with originals of his paintings, most of them oils on masonite. | Photo by LOUtoday

Hi, City Editor Declan here.

Growing up, my friends and I frequently played, “Dungeons & Dragons.” Little did we know, some of the artwork that inspired our fantasy adventures was created by a Kentuckian — Larry Elmore.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Elmore’s oil paintings graced the covers of “Dungeons & Dragons” books + many fantasy and science fiction novels.

I recently visited Elmore’s home studio to talk about growing up in Louisville + rural Kentucky, how tales of its dark forests and deep hills shaped him as a storyteller, and why he finds himself always turning to the landscape of Kentucky when he imagines fantastical worlds.

Larry elmore gestures at a framed painting of a witch in front of a scarecrow in an autumnal landscape — “Eyes of Autumn” was used as the cover for the October 1989 issue of Dragon Magazine.
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Photo by LOUtoday

“It’s more than home”

Larry Elmore was born Aug. 5, 1948 in Louisville, though he grew up near Clarkson, KY — that’s ~70 miles south of Derby City in Grayson County. It was here that Elmore’s love of storytelling began.

“People back then told stories,” he said, remembering nights when his mother would read to him by kerosene lamplight. “There was no TV, no electricity.” For a young Larry Elmore the world was still mysterious. “People still believed in ghosts and spirits. You could be walking in the woods and meet the old devil, Satan himself.”

Even after he got a job with “D&D” in Wisconsin, he brought a little bit of his old Kentucky home with him. In one of his pieces, “Eyes of Autumn,” Elmore positions a haunted-looking scarecrow and a witch against a rural Kentucky landscape. “I made those hills a little taller,” he said, but the location is right here in the Bluegrass state. It was so recognizably local that a neighbor later told him he knew which barn was used for reference.

Venture forth for more

Events

Tuesday, July 30

The Moth StorySLAM: Temptations | Tuesday, July 30 | Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Rd., Louisville | $15 | Share your own five-minute story about willpower and hear other local storytellers do the same.

Wednesday, July 31

PTO Wednesday | Wednesday, July 31 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Logan Street Market, 1001 Logan St., Louisville | Cost of purchase | Enjoy brunch faves while you sip summer cocktails and juices.

Thursday, Aug. 1

First Thursday | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 5-8 p.m. | Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville | Free | Get evening access to the museum galleries + hear comedy by Afrolachia, a Black Appalachian comedy group.

Friday, Aug. 2

Filson Friday: “Drowned Town” | Friday, Aug. 2 | 12-1 p.m. | The Filson Historical Society, 1310 S. 3rd St., Louisville | $0-$18 | Hear author Jayne Moore Waldrop speak on her book detailing the history of mid-20th century impoundment of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers.

Saturday, Aug. 3

Fox Fest 2024 | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 2-11:30 p.m. | The Fox Den Billiards, Bites, and Brews, 3814 Frankfort Ave., Louisville | $15 | See 14 bands play across two stages while you eat and drink.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

Travel and Outdoors

Experience one of the top global tennis tournaments of the year

Presented by a LOUtoday Partner

A tennis player interacting with fans and giving autographs at the Cincinnati Open.

Here’s your chance to cheer on the same players who compete at Wimbledon, the Olympics, and the US Open. | Photo by Jared Wickerham

It’s game time, LOU. From Aug. 11-19, the Cincinnati Open is serving up tennis excellence and fun for everyone.

Plan a quick getaway (just a ~2 hour drive away from Louisville) to spend a few days watching the world’s greatest tennis players on-court while enjoying live music, food and drinks, shopping, and more in the upgraded venue.

Get early access to the action at the new Community Day, headlined by a special Center Court exhibition featuring tennis legends Andre Agassi and John Isner against Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish. Community Day also features special opportunities, like:

Player access: The Cincinnati Open’s stars will be on court all day for practice sessions, autographs, player pop-ups + more.
Yoga at Fan Zone: Local fitness studio Body Alive will lead a yoga class in the Fan Zone, followed by light bites and refreshments.
Taste the Tournament at Top Deck: Attendees can stroll through the Top Deck, including the new Oasis courtyard, while sampling food and drink.
And more

Plus, all proceeds from Community Day tickets benefit Cincinnati Children’s.

Plan your visit + snag tickets

News Notes

Theater

In case you missed it a few weeks ago, the new play “Who Killed Alberta Jones” will return to Alberta O. Jones Park on Sunday, Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Written by local playwright Larry Muhammad, the play will also be performed at the Victor Jory Theater Thursday, Aug. 8 through Saturday, Aug. 10.

Drink

Jim B. Beam Distilling Co.'s Clermont campus at 568 Happy Hollow Rd. is celebrating its 90th Anniversary next month. In honor of the milestone, the disillery is hosting a “Behind the Beam” tour where you can see the production methods up close and personal — and taste a sip along the way.

Gallery

Muhammad Ali represented the US at multiple Olympics + lit the Olympic Cauldron at the 1996 Atlanta Games. And with the 2024 Games underway in Paris, The Muhammad Ali Center has a new online gallery showcasing The Greatest’s Olympic career with photos, videos, and stories.

Sports

Speaking of the Games, Lexingtonian Lee Kiefer won the gold for the women’s individual foil fencing Sunday. It’s her second gold after she made history as the first Team USA member to score gold in the foil at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. (WHAS11)

Number

9,919. That’s how many cats have been adopted from Purrfect Day Cat Cafe (PDC). They will soon be the first cat cafe in the US to reach the 10,000 adoptions milestone. The Kentucky Humane Society racing to raise $10,000 before PDC’s 10,000th adoption.

Plan Ahead

Louisville Grows just keeps growing. The organization is celebrating its 15th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 1641 Portland Ave. Stop by for tree, seed, and plant giveaways + an art exhibition giveaway. Sponsorships for the event are now available.

Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics are happening now in Paris, France — you can follow along with Team USA and some of our favorite local athletes via WHAS11‘s coverage.

Listen

The Cardinals are eyeing 2025 three-star power forward Tre Singleton. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Home

Did you know? Mees Tile & Marble is a fourth-generation natural stone + tile supplier. Whether you are a contractor, designer, or do-it-yourselfer, Mees can assist you — no matter your budget or style. Swing by one of their showrooms for a complimentary consultation or follow them on Instagram for design inspo.*

Plan Ahead

Need some home inspo, or just appreciate interior design + architecture? The Tour of Remodeled Homes is happening on Saturday, Aug. 10 + Sunday, Aug. 11. Attendees can tour nine projects (ranging 1,000-3,600 sqft) in our community. Pro tip: Grab discounted tickets online ($12) to avoid a price bump.*

Shop

Ditch the men’s dress pants — the Dealmaker Pant is the ultimate pant for work or play, with an impeccable fit and feel. Save 15% with code READ15.*

City

Out with the old...

Louisville Water is replacing a 130-year-old main on Oak Street

Sliplining was also used to replace a water main on Eastern Parkway in 2019. | Photo via Louisville Water

Construction is now underway to replace a 130-year-old water main along Oak and Dumesnil streets in Limerick.

The 48-inch main has a history of leaks and breaks, so it’s been selected for a process called “sliplining.” The original line will be kept in place while a new pipe is “slipped” inside — this minimizes disruption to the surrounding neighborhood and will allow the pipe to last another 100 years.

Drivers should expect some lane closures and detours throughout the project through the rest of the year, but the road will remain open to local access during this first phase.

At 130 years old, this water main is 20 years older than the Belle of Louisville, one year older than the twin spires at Churchill Downs, and the same age as the Louisville Slugger trademark.

Asked

Which horse won the Kentucky Derby 130 years ago?

A. Tom Elmore
B. Al Boyer
C. Sigurd
D. Chant

And they're off

The Buy

The Buy 7.30.24 (Affiliate)

These quick drying women’s water shoes — they’re perfect to slip on during any aquatic adventure, from summer beach trips to waterfall hiking.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Declan

From the editor

Meeting Larry Elmore was a childhood dream come true — now I can’t look at a Kentucky landscape without picturing a knight or wizard striding across it. Fortunately, we can see magical creatures in Kentucky landscapes with our own eyes at Bernheim Forest.

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