Ethan Hawke’s visited a slew of local businesses while filming “Wildcat.” | Photo by @four_pegs
Grab your popcorn, Louisville, because this Monday is for the movies.
While you may not think of Louisville as a bastion of cinema, Kentucky offers some aggressive tax incentives for filmmakers who shoot their productions in the Bluegrass State.
The Kentucky Film Office, which is tasked with administering the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program offers up to $10 million in tax credits for projects produced in Kentucky. Plus, Louisville was one of just six cities in the running to host the Sundance International Film Festival — but ultimately came up short.
We’re going to keep this feature to a tight 90 minutes, since we know you’ve got a whole day ahead of you. Here are nine movies that were filmed in Louisville.
Filming location: Louisville, Lexington, Los Angeles + Inglewood
Synopsis: This Romeo and Juliet story is set amid the horse racing scene in Kentucky. The family feud between lovers Jack + Sally dates back more than 70 years, when Jack’s grandfather killed Sally’s great grandfather over horse theft.
Synopsis: Bill Murray stars in this comedy as John Winger, who, after getting fired from his job and dumped by his girlfriend, joins the U.S. Army with friend Russell Ziskey, played by Harold Ramis. Bill’s character emerges as the leader of the misfits in the army, but his hijinks threaten to cause an international scandal.
Box office: $85.3 million
Where to watch: Pluto TV, rent on YouTube or Amazon Prime
Synopsis: Hawke’s daughter Maya Hawke stars as Flannery O’Connor in this biopic based on the author’s life and her short stories in equal measure. It tracks her journey to getting her first novel published, moving from her Southern home to New York, meeting fellow writer Robert Lowell, and eventually coming down with lupus.
Operation ReviVILLE | Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Frazier History Museum | $20+ | Join Coach Pat Kelsey for a discussion on his debut as the coach for the UofL Cardinals men’s basketball team.
Wednesday, Sept. 18
Business Luncheon | Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Louisville Science Center | $25 | Join other professionals for informal networking followed by a catered meal.
Junk Journaling Workshop at A Purposeful Ponte | Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 6:30 p.m. | A Purposeful Ponte Studio | $35 | Combine your love for art, scrapbooking, and mixed media to create personalized journals from everyday materials.
Thursday, Sept. 19
An Intimate Outdoor Concert with Paula Cole | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Mallard Hall Estate | $389+ | See the iconic country artist behind “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone” in an intimate concert setting.
Fourth Annual Chamber Day at the Races | Friday, Sept. 20 | 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | Churchill Downs | $70 | Grab tickets to enjoy a three-hour chef’s table buffet, non-alcoholic beverages, wagering windows, and a cash bar — plus, a top-tier view of the track and the new paddock.*
Hotel Genevieve was awarded a Michelin Key — that’s like a Michelin Star for hotels — this week. It was the only hotel in Kentucky to receive the prestigious award and one of only 168 in the United States to be recognized.
Community
The (Un)Known Project, which is behind art pieces like “On the Banks of Freedom” and “In Our Elders’ Footsteps” is releasing a coloring book celebrating Black women who have helped shape Kentucky. “Shades of Resilience” releases Saturday, Sept. 28, with a book signing at Farmington Historic Plantation at 3 p.m.
Eat
Richy’s is a new food concept inside Ten20 Craft Brewery, replacing the former Happy Belly Bistro. The menu features “backyard bites” like sliders, brats, and wings. Chef Andy Myers pulled inspiration for the Richy’s menu from his years working at Gralehaus and The Holy Grale.
Gallery
Waterfront Park’s PlayPort expansion into Western Louisville is coming together. See a sneak peek of the construction-themed playground equipment, including a dumptruck slide and a giant excavator bucket to climb on.
Try This
Who wants to be a milliner? Applications are open for the Kentucky Derby Museum’s 2025 Featured Milliner Program. Selected participants will create up to 10 designs for next year’s Derby Hat Show, sell their hats + fascinators in the Museum Store. Apply by Friday, Oct. 18.
Plan Ahead
Tickets are on sale now for “An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine.” The Cincinnati-based folk duo is bringing their holiday concert to the Kentucky Center’s Bomhard Theater on Friday, December 13. Tickets start at $30.
Seasonal
Keep your eyes on the skies next week as the moon will rise full Wednesday, Sept. 18. It’s also a Harvest moon, so expect it to be bright red and much larger than usual. If you’re a real night owl, you might even spot a partial lunar eclipse between 10:44 and 11:17 p.m.
Sports
All eyes are on Cardinal’s football, but Pat Kelsey is busy recruiting for next year’s basketball roster. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Try This
Did you know?500 Main is Angel’s Envy online platform for invitations to exclusive events, behind-the-scenes content, Q+As with experts, and more. Psst… We’ll let you in on a secret: It’s free to join.*
Number
22%. That’s how much auto insurance rates have increased over the last year. Stop overpaying + find a better rate when you get a free, no-obligation quote from Savvy.*
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