“I’ve been in a very transitional point in my life and wigs have been consistent and constant for me — and I feel like I’m naturally good at them and it brings me joy,” she said. | Photo by LOUtoday
Derby City is home to a many functional artists — from Tiffany Woodard’s whimsical fascinators to John King’s bourbon barrel furniture — and now the city can add wig maker extraordinaire Ethel Loveless to the list.
Loveless has been a burlesque performer since she was 18 and has made a name for themself as the orange-clad, show-stopping performer. She’s graced the cover of Queer Kentucky Magazine and was the long-time host of Titty Taco Tuesday at the former downtown Limbo bar — but now she’s shifted her focus to a staple costume piece, wigs.
Loveless started getting into wig styling during COVID in tandem with going to hair school (she now works at Maeda Salon in Shelby Park).
“I felt very compelled to make that my career. I’ve always had a triangle of things going on: wigs, hair salon, burlesque. I always put burlesque first, but now I’ve shifted to burlesque not being at the focal point,” she said.
Ethel reworks a lot of wigs that people have given her, including a box full of wigs from No.1 Burlesque Top 50 performer Qween Quan from New Orleans.
Photos by LOUtoday
She makes wigs on commission in a corner studio of what would normally be a dining room in her Highlands home that she shares with drag performer Stevie Dicks, who also has a costume studio in the same space.
Her wigs range from $150 to $450 and she creates them using upcycled hair pieces. Her work includes wigs inspired by Endora from “Bewitched,” stacked beehives with bubble bangs, a neon green bride of Frankenstein hairdo, and everything in between — and we mean everything. Check out this corn glamour wig.
While burlesque has taken a passenger seat in Loveless’ life, she still performs and hosts shows. Follow her on Instagram to see where she might pop up next wearing one of her bold and beautiful creations.
Events
Events
Friday, June 20
After Hours at the Speed | 5-9 p.m. | Speed Art Museum | $20+ | Explore the museum after dark and get a last look at “Brilliant Exiles: American Women in Paris” + enjoy bites and French-inspired cocktails.
Greatest Day of Play | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Northeast Regional Library | Free | Come dressed to get messy for a day filled with imagination, art, and games + performances from Turners Circus, Louisville Orchestra, American Printing House, and more.
St. Matthews Summer Fest | 12-10 p.m. | Frankfort Avenue between Lexington Road + Bauer Avenue | Free | This family fun day includes a BBQ competition, live music, kids activities, and 50+ local vendors.
“Alien” and “Aliens” Double Feature | 7 p.m. | Iroquois Amphitheater | Free | See the first two films of the “Alien” movie franchise for an epic sci-fi night.
Sunday, June 22
Castle Gardens Community Ribbon Cutting | 12-4 p.m. | Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, Crestwood | Free | See the $5 million renovation to the gardens that surround the iconic castle, including water features + educational elements.
Camp J. Through the Years | 2 p.m. | Trager Family JCC | Free | Good morning, campers — take a hike down memory lane during this historical afternoon filled with memories of Camp Tall Trees/Ben F. Washer at Otter Creek Park.
Monday, June 23
The Art of the Tomato: Pruning & Support | 10-11:30 a.m. | Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Clermont | $20+ | Dig up techniques for a thriving tomato garden + tour the forest’s edible garden.
Tuesday, June 24
The Moth StorySLAM: Hospitality edition | 7 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall | $20 | Sign up to tell a five-minute story (or just come to listen) about the beauty and chaos of saying: “Come on in.”
Wednesday, June 25
Waterfront Wednesday with Anderson East | 6 p.m. | Big Four Lawn | Free | Hear tunes from this soulful R&B and roots rock musician with opening performances from The Kentucky Gentlemen + Candi Jenkins.
Increased bridge tolls are coming on Tuesday, July 1. RiverLink’s new toll rates will range from $2.68 to $16.01, depending on your vehicle type and whether or not you have a transponder. Toll rates are adjusted annually by 2.5% unless the rate of inflation is higher. (WLKY)
Sports
The Louisville Cardinals baseball team won’t advance to the College World Series finals after losing Wednesday’s game to Coastal Carolina (11-3), but the players didn’t leave empty handed. Ty Starke and George Baker scooped up dirt from the Omaha, Nebraska field into empty bottles to take home as souvenirs. (WLKY)
Civic
Louisvillians might notice vehicles outfitted with cameras and a Davey Resource Group logo driving around town. The vehicles are collecting tree data as part of a new city partnership to help care for Louisville’s tree canopy. The data will help inform public safety during weather events + guide future tree planting.
Community
All aboard. The Frankfort Avenue F.A.T Friday Trolley Hop will return on July 25 for the first time since 2019. From 4 to 9 p.m. hop on a free trolley to explore the neighborhood along eight stops, including Bingham Park, the Irish Rover, and the Chicken Steps.
Try This
Sprak Skatepark will kick off Go Skateboarding Day tomorrow, June 20 with free skating after 5 p.m., cash prizes for tricks, a new obstacle, and a HomeGrown skateboards video premiere. The indoor Portland skatepark recently hosted pro skater Bam Margera, so who knows who you might skate into next.
Outdoors
Fireflies? Lighting bugs? No matter what you call them, one of the rarest of the species may be fluttering south of Louisville. The Blue Ghost Firefly, known for its blue hue, is typically found in southern Appalachia, but can make a nightly spectacle as far north as Bernheim Forest Arboretum.
Arts
The Speed Art Museum’s executive director Raphaela Platow will conclude her tenure this August. Over the last four years, Platow helped launch the Speed Art Park opening this October + led the first major reinstallation of the permanent collection since 2016. The museum’s board is already on the search to fill her role.
Plan Ahead
Arrr you ready for an adventure? The Belle of Louisville’s pirate-themed cruises are setting sail September 19-20. Step aboard for a 21+ cruise with sea shanty band Drunk & Sailor and sword fighting or book the kid-friendly version.
Try This
Calling all true crime fans: “CLUE: A Walking Mystery” is live now through Sunday, July 6. Pro tip: Get 50% off tickets this weekend only (today, June 20-Sunday, June 22) with code CLUE50. Crack puzzles, follow clues, and see if you can solve the casebefore time runs out.*
Fitness
Celebrate Pride Month with Move with Pride Bootcamp, presented by Wel at Humana + Humana’s Pride NRG. This inclusive fitness experience includes vendor partners, cocktails, and more. Cost? Giving — bring new essentials to support Sweet Evening Breeze. Plus, grab a drink at Paristown Arts District’s full bar after class. Grab tickets.*
Number
5. That’s how many minutes it takes to be ready for every trending topic at tonight’s dinner party, thanks to 1440’s unbiased, fact-based daily newsletters. Subscribe for free.*
Real Estate
Is the future of housing built in just one hour? This company is selling assembly-line constructed homes that are folded up, shipped off, and unboxed on-site.†*
Post of the Day
The gay nightclub Connection closed in 2016 and was torn down in 2018 to build the Cambria Hotel, but Louisvillians will remember its iconic disco ball that anchored the orange venue on the corner of East Market and Floyd Streets.
Louisvillian Greg Stinson opened Connection in 1988 and it became one of the biggest and most popular gay clubs, helping to build bridges in a community where there were once barriers. In addition to serving up drinks and drag, celebs like Lady Gaga also graced its dazzling stage.
While the Connection is now in the history books, the beat goes on. Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community tomorrow during the Kentuckiana Pride Festival at the Big Four Lawn.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Yesterday was my last day here at 6AM City and this is officially my last newsletter — but don’t cry an Ohio River. These last four years have been a blast and a half, and I’m grateful for all the stories I got to share about Louisville and many of the other 6AM City markets. I’ll see you around town, y’all.
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