Are you ready for another jam-packed weekend of fun, Louisville? Here are our picks for where to go and what to do this weekend in Louisville.
TECHFEST
TechFest is technology conference in Louisville that blends business and tech. Topics include healthcare, the internet of things, leadership and emerging tech. Day One consists of keynotes, sessions, a tech gallery (aka playroom) and exhibitors.
When: August 20 - 21
Where: The Kentucky Center, 501 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Cost: $199 ($299 for both days)
22,000 BOOKS AT THE SUMMER USED BOOK SALE
Shelves and rows of gently used books (and some new ones!) await you at Locust Grove’s semiannual Used Book Sale all weekend. 22,000 books are expected, all neatly sorted into categories including history, literature, fiction, mystery/suspense, religion, travel, art, antiques and much more. Most are priced at $1 for paperbacks, $2 for hardbacks. You’ll also find a section of books bargain-priced at $3 to $8 with even more illustrated, rare, collectible, autographed and sets of books at various prices.
When: August 20, 5 – 4:30 p.m.; August 21, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; August 22 and 23, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Historic Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Lane, Louisville, KY 40207
Cost: Free!
RYE BACK PORCH SESSIONS: THE HOT WIRES, GRAFFITI, AND NEW BRAVADO
RYE's Back Porch Sessions is a free summer concert series intended to expose local artists and create a place for the community to gather around food and music. Back Porch Sessions take place outdoors at Rye, located in the East Market District of Louisville, Kentucky. 2015 marks the fourth year for RYE’s Back Porch Sessions.
When: August 20, 7 - 9 p.m.
Where: Rye, 900 E. Market Street, Louisville, KY 40204
Cost: Free!
TACOS AND TURNOVERS AT META
LocalsOnly is teaming up with Meta to bring you a medley of palate-pleasing noshes, speakeasy-themed cocktails and live Jazz music. Slow-braised pork-butt tacos and vegetarian tacos, along with beef-and-potato turnovers will be available for purchase at the bar.
When: August 20, 8 - 2 a.m.
Where: Meta, 425 West Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Cost: Free entry, food and drink prices vary
KEVIN HART'S "WHAT NOW" TOUR
Superstar entertainer, actor and comedian Kevin Hart is on biggest comedy tour in history, stopping in Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center August 20. The What Now? Tour will take the award-winning comedian to 45 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
When: August 20, 8 - 11 p.m.
Where: KFC YUM! Center, 1 Arena Plaza, Louisville, KY 40202
Cost: $135.50, $70.50, $45.50
WESTPORT VILLAGE'S THIRD THURSDAY SHOPPING NIGHT
Stop by Westport Village for the August Third Thursday Shopping Night! Shop and stroll to live music by Walker & Kays and Silverwood. Explore great offers by local retailers Ghyslain Chocolatier, Secret Garden, Apricot Lane and more. This month you can also visit Westport Village's newest locally-owned boutique Tunie's, and check out a cooking demonstration led by a Salt Rox representative at Zi Olive.
When: August 20, 5 - 8 p.m.
Where: Westport Village, 1315 Herr Lane Louisville, KY 40222
Cost: Free!
POLLY O'KEARY AND THE RHYTHM METHOD
Seattle, Washington’s vocalist and songwriter Polly O'Keary is back with a brand new band! Performing a mix of soul, funk, blues and rock that has won her top honors as a songwriter and singer!
When: August 20, 11 - 3 a.m.
Where: The Hideaway Saloon , 1607 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
Cost: $3
BARRELS AND BOOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL
This festival, presented by local iHeartRadio station, will feature Montgomery Gentry and John Michael Montgomery with RaeLynn, Eric Paslay, Kelsie May and Craig Campbell.
When: August 21, 5 - 8 p.m.
Where: Freedom Hall, KY Expo Center, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209
Cost: $37 reserved; $66 VIP
20TH ANNUAL EVENING OF JAZZ
Join Lincoln Foundation for the 20th Annual Evening of Jazz, featuring the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Quartet. A pre-concert reception with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and musical entertainment by West Louisville Boys and Girls Choirs will begin in the lobby at 5:30 p.m. The Spirit of Excellence Award will be presented to Christina Lee Brown, philanthropist and co-founder of Festival of Faiths and Institute for Healthy Air, Water and Soil.
When: August 21, 5:30 - 11 p.m.
Where: Bomhard Theater, The Kentucky Center, 501 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Cost: $100
SPALDING AT THE SPEED: A THIRD-FRIDAY WRITERS’ GALA
Spalding University’s Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program joins the Speed Art Museum for “Spalding at the Speed: A Third-Friday Writers’ Gala,” a monthly reading series that showcases short readings by Spalding MFA students, alumni, staff and faculty, as well as writers from the local literary community. The evening opens with “Jump Start,” an open-mic session for 1 to 2 minute readings of works in progress. Attendees are invited to bring unfinished works to read.
When: August 21, 6 - 8 p.m.
Where: Local Speed, 822 East Market Street, Louisville, KY 40206
Cost: Free and open to the public.
LOUIS-VILLAINZ MARKET FOR MISCHIEF
A Vendor village for those who are not awake early enough for flea markets. There will be jewelry, clothing, oddities and whatnots for sale, as well as tarot card readings and more! Click here to read Louisville.com's preview of the Louis-VILLIANS market!
When: August 21, 7:30 - 10 p.m.
Where: The Cure Lounge, 1481 south Shelby Street , Louisville , KY 40202
Cost: Free!
OUR LADY OF PEACE’S BOOTS AND BBQ BASH
Pull up your boots, shine your buckles and join us for some good old fashioned fun at Our Lady of Peace’s Boots and BBQ Bash! There will be a silent auction, live auction and live music by Nervous Melvin & The Mistakes. This event benefits KentuckyOne Health and assists in the mission to provide treatment to children struggling with emotional and behavioral issues.
When: August 22, 7 - 11 p.m.
Where: Gheen's Lodge, 1421 Beckley Creek Parkway, Louisville, KY 40245
Cost: $100
AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND MUSEUM'S FILM FESTIVAL
The APH is screening three recent documentaries about blindness. Among them is “Blindsight,” which relates how six young people and a blind guide managed to climb Mount Everest. Each movie features plenty of traditional theater treats, is presented with audio description for the blind and is followed by a moderated discussion. The event is best for older children and adults.
When: August 22, 12:30 – 3 p.m.
Where: American Printing House for the Blind, Inc, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
Cost: Free!
SEVEN SENSE FESTIVAL
This year's Seven Sense features 40 bands, seven craft breweries, seven local food truck and tons of arts and crafts vendors. It's a charitable event for Boys and Girls Haven! Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating, such as camping chairs.
When: August 22
Where: 2100 Block of Preston St.
Cost: Free!
BREW AT THE ZOO
This year’s Brew at the Zoo will feature craft beer, wine tastings, food samples and live entertainment.
When: August 22, all day
Where: The Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213
"GO SET A WATCHMAN" BOOK DISCUSSION
Participants in this book group are encouraged to read both "To Kill a Mockingbird" and the recently published "Go Set a Watchman." The discussion will be built around the relative merits, history and critical reaction to two books written at nearly the same time, but published half a century apart.
When: August 23, 2 – 4 p.m.
Where: Carmichael's Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
Cost: Free!
KY STATE FAIR TURF CONCERT: OAK RIDGE BOYS WITH BELLES & WHISTLES
The Turf Concert Series features award-winning musicians and groups in a fun backyard setting each night of the Fair. Concertgoers are seated on the turf field in chairs and bleachers, which are on a first come, first served basis. Fans will get an up-close view of the artists as they perform and can enjoy concessions from local food trucks.
When: August 23, 8 - 10 p.m.
Where: Cardinal Stadium, 2800 South Floyd Street, Louisville, KY 40209
Cost: Free with gate admission
Keep in mind that event details change all the time, so check with the venue before jaunting off into your perfect string of weekend fun. If you notice an error in our event information, please email elizabeth@louisville.com to have it corrected. Want an event listing like this delivered to your inbox every week? Subscribe to Louisville.com's Weekender here!
