Kentucky State Fair
It's that time of year again! The Kentucky State Fair begins Thursday, August 18 and runs until Sunday, August 28. Come out to the Expo Center to experience the animals, showcases, contests, concerts, fair food, and of course the Midway. Even if you came last year...and the year before that...the State Fair promises a fun-filled day for the whole family. Check out our website for the daily schedules.
When: August 18 - 28, 7am - 9pm
Where: Kentucky Expo Center, 937 Philips Lane
Website: Kentucky State Fair
Cost: $10+
FRIDAY
Belle of Louisville Bridge Sightseeing and Dinner Cruise
Enjoy a special evening on the Ohio River on the historic steamboat Belle of Louisville as she travels upriver to check on the construction progress of the new east end bridge. Include the delicious buffet or choose sightseeing only without the buffet. The cruise boards at 6:30 pm and returns at 9:30 pm. Call 502-574-2992 for information, to make a reservation or to purchase tickets online.
When: August 26, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Belle of Louisville, 401 W. River Road
Website: Bridge Sightseeing Cruise
Cost: $43 for adults; $27 for children
African Heritage Festival
The African Heritage Festival is a celebration of unity, culture, art and history across the African Diaspora. It is a joyous two-day event for the whole family with great food, music, dance, sports, fashion, cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, resources for healthy living and so much more. Join us for this exciting celebration of African, African-American and Caribbean cultures! The opening ceremony will take place on Friday, and on Saturday, there will be activities all day as we celebrate African heritage.
When: August 26, 7pm - 9pm; August 27, 8am - 7pm
Where: Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Website: African Heritage Festival
Cost: Free to attend
Boogie Nights Dance Party at Mercury Ballroom
The world famous Boogie Nights Dance Party comes to Louisville! The party starts Friday night with a Ladies' Night Disco Party, followed on Saturday with The Return of Prince and MJ! The cast for both nights will include dancers in addition to Roller Girl, Mirror Man and many others!
When: August 26 & 27, 9pm
Where: Mercury Ballroom, 611 S. Fourth St.
Website: Boogie Nights
Cost: $18+
Seven Sense Festival Pre-Party: Chrome Pony at The New Vintage
Join us as Indiana duo Chrome Pony warm us up for the Seven Sense Festival! Brothers Tyler and Kyle Davis work with a rotating cast of Nashville instrumentalists to create Chrome Pony's energetically diverse sound, ranging from punk, psyche, garage, world music and rock n' roll. Check them out this Friday at The New Vintage!
When: August 26, 8pm - 11pm
Where: The New Vintage, 2126 S. Preston St.
Website: Seven Sense Pre-Party
Cost: $7+
Bourbon and B-Sides at The Pointe
This event is a fusion of Kentucky’s rich Bourbon heritage, mixed with a unique blend of art. It also includes exclusive music rarely showcased during the nightlife designed to create an infectious social experience. Our goal is to connect music lovers, art enthusiasts and bourbon lovers and to bring them together once a month to enjoy an event tailored to the interests of those seeking an alternative to a typical night out.
When: August 26, 9pm - 3am
Where: The Pointe, 1205 E. Washington St.
Website: Bourbon and B-Sides
Cost: $10
Frankfort Avenue Friday Night Trolley Hop
Discover the best that Louisville has to offer on The Avenue during at the F.A.T. Friday Trolley Hop. Join us on the last Friday of every month where free trolleys run from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. along Frankfort Avenue from Cannons Lane to River Road.
When: August 26, 6pm - 10pm
Where: Start at Mellwood Arts Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave.
Website: Friday Night Trolley Hop
Cost: Free to attend
Evolving Gallery: Painting with Light by Kim Torres
As a digital artist, Kim Torres takes the treasures she collects from around her world and combines them in new and interesting ways that satisfy her own curiosity. It often results in images that play with our sense of time, space and scale to create magical, mystical places. Check out Kim's exhibition at Evolving Gallery this Friday.
When: August 26, 6pm - 10pm
Where: Evolving Gallery, 1912 Mellwood Ave.
Website: Painting with Light
Cost: Free to attend
SATURDAY
Red Bull Flugtag 2016
Red Bull Flugtag challenges the brave and brainy to design, build and pilot homemade flying machines off a 30-foot high flight deck in hopes of soaring into the wild blue yonder…or more often, plunging into the waters below. Flugtag, which means “flying day” in German, pushes the envelope of human-powered flight, but competitors need more than airtime to reach the podium. Teams are judged on three criteria: flight distance, creativity of the craft, and showmanship. These criteria have inspired flying tacos, prehistoric pterodactyls, winnebagos with wings and even Snoopy and the gang to grace the Flugtag flight decks!
When: August 27, 1pm - 4pm
Where: Waterfront Park, 1 River Road
Website: Red Bull Flugtag Louisville
Cost: Free to attend
Seven Sense Festival
A FREE live music, craft beer, spirits, local food and arts & crafts festival on Preston Street from Lynn Street to Fetter Avenue, right outside Zanzabar and The New Vintage. The event features 40 bands, 7 craft breweries, top shelf spirits, 7 local food trucks, tons of arts & crafts vendors and is a charitable event for Boys and Girls Haven!
When: August 27, 12pm
Where: S. Preston St.
Website: Seven Sense Festival
Cost: Free to attend
Louisville Zombie Walk
The gates of Hell must be bursting at the seams because it seems every year in late August more flesh eating zombies get loose from their rotting graves to carve a path of apocalyptic carnage through the Highlands. This year promises to be the very biggest siege of the living dead this city has ever seen under the new stewardship of Satan himself! You read that right. The Prince of Darkness and the crew of The Devil’s Attic, one of Louisville’s scariest seasonal haunted attractions located on West Hill Street, have taken over ownership of the largest annual zombie walk in the United States.
Check out the website below for more details.
When: August 27, 8:30pm
Where: Start at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Bardstown Road
Website: Louisville Zombie Walk
Cost: Free for zombies
Zombie Costume Contest
By the Comfy Cow, right at the center of the apocalyptic insanity, there will be a zombie costume contest. Stop by the tent to register for any of the following categories: Scariest Zombie, Funniest Zombie, Hottest Zombie, Best Child Zombie and Best Zombie Couple. The winners will be announced at 10:30pm and will receive official plaques and prize packages.
When: August 27, 8:30pm
Where: Start at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Bardstown Road
Website: Zombie Costume Contest
Cost: Free for zombies
World's Championship Horse Show Finals
Every year, the World's Championship Horse Show is brought to you in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair, and this Saturday night, it's the finals. Divisions will include Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness and Hackney Pony, along with several others. Whether it's part of your State Fair plans for the day or a separate trip from home, you won't want to miss the world's finest Saddlebreds compete for the title of World's Champion.
When: August 27, 7pm
Where: Freedom Hall, 937 Phillips Lane
Website: World's Championship Horse Show
Cost: $25
Alpha Phi Alpha West Louisville Fun Run
The goal of the West Louisville Fun Run 5K and Community Health Fair is to empower community members to elevate their quality of life through engaging in healthy lifestyle practices. With over 130 registrants last year, we are seeking support to continue to keep up with the growth and upward trajectory of this community initiative. With the collaboration of valuable community partners, we hope to bring an engaging and family fun event to the city of Louisville. Registration begins at 8am, and the race starts at 9:30am.
When: August 27, 9:30am - 12pm
Where: Shawnee Park, 4501 W. Broadway
Website: West Louisville Fun Run
Cost: $20
B. Deemer Gallery Art Exhibition Opening: "Eggs"
Presenting, “Eggs,” an exhibition of new paintings by Lynn Carden at the B. Deemer Gallery. The unknown world of bird eggs is revealed by artist-turned-historian Lynn Carden. As a visual artist and educator, Carden wants to reconnect us with the mystery of birds’ eggs. The exhibition will be on display from August 27 – October 1.
When: August 27, 10am - 3pm
Where: B. Deemer Gallery, 2650 Frankfort Ave,
Website: B. Deemer Gallery
Cost: Free to attend
Norton Commons Amphitheater's Music by the Water: Dana Rogers & Appalatin
Join us for our August Music by the Water Concert featuring the talented singer/songwriter Dana Rogers and Kentucky’s own Latin-infused roots group, Appalatin. You won’t want to miss these bands! Don't worry, there will be plenty of food trucks on scene. And don’t forget your chairs & blankets.
When: August 27, 6:30pm - 10pm
Where: Norton Commons, 10712 Meeting St., Prospect, KY 40059
Website: Music by the Water
Cost: Free to attend
Butchertown Get Down Week 4: Labyrinth
The Butchertown Get Down presented by Lunazul, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, and Domaine de Canton is a weekly movie-themed dance party at Louis's the Ton every Saturday night throughout the months of August and September! Each week is themed off of a film and the film’s soundtrack - which inspires the DJ set - all while the film is projected on a wall. Week 4 will be an epic Labyrinth dance party with vibes from Aaron Chadwell a.k.a. DJ Narwhal!
When: August 27, 11pm - 2am
Where: Louis's the Ton, 1601 Story Ave.
Website: Butchertown Get Down
Cost: Free with RSVP
Yoga with Art at 21C Museum Hotel Louisville
STRETCH your horizons at 21c Museum Hotel Louisville’s Yoga with Art! Flex those creative muscles as you work through a variety of ancient yoga poses led by Cami Glauser and Zac Goldstein of 502 Power Yoga. Attendees are welcome to bring their own mats, but extra mats are available should students come without one. Be sure to arrive early to ensure a spot because space is limited!
When: August 27, 9:30am
Where: 21C Museum Hotel Louisville, 700 W. Main St.
Website: Yoga with Art
Cost: $5
Actors Theatre 's Exclusive Tech Event: The 39 Steps
Season ticket holders and a guest have the opportunity to get an exclusive behind the scenes look at The 39 Steps. The evening will open with a reception featuring food and drinks by MilkWood, and then you'll get to hear from the director of 39 Steps before getting a special first look at a technical rehearsal for the show.
When: August 27, 7pm
Where: Actors Theatre, 316 W. Main St.
Website: Exclusive Tech Event: 39 Steps
Cost: Free for season ticket holders, but ticketed
3rd Annual Michael Jackson Dance Party at The Cure Lounge
It's that time of year again - come celebrate with us the music of Michael Jackson! SpringBreak will be playing all your favorite 80s, 90s and early 00s hip hop, r&b, dance, pop and heavy doses of the King of Pop! If you're participating in the Louisville Zombie Walk, feel free to come down dressed in your best Zombie gear to dance the Thriller with all your friends!
When: August 27, 11pm
Where: The Cure Lounge, 1481 S. Shelby St.
Website: Michael Jackson Dance Party
Cost: Free to attend
Brent Mathis, Bad Day Baby and The Blue Velvets Perform at Kaiju
Kaiju never lets you down with their live music, and this is no exception. Check out three great acts this Saturday while you sip some sake and forget your worries.
When: August 27, 10pm - 1am
Where: Kaiju, 1004 E. Oak St.
Website: Kaiju
Cost: $5
SUNDAY
Chris Young Performs at Freedom Hall
As part of the Kentucky State Fair, Chris Young will be playing at Freedom Hall this weekend! This talented country singer/songwriter is sure to charm you just as sure as he is to rock the stage in an unforgettable performance. Joined onstage Brett Eldredge and Chris Lane, these three men will show you what country music is really about.
When: August 28, 7pm - 11pm
Where: Freedom Hall, 937 Phillips Lane
Website: Chris Young
Cost: $48+
Derby Dinner Playhouse Presents The Hallelujah Girls
Derby Dinner Playhouse presents the comedy The Hallelujah Girls! This play is a rollicking Southern comedy that takes place in an abandoned church-turned-day-spa where a group of feisty female friends gathers every Friday afternoon. Come check out this side-splitting, joyful comedy that will make you laugh out loud and shout Hallelujah!
Doors open at 6pm, and the show starts at 7:45pm.
When: August 28, 7:45pm - 10pm
Where: Derby Dinner Playhouse, 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, IN 47126
Website: The Hallelujah Girls
Cost: $44
Jamzabar Open Bluegrass Jam at Zanzabar
Bluegrass, old time, and folk genres. Bring your voice, instrument, or just your appreciation of roots music. All levels are welcomed! The patio and stage areas will be available, so we can break up into two jams if needed.
When: August 28, 3pm - 6pm
Where: Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St.
Website: Jamzabar
Cost: Free to attend or participate
Turf Concert Series: Francesca Battistelli
As part of the Kentucky State Fair, the Turf Concert Series presents Francesca Battistelli! She'll be performing at Cardinal Stadium along with Building 429, Lauren Daigle and Finding Favour.
When: August 28, 8pm - 10pm
Where: Cardinal Stadium, 937 Phillips Lane
Website: Francesca Battistelli
Cost: Free with State Fair admission
Speed Cinema Presents: Sudden Fear
Recently restored, this thrilling tale is a showpiece for the brilliant Joan Crawford. She stars as a playwright married to a less-than-stellar actor (Jack Palance). It was her money that he’s after, and he plans to murder her with the help of his girlfriend on the side (Gloria Grahame).
The film received Oscar nominations for cinematographer Charles Lang, Jr., actress Joan Crawford and supporting actor Jack Palance.
When: August 28, 3pm - 5pm
Where: Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. Third St.
Website: Sudden Fear
Cost: $7 for Members; $9 for Non-Members
Dev & Kev Play at Gerstle's Place
Local favorites Dev & Kev will be performing at Gerstle's this Sunday. Christin Devereaux and Kevin McCreery never fail to deliver a spectacular performance. Also, did we mention it's free?
When: August 28, 9pm
Where: Gerstle's Place, 3801 Frankfort Ave.
Website: Gerstle's Schedule
Cost: Free
Cover Image: Jessica Ebelhar, Seven Sense Festival