FRIDAY
Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture | University of Louisville
More than 400 literary scholars, critics and writers from around the world are expected at the University of Louisville for the Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture. UofL's English and classical and modern languages departments and the Commonwealth Center for the Humanities and Society sponsor the annual conference with topics ranging from Nobel laureate William Faulkner to contemporary feminist writer Roxane Gay and from “Downton Abbey” to steampunk and voodoo poetry.
When: Friday-Saturday, February 24-25
Where: University of Louisville, Belknap Campus
Website: Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture
Cost: Free to attend
McClanahan Winter Ceili | Mellwood Arts Center
The McClanahan Winter Ceili is a night of Irish music, food and dance. The event is a fundraiser featuring dinner by Molly Malone's, live music by Ladies of Longford and the Louisville Pipe Band, traditional Irish dance performances, ceili calling and a silent auction. All proceeds go to support the McClanahan School Parents Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the dancers and the Louisville Feis.
When: Friday, February 24, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Mellwood Arts Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave.
Website: Winter Ceili
Cost: $30
Dreaming in Color: Americana's 2nd Annual Art Exhibit | TARC's Union Station
Dreaming in Color is an opportunity to encourage and support the immigrant, refugee and underserved young people who participate in Americana's Youth Program. They have been creating art, writing poetry and preparing music for months and now it's time to show off their endless talent. Stop by for just a moment or stick around to see the show. Everyone is welcome.
When: Friday, February 24, 6-9 p.m.
Where: TARC's Union Station, 1000 W. Broadway
Website: Dreaming in Color
Cost: Free to attend
ZZ Top | Louisville Palace
The legendary classic rock band ZZ Top is coming to the Palace! Their countless hits have made them a household name in anyone's collection. Don't miss this chance to see them live!
When: Friday, February 24, 8 p.m.
Where: Louisville Palace, 625 S. Fourth St.
Website: ZZ Top
Cost: $50+
Total Eclipse: A Celebration of Dark Beers | River City Drafthouse
Celebrate all that is dark this Friday at RCD as they eclipse their entire draft line with dark beers! That's 24 drafts of stouts, porters, browns and barley wines.
When: Friday, February 24, 7 p.m.
Where: River City Drafthouse, 1574 Bardstown Road
Website: Total Eclipse
Cost: Free to attend
Human Abstract | The Kentucky Center
A co-production between Louisville Ballet and Louisville Visual Art, this production will push the boundaries of how art can be created through collaboration. Lucas Jervies brings a psychological drama to life in the intimate setting of the Bomhard Theater, where you feel the power of the art you are seeing.
When: Friday-Sunday, February 24-26, times vary
Where: Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St.
Website: Human Abstract
Cost: $35+
Jamestown Revival and The Record Company | Mercury Ballroom
Jamestown Revival and The Record Company are co-headlining for the greatest Americana show ever! Come see them at Mercury for a great show.
When: Friday, February 24, 8 p.m.
Where: Mercury Ballroom, 611 S. Fourth St.
Website: Jamestown Revival + The Record Company
Cost: $20
The Addams Family | Derby Dinner Playhouse
Derby Dinner Playhouse will present the macabre Broadway musical comedy, The Addams Family. This play is based on the cartoon characters created by Charles Addams, who also inspired the television show that first aired in 1964. This devilishly delightful musical features music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice.
When: Friday-Sunday, February 24-26, times vary
Where: Derby Dinner Playhouse, 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, IN
Website: The Addams Family
Cost: $39+
Jazz Fest 2017 | University of Louisville
The University of Louisville annual Jazz Fest is back! Come out on Friday and Saturday to support this awesome festival. On Friday, The Metta Quintet will perform, and on Saturday, it's the incredible Wycliffe Gordon!
When: Friday-Saturday, February 24-25, 8 p.m.
Where: Comstock Concert Hall, University of Louisville
Website: Jazz Fest 2017
Cost: $20 General Admission; $10 Students with ID
SATURDAY
Louisville Polar Plunge for Special Olympics | Waterfront Park
The Polar Plunge marks its 19th year in Louisville this Saturday, when the Biggest Chill in Town hits the water once again at the Brown-Forman Amphitheater at Waterfront Park. More than 1,000 are expected to return to the riverfront and take a chilly dip in the Ohio River from the docks below the amphitheater. The Plunge works just like a walk-a-thon with Polar Bears raising a bear minimum of $75 to take a chilly dip into the Ohio River off the docks near the Brown-Forman Amphitheater. For the first time this year, Polar Bears will have the option of taking the Plunge into the Ohio River from the docks below the Amphitheater or into a pool set up on the Amphitheater pad .
When: Saturday, February 25, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Where: Brown-Forman Amphitheater, Waterfront Park
Website: Louisville Polar Plunge
Cost: Free to register
Rare Bourbon for Rare Disease | Haymarket Whiskey Bar
This is your opportunity to taste bourbon from a bygone era - a 1982 O.F.C. vintage-dated bourbon - and fund rare disease research at the same time. Only 50 bottles of this very rare bourbon were ever bottled, placing each bottle’s worth at $10,000. Buffalo Trace released all 50 in 2016 to charities for fundraising. One recipient was The NUBPL Foundation, which funds research for a very rare Mitochondrial disease caused by mutations in the NUBPL gene. Be a part of bourbon history while supporting an important cause.
When: Saturday, February 25, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Haymarket Whiskey Bar, 331 E. Market St.
Website: Rare Bourbon for Rare Disease
Cost: $50-$250
The 5th Annual Gravy Cup | Mellwood Arts Center
Mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Gravy Cup, the world's largest biscuits and gravy competition! There are three categories: Traditional, Non-Traditional and —BACK for 2017 by popular demand— Veggie/Vegan Gravy! A trophy will be awarded to the winners of each category, and an additional trophy will be awarded for the "People’s Choice Award" as voted by the attendees of the event. There will be live music, beer and spirits as well. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Haven.
When: Saturday, February 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Mellwood Arts Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave.
Website: 5th Annual Gravy Cup
Cost: $15 for adults; $5 for children
The 14th Annual Taste of St. Michael
The 14th Annual Taste of St. Michael is an evening of both silent and live auctions, tastings from approximately 20 local restaurants and DJ entertainment. Held in the Community Center, this event typically attracts more than 500 people and has sold out in past years. Don't miss out on your chance to take home one of the class baskets, your child's class project or a gift card from the gift card tree.
When: Saturday, February 25, 6 p.m.
Where: St. Michael, 3705 Stone Lakes Drive
Website: Taste of St. Michael
Cost: $40
Here Come the Mummies | Mercury Ballroom
Here Come the Mummies is an eight-piece funk-rock band of 5000-year-old Egyptian Mummies with a one-track mind. Their "Terrifying Funk from Beyond the Grave" is sure to get you into them. Come see their return to Mercury!
When: Saturday, February 25, 8 p.m.
Where: Mercury Ballroom, 611 S. Fourth St.
Website: Here Come the Mummies
Cost: $22.50
Imagine! Art Auction + Scholarship Fundraiser | Tim Faulkner Gallery
Come out on Saturday for an immersive art experience at the Tim Faulkner Gallery to support scholarships at St. Francis School. Enjoy cocktails, strolling dinner, auction and, of course, breathtaking works of art by local and national artists!
When: Saturday, February 25, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Tim Faulkner Gallery, 1512 Portland Ave.
Website: Imagine! Auction + Fundraiser
Cost: $150
Brantley Gilbert: The Devil Don't Sleep Tour 2017 | KFC Yum! Center
Country-rocker Brantley Gilbert will bring his “Devil Don’t Sleep Tour” to the KFC Yum! Center this Saturday, with special guests Tucker Beathard, Luke Combs and Brian Davis. The 2017 tour supports Gilbert’s fourth studio album of the same name, set to be released in January.
When: Saturday, February 25, 7 p.m.
Where: KFC Yum! Center, 1 Arena Plaza
Website: Brantley Gilbert
Cost: $40+
Maximón Album Release Show | Haymarket Whiskey Bar
Come out to Haymarket for Maximón's album release show! They'll be premiering their new album If Yes Do on Saturday, with special guests Cat Casual & the Ordinary Bones and Dr. Girlfriend.
When: Saturday, February 25, 10 p.m.
Where: Haymarket Whiskey Bar, 331 E. Market St.
Website: Maximón Album Release Show
Cost: Free to attend
The Louisville Orchestra Presents "Classics: Film & Music" | The Kentucky Center
A world-premiere film to accompany classic music — and next — a world-premiere soundtrack to accompany a classic film. Teddy Abrams and the LO bring you a concert event in collaboration with the Speed Cinema with film and live music at the Kentucky Center.
When: Saturday, February 25, 8 p.m.
Where: The Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St.
Website: Classic: Film & Music
Cost: $27+
SUNDAY
Louisville Film Society's 2017 Oscars Watch Party | The Gillespie
Join the Louisville Film Society at the Gillespie this Sunday for their annual Oscars Watch Party. There will be hors d'oeuvres and desserts, hollywood-inspired libations, a silent auction and door prizes.
When: Sunday, February 26, 7 p.m.- midnight
Where: The Gillespie, 421 W. Market St.
Website: LFS Oscars Watch Party
Cost: $110 for non-members; $75 for members
KLL Vinyl Swap | The Cure Lounge
You like vinyl? Have a collection? Like to buy/sell/trade those bad boys? This is the event for you. Keep Louisville Loud Radio is hosting Louisville's Only Vinyl Swap Meet. Four Bands, four DJs and all the vinyl you could want. And even better - Crosley Radio will be raffling off a free RECORD PLAYER!
When: Sunday, February 26, noon-10 p.m.
Where: The Cure Lounge, 1481 S. Shelby St.
Website: Vinyl Swap
Cost: $5
Louisville Men's Basketball vs. Syracuse | KFC Yum! Center
Cheer on the Cards as they take on Syracuse right here at home. Go Cards!
When: Sunday, February 26, 2 p.m.
Where: UKFC Yum! Center, 1 Arena Plaza
Website: Louisville v. Syracuse
Cost: $40+
Floyd Theater's Oscars Watch Party
Need a place to watch the Oscars? Want to watch it on the big screen and get a chance to win prizes and eat free food? Then come down to the Floyd Theater! Free snacks will be provided and don't miss out on our ballot competition, where you could win one of the Best Picture nominated films on DVD.
When: Sunday, February 26, 7 p.m.
Where: Floyd Theater, 2100 S. Floyd St.
Website: Oscars Watch Party
Cost: Free to attend
Southern Indiana's 12th Annual Premiere Bridal Show | Calumet Club
Brides- and grooms-to-be, it's never too early to start planning your perfect day. Head over to Southern Indiana's Premiere Bridal Show this Sunday to find everything you need.
When: Sunday, February 26, noon-3 p.m.
Where: Calumet Club, 1614 E. Spring St., New Albany, IN
Website: Premiere Bridal Show
Cost: Free for pre-registered brides and grooms; $5 general admission
Cover Image: University of Louisville Facebook
