Bourbon and Garden event
Proof on Main
702 W. Main St.
Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate bourbon and celebrity garden designer (I didn't realize such a designation existed) Jon Carloftis [4] Friday night at Proof on Main [5]. The evening includes a tour of the building's rooftop garden, designed by the Kentucky-born Carloftis. Also "The Bourbon Review [6]" magazine is hosting a tasting and the Lexington-based band Chico Fellini is performing in the atrium. Tickets are $59 per person, which includes a glass of sparkling wine, admission to the bourbon tasting, two drink tickets, hors d'oeuvres (that's a fancy French phrase for appetizers), a limited edition shot glass and a copy of "The Bourbon Review." And if you really want to treat your best girl or boy to a special weekend, 21C Museum Hotel [7] is offering rooms at a special rate of $129. For reservations, call Katie Matthews at 502-217-6312.
Louisville Sub Rosa: The Gypsy Courtyard Rolls onto Bardstown Road
In front of Sol Aztecas
2427 Bardstown Road
Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Divinity Rose [8], whom Louisville.com profiled earlier [9], is taking her Sub Rosa: The Gypsy Courtyard open-mic variety show out of the bars and into the street on Saturday. Performing as part of The Great Escape [10]'s (2433 Bardstown Road) sidewalk show (25 percent off everything in the store from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), there'll be live music from The Stand and Revenge of Ricky Williams [11], magic from Darshwood the Conjuror [12] and mentalism from Joe Riggs [13], as well as whatever entertainment you want to provide--it's an open-mic after all. There's also a super heroes vs. villains costume contest with a grand prize that includes a $30 gift card to Great Escape. This event is rain or shine. Admission is free.
Melwood Fine Arts and Crafts Show
Melwood Arts & Entertainment Center
Sept. 12-13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Because Louisville needed another arts fair like I need an 8 a.m. gimlet, the Melwood Arts & Entertainment Center is stepping up with its first annual September Art Fair at Melwood [14]. In what it's calling "one of the largest high quality fine arts and crafts shows in Louisville," there'll be 300 artists' spaces, as well as food, wine tastings, live entertainment, a children's area and charity booths for the Ursuline Sisters [15]. Admission is free.
Fleur de Liberties
Monkey Wrench
1025 Barret Ave.
Sept. 12, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
This benefit show is for the ACLU of Kentucky [16], which works for sensible changes like abolishing the death penalty [17], immigration reform, restoring voting rights for former felons, and ensuring reproductive and gay rights. Performers include Shane Larue, Rest Assured, Shedding and The Deloreans, as well as an after-party with the OK djays, Sam Sneed and Mr. Hits. Local restaurants and merchants have donated items for a raffle and there'll also be a silent auction with items from the Female Art Collective and Kinship Gallery. Tickets are $5.
Gaslight Festival
Gaslight Square
Jeffersontown
Sept. 13-20
This family-friendly event [18] features a motorcycle rally, golf scramble, 5k run/walk, parade, balloon glow, bike tour, children's playground and--yes--those ubiquitous arts and crafts booths. I don't see the appeal of this festival, but as it's been going on for 40 years and attracts 200,000 people, there's a great case to be made for my not knowing what the heck I'm talking about.
For more information: Check out Hambone's three area shows this weekend.