As reported in the Voice-Tribune. Read full article here.
Louisville is about to go blue.
The critically acclaimed Blue Man Group is slated to play The Kentucky Center April 10-15, a show considered “funny, stunning and intellectually stimulating” by Stephen Klein, president of The Kentucky Center.
And Klein should know – he’s seen them three times already.
Blue Man Group is best recognized as three bald, blue performers that engage the audience with unforgettable tribal rhythms courtesy of large drums. In addition to hosting the electrifying performance, the Kentucky Center and PNC Broadway in Louisville have partnered with the Louisville Visual Art Association’s (LVAA) Open Doors Program to create a 3-D mural commemorating the event, aptly titled “Project Blue Drum.”
Open Doors provides opportunities to enhance artistic skills for communities with narrow access to the visual arts. By pairing a professional artist with various community groups, the intent is to create meaningful works of self-expression in a positive environment.
Artist Tara Remington was chosen to collaborate with Western Middle School, an experience she considered enriching and satisfying. Remington created the vision for “Project Blue Drum” and spent 12 weeks with the 6th and 7th grade students of Western Middle School, and art teacher, Amanda Thompson.
The teachers took a turn.The youngsters are rewarded with not just the satisfaction of a job well done, but with tickets to see Blue Man Group perform. “The bigger the growth of our project, the bigger the growth of the kids. I’d say they’ve completely transformed,” Remington said.
And grow it has.
LVAA Open Doors Project Manager Aron Conaway considers this the most sophisticated, most involved project he’s administered to date. “There’s been such a positive response, and people are so excited for us. But truly, the excitement is for the kids. They’ve worked so hard.”
Conaway views “Project Blue Drum” as a literal extension of the visual arts into the surrounding communities here in Louisville, a goal he says that wouldn’t have happened without the collaboration of so many.
Art in progress.The Kentucky Center has extended a hand in promoting “Project Blue Drum” by publicly unveiling the sculpture on The Kentucky Center front steps on Friday, March 2nd, from 6-8 p.m. Additionally, the creation will be available for viewing throughout the run of the Blue Man Group. The Kentucky Center will also host a "BluLu To NuLu" reception the day tickets go on sale for guests to enjoy blue martinis and Blue Moon beer, and revel in the performance of local band, The Blue Umbrellas.
Being blue never felt so good.
Blue Man Group will play The Kentucky Center April 10-15. Tickets go on sale at The Kentucky Center box office on Friday, March 2nd with prices starting at $22.75. Call 502.584.7777 or go online at www.KentuckyCenter.org
