The Kentucky Center Blog

Museum Row attractions offer free admission for military families Memorial Day - Labor Day

“Museum Row” attractions offer free admission to military families Memorial Day through Labor Day

Ali Center, Frazier Museum, KentuckyShow! and Louisville Science Center participate in country-wide program offering free admission to military personnel and their families this summer.

May 25, 2012 (Louisville, Ky.)  Several of Louisville’s “Museum Row on Main” attractions are participating in Blue Star Museums, a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and more than 1,500 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2012.

The Frazier History Museum, Louisville Science Center, Muhammad Ali Center and KentuckyShow!  at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts offer military discounts year-round, but will be waiving admission fees entirely from Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, through Labor Day, September 3, 2012 as part of the Blue Star Museum program. The free admission offer is available to active-duty military and their family members (military ID holder and up to five family members). Active duty military includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and active duty National Guard and active duty Reserve members.

This is the third consecutive year of the Blue Star Museums program. Through this collaboration, military families have an unparalleled opportunity to visit some of the country’s finest museums in all 50 states for free.

 

“This is both an opportunity to thank military families for their service and sacrifice, as well as a chance to create connections between museums and these families that will continue throughout the year,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “Especially for families with limited time together, those on a limited budget, and ones that have to relocate frequently, Blue Star Museums offers an opportunity to enjoy one another and become more fully integrated into a community.”

For a complete list of participating museums, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program. For questions on particular exhibits or museums, contact the museum directly.

About Blue Star Families - Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, with a mission to support, connect and empower military families. 

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (June 8-17) is Stage One's largest production ever!

 

As reported on BroadwayWorld.com/Louisville -

Stage One Family Theatre presents

JOSEPH and the AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

June 8-17, The Kentucky Center

Ticketing information and Details

The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father's favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless.

This is the largest show that StageOne has ever done, with over 150 cast and crew members, including a 100 member children’s choir directed in collaboration with Louisville Youth Choir, under the direction of Terri E. Foster. Additional collaboration includes orchestral conduction from Louisville Youth Orchestra’s own Jason Seber. The show is produced by StageOne’s Peter Holloway and is Directed/Choreographed by Megan Bliss.

Read more: http://louisville.broadwayworld.com/article/StageOne-to-Present-JOSEPHDREAMCOAT-at-Kentucky-Center-68-16-20120524#ixzz1vowsczk9

 

 

"Congratulations! Your life is about to change in a wonderful way!" Notification letters sent to The Kentucky Center Governor's School for the Arts Class of 2012

THE KENTUCKY CENTER GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

Class of 2012 has been notified!

The roster for The Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts Class of 2012 has been finalized. GSA’s Summer Program – a three week residential arts conservatory for Gifted and Talented high school juniors and seniors - is the only one of its kind in the state. Students are chosen through a highly competitive audition and review process. Out of close to 1800 applicants, 225 have been chosen to attend the program based at Transylvania University (Lexington).

The 2012 Summer Program runs June 17 – July 7. Students receive in-depth instruction in one of nine artistic disciplines: architecture, creative writing, dance, drama, instrumental music, musical theatre, new media, visual art, and vocal music. The life-changing GSA  experience also includes:

• FREE tuition, room and board 
• Opportunities to learn in a supportive community of distinguished master-teachers.
• College preparation, career counseling, and the chance to meet college representatives during an exclusive GSA college fair.
• Arts-related community service opportunities.
• The excitement of performing/exhibiting at the Student Performance Festival at the conclusion of the program.
• Serious fun!

Students are immersed in a rigorous schedule of daily seminars, master classes, lectures, hands-on workshops and field trips. While each student specializes in one art form, all students participate in structured, interdisciplinary arts experiences designed to familiarize them with the joys and challenges of specialties other than their own. Upon completion of the summer program, students become part of the GSA alumni network, gaining entry to a variety of alumni opportunities, including specific GSA scholarships at regional colleges and universities. 

Please contact GSA Executive Director Carrie Nath, at cnath@kentuckycenter.org or 502-562-0718, if you would like to tour the campus during this year’s program.

Drowsy Chaperone hits the stage at the MeX Theater

The Drowsy Chaperone, presented by As Yet Unnamed Theatre Company, hits the MeX this weekend and next. With a tagline of "A Musical Within a Comedy," this parody of the 1920s American musical follows the whimsical rantings of a man reliving the wonders of lyrical shows in his living room. With pastry-chef gangsters, a case of mistaken identity, and, of course, love in all the wrong places - and don't forget Trix the aviatrix, who manages to land a plane on stage - this show delivers more than enough laughs and entertainment.

Directed by Sandy Richens Cohrs. Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar.

May 18, 19, 25, 26, 2012 at 8:00 p.m., plus a matinee performance May 20 and May 27, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $16 per person.  All tickets can be purchased at the Kentucky Center box office, the Kentucky Center website, or by calling the Kentucky Center box office at 1-800-775-7777.

Confirmed! Jackson Browne, with special guest Sara Watkins, to perform at The Kentucky Center Aug. 12

On Sale to the Public May 18!

The Kentucky Center presents

JACKSON BROWNE Summer 2012 Acoustic Tour

with special guest Sara Watkins

Sunday, August 12, 7:30 p.m.

The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall

Acclaimed American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne is set to bring his summer 2012 Acoustic Tour to The Kentucky Center’s Whitney Hall. Playing guitar and piano, Jackson will perform songs from his entire body of work, with varying set lists each night.

Tickets start at $44.50, reserved seating, fees apply. Tickets are on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 18, at 10 a.m. Call The Kentucky Center Box Office at 584-7777, toll free at (800) 775-7777, (502) 562-0730 (TTY), or visit www.kentuckycenter.org.

Kentucky Center Members, donors at the $100 level and above, save 15% on select seats and receive waived handling fees on orders placed via the Member Hotlines. MembersFirst ($100-499 donors), call (502) 562-0144, and CenterCircle Members ($500+) call (502) 562-0195.

Please call (502) 562-0111 (V), (502) 562-0140 (TTY) or email access@kentuckycenter.org for information about the range of accessibility services we offer to enhance your performance experience.

Visit www.kentuckycenter.org/presents to see other upcoming shows.

Louisville Fund for the Arts names Barbara Sexton Smith President/CEO

As reported by Elizabeth Kramer in the Courier-Journal...

The Louisville Fund for the Arts board of directors Tuesday named Barbara Sexton Smith the new president and chief executive officer of the organization for which she has been the interim leader since last April.

She took over after the organization’s previous head, Allan Cowen, resigned amid protests that arose when he left a hostile voice mail for an arts leader whose organization relies on contributions from the Fund for the Arts. She also headed the organization with the Louisville Orchestra at an impasse in negotiations over a new contract with its musicians.

An announcement from the board of directors said the decision to name Smith came after a yearlong search.

“We’ve had almost a year now of working with Barbara in that role and seeing her in action,” fund board chairman David Calzi said. “Barbara was just fabulous going out and working with our donors. … If you go to any performance, Barbara is usually there. She’s about the education aspects. She gets it.”

Smith, a native of Louisville and graduate of the University of Louisville College of Business who has worked for the fund for more than 14 years, said she sees the decision as “a vote of confidence in the team that we have.”

Read full article on the C-J site.

Kentucky Opera announces 2012/2013 season: "Tosca," Massenet's "Cinderella," and "Don Giovanni"

 

The Brown-Froman 2012/2013 Kentucky Opera Season opens in September with Tosca, continues in November with Massenet's Cinderella, and closes in February with Don Giovanni. Subscriptions range from $82 - $184 and are available now via www.KYOpera.org and by phone at 584.4500. All performances take place at Louisville's historic Brown Theater on Broadway.

TOSCA -Taking Lovers Leap to a New Level

Friday, September 21 and Sunday September 23

Full synopsis available at http://kyopera.org/tosca.html

CINDERELLA - Proof that a New Pair of Shoes can Change Your Life!

Friday, November 2 and Sunday November 4

For details, visit http://kyopera.org/cinderella.html

DON GIOVANNI - Paybacks are Hell!

Friday, February 15 and Sunday, February 17

For details, visit http://kyopera.org/don-giovanni.html

Currently in its 58th season of production, Kentucky Opera was founded in 1952 and designated the state opera of Kentucky in 1982. The mission of Kentucky Opera is to entertain and educate a broad, diverse audience by producing opera of the highest quality.

 

Rufus Wainwright coming to Iroquois Amphitheatre August 5. Tickets on sale April 27.

The Kentucky Center is proud to partner with Production Simple to bring this artist to Louisville!

WFPK 91.9 Presents
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT & His Band
with special guest Adam Cohen
Sunday, August 5, 8pm
Gates open at 6:30pm
Iroquois Amphitheater / All Ages

For fans of: Elton John, Ben Folds, Feist, Bon Iver, Tom Waits, Tori Amos, Nellie McKay...

Video preview: "Out of the Game" teaser

Description: Rufus Wainwright, affectionately referred to by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet,” and praised by The New York Times for his "genuine originality," has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation.

The son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and brother of Martha Wainwright, Rufus has achieved his own success - based on his singular sound - in the worlds of rock, opera, theater, dance and film.

Wainwright has released eight albums and two DVDs to date, and has appeared on numerous soundtracks and compilations, as well as collaborating with artists like Elton John, David Byrne, Rosanne Cash and Keane. His new album, Out Of The Game , will be released in the U.S on May 1st.

Ticketing: Standard tickets are $29, $36, reserved seating, fees apply. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 27, at 10 a.m., via Ticketfly.com, by phone (877-4-FLY-TIX), or in-person at the Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, M-F. $1 from every ticket will go to the Kate McGarrigle Fund.

Co-produced by The Kentucky Center & Production Simple.

Giving back: Pics from People's Garden and St. Joe's (we had a blast!)

As part of the Mayor's Give A Day campaign to support Metro United Way agencies, Kentucky Center staff volunteered at The People's Garden in the Shawnee neighborhood and at St. Joseph's Children's Home in Crescent Hill. We really enjoyed ourselves...how could we not? We all benefitted from the combination of beautiful weather, camaraderie, and the satisfaction that comes from lending a hand in the community.

THUNDER at The Center includes full day of hands-on activities: Wire Art, Hip Hop dancing, drumming circle, etc.

Tickets are selling briskly for THUNDER at THE CENTER!

Make The Kentucky Center your clean, convenient, indoor hub and have your best THUNDER experience ever! Ticketing info.

Your THUNDER At The Center ticket includes a Pegasus Pin for entry to Derby Festival activities downtown as well as the opportunity to participate in a full day of hands-on all ages creative activities.

Family-friendly activities include storytelling, face painting, a hip-hop class, a hands-on visual art project and the opportunity to participate in a drumming circle. All ages are welcome!  First come, first served.  

Here's what we've got planned for you!  Doors open at 2pm.

3 p.m.-4 p.m. Storytelling with Cynthia Changaris

3 p.m.-5 p.m. Face painting with Wil Jones

4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Wire Art with Karen Wyssbrod & Lauri Adkins 

5 p.m.-5:40 p.m. Hip-hop with Safiyyah Rasool

5:50 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Hip-hop with Safiyyah Rasool 

 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Drumming Circle with Joan Brannon

Expand your Thunder experience by participating in THUNDER At The Center - and have a memorable (and comfortable) time regardless of the weather.

 Looking forward to a great day to kick-off Kentucky Derby Festival!