We build lifelong relationships with the arts through exhilarating live performances and life-changing statewide Education, Community Arts, and Accessibility programs.
With a performing career spanning over 30 years, NATALIE MERCHANT has earned a distinguished place among America's most respected recording artists with a reputation for being a prolific songwriter with a compelling artistic vision and a unique and captivating performance style.
Her latest Nonesuch recording Leave Your Sleep, which debuted on the Billboard Top 200 chart at No. 17 in 2010, marks a new artistic path for Natalie, creating songs from literary inspiration which are composed for expanded musical ensembles and orchestra. Live performances of her new music have been enthusiastically received by her long-time fans as well as new audiences.
Following her symphonic debut with the Boston Pops Orchestra, critics observed:
"Merchant has found her medium. Yes, the singer-songwriter scored platinum sales with her pop band 10,000 Maniacs, and she forged a commendably searching solo career in the group's wake. But Merchant's woody quaver has never sounded quite so right as it did framed by flutes, a weaving clarinet, and a gentle harp. Keith Lockhart's orchestra was a full partner in the rich, handsome music." - The Boston Globe
As the Kentucky Center prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary on November 19, 2013, Center staff have been discussing how they entered this business and when they felt their first "arts crush." Peter Bell, our Director of Production Services, provided the first story.
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I know, I know. We are all in this industry for the
money, right?
As we all exhibit to a greater or lesser extent, we are all
in love with the arts, most of us with the performing arts. I
caught a great article in the Arts section of The New York Times titled, “Your
First Theater Crush.” It included quotes from several people in our industry,
theater specifically, about what was their epiphany moment that let them know
that this is what they had to do. Reading the article spurred my
own memories.
I grew up in Louisville. My father died in 1979,
shortly before I turned four while my family was living in Frankfort.
Since Mom was going to have to raise two boys alone, she decided to move back
to Louisville where the families were and where there was more
opportunity. Fortunately my mother has always been a theater and dance
fan, so I was exposed to those things at an early age. I remember being
very small and seeing shows at Actors Theatre that were part of a children’s series
they had in the early 1980’s. That and Blue Apple Players at my school
were the first theatrical experiences I had.
The next big thing was when my brother started at Trinity
High School. His freshman English teacher, a little pixie of a woman
named Donna Kupper was on Louisville Theatrical Association's board. She would get group seating to the Broadway shows here. Whitney Hall was where I saw my first road show: Big
River, January 1987. I sat in row G, house right of center. When
the cast started singing “The Boys,” I knew I would love the theater forever. By the time Jimmy Lockett as "Jim" sang "Muddy Water," I was over the
moon. Later that year I did my first show, a middle school production of Wind In the Willows at Highland Middle School. I played "Badger" and did
the lights, my first backstage job. I ended up at Trinity as well and
followed my brother into theater. After working with Billy Bradford, who
some of you know, Greg Sysol, and Pat Mullaney, I knew what I wanted to do the
rest of my life.
I encourage all of you
to take a moment and try to reconnect with the younger, perhaps more optimistic
or naïve "you" that decided you wanted, needed to spend the rest of your
life doing this, with these people, our people.
As we head into a
new season, please make sure that your emotional seat belt is fastened and your
motivational tank is full.
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Sadly, we've had too much spam come through our blog comments filter to allow comments here, but we'd love to hear the story of your arts crush! Please consider joining this conversation on our Facebook page or on Twitter.
What did it take to create a state-of-the-art, first class performing
arts center right here in our Commonwealth that became one of the largest
investments by a state government at the time?
What measures were put in place to keep the Kentucky Center
for the Performing Arts sustainable thirty years later…when so many other arts
centers have closed?
And, what about the spectacular Opening Night of the
Kentucky Center on November 19, 1983, which some individuals still refer to as
an event they “have never seen anything like it before or since?”
These are the questions the Kentucky Center sought to answer
when they launched their first Oral History Project in October 2011.
Looking ahead to the Kentucky Center’s 30th
Anniversary on November 19, 2013, and taking into account discussions of the
need to rebrand, it seemed natural to go back to the beginning to learn about
why and how the Center came into existence. A direct look at the past could help
clarify where we want to go in the future.
The Kentucky Center’s Oral History Project, sponsored by the
Kentucky Oral History Commission, an agency of the Kentucky Historical Society,
consists of twenty-two accounts as told by founding members, former board
members, politicians, employees, and some of the performers on the Center’s
stages. Oral historians John Wolford and Jeff Suchanek and videographer Joanna
Hay captured these interviews that were sometimes nostalgic, sometimes funny,
and often emotional.
What did we learn?
Prioritizing and creating a performing arts center in the
early 1980s was not an easy sell. Two governors, forward-thinking business
people, and committed volunteers shared and worked toward a common vision, as
best described by Gordon Davidson, one of the original founders as “A first grade
state needs a first grade arts center.”
Their vision did not stop there. They wanted
to make sure the Center would remain in place for their children and their
grandchildren. They wanted the Center to offer diverse programs, educate
children throughout the entire state, and be used to attract new businesses to
Kentucky. Would that be enough? No. With the vision of Wendell Cherry, they
wanted to go one step further: provide world class public art for everyone to
enjoy. And this is exactly what they created at the Kentucky Center for the
Performing Arts.
We also learned some artists attribute their first real
start of their careers to the Kentucky Center. Banjo virtuoso and composer Béla
Fleck spoke about performing for the first time with the band that would become
the Flecktones as part of the Kentucky Center’s Lonesome Pine Series in the
1980s on the Bombard stage.
As the Kentucky Center enters its 30th year next
month, these rich oral histories have provided a permanent foundation upon
which to reflect and plan for the Center’s vibrant future.
Come See and
Hear Abraham Lincoln, a Truly Remarkable President
Sunday, November 3 in the KentuckyShow! Theater
Kentucky Center, 501 W Main Street,
Louisville 40202
Kentucky-born Abramham Lincoln is considered
by many to be the greatest U.S. president in the history of the country. Join us for this compelling living history
portrayal of the 16th president as Kentucky Chautauqua presents Jim Sayre as
President Lincoln.
Lincoln comes alive during a one-hour
interactive session, to share his tales and memories of wrenching decisions and
struggles he faced during the Civil War.
The event begins at 2:00, with a viewing of KentuckyShow!, a breathtaking
30-minute multimedia production featuring the people, places and spirit of this
fascinating state, narrated by Ashley Judd.
Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students
and seniors, with general admission seating. Purchase tickets by calling (502)
584-7777 or visiting the Kentucky Center box office.
Leaders of the Louisville Orchestra see an organization with a greater reach in the community under incoming music director 26-year-old Teddy Abrams. When he takes the reins from Jorge Mester next season, Abrams will be the youngest music director in the institution’s 76-year history.
“We do need to be aware of how people interact with music today in this era and to present music in (such) a way that people feel intensely and powerfully connected to both the music and the musicians,” Abrams said at his introduction Monday afternoon at the Kentucky Center.
At Monday’s event, orchestra board president Jim Welch called Abrams “a young, creative, dynamic, innovative talent who has worked with orchestras not only around the U.S. but around the world” to help bring them closer to their communities.
Mester, reached later in New York, said Abrams will bring “youthful exuberance and a lot of new ideas.”
Abrams, who will begin a three-year contract as music director in September 2014, has been the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s assistant conductor since 2012. There he has curated the content of the orchestra’s education concerts and concerts intended for families and reached new audiences through neighborhood performances.
The Kentucky Center presents ALTON BROWN LIVE! The Edible Inevitable Tour Wednesday, November 6, 7:30 p.m. The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall
In the late 1990s, ALTON BROWN reinvented the food show with his award-winning Good Eats on The Food Network, a smart and entertaining food show that blended wit with wisdom, history with pop culture, and science with common cooking sense. An award-winning cookbook author and TV personality/host, Brown gained new followers with his appearances on Iron Chef and The Next Iron Chef.
"A Delicious Evening: ALTON BROWN LIVE! is an Amusing, Off-Key Success" - Coachella Valley Independent
"As promised, the two-hour variety show featured everything from live music, one-of-a-kind cooking demos, and a slurry of stand-up comedy bits covering everything from chicken fingers to airport cocktail shrimp." - Eater.com
Ticket prices start at $25, reserved seating, fees apply. Standard tickets are available online, by phone at (502) 584-7777 and in-person at The Kentucky Center box office counter and drive-thru.
Kentucky Center Members, donors at the $100 level and above, save 15% on select seats for this performance and receive waived handling fees for orders placed via the Member Hotlines. Hotlines are open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. MembersFirst ($100-$499 donors), call (502) 562-0144. CenterCircle Members ($500+ donors), call (502) 562-0195.
Groups of 10-or-more save 10% on select seats in this performance and receive waived handling fees. Call (502) 562-0152 for details.
"Thank You" to our Partners! Media support provided by Lite 106.9.
KEM's life is a testament to the positive power of music. As a singer, songwriter and producer, KEM has sold over 2 million albums and received multiple Grammy nominations and industry awards. Never forgetting where he came from, KEM also gives back to his community through his nonprofit Mack & Third, which assists organizations that support the homeless, including shelters and resources that helped him on his journey from homelessness and addiction to sobriety and success. KEM's new holiday album, WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS, is a mix of original and cover material.
Tickets go on sale to the public this Friday, October 21, at 10 a.m. Ticket prices start at $30, reserved seating, fees apply. Tickets available at www.kentuckycenter.org, (502) 584-7777, and in-person at The Kentucky Center box office and drive-thru.
Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, October 25, at www.kentuckycenter.org, (502) 584-7777, and at The Kentucky Center box office counter and drive-thru. Ticket prices start at $45, reserved seating, fees apply.
Friends and collaborators for over 40 years, Emmlou Harris and Rodney Crowell created their first recording of duets, Old Yellow Moon, earlier this year. More than just a collection of Country bar tunes, PASTE Magazine describes their music as "a contemplative journey through lives lived to the hilt, addictions and their costs, and recognition of one's ultimate place on the horizon."
SHARE A STORY is part of USA WEEKEND Magazine's national Make a Difference Day.
For more than 20 years, USA WEEKEND Magazine and Points of Light have joined together to sponsor Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of community service. Millions of volunteers around the world unite in a common mission to improve the lives of others. Call (502) 582-4463 to volunteer for SHARE A STORY or visit makeadifferenceday.com to volunteer or start a project.
THANK YOU to our Sponsors! Gannett KentuckyShow! National Center for Family Literacy Newman's Own Points of Light University of Louisville Athletics
Erin Edwards, 2010 Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts Alumna in Drama might have agreed with Jane Austen when she wrote, “What strange creatures brothers are!” However, that was before her brother, Clay, returned from the 2012 GSA summer program. “Before [Clay attended] GSA he was just my annoying little brother. After GSA, Clay was my peer, my friend, my confidant and my inspiration,” she said.
“GSA is already an amazing experience while going through it on your own,” added Clay, “But coming home to my sister who has gone through it herself and sharing with her the fun I had and the lessons I learned made my overall experience with GSA one thousand times better.”
It is one thing to see the way GSA affects one of your children, but Erin and Clay’s mother, Jean experienced it twice. “GSA brought out the talents of both my children. Before GSA [their art] was just something that they did. After, it became evident to us that they were more than just talented—it changed how they approached their discipline and the way they approached life in general.”
GSA is about making connections. The three-week summer program connects students from rural Kentucky with students who grew up in more urban areas. It connects visual artists with dancers and writers with instrumentalists. It can connect two siblings who have lived under the same roof for 18 years but have just now realized—We are both artists. We are both GSA.
And, GSA connects students to financial and education resources. GSA helped Erin accomplish her ultimate dream of going to college. “My family lives pay check to pay check for the most part, and I am positive that if it wasn’t for GSA and the scholarship that I received for being an alumni of that program I wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend college,” Erin said.
Erin is currently in her third year at Northern Kentucky University majoring in Middle Grades Special Education and Social Studies. Erin works with theatre kids every day as an assistant coach for the Boone County High School Forensics Team. “It is because of GSA that I have the confidence and the knowledge to help these students perform to their very best,” said Erin. On campus, Erin is a residential Ambassador, giving tours and working large events. She even got the opportunity to study abroad in Italy last spring.
Like any younger sibling, Clay has big shoes to fill. However, as a vocal musician he has already had his own accomplishments. Since GSA, he has performed in multiple vocal competitions including All-State Choir. He has performed in a professional opera. He will graduate from Boone County High School next May and will spend this year auditioning and choosing which college to attend. Clay attended GSA’s College and Career Day on November 1,and we cannot wait to report back on his success there.
GSA Alumni have a network of friends and mentors across the state and even the country, but as Clay says, “living with another alum is awesome.” Whether Erin and Clay are performing together, laughing about the inside jokes that only they understand or celebrating the success of a college scholarship, this sibling duo is GSA.