The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

Favorite photos from 2016 Governor's School for the Arts Summer Program on Centre College campus

Look what we did this summer! It's all here! Architecture + Design, Visual Art, Musical Theatre, Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, New Media, Instrumental Music, and Vocal Music, plus highlights from field trips and community service.

View our favorite Summer Program photos

This summer The Kentucky Center Governor's School for the Arts (GSA) welcomed over 250 of the state's most creative artists, performers, writers, designers, and musicians to Centre College campus in Danville, KY for three weeks of instruction, mentoring, and fellowship.

This life-changing experience is provided FREE OF CHARGE to the students and their families due to the generous support of corporations, foundations, and individuals.

In addition to the summer program, GSA serves students year-round and across the state through ArtShops and Masterclasses held at various locations in Kentucky.  These opportunities not only provide students, parents and teachers a chance to learn more about GSA, but also bring creative and artistic instruction to communities where arts education is sparse or nonexistent. 

The Kentucky Center Governor's School for the Arts is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. To receive email updates about the program, create an account and be sure to check the box to add GSA as one of your eClub profile Interests. 

Louisville Music Awards return to The Kentucky Center in October. Nominations are now open!

2016 Louisville Music Awards

Thursday, October 27

6:30 p.m., Pre-show Reception (Main Lobby)

8 p.m., Awards Ceremony and Live Performances (Bomhard Theater)

9:30 p.m., After Party (Main Lobby)

The Kentucky Center

501 W. Main, Louisville 40202

Brought to you by Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 

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Nominations are now open for the 2016 Louisville Music Awards! Nominations will be accepted through September 9. The 4th annual Louisville Music Awards highlights the diverse artists, pioneers, fans, and businesses that make up Louisville's vibrant music community. Event tickets are $10, general admission seating, fees apply. Tickets can be purchased through The Kentucky Center Ticket Service online, by phone (502.584.7777), and at the box office. $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to MERF, the Musician's Emergency Resource Foundation. 

Kentucky Center's "Anne Frank Bearing Witness Project" program to expand with increased support from the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence

 

This information appeared originally on the JCC Community website:

The Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence (JHFE) has increased its support for the Anne Frank Bearing Witness Project by 50 percent. This is an education program of The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts that applies teaching strategies developed by Brown University’s ArtsLiteracy Project to provide arts-integrated learning experiences about the history and literature of the Holocaust. JHFE previously contributed $50,000 for each of the last two years of the project. The increased contribution will be used for the 2016-17 school year.

The impact of the increased funding will be noticeable, allowing The Kentucky Center to increase the number of partner schools from eight to 12 and expand the geographic service area of this program to statewide.

In addition, teachers eligible to apply include those who have been in the Bearing Witness program for one year, and teachers who have attended the 2015 or 2016 Arts-Literacy Academy presented by The Kentucky Center in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education.

The funding will enable the program to establish and introduce an important new component: training descendants of Holocaust survivors to begin sharing their family stories with students. As the numbers of Holocaust survivors are dwindling and their ages advancing, it is now falling on the shoulders of the next generation to keep their stories alive, and to connect with students through living testimony.

The Anne Frank Bearing Witness Project (AFBW) provides teachers with extensive training in strategies designed to connect students more deeply and more empathetically with history by involving them in creating artistic responses to the history and literature. Research and evaluation by professors at the University of Louisville College of Education & Human Development and by Dr. Alan Yaffe, have demonstrated the success of this program in attaining these goals.

The Kentucky Center’s commitment to providing quality arts education programs began with a statewide needs assessment and the hiring of an education director before opening their doors in 1984. Since that time, The Kentucky Center has gained national attention for its Education and Community Arts programs including: ArtsReach, Arts in Healing, School Programs, and Governor’s School for the Arts.

Read other posts and articles related to the Anne Frank Bearing Witness Project:

Project Launch (October 2014)

"Holocaust Survivor to Talk at Remembrance Event", Courier-Journal (April 2015)

Exploring Compassion Through the Arts (April 2015)

 

Calling all vocalists, spoken word artists, dancers, musicians! ArtsReach Open Mic kicks off September 11 in Bomhard Theater.

For Immediate Release

Contact:          

Rob Thomas                                        

(502) 566-5194 

rthomas@kentuckycenter.org                            

 

River City Drum Corp and ArtsReach Present Open Mic at The Kentucky Center

The Open Mic, in its 6^th season, has moved into The Bomhard Theater. Open to vocalists, spoken word artists, dancers and dance groups and musicians, the quarterly event provides an opportunity for local artists to participate in the performing arts and share their talent with others.

These events are free and open to the public and for all ages. Participants are asked to arrive 15-minutes early to sign up at the foot of the stairs leading up to the theater, or email jyoungblood@kentuckycenter.org in advance to be included on the list of performers.

WHERE:

The Kentucky Center

Bomhard Theater

501 West Main Street, Louisville 40202

WHEN:

Quarterly

Sunday, Sept. 11; Sunday, Dec. 11; Sunday, March 12; and Sunday, June 11

4-7pm

ABOUT ARTSREACH:

The Kentucky Center ArtsReach program nurtures and develops diverse artists and audiences, engages youth, creates community through the arts and through professional development empowers community centers to program the arts.

The Kentucky Center ArtsReach is made possible with support from Louisville Metro Government, The Norton Foundation, United Parcel Service Co., WHAS Crusade for Children, RLR Foundation, Mark Edwards Violins, Ernst & Young and The Kentucky Center Endowment Fund with additional support provided by Brown-Forman, Yum! Brands, Inc. and other private donors.

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS:

The mission of The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts is to lead and enrich the artistic, educational and economic vitality of the region by providing unparalleled programming and cultural events. The Center serves Kentucky through education and initiatives which expand and diversify audiences while enhancing their understanding, appreciation and support for the arts.

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Goo Goo Dolls bring their BOXES tour to the Brown Theatre in November; tickets on sale August 26

The Kentucky Center and NS2 present

GOO GOO DOLLS

Tuesday, November 29, 8 p.m.

Brown Theatre

315 W. Broadway, Louisville 40202

 

Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, August 26, at 10 a.m., through The Kentucky Center Ticket Service online, by phone (502.584.7777), and at the box office (501 W. Main Street).

The Goo Goo Dolls are touring in support of their latest release, Boxes, the first release by the group as a duo (guitarist/vocalist Johnny Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac). The lead single from that release is “So Alive.” The group is known for hits including “Slide,” “Iris,” and “Name.”

 

View upcoming Kentucky Center Presents shows! New shows are booked throughout the year. 

Love live arts and entertainment? Create your Kentucky Center eClub profile and receive presale invitations, our monthly box office eCalendar, and occasional special offers. 

Multiple Grammy Winner Esperanza Spalding brings Emily’s D+Evolution Tour to The Kentucky Center October 21; tickets on sale August 12.

 

Brown-Forman Midnite Ramble

Esperanza Spalding presents: Emily’s D+Evolution

Friday, October 21, 8 p.m.

The Kentucky Center, Bomhard Theater

501 W. Main Street, Louisville 40202

 

Bassist, cellist, singer, and songwriter Esperanza Spalding was a musical prodigy, playing violin in the Chamber Music Society of Oregon at age five. She has won four Grammy Awards, including the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2011. 

In March 2016, Spalding released her fifth studio album, Emily’s D+Evolution. Although initially categorized as a Jazz artist, her new work appeals across multiple genres, including fans of Prince, Herbie Hancock, Bobby McFerrin, David Byrne, Brian Eno, St. Vincent, Laurie Anderson, and Janelle Monae.

Video: “Good Lava” live (NPR Music “Front Row”) 

“a scorching Art Pop statement, ultimately a complex, funky prog-rock concept opera about love and identity” – Rolling Stone 

“exuberant, confrontational songs, …seething with the sort of ferocity that only comes from time spent alone, far away from the limelight” – Pitchfork.com

“a beyond-category masterpiece that sounds better than if Joni Mitchell hired Living Colour as her band and then grafted it all onto a hip-hop sensibility of sorts” – PopMatters.com

Tickets on sale to the public starting Friday, August 12, 10 a.m. The Kentucky Center is the official ticket service for this performance; don’t be fooled by scalping sites. Standard tickets available online, by phone (502.584.7777), and in-person at the box office (501 W. Main Street). Tickets start at $35, reserved seating, fees apply.

View upcoming Kentucky Center Presents events.

Create your Kentucky Center eClub profile to receive presale invitations for future Kentucky Center Presents events. New shows are booked throughout the year.

Kentucky Center Presents Announces 2016-17 season! Pilobolus, Alan Cumming, STOMP, Jackie Evancho and more on sale August 19.

 

CONTACT:

Rob Thomas

(502) 566-5194

rthomas@kentuckycenter.org

LOUISVILLE, KY. — The Kentucky Center is offering a wide variety of entertainment as it opens its 33^rd performing arts season. Fall performances will feature legendary musician Bob Dylan and His Band, country superstar Vince Gill, the interpretive dance troupe Pilobolus, host and creator of This American Life Ira Glass, local sensation and Season 9 winner of The Voice, Jordan Smith, and many others. View the current season lineup at www.kentuckycenter.org/kcpresents. New shows will be added throughout the year.

To keep patrons informed, The Kentucky Center now has a responsive website, www.kentuckycenter.org, which provides a better online experience for site visitors across multiple devices. Fans of live arts and entertainment are also encouraged to create a Kentucky Center eClub profile to receive our monthly box office e-Calendar and Kentucky Center Presents presale invitations. To create a profile, please visit www.kentuckycenter.org/myaccount. 

Frequent attendees are encouraged to become Kentucky Center Members by making a tax-deductible contribution. Members save on every ticket purchased through the member hotlines, and enjoy benefits like priority seating and waived handling fees. For more information about Kentucky Center Membership and to view a complete list of member benefits, please visit http://www.kentuckycenter.org/membership-support/individual. Also, be sure to monitor The Kentucky Center on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Here are some of the highlights of the Kentucky Center Presents fall/winter 2016 performance lineup. See full line-up here.

 

Brown-Forman Midnite Ramble

An Evening with Chris Botti

Sunday, August 14, 2016 at 7 p.m.

Brown Theatre on Broadway

Tickets start at $45 and are on sale now

Trumpeter Chris Botti has established himself as one of the most innovative musicians in contemporary music. Playing with his uniquely expressive sound and soaring musical imagination, Chris has recorded and performed with a constellation of stars including Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Bublé, and Barbara Streisand. 

 

An Intimate Evening with Rickie Lee Jones

Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

The Kentucky Center

Tickets start at $35 and are on sale now

Two-time Grammy winner Rickie Lee Jones is known for her confessional songwriting and fearless musical experimentation. Her latest album The Other Side of Desire is the first new music Jones has produced in over a decade. 

Glenview Trust Enriching Life Series

Vince Gill

Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 8 p.m.

The Kentucky Center

Tickets start at $40 and are on sale now

Vince Gill just released his 18^th studio album Down to My Last Bad Habit in February. Gill has sold more than 26 million albums, won 20 Grammys and earned 18 CMA Awards, including two Entertainer of the Year Awards, during his career. 

LEO A Little Off Center

Pilobolus: Shadowland

Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 8 p.m.

Brown Theatre on Broadway

Tickets start at $25 and are on sale August 19

Shadowland was created in 2009 in collaboration with the lead writer for the popular animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, Steven Banks. The story is a surreal experience of a young girl’s sensational world as she comes of age. Shadowland incorporates multiple moving screens of different sizes and shapes to create a performance that merges projected images and front-of-screen choreography. 

Gavin DeGraw & Andy Grammer

With special guest Wrabel

Sunday, October 23, 2016 at 7 p.m.

The Kentucky Center

Tickets start at $42.50 and are on sale now

Multi-platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw recently released Finest Hour, a greatest hits compilation, and is expected to release a new single in June that will be followed by a new full-length album this fall. Andy Grammer has sold over 250,000 albums and has performed on stage to sold-out venues with Taylor Swift, Train and Colbie Caillat. 

Jordan Smith: Something Beautiful Tour

Tuesday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Brown Theatre on Broadway

Tickets start at $25 and are on sale August 19

Jordan Smith showed the world his musical gift in 2015 when he became the “Best-selling artist in the history of The Voice” and the winner of Season 9. Now, he shares his message through the songs on his 2016 debut album for Republic Records/LightWorkers Records—Something Beautiful. 

Bob Dylan and His Band

Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 8 p.m.

The Kentucky Center

Tickets start at $49.50 and are on sale August 12

Arguably the preeminent American singer-songwriter, artist and writer, Bob Dylan has been influential in popular music and culture for more than five decades. 

STOMP

Friday, November 11, 2016 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The Kentucky Center

Tickets start at $25 and are on sale August 19

The percussion group STOMP, famous for using everyday items to create music and physical theatre, won a Primetime Emmy in 1998 for their HBO special Stomp Out Loud.  

Brown-Forman Midnite Ramble

The Temptations & The Four Tops

Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 7 p.m.

The Kentucky Center

Tickets start at $35 and are on sale August 19

Experience a night of solid gold when The Temptations and The Four Tops, two of the greatest names in American music history, perform all of their classics. 

LEO A Little Off Center

Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs

Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. 

Brown Theatre on Broadway

Tickets start at $25 and are on sale August 19

Scottish actor and performer Alan Cumming has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards for his role on The Good Wife and won a Tony Award in 1998 for his role as the master of ceremonies in the Broadway revival of Cabaret, a role which he reprised in 2014. He is perhaps best known for his performances in the films X-2: X-Men United, the Spy Kids trilogy, and Emma. 

89.3 WFPL presents

An Evening with Ira Glass: Seven Things I’ve Learned

Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Brown Theatre on Broadway

Tickets start at $30 and are on sale now

Ira Glass is the host and creator of the public radio program This American Life. Each week, two million listeners on more than 500 public radio stations in the United States, Australia and Canada tune-in to hear the program, and another two million download the podcast. Under Glass’s editorial direction, This American Life has won the high­est honors for broadcasting and journalistic excellence, including five Peabody awards.  

LEO A Little Off Center

Kathleen Madigan – The Mermaid Lady

Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 8 p.m.

Brown Theatre on Broadway

Tickets start at $25 and are on sale August 19

A regular panelist on Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, and she was nominated for a 2014 American Comedy Award for “Best Concert Comic.” Her third one hour special, Madigan Again, is currently available on Netflix and was named one of iTunes Best Comedy Albums.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Brown Theatre on Broadway

Tickets start at $25 and are on sale August 19

The beloved TV classic RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season.   See all of your favorite characters as they come to life in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. 

Jackie Evancho Live in Concert

Sunday, December 18, 7 p.m.

Brown Theatre on Broadway

Tickets start at $30 and are on sale August 19

At age 10, Jackie Evancho's amazing voice propelled her from YouTube sensation to runner up on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Since 2009, Ms. Evancho has issued an EP and five albums, including a platinum and gold album and three Billboard 200 Top 10 debuts.

About the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

The mission of The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts is to lead and enrich the artistic, educational and economic vitality of the region by providing unparalleled programming and cultural events. The Center serves Kentucky through education and initiatives which expand and diversify audiences while enhancing their understanding, appreciation and support for the arts.

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“Like a Rolling Stone”…Bob Dylan is coming to The Kentucky Center! Tickets on sale August 12.

 

The Kentucky Center Presents

BOB DYLAN AND HIS BAND

Tuesday, November 1, 8 p.m.

The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall

501 W. Main Street, Louisville 40202

 

Bob Dylan’s influence as a singer-songwriter has shaped American culture for over 50 years.

Dylan released his 37^th studio album – FALLEN ANGELS - in May 2016.  The album features covers of twelve classic American songs chosen by Dylan from a diverse array of writers such as Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Sammy Cahn and Carolyn Leigh.  Much like the album's predecessor, SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT, every song on the album, except for "Skylark", was once recorded by Frank Sinatra.

The Kentucky Center is the official ticket service for this concert! Don’t be fooled by scalping sites.

Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, August 12, at 10 a.m., online, by phone (502.584.7777), and at the box office (501 W. Main Street, Louisville 40202).

Tickets start at $49.50, reserved seating, fees apply. Multiple VIP package options are also available through The Kentucky Center Ticket Service. Limit 4 tickets per transaction.

View other upcoming Kentucky Center Presents shows here. New concerts and performances are added throughout the year.

To receive presale invitations for future events, create an eClub profile today.

Kentucky To The World presents dancer Wendy Whelan in "To the Point" conversation re: embracing creative power

 

Contact:             

Rob Thomas                                                   

(502) 566-5194 

rthomas@kentuckycenter.org                                 

KENTUCKY TO THE WORLD, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE KENTUCKY CENTER PRESENTS

WENDY WHELAN – TO THE POINT: A CONVERSATION

 

WHAT:                  Wendy Whelan – To the Point: A Conversation

WHEN:                 Monday, October 24, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.- reception at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE:               Bomhard Theater

                              501 W. Main St.

COST:                   Tickets are $25. Kentucky Center Members call the Member hotline at (502) 566-5144. Standard tickets are available at www.kentuckycenter.org/presents, by phone (502) 584-7777, (800) 775-7777, and in-person at The Kentucky Center box office and drive-thru. Please call (502) 566-5111 for information about the range of accessibility options we offer to enhance your performance experience.

FACTS: 

• Kentucky to the World presents an intimate conversation with Wendy Whelan, America’s premier ballerina, as she talks about the future and embracing her creative power.
• A Louisville native, Whelan began dance lessons at the age of three with Virginia Wooton in her hometown.
• Whelan spent 30 years at the New York City Ballet, dancing virtually all the major Balanchine roles, and working closely with notable choreographers throughout her career.
• As a member of the New York City Ballet, Whelan was promoted to soloist in 1989 and to principal dancer in 1991.
• She received the Dance Magazine Award in 2007, an honorary Doctorate of Arts degree from Bellarmine University in 2009,  and in 2011 she received both the Jerome Robbins Award and a Bessie Award for her Sustained Achievement in Performance.

LINKS:

• Visit Wendy Whelan’s official website.
• Read more about Whelan’s career with the New York City Ballet here.
• Read about Whelan’s views on the future of ballet and her career following her retirement from the New York City Ballet here.
• Visit Kentucky to the World’s official website here.

Photo sourced from NPR.org

Andrew Bird + Gabriel Kahane September 9 concert moving to Headliners; tickets on sale August 5

The Andrew Bird with Gabriel Kahane concert on Friday, September 9, has been moved from Iroquois Amphitheater to Headliners Music Hall (1386 Lexington Road, Louisville 40206, 584-8088).  

Tickets for this show will go back on sale on Friday, August 5, at 10am at www.headlinerslouisville.com and at the Headliners Box Office. 

All previously purchased Iroquois Amphitheater tickets for this event will be honored at Headliners Music Hall.