princessbride
Fairy tale adventure “The Princess Bride” will be shown Aug. 24 at the Kentucky Theatre as part of its Summer Classic Film Series. Photo furnished
It’s that time of year again – festivals, outdoor concerts, film series, carnivals galore! On the following pages we’ve outlined favorite local summer events old and new. As always, be sure to visit our arts and culture website, tadoo.com, which is updated daily, for more information on these and other local entertainment events. Cheers to a festive and fun-filled summer in Lexington!
ONGOING SERIES
Southland Bluegrass Jamboree
Mondays (Memorial Day through Labor Day), 7 p.m.
MoonDance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St.
Formerly held at Southland Drive’s Collins Bowling Alley and now celebrating its 11th season, the weekly bluegrass music series Southland Jamboree will return, for the second year, to a new venue (MoonDance Amphitheater in Beaumont Circle) and a new night of the week (Mondays rather than Tuesdays).
May 30: Southland Drive
June 6: Blue Eagle Band
June 13: Cane Run Bluegrass
June 20: Custom Made Bluegrass
June 27: Newtown
July 4: TBA
July 1: Blue Belles
July 18: Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers
July 25: Dean Osbourne
Aug. 1: Michael Cleveland and Jeff Guernsey
Aug. 8: Uptown Blue
Aug. 15: Becky Buller
Aug. 22: Combs and Caldwell
Aug. 29: Laurel River Line
Sept. 5: Samantha Jean and Firegate 33
Big Band and Jazz Series
Tuesdays (through Aug. 30;
no performance July 5), 7 p.m.
MoonDance Amphitheater (1152 Monarch St.,
through June 28) and Ecton Park (July 12-August 30)
https://next.lexingtonky.gov/big-band-jazz
Picnic blankets and/or lawn chairs are recommended for this long-running, free music series. Events feature local craft beer and food trucks on-site.
Big Band & Jazz at MoonDance
May 31: Young at Heart Big Band
June 7: Joey and the Cruisers
June 14: Walnut Street Ramblers
June 21: Tim Lake and the Blue Jazz Persuaders
June 28: DiMartino-Osland Jazz Orchestra
Big Band & Jazz at Ecton Park
July 12: Osland Dailey Jazztet
July 19: Colonel’s Choice
July 26: Lexington Concert Band
Aug. 2: Dave Shelton Jazz Quintet
Aug. 9: Dan Brock and Friends
Aug. 16: Jazzberry Jam
Aug. 23: Rick Cook Quintet
Rain date: August 30
Kentucky Theatre Classic Film Series
Wednesdays through Sept. 7,
screenings at 1:30 and 7:15 p.m.
Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St.
The Kentucky Theatre’s annual Summer Classic Film Series returns, bringing old favorites to the big screen of the historic downtown theater. With two screenings every Wednesday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, each screening also features trivia about the film, organ music, an audience chorus of “My Old Kentucky Home” and more.
This year’s lineup includes reprises of many favorites featured in the series, as well as a half dozen series premieres, including “Labyrinth,” “The Searchers,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and a Laurel and Hardy double feature, available for the first time since the series started in brand new digital restorations.
As in past years, the series will be followed by the Rosa Goddard Film Festival, a three-week series with a focus on international films curated by Lexington boutique and book store sQecial Media. That series will feature “A Man Escaped” (Sept. 14), “La Haine” (Sept. 21) and “Wings of Desire” (Sept. 28).
May 25: “The Searchers”
June 1: “Singin’ in the Rain”
June 8: “The Maltese Falcon”
June 15: “The King and I”
June 22: “Labyrinth”
June 29: “Spartacus”
July 6: “The Best Years of Our Lives”
July 13: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
July 20: “The Birds”
July 27: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”
Aug. 3: “Hud”
Aug. 10: “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”
Aug. 17: “Way Out West” and “Another Nice Mess: The Restored Laurel and Hardy” (a double Laurel and Hardy feature)
Aug. 24: “The Princess Bride”
Aug. 31: “Sunset Boulevard”
Sept. 7: One more classic, title TBA
Blind-Corn-web-copy
The bluegrass-influenced Lexington band Blind Corn Liquor Pickers will perform Sept. 29 at Fifth Third Pavilion in Cheapside Park during Thursday Night Live. Photo furnished
Thursday Night Live
Thursdays (through Oct. 13), 4:30 p.m.
Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Cheapside Park,
251 W. Main St.
www.downtownlex.com/central-bank-thursday-night-live/
Organized by the Downtown Lexington Corporation and now celebrating its 21st season, this family-friendly weekly happy hour event takes place under the Fifth Third Pavilion and features live music from local and regional bands, food and beverage vendors and more.
June 2: The Trendells
June 9: The Johnson Brothers
June 16: Tony and the Tan Lines
June 23: Boogie G and the Titanics
June 30: Flashback
July 7: Five Below Band
July 14: Better Off Dead
July 21: The Twiggenburys
July 28: Tim Talbert Project
Aug. 4: Bobby Perry Band
Aug. 11: Prime Cut
Aug. 18: Conch Republic
Aug. 25: Kenny Owens and Group Therapy
Sept. 1: Mercy Men
Sept. 8: Ralph Curtis and the Nashville Imposters
Sept. 15: Superfecta
Sept. 22: Big Black Cadillac
Sept. 29: Blind Corn Liquor Pickers
Oct. 6: Mike Archer Band
Oct. 13: Vinyl Richie
Thursday Nite Dive
Thursdays, 7 p.m.
Break Room at Pepper, 1178 Manchester St.
Break Room at Pepper has announced initial details for a new live music series in the heart of the Distillery District, featuring live music and food trucks on certain Thursdays on Break Room’s lawn. The plan is to host the event every other Thursday, with a handful of “extras” thrown in for good measure. (In the event of rain, the bar plans to reschedule the event for the following Sunday.) The series plans to continue through the fall, with more details to be released soon.
June 2: Music from Grayson Jenkins; food from Roll ‘n’ Smoke
June 9: Performance by Rakadu (live music with a live dance performance); food from Los Hermanos Locos
June 16: Music from Funkabilly; food from Roll ‘n’ Smoke
June 30: Music from Nick Dittmeier & the Sawdusters; food from Roll ‘n’ Smoke
July 14: RC & The Nightshades
July 28: Bad People
More performances details TBA. Check Break Room at Pepper’s Facebook page.
Summer Nights in Suburbia
Fridays (June 2-Aug. 26), 7 p.m.
MoonDance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St.
https://next.lexingtonky.gov/summer-nights-suburbia
This second annual summer concert series presented by Lexington city government will showcase local and regional talent from a wide variety of genres, from blues to funk to indie rock. Lawn chairs or blankets are encouraged, with on-site concessions available.
June 3: Brian Owens and the Deacons of Soul
June 10: Coralee & the Townies
June 17: C the Beat
June 24: Ben Lacy
July 1: Boogie G & the Titanics
July 8: Rebel Without a Cause
July 15: The Johnson Brothers
July 22: Kentucky Salsa Allstars
July 29: Patrick McNeese Band
Aug. 5: Payback
Aug. 12: Other Brothers
Aug. 19: March Madness Marching Band
Aug. 26: Beatles Tribute Band
labyrinth
Jim Henson and George Lucas’ musical fantasy film “Labyrinth,” starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, will show Aug. 12 at downtown Triangle Park as part of the Fountain Films on Fridays series, and on June 22 at the Kentucky Theatre as part of the Summer Classic Film Series. Photo furnished
Free Friday Flicks
Fridays in June; pre-show activities begin at 7 p.m.; films begin at dusk.
Jacobson Park
https://next.lexingtonky.gov/free-friday-flicks
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Friday Flicks offers newly released family movies for all ages and fun activities for kids, including games and a petting zoo. Lawn chairs/blankets are recommended, and concessions are available for on-site purchase.
June 3: “Inside Out”
June 10: “Minions”
June 17: “The Peanuts Movie”
June 24: “Kung Fu Panda 3”
Rain date: July 8
Lyric Summer Film Series
Sundays (June 5-July 31; no film on July 3), 3 p.m.
Lyric Theatre, 300 E. Third St.
www.lexingtonlyric.com/lyricsummerfilmseries.html
During this fifth-year anniversary for its summer film series, the Lyric Theatre will continue to honor the classics, with a survey of movies from the 20th and 21st centuries highlighting the talents of African-American actors, directors and musicians in the world of film.
June 5: “Imitation of Life” (1934)
June 12: “The Butler” (2013)
June 19: “Stormy Weather” (1943)
June 26: “The Wiz” (1978)
July 10: “Lilies of the Field” (1963)
July 17: “Selma” (2014)
July 24: “Lean on Me” (1989)
July 31: “12 Years a Slave” (2013)
WUKY Phoenix Fridays
June 17, July 15, Aug. 19, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Phoenix Park, 100 E. Main St.
www.wuky.org/post/wukys-phoenix-fridays-2016-complete-lineup
In conjunction with the Downtown Lexington Corporation, local NPR affiliate WUKY 91.3 presents a downtown concert series on the fourth Friday of the month at Phoenix Park, in front of the downtown public library. Upcoming nationally touring acts and favorite local acts round out the four concerts; free admission and on-site food and drink are other modes of enticement.
June 17: David Wax Museum, Wax Fang and The Landers
July 15: 7Horse, Star & Micey and Warren Byrom and the Fabled Canelands
Aug. 19: Vandaveer, Nellie Pearl and Ben Lacy and Friends
Kentucky Cork, Tap & Barrel
June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, 5-9 p.m.
Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Cheapside Park,
West Main Street
www.downtownlex.com/kentucky-cork-tap/
This monthly event presented by the Downtown Lexington Corporation showcases Kentucky-made wine, beer and bourbon in a fun atmosphere also featuring local art and concession vendors. Featured Lexington breweries include Kentucky Ale, Country Boy Brewing, West Sixth Brewing and Blue Stallion Brewing Company.
Fountain Films on Fridays
Fridays (July 15-Aug. 19); movies start at
approximately 9 p.m. with pre-show activities
beginning earlier in the evening
Triangle Park, 400 W. Main St.
www.downtownlex.com/fountain-films-on-friday/
Presented by the Downtown Lexington Corporation, this annual series features free movies shown on inflatable screen in downtown’s Triangle Park. The movies are a mixture of classical, family-friendly appeal; on-site food and drinks are available for purchase.
July 15: “Rocky”
July 22: “Elf”
July 29: “Top Gun”
Aug. 5: “The Bad News Bears”
Aug. 12: “The Labyrinth”
Aug. 19: “The Addams Family”
Harry Dean Stanton at Home
The annual Harry Dean Stanton Festival will run July 12-15, taking place at various venues around Lexington.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Country Fair
June 2-5, 6-11 p.m. Thurs.-Fri.; 2-11 p.m.
Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 1750 Summerhill Dr.
This annual country fair features fun for all ages, including live music, a Texas Hold’ Em Tournament, a huge rummage sale, carnival rides and games, pony rides and a petting zoo, a one-mile “fun run” and 5K run/walk and more.
Great American Brass Band Festival
June 2-5
Danville, Kentucky (various venues)
Now in its 27th year, the Great American Brass Band Festival offers four days of free music, art and events in Danville, Kentucky, with a focus on various styles of brass music.
Drawing an average of 20,000-30,000 people to its festivities each summer, the audience remains devout and varied, from an older crowd who grew up on brass music and who come very specifically for the traditional brass sound and Army bands, to a younger crowd coming in for the New Orleans-style music.
This year, the festival has added six new events to its already bustling line-up of family-friendly music and fun, with perhaps the most notable being The Great American Art Festival, highlighting 16 different regional artists from six states, and the Kids Art Fest, which will highlight art by local children ages 5-18.
Performance artists include a slew of regional, national and international talent, with 21 bands and three soloists playing over the span of the weekend. Special events include a Brazilian-style brass music event on Thursday night (new this year), a New Orleans-style street party on Friday night and Saturday’s Great American Picnic, a social picnic featuring a table decorating contest, six bands and more. Additional features include a hot air balloon race, yoga in the park, a festival market, special kids’ entertainment section and stage and much more.
LASC Bowie Bike Prom
June 4 (check-in and refreshments begin at 5 p.m.; race begins at 6 p.m.)
The Living Arts and Science Center,
362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.
www.lasclex.org/index.php/events/bike-prom
This annual fundraiser for the Living Arts and Science Center encourages participants to dress themselves (and their bikes!) in evening attire, and race or casually ride through downtown Lexington – this year, participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite David Bowie persona. Participants’ “dance cards” will be stamped at each predetermined stop, which will host different activities, such as prom portraits, food, punch and spin-the-bottle. Everyone will end up back at the Living Arts and Science Center for an after-party with food trucks and prizes.
Festival of the Bluegrass
June 9-12
Kentucky Horse Park Campground,
4089 Iron Works Pkwy.
www.festivalofthebluegrass.com
For more than 40 years, the Festival of the Bluegrass has gathered some of the biggest names in bluegrass music to the Kentucky Horse Park campground for the oldest family-run bluegrass festival in the country. Music on the main stage begins on Thursday evening and goes through Sunday afternoon, and impromptu campground jam sessions are an annual highlight of the festival.
Individual day and four-day ticket packages, with or without camping, can be ordered through the festival’s website.
This year’s lineup includes Town Mountain, 23 String Band, IIIrd Tyme Out, The Wooks, Seldom Scene and many more.
Harry Dean Stanton Fest
June 10-12
Various venues, including Farish
Theater, Break Room at Pepper,
The Green Lantern and
Kentucky Theatre
This annual festival celebrates the work of acclaimed character actor Harry Dean Stanton, a Kentucky native and former Lexington resident whose acting career has spanned over 60 years. This year’s event features screenings of six different films featuring Stanton – many of them free and open to the public – as well as other special events, including a “drive-in” at Break Room at Pepper Distillery and an appearance from special guest Brad Dourif, who co-starred with Stanton in the 1971 film “Wise Blood,” based on the 1952 novel by Flannery O’Connor.
Friday, June 10:
8 p.m.: Screening of “Cisco Pike” drive-in at Break Room at Pepper Distillery (screening begins at dusk)
Saturday, June 11:
2 p.m.: Screening of “92 in the Shade” at the Farish Theater
4 p.m. Screening of “Straight Time” at the Farish Theater
8 p.m.: Trucker Night at the Green Lantern, featuring a screening of “Flatbed Annie and Sweetie Pie: Lady Truckers,” classic truck driving tunes, and a live set of 1970s female-driven rock performed by The Binders and Palisades
Sunday, June 12:
2 p.m.: Screening of “Alien” at the Farish Theater
7 p.m.: Screening of “Wise Blood” at the Kentucky Theatre followed by a Q&A with Brad Dourif moderated by Entertainment Weekly’s Clark Collis
playthink
The unique family-friendly camping festival PlayThink will take place June 15-19 in Berea, Kentucky. Photo by Erica Chambers
It’s a Grand Night for Singing
June 10-12 and 17-19; 7:30 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. and 2 p.m. Sun.
Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St.
UK Opera Theatre presents its popular 24th annual musical revue “It’s a Grand Night for Singing!” featuring the best from Billboard to Broadway performed by a chorus of over 100 performers (UK students and Lexington residents alike).
The event often sells out, so consider getting tickets in advance.
PlayThink Festival
June 15-19
Homegrown Hideaways,
500 Floyd Branch Rd., Berea, Kentucky
An annual celebration of art, color, movement and flow, PlayThink offers “playshops” and entertainment options for all ages and interests. This unique and family-friendly camping festival encourages creativity and playfulness, with featured activities including an obstacle course; hula hoop, dance, yoga and other “flow” workshops; children’s arts and crafts activities; playing in the creek; live music and other performance art; and more.
Well-Crafted – Brews & Bands
June 18, noon-11 p.m.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill,
3501 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg, Kentucky
www.shakervillageky.org/well-crafted
This third annual festival celebrates the quality and diversity of Kentucky’s music and craft beer cultures, bringing together a flavorful mix of up-and-coming local breweries with favorite local musicians against the stunning and serene rural backdrop of Shaker Village.
Local music video creators Shaker Steps Productions – a reliable tastemaker for music audiences in Kentucky – has lined up an eclectic mix of Americana music that includes folk, bluegrass, alternative country, blues and indie rock.
12 p.m.: NP Presley
1 p.m.: Derek Spencer
1:30 p.m.: The Tillers
2:30 p.m.: Jeremy Squires
3 p.m.: Lindi Ortega
4 p.m.: Tree Jackson
4:30 p.m.: Caleb Caudle and Band
5:30 p.m.: Josh Nolan
6 p.m.: Tyler Childers and the Foodstamps
7 p.m.: John Clay
Ashland Lawn Party
June 25, 5:30-9 p.m.
Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate
www.henryclay.org/event/2016-ashland-lawn-party
Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate’s annual fundraiser features dinner on the lawn, live music, silent and live auctions and more.
Lexington Pride Festival
June 25, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza,
North Limestone Street
Produced by Lexington’s Gay and Lesbian Services Organization, this year marks the ninth anniversary of the Lexington Pride Festival.
With a growing number of acts, vendors and participants, the festival has grown to be the region’s up-and-coming festival for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning community and its allies, drawing crowds upward of 10,000.
Entertainers scheduled for this year include country music artist Billy Gillman, hip-hop artist Chevy Gurl and indie rocker Kristen Ford.
Summerfest
June 30-July 31
(shows begin at dusk)
Woodland Park, 601 E. High St.
After 20 years away, Shakespeare will return this summer to Woodland Park. Kentucky Conservatory Theatre announced earlier this year that they will return the annual summer theater festival to its original home, after two decades of utilizing other outdoor venues including the Arboretum and MoonDance Amphitheater.
Summerfest presented its first performance in 2007, as an offshoot of the organization Lexington Shakespeare Festival, which presented a blend of Shakespeare and American theater classics each summer from 1982 to 2006 before ceasing operations in 2006.
In celebration of the momentous return back to Woodland Park, KCT will resurrect the Shakespeare classic that LSF presented in its inaugural year, “As You Like It,” as well as the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stirring musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” which was last presented by LSF to record crowds in 2004.
June 30-July 3 and July 14-17: “As You Like It”
July 7-10 and July 21-24: “Jesus Christ, Superstar”
Lexington’s Downtown Fourth of July Festival
July 1-4
Fifth Third Bank Pavilion
at Cheapside Park
www.downtownlex.com/lexingtons-4th-of-july-festival/
Downtown Lexington begins its weekend-long Fourth of July festival with the Great American Pie Contest and Ice Cream Social on July 1, followed by family activities throughout the weekend that include a street festival and parade, artistic performances, food, beverage and retail vendors, a fireworks display and more.
July 1: Great American Pie Contest and Ice Cream Social (12 p.m. Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Cheapside Park)
July 3: Patriotic Music Concert (8 p.m. at Morrison Lawn, Transylvania University)
July 4: Activities include the Bluegrass 10K (7 a.m.); downtown street festival (9 a.m.-6 p.m.); parade (2 p.m.); live music at “July 4th Live!” (7:30-9:30 p.m.); and fireworks (10 p.m.)
balletunderthestars
Now in its 27th season, Ballet Under the Stars will be performed Aug. 4-7 at Woodland Park. Photo furnished
Whippoorwill Festival
July 7-10
Lago Linda Hideaway, Beattyville, Kentucky
This fourth annual festival bills itself as promoting “skills for Earth-friendly living,” with workshop topics including Appalachian music, basic survival skills, fermentation, woodworking, beekeeping, solar electricity and many more. Live music, shared meals, yoga sessions and other activities round out the weekend’s activities. This year’s new venue, which is located 15 miles south of Natural Bridge, offers private cabin rentals and camping options.
Lexington Burger Week
July 11-17
Multiple restaurants throughout Lexington
Now in its second year, Lexington Burger Week is a full week dedicated to burgers, organized by Smiley Pete Publishing (this magazine’s parent company). Chefs from participating restaurants each create a $5 special burger – not on the regular menu – to offer throughout the week. Visit the website for a full list of participating restaurants and more details.
Keeneland Concours d’Elegance
July 14-17
Keeneland Racetrack, 4201 Versailles Rd.
Keeneland’s annual Concours d’Elegance showcases over 130 fine collector vehicles, from antiques to future classics, all of which are judged based on the uniqueness, historical accuracy, presentation and cleanliness. Affiliated events include a bourbon tour (July 14), a “Hangar Bash” (July 15) and the actual vehicle display at Keeneland (July 16). Visit the event schedule at the website for more information.
Lexington Lion’s Club Bluegrass Fair
July 14-24. Gates open at 5 p.m.
Mon.-Fri.; 3 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
Masterson Station Park, 3051 Leestown Rd.
www.lionsclubbluegrassfair.com
This annual, regional fair sets up a variety of rides and other attractions, such as a petting zoo/pony rides for kids, beauty pageants, carnival food concessions, a Fiesta Latina and more.
Ballet Under the Stars
Aug. 4-7, pre-show begins at 8 p.m.
and main show at 9 p.m.
Woodland Park, 601 E. High St.
https://next.lexingtonky.gov/ballet-under-stars-0
Celebrating its 27th anniversary this year, Ballet Under the Stars allows audiences to enjoy the beauty of a professional ballet in a relaxed, casual outdoor park setting. The event will begin with a pre-show youth production of “Tinkerbell and the Pirates” at 8 p.m., followed by a main performance featuring professional dancers from Kentucky Ballet Theatre.
Lawn chairs and/or blankets are encouraged; patrons may pack a picnic dinner or purchase concessions on-site.
Opera Under the Stars
Aug. 13, 8 p.m.
MoonDance Amphitheater
https://next.lexingtonky.gov/opera-under-stars
This second annual event will feature some of the best young local opera artists in central Kentucky. Blankets and/or lawn chairs are recommended for seating and picnics are permitted. Concessions will also be available to purchase on-site.
Crave Lexington Food and Music Festival
Aug. 13-14, 12-11 p.m. Sat. and 12-7 p.m. Sun.
Masterson Station Park, 3051 Leestown Rd.
Now entering its fourth season, Crave Lexington Food and Music Festival – a local celebration of Kentucky-based cuisine – is settling into its new location at Masterson Station Park. Featuring two days of live music from various genres, programming for kids of all ages, craft beer and libations, the family-friendly event has something for everyone, with a special focus on eclectic local cuisine. Dozens of vendors from the region will each offer bites at $1, $3 and $5 price points. While the festival has historically boasted free admission with a $5 parking fee, this year’s event will follow a new model, with free parking and $6 per person admission. GreenHouse 17 remains a charitable partner for the event.
Produced by Smiley Pete Publishing (this magazine’s parent company) and presented by Windstream, this year’s live music lineup includes Austin, Texas-based punk-infused bluegrass band Whiskey Shivers; local all-star James Brown tribute Payback; Cincinnati-based folk/Americana group Young Heirlooms; local favorites The Wooks, who blend traditional mountain sound with rock and roll, jam music and other contemporary influences; Chattanooga-based Talking Heads tribute act Same As It Ever Was; local glam rockers Chico Fellini, playing their first show in more than two years; and many more acts to be announced as the event draws near.
Stay tuned for a list of food vendors, full weekend schedule and other details.
LARGE pwp GLINT Studios
Keeneland will host Picnic with the Pops Aug. 19-20 at The Meadow at Keene Barn. Photo furnished by Glint Studios
Chamber Music Festival of Lexington
Aug. 18-28
Various venues
The Chamber Music Festival is a 10-day event featuring local chamber musicians, as well as guest artist and Grammy-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux, composer-in-residence Avner Dorman, ensemble- in-residence WindSync, artistic director Nathan Cole and more. The multi-venue schedule will feature a mixture of traditional concerts, pop-up events and fundraisers. Several shows are outlined below; visit their website for full scheduling details and other information.
Aug. 24: Mainstage Concert featuring WindSync and more (7:30 p.m., Fasig-Tipton Pavilion)
Aug. 25: Cabaret Concert (7:30 p.m., location TBA)
Aug. 26: Mainstage Concert II featuring Avner Dorman and more (7:30 p.m., Fasig-Tipton Pavilion)
Aug. 28: Mainstage Concert III (2 p.m., Fasig-Tipton Pavilion)
Woodland Art Fair
Aug. 20 (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
and Aug. 21 (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Woodland Park, 601 E. High St.
www.lexingtonartleague.org/woodland-art-fair.html
For more than 40 years, the Woodland Art Fair, produced by Lexington Art League and LFUCG’s Parks and Recreation, has remained Lexington’s largest (free) outdoor cultural event, with over 65,000 visitors coming to Woodland Park over the weekend. The event features local, regional and national artists, displaying and selling their creations; a beer garden; concessions; family activities; live music and entertainment.
Picnic with the Pops
Aug. 19-20, gates at 6 p.m. (show begins at dusk)
The Meadow at Keene Barn (Keeneland),
4201 Versailles Rd.
This outdoor event features a summer cocktail environment in an idyllic setting, with live orchestral music from the Lexington Philharmonic. This year, for the first time, each evening will feature a different theme. On Friday, Aug. 19, the theme will be “Oz with Orchestra,” a screening of the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” with the live soundtrack accompaniment performed by the Lexington Philharmonic; on Saturday, Aug. 20, LexPhil will perform Broadway hits and more with special guest, Broadway and television star Matthew Morrison, known for his role as Mr. Schuester in the series “Glee.” A table-decorating contest, local food trucks and cocktails will aslo be on hand.
Moontower Music Festival
Aug. 27, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Masterson Station Park, 3051 Leestown Rd.
www.moontowermusicfestival.com
The third annual Moontower Music Festival features a full day of local and regional musical acts spanning many genres. This year’s lineup includes Drive-By Truckers, Trombone Shorty, Manchester Orchestra, The Floozies, Chrome Pony and more. Food and beer vendors will be on-site. ss