summerentertainment
Welcome to our annual Summer Entertainment issue: a guide to Lexington’s recurring summer series, festivals and other arts and entertainment events. Scrolling down, you will find schedules and other details for concert and film series, festivals, dance productions and other unique, locally produced events taking place in the Lexington area during the warmer months.
ON GOING, ALL SUMMER
Tuesdays
Southland Jamboree
7 p.m., Tuesdays through Sept. 3
Collins Bowling Centers lawn, 205 Southland Dr.
www.southlandassociation.com/events.php
The Southland Jamboree is back for its 8th season, featuring free weekly bluegrass concerts outside on the side lawn of Collins Bowling Centers. Presented by the Southland Association. Patrons are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair. Food vendors are available.
May 28 Southland Drive
June 4 Newtown
June 11 Dale Ann Bradley & Steve Gulley
June 18 Driving Rain
June 25 Mountain Connection
July 2 The Velvet Blue
July 9 Stone Cold Grass
July 16 Jeff Clair & Half Past Lonesome
July 23 Laurel River Line
July 30 Dean Osborne
Aug. 6 Sons of the Bluegrass
Aug. 13 Custom Made Bluegrass
Aug. 20 Second Time Around
Aug. 27 Michael Cleveland
Sept. 3 TBA
Big Band & Jazz Series
7 - 8:30 p.m., Tuesdays
June 4 – 25 at MoonDance at Midnight Pass Amphitheater
July 9 – Aug. 27 at Ecton Park
(859) 288-2925
One of Lexington’s longest-running concert series, the Big Band & Jazz Series will once again return to Beaumont Center's amphitheater, Moondance at Midnight Pass, for the first half of the season, closing out the final two months of the series at Ecton Park.
The concerts feature live performances from regional jazz artists and big bands; all concerts are free and family friendly. Patrons are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs and pack a picnic dinner.
Moondance at Midnight Pass Amphitheater
June 4 Joey & the Cruisers
June 11 Ozone
June 18 Lexington Concert Band
June 25 Tim Lake & the Blue Jazz Persuaders
Ecton Park
July 2 Lexington Concert Band
July 9 Walnut Street Ragtime Ramblers
July 16 Rick Cook Quintet
July 23 Colonel’s Choice
July 30 Osland-Daily Jazztet
Aug. 6 Jay Flippin
Aug. 13 Dan Brock & Friends
Aug. 20 DOJO
Aug. 27 Jazzberry Jam
Wednesdays
Summer Classics Film Series
1:30 and 7:15 p.m., Wednesdays through Sept. 4
Kentucky Theater, 214 E. Main St.
All seats are $5
Now featuring a new digital projection and sound equipment system, downtown Lexington’s historic Kentucky Theatre will continue to showcase classic films each week throughout the summer for the Summer Classics Film Series.
Starting May 29 and running through the first week of September, the Kentucky will showcase a different classic film each Wednesday afternoon and evening, taking into account fan requests received throughout the year as much as possible.
June 5 “Singin' in the Rain,” directed by Stanley Donen
June 12 “The Shining,” directed by Stanley Kubrick
June 19 “How the West Was Won,” directed by George Marshall
June 26 “An Affair To Remember,” directed by Leo McCarey
July 3 “Two for the Road,” directed by Stanley Donen
July 10 “Young Frankenstein,” directed by Mel Brooks
July 17 “To Kill a Mockingbird,” directed by Robert Mulligan
July 24 “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” directed by Alfred Hitchcock
July 31 “My Man Godfrey,” directed by Gregory LaCava
Aug. 7 “Apocalypse Now,” directed by Francis Ford Coppola (original theatrical version)
Aug. 14 “Rio Bravo,” directed by Howard Hawk
Aug. 21 “Titanic” (1953), directed by Jean Negulesco
Aug. 28 “Some Like it Hot,” directed by Billy Wilder
Sept. 4 “The Great Escape,” directed by John Sturges
Thursdays
Central Bank Thursday Night Live
4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Thursdays through Oct. 31
Fifth Third Pavilion at Cheapside Park
www.downtownlex.com/thursday-night-live-concerts
Organized by Downtown Lexington Corporation, the increasingly-popular free concert series returns to the Fifth Third Pavilion at Cheapside Park this year, featuring local artists in a variety of musical styles, food and beer vendors, and free admission.
May 30 Scott Said & The Backroads
June 6 Bluegrass Collective
June 13 Kenny Owens
June 20 The Twiggenbury’s
June 27 Ralph Curtis, Tribute Artists
July 4 Catch 22
July 11 Better off Dead
July 18 Superfecta
July 25 The Tim Talbert Project
Aug. 1 Conch Republic
Aug. 8 Rebel Without A Cause
Aug. 15 Sixtyfourwest
Aug. 22 Kenny Owens & Group Therapy
Aug. 29 The Big Maracas
Sept. 5 Coralee & The Townies
Sept. 12 The Sensations
Sept. 19 Prefab Rehab
Sept. 26 Blind Corn Liquor Pickers
Oct. 3 Chris Campbell Band
Oct. 17 The City
Oct. 24 Born Cross Eyed
Oct. 31 Radio 80
Fridays
Fountain Films on Friday
Every other Friday, from May 31 – Aug. 23
Movies start at dusk, with pre-show
activities starting earlier in the evening
Triangle Park
www.downtownlex.com/fountain-films-on-friday
This year marks the second annual film series at the recently renovated Triangle Park, with free movies shown on an inflatable screen. Organized by the Downtown Lexington Corporation, the films chosen are a mix of contemporary and classics with a broad, family-friendly appeal. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
May 31 “Red Dawn”
June 14 “Walk the Line”
June 28 “The Princess Bride”
July 12 “Jumanji”
July 26 “Legally Blonde”
Aug. 9 “Raising Arizona”
Aug. 23 “Young Frankenstein”
Weekends
Equus Run Music Series
1280 Moores Mill Rd., Midway
(859) 846-9463
Once again, summer entertainment at Equus Run Vineyard includes free live music on Sunday afternoons, and a monthly Saturday night concert series.
New this year will be a monthly food-themed event featuring live, classical music and gourmet food. Equus Run has a full stage, a large lawn for dancing and a beautiful country backdrop.
Our Neighbor, Our Table: Dinner in the Vines
4:30 – 8:30 p.m.; Equus Run is introducing a monthly “foodie” series called “Our Neighbor, Our Table,” incorporating local artists, foodies and vendors with a themed dinner in the newly renovated garden and courtyard area surrounding the tasting room. Featuring classical music by Bourbon Brass and local gourmet food provided by Fork in the Road food truck.
June 14 Dinner in the Vines
July 19 Creekside Shrimp Boil
Aug. 16 Ode to Vegetariat
Sept. 20 Pizza and Pinot
Oct. 18 Ribeyes and Reds
Tunes in the Vine
2 – 4 p.m., Sundays in June and July
Free live music on the Equus Run patio
Summer Concert Series
July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 7
Gates at 4 p.m.
(Buffet dinner from 5:30 – 7 p.m.)
Live Music at 7 p.m.
Talon Winery Music Series
7086 Tates Creek Rd.
(859) 971-3214
Talon Winery’s summer entertainment schedule features free, live music on Sundays, a series of weekend charitable fundraiser concerts from June through September, and a local, one-day jazz festival.
Jazz on the Porch
June 30, Aug. 25, Sept. 29
5 – 8 p.m.
Lexington Jazz Festival
1 – 7 p.m., June 2 (Gates open at noon)
$15 in advance; $20 at the gate.
Children under 12 are free.
Presented by the Jazz Arts Foundation and Bluegrass Community and Technical College in conjunction with Talon Winery, the 4th annual Lexington Jazz Festival features a variety of local and regional jazz musicians, with a national headliner. Concessions, wine and beer will be available for purchase; organizers recommend bringing lawn chairs and blankets for seating.
Lineup includes national recording artist Denny Jiosa, O-Zone, Jamey Aebersold Quartet and The Library Players.
Charitable Concerts
Concerts benefit the charity listed. All shows are from 6 – 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
June 1 UK Children's Hospital Luau for Life
July 13 American Diabetes Association
July 27 Makenna Foundation
Sept. 20 (7 - 10 p.m.) Lexington Humane Society
June
Free Friday Flicks
Fridays, May 31 – June 28 (rain date: July 12)
Pre-show activities begin at 7 p.m.; movies begin at dusk
Jacobson Park
The family-friendly film series Free Friday Flicks offers newly released family-friendly movies in an outdoor park setting. The event also features children’s games and a petting zoo, all for free. Concessions are available on site as well. Patrons are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and picnic dinners are allowed.
May 31 “Brave”
June 7 “Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked”
June 14 “Ice Age: The Continental Drift”
June 21 “Madagascar 3”
June 28 TBD
Best of Bluegrass
June 3 – 8
Various venues
To help usher in the 40th anniversary of The Festival of the Bluegrass (entry follows), Best of Bluegrass (BOB) organizers wanted to schedule a week-long, multi-venue celebration of bluegrass-focused entertainment.
This inaugural event will showcase a wide array of artists working under the genre’s umbrella, from bluegrass hip-hop to the traditional masters.
June 3
Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour feat. The Cleverlys and The Moore Brothers Band. 6:30 p.m., Lyric Theatre.
BOB Kickoff Party feat. Gangstagrass, 8 p.m., Natasha’s.
June 4
Southland Jamboree feat. Newtown, 7 p.m., Southland Bowling Lanes.
Alison Brown, 9 p.m., Willie’s Locally Known.
June 5
Red Barn Radio feat. Flint Ridge Millers & Appalatin, 6:30 p.m., ArtsPlace.
Dix River Crossing, 7 p.m., Downtown library, second floor atrium.
Flint Ridge Millers & Appalatin, 9 p.m., Natasha’s.
June 6
Festival of the Bluegrass, 7 p.m., Kentucky Horse Park.
Central Bank Thursday Night Live feat. Bluegrass Collective, 5:30 p.m., Fifth Third Bank Pavilion, Cheapside Park.
June 7
Festival of the Bluegrass, noon, Kentucky Horse Park.
June 8
Masters of Bluegrass feat. Del McCoury, J.D. Crowe and Bobby Osborne, 9 p.m, Festival of the Bluegrass, Kentucky Horse Park.
Festival of the Bluegrass
June 6 – 9
Kentucky Horse Park Campground
www.festivalofthebluegrass.com
For the 40th consecutive year, some of the biggest names in bluegrass music (listed below) will converge at the Kentucky Horse Park campground for the oldest family-run bluegrass festival in the country, the Festival of the Bluegrass.
Music begins at 7 p.m. on June 6 and concludes with a gospel show on the morning of June 9. On the days in between, music begins at 1 p.m. and runs until after midnight.
Started in 1974 by Bob and Jean Cornett, this event is attended by thousands of new and returning fans. At its heart, the mission of the festival is to maintain the roots of bluegrass music in Kentucky and to honor the community spirit of evenings spent on front porches throughout Appalachia. The same spirit can be found in the pop-up “villages” around the campground, where the music spills beyond the stage to individual campsites.
Individual day and four-day ticket packages are available with or without camping, which can be ordered through the festival’s website.
Thursday
Lonesome River Band, Coal Town Dixie, Newtown, The Grass Stains
Friday
Daily & Vincent, IIIrd Tyme Out, 23 String Band, Dale Ann Bradley, Bluegrass Collective, Laurel River Line, Moron Brothers, True Life Travelers, Driving Rain
Saturday
The Masters of Bluegrass (feat. Del McCoury, JD Crowe, Bobby Osbourne and others), Seldom Scene, Town Mountain, The Boxcars, Blue Highway, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Kentucky Blue
Sunday
Dry Branch Fire Squad, Kentucky Blue
Great American Brass Festival
June 7 – 9
Downtown Danville, Ky.
The Great American Brass Band Festival, held annually in downtown Danville, Ky., is a one-of-a-kind event committed to preserving brass band music through performance and education. The festival seeks to showcase diversity in brass through a variety of genres, presentations and performances. In addition, the festival is committed to bring the best brass musicians in the world to its stage.
This free event brings tens of thousands of people together to enjoy a weekend of music, family and fun.
“Slides Rule,” a celebration of the trombone, serves as the principle theme for the 24th annual festival. The trombone plays a major role in brass bands and will be featured throughout the weekend at the festival.
The array of brass bands for 2013 runs the gamut from the professional River City Brass Band from Pittsburgh to several superb New Orleans jazz brass bands, including the return of Stooges Brass Band. The U.S. Army Field Band and Chorus from Washington, D.C., will be making its first appearance at the festival this year.
Visit the festival’s website for a complete list of performers, schedules and a list of other planned activities, including the Brass Symposium, Bayou and Brass, Run for the Brass, the festival market, and the Main Street parade.
It’s a Grand Night for Singing
7:30 p.m. 7 – 8, 13 – 15; 2 p.m. June 9
Singletary Center for the Arts
(859) 257-4929
Produced by UK Opera Theatre, this musical extravaganza – which will be celebrating its 21st anniversary this season – is hailed as the official start to the summer music season in Lexington.
This evening of Broadway and pop music often plays to sold out audiences, so consider getting tickets in advance.
Over 100 performers, both UK students and Lexington residents, grace the stage at the Singletary Center for two weekends of dazzling song and dance numbers.
2013 Vintage Kentucky Wine & Beer Festival
5 – 10 p.m. June 15
Fifth Third Bank Pavilion, Cheapside Park
This year the Vintage Kentucky Wine festival will be showcasing Kentucky-brewed beers. Discover what Kentucky wineries and breweries have to offer while enjoying live local music.
Wineries and breweries from across the Bluegrass will serve up samples of their tipples; when you find something you enjoy, purchase a glass for $5. Bottles of wine and light fare will also be available for sale.
Tickets to the festival are $20 and include 10 tasting vouchers and a glass. Tickets can be purchased in advance at all Lexington-area Liquor Barn locations (cash only). Call the Downtown Lexington Corporation to purchase with credit card at (859) 425-2590.
Featured Wineries
Chrisman Mill Vineyards, Elk Creek Vineyards, Generation Hill Winery, Horseshoe Bend Vineyards, Old 502 Winery, Purple Toad Winery, Rising Sons Home Farm Winery, Rose Hill Farm Winery, Talon Winery, WhiteMoon Winery
Featured Breweries
Alltech’s Kentucky Ale, Falls City, Bluegrass Brewing Company, West Sixth Brewing Company
Ashland Lawn Party
5:30 – 9:30 p.m. June 22
Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate
(859) 266-8581
The Ashland Lawn Party is a casually elegant evening of cocktails, live jazz by Ozone, tours of the Henry Clay home, impressive silent auction items, an entertaining live auction, and dinner by Dupree Catering.
This year’s honorary chair, renowned artist Andre Pater, will create a one-of-a-kind pastel of an Ashland vignette on-site at the event, which will be auctioned upon completion.
Now in its 18th year, the lawn party is Ashland’s single-most important fundraiser, with proceeds going to the preservation of the estate, a National Historic Landmark that includes the Clay family mansion and 17 acres of elegant gardens, walking paths, and green space.
Tickets are $100 per person; $75 for those 35 and under.
Francisco’s Farm Art Festival
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. June 22
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. June 23
Equus Run Vineyards, Midway
Now in its 10th year, Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival – named in honor of the original Midway landowner, Col. John Francisco – is a blend of juried art, live music and delicious food set on the beautiful grounds of Equus Run Winery.
The two-day event will feature artist demonstrations, live music and kids activities, as well as 100 artists representing eight different mediums, from two-dimensional visual art to wood and metal working.
Francisco’s Farm Art Festival was named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society and a Top 10 Art Fair & Festival by American Style Magazine.
Visit the festival’s website for a directory of participating in this year’s festival.
Lexington Pride Festival
11 a.m. – 9 p.m. June 29
Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza
Produced by Lexington’s Gay and Lesbian Services Organization, this year marks the sixth 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.
The Lexington Pride Festival, which draws crowds upwards of 10,000 people to downtown Lexington, began in 2008 as a means to celebrate diversity in central Kentucky. Participants from all over the state and surrounding areas have the opportunity to listen to quality singers and songwriters, view and read art and literature, purchase merchandise, and interact with members of the LGBT community.
This year’s schedule of entertainment includes musical acts Bridge 19, Sylvia & the Mockingbirds, Domino and the festival headliner Poppy Champlin; appearances by Mr. and Miss Lexington Pride, Tristan Rider and Divo Lilo; and DJs and other performances.
Food vendors and children activities will also be on-site for this family-friendly event.
July
2013 Fourth of July Festival
July 2 – 5
Events are scheduled at various locations
This year’s Fourth of July celebration will be a schedule of activities spanning four days, beginning with the Great American Pie Contest and Ice Cream Social on July 2 and ending with the annual Red, White & BOOM Concert at Whitaker Bank Ballpark on July 5.
Visit the Downtown Lexington Corporation’s website for a list of scheduled events and to download vendor, parade and pie contest applications.
Schedule of Events
July 2
Great American Pie Contest & Ice Cream Social. 12 – 1 p.m. Cheapside Park.
July 3
Patriotic Music Concert featuring the Lexington Philharmonic and Lexington Singers. 8 p.m. Transylvania University and Gratz Park. (The Young At Heart Jazz Band will perform in Gratz Park from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.)
July 4
Bluegrass 10,000. 7:30 a.m. Downtown Lexington. Live music will be provided by Still Kickin at the end of the race course from 8 – 10 a.m.
Downtown Street Festival. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Music and other entertainment will be held at stages at Cheapside Park, the Old Fayette County Courthhouse on Short Street, Centrepointe Lot, Phoenix Park and Upper Courthouse Plaza.)
Kids Zone Activities. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (corner of Short Street and North Limestone).
Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Following Bluegrass 10,000 ceremony in front of Fifth Third Bank on Main Street.
Fourth of July Parade. 2 p.m. Parade route starts on Midland Avenue and proceeds down Main Street to Broadway.
Central Bank Thursday Night Live. 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Cheapside Park. Featuring live music by Catch 22.
Downtown Fireworks. 10 p.m.
July 5
Red, White & BOOM Concert. 12 – 10 p.m. Whitaker Bank Ballpark.
Summerfest
July 5 – 14; July 24 – Aug. 4
Gates open at 7 p.m., show at 8:45 p.m.
University of Kentucky Arboretum
Each summer, The Kentucky Conservatory Theatre presents a theatre festival in the tradition of Lexington’s longstanding Shakespeare in the Park event. This year, the event presents some changes in formatting, featuring two productions rather than three, with each production running for two weekends instead of one.
“Peter Pan,” July 5 – 7; 10 – 14. Directed by Adam Luckey.
“A Chrous Line,” July 24 – 28; July 31 – Aug. 1. Directed by Welsey Nelson; choreographed by Jenny Fitzpatrick.
Lexington Lions Club Bluegrass Fair
July 11-21
Masterson Station
www.lionsclubbluegrassfair.com
For over 51 years, the Lexington Lions Club has presented the Bluegrass Fair, which raises funds for organizations to provide vision and hearing services to people who cannot afford them. From the first years located at Red Mile to its current home in Masterson Station Park, the fair continues to provide family-friendly fun and be an agricultural showcase for people from central Kentucky.
The fair features over 100 rides, games and other scheduled events (listed below). Visit the fair’s website for a complete schedule of nightly entertainment.
Special Contests and Shows
July 13 – 14 Horticulture Contest & Flower Show
July 16 Basket Contest & Show
July 16 – 17 Quilt Contest & Show
July 17 Photography Contest & Show
July 18 Food Preservation (Preserves) Contest
July 19 Antiques Contest & Show
July 20 Bluegrass Cupcake Challenge Contest & Show
Keeneland Concours d’Elegance
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. July 20
Keeneland Race Course
On the third weekend of July, the annual Keeneland Concours d'Elegance will again be held at the beautiful Keeneland Race Course, showcasing over 130 of the finest collector vehicles in the country – from antiques to future classics. This year the event will be celebrating its 10th year.
Automobiles, motorcycles and other unique types of vehicles will be judged for their historical accuracy, presentation and cleanliness. Each class winner and runner-up will receive an award, each entrant will receive a Bluegrass Award ribbon.
This year’s Concours will feature the Mustang, an American automobile that has always been synonymous with flair, style, design and speed.
Along with the presentation of vehicles, other popular events include the Car Club Paddock, silent auction, sports car raffle and Gear Down after party.
In addition to the full-day Concours on July 20, other satellite events include the preview party and Maserati Mingle (June 21), Bourbon Tour (July 18), Hangar Bash (July 19), and the Tour d’Elegance (July 21).
Information on these events, as well as the Concours, can be found on the event website.
Beyond Grits: Lexington Restaurant Week
July 25 – Aug. 3
Various locally owned restaurants
To show off Lexington’s ever-growing food scene, to visitors and locals alike, the first-ever Lexington Restaurant Week will showcase locally owned restaurants. During the week, each participating restaurant will offer a “prix-fixe” dining experience (a complete meal offered at a fixed price) for $25 (this price could include a shared or family-style dinner at more casual restaurants).
Visit www.beyondgrits.com to see the growing list of participating restaurants leading up to Lexington Restaurant Week, as well as a schedule of any satellite events.
August
Ballet Under the Stars
Aug. 1 – 4
8 p.m. (pre-show); 9 p.m. (main curtain)
Woodland Park
(859) 288-2925
Celebrating its 24th year, people of all ages will gather to enjoy ballet theatre in the relaxed, casual setting of Woodland Park during Ballet Under the Stars, which once again will feature professional dancers from the Kentucky Ballet Theatre and the Lexington Ballet Company.
Lawn chairs and blankets should be brought for seating, and patrons may pack a picnic dinner or purchase concessions on-site.
The evening will begin at 8 p.m. with a pre-show of “Princess Vignettes,” which will be performed by young dancers from area dance schools, and will be followed by the main curtain at 9 p.m.
Chamber Music Festival of Lexington
Aug. 12 – 25
Various venues, including Natasha's Bistro, Fasig-Tipton Pavilion and more
Expanding from its usual week-long structure into two full weeks of programming, the Chamber Music Festival of Lexington will feature performances from the festival's standard quintet, featuring festival founder and former Lexingtonian Nathan Cole, a violinist who now serves as the First Associate Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Returning to a concept introduced last year under the direction of festival executive director Richard Young, the festival will once again feature a series of pop-up concerts – chamber groups performing in unexpected locations – as well as programming highlighting both an ensemble-in-residence and a composer-in-residence.
Aug. 12 – 19
The first week of the festival will focus on a new ensemble-in-Residence program featuring Houston-based wind quintet WindSync, who will perform pop-up concerts around town during the week, as well as music education concerts in some Lexington schools. More details will be announced in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Aug. 19 – 25
The second week of the festival will be a similar model to years past, highlighting a quintet that includes Nathan Cole, Akiko Tarumoto, Burchard Tang, Priscilla Lee and Alessio Bax. This year’s festival will also feature critically-acclaimed guest artist Nicholas Phan, a tenor vocalist who was named one of NPR's “Favorite New Artists of the Year” in 2011. The quintet will give a preview performance at Natasha's Bistro on Thursday, Aug. 22, and concerts at Fasig-Tipton Pavilion Aug. 23 – 25, including a world premiere of a work by composer-in-residence Ray Lustig on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Picnic with the Pops
Aug. 16 – 17
Gates at 6:30 p.m.; Show at dusk
The Meadow by Keene Barn at Keeneland
Since the early 1980s, a local LFUCG-appointed commission has presented the annual outdoor summer concert Picnic with the Pops, featuring live orchestra music against an idyllic Kentucky backdrop.
This year’s program features the Warner Bros. production “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II,” a multi-media production created and conducted by Emmy-award winner George Daugherty that features classic Looney Toons characters on the big screen with live orchestra accompaniment by the Lexington Philharmonic.
The program is geared toward children and adults alike, with music composed by legendary Hollywood composers Carl Stalling and Milt Franklyn, as inspired by the classics of Wagner, Rossini, Strauss, Liszt and others.
The event offers tables of eight which can be purchased, as well as general admission blanket seating. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner or caterer, along with beverages of choice, and are also encouraged to participate in the event’s annual table decorating contest, which features local “celebrity” judges who award prizes to the most festive tables.
American Founders Bank Woodland Art Fair
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Aug. 17
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aug. 18
Woodland Park
The 38th annual American Founders Bank Woodland Art Fair, produced by Lexington Art League and LFUCG’s Parks and Recreation, is Lexington largest, free, outdoor cultural event, with over 65,000 visitors coming to Woodland Park during the two-day event.
In addition to 200 of the nation’s finest juried artists, the fair offers free live entertainment on the gazebo stage, hands-on activities for children and families in the KidZone, free interactive demonstrations, free shuttle transportation from American Founders Bank’s downtown location and Lextran Transit Center parking garage, a bike check, great concessions, and plenty of opportunity to discover art.
The fair has received several national, regional and local honors, including being voted a Top 200 Fine Art & Design Show in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society and a Top 10 festival by the Kentucky Tourism Council.
Visit LAL’s website later in the summer to see samples of artists’ work, a map of artists’ booths, or for more information on volunteer opportunities.
Henry Clay Croquet Tournament
Aug. 18
Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate
The third annual Henry Clay Croquet Tournament, held on the back lawn of the Ashland estate, includes music, food and prizes for winning teams, including the Legacy Trophy. The tournament is a single elimination bracket, with a chance for free play for eliminated teams. Spectators are welcome; white attire preferred. Entry fee is $50 per team of two players. Sign up by Aug. 9.
Lexington Fest of Ales
5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Aug. 31
Fifth Third Pavilion at Cheapside Park
Over 60 breweries will be on hand this year for the city’s increasingly popular Lexington Fest of Ales, from domestic darlings, such as Bells and Schlafly, and international institutions, such as Chimay and Unibroue, to local varieties, like Country Boy and West Sixth Street.
Tickets to the event are pre-sale only, and a limited number of 1,500 will be sold beginning Aug. 1 at local Liquor Barn locations, Pazzo’s, the Beer Trappe and Central Bank Thursday Night Live, as well as by phone at (859) 425-2593.
Tickets include a collectible tasting glass and 20 beer samples (additional samples may be purchased). Downtown vendors will be selling food, and Radio 80 will be performing during the duration of the festival.
Visit the event’s website for a complete list of participating breweries.
September
Jazz on the Lawn
5:30 p.m. Sept. 1
Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate
Bring a blanket and your friends for this annual Jazz on the Lawn concert featuring DiMartino Osland Jazz Orchestra. Rain date is Sept. 2.
Roots & Heritage Festival
Sept. 6 - 8
For over 20 years the Roots and Heritage Festival has been a pinnacle of regional diversity providing entertainment and education for all ages. The colorful pageantry of the festival, combined with its high quality offerings of cultural and educational programs, has earned its recognition as one of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Visit the festival's website for a list of events scheduled during the weekend.
WRFL’s Boomslang: A Celebration of Sound & Art
Sept. 20 – 22
Various locations
Organized by the University of Kentucky’s student radio station, WRFL 88.1, Boomslang is a multi-venue festival highlighting non-mainstream, left-of-center music as well as a bevy of additional multi-media events, including literary, film and visual art events. The festival aims to extend WRFL’s mission to provide a platform for non-commercial music and other programming not available on other radio stations and media, and is known for including a variety of genres with an experimental bend, including electronica, metal, hip hop, folk, noise and queer-themed dance music.
Among many others, this year’s line-up features esteemed spoken-word and hip-hop artist Saul Williams, Detroit electronic duo ADULT., English psychedelic post-punk band Clinic, and goth-tinged folk songwriter Chelsea Wolfe. Also on the bill are experimental noise guitarist Marnie Stern, up-and-coming indie rockers Youth Lagoon, spaghetti-western themed instrumental group Grails and experimental electronic outfit Com Truise.
More artists and details can be found at www.boomslangfest.com.
Festival Latino de Lexington
5 – 11 p.m., Sept. 20
4 – 11 p.m., Sept. 21
Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza
(859) 489-9707
Last year over 30,000 people came together in a celebration of culture and heritage at the Festival Latino de Lexington.
Friday evening will be a tropical night, with music from the Caribbean and fireworks. Saturday will have more Latino music, dancing and country presentations. Both nights will also feature authentic Latino cuisine, Latino art vendors, youth activities and more.
Crave Lexington
11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sept. 21
11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sept. 22
Moondance at Midnight Pass amphitheater
The first-ever Crave Lexington food festival will celebrate the producers as well as the makers, as organizers and participants want to help showcase all of the people involved in the local food chain and their relationship to each other.
Fifty to 60 local food vendors, representing restaurants, food trucks, farmers and other food personalities, will be set up in the area adjacent to the Moondance at Midnight Pass amphitheater in Beaumont Circle. Smaller stages will facilitate intimate food demonstrations and maps of “food trails,” dedicated to different cuisines and items, will help visitors explore different foods.
Admission to the event, which will include musical performances, is free, and food will be available for purchase. Special events, such as a Slow Food Dinner on Saturday and a Hungover Breakfast on Sunday, will require tickets.
Visit the event’s website later in the summer for a list of participating vendors and other scheduled events.