Concerts & Gigs
Gideon Alorwoyie’s Afrikania. April 5. Master drummer Gideon Alorwoyie is a village chief and Jeve priest of the Ewe people of Ghana, Togo and Benin, and his group Afrikania delivers high-energy African dance and drumming in traditional costume. Arguably the greatest living expert on the drumming of the Ewe people, Alorwoyie’s knowledge has been sought by modern classical composer Steve Reich and students across the globe. Lee Carroll’s Afro-Funk Allstar Dance Band add to this explosive performance of African Funk and Afro-Beat. The show is hosted by Green Room Exchange, a non-profit that seems to expand and enrich the Lexington community through a cultural exchange of music and art. 7 p.m. Tee Dee’s Bluegrass Progressive Club, 266 E. Second St.
Michael Cruse Trio. April 6. Growing up in a musical family, Lexington-based Cruse was taken under the wing of master musician Charles Quillings at a young age, a mentorship that led to Cruse’s infatuation with the trumpet. He attended the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music on scholarship for jazz trumpet performance and performs consistently with the Michael Cruse Quintet, The Clifton Collective, the Company Band, Hot Magnolias and various other small groups. 9 p.m. Creaux, 310 W. Short St. (859) 469-8960
The Lone Bellow Trio. April 8. This Nashville-based trio has become known for their transcendent harmonies, serious musicianship and raucous live performance. According to NPR, “If there’s a secret to [their] warm, wide-open sound, it lies in absolute sincerity and commitment: As playful as their live shows can be, Zach Williams, Kanene Donehey Pipkin and Brian Elmquist perform with openhearted, vein-bursting conviction.” (Note the early start time.) Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com (859) 447-8166
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio. April 14. This Seattle-based trio with B-3 organist Delvon Lamarr at the helm was founded in 2015 and has delivered an infectious blend of soul, jazz and rhythm & blues to audiences around the world ever since. With support from funky local groove-masters Driftwood Gypsy. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com (859) 447-8166
The high-energy New Orleans-based outfit Tank and the Bangas will bring its unique blend of soul, funk, R&B and spoken word to Manchester Music Hall on April 18. Photo furnished
Tank & the Bangas. April. 18. Hailing from New Orleans, Tank and the Bangas are surrounded by plenty of grand musical traditions. The five-piece group has a rare knack for combining various musical styles: fiery soul, deft hip-hop, deep groove R&B and subtle jazz into one dazzling cohesive whole that evokes the scope of New Orleans music while retaining a distinctive feel all its own. 7 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com (859) 230-5365
Catawampus Universe. April 19 and 20. This mostly Lexington-based band plays a groovy mix of psychedelic rock, funk and dub. Featuring musicians Joel Crisp, Steve Cherry, Tingo Lee, David Farris, Tripp Bratton, Eric Belt, Dale Hilen, Willie Eames and Michael Thurman, the popular group played frequent local shows in the 1990s and early 2000s before dissolving for over a decade in 2002. The group returned to occasional action in 2014, performing in Lexington for special two-night stints once or twice a year. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com (859) 447-8166
Origins Jazz Series: Keigo Hirakawa. April 20. Sought-after for his willingness to be musically spontaneous on stage, jazz pianist Keigo Hirakawa brings highly personal and energetic style of improvisation to ensembles. Distinguishing himself with his articulate use of harmonic and rhythmic vocabulary and his leadership style on the bandstand, Hirakawa will perform as part of the Origins Jazz Series, which seeks to bring high-quality monthly jazz performances in Lexington. Two seatings: 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. TeeDee’s Bluegrass Progressive Club, 266 E. Second St. www.originsjazz.org
Beloved Americana songstress Neko Case returns to Lexington on April 25. Photo furnished
Neko Case. April 25. The powerhouse vocalist known for her work with the popular indie-rock group New Pornographers as well as her powerful solo records, Neko Case returns to Lexington in support of her newest record, “Hell-On,” which was born at the hands of some three dozen performers, from k.d. Lang, Laura Veirs, Beth Ditto, and Robert Forster on backing vocals, to Joey Burns (Calexico) and Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices) on guitar, and Barbara Gruska and Matt Chamberlain on drums. Opening the show will be Shannon Shaw, of rockabilly legends Shannon and the Clams. 8 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com (859) 230-5365
Mark Rebillet. April 27. Armed with his voice, a MIDI keyboard and tambourine, his trusty Boss RC-505 loop station and an uncensored, freewheeling imagination, the past three years have seen Rebillet – a.k.a. Loop Daddy – become an online phenomenon. Making up songs and skits about his love of women’s posteriors, Martha Stewart’s recipe for spinach or how mosquitoes are real life vampires, his live shows are full of surprises. 8 p.m. Cosmic Charlie’s, 105 W. Loudon Ave. www.cosmic-charlies.com. (859) 333-4817
Abby the Spoon Lady. April 28. Abby the Spoon Lady has been a professional street performer for over a decade, having studied American folk percussion, music and folklore while traveling the United States by foot and rail. Now she plays with some of Asheville’s finest local and visiting performers at festivals, within venues and right on the sidewalk. 7 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com (859) 447-8166
Art & Exhibits
“Altered Egos and Guardian Angels,” an exhibition of work by Lexington artist Carleton Wing, will be on display at M.S. Rezny Gallery through May 17. Photo furnished
“Altered Egos and Guardian Angels.” On display until May 17. Artist Carleton Wing believes that “traveling with the altered ego is a choice but the guardian angel is on a more personal level and they choose us.” A master at using digital collage for storytelling, Wing adds unique embellishments to his work and challenges viewers to find their own among the 50 artworks in the exhibit. Gallery hours: Tues.-Fri., noon-5 p.m.; Sat., 1-4 p.m. and by appointment. M.S. Rezny Gallery, 903 Manchester St. www.msrenzy.com (859)-252-4647
Dan Neil Barnes Exhibit. On display through May 4. Born to a family of builders and craftsmen, Dan Barnes spent his early years honing his craft alongside his father and uncles in Henderson County before pursuing a degree in human environmental design at the University of Kentucky, where he studied under art professors Arturo Sandoval, Miles Weiner and John Tuska. The love of creating his own designs led Barnes in 1986 to open his own upholstery and furniture design business, for which he has become well regarded for his design flair and top quality craftsmanship. Seeking another creative outlet, Barnes began experimenting with stained glass several years ago. After studying the craft under Laura Hallock here in Lexington, he began creating his own original designs combining light, color and text, many of which will be on display in this exhibit. Gallery hours: Tues.-Thurs., 11 a.m. -5 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ArtsPlace, 161 N. Mill St. www.lexarts.org (859) 425-2550
H’Artful of Fun: A Garden Party. April 27. This magical evening of food, friends and fun is an annual benefit for the Living Arts & Science Center. Guests can enjoy a fabulous art auction as well as live and silent auctions, live music, dinner, spirits and “artful surprises.” Living Arts and Science Center, 362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. www.lasclex.org (859) 252-5222
NorthSide Festival. April 27. This new community arts festival presented by the Lexington Art League will be held in honor of long-time northside resident and prominent folk artist LaVon Williams. Neighbors and friends are invited to enjoy art vendors including a range of folk art, sculpture, painting, mixed media, jewelry and more. Musical performances will include local talents Devine Carama, D.J. Rice and Small Batch. The festival will also feature several local food and beverage vendors, including West Sixth Brewing. Other activities include a drawing station and live wood-carving demonstrations. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Loudoun House and Castlewood Park, 209 Castlewood Drive. www.lexingtonartleague.org (859) 254-7024
Theatre & Performance
Woodford Theatre: “Rumors.” April 4-7. Gathering for a 10th wedding anniversary party, the first guests to arrive, Ken and Chris Gorman, find the host of the evening lying in his upstairs bedroom bleeding from a gunshot wound with his wife nowhere in sight. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of farce. Ken, as the host’s lawyer, and Chris must get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As couples arrive, confusions and miscommunications mount and the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity. Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Woodford Theatre, 275 Beasley Road, Versailles. www.woodfordtheatre.com (859) 873-0648
The Tony-winning musical “Spamalot” – a riff on the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” – follows the Knights of the Round Table on their quest for the Holy Grail. The show comes to the EKU Center on April 10. Photo furnished
Monty Python’s “Spamalot.” April 10. An outrageous, Tony-winning musical comedy ripped off from the classic film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Spamalot” tells the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. 7:30 p.m. EKU Center for the Arts, 1 Hall Drive, Richmond. www.ekucenter.com (859) 622-7294
AthensWest: “The Cake.” April 12-28. Faced with a moral challenge after discovering that the cake she was creating for her best friend’s daughter’s wedding is not for a bride and groom, but for two brides, Della, a religious baker, confronts her faith, her perspectives and her own marriage. Fri. and Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Downtown Arts Center’s Black Box Theater, 141 E. Main St. www.athenswest.net (859) 425-2550
Lexington Philharmonic: “Saint-Saëns & Shostakovich.” April 12. This performance highlights emerging female voices and talent. LexPhil opens with innovative female composer Missy Mazzoli’s expansive “Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres),” followed by Saint-Saëns’ masterful “Violin Concerto No. 3” featuring violinist Simone Porter, a 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant winner. Shostakovich’s passionate “Symphony No. 5” closes the evening. 7:30 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. www.lexphil.org (859) 257-4929
Lexington Ballet: “The Magical Tales of Beatrix Potter.” April 13. Inspired to create original choreography for this tale in 2009 after reading the beloved stories to his 5-year-old son, Lexington Ballet artistic director Luis Dominguez will bring his “The Magical Tales of Beatrix Potter” back to the stage for its 10th anniversary. Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny come to life with the score by Peter Bias, and bluesy music created by local musician Brett James for Jeremy Fisher. Stories will also showcase “Squirrel Nutkin,” “Old Brown Owl,” “Jemima Puddle Duck” and “Two Bad Mice.” 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., The Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonballet.org
Broadway Live! presents a production of “The King and I” at the Lexington Opera House this month. Photo furnished
Broadway Live!: “The King and I.” April 26-28. “The King and I” boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance” and “Something Wonderful.” Set in 1860s’ Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British school teacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com (859) 233-4567
Literature & Film
A reading and Q&A with author Ayser Salman will take place April 4 at the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning. Photo furnished
Ayser Salman Reading. April 4. Ayser Salman is an Iraqi-born University of Kentucky graduate who now lives and works in Los Angeles as a writer and producer/director for companies that include Universal Pictures, Miramax Films, Disney, FX and Lantern Entertainment. In her debut book –“The Wrong End of the Table: A Mostly Comic Memoir of a Muslim Arab American Woman Just Trying to Fit In,” which has been described as part memoir, part “how not to” guide – Salman traces her unlikely journey from Baghdad to Hollywood, by way of Ohio, Saudi Arabia and Kentucky, using a warm and witty voice to hit upon timely observations about the immigrant experience. Her Lexington book reading will include a Q&A with bestselling author David Bell. 6:30 p.m., Carnegie Center For Literacy & Learning, 251 W. Second St. www.carnegiecenterlex.org (859) 254-4175
Kentucky Great Writers Series. April 9. This series connects authors to readers and writers in an intimate atmosphere. Each event starts with a 30-minute open-mic session followed by each author reading for 15-20 minutes from a work of his or her choice. After the readings, the audience will have the opportunity to purchase books to be signed by the authors. This event will feature Mary Ann Taylor-Hall (“Out of Nowhere: New and Selected Poems”), Christopher P. Collins (“My American Night”) and Constance Merritt (“Blind Girl Grunt: The Selected Blues Lyrics and Other Poems”). 6 p.m., Carnegie Center For Literacy & Learning, 251 W. Second St. www.carnegiecenterlex.com (859) 254-4175
A Literary Evening with Amy Bloom. April 25. The first installment of the new Kim Edwards Foundation literary series at the Carnegie Center will feature a reading and book signing by New York Times best-selling author Amy Bloom, author of the novels “Love Invents Us,” “Away,” “Lucky Us” and “White Houses,” as well and three collections of short stories, a children’s book and a ground-breaking collection of essays. 6 p.m. The Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, 251 W. Second St. www.carnegiecenterlex.org (859) 254-4175
UK Symphony: “Amadeus Live.” April 27. This showing of the multi-Academy Award winning 1984 motion picture “Amadeus” will be accompanied by Mozart’s most celebrated works, performed live and in-sync by a full orchestra and choir. “Amadeus” tells the story of Vienna court composer Antonio Salieri and the envy that consumes him upon discovering that the divine musical gifts he has so longed for all his life, have been bestowed on a bawdy, vulgar and impish young composer. 7:30 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. www.finearts.uky.edu (859) 257-4929
Etc.
Keeneland Spring Race Meet. April 4-26 (racing takes place Wed.-Sun.). One of Lexington’s most honored springtime traditions, the 2019 spring race meet at the historic Keeneland racetrack gets underway this month. Gates open at 11 a.m. with the first post at 1:05 p.m. daily. 4201 Versailles Road. www.keeneland.com (859) 254-3412
Red Wagon Festival. April 13. This first-time festival is a benefit for Shriner’s Hospital for Children featuring food and beverage vendors, inflatables for kids, carriage rides and live music from Justin Wells, Coralee Townie, New Town, The Tillers and The Allman Butter Band. Noon-9 p.m. The Red Mile, 1200 Red Mile Road. www.redwagonfestival.com
Grateful Grass, the Grateful Dead-inspired bluegrass project with inventive songwriter and instrumentalist Keller Williams at the helm, is among the performers at this month’s Cabin Reliever festival, taking place at the Harrodsburg venue Terrapin Hill. Photo furnished
Cabin Reliever Fever at Terrapin Hill. April 18-21. Taking place on an idyllic Mercer County farmland venue that has hosted dozens of festivals over the years, Cabin Reliever started in 2013 to ring in the warm-weather festival season with live music, camping, family activities and more. This year’s line-up features Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass with Love Canon, Galactic, Rumpke Mountain Boys, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, Willie Waldman Project, Restless Leg String Band, FatBox and many more. Other activities include bonfires, drum circles, fire-spinning, yoga, food and craft vendors, and glass-blowing demonstrations. 3696 Mackville Road, Harrodsburg. Schedule and more info available at www.terrapinhillfestivals.com.
Bourbon or Turban: Mecca Studio’s 20th Birthday. April 19. Mecca Live Studio will celebrate the 20th birthday of the dance studio with a weekend-long celebration of belly dance, consisting of a Friday night dance party celebration at the Hudson Haus (213 N. Limestone St.) with live music and performances from Rakadu, Shisha Tribal and Wendy Allen and food and drink on April 19. On Saturday, April 20, the celebration continues at the Salsa Center (817 Lane Allen Road) with a series of ATS Tribal Belly Dance workshops led by Allen, formerly of Fat Chance Belly Dance. For more information, call Mecca at (859) 254-9790.
DiverCity Festival. April 27. This inaugural event is slated to offer an educational experience on our multicultural, multifaceted city. The family-friendly festival will feature food, live performances and opportunities to interact with fellow community members. 3 p.m. Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, 120 N. Limestone St. www.divercity.com
Inclusion Palooza. April 27. This second annual event is geared to bring people together and celebrate our differences and similarities through the power of music and advocacy. The event has a special focus on honoring individuals with disabilities and their contributions to the Lexington-area community, schools and workplaces, and will feature local bands, exhibitors, vendors and family-friendly activities. 2-7 p.m. MoonDance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St.