June 7-9
‘Today’s Challenges — Tomorrow’s Opportunities’
Did you know the majority of museum visitors are from the Millennial Generation, born between 1979-2000? Dr. Brenden Martin has conducted research on how each generation values history and art, and will present his findings as the Kentucky Association of Museums/Kentucky Historical Society Conference’s keynote speaker. The meeting’s theme is “Today’s Challenges — Tomorrow’s Opportunities,” with receptions and sessions held at various locations around town, including the Frazier International History Museum, Louisville Science Center and Callahan Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind. It’s open to the public. —Jo Anne Triplett
Kentucky Historical Society
564-1792, ext. 4453
$85/3 days (students $60), day rate $50
Thursday, June 8
Louisville Geek Dinner
Would you classify yourself as A) a nerd B) a dork or C) a geek? If you answered C (or A or B for that matter), the first annual Louisville Geek Dinner may be the best thing to happen in your life since Microsoft released the trailer for “Halo 3” in high-definition. Self-proclaimed geek Ben Thomas got the idea for the Louisville Geek Dinner after listening to a series of podcasts of the London Geek Dinner. Thomas says the Dinner is “a social networking event for anyone who loves technology.” Any interested geeks, nerds, dorks or anyone else should visit www.louisvillegeekdinner.com to sign up for the event tomorrow evening at Fox and Hound. —Michael Lichvar
Fox and Hound Pub & Grille
302 Bullitt Lane
www.louisvillegeekdinner.com
Free; 6 p.m.
Friday, June 9
Chuck Turner Fund Fun Raiser
Last year’s Chuck Turner Fund Fun Raiser proved a resounding success, helping Chuck and his wife Sue cope financially with the debilitating effects of Chuck’s ALS. And such a great time was had by all that Chuck’s old Atherton High buddies are doing it again! Singer-songwriter Shawn Phillips headlines the event at the Kentucky Theater Friday evening. A post-concert reception includes Phillips and Sir Turner, himself. Suggested minimum contribution is $25 at the door. If you can’t make the party, contributions may be sent to The Chuck Turner Fund, Republic Bank, 2801 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Ky., 40205. —Bill Doolittle
Kentucky Theater
641 S. Fourth St.
589-6419
$25; 7 p.m.
Friday, June 9
‘Belly Dance Unveiled II’
Tired of the mundane and conventional? Bored with predictable entertainment? Take a break from the norm and experience the appeal of exotic, far-away lands while remaining in the comfort of your own city. Silk Belly Dance, Gypsies of the Nile and Shazadi are joining forces again in “Belly Dance Unveiled II.” Let costumes entrance you and the music and motion hypnotize you. The concert features choreographed ensemble pieces and solo performances. There’s something to grab everyone’s attention with this performance, including a dance of the seven veils, snake dances, sword dances, performances with fire and live music. —Stephanie Salmons
Clifton Cultural Center Theatre
Corner of Clifton and Payne
727-5491
www.bellydanceunveiled.com
$12, $8 students/seniors; 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 10
Magic at the Mount
For those who want to condense the experience of a year-long stay at a hippie commune to a five-hour romp, Saturday is your lucky day. The fourth annual Magic at the Mount is a treat for the eyes and ears, with a full bill of musicians, writers, photographers and varied visual artists slated to fill Mount St. Francis, Ind., with artsy glee. Musical performances include blues groups Da Mudcats and Lazy Eleven, who will play subdued sets in between open-mic poetry and prose readings. Many area artists will have sculptures on display throughout the grounds. There’s face and silk painting, pottery, calligraphy, puppetry … you name it — someone will scribble or glom clay on it. Food and beverages will also be on sale. There will be nary a moment without some sort of musical accompaniment through the evening, including some soft taps and toots from drums and saxophone. Dig (cue finger snaps)? —Nathan Thacher
Magic at the Mount
Mount St. Francis, Ind.
(812) 923-8602
Free; 4-9 p.m.
June 10-11
Louisville Irish Fest
The Louisville Irish Fest was a landmark Louisville festival that occurred every September from 1990-97. The two-day celebration, started by Martha and Gerry Ford, attracted crowds in the range of 7,000 people to the Bellarmine University campus for food, Irish Mass and vendors marketing Irish goods. The festival returned in 2003 and 2004, and again in 2006, although this year it’s a little different. The Fest has moved from its typical Bellarmine venue to The Belvedere, and it’s this Saturday and Sunday. Just as before, there will be an Irish Mass with plenty of food, drink and goodies to buy. And this year there will also be medieval knights and jousters, Irish dancers and an Irish breed dog show. Woof! —Michael Lichvar
The Belvedere
www.louisvilleirishfest.com
$5 (12 and under free); 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sun.)
Sunday, June 11
Poet Aleda Shirley reading
Poet Aleda Shirley left her adulthood home of Louisville in 1990, bound for Mississippi. She returns Sunday for a reading from her latest book, “Dark Familiar,” published by Louisville’s own Sarabande Books ($21.95 cloth; $13.95 paper). Shirley’s debut collection, “Chinese Architecture” (1986), received the Poetry Society of America’s Norma Farber First Book Award and was followed by “Long Distance” (1996). Her current collection carries a tension that exists in a lush world shaded by unsettling loss. Shirley’s language conveys a sense of history and paints rich Southern landscapes where tulips and magnolias bloom and where cars move in ways that clock time and satisfy cravings for contact with the physical world. —Elizabeth Kramer
Carmichael’s Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Ave.
896-6950
www.carmichaelsbookstore.com
Free; 4 p.m.
Through June 24
Paintings by Marco Logsdon
And you thought tar was only for driveways or Federal courthouses. At a time when artists can use any medium, creating a painting with tar still seems unusual. Not so in the hands of Marco Logsdon, who wields it to produce intensely glowing color. This laborious and time-consuming technique was developed out of experimentation and love of the “happy accidents” achieved through the chemical process.
His nonrepresentational art is composed of geometric designs in the style of Abstract Expressionism, reminiscent of Mark Rothko and Sean Scully. If that sounds serene and even a little boring, Logsdon’s work might change your mind. Come see the drama. —Jo Anne Triplett
Swanson Reed Contemporary
638 E. Market St.
589-5466
Free; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Sat.
