March 16-26
JCC’s ‘My Fair Lady’
“The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain.” Now, unless you’re a theater geek, you have no idea where you’ve heard that little rhyme (Dr. Suess?), but you’ve definitely heard it. Most likely it was Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal of Eliza Doolittle, the Cockney flower girl who gets a speech makeover from linguistics professor Henry Higgins in the movie version of “My Fair Lady,” which is the musical based on George Bernard Shaw’s play “Pygmalion.” Bursting with familiar show tunes such as “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?,” the musical is well-loved despite its misogynistic tone. Who can resist that adorable Cockney accent?
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of “My Fair Lady” opening on Broadway, the Jewish Community Center mounts its own, sure-to-be-popular staging. —Rebecca Haithcoat
Jewish Community Center
3600 Dutchmans Lane
459-0660
$14-$16; various times
Friday, March 17
Singer-songwriter evening
The Old Louisville Coffeehouse is one of the best places in town to see a show, particularly a quiet one. There’s no smoke, it’s all ages and, most importantly, there’s no clinking of beer bottles and other such disrespectful clatter during a quiet tune that makes us look like a bunch of rabid redneck jackasses. That shit gives bands grounds to skip Louisville next time around (hmm … Iron & Wine?). No wonder.
So Ben Purdom (of Dan Aykroyd), Joe Meredith (the Merediths), Jeremy Podgursky (the Pennies) and Jason Zavala (the Elephants) are doing what some have done before them at the OLCH: a singer-songwriters evening. Before you get too drunk on green beer, stop by and check it out. Just be nice and listen. After all, you paid to be there. —Stephen George
Old Louisville Coffeehouse
1489 S. Fourth St.
635-6660
$5; 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 19
Tribute to Paul Laurence Dunbar
As part of the “Season for Non-Violence” events, the Unity Church of Middletown is presenting an original musical dramatization celebrating the life and work of the African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. Born to former slaves in 1872 in Dayton, Ohio, Dunbar was the first black poet to gain national distinction. He produced more than 20 works of literature, in which his style incorporated two distinct dialects — the standard English and the evocative dialect of the turn-of-the century black community in America. Since his death in 1906, his scholarly works remain alive within all communities, celebrating the concept of equality and unity. During this celebration, well-loved Louisville singer-songwriter John Gage and acclaimed Louisville actor Phillip Cherry will perform. —Tytianna Wells
Unity Church of Middletown
11700 Main St. (Middletown)
244-9696
Free; 11 a.m.
Sunday, March 19
St. Baldrick’s Day
With all of this humidity lately, I’ve been tempted to shave my head. I spent two hours flat-ironing my hair straight on Saturday, and as soon as I stepped outside, I had instant curls. If you’re as fed up as I am, wait till Sunday to hack off your hair for a good cause — it’s the annual St. Baldrick’s benefit, wherein people shave their heads to raise money for childhood cancer research and to show solidarity with children who lose their hair during treatment. Last year, Louisville raised $210,758 and came in No. 4 in the nation. This year the goal is $300,000. The event is at Fourth Street Live again, so take these next few days to say goodbye to your locks and head downtown Sunday afternoon. —Sara Havens
Fourth Street Live
www.stbaldricks.org
Free; 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 19
‘Prayer Service for Peace’
God seems to bless America in every major political speech, but the rest of the world is usually left out. The “Prayer Service for Peace” hopes to change this trend by bringing people of diverse faiths together to pray for peace in Iraq and across the world. St. James Episcopal Church hosts the service to commemorate the third anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War. In addition to Buddhists, Muslims and Jewish faithful already expected to attend, people who do not identify with any religion are also welcome. “This is not a protest, but a service of hope that peace will prevail — not only in the Middle East, but all over the world,” said the Rev. Paul Jeanes III of St. James. Fellowship and refreshments follow the prayer service. —Matt Mattingly
St. James Episcopal Church
401 Lagrange Road
241-8136
Free; 5 p.m.
Sunday, March 19
Year-Long Disaster
Fill in the blank: “I wish I’d been a _____, just like my dear papa.” The original answer, according to Monty Python, was “girlie” — but for Daniel Davies of power-trio Year-Long Disaster, the correct phrase is “purveyor of world-shaking guitar riffs.” Young Mr. Daniel (son of Dave — as in The Kinks) has been a scene-stealer since a not-ready-for-walking cameo on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” two decades ago. He and his current mates (both with well-established musical resumes) are looking to invigorate classic styles of blues-rock. You can sample Year-Long Disaster tracks via their Web site (take note of the logo — an enchanting chauvinist throwback) or their Myspace page. Or just take the low-risk gamble that you’ll have a very good time with a four-band bill at Uncle Pleasant’s. Also playing are Hotel War, Able Danger (featuring Slackshop’s Billy Bartley) and The Foster. —T.E. Lyons
Uncle Pleasant’s
2126 South Preston St.
634-4147
www.unclepleasants.com
$5; 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 21
Metro United Way’s Youth Film Fest
From the camera lenses of babes come … well, you’ll just have to wait and see. This year, Metro United Way initiated its first-ever youth film festival (named in honor of Karen Gallagher Kennedy, a longtime United Way marketing specialist who died of cancer last fall). Teens were asked to shoot a five- to seven-minute film focusing on themes that correspond to Metro United Way’s four community visions: helping kids succeed; building strong families; promoting health and independence; and strengthening neighborhoods. Films will be screened and winners announced Tuesday at a ceremony hosted by WAVE-TV’s Dawne Gee. The festival is part of an overall effort to get youth engaged in community issues.
Also, United Way’s Success By 6 kicks off its month-long Book Harvest on March 31. Last year, 14,500 books were collected and distributed to youth in Metro Louisville. Carmichael’s Bookstore is the retail sponsor and will have donation centers at its Highlands and Crescent Hill locations. WFPK-FM will take donations throughout April during its weekly Live Lunch series. —Cary Stemle
Metro United Way
334 E. Broadway
292-6143
www.metrounitedway.org
Free; 7 p.m.
Through March 23
‘Landscapes: 2 Comparative Surveys’
The newly opened Visual Arts Center at Webster University is featuring two views of the popular artistic theme, the landscape, in its inaugural exhibition. Webster University faulty member Jim Mahanes is represented by a series of watercolors called “Landships,” of rural areas full of rustic buildings that seem to dominate the land they inhabit.
Indianapolis artist Casey Roberts combines a cyanotype photographic process with painting to create his landscapes. The resulting mixed-media works resemble cross-sections of mountains and rivers. —Jo Anne Triplett
Webster University Visual Arts Center
1031 Zorn Ave.
896-1835
www.webster.edu/louisville
Free
Through June 25
‘Gaela Erwin: Facing the Subject’
Julien Robson, Speed Art Museum contemporary art curator, is one busy man. Not only did he organize the “Nowhere” show at the New Center for Contemporary Art, he selected, along with local artist Gaela Erwin, the works in her new exhibition.
The moving self-portraits as Christian saints are full of body parts and instruments of torture, yet the resulting paintings are more symbolic and still than gory. However, they do get the point across about the pain endured by these tortured female and male martyrs. —Jo Anne Triplett
Speed Art Museum
2035 S. Third St.
634-2700
www.speedmuseum.org
Free
