<MUSIC>
Friday, April 14
The Commonwealth
The carnival of sounds that is The Commonwealth rejoins the stage life this Friday at the Rud, having taken something of a break from performing to record a new album, which we understand to be still in the works. Ultra Pulverize, the proto-industrial trio who ape the German side of techno with a particular hilarity, are also releasing a short film called “Royalty and Catass,” which will debut at the show. We can only convey a profound excitement at this. Baltimore’s More Dogs also shares the bill. —Stephen George
The Rudyard Kipling
422 W. Oak St.
636-1311
$5; 10 p.m.
21+
<PHOTOGRAPHY>
April 14-June 31
‘Film’s Last Gasp’
The ’90s were a tumultuous decade for New York City, and New York Times photographer Chris Maynard captured much of it on film. A few years ago, Maynard, who once lived in Louisville, donated his negatives from 1993-2002 — some 360,000 shots — to U of L’s Special Collections/Photographic Archives, and now a show based on that work is about to open. The exhibition, whose title alludes to the advent of digital photography, includes some of Maynard’s favorite photographs, including gay dads, centenarian birthdays and that mainstay of NYC photojournalism, the perp walk. There’s a reception for the photographer on Thursday from 4:30-7 p.m. —Cary Stemle
U of L’s Ekstrom Library
2301 S. Third St.
852-6752
http://library.louisville.edu/ekstrom/special/pa_index.html
Free; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (hours extended to 8 p.m. on Thu.)
<THEATER>
April 14-15
‘6 Women Turning 60 in 2006’
If your spirit desires a dash of sage, this theater and arts festival has the seasoning to flavor your weekend. In celebration of a half-dozen creative, energetic female artists from around the country, this lively event will be held at U of L’s Thrust Theater. The honored group illuminates authors including California’s Donna Guthrie, New York’s Susan Shafer, Lina Holland Rathkopf and Judith Estrine, Michigan’s Kitty Dubin and Louisville author Nancy Gall-Clayton. These baby boomers will explode on stage with readings of their six short plays — with such titles as “Dreamfish,” “Divorcing After Fifty Ain’t No Disgrace” and “Kentucky Women.” I can only imagine the range of wisdom and wildness these incredible voices will offer. Paintings and sculptures by Elmer Lucille Allen, Mary Craik, Gloria Kemper-O’Neal, Bette Levy, Fleice Sachs and Joan Zehnder — yes, all in or beyond their sixth decade — will be displayed on the stage and in the lobby. This is a rich opportunity to connect the generations and acknowledge the intrinsic value of our older female artists. —Cindy Lamb
UofL Thrust Theater
2314 S. Floyd St.
636-5836
$10 ($6 60 and over); 8 p.m. (2 & 8 p.m. Sat.)
<STARS>
April 14-15
Astrologer Michael Lutin
As if you didn’t have enough to worry about these days, Pluto has now entered the sign of Capricorn. What does it mean? Why should you care? Well, the Astrological Society of Kentucky (ASK) deems it pretty important, and they’re bringing in Michael Lutin, a renowned astrologer who writes the astrology column for Vanity Fair and is author of several books on the subject. His lecture Friday will be on “The Capricorn Conspiracy: Pluto in Capricorn and the Question of Patriotism.” Because ASK is expecting a large crowd, this lecture will be held at the Breckinridge Inn instead of their usual meeting space at the Bon Air Library.
Lutin will also host a workshop on Saturday on “The Power of Prediction,” which will explore tools for horoscope analysis (10 a.m.-4 p.m., $45 ASK members/$60 non-members). —Sara Havens
Breckinridge Inn
2800 Breckinridge Lane
426-8902
$20 ASK members/$25 non-members; 7-9 p.m.
<HEALTH>
Saturday, April 15
Healthy Hometown Spring Hike
The mayor’s extended an invitation to romp through Jefferson Memorial Forest. Don’t worry — hiking down one of the five winding trails does not imply you agree with his political leanings. Instead, Mayor Abramson looks to shed politics and promote health in Louisville, starting with the “Healthy Hometown Spring Hike” on Saturday. Included in the fun are adult and children’s guided hikes, knowledgeable trail rangers and free healthy snacks. A health fair continues throughout the event and includes music and children’s activities. The forest wildflowers just may remind you that the great outdoors still exist. If you’re like me, the 500 free bandanas handed out to the early risers are just gravy on the mashed potatoes. —Matt Mattingly
Jefferson Memorial Forest
12304 Holsclaw Road
574-1903
Free; 10 a.m.
<HOLIDAY>
Saturday, April 15
Frankfort Avenue Easter Parade
The Frankfort Avenue Easter Parade is a bit more interactive than your usual holiday parade. Could be the talking police car or horse-drawn carriages, but you’ll probably enjoy the parade most because you get to walk in it. Go ahead and indulge your parade-marching fetish, we won’t tell. In addition to the Waggener High School Marching Band, antique cars and local dance teams will keep things interesting. If you prefer to take in the scene, inch toward the Irish Rover, where parade-goers will show off their Easter style in pursuit of “Good Ears” awards. Nothing says spring like a festive holiday parade full of strangers tossing you free candy. —Matt Mattingly
St. Mark’s (2822 Frankfort) to Haldeman Avenue
419-6159
Free; 11:30 a.m.
<BOOK>
Saturday, April 15
‘Low Down and Derby’
Mystery readers love their stories flavored with local ambiance. Regional anthologies seem to be thriving in recent years, and that explains why we’re seeing a second collection of short mysteries with local writers making the most of the glamour and tradition — and gambling spirit — that accompany the Kentucky Derby. “Low Down and Derby” is having a premier event, where readers can mingle with a whole passel (gaggle? Maybe mystery authors, like crows, should collectively be called a “murder”) of the contributors. The signing and launch party is coinciding with a meeting of the Sisters in Crime writers’ organization at the Barnes & Noble on Hurstbourne. —T.E. Lyons
Barnes & Noble
801 S. Hurstbourne
426-0255
www.sistersincrime.org
Free; 1 p.m.
<LECTURE>
Tuesday, April 18
Republic of Cyprus Ambassador at IUS
Euripides Evriviades, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the United States, will speak at Indiana University Southeast on Tuesday. His topic: “Cyprus in the European Union: Prospects for Reunification, Peace with Turkey and Regional Stability.” He will focus on the republic’s accession to the European Union in 2004. Evriviades hails that as “the single most important development for the country since independence in 1960.” Violence on the island of Cyprus has continued off and on for decades, peaking in 1963 due to tensions between its Greek majority and the Turkish minority. The United Nations intervened, and peace-keeping initiatives have continued. Evriviades will discuss these initiatives and their likely impact as well as Cypriot relations with the United States. His address will be held in the IU Southeast Library on the third floor. (Note: IUS has a new library, on the west side of campus.) —Kevin Gibson
IU Southeast
4201 Grant Line Road, New Albany
(812) 941-2414
www.ius.edu
Free; 7:30 p.m.
<THEATER>
April 19-23
Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’
What would you do if you thought your girlfriend was sleeping with your best friend? Lock her in a closet and throw away the key? Before I read “The Winter’s Tale” by William Shakespeare, I thought I was the only one.
This classic tale follows the story of King Leontes as he makes a royal mess of his life (no pun intended), acting on unfounded jealousy. However, the darkness of winter gives way to the hope of summer as Leontes’ daughter, Perdita, and Florizel, son of Leontes’ betrayed friend, fall in love. Will Leontes find redemption in the spirit of young love? Join the University of Louisville and director Dennis Krausnick, founder of Shakespeare & Co. in Lenox, Mass., as they perform one of The Bard’s most underrated works. —Bradford Cummings
The Playhouse (Cardinal Blvd. between Second and Third)
852-6814
$10; 8 p.m. (Wed.-Sun.), 3 p.m. (Sun.)