Thursday, May 11
Professor Dan Smith
Before Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his dream to the nation, the Greensboro Four dared to dream big. Living in the “separate but equal” South, Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Joseph McNeil and Franklin McCain launched a series of sit-ins that captivated the national imagination and forced the integration of Woolworth’s lunch counters. Nearly 50 years later, their actions received due acclaim in the documentary “February One,” written and co-produced by University of Kentucky history professor Dan Smith. Filson Historical Society sponsors call this lecture “The Anatomy of Courage,” and in vivid detail, re-enactments, interviews and footage from the film validate the lofty title. The evening begins with a reception, followed by a showing of the documentary and a lecture by Smith. —Matt Mattingly
Filson Historical Society
1310 S. Third St.
635-5083
www.filsonhistorical.org
$10 public, free members; 5:30 p.m.
May 11-13
‘Impossible Marriage’
Marriage. It’s impossible sometimes and, in playwright Beth Henley’s world, quite hilarious, too. Expect comedy from “Impossible Marriage,” The Necessary Theatre’s last production of its 15th season in the MeX Theater at the Kentucky Center.
The play unfolds in Savannah maven Kandall Kingsley’s beautiful and mysterious garden. No one seems to approve of her daughter Pandora’s imminent marriage to Edvard, a writer more than twice her age. Another daughter, Floral, actively sets out to sabotage it. And Sidney, the groom’s son, arrives with a note from his mother, threatening suicide if the marriage goes forward. Henley, a Pulitzer Prize-winner, has written more than a dozen plays, including “Crimes of the Heart” and “L-Play.” “Impossible Marriage” is also the directorial debut of Louisvillian Amy Attaway. —Mat Herron
MeX Theater, Kentucky Center
584-7777
www.thenecessarytheatre.org
$15, $12 students/seniors; 8 p.m. (and 2 p.m. on Sat.)
May 12-13
Bellarmine pairs with Barking Dog Dance Co.
For the average sports-watching, beer-swilling guy’s guy, this artistic combination sounds like the worst possible thing, well, ever: a fusion of modern dance and techno music. But Art! Art! Barking Dog Dance Company, an original company based in Kentucky, promises an artistic experience guaranteed to engage the mind and stimulate the senses. The company’s concert at Bellarmine University’s Amy Cralle Theatre will debut original modern dance choreography by Barking Dog’s artistic directors and company members, set to “Music for a Modern World” from Bellarmine’s School of Music and featuring music technology compositions by Bellarmine students and faculty co-chair Richard Burchard. Work from three emerging choreographers — Jody Held, Eli Keel and Maggie Soeder — will be included in the presentation, along with works from co-artistic directors Alan Lommasson, Anastasia McGlothlin and Rebecca Culpepper-Hoffman. This will be one of the final chances to see the company, as it plans to disband later this spring. In addition, soundtrack CDs will be available at the show. —Kevin Gibson
Amy Cralle Theatre, Bellarmine
2001 Newburg Road
241-5271
www.barkingdogdance.org
$5 students, $10 public; 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 13
‘How Cuba Survived Peak Oil’
Much has been made recently of America’s desperate need to taper off of its crippling addiction to crude oil. Most startlingly, it was recently reported that the nation of Brazil is set to be 100 percent energy independent within a few years by harvesting sugar cane and running the national economy on ethanol and derivative fuels.
Few people know that a similar challenge was faced down recently by an even closer U.S. neighbor: Cuba. When the Soviet Union fell apart a decade and a half ago, it was subsidized petroleum imports that were most on the minds of Cuban citizens. Without the Russians’ help in the energy sector, the Cuban economy was even more of a grindingly inefficient rattletrap than it had been before. The story of how the island nation was able to cope forms the backbone of “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil,” an hour-long documentary film showing Saturday morning at the downtown public library. Admission is free. —Paul Kopasz
Louisville Free Public Library
301 York St.
425-6645
[email protected]
Free; 9 a.m.
May 13-14
Blow, Mama, Blow
Your mother needs another glass vase for Mother’s Day. Really. She will treasure this vase, because it was made by her baby at Glassworks. Before you think it will resemble that lump of clay you call an ashtray from fourth grade, the Hot Shop artists will be there to help you actually make something that can hold flowers. Moms, you can come, too.
Ages 7 and up can participate. Reservations are required; contact Gretchen at 992-3056 or [email protected]. —Jo Anne Triplett
Glassworks
815 W. Market St.
992-3056
$50
May 13-14
Art in the Arbor Fest
If it’s even half as nice as last weekend’s weather, this annual arts and crafts festival, now in its 38th year, could be the perfect place to take Mom for her day. Among the many events include more than 100 juried artists; live entertainment by John Gage, My Darling Asleep, Rascals of Ragtyme and the Louisville Dulcimer Society to name a few; typical fair food like BBQ and ice cream; and kids’ activities where they’ll get a chance to make Mom something special. As always, Art in the Arbor is held at the Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church on Brownsboro Road. And best of all, this fest is free. —Sara Havens
Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
4936 Brownsboro Road
290-1615
Free; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sat.), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sun.)
Monday, May 15
Tab Benoit
What’s giving you the blues? Did you lose a few bucks at the Derby? Did you wake up this morning without any recollection of Derbyfest? You may not give a damn whether there are souls who’ve had it worse — you just want someone to plug in a Telecaster and enter into a good screamin’ conversation with your bowed-down and beat-up spirit. Tab Benoit has been one of the most reliable figures playing swampy blues for the last decade and a half. He’s returning to Stevie Ray’s with a tour in the wake of releasing Brother to the Blues. This new album brings in some guest stars (Billy Joe Shaver, Jim Lauderdale) and adds some country into the singer-guitarist’s usual Cajun mix. While you’re at the show, ask Benoit about the coastal wetlands foundation he’s worked with for years — for him, Hurricane Katrina was a great big “told ya so.” —T.E. Lyons
Stevie Ray’s
230 E. Main St.
582-9945
www.tabbenoit.com
$15; 9 p.m.
Through July 1
‘The Familiar: Recent Encaustic Works’ by Dane Waters
Are you one of those people who says “Turn left at the White Castle on Eastern Parkway in the Highlands?” when giving directions or mourns the loss of the Vogue Theatre? Then you’ll love Dane Waters’ latest show with its signs of lost local historic landmarks. They are reinterpreted in typical Waters fashion, through encaustic painting. This “hot wax” style of painting consists of colored pigments suspended in hot beeswax that is painted in thick, gooey layers.
Waters comes by her interest in signs naturally, as her family was in the sign-painting and commercial-art business. This exhibition gives us the chance to see Louisville’s past live again. Toy Tiger, anyone? —Jo Anne Triplett
Kaviar Forge and Gallery
1718 Frankfort Ave.
561-0377
www.craigkaviar.com
Free; 1-6 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.
