<theater>
Sept. 28-30, Oct. 5-8
‘Women Speak: Iraq’
Looking for Lilith Theatre Company presents a groundbreaking work based on interviews with diverse women about the war in Iraq. The characters include enlisted women, sergeants, Iraqis, anti-war activists and American women with loved ones serving in Iraq. Author Shannon Woolley plays all 12 roles in the troupe’s first one-woman show. The stories are uplifting and funny at times, as the play explores the complex issues confronting women during wartime. What does patriotism mean to a woman? Where do the experiences of American and Iraqi women intersect, and what can they learn from each other? How does a woman’s physiology and psychology affect her in battle? Don’t expect to see Cindy Sheehan — this play contains voices you won’t hear in the media. —Sherry Deatrick
The Rudyard Kipling
422 W. Oak St.
636-1311
www.lookingforlilith.org
$12 ($10 students seniors); times vary
<BENEFIT>
Friday, Sept. 29
Bob Valvano Celebrity Bocce Tournament
Nothing says fun quite like “celebrity bocce tournament,” does it? Well, get ready — the fun is about to begin. Local celebs and athletes will square off at Louisville’s Waterfront Park, next to Joe’s Crab Shack, to benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research and Kosair Children’s Hospital. Former college basketball coach Bob Valvano, who is now an ESPN commentator and the analyst for University of Louisville basketball game broadcasts, is a brother of the late Jim Valvano, the legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator who founded the V Foundation with ESPN in 1993. Jim Valvano lost his battle with cancer that same year, and his brother Bob has supported cancer research charities ever since. Bocce, the Italian version of lawn bowling, has seen a recent surge in popularity, and a number of Kentucky sports legends will test their skills, including Denny Crum, Ralph Beard, Sam Bowie, Kenny Walker, Steve Cauthen, Dermontti Dawson, Will Wolford and Chris Redman, along with TV and radio personalities. The public is invited to watch the action and also bid on various silent and live auction items, including sports memorabilia. —Kevin Gibson
Waterfront Park
888-330-7529 (ext. 14)
www.jimmyv.org
Free; noon-6:30 p.m.
<ART>
Sept. 29-30
Gallery Janjobe opening
Gallery Janjobe is a new gallery that has been under the radar since June 30, when it had a “sneak preview.” The six owners/artists are ready to show off, in a big way, their gallery space, with the grand opening during FAT Friday and the following Saturday.
Future events include exhibitions, art classes and gift registry. So, stop by and say hello to Janet Bailey Burch, Joan Carter, Jana John, Joy Lait, Sharon Major and Rebecca Schupbach. —Jo Anne Triplett
Gallery Janjobe
Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center
1860 Mellwood Ave.
899-9293
Free; 6-10 p.m. (Fri.), 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sat.)
<theater>
Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 6-7
‘Zombie Prom’
This wild rock ’n’ roll musical — set in the atomic 1950s at Enrico Fermi High School — spoofs drive-in, sci-fi and teen-romance movies. It opens with young Jonny’s bold rebellious act of removing the “H” from his name, sending the principal, Miss Strict (played by RuPaul in the film version), into a frenzy. When Jonny’s girlfriend, Toffee, is forced to break up with him over this moral offense, he dives into a radioactive waste dump. He rises from his led casket as a “nuclear zombie” whose goal is to win back his love and graduate from high school. All this happens in just the opening number! The cast from Floyd Central Theatre will perform “Zombie Prom” at the 2007 International Fringe Festival in Scotland in August. Director Chris Bundy calls the play a cross between “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Grease.” I’d add “Rock and Roll High School” and “Nuke ’em High” to the mix. —Sherry Deatrick
Floyd Central Theatre
6575 Old Vincennes Road, Floyds Knobs, Ind.
812-923-8811, ext. 333
$15 (adults), $12 (seniors), $8 (students); times vary
<SPIRITUALITY>
Saturday, Sept. 30
Pagan Pride Day
This year Louisvillians are invited to join the movement to raise awareness about Paganism. People of all faiths are welcome at this celebration of the autumn equinox that will feature information booths, vendors, a ritual and other activities. The Pagan Pride Project, a non-profit organization, will collect non-perishable food items for donation to the “Dare to Care” food bank as part of its effort to highlight the positive aspects of Paganism.
To find out more about the goodness of Pagans — and to dismantle your black magic prejudices — grab a canned good and join the spirit of the oncoming thanksgiving season Saturday afternoon on the waterfront. —Jessica Farquhar
Waterfront Park Festival Plaza
129 E. River Road
458-6667
www.louisvillepaganpride.org.
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
<FESTIVAL>
Saturday, Sept. 30
Turtle Soup Festival
Whatever the turtle did to end up in a bowl of soup, it sucks to be him. Apparently, I’m told, turtle soup is a delicious delicacy that dates back to before the soup bowl was even invented. And it’s also a popular dish, albeit gumbo-fied, in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Whatever the case, the folks over at St. Matthews’ Bethel-St. Paul Church are gearing up for their 77th annual Turtle Soup Fest, which they swear is America’s oldest “real” turtle soup celebration. The 800 gallons of soup will be cooked over an open fire inside 14 large black cast iron kettles and will have similar ingredients and spices as used 77 years ago when it was cooked over hickory wood.
Other activities, including a 5K Tortoise and Hare Walk/Run as well as arts and crafts, will be going on as you consume massive gallons of turtle. Enjoy. And don’t snap at anyone. —Sara Havens
Bethel-St. Paul Church
4004 Shelbyville Road
895-9437
Free; 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
<ART>
Saturday, Sept. 30
LVAA Art Auction 2006
Knock it out of the ballpark for a good cause (and that from a person who doesn’t know the business end of a baseball bat). Slugger Field is the location for the Louisville Visual Art Association/University of Louisville Hite Art Institute’s Art Auction. Keeping with the baseball theme, glass artist Che Rhodes and his U of L students created a glass ball and bat to be auctioned.
Also unique this year is the “Art Experience Packages.” One of the packages gives you the opportunity to have lunch with painter Sam Gilliam and take a tour of his Washington, D.C., studio. Wow! The ticket price includes cocktails, dinner and the silent and live auctions. —Jo Anne Triplett
Slugger Field
401 E. Main St.
896-2146
www.louisvillevisualart.org
$75 (LVAA Members), $80 (non-members); 6:30 p.m.
<BOATS>
Sept. 30-Oct. 1
Captain’s Quarters Regatta and Art Show
September marks a change of wind for the sailors and artists of Louisville. Captain’s Quarters hosts its annual Regatta and Art Show set for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 this year. The event holds 35 years of tradition, and 30 to 40 sailboats are expected to participate in two days of racing. Proceeds from the Regatta benefit the River Cities Community Sailing Program, which introduces Kentuckiana youth and adults to sailing. The accompanying Art Show serves its purpose to showcase 25 to 30 local artists and gives the spectators something to admire when the boats are out of sight. The latest Land Rover models will also be on display. Admission is free, but registration will be held Friday evening for any sailors interested in competing. Races will kick off at noon on Saturday and Sunday on the Ohio River in front of the restaurant. —Claudia Olea
Captain’s Quarters
5700 Captain’s Quarters Road
452-9397 (regatta)
228-1651 (art show)
Free; noon
<TOYS>
Sept. 30-Oct. 1
Transformers Convention!
I always thought the Transformers were a cheap-ass Shogun Warriors rip-off, but the joke’s on Raydeen, Gaiking and Dangard Ace, because next year, a live-action Transformers movie hits the big screen. But riddle me this: Did you know that the song “You’ve Got the Touch,” as performed by Mark Wahlberg in “Boogie Nights,” is originally from the animated 1984 Transformers movie?
Regardless, if you live and die for all things Transformers, you won’t want to miss — I kid you not — BotCon. The convention allows fans to talk shop with designers, take drawing classes, preview new figures and most, importantly, buy, sell and trade the toys around which their lives are based. —Jay Ditzer
Lexington Convention Center
430 W. Vine St., Lexington
(859) 233-4567
www.botcon.com
$9 (adults), $5 kids;
10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sat.), 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Sun.)a