Tuesday-Wednesday, July 3-4
The Fifth Third Bank Waterfront Independence Festival, slated for this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, July 3-4, will feature a performance by New Orleans’ pride and joy The Neville Brothers.
Formed in the Crescent City in 1976, Art, Charles, Aaron, Cyril and Ivan have weathered the highs and lows of stardom, but their commitment to breakbeat-infused funk, R&B and soul remains constant. The group has been touring lately with Ziggy Marley on its latest album, Walkin’ In the Shadow of Life, a title coined by Art, the eldest Neville, when he faced possible paralysis after undergoing back surgery in 2001. The Neville Brothers headline night two of the event.
Georgia country star Billy Currington, who appeared on Shania Twain’s “Party of Two,” Josh Turner and honky-tonk favorites Johnny Berry & the Outliers play Tuesday night.
For the kids, there’s Catfish Louie, a finned friend created by Friends of the Waterfront, a nonprofit community outreach group that is an all-volunteer organization. The free festival starts at 5 p.m. both days, and closes out with a fireworks show over the Ohio. Lawn chairs, blankets and bottled water are allowed. Glass, coolers, cans, bottles, pets, tents, canopies, skateboards and, last but not least, weapons, are not. Cyclists can lock their bikes at bike racks near the park entrance. For more information, call the Waterfront Development Corporation (574-3768, 129 E. River Road), or visit www.louisvillewaterfront.com/WFIndyFest07.
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Saturday, June 30
Parlour, the brainchild of guitarist and graphic designer Tim Furnish, has changed up its lineup over the years while displaying a ballsy, fearless exploration of instrumental rock, jazz, even a hint of soul.
But that was two years ago, and no one has heard from Parlour since. Last fall, Furnish reformed the group, which now includes two blasts from the past: Breck Pipes on second guitar, who locals will remember from Furnish’s very first band, Cerebellum, and drummer Jon Cook, from the much-celebrated Crain.
“I’m excited to be playing out again,” Furnish said. “It’s been too long. We’re just trying to become an active band again.”
Parlour plays at 4:30 p.m. at this year’s Germantown Shotgun Festival, which takes place in the turnabout off Oak Street behind Lisa’s Oak St. Lounge. Here’s the full lineup: Hello Echo (12:30 p.m.) Big Daddy & the Kings of Love (1:30 p.m.), Tamara Dearing (2:30 p.m.), The Unnamed Cover Band (3:30 p.m.), Lamont Gillespie (5:30 p.m.), Pokey LaFarge (6:30 p.m.), Virgin Flame (7:30 p.m.), Scott Carney solo (8:30 p.m.). The party continues at Lisa’s: J. Glenn (9:30 p.m.), IAMIS (10:30 p.m.), The Broken Spurs (11:30 p.m.), The Ladybirds (12:30 a.m.), Bad Blood (1:30 a.m.)
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Tuesday, July 3
The ballots have been counted, the chads have been hung, and the Supreme Court has weighed in. And the winners for the 2007 All-Star Band are (envelope please) … ahem … Emily Clark (singer, See Emily Play); Regan Calhoun (bass, 99 MPH); Steve Clark (singer, Jefferson Tarc Bus); David Ernspiker (lead guitar, Big Rock Show); Marcus Lambert (rhythm guitar, Speed of Sound); Mike Martin (drums, Scary Uncle); and Ron Watchmaker (keyboards, XS). The group rocks out beginning at 11 p.m. Tuesday at Phoenix Hill Tavern (644 Baxter Ave., 589-4957). Cover is $6.
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Friday, June 29
Hello, hello, hello … the University of Louisville’s Rauch Planetarium (108 W. Brandeis Ave.) is hosting a laser show that’s based on the music from Pink Floyd’s classic album, Dark Side of the Moon. The show starts at 11 p.m. Friday, and at a cost of $7 for adults, $5 for children, seniors and U of L Metroversity students, it’s cheaper than paying to see Roger Waters live. For more information, go to www.louisville.edu/planetarium or call 852-6664.
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