<FUTURE>
Jan. 1-Dec. 31
2008
Although I cannot predict the future and, in fact, have been wrong even about the past here and there, I can confidently assert to you, dear reader, that 2008 will be better — just all-around better — than this ragged shawl of a year we’re about to slough off. First, it’s the last limp of that diseased pervert George W. Bush, who is as bad as you think he is, if not worse. Second, there’s real hope that the United States might get involved in the climate change debate, which makes the prospect of our own survival less stressful. Third, you’ll probably get a raise, even if it’s a late, low-rent one like most Amurcans are getting. Fourth, “24” comes back on soon, so our collective hero fantasy can resume as planned. Fifth, with the lack of responsible family planning apparent, another Spears girl will have a baby too young. And last, dude, you’re getting an iPhone! —Stephen George
<COMEDY>
Wednesday, Jan. 2
PraKticAlly PuRfeKt NYE Party
You’re that bartender tipped beyond belief while forsaking your New Year’s Eve to watch us party like it’s 2999. Or, you’re the hero, the DD, that gets us someplace safe when the lights come up. (Or, you can’t believe it’s 2008, and your groove just won’t stop.) There is a “PraKticAlly PuRfeKt” place for you to party while others test useless hangover cures. Bring yourself to the Comedy Caravan tonight for the 16th annual nearly New Year’s Eve party, with comedy by Will Hardesty and Hurricane (the hostess with the mostess), and an “after party” with DJ Bobby J., late-night happy hour specials, balloon drop, champagne toast and food! If you forget how 2008 came in or believe in second chances, visit comedycaravan.com for discount tickets. —Jason Sitzes
Comedy Caravan
1250 Bardstown Road
459-0022
$8-$10; 8:30 p.m.
<KIDS>
Thursday, Jan. 3
21C & the Squallis Puppeteers
The excitement of the holidays is over, but school hasn’t started back yet. For parents who want to break their children out of a TV-induced stupor or save them from going stir crazy, the Squallis Puppeteers have a solution. Along with the 21C Museum Foundation, the group is performing “Li’l Horse’s Big Adventure,” a puppet show about a horse’s search for her mother that is designed for 3- to 8-year-olds. After the show, kids (and parents) can snack on refreshments before creating their own finger puppets. Admission is free, but registration is required and seats are limited to 100. —Bethany Furkin
21C Atrium Gallery
700 W. Main St.
[email protected] (to register)
Free; 11 a.m.
<MUSIC>
Jan. 3-5
Uh-thank you, uh-thank you very much
For three nights, Clarksville will feel more like Graceland.
Eddie Miles, the one-trillionth guy to become an Elvis impersonator (but a good one, thank you very much), rolls on into Derby Dinner Playhouse with his repertoire of the King’s material. Miles promises to take the audience on a Memphis-style trek through Elvis’ rock, country and gospel songs, as well as hit tunes from Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty and Marty Robbins. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the buffet. —Mat Herron
Derby Dinner Playhouse
525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville
(812) 288-8281
www.derbydinner.com
$36-$37; 6 p.m.
<MUSIC>
Friday, Jan. 4
Vibrolas, Rifle
From Rifle’s MySpace posting about their show this Friday: “Vibrolas, Rifle and the Serotonin Band, live and in person, one night only! See what your mother warned you about! Experience what the authorities want to outlaw! Feel the sensual throbbing of primal rock and roll! Start the New Year off right!”
If you missed the Vibrolas, whose raucous punk rock is no stranger to Louisville clubs, now’s your chance. Again. —Mat Herron
The Rudyard Kipling
422 W. Oak St.
636-1311
www.therudyardkipling.com
$5; 10 p.m.
<ART>
Jan. 4-Feb. 9
‘Meticulous Attention’ & ‘Infrastructure’
Nature, specifically trees, is the inspiration for fiber artist Bette Levy. That’s one of the clues you are looking at a Levy piece, as well as abstraction, brightly colored thread against a black background, and intricate, complicated embroidery. Add all this together and you get “Meticulous Attention.” The statement “obsession is the meticulous attention to detail” inspired the title of the show, referring to Levy’s time-consuming workmanship and the viewer’s reaction to that detail. In other words, prepare to spend some time.
Levy invited 11 guest artists from the Surface Design Association to show with her. SDA in a non-profit organization with more than 4,000 members that promotes textiles as an art form. Levy is SDA’s fundraising director.
Emily Detrick, one of PYRO’s newest members, is exhibiting in the downstairs Garden Gallery. Her show “Infrastructure” features clay sculptures, paintings and drawings that illustrate the similarities between nature and the industrial.
The opening for both shows is during the Jan. 4 First Friday Gallery Trolley Hop from 6-9 p.m. —Jo Anne Triplett
PYRO Gallery
624 W. Main St.
587-0108
www.pyrogallery.com
<TOUCH IT>
Saturday, Jan. 5
Louis Braille’s b-day
Louis Braille’s birthday is cause for a party. So is 150 years of providing educational products for blind people. And so is National Braille Literacy Month. In recognition of these three events, the American Printing House for the Blind is hosting a celebration featuring a Braille reading demonstration by Carla Ruschival, co-host of the AM radio show “Sound Prints.” Participants will also learn more about Braille’s life and, of course, eat birthday cake. In addition to manufacturing Braille textbooks and magazines, APH produces practical living products such as talking computer software and audio recording tools. Admission to the party is free, but reservations must be made by Jan. 4. —Bethany Furkin
Callahan Museum, American Printing House for the Blind
1829 Frankfort Ave.
899-2365
Free; 1-3 p.m.
<THEATER>
Jan. 9-27
‘The Phantom of the Opera’
After its Broadway debut in 1988, “Phantom Fever” spread like wildfire, so much so that its logo, a white, half-face mask and a rose, became instantly recognizable, at least to budding theater geeks like me. Set in the Paris Opera House, the musical’s premise is fairly simple. A mysterious teacher, “The Angel of Music,” is instructing the beautiful young Christine, a second-string soprano. Having fallen in love with her, he sends messages to the opera managers that she is to have the lead in the new production. When they don’t oblige his requests, disaster strikes. It’s revealed that her teacher is the fabled “Phantom of the Opera,” a disfigured musical genius.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and a slew of awards, it’s no wonder “Phantom” became the longest running Broadway show of all time in 2006, overtaking another Lloyd Webber spectacle, “Cats.” Fun fact: Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters claimed Andrew Lloyd Webber plagiarized themes from “Echoes” for sections of “Phantom.”
It’s a testament to how popular the show is that the Kentucky Center is hosting a three-week, instead of its usual one-week, run of the PNC Broadway Across America offering. It’s worth viewing, if only to say you’ve seen it. —Rebecca Haithcoat
Kentucky Center
501 W. Main St.
www.KentuckyCenter.org
$17.25-$72.25; various times
<ART>
Through Jan. 26
Penny Sisto’s ‘Angels’
Penny Sisto is one of the area’s best known textile artists, as famous for her storytelling art quilts as she is for her technical skills. Her show at uzoMa features her collection of “beings of light” — angels — just in time to shed a little brightness into winter. The textiles are being displayed through January, the time of the winter solstice and Day of Epiphany.
Sisto will demonstrate how she designs the faces of her angels on Thursday’s Day of Epiphany at 2 p.m. (free, reservations required). Gallery owner/art therapist Angela Ramsey Robinson will present “Creative New Beginnings,” a gallery talk and workshop on finding personal meaning in 2008, on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. (free, reservations required). There is also a closing artist reception on Jan. 25 during F.A.T. Friday. —Jo Anne Triplett
uzoMa
1813 Frankfort Ave.
895-9805
www.uzoma.org