<FILM>
Thursday, March 6
‘L.I.F.E.’s Lessons’
Anyone who has ever been without personal transportation understands that “good” food, as in food that isn’t a deep-fried cheeseburger or a delivered pepperoni pizza, is difficult, nay impossible, to find in poorer areas such as West Louisville.
The problems that stem from this are a documented increase in obesity, heart disease and diabetes. I wish Wing Zone deliveries and a six-pack equated to physical wellbeing as much as the next guy, but it does not.
The Community Farm Alliance is therefore inviting everyone to the premiere of “L.I.F.E.’s Lessons,” a video documentary that discusses how farmers and locals can team up to help eliminate this discrepancy. —Shawn Hudson
Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market St.
442-0523
$5-$30; 7 p.m.
<BOOK>
Friday, March 7
‘The Art of Reading’
The Carnegie Center in New Albany is starting up an exhibition with a relatively unusual slant on promoting literacy. The arts community and the family each have roles in helping children understand the worlds of words, but through April 25, there’ll be family oriented shows and workshops to help these positive influences converge and make the most of each other. So there’s an event emphasizing the interaction of young readers with grandparents, and some encouraging youngsters to make their own bookmarks or contribute to special pieces of art at the Carnegie Center. The keynote events are a free reception with refreshments and jazz entertainment on Friday evening, and a Saturday 10 a.m. exercise with assembling and decorating a wooden car (free, but call to reserve a space). —T.E. Lyons
The Carnegie Center for Art and History
201 E. Spring St., New Albany
(812) 944-7336
Free; 6-8 p.m. (reception)
<LADIES>
Saturday March 8
International Women’s Day
It isn’t a national holiday in this country yet, but that shouldn’t stop you from joining in the annual celebration of International Women’s Day. A full afternoon of entertainment and activities are planned around the theme of “Creating Common Ground.” Entertainment will be provided by the River City Drum Corps, Caminos Cultural Arts and Harlina Churn, and a participatory art project will be led by Skylar Smith. Numerous community organizations will provide information about resources available for women in our community, and there’ll be Conversation Cafes focusing on the numerous issues facing women in today’s world and right here in Louisville. The event is open to everyone (yes, guys, that means you, too). Free parking is available next door at St. John Vianny. —Lucinda Marshall
Americana Center
4801 Southside Drive
213-2364
www.freewebs.com/iwdlouisville
Free; 1-5 p.m.
<FIGHT!>
Saturday, March 8
Eclectic Kombat
OK, let’s have it. In a back-alley smackdown, who would win — Louisville or Southern Indiana? It’d be a rough and tough bout for sure. But my money’s on Louisville. I’ve met some scrappy Sunnyside blokes in my time, though. So maybe I’ll lay down chips on both sides. A mixed martial arts fight night along these lines has actually been planned. Saturday night’s Eclectic Kombat event will pit athletes from Metro Louisville against those from Southern Indiana to see who will walk away with bragging rights. Unlike boxing, mixed martial arts is a combination of striking and grappling. In other words, the action can go to the ground without referee interference.
Eclectic Kombat was dreamt up by Hoosiers Craig Pumphrey and Ivan Dale, who are active in the local martial arts scene. “We are surrounded by some very talented athletes who need an outlet to showcase their skills,” says Pumphrey in the event’s press release. “My plan is for Eclectic Kombat to be that outlet.” Let’s get ready to rumble! —Sara Havens
Floyd County Fair Grounds
Green Valley Road, New Albany
599-2885
www.eclectickombat.com
$20; 7 p.m.
<MUSIC>
FRIDAY, MARCH 8
The Photographic
Three years have passed since Jamey See Tai and Chad Blevins began recording their forthcoming Galaxia Records’ debut, Pictures of a Changing World. Known as The Photographic, they display an endless array of guitar loops, forward-thinking drum breaks and live visual projections courtesy of See Tai’s brother, Jesse.
On Friday, they unleash Pictures on a changing world, and Nashville’s Hotpipes will be along to celebrate. Pictures gives off a full spectrum of textures from Photog’s instrumental palette, with See Tai stacking melodies just so, while Blevins holds down his beats ably.
Starting with the misty “Inception,” the urgent “Secure,” and the 10-plus-minute “We Were Fed Poisoned Bread,” Pictures serves as a contemplative soundtrack to whatever pertinent, closely guarded emotions might be bouncing around in your head. —Mat Herron
Pour Haus
1481 S. Shelby St.
637-9611
myspace.com/pourhaus
$5; 9 p.m.
<MUSIC>
TUESDAY, MARCH 11
California Guitar Trio
Now, a few demands from your favorite music editor: Go see California Guitar Trio’s performance at 21c on Tuesday night. Trust me, there’s nothing on TV worth missing this show for.
While you’re there, pick up a copy of their new covers album, Echoes. It’s got a cover of “Free Bird” — as in, “Play-some-Skynyrd” “Free Bird” — that Will Oldham sings on, so that’s pretty cool. Also, they redo Beethoven’s “Unmei” and “Pastorale,” as well as Queen’s impossibly beautiful “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
But best of all, the record, the trio’s 12:20 version of Pink Floyd’s “Echoes,” will redefine what it means to play guitar. Oh, and Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto of King Crimson appear on it, too. —Mat Herron
Atrium Gallery
21c Museum Hotel
www.21cmuseum.org
$10 (adv. at ear X-tacy), $12 (door); 7:30 p.m.
<COMEDY>
March 11-16
Comedian Jim McCue
Comedian Jim McCue has entertained our nation’s troops in some of the world’s most dangerous spots. Fortunately, he lived to tell the story.
Interestingly, in conjunction with Brain Injury Awareness Month, McCue will be in our not-so-perilous region to visit wounded troops at Fort Knox Hospital. And, while he’s at it, McCue will also present a comedy show next Wednesday in Louisville that benefits the Brain Injury Association of Kentucky.
For McCue’s complete saga, check out the recently released book, “Embedded Comedian,” which chronicles the travels of this latter-day Bob Hope. And be sure to catch him at the Comedy Caravan all next week. On Tuesday, he’ll be part of the Boston Comedy Festival’s Louisville Showcase. —Kevin M. Wilson
Comedy Caravan
1250 Bardstown Road
459-0022
www.comedycaravan.com
<ART>
Through March 16
‘Passed On: Making Identity through Objects’
Organizing six generations of stuff is a formidable task. Call it “physical genealogy.”
Savannah Barrett, assistant at the Paul Paletti Gallery, has done the heavy work for her U of L exhibition. She has about 75 photographs and objects on view from six generations of her Grayson County family.
The oral histories are the most personal. “My great aunts and uncles have been telling me stories,” Barrett tells LEO. “I usually go home once a month, but now I’m home a lot.”
The show is divided into categories relating to the home, people and their social life, church and economic life. The commentary is Barrett’s, reflecting her insider’s point of view. Rural Kentucky sometimes gets a bad rap, and Barrett has included stereotypical responses as well.
“Passed On” reflects what history is all about — people — and you can’t get any closer than when discussing your own. —Jo Anne Triplett
Gallery X, Hite Art Institute
University of Louisville
852-4483
www.art.louisville.edu
<ART>
Through March 29
‘Make It Right: Rebuilding New Orleans’
New Orleans continues to be in trouble, especially the Lower Ninth Ward. Entire blocks were wiped out by Hurricane Katrina, with the rebuilding of people’s houses — and their lives — proceeding with exceedingly little urgency.
Actor/activist Brad Pitt has organized a national two-part rebuilding project. The first was “The Pink Project: Art Installation.” More than 150 temporary pink structures were built to show the people that permanent structures were to come. The second portion mixes house designs with the fundraising needed to build them, called “Make It Right.” Architects have designed 150 affordable, environmentally friendly houses. The Make It Right team includes William McDonough + Partners, who also designed Bernheim Visitor’s Center.
Three Louisiana artists — Francis X. Pavy, Lacey Stinson and David Alpha — are using their art to raise funds for Make It Right. Their work is for sale at Swanson Reed Contemporary. Pavy will be at the gallery during the March 7 First Friday Gallery Trolley Hop, with Noisy Crane performing at 10 p.m.
Additional artists, some local, have also created work. These include Rick Bowling, Carolyn Courtney, Dean Brown, Susan Dygert, Mark Anthony Mulligan, Tara Remmington, Jennifer Sims and more. Swanson Reed Gallery in the Highlands is selling their work. —Jo Anne Triplett
Swanson Reed Contemporary
638 E. Market St.
589-5466
Swanson Reed Gallery
1377 Bardstown Road
452-2904