Crowded Concerts, Nights Out: Photos Of Louisville's Reawakening

Louisville is a city that turns out for events, but, for almost a year and a half, that just wasn’t an option. As we all know, COVID took away festivals, meet ups, classes and almost every other type of social gathering, as society focused on protecting its health, waiting for the science of a vaccine to emerge. Now, the city has been able to open back up to some extent. From yoga classes in Portland to trivia in bars to thousands of people attending a Waterfront Wednesday— the city has awakened. 2020 was a heartbreaking challenge. In 2021, we’ve been able to get back to being together once again. This photo story is about events and the people attending them across the city over the last month. Be safe and take care of one another.

Kanessa Jaalouk, left, and Brianna Worrell, right, were in the back patio of Mag Bar in Old Louisville discussing their Fourth of July plans. Conversation and laughter filled the patio as two friends were able to sit and enjoy a few cocktails at their neighborhood bar.

Paul Gulotta walks through the gallery of 21c Museum Hotel Louisville observing the current display of artwork. He and his family “…took the inaugural Breeze airline flight from New Orleans to Louisville. We love the 21cs. The museum was one of the reasons why we chose to come up here.”

Luke D. Hans walks up to his friend Zach Jett’s tent at Flea Off Market. Zach is selling his mother Cathy Tao’s paintings. “I love the vibe here,” he said. “I love that people are back to come check out artwork and hang out. This is a great spot.”

Cullen Hacker (foreground) returns the ball to Tom Constantino (background) in a ping pong match upstairs at the Hideaway Saloon. Their friends watch on waiting for a victor to see who plays next.

Luscious Lawrence spins another wrestler by his feet as Janine Absher watches in anticipation. Absher yells, “Come on Luscious! You got this, Luscious! Don’t let him get away!” as she watches one of her favorite wrestlers of Ohio Valley Wrestling secure the win in a headlining match.

At Central Park in Old Louisville, people watch “Shakespeare In Love” as part of the Shakespeare in the Park summer series.

Chrystal Watkins (on stage) leads her Buti yoga class into a loosening routine at fifteenTWELVE in Portland. Watkins says she “Relishes the opportunity to have in person classes as a reminder that we are all connected and have the power to support, encourage, love and uplift one another.” This weekly class encourages growth both physically and mentally as music blares from speakers and the phrase “Yes you can!” echoes off the walls.

Thousands of people went to the first WFPK Waterfront Wednesday since 2019. The crowd filled the Big Four Lawn that night to see and hear Houndmouth, The Jesse Lees and Sam Filiatreau.

Crowded Concerts, Nights Out: Photos Of Louisville’s Reawakening

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