Thursday, June 13
‘Wilderness of Mirrors’
Decca
812 E. Market St.
$7; 8 p.m.
Whether writing songs or penning pieces for LEO Weekly (he was a frequent contributor during the 2000s), Paul Kopasz was never one to take a half swing, and his 1998 album A Wilderness of Mirrors is a case in point. The 17-track concept album is both the libretto and score to an imaginary film inspired by the Book of Job and tells the story of two 1940s subsistence farmers. Not the normal stuff of pop music concept albums, but that’s Paul K. All Music rates the album as four stars out of five. Meanwhile, John Bosch spent nearly 15 years making an experimental documentary film about Wilderness, and it’s about to premiere. “A Wilderness of Mirrors,” which tells the story of Kopasz’s rock opera as it intersected with his “actual” life, screens Thursday at Decca. It also features Bonnie “Prince” Billie, Scott Shuffitt and other area musicians. —Cary Stemle
June 14-15
Kentuckiana Pride Fest
The Belvedere
Fri.: Free; 8 p.m.
Sat: $5; noon
There’s more talent at this year’s Pride Fest than you can shake a rainbow-colored stick at. The parade on Friday kicks things off as community organizations, businesses and people roll down Main Street in the name of pride, equality and acceptance. The route leads to the Belvedere, where an after-party with live music ensues. On Saturday, an entire day of entertainment is planned at the Belvedere, highlights being God-des & She, Penny Tration (from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”), Neon Hitch, and Alex Newell, who plays Unique on “Glee.” Newell has been visiting Prides throughout the country and says every state has different pride levels. “People can expect to have a lot of fun and (see) a show that’s gonna keep them on their toes,” he says about his 8:45 p.m. performance. —Sara Havens
June 14-16
International Festival of Magic
Brown Theatre and other venues
315 W. Broadway
Various times and prices
Magic draws in people of all ages. No matter how old, cynical or skeptical you’ve become, you can’t help but ponder, “How did they do that?” Whether it is sleight of hand or grand illusions, the Louisville International Festival of Magic is the place to see master magicians at their craft. Las Vegas headliners and Kentucky natives Mac King and Lance Burton host the fest and will perform with some of their friends at the Brown Theatre Saturday evening. King has been performing at Harrah’s in Las Vegas for the past 13 years and is known for his comedy, plaid and striped suits and making goldfish randomly appear. There will be more than 30 magic shows throughout the weekend at various locations, from the Whiskey Row Lofts and Marriott to the Galt House and Garage Bar. So go on and see the fest before it disappears into thin air. —Charles Bowles
June 14-16
VinylFest
Crowne Plaza Louisville
830 Phillips Lane
$20; various times
The Christian Science Monitor reported there was a 16-percent increase in vinyl record sales in 2012, and that’s on top of a 36-percent increase in 2011. So what is it about vinyl? Is it the feel, the experience of placing the needle on the record, the album cover art, or just a personal connection to vinyl that is lacking in today’s digital music? Whatever the reason, VinylFest is the place to be this weekend for all aficionados. This new festival brings together collectors, album artists, producers, musicians and dealers. One of the more interesting guests is Ken Kelly, an artist who created two KISS album covers (Destroyer and Love Gun). The dealer room is a great place to meet fellow vinyl lovers and add to your personal collection. —Charles Bowles
Friday, June 14
Death Grips
Headliners Music Hall
1386 Lexington Road
$15-$18; 8 p.m.
Since 2010, California’s Death Grips have pushed the envelope of hip-hop, creating some of the most delightfully challenging yet imminently listenable new music in recent history. A trio comprised of former Hella/Marnie Stern drummer Zach Hill on drums/production, Andy Morin on keyboards and samples, and Stefan Burnett (aka MC Ride) on vocals, Death Grips’ incendiary raps and beats have helped to almost single-handedly redefine the boundaries of hip-hop by exploring punk themes and tropes. Prone to controversy, the trio’s most recent release, No Love Web Deep, features a cover that renders words like “irreverent” or “offensive” almost entirely irrelevant. The band’s numerous antics translate well into an intense and driven live show that is not to be missed. Opening the set is NYC’s Ratking, whose wild hip-hop serves as a logical touchstone. —Syd Bishop
Saturday, June 15
Powered With Pride 5K
Cherokee Park (Rugby Field)
$30; 8 a.m.
Sometimes those of us with pride just can’t sit still. As if marching in a parade wasn’t enough, now there’s a 5K run/walk titled Powered With Pride that takes place Saturday morning before the Kentuckiana Pride Fest starts downtown. Participants will literally bring the rainbow to Cherokee Park — a free pair of rainbow tube socks will be given to each runner, along with a T-shirt. During an after party at the Monkey Wrench, participants can quench their thirst appropriately with a free mimosa. Cost is $30, which is still a bargain considering all the swag. The only downside in my mind is the 8 a.m. start time, but fatigue can be combated with the proper amount of pride, Red Bull and shiny, happy people holding hands. —Sara Havens
Saturday, June 15
‘Eat It! A Celebration of Joe Gandansky’
The Bard’s Town
1801 Bardstown Road
$10 ($20 w/ buffet); 5 p.m.
In April, the Louisville culinary scene suffered a major loss with the death of Joe Gandansky. On Saturday, his family and The Bard’s Town (he was their inaugural chef) will throw a fundraiser to help Gandansky’s young family with expenses while paying homage to one of the unsung heroes of the culinary scene. Talent like Java Men, Emily’s Garden and Ray Rizzo are donating their time for the evening, as well as the sketch comedy of Derby City Dating Scene. While The Bard’s Town will provide the “Joe-inspired” buffet and bourbon specials, J. Shepard Cigars will be on hand with some of the city’s finest stogies. It’s going to be a good time for a good cause, and there’s no better way to spend a weekend. —Brent Owen
Saturday, June 15
Jack Oblivian
The New Vintage
2126 S. Preston St.
$6; 9 p.m.
Jack “Oblivian” Yarber has made it in Memphis, but now he’s trying to shake the label of being just a “Memphis artist.” Yarber and his group The Oblivians have released their first album in 16 years, Desperation, though he is touring with the Tennessee Tearjerkers. Yarber does indeed have a distinctly Memphis sound, combining elements of rock ’n’ roll, punk and R&B together in the music. He has been an influence on numerous groups, including the White Stripes. The Oblivians will be joined by local rockers The Ladybirds and Memphis-based band The Sheiks in what is sure to be a hard-rocking show. —Charles Bowles
Sunday, June 16
Marbin
Hideaway Saloon
1607 Bardstown Road • 485-0114
$3; 10 p.m.
Marbin is two bands in one: a prog band, as showcased on their third album, 2013’s Last Chapter of Dreaming, and a funky fusion band, based on their performances. Guitarist Dani Rabin and saxophonist Danny Markovitch explains to LEO: “Even though we love our albums, they don’t represent our live show well. The albums are pretty and neat, but our shows are all about rocking out (we think our show is like a Led Zeppelin show on steroids more than anything else). That’s exactly why we recorded a live album and are already mixing it!” Rabin and Markovitch, originally from Israel, now call Chicago home, at least when they are not on the road for some 300 concerts a year. Together with bassist Jae Gentile and drummer Justyn Lawrence, Marbin stretches out, creating loose-limbed, engaging music with an edge. —Martin Z. Kasdan Jr.
Tuesday, June 18
‘Road Trip with G. Garvin’
Cooking Channel (Insight channel 209)
9 p.m.
Since returning for a second season of his road trip cooking show, G. Garvin has visited several Southern cities. Houston, Atlanta and Nashville have all been featured, and this Tuesday, Louisville joins them. Garvin visits four local favorites, equipped with his excitable personality, determined to experience and share the best in Southern food. 610 Magnolia, Hammerheads, Burger Boy and the Rudyard Kipling boast on behalf of Louisville as Garvin shows us the magic that takes place behind the scenes — that is, in the kitchen. Garvin’s journey takes him from high-end cuisine to classic comfort food, most with the beautiful — and familiar — backdrop of Old Louisville. —Natalie French
Through June 23
‘Cosmic Nature’ by C.C. Coyle
Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft
715 W. Main St. • 589-0102
I’m an art historian by education and a writer/teacher by trade. All require research and accurate facts, which occasionally leads to exciting discoveries. The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft is excited about their exhibition of C.C. Coyle paintings, a little-known Kentucky naive/folk artist. Through this show of 24 oil paintings, the museum hopes to learn more about his life and work. What is known about Coyle is that he studied art at Berea College. He didn’t make his living as an artist. It wasn’t until he was 60 that he began oil painting, creating more than 100 works in a 13-year period. “(The exhibition) … supports why we need strong curators/art history departments researching art work,” says KMAC director Aldy Milliken. “And that there are amazing artists lying under our noses.” —Jo Anne Triplett
Through July 12
‘Door to Door’ by Alice Stone Collins
Green Building Gallery
732 E. Market St. • 561-1162
This exhibition could’ve been titled “Stuff in Modern Society.” Alice Stone Collins is an observer of what people use, collect and live with, then spills the beans in her art. It’s a skill Sherlock Holmes expertly honed — how much can you tell about people from their possessions? “While I didn’t know many of (my neighbors), I did know if they recycled and what they had for dinner,” says Collins. “The rapid pace and increased responsibilities of modern life constantly draw us outside of our local communities. In this push and pull, we compile an abundance of stuff that might tell our stories more than anything else we communicate. How does one carve and create a meaningful life in a society concerned mostly with meaningful purchases?” —Jo Anne Triplett
