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Thorns & Roses: The Worst, Best and Most Absurd – The 2017 Edition
2017 has been a negative-news-heavy year, what with our tornadic Gov. Matt Bevin wreaking damage in state government, recognition finally that UofL’s sportsball kings are naked liars, an eruption of Facebook allegations against a certain bar owner and a certain city councilman losing his pants and his seat. Wow… And there was more. But there…
Reviews of both of Jason Isbell’s sets at the Louisville Palace
Jason Isbell played a two-night stand last Thursday and Friday at the Louisville Palace. Below are our reviews from each night. Nik: The Palace glowed with the light from a giant tattoo bird and anchor on the stage backdrop, as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit walked on stage Thursday night. The light gave the…
10 things to do under $5 this week in Louisville (12/18)
MONDAY Community Yoga Tim Faulkner Gallery $5 suggested donation | 6-7 p.m. The Kentucky Yoga Initiative, which says it strives to create “possibility and empowerment in each person’s life,” is bringing a community class to Tim Faulkner Gallery. This power yoga class will give everyone an opportunity to “stretch, build strength, have fun and empower…
LEO’s guide to board game nights and tournaments in Louisville
You may have noticed recently quite a few bars in town have board games lying around (Kaiju, Hilltop Tavern, etc.). This resurgence in tabletop gaming hasn’t gone unnoticed, as a number of local groups have stepped in to promote and elevate this unique experience. “People crave those magical in-person experiences that have intangible qualities —…
5 Things To Do This Weekend in Louisville (12/15)
FRIDAY Naughty & Nice Christmas Spooktacular 7th Street Haunt $15-$28 | 8-10:30 p.m. Whether you identify more with Santa Claus or Krampus, this Naughty or Nice Christmas Spooktacular has something for everyone. If you’re nice, there is the Fort Harmony haunted attraction where you can “save Santa Claus from the holiday villains we all love…
Thorns & Roses: Courier Journal bites back
[The following is one part of the Thorns & Roses issue, where we discuss the worst, best and most absurd people, places and things in Kentucky this year] This page is where every week we deal out Thorns, Roses and Absurds to anyone and everyone in the state (often Gov. Matt “Oblivious” Bevin because he…
Jason Isbell’s America: A conversation about the themes on The Nashville Sound
The Nashville Sound, like every Jason Isbell record, digs into down-and-out story songs about characters trapped in desperate situations, and there are also the expected sharp, introspective ballads, but this album has a different sociopolitical edge to it. It reflects the larger world around him, taking heavy and turbulent issues about class, race and ideology,…
Dud, a new fuzzed-out solo project from Scuzz Master’s Danny O’Connell
A solo project by Scuzz Master guitarist Danny O’Connell, Dud plays thoughtful and infectious fuzzed-out garage-punk. There is a desperation to the music, not through urgent vocals or blazing guitar licks, but in the simple and easy presentation of the music. “I try not to reinvent the wheel too much,” O’Connell said. “I’ve been in…
Sonic Breakdown: The Winger Brothers — ?‘We Never Sang At All’
[LEO’s biweekly Sonic Breakdown column deconstructs a single song from a Louisville musician or band.] For those unfamiliar with Jordan Humbert and his band The Winger Brothers’ brand of good-time, country-fied music, “We Never Sang At All” can be quite deceptive. More known for their covers of ‘90s country hits and jocular originals of a…
LEO looks back at the best comic books of 2017
This year hasn’t been great in a lot of ways, but thankfully comics wasn’t one of them. Indie companies such as Fantagraphics and Dark Horse continue to get better and better, and new companies like Aftershock and Black Mask are quickly making their names heard. DC is capitalizing on the success of their Rebirth relaunch,…
Comedian Nick Hoff, kids make great joke material
Comedian Nick Hoff says the Nebraska streets he grew up on were rough… because they were mostly gravel. You may have caught Los Angeles based stand-up comic opening for Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on their 2015-2016 co-headlining tour. He has appeared on “Acting Out” on MTV and in commercials for Miller Lite,…
Making (Some) Sense of Russia
It’s phenomenally difficult to wrap your arms around the changes in Russia since the 1980s. The breaking down of social and even literal barriers seemed lightning swift after the arrival of perestroika. But subsequent decades have wended their way to annexation of Crimea, a new age of fear for dissidents and audacious virtual tentacles reaching…
bar Vetti lights up a renewed 800 Building
Who knew that a hot, new eatery would bring Louisville rushing back to the old 800 Building? Old-timers might consider this unlikely, but the delightful bar Vetti (management prefers the lowercase bar) fits nicely in the renovated, turquoise tower. The 800 caught the city’s attention in a big way when it topped out in 1963.…
The Chicago Handshake
It’s no secret that I’m smitten on our dear Derby City, and I don’t plan on uprooting my bourbon-living roots anytime soon. However, if there’s anywhere where the brisk, Midwestern winds could seduce this barkeep, it’s the Windy City itself. Despite the freezing temperatures this time of year, and the gusts of piercing wind roaring…
’Tis the season for winter warmers
Well, winter is setting in. Nothing we can do about it other than zip or button our coats all the way to the top, lean into the chilling wind and ride it out until March. At least. How’s that relate to beer? Well, I’ve met many beer drinkers who veer away from stouts, porters and…
Savage Love: Neurodiverse
Q: As a 36-year-old straight woman with autism, I am often misidentified as lesbian because my social signaling must read as masculine. I am not bothered by this. However, it is annoying when someone who should know better thinks I would hide it if I were LGBTQ. I’m very direct and honest — sometimes to…
Homlessness, we cannot care just at Christmas
As the temperature struggled to reach 30 degrees last Friday morning in Louisville, police and the Department of Public Works showed up to a homeless encampment ready to move people out — six officers for three homeless people who moved along without struggle. Protesters were there and also people to help the men move their…
Say It Loud
Appalled and outraged in November last year, I co-organized a rally to protest that time honored American tradition embraced by presidential candidates: ye olde grabbing of the women by their pussyes. How naïve I was to believe voters would revile such a practice and certainly cast out the pervert pox running for president. Our signs…
The Mayor’s Chief Problem
Mayor Greg Fischer has a profound political vulnerability — Police Chief Steve Conrad. The issues facing the Louisville Metro Police Department are real and concerns over Conrad’s ability to lead the department and city through troubling times are valid. And the chief reports directly to the mayor. Although it has no power to remove the…
