Cover Story
Adapt or die: ?The evolution of Louisville’s public libraries
For decades, libraries were simply repositories for books — a place where knowledge was stored by ink and paper, and if you wanted to learn about a subject you had to scour the stacks of books to find exactly what you were looking for. Today, the Internet is that place (or at least some of…
Listen to Vince Staples, Dressy Bessy and other bands and solo artists playing in Louisville this week
1. “Lady Liberty” by Dressy Bessy, who will be at Zanzabar on Monday, March 7. 2. “Don’t Use Me Up” by Emily Wells, who will be at Zanzabar on Wednesday, March 9. 3. “Hands Up” by Vince Staples, who will be at Headliners on Saturday, March 12. 4. “7:30” by Slothrust, who will be at…
Visually Speaking: This week’s art news and events (3/7)
[The above image of a vine table is by blacksmith/sculptor Craig Kaviar.] Art news The Kentucky State Fair has created an award for blacksmiths and forged metalwork sponsored by Kaviar Forge & Gallery. All entries will be exhibited in the fine art section of the Kentucky State Fair. Anyone residing in the U.S is eligible…
LEO Podcast #24: An interview with Mark Kramer aka Tender Mercy, plus listen to two tracks from his new EP, “It Was You”
Mark Kramer aka Tender Mercy swung by the LEO Office to talk about his new EP, “It Was You.”
5 things to do in Louisville this weekend (3/4)
FRIDAY Louisville Arcade Expo 2016 Ramada Inn Friday – Sunday Day Pass $25, 3 Day Pass $55 Video games have come a long way, but there is still something magical about retro games. So, this weekend get your vintage gaming fix on by playing hundreds of pinball and arcade games like Donkey Kong, Pac-Man and…
What they said: We gathered quotes from supporters, protesters and Donald Trump himself at Tuesday’s rally
TRUMP SUPPORTERS “Well, it looks like there aren’t any black people here. *puts two thumbs up*” —Anonymous “We need to bomb the shit out of ISIS, we gotta get rid of those mother fuckers. Because war generates income. —Hollis McCollie “Obama’s a Sith Lord, Hilary is Darth Vader and Trump is the hero!” —Anonymous “I…
The Hunter S. Thompson connection
Before Hunter S. Thompson took the world by storm with his colorful character and unique brand of Gonzo journalism, he was just some kid growing up in Louisville, a kid who spent his summers with his mother at the downtown library where she worked her entire life. One can imagine a young Thompson spending his…
Camp Guide: Your resource for summer fun
Bright Horizons Downtown: 632 S. Fourth St. Louisville, Ky, 40202 584-0716 Plainview: 10320 Timberwood Circle Louisville, Ky, 40223 245-1333 brighthorizons.com The de Paul School 1925 Duker Ave. Louisville, Ky, 40205 459-6131 depaulschool.org/summer Earth Path Education Louisville, Ky 396-6408 earthpatheducation.com lena@earthpatheducation.com GymTyme Allstars 13000 Eastgate Park Way Louisville, Ky, 40223 365-4811 gymtymeallstars.com Jewish Community Center 3600…
Pocket Full of Thirst: ?A conversation with Heartless Bastards
There’s a deep sense of longing that runs through the gritty garage-Americana that is the Heartless Bastards. The native Ohio band has released five albums of riff-heavy, introspective songs driven by the band’s creative force — and only consistent member — Erika Wernnerstrom. Their latest album, “Restless Ones,” came out last year to rave reviews…
b-sides: More shows and a few notes for the week:
Emily Wells Mixing classical and modern sounds, swirling them together with live sampling, Emily Wells merges strings, machines and big vocals, creating a type of cinematic pop that has little affiliation to a particular time or place. Wells plays Zanzabar on Wednesday, March 9. Dressy Bessy Dressy Bessy, the infectious power pop group from Denver…
Dance yourself clean
Welcome to March. Welcome to festival season. South By Southwest in Austin, Texas, kicks off a seemingly never-ending barrage of festivals, all eventually leading back to Austin to wrap up at ACL in the fall. In that timeframe though, you could spend every single week roaming around the country to see a slight variation of bills collecting…
Bodycocktail: Audiobiographical Dynasty 1996-2015
(auralgamiSOUNDS) By all accounts, Zan Hoffman, aka Bodycocktail, is a bit of a legend in the cassette community, with a catalogue that can only be described as robust. Beyond his artistic stature, Bodycocktail doesn’t have any one sound or style to speak of, defying any ready description in the process. The end result is a…
E.M.D.W. : E.M.D.W.
(self-released) Holy shit, this record came out of nowhere fast. Comprised of emcees E. Dash and Methodical Wun, the E.M.D.W. crew is all fire and heat, with a rhyme scheme that’s deadly. The production here is handled by a host of capable beat makers including Finlism, Veritas, Frensh Kyd and Dr. Dundiff. On top of…
Good N Filthy: Demolition Derby City
(Little Heart) The first post-Skyscraper Stereo to drop comes courtesy of the immaculate rhymes of Mr. Goodbar and the gritty production of Filthy Rich. The pair come out of the gate swinging with a sound that would have been perfect for early ’00s Def Jux. As such, there is a dirty sort of Cannibal Ox…
Freakwater: Scheherazade
(Bloodshot) Freakwater’s first studio album in more than a decade, “Scheherazade,” is a hard-hitting crossroads of masterful lyrics, just-the-right-amount-of-catchy melodies and high-powered, expansive harmonies — and, unlike some of their contemporaries, they’ve remained attached to the rooted country sensibilities they started with. As usual, a dark cloud hovers over the songs on “Scheherazade,” but, like…
Derby Dinner’s ‘Into the Woods’ and three plays by Sarah Ruhl
The musical “Into the Woods” opens with magic words: “Once upon a time…” And immediately it plunges us into a world populated by the likes of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beloved Milky White cow), Snow White, a Baker and his Wife. It’s a world of handsome princes, fearsome giants (and…
Amy Dickson brings her sax to the show in a ?‘Spring Collaboration’ of orchestra and ballet
A soloist taking up a classical composition is always allowed a little latitude in interpretation. But not a lot. If it’s a concerto by, say, Mozart or Mendelssohn, from two centuries ago, the parameters of performance are pretty well set. But Amy Dickson likes to get a little closer to her sources, working with contemporary…
Shake your can-can at Play and say ‘I do’ with FEVA
If you’re a fan of a great party, you know it’s hard to beat a kickass wedding for a serious get down. Of course, another contender for best party would be a really great drag show. Get the best of both worlds and support a rad cause this weekend when FEVA, the Fair Event Vendors…
‘Birds of Opulence’ author ?to read at Carmichael’s
‘The Birds of Opulence’ by Crystal Wilkinson (University Press of Kentucky, 208 pgs., $24.95) “The Birds of Opulence” is a novel full of tension — between men and women, mothers and their daughters, and childhood best friends. Wilkinson writes of the in-between moments when breath can become suffocation, and when sanity transforms into madness. Wilkinson…
Video Tapeworm
THIS WEEK’S TWIN PEEKS HOWARD THE DUCK 1986; $9.98-14.98; PG We may be the only people in the world who will admit to being fans of this Marvel misfire based on their wonderfully demented comic book. We don’t care, we think it’s so bad it’s great. An experimental laser carries a grumpy duck-man from his…
Comfy Asahi Japanese makes a good ?first choice or backup
OhBoyOhBoyOhBoy! We’re going to La Chasse tonight! I’ve been waiting a while for this hot new spot on Bardstown Road to hit its stride before rushing in for a review, and tonight’s the night. I’m getting cleaned up and ready, singing happy songs in the shower, where the acoustics are great. Then Mary hammers on…
No one should ever put ketchup on a hot dog
Major League pitchers and catchers reported to camp late last month, which means spring, and baseball season, are upon us. This also means that very soon, I will begin ingesting a summer’s worth of hot dogs and other sausages covered in mustard and other savory ingredients. I will not, however, under any circumstances, including at…
The kid is alright
As an educator, there is nothing sadder to me than a generation of young people who have been so rarely challenged in their critical thinking skills. In the college classroom, I get a solid run of students who have always won a prize and never had to face the word, “no,” in any real way.…
All come to look for America
There’s hope for change if you’re uncomfortably numb because you have yet to “feel the Bern” among friends who do it effortlessly, early and often. Your best opportunity to rise to the occasion is to watch a video guaranteed to make a newcomer of a latecomer. Insert your earbuds appropriately and YouTube the “Bernie Sanders…
United States of Apple (Inc.)
Remember the Will Smith movie “Enemy of the State”? No, this is not a commentary on the racial problems of the Academy Awards (although Chris Rock was hilarious). Back in 1998, the movie depicted the threats of what the government with advanced technological monitoring capabilities could mean for America — or at least for Will…
Your Voice
On “Moral majority” While our bodies are made to procreate, that is not the sum of our being. I am entitled to work, love and play however I see fit, just as any man. My ability to make a child does not outweigh my desires to fulfill my life as I choose. I am entitled…
