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145th Kentucky Derby: The Perfect Day in Louisville — LEO’s must-dos
“Just a perfect day Drink Sangria in the park And then later When it gets dark, we go home Just a perfect day Feed animals in the zoo Then later A movie, too, and then home Oh, it’s such a perfect day I’m glad I spent it with you Oh, such a perfect day You…
Kentucky Derby 145: Photos from the neighborhood surrounding Churchill Downs
Every year, friendly faces greet you on the walk into Churchill Downs, as area residents and others sell food, clothes, rides and other items. Hanging out in the surrounding neighborhood is a good way to get quality barbecue and hear interesting stories. This is who we met this year. Chad “Rollo” Rogalinski “Riding my China Hog,…
The Fillies & Stallions Party Isn’t for Everyone. And that’s the Point. I Guess.
My editor flipped an email over to my inbox from a Los Angeles-based communications company inviting me to attend and cover the Fillies & Stallions party hosted by Black Rock Thoroughbreds at the Mellwood Art Center. Last year, I was invited by local marketing group King Sixteen to cover the Esquire Magazine party at…
10 Things To Do Under $5 This Week In Louisville (5/6)
TUESDAY, May 7 Author Susan Crawford Main Branch, Louisville Free Public Library Free (reservations required on website) | 7 p.m. Is Louisville the Evidence Exhibit No. 1 for failure of cooperation among utilities, government, and whoever else could be helping develop fiber-cable infrastructure? Google Fiber’s installation adventure in Louisville was an absolute debacle. There have…
At the Kentucky Derby, bettors learn that no favorites are safe
Three hours before the race, Kim Boulmetis wasn’t going for the favorite, Maximum Security. Boulmetis who happens to be the daughter of the oldest living Hall of Fame jockey, Sam Boulmetis, took out her iPhone and revealed her Kentucky Derby picks, typed out in a text. Win Win Win for the win, Tacitus, Game Winner,…
A Q&A with anti-human trafficking advocate Soha Saiyed, organizer of the Stop Traffic Gala
In April, three people from Corbin, Kentucky, were arrested on charges of human trafficking after, police say, a teen was found in the back of a truck. Last February, a Louisville woman faced charges of human trafficking after she allegedly posted pictures of two 16-year-olds performing sex acts, advertising them “for sale.” The International Labour…
Fate of Castleman statue up again May 9
The Mayor’s Office will go before another board, asking Thursday for the removal of the John B. Castleman statue in Cherokee Triangle. Déjà vu, anyone? On Thursday, May 9 at 9 a.m., the city is scheduled to ask the Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission to overturn the Cherokee Triangle Architectural Review Committee and allow…
5 Things To Do In Louisville This Weekend (5/03)
FRIDAY, May 3 Rainbow Kitten Surprise Iroquois Amphitheater $36 | 8-11 p.m. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is a band with a name that’s as fun as their live shows. The energetic indie outfit, known for its vocal harmonies, will be playing the nature-shrouded Iroquois Amphitheater for one of the first shows of its summer concert series.…
Our six favorite local songs from April
Twenty First Century Fox — ‘Sour Bikini’ As a longtime fan of The Dismemberment Plan, it’s hard for me not to dig into “Sour Bikini,” the triumphant return from Twenty First Century Fox. There is a lot of funk going on in this song, as filtered through an indie sensibility. This is danceable music with…
West of Ninth: People, in their own words… (5/1)
Babinta Kiota, owner of Broadway Fashion & Decor, pictured with Mohamed, from Russell April 9, 2019 “I’ve been here since 1998. It’s been 21 years. When I came here, I was the only business here. It was just me, Chevron and Kroger. I remember when I first opened up my business, the police used to be worried…
145th Kentucky Derby: Take it home! Where to find those souvenirs
Before you lose all your fat stacks on that winning horse and those sticky juleps, think about the fam back home who didn’t get to taste Derby like you have. Bring back a bit of the Bluegrass for your spouse, partner, friends and kidlets. Here are a few insider suggestions: Tchotchkes! In addition to offering…
145th Kentucky Derby: Get out! Do Derby day out of town
Next to “where did you go to high school,” the next most-asked question from locals is: “What are your Derby plans?” For some, the answer is: “Getting far away!” Here are a few options for you cranky, jaded locals who need day trips for Saturday, May 4. Cincy: Findlay market, Chicken and waffles! Findlay Market is…
145th Kentucky Derby: The professionals’ Derby picks
Your Derby weekend is pretty much set. You’ve nailed your dinner plans. — “Jack Fry’s? Hard to park. I’ll be bringing in from Imp’s.” You’ve dealt with your Barnstable party commitment. — “Love to see ya, Kid Rock, but my band has the garage booked for that night.” You’ve got your seat for the race…
Dubai Sheikh’s horse should not run in the Oaks, lawyer says
A powerful leader of the United Arab Emirates should not be allowed to run his horse in The Kentucky Oaks because of allegations that he is holding his daughter hostage, a UofL professor says. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, owns two horse farms in…
City budget plan: Feel the pain
What should $25 million in budget cuts look like, according to Mayor Greg Fischer? The city would lose a firehouse, an ambulance and a violence prevention center; two libraries, four pools, 312 city employees (including 40 police officers); and money for affordable housing, paving, economic development and capital projects. Those were some of the cuts…
Thorns & Roses: The Worst, Best and Most Absurd (5/1)
Rich people don’t care | Thorn Louisville will close a firehouse, two libraries and four pools, cut a police recruit class and an ambulance, and lose more than 300 city jobs. Golf courses and the zoo may be privatized. That’s the mayor’s budget after the Metro Council rejected a tax, which on average would have…
The Struts bring glam, swagger
It’s no secret that guitar-driven music has been existing in a state of exile on the pop charts for the past decade and a half. And, while that may never change, given how the landscape of the music industry has shifted, it’s apparent that The Struts haven’t received that particular pop culture memo. Formed in…
Three concerts to catch on Derby weekend
Black Lips Thursday, May 2 Headliners Music Hall Thursday is undoubtedly part of Derby weekend because half the city avoids work on Thurby, and because of the races and all the tourists, so get out and see a show. And seeing the punk-leaning, psych-infused garage rock of the Black Lips is the perfect way to…
Sonic Breakdown: Pronoun — ‘The Bottom’ (ft. Flossito)
[LEO’s biweekly sonic breakdown column deconstructs a single song from an area musician or band.] “The Bottom” is one of Pronoun’s most personal creations, dealing with a childhood realization of how the world works differently for different people. But, Floyd Patterson, the man behind the name, wanted to build something accessible and memorable. He wanted…
Young Playwrights bring dark, light and professional range
Every performance from this year’s Professional Training Company at Actors Theatre has spoken to something fresh, topical and relevant. So, it’s no surprise that its final production of the season was a festival that highlights the new, showcasing the voices of some of the youngest playwrights in Louisville. Of the eight high school students whose…
‘Unbounded Domains,’ duality of light, dark
The abject has often been used throughout art history to describe the horrors of bodily waste: excrement, mucus, menstrual blood, the wound. As a term, it means to cast out or down, and as a theory, it can be simplified to refer to the other. Within the thick layers of color and texture of Vian…
Derby + ‘Star Wars’
Saturday, May 4, isn’t just the day of the Kentucky Derby. It’s also “Star Wars Day” (may the “fourth” be with you — get it?). Stefan Gearhart and Brad McQueary, who perform as Sidetracked Improv, have merged the two into one show, “Darth Derby.” So, when the sun goes down on your Derby day, after…
Psst! Here’s our Derby dining secrets
Welcome, Derby visitors! No, really! I understand that the ubiquitous banners that hang on bar and restaurant windows during this exciting season, welcoming you and hawking industrial beer brands, don’t entirely pass the sincerity test. I know, you can reasonably translate them as “Come in heeeere and spend your moneeeey!” But seriously, we really do…
You have plans for May 5
Brunch & Beats is growing up. My first ever Brunch & Beats experience was almost this time last year, the Sunday after Derby. I entered Butchertown Social, admittedly a bit skeptical about a daytime dance party after having put my body through the wringer the few days prior. My dubiousness was quickly put to rest,…
Le Moo should be… Le Mushroom
Here is a little secret about being vegetarian: We love steakhouses. For the hardcore veggies and vegans, the displays of former animals might be too much. But if you can ignore both the carnage and the wafting smells of cow muscle on the grill, the vegetables, salads and random veggie specialty may be worth traversing…
Ask Minda Honey: Can I be unemployed AND ready for romance?
In a relationship or life jam? Lemme unstuck your life — send your questions to: AskMindaHoney@leoweekly.com or reach out to me on Facebook.com/AskMindaHoney Dear Minda, I’m going through a bit of a transition lately. I recently lost my job, and I’m living with family. I’m in my early 30s, and up until this point, I’ve…
Savage Love: Quickies
Q: I’ve been with my boyfriend for a few months. Prior to dating, I was clear with him that I would need to open our relationship at some point. He initially hesitated to respond, but then agreed we could do that when the time came. That time has come much quicker than I anticipated, but…
Can the Midwexit be stopped?
Canvassers, candidates and (I suppose) certain pockets of religious enthusiasts hear things the rest of us don’t. They knock on doors. They talk to strangers. They listen to the background hum of humanity closely enough to make out instrumentation and lyrics. They know when something’s out of tune. When you knock doors around here, you…
Welcome to Derby City! (Don’t mind our governor)
On behalf of the city of Louisville, welcome to all of you visiting for the 145th Kentucky Derby. Regardless of whether you are going for a Derby that is more decadent, or more depraved, you will find some of the nation’s best restaurants, parties, concerts and festivals. And while I hope you find a little…
