I'm a Woman and I Love Bourbon: Buffalo Trace

As it has been well established in this blog, Mama loves her bourbon. Mama loves her bourbon and only takes it neat or with a little ice. Don't mix my bourbon with any of your damn crap. Sure, I love me a Manhattan. And come this time of year, I do love the julep. But for the most part, give me the bottle and maybe a few cubes, and I'm happy. But I'll come back to that.

This past week, Roommate and I ventured to Lexington for a couple days to hit Keeneland. I do so love Churchill Downs, but Keeneland is so beautiful, especially this time of year, especially on a really gorgeous spring day (which it was not... we spent the whole race day inside).

We eschewed the highway both ways, so on the way to Lex, we just squeaked into the final tour at Buffalo Trace Distilleries in Frankfort (don't freak out when you go to their website, the buffalo on the home page snorts at you-- LOUDLY!). Big Mama Lou and I had hit many of the big distilleries a few years back-- Jim Beam, Maker's, Heaven Hill, etc-- but Buffalo Trace had been off my radar. Until, that is, I got an email from their marketing department announcing their "Blogging for the Buffalo" program.

So, I thought I'd check them out. Again, more on that email later. I want to get to the really really good stuff first.

As I said, I've hit the bigger distilleries, for the most part, but our tour of Buffalo Trace taught me more about bourbon than all those other tours combined. Our tour guide... I think her name was Becky... was lovely and patient and so well-versed in both the history of the distillery and bourbon in general-- it was fantastic.

As with most tours, it ended in a tasting room where we got to sample two wee shots of several offerings. Roommate and I shared our shots. He got the Rain vodka (which is made from 100% organic corn and has been winning vodka competitions worldwide) and something called White Dog Mash #1 (which is a 125-proof distillate which Becky cautioned us not to "sip"). I'm not a big vodka drinker, but I swear the Rain vodka was simply fantastic. There are several different flavors to choose from-- very exotic stuff like Lavender Lemon-- but the plain vodka was so good I would be happy drinking it straight. The White Dog? Wooo boy. Becky was right. First of all, it tastes very strongly of corn. Secondly, it feels like it's stripping stuff off your esophagus going down. And that's not always a bad thing. Roommate liked it so much that when it came time for us to both to choose a bottle to buy (we limited ourselves to one each), he bought it. And it fairly did me in later that night at the hotel.

I chose the two bourbon offerings: the standard Buffalo Trace and the Eagle Rare. If I'd had either before, I didn't remember it. But honestly, I really enjoyed the slightly cheaper Buffalo Trace more than I did the more expensive Eagle Rare. But what I bought I didn't taste til I brought it back to the hotel later that night: the bourbon creme, which is only available currently at the distillery. And damn if I didn't wish I'd bought more. If you like any sort of creme drink (I'm thinking Bailey's), but prefer a stronger liquor bite, this is your drink. Becky showcased the creme with a mixer of Dr McGillicuddy's Root Beer, so we also bought a 6-pack of that, but we haven't tried that concoction. I sure hope Buffalo Trace opens up the distribution of the bourbon creme sometime soon, or I'll have to head back to Frankfort.

And on our way home, we stopped at the Liquor Barn on Shelbyville Road to pick up some wine, and I bought a bottle of Buffalo Trace. Glad to have it. Darned good stuff.

Overall, I had an awesome time at the distillery and couldn't recommend it strongly enough. Go go go! And I discovered a few beverages that I just love. Not to mention the fact that I learned that Buffalo Trace is owned by Sazerac, the quintessentially New Orleans old-timey drink company. Love it. I do.

So why am I so "meh."

Back to the email. If my blog drives the most unique viewers to Buffalo Trace's new Saloon site, I could win a party for all my zillions of visitors.

According to the email: "We will show up in your town with plenty of bourbon and throw you & your blog the ultimate Buffalo Trace party on your home turf. The party can be at a bar, your offices, your home, even your back yard. Your [sic] gonna want to win this, the party will be EPIC!" Spelling error forgiven, who wouldn't want that? Sure, I don't have a buffalo in the dust bowl's chance of winning, what with my thirty or so loyal readers. But I started to fantasize. It was just about this time last year I threw a party at Casa Lou and opened it up to blog readers. Celebrating my Cancerversary-- I plan to throw another one again. Wouldn't it be nice if Buffalo Trace picked up the booze tab? And what do y'all get out of it? A chance to win a Derby package. Good for you, good for Mama. It's all good.

But today I visited the Buffalo Trace Saloon. And it bummed me out. I'm loving this company, loving their beverages, loving their facility... but... well, you'll see. And I am fully prepared to field all kinds of eyerolls at my issues with this....

At the entryway to the "saloon" you're met with a blond more scantily clad than a Hooters chick. And once you enter the "saloon" one of your options is "Bourbunnies." I'm not linking to that. Find it yourself. But it's basically ten pages of women-- some professionally photographed, some not-- in either lingerie or bikinis-- and their Playboy-style profiles. Stats, favorite place to drink Buffalo Trace, best/worst pick-up line.

Sigh.

So back to the start... Mama loves her bourbon. She drinks it the way it should be-- neat or on ice. That doesn't mean she "drinks it like a man." It means she knows good bourbon and how to drink it. And one of the reasons I love living in Louisville is that when I order bourbon on the rocks, bartenders don't give me that "whoa, but you're a chick" look. I can't count the number of times I've ordered bourbon on the rocks in New England/the Northeast and have had the bartender say, "Wow, really? You're hardcore." Or some variation on that.

I hate that Buffalo Trace is perpetuating the idea that bourbon is a MAN'S drink.

I am A-OK with companies using sex to sell stuff. It's one of the primal human urges. Link your stuff with a primal human urge, it will sell. But I do have a problem with companies "gendering" stuff. (I know, eyerolls from many of you. It's okay. You can disagree with me.) And clearly, Buffalo Trace's Saloon is saying that their bourbon is a man's drink. That stinks. And it bums me out. Sure all those cuties drink Buffalo Trace... but they're not in their skivvies for me, right?

So I won't be pushing for that party... I was never a contender anyway. I wouldn't turn it down, duh. It's free bourbon. Free bourbon that I have come to like quite a bit.

Has there ever been a bourbon that has marketed to women? Fill me in, I'd love to know.

Wasabiya: New Sushi on Baxter

I'm not a restaurant reviewer (not really sure what I am sometimes), so take this with a grain of salt. Or soy sauce. But I've been happy dancing every time I've passed the "Coming Soon: Sushi" sign hanging over the oft-turned-over restaurant/bar next to Chase Bank where Bardstown meets Baxter.

Every once in a while, when a storefront goes empty within a few blocks of Casa Lou, Roommate and I make wishlists of what we need in the neighborhood. Once upon a time it was Mexican (for Roommate)-- and then we got Tequila Factory, which is serviceable, though not great. I've long longed for sushi, and last year we got Dragon King's Daughter, which is pretty damned good, but doesn't quite hit the run-of-the-mill sushi cravings that I have.

Then came Wasabiya, which opened last week.

Roommate won't be home for another week, and I just couldn't hold out any longer, so I visited Wasabiya tonight.

It's very pretty inside with lovely IKEA lanterns and that still-hip warehousey feel. The menu is almost exclusively sushi with a couple of cooked entrees. But the first thing you notice about the menu is that the sushi rolls-- mostly the more elaborate rolls which make up most of the menu-- are pretty pricey.

I spent a little over $30 for just myself, though I overindulged on sake (meaning I ordered a large when most people would probably order a small). I had a fantastic appetizer. And I can't remember the name (is it the sake's fault), but it was a fried avocado half (a first for me), over some lovely raw veggies and draped with a few pieces of cooked crab. At $6 or so, this was by far the highlight of the meal and the best bargain. I ordered two rolls and took home 6-pieces of roll, so at least I have a part of tomorrow's dinner covered. The Alaskan roll was very good at around $5. Lots of meaty salmon. The Yum Yum roll was spicy and kind of dry and paled in comparison to Oishii Sushi's Yum Yum roll, which is one of my favorite things to eat in all of Louisville.

There was more wait staff than they needed. The place is pretty big and it was really empty-- most people crowding at the sushi bar. And my waitstaffdude was very nice but a little hover-y at first.

I know nothing about this place except what I experienced tonight. I'm betting that the super fancy rolls ($8 up to $16 or so) are worth trying at some point. But that's a bit out of my everyday budget. The appetizer was worth a trip, and I can see me going back there some afternoon for just that and some sake for lunch.

But on my budget, I need bang for my buck, and it just wasn't there. Maybe they'll Maido/Dragon King's Daughter up and run some fantastic happy hour specials. I'd be all over their fancy rolls at half price.

Would love to hear other impressions of the place. As it stands now, my usual sushi restaurants shouldn't fear losing my patronage.

WFPL: Another Reason to be Proud of Louisville

It's no secret that I'm something of an NPR nerd.  No joke:  Louisville's trifecta of public radio stations was on my list of top five reasons to move to Louisville.  

And the fact that I have found myself friends with some of the good people who work at WFPL tickles me to no end.  And I'm so attached to my WFPL that I feel like I'm buddies with even the folks I haven't met.  

So I'm wicked happy to pass along Jake's announcement that "WFPL Won a Truckload of AP Awards."  

You rock, y'all.  

Bats Home Opener: Tomorrow!

For a woman who earnestly professes to "not really like sports," I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am that Bats season starts tomorrow.  I am truly a-twitter about it.  One might even call me "batty."

Ugh.  I had to go there.  I tried not to.  But I had to. 

The boys are playing at home for a week straight-- Indiana, Columbus, and Toledo (you've gotta kinda love a team called "The Mudhens.")  The weather promises to be great.  It's all just a gigantic, sunny, summery, Americana-y WIN.

Why do I love Bats Baseball so much?  There are so many reasons. But the #1 reason I love Bats baseball is that I always come away from a Bats game feeling like I totally scored a great bargain.  I always come away thinking, "I would have paid double for my tickets and spent at least a buck or so more on my beers and still felt good about the evening."  There is just about nothing left in the world that makes you feel like you UNDERPAID for a great night out.

Don't get any ideas, Bats!

PLAY BALL!  (I love those two words)

NDTWL: "Treme" on HBO

While I may be one of Louisville's biggest cheerleaders (self-proclaimed, of course... and truly I'm quite little), I'm still a New Orleanian at the end of the day.

Yesterday, David Simon's "Treme" premiered on HBO, and I have to say-- bless their hearts-- they're getting it right.

The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, even those posted by the picky locals who are quick to the defense after so many terrible depictions of the Crescent City in films and on TV. (Although tremendously flawed, the quickly canceled "K-Ville" on FOX a few years back was pretty charming, though.)

If you have HBO and you aren't watching "Treme," start. (And if you don't have HBO, I know all you darling inter-nerds know how to find these things less-than-legally online. Not that I'm advocating that. Not that I'm not.) Start because it's good tv. Start because you need to know more about Katrina and Post-Katrina New Orleans. Start because we need to start talking about New Orleans again. It's a goshdamned shame we ever stopped.

Last week, the Southern Republican Leadership Conference met in New Orleans. And you know what Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich and a whole slew of GOP superstars had to say about Katrina? Nothing. Not a peep. Zippo. Nil. Zilch.

Criminal.

I started blogging during my Katrina exile. It's been years since I last looked at that blog. It's called Displaced and is much more personal than this one. But if you're really interested in what it was like to be evacuated during the storm, go back to the earliest entries. (You'll probably learn some juicy tidbits about Mama there, too.)

Honestly, being a Katrina exile is more deeply rooted in my soul than being a cancer survivor. I don't know what that says about me. I don't know what that says about trauma. Roommate and I had it good. Our home was in the 20% of the city that didn't flood. I was still able to keep my job part time. We were in the first wave of evacuees to return home. We were lucky enough not to lose any friends or close acquaintances.

That being said, my ex-husband-- a New Orleans native-- died three years after the storm. A death I most certainly blame on Katrina. A death everyone who knows him blames on Katrina. But I don't want to get into that.

So maybe "Treme" will start the discussion again. The writers don't hide their anger at the government and the lack of aid and understanding the city received. Despite the fact that the opening episode took place just three months after the storm in a torn and broken city, it still made New Orleans look fun and amiable enough to stir some tourism. So maybe "Treme" will send folks down to New Orleans to see for themselves. Either way, it's a good thing.

The most stirring image, for me, in last night's "Treme" was of the interior of a flooded-out house and of a living-room ceiling fan whose blades had wilted into a tulip. The picture above was taken on October 5, 2005, the day we returned to New Orleans. My apartment did not flood. I was back in six or so weeks. But I came home to this sad little candle, a candle I still have and have somehow been able to preserve in just this state. It's become a badge, of sorts, of my exile.

Anyway. "Treme." Watch it. If not for political/social reasons, then because it's good watching. And because the music rocks. As the Steve Zahn (who lives in Lexington, btw) character says, "America needs more Kermit Ruffins."

Some Contests Need No Prize: Name Our Giraffe

Sure, the Louisville Zoo is offering a prize package worth $810 to the creative force that comes up with the best name for our new-ish baby giraffe.  But seriously, isn't knowing that you NAMED a GIRAFFE prize enough?  

Enter as many times as you like here.  But make sure you get them in by April 25.

And, huh, interesting.... I was kind of wondering why one of the prizes was $500 in Frontier Airline credit when we don't HAVE Frontier Airlines flying out of Louisville.  Well, it turns out, we WILL.  One week from today.  Starting on April 19, Frontier will be flying direct to Denver once a day, and from Denver we'll be able to hook up with their pretty cheap western destinations service.   More info here.  

Good stuff, y'all!

Speed Museum and More

My goodness, I have so much to blog about! Sorry for the downtime, but Mama has been on Spring Break. And while Spring Break may have one time meant pina coladas on the beach, this year, it was more of a Staycation. I did spend three days in New England visiting Family O' Lou, but then it was back to Kentucky for stuff around the house and a few days out in the "real" Kentucky (ie. Lexington). There will be more on that in later blogs. But here's some local stuff that I gots to be covering...

• Did you know that the Speed Art Museum is now open til 9m on Fridays?? I am embarrassed to note that I only discovered the Speed a month or so ago. Parking at U of L is just so hideous that I have avoided the museum. I still don't have a good solution to that problem (email or comment if YOU do), but I just LOVE the fact that we have a museum open late on a Friday night. (on a side note, when you enter the Speed, the gallery to your left-- I swear it is painted the most beautiful shade of blue I have EVER seen).
  
  
• Actors Theatre has announced its 2010-11 season. Here's the line-up: THE KITE RUNNER (based on the best-selling book), THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP: A PENNY DREADFUL (a gothic melodrama-- the play I am most looking forward to seeing), BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (the Neil Simon masterpiece), THE SECOND CITY: IT TAKES A VILLE (a production of the famous Second City comedy troupe), MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM (an August Wilson play), and POOR BEHAVIOR (a world premiere).

• Next weekend is Thunder over Louisville. I'm always at odds with this event. The display of military might and the expenditure of so many natural resources kind of leave me feeling ... bleh. That being said, it's a big day for us Louisvillagers; let me know how you're celebrating. In years past, I've gone to the Quonset Hut or watched from Waterfront Park. Alternatives??

As I said, I have lots of catching up to do. Hopefully will get to it in the next day or two. In the meantime, love this weather and love the pre-Derby vibe.

Help a Sister Out: Staycation Recommendations?

So, my big fancy plans to head down to New Orleans for French Quarter Festival next week were bludgeoned by my stunning lack of funds. Mama decided to be a "big girl" for a change and use her tax refund NOT for oysters and beer in the Quarter, but for paying off a few bills and some pending household improvements. Boo, big girlness.

After a brief visit to New England to visit Big Mama Lou for her 60th birthday (if New England is still there this weekend... my hometown declared a State of Emergency today for flooding), I'll be back in town. But just because I'm sticking around doesn't mean I'm not decidedly BREAKING on my Spring Break.

So suggestions, gentle readers? What haven't I done around town or within a short drive that just needs to get done?

Tweetie @mizhellion already suggested:

• Brown County, Indiana
• Foxhollow Farms
  
• Maker's Mark Distillery (already done this but Roommate hasn't been)

I'm definitely planning on hitting Keeneland for a day. And because I'm a member of the Mellow Moment's club at Four Roses Distillery, I've been invited to a tasting of their 100th Anniversary Limited Release on April 9. (You know, you really really should sign up for all of our local distilleries' members clubs-- the special events and benefits are fun!)

Because Elk Creek Vineyards has been so kind to send me some wonderful wines over the past year, I might go check out their vineyards. They have a lodge there, so that's a possibility for an overnight.

Any other thoughts? Is there stuff right in my own backyard that I'm missing. (I'm the girl who spent five years in NYC and only decided to go to the top of the Empire State Building on her last day in town!)

Comment below, tweet me (@loueyville), or send me an email at lou (at) loueyville.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Derby City Espresso: Three Years in Business!

Everybody's favorite entrepreneur is celebrating his third anniversary later this week! Matt at Derby City Espresso recently shaved his flowing locks for St. Baldrick' day, and we love him all the more for that (Especially because I am a former cancer-bald woman).

But this weeks marks his 3 year anniversary, so we totally celebrate that and love him heaps and bunches. DCE is celebrating for 3 days! Y'all have to drop in and join. His press release says:

The third anniversary part begins on thursday april fools day - music by Bradlee Burtner (http://bradleeburtner.com/) + Daphne Luster & Kevin Hines (http://www.myspace.com/daphneluster) starting around 9

Then the party continues on the First Friday trolley hop at 7 with a
Comic book cover art show & DJ Scotch Bonnet Sounds
music at 9pm with MBIRD (http://www.mbirdmusic.com) and then at 10 - Bu Hao Ting + Fork In Socket + Mountain Asleep (http://backseatsandbar.com/2010/03/24/mountain-asleep-fork-in-socket-bu-hao-ting-dce-42-free/)

The three day anniversary celebration concludes Saturday at 9pm with Squeeze-Bot + Thee Flying Carpets + Midnight Hour Sound System (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=370416383156&ref=)

We'll be serving $1 shots of espresso $1 Old Stlye beers $3 NABC Beak's Best Bitter on draft all three days plus We'll have a keg of the ultra amazing and rare Kentucky Breakfast Stout (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1199/19960) on draft too!

More Theater! Gasp! Last weekend for "A.D." and "Crossing Mountains"

Last summer, The Washington Post called Daniel Loehr's one-woman show "A.D." "one of six intriguing picks" for the Capital Fringe Fest in DC.  This weekend, the Riverrun Theatre (where Loehr is artist-in-residence) is wrapping up the Midwestern premiere of the show over in Madison, IN.  (Yes, I know, we run the risk of spontaneously combusting if we cross the river, but this show sounds worth it.) 

From their website:  

"She is woman.  Hear them roar." 

Attention deficits, afternoon delights, American dreams, artistic differences, anxiety disorders, art deco, atmospheric disturbances, antic dispositions, arrivals and departures, they're all here and then some.

As the saying goes, attention must be paid. The world is turning faster and faster, getting smaller and smaller every day. How can we possibly keep up? How do we sort the information from the noise? Can we cut through the static anymore? Do we even want to?

Wish I could make it, but I'll definitely cross the river for a show sometime soon. 

And I've heard nothing but awesome, glowing reviews of Looking for Lillith's "Crossing Mountains" at the Rud.  Also wrapping up this weekend.  Mama also totally blew seeing this one and is kicking herself.  My theater dance card just got all filled up by the Humana stuff.  But seriously, everything I've heard about "Crossing Mountains" makes me sad I missed it.  Go check it out!

Earth Hour: Fumble Around in the Dark Tomorrow

Just a reminder that tomorrow, March 27 is Earth Hour Day.  Earth Hour calls for everyone to unplug between 830p and 930p.  Turn off those lights, unplug that computer, fire up those candles, and read a (mother bleeping) book!  (that link is TOTALLY NSFW)

Unfortunately, Mama will not be actively participating (although I will do better about turning off all the lights before I leave the house).  I've got 9:00p tickets for the 10 Minute Plays at the Humana Festival for that night.  And well, Actors participating in Earth Day would be... awkward.

I would really enjoy participating in this event, if I had somebody special to celebrate it with.  If that were the case, I would have changed the title of this entry to "Fun-mble."  

The Greatest and... erm.... um... The Greatest!

This, my friends, is MADE of awesome.

Apparently, there was a Ali vs. Superman comic, in 1978, and it is being re-released in hardcover fairly soon (MUST HAVE). This ludicrously expensive statue commemorating this re-release is only 9 inches tall and costs $250. Available in November.

More info here.

Humana Festival Wrap Up

I wish Humana Festival lasted all year. I'm so genuinely sad to see it wrap up. Back when I lived in New Orleans, I used to say that New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was like my birthday, Christmas, and spring break all wrapped into one gorgeous event. And Humana doesn't quite tap that level of "whoopeee!" in my soul, but it comes as close as anything else in Louisville. If somehow there could be a divine convergence of Humana Festival, Idea Festival, and Waterfront Wednesdays...? Well, I might just hand Louisville JazzFest's place in my heart.

Still and all... awesome.

This past weekend, I hit THE CHERRY SISTERS REVISITED and METHOD GUN. And I loved them both. Loved them. Would see either one again, and will see CHERRY SISTERS again when Roommate comes back to town.

CHERRY SISTERS was not what I expected. Before I went, I kind of thought I understood the premise: a vaudeville act SO bad that sold-out crowds went to jeer and laugh. But the show was both funnier and sadder than I thought it would be. In my mind, Cassie Beck as Ella Cherry stole the show, on both ends of the emotional spectrum. If the entire show had centered on that character, I would have been utterly rapt. The first act of the show is phenomenal. The second act is a little heavier than I think it needed to be. The show runs through the beginning of April. Go see it. It's good.

METHOD GUN had been incredibly hyped to me beforehand, and I should always remember to tune that stuff out. Because METHOD GUN was fabulous, but didn't quite live up to the hype. I think if I'd seen it before I'd seen FISSURES, I would have been more blown away. But truly, in some ways the plays tread some of the same ground. But FISSURES goes deeper. METHOD GUN is an absurd semi-narrative story of a theater group abandoned by their esoteric founder. And let me tell you, the last five minutes of the show are sublime. The rest of the play has gorgeous, brilliant moments, but as my theatergoing companion said, at times it's a bit too "precious." A wee warning: Don't go see this play with your mama. A Facebook friend wrote on my wall: "I bet you'll never look at balloons the same way again... or hear 'Dancing in the Moonlight.'" Amen, sister.

Now that I've seen ALL of Humana's full-length plays, I'll render my verdict: FISSURES is unforgettable. One of the best things I've seen at Actors, period. Maybe the best.

And the snappy dialogue and palpable chemistry between the characters in PHOENIX is so wonderful that you'll never go on a mediocre first date and think "well, that was nice enough" again. That play has frigging ruined me for mediocre conversation. Weird, eh?

Buy Local: Kentucky Blue Box Elk Creek Wine!

I know I've gone on record (@loueyville) as saying something along the lines of: "It would make my NCAA Tournament if Cornell kicked UK's butts in the Sweet Sixteen." But c'mon, I come by this sentiment fairly honestly.

First off, I'm a fellow Ivy Leaguer (oh yes, don't let this pretty face fool you; I also come by my nerdiness honestly and have the sheepskin to prove it). And seriously, I thought the only Ivy Leaguers who "got game" were on the fencing or crew teams.

Secondly, when you move to Louisville, you pretty much have to decide if you bleed Red or Blue. And I "Bled Red" before I even moved to this city. Back when Roommate and I were dating (you forgot we used to be a couple, didn't you?), he used to have one of Pitino's inspirational books in his bathroom. So I read up on Rick in the loo and thought: "This guy seems to really have it together. What a nice man with good moral character. I think I will be a fan of his team." (*spit-take*)

Thirdly, how do you NOT love a man named Tubby? That's all I'm sayin' about that.

But, oh you dear Elk Creekers, you did it again! Back in October, Elk Creek Vineyards sent me three bottles of their Halloween wine to try. And this month, they sent me their newest themed wine right in time for the NCAA Tournament. And I have to say, these people know me.

Just look at the picture! Don't you just want to hug it?

As I mentioned in my first review of the Elk Creek wines, I don't know what the heck I am talking about. A good 75% of the wine I drink at home comes from a box. And dammit, I LIKE wine from a box. It stays good longer, it's better for the environment, and there's LOTS of great boxed wine out there. And I'm happy to say that "Tailgate Red" is one of them. And with prices starting at UNDER $20 for the equivalent of FOUR bottles of wine. You can't beat that with a stick, folks.

But not only is "Tailgate Red" good red wine (I'm drinking a glass now and loving it), the packaging is frigging adorable. If you look closely at the picture, on the left there's a hoop for ping-pong ball basket ball and on the right is a goal post for table football. And they include a ping-pong ball and a sponge football in the box! I know I seem unreasonably excited about this: but this is a BOX of WINE that has BUILT-IN drinking games! How can you not LOVE that?

According to the Elk Creek website, you can't buy this everywhere, so here's a list of the stores that sell the Blue Box. And there are seven varietals available, Tailgate Red & White, Concord, Vidal Blanc, and Sweet Mellow White (that's good stuff-- I remember that from Halloween) for $19.99, and Cab and Chardonnay are $10 more. Elk Creek is located just an hour from Louisville. Mama's thinking it's definitely time for a road trip to visit them.

If I were a UK fan and I were planning a Sweet Sixteen watching party, I would so stock up on these things. They're-- as I said-- just too damn cute. AND when Cornell hands them their ticket back to Lexington, the party doesn't have to end-- you can play drinking games with the (I'm sure empty by now) boxes. Go Big Red! (sorry, I know I just made half of y'all hate me)

Disclaimer: I make no bones about the fact that Elk Creek sent this lovely, lovely thing to me for my consideration. But if I didn't like it, I wouldn't have blogged about it. All sentiments herein are genuine. I learned well from Big Mama Lou: "if you ain't got nothing nice to say then shut the heck up." I liked this for real.

More on the good folks from Elk Creek here.

My Latest Brilliant Idea: Louisville Merit Badges

So, as of tonight, I am one play (the 10 Minute Plays) away from seeing the entire Humana Festival line-up. And yeah, I think that's an accomplishment worth bragging about. I've been wicked lucky. Between being a subscriber, being "media" for Actors Theater, and having friends with an extra ticket or two, I've been able to run through the festival for almost free (save my subscription price).

But I want a prize. I want some kind of prize for having seen all of the Humana plays (and unless something wiggy happens, I'll definitely see the 10 Minute Plays next weekend).

Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all walked around wearing Girl/Boy Scout-style sashes with "accomplishment" badges? Really, wouldn't it? Talk about instant conversation-starters, right? You see someone at a bar or restaurant, you notice he or she has a "Louisville Film Fest" badge-- well, there you go. Instant conversation starter: "So, you saw X number of films for the film fest? Tell me about it."

"Four Square" has sort of caught on here in Louisville. (In case you don't know, "Four Square" is an application for smart phones that allows you to "check in" at certain locations-- pretty much any address on a GPS-- and if you're the person who checks in at that spot most often, you become the "Mayor" of that location. Somehow, you can link this to Twitter, so Four Square will tweet your locale and tweet when you become the Mayor of someplace.) I'm kind of thankful it isn't MORE popular. When it first hit town it seemed like most of my local Tweeties were using it and becoming Mayors of all kinds of strange places-- Kroger? Lowes? Speedway??? I downloaded the app, but I've never used it. Mostly because-- and Mama loves you ALL very much-- I don't want folks to know where I am 90% of the time!

So... point is: I think I have a brilliant ideas for all the Louisville booster organizations out there. And I don't know who would be best suited for this idea, so if you, gentle reader, know-- pass it on.

I think that some Louisville booster organization should take a page from the Urban Bourbon Trail and create a program that allows super-cheerleaders for Louisville to earn points for achieving certain goals.

• Hit X number of local museums in X number of months= X points
• Go to X number of Humana Fest plays= X points
• Attend X number of Derby Festival events = X points
• Dine at X number of Louisville Originals Restaurants in X months = X points

And so on... UNTIL at some point you hit the magic point number and become a super Louisville booster. Or, to borrow from our Lebowski fan friends, maybe an ACHIEVER?

At that point, you'd be invited to all kinds of special events, openings, etc just for these super Louisville boosters. What an awesome networking opportunity! What a great way to know who you can count on to spread the Good Word of Louisville! (And sure, Mama's single, so she's thinking "what a great way to meet like-minded dudes!").

I LOVE the idea of Louisville Merit Badges. And because life can hand you all kinds of lemons, I think your status should be permanent in some way. Like, once you hit the the platinum status, you should only have to do a few things to maintain it. This is way less annoying and more meaningful than Four Square. It encourages people to dash out and embrace all the wonderful things this city has to offer. And it fosters a community of True Believers. And we need more of those, right?

You like this idea? Pass it on!

Change Your (writing) Life in Ten Days

I've written about Writers Retreat Workshop before. The last time, it was a bit more nuts and bolts. (Click on the link in the first sentence for that entry) But I'm going to pitch it again because it's such a huge, important part of my life.

Eight years ago (almost), I attended my first WRW. I won the Robin Hardy New Student Scholarship (PDF application) and got to go for free. But even when I found out that I had won free tuition, I was super skeptical. I think I was having a Woody Allen moment: Did I really want to be part of a club that wanted me as a member? But I got over my insecurities, in no small part due to some long and involved email correspondences with one of the staff members: a very patient, very persuasive man who will henceforth be known as "Roommate."

Yes, that Roommate.

WRW is a ten-day, very intensive (think "boot camp") residential program for aspiring novel writers. But in the past eight years, I've seen memoir writers and screenplay writers and short stories writers go through the program and benefit as much as I did.

For the past blue million years (well, ok, the program was founded in 1987, so that's hyperbole), WRW has been held at the Marydale Retreat Center in Erlanger, KY. And honestly, even back in 2002 when I first attended WRW, if you'd asked me what I thought about WRW, I would have said that I had had ten of the most perfect days of my life... except that the facilities were kind of shabby.

So this year, WRW has BIG news. The program is relocating to the Saint Joseph's Retreat Center in Owensboro, KY. And holy cow, this place looks GORGEOUS. And, best of all, Louisvillagers, it's still basically in our back yard!

Listen, WRW changed my life in so many ways. I know I've taken some time off from "serious" writing lately for any number of reasons, not the least of which has been the after-effects of chemo. So I may not strike you as a "serious" writer. But I used to be. Pre-cancer, fiction writing was part of my daily life. And I hold out so much hope that this summer I'll be able to be a "real" writer once again. But before WRW, my writing was a hobby. Like scrapbooking or collecting troll dolls. After I went to one WRW, I felt legit. I felt validated. I felt like I knew so much more about not only the craft of writing but the business of writing. And don't kid yourself, kids, writing is very much a business.

But no smoke and mirrors here: WRW gave me so much more than that. WRW gave me Roommate, my very best friend and partner in crime since 2002. A couple years after I first attended, the founder retired and handed the reins over to Roommate, and he has run it ever since. And I have to admit, when I see Roommate teach the new student classes, I get chills.

WRW also gave me a new family of all of the attendees since 2002 and the core staff. It gave me a built-in cheerleading section for all of my successes since 2002, and a source of support for all of my trials since then.

And, frankly, I think you'd be hard pressed to find an attendee who didn't feel exactly the same way.

Do you need a "name" to attract you to program? How about this one: Michael Palmer. Palmer is the author of 14 medical thriller novels, some of which have ended up on the NYTimes bestsellers list. Palmer and his son, Daniel, a debut novelist, will be there teaching classes. In past years, the program has featured teachers/guests (both in person and via teleconference) such as Dean Koontz, Ayelet Waldman, Nancy Picard, Gregory McDonald, and Trish McGregor.

Folks who have been through the program and gone on to success include: Janet Chapman, Christine Goff, Jack Getze, Kimberly Frost... and many more.

You fancy yourself a writer? A fiction writer? A novelist? Gosh darn, kids... I promise you, you won't regret attending the Writers Retreat Workshop. You just won't. Expert advice. Thoughtful guidance. Good damn people. Always.

You want to know more? Email me at lou (at) loueyville.com. I will answer your questions and give you more personal testimony.

In the meantime: This year's WRW is June 10-19 in Owensboro, KY. I'm 99.9% sure that the new student scholarship is still accepting applications. Pass this along to your writer friends. I would sure love to welcome them into MY WRW family.

Visit the website at: Writers Retreat Workshop

Ha ha, My Friends are Funny & More Local Theater News

So a couple of days ago I posted a status on my real (non-Lou) Facebook page that said something like: "When did I suddenly become Theater Chick?" Ha, ha, my friends are funny...

Tracy, a friend from childhood/HS, responded: "Um, you've been theater chick ever since I met you. So, I don't know... around 23 years?"

Noah, from college, said: "I'd guess since around the time you directed a 4-hour production of Othello in college..."

Ha ha, funny, Noah. It was only just over three hours. Maybe it just felt longer to you because you were Othello.

Anyway, so I guess consensus says I come by the "theater chick" appellation honestly.

Speaking of theater stuff, I saw Pandora's WHEN BEES IN HONEY DROWN at the Bunbury last night. Good stuff. There's another whole weekend, so you have plenty of time to catch it.

And in Pandora/Bunbury news: Michael Drury, Pandora's Artistic Director, says that next year the Bunbury Theater is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The Bunbury folks have decided to celebrate by producing more of their own productions in the space. So next season, Pandora is officially adrift. Drury was wicked upbeat about the news, but it is clearly a bit unsettling. He says that Pandora will put up plays in a number of different spaces. More information coming about next season during Pandora's final production of the season, PAGEANT, which starts in May.

Happy Friday! More Local Theater and Other Quick Bits

I am a word nerd, so I have lots of favorite words.  This week's word is "twitterpated."  As Friendly Owl says in Bambi, "Yes. Nearly everybody gets twitterpated in the springtime. For example: You're walking along, minding your own business. You're looking neither to the left, nor to the right, when all of a sudden you run smack into a pretty face. Woo-woo! You begin to get weak in the knees. Your head's in a whirl. And then you feel light as a feather, and before you know it, you're walking on air. And then you know what? You're knocked for a loop, and you completely lose your head!"

No, dear Loueyvillagers, Mama's not in love (sad trombone).  It's just that I've been gobsmacked (another astounding word) by this weather.  Seventy-plus degrees in March?  What huh?  It sure makes me want to be in love.  And it sure makes me feel like I have a crush on the world.  (So, you know, Interwebs, this would be the perfect time to set me up with your hot, successful, single, older brother.  I'm just sayin'.)

Anyhoo... it's not just the weather that's got me all a-dither.  My dance card has been totally full these past couple of weeks-- full of awesome events and lovely people.  So forgive me, between the weather and the wonderful, I've been a bit of a slacker with ye olde blogge.  (Just a reminder, if you're positively hungry for my opinion on stuff, you can follow me on Twitter.  Even when I'm a lame-o blogwise, I still can't shut up with the Tweets.  And you'll get my immediate, sometimes slightly loopy, opinions on restaurants, events, NCAA basketball, Roommate's general follies, yadda yadda.  @loueyville...)

Speaking of....  some quick thoughts for this cloudy Friday morning:

• If I seem a little loopier than usual, it's because I stayed out WAY past my bedtime last night attending Actors Theater's apprentice company's production of HEIST at 21c.  It was totally worth it, but I am definitely super cranky today.  Remember those Murder Mystery Parties that were all the rage in the late 80's-early 90's (*cough* C'mon, for Mama's sake, just pretend that you're old enough to remember)?  This interactive theater experience is like that on hip steroids.  Go early, get a drink at Proof-- you'll likely get a preview of the drama.  If you go (and it's FREE, so you definitely should stay up past your bedtime for this one), try to land yourself a spot in the group that follows "Clarissa the Videoblogger"-- she's a hoot.
  
  
• Speaking of Actors (and I know, I speak of Actors often these days-- LOVING this Humana Festival).... You know how usually, when you hire a husband-wife team, you're usually hiring either the husband or the wife and the other one is just coming along as a kind of aggrandized benefits package?  (trust me on this one)  Well, that SO didn't happen with the casting of Scott Organ's two-character play PHOENIX.  I wish I had my program with me so I could tell you the married couple of actors' names, but they were wonderful.  Next to FISSURES, this was my favorite Humana play so far.  The writing was so snappy and terrific.  Like the best seasons of "The Gilmore Girls."  (Don't hate... it was a wonderfully-written show.)
  
  
• Tonight's theater offering?  Pandora's AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN.  
  
  
• Are you loving Groupon.com?  I'm loving Groupon.com when they post discounted restaurant/store certificates.  The fact that the site stores your credit card info makes it really easy to impulse buy... not sure how fond I am of that!  (That link leads you to my referral page, fyi. Because why not, right?)
  
  
• Anyone else notice that there's a big banner on that perpetually empty building next to the perpetually rotating shoe store on Baxter right where Baxter/Bardstown split?  A banner that says something along the lines of COMING SOON: SUSHI???? I never look up (discuss that among yourselves) so I have no idea how long it has been there and I have no idea if it's a big steaming lie.  But boy would that be a great place for a sushi restaurant, huh?  
  
  
• Speaking of COMING SOON... the former Russ's Generic Meatmarket Overpriced Brewhaus has had a "Coming Soon:  A --GASP-- Irish Pub" sign in the window for a blue million years.  There's definitely some nice renovation action going on there.  But if it really IS going to be yet another Irish Pub for Little Dublin, wouldn't it be tragic if they couldn't crack it open for St. Patrick's Day?  
  
  
• Smarter yet, they really ought to open their doors for tomorrow's St. Pat's parade.  It starts at 3pm at Baxter and Broadway.  Always fun.  Hope it doesn't rain.  Look for me.  I'll be wearing green.  
  
  
• Speaking of... last night Roommate and I hit the blessing of the beer at O'Shea's (and yes, blessed beer does taste better), and I noticed a heck of a lot of dudes in kilts (because how do you NOT notice a whole lotta dudes in kilts?).  And one of the St. Pat's day signs mentioned bag pipers.  Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought kilts and bagpipes were SCOTTISH not Irish.  Right?  What's up with the conflation of the two?  Are we just saying one freckly redhead is the same as another freckly redhead?  Isn't that as bad as folks saying, "Chinese... Korean.... Same thing."  Or is the kilts thing just a bunch of horny Louisvillager dudes using any excuse to let their man-bits hang free?  (Last night, Roommate says, "Does it bug you to know you're surrounded by guys who are just this far from exposing themselves?"  I'll let you speculate on my response.)

Clearly, I am overtired.  How 'bout them CARDS? (cough)

Back to Real Life work.  Have a lovely weekend!  And Mother Nature: I love you, babe.

Humana Festival So Far

I'm a theater fan, but certainly not an expert. If you want a real "review" of the Humana shows, check out Erin Keene's great articles in the C-J. But I've been lucky enough to see three Humana Festival plays in the past week, and as always my general response has been: it's never a waste of time or money to see a play at Actors.

SIRENS is a charming midlife marriage crisis by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Casey Stangl. Empty-nesters Sam and Rose Adelle Abrams have lost that lovin' feelin'. Sam, a one-hit wonder songwriter, has found solace in "innocently" meeting younger women that he meets playing Facebook scrabble for coffee. Rose Adelle plans an anniversary cruise to the Mediterranean. A siren, played by the unsettlingly Drew Barrymore-esque Lindsey Wochley, tempts him. Oddball comedy ensues. All of the characters are well-acted. Brian Russell is so charming as Sam that I kind of had a crush on him by the end of the play, even though his character was a cad. SIRENS is fun and funny and is a good play for all audiences.

While I love a good narrative play, like SIRENS, plays like FISSURES (lost and found) are why I treasure Actors and the Humana Festival in particular. Six playwrights came together to create this sometimes funny, sometimes devastating exploration of the mutability of memory. I'm still talking and thinking about this play a week later. The four actors (actually five-- one of the directors makes an appearance at the end) provided stunning performances. More impressive than their delivery and characterization was their physicality-- the smallest gestures rang out loud with meaning. So far this is the play that is NOT to be missed.

Finally, last night we caught GROUND, by Lisa Dillman, directed by Marc Masterson. The staging is beautiful, but at 2.5 hours the play packs little punch for the time investment. I'll be interested to read "professional" reviews of this play, but neither I nor my companion were particularly impressed. Other media (novels, movies, tv, etc) have done the Borderlands thing more effectively and more thoroughly. I'll leave it at that.

Still and all, rock on Humana Festival! I'm seeing PHOENIX later this weekend and HEIST next week. In other theater news, tonight is WHEN IN DISGRACE... at Walden Theater, tomorrow is LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (one of the few musicals I genuinely like) at the Louisville Collegiate School. By the end of March, I'll have no excuse to not be fluent in theater-ese.

Happy Friday!

An Abundant Artsy Weekend

When it rains it pours, you know?  My schedule this weekend is tighter than those size 6 boots I just HAD to buy at the Zappos outlet because they were gorgeous and $25 marked down from a whopping $245.  Oh I love those boots.  Oh this weekend is going to be fun.  (Side note, anyone know of a diet that specifically targets one's calves? I need to drop about 1/2 inch in each calf by next winter.)

Local band Lucky Pineapple is heading to South by Southwest this year, and they're doing a preview show at the Rud this Thursday.  

Of course the Humana Festival is in full swing.  And don't forget that this weekend is Local Pass weekend!  (See my previous blog post).

This is also the last weekend for Walden's "When in Disgrace..."  I've been hearing really great stuff about this show, and I can't wait to see it.

I have two MeatSpace job obligations that keep me pretty busy on Saturday (both arts oriented, neither an obligation to which I grudgingly agreed).  But goodness, if I can I'd really like to hit the "World's Second Most Awesome Art Market" that Michelle of Consuming Louisville profiled this morning (I keep seeing those posters and they just make me happy.  Mostly for its use of the word "awesome.").   

If you haven't seen the Titanic exhibit at the Science Center (and I unfortunately have not), it closes this Sunday.  Hop on board ASAP!  (grim, Lou. grim)

I know there's more... I'll keep you posted.  Is it only Wednesday?  Well, happy Wednesday to you.

Humana Festival: Locals Pass Weekend! Don't Miss It!

I'm thinking that my first weekend at this year's Humana Festival was a good indication of what the rest of the festival will be like.  And because of that, I'm totally jazzed.  I can't wait for tomorrow night when I get to take in "Ground" and Sunday when I get to see "Phoenix."  

But here's why YOU should be jazzed right now.  This weekend is the "Locals Pass" weekend at the Humana Festival.  From March 5-7, pay just $40 and see as many plays as you can over the weekend!  You can purchase the pass online or at the box office.  The pass is only good for this weekend, but if there's a seat available for a play, your butt can be in it if you have this pass.  That means, if you play your cards right, you could see four plays for just $40 (PHOENIX, GROUND, FISSURES, SIRENS).

Clear your schedule. Send the kiddos to grandma's. Board the dog.  Pack a snack.  And have fun!  See you there!

Mark it! Lebowski Fest Louisville Dates Announced

Sure, Lebowski Fest has spread across these great states of ours over the past few years.  (2010 Fests are in LA, Orlando, Seattle, Chicago, and Brooklyn).  But never forget, Achievers, this is the Fest's home sweet home.  You wanna go to a Lebowski Fest, you come to Louisville. But, you know, it's nice to know these young men are spreading the Word nationwide... The Dude abides. I don't know about you, but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there, the Dude, takin' er easy for all us sinners. 

NTDWL: All in the Family

It is rare that you come across a person who is truly remarkable and perfect and talented in just about every way. And hey, who are we kidding? It's even rarer to come across a person like that and not want to (secretly, selfishly, jealously) kick them in the shins. (Gosh, I'm a jerk!)

Not to brag or anything: I happen to not only know such a rare bird, but I'm related to her!

My favorite person in the world just joined the blogosphere. If you love excellent food, great writing, and beautiful photography, you absolutely need to subscribe to my cousin's blog. My Kitchen Windowsill is brand spanking new and already a work of art. Beth is a rare bird indeed. I'm so excited to see how this blog unfolds.

That being said, I have a very talented and creative family-- wacky though they may be. There's a third Bloggin' Cousin online, and his habit/hobby landed him a feature spot on the awesome, geeky, gaming website The Escapist. The third Bloggin' Cousin is MOVIEBOB whose "Escape to the Movies" videoblogs are hilarious, intelligent, and infused with a really rich knowledge of film history (and often feature NSFW language, be warned!). I'm constantly impressed by his work. He also reviews video games and writes written "Intermission" blogs between video posts.

We are a chatty family. Thanks to our respective folks for encouraging our voices!

An Embarrassment of Theater Options

"Embarrassment" is my favorite collective noun.

And for the next month and a half or so, we lucky Louisvillagers get to enjoy an embarrassment of incredible theater options. I'm so excited that I get downright squirmy if I think too much about it.

Of course the Grandaddy of said theater options is the Humana Festival, which kicks off this week. Every year, I promise myself that I am going to see as many Humana Festival plays as possible, and I've always maxed at out around three. Well, this year I've already secured tickets for four plays, and I have vouchers for two more. This is fabulous news. As always, the offerings for this year's Humana Festival look diverse and exciting, and as I have always said, it's almost impossible to not have a good night at Actors Theater. I'll do my very best to shoot you some reviews as I see the plays.

Seriously, kids. This is a national treasure in our backyard. The premier festival of New American plays ain't in New York or in LA; it's in Louisville. My "theater type" friends from college and high school are jealous that I live here because of the Humana Festival. You're missing out if you don't seize this opportunity.

Another city treasure is Walden Theater. One of my most popular posts on Loueyville.com (which was picked up by the amazing Michelle from Consuming Louisville for her "One Thing I Love About Louisville" series****) was my review-ish thing about their production of My So-Called So-Called Life. This weekend they open When in Disgrace, I Hap'ly Think on Thee . And I am so excited to see it. Listen to this description from their website:

"Inspired by a true story, When in Disgrace (Haply I Think on Thee) weaves a tale of shattered hope and personal destruction as three close friends are torn apart by jealousy, neglect, guilt, and ultimately, love. Combining rock music, iambic verse, and video games, When In Disgrace explores what leads youngsters to extreme acts of violence, and the eerie similarity between teenage melodrama and classical drama."

A student of mine told me today that Walden is the "second-best" young adult theater company in the country. According to him, the BEST is one that has students full-time and charges megabucks for tuition. I don't know how "they" decide the "best" young adult theater company in the country. But I'll take his word for it. He's a pretty reliable chap.

And if that's not enough for you, the always satisfying Pandora Productions has a show opening on March 11. As Bees for Honey Drown (besides having an awesome title) is by the same author as last year's production of Little Dog Laughed. As Bees in Honey Drowned is about "the unquenchable desire for fame," con artists, screenplay writers, and a life of glamor. I'm probably not doing it justice.

I know there's more, based on lurking on the twitterverse. Send me info if you've got a theater production going up in the next six weeks ago, and I'll add it to the list of our embarrassment of theater options. Just one more reason (or in this case, an embarrassment of reasons) to love this city.

*** Sidenote: Y'all know I'm a total fangirl for Michelle at Consuming Louisville. Well, the lovely Miss MJ was named as one of the Leadership Louisville Connectors this weekend. An honor super well-deserved. Squee!

Young Survivor Auction & Benefit

One of the things the self-help books always tell you is that everyone's cancer journey is different. Let me tell you, as a survivor, that's been the hardest part of coming to terms with... being a survivor. Lance Armstrong screwed things up for the rest of us. Utter the words "I'm a cancer survivor" and suddenly folks assume you're strong, you're noble, you're some sort of whackadoo hero.

And no. I'm not. I had cancer. I didn't cure it.

And that's part of the reason I'm taking what I call my "pink hiatus." I spent my first year of cancer-hood jumping feet first into every breast cancer event/support group/conference/walk/talk I could find. And after a year... I was done. I have no doubt that someday I will "pink up" again. But it will be a while. Pink hiatus.

That being said, cancer does make some people better people. Cancer does change some people's lives for the better. And two of those people are Megan Schanie and Jana Eberle, founders of our local Young Survivors Network. I can't tell you how much these two women helped me in the early days of my cancer. They swooped in and helped me understand what would happen to me, helped me understand that I wasn't alone. They were good friends and great support, and they introduced me to this network of incredible, inspiring women.

So, the only event that would coax me out of my pink hiatus is the annual fundraiser for this group at the Frazier Museum on 2/26. I believe in these women and this cause with all of my heart. Ironically, it's unlikely that I will be able to attend this year. I'm having a cancer-related surgical biopsy the day before and will probably be too bleh to attend. (In my heart, I know if they knew why I wasn't attending, one of them would be at my house that night bringing me leftovers from the event-- that's the kind of awesome people that they are.)

I had a blast last year, and unlike many other silent auctions, most of the stuff at this auction is actually affordable. I came home last year with a gorgeous painting, a set of cocktail glasses, a salad bowl and tongs, and a gift certificate for a car detailing-- and I don't think I spent much more than $100 for all of it. The car detailing alone (oh, my car was so so grateful!) was worth close to $200.

So please go if you can. If I'm feeling the least bit up for it, I will be there. Here are the details.

Date:	Friday, February 26, 2010
Time:	6:00pm - 10:00pm
Location:	Frazier International History Museum
Street:	829 W. Main St

My Lenten Promise-- It's all about YOU

Tonight as I was walking home from O'Shea's after having Mardi Gras drinks with friends-- a couple who are now two of my closest friends in Louisville and who I met, basically, through Twitter-- it finally dawned on me what my Lenten pledge should be. Sure, giving up stuff is always a good Lenten promise, but I have very few vices. I ain't giving up booze, and the thought of giving up any other creature comfort this Lenten season is complicated by the fact that I'm scheduled for surgery in two weeks. I already don't eat sweets or drink much soda. I CAN'T give up coffee. And all other creature comforts will be huge comfort to me post-surgery.

The alternative (in my mind, at least) is to make a Lenten Promise.

So here's my Lenten Promise: Between tomorrow and Easter, I vow to do everything that I can to meet, in person, at least ONE person I only know via the interwebs. As of today, I have 467 followers on Twitter and there are a bunch of people who subscribe to my blog. But, I probably only know about a dozen of those people in the Meatspace world.

Let's have coffee. Let's grab a happy hour drink. Let's go see a movie.

A few weeks ago, I met a guy I only knew thru Twitter. He asked me about BBQ restaurants, and we decided to check out the Ol' Hickory Pit together. And it was a total success (foodwise and friendwise). A week later we went to check out ELLA at Actors Theater together, and I'm hoping we'll meet for sushi sometime soon. What a lovely experience. I'd love to replicate it as often as possible in the next 40 days.

So help me make my Lenten Promise work. Email me at lou@loueyville.com or talk to me on Twitter @loueyville. Let's hang out.

Happy Mardi Gras! Late Monday Night Rant

Just a quickie post to say Happy Mardi Gras to y'all. This is my fourth Mardi Gras away from "home" and, truth be told, it gets easier every year. Although this year with the Saints' win... there were some touch-and-go moments to be sure.

And no, Loueyvillagers, I don't see any disconnect between me being on the cheerleading squad for Louisville and still feeling like NOLA is "home." NOT that I am comparing being a Katrina refugee and being a political refugee, but Salman Rushdie wrote an incredible book about the idea of diaspora, called Imaginary Homelands, and in it he posits that leaving "home" under any sort of duress gives you a very fluid idea of home and belonging-- in both a good and bad way. (Gosh, I need to reread that book. I haven't read it since Katrina. I wrote a pretty intense graduate school paper about it and am just now recalling how much I loved it. Even though I had no frame of reference on "diaspora" at the time.)

And happy snow day to just about everyone else in the education community here in Louisville. There are, at cursory glance, two schools in the city that are not canceled/delayed and I work at one of them. I know I have zero reason to gripe-- we've had more snow days this year than I can ever remember having, even when I was a wee lass in school. But it's awful hard to sit here tonight knowing I have to wake up before the crack o' dawn when most of my education kin are sleeping in. More than anything else, I know the chirren will be pissy tomorrow. And I don't feel like putting up with pissy chirren. Especially because I'm a bit pissy myself.

So, what's new Louisville (whoa-oh-oh-oh!)?

• On the increasingly baffling Hullabalou front, the festival added Sara Evans and Huey Lewis and the News (or as my grandma used to think they were called "Huey Lewis in the Nude) to the line-up. And somehow, in the Bluegrass State, they're having a tough time filling their Bluegrass stage.
  
  
• And oh, sweet baby king cake Breesus, poor Zach from Louisville.com has been getting his ass KICKED for daring to cast dispersions on Richard Marx. Kicked by the entire Marx fan club. Kicked possibly by Marx himself. Read the comments!
  
  
• If you don't live in a cave then you know what I mean when I say the whole "Save Ear X-tacy" news conference has me a bit... meh... Truth be told, I go there maybe 4 times a year. And I have only bought two cds there-- after I saw the movie "Once" at Baxter, I rushed right over and bought the soundtrack and a cd by the Frames. Let it be known, however, I buy way less music, I'd imagine, than most people my age. I am just not a big music consumer. I have, however, bought two pocketbooks and TONS of Christmas tchotchkes there. I guess I just wish there'd been more ideas bandied about (and granted, maybe lots of ideas have been bandied about and we're just not privy to them). Like how's about charging a little entrance fee for those great in-store appearances? I'd gladly pay $5 to see a band I liked, especially if the entrance fee meant maybe it wouldn't be so crushingly oppressive in there when good bands showed up. I hope they stick around, even if they have to move or downsize.
  
  
• I wasn't here for 4th Street Live's big Mardi Gras bash (I shudder as I type that), but it featured the band EVE 6. It makes me wonder whether someone at Cordish confused "L.A." with "La." Really? There was NO touring Louisiana band you could have gotten for the bash? No Gulf Coast/Swamp Rock/Jazz Funk band you could have tempted to come up here and put on a REAL Mardi Gras experience? Shit (pardon my Cajun), down in NOLA we've even come to accept that KC and the Sunshine Band is honorary Mardi Gras quality due to the sheer number of times they've ridden in Mardi Gras Krewes. EVE 6? Don't think so. Next year, Cordish, please try to get a real New Orleans band-- preferably a brass band like the Soul Rebels. If not, at least a NOLA rock band like Better than Ezra (who have played 4th Street before).
  

Well, so much for the quickie post. But this Lou has to go to bed because she-- unlike the rest of Louisville's academia-- has to work tomorrow. All day. No delay.

Bonnaroo 2010 Line-Up Announced: It's (Stevie) Wonder(ful)!

You know how Mama loves her Bonnaroo. Personally, I think if Bonnaroo had a contest for "most strident fan," I'd have a story that would make the top ten. In 2008, I had a bilateral mastectomy twelve days before Bonnaroo... and went anyway. Everyone thought I was nuts. My surgeon tried to outright forbid me to go. But Roommate realized that I was determined... that it was in some ways symbolic to me... and he got in touch with the Bonnaroo folks, secured us handicapped status, and made all kinds of preparations for three nights of camping with a desperately hurting, somewhat disabled, but very determined fan.

I went to Bonnaroo 2008 drugged up on a buffet of painkillers and with every kind of anti-bacterial crap available. I slept in a tent that was wall-to-wall pillows. We had handicap proximity camping and handicap seating at the big stages. And I had the time of my life. Or I think I did. I honestly don't remember all that much about Bonnaroo 2008, thanks to the copious (but very legal) drugs I was taking.

The one thing I remember, clear as a bell? Seeing Pearl Jam, one of my favorite bands, for the first time, and feeling like Eddie Vedder was singing "Alive" just because I was there. It chokes me up just thinking about it. It was a transcendent moment.

But this year, Roommate is running his workshop (www.writersretreatworkshop.com) during Bonnaroo. Speaking of crying, I nearly cried when he told me he wouldn't be able to go to Bonnaroo 2010. I kind of think of it as "our thing." The 2008 experience really cemented that in my noggin. So I said this year that I wouldn't go without him unless one of my Big Three were headlining: U2, REM, or Leonard Cohen. (In my head, I sort of also added Prince, Madonna, and Tom Waits.)

But this year's line-up, while lacking my Big Three (or Medium Six), is pretty drool-worthy, and I'm rethinking my vow (he WANTS me to go, so it's not a betrayal!).

Here's the line-up. There's sure to be a few more acts announced.

Dave Matthews Band • Kings of Leon • Stevie Wonder • Jay-Z • Tenacious D • Weezer • The Flaming Lips with Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform "Dark Side of the Moon" • The Dead Weather • Damian Marley & Nas • Phoenix • Norah Jones • Michael Franti & Spearhead • John Fogerty • Regina Spektor • Jimmy Cliff • LCD Soundsystem • The Avett Brothers • Thievery Corporation • Rise Against • Tori Amos • The National • Zac Brown Band • Les Claypool • John Prine • The Black Keys • Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers • Jeff Beck • Dropkick Murphys • She & Him • Against Me! • The Disco Biscuits • Daryl Hall & Chromeo • Jamey Johnson • Clutch • Bassnectar • Kid Cudi • Baaba Maal • Kris Kristofferson • Medeski Martin & Wood • The xx • GWAR • Dan Deacon Ensemble • Tinariwen • Wale • Deadmau5 • The Melvins • Gaslight Anthem • Miike Snow • The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band • Dr. Dog • They Might Be Giants • Punch Brothers • Isis • Blitzen Trapper • Blues Traveler • Miranda Lambert • Calexico • OK Go • Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue • Martin Sexton • Lotus • Baroness • Dave Rawlings Machine • Mayer Hawthorne and the County • Japandroids • Jay Electronica • Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros • Ingrid Michaelson • The Dodos • Manchester Orchestra • The Temper Trap • Cross Canadian Ragweed • Big Sam's Funky Nation • Carolina Chocolate Drops • Needtobreathe • Tokyo Police Club • The Entrance Band • Local Natives • Brandi Carlile • Mumford & Sons • Rebelution • Diane Birch • Monte Montgomery • Julia Nunes • The Postelles • Lucero • Here We Go Magic • Hot Rize • Neon Indian • B.O.B

NTDWL: GEAUX SAINTS!!

So, it was the best Super Bowl ever.  Right?  I mean, come on... even my Colts fan friends-- including Roommate-- loved that game.  That two-point conversion.  The interception.  And Drew Brees holding his itty bitty Little Brees with those itty bitty headphones... just thinking about it makes me tear up.  The awesome realization that the Saints-- the SAINTS!-- won the Super Bowl.  Sean Payton saying today that he slept with the trophy and maybe "drooled on it a little."  

The only thing cuter than the new gorilla that was born at Louisville Zoo this weekend is mini-Brees.

The reason this post is so choppy-- I haven't had a coherent thought since last night around 10p.  Seriously.  I am stoned on disbelief.

The Nearness of You: ELLA! at Actors

Back when Lou was in college, it was hip to like Billie Holiday. We lived a block from Harlem and a subway ride to the best jazz clubs north of the Mississippi (of course back then, we believed they were the best jazz clubs on earth), and Lady Day was "in" with a certain faction of the college crowd.

But me, I always preferred Ella Fitzgerald. At my apartment parties, my mix tapes (yes, I'm that old) always nestled her vocal stylings between those of Leonard Cohen and Jeff Buckley (we were a subdued crowd... if we really wanted a party we shuffled disco, George Michaels, and Madonna).

I loved Ella. I must have owned seven or more cds. And for that reason, I left Actors Theatre's production of ELLA! elated and scatting and feeling like I'd experienced the next best thing to going to see the real Ella Fitzgerald in concert.

Because, seriously, Tina Fabrique, the woman who plays Ella in this music-packed production, is a treasure. Her voice, her mannerisms, and her bearing all deliver the iconic jazz singer with clear and heartbreaking honesty. If she'd done nothing but sing, I would have watched rapt. The stage "banter"-- which is the driving device of the bio part of the show-- is almost a distraction. (Ella, the character reveals at the beginning of the show that she's been told that she needs to incorporate more "banter" into her productions, thus giving her the opportunity to try out various stories on the audience.)

Backed by a masterful five-piece band, Fabrique sings 23+ partial and full songs from Fitzgerald's repertoire, from the fun and silly ("A Tisket A Tasket"-- a song Grandma Lou used to always sing to me) to the overwhelmingly beautiful (Porter's "Night and Day"). The show runs long-- at least two hours, maybe two hours fifteen-- but I could have stayed all night listening to her. Heck, in college, it wasn't uncommon for me to put an Ella cd on repeat and listen all night while drinking whiskey and smoking cigarettes by candle light. I guess that would be called "emo" now.

Honestly, I think this production is one NOT to miss. It's simple yet dazzling. It's charming and heartbreaking. It's a piece of musical history too many people are missing. I wish I could drag every teenager I know to the show. But if you go for one reason alone, go because Tina Fabrique is a treasure.

I went to the show with a new Twitter friend. And as we walked to our respective cars, we started a conversation that we didn't finish. We both loved the show. We both were moved and thrilled. But... we both also questioned whether or not this is "theater." What makes this theater? The banter? The bio parts? The second half is nearly all music, very little story. And what-- besides quality, because I've already established that Fabrique is a mess of talent-- distinguishes this show from "Celebrity Impersonator" shows in Vegas? The good ones. The quality, artistic ones. How is ELLA! theater, and not a top shelf, artsy, thoughtfully presented impersonator show?

Without going too far down the rabbit hole: How do we define theater? ELLA! is a freaking fantastic evening of entertainment with a tremendous amount of heart. But is it theater? If so why? Discuss.

ELLA! runs through 2/20. Go. You'll love it.