HullabaLOU Day Two: in brief

Today's  HullabaLOU Festival was brought to you by the Cult of Kenny Chesney.  Last night, for research, Roommate and I pulled up YouTube and played an extended game of "Oh, Kenny Chesney is THAT Guy."  But even after re-familiarizing myself with Chesney's music, I was absolutely unprepared for the onslaught of his fandom.  I recognized it immediately in the massive percentage of straw cowboy hat wearers in the crowd as soon as I walked onsite.  And as the festival day wore on, the population of Chesney fans increased, as did, unfortunately, the stumbling drunkenness of said fans.  Mostly female.  Mostly very young.  Mostly very pretty.  And all of 'em wearing cowboy boots.

Speaking of footwear, that was my first big misstep of the day.  A few paces into the festival, I realized I'd forgotten to change my shoes before leaving the house, and within a few paces more I was stumbling like said drunk fans.  I partially rectified the issue by shuffling my bare feet in the dirt; dirty feet = better traction.  But right now, as Mama Lou used to say, "my dogs are barkin'." "Howlin'" might be more accurate.  

My second misstep of the day was being so enthralled with Joan Osborne's set (she's pictured above, by the way) that I stayed out way after my water bottle was drained.  I think I'm still feeling the woozy from that.

Started the day by heading straight to see Ben Sollee's set at the Fleur de Lis stage.  The man is a treasure, kids.  We're so lucky to be able to call him a Kentucky guy.  An amazing set in the blazing midday sun.  If I didn't respect him before (and I did, y'all know I love him), I tip my hat to him now.  I loved him at NuluFestival last year.  And his show with Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet was one of the highlights of my Bonnaroo 2008.  But.. ha ha... funny story.  Okay, actually I'll save my funny story for a post dedicated to Ben Sollee later.  He's worth a post of his own.  And so is the story.  UPDATE:  The post is here.  And make sure you read the comments to see Sollee's very nice response.  

When I went to the Media Center after Sollee's show, I got out of the elevator and passed a wee tiny funny-looking man (keep in mind, I'm 5 feet tall so "wee tiny" from me is WEE TINY... and yeah, maybe I'm funny-looking too), and thought "Well, clearly HE isn't a broadcast journalist."  Turned out the wee man was none other than Ben Folds coming in for an interview.  I was tickled that one of the journalists asked Folds about the time he played Bonnaroo and asked the entire crowd to give him the middle finger while he took a crowd photo.  I was in that crowd.  I gave him the middle finger with gusto.

I pooped out around 40 minutes into Fold's set.  It was just too damned hot...

... Oh, have I failed to mention that the highs today pushed 100?  We're not talking "heat indices" here, kids-- we're talking no-cloud-cover temps.  Brutal, but more on that in a sec.

The thing with Folds is, and I remember this from Bonnaroo, he starts out very slow and very mellow and then works himself up into a crowd-pleasing frenzy by the end of his show.  And I didn't quite make it to the "frenzy" part.  I don't know how he does it-- you'd think his energy would be sapped by then.  But when I went back to the Media Center and watched the last of his show on the tvs, he was bounding all over the stage, playing drums, pulling audience members up on stage.  Note to self: if you think you won't make it for an entire Folds set, wait til it's half over.  

After watching a few songs from the astoundingly generic Sara Evans, I headed out to see local vocal titan, Joan Osborne.  I'll do a "real" post on her next week, but I was dumbfounded by the contrast between Evans and Osborne.  How is it that Evans-- whose voice is lovely, but no more so than dozens of karaoke singers I've seen-- could command the main stage, and Osborne's fame peaked 15 years ago? She's charming and precious and gritty and soulful.  Her show rocked me so much that, as I mentioned earlier, I stayed WAY too long and got WAY too hot and have been paying for it ever since.  

So much so, in fact, that when I got back to the Media Center, cooled down, and re-hydrated, I was in such bad shape that I couldn't bring myself to get back out there.  Lucky for me, between the tvs in the Media Center and the balconies, I was able to see enough of both the Reverend Al Green and Huey Lewis and the News that I was mostly satisfied.  

The Rev. Al-- as he did at Bonnaroo two years ago-- took the stage in a three-piece suit and threw roses into the crowd.  The man shimmied and shook-- I'm telling you, between Al and Gladys, these older sorts are showing the younger generations of musicians here at HullabaLOU how it is done!  Amusingly, according to the Twitterverse, the Reverend's sound went all wonky during his performance of "Amazing Grace," and he dropped some f-bombs and cussed out the sound crew!  Wish I'd seen that first-hand.  

I saw quite a bit of Huey Lewis's show, as the Fleur De Lis stage is nearer the Media Center balcony.  And all I can say is... wow.  Wow, Huey Lewis looks fantabulous for however old he is.  Wow, Huey Lewis fills out a pair of jeans even better than Kenny Chesney.  Wow, I forgot how fun his music is.  And wow, I'm really sorry that I kinda used "and they're featuring Huey Lewis" as a rib about the HullabaLOU line-up.  I felt the "Power of Love" during his show.  It was, honestly, great.

(Funny side note:  when I was a wee lass, Mama Lou bought me a Huey Lewis and the News cassette [yes, I'm that old] for Christmas.  And Nana Lou was scandalized-- she thought the band's name was "Huey Lewis in the Nude.")

You know who wasn't great?  Jason Aldean.  Who the eff is this guy, and why was he on the main stage, and why was his crowd so huge?  A dreadfully boring performer who barely moved for the better part of his set.  And, in my humble opinion, the worst kind of country singer dude-- the kind that sings songs about how the rest of the country thinks rednecks are idiots, but the rest of the country is full of pretentious, elite a-holes, so what the eff do they know?  

It was particularly precious that he decided to end the show with an encore of Kid Rock's "I'm a Cowboy."  Here's the thing, Jason and Kid, if you don't fraking rassel some cattle for a living, you AREN'T a cowboy.  You're insulting cowboys by calling yourself a "cowboy."  At the very least, to be a "cowboy" in the metaphorical sense, you need to be a badass.  A REAL badass.  Not a plush tour-bus-riding, pressed t-shirt wearing, VIP lounge going rock star.  At least Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" is a narrative, and we can assume by the voice of the lyrics that Jon Bon Jovi isn't insinuating that HE is a cowboy.  He's singing in the first person voice of a cowboy-- well not a real cowboy, just a badass.  

Yeah, not a fan.

And I'm not going to say that I'm a Kenny Chesney fan now, but he does put on a hell of a show.  I don't get the truly CULT status that Chesney enjoys.  Roommate says he's this generation's Garth Brooks, but I didn't get the Brooks thing either, really.  Pardon the self-pat-on-the-back, but my favorite Tweet of the night was "Loueyville: I wanna knock his hat off so badly.  You seen his videos? NEVER takes it off.  What does he have under there?  A conjoined twin? #hullabalou"  Hey, if you don't follow my tweets, now is the time to start.  :) (@loueyville)

So, that was my day.  Blistering heat.  Blistered feet.  And some truly great music.  Although Bon Jovi was my big favorite for the fest, tomorrow's line-up is the most consistently wonderful, so I am super psyched.  I'm telling you, I could have two broken legs, a hangover, and a pen in my eye (did you hear about the guy who was arrested at ComicCon today for stabbing a guy in the eye with a pen over seating assignments?) and I STILL wouldn't miss Dwight Yokem and Loretta Lynn.  Royalty, my friends. I'm a-flutter just thinking about it.  Yokem's free show at the Kentucky State Fair a few years back was DI-VINE!  And I've never seen Lynn, so... whoa.

Should be cooler tomorrow.  Thank the baby Breesus.  I have to say, I am going to miss heading out to Churchill every day.  I love me some Summer Music Festivals.  And I love being "media."  Of course, I look over the Media Center every day and think "hey, WTF, all of these people are getting PAID for this??" That ain't right.  Eh, sour grapes, right?   I'm having tons of fun.  And on Monday, I will sleep for days.

Also up tomorrow:  Tonic, the Black Crowes, the Avett Brothers, and, of course, Dave Matthews.

HullabaLOU Day One: In brief

This is just a brief overview of my first day at HullabaLOU. It's late, and I'm pooped.  But I'll go into more detail soon, I promise.  Mama had a great day.

After a somewhat inauspicious start to the festival (more on that at a later date), I arrived at HullabaLOU just in time to catch the magnificent Gladys Knight.   I was hot, dehydrated, and cranky, and Ms. Knight came on close to twenty minutes late.  But as I tweeted a local, I would have gladly waited days...

Largely due to my affinity for music festivals, I've seen so many of "the greats" in concert:  BB King, Little Richard, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Fats Domino, Marva Wright, Aretha Franklin... I grew up, somehow, loving Motown/R&B above all other music.  And I've seen Gladys Knight before, at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, but this time I was just two people back from the stage-- two fraking TALL people, unfortunately.  But when Ms. Knight took the stage, my festival experience began.  All the stress of simply getting there dissipated, and I was in the groove.  Ms. Knight was astounding in her energy, her spunk, and her charm.  I want to be Gladys Knight when I grow up.  (Got some great video, and I'll devote a post to her soon.)

Train put on a great show in the grand scheme of things, but I was kind of put off by the frat-boyishness of the lead singer.  Sure, I love "Soul Sister" and "Drops of Jupiter."  But the whole spectacle left me feeling rather empty, like I could have stayed home and listened to their CD and been as nonplussed.

Two things surprised me about the Colbie Caillat show:  (A) This is a woman who sounds as fantastic live as she does on her albums, and (B) The moment she went acoustic and off-album, the crowd fled.  I love it when a young, hot singer lives up to her/his album hype, and Caillat truly did.  Her sound is lovely, and she is gorgeous.  It's less country and more whatever Jason Mraz is (not surprisingly she's recorded a duet with him). So nice to see a young woman with some flesh on her bones and some soul in her voice.  After seeing Gladys Knight, I was less enthralled with Caillat's stage presence than I probably normally would have been, but for the most part her voice alone charmed me and made me want to check out her album on iTunes.

I didn't intentionally check out the Dierks Bentley show, but I did catch a couple of songs with Sam Bush guesting.  And heck, he's pretty good.  And he's pretty good looking too!

I know I've been gushing a bit about Bon Jovi over these past few weeks, but some of that-- I thought-- was kind of tongue-in-cheek.  I mean, I made Bon Jovi a relentless target when I was a teenager.  HATED them.  I was an REM/U2/Smiths/Cure/Pixies-loving kid, and Bon Jovi was the quintessential band that was destroying music.  (Ok, maybe the New Kids on the Block was the true quintessential band killing music back then)  But as an adult, in retrospect, Bon Jovi was the real deal.  And they proved this true tonight.  Motley Crue, Poison, Slayer... none of the big hair bands of the 80s-90s would have drawn the crowd that Bon Jovi did tonight.  And none of those bands, when they took the stage, would have made my heart flutter like Bon Jovi did.  (More on Bon Jovi later, I promise.)

Overall, after multiple headaches and still with tons of questions, I remain a HUGE fan of summer music festivals.  And so far, HullabaLOU is mostly scratching that itch.  I am so tremendously lucky to be "media" for this festival.  More on that... as you can imagine... later.  Can't wait for tomorrow.

HullabaLOU Preview: Colbie Caillat today at 715p

I don't know anything about Colbie Caillat, but tonight I'll go see her show at HullabaLOU.  One of my favorite things about music festivals is having the chance to find new music.  Check out this music video for "I Never Told You."  It's directed by my friend, Roman White, who's also directed award-winning videos by Carrie Underwood (including that awesome one where she takes a Louisville Slugger to her boyfriend's car) and Taylor Swift (remember the whole Kanye-Beyonce-TS-meltdown on the VMA's? Yeah, that was Roman's video).

And remember, HullabaLOU-ers, with a heat index nearing 110 today, it's even more important to HYDRATE!  See you at the Fest!

Pre-HullabaLOU Helpful Hints for Fest-ing

Based on my own experiences as a veteran fest-er and the information on the HullabaLOU website, here are a few helpful hints before HullabaLOU even begins:

• Pay attention to the information that the Festival has released about parking and shuttles.  There's no worse start to a fest-ing day than spending oodles of time looking for a parking space or being surprised at how much the parking costs you or how unavailable it is close by.  When we go to Derby/Oaks, we always park in front of a friend's house located around six blocks south of the Downs.  I am NOT AT ALL SAYING you should invade residential neighborhoods and park willy-nilly, but ask around-- do you have any friends who live comfortable walking distance from the Downs?  It might be way less of a headache than having to park in expensive lots that are, still, far away.
  
• If your fest-ing party is large enough, consider that it might actually be cheaper to take a cab rather than pay for three or four shuttles-- and you'll be getting a ride from door-to-door.
  
• From prior fest-ing experience (and based on HullabaLOU's "what's allowed and what's not allowed" lists), here are things you absolutely should not leave home without:
• Sunscreen-- big time, 40+ SPF-- don't be silly, one day of too much sun will eff up the rest of your fest.  Also, sunblock for your lips.
• Some kind of cap or hat.
• A blanket and/or a collapsable camping chair
• 2 SEALED bottles of water
• A pen to mark up your schedule (if you haven't already downloaded HullabaLOU's iPhone/mobile app)-- actually a pen, just because.
• (Note: musical instruments are NOT ALLOWED-- I'm LOVING that!  Hippy Dude, leave your frigging tambourine at HOME!!  Sorry... that's a big music fest pet peeve of mine).
  
• Given that this event takes place mostly in the infield of the racetrack, it would be only natural to think of it as just Derby infield with music.  It's NOT.  Thinking about HullabaLOU with Derby on the brain is a bad idea.  Here's why:
• Have you been outside lately?  No seriously, have you been outside??  Now, think back to Derby Day... okay, maybe not this rainsoaked one, but your average Derby Day.  Usually your biggest concern (if you're me) is whether or not it's going to be too chilly for the cute little sundress you bought.  If you're blessed with a 70-something degree day, you go to the Downs feeling like you'll bet on nothing but winners.  But usually, the crush of the crowd is a little comforting because of all the body heat it generates.  In heat like this you have to be really, really smart about taking good care of yourself.  
• Chiefly: HYDRATE.  Unlike most fests, HullabaLOU is letting you bring TWO sealed bottles of water.  That's pretty awesome of them.  Also, water is being sold for $2, which isn't the major rip-off it usually is at shows.  I bet there will be water fountains where you can refill your bottles, so even the $2 will stretch.  Drink way more water than you think you need.  Buy water-based drinks like lemonade, if you want to switch it up.
• Know that HullabaLOU is providing WaveNation Chillzones (aka big mist tents) in the infield, and don't forget that the clubhouse areas of the Downs are air conditioned.  
• If you or one of your fest-ing buddies starts to feel woozy in the heat, don't eff around-- get that person to the First Aid tent pronto.  Seems like at least one person a year dies from overexposure to the heat (and, sure, other stuff) at Bonnaroo.  
• Along the same lines, when one thinks of Derby infield, one thinks of drunken debauchery. Don't forget, kids, you paid big bucks to come to this MUSIC festival.  Sure, it's tempting to let loose, smuggle in ziplock baggies of vodka and moonshine in your skivvies, and party like a rock star.  But (A) that's ANTI-HYDRATION and (B) don't you want to have clear memories of Huey Lewis busting out "The Power of Love"?  Remember, Mama loves you, and she wants you to have a good time and to be safe.  But even Mama, who loves her adult beverages, learned young that alcohol, sun, crowds, and extreme heat do not mix, and hasn't had a pre-dark drink at a summer music festival in more than a decade.
  
• You should always pick up after yourselves at fests, of course, but HullabaLOU and LG&E are encouraging you to pick up after others, as well.  LG&E is sponsoring the Clean Vibes Trading Post-- bring your recyclable/compostable cups, cans, and bottles to three fest locations, and get Clean Vibes points that you can use to "purchase" green health and beauty products, gear, and clothing.  If you're really serious about this, you might want to tuck a small plastic trashbag into your backpack.  I'd bet that a half an hour of serious "trashcan diving" would net you something pretty decent at the Trading Post.
  
• Whether you're a local or an out-of-towner, you're going to want to stop by the Kentucky Market Place sponsored by the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen.  In fact, you're probably going to want to pack a little extra dough to spend at the marketplace, although there will be ATMs all around.

That's about it for now.  I'll post more helpful tips when and if they come to me.  In the meantime, happy fest-ing, y'all.  And good luck, HullabaLOU!

Jazz Fest Girl Goes HullabaLOU-ing

Hey, before you scroll down to the bottom of this post, hit "comment," and start making like a troll about how unfair it is for me to compare the iconic New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival to the brand new HullabaLOU Festival-- STOP!  Take a breath.  That's not where I'm going with this.  Yeesh.

Sure, both festivals are hosted by Churchill properties, but they're run by different production companies.  And yes, looking out over the festival build from the 6th floor media room at Churchill, it's easy to see that HullabaLOU has taken some of their layout inspiration from Jazz Fest (but not much).

I'm just saying, I'm a Jazz Fest girl.  When you live in New Orleans for any significant amount of time, you quickly find yourself identifying with one of two groups:  either you're a Mardi Gras person or a Jazz Fest person.  (side note:  I'd like to believe that Louisville is slowly drawing a similar divide between Derby people and IdeaFestival people).  And I'm a Jazz Fest girl-- Jazz Fest in New Orleans was my favorite time of the year; I'd gladly trade Christmas, New Years, and my birthday for just one weekend of Jazz Fest.

And if you've been reading this blog for any significant amount of time, you'll also know that I'm an avid Bonnaroo-er, who is very, very sad to have missed this year's Roo.

So I love me some outdoor music festivals.  And regardless that I am still a bit up in the air about some  HullabaLOU details (the line-up, the fixed seating for the main stage...), I'm genuinely psyched for the three-day fest.

Today I got my actual media pass, and I plan on attending all three days of the festival.  I'll do a little reporting from the fest itself (the media center has kick-ass wireless), and I'll do a little reporting after the fact.  But if you're really interested in real-time Lou from HullabaLOU, you're best off following me on Twitter ( @loueyville).

Can't make it to the Fest?  Will following me and reading my reports not be enough for you?  Note that the HullabaLOU website will be simulcasting (is that the right word, or am I still thinking racing?) some of the performances.  The website lists all the acts that will be simulcast, but my suggestions for not-to-miss web shows include:

Saturday, 550p-- Ben Sollee
Sunday, 415p-- The Black Crowes
Sunday, 630p-- Avett Brothers
(most of Friday's simulcast is TBA)

And if I'm not enough blog action for you (don't worry, I won't feel bad), the folks at Louisville.com and Backseatsandbar.com are sure to do a great job covering the event as well.

Remember kids, I am just one Lou.  One Lou who is going to rock out this weekend.

Test

Just testing a mobile blogger app for the iTouch. It looks nice on the screen but no landscape keyboard means my thumb will cramp. Think I will probably use email instead.

Have a nice day!

New series: "Awesome Louisvillagers"

It's no secret that my favorite thing about this fine, fine city is the people.  I recently came home from a two week vacation up north and wanted to hug each and every Louisvillager after spending so much time with stand-offish New Englanders.  

One of my favorite things about Louisvillagers is that they're always doing really nifty, innovative, and/or kind things.  And wouldn't it be great if we could get to know a little more about the people behind these really nifty, innovative, and/or kind things-- these awesome Louisvillagers? 

But it's also no secret that-- in real life-- I'm shy as shit.  Seriously.  Sweaty-palmed, stammering, awkward-smile-that-kinda-looks-like-I-might-bite-or-cry kind of shy.  

Enter the internet. (cue gong)  And the magic of the e-interview.  (cue chorus of angels singing)

So, starting next week, I will be featuring periodic interviews with awesome Louisvillagers-- locals who are doing something cool for the city, for the region, for others, or even just for themselves.  Just five questions (more or less), just enough to let the Louisvillager get to the heart of what he or she does.  

No surprise, my shy ass is starting with people I know or kind of know.  Who do you want to hear from?  What do you want to know about Awesome Louisvillagers?

For the Children: Free at Papalino's on Weds.

A couple months ago, the CJ published an article called "Pizza Wars: Slicing Up the Highlands" (no longer available online, but you can buy it here if you need to have it), covering the heating up of the pizza competition in my immediate neighborhood after the opening of Papalino's pizza.  The article just covered Wicks, Spinelli's, and Papalino's, but when you think about it, the Baxter/Bardstown corridor has more pizza than some similar stretches in NYC.  Just off the top of my head:

• Spinelli's
• Wick's
• Papalino's
• Bearno's
• Boom-bozz
• Pizza Roma
• Impellizeri's
• Pizza Hut

And other restaurants that serve pizza including: Dragon King's Daughter (sorta), Le Gallo Rosso, and Flanagan's.  I'm sure I'm missing a few.

I'm a huge fan of Papalino's.  Between their lovely NYC-style crust, their HUGE slices, and the fresh ingredients, it's become my go-to pizza joint (it's also very close to my house).

Today they announced that on Wednesday's from 5pm-9pm, kids will eat free with an "adult purchase" (it's a little unclear what that entails). Kids will get a slice and a drink and free entertainment by a magician starting today and every Wednesday.

Another blow in the Pizza Wars.  And another great reason to take the wee ones out on the town.

An Open Letter to Groupon from an Addict

Dear Groupon Louisville,

Sweet Mother of Christmas, I can't seem to quit you!  Just when I've told myself "Lou, no more Groupons until you use the ones you've got," you throw LIBA week our way where you feature nothing but independent Louisville businesses.  How could I pass up yesterday's Why Louisville? Groupon?

I know you're newish to the Louisville scene and have existed in other cities for a while, but ever since you came to our fair city, I've been an addict.  I'm not above finding myself awake in the middle of the night and checking my iTouch to see what discounted goodness you've sent to my mailbox in the wee hours.  I've signed up for New Orleans and Cincy, too, because I travel to both places often enough.  Roommate subscribes to Nashville for the same reason.

I currently have more than $300 in Groupon gift certificates waiting to be used.  Of course, I paid less than half that for all those Groupons.  I keep thinking that I should have a Groupon week and do nothing that doesn't use my Groupons.  I could buy books at the Book and Music Exchange and enjoy a good read while at Coco's Chocolate Cafe.  Then I could work off those extra pounds at a Jazzercise class or by buying some hiking gear at the Trail Store.  If I went hiking, I could pack a lunch from Heitzman's deli or Bodega, and celebrate my success at White Oak... you get the picture.

Since you've arrived on the scene, Groupon, we've seen at least two other sites try to replicate your success:  Living Social and Try it Local.  And of course there's the older, sometimes sketchy, Restaurants.com.  So far none of those sites has inspired addiction quite like you have.

As long as I'm going to remain a Groupon addict-- because I can't seem to quit you-- I might as well give you my wish list:

1) More sushi-- I'd love to see Oiishi or Wasabiya on your site.
2) Fewer hair salons-- Just how many heads of hair do you think we have?
3) A week of local gift-y boutiques right before the holidays-- most of my boutique-y Groupons will expire well in advance of gift-giving season.
4) More coffee shops-- Maybe for whole bean coffee?  Don't make us get pastries.
5) Nice seats at Churchill-- could be the only way I ever get to the track for more than General Admission.
6) Baxter Ave Theater-- Maybe a two-for-one deal?
7) Grocery stores-- fun AND practical.
8) Downtown Hotels-- be a tourist in your own city, as long as the Groupon rate is lower than you can normally get on Hotwire or Priceline.
9) More brand new businesses-- what a great way for a new local business to get people in the door!
10) 7 Days a week-- other Groupon cities offer a new Groupon every day!

Thanks for hearing me out Groupon.  A belated welcome to Louisville.  Keep the deals coming!

Best,
Lou

PS: Readers, if you haven't tried Groupon yet, if you click my link, I get some sort of bonus Groupon points.  Just sayin... :)

Oh What a Night Out: Jersey Boys at the Kentucky Center

After totally loving Broadway Across America's production of Legally Blonde: The Musical this summer-- which was absolutely delightful-- I'm just plain ol' looking forward to Jersey Boys, starting July 28 and continuing through August 15.  Before Legally Blonde, I wouldn't have said so.  In fact, I might have even said I'd rather skip Jersey Boys.  But I was proven so wrong about Legally Blonde...

And Jersey Boys is incredibly well-reviewed.  It won the 2006 Tony for Best Musical, and let's face it, even if you're not a huge fan of the Four Seasons' music, the original bands' vocal talents were such that if the musical even adequately replicates them, you're in for a night of musical virtuosity.  And its success has spawned all sorts of band/musician centered musical bios-- imitation, flattery, and so on.

And who doesn't love a night out in downtown Louisville during the summer?  This past weekend, Roommate and I availed ourselves of one of my Groupons for White Oak and had a lovely dinner then headed to Fourth Street Live for the free Peter Searcy/Blues Travelers concert.  It wasn't one of the better nights for White Oak-- service was slow (so much so that we missed Peter Searcy) and they were out of a couple of key items (bacon?).  But the food was excellent, and it was a nice change to have a leisurely meal at a somewhat upscale place, knowing we weren't going to go broke.  (Tip: order the cheese plate-- the Kenny's Farmhouse Horseradish White Cheddar is amazing)

And while I generally avoid Fourth Street Live, I have to admit that the free concerts are a lot of fun.  The sound system sucks unless you're directly in front of the stage-- and if you're on the second floor, often the concert is competing with the bars' cranked-up music (really? Is this necessary?).  But we finagled a clear balcony view of the Blues Travelers and availed ourselves of the pretty generous $3 well-drinks and enjoyed a cheap, fun evening out.

A Broadway show at the Kentucky Center is considerably more expensive.  Tickets start at $40.  But if Jersey Boys is your sort of thing, it'll be money well spent.  Tickets are available at http://www.kentuckycenter.org/.  I'll keep you posted if I spy any discounts or deals.

$6 to Visit Indiana: What's Worth It?

Today the Louisville and Southern Indiana Bridges Authority released a report suggesting a $3 toll-- each way-- on the Ohio River bridges.

I don't really get my politics on in this blog.  So, I don't want to talk about what you think about the proposed tolls (although I hope your answer is [a] bad idea [b] really bad idea or [c] worst idea ever).

What I want to talk about is-- what in Southern Indiana would be worth paying an extra six bucks for?

I've been very forthright since I moved here that I am practically allergic to crossing the bridges into Southern Indiana.  Sure, I have a mild bridge phobia, but it does deeper than that.  It's... it's just a "thing."

And it's NOT an "Indiana" thing-- don't get all "You're a Louisville snob" on me.  When I lived in New Orleans, I knew empirically that the nearest Home Depot/Target/etc was across the bridge on the West Bank, but I persisted in traveling an extra 10 minutes or so to the stores in Metairie (an equally hideous suburb) for the entire nine years I lived there.

Roommate & I cross the river every month or so to visit his family in Columbus, Indiana.  I once crossed the river to go to a rocking holiday party in New Albany.  I'll still make those kinds of trips, of course.

But what else is worth the extra $6 that a bridge crossing may end up costing you?  Comment below,  email me at lou [at] loueyville.com, or tweet me @loueyville, and if I get enough responses, I'll post a list.

I'll start you off:  I think I'd be okay with paying $6 for an occasional seasonal Huber's visit.  Likely in the fall.  For pumpkins and apples.

Hullaba-YOUBETCHA!

Stranger things have happened, sure.  But I have to admit, I'm kind of one big ol' happy dance about the fact that I've been granted Big Girl Media Credentials for the upcoming HullabaLOU Festival.... despite... well, despite having said, ahem, some kind of critical stuff about the plans... and the line-up... and the assigned seating.

I like to think that the fine folks over at HullabaLOU looked past my deep skepticism and saw through to the little girl who loved her Aunt Rose and loved her some Tom Jones.

Anyway, while I've been considered media by Actor's Theater, Broadway Across America, the now defunct Six Flags, and others, this will be my first experience since the days of the Tom Jones interview with being a bonafide journalist (as opposed to a writer with free media tickets or my name on a "list").  And I'm pretty darned excited.

I've already downloaded my free HullabaLOU iPhone (iTouch, really) app.  It's nicely designed.  Like Bonnaroo's app, it lets you customize a schedule.  Unlike Bonnaroo's app, it also has a radio component, which lets you listen to songs from HullabaLOU artists-- just in case you don't know what Dierks Bentley sounds like, for example (which I didn't)-- and then add them to your schedule (which I didn't).

I'm not the least bit embarrassed to admit that this whole shebang would have me excited if it were just a Bon Jovi concert.  When Bon Jovi was really popular, I made relentless fun of them and lumped them in with every other hair band of the 80's.  But I was a moody, mopey teenager.  I liked deep, meaningful music, preferably sung by men with ambiguous sexuality, eyeliner, hairspray, and leather pants.  Oh wait a minute, hold the phone...

Seriously, back in the heyday of Bon Jovi, I was a Cure/Smiths-loving, poetry-writing, mainstream-scoffing teenager.  But now that I'm a thirty-mumblemumble-something, I look back and realize that Bon Jovi was kind of the real deal when it comes to rock bands.  They're no Bruce Springsteen.  But they're, you know, in the same league-ish.  And I... well, I kind of have a little Jon Bon Jovi crush these days.

Anyway, I'll be spending the next few days figuring out the best way to cover HullabaLOU.  I promise, I won't let the affirmation of "media credentials" color my coverage.

Remember kiddos, there is a local blogger who only says nice things about local stuff.
That local blogger ain't me.

All-Star Break Rundown: Bats & Reds

I've been a baseball fan since birth.  True story: when I was three years old, my uncle David recorded me on a reel-to-reel tape singing all kinds of crazy songs.  But the one I kept asking to sing was "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."  So I have in my possession a tape of Baby Lou singing her own version of that song with her tiny baby speech impediment.  The Baby Lou version includes the lyrics:  "Woot woot woot for the hawm team/ if dey don't win it's a shave."  Uncle Dave tried to correct me:  "It's a SHAME."  But I would have none of it.  When Dave asked me why I thought the correct lyrics were "If they don't win it's a SHAVE," I responded:  "Well, if we didn't win, it musta been close.  Like a shave.  The other team musta won by a shave."

Back in my native New England there's a common t-shirt joke:  "I Support Two Baseball Teams:  The Red Sox and Whoever's Playing the Yankees."  But if you live in Louisville Bats country, it only makes sense to support the Cincinnati Reds.  After all, what's the point of supporting a farm team if you don't support the big MLB Ranch in the Sky where our little farm denizens fly when they are called up to pass through our big, er, bricky gates.

The Bats have had better seasons.  As we approach the All-Star break, we're currently 4th in the West (uh, West?) and 11.5 games out of first place.  Tonight we lost a heartbreaker to the Clippers after being up 5-3 in the 7th.

The Reds, on the other hand, are kicking some butt in their division-- leapfrogging back and forth with St. Louis for number one.  Currently they're in first place, one game up, even after a disappointing four game losing streak in Philly.

But All-Star break time means changes, usually.  And the Bats will probably be losing awesomely-named Yonder Alonso to the Reds sometime soon.  On June 30, the Reds called up pitcher Travis Wood from the Bats.  Heard of him?  If you follow baseball, you should have-- on July 10 in his third start with the Reds, he pitched a near perfect game, going eight innings without a hit, surrendering his first hit in the top of the 9th.

Woods and Chris Valaika (Roommate & I call him Chris "Paul Anka" because that's the way the announcer says his name) will be participating in next week's AAA All-Star Games in Allentown, PA (home of the Iron Pigs!).  Two years ago, when Slugger Field hosted the All-Star Games, I attended every event-- alone and recovering from chemo, no less-- and loved every minute.  Wish them both the best of luck.

In other Bats news, Gary Matthews, Jr. has quietly joined the team.  Matthews, who was signed to the Reds at the end of June, has been an MLB-er since June of 1999, playing for nine different teams in his career.  Matthews hit a double tonight and fairly aptly defended center field.  He's a second gen MLB player-- his dad was an outfielder for 16 years and then went on to be an announcer for the Phillies.

Of course, the big story this year was supposed to be Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban pitcher who signed a $30million contract with the Reds and was expected to get a quick call-up from the Reds.  Instead he's 5-6 with the Bats and his call-up is on hold.

My favorite Bat this year is Wladmir Balentien from Curacao, who joined the Bats after two seasons with the Mariners' farm team.  (What, by the way, is with all these great names?)  When Roommate and I go to Bats games, we invariably camp out on the Overlook Deck or, when it's not reserved, the covered picnic area, so I spend half of the game watching Balentien's back (his back, really).  And while some outfielders look like they're mentally compiling their Christmas lists while they're waiting for something to happen, Balentien is always in the game.  He's made some incredible catches this year, and the arm on this guy... awesome.

By virtue of the fact that the Reds are having an amazing season this year, and the fact that Roommate was a Big Red Machine child, I've probably seen more Reds games than Sox games this year.  Sure, I hate to lose our Bats to the big leagues... Yonder, I'll be sorry to see you go... but I just love seeing our former Bats doing great things in the MLB.  Homer Bailey and Chris Heisey... I cheer just a little harder when they're on the mound or up at bad (respectively).

Play ball, y'all-- Bats return on Thursday for a four-game homestand against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.    Let's hope that if we don't win these games, we'll at least lose by a "shave."

Mark it: Lebowski Fest next weekend!

I know that this may make me terminally uncool, but I was way more into the idea of Lebowski Fest before  it took to the road.  I know we've recently had a similar discussion about the spread of 21c Hotels-- although I find that far easier to take now that the 21c folks are saying that Louisville will still be the HQ-- and I know that I run the risk of being the opposite of a NIMBY person, an OIMBY person (Only In My Back Yard).  But I just kind of feel like when you franchise quirk (and I know, the original Lebowski Fest folks run all the Fests), you kind of dilute the quirkiness.

That being said, Lebowski Fest was one of the things that made me excited to move to Louisville.  I'd been following the Fest for a couple of years but hadn't been able to attend because of summer work schedules.  And when I signed my contract for my Meatspace Workplace here in Louisville, I had a lightbulb moment-- "OMG!  I'm moving to the home of Lebowski Fest-- you've got to be kidding me!!"

I have my doubts that I'll make it this year-- there's a whole slew of stuff going on in town at the same time-- but it starts this Friday, the 16th.  The Movie Night offerings are particularly good with music performances by the Felice Brothers and Thomas A Minor and the Picket line (who totally rocked last year's Nulu Festival before the monsoon).

Rock the Block: Blues Travelers on July 17

Speaking of upcoming music-- color me surprised!  (Oh, that could be twisted into an awful pun.  I shall resist.)  Turns out 4th Street Live is hosting a couple of pretty good non-country free concerts this summer. I've already missed a band called 100% Poly (I'm actually just assuming they're not country) and the Gin Blossoms.  But next weekend-- July 17th-- the glorified airport terminal will host the Blues Travelers for their Rock the Block free concert.  And I will say, without hesitation, I'm pretty psyched.

I genuinely kinda love Blues Travelers.  And not just in that nostalgic "their debut album was the soundtrack for a really great summer in my teens" kind of way (though it was).  John Popper is a harmonica god.  As Bono once said, "You wouldn't think something this small [the harmonica] would be this hard to learn."  And while I haven't heard much from their latest album, it features a guest appearance by Bruce Willis (also a harmonica badass), and my general rule of thumb is that if it includes Bruce Willis, it must be made of awesome.  (Oh come now.  Think hard.  I'm not entirely wrong here.)

Anyway the show is free and 21 and over after 9pm.  Parking is free in the garage.  The next Rock the Block show is Sister Hazel on August 14.  If I'm remembering correctly, they're from somewhere in the neighborhood of Gainesville, FL.  At least I knew some folks who worked at the University of Florida who were dedicated Sister Hazelheads back in the 90's.  Saw them live once in New Orleans, and I could definitely understand the concert-- if not quite the album-- appeal.

Bloggers and Books: Do-Gooding over at Page One Kentucky

I am of an awkward tech generation.  I am young enough that I am not only not afraid of technology, but I truly embrace it and believe that it has enhanced my quality of life.  But I am not so young that I don't remember life without it.  I'm not so young that my smart phone (my phone is dumb, btw) is surgically attached to my ear/thumbs.  I'm not so young that I don't remember how to use the Yellow Pages or an atlas.

That being said, I am young enough-- and enough of a tech cheerleader-- to frequently have to play the role of "Tech Defender" when in conversations with my elders.  It happens way more often than you think.  And as someone who spends a decent amount of time with-- older-- writers, the conversation often goes something like this:

Older writer:  The interwebs is killing our artform!  Now anyone can be published!  Anyone! Why have I worked all these years to hone my craft when a thirteen-year-old from Pine Bluffs can now publish her zombie-smurf mash-up porn on the interwebs after one night of Red Bull-fueled brain-dumping?

Me: Calm down.  It's okay.  People will still seek out and read good books by talented writers.  Always.

Older writer:  Are you crazy?? Haven't you heard?? Everyone is saying that there will be NO MORE BOOKS soon!  NO MORE NEWSPAPERS!  The INTERNET IS KILLING BOOKS!!

I will not further the debate here.  But if you didn't already know that that debate is out there, well there you go.  It is.  There are a whole bunch of people in the world who really truly believe that we will wake up some day in the near future and there will be no. more. books.

So it's kind of funny that the most book-supporting, literacy-loving people I know are the two most popular local bloggers.  Interwebs people!  The very people who are purportedly killing our books!

Michelle at Consuming Louisville had a smashingly successful book drive for the Louisville Free Public Library last year, collecting just around 200 books for their flood-damaged inventory.

Now it looks like Jake at Page One Kentucky/Ville Voice has a little something up his sleeve book-wise.    Sez Jake:  I’ve been working with funders and educators to develop a program that puts 10-12 books in the hands of a few hundred kids in rural areas of Kentucky. Normally don’t speak of things before the dotted line is signed, but I’ll buy the books myself if I have to. ... I want your input on stories about Kentucky or books (fiction or non-fiction) by Kentucky authors to be considered for purchase.... What are your suggestions? Any great, interesting, exciting or essential reads for Kentucky youth? Probably high school sophomore-aged, so not stuff for kids.


Send your comments and suggestions to Jake @ pageonekentucky.com or comment directly on the blog post.  If you want to help financially, drop Jake a note.  Hopefully (??) Jake will set up some way for us to donate to this awesome cause directly online.  I'm not as up on Kentucky authors as I should be.  I bet you high school sophomore kids would be into local author Brett Witter's DEWEY, though.  And it's about libraries... so there you go.

Christmas in July: Sleigh Bells @ Zanzabar

I just bummed myself out a little bit.  For the most part, I've been a-okay with the fact that my pockets just weren't deep enough this year to help myself to a little Forecastle Festival this weekend.  Based on Twitter traffic, it seems like people are having a pretty great time.  But I'm working on catching up with all the blog posts collected by my Google Reader while I was on vacation, and I just sifted through all of Backseat Sandbar's Forecastle coverage... and now I'm kind of sad I didn't go.  Good job, BS guys.  And I hope all of you who are festing on this last day are remembering to hydrate.  It's gonna be another scorcher.

I'll treat my Forecastle envy later this week with another Wednesday night show at Zanzabar: Sleigh Bells.  Sleigh Bells are an electronic duo from Brooklyn who seem to have a really BIG sound for such a small venue.  I'll be honest-- I don't really know Sleigh Bells from a hole in the wall, but a friend whose taste I trust recently Facebooked that their new album, "Treats" was his favorite album of the year.  I had a really great time at Zanzabar's Charlie Mars show last month, and Roommate went to a nice show there last week (the singer's name escapes me now).  So, we'll give it a go.

It's Wednesday, July 14th.  8pm doors, 9pm show with Po Po and Nerve City opening.  The show is $10.  See you there?

Happy to be Home

If you're ever feeling a little less than "yourself" one of these days, I highly recommend a cure of equal parts mountains, frog ponds, old friends, new friends, family, sea breezes, other people's children, blood orange margaritas, and copious consumption of lobster.  Truly, Mama has just come back from spending 10 days living the good life in the region from whence she came.  New England is the site for many of my happiest places on earth, most of which I got to visit while I was there:  Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard, Stonington Borough in Connecticut, Grandma Lou's house outside of Boston, and new favorite Stowe in Vermont.  (Other happiest New England place, Fenway Park, was a no go this year)

I can't remember the last time I was tanned and rested.  I've been tanned in the past few years.  I've been rested.  But never the two at the same time.  It's a rather lovely feeling, kiddos.  I highly recommend it.

But let me tell you something, Louisvillagers...  I had a fantastic time, and I love my New England peeps with all my heart.  And yes, I spent the first 18 years of my life in that neck of the woods.  New England has a lot to offer, and I miss a great deal about the place.  But, simply put:  you people are way nicer.

Really, every time I leave Louisville for points north and/or east, I am reminded of just how lovely and pleasant Louisvillagers are.  I felt the same way about New Orleanians, to be honest.  I don't go west enough to have anything to say about the left coasters, but people up north and down east are, as a whole, pretty damned crabby on a good day and good old fashioned rude on a bad one.  To strangers.  And of course, I am totally generalizing.  (And after this trip in particular, I am quite convinced that the Hellmouth of Rudeness is located directly underneath the airport in Baltimore-- sheesh!)  This is pure conjecture, but maybe people in the northeast are in a bad mood all of the time because the cost of living is so high up in those parts.  But you'd think that the easy access to reasonably-priced lobster would mitigate that...

Anyway, point is, my dears:  thanks for always making it a pleasure to come home.  Sure I could have used a few more days of swimming holes and mountain hikes (and everyone could use a few more blood orange margaritas in their lives), but the moment I hit baggage claim at SDF and was helped out by a smiling stranger, I was already glad to be back in the Ville.

Y'all rock, Louisvillagers.

Back to "work" tomorrow!

Visit me at Wine-girl.net!!

Check out my guest post at Wine-Girl.net.  On reasons why Cincinnatians should be heading downriver to Louisville this summer.

Guesting Posting this Week! I am Somebody!

So, right now it's 2am, and I'm sitting at my desk sipping one of those super-sweet, nigh-undrinkable wines from a box.  In a convent.  That last fact has nothing to do with anything, but I thought it was worth mentioning.  I'm in a convent, folks.  Sure, on a day-to-day basis, my love life could be best described as "nun-like."  But right now I am actually living in a convent.  And that tells me that if there is a God, then she has quite the sense of humor.

The important part of the first post, though, is that I am drinking crap wine.  (It's my first glass, so no, I am not drunk blogging.)  Because I'm super excited to say that I will be guest posting later this week on Wine-Girl.net.  It's a great Cincy-area blog that's about more than just wine and has a pretty enthusiastic following.  I'll tweet and blog when the post goes up.  In the meantime, check out Cincy Michelle's work!

And a belated Happy Cheer Up Keanu Day to you all.  Be excellent to each other.  Party on.

21c Expansion: Hoping for the Best

If you live in Louisville and are on Twitter, you've no doubt already heard about 21c's announcement that they intend to expand into fifteen cities, starting with Bentonville, Arkansas-- home of the anti-21c, Wal-Mart.  


Most of the people I follow on Twitter have responded with shock at the first location and with cautious congratulations to one of the coolest (and that word is truly applicable) businesses in the city.  The 21c tweet machine has countered with good humor and optimism.  


I personally haven't seen much anger out there about the expansion, but others have mentioned it. And the 21c facebook page already features people questioning the Wal-Mart connection (there is none, instead it is with the Crystal Bridges Museum-- which I will have to look into).  


I've said any number of times that 21c is one of the things that makes me proudest to be a Louisvillager.  (If you read that post, the answer is no-- I never did treat myself to a night at 21c post-chemo-- what's wrong with me?).  I am cautiously optimistic. 


Best case scenario:  21c stays headquartered here and has to hire a whole bunch of creative locals to work in the HQ.  As they expand, they proudly wave the Louisville flag (I jokingly tweeted that all future 21c Hotels should be called "The Louisville 21c Hotel in Bentonville" or what have you).  All major exhibits/events must debut first in 21c's Mother City before moving on to shows at other 21c's.  Chef Paley stays at Proof.  All new hotel initiatives use the Louisville 21c as their incubator... You catch my drift, right?


Worst case scenario:  As 21c expands, the quality of exhibits/events becomes diluted by 1/15th.  The groundbreaking, superstar artists choose to debut their shows at 21c Chicago or Atlanta.  It suddenly makes sense to move the 21c HQ to a larger city. Our 21c becomes "the old model."  Much sadness ensues.


I'm going to cling to the Best Case Scenario as the Only Case Scenario.  I believe that the 21c is committed to our fair city.  I wish them the best, and look forward to our 21c becoming the "mothership."  


Update: WFPL's Elizabeth Kramer allays some of my bigger fears-- good news!  

Glass Arts Society Conference 2010: Louisville Glasses up for GAS

You can put art right up there on the list of things I know nothing about (also on the list: technology, theater, and 'birthin' no babies.').  I'm grateful to have attended a university that required all students to take an art appreciation course in order to graduate, but my formal art education ends there.  So my appreciation for art begins and ends at "I like what I like."

It used to be that I didn't particularly like glass arts, but the fact that Louisville is a glass-arts-rich community, with Glassworks and Flame Run leading the charge, has done much to change that.  Last Friday's Downtown Trolley Hop, in particular, introduced some truly exquisite glass arts exhibits in advance of this weekend's 40th annual Glass Arts Society Conference. 

Most of the Market Street exhibits will be up through the summer, so I urge you to get out there and check them out.  Of particular note, in my opinion, is the joint exhibit at Zephyr and Swanson Reed called "Glass Uprising."  

As I said, I like what I like when it comes to art, and usually what I like lends itself to the spooky/moody side.  Give me an exhibit that looks like stuff that came out of the twisted little mind of Spike from "Toy Story 2," and I'm usually on board.  At Zephyr, the work of Stephen Paul Day and Sibylle Paretti gave me the good creeps.  Tim Tate's multimedia/tech/glass work at Swanson Reed was both eerie and darkly humorous (The sculpture "My Love Live Thus Far" featured a tiny video screen endlessly looping the implosion of an enormous brick building.).  Check out the "Glass Uprising" link above to view some of their work.

The fact that Louisville is a glass-arts-rich community makes it a no-brainer to host the 40th annual Glass Arts Society Conference.  The list of exhibits associated with the 3-day event is impressive and exciting.  Seems like just about every gallery and museum in town has gotten on board with this event.  

Other events associated with the conference include a Glass Armonica Ballet Performance by the Louisville Ballet Civic Company.  (Fun Fact: the Glass Armonica-- one of the creepiest-sounding instruments ever created-- was invented by Benjamin Franklin.  It was originally thought that the sound of the glass armonica drove its players to insanity, but it turns out it was the combination of friction and water that helped the lead from the glass leach into the players' systems, giving them lead poisoning.)  Check out the event list for information.

Also up for the GAS Conference and continuing sporadically through July is ShoeString Productions' staging of Tennessee Williams's "The Glass Menagerie" at the Water Tower.  Check out the website for dates and ticketing information.  I'm personally very excited to see this particular play in this particular unconventional location.

This post really doesn't do the magnitude of the exciting glassy stuff going on in town justice, but the GAS website does an excellent job noting all the events and exhibits, so I'll direct you there. 

4th Street Art Festival This Weekend

For the most part, a night at 4th Street Live is like spending a night bar-hopping in an airport concourse with the "Girls Gone Wild" crew.  But this weekend, 4th Street is hosting an event that I'm sorry I will have to miss.  The Downtown Louisville Art Festival will feature over 150 artists on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm.  I'm always up for a good, juried art festival.  This one features artists from around the country, but I sure hope we have a good local showing.  The website promises that this will be an annual event.

And the early end time for the event assures the artists that no (or few) of the usual patrons will tip their Irish Car Bombs or Long Island Iced Teas into their hand-crafted pottery fountains or besmirch their watercolors with Midori Sours.  At least we hope.

Flyover Film Festival: Mapother to Moderate

As you loyal readers know, Mama has a minor celeb-u-crush on local boy William Mapother (aka. LOST's Ethan Rohm).  Too bad I won't be in town next weekend when he comes back home to attend the 2nd Annual Flyover Film Festival sponsored by the Louisville Film Society. I've been seeing a lot of posters for this event around town, but alas I'm not on their mailing list.  (Hook a sister up, LFS-- I'd love to get press releases!)


According to Mapother's blog:

This year the festival a terrific line-up of films and panels (I'm moderating one on film finance Saturday at 12pm).  We're offering a Youth Media Summit, so local colleges can show off their film and media depts to local high students, and we're giving a Lifetime Achievement Award to acclaimed Kentucky-born director Allison Anders. 

Finally, we're hosting a special screening of Sundance winner Winter's Bone, starring Louisville's own fast-rising star Jennifer Lawrence.  Also, she and I will be holding a Youth Acting panel at 10:30 Sunday morning.  It's open to the public.

What are the odds people don't pelt Mapother with LOST finale questions?  I might! 

I'm Just Sayin': Really Esquire?

Really, Esquire Magazine?  The ONLY bar in the entire STATE of Kentucky that deserves mention on your Best Bars list is the Seelbach?  I find that terribly, incredibly, wildly hard to believe.  Jiminy Christmas! Please, dears, send a steel-livered reporter down this-aways, and I will show him or her (although you're Esquire, so it's probably a "him") a few more to add to the list.

Sheesh.

Bend and Snap! "Legally Blonde" at the Kentucky Center

People give me a hard time when I say that, in general, I don't like musicals. They'll start by listing off musicals that I "must" like, and if they start with the oldie-but-goodies, I look like a jerk.

"My Fair Lady?" Yeah, that's a good one. "Wouldn't it be Loverly?" is a great song. And the Audrey Hepburn movie was great, even though she didn't really sing.

"The King and I?" I saw it with Yul Brenner in Boston when I was a kid. Every time I see it, I cry. So yeah, I like that one too.

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum?" Hi-larious. I played one of the courtesans when I was in high school. One of the most fun plays I've ever been in.

BUT, if they start by listing RECENT musicals, my musical grouch rears her head. "Rent"? "Les Mis"? "Phantom"? Not a fan.

And lately the kicker is: "Have you seen 'Wicked'? You can't possibly say you disliked 'Wicked.'"

I. Disliked. "Wicked."

There's just something about so many modern musicals that leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. The only entertainment I can remember walking out of half way through was a stage revival of "Saturday Night Fever." When it comes to musicals, I look for goofy joy, and so many modern musicals favor mawkish sentimentality or overblown maudlinness to joy.

Which is why I am actually looking forward to seeing "Legally Blonde" next week at the Kentucky Center. This PNC Broadway Across America production cannot possibly fail to bring the joy, right?! I mean it's about a ditzy (but actually smart) pretty blonde in pink and her little dog too!

"Legally Blonde" is one of those movies that's impossible to dislike. It's not a classic, by any means, but it's one of those movies that will instantly put an end to my channel surfing on a Saturday afternoon. My fingers are crossed; it's hard to imagine anyone other than Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods.

The Broadway Across America series has a lot of interesting stuff in the pipeline. Some of it isn't really up my alley ("Jersey Boys" and "Mama Mia"), but some totally is ("Stomp"-- which I saw when it first opened in a small off-Broadway theater-- and the dance production "Burn the Floor"). And yes, to save myself from further hypocrisy, I should probably SEE "Les Mis" before I keep saying I don't like it (I had a college roommate who had the soundtrack on perma-play in on our dorm room).

"Legally Blonde" runs from June 8-13 at the Whitney Hall in the Kentucky Center. Go and be joyful! Bend and snap, kids. Bend and snap!

This week in Loueyville

A very world-weary Lou pokes her head out from under the rock where she's been hiding and asks no one in particular: Is it safe to come out yet?

Sorry for the radio (blogio) silence lately, kids. But after a couple of hell-weeks at the Meatspace Workplace, I am finally-- methinks-- a lady of leisure for a couple months. Or mostly leisure: I have a "to do" list that looks like the phone book. It still may take me a while to get back on my game, but it feels like a million bucks to have just completed my 10th year of my chosen profession.

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

Well, up this week is the Charlie Mars show at Zanzibar on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to playing on a "school night."

If you missed the G. Love show at Headliners on Saturday, that's a very sad thing. I first saw G. Love in the mid-90's in NYC, and, as they say, the man must have a portrait in his attic somewhere. He's just as fun and funky (and young-looking) as he was back then. And it was my first trip to Headliners, which turned out to be much more intimate than I imagined. Good stuff all around.

Also coming up this week is Let them Tweet Cake at Sweet Surrender. You can hit up Tweet Cake and then follow me to Charlie Mars, if you're so inclined.

Back to the to do list. Happy Summer! Catch you later, Bill & Ted.

NTDWL: Happy Towel Day!

Don't forget that this is Bring Your Towel To Work Day, geeks and ladygeeks, otherwise known as Towel Day!

Celebrate your love for the late, great, and hilarious sci-fi/fantasy author Douglas Adams by carrying a towel with you everywhere. I imagine it's a great way to pick up like-minded nerds in coffee shops and bars tonight.  "Hey, I couldn't help but notice your smoking hot beach towel.  I can't place the pattern.  Is that an Escher print or a representation of multiple Mandelbrot sets?" 

More information on at: http://www.towelday.org/

And although I am not as rabid a Douglas Adams fan as many of my geek brothers and sisters, I am fairly certain that without Douglas Adams there would be no Lou-the-writer. Thanks for all the fish, dude.

Let Them Tweet Cake

The lovely and talented Michelle, from Consuming Louisville, is once again hosting a "Let Them Tweet Cake" meet-up on June 2, at 6:30p, at Sweet Surrender.  This particular event is near and dear to my heart because it was at a Tweet Cake that I first met Michelle, was first really introduced to Twitter, and first heard the words "Fail Whale" (I was like, "Wha? A who whale?"). 

I can truly say that my social landscape was completely altered by that one Tweet Cake.  How will my life be changed by the next Tweet Cake?  Maybe I'll become a do-gooder like Michelle.  

According to Michelle's invite:  

As I mentioned the last time I updated you I'd like our gatherings to have slightly more structure. So consider this an open call for a speaker or presenter for our June meeting. Want to show off your iPad? Want to tell us all about a cool tool or technology that you think we'd find useful? Email me to volunteer to speak. We've made great progress on a potential service project for the women of Let Them Tweet Cake to get involved with. I can't wait to tell you about it. 

So if you're a ladygeek, you really ought to be there.  Here's the invite.  

Vote Early and Vote Often!

Just kidding about that second part.  But this is just a gentle reminder to get your Louisvillager buns down to the polling place to cast you ballot.  If you don't, the terrorists win!  xo Mama

Deja Dig: The Strange Feeling I've Liked Charlie Mars Before

There ought to be a "deja vu"-style term for something that you know you like even though you're pretty sure you haven't come across it before.

I got an email announcement from Charlie Mars's PR people saying that he was coming to the Zanzibar on June 2, and my gut response was: "Awesome! Charlie Mars! I love that guy! I love that his 'people' are emailing me!"

But after sitting on the email for a week and doing a pretty extensive Google sweep for Mars, I am relatively certain that I've actually never come across Charlie Mars before. Sure, he's dating Mary Louise Parker (good on ya, Charlie!) but despite the fact that I'm an admitted EW.com addict, I don't really follow gossip. Yes, he sang the National Anthem at one of my beloved Saints' games back in November-- maybe I saw that, but I think that was before I started watching every single game last season. He's from my neck of the woods-- Mississippi-- hence the Saints appearance. His bio gives me nothing to lead me to believe that I've seen him live before-- we like the same music, and that's a good indication that I'd like his music, but his bio doesn't mention opening up for any tours I've seen. And I think I'd remember-- he's stunningly handsome as evidenced by this mucho sexy music video starring Mars and Parker (no mistake, I'm sure, having "Nancy Botwin" star in a video whose refrain is "If you want to come over, come over and get high/ We'll listen to the Dark Side of the Moon.").

And yet, "deja vu"-- or maybe "deja dig." I was absolutely certain that I would like Charlie Mars. And I was right. His newest album, Like a bird, Like a plane, which I listened to in its entirety as I Google stalked him, is full of knee-wobblingly sensual tracks along the vein of David Gray. I'm betting that some people are throwing around comparisons to the likes of John Mayer and Jack Johnson, but the Oxford, Mississippi in this guy insures that there's more soul in one of Mars's tracks than whole albums by Mayer or Johnson.

Anyway, I'll keep trying to connect A & B-- figure out some reason, besides "deja dig," that I knew I'd like Charlie Mars. In the meantime, I'm excited to kill two birds with one stone on June 2: (a) check out Charlie Mars and (b) finally hit Zanzibar, which is quickly becoming one of the hottest spots to catch live music in the city. I think it's a lovely bit of cosmic convergence that this show happens on the first Wednesday of my summer vacation. Nicely done, universe.

Hope to see you there.

Charlie Mars fun fact: According to his bio, after a couple of albums Mars burned out and hit rehab. After which, a one-night casino win netted him enough money to buy studio time to record his major label debut.

Speaking of Local Artists: Hound Dog Press Moved

Someday when I am rich and famous, I will have Hound Dog Press create business cards for Loueyville.  This is not a passing whim.  I first mentioned this deep desire back in December 08.  And that was before I had the amazing John Wurth at Hatch create my lovely Loueyville acorn logo-- a logo that totally screams "Letterpress me!!."  (Okay, that sounds a little nightmareish, actually.)

Anyway, turns out Hound Dog Press recently moved from its Mellwood Center location.  Where did they go?  Where do you think they went?  Where all the cool kids are these days-- Market Street!    

I'm so excited to see so much happening in Nulu.  I love this city.  That is all.  

Whiskey Row Fundraiser Update

Sorry, I can't edit ye olde blogge from the Meatspace Workplace.

Yesterday I blogged about local photographer, Billy Grubbs, and his beautiful photo fundraiser for the preservation of Whiskey Row.  I was unclear, however, about what percent of the sales would go toward the actual cause.  So I wrote Mr. Grubbs, and the lovely man wrote me back:  

Thanks so much for blogging about my photo!  I am giving 100% percent of the profits to the cause, however, there are costs involved so it won't be every dollar they spend.  Depending on the size of print they order, about 55-75% of what they spend will go to fund the buildings.

Right on, Mr. Grubbs!  We like this very much.  

Okay, Loueyvillagers, add to your art collection secure in knowing that you're supporting a good cause thanks to an awesome local artist!

Whiskey Row Row: Fundraiser

I'm no art critic, but I honestly don't know how photographers make a living in this town.  There are SO many really lovely photographers who do such a good job making use of the web for self-promotion.  If I were to get married (don't be mean, peanut gallery-- no need to roll your eyes and say, "Yeah, right), I wouldn't even know where to begin-- there are SO many choices.

And speaking of art critics, I also leave stuff like historical preservation to the experts (although, fun fact about Mama: I once very seriously considered pursuing a Master's degree in Historic Preservation at Tulane).  Broken Sidewalk has that covered locally. 

That being said, I've been very concerned with this whole Iron Quarter/Whiskey Row flapdoodle.  Our Market/Main downtown area is just frigging blossoming these days.  It's terribly exciting.  Hey, I have a great idea-- let's tear down some historic structures!  

As I said, I'll leave the preservation talk to the experts.  Start here with Broken Sidewalk's coverage of Cobalt's move toward demolition.  

Sorry, right, what does that have to do with photography?  (Expect me to be all kinds of scattered until the end of May.)

Local photographer, Billy Grubbs, is offering prints of a gorgeous photo of Whiskey Row to help support the effort to turn these buildings into landmarks.  Prices start at $65.  Grubbs's work is really lovely-- kind of a retro, sepia sort of vibe.  But the picture of Whiskey Row is absolutely among my favorites on his website.

Buy some beautiful art and help save some beautiful buildings, Loueyvillagers!

(I was a little reticent to post this because his website didn't say actually what portion of the sales would go toward the preservation fund, but I did find an earlier fundraiser where Grubbs offered 100% of his photo shoot fee went toward Haitian charities.  So I feel pretty okay with sharing this.  I've emailed him to find out the exact % of the photo sales, and I'll update you when/if I hear back.)  

Lookee Here: Mama in a National Publication (sorta)

The author of this article told me she'd send me a copy of the magazine once it was published, but I never heard back from her.  Not a big deal.  Don't think I need it for my scrapbook.*  But check it out anyway:  Sarah Braley put together a pretty nice "On Site" article about the city for Meetings and Conventions Magazine (what? You thought it was gonna be Time or something?). 

I make a brief appearance as "The My Loueyville Blogger" recommending a night at Actor's Theater.

Rock on.

*that being said if you DO have a back issue of March's M&C Magazine, I wouldn't mind having a copy.  

Speaking of Docs with Local connections: Carbon Nation

Well, hello.  I just plum forgot about this email sitting in my inbox telling me that "Carbon Nation," associate produced by our "own" Gill Holland of Green Building (and much more) fame, is premiering locally tonight with two showings at the Louisville Science Center.  The event is a donate-what-you-will-for-tickets fundraiser to help raise money to market and promote the documentary. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

There are two showings tonight:  One at 7pm with a reception from 6p-7p and one at 9pm with a reception from 8p-9p.  The documentary will then move to the Village 8 from May 7-13.  More information on the documentary can be found here. I'll post a "real" post about it after I've seen it.

Louisville Orchestra Doc at Baxter

I love documentaries.  A good documentary can be more compellingly watchable than some of the best feature films. I just recently re-Tivo-ed "Murderball," and I can't wait to watch it again.  And of course, as part of the NOLA diaspora, I can't recommend "Trouble the Water" or Spike Lee's "When the Levees Broke" highly enough.  (Actually, here's a little personal PSA:  If you live in America-- and I venture you do-- I think it's your personal responsibility to watch one or both of those films.)  (And another FYI aside: Lee is working on a sequel to "When the Levees" as we speak.) 

So I'm committing to go see "Music Makes A City: A Louisville Orchestra Story" when it hits the Baxter, either at the premiere on May 20 or during its week-long run May 21-27.  According to the CJ:  "The feature-length film tells the story of the Louisville Orchestra's project to commission new works from contemporary composers around the world. In 1953, the orchestra received a $400,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to commission 52 compositions a year for three years. The architect of the venture was Louisville Mayor Charles Farnsley."  

The film is co-directed and co-produced by Owsley Brown III, of the Brown-Forman Browns.  He lives in San Francisco but still owns local businesses.  (I'd never heard the name "Owsley" before to Louisville, but this city is just lousy with Owsleys.  And I'm sure I'm not alone in ALWAYS wanting to spell the name: O-W-L-S-E-Y-- Am I right?)

Young American Shakespeare Festival

You know how I love Walden Theater. Somehow their Young American Shakespeare Festival, which starts this weekend, just crept up on me.

Both My So-Called So-Called Life and When In Disgrace... , the two Walden plays I've seen and loved, were directed by Alec Volz, who is directing Henry V for the festival. I suppose I should check out the other directors' work, but I'm really curious to see Volz's take on this epic.

All of the plays are at the Victor Jory theater at Actors. Here's the schedule for the festival:

Henry V
directed by Alec Volz
May 6,8,10,13 @ 7:30 pm
May 15 @ 2:00 pm

Love's Labour's Lost
directed by Charlie Sexton
May 11,16 @ 7:30 pm
May 14 @ 8:00 pm
May 8,9 @ 2:00 pm

Timon of Athens
directed by J. Barrett Cooper
May 7,9,12,15 @ 7:30 pm
May 16 @ 2:00 pm

NDTWL: In Search Of Computer Advice

Gentle geeks,

I mean Gentle readers,

I was wondering if you could help Mama out with a conundrum.

Do you have a minute? You do? Thanks, you're the best.

Here's the skinny: I just realized today that I am not taking advantage of a fairly significant benefit offered by my Meatspace Workplace. Namely, once every three years the Workplace will loan its employees a rather significant sum of money at 0% interest rate for the express purpose of purchasing a new computer.

Don't get me wrong-- I love Clarabelle, my four year old Gateway laptop. But she has seen four years of very heavy use from a user who, let's face it folks, isn't particularly well-versed in computer maintenance and upkeep. She has her issues.

But I'll be honest; I kind of just want a new computer. And knowing that my Workplace will make it easy for me (the loan will be deducted from 24 paychecks), this "want" has become a "desperate yearning."

So help a sister out, geeks. I mean, "readers." I want a shiny new pretty, but I don't really know where to begin.

The ease of this loan program makes me think that I might want to rejoin the Apple cult. My first two computers back in the 90's were Macs, but I've had a fairly large number of PC's (desktop and laptop) since then.

But this begs the question: Do I want to be a Mac owner only because I want to be one of the "cool kids" or is it really the best choice for me?

Here's what you need to know about my computing life: I spend w-a-a-a-y-y-y-y too much time on the internet. But so it goes. I am not a gamer. I do nothing with design or graphic work (though I would like to at some point). I do watch a lot of my tv and movies on the interwebs through Netflix and Hulu and the like. I have a lot of pictures and music stored on my computer, but it doesn't have to be that way-- pure laziness dictates that. As it is my intention to get back to "real writing" sometime in the very near future, the second most important function of my future laptop (next to being an interwebs machine) will be word processing. I am organizationally challenged, so something with an intuitive filing system is super important.

Other things to consider: If it will be a gigantic pain in the tuchas to make the move from PC to Mac-- and I mean shuffling more than fifteen years of writing from one platform to another-- it ain't worth it to me. Also, the #1 benefit I see to getting a new computer (besides: "pretty, pretty, new!!") is finding one that is lighter than Clarabelle. She's kind of a bear.

I'm not saying money is NO object, but the 24 payments taken straight out of my paycheck lighten the burden significantly, so I'm able to shop beyond my usual means. That's why I could afford to make the move to the more expensive Mac-- as opposed to Clarabelle who was cheapo-- at this time.

Your thoughts? Advice? Please? Do I want to make the move to a Mac laptop? Which one? What's the Mac alternative that would best suit my needs?

Duke it out in the comments or email me at lou [at] loueyville.com. I'll be super grateful and may even name my next computer after you...

I thank you for your support. May the Fourth be with you.

G. Love!

I don't normally promote music events here all that much, mostly because Backseat Sandbar does that job way better than I ever can. But one of my favorite live bands is coming to Louisville at the end of the month, and this is one show I want to make sure I don't miss.

I'm talking about G. Love & Special Sauce coming to Headliners on May 29. Here's a link to the Backseat Sandbar announcement.

If I end up seeing G. Love that weekend, he earns the special honor of being the only band that I've seen in every city that I've lived in during my adult life. (NYC, Tampa, Baton Rouge, NOLA, and here... fyi)

Shameful admission: Mama has STILL never been to Headliners. Isn't that dreadful. Let's rectify that, Mr. Love, eh?