If you like Bluegrass Music, and I can't imagine that you don't, then Forest Fest at Jefferson Memorial Forest should be on your radar. For $1 per vehicle, not even per person, you get a day of great activities and music, including Dr. Ralph Stanley. That's a deal people, a serious deal.

Come out for a great day filled with Bluegrass Music, wood crafters and fun activities for the entire family. This free family oriented festival is set to become the premier bluegrass festival for Jefferson County.

The fourth Forest Fest will be bigger and better than ever with the addition of Bluegrass music legend, Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. This year's line up also includes Stone Hollow, Dozens of Dollars, Bluegrass 101, and Kentucky Sassafras.

2008 continues the tried and true formula of honoring Fairdale's rich bluegrass tradition, highlighting new up and coming bands and introducing them to new audiences and bringing in some of the best Bluegrass musicians from around the region.

Fee: $1 per vehicle

Saturday May 17, 2008
11AM-7PM

Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road
Fairdale, KY 40118
502/368-5404
email: forest@louisvilleky.gov

Fair and festival season is gearing up. We recently had the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair and here comes the Butchertown Art Fair on Sunday May 18, 2008.

The Butchertown Art Fair last year had over 40 booths featuring paintings, sculptures, antiques, crafts and jewelry created by Louisville-area artisans. This event is non-juried and will be held rain or shine. Artwork and antiques will also be on display in the courtyard of historic Bakery Square. Food will be provided by St. Joe's Church and kid's activities will also be available.

The Thomas Edison House Garden & Home Tour will be held concurrent with the Butchertown Art Fair on May 18, 2008 from 11 AM - 5 PM. This annual event offers insight on unique methods of gardening in the urban landscape and benefits the Thomas Edison House, a historic house museum in the historic Butchertown neighborhood. For more information on the Garden Tour, please call (502) 585-5247.

A few facts about me: I am old, I am square, I am a yuppie. These facts add up to me having absolutely no business telling you about the Goth Prom at Derby City Espresso. I'm here telling you about it just the same. Consuming Louisville loves all the people!

Well I'm not so much giving you deep insight into the event as I'm passing on the basic facts on it that I have.

Goth Prom 2008
Saturday May 17, 2008
DJs, free portraits for couples
The goth couple from the Amazing Race will be appearing
All ages event, booze for 21+
7PM

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market Street
Louisville, KY

I haven't written much about Derby events because you'd have to be living in a cave to not be aware of the eleventytwo million Derby related events going on in town this week. That said here's a new one on me: The Third Annual Unstable Clown Party. And as it happens it's in my neighborhood, I might just have to walk by.

Ready to Clown Around?

Join the fun-loving "Girls on Speed" for the Third Annual Unstable Clown Party.

This family-friendly event is a chance for us common folk to kick back and act like the clowns that we are...while watching the clowns - er, um...we mean dapper celebrities - make their way down our street to the famed Barnstable Brown fete!

DATE: Derby Eve, Friday, May 2, 2008
TIME: 7:00 p.m. 'til we get tired!
PLACE: Front lawn of 2026 Speed Avenue (near Big Dave's: Speed and Bardstown Road in the Highlands)
BRING: Sense of humor, lawn chairs, and your beverage of choice
For more information, please contact Steph: stephb611@gmail.com.

Yeah I said it, free bourbon. If you're a Friend of Lou you should have received a pass in the mail that enables you to swing by the Bourbon Country tent down at Fest-A-Ville, get a free drink, nibble on some appetizers and hear some live jazz. If you're not a Friend of Lou, well shame on you. You can still make it to the party though. Download and print your pass and you're well on your way to coolness and free beverageness. 

JOIN LOU and friends for an exclusive Friends of Lou party.

WHERE: The Bourbon Country tent at Fest-a-ville next to the Chow Wagon
WHEN: April 24, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Put the VIP pass linked in this email in your lanyard and show it at the main entrance to gain absolutely, positively free admission for you and a friend. You'll enjoy bourbon-inspired hors d'oeuvres, a free drink ticket and live music. You can even stick around a little later to hear a live jazz ensemble and watch the Great Balloon Glimmer.

This is not a bad idea at all. Business First says that prepaid debit cards, like the ones we're all bombarded with around the winter holidays, are going to be available for purchase and use at Fest-A-Ville.

The Derby Festival FunCard "can be used in lieu of traditional tickets. The FunCard works like other prepaid cards and can be loaded with up to $99. The cards can be purchased at local BB&T branches and at on-site ticket booths at the Fest-a-Ville and the Chow Wagon.

The cards can be used to buy food and drink concessions, official Derby Festival merchandise and Pegasus Pins."

Sweet. I'm all for shortening lines to buy deep fried, calorie laden foods that will make me hate myself in the morning but will give me that sugar buzz I know and love right away.

Fest-A-Ville runs Thursday, April 24, 2008 through Friday, May 02, 2008
11AM-11PM, Sunday 1PM-11PM
Pegasus Pin required for admission

Waterfront Park, Great Lawn
Louisville, KY

In a total Dude move the organizers of the Lebowski Fest have announced that tickets for this year's festival go on sale this Friday. Yeah man, like two days from now. So Friday April 25, 2008 at noon you should either be online buying tickets or better yet get over to WHY Louisville or Ear X-Tacy to buy them in person. Those in person locations are cash only by the way and WHY Louisville charges no service fee and ear X-tacy charges $1 per ticket.

What specific goodness is on deck for this year's fest? Much.

Friday, July 11th - Opening Party & Movie Screening - Featuring Comedian Brian Posehn. Music TBA. Movie screening with appearance by Liam!
8pm @ Executive Lawn - All Ages - $15

Brian Posehn has appeared in many TV shows and movies including The Sarah Silverman Program, Aqua Teen Hunger Force & Mr. Show and is a member of The Comedians of Comedy. He has also recorded a CD, "Live In: Nerd Rage." Not only that, Brian is also an Achiever!

Saturday, July 12th - Garden Party - Music by Mike Doughty, Kentucky Prophet, Everthus The Deadbeats, Snow Monster and more TBA. Lebowski-themed games and what-have-you.
4pm @ Executive Lawn - All Ages - FREE with Bowling Ticket / $15 without

Mike Doughty (former Soul Coughing frontman) recorded his latest album "Golden Delicious" using his "dude theory." Known for his entertaining and engaging stage shows, Mike's set will really tie the fest together.

Saturday, July 12th - Bowling Party - Bowling* and shoe rental included. Costume, trivia and other contests. Special appearance by Jim Hoosier (Liam!).
8pm @ Executive Strike and Spare - All Ages - $25 (includes admission to Garden Party)

*Bowling is general admission and not guaranteed. Usually everyone gets a chance to bowl over the course of the evening. Bowling shoes are not required if you have tennis shoes or any non-dark soled shoe (including jellies)

Also? The signage photographs rolling in for this year's fest are already excellent.

If biking is an option why on earth would you want to fight with all the traffic downtown pre and post Thunder? Particularly when there is free valley bike parking. You don't even need to bring a lock! Interested in volunteering to help out with this great service? See the last paragraph below for details.

Louisville Metro will again be sponsoring FREE Valet Bicycle Parking at Thunder Over Louisville this Saturday, April 12. Space will be available for secure, full-service parking of 700 bicycles on a first-come first-served basis at the corner of Preston & Witherspoon Streets from 11AM to 11PM - no locks needed.

Just ride your bike to Thunder at Preston & Witherspoon across from Louisville Slugger Field, (some folks ride from home; others drive, park further out where it's free, and ride from there), drop it off, and pick it up when the fireworks are over! It's that simple, and you avoid all the traffic congestion and parking headaches that come with driving your car to Thunder.

This year's service is being operated by the local non-profit organization Bicycling for Louisville. They are still looking for volunteers to help staff the event in short 1-2 hour shifts throughout the day, and especially from 10PM-11PM after the fireworks are over, when everyone comes to retrieve their bikes. If you're interested in helping out, contact Barry Zalph at info@bicyclingforlouisville.org or 582-1814. Volunteers will receive a free, wicking, Bike Louisville t-shirt!

I'm so freaking excited for Spring I can hardly stand it. On Tuesday evening we walked and walked around the Highlands and I was yet again reminded how much I love this town and the neighborhood I live in. All that brings me to letting you know way, way early that the first Bardstown Bound event of 2008 is Friday May 16.

Subtitled "Taking it to the Streets" (I do hope someone, somewhere will be playing that Doobie Brothers song during the course of the evening) festivities start at 5PM and will go on well into the night.

From the press release some of the evening's highlights:
 

Friday, May 16, 2008 marks the 10th BB and the 1st of the Year! This 1-night event will offer 15% discounts and showcase the areas most beloved businesses. Discounts on clothing, art, home furnishings, and appetizers provided by Avalon, Bristol Bar & Grille, Bearno's Highlands, Amazing Grace and Le Gallo Rosso Bistro will be featured at the participating boutiques. So shop, taste, drink and enjoy Bardstown Road. The hours of happiness will be from 5:00p -? Bearno's Highlands, Impellizzeri's, Avalon, Bristol Bar & Grille and Asiatique will raise a glass and toast another BBC Bardstown Bound Bubbly Hours to celebrate this evening and offer drink and food specials, including cold BBC Beers and Live Local entertainment.

Participants of this Bardstown Bound event will donate proceeds to benefit the newly opened Gilda's Club of Louisville located in the Highlands. At Gilda's Club you will find support, information, fellowship, laughter, hope and inspiration. Gilda's Club Louisville is a free community where men, women and children who are living with cancer, along with their families and friends, can join with others to build social and emotional support as an essential supplement to their medical care.

I got a press release about St. Patrick's Day festivities at Avalon. You know I've yet to go to Avalon but I've heard good, good things about it so I'm definitely going to have to make it in soon.

A St. Patrick's Day Celebration is being held on Saturday, March 15th at Avalon located at 1314 Bardstown Road in the very Irish Highlands. Join Avalon for lunch or dinner before or after the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Enjoy hearty Irish favorites of Guinness Irish Beef Stew, Corned Beef & Cabbage and, of course, traditional Fish & Chips - along with a variety of Irish beers and whiskey. Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day!

Avalon
1314 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY

My friends at Backseat Sandbar wrote about the Kill Ville event a couple weeks ago but just in case you missed it I wanted to post about it as well.

"The sequel to last year's PULP FUNKTION, KILL VILLE will be a large-scale theme party based on the soundtracks and films of Quentin Tarantino, with a special focus on Kill Bill Vol. 1.

A Tarantino themed dance party presented by HAY DJ and Glassworks featuring Hay DJ, DJ Matt Anthony, Woodrow on the Radio, DJ Dwight Johnson and the band The Ladybirds plus a martial arts demonstration, costume contest and prizes!

Glassworks 2nd floor will be transformed into the Tokyo dance
club where Uma Thurman (Black Mamba) defeats Lucy Liu (Oren Ishii)."

Kill Ville A Tarantino Themed Dance Party
Saturday March 29, 2008
9PM-2AM

$10 admission, advanced tickets available at ear X-tacy and online
Cash Bar
21 and over

Glassworks
815 W. Main Street
Louisville, KY

On Saturday March 15, 2008 nios @ 917 will be getting into the St. Patrick's spirit just as much as any Irish pub around town will be. Starting at 2:00PM they'll be hosting a St. Patrick's Parade Parking Lot Party. It's $5 to get in (boo cover charge!) but that $5 for admission will also get you a free Guinness (yay free beer!).

Other highlights include:

• Executive Chef, and Irish born Josh Tuley will be preparing traditional Fish and Irish Chips for $5
• BBC beer specials will be featured as well as $5 Green Apple Tini's $5 Irish Car Bombs and Special Irish Whiskey's TBA
• Live music (but I don't know who will be playing)
  

nios @ 917
917 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY

If it's Wednesday that means it's Mod Night at Derby City Espresso. My first inclination is to say "head downtown to hang out with swinging chics and hepcats" but I don't think that's appropriate outdated slang for the mod scene. If anyone wants to advise me on what outdated and cliched terms I should use instead I'm listening.

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market Street
Louisville, KY

Well they missed talk like a pirate day but I'll give the Kentucky Opera Guild a pass and let you know about their upcoming Viva Voce event.

Apparently you can come out, participate in wine and spirit tastings, participate in a silent auction, eat free appetizers, oh and talk like a pirate all while benefiting The Kentucky Opera. Really, what more could you ask for in an event. Nothing unless you're really greedy.

Date: Friday, February 29, 2008
Time: 6pm - 9 pm
Place: Mellwood Arts Center
860 Mellwood Avenue Louisville, KY
Tickets: $35 for ye, $60 for a ye and yer lass

For reservations call 502.561.7920 or email rsvp@kyopera.org

Years ago the late, lamented Hawley-Cooke bookstore held Friday trivia nights at the cafe in the Shelbyville Road store. It was a weekly event that warmed me to my very geeky core. I mean come on, what is not to love about a weekly competition involving, often arcane, knowledge. I still miss those trivia nights all these years later and while a once a year charity trivia night isn't a replacement, it's a start.

The 3rd Annual Paws With Purpose Trivia Night is happening tomorrow night at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in the Highlands. 10 people teams will be formed or you can come with your team of 10 all sorted out. $10 gets you in the door and gives you some drinks and snacks.

Doors Open 6 PM, Trivia Begins 7 PM

St. Andrews Episcopal Church
2233 Woodbourne Ave
Louisville, KY 40205

Info about Paws with Purpose after the jump

The InKY Reading Series first event of 2008 could be described as a poetry extravaganza.

Cincinnati poet Jillian Weise is the author of The Amputee's Guide to Sex, a collection of poems from Soft Skull Press. Her poems have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Chelsea, Tin House and others. Her chapbook, Translating the Body, was released by All Nations Press in January 2006. Individual poems have been honored by the Academy of American Poets, the Emily Dickinson Prize Anthology, Pushcart Nominations and Verse Daily. After working at The Paris Review as an editorial assistant, she was the Alan Dugan Writing Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts, which she completed in May 2006. She is currently a Fellow at the University of Cincinnati.

Kristi Maxwell is the author of Realm Sixty-four, a collection of poems just released from Ahsahta Press. Her second book, Hush Sessions, will be published by Saturnalia in 2009. She is pursuing a doctorate at the University of Cincinnati.

Christina Lovin is the author of What We Burned for Warmth, a chapbook of poems from Finishing Line Press. Her work has appeared in Harvard Summer Review, Diner, Hunger Mountain , The Bark, and the anthologies Missing Mountains and Coal: An Anthology. She is a recipient of the Al Smith Fellowship from the Kentucky Arts Council.

In addition to the poetry singer/songwriter Teneia Sanders will be performing songs from her first full album, Soul Catcher.

Friday January 11, 2008
Open mic at 7:00, music at 7:30, featured readers at 8:00
Free

The Rudyard Kipling
422 W. Oak Street
Louisville, KY

It's already time for the first First Friday Gallery Hop of the new year. I haven't seen too many notices/releases for special events going on during the gallery hop but I do know that Derby City Espresso will be celebrating the opening of an exhibition of Suzanne Edds's work called Clay Works that features her ceramic masks and other larger works. In addition to the opening there will be live music by Lotus Blake and a beer tasting hosted by BBC brewers.

Update: Just got this info

The Tim Faulkner Gallery will be presenting the work of Erik Orr this Friday night, January 4th.

The Gallery is located at 815 E Market st, upstairs in the Mary Craik building.

If you don't have a reservation already it's probably too late to get a table at the fancy restaurants but there are still some great options for New Year's Eve in Louisville.

Derby City Espresso
New Year's Eve at Derby City Espresso will feature a marathon of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour. Show starts at 8PM, no cover.

The Pour Haus
The Pour Haus presents Wax Glover MotherF****er Extravaganza Review on New Year's Eve. A $15 cover charge gets you in the door, a free champagne toast and a "Multimedia mindbender from the brains in WaxFang and DannyGloverCoverBand."

WFPK
From 6AM-6PM on New Year's Eve WFPK hosts will be sharing their top picks from 2007. So you can listen to some really excellent music while gearing up to say goodbye to 2007. From 10PM-1AM DJs Woodrow On The Radio and Matt Anthony will be saying hello to 2008 with The Might Barret Avenue Shake New Year's Eve Party at The Monkey Wrench.

Kid Friendly New Year's Eve Downtown
"Forget the babysitter, pack up the kids & grandkids and come downtown for a free, fun-filled, family-oriented New Year's Eve Party!"

18+ New Year's Party at Club Fuzion

Party at The Pink Door

The Pink Door is throwing a New Year's Eve party. $5 cover gets you two DJs, comedian host Dario and all the dancing and festiveness you can stand.

The Pink Door
2222 Dundee Road
Louisville, KY 

Ray's Monkey House and Kids Cafe is bringing the open mic concept to the PlaySkool set. And oh yeah, there is one for adults too.

Thursdays: Adults Open Heart Purgery: (starting January 3, 2008)
Every Thursday: an acoustic open stage for adults to share their talent and open heart with us, whether with music, storytelling, jokes, poetry, or just unloading some thoughts, take the spotlight and open your heart to us. Make it fun!

Fridays: The Kiddie Carnival: (starting December 28)
Every Friday: A chance for kids to shine like they're born to do. This acoustic open stage for kids gives kids a chance to get up and express themselves (music, jokes, stories,show, share their week, and tell of a favorite item, what can you offer as a gift to us?), experience an open jam atmosphere, get to know others, and be commended and praised for being themselves. There's also performances by special guests for the kids.

Ray's Monkey House and Kids Cafe
1578 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205

Those 3 years between 18-21 can kind of suck. You're out on your own, you're ready to rock but you're still not old enough to legally drink. So you miss out on a lot of great shows and parties at clubs where alcohol is served. This New Year's Eve though Club Fuzion has your underage back.

Actually over 21? Then you get free champagne at the door.

Dress in black and white,

Club Fuzion
1335 Story Avenue
Louisville, KY

Any party that allows free entry before midnight but charges if you come after midnight is a party that's too young and hip for me. However I freaking love the flyer for this event and I know there are plenty of you kids out there that are young and hip enough for this event. Have enough fun and drinks for the both of us.

The Pink Door
2222 Dundee Road
Louisville, KY

"The Jazz Factory and the Glassworks present the annual New Year’s Eve Big Band Dinner Dance and Extravaganza, featuring dancing to The Don Krekel Orchestra and a sumptuous, gourmet New Year’s Eve feast prepared by Park Place Executive Chef Jay Denham.

Whether you'd like a romantic table for two or you want to bring all your friends, we look forward to ringing in the New Year with you.......reserve your table today!

Your New Year's Eve gala buffet, the Big-Band Dance, champagne and party favors are all included in the advance ticket price of $135. (Tickets will be sold, space available, for $150 at the door on New Year's Eve.) Alcoholic beverages are sold a-la-carte. Make reservations early for this popular event."

link

I'd like to point out that I didn't write the above text, I'm just quoting it, so I don't want to hear any complaints about it being listed as "the Glassworks."

Forget the babysitter, pack up the kids & grandkids and come downtown for a free, fun-filled, family-oriented New Year's Eve Party!

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Kids under 18, must be accompanied by an adult.

Free activities including crafts, inflatables & a rock climbing wall!

GIANT BALLOON DROP AT MIDNIGHT!
Refreshments available for purchase.

Louisville Gardens
525 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Louisville, KY

Jenicca's is throwing a Casablanca party for New Year's Eve

Girls, dazzle us with that one bridesmaid dress that you kind of liked but had no place to wear it... Boys, find that bad ass vintage suit lying around that makes your butt look extra good... or it could always be switched around - girls wear the suit/boys wear the gown. Whatever!

We will have live music, Casablanca on repeat, Poker in the back and Liquor in the front...wait... no thats right. :)

No Cover!!! Cash Bar - Complimentary Snacks.

Free Champagne toast at midnight

This is the first time I've heard of the Henry Wallace Brigade but the organization's work intrigues me and this sounds like an interesting event.

The Henry Wallace Brigade will hold a music and dance celebration extravaganza on Saturday, December 22nd to launch its public fundraising for a return trip to Cuba in 2008. On that trip, the Brigade will assist in the construction and renovation of the Henry Wallace Center for the Elderly. The celebration, starting at 7 PM will feature live music, dance and poetry, as well as photography, arts and crafts available for last-minute holiday buying. The Alternative, at 1032 Story Avenue in Louisville is hosting the event. The Henry Wallace Brigade traveled to Cuba the first time in December 2006, as a tribute to their namesake, long-time Prospect, Kentucky resident Henry Wallace who was well-known for his ardent support of revolutionary Cuba, was also a farmer, social justice activist, and founder of Henry's Ark Animal Refuge in Prospect.

Performers include:

• Hip-Hop artist Afrykah
• Dance troupe Asrar Al Badra, The Moons’ Secrets, devoted to Middle Eastern and experimental dance
• Kathy Weisbach, Carol Kraemer, and Laura Shine of "Yer Girlfriend"

Cover is $5-25 sliding scale at the door. Call 502-558-3568 or 502-216-2060 for more information.

DJs Kim Sorise and Pat Luebbers are starting the weekend off right with happy from 5-9PM at The Pink Door, this Friday December 14, 2007. I love that this happy hour starts early. I know I'm old and boring but it's awesome to have cool music events that actually start before 9PM.

The Pink Door
2222 Dundee Road
Louisville, KY

Starting at 8PM on New Year's Eve Derby City Espresso will be featuring a marathon of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour.

The show features Dylan's own picks from a wide variety or musical genres and era. Grooving to tracks hand picked by Dylan seems like a damn fine way to bring in the new year. Even more so because the fine folks at Derby City Espresso are offering up this Dylan radio extravaganza for free.

Derby City Espresso
331 E. Market St.
Louisville, KY

Park Place on Main sent a few more details about their New Year's Eve event.

Come celebrate New Year’s Eve with a four-course feast by Chef Jay Denham at Park Place on Main and the smooth sounds of the Steve Crews Trio. The party will be going on from 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 1 a.m. New Year’s Day. The cost is $75 per person. Late comers can join friends after dinner for the party with canapés and a champagne toast after 10 p.m. for $15 per person! Tax and gratuity are additional. Reservations are required for dinner and can be made at (502) 515-0172.

The menu, which you can see after the jump, includes an entrée option called "Chef’s Vegetarian Collection." I'm sincerely excited to see at least one vegetarian option on the menu for this special New Year's Eve event. I only hope it's something interesting and innovative and not yet another retreading of a three vegetable plate or a heavy pasta dish. I'm still looking for the fine dining establishment in Louisville that will step up to the plate and give vegetarians creative and interesting food choices. I'm rooting for you Park Place, don't let me down.

Bourbons Bistro has two seatings with special menus for New Year's Eve. The first seating, at 7PM features a three course meal for $40 per person. The 9PM seating features a five course meal for $65 per person. Champagne toast at midnight and live music from 9PM-1AM cap the evening.

Call 502-894-8838 for reservations.

Bourbons Bistro
2255 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY

Louisville Uncorked is throwing a funky New Year's Eve party at the Mellwood Arts Center.

No wine tasting this time. Instead, you will be entertained by the infamously funky Jimmy Church Band until the Champagne toast and the ball drops at Midnight.  Then we'll rocket through the decades and groove into '08 with thumping house music. There will be several bars featuring PAMA, Hpnotiq, and other Heaven Hill products. Eat dinner before you come and Wiltshire Pantry's snacks will satisfy those late night cravings. 

Ticket prices are $75 per person which includes food, drinks and entertainment for the entire event. Space is limited to 500 guests so get over to www.louisvilleuncorked.com and get your tickets.

The Funkin' Groovin' New Year's Even Bash at the Mellwood Art Center
December 31 8:30PM-1:30AM (last call at 1:30AM)
Dress: Funky or Fancy, no jeans, t-shirts, or tennis shoes
21 and over only

Mellwood Art Center
1860 Mellwood Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206

Jazz and The Spoken Word returns to the Jazz Factory this Wednesday December 12, 2007 for a holiday themed evening. Bassist Brian Vinson and saxophonist Jacob Duncan will be providing jazz improvisation, Kathleen Driskell will be reading Truman Capote’s "A Christmas Memory" and Graham Shelby reading "The Asakawa Christmas Party"and a reading from David Sedaris’ "Holidays on Ice."

The event is free, but reservations are recommended. 

Doors open for dinner at 5PM, the readings start at 7:30PM with dinner and beverages served throughout the evening.

The Jazz Factory

815 W. Market Street

Louisville, KY

(basement of Glassworks)

Press releases/announcements for New Year's events are starting to trickle in. I'll update this list as I get more.

Park Place
Come celebrate New Year’s Eve with a four-course feast by Chef Jay Denham at Park Place on Main and the smooth sounds of the Steve Crews Trio. The party will be going on from 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 1 a.m. New Year’s Day. The cost is $75 per person. Late comers can join friends after dinner for the party with canapés and a champagne toast after 10 p.m. for $15 per person! Tax and gratuity are additional.

Derby City Espresso
New Year's Eve at Derby City Espresso will feature a marathon of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour. Show starts at 8PM, no cover.

Louisville Uncorked Presents: The Funkin' Groovin' New Year's Eve Bash
Louisville Uncorked is throwing a funky New Year's Eve party at the Mellwood Arts Center.

No wine tasting this time. Instead, you will be entertained by the infamously funky Jimmy Church Band until the Champagne toast and the ball drops at Midnight.  Then we'll rocket through the decades and groove into '08 with thumping house music. There will be several bars featuring PAMA, Hpnotiq, and other Heaven Hill products. Eat dinner before you come and Wiltshire Pantry's snacks will satisfy those late night cravings. 

Ticket prices are $75 per person which includes food, drinks and entertainment for the entire event. Space is limited to 500 guests so get over to www.louisvilleuncorked.com and get your tickets.

The Melting Pot
The public is invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Melting Pot of Louisville, located at 2045 S. Hurstbourne Parkway, on Monday, December 31, 2007. The fondue-only restaurant will begin taking reservations at 5:00pm and guests can enjoy a unique New Year’s Eve menu of garlic herb cheddar or Italian cheese fondue; caesar salad or mandarin orange and almond salad; twin lobster tail, center-cut filet mignon, white shrimp, and Florentine raviolis – served with fresh vegetables and a variety of dipping sauces; and dark chocolate raspberry or bananas foster chocolate fondue for dessert.

To help guests make the night a special occasion, there will be a champagne toast with dessert and a 15% discount off all bottled wine. The cost for the four-course meal and champagne toast is only $60 per person. For an additional $20 per person, guests can enjoy a New Year’s Eve drink special that consists of a glass of Chardonnay with the cheese fondue, a glass of Pinot Noir with the salad course and a glass each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with the entrée.

4th Street Live
4th Street Live is throwing a Studio 54 themed party. 

New Year's Eve at The Brown Hotel
The Brown Hotel wants to make the last night of 2007 a memorable. They'll be serving a special menu created by executive chef Laurent Géroli and his culinary team.

If the last night of the year is spent in Louisville, it should be spent at a city landmark. Chef Geroli will serve five magnificent courses during three seatings on New Year’s Eve including entrée choices like Seared Opakapaka Hawaiian Snapper, Roasted Duckling and Seared Filet Mignon of Beef. This New Year’s celebration comes complete with party favors and a midnight champagne toast. Dinner music will be provided by pianist John Linton from 7 to10 p.m. Guests can dance the rest of the night away to the sounds of the John Linton Jazz trio, who will play until 1 a.m. Dinner seating is at 7:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m. The cost is $135 per person and includes tax and gratuity.

Bourbons Bistro
Two seatings with special menus and late night live music are happening at Bourbons Bistro

Brownings at Slugger Field
Live bluegrass with Kentucky Fried Pickin'. The regular menu will be available as well as some New Year's specials thrown in.

The Pour Haus
The Pour Haus presents Wax Glover MotherF****er Extravaganza Review on New Year's Eve. A $15 cover charge gets you in the door, a free champagne toast and a "Multimedia mindbender from the brains in WaxFang and DannyGloverCoverBand."

WFPK
From 6AM-6PM on New Year's Eve WFPK hosts will be sharing their top picks from 2007. So you can listen to some really excellent music while gearing up to say goodbye to 2007. From 10PM-1AM DJs Woodrow On The Radio and Matt Anthony will be saying hello to 2008 with The Might Barret Avenue Shake New Year's Eve Party at The Monkey Wrench.

Jenicca's
Jenicca's is throwing a Casablanca party for New Year's Eve

Kid Friendly New Year's Eve Downtown
"Forget the babysitter, pack up the kids & grandkids and come downtown for a free, fun-filled, family-oriented New Year's Eve Party!"

The Jazz Factory
"The Jazz Factory and the Glassworks present the annual New Year’s Eve Big Band Dinner Dance and Extravaganza, featuring dancing to The Don Krekel Orchestra and a sumptuous, gourmet New Year’s Eve feast prepared by Park Place Executive Chef Jay Denham."

18+ New Year's Party at Club Fuzion

Party at The Pink Door

Romantic comedy Ira & Abby was co-produced by Louisville filmmaker Stu Pollard of "Nice Guys Sleep Alone"and "Keep Your Distance (both of which were filmed in Louisville).
 
On December 14th, 2007 the film will have its local premier at Village 8. This is an exciting event because Stu Pollard is going to be on hand for a Q&A after the 7:00(ish) showing of the film.
 
The theater says that if the turnout for the 7PM show is good Pollard may stick around and do another Q&A after the (PM showing.

Buying your tickets in advance is highly recommended for this one of a kind, one time event.

I'd actually read about Ira & Abby some time ago and was excited to see it because it features a lot of the same actors and filmmakers that worked on one of my favorite romantic comedies of all time Kissing Jessica Stein, I wasn't even aware of the Louisville connection. Now I'm super excited. Thanks to Village 8 for bringing it to town and throwing a cool opening for it.

Hipsters, Tricksters, & real cool chicks, SIR - they'll All be doing the rag at Derby City Espresso.

Come on in and check out the swinging sounds of the shaking sixties. From Otis Redding and the Memphis soul sound to the smooth reggae of Trojan Records from Kingston Jamaica. Dig into the London beats of the Kinks and the Who and the American R&B that influenced them.

Dig it. I've heard that Derby City Espresso has expanded their beer menu again as well so you know, good times, good times.

Derby City Espresso
331 East Market St.
Louisville, KY

This Saturday December 8 and next Saturday December 15, 2007 Rauch Planetarium at the University of Louisville is throwing a holiday family party complete with frickin' lasers holiday laser light shows, refreshments, activities for all ages and "general merriment."

Party hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with shows beginning hourly.

Admission: $7 adults, $5 children

Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY