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.

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

Did you know we've got a Festival of the Dogwood in this town? Me neither. And if every weekend between now and Derby wasn't already scheduled down to the minute I'd certainly want to check it out since information on said Festival is somewhat lacking.

What better way to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring than to enjoy a day among the Dogwoods!

Sunday April 20, 2008
7PM-10PM
Audubon Park between Linnet and Wren Roads

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've got very few details on this event but if you like German food then you should definitely call for more information.

Come and sample authentic German cuisine. From meat and vegetable dishes to bread and dessert, see what's cooking in Germany.

For more information and tickets, call 894-9512

Tuesday April 15, 2008
2PM-5PM

German-American Club
1840 Lincoln Avenue
Louisville, KY

The Louisville Jewish Film Festival begins February 16, 2008. Here's the lineup so you can scope out all the films and plan your schedule accordingly. Tickets for all of the films are $8 with the exception of the special screening of The Rape of Europa event at the Speed Museum on February 23. Tickets for that event are $45.

Feb. 16 • 7:30 PM     Village 8 
The Black Book 
A Dutch World War II thriller about singer Rachel Stein who pretends to be a Gentile in order to help the resistance. She has been in hiding for years, but is sent on the run and is forced into one morally compromising position after another. Netherlands

Feb. 18 • 7:00 PM     JCC
Saved by Deportation 
In 1940 Stalin ordered the deportation of 200,000 Polish Jews to labor settlements in the Soviet interior. This story of survival retraces the path Asher and Schifra Sharf traveled to Siberia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Co-produced by Louisville native, Robert Podgursky, who will speak at film reception. USA

Feb. 19 • 7:00 PM     Village 8
Comme t'y es belle! 
A huge hit in France, this ''Sex in the City''-style romantic comedy features a cast of Jewish women and the ups and downs of their messy love lives, motherhood, and careers. France 

Feb. 20 • 7:00 PM     Village 8
What a Wonderful Place 
Israel's 2005 Oscar entry examines the difficulties foreign workers experience in Israel. Thai laborers, human traffickers, a Filipino couple, a depressed old man, and a ex-cop share the need for human dignity and contact. Israel 

Feb. 21 • 7:00 PM     Village 8
Jellyfish 
An ensemble comedy-drama, Jellyfish weaves together concurrent stories of loneliness and the attempts to connect with one another. Winner of the Cannes and Israeli awards for best film by directors. Israel

SPEED ART MUSEUM GALA • Feb. 23 • 7:30 PM
The Rape of Europa 
A fabulous evening featuring hors d'oeuvres by the Bristol Café and the premier of the award-winning film Rape of Europa. This film tells the story of the theft, destruction and miraculous survival of Europe's art treasures during World War II. A staff member of the Speed will discuss the elaborate research done on their collection to ensure that none is stolen property. Seating is limited - $45 per person. USA

More info from the Speed Museum on this event: "The Rape of Europa tells the epic story of the systematic theft, deliberate destruction and miraculous survival of Europe's art treasures during the Third Reich and the Second World War.Joan Allen narrates this breathtaking chronicle about the battle over the very survival of centuries of western culture. Kim Spence, Associate Curator at The Speed Art Museum, will discuss the museum profession's ongoing attempts to return looted artwork to its rightful owners and the Speed's research on its own collection"

Feb. 24 • 4:00 PM     JCC
The First Basket 
Documentary on the impact of American basketball by Jewish immigrants and their importance in shaping modern basketball and their notable success from the 1920's to early 1950's. Newsreel footage of the first basket and first game in NBA history is shown. USA

Feb. 25 • 7:00 PM     Village 8
The Tribe 
This short film is a brilliant, irreverent and buoyant film about an icon of American culture, the Barbie doll, and its creator, a Jewish woman. USA 

Mauvaise Foi 
A comedy about a Jewish woman who falls in love with an Arab pianist and the reactions they encounter from their family and friends when they decide to marry. France

For tickets: 459-0660
$8 • ADULTS    $6 • STUDENTS    

Mr. 43 Folders himself Merlin Mann was of course at Macworld last week and filmed a couple interviews for the fine MacBreak program. These interviews are interesting if you're a Mac geek (and I am) but we're most interested in the "Abide" shirt Merlin is rocking in the videos.

That shirt is a fine example of the superior quality materials our friends from Lebowski Fest have sent out into the world. You should buy one. You might also considering buying a sticker or other Abide materials.

All this reminds us that the 7th Annual Lebowski Fest is happening July 11 and 12, 2008 here in Louisville. Being the 7th annual event here in Louisville is cool enough but when you consider this year is the 10th anniversary of the film's release, well then you know that excellence will abound. 

"Good Folk Fest is centrally located in the heart of the US, Louisville-Kentucky.
Featuring over 75 local, regional, and internationally known outsider, visionary and folk artists and topped off with performances from a hand full of primitive musicians makes Good Folk Fest the only one of it's kind in the region.

The Festival is located indoors in two rooms totaling over 14,500 square feet within the Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center which is a refurbished meat packing plant turned creative environment."

Saturday December 1 & Sunday December 2
9AM-6PM
$5 admission

Music lineup after the jump

Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church proudly presents the 17th annual WinterFair!, a festival of fine art and very fine crafts. WinterFair! is the perfect place to find unique fine art for your home and special gifts for special people. This year’s festival features over seventy (70) juried artists, who create jewelry, pottery, stained glass, photography, prints, paintings, textiles, wearable art, and more. It’s the perfect place to find uncommon gifts at all price points – just in time for the holiday giving season.

WinterFair! celebrates the ideals of community, diversity, and social responsibility.

• Artists donate original works to an on-site artists’ raffle, which supports a different charity each year. 2007 proceeds go to Creative Diversity Studio, a nonprofit organization for the training and advancement of differently-abled artists, and the inclusion of those artists in the cultural community. Over 70 fine art items will be raffled this year – for an incredible $1 per chance!
• The festival and the church are committed to green practices. New in 2007, we will recognize Green Artists who practice “Reduce-Reuse-Recycle.” either in their art or their business. They may create with items that would otherwise end up in a landfill, among other green recycling practices.

WinterFair! is NOT your mother’s Holiday/Christmas bazaar.

• It has developed a reputation for its hand-made, unique, high-quality art -- Jewelry, Pottery, Stained Glass, Photography, Painting, Wood, and Wearable Art + other media. No mass-produced or mass-marketed items.
• Very little of the art is Christmas- or Holiday-themed.

Festival hours: 3-9 PM on Friday, November 30 and 10-6 PM on Saturday, December 1, 2007.

The entire festival is free and family-friendly

Vegetarian food will be available, plus hearty soups, chili, and fabulous desserts!

Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
4936 Brownsboro Road
Louisville, KY

While digging up the specifics on the José González show I found out about a cool event happening this weekend at The 930 Art Center.

The main event is the Affordable Art Show

This art show is both a one-day event and a month-long exhibit.
The one-day event will be on Oct. 27, 3-8PM in conjunction with a Fall Festival sponsored by Sojourn Church at the same location. The Festival will include art, free music, free food, and fun for kids including a petting zoo and the blow-up jumping things.

Artists include Lisa Austin, Sarah Cosper, Sarah Hall, Brendan Kennedy, Melvin C. Ledrick, Julie Leidner, Jason McCreary, Flora Naslund, Alex O’nan, Emily Parker, Brandon and Bethan Rogers, Eric Scholtens, James R. Southard, Stephanie Tanner, and Michael and Mickie Winters.

A Fall Festival happening in conjunction with the Affordable Art Show will feature music by Hog Operation, Rob Carpenter & Paul Moeller, Dangerbird, The Fervor

The 930 Art Center and Sojourn Community Church host a Fall Fesitval with free games, free food and free live music from 3-9pm. In addition, The 930 Art Gallery will host an opening reception for the 1st Annual Affordable Art Show (everything under $100). Fun for the whole family!

Afternoon Outdoor Set
Hog Operation 3:30pm
Rob Carpenter (The Muckrakers) & Paul Moeller (Digby) 5pm

Evening Indoor Set
Dangerbird 6:30pm
The Fervor 7:30pm

As I mentioned earlier this, this week right now, is the official Week in the Highlands. As such lots of goodness is going on.

Today, Wednesday, October 10
Neighborhood Puppet Parade - 6:00p at Douglass Loop

Thursday, October 11
Empty Bowls - art & food benefit for HCM
When: Thu 11 Oct 2007, 5:30p-8:00p
Where: Bellarmine University, Frazier Hall, the student center, Douglass Blvd & Norris Place to Knights Way parking entrance.
Contact: Lynn Humphey – (502) 451-3626
What: $27 meal & handcrafted ceramic bowl donated by multiple potters.
$12 meal only.
Many restaurants providing soup & desserts.
A light meal and silent auction to benefit HCM Individual and Family Assistance Program.

Friday, October 12
Belknap Festival Eve (PDF)– 6:00p–10:00p

Saturday, October 13
Belknap Festival (PDF)-10AM-7PM (rain or shine)

Join us again this year for a great Week in the Highlands. We promise a series of events that will get you outdoors for fun and recreation while learning about and supporting our neighborhoods, institutions, and services. We want to thank the patrons, sponsors, vendors, and all the neighbors and volunteers who help make the Highlands such a great place to live.

Week in the Highlands
A partnership of neighborhoods and organizations celebrates the unique blend of lifestyles that make the Highlands a special place in Louisville. The Highlands Cup 5K Run/Walk for Highlands Community Ministries, Highlands-Douglass Big Rock Jazz Fest, Empty Bowls, Belknap Neighborhood Fall Festival and the Farmington Harvest Festival combine efforts to become one of Louisville’s official Metrofest outdoor events again for 2007. These are family-friendly events that celebrate our community, arts and music to help support neighborhood and park improvements, the ecumenical services of Highlands Community Ministries and our historical treasure at Farmington.

I'm sure everybody and their brother remembers that this weekend is St. James weekend. If not, consider this your reminer.

When you head down for the gigantic art extravaganza make sure to head by the Mag Bar for the St. James UnFair.

What is the St. James Unfair?

About 8 years ago (about 10 years ago now), artists Paul Harshaw, Greg Edwards and the owner of the Mag Bar, David Norton got together and decided they wanted to make a statement. They had watched the St. James Court Art Show turn from what it originally was, a place where local artists could display and sell their work into this 9 square block festival where no struggling artist can afford to have their own space.

The St. James Court Art Show is good for the community and the city but its not as good as it could be. Instead of a showcase of art its a craft show with a few artists scattered around the fair.

Our goal is to support local artists and give them a chance to show their work to the biggest audience any of them will probably get this year.

Any, and I mean, any event whose description includes the word hootenanny gets my attention. So the event this Saturday from local group A Might Kindness is on my radar. I'm thinking maybe hit St. James early in the morning and swing by Willow Park for the hootenanny in the afternoon.

Because I suck I forgot to mention the Kentucky Bourbon Festival started yesterday. Is it a cliche to say that I'm a Kentuckian who loves her bourbon? I don't care if it is. I love my bourbon.

Since 1776, the people of Bardstown, Kentucky have been making Bourbon. Their dedication to the fine art of distilling eventually gave Bardstown the title of Bourbon Capital of the World. Come celebrate this passion and history at The Kentucky Bourbon Festival.

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival gives you a weekend full of smooth Bourbon, delicious food, and great entertainment, with a healthy dose of Kentucky hospitality thrown in for good measure. From black tie galas to historical tours, there is something for all ages and interests. It's a wonderful five-day event full of activities for the whole family.

Women in the Field Festival is an annual event designed to celebrate working women in the fields of art and music. This whole event was invented to raise money for a cause that is sometimes forgotten about during a loss: the ones left behind.

Ten bands including two national touring bands and 40 artists, all female fronted, will be displayed throughout the day. If you are in the bidding mood, a silent auction full of donations from local businesses will be present as well.

All proceeds are going to Hospice, even more specifically Hospice of Louisville Bridges Program that supports Loved Ones Left Behind. This event is not only a benefit but a celebration of working women in the community.

Saturday, September 22, 2007
12:00pm-9:30pm
Brown-Foreman Amphitheatre and Yellow Lawn on the Waterfront

Admission $15
Pet Admission $1

Fall festival season is in full swing. Next up the Original Highlands Festival on Saturday September 8. Lots and lots of free live music is on the agenda as well as local artists (including Consuming Louisville favorite art by mags, a fashion show, food, drink and more.

The idea is to emphasize the unique characteristics of the Original Highlands while putting the spotlight on the diverse cultures, local arts community, businesses, and musicians that make Louisville such a great place to live.

Saturday September 8
11AM-11PM
Baxter Avenue between Highland & Christy

Butchertown Art Fair 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007 11 AM-5 PM

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 Graeter's Ice cream and kid’s booths will also be available.

The Thomas Edison House Garden Tour will be held concurrent with the Butchertown Art Fair on May 20, 2006 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.

The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is one of the oldest and finest art fairs in the region. The fair got its start thirty-five years ago when area residents started a garden plant exchange. Since then, it has gained high acclaim for the quality of the arts and crafts displayed by the exhibitors. There's plenty of great live music and entertainment and good food. The fair has also become well known as a family-friendly event featuring a children's art activity tent.

The fair starts at 10:00AM Saturday morning and there will be live music pretty much all day Saturday and Sunday including Zydeco Bon, Tim Krekel, King Sonic, and the Hot Onion Jazz Band.

Note that because "The Kentucky Derby Festival has extended the route of the Marathon/Mini-Marathon on Saturday to include streets surrounding" the CTA Art Fair car access to the area will be limited on Saturday morning. See the website for specific directions for avoiding the race route.