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Lexington Summer Guide 2016: Fests, Music, Movies and More

SUMMER GUIDE 2016: Your User-Friendly Lexington StayCation Manual

 

It is a belief we have, as strong as any religion, that home can be preserved and life made everlasting if only we stay put.

—Denise Giardina

 

pg05 ACE June16Staycation anyone?

Long gone are the days when Lexington was a ghost town from the time the college kids left in May til the day they returned in August.

These days, there’s so much going on every night of the week that it can be a challenge just to narrow it down. There’s live music series, films, fairs, fests, and fun runs. There’s funnelcakes. There’s tomato festivals and block parties. Every neighborhood has something unique to offer, from the annual Big Band/Jazz series at Moondance and Ecton Park, to concerts at Phoenix Park, to movies at the Fountain.

Take the plunge. Use this Guide all summer long until it’s in tatters, then stay tuned to aceweekly.com and our Facebook page for all the latest updates.

And don’t forget to bring your towel.

Here’s our selective guide of the coolest summer events:

 

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES

Love local music, but just can’t stay up til the bands start at the local bars? Because you have a j.o.b.? Or a k.i.d.?

Relax.

There’s live music in Lexington nearly every night of the week this Summer.

And it’s free. Plus, you can take the kids. And the dogs. And you can still be home by 9, in bed by 10, and up in time for work the next day!

Oh it’s more magical than it sounds.

 

Big Band and Jazz at MoonDance Amphitheatre

June 7: Joey and the Cruisers

June 14: Walnut Street Ramblers

June 21: Tim Lake and the Blue Jazz Persuaders

June 28: Dimartino-Osland Jazz Orchestra

 

Big Band and Jazz at Ecton Park

July 12: Osland Dailey Jazztet

July 19: Colonel’s Choice

July 26: Lexington Concert Band

Aug 2: Dave Shelton Jazz Quintet

Aug 9: Dan Brock and Friends

Aug 16: Jazzberry Jam

Aug 23: Rick Cook Quintet

 

Phoenix Fridays at Phoenix Park

June 17: David Wax Museum | Wax Fang | The Landers

July 15: 7Horse | Star & Micey | Warren Byrom & Fabled Canelands

Aug 19: Vandaveer | Nellie Pearl | Ben Lacy + Friends

 

Red Barn Radio at ArtsPlace

June 1: Redleg Husky

June 8: The Horse Traders

June 15: Mikaya Taylor

June 29: Tim Lancaster

 

Southland Jamboree at MoonDance Amphitheatre

It’s still called the Southland Jamboree, but it’s still been relocated to the Beaumont Center’s MoonDance Amphitheatre. And it’s still the some of the best Bluegrass in the area, every Monday at 7 pm.

June 6: Blue Eagle Band

June 13: Cane Run Bluegrass

June 20: Custom Made Bluegrass

June 27: Newtown

July 11: Blue Belles

July 18: Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers

July 25: Dean Osborne

Aug 1: Michael Cleveland and Jeff Guernsey

Aug 8: Uptown Blue

Aug 15: Becky Buller

Aug 22: Combs & Caldwell

Aug 29: Laurel River Line

Sep 5: Samantha Jean & Firegate 33

 

Summer Nights in Suburbia at MoonDance Amphitheatre

Summer Nights in Suburbia is 7 – 9 pm on Friday nights in June, July, and August at the MoonDance. Live bands plus food and beverage trucks onsite. Remember to bring your lawn chair or blanket for seating.

June 3: Brian Owens and the Deacons of Soul

June 10: Coralee & the Townies

June 17: C the Beat

June 24: Ben Lacy

July 1: Boogie G & the Titanics

July 8: Rebel Without A Cause

July 15: Johnson Brothers

July 22: Kentucky Salsa Allstars

July 29: Patrick McNeese Band

Aug 5: Payback

Aug 12: Other Brothers

Aug 19: March Madness Marching Band

Aug 26: Beatles Tribute Band

 

pg06 ACE June16THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE AT CHEAPSIDE PARK

June 2: The Trendells

June 9: The Johnson Brothers

June 16: Tony and the Tan Lines

June 23: Boogie G and the Titanics

June 30: Flashback

July 7: Five Below Band

July 14: Better Off Dead

July 21: The Twiggenburys

July 28: Tim Talbert Project

Aug 4: Bobby Perry Band

Aug 11: Prime Cut

Aug 18: Conch Republic

Aug 25: Kenny Owens and Group Therapy

Sep 1: Mercy Men

Sep 8: Ralph Curtis and the Nashville Imposters

Sep 15: Superfecta

Sep 22: Big Black Cadillac

Sep 29: Blind Corn Liquor Pickers

Oct 6: Mike Archer Band

Oct 13: Vinyl Richie

 

WOODSONGS AT THE LYRIC THEATRE

June 6: Shel and Gabriel Kelley

June 13: Samantha Fish and Terry “Harmonica” Bean

June 20: Michael Hedges, Andy McKee, and Christie Lenee

 

SUMMER FILM SERIES IN LEXINGTON

 

No need to go on that vacation to California this summer; Hollywood is coming to Lexington. There’s a movie series somewhere in Lexington almost every day of the week, whether you’re looking for a cult classic, a regular classic, an environmentally conscious documentary, or something for the whole family.

 

Big Screen Classics at Cinemark at The Mall

July 24: Planet of the Apes

August 14: Animal House

August 28: The King and I

September 18: Dr. Strangelove

October 23: The Shining

 

Cult Film Series at Al’s Bar

June 2: Last Man on Earth

July 7: Suicide Club

Aug 4: Time Bandits

Sep 1: Freddie Got Fingered

Oct 6: The Wicker Man

Nov 3: Modesty Blaise

Dec 1: True Stories

 

Farish Films at the Central Library

June 2: Family Film –  Inside Out

June 3: Family Film – The Good Dinosaur

June 7: Good Foods Co-op Film Series: Food Matters

June 10: Family Film – Stuart Little

June 11: Harry Dean Stanton Fest: 92 in the Shade

June 11: Harry Dean Stanton Fest: Straight Time

June 12: Good Foods Co-op Film Series: Food Chains

June 17: Family Film – Zootopia

June 20: Family Film – Star Wars: The Force Awakens

June 24: Family Film – E.T.

 

Free Friday Flicks at Jacobson Park

Bring your lawn chair, blankets, and pack a picnic dinner or purchase concessions from one of the onsite vendors.

June 3: Inside Out

June 10: Minions

June 17: The Peanuts Movie

June 24: Kung Fu Panda 3

 

Fountain Films on Friday

In the long shadow of Rupp Arena, you can enjoy the movies outdoors — like a drive-in, but without cars. Triangle Park, between W. Main Street and W. Vine Street. Movies start at approximately 9 pm.

 

July 15: Rocky (40 Year Anniversary)

July 22: Elf (Christmas in July)

July 29: Top Gun (30 Year Anniversary)

Aug 5: The Bad New Bears (40 Year Anniversary)

Aug 12: The Labyrinth (David Bowie Tribute)

Aug 19: The Addams Family

 

Hollywood Movie Classic at the Kentucky Theatre

June 1: Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

June 8: The Maltese Falcon (1941)

June 15: The King and I (1956)

June 22: Labyrinth (1986)

June 29: Spartacus (1960)

July 6: The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

July 13: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

July 20: The Birds (1963)

July 27: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Aug 3: Hud (1963)

Aug 10: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Aug 17: Way Out West (1937)

Aug 24: The Princess Bride (1987)

Aug 31: Sunset Boulevard (1950)

 

Lyric Summer Film Series at The Lyric Theatre

The 5th year of the Summer Film Series at the Lyric aims to bridge the gap between the classics and films coming out today. These films not only highlight the talent of African American actors, directors, and musicians, but show common thematic connections that span generations and continue to inspire, embolden, and empower.

June 5: Imitation of Life (1934)

June 12: The Butler (2013)

June 19: Stormy Weather (1943)

June 26: The Wiz (1978)

July 10: Lilies of the Field (1963)

July 17: Selma (2014)

July 24: Lean on Me (1989)

July 31: 12 Years a Slave (2013)

 

Met Opera Summer Encores at Cinemark at The Mall

June 22: Tosca

June 29: L’Elisir d’Amore

July 13: La Boheme

July 20: Cosi fan tutte

 

pg07 ACE June16Summer RUNS

 

Refuse to celebrate National Donut Day and then recuperate by lying by the pool all summer? Well. It takes all kinds.

Here’s a sampling of area runs in the Bluegrass: everything from 5Ks to overnight triathlons.

 

Friday, June 3: North Lime Donut Dash 3K, 6:30 pm, Wellington Park

Come burn off your National Donut Day calories with this chip-timed 3K at South Lexington’s Wellington Park. A portion of the race proceeds benefit Nourish Your Neighborhood, a new non-profit in Lexington fighting hunger in the community.

 

Saturday, June 4: Funky Fun Prom Run, 6:30 pm, Coldstream Park

 

Sunday, June 5: Run for the Hill 5K, 1 pm, Keeneland

 

Saturday, June 11: 5K on the Runway, 8 am, Blue Grass Airport

Fly through this course that will take you both on and off the runway of the Blue Grass Airport. There will be entertainment at the finish line, including music, concessions, activities for kids, and more.

 

Saturday, June 11: Dress for Success Powerwalk 5K, 8:30 am, Coldstream Park

 

Friday, June 17: Ironcology Survive the Night Triathalon, 7 pm

Teams will embark on a full distance triathlon relay. The race begins as a 4000m swim in the Spindletop Hall lap pool. Runners then head to the Kentucky Horse Park, where teams complete 21 laps around the 5-mile cycling course, for a total of 109 miles. Teams then send runners along the 27-mile segmented route through thoroughbred country before finishing back at Spindletop.

 

Saturday, June 18: W6K West Sixth and Broke Spoke Sunset Run, 7:30 pm

Begins and ends at Coolavin Park, taking runners through downtown Lexington and a portion of the Legacy Trail. All proceeds go to the Broke Spoke Community Bike Shop. This will be a timed, out and back 6K course. When runners are finished, they can head over to West Sixth for food from Smithtown Seafood and Red State Barbeque, as well as commemorative pint glasses.

 

Friday, June 24: Sunset Tiki 5K, 7 pm, Coldstream Park

 

Monday, July 4: Bluegrass 10K, 7:30 am, downtown

The 10K winds through the heart of Downtown Lexington. Crank & Wheelchair Divisions at 7:25 am, the 10K at 7:30 am, and a one mile Fun Run at 8:15 am.

 

Sunday, July 24: BreyerFest 5K & 1 Mile, 8 am, Kentucky Horse Park

 

Saturday, Aug 13: A Midsummer Night’s Run, 8 am, downtown

Choose from the 5K, 1 Mile, or Fastest Kid in Town, or any combination of the three.

 

Saturday, Aug 20: Kentucky Blood Run 5K, 6:30 pm, Kentucky Blood Center at Beaumont Center Circle

 

FAIRS AND FESTS

By the time Summer arrives, we’ve gotten a few of these under our belt (MayFest, Francisco’s Farm), but the first funnelcake of the season isn’t official til the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Fair. The final funnelcake of the season must be consumed at the Woodland Art Fair.

 

June 2 – 5: Seton County Fair at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

June 3 – 5: Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville

June 9 – 12: Festival of the Bluegrass at Kentucky Horse Park

June 10: Warehouse Block Block Party, National Avenue

June 10: Food Truck Friday

June 10 – 12: 6th Annual Harry Dean Stanton Fest

June 15 – 19: PlayThink Festival in Berea

June 17 – 19: Terrapin Hill Family Reunion

June 25: Lexington Pride Festival at Courthouse Plaza

June 30 – July 24: Summerfest at Woodland Park

July 4: Street Festival and Parade on Main Street and July 4th Live at Cheapside Park

July 14 – 17: Concours d’Elegance at Keeneland

July 15 – 17: Forecastle Festival

July: TomatoFest at The Arboretum

Aug 4 – 7: Ballet Under the Stars at Woodland Park

Aug 12: Food Truck Friday

Aug 18 – 28: Kentucky State Fair in Louisville

Aug 19 – 20: Picnic with the Pops at Keeneland

Aug 20 – 21: Woodland Art Fair at Woodland Park

Aug: Chevy Chase Street Fair

Sep 10: Doggie Paddle at Woodland Park

Sep 16 – 17: Festival Latino de Lexington at Cheapside Pavilion

This article also appears on pages 5-7 of the June 2016 issue of Ace.

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