I just returned from a field trip to Indianapolis and Cincinnati. I was interested in looking around our sister cities with an eye on how we measure up these days. While in Cincinnati, I also visited with one of their key Arts leaders. Again, “How goes things? How can we work cooperatively in the future? What might our options be if we saw ourselves as a single region? Lou-Cinn-Day-apolis?”
Funny timing, because just last week Mayor Fischer was also fostering regionalism with an eye in Lexington’s direction. The opportunities are limitless. I’m reminded of an ancient ad I have pinned above my desk from the Wall Street Journal. There’s a middle aged guy in a business suit holding a placard with the words “Collaborate or Die”.
So back home I started with a few basics: what’s going on today? What do we have to offer? Well, it’s downright impressive.
Here are the details:
- Friday, Feb. 18 – Kentucky Shakespeare’s Sonnets and Soliloquies with Tony Award-winner Liev Schreiber and the National Symphony Orchestra with the Louisville Youth Choir! RSVP to 574-9900 or click here.
- Saturday, Feb. 19 – Louisville Orchestra welcomes iconic star Bernadette Peters to the Louisville Palace for an evening of comedy, drama, wit and sparkle. Click here for tickets.
- Monday, Feb. 21 and Tuesday, Feb. 22 – Music Theatre Louisville offers a FREE evening with complimentary food and drink at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts followed by a 1-hour sneak preview and cabaret performance of their summer season! To RSVP for this FREE event call 498-2436.
- Opening on Feb. 24 – Walden Theatre announces the production Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets and a special presentation of the Orson Welles radio play His Honor the Mayor. Visit here for more information.
- March 4 and March 5 – Louisville Ballet presents Coppelia – A fantastical story ballet about a mysterious toy maker and his life-size creation – a doll named Coppélia. This comic tale revolves around a case of lovesickness, jealous mischief and mistaken identity. Based on stories by the writer who created The Nutcracker, Coppélia is a fun, lighthearted comedy for the entire family! Get your tickets here.
- From now through April 10 – LVAA is hosting the 2011 Water Tower Regional, the oldest competitive juried art exhibition in the Southeast and Midwest regions featuring artwork from artists in Kentucky and contiguous states. Visit here for more information.
- And, of course, there’s Actors Theatre’s upcoming 35th Annual Humana Festival of New American Plays. This is a BIG deal and you simply have to go to as many of the plays as you can fit into your schedule! Here’s the line-up!
Never a dull moment! All that said, I am intrigued about the future and am 100% convinced we have the right stuff to move forward. Step back, release yourself from the traditional solutions. Let the future roll! And, yes – please remember that your support of the Fund for the Arts campaign powers our solutions and our successes. Click here and make a gift today or make sure to participate in your workplace giving campaign!
Best – happy to be back home,
Allan Cowen
President & CEO
Fund for the Arts
