McCann: Fall festivals, Makers Mark and fences
It’s been a few weeks. Time has slipped past and you’ve forgotten how much work the Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival was; or maybe you’ve forgotten how hot and crowded it was.
Either way, now that the promise of cooler fall days are just ahead, now is the time to plan to attend other fall festivals around Kentucky to enjoy music, arts and crafts, food and perhaps find the most remarkable of treasures that will make a perfect holiday or birthday gift.
Sept. 13-14
— Festival Latina de Lexington: Sept. 13-14, Robert F. Stephens Courthouse, downtown Lexington. Live music, dance, arts authentic Latino cuisine. Co-sponsored by the Lexington Urban County Government’s Parks and Recreation and the Foundation for Latin American and Latino Culture and Arts. For more information, call 859-288-2927.
—Greenbo Grass Bluegrass Festival: Sept. 14 at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup, Kentucky. Bluegrass music festival held at the park’s amphitheater. Free admission. Information: Parks.ky.gov.
Sept. 17- 22
— Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival: Sept. 17-21, 3715 US 60 E. Morehead. Live Bluegrass music. Daily admission $20- $50; camping available. More than 60 bands and performers including Lonesome River Band; Whiskey Bent Valley Boys; and, Ralph (Stanley) II and the Clinch Mountain Boys. More information at Poppymountainbluegrass.com
— Black Gold Festival: Sept. 19 -21. Hazard. Parade. Crafts. Live music featuring local and regional bands and musicians. Highlight is a concert on Saturday at 8 p.m. by Walker Montgomery (son of John Michael, nephew of Eddie). Had a hit song with “Simple Town.” Information at Blackgoldfestival.com
—Spoonbread Festival: Sept. 20- 22. Berea. Hot air balloon glow, car show and parade. Spoonbread eating contest. Local and regional musical talent. Free admission. Free parking. More information at Spoonbreadfestival.com
— Fort Harrod Jazz Festival: Sept. 20- 22. Old Fort Harrod State Park. Music, arts, food and more. University and college jazz bands from UK, EKU, Morehead, Asbury and more; Paladin, Blue Groove Jazz, the MetroGnomes Big Band and featuring Adrian Crutchfield. More at: Ftharrodjazzfest.com
— Simon Kenton Festival: Sept. 21- 22. Old Washington Historic Village, Maysville. Experience the village as it was during the 19th century with actors and re-enactors making you feel as though you have gone back in time. Live music. Food. Arts, crafts and pottery all available for purchase. More information at Cityofmaysville.com/simon-kenton-festival
Maker’s Mark honors glass artisan
Stephen Rolfe Powell is being honored by Maker’s Mark Distillery, Loretto with a showing of some of his hand blown glass sculptures. Powell, who died earlier this year was a Centre College professor and well known glass artist. His work will be on display through Nov. 30 as part of the distillery’s tour. Tickets are $10 to $14.
August Wilson Message Theatre
For those not already familiar with him, August Wilson (1945- 2005) is one of America’s premiere playwrights. He wrote 10 plays — referred to as the Pittsburg Cycle — each set in a different decade that addresses the African American experience in the 20th century. Wilson won two Pulitzer prizes for drama.
Two of Wilson’s works will be performed in the 2019- 2020 season by two Lexington theaters.
Message Theatre will present August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” at the Lyric Theatre at 7 p.m. Sept. 13-14 and 3 p.m. Sept. 15. Tickets are $15.
AthensWest Theatre Company will hold auditions for August Wilson’s “Fences.” Auditions will take place Saturday, Sept. 21 from 2 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 22 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Callbacks , if needed, will take place Monday, Sept. 23 from 7 to 10 p.m.
All auditions will be at the Schmidt Vocal Arts Center, 412 Rose St., Lexington on the University of Kentucky campus.
Auditions are by appointment only. You must audition in person in order to be considered. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
Rehearsals begin Jan. 13, 2020. Performances will be Feb. 7-23, 2020.
For more information about either auditions or anything else associated with the play, email athenswestauditions@gmail.com
Bill McCann is a playwright, poet, flash fiction writer and teacher who writes about arts events and personalities. Reach him at wmccann273@gmail.com.