Joe Autry

•GARDENZART

Saturday, May 18 

Hidden Hill Nursery & Sculpture Garden

1011 Utica-Charlestown Road, Utica, Ind.

812-282-0524 • hiddenhillnursery.com

Free; 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

I’m stating the obvious when I say gardens consist of plants, flowers and shrubs. But any respectable garden should have a bit of stone, metal or glass for decoration … in addition to gnomes, of course. Hidden Hill has an 8-acre abundance of the former as well as a good amount of work by area artists. In celebration of local art, they are holding GARDENZART. The highlight of the day will be an onsite chainsaw sculpture by Joe Autry. He’s transforming a lightning-killed oak tree into a flower that will be unveiled at 2 p.m. during the festival. There will also be glass by Chad Balster, ceramics by Jennifer Martin and Caren Cunningham’s garden-worthy stone sculpture, just to name a few of the other works to be on display. —Jo Anne Triplett

Bianca Spriggs

•KY Women’s Book Fest

Saturday, May 18

U of L Ekstrom Library

2301 S. Third St. • 852-6083

louisville.edu/womenscenter/kwbf

Free; 9:30 a.m.

The seventh annual Kentucky Women’s Book Festival at U of L will have more than a half-dozen authors, representing a diversity of successful voices. All workshops and readings, as well as the luncheon (only non-free item on the agenda), take place at the Ekstrom Library. The opening session has Judith C. Owens-Lalude describing how she drew upon sources to compile the stories that inspired her Underground Railroad novel, “The Long Walk: Slavery to Freedom.” Other presenters include journalist Sarah Garland and poet Bianca Spriggs. Through the day to the concluding poetry slam, the presenters will be looking to inspire fellow writers as well as readers — so that women’s voices might find themselves on the published page instead of being, as Spriggs’ verse describes, “What slumbers in an attic or basement/beneath several layers of dust, dreaming/of what it means to remember the light.” —T.E. Lyons

•Bardstown Bound

Saturday, May 18

Highlands

bardstownbound.com

Free; noon

To celebrate its 10^th anniversary of encouraging people to frolic up and down Bardstown Road in the Highlands, the folks behind this month’s Bardstown Bound are going all out with an official Bambi Walk, a sanctioned chicken dance, and a beer and music fest on Saturday. As always, the stores and restaurants along Bardstown Road will offer sales and samples, and there will be a trolley running from 2-10 p.m. The Bambi Walk starts at 1 and is celebrating anyone who graduated high school in 1983, but all are welcome. The chicken dance begins at 5 p.m. at Bardstown and Eastern Parkway. And the beer fest is hosted by Valumarket from 5-9 p.m. Ladies and gentlemen, start your livers. —Sara Havens

Jeff Walz

•Gilda’s Night of a Thousand Laughs

Saturday, May 18

Actors Theatre

316 W. Main St.

gildasclublouisville.org

$75-$125; 6 p.m.

It’s always refreshing when the rich and famous can take a joke at their own expense. Ratchet that respect up a few notches when said VIPs intentionally put themselves in the line of comedic fire for a good cause, which is exactly what Gilda’s Night of a Thousand Laughs is all about. Comedian Tom Mabe will lead a crew of local celebrities in an array of onstage antics to raise money for Gilda’s Club of Louisville, a nonprofit that provides support and services for those battling cancer. In addition to a live comedy show, the event includes an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and after-party. It’s a fitting fundraiser for a charity whose namesake is the great Gilda Radner, the “Saturday Night Live” comedian who died of ovarian cancer in 1989. —Sarah Kelley

•‘More from the Street’ 

Through May 18


Galerie Hertz


1253 S. Preston St. • 581-8277

billyhertzgallery.com

Post-Derby, as our city fades out of the sports spotlight, there is something left behind: garbage. Thankfully, after seeing the show at Galerie Hertz, you may see the refuse from a new and charming angle. Tom Pfannerstill creates detailed paintings on carved wood, replicas of rubbish found by the artist. Simultaneously, you’ll admire Pfannerstill’s painting expertise and the power of packaging design. An entertaining way to question value, Pfannerstill’s striking results will have you yearning to take one of these treasures home. —Mali Anderson

•WonderFest 2013

May 18-19

Crowne Plaza Hotel

830 Phillips Lane

wonderfest.com

$25; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Perhaps it’s the “Big Bang Theory” effect, or perhaps it’s just natural selection, but whatever the case, nerd culture seems to be at its zenith. Suddenly, it’s cool to be uncool. (Shame this couldn’t have happened when I was in seventh grade.) WonderFest, which happens this weekend at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, is a shining example of nerd culture at its best. From artists to writers to designers to actors, you can rub elbows with folks such as visual effects artist Lee Stringer, who has worked recently on “Iron Sky” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Also scheduled to appear are Lee Meriwether, who played Catwoman in 1966’s “Batman: The Movie,” and Sara Karloff, granddaughter of Boris Karloff, will show rare home movies and behind-the-scenes footage of the man who brought Frankenstein’s monster to the big screen. There will also be vendors, workshops and much more. —Kevin Gibson

Catherine Irwin

•‘Vera Causa — From Nick With Love’

Sunday, May 19

Irish Rover

2319 Frankfort Ave. • afsp.org

$8; 3 p.m.

The fourth annual “Vera Causa” (“true cause”) fundraiser to benefit suicide prevention, education and awareness features some great music, food and drinks, in addition to a silent auction and raffle. The music starts at 4, with performances from Oscar Parsons, Scott Carney, Catherine Irwin, Silver Tongues and the Junk Yard Dogs (and sound by Zanzabar’s Joe Seidt). Money raised will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which places educational materials and programs in Kentucky schools, in tribute to the life of Irish Rover server Nick Weisen. So head down to your local tavern to enjoy some of the finer things while also making an impact on this otherwise uneventful Sunday afternoon. —Peter Berkowitz

•Mary Gauthier

Sunday, May 19

Uncle Slayton’s

1017 E. Broadway

uncleslaytons.com

$15; 8:30 p.m.

Singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier counts the likes of Bob Dylan and Tom Waits as fans of her work, and with one listen you know why — her music carries incredible emotional weight, often speaking to us collectively as much as individually. And then there are her characters: “nuns in blue jeans” (“Drag Queens in Limousines”), murderers (“Karla Faye”), orphans (“Blood is Blood”) and bums (“The Last of the Hobo Kings”), all of whom are featured on her latest release, Live at Blue Rock. She’ll have the whole lineup with her, along with her own searing voice, topped off with some “Mercy Now.” Just be sure to bring your hanky (and an extra for the poor wretch next to you who forgot his) — and better make that G&T a double while you’re at it. —Jason Howard

•Buy Local Fair

Saturday, May 11

Louisville Water Tower

3005 River Road

keeplouisvilleweird.com

Free ($5 parking); 2-8 p.m.

Louisville is lucky to have an impressive local arts scene and a thriving farm-fresh foods movement, two assets that will be celebrated Saturday at the fifth annual Buy Local Fair. Spearheaded by the Louisville Independent Business Association and Grasshoppers Distribution, the fair will include more than 150 booths showcasing goods and services from this city’s finest local artists, farmers, businesses and community organizations. And no Louisville-centric event would be complete without a hefty helping of food and drink, including a craft beer tent featuring 10 local brewers. Local bands Gideon’s Rifle, Thirty Spokes and Nerves Junior will provide entertainment to round out this much-deserved Louisville love-fest. —Sarah Kelley

•Paul Kelly

Saturday, May 11

Zanzabar

2100 S. Preston St.

zanzabarlouisville.ticketfly.com

$15-$20; 9 p.m.

Paul Kelly has been called the “Bruce Springsteen of Australia,” but truth be told, Kelly, like Bruce, transcends regional labels; he’s one of the preeminent songwriters of our time. As a lyricist, Kelly is literate (he adapted Raymond Carver’s harrowing short story “Everything’s Turning to White” into an exquisite song); idealistic (witness “From Little Things Big Things Grow,” a stirring anthem co-written with the great Aboriginal singer Kev Carmody); evocative (his moody “Gathering Storm” is a minimalist masterpiece); and witty (check out “Every Fucking City,” his funny backpacker ballad on YouTube). And his love songs are as sly as can be. Kelly’s career has fused rock, R&B, bluegrass and country, but nowadays, he prefers life as an acoustic troubadour with a guitar. For his Zanzabar show, he’ll be joined by guitarist (and nephew) Dan Kelly. —Marty Rosen

•‘Fire Under the Snow’

Sunday, May 12

The Clifton Center

2117 Payne St.

cliftoncenter.org

$5; 7 p.m.

In 1959, Buddhist monk Palden Gyatso was arrested by the Chinese Communist Army and spent the next 33 years in prison for crimes of peaceful demonstration. He was tortured, starved and sentenced to hard labor, but says his faith in Buddhism helped him survive. While imprisoned, the mere existence of the Dalai Lama inspired Gyatso, and he eventually got to meet him after he was free from Tibet. “Fire Under the Snow” documents Gyatso’s life from childhood through his imprisonment and his current role as an activist, and it will be shown Sunday as part of the Wild and Woolly Film Series at the Clifton Center. “Palden Gyatso’s life story transcends notions of religion or political movements,” says director Makoto Sasa. “He accommodated suffering but did not capitulate to it.” —Sara Havens

•Emily Wells

Sunday, May 12

Zanzabar

2100 S. Preston St.

zanzabarlouisville.com

$8-$10; 9 p.m.

Emily Wells made her lively household debut at the age of 4 on a small, plastic violin purchased from Michaels. And while she has since expanded her instrumental range, she has not necessarily outgrown toy instruments — she has performed on a toy piano during her concerts. Her songs show no lack of maturity, however, and instead offer a haunting, crystalline quality, accompanied by her violins, piano and a deep, electronic beat. Her style has been described as folk and hip-hop, as intricate and humble; her newest album, Mama, was recorded entirely through voice and guitar. Wells has claimed a style that speaks to her honesty and shows off the simpler facets of life. —Natalie French

•Down & Derby

Saturday, May 4

The Pointe

1205 E. Washington St.

louisvilledownandderby.com

$40; 8 p.m.

Once again, the folks at Down & Derby want to you dance away your horseracing blues or celebrate your winnings after the big race. A fundraiser for Louisville Youth Group, this annual party features music by L.A. DJ Brynn Taylor, a performance by Roxxxy Andrews from season 5 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and an open bar stocked with the likes of Tito’s vodka and Four Roses bourbon. Best of all, they don’t care what you wear — keep the Derby garb on or throw something more casual together, and prepare to leave the stress of the week on the dance floor. Chances are you’ll spend more than $40 on a bar tab elsewhere, so you might as well do something more fun for a better cause. —Sara Havens

•Billy’s Burger Bash

Saturday, May 4

Varanese Restaurant

2106 Frankfort Ave.

varanese.com

Free; 11 p.m.

As Kentucky Derby 139 winds down, Varanese plans to keep the party going with more eating, drinking and general merriment. The Frankfort Avenue restaurant is throwing a free late-night Derby bash that will last into the wee hours on Sunday, featuring live entertainment from Lamont Gillespie and 100 Proof, drinks specials, and a simple menu of bar bites, burgers and fries. Dubbed “Billy’s Burger Bash,” the event is named after Billy Rapaport, Emmy Award-winning field producer for NBC’s thoroughbred racing coverage; over the years, Rapaport and his media pals have been known to unwind after a long week at Churchill Downs over burgers and beers at various Louisville establishments, most recently Varanese. If they can muster up a little more energy on Derby Day, surely you can make it out for just … one … more … drink. —Sarah Kelley

•The Hungover Games

Sunday, May 5

Barret Avenue

Free; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The day after Derby isn’t often a pleasant one — if you didn’t pick the winning horse, you’re not only broke but broken-hearted. You have the shakes and you might feel like you’ve been trampled by a thoroughbred. No amount of sleep, vitamins or Tylenol can even touch this hangover. Might as well mosey up to the Barret Avenue corridor on Sunday for their first-ever Hungover Games, which will feature food trucks, drink specials, ping pong, prizes and contests. They’re shutting down East Kentucky Street between Brent and Barret for the festivities, and participating businesses include Regalo, Revelry, Monkey Wrench, Barret Bar, Nuts ’N’ Stuff, Meme Tech, and Artist & Craftsman Supply. If you’re used to going to Lynn’s Paradise Cafe after Derby, this is the next closest thing — literally. Re-hydrate with a mimosa or two. —Sara Havens

Sunday, April 21

Iroquois Park

1080 Amphitheater Road

thezombierun.com

$30+; 12:30 p.m.

Spring is finally in the air! Ready to spend an afternoon with the undead? On Sunday, Iroquois Park will be the site of a unique recreation mash-up: runners on a 5k race will be interrupted by zombies … and you have the opportunity to be among the undead! When the sirens go off and the chopper takes off overhead, who will have the stones to run into that strange part of the racecourse that’s starting to fill with fog? The organizers have brought on a SWAT team of makeup artists to make sure the zombies are “fully fleshed out” on their way to taking down the fleeing humans. Beer and photo-ops are at the finish line. Note: Due to the bombings in Boston, the race will start with a moment of silence for the victims. —T.E. Lyons

•Purling Hiss

Sunday, April 21

Zanzabar

2100 S. Preston St.

zanzabarlouisville.ticketfly.com

$6-$8; 9 p.m.

Philadelphia lo-fi psychedelic rockers Purling Hiss are rolling through Louisville, and you owe it to your inner-slacker, Generation Whatever, early-’90s self to go. To clarify, Purling Hiss self-identify as all of the aforementioned adjectives — all fair descriptors, I might add. The result is a sound not unlike Mudhoney or even the Smashing Pumpkins, albeit sans a bit of the indie-emo posturing of the latter, if both bands subsisted on a steady diet of Alice Cooper songs. Initially the solo venture of guitarist/vocalist Mike Polizze, Purling Hiss has recently grown to include a new drummer and bassist. Touring in support of their Drag City full-length release Water On Mars, Purling Hiss have worked together to refine their sound, which includes comparatively quieter material as an offset from the otherwise consistent haze of distorted tunes. —Syd Bishop 

Saturday, April 13

Chao Auditorium, U of L’s Ekstrom Library
2301 S. Third St.
Free; 10 a.m.

“It’s not tyranny we desire; it’s a just, limited, federal government.” So said Founding Father Alexander Hamilton in 1787, the year our Constitution was adopted. The fight over federalism has been raging ever since, and on Saturday, a handful of local lawyers and political science professors will delve into the debate of national power vs. states’ rights at a symposium sponsored by the Alexander Hamilton Historical Society. Topics will include whether contemporary American politics reflect the Founding Fathers’ ideals; the impact of landmark Supreme Court cases (including the Affordable Care Act) on federalism; and the politics of fiscal federalism. It’s a lot to cover, and the panelists promise to leave ample time for questions and answers related to this perpetual point of contention in the United States. —Sarah Kelley

•Mighty Kindness Earth Day Hoot

Saturday, April 13

Waterfront Park
1217 River Road
mightykindness.org
Free; noon-6 p.m.

“To sustain life as we know it, we must all act. We must all become a mighty kindness. Our planet depends on it.” This is the motto of Mighty Kindness, an outreach program of the Clifton Universalist Unitarian Church. For six years, the group has been hosting biannual “Hoots,” determined to encourage awareness and strength in the community. This year, the Earth Day Hootenanny boasts a slew of activities and partners — Turners Circus and the Taoist Tai Chi Society, alongside several local musicians. During this entertainment, however, you will also have the chance to browse and buy from local artists, as well as participate in free workshops built to encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle. The Hoot is a family-friendly event, built to bring out the best in the community. —Natalie French

•By-BUY-BYE Auction

Saturday, April 13

PUBLIC Gallery
131 W. Main St.
louisvillevisualart.org
Sale: Free; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Auction: $65-$75; 7 p.m.

The Louisville Visual Art Association prides itself on being a “catalyst for education and participation in the visual arts,” and the By-BUY-BYE Art Auction and Sale is designed to benefit their mission. The Art Sale is a free public event, featuring dozens of local artists and more than 200 works of art. It is the auction, however, where things get classy — tickets are $75 for the general public, but the evening will include a cocktail party and live entertainment, alongside the auction. All of the proceeds benefit the LVAA’s very own art education program, the Children’s Fine Art Classes, which caters to “visually talented” students between the ages of 9 and 18. —Natalie French

•Janna McMahan

Sunday, April 14

Carmichael’s Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Ave. • 896-6950
Free; 4 p.m.

Kentucky-born author Janna McMahan is coming to Carmichael’s to promote the release of her fourth novel. “Anonymity,” available in trade paperback, is a saga of young drifters and those who interact with them — whether for exploitation or with the hope that lending a hand can make a positive difference. The setting is the gritty district of Austin, Texas, known as The Drag — worlds away from the Appalachian foothills that were one of the autobiographical elements of McMahan’s debut “Calling Home.” The new work shows other significant turns from her previous work — for instance, “Anonymity” is in many ways a psychological thriller — but reviews indicate that McMahan continues to deliver the sort of quality that made her a finalist for the Flannery O’Connor Fiction Award. —T.E. Lyons

•The Last Bison

Sunday, April 14

Uncle Slayton’s
1017 E. Broadway
uncleslaytons.com
$8; 8:30 p.m.

This close-knit group of family and friends from the marshes of Chesapeake, Va., has wooed the hearts of many with their self-described “mountain-top chamber” music since the release of their independent debut album Quill in 2011. Spiritual, folk-inspired sonic and lyrical qualities pair perfectly with carefully crafted aesthetics. Appearing equal parts Victorian and early American homesteader, this septet’s American folk rock sound is often compared to Mumford & Sons, The Decemberists or Fleet Foxes. Six weeks after releasing their first major label album, Inheritance, The Last Bison will be at Uncle Slayton’s, along with the Appalachian country quartet If Birds Could Fly, donning long hair, long dresses and an impressive musical arsenal that includes banjos, bells and even Bolivian goat toenails. —Sarah Duncan

April 5-7

Ramada Inn Plaza
9700 Bluegrass Pkwy.
conglomeration.info
$35-$45; various times

ConGlomeration boasts itself as Louisville’s very own Sci-Fi and Fantasy Convention, and Wikipedia seems to agree. Established in 2001, the convention has become a local staple, much like RiverCon before it. It’s three days — 72 hours — of multimedia geeking, complete with a game room, art show and masquerade. Those involved in ConGlomeration call it “a labor of love,” and truly, it is; it is a gathering of young and old, all equally excited to share and revel in their favorite shows, games and artists. The best part? It’s a flat rate for the whole three days. No “gold memberships,” no special pass required — it’s open range, an unbiased intermingling of fans, and entirely tailored to suit Louisville. —Natalie French

Friday, March 22

U of L’s Student Activities Center
louisville.edu/lgbt
$10 ($5 students); 8 p.m.

No, Pink isn’t returning to town for an encore performance, but her infectious attitude and spirit surely inspired some of the performers in this event. Now in its 16^th year, PINK is U of L’s student-produced amateur drag and variety show. It actually holds the record as the longest-running student organized fundraiser on U of L’s campus, and proceeds, as always, benefit the Office for LGBT Services Scholarship Fund. A mix of seasoned and first-time drag queens and kings will entertain, including “Mother of the House of PINK,” Reva Devareux, and emcee MC2. This is drag for a good cause, so sit back and enjoy. —Sara Havens

Saturday, March 9

Baxter/Bardstown corridor
louisvilleirish.com
Free; 3 p.m.

One of the first signs that spring is near has nothing to do with our moody weather — it’s time for the 40^th annual Ancient Order of Hibernian’s St. Patrick’s Parade to flash its green and stroll down Baxter Avenue and Bardstown Road. More than 50,000 residents either marched in or watched last year’s parade, and organizers are hoping to reach those numbers again. This year’s theme is “Forty Shades of Green,” so one can only imagine what kind of (hopefully) family-friendly floats we can expect. The parade starts at 3 p.m. at Baxter and Broadway and continues to Mid City Mall. Look out for the LEO Bus again this year … we’ve been practicing our waves. —Sara Havens

•Heliotropes

Saturday, March 9

Zanzabar
2100 S. Preston St.
zanzabarlouisville.ticketfly.com
$8-$10; 9 p.m.

Hailed as a kind of shoegaze, psych-rock ensemble, Brooklyn band Heliotropes head to Louisville Saturday. You can safely throw stoner metal into the list of genre-specific descriptors that precede the band, as evidenced by the sludgy menace that leads Heliotropes to some well-earned Black Sabbath comparisons. Couple this with front woman Jessica Numsuwankijkul’s dreamy and lethargic voice, and Heliotropes proves to be more than just the sum total of their parts. Funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign, the band is touring in support of its impending full-length, The Constant Sea, to be released in the spring on Manimal Records. Joining them for this stop are Toronto rockers Belief, who bring their comparably lighter dream-pop as a counterbalance to the darker caverns Heliotropes mine. Opening is local indie band Gangly Youth. —Syd Bishop

March 8-9

Alley Theater
1210 Franklin St.
thealleytheater.org
$15; 10 p.m.

Go-Go Amy’s Pretty Things Peepshow is home to all things strange and lovely: The show is run by burlesque dancers who breathe fire and swallow swords, throw knives, and otherwise risk their lives for their audience’s enjoyment. It is a masterpiece of vintage oddities, inspired by Amy’s own experiences with sideshows and her flair for the burlesque. And if these beautiful dancing ladies aren’t enough, the Pretty Things Peepshow also sports its own in-house band, The Peepin Toms, named after their mother show. Amy has built, from the ground up, a traveling roadshow that has minted its own kind of odd — a definition that suits Louisville perfectly. —Natalie French

March 8-10

The Ramada Plaza
9700 Bluegrass Pkwy.
louisvillearcade.com
$15/day, $35/pass; various times

It seems like it’s been decades since the angsty pleas of adolescent boys filled the mall with the age-old, voice-cracking debate: Which is better — “Space Invaders” or “Galaga”? But in truth, it’s only been a year, and this weekend it’s time to dust off your angst and grab your joystick again, because the third annual Louisville Arcade Expo is set to kick off. It will feature mall classics like “Donkey Kong” and “Eight Ball,” plus, you’ll be able to play all of your favorite retro game consoles, including Atari 2600, Commodore 64 and Sega Genesis. This year’s keynote speaker is pinball wizard (a reference I’m sure he never tires of) Roger Sharpe, and a free concert by 8-bit game musician Ricky Henry, who will perform with nothing more than an original Gameboy. —Brent Owen