SATURDAY, MAY 18
SPOTLIGHT: GILDA’S NIGHT OF A THOUSAND LAUGHS
Gilda’s Night of a Thousand Laughs is a benefit for families living with cancer. The event takes place at Actors Theatre of Louisville, 316 W. Main St., on Saturday, May 18 at 6 p.m. Local celebrities who aren’t afraid to play the fool will join professional comics, media personalities, Louisville chefs and local dignitaries. The night also includes a cocktail reception, live comedy show, silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. Admission is $75 for premium tickets and $125 for VIP. For more information, call (502) 583-0075 or visit www.gildasclublouisville. (Downtown)
CIVIL WAR WALKING TOUR OF CAVE HILL CEMETERY
Cave Hill Cemetery, 701 Baxter Ave., 9 a.m., $15. Learn about the cemetery’s connections to the Civil War with Bryan Bush, author and Civil War historian. More info at (502) 451-5630 or cavehillheritagefoundation.org. (Highlands)
BARDSTOWN BOUND
Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue, Noon-Whenever (Trolley runs 2 p.m.-10 p.m.), Free. The Highland Commerce Guild celebrates the beginning of summer with Bardstown Bound. The shops, restaurants and bars of the Highlands will host an exciting evening of shopping, sampling and saving along Louisville’s favorite commercial strip. Sidewalk shopping and sales will be featured all day, with live music, more local bands, more Bubbly Hour Spots, a Bambi Walk and a Highland Chicken Dance, 5 p.m. at Bardstown Road and Eastern Parkway. Visit www.bardstownbound.com. (Highlands)
SIDE-BY-SIDE CELEBRATION
Portland Promise Center, 1831 Baird St., 5:30 p.m., $75. Portland Promise Center’s annual fundraising event is the “Side-by-Side Celebration.” It consists of a dinner, a program presented by neighborhood children and a silent and live auction. WHAS-TV’s Rachel Platt is this year’s emcee. For more information, call (502) 776-2635 or visit www.sidebyside.portlandpromise.org. (Portland)
SPOTLIGHT: THE LVAA 3RD ANNUAL BACON BALL
The Louisville Visual Art Association’s “Bacon Ball” takes place at Oxmoor Farm, 720 Oxmoor Ave., on Saturday, May 18 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The farm is located just behind Oxmoor Mall. Ten restaurants will be competing for the Bacon King Award by serving samples of their best pork-inspired dishes. There will also be local beverages, music and a silent auction. Admission is $30 for LVAA members ($50 per couple) or $40 for non-members ($70 per couple). Group rates are available. Proceeds from the Bacon Ball benefit LVAA programs. Since the event takes place on the farm, no stilettos are allowed. For more information, call (502) 584-8166 or visit louisvillevisualart.org. (Oxmoor)
SUNDAY, MAY 19
FOREST FEST BLUEGRASS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jefferson Memorial Forest, 11a.m.-8 p.m., Free (parking is $10). Come on out to the Jefferson Memorial Forest for a great day filled with music, handmade crafts, fun events and activities for the entire family. For more information, call (502) 368-5404 or visit memorialforest.com. (Fairdale)
WILDLIFE BABY SHOWER
Faith Community Church, 7611 Rose Island Road, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., $5 or donated item from Second Chances’ wish list (children ages 2 and under are free). Second Chances Wildlife Center is hosting their second annual Wildlife Baby Shower fundraiser. Come see wildlife babies up close and learn about local wildlife. There will be live music, raffles, a silent auction, treats to eat, nature items for sale and activities for the family. The event is at Gingerwoods Event Hall. (Prospect)
THE LOUISVILLE WINDS
Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Road, 3 p.m., Free ($5 suggested donation). The Louisville Winds, founded in March 2011, is an adult community band with members from the Louisville metropolitan community and surrounding area. The band was born of a desire by musicians seeking an opportunity to continue playing their instruments in a concert band setting. Louisville Winds is committed to performing a wide variety of significant literature for concert band. The ensemble is comprised of musicians from varying careers and backgrounds – a large number are educators with Jefferson County Public Schools, others have music-related careers, some are music students or retired educators, and many are musicians with non-music-related careers. For more information, visit www.iroquoisamphitheater.com/. (Iroquois)
MONDAY, MAY 20
SCHOOL-TO-PRISON PIPELINE
League of Women Voters, 115 S. Ewing St., 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Free. The community is invited to a panel discussion with Chief Juvenile Defender Peter L. Schuler, members of the Louisville Metro Public Defenders Office and Judge Joan Byer. For more information, call (502) 895-5218. (Crescent Hill)
THURSDAY, MAY 23
ABBY ROAD ON THE RIVER
Muhammad Ali Center, 144 N. Sixth St., 4 p.m.-11 p.m., $24-$199.95. The organizers of Abbey Road on the River, the world’s largest Beatles tribute festival, are proud to announce a partnership with the Muhammad Ali Center, a multicultural with an award-winning museum experience dedicated to the life of the iconic symbol of peace, well-being and inspiration. Many of the 50 world-class bands will travel to Louisville for this year’s Abbey Road on the River, which takes place Thursday, May 23 to Monday, May 27. Festival ticket holders will receive discounted admission to the Ali Center throughout the weekend. Those who visit the center will be entered to win door prizes, including a Grestch guitar and a signed photograph of Muhammad Ali. Attendees to the Ali Center will also be able to participate in the “John Lennon Songwriting Contest” as well as the “Give Peace a Chance” sing-along. For more information, call (502) 992-5334 or visit www.arotr.com. (Downtown)