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FRIDAY, APRIL 12
GRAND OPENING OF BLOCK PARTY HANDMADE BOUTIQUE
Block Party Handmade Boutique, 560 S. Fourth St., Free. Block Party Handmade Boutique is a unique retail store located in downtown Louisville.  It’s a co-op boutique that features 30-50 artists working in a variety of mediums including edibles, jewelry, children’s items, clothing, fine art, ceramics, glass, accessories and more! Stop by for the store’s grand opening and celebrate having more local businesses downtown. For more information, contact Mary Levinsky at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.blockpartyhandmade.blogspot.com. (Downtown)

RIVERSIDE ANNUAL PLANT & HERB SALE
Farnsley-Moremen Landing, 7410 Moorman Road, 4 p.m.-7 p.m., Free. The Riverside Annual Plant & Herb Sale takes place from Friday, April 12 to Sunday, April 14. The sale continues at 8 a.m. on Saturday and closes at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables and great gardening advice will be featured throughout the weekend. Proceeds support the efforts of the Riverside Garden Club, a group of volunteers who maintain Riverside’s gardens. The club exists to promote educational gardening programs in support of Riverside’s mission, and to beautify the property for public enjoyment. For more information, call (502) 935-6809 or visit riverside-landing.org. (Riverside)

RELAY FOR LIFE OF BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY
Bellarmine University Quad, 2001 Newburg Road, 6 p.m., Free. Join walkers nationwide in taking steps in the fight against cancer during the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Bellarmine University. This overnight event celebrates cancer survivors, remembers those who have lost their lives and provides the community with an opportunity to unite and fight back against cancer. Funds raised through Relay for Life support the American Cancer Society. For more information visit www.realyforlife.org/bellarmine, or contact Elizabeth Raggio at (502) 560-6000 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . (Highlands)

MERCY BANQUET FEATURING AUTHOR RON HALL
Louisville Marriott East, 1903 Embassy Square Blvd., 6 p.m., $50 ($500 table of 10). Ron Hall, author of the New York Times Bestseller “Same Kind of Different as Me,” is coming to Louisville as part of an event to benefit the city’s homeless. Hall will be the keynote speaker for Jefferson Street Baptist Center’s annual Mercy Banquet. The theme of this year’s banquet is “Relationships Change Lives.” This theme is perfectly illustrated by Hall’s relationship with a homeless drifter named Denver Moore. With over 1 million copies sold, “Same Kind of Different as Me” tells the real life story of Hall and Moore, who was raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana in the 1960s and spent his adult years wandering the streets of Texas homeless for nearly two decades. The Mercy Banquet will also feature live storytelling from people who have battled addiction, mental illness and homelessness. There will also be a silent auction, live music, presentations from local business people about their partnership with JSBC, and a meal. The silent auction will feature vacation packages, sporting event packages and a variety of special experience packages. For more information, call (502) 584-6543 or visit www.jeffersonstreet.org/banquet. (Downtown)
 

SATURDAY, APRIL 13
BRIGHTSIDE COMMUNITY-WIDE CLEANUP
Brightside will kick off the Mayor’s “Give A Day” Week of Service on Saturday, April 13 with a Community-Wide Cleanup.  Volunteers can help keep Louisville clean and green by taking the time to remove litter. The 2012 effort removed 11 tons of trash from our streets, sidewalks and green spaces. Brightside is looking for families, friends, work groups, church groups and anyone else who wants to help beat that number.  Groups may select their own cleanup site or Brightside can connect them with an existing group. Brightside will coordinate the trash pickup. Volunteers receive free bags and gloves, with T-shirts available to the first 5,000 volunteers registered. The Mayor’s Week of Service continues to Thursday, April 21. More info at (502) 574-2613 or www.mygiveaday.com. (Various)

SPOTLIGHT:  JULIE YODER’S “AMERICA!”
Artist Julie Yoder likes reading presidential biographies. Her studies are the basis for “America!” an exhibition of new work on display at Liberty Tattoo and Art Parlor, 2801 S. Third St., through April 27. An artist’s reception will take place Saturday, April 13 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call (502) 637-4777 or visit libertytattooandart.com. (Belknap)

 

2013 ART AUCTION AND BY-BUY-BYE ART SALE
Public, 131 W. Main St., 10 a.m.-9 p.m., $65 members/$75 non-members for Art Auction. The Louisville Visual Arts Association is hosting two events, the BY-BUY-BYE Art Sale and the Art Auction. BY-BUY-BYE Art Sale, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., includes 200 8x8-inch artworks by local artists for $100 each. The sale is free and open to the public. The Art Auction takes place 7 p.m.-9 p.m. and requires a ticket. For more information, call (502) 896-2146 or visit www.louisvillevisualart.org. (Downtown) |   

CONSTITUTIONAL SYMPOSIUM
Chao Auditorium, University of Louisville, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Free. The Alexander Hamilton Historical Society will host its 2013 Constitutional Symposium at the University of Louisville. The symposium chair and moderator is U of L’s Dr. Charles Ziegler, professor of political science, University scholar and Grawemeyer awards director. The symposium presentations include “The Founders and Federalism,” by Dr. Aaron Hoffman, assistant professor of political science, Bellarmine University; “The Constitution and Federalism,” by attorney Mark Webster; and “The Supreme Court and Federalism,” by attorney Jane Lollis. A question-and-answer session follows the presentations. Free parking is available on campus; paid parking is available in the Speed Art Museum parking garage. For more information, call (502) 709-5070. (Old Louisville)

6TH ANNUAL MIGHTY KINDNESS EARTH DAY HOOT
Brown-Forman Amphitheater (Waterfront Park), 1217 River Road, Noon-6 p.m., Free. The 6th Annual Mighty Kindness Hoot features performances by several local groups. People are also encouraged to bring their own instruments to make music or bring an umbrella and join in the Mighty Kind Second Line Parade. There will also be dozens of free workshops, delicious local food, and a massage-a-thon benefitting the Billy Goat Hill Community Garden. More info at www.mightykindness.org. (Downtown)

RIVER CANOEING CLASS
Jefferson Memorial Forest, 11311 Mitchell Hill Road, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., $15 per person. This four-hour class in river canoeing will cover the basics of boat control, paddle strokes for moving water, and preparation for a safe day on the river. Participants must be age 12 or older, able to swim confidently, and comfortably sit in and paddle a canoe in slow-moving water. A parent or legal guardian must accompany any participant under age 18. Equipment is provided. Dress to get wet and wear shoes that will stay on your feet (no flip flops). All participants must preregister and prepay before the class date. For details, call (502) 368-5404 or visit www.louisvilleky.gov/metroparks/parks/jeffersonmemorialforest. (Fairdale)

SUNDAY, APRIL 14
ROMANTIC CHAMBER MUSIC
Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Lane, 5:30 p.m., Free. The Kentucky Center Chamber Players perform music from Cantaloube, Prokofiev and Brahms in the Audubon Room of the Visitors Center. For more information, call (502) 897-9845. (Blankenbaker)

FRIDAY, APRIL 19
FESTIVAL OF THE DOGWOOD 1046 Hess Lane, after dark, Free. Audubon Park, one of Louisville’s oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods will celebrate the Festival of the Dogwood from Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21. Visitors are invited to walk, bike or drive through the park and enjoy the beauty of the dogwood varieties. After dark, the blooming trees will be lit up. On Sunday at 3 p.m., a free community concert featuring the River City Concert Band will take place at Audubon Baptist Church, 1046 Hess Lane. For more information, contact Gene at (502) 634-4921 or Diane at (502) 635-6710. (Audubon Park)

HOWL AT THE MOON
Jefferson Memorial Forest, 11311 Mitchell Hill Road, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $6 per person. Jefferson Memorial Forest invites owners and their pooches on a guided hike through the woods. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required.  Meet in the Horine Reservation. Preregistration required. Call (502) 368-5404 or visit www.louisvilleky.gov/metroparks/parks/jeffersonmemorialforest. (Fairdale)

SATURDAY, APRIL 20
THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE
Waterfront Park, 3 p.m., Free. See one of the largest annual fireworks shows in North America: Thunder Vision 2013, a sparkling display set to the symphonic sounds of TV through the years. For more information, visit thunderoverlouisville.org. (Downtown)

FAMILIES OUTSIDE X-PLORING
Jefferson Memorial Forest, 11311 Mitchell Hill Road, 9 a.m.-Noon, $8 per person. Get your family outside “X-ploring” a different Metro park each season. Throughout the year, a naturalist will guide families on an exploration in forests, fields, and along the Ohio River, lakes and ponds. Hike, search for tracks, build forts, catch pond critters, get muddy, play in leaves and take a break from technology. Bring water bottles, a snack, and dress for the weather. Meet at the Horine Environmental Education Center. Preregistration is required. Call (502) 368-5404 or visit www.louisvilleky.gov/metroparks/parks/jeffersonmemorialforest. (Fairdale)

REVOLUTIONARY WAR ENCAMPMENT – “18TH CENTURY THUNDER”
Locust Grove, 561 Blankenbaker Lane, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., $6 adults, $3 children 6-12, Free for children age 5 and younger. Companies representing General George Rogers Clark’s troops from the Northwest Campaign will re-enact life in a military camp, including, cooking, drilling and other demonstrations, as well as a memorial service to their leader. You’ll hear the thunder of muskets and the melodies of the fife and drum. Men, women and children in period costume will transport your family to another time. The event continues on Sunday, April 21. For more information, call (502) 897-9845. (Blankenbaker)

SUNDAY, APRIL 21
FOOD TRUCK SUNDAY
St. Joseph Children’s Home, 2823 Frankfort Ave., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Frankfort Avenue will host Food Truck Sunday, with food trucks available on the lawn of St. Joe’s from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and sidewalk sales from retailers and neighborhood residents. For more information, visit www.frankfortave.com or call Andrei at (502) 802-4259. (Crescent Hill)

TUESDAY, APRIL 23
OPEN HANDS WELLNESS CLINIC
Grace Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1612 Story Ave., 10 a.m.-Noon, Free. Empty Vessels Healing Ministries presents the Open Hands Wellness Clinic, open every day for the next year. Services include acupuncture, massage therapy and zero balancing. Cranial sacral therapy is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Care is provided by licensed and certified therapists. For more information, contact Rev. Karen Barth at (502) 641-6169 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . (Butchertown)

THURSDAY, APRIL 25
THE ISLAND PRESIDENT
Muhammad Ali Center, 144 N. Sixth St., 6 p.m., Free. The Muhammad Ali Center’s Metamorphosis Film Series brings ground-breaking independent films to Louisville on the final Thursday of each month. April’s offering is “The Island President” by Jon Shenk, Bonni Cohen and Richard Berge. After bringing democracy to his country, President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, the lowest-lying country in the world, takes up the fight to keep his homeland from disappearing under the sea. For more info at www.alicenter.org. (Downtown)

COMMUNITY BUILDING DINNER AND MOVIE
Fairness Campaign, 2263 Frankfort Ave., 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Free. A free movie and dinner are open to everyone. For more information, call (502) 893-0788 or visit fairness.org. (Clifton)