SPOTLIGHT: “100 BURNING BOATS,” SCULPTURES BY PHILIP CAMPBELL
Philip Campbell’s draw to the burning boat symbol began in the early ‘90s when he first started carving wood. At first he understood it as a reference to Viking burials; he later dreamed he was a French sailor in the 17th century who died at sea in a burning boat, and the symbol shifted. Writes Campbell, “I planned to have a burning boat tattooed on my ribs; a reminder of how my life was burning out of control for many years.” Campbell carved a small boat on fire as a gift for Autumn Keller, who suggested he make a hundred of them. “So I proclaimed that I would make 100 burning boats over the next year. I had never been able to complete a series. Three weeks later, on Jan. 26, my father died. I went to my parents’ house and stood beside the bed where his empty body lay. This empty vessel was not my father. It looked as though the life had literally been sucked out of it. The idea of a true human soul was solidified for me at that moment. I have felt his presence ever since that day. This body of work is devoted to Dennie G. Campbell. He finished everything he started.” Campbell’s show, at garner narrative contemporary fine art, 624 E. Market St., runs through January 31. A reception will take place January 3, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., as part of the First Friday Trolley Hop. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 1p.m.-6 p.m., and by appointment. For more information, visit www.garnernarrative.com or call (502) 641-8086. (Nulu)
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1
SPOTLIGHT: “TRANSFORMISTAS”
Louisville photographer Ross Gordon’s latest series of large-scale photographs, “Transformistas,” is on exhibit at The Green Building Gallery, 732 E. Market St., third floor, through Feb. 7. This body of work grew out of Gordon’s month-long trip to Cuba. Transformistas are the local drag queens and transsexuals who often find themselves arrested and prosecuted if caught by police. Changes in cultural attitudes move at a snail’s pace in Cuba despite anti-discrimination laws that have passed. The strength, desires and energy of his subjects shine; Gordon captures their lives as they continue being who they are despite the continued harassment and persecution they face daily. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Saturday 4 p.m.-9 p.m. For more information, visit www.thegreenbuilding.net/gallery. (Nulu)
NEW YEAR’S DAY HIKE TO FAIRMONT FALLS
Meet at Boot Leg Barbecue parking lot, 9704 Old Bardstown Road, corner of Bardstown Road and Thixton Lane, 9 a.m., Free. Enjoy an easy 2-mile hike to Fairmont Falls led by Jefferson Memorial Forest volunteer Pam Henninger. Due to extremely limited parking at the falls, groups will carpool to the location. For more information or to sign up for the hike, email jmfhikingprogram@ gmail.com or call (502) 368-5404.
(Fern Creek)
COMMITMENT DAY 5K
Iroquois Park, 1080 Amphitheater Road, registration at 8 a.m., race begins at 10 a.m., $40, Free for volunteers. Commitment Day is a nationwide, family-friendly New Year’s Day 5K Fun Run/Walk dedicated to starting a national conversation about healthy ways of living. For more information, visit www.commitmentday.com/louisville. (Iroquois)
BILL LUSTER PHOTOGRAPHY: A RETROSPECTIVE
Proof on Main, dining room, 702 W. Main St., through April 2014, Free. “Photography is the greatest time machine invented,” says award-winning Kentuckian Bill Luster. “It shows us context, space and those that love us and have loved us.” Luster’s retrospective exhibition at 21c Museum Hotel’s Proof on Main features land and cityscapes, portraits, and travel photographs captured during the course of a five-decade career based in Louisville. For more information, visit www.21cmuseumhotels.com/louisville. (Downtown)
THURSDAY, JAN. 2
WINTER BREAK DAY CAMPS
Frazier History Museum, 829 W. Main St., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (extended care option is 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.), $35 per day for members, $45 non-members, $10 for extended care. The Frazier History Museum offers New Year full-day winter camps Jan. 2-3. Campers in grades K-5 will explore the traditional music, games, tastes and unique festivities of wintertime and New Year celebrations the world over. For more information or to register, visit www.fraziermuseum.org or call (502) 753-5660. (Downtown)
YOUNG HEARTS THEATRE AUDITIONS
Middletown Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 500 N. Watterson Trail, 1 p.m., Free. Young Hearts Theatre, a self-funded seniors’ singing and performing group for women and men age 60 and over, is holding auditions for their spring show “USA, We Love You,” a patriotic reflection of our great American heritage. Singers, actors, dancers and backstage helpers are needed. The show will be performed April 3-6 at Ursuline Arts Center. For more information, contact Don Schlader at (502) 716-8150 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
, or visit www.youngheartstheatre.info. (Middletown)
WOMEN WHO WRITE
Highlands/Shelby Park Branch Library, Reading Room, Mid City Mall, 1250 Bardstown Road, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Free. Women Who Write invites all women writers and those who aspire to write to their monthly meetings. For more information, visit www.womenwhowrite.com. (Highlands)
FRIDAY, JAN. 3
REPUBLIC BANK FIRST FRIDAY TROLLEY HOP
Downtown Art Zone, Main and Market streets between Campbell and 10th Street, and along Fourth Street between Main Street and Broadway, 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Free. The Republic Bank First Friday Trolley Hop takes place on the first Friday of each month, rain or shine. The Trolley Hop is free and open to the public; trolleys can be boarded at any trolley stop along the route. Most of the galleries close around 9 p.m., but the restaurants, clubs and shops stay open later. For more information, visit www.firstfridaytrolleyhop.com or call (502) 583-1671. (Nulu/Downtown)
SATURDAY, JAN. 4
MAKING NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS THAT STICK
Louisville Nature Center, 3745 Illinois Ave., 10 a.m.-Noon, $15. Part of the Living Lively program, the monthly sessions are led by Certified Health Coach Kathleen O’Neil, M.S.W. Each class includes a 30- to 40-minute hike on LNC trails, so come dressed for the outdoors. Class size is limited; call early to reserve a spot. For more information, call (502) 458-1328 or visit www.louisvillenaturecenter.org/events.htm. (Audubon)
DUNCAN PHILLIPS, KATE MACLEOD, JP WRIGHT, AND JOHN GAGE PERFORM
The Rudyard Kipling, 422 W. Oak St., 7 p.m.-10 p.m., $10. Duncan Phillips, the oldest son of legendary folk icon Utah Phillips, will sing and tell stories about his father, with Kate MacLeod on fiddle. Locomotive engineer and labor singer JP Wright will sing about railroading and the culture of the rails. Louisville folk icon John Gage will perform on stage with the others, in the folk song swap style, sharing songs and stories. Come an hour before the performances to order food and be served before the entertainment begins. For more information, visit www.therudyardkipling.com. (Old Louisville)