Louisville

It's easy to see how much Louisvillians love their animals. It only takes a stroll through one of the city's many parks to spot the countless dog walkers enjoying a day out in the sun with their pet. While those of us with pets love to shower our own cats or dogs with affection, there are always some animals without a home that need care as well. If you have any free time this summer and would like to spend it doing something that can help those cats and dogs out there that are less fortunate, the Animal House on Newburg Road is looking for volunteers who can lend a helping hand.

Construction on the Animal House, a new pet care and adoption facility in Louisville, completed in 2009, and it has been caring for countless animals ever since. With the campus spanning over 10,000 square feet, the Animal House can hold a pretty good number of cats and dogs. Pets are always there for adoption--and you know what that means? The Animal House needs help. While money donations would certainly be appreciated, any physical help would benefit the Animal House tremendously. What would that help include? Well, if you do decide to volunteer at the Animal House, activities can include walking dogs, socializing cats, helping set up for events, and even representing the Animal House when you're out and about. If you have any free time this summer and love cats or dogs, why not stop by the Animal House and see how they can use you?

The Animal House Volunteer Orientation will be held on Tuesday, June 18th at 6 PM. At this orientation, volunteers can learn more about the Animal House and how they can help. No RSVP is necessary--if you're interested, all you have to do is show up! No matter what your availabilty is, any amount of help would be treasured by humans, cats, and dogs alike! Volunteering at the Animal House this summer (or beyong that too if you can!) is also a great way to meet other pet lovers in Louisville. The Animal House is located at 3516 Newburg Road. For more information on the Animal House, just click on the following link: http://www.louisvilleky.gov/animalservices/animalhouse/. For a full list of what cats and dogs are currently available for adoption, click here: http://www.louisvilleky.gov/AnimalServices/adopt_a_pet/petfinder.htm.

If you can improve yourself, why not? That's the attitude a lot of Louisvillians have, especially when it comes to health and fitness. Sure, we all have things that can hold us back from being our most-healthy self--money, time, and lack of will power are common reasons--but if we can do a little something to make ourselves better, why not give it a try? Improving your quality of your life and health is what Wellness 360, located on Sears Avenue in St. Matthews, is all about.

Wellness 360 offers services that other businesses in Louisville do, but no place else offers all these things in ONE place. For example, there are plenty of places to do yoga, get a massage, and take classes about health and wellness in the city, but is there any place other than Wellness 360 that lets you do all this on the same day? One of Wellness 360's coolest features is their meditation classes. As stated, there are yoga joints that teach meditation, but are they free? At Wellness 360, visitors can attend a free and guided meditation class every Friday evening at 7 and every Wednesday morning at 7:15. If anyone in the city is feeling a little stressed out, why not stop by Wellness 360 and see if a little meditation can help you out--you have nothing to lose!

There are several classes that people can attend at Wellness 360 in which instructors will discuss a variety of health-related things. For example, in June visitors can learn about crystal prana healing, the ancient practice of tai chi, and stress reduction. Some of the classes require a fee, but like the meditation classes, a few are even free. This month's free class is called Bones for Life: Exploring Your Inner Architecture. Attendees of the class are expected to learn about how to improve your posture through both education and specific exercises. The class will be taught by Meriah Kruse, an expert in the subject, so if you have any questions about your bones or your posture, why not stop by Wellness 360 and see if she can help you?

Wellness 360 teaches different classes throughout the year, so if you're interested, just pay attention to their list of classes for updates: http://www.wellness360studio.com/mind-body-medicine/workshops/. If you're interested in working your body through yoga, enjoying a relaxing message, taking a class, or learning more about meditation, there's no need to look any further than Wellness 360. Wellness 360 is located at 241 Sears Avenue and is open from Monday through Saturday.

Finding a way to exercise in Louisville isn't a difficult task. From yoga in Waterfront Park to running around Cherokee Triangle, there is something to do for those of us who love to work out while enjoying the great outdoors. While getting outside isn't a challenge, doing the same thing or walking the same track every day may get a little boring. Luckily for us, the Louisville Water Company is hosting Walking Wednesdays, a guided tour and walk inside the Crescent Hill Gatehouse.

The Crescent Hill Gatehouse and Reservior are histoic landmarks, and for good reason. First of all, the environment itself is beautiful. Located right off of Frankfort Avenue, walkers can trail the loop around the great Gothic-style structure where the water filtration process takes place. That means awesome views of the water, the architecture, and the ducks that you can oftentimes see gliding around. On Walking Wednesdays, a Louisville Water employee will inform walkers about the Crescent Hill Gatehouse's construction in 1879, how the filtration process works, and how different things are today than they were 134 years ago. Because of the reservoir's construction, Louisvillians have been drinking cleaner water for over a century. It's hard to imagine how drinking water was like before then!

The walk around the Crescent Hill Gatehouse and Reservior is about a mile, so it's an awesome place to get your exercise in for the day. If the pretty views aren't enough to convince you, many are drawn to Walking Wednesdays because of all the information they can learn about Louisville in the 1800's. If you decide to check out Walking Wednesdays this summer, it's like getting your daily amount of recommended exercise--mental and physical!

Attending Walking Wednesdays is absolutely free--all you have to do is show up at the Crescent Hill Gatehouse and Reservoir on any Wednesday this summer at either 11 AM or 6 PM. Each tour lasts for about two hours. When you show up, a guide will be there to show you the beautiful sights and teach you a little bit about Louisville's water-related history. The Crescent Hill Gatehouse and Reservoir is located on Reservoir Avenue, right across from the popular Frankfort Avenue. For more information on Walking Wednesdays as well as the Crescent Hill Gatehouse and Reservoir, just clink on the following link: http://www.louisvilleky.gov/LWC/News/Louisville+Water+Company+Hosts+Walking+Wednesdays+at+Crescent+Hill+Gatehouse.htm.

Summer is the time of music festivals. Several big ones are taking place all over the nation, including the Forecastle Music Festival in Louisville, KY. I've already told you all about Forecastle in a previous blog, so don't worry, I'm not repeating myself. The reason I bring up the Forecastle Music Festival, which takes place June 12th-14th at the Waterfront, is because the newest music festival to hit Louisville is a direct response to Forecastle. While Forecastle is awesome and will attract countless people to the city, it does require some investment. For those who are music fans but aren't willing to shell out that much for Forecastle, Poorcastle was created with you in mind.

What is Poorcastle? While it sounds like nothing more than a pithy, somewhat-cynical response to a major festival in Louisville, Poorcastle certainly has merits of its own. On July 6th at Apocalypse Brew Works on Mellwood Avenue, Poorcastle-attendees can enjoy a full day of music acts for only five dollars. Artists booked for Poorcastle include Stereo Empire, Huh Robots, Gangly Youth, and Plastic Bubble--and even if you've never heard of these bands, five dollars for a full day of music isn't a bad deal at all!

Another cool thing about Poorcastle is its venue. Apocalypse Brew Works, located at 1612 Mellwood Avenue, prides itself on serving only the best local brews of beer. The microbrewery opened in May of 2012, and they've been drawing in crowds of beer-lovers ever since. At Apocalypse Brew, you can expect to find a long list of different types of amber ales, fruit beers, or barleywine. If you're a beer afficianado, check out what Apocalypse Brew is on on tap now: http://apocalypsebrewworks.com/wordpress/?page_id=35. On non-Poorcastle Days, Apocalypse Brew is only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 PM to 11.

Forecastle is certainly a huge music festival with merit, but so is Poorcastle. If a multi-day music festival that requires a lot of investment isn't up your alley, go to Apocalypse Brew on July 6th. Or, if Forecastle and Poorcastle sounds like a good time, go to both! You don't necessarily have to choose. For Poorcastle, the music begins at 2 PM, but the doors open at 1. For more information on the Poorcastle Festival and a full list of the bands that will playing July 6th, just visit Poorcastle's website, located here: http://www.poorcastle.com/.

Not every city is fortunate to have a zoo--and not every city with a zoo is fortunate enough to have an awesome zoo. Lucky for us, Louisville has a great zoo. The Louisville Zoo not only has countless exhibits of wild animals, but they also put together events for children and adults alike to enjoy in the summer. For example, this summer the zoo has fathers, rock n' roll fans, and super hero-loving children in mind.

If you've even been to the Louisville Zoo, you know that there are plenty of impressive animals worth checking out. You can watch elephants roam around under the sun, polar bears take a dip in the water, and gorillas lumber around their jungle habitat. The zoo is quite large, and almost every inch of it has an exhibit featuring an animal you and your child are sure to enjoy watching and learning about. While this is enough to draw children and adults to the Louisville Zoo, there's even more going on that draws in visitors every summer.

The next event taking place at the Louisville Zoo is Super Hero Weekend. During the Super Hero Weekend, which will be on June 15th and 16th, children can come to the zoo dressed up as their favorite super hero. You can be sure to see little Spider Mans, Batmans, and Green Lanterns marveling at their favorite wild animals. That's not the end of it, though--Iron Man will be visiting the zoo as well! Children's favorite super hero will be there to tell all his little hero fans how they can help save the day (and the animals they love) by being kind to the planet. If you have a child that loves super heroes, they'll be sure to have a blast at the Louisville Zoo's Super Hero Weekend.

If you're still looking for a way to celebrate Father's Day, maybe the Louisville Zoo is for you. Especially if your father works for the Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company dads will receive free admission all throughout Father's Day on June 16th! That coincides with the last day of Super Hero Weekend, so little Spider Mans can have fun at the zoo with their father on his special day.

The last event at the zoo this June is the WAKY Rock N' Roll Reunion Concert. WAKY 103.5 is a favorite radio station in Louisville that plays classic rock and oldies, and on June 22nd the station will be hosting a concert that features local oldies bands. At the WAKY Rock N' Roll Reunion Concert, you can expect to see The Epics, Doo Wop All Stars, and master Elvis Impersonator Don Foodfleisch. If you have any classic rock or oldies fans in the family, take them to the Louisville Zoo on June 22nd at 1:00 PM.

For more information about the Louisville Zoo and upcoming events, just click on the following link: http://www.louisvillezoo.org/.

It seems as though we're hearing about a new way to run every day. Whether it be Mud-a-thons, Color Runs, or Zombie Runs, Louisville is all about making runs fun. This year, the city has already braved mud-filled obstacle courses, zombies, and globs of paint, but one of the coolest runs won't be taking place until June 14th. At 9:30 that night, runners and walkers alike will be enjoying The Glow Run, a night-run or walk through Iroquois Park.

Where does the 'glow' come in? Well, first of all, participants will be making their way through Iroquois Park under the glow of black lights. For color-catching purposes, it's recommended that runners and walkers wear white. Volunteers will also be misting glow water, powder, and foam at racers as they pass by. This is sure to make for an awesome-looking, neon explosion. Sure, runners and walkers can run and walk any day they like, but when will they ever be able to glow while they run? At what other time can a runner be showered by cooling sprays of neon pink, blue, and green water?

I've said walkers and runners several times because The Glow Run is not intended to be a race. Participants are merely encouraged to finish the course and have a fun time doing it at whatever pace they'd like. When participants cross the finish line at The Glow Run, they become a part of the celebratory dance party. Just imagine countless men and women covered in neon paint, dancing their hearts out as you finish your 5K? Again, as long as the weather permits, anyone can go outside and run or walk whenever they want to, but The Glow Run is the only place that you can dance and have a ball under glowing black lights. Needless to say, a DJ will be blasting tunes at the finish line, so that only adds to the colorful party experience.

If you're interested in participating in the Glow Run at Iroquios Park, just visit the following link: http://glowintheparkrun.com/locations/louisville.htm. The Glow Run takes place on June 14th at 9:30, or whenever it's dark enough to start the race. Dancing is expected to go on until 11:00 that night. Anyone of any age is allowed to particpate, but attendees under eighteen need to have a signed waiver of parental consent. Register today and glow while you run!

Whether or not we're good at art, most of us can say that we appreciate it. There's something very special about seeing something that originated in someone's mind brought to life. Having an original piece of art in your home can bring a lot to a room--visitors can discuss it, wonder what the artist was thinking about when they made it, or simply say, "Hey, that's really pretty!". No matter how simple or complex, art is something that people love, and our world would be very different without it.

The same goes for Louisvillians--we love art! In recent years, many places that allow visitors to make their own art have been cropping up around the city. You can attend classes where instructors walk you through painting a specific landscape or still-life. One of the coolest art places to visit, though, is The Artist in You at Westport Village. Through assistance and stencils, anyone can visit The Artist in You and come out of it with a gorgeous piece of pottery or glasswork.

So what is the process of creating something at The Artist in You? Well, first of all, if you're interested in painting a piece of pottery, you must pick what kind of pottery you'd like to paint. There are choices for you at The Artist in You, ranging from vases to plates. After you've chosen what you'd like to paint, you choose what you'd like to paint on it. Many stencils exist for you to paint from including Christmas trees, rainbows, sunsets, and countless more options. If you feel like being extra-artistic, you can even sketch whatever design you'd like to paint freehanded. No one at The Artist in You will hold you back!

After you paint the stencil or sketch, your piece of pottery is placed in the kiln to receive a finishing glaze. Just pick up your original piece at The Artist in You one week later, and there you go! You can have something special in your house that no one else has. Their glass fusion process is just as cool. Come into the store and learn how to make awesome works of art with melted, fused glass. Whether you choose to do pottery or glass, you are sure to leave The Artist in You will something super cool.

The Artist in You is located at 1321 Herr Lane in the Westport Village shopping center. They are opened seven days a week, but their hours vary, so make sure to check out the website before making a trip over there: http://www.theartistinyou.net/index.html.

There are plenty of fun things to do in Louisville on a Saturday, but there's nothing quite like visiting your local farmers market. Not only do you get to sample some of the freshest fruit available, but you get to support local farmers. There's something special about sharing the experience with your neighborhood, too. At the St. Matthews Farmers Market, hosted every Saturday this summer at Beargrass Christian Church, locals can enjoy ultra-fresh produce, check out work from local artists, listen to good music, and connect with the rest of their community.

A huge number of vendors in Louisville sell both their produce and products at the St. Matthews Farmers Market. While it is possible to find tasty fruit and vegetables at your local supermarket, purchasing fresh strawberries that just came out of the ground is a different experience entirely. On the St. Matthews Farmers Market website, a chart is posted that demonstrates which fruits and vegetables are in season, and when. For example, in the month of June, beets, blackberries, blueberries, cauliflower, peaches, raspberries, and squash are all in season. For the full list of in-season fruits and vegetables, just click on the following link: http://smfarmersmarket.com/whats-fresh/. The St. Matthews Farmers Market will run until mid-October, so keep an eye out for what will be fresh and when. You can be sure that if it's in season, you can find it at the farmers market.

The St. Matthews Farmers Market isn't all about food, though. Attendees can also expect to find products from local vendors such as jewelry, flowers, pottery, glass artwork, and soap. Louisville has several art festivals throughout the year where visitors can expect to find locally-made products, but those occur only few times every year--at the St. Matthews Farmers Market, you can find that every Saturday!

Another reason people love visiting the St. Matthews Farmers Market is the music. Every Saturday until October, different musicians will be playing at the market. This coming Saturday on June 8th, Justin Lewis will be performing. He describes his music as folk, somewhat similar to Tom Waits. The next Saturday, June 15th, Leigh Ann Yost will be visiting the farmers market at Beargrass Christian Church. Yost describes her style as 'pop-folk'. Different artists will be playing every Saturday until the St. Matthews Farmers Market wraps it up for the year. If you're interested in hearing local music while you purchase local produce, visiting Beargrass Christian Church on a Saturday morning may be right up your alley.

If checking out the St. Matthews Farmers Market seems like something you want to do, you have every Saturday until October 12th to do it. Just come to Beargrass Christian Church at anytime between 8 AM and noon on a Saturday, and you'll see why the St. Matthews Farmers Market has been such a success since its opening in 2007. For more information including upcoming musicians and vendors, click the following link for the official St. Matthews Farmers Market website: http://smfarmersmarket.com/,

If you've ever been to the Waterfront and stood on the edge of the Ohio River, more than likely you've seen the Belle of Louisville. The Belle of Louisville, the longest operating boat of its kind, is a multi-deck steamboat that seats up to 650 people. When you see the ship either sitting at dock or gliding through the Ohio River, it makes you think of a time long past when riding a steamboat was one of the most efficient ways to get around. Painted white, yellow, and red, The Belle of Louisville is one of the city's most recognizable sights.

Built in 1914 in Pittburgh, Pennsylvania, The Belle of Louisville was originally called the Idlewild. In those days, the steamboat was primarily a passenger ferry that moved between Memphis, Tennessee and West Memphis Arkansas. The Idlewild gained a reputation for its ability to travel smoothly over any waterway. For this reason, the Idlewild was named most-traveled river steamboat in the nation, and the steamboat was named a National Historic Landmark in 1989.

So how did the Idlewild come to Louisville? In 1962, the Idlewild was purchased at an auction by a Jefferson Country judge named Marlow Cook, and after a renaming, the boat has been residing here ever since. Not only is the Belle of Louisville a National Landmark, but it's a must-visit spot in the city. While the rides through the Ohio are certainly worth a visit alone, the Belle also hosts several events throughout the year. For example, this Father's Day the Belle of Louisville will be hosting their Father's Day BBQ and Bourbon Lunch Cruise. Your father can enjoy the sights of the river while chowing down at a delicious barbeque buffet. Also, as the name suggests, bourbon will be served as well. I don't know about you, but I don't know a lot of fathers who would turn down the opportunity of barbeque, bourbon, and a day spent in the great outdoors. If you're looking for a special place to take Dad this Father's Day, the Belle of Louisville might be the place for you both!

Whether you'd like to visit the boat on Father's Day or any other day of the year, the Belle of Louisville is definitely worth checking out. For any more information on the Belle of Louisville's rich history or upcoming events, just click the following link for their website: http://www.belleoflouisville.org.

For anyone who grew up in Louisville, you know that's hard to go through elemenary and middle schools without visiting the Louisville Science Center. In fact, it's the number one destination for field trips in the city. Students still visit places like the Kentucky Center for the Arts and the Slugger Museum, but the Science Center reigns as number one. Why? What's so great about the Louisville Science Center, and why do teachers keep bringing their students back year after year?

In short, the reason why the Louisville Science Center reigns surpreme is because it is fun and educational. It's so fun that children often don't even realize how much they're learning. There are cool exhibits in the museum where kids can dig up fossils--and they have no idea they're learning so much about archeology and dinosaurs. The same goes for the exhibits about the human body. Kids can touch squishy models without realizing they're learning about the nervous or digestive systems. One of the most popular parts of the museum is the bubble display, where students can stand in the center of an enormous bubble and learn about the anatomy of bubbles. When kids have fun while learning, it's not a daunting task, and they love to do it.

The Louisville Science Center is also known for its huge IMAX theater. If you've ever been, you know how massive it is. when you go to see a film at the IMAX theater at the Louisville Science Center, you take a seat in the auditorium, lean back, and watch the ceiling. The screen stretches across the entire domed roof of the theater. The IMAX theater at the Science Center shows educational movies about animals, the Earth, or the human body. This month, films like "Flight of the Butterflies" and "Born to be Wild" will be shown at the IMAX theater. For the full schedule of educational films being shown through the month of June, just visit the following link: http://www.kysciencecenter.org/site/imax-article/may-20---june-30-2013.html.

While the Louisville Science Center is the number one field trip spot in the city, countless parents happily take their children to the Science Center every year. Finding a place where kids love to learn is difficult, but hopefully the Louisville Science Center will always be around to fill that role. The Louisville Science Center is located at 727 West Main Street in Downtown Louisville and is opened from Monday through Friday.

Louisville loves to celebrate different cultures. Whether it be through food, traditions, or fashion, it's always enjoyable to experience things the way that other cultures do every day. While it's easy to try different types of cuisine from different countries (Louisville is home to countless eateries), getting a full picture of the way a certain culture lives is a little more difficult. Luckily, if you're interested in Greek culture, Louisville will be hosting its Greek Festival from June 7th to the 9th.

What does a 'full picture' of a culture include? Well, of course, Greek food will be served at the Greek Festival. You can expect to find gyro sandwiches, baklava pastries, lamb shanks, and domathes--that is, grape leaves stuffed with seasoned ground beef and rice. Greek beer and wine will also be served at the festival. While food and drink are such a huge part of the Greek culture, there is still so much more, and the Greek Festival will explore it all.

What could be more important than food, you ask? Well, I'll tell you. First of all, what about Greek music? You can expect to hear live Greek music played by bands using the bouzouki, a Greek stringed instrument that's like a lower-pitched mandolin. Greek dancers will be dancing to this Greek music--and you, of course, and welcomed to join in! Just watch for a little bit as the pros move around the dance floor, and as soon as you get the rhythm, jump right in! Greek culture is all about letting loose and having fun. Expect to hear a lot of people shouting "Oopah!" as they let loose to some quality Greek music.

Thinking about bringing your child? There's plenty for them to do at the 2013 Greek Festival. If they're not into the idea of walking around and checking out all the Greek souvenirs for sale, the festival will have a bounce-house for kids to jump around in. If they tire of that, why not bring them on the dance floor with you? Who cares if they don't master the moves of the Greek dancers? Having a good time is what it's all about.

The Greek Festival will be held at the Belvedere Park near the Waterfront. Admission is only two dollars for adults--attending the festival is free for anyone under the age of nine. For more information about what you can expect to find at the Louisville Greek Festival, just visit the following link: http://louisvillegreekfest.com/.

A lot of Louisvillians have heard of the Galt House, but do they know the long and dramatic history of the hotel? For many, the Galt House is simply known as a large hotel in Downtown Louisville that sits beside the Ohio River. While this much is true, there is a lot more worth knowing about the massive hotel, including its rich history and the awesome things to do inside of the building today. For example, did you know that the Galt House has been a name in Louisville since 1834? Did you know it's the largest hotel in the entire state?

While the Galt House name has existed since 1834, the Galt House that you can see today overlooking the Ohio River is not the same building. The first Galt House building was located on the corner of Second and Main Street--unlike today's Galt House on Fourth Street--and it only accommodated sixty rooms, not 1300. While the first Galt House stood, historical figures including Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln stayed inside of its doors. The hotel actually played a significant role in the Civil War--it's where Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman met and discussed what would later be come to know as 'Sherman's March'. After being burned down in 1865, the first Galt House was no more...but as we all know today, that wasn't the end of the story.

The Galt House that you can see today in Downtown Louisville was constructed in 1972. Clearly, the developers had an idea of a much larger hotel, building it at twenty-five stories high and, as previously stated, containing 1300 rooms. You may be wondering at this point why it's worth talking so much about a hotel, but trust me--the Galt House is in a class of its own. While the first Galt House may have functioned as a small, simple hotel, the current building holds the title of the largest hotel in Kentucky. When you hear what you can do at the hotel, it's easy to see how all that space is taken up. After getting a good night's sleep, guests can enjoy the following things at the Galt House: six restaurants, a shopping center, two ballrooms, an exhibit hall, a salon, a spa, and a fitness center. This isn't any old fitness center either--at the Galt House, you can work out at the Club 360 Rooftop Fitness Center, which provides stunning views from the hotel's rooftop of the Ohio River. With all of this information, it's easy to see why people are still flocking to book events and spend the night at the Galt House Hotel today.

The Galt House is the perfect place to stay for anyone wishing to explore more of Downtown Louisville. The hotel features skywalks that connect to both the Kentucky International Convention Center and the KFC Yum! Center, two other big names in the city. For more information on this record-breaking hotel including booking rates and event information, just visit the following link: http://www.galthouse.com/.

Ever since the KFC Yum! Center opened in 2010, Louisville has become a much bigger city. Not physically--Louisville hasn't expanded its borders by any means--but the name 'Louisville' has reached a lot more people nationwide since the arena was built. Before the KFC Yum! Center was constructed on Louisville's Waterfront area, there wasn't a very large arena in the city that existed for both sporting events and music shows. Nowadays, it's not uncommon to see huge artists stopping by Louisville during one of their worldwide tours.

Other respectable venues in the city such as the Louisville Palace or The Brown Theater have been around for a good number of years, but none offer the massive amount of seating that the KFC Yum! Center does. To be more specific, we're talking about 22,500 seats in one place. That is without question the biggest arena that Louisville has ever seen. For this reason, the KFC Yum! Center has become the official home for the men and women's University of Louisville basketball teams. Louisvillians love their Louisville basketball, so it's not unusual to see the arena packed for a home game. In fact, the KFC Yum! Center hit its highest attendance record on March 9, 2013--during the men's basketball team's game against Notre Dame.

Before the construction of the KFC Yum! Center, it was difficult for Louisville to draw big-name musical acts. Nowadays, things are a little different. Huge names in music such as Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, The Eagles, Bruno Mars, Bon Jovi, and One Direction have either played at the KFC Yum! Center or will be playing there in the near future. The KFC Yum! Center's success pretty much guarantees that we will continue to see big musical acts coming to our city for many years to come.

Whether it's for a basketball game or a mindblowing concert, visiting the KFC Yum! Center is a must. The arena is located in Downtown Louisville near Waterfront Park. It's not easy to miss either--just look for the huge, windowed structure with the words 'KFC Yum! Center' posted in big, red letters on its front. For more information on upcoming events and shows at the arena, just visit the following link: http://www.kfcyumcenter.com/events/all. Regardless of whether you've visited there or not, it's pretty safe to say that the KFC Yum! Center has added to Louisville reputation as an up-and-coming city.

One of the nation's biggest music festivals is held every year in Louisville, Kentucky. Pretty cool, right? While festivals like Bonaroo, Lollapolooza, and Coachella are held in major cities such as Chicago and Indio, California, the Forecastle Music Festival continues to bring thousands of music-lovers into the city of Louisville each year. When you think about it, though, why shouldn't a major music festival be held in Louisville? We have beautiful summer weather, a trendy city scene, and the lovely Waterfront Park serves as a perfect venue for a concert.

The Forecastle Music Festival will be taking place between July 12th and 14th. During this time, major names in music including The Black Keys, The Flaming Lips, Alabama Shakes, and Big Boi will be performing on the main stage at Waterfront Park. Different bands will be playing at different times, of course, so for a full schedule just visit the following link: http://lineup.forecastlefest.com/?sort=day. Forecastle is all about musical diversity, so while at the festival you can expect to hear music ranging from hard rock to rap. No matter what you like, you can almost be guaranteed to hear something up your alley at Forecastle.

Since the Forescastle Festival is taking place over a number of days, the question of lodging is an important one to consider. If attendees are residents of Louisville, then the only matter of discussion is parking. There will be plenty of on-street parking as well as parking in the Galt House lot available for concert-goers. For out of towners, though, there are more things to keep in mind. If booking a hotel seems like too much of a hassle (and I'll admit, finding one may be difficult given Forecastle's massive popularity), camping is allowed at the KOA campgrounds located only three miles from Waterfront Park. Just pack up a tent, sleep at the campgrounds, and wake up bright and early for a morning walk to Waterfront Park.

Camelbak water stations will be located throughout the park during the festival, so you don't have to worry about staying hydrated. Forecastle asks that attendees leave food, drinks, pets, alcohol, and recording equipment at home. If The Forecastle Festival sounds interesting to you, check out the ticket packages located here: http://festivalcommand.com/tickets/. Whether you go for just one day or plan on attending the entire festival, Forecastle is sure to be a good time.

When a new restaurant hits Louisville, it's usually a big deal. It's an even bigger deal if there's only one restaurant of its kind in the city. One of Louisville's newest restaurants just opened up in Westport Village, an outdoor shopping center located in the Lyndon area of Louisville. While Westport Village already contains high-quality eateries such as Ghyslain and Wild Eggs, its newest restaurant, The Chocolate Bar, seems to be yet another great place to eat in Louisville.

While The Chocolate Bar originated in Buffalo, New York, there are only three locations nationwide, one of those being in Louisville. The Chocolate Bar has only been in Westport Village for less than a month, and already word is starting to spread about the restaurant. First of all, what does The Chocolate Bar serve? Well, it should go without saying that one of the restaurant's specialties is chocolate, and in many forms. You can find chocolate martinis, chocolate cocktails, thick shakes, desserts with chocolate such as chocolate mousse and truffles, and even chocolate fondue pots. While this in itself is mouth-watering, The Chocolate Bar is more than a dessert spot. The restaurant also serves other dishes worth checking out.

When it comes to The Chocolate Bar's lunch and dinner menu, the best way to describe it is refined American. On their menu, you can find items such as cobb salads, buffalo nachos, roasted chicken sandwiches, and steak wraps. There are, of course, many other items available--for the full list, just click on the following link: http://www.originalchocolatebar.com/CHB_BFLOMenu3_2011_VFINAL.pdf. The dessert menu in particular is sure to get your mouth watering.

One of the things bringing flocks of people to The Chocolate Bar in Westport Village is its Martini and Manicure night. The Chocolate Bar claims that on Mondays between the hours of 7 PM and 10, people who purchase a martini can receive a free manicure! This is on a first come, first serve basis, so if getting a manicure while enjoying a chocolate martini sounds like something you'd want to take advantage of, stop by Westport Village and pay The Chocolate Bar a visit! It almost sounds too good to be true, but it's actually happening at The Chocolate Bar in Westport Village.

For more information on The Chocolate Bar including hours of operation, visit the website, linked here: http://www.originalchocolatebar.com/Louisville/newintro.html.

Louisville loves music, and that can be evidenced by all the musical events taking place this summer. There are several festivals and concerts throughout the city, but none are quite like WPFK's Waterfront Wednesday concerts. First of all, one of the best things about Waterfront Wednesdays is the fact that the outdoor concerts are held in the beautiful Waterfront Park in Downtown Louisville. Oh, and did I mention that it's free?

In a world where things are rarely free, Louisvillians should definitely check out the concerts taking place this summer on Waterfront Wednesdays. The events are hosted by WFPK, a radio station that is hugely popular in Louisville. Founded in 1954, 91.9 WFPK is a twenty-four hour, listener-supported, noncommercial radio station that plays mostly alternative music. Among the radio stations in Louisville that play music you'd expect like pop hits and classic rock, WFPK is the only station of its kind. Its reputation as a noncommercial station sets it apart as well--as we all know, there are few things more infuriating than surfing through radio stations that play more commercials than music. Because of the support that Louisville happily gives to WFPK, the station is able to put together awesome events such as Waterfront Wednesdays.

The next Waterfront Wednesday will be on May 29th. At the May 29th Waterfront Wednesday, attendees at Waterfront Park can expect to see live shows from The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, The Lone Bellow, and The Staves. Even if you're not familiar with these bands, it's worth heading to Waterfront Park to check them out. After all, it's free! Gates for the shows on Waterfront Wednesday open at 5 PM, and since the shows are so popular, it's probably a good idea to show up as early as possible. On May 29th, Waterfront Park is sure to be filled with Louisvillians ready to enjoy some good music on one of the city's most beautiful outdoor spots.

The dates for the other Waterfront Wednesdays are June 26th, July 31st, August 28th, and September 25th. Musicians for these upcoming events haven't been announced yet, but you can count on WFPK to put together an impressive show. There are a few rules for the event, including no alcohol on sight or pets. For even more infomation on Waterfront Wednesdays including directions and parking information, visit the following link: http://www.wfpk.org/2013/wfpk-waterfront-wednesday-may-29/.

In the summertime, there are plenty of fun events going on the city of Louisville. Of course, there are things you'd expect like outdoor concerts and runs through the city, but some events are a little more out out-of-the-box. One of these more creative events is The Urban Stampede, which will be taking place on August 24th.

The Urban Stampede is, in its simplest form, a race, but there's definitely more going on. The best way to describe the Urban Stampede is to compare it to the popular reality show The Amazing Race. If you're not familiar with the Amazing Race, it's a show where multiple teams of two travel throughout a city and incur several mental and physical obstacle courses. The goal of the Amazing Race is to reach the finish line as quickly as possible. This is what The Urban Stampede was fashioned after. Teams of two will be beginning at The Belvedere in Downtown Louisville--after that, the course planned for the event is unknown. Teams will receive instructions on where to go, and at these places obstacles will be set up. Teams must complete this obstacles to move on (or, if you can't master a certain obstacle, you have the choice of simply incurring a penalty).

While it may be fun to try and be a first-place finisher at The Urban Stampede, players definitely have the option of taking their time. No one at The Urban stampede is a loser. If teams would rather walk through the race and focus more on seeing the city, that's fine too. The total distance of The Urban Stampede is ten miles, but only half of that is on foot. Racers will also be using other methods of transportation to get from one obstacle to the next.

If you are interested in participating in The Urban Stampede with a friend, simply register at the following link: https://survivethestampede.webconnex.com/urban-stampede. One of the cooler things about The Urban Stampede is the number of reality stars it attracts. In fact, several racers from past seasons of The Amazing Race will be attendance. Some of these past racers will even be available to race with on the day of The Urban Stampede! If you're a special fan of a certain Amazing Race star, check The Urban Stampede's website for more information on how to race with them on your team: http://survivethestampede.com/the-races/urban-stampede-city-adventure/.

One of the things most synonymous with Louisville is the infamous Louisville Slugger bat.  When it comes to baseball bats, no name is more well known than Louisville Slugger.  The Louisville Slugger baseball bat has been around for such a long time that it's easy to forget the fact that Louisville is the city responsible for it.  It's just like the Kentucky Derby...Louisvillians forget how big of a deal it is because they've always been around it.  Whether you're new to Louisville or lived here all your life,  visiting the Louisville Slugger Museum in Downtown Louisville is almost a necessity.

A museum about the history of a baseball bat may seem boring, but there's actually a lot more at the Louisville Slugger Museum than you would think.  First of all, the Louisville Slugger Museum also functions as a factory.  Visitors can tour the factory and see all of the things that go into making the infamous Louisville Slugger bat.  One exhibit in particular establishes the great differences between making a bat in the late-1800's and making a bat today.  Needless to say, making a Louisville Slugger bat today is a much quicker process thanks to technology.

The Louisville Slugger Museum also serves as a museum on the history of baseball.  Visitors with receive a guided tour throughout the museum and learn about the beginnings of baseball, the popularization of the sport, and how the first Louisville Slugger bat came to be.  Throughout the year, several exhibits are featured at the Louisville Slugger Museum.  At the moment, an exhibit called "Big Leagues, Little Bricks", which showcases the work of Lego artist Sean Kinney, is being shown.  At the "Big Leagues, Little Bricks" exhibition, museum-goers can see awesome sculpture, portraits, and replicas created entirely out of the Legos.  If you're interested in checking out this cool exhibition, make sure to visit the Louisville Slugger Museum before September 2nd.

It's easy to spot the Louisville Slugger Museum if you are in Downtown Louisville.  Just look for the enormous Louisville Slugger bat.  At six stories high and weighing in at 68,000 pounds, it is without question the largest baseball bat in the world.  If you've never been to the Louisville Slugger Museum and you'd like to plan a visit, the museum in located on West Main Street in Downtown Louisville.  Their website and more information on the Louisville Slugger Museum can be found at the following link: http://www.sluggermuseum.com/.

One of the best things about being a Louisvillian is the food. Living in Louisville means having access to countless local eateries with delicious foods to eat. Whether you're looking for tasty Asian, Italian, or even Thai food, there's a place in Louisville worth checking out. While it can be fun to make a list of all the local restaurants you'd like to visit and try a different one each week, it would be a lot easier (and faster) to try visiting a good number of them at once. That's what Dishcrawl Louisville is all about.

Dishcrawl is an organization focused on highlighting all the best eateries that an area has to offer. In the past, Dishcrawl has hosted events in NuLu (short for New Louisville), the Highlands, and Downtown Louisville, but on May 28th Dishcrawl will be focusing on the St. Matthews area of Louisville. During each Dishcrawl event, regardless of what area Dishcrawl is highlighting, participants will be visiting four restaurants. Those who purchase a ticket for Dishcrawl: St. Matthews will be taken to four surprise restaurants--only after the event has begun will people know which restuarants they're visiting. Regardless, attendees receive the guarantee that they will be experiencing some of the best food that St. Matthews has to offer.

Half of the fun about Dishcrawl is that you don't know exactly what you're getting into. You're not sure if you're about to go out for sushi or prime rib--or both! Even the meeting spot is secretive. People who register for Dishcrawl will receive an exclusive email two days prior to the event telling them where the meeting place will be. It may be normal to plan where you're eating on a night out, but it's a lot more interesting to be surprised by some of Louisville's tastiest foods.

If you're interested in exploring Louisville's local eateries, Dishcrawl is a great way to check them out. The St. Matthews Dishcrawl, as previously stated, will be taking place on May 28th at 7 PM, but later in the year Dishcrawl will be hosting events on Bardstown Road and Fourth Street. Spots are limited, so make sure to purchase your Dishcrawl reservation as soon as possible. The price for a night with Dishcrawl is forty-five dollars. To purchase, just click the following link and enjoy the best food St. Matthews has to offer: https://dishcrawl.com/purchase/event/1930.

In the summertime, there are plenty of places to visit in the city. You can go to the YUM! Center in Downtown Louisville and see one of your favorite singers, or maybe you can enjoy a fancy dinner with friends on Fourth Street. When it comes to free events, though, the pickings are a little more slim. Luckily, there are events throughout the summer at Iroquois Amphitheater that are both fun and absolutely free.

As you might've guessed, the Iroquois Amphitheater is located in Iroquios Park, which is south of Downtown Louisville. From the overlook in Iroquois Park (designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the designer of both Cherokee and Shawnee Parks), one has an astounding view of Downtown Louisville as well as the rest of the park below. Along with the Iroquois Amphitheater, Iroquois Park also features a riding stable, basketball courts, and even a disc golf course. While some free events will be held specifically in the amphitheater this summer, of course anyone in the city can visit the park for free and play a game of basketball or disc golf. Like the other parks in Louisville, Iroquois is beautiful and full of people either enjoying a run or walking their dog.

Back to the amphitheater: this summer, Iroquois Amphitheater will be holding its annual Movies Under the Stars event. Several nights throughout the summer, free movies will be shown at the amphitheater. Classics such as Hitchcock's "Psycho" will be shown as well as relatively new releaseses like "Lincoln" and "The Lorax". How often is it possible for someone to see a new movie for free? Not only will attendees at Movies Under the Stars see "Lincoln" for free, but they'll also be able to see it at the beautiful amphitheater in Iroquois Park. Constructed in 1938, the amphitheater is a impressive structure that seats up to 2,366 people. With the open ceiling, movie-goers can enjoy the great outdoors while watching whatever movie they came to see. It's no wonder that the event is called 'Movies Under the Stars'--the view of the stars above is one of the best things about the event.

Movies shown this summer at Iroquois Ampitheater include the following: "Psycho", "Lincoln", "Ghostbusters", "The Goonies", "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", "The Muppets Take Manhattan", and "The Lorax". For dates and more information about upcoming events at the Iroquois Amphitheater, visit the following link: http://www.iroquoisamphitheater.com/.