As we get ever-closer to the Louisville bacchanal that is Derby, we have to start looking further afield for non-Derby-related arts events -- but never fear, I've got a line on some counterprogramming.
Let's first acknowledge the elephant in the room -- or the elephant on the river, if you will. Thunder Over Louisville is this Saturday, which means one of your options is to spend the day tailgating, pre-gaming, and generally hanging out and waiting for the air show and fireworks display. The musical soundtrack this year was provided by the Louisville Orchestra, so that's a level-up on the cultural cred. (Check out my story about the final sound-check with Artistic Director Teddy Abrams.)
There are a couple of quirky music options if you're not into Thunder. On Friday night, Orchestra Enigmatic performs at the Clifton Center. This local chamber music ensemble specializes in 21st century music, and they'll be playing selections by Rachel Grimes and John Luther Adams.
And on Saturday, there's Brazilian music at the Bard's Town with Brazukas, a band made up of four Brazilians from different parts of the country who also happen to be part of U of L's jazz program. They're doing two shows, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., but if you know anything about Brazilians, the later show will be the really fun one. (Although 8 p.m. is practically breakfast time in Brazil.)
And for soothing your Thunder-induced hangover, the Louisville Chamber Choir presents a concert of "Springtime Favorites" on Sunday at 3pm (at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 2233 Woodbourne Avenue). The program will include folk songs, spirituals, and popular songs, plus (full disclosure) an original composition by Daniel Gilliam, Louisville Public Media's director of radio and a familiar voice on Classical 90.5.