Managing
Creative Director - Haimanti Germain
Graphic Designer - Aspen Smit
Marsha Blacker
Aria Baci
Charles Brubaker
Joe DeSensi Jeff Polk
WHAT TO EXPECT AT PLAY AMERICA 2025—LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA’S MUST-SEE INDEPENDENCE DAY CONCERT
BY CALEB STULTZ
Now in its third year, Play America transforms America Place at River Ridge into a festive, family-friendly celebration of music, freedom, and community—all led by Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra.
What began as a spirited holiday party has rapidly turned into a distinctive summer tradition in Kentuckiana. Now in its third year, the Louisville Orchestra’s Play America event is poised to return Thursday, July 3, 2025, offering a full evening of music, food, and family fun— all for free.
Held annually at America Place in River Ridge in Southern Indiana, the event transcends mere music attendance. It’s a community celebration of freedom, creativity, and togetherness. Families can begin arriving at 6:00 PM when the “Family Field” opens—equipped with food trucks, picnic tables, shaded tents, bounce houses, crafts, face painting and more.
Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra will next take the stage at 8:00 PM as the sun starts to drop for a strong and lighthearted performance combining pop culture favorites with classical masterpieces. Expect anything from Vivaldi’s
Summer and the 1812 Overture to patriotic selections and music from Star Wars by John Williams.
Last year’s event drew over 3,000 guests, and with growing hype, organizers hope for even more this year. Admission is free, and no ticket is required, though guests are urged to register in advance to get weather and logistical updates.
To get a better look at the spirit behind Play America, we chatted with Louisville Orchestra’s Marketing Director Mallory Kramer about why this event stands out, what fans may expect this year and how music draws people together in celebration.
LEO: How has the repertoire evolved over the three years of this event? Any new additions this year you’re especially excited about?
Kramer: Play America is all about music that brings people together: fun, familiar, and perfect for a summer celebration. Each year, the Louisville Orchestra blends iconic orchestral works with crowd-pleasing pop favorites and new music that reflects the spirit of our community. Last year’s program featured local legends Jason Clayborn and Daria Raymore delivering
powerhouse vocals on hits by Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, backed by the full force of the Orchestra.
This year, we return with bold symphonic works like Rossini’s Barber of Seville, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and Copland’s El Salón México, alongside genre-crossing moments that spotlight LO musicians. Drummer Terry O’Mahoney and violinist Myles Mocarski will take center stage in a reimagined version of Vivaldi’s Summer, infused with electric guitar and drum set. Audiences will also hear a heartfelt arrangement of John Prine’s Paradise, continuing the spirit of musical storytelling that defines this event. We’re especially excited to premiere re: cleaving, a brand-new work by Creator Corps composer Oswald Huỳnh. And of course, no Play America concert would be complete without Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and The Stars and Stripes Forever, honoring the patriotic heart of the event. With 2025 marking America’s 250th anniversary, we’ve got a few musical surprises planned to make this year’s celebration bigger, bolder, and more unforgettable than ever. All of it led by our Music Director, Teddy Abrams.
LEO: Why was America Place at River Ridge chosen as the venue, and how does the location enhance the experience?
Kramer: America Place at River Ridge was selected for Play America through a partnership with presenting sponsor JASTEKA Cultural Center. JASTEKA is dedicated to creating accessible, inclusive cultural experiences with education at its core. Through art, community programming, and creative exploration, it brings critical thinking and cultural connection to the public in meaningful ways, making it a natural fit for this event.
The venue itself, located just off Highway 62 in Jeffersonville, offers a spacious and versatile setting perfect for an outdoor festival. The campus includes two large fields: one transformed into a lively family zone with food trucks, bouncy castles, arts and crafts, and space for kids to play; the other hosting a premium stage experience with room for thousands of concertgoers. The striking America Place building provides a dramatic architectural backdrop for the evening.
With strong support from Jeffersonville and Southern Indiana communities, this location makes Play America more than a concert. It’s a full summer celebration of music, family, and community.
LEO: What are the biggest challenges of organizing an outdoor concert of this scale?
Kramer: While organizing an event of this scale outdoors brings challenges like unpredictable weather and complex logistics, the rewards are far greater. For the Louisville Orchestra, Play America is a chance to break out of the concert hall and into the heart of the community.
We’re deeply committed to accessibility, and this event lets us create a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that goes far beyond the music on stage. From the interactive family field to the inclusion of local musical partners like Side-Eye Hippo, Hermanos Latin Groove, and Milenio Salsa Band, every element is designed to engage and uplift. It’s a different kind of concert experience, and one we’re proud to bring to life.
Courtesy of Louisville Orchestra
THE MUSIC ISSUE
THE TOP BANDS AND SHOWS WE ARE EXCITED FOR THIS SUMMER
By Shelby Brown
Louisville’s summer music schedule is packed with standout performances, from national touring acts to independent local showcases. Whether it’s a classic band at the Palace or a rising artist at a neighborhood venue, there’s no shortage of shows worth seeing. Here are the concerts and events we are watching most closely this season.
CHICAGO – THE BAND (Louisville,
Kentucky)
Chicago comes to the Louisville Palace on Wednesday, July 2, bringing their classic horndriven rock and many hits to one of the city’s best venues. Famous for songs like “If You Leave Me Now,” “Old Days,” and “25 or 6 to 4,” the band has been a major part of American rock since the 1970s. In their prime, the only band that sold more records than them was The Beach Boys. This tour also features Brian Wilson along with Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine and member Blondie Chaplin. It promises to be a great show for fans of classic rock.
THE BLACK CROWES (Louisville,
Kentucky)
The Black Crowes will play the Louisville Palace on Friday, August 8. After getting back together in 2022, brothers Chris and Rich Robinson are hitting the road to support their first album in 15 years, “Happiness Bastards.” Known for their Southern rock and blues sound, the band made a big splash with their 1990 debut, “Shake Your Money Maker,” which went multi-platinum and reached number four on the charts. Fans should expect a lively show with plenty of classic songs to sing along to.
RUN 4 THE ROSES TIP OFF SHOW
(Louisville, Kentucky)
On July 9, 2025, Freedom Hall will host the Roses Tip Off Show, a lively music event that kicks off the Run 4 the Roses female youth basketball tournament. The show features performances by Flau’jae Johnson, 310Babii, MyAAP, JMoney, Bankroll Ni, and Clean Jai, with Ms. Basketball serving as the host. This event offers players, families, and fans a chance to enjoy live music and entertainment alongside the excitement of the basketball tournament. It’s a unique blend of sport and music that sets the tone for the competition ahead.
MAGBAR MUSIC FEST VOL. 4
(Louisville, Kentucky)
From July 17 to 20, 2025, Louisville’s MagBar will host the fourth edition of MagBar Music Fest. This all-ages event offers a rare opportunity for younger fans to experience the city’s punk, rock, metal, and indie scenes in an intimate bar setting. Each day features a different lineup, with Thursday showcasing Jack Holiday & The Westerners and Sudden Guts, Friday featuring Bungalow Betty and Ghost Town Remedy, Saturday highlighting Horseburner and Redivider, and Sunday closing with Deady and Mr. Phylzzz.
PLAY AMERICA (Jeffersonville,
Indiana)
On Thursday, July 3, 2025, the Louisville Orchestra will present Play America, a free, family-friendly music festival at America Place at River Ridge in Jeffersonville. Running from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.,
the event features food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, crafts, and other fun activities for all ages. The orchestra, led by music director Teddy Abrams, will perform at 8:00 p.m., with a program that includes Vivaldi’s Summer, The Star-Spangled Banner, John Williams’ Star Wars theme, and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. It’s a festive night of music and community just ahead of Independence Day.
BIG STOMP MUSIC FESTIVAL
(Louisville, Kentucky)
The 2025 Big Stomp Music Festival is set to take over multiple Louisville venues for two days of live music and community events. This year’s lineup includes headliners Murder by Death, The Record Company, and Bendigo Fletcher, with performances from Say She She, Ruen Brothers, Kathryn Brooks, Buddy Crime, Duchess, and more. In addition to the music, the festival features mindfulness and educational programming, giving attendees a chance to connect and learn between sets.
LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA: ROARCHESTRA
(Louisville, Kentucky)
The Louisville Orchestra’s Roarchestra series returns to the Louisville Zoo with concerts on July 5 and 19, offering a fun mix of live music and outdoor adventure. The July 5 performance features classical favorites like The Barber of Seville, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and themes from Jurassic Park and Star Wars, plus a creative twist on Vivaldi’s Summer. On July 19, the orchestra goes Western with music from The Cowboys, Copland’s Rodeo, and a special set with local band Suede Saddle. Both nights
promise a family-friendly experience under the stars.
YO LA TENGO & BUILT TO SPILL CONCERT
(Louisville, Kentucky)
Yo La Tengo and Built to Spill are teaming up for a 2025 tour and will stop in Louisville on Friday, July 18 at Iroquois Amphitheater. Built to Spill was formed in 1993 by Doug Martsch and has toured extensively with a rotating cast of musicians, now featuring Teresa Esguerra of Prism Bitch on drums and Melanie Radford of Blood Lemon on bass. Yo La Tengo, formed in 1984, continues to defy time with their latest album This Stupid World, a reflective and powerful collection that proves the trio is still going strong nearly forty years in. The show promises a night of timeless indie rock and is a highlight on Louisville’s summer concert calendar.
BOURBON AND BEYOND 2025
(Louisville, Kentucky)
Bourbon and Beyond returns September 11 through 14, 2025, at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo Center. The four-day event features a big lineup including Phish, Khruangbin, and blues-rock star Joe Bonamassa on Friday. Saturday brings Sturgill Simpson performing as Johnny Blue Skies, along with Jack White and Vance Joy. Sunday includes folk-pop artist Noah Kahan, the Goo Goo Dolls, and country singer Megan Moroney. Over 120 artists will play across five stages throughout the weekend. The festival also offers bourbon tastings, food experiences led by local chefs, bluegrass showcases, and workshops, making it a top event for music and bourbon lovers in Louisville.
IN HARMONY TOUR (Kentucky
Statewide)
The Louisville Orchestra’s In Harmony: The Commonwealth Tour returns this summer with free concerts and community events across Kentucky, including several dates near Louisville. Led by Music Director Teddy Abrams, the tour brings live orchestral music to towns often underserved by traditional concert programming. July performances include stops in Elizabethtown on July 9, Muhlenberg on July 10, and Bardstown on July 13. The tour resumes in September with additional shows in Harrodsburg, Hazard, Corbin, and more. Each stop also features community outreach, including school visits and workshops. Since launching in 2022, In Harmony has reached more than 34,000 Kentuckians.
JAMMIN’ IN JEFF (Jeffersonville,
Indiana)
The Jeffersonville RiverStage will host the 2025 Jammin’ in Jeff concert series, bringing ten weeks of free live music to the riverfront every Friday night from June 13 through August 15, with one break on August 8. This year’s lineup includes a wide mix of genres, starting with The Crashers on opening night, and continuing with a Juneteenth celebration featuring Paul Wall and Twista, classic rock tributes like Echoes of Pompeii and The Eagles Project, and a country night headlined by Mark Chesnutt with Emily Nenni. Other performers include Top Shelf, Zepparella, 2nd Wind Band, The Juice Box Heroes, and more. With scenic views, lawn seating, and easy access from Louisville, Jammin’ in Jeff remains one of the summer’s most welcoming and consistent outdoor music series.
GRATEVILLE DEAD MUSIC FESTIVAL (Louisville,
Kentucky)
The Grateville Dead Music Festival returns to the Brown-Forman Amphitheater at Waterfront Park from Friday, October 17 through Sunday, October 19, 2025. Now in its ninth year, the festival celebrates the legacy of the Grateful Dead with three days of live music, featuring regional tribute bands known for their improvisational, jam-heavy performances. Past lineups have included acts like Born Cross Eyed, Electric Garden, The Pranksters, and Keller Williams. The event also features food and craft vendors, afterparties, and a family-friendly lawn space where children under 12 get in free with a ticketed adult. Proceeds support local music education and Waterfront Park programs.
WEBBIE CONCERT (Louisville,
Kentucky)
Webbie is performing in Louisville on Saturday, July 5th, 2025, at 9:00 PM at Bourbon Hall. Known for hits like “Give Me That” and “Independent,” Webbie has earned a strong following with his Southern hip-hop style and energetic performances. Fans can expect an engaging night filled with authentic lyrics and high energy. This concert adds an exciting moment to Louisville’s summer music schedule, attracting both local fans and visitors eager to see one of hip-hop’s respected artists live.
The Black Crowes Live Nation Chicago Larry Philpol
EAT, DRINK AND SEE IN THIS WEEK’S STAFF PICKS
THURSDAY, JULY 10
Dewey Kincade & The Navigators with The Jenkins Twins
The Whirling Tiger | 1335 Story Ave. | thewhirlingtiger.com | $15 | 8:00 p.m. | 21 and over
In a recent Facebook post, Dewey Kincade wrote: “The next album is sounding great. I can’t wait for folks to hear it. It’s got Navigators, Fellow Travelers, and a who’s who of Louisville musicians. You won’t be disappointed. We’re shooting for summer folks. It’s all about mixing now.” A new Dewey Kincade album is always cause for celebration. I haven’t heard a single thing on it yet and I’m already going to say that it will be one of the best local albums of 2025! Come hear some new tracks live at The Whirling Tiger. Also on the bill are The Jenkins Twins, modern country/Americana/indie rock out of Irvine, KY.
Jeff Polk
FRIDAY JULY 11
Kentucky Medical Patient Drive
Kentucky Alternative Care | 2401-B Bardstown Rd | FREE | 2pm-6pm
Join us at Kentucky Alternative Care for an all-in-one event focused on patient access and cannabis education! Kentucky Marijuana Card will be on-site offering medical cannabis evaluations with same-day certifications, so you can get approved quickly and easily. Plus, enjoy a full afternoon of local vendors, food trucks, music, giveaways, and more.
Connect with healthcare professionals, dispensary reps, and cannabis educators to get your questions answered and learn everything you need to know about becoming a patient in Kentucky. Whether you’re ready to get certified or just curious about the program, this is your chance to get informed and get involved. See you there!
—LEO Weekly Staff
THURSDAY JULY 10
Louisville Burger Week Kick Off Event
Noble Funk Brewing Company | 922 S. Second St | 5:30pm-7:00pm
We’ve teamed up with Noble Funk to kick off Burger Week early this year! Join us on Thursday, July 10th from 5:30pm-7pm for our eighth annual Louisville Burger Week Kick Off event. Enjoy ‘halves’ of the burgers available and paired beers! Plus, get ready for your shot at winning awesome prizes with every attendee having a chance to snag a gift card from our burger bucket draw! Enjoy yard games and their family friendly space with a huge FREE parking lot! It’s no longer just a week of filling your stomachs with the best burgers in town. It’s so much more. It’s about community, new tastes, good times, and one heck of a burger deal
LEO Weekly Staff
SATURDAY, JULY 12
Punk Rock Night Louisville Presents: Sister Paul, The Ramone, and Bomb Cats
The Alcove | 246 Spring St, Jeffersonville | thealcovebar.com | Free | 9:00 p.m. | 21 and over
If you’re looking for something interesting to do, look no further, as Punk Rock Night Louisville more than has you covered with this show! Formed in 1992, Sister Paul is a punk/glam/psychedelic/garage rock duo from Tokyo, Japan whose bio, (most likely translated very badly to English) says it all: “They are glamourous and toxic, and good at fascinating and bittersweet songs for gays and social deviationists.” They are on their first ever American tour with The Ramone, (aka Rocky The Ramone), a one-man Ramones tribute from Minneapolis, MN. And if that wasn’t already enough, Indianapolis punk rock mainstays Bomb Cats have also been thrown into the mix as well. And insanely, this is a free show!
Jeff Polk
FRIDAY, JULY 11
The Louisville Folk School benefit featuring The Everybody Band
Headliners Music Hall | 1386 Lexington Rd. | headlinerslouisville.com | $19.77 adv/$15 at box office | 8:00 p.m. | 18 and over
The Everybody Band is a Louisville and Kentucky music tribute band that plays one-night-only concert events featuring a fluid, ever-changing lineup of musicians from all generations and corners of Louisville’s music scene. This year’s lineup will include Tyler Lance Walker Gill, Sherry Edwards, Brett Holsclaw, Scott Mertz, Janitors of The Apocalypse, Dan Gediman, Melissa Combs, Alanna Fugate, Jason Lawrence, Ted Richardson. Parker Hall, Jimmy Brown, Ray Rizzo, members of The Louisville Folk School Community, and more to be announced. The Everybody Band shows are you-had-to-be-there nights of Louisville music and community that welcome all, and proceeds from the event will go to The Louisville Folk School. Jeff Polk
SATURDAY JULY 12
Legend at Pope Lick Outdoor Movie Night Pope Lick Park | South Pope Lick Rd | FREE | 7pm
Grab a blanket and cozy up under the stars at Pope Lick Park, one of the many locations of the Parklands of Floyds Fork.This event is made possible by your support of the vendors, concessions, and fun activities. Predator (1987) will be shown on a 40-foot movie screen and begins at 7:00PM. Chow down at The Pope Lick Cafe, featured items include: Bigfoot BBQ, Mothman Nachos, Jersey Devil Dogs, Goblin Brats, the legendary Goatman Gutbuster, Pretzel Bites, Mini Donuts, Candy, Ice cold drinks, and more. West Sixth Brewing will be serving refreshing brews.
LEO Weekly Staff
SUNDAY JULY 13
South Points Buy Local Fair
Iroquois Park | 4801 New Cut Rd | 12pm
Find diversity and adventure in South Louisville with neighborhood independent businesses! Free parking and free admission. Join us for music, kid’s area, food and local libations, as well as the heart of the Fair: shopping from local businesses! WHY BUY LOCAL? Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains.Locally-owned businesses are one-of-a-kind enterprises that are vital to the unique character of the Louisville Metro community, and local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for our neighbors!
—LEO Weekly Staff
SATURDAY JULY 5 & 19TH
ROARchestra at the Zoo
Louisville Zoo | 1100 Trevilian Way | $15+ | 8:30pm
This family-friendly event combines two of Louisville’s most beloved attractions: the Louisville Zoo and the Louisville Orchestra. Guests are invited to observe wildlife while listening to live classical music. Doors open at 7 p.m. allowing time to explore the Zoo or get settled in the Oasis Field before the concert begins at 8:30 p.m. under the stars. The July 5th show kicks off with the “The Star-Spangled Banner” followed by a night of classics and Hollywood hits including Jurassic Park and Star Wars by John Williams. Saddle up on July 19th for a western-themed night celebrating the spirit of the American frontier with the band Suede Saddle.
—LEO Weekly Staff
SUNDAY JULY 13
Tri Louisville
Brown-Forman Amphitheater at Waterfront Park | 1301 River Road
Jump into the Ohio River for a swim that’s as invigorating as it is iconic. With Louisville’s skyline as your backdrop, it’s a picturesque start to a day of exhilarating competition. Wind through the heart of the city on a bike course that showcases Louisville’s urban energy and southern charm as you approach the transition. Run through the city’s lively atmosphere, with the support of spectators and fellow racers propelling you toward the finish line at Waterfront Park. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, Tri Louisville offers various race formats, including triathlon, duathlon, bikerun, swim-bike, and relays. Choose your challenge. Tri Louisville isn’t just another triathlon; it’s a day to expand your limits, revel in the triathlon community’s spirit, and relish the accomplishment of crossing the finish line.
—LEO Weekly Staff
MONDAY JULY 14 - SUNDAY JULY 20
Louisville Burger Week
All across Kentuckiana and Southern Indiana
From gourmet blends to off-menu specialties we will pay tribute to America’s sweetheart -- the Hamburger! Each restaurateur and Chef will prepare their unique take on the burger. The idea is to get people to embrace the food, culture and Louisville-love while getting them out to eat, drink, and try new places! Back again is the official Louisville Burger Week app! In the app you’ll find the list of participating restaurants, their specials, hours, a map - everything you need to know to plan out your culinary journey for the week, right in the palm of your hand. The app also provides the ability for participants to check in at participating locations throughout the week, earning points for prizes and towards the coveted status of Burger Week royalty. Check in at 4 participating locations and be eligible for a very special grand prize drawing featuring swag and $300 in gift cards! For a list of participants visit www.louisvilleburgerweek.com
—LEO Weekly Staff
THURSDAY’S IN JULY & AUGUST
Bourbon & Botanicals Music Series
Yew Dell Botanical Gardens | 6220 Old Lagrange Rd | $30/ performance | 5:30pm-9pm
Back for its 7th year with an incredible lineup of local and regional musicians, Bourbon & Botanicals is the summer music tradition that gets more fantastic every year. With a few favorite returning acts and a sprinkling of new, you’ll enjoy a wide range of music styles over the course of the series – all in the stunning setting of our covered, outdoor pavilion. Round out the evenings with a fabulous dinner and cocktail from our café, Martha Lee’s Kitchen.
— LEO Weekly Staff
THURSDAY, JULY 17 - SUNDAY, JULY 20
Mag Bar Music Fest
Mag Bar | 1398 S. 2nd St. | magbarlouisville.com |
Admission prices and times vary per day | All ages
Back for its fourth year, Mag Bar Fest just keeps getting bigger and better every year with top notch local and regional bands, and 2025 might be their best yet! Lineups: Thursday, July 17: Jack Holiday and the Westerners, Blanky, Sudden Guts, and Half Nelson. Friday, July 18: Bungalow Betty, Ghost Town Remedy, Punji Pit, Lavacado, and Luvletr. Saturday, July 19: Horseburner, Shi, Redivider, Crop, Baptise, Galactic Spectre, Executionist, Taken Lives, Lore, and Bandshee. Sunday, July 20: Deady, Mr. Phlyzzz, Lung, Mr. Clit and the Pink Cigarettes, Fotocrime, Deep Above, Dustbin, Runner and Bobby, and Live Knives. Check Mag Bar’s website for tickets and set times.
— Jeff Polk
LOUISVILLE’S TOP 15 FOOD TRUCKS TO TRACK DOWN IN SUMMER 2025
Louisville’s food truck scene in 2025 offers everything from gourmet burgers and sushi to bold global street eats. Whether you’re hunting for a quick lunch downtown or planning a weekend
Red Top (Red Top G Dogs)
This gourmet hot dog truck often shows up at Gravely Brewing (514 Baxter Ave) and at larger community events. Look for them during weekend food truck festivals and pop-ups.
Jay’s Burgers
You’ll frequently find Jay’s Burgers at ShopBar (950 Barret Ave) during Thursday through Saturday evenings, and also at Food Truck Wednesdays downtown (600 S 4th St).
Black Rock Grill
Located at S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202 on Wednesdays between Jefferson and Market Streets. Look for them there on Wednesdays from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Made In Brazil
Catch this unique Brazilian truck at ShopBar or Paristown during events. They’re also part of the Food Truck Wednesday lineup at 600 S 4th St. Best days to catch them: Wednesday through Saturday.
BY SHELBY BROWN
food crawl, here is where to find 15 of the city’s most popular food trucks and exactly when and where they park.
Holy Molé Taco Truck
Located on Logan Street Market (1001 Logan St, Louisville, KY 40204) and occasionally at downtown events. Their schedule is rotating, so weekends and event days are best bets.
Lil Cheezers
This grilled cheese staple regularly parks at Gravely Brewing (514 Baxter Ave) and downtown events. You’re most likely to find them on Wednesday afternoons and weekend evenings.
The Celtic Pig
This truck with Irish-BBQ flair is most often spotted at Mellwood Art Center events (1860 Mellwood Ave, Louisville, KY 40206) and larger downtown festivals. Check around seasonal and holiday weekends.
Longshot Lobsta
This seafood truck often appears at Gravely Brewing Co, located at 514 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY 40204, and sometimes at Paristown events (731 Brent St). Their appearances are mostly on weekends or during festivals.
BooBoo’s Smoke Shack
BooBoo’s Smoke Shack often rotates through downtown locations but are frequently spotted near Smoketown Brewery, located at 823 E Broadway, Louisville, KY 40204. Their schedule varies by week.
Blackbeard Espresso Company
Located on Logan Street Market (1001 Logan St) during morning hours. They also appear at festivals and pop-ups.
Bamba Eggroll Company
Known for Filipino-style eggrolls, they often set up at Paristown’s Christy’s Garden (731 Brent St) and sometimes at ShopBar. Look for them on weekends or during festival events.
Con Ají y Café
Serving Latin American comfort food, this truck regularly pops up at ShopBar (950 Barret Ave) on Thursday through Saturday evenings. They’re also known to be at local food truck nights and art markets.
Louisville Sushi Truck
This is one of the most popular mobile sushi spots in the city. You can find them at ShopBar and sometimes at Nulu Marketplace (828 E Main St, Louisville, KY 40206). They’re out on weekends and evenings.
Soulful Choices
This Southern comfort food truck pops up at rotating events, churches, and neighborhood block parties. There’s no fixed location, so your best option is to follow their Facebook or Instagram for exact locations each week.
RAMSI’S CAFÉ OF THE WORLD: GLOBAL COMFORT FOOD AND FINE ART
JOE DESENSI
Ramsi’s Café of the World holds a special place in my wife Hope’s and my respective hearts. I entered Ramsi’s back in 1994 not too long after the doors first opened after seeing a chalk sign for vegetarian lasagna beckoning me like a mythic siren. When Hope first moved to the Highlands, she ate there once to twice a week. It only makes sense that 15 years ago when we reconnected, our first date would be at Ramsi’s.
A Stroll Through Ramsi’s History (and Art Gallery)
Ramsi Kamar was just 27 when he decided to hang a shingle and open a tiny restaurant on Bardstown Road, but what started as a modest 20-seater has grown into one of the most beloved establishments in the Ville’s food scene.
Walking into Ramsi’s today, you’re greeted by high ceilings, eclectic murals, and statues that make you want to start Googling plane tickets. Every corner has something that’ll catch your eye, whether it’s a vibrant painting or a quirky artifact. It’s like stepping into a world tour—but one where you don’t have to endure TSA lines or really bad airplane snacks. The walls aren’t just decorations; they tell stories of Ramsi’s travels and the generations of artistry in his family… dinner comes with its own cultural curriculum.
The Cuisine Ramsi’s serves “Global Comfort Food,” and that’s exactly what it feels like. This is what your grandmother would cook for you if your grandmother could whip up Egyptian, North African, Spanish, and Southern meals without breaking a sweat. The menu boasts everything from East Indian paella to Cuban sandwiches to Jamaican jerk tofu and vegetables galore.
Hope and I start with a cold adult beverage to battle the face-of-the-sun heat wave.
Hope (my seafood-obsessed, wine-loving partner in crime, who definitely pregames Prosecco whenever possible) ordered just that. I honored my love of NYC and bourbon by ordering their signature Black Manhattan, a smoky, Michter’s rye-fueled masterpiece. Ramsi’s a long time member of the Urban bourbon trail, you will find some deep cuts as well as the usual spirited suspects. For appetizers, I went with the Hibachi Salad, a bright and fresh pile of greens dressed in a summery ginger-carrot vinaigrette. This was just the opening band before the main act. I ordered the Vegan Bayou Burger. Though back in my gluten-eating heyday I would’ve gone for Cuban bread, I’ve now shifted to their gluten-free chapati (which, by the way, is a worthy second-place option).
I swapped out fries for their pesto lima beans because A) they’re awesome, and B) the dish’s
disappearance from the menu once long ago nearly caused riots in the middle Highlands. Public outcry works, people. Hope did her seafood thing and ordered the tacos but switching out the battered fish for grilled shrimp. The dish comes with Mexican rice, pico de gallo, mozzarella, napa coleslaw, avocado, soft corn tortillas and Cuban black beans (if your avoiding carnage, they are available vegan with a tofu sea filet).
For dessert? Ramsi’s is known for its Caramelized Banana Trifle, layers of Caribbean rum bananas, custard, whipped cream, and American graham crackers combined into a bite-sized cultural exchange program. We, however, opted for a glass of Sauv Blanc to drink our dessert. I presented the idea that we get one and split it to which I was immediately told “This is a no-split zone.” I was unaware of this when she was nibbling on the remainder of my lima beans.
The Atmosphere
(or How Rock Music Meets Fine Dining)
The dining spaces are vast but never feel impersonal. There’s the main dining area, the bar, and the massive patio (heated in the winter). The staff is just as much a part of the magic as the food. Many of them have been with Ramsi for 25+ years—that’s rare in this industry. Attentive without hovering, cheerful without being performative, the service here is definitely on-brand with the food and the art. And for one last value-add, the background music (usually classic rock) is audible but not overpowering. My greatest fear is that if there is a lot of background noise that Hope might not hear some of my amazing stories or sage wisdom. . . which she says for her is more of a wish than a fear.
Joe Ramsi & family Seafood tacos Art above the bar Hibachi Salad
Photo provided
STONECUTTERS CELEBRATE THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH VINYL RELEASE AND SHOW AT MAG BAR JULY 5TH
Their second album Christhammer just released on vinyl through Third House Communications
BY JEFF POLK
Not gonna lie, it’s a painful reminder of my age to see that Stonecutters are celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band. Although it was 20 years ago, it seems like only a short period of time has passed since I ran into band founder Brian Omer (guitar and vocals) at a show and he told me that his band, My Own Victim, had broken up and that he was working on material for a new band, Stonecutters.
After 20 years, six full-length albums, numerous tours, and worldwide acclaim, Stonecutters are still going strong. Although several members of the band have come and gone—and in the case of drummer Johnny Wooldridge and guitarist Chris Leffler, come back again—Omer has been there through almost all of it, (there was a short period of time where he left the band, only to reform it and reclaim the Stonecutters name after a feud with former band members).
In celebration of their 20th year as a band, Stonecutters have just released their second album, Christhammer, on vinyl for the first time ever via Third House Communications. Remastered for vinyl by guitarist Chris Leffler,
the album itself is white with black splatter and features a lyrics sheet and updated front and back cover art by William David Pollard (Evergreen, Odessa, Four Rose Society).
Recorded at Headbangin’ Kill Your Mama Music by Chris Owens from November 2008 through January 2009 and released in March of 2009, Christhammer was a seminal record for the band, garnering much critical acclaim for its raw, powerful mix of progressive metal, thrash, sludge, hardcore, punk, and technical death metal. Decibel Magazine called the album “one big ball of awesome” and went on to say, “This band rules harder than a Viagra overdose.” MetalSucks called it “one hell of a record certainly deserving of the attention of the MS faithful.” And your own LEO Weekly said, “The group does a stellar job of melding a lot of influences into a cohesive act,” before going on to say, “Brian Omer’s sludgy vocals, steady and unyielding, are a lighthouse in the darkness of intricately plotted and paced musical chaos.”
The vinyl, along with the original CD version, are available for order through the
Stonecutters’ Bandcamp page: stonecutters. bandcamp.com
Stonecutters will also be playing a special 20th anniversary/vinyl release show at Mag Bar (1398 South 2nd St.) on Saturday, July 5th, with Centenary (Detroit) and Louisville’s own Galactic Spectre. According to Omer himself, they will be playing a majority of the Christhammer album live at the show, which will mark the first time some of these
songs have been played live in several years. The show is for all ages and begins at 8 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased for $10 through eventbrite.com and are highly recommended, as this show will sell out.
Stonecutters (L to R): Johnny Wooldridge, Jayce Wraley, Brian Omer, Chris Leffler John Mourias
TEENS ARE RUNNING THE STUDIO AT LA LA LAND RECORDING CAMP
The week-long camp, which runs from July 28 - August 1st, gives teens hands-on training in professional audio recording
BY JEFF POLK
If you’ve ever read any of my reviews, you’ll see a pattern in which I name-drop La La Land and producer extraordinaire Anne Gauthier fairly often. Why? Because everything, literally everything, that I have heard that has been recorded at La La Land by Anne Gauthier sounds phenomenal! The way Gauthier is able to give all instruments on every song she records so much personality is astounding; capturing such rich, warm, full, deep tones that truly spotlight the essence and soul of each instrument. Finished recordings most often sound not like recordings at all, but as if you are sitting in the studio with the musicians as they play live. La La Land isn’t just one of the best recording studios in the area, it’s one of the best in the world! It’s no wonder why the studio has played host to the likes of Jim James, Ray LaMontagne, Jake Shears, GRLwood, Strand of Oaks, Joan Shelley, Boa, and countless other national, regional, and local artists. So with that in mind, it was with great interest when I saw La La Land was hosting a recording camp, and great disappointment when I saw it was only for teens ages 13-18. I’m being serious when I say I wish they were offering this camp for adults. I would love to get the kind of hands-on professional studio training these teens will be getting during this camp. This
is the opportunity of a lifetime for teenagers interested in the recording arts. “There’s not many audio tech educators even at the college level in town that are studio trained / much gear available in those programs, so I thought that would be a fun and nice community thing to offer,” said Gauthier.
What exactly is the La La Land Recording Camp? I believe their website describes it far better than I can: “Have you ever wondered how your favorite songs or records were made? Ever wondered what the inside of a professional recording studio looked and felt like? Curious about how recording equipmentfrom big consoles to microphones to computers (and everything in between) - really works?
La La Land Recording Camp is a professional studio recording camp designed specifically for teenagers, offering a full week of dynamic, hands-on experience with a worldclass producer/engineer, [LEO Weekly has confirmed Anne Gauthier will be the instructor], in Louisville’s coziest and coolest studio, La La Land. At La La Land Recording Camp, you will learn the nuts & bolts of recording professional audio: from hardware basics to digital audio workstations (DAWs), live instrument recording, signal processing (think reverb and echo), and multi-track mixing, as
well as intangible insight in how a producer/ engineer helps get the best performances (i.e., takes) out of a live band playing real music in a room together.
Each day at La La Land Recording Camp you will dive head first into free-flowing conversations and hands-on tutorials focusing on how outboard gear works, which microphones work best for different instruments and voices, how compressors and effects processors change the shape, feel, and color of sound, and how to organize a mixing session to get the absolute best end result - a song you and the artists you work with are proud of and want to share with the world.
La La Land Recording Camp will culminate with an actual recording session with a guest band, where you and your fellow campers will run the show, set up the session, mic the instruments, fine-tune all the tones, help make production and engineering choices, mix a song, and celebrate your success with a celebratory playback party.”
All five days will focus on a different area of studio recording. Day 1: Gear Deep DiveMic to Console, (focus: hardware basics). Day 2: DAW and Recording Basics, (focus: digital foundations). Day 3: Instrument Recording and Sound Control, (focus: real instrument
recording). Day 4: Mixing 101, (focus: bringing it together). Day 5: Live Band Recording Day, (focus: full session execution).
The La La Land Recording Camp, which is sponsored by 91.9 WFPK, will run Monday, July 28th through Friday, August 1st from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. Camp fee is $935 (plus tax), all professional equipment included. Registrations will be taken through Sunday, July 27th - however, class size is limited to only six people and this is the last camp La La Land is offering this summer, so advance registration is highly recommended.
To register for camp, visit: https://lalalandsound.com/recording-camp.
For camp FAQ, visit: https://lalalandsound. com/recording-camp-faq.
For more information on La La Land, visit: https://lalalandsound.com.
For more info on Anne Gauthier, visit: https://www.annegauthier.info.
For any additional questions, email: hello@ lalalandsound.com.
And yes, I am honest-to-God jealous of all the teens who get to do this camp!
Photos provided
LOUISVILLE MUSIC TO FEAST YOUR EARS ON THIS JULY!
New
releases by Small Time Napoleon, Why DOMS, Stay Bent, and Gravel n’ Mudd Band
BY JEFF POLK
Ahc
“Arequipe” and “Swim or Drown” - singles
With five albums, three EPS, and now seventeen singles released since 2020, one could make the argument that Louisville-based artist/producer/songwriter Annahelen Croce has been a wee bit busy. With a bold, genre-blurring sound, Ahc is obviously quite driven to create and continue further developing her unique sound, smashing genre barriers as she goes. And with her latest two singles - “Arequipe” and “Swim or Drown”she is ready to take over the dance floor.
“Arequipe,” (which is the Columbian name for dulce de leche), pays tribute to Ahc’s Columbian heritage with lyrics sung in both Spanish and English over an energetic track that fuses reggaeton and Latin pop with a house-infused groove and hip hop influence to create an extremely danceable, infectious beat that’s made for movement.
Whereas “Swim or Drown” goes in a bit of a different direction by taking a loungy bossa nova beat that forms the skeleton of the song and brings with it an airy, coastal rhythm, then spicing it up with elements of house, hip hop, and pop for a very tropical feeling number that would be right at home at any beach-based dance club. The lyrics of which “were inspired by mental rumination; feeling stagnant in life. It’s almost like being in the middle of the ocean trying to paddle against the waves,” according to Ahc.
This is dance music that moves the body and stirs the soul while hinting at even more boundary-pushing to come. Ahc isn’t just crossing genres - she’s building bridges.
linktr.ee/ahcpd
In preparing to review this album, I Googled Earl Bowman and came across an interview he recently did with Real Roots Radio in which he divulged that he didn’t start seriously pursuing music until 2022. Do me a favor, go to Spotify and pick any track off this record, listen to it, and try to wrap your head around how someone who’s only been doing this seriously for three years could be at this level. It’s astounding! There are musicians who’ve been playing for decades that can only dream of writing songs like these!
On the eight tracks that make up Wannabe, Bowman fuses a mix of 70’s traditional country, Americana, bluegrass, and roots rock with a solid backbone rooted in the blues and gospel. Not only is he blazing his own trail with his sound, but carving a deep groove in the modern day country music landscape that is certain to inspire others to follow. He also proves himself to be quite the masterful storyteller with lyrics inspired by events in his own life dealing with heartbreak, addiction, and the struggles of living with bipolar disorder. He has a knack for being able to seamlessly go from heartbreaking to hilarious while bringing the listener along on his journey. Bowman, who is also the co-host of the Top Hill Recording Podcast, self-funded the recording and brought in a who’s who of Kentucky musicians to back him, and the result is incredible! Simply put, Earl Bowman undeniably has superstar potential, and you need to hear this record!
earlbowmanmusic.com
There aren’t many performers who can skirt the lines between neotraditional country, outlaw country, Americana, folk, and Southern rock and make it sound convincingly honest. Often times the listener can tell which songs were written for radio and which were written only to fit certain genres. However, on Tallest Hill - his second fulllength album for SonaBLAST! Records and his third overall - singer/songwriter/guitarist Luke Powers delivers ten honest, from-the-heart, and often downright fun songs that blur the lines between the aforementioned genres. It’s a sound that owes as much to Johnny Cash, both Hank Williams Sr. and Jr., Willie Nelson, and David Allan Coe as it does to John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Justin Townes Earle, and to contemporaries like Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson. Drawing inspiration from his own life as a hard working husband and father, Powers is able to seamlessly blend humor with deep introspection to capture the struggles, joys, and complexities of everyday life into relatable stories. Not only does he have a knack for storytelling, but also for writing incredibly catchy songs such as the rolling Americana of lead single “As the Crow Flies,” the bluesy soul of “Holding You,” the Southern rock stomp of “The Drug Store” and the title track, and the traditional country of “Cling Clang Clunk” and latest single “Champagne Taste” that are impossible to ignore.
Backed by a highly talented band and a wonderfully bright production, Powers’ Tallest Hill is a standout amongst several genres and showcases an artist who’s obviously more than qualified to take on much larger recognition on the world stage.
lukepowersmusic.com
Mean Mugg’d Save Face - EP
Louisville hardcore has reached a whole new level! Seriously, I’ve been around the music scene for 35 years and there has never been anything quite like it. Some of my contemporaries will probably string me up for saying this, but the early 90’s scene had nothing on what’s happening right now. And it’s still growing! New bands are coming out all the time and I can’t keep up with all of them.
Take for instance Mean Mugg’d, whom I’ve let fly under my radar. I know nothing about them other than they’re young and it seems like they’ve been on the bill for every single local hardcore show over the past year. But they sent a link to their latest EP Save Face, and holy shit, you have no idea how happy hearing this makes me!
Yeah this is Louisville hardcore through and through, but there is such a great throwback feel to their sound. Listening to this, I felt like I was mentally transported back to and fully immersed in my mid-teen years again. The mid-to-late 80’s East Coast and NYHC sound of bands like Agnostic Front, Sick of it All, Cro Mags, Warzone, Uniform Choice, and Youth of Today come to mind, except Mean Mugg’d is less sloppy and more focused. This is perfect skate music right here!
But make no mistake, Mean Mugg’d isn’t a straight up NYHC throwback band by any means, as they have powerful modern hardcore song structures and some truly intense breakdowns that 80’s hardcore can’t fuck with! This is the best of both past and present hardcore, and I love it!
linktr.ee/meanmuggd
Send a link to your music along with a band/artist bio, a high-resolution pic of the release’s cover art, and any additional information that may be helpful to music@leoweekly.com.
Earl Bowman Wannabe - album
Luke Powers Tallest Hill - album
LEO Weekly has Spotify playlists for each Listen Local column featuring selected tracks from each reviewed release. Search Spotify for LEO Weekly and have a listen!
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
THIS PALESTINIAN AMERICAN FILMMAKER TURNS
EXPECTATIONS UPSIDE DOWN
His short film “Maqluba” will screen at the Flyover Film Festival
BY ARIA BACI
Mike Elsherif is a Palestinian American filmmaker who immigrated to the U.S. from his birthplace in Kuwait after the Persian Gulf War. His work explores themes of the immigrant experience, displacement, and mortality. His new film “Maqluba” will screen at the Flyover Film Festival in July.
“Maqluba” was produced in Louisville with a local crew and features the director’s 83-year-old Palestinian mother in her debut performance. The narrative follows Laila (Rand Faris), a Palestinian-American drummer, who visits her grandmother in her new apartment during a storm on the pretext of helping her unpack. But Laila’s nefarious intentions are slowly revealed as grandmother and granddaughter go further into an increasingly mystical night.
“Maqluba” (an Arabic term for “upside down”) is a traditional Levantine dish made of meat, rice, and vegetables cooked in a pot which is flipped upside down when served. Similarly, this 28-minute short film inverts audience expectations of the Palestinian American immigrant experience. “The film is a darkly comic, macabre Palestinian fable about two generations of immigrants struggling to deal with trauma, displacement, and life in the diaspora,” Elsherif said.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking, Elsherif has since been a Rawi Fellow at the Rawi Screenwriters Lab in Jordan; an Al Smith Fellow selected by the Kentucky Arts Council; a Writer-inResidence at The New Harmony Project; a COLLIDER Artist-in-Residence through Louisville Free Public Library; and an Artist-in-Residence at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. He also received the Sunbird Stories Production Award by FilmLab Palestine and Cinephilia Productions and the 40 Under 40 Prize by the Arab America Foundation.
“Maqluba” is a visually subtle yet topically complex film. The intimate framing is illuminated by a dreamlike light design, while its narrative theme of lives being turned upside down is made literal by unexpected camera movement. It has already been celebrated at film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival, El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt, Chicago Palestine Film Festival, CAAMFest in San Francisco, and Palestine Cinema Days. It will also be screened at the Oscar-qualifying BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia. If it wins an
award at BlackStar, it will qualify for an Academy Award nomination.
While developing the film, Elsherif struggled to cast a performer to play the role of the grandmother. So he asked his own mother, Amineh Elsherif, if she might be interested in auditioning for the part. “She said yes, and then I asked her why.” Elsherif said. “She replied, ‘I want people to remember me by something after I die.’”
Amineh Elsherif dedicated an appreciable part of her life to the culinary arts, working as the pastry chef at Lily’s Bistro in the Highlands for 20 years. After the restaurant closed in June 2020, she was left without a creative outlet or a way to express herself.
“I believe she was interested in auditioning for several reasons: she loves film, especially Bollywood films; she wanted an outlet for her creativity; and she wanted to help out her son,” Elsherif said.
As he explored his family history with his mother, he learned more about her past and
the trauma she had endured as a Palestinian woman. “Her bond with her co-actress was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed,” Elsherif said. The performers began to think of each other as family and developed a deep affection for each other.
“When they finally met on set after rehearsing via Zoom for so long, they talked, laughed, and had a wonderful time. Everyone on set also began to fall in love with my mother. She became the set grandmother.”
Any time Elsherif was frustrated with the way his mother was delivering a line of dialogue, he would speak with her in Arabic, so the rest of the crew would not be able to understand them. “I wouldn’t say I was harsh, but I was stern” he said. “Then, I would turn to the crew and tell them in English that my mother was ready for another take. She had a lot of raw talent — I just had to keep nudging her in the right direction.”
Before he began filming, Elsherif spent almost an entire year rehearsing with his
mother and her co-star, Rand Faris. An Arab actor and poet born in the U.S. and raised in Jordan, Faris now lives in Brooklyn. She was the only person who had to travel to Louisville for the production. The rest of the crew was local.
“The production experience in Louisville was great,” Elsherif said. “Maqluba” was financed primarily through the local Fund for the Arts’ ArtsMatch program, which matches crowdfunding with grants from LG&E and KU Foundation. The production also received funding from the Kentucky Arts Council, as well as a private investor, and in-kind support from FilmLab Palestine in Ramallah.
“Maqluba” will screen as a part of the Flyover x Hyphen: Shorts Block at ACME Artworks (953 S. Clay St.) on Thursday, July 24. Tickets are available now.
Courtesy photo
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Week of July 4
ROB BREZSNY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Greek philosopher Socrates declared, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” That extreme statement is a foundational idea of Western philosophy. It’s hard to do! To be ceaselessly devoted to questioning yourself is a demanding assignment. But here’s the good news: I think you will find it extra liberating in the coming weeks. Blessings and luck will flow your way as you challenge your dogmas and expand your worldview. Your humble curiosity will attract just the influences you need.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Recently, I brought an amazing Taurus to your attention: the German polymath Athanasius Kircher, who lived from 1601 to 1680. Once again, I will draw on his life to provide guidance for you. Though he’s relatively unknown today, he was the Leonardo da Vinci of his age—a person with a vast range of interests. His many admirers called him “Master of a Hundred Arts.” He traveled extensively and wrote 40 books that covered a wide array of subjects. For years, he curated a “cabinet of curiosities” or “wonder-room” filled with interesting and mysterious objects. In the coming weeks, I invite you to be inspired by his way of being, Taurus. Be richly miscellaneous and wildly versatile.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): How does a person become a creative genius in their field? What must they do to become the best? In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell said that one way to accomplish these goals is to devote 10,000 hours to practicing and mastering your skill set. There’s some value in that theory, though the full truth is more nuanced. Determined, focused effort that’s guided by mentors and bolstered by good feedback is more crucial than simply logging hours. Having access to essential resources is another necessity. I bring these thoughts to your attention, Gemini, because I believe the coming months will be a favorable time to summon a high level of disciplined devotion as you expedite your journey toward mastery.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): There’s a story from West African tradition in which a potter listens to the raw material she has gathered from the earth. She waits for it to tell her what it wants to become. In this view, the potter is not a dictator but a midwife. I believe this is an excellent metaphor for you, Cancerian. Let’s imagine that you are both the potter and the clay. A new form is ready to emerge, but it won’t respond to force. You must attune to what wants to be born through you. Are you trying to shape your destiny too
insistently, when it’s already confiding in you about its preferred shape? Surrender to the conversation.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Here’s my odd but ultimately rewarding invitation: Tune in to the nagging aches and itches that chafe at the bottom of your heart and in the back of your mind. For now, don’t try to scratch them or rub them. Simply observe them and feel them, with curiosity and reverence. Allow them to air their grievances and tell you their truths. Immerse yourself in the feelings they arouse. It may take 10 minutes, or it might take longer, but if you maintain this vigil, your aches and itches will ultimately provide you with smart guidance. They will teach you what questions you need to ask and how to go in quest for the healing answers.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Wise gardeners may plan their planting by the moon’s phases. Through study of the natural world, they understand that seeds sown at the ripe moment will flourish, while those planted at random times may be less hardy. In this spirit, I offer you the following counsel for the coming weeks: Your attention to timing will be a great asset. Before tinkering with projects or making commitments, assess the cycles at play in everything: the level of your life energy, the moods of others, and the tenor of the wider world. By aligning your moves with subtle rhythms, you will optimize your ability to get exactly what you want.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In parts of Italy, grapevines were once trained not on wires or trellises, but on living trees, usually maples or poplars. The vines spiraled upward, drawing strength and structure from their tall allies. The practice kept grapes off the ground, improved air circulation, and allowed for mixed land use, such as growing cereals between the rows of trees and vines. In the coming weeks, Libra, I advise you to be inspired by this phenomenon. Climb while in relationship. Who or what is your living trellis? Rather than pushing forward on your own, align with influences that offer height, grounding, and steady companionship. When you spiral upward together, your fruits will be sweeter and more robust.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Migratory monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles, guided by instincts and cues invisible to humans. They trust they will find what they need along the way. Like them, you may soon feel called to venture beyond your comfort zone—intellectually, socially, or geographically. I advise you to rely on your curiosity
and adaptability. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, the journey will lead you to resources and help you hadn’t anticipated. The path may be crooked. The detours could be enigmatic. But if you are committed to enjoying the expansive exploration, you’ll get what you didn’t even know you needed.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your assignment is to uncover hidden treasures. Use the metaphorical version of your peripheral vision to become aware of valuable stuff you are missing and resources you are neglecting. Here’s another way to imagine your task: There may be situations, relationships, or opportunities that have not yet revealed their full power and glory. Now is a perfect moment to discern their pregnant potential. So dig deeper, Sagittarius—through reflection, research or conversation. Trust that your open-hearted, open-minded probing will guide you to unexpected gems.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong said, “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” What did he mean by that? That we shouldn’t try to use words to describe and understand this complex music? Countless jazz critics, scholars, and musicians might disagree with that statement. They have written millions of words analyzing the nature of jazz. In that spirit, I am urging you to devote extra energy in the coming weeks to articulating clear ideas about your best mysteries. Relish the prospect of defining what is hard to define. You can still enjoy the raw experience even as you try to get closer to explaining it.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the Andean highlands, there’s a concept called ayni, a venerated principle of reciprocity. “Today for you, tomorrow for me,” it says. This isn’t a transactional deal. It’s a relational expansiveness. People help and support others not because they expect an immediate return. Rather, they trust that life will ultimately find ways to repay them. I suggest you explore this approach in the coming weeks, Aquarius. Experiment with giving freely, without expectation. Conversely, have blithe faith that you will receive what you need. Now is prime time to enhance and finetune your web of mutual nourishment.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): How often do I, your calm, sensible counselor, provide you with a carte blanche to indulge in exuberant gratification, a free pass for exciting adventures, and a divine authorization to indulge in luxurious abundance and lavish pleasure? Not often, dear Pisces. So I advise you not to spend another minute wondering what to do next. As soon as possible, start claiming full possession of your extra blessings from the gods of joy and celebration and revelry. Here’s your meditation question: What are the best ways to express your lust for life?
Homework: What aptitude of yours do you underestimate? Use it more aggressively! Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
SITUATION CRITICAL
BY DAN SAVAGE
Hey Dan: I’m 27-year-old Italian guy. I just got out of a situationship with a woman five years older than me. It was a total mess. She wanted everything to revolve around her and be in control of everything because she had bad relationships in the past. She wanted to date other people, but I was always against it. Not because I wanted to control her, but because she literally said she enjoyed “betraying and lying for fun.” We argued a lot about her love of talking about her exes. That was her favorite argument. She thought I was jealous, but I was just annoyed about being constantly compared to guys from her past and those comparisons stung because — spoiler alert — the sex we had wasn’t that great.
To make matters worse, she would complain to me during sex that all the men in her life had “performance issues” with her. Sometimes when I couldn’t get hard — mostly because images of her exes were playing in my head — she would have a literal panic attack. And then there was this double standard: She would go on and on about how big this ex’s cock was and how amazing sex with this other ex was, but she didn’t want to hear about any of my past sexual encounters. I told her all of this made me feel bad about myself, but she felt that since we weren’t a “real” couple she didn’t have to take my feelings into consideration.
Every one of her stories was about she betrayed her exes and messed up these monogamous relationships but somehow she was the victim. I finally told her that I didn’t want to hear another word about her past. She didn’t like that and expected me to apologize for what I had said, but I never did. After that, I left her. Do you think I did the right thing? Am I an asshole for leaving her?
—Unpleasant Situationship Ends Disastrously
You’re not an asshole for leaving, USED, but staying as long as you did — well, I don’t wanna call you an idiot (as you’re a reader), but staying with this woman for more than five minutes was a pretty idiotic thing to do. She bragged about betraying her exes and lying to their faces for fun. She compared you to her exes (unfavorably!) during sex and then had a meltdown when you couldn’t stay hard. She claimed she didn’t owe you consideration or even kindness because you weren’t a “real” couple. (Decent people are kind to their one-night stands.) That’s not the behavior of someone who’s had some bad experiences with previous partners and needs a little extra care and consideration from their current partner. That’s the behavior of an emotionally abusive asshole in victim drag.
Now, usually when someone sticks around despite their partner being awful, USED, it’s because the sex is amazing or they did something stupid that makes walking away impossibly hard — they married the awful person or scrambled their DNA together with theirs. But in your case, USED, the sex was lousy, she was lousier, and you weren’t married and didn’t have kids. This woman wasn’t even your girlfriend! So, the question you should be asking yourself isn’t, “Am I the asshole for leaving,” but rather, “Why the fuck did I put up with this shit for so long?” You’re gonna need to figure out the answer to that question before you get with/on/in someone else — and you gonna need to promise me you’ll grab your pants and run the next time someone puts down your dick while you’re trying to use it. (Some men like that sort of thing — you’re not one of them.)
Again, you did the right thing by leaving. Now you need to do the hard thing: learn from this experience. Drama is not romance. Traumatic past experiences (real or imaginary) are not Get-Out-of-HumanDecency-free cards. And if someone you’re fucking only has shitty things to say about their exes — if someone is the common denominator in a whole bunch of shitty relationships — then the person you’re fucking is the shitty one.
Hey Dan: I’m hoping you can put me in a better headspace about external pressure on my relationship. I’ve got a fantastic partner; we are sharing a life together and we are very happy. The challenge I face is that we own a nightclub where we encounter loads of single people. There’s music, there’s alcohol, there’s dancing — it all sounds fun, I know. Shockingly, I am not worried that my partner has a wandering eye. He’s well known in our little island town and respected here by everyone. But on many occasions, some woman has openly flirted with him, touched him suggestively, looked at him seductively — or worse — right in front of me. He deflects these advances, and he always tells these women that he is mine. My issue is with my anger I have towards these women as I feel they are testing me. I’m doing my best to let it go, even though it still gets to me. I would like to not let my emotions make me their bitch but some of these girls are clearly testing me. What can I say in these situations that is both diplomatic and firm without creating friction?
—Peace Not Beast
Are you sure these women are testing you? I mean, if the women who’ve hit on your
boyfriend at the club are locals who know you’re together — and they know you’re exclusive — they may be testing you. But if these women are strangers or tourists, how are they supposed to know the hot guy serving them drinks has a girlfriend?
If we’re talking locals, you shouldn’t worry about being polite or diplomatic — you have every right to blow up — but you don’t wanna drive off regular paying customers either, right? And the alcohol isn’t “there,” PNB. You’re selling alcohol and profiting from it. Since booze is known to lower people’s inhibitions in ways that can impact their judgment, some tolerance for mild boundary violations and party fouls — and flirting with a hot-but-taken guy counts — are a cost of doing business. So, if we’re talking local bitches, I would advise you to stick to withering looks and let your boyfriend continue doing the shutting down.
If they’re tourists… yeah, a tourist isn’t gonna know your boyfriend is taken; a tourist who makes a pass at your boyfriend is only guilty of shooting her shot. And as sex-and-relationship problems go, PNB, “everyone wants to fuck my boyfriend” is a pretty good problem to have. So long as your boyfriend can be trusted not to bang two tourist girls at a time in the walk-in beer cooler — and it sounds like he can be trusted not to do that — I think you should take the high road and the compliment. Laugh and tell the tourist your boyfriend is taken, offer her a shot to toast her great taste in men, and then point her in the direction of someone who might wanna fuck the shit out of her in your beer cooler.
Hey Dan: I’m an elder millennial who’s been with a beautiful guy for fifteen years. We’ve been open for half of that, starting with DADT but then becoming more transparent very recently. We navigated a few tricky episodes where he suspected emotional infidelity on my part. In hindsight, I was acting out in frustration with the DADT setup. For what it’s worth, the pivot to transparency has done us good. I don’t think we’ve ever felt as confident or secure in our bond as we have in the last few months.
My issue involves another guy: a very young millennial (late twenties) guy I met on Recon fairly early into the “Dom” journey I’ve been on for the last two years. (My husband is staunchly vanilla and enjoys teasing me about my new “hobbies.”) I’ve explored a laundry list of kinks with this boy. We have great sexual chemistry and we’re both pretty intellectually compatible. It’s fair to say I’m a little smitten
with him — but it doesn’t feel like a romantic bon and I’ve never discouraged him from dating other men. Still, I ache a bit when it’s been too long since I’ve seen him last. This guy just accepted a job offer a few time zones away. I’d like to make the effort to see him once in a while after he moves. Dumping this news on my spouse could upend the amazing vibe we’ve recently established. But it feels like a conversation worth risking. But I feel like I should maybe reach out to the other guy first to see if he’s even interested in staying connected after he moves away. Which of these conversations should come first: the one with the other guy or the one with my husband?
—Deliberating Over Move
You’re gay, you’re married and open, and you and your husband both see other people. It’s obviously easier for your vanilla husband to find other partners, DOM, as most gay guys are vanilla and even the kinky ones enjoy vanilla sex from time to time. But it’s harder for you: you not only have to find guys you’re into who are also into you, DOM, you have to find guys who share your kinks — and not just share them, but who are essentially the (sub) lids to your (dom) pot. So, while the guys your husband hooks up with are easily replaced, the guys you hook up with are gonna be harder to come by, on, and in.
If your husband knows you’re kinky and wants you to explore your kinks with guys you can trust, he should be able to wrap his head around your desire to stay connected to particular subs that were good-to-great matches, even if it means a little travel. But seeing as you’re only a few months into your transparency era — you’re sharing everything (or almost everything) now — I wouldn’t blame you for avoiding this convo for the time being.
So, start by asking this boy if he wants to keep fucking with you after he moves away. If he’s not interested, you don’t need to have an awkward discussion with your husband about some hypothetical sub you might meet in the future. If this boy does wanna keep fucking with you, then you’re gonna need to talk with your husband about your travel plans.
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CLASSIFIEDS
Public Notice
Pursuant to KRS 376.480, the following abandoned mobile home located at 3512 Blue Park Lane, #C7 in Fort Bluegrass MHP LLC. Community, Louisville, Kentucky shall be sold by Fort Bluegrass via sealed bid on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM to recover rent, storage and legal fees incurred by the owners of said mobile home. The sealed bids will be accepted at Fort Bluegrass MHP, LLC 3510 Bluegrass Park Drive, Louisville, Kentucky 40218. Title to the mobile home is not warranted, subject to prior liens and all sales are final. Seller reserves the right to bid. Terms of sale cash only.
Unknown Occupant
Unknown Heirs or Beneficiaries
Unknown Owner(s) or Creditor(s) Year: 1959
Make: NewMoon
Model: Unknown
VIN: Unknown
Located at 3512 Blue Park Lane, #C7 in Fort Bluegrass MHP, Community
Public Notice
Pursuant to KRS 376.480, the following abandoned mobile home located at 3515 Blue Park Lane, #D42 in Fort Bluegrass MHP LLC. Community, Louisville, Kentucky shall be sold by Fort Bluegrass via sealed bid on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM to recover rent, storage and legal fees incurred by the owners of said mobile home.
The sealed bids will be accepted at Fort Bluegrass MHP, LLC 3510 Bluegrass Park Drive, Louisville, Kentucky 40218. Title to the mobile home is not warranted, subject to prior liens and all sales are final. Seller reserves the right to bid. Terms of sale cash only.
Unknown Occupant
Unknown Heirs or Beneficiaries
Unknown Owner(s) or Creditor(s)
Year: 1969
Make: Elcona Homes
Model: Unknown
VIN: Unknown
Located at 3515 Blue Park Lane, #D42 in Fort Bluegrass MHP, Community
Public Notice
Pursuant to KRS 376.480, the following abandoned mobile home located at 3533 Blue Park Lane, #D33 in Fort Bluegrass MHP LLC. Community, Louisville, Kentucky shall be sold by Fort Bluegrass via sealed bid on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM to recover rent, storage and legal fees incurred by the owners of said mobile home.
The sealed bids will be accepted at Fort Bluegrass MHP, LLC 3510 Bluegrass Park Drive, Louisville, Kentucky 40218. Title to the mobile home is not warranted, subject to prior liens and all sales are final. Seller reserves the right to bid. Terms of sale cash only.
Jorge Aguilar
Unknown Heirs or Beneficiaries
Unknown Owner(s) or Creditor(s)
Year: 1969
Make: Unknown
Model: Unknown
VIN: Unknown
Located at 3533 Blue Park Lane, #D33 in Fort Bluegrass MHP, Community
Crown Castle Fiber, LLC is proposing to construct a 46-foot overall height small cell pole telecommunications structure located near 1148 East Chestnut Street, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky (38¬∞ 15’ 3.5” N, 85¬∞ 43’ 58.4” W). Crown Castle Fiber, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the
proposed undertaking may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments may be sent to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Annamarie Howell, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or via email to publicnotice@ecausa.com. Ms. Howell can be reached at (770) 667-2040 x 108 during normal business hours. Comments must be received within 30 days of the date of this notice. 25-000913 MCM
Crown Castle Fiber, LLC is proposing to construct a 42-foot overall height small cell pole telecommunications structure located at 416 W. Liberty Street, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky (38¬∞ 15’ 10.9”N 85¬∞ 45’ 26.7”W). Crown Castle Fiber, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the tower may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments may be sent to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Annamarie Howell, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or via email to publicnotice@ eca-usa.com. Ms. Howell can be reached at (770) 667-2040 x 108 during normal business ho urs. Comments must be received within 30 days of the date of this notice. 25-000891b JET
Auction Notice 2013 Volvo ,Vehicle Identification Number: 4V4NC9EH6DN136453.
Name of owner is Soufiane Rafaf & Mina Snhaji DBA 3Y Trucking LLC DBA Menera Transportation LLC, with an address of 888 Markham, Ln, Louisville, KY 40207.
Crown Castle Fiber, LLC is proposing to construct a 46-foot overall height small cell pole telecommunications structure located at 12004 La Grange Road, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky (38¬∞ 16’ 40.6”N 85¬∞ 31’ 4.2”W). Crown Castle Fiber, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the tower may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments may be sent to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Annamarie Howell, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or via email to publicnotice@ eca-usa.com. Ms. Howell can be reached at (770) 6672040 x 108 during normal business hours. Comments must be received within 30 days of the date of this notice. 25-000887b JET
Crown Castle Fiber, LLC is proposing to construct a 46-foot overall height small cell pole telecommunications structure located at 701 S. Shelby Street, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky (38¬∞ 14’ 40.0”N 85¬∞ 44’ 22.2”W). Crown Castle Fiber, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the tower may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments may be sent to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Annamarie Howell, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or via email to publicnotice@ eca-usa.com. Ms. Howell can be reached at (770) 6672040 x 108 during normal business hours. Comments must be received within 30 days of the date of this notice. 25-000890b JET
LETTER OPENERS
BY RICH PROULX
Rich Proulx (pronounced ‘‘proo’’) of Berkeley, Calif., works for the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S.D.A. This is his ninth crossword for The Times since 2017, and his first Sunday. For this puzzle, he originally wanted the images to appear in circles in the grid, but those proved too small to make out. So he revamped the puzzle and placed them in the clues instead. — W.S.
1 ‘‘The weekend is almost here!’’ 5 Pioneers of freeze-drying food
Share from an illicit endeavor
Polite term of address 18 Lifted one’s spirits?
20 Riveting persona of W.W. II
21 Frozen treat with a domed lid
22 See 19-Down
23 Place for a white picket fence and a mom-andpop shop
Startle
Flirt with
Feel bad
See 29-Down
Highly capable
Passion
Water feature created by rising sea
STEM part: Abbr.
‘‘What are the ____?’’
See 46-Down
Awkward people to butt-dial, perhaps
Circuit board device
Vast, as an operation
55 Helen of ‘‘The Queen’’ 56 Futon component
57 Was transfixed by, in a way
59 Glass ____, spaghetti-like fish
60 Give a darn?
62 French aperitif 63 Weapon with wires
64 See 67-Down 68 Justice Kagan
70 Natural feature between México y Texas 71 ____Kosh B’gosh
73 TV journalist Navarro
74 Annual observance for
microchips every two years
91 Record label for the Backstreet Boys 92 Tech company exec, for short 93
‘‘Morbid’’
46*See image
48 Many a school chaperone
49 Later
50 Cognizant of
52 Folk singer Guthrie
54 Diddly-squat
55 Hip-hop’s ____ Thee Stallion
‘‘See above,’’ in footnotes
Got online, say
Cause of puddles in early spring, say
See 82-Down
88 Go a little one way or the other
90 Gordon ____, engineer with a ‘‘law’’ predicting a doubling of transistors on 25 Aid for using Bluetooth
____ Collins, author of ‘‘The Hunger Games’’
57 They’re for suckers
58 Meditative martial art
61 Common word with or without anapostrophe
65 Meaty pasta sauce
66 Ridge in metalworking
67 *See image
69 Office folder?
72 Vowel sound in ‘‘father’’
75 Dude
77 Audiophile’s system
79 Cut (off)
80 What ‘‘fitz-’’ or ‘‘-ovic’’ means, in names
82 *See image
83 Innocent sort
85 ‘‘Chances ____ . .’’
86 Became one
89 Modern prefix with anxiety
90 Salt’s companions
93 Theseus’ need in the Labyrinth
94 In an uncouth manner
95 Marketing worker, informally
96 Credit, informally
97 Prominent features of elephant seals
98 Comedian Radner
99 A perfect storm, e.g.
100 Planet whose day is longer than its year
101 *See image
105 Done
106 Extend one’s military service
107 *See image
108 Hard thing to find in a house of mirrors
110 ‘‘Wee’’ fellow
111 Channel with the onetime spinoff America’s Store
112 Suffix with emir
113 S.F.-to-Napa dir.
Answers
