A look at how one Lexington couple built on a decadeslong partnership with BACK Construction, to create the outdoor space of their dreams
Inside the gates of an idyllic Midway property featuring multiple gardens that are steeped in
Now you can use the MyChart app to manage your prescriptions
Now you can use the MyChart app to manage your prescriptions
Request refills, view medication info & more
Request refills, view medication info & more
Also
Also
*Scan
Michelle Aiello is a Chicago-born writer, editor and indie publisher. Her interests include living room karaoke, snail mail and all things vintage. She contributes to our monthly “tadoo list” (our calendar of cultural happenings, page 41).
Liz Carey (“Lighting the Way,” page 39) is a Kentucky-born journalist, author and writing teacher living in Lexington. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her porch with her dog, her cat, a great book and a relatively good glass of wine.
Shannon Clinton (“Craveworthy,” page 9) is an Elizabethtown native who now lives in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. She has been a full-time freelance writer for 21 years for publications across the Southeast. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending to her collections of vintage Pyrex and hot sauce.
With a passion for live music and Appalachia, Madylin Goins (photo for “Beyond the Walls”) is a Lexington-based journalist and photographer committed to promoting artists and the stories that keep the hills alive.
Tanzi Merritt (“Beyond the Walls,” page 12; “Family Roots,” page 16; and “Dishing It Out,” page 47) is a Lexington native with a background in history, libraries and archives who works in the world of marketing by day and volunteers for many community organizations in her free time.
Matt Wickstrom (Creative Types: Zach Brock,” page 29) is a professional writer, music lover and founder of the music blog Wick’s Picks. ■
PUBLISHER: CHRIS EDDIE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: SARAYA BREWER
COPY EDITOR: NIKOLE CHRISTENSEN ART DIRECTOR: DREW PURCELL
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: AMY EDDIE, DONNA HODSDON, ANN STATON
SALES MANAGER: EMILY MARKS EVENTS DIRECTOR: AMY EDDIE
ADVERTISE@SMILEYPETE.COM TEL: 859.266.6537 WEB: SMILEYPETE.COM
With DPC, you pay a predictable monthly fee for primary care—of ce visits, longer appointments, direct access to your doctor, discounted labs and medications—without dealing with insurance headaches.
BY LAYTON GARLINGTON, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, OFFICE OF THE URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL
Spring renewal is upon us! As sleepy plants awaken and many of us feel the urge to declutter and reorganize, it’s also a fitting time to reconnect with something just as important: your local government. While national and state-level debates grab headlines, local government remains a vital part of our community fabric, and one of the most accessible ways to make your voice heard.
Here in Fayette County, the Urban County Council serves as the legislative branch of local government. Alongside the Mayor’s Administration, local government ensures the delivery of essential, day-to-day services that we all rely on: waste collection and recycling, road paving, public parks, and community safety. While the Administration carries out this work, Council sets policy, writes the check and provides oversight to help ensure those services meet the needs of our community.
Council also tackles complex policy decisions, and they invite your input! One of the easiest ways to get involved is through Engage Lexington, the Council’s online hub for community feedback. The platform o ers access to a wide range of current initiatives, bringing further transparency to Council’s work and creating a direct line for residents to share perspectives. The site features project materials, timelines and opportunities to weigh in on issues that impact your daily life.
Right now, Council is finalizing the annual budget; by law, a balanced budget must be adopted before the new fiscal year begins on July 1. This process determines how resources are allocated across services and priorities, making this an ideal time to learn about the budget and communicate what matters most to you.
Council is also advancing recommendations from the STREEET Safety Task Force, including a proposed ordinance to prohibit parking in bike lanes. This proposal will be discussed on June 9, in the Social Services & Public Safety Committee. Community feedback ahead of that meeting can help shape the conversation and inform decision-making.
Additional opportunities for input are available through initiatives like Neighborhood Voices, a pilot program launched in partnership with the Division of Planning. This e ort gathers direct feedback from residents in neighborhoods experiencing development pressures. It began in the historic Smithtown area, with plans to expand to other parts of the community.
These are just a few examples of the work underway. With public participation, Council can better respond to the evolving needs of Lexington. This season, as you refresh your surroundings, consider renewing your civic engagement because your voice has a place in shaping our community. Sign up and learn more at Engage.LexingtonKY.gov. ■
BY SHANNON CLINTON
It’s fitting that mulberry trees begin to yield their first fruits here in June, because a new Lexington restaurant, Mulberry Street Bar & Kitchen, will begin to bear the fruits of its owners’ labors next month as well.
The restaurant and bar will be at 574 N. Limestone, in the former location of Arcadium and Favor, across from Al’s bar and near Standing Room Only.
Arcadium was known for its video games and bar atmosphere, and behind it was the restaurant Favor, lauded for its burgers and small plates. Both were set to close at the end of April when their leases were up.
But now, three partners/operators will reimagine both spaces as a new concept. Kurt Bachelder, will serve as operations manager for Mulberry Street, with Julia Estes as restaurant manager and Sean McClary as bar manager.
Bachelder explained that after Arcadium owners announced their impending closure, the trio joined forces with new ideas to keep the space a vibrant gathering place for the community.
“I’ve been coming to Arcadium ever since I moved to Lexington, more than a decade ago,” he said. “It’s been a place where I’ve found some of my closest friends, had great conversations with interesting people, and spent more than a few late nights talking and laughing over a drink. When the owners of Arcadium approached us with their intent to wind down the business, we knew we needed to ensure that space continued to serve the neighborhood and create similar experiences for other guests who walk through the door.”
Estes, who has wide-ranging experience in the Lexington culinary scene, said her interest was piqued when she heard rumblings that Arcadium had been “quietly for sale” and that Bachelder and McClary were aiming to reincarnate it as a place of their own.
“I’ve known the guys through mutual acquaintances and friends around town,” she said. “Kurt and Sean approached me in January shortly after I pulled o my first pop-up event, ‘Almost Midnight Diner,’ to see if I had any interest in opening a place of my own. We met a few times before deciding we could be a good fit for each other, and here we are!”
For his part, McClary has deep roots in the neighborhood and didn’t want to see that change.
“I’ve lived and worked in the neighborhood for the last decade, at both Al’s Bar and Arcadium,” he said. “Both places have had a huge part in building my personal connection to the community and my neighbors, so I’d love to see that continue and provide that experience to others.”
The restaurant will seat about 20, and after renovations the bar will have room to seat 30-40 with a mix of table and bar seating, plus additional patio seats when weather permits.
“No matter where you sit, it operates as a single, unified concept for the best possible guest experience,” Bachelder said.
For those who also have fond memories of Arcadium, Mulberry Street Bar & Kitchen will be recognizable and comfortable after the refresh, with much of its current charm intact, they said.
The bar will be open daily, with late-night hours planned for the weekends and a Sunday brunch with Bloody Marys. Dinner service will continue late into the evenings Wednesdays through Saturdays, and the kitchen will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays, though unique bar snacks will be o ered.
The owners said the menu will be approachable and a ordable, and the restuarant will use seasonally available food that’s served well into the evening and night. Goals include giving back to the community through working with local nonprofits and charities, and creating a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for all who walk through its doors.
After taking over the lease on May 1, the group is planning a quick turnaround for renovations to the bar, restrooms and patio.
In other recent Lexington-area food and beverage industry happenings:
The new Mirror Twin Brewing location at 4379 Old Harrodsburg Road, which includes food partner Rolling Oven, has opened.
Tabla Indian Restaurant has opened at 2270 Nicholasville Road, Ste. 120, Lexington. Butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, paneer tikka and fresh tandoor are among menu items listed online.
Some changes are taking root at Poppy’s Flower Bar at 210 Old Mt. Tabor Road. Social media manager Olivia Ross said owner Shelby White launched Lexington’s first and only “flower bar” a year and a half ago as an all-ages space where people can build their own bouquets bloom by bloom, pick up a custom arrangement, or just enjoy the calming atmosphere, all while having a cocktail or mocktail.
Poppy’s is expanding into an adjacent space with a “connected dive bar feel” and patio addition, Ross said. Pop-ups with local food vendors are also part of the new plans.
Billed as a “boutique charcuterie and creative studio,” The Sage Kitchen Studio, held a grand opening in late March in its location at 248 Plaza Drive, o Southland Drive.
Hamburg Pavilion announced that it will soon be home to a new location of Old School Co ee, a local co ee shop that currently has locations in Dudley Square, Fayette Mall and Lansdowne Shops. ■
“Relaxing the body. Quieting the mind. Opening the heart.”
Mindful, empowered self-care is the heart of healing. Dr. Patterson o ers experiential consultations and classes for persons with stress-related chronic conditions –emphasizing a mindfulness-based approach to promoting resilience, managing stress, preventing burnout and cultivating compassion. Mindfulness is heartfulness. Visit mindbodystudio.org for more information.
Yoga unites body, mind and soul. Join instructor Kim Blitch, for Iyengar Yoga classes:
• Monday 6 - 7:15 pm – Beginner
• Tuesday 5:30 - 6:45 pm – Level 1
• Thursday 9:30 - 10:45 pm – Gentle
• Saturday 9 - 10:15 pm – Beginner
• Sunday 9 - 10:15 pm – Restorative iyengarlex.com
Argentine Tango, the world’s most mindful, meditative, intimate dance. (The social tango, not ballroom.)
If you can walk and hug, you can dance Argentine tango.
• Every Wednesday practice from 8 - 10 pm, with beginner lesson 8 - 9 pm
Singles and beginners welcome. No partner or experience required.
Matt Branstetter is a licensed massage therapist and a graduate of Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine. He has over 25 years experience in meditation and the martial and healing arts and can be reached for appointment at: embodyingtheway@gmail.com
A DECADES-LONG PARTNERSHIP WITH BACK CONSTRUCTION BROUGHT A COUPLES’ VISION TO LIFE: AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGNED WITH FUNCTION AND BEAUTY IN MIND
BY TANZI MERRITT
For Bill and Karen Rood, home has always been about creating room, whether that’s room for their blended family, room for Karen to grow her culinary business, or room to host the kind of gatherings that turn into cherished memories.
Over nearly two decades in their Ashland Park home, the couple has continually reimagined and expanded their space to meet those needs. Their latest project, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and living area, continues that evolution, blending function, beauty, and a love of both cooking and bringing people together.
When the couple purchased the home in 2008, they hired Back Construction to undertake a complete remodel, expanding the livable space of the 1961 ranch-
style home to nearly 10,000 square feet. When they decided to expand again, even though the outdoor addition didn’t call for any added indoor square footage, there was no question that they would once again work with Kyle Whalen, Back Construction’s founder and CFO, to bring their vision to life.
When the Roods first stumbled upon their home in 2007, they were actually looking for a home for someone else. Bill, a co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, had hired a new veterinarian and agreed to look at homes to help the family with relocation. But when the couple encountered the single-story dwelling, they knew that with some updating, the house would be a perfect home for their blended family. While their seven children were all college students and young adults, some of them still lived at home, and the couple needed a lot of space
for their large family. With that in mind, they hired Back Construction to add a second floor and finish the basement, in addition to opening up the main floor to improve flow.
Nearly 20 years later, the Roods have fulfilled a dream for Karen, who runs a cooking school a liated with the France-based Le Calabash cooking school from her home. Beautiful and highly functional, the outdoor kitchen has plenty of space for the whole family — which now includes 13 grandchildren — to spend time together.
The centerpiece of the area is an expanded seating area surrounding a newly-installed fireplace and TV, with a dining table to the side. But the heart of the space lets Karen do what she does best: cook and teach others to cook.
“We have a gas grill and a Big Green Egg, and I also have a Montana pizza oven that will cook three large pizzas at one time,” Karen said, adding that a large hood was installed to keep the furniture and countertop free of grease and the area free of smoke.
The cooking area is also delineated by a large counter area with bar stools to one side, providing ample space for prep work, as well as a serving area and additional seating. The leather-finish granite countertop, acquired from Quality Stone, was chosen for its durability and ability to hide smudges and resist stains, making it a perfect choice for both outdoor use and for a serious cook.
“The cabinetry was also important because, even under cover, it’s open to the weather. We needed something that would stand up to the elements and look nice,” said Karen.
The solution came from Tim Marshall from Wood Concepts, a custom casework business located in Georgetown. They landed on a material called King StarBoard, a marine-grade high-density polyethylene product that’s typically used on boats and will not rust or rot even in the most extreme weather conditions.
“I’ve used Tim for work at Rood & Riddle for 35 years, and through that relationship I knew he would have an answer,” said Bill.
While no renovation project can be completed without some unexpected challenges, Whalen and the Roods worked well together to find creative solutions.
“One of our greatest challenges in this was matching the original stone floor, since we added so much space,” Whalen said. “We couldn’t find a match. So, we took out the original floor and laid it back down, adding rows of brick to make it cover the larger space.”
Another creative idea implemented by Whalen was the installation of sun tunnels, also known as solar tubes, which are highly reflective pipes that channel natural light into darker areas of a room.
“There’s a dome on top and reflective material in the tube, and it pulls sunlight very e ectively into the areas
BACK Construction worked with the Roods on creative solutions for flooring, lighting and more.
PHOTOS FURNISHED
closest to the house that are the most shaded,” Whalen explained. The tubes also pull in moonlight, so they even work at night.
The Roods stress that none of their updates would be a success if it were not for the long-term relationships with Whalen and Back Construction, as well as the other suppliers and contractors.
“I met Kyle Whalen in 1984, and he built a home for me then,” Bill said. “Since then, any time we need a contractor, we always go to Back Construction because of that relationship. We wouldn’t know where to start without Kyle.”
“With the Roods, it’s a collaboration. You’ve got to be open to the ideas of your client, and our best jobs are done with clients that have a great eye. And these two definitely have a great eye,” said Whalen.
The Roods couldn’t be happier with their new space.
“When I am out there, I feel comfortable and peaceful,” said Bill, who added that he spends time out back every morning, listening to the sounds of the water flowing from the fountain.
“There’s nothing better than seeing some of the grandchildren gathered out here watching a movie and enjoying it. We can turn on the heaters and use blankets, and it really is a three-season space,” Karen said.
Soon, the kitchen will pass its ultimate test, as Karen will be hosting a Le Calabash class in her home. The outdoor kitchen is a big feature that is sure to be a valuable addition to her professional-quality home kitchen where she typically teaches, and she is looking forward to it.
But the renovation, she said, has already completely exceeded her expectations.
“I was hesitant to even do the project at first because it was such a large undertaking, but Bill kept saying everything will be fine,” she said. “It has surpassed anything I could have imagined.” ■
an ongoing testament to his fearless approach to creating inspiring and meaningful outdoor spaces. PHOTO FURNISHED
STORY BY TANZI MERRITT
At the end of a bucolic Midway street, tucked in beside Midway Cemetery and overlooking Hurstland Farm, sits the home of Dottie Cordray and Chris Batts. The home — a beauty in its own right — is surrounded by just under an acre of gardens, masterfully designed by Joseph Hillenmeyer of Joseph Hillenmeyer Garden Design. Cordray, a cousin of Hillenmeyer’s father, was one of his first clients when she entrusted him with her property more than 20 years ago.
“I moved here 40 years ago,” said Cordray. “My sister actually designed this house. She and her husband built it and lived here with their four kids for 15 years. When they built a new house on their farm in Woodford County, she encouraged me to buy this house.”
At the time, Cordray was living in a tiny house in Lexington, with two big dogs and her first baby on the way, and it was an opportunity she welcomed. Though she had started a degree in horticulture before she got married and became a mother, that focus was put on the back burner during the early years of raising a family, and she left the garden alone during those early years.
“When my kids were old enough, I went back [to school], and that’s when I got really interested in starting the garden,” she explained.
With their family connections, it was natural that she would turn to the Hillenmeyers for help with the garden, but instead of working with one of the more established members of the family, Cordray took a chance on Joseph Hillenmeyer, who was just getting started designing gardens professionally.
“I had only been doing design work out of the garden center for about a year,” he said. “I really had no experience, but she took some chances with me right away. None of these projects have been small undertakings, and she put a lot of trust in me from the beginning.”
Cordray explained that when she bought the house, the landscape consisted of three big oak trees, a holly, a dogwood, and a cherry tree that had been struck by lightning.
“That was about it,” she said.
With the intention of making the entryway more inviting, she and Hillenmeyer started with a courtyard to the right of the home, creating the first of what now numbers eight separate garden spaces. Intersected by the driveway, the entry courtyard is visually delineated from a larger parking area by free-standing low limestone walls. Stone benches were built into the walls in an adaptation that nods to the tradition of the stile: steps that allow the passage of people over a fence while keeping animals contained. The area is anchored by a fountain created from a large river marble millstone perched atop a limestone base, which Cordray said has become quite the attraction for the birds.
“They come from all over the neighborhood and take turns, standing on top or walking underneath and using it like a shower,” she said.
Hillenmeyer said that aside from marking the entrance to the property, the Courtyard Garden is a significant focal point because of its visibility from the kitchen window.
“It’s what you see when you’re standing at the kitchen sink or prepping at the counter,” he said. “The intention was for it to be a tranquil area.”
Moving counterclockwise around the house, the entry courtyard leads into the Woodland Garden. Reminiscent of a path through shady woods, this area is shaded by the Japanese maple “Seiryu” cultivar and is filled with special flowering plants such as Japanese Sacred Lily, uncommon varieties of liriope and Solomon’s Seal, and a native euonymus that carries the common name Hearts-a-Burstin’.
Too many homeowners are being told to replace systems that could have been repaired. That’s not how we do business. We believe in diagnosing the problem, explaining your options, and xing what can be xed.
WE OFFER A FREE SECOND OPINION - because we’re here for your peace of mind, not an upsell. No pressure. No gimmicks. No unnecessary replacements. We’re xers, rst.
This month we are getting a lot of requests for advice on air-conditioning replacement so I’m going to give a list of best practices and tips instead of answering individual questions.
If you are thinking of replacing your air conditioner here are some things you should consider:
1. Recently a lot of companies have shifted to a model of having service technicians push homeowners to replace the AC system regardless of if they need to or not. This is a bad practice because service techs should be fixers first. They are mechanics, and their primary role is to fix things. If you pay them more to sell than fix, it becomes a conflict of interest and customers get taken advantage of. Plus, most service techs have not had the proper training to know how to properly size new systems and what features and benefits might be best to recommend to each individual homeowner. The result is them pushing low end equipment that is probably the wrong size for your house. Never buy a new AC from a service tech. A professional company will have a comfort advisor who is trained in properly sizing equipment and all the options a homeowner might want to take advantage of. Remember this is a 15+ year purchase and you want to get it right. This means going with a company that has the most educated people
so they can educate you and help you make the best decision for your home. My least experienced comfort advisor has 25 year’s experience and will take the time to make sure you are comfortable with your options. Most homeowners will only buy a new AC 3-5 times in their life, so it’s not likely you are keeping up with new options and equipment that could really make a difference in your life.
2. Make sure not to buy a single stage system. Single stage AC systems are outdated technology, yet they make up 86% of what is being installed today. You wouldn’t buy a tube TV or a computer with Windows 95 on it, so why buy a new AC with outdated tech? Today’s EnergyStar level of equipment are variable volume systems with some brands having more than 200 stages so that your AC can speed up or slow down to match your home perfectly. By the way, all cars for the last decade have had this style system, shouldn’t your home be at least as comfortable as your car?
3. Make sure you talk about humidity, Lexington is more of a dehumidification climate than just air-conditioning. My favorite AC
we sell takes out 5 times the humidity of a single stage AC, and in the summer dryer air is cooler, better for your health and better for your house.
4. Make sure anyone proposing you a new AC looks at your home’s insulation, your windows and doors and your ductwork. Don’t assume that the company that installed it 15+ years ago did this. Also you may have upgraded the home since then and all of these things play into what size system you will need and it’s almost never the same size as what you had.
5. Make sure you work with a professional company ideally one that is locally owned with a physical office here in Lexington. Most consumers don’t realize that over 20 local companies have been bought up by just 3 private equity funds from out of state. So you could get three bids and actually be dealing with only 1 parent company.
Do you have a question or a concern about your home’s efficiency, comfort, or air quality? Send your questions or comments to info@mysynergyhome.com.
“This area is a riot of color in the spring, with yellow celandine poppies, bluebells, trillium, twinleaf plants, blood root and bleeding heart, as well as other natives,” Cordray said.
From the Woodland Garden, visitors enter a second courtyard. Marked by a low brick wall and small fountain in one corner, limelight hydrangeas and hedges surround a small square lawn, which connects via stone path to the Circular Garden. This more manicured, traditional garden, features low hedges that encircle a round lawn with a Grecianstyle planter resting on a stone pillar in the center. A small nook set o the entry path is home to a stone statue of a woman holding flowers, which holds a special place in both Cordray’s and Hillenmeyer’s heart, as it once belonged to Cordray’s grandparents – Hillenmeyer’s great-grandparents.
“This is, for me, a special part of the garden,” Hillenmeyer said.
Adjacent to the Circular Garden is a space the family refers to as the Tent Lawn. A flat lawn delineated by a low stone border and visually separated from the adjoining properties by boxwoods and hydrangeas, the area is sized perfectly for a tent and a dance floor, and it has seen its share of weddings and celebrations. The Tent Lawn moves visitors from the right side of the house into a larger area behind the house, opening views to Cordray’s greenhouse and attached cutting garden, where native plants attract scores of butterflies and other pollinators.
“The [adjacent] horse farm and the cemetery provide a lot of borrowed landscape.It makes the property feel even larger than it is.”
JOSEPH HILLENMEYER
HILLENMEYER
GARDEN DESIGN
From there, the tent lawn transitions into the sunset garden, with two rows of sycamores that draw visitors to a small seating area. Hillenmeyer calls it the Sunset Garden because the trees perfectly frame the view as the sun goes down.
Coming around to the left side of the house brings you to the most recent design, which takes advantage of a larger area available between the house and the property line.
“There are constraints on the right side and behind the house because of the tightness of the space, but those constraints disappear as we move over here,” Hillenmeyer explained. “Because we had more freedom, I wanted to bring in some curvilinear lines. I call it the Serpentine Garden.”
With a stone path that twists through curved hedges surrounded by flowering and native plants, visitors feel as if they are walking through a miniature labyrinth. The path deposits you at the edge of the front lawn next to the Water Oak Garden: a collection of ground-covering plants and flowers surrounding a large water oak.
“We started about 21 years ago, and the last major project was completed about 12 years ago, so we spent more than a decade building this,” Cordray said. “But it’s never really finished.”
Hillenmeyer points to the Woodland Garden as a prime example of how things change.
“Things we planted 21 years ago have gotten much bigger and are competing for a lot more water, so the understory plantings that survive will change dramatically over a 21-year period,” he explained.
“We redid the Woodland Garden eight years ago, and the whole plant palette changed. Squirrels and other animals have dug things up, and we’ve had some mild drought that has killed things o . As conditions change, Dottie gives us the freedom to come back in and revamp sections of the garden.”
The project has been special to both Hillenmeyer and Cordray due to the layers that tie both of them to the property.
“Her sister built the property, and the
handful of trees that were here when I started designing for this property were planted by my dad or grandfather, 50 years ago,” Hillenmeyer said. “I have a few projects that I have worked on where I’ve overlapped with grandfather or great-uncle or my dad and those projects are always special.”
With so many individual spaces, it would be easy for them to feel disjointed in less talented hands. Hillenmeyer, however, never loses sight of through-lines, using them as a means to tie the spaces together.
“You’ll see repetition of details throughout the property, like the triple banding of the limestone that repeats, or blue
stone that is used throughout the garden in di erent patterns,” he explained. “It provides some cohesion to the garden.”
Hillenmeyer also makes sure to take advantage of the home’s unique location.
“The [adjacent] horse farm and the cemetery provide a lot of borrowed landscape,” he said. “It makes the property feel even larger than it is.”
Cordray has been happy to let Hillenmeyer experiment and take chances with her garden, and it has paid o .
“This house is the best decision I’ve ever made,” she said. “I absolutely love it here. It’s my haven.” ■
Strong communities start with strong leaders. That’s why the Lexington Black Prosperity Initiative, a community-advised committee of Blue Grass Community Foundation, is proud to celebrate the 2026 class of Grassroots Leadership Awards honorees.
These dedicated leaders are creating brighter futures and bringing people together to build a stronger, more connected Lexington. From community support to health advocacy to youth empowerment, their work is making a lasting di erence for people across our city.
Learn more about their inspiring leadership at bgcf.org/GLA.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE GRAMMY-WINNING JAZZ VIOLINIST AS HE SETTLES BACK INTO HIS HOMETOWN, WITH A NEW FESTIVAL DIRECTOR ROLE AND A WORLD PREMIERE OF A NEW WORK ON THE HORIZON
After more than 30 years away — including nearly two decades on the road with the world-renowned jazz fusion collective Snarky Puppy — Zach Brock has returned home.
The Lexington-born violinist moved back to his hometown during the summer of 2023, bringing full circle a musical journey that first began here in the mid 1970s, when he began learning the Suzuki method as a kid. Soon, he was performing in his family’s folk band alongside parents Dan and Jenny, sharing stages with the likes of Don McLean and Ricky Skaggs, and exploring his own unique style on his own.
“Outside of the classical pieces I played while learning Suzuki violin, I was also figuring out how to take liberties and make the music my own a bit more,” Brock recalled.
In his teens, Brock discovered an early jazz violin player named Stéphane Grappelli, who helped crack open his notion of what violin music could be.
“He was the perfect gateway drug for me getting into jazz violin because he challenges your sense of what the violin
should sound like,” Brock said. “I really gravitated toward that when I realized everything he was playing was being made up on the spot.”
That infatuation eventually resulted in Brock turning to local legends like the late Norman Higgins and Jim Rankin, both of whom pushed him even deeper into improv as his family’s folk band began morphing into more of a jazz ensemble.
Following an adolescence in Lexington that culminated with graduation from Bryan Station High School in 1992, Brock went on to study violin performance at Northwestern University, where he earned a degree in 1999 — later than planned, due to a car collision with his bike that resulted in over three years of surgeries and rehabilitation. While the accident nearly derailed his music career, Brock pushed forth after recovering, going on to release a handful of albums with various projects before joining Snarky Puppy in 2008. He’s since been one of the band’s most frequent members and is featured on three of its Grammy winning records: “Culcha Vulcha” (2016), “Live at the Royal Albert Hall” (2021) and “Empire Central” (2023).
After time spent living in New York City and Chicago, Brock and his family
resettled in Lexington a couple years ago for a much needed change of pace. Those plans took an unexpected turn late last year when he got a phone call from Nathan Cole, the co-founder and artistic director for the Chamber Music Festival of Lexington the past 19 years. With mounting responsibilities due to a newly appointed role as concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cole was looking to phase out of his role with the Lexington festival, which takes place over 10 days each summer. He felt that Brock, who had served as artist-in-residence for the event back in 2017, would be the perfect replacement.
While it was a big leap for Brock, it was one he was eager to take on.
“When Nathan called me in December, I thought it was to see if I wanted to be an artist-in-residence again at first,” explains Brock. “Then he asked me if I wanted to be artistic director… I was flabbergasted because it’s never something I’d even thought about or considered. Despite me coming from more of an improv space, he saw that I understood the core principles and values of the festival, which has me excited to get to work and break down the boundaries between my world and the classical realm the Chamber Music Festival has existed in.”
A graduate of University of Kentucky’s Landscape Architecture program, Anna Del Rio joined our design studio in May of 2024. In 2026, she was promoted to lead designer at Hortus. Skilled in both the technical and artistic aspects of landscape design, Anna approaches each project with thoughtful focus. She is a great listener and works to translate clients' wishes into beautiful spaces, finding creative ways to sculpt a yard into a garden. Anna brings a sense of curiosity and careful detail to her work, each of which are core values in every project at Hortus.
Freeze. Thaw. Water intrusion. Repeat.
When water seeps into brick and masonry, it freezes, expands, and slowly breaks your chimney apart from the inside out.
If you’re seeing brown stains on your ceiling near your fireplace — don’t ignore it.
If you’ve noticed staining, crumbling brick, or rust — the damage has already begun.
Ask about our complimentary exterior inspection.
In a conversation with Smiley Pete Publishing reporter Matt Wickstrom, Brock spoke more about his musical upbringing, his new role with the Chamber Music Festival, the upcoming premiere of one of his new works, and more.
Was there a specific moment where you realized music was something you could make a career out of? Because of the family environment I grew up in, I always just assumed I would be a musician to some extent. I was really lucky that I never had any resistance from my family. From lessons early on to performing with the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra and getting tutored by members of the local community, they’ve been supportive of me from the very beginning.
When I was 16, I remember still having no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up. One day I’d have a fantasy of becoming a professional skateboarder, then the next I’d want to be an architect or poet. The turning point was the following summer when I went to the Governor’s School for the Arts. There I got to meet kids from all over the state who were also interested in the arts, which had a huge impact on my trajectory because when I was growing up [the School for the Creative and Performing Arts] didn’t exist. There were only four high schools, and you either played sports or were a nerd, basically [laughs]. Experiencing that left me feeling emboldened, and that’s when I started to seriously consider pursuing a liberal arts degree in college.
But even then, I still didn’t have a crystal-clear idea of what I wanted to be doing when I turned 40. Part of that was due to me being a very rebellious teenager. Even though I loved music and my parents were accepting of it, I didn’t want to do anything with it that was expected of me. With that in mind, a career in jazz is almost like another micro-rebellion.
What does it mean to you to return to Lexington after everything you’ve accomplished in your career thus far? My only regret about coming back to Lexington is that I didn’t do it sooner. I’ve always come back to visit family during my time living in places like Chicago and New York, but in the last 10 years I’ve noticed a palpable change in Lexington with so many new things going on that build upon stu that I enjoyed when I lived here previously like Chester Grundy’s Spotlight Jazz Series [which was the nation’s longest running collegiate jazz series, during its day]. Even when I lived in Chicago, I remember there sometimes being better concerts in Lexington that I would make the six-hour drive to see. Now folks like Richard Young, with help from Grundy, are reigniting that spark with the Origins Jazz Series. Events like it showcase the kind of potential we can achieve in Lexington and why it’s such a great time to be here.
How do you plan to put your own touch on the Chamber Music Festival? I try not to think so much about what I plan on doing to personalize it, but more about how I can serve the music and community around it. A lot of the jazz I’ve played in my career is more like chamber music than big band material, so while I do come from a di erent background there are more ties between the types of music I play and what the Chamber Music Festival is known for than people may think. It’s not abnormal now for young classical musicians to improvise just like they were during the Renaissance. I look forward to tapping into that more to expand on how classical music continues to evolve in the modern day.
Kentucky is often associated with country and bluegrass music, not jazz. What are your thoughts or goals on broadening people’s perceptions of what Kentucky music is in your new position? There’s so much going on in Lexington in the jazz and classical space, from the Chamber Music Festival and Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra to the Origins Jazz Series and shows at places like the Singletary Center, The Burl and Kenwick Table. We have the venues, organizations and players, we just need to continue highlighting them and building that story, so this type of music is as
much at the forefront of people’s minds when they think of Lexington as other types of music.
You’ll also be premiering your latest orchestral suite, “What Remains,” with the Lexington Chamber Orchestra on May 9. What can folks expect from that? I think they can expect to be surprised. For a long time, people have described my work as living in the space between jazz and classical, and I understand why they say that, but this suite feels like something di erent to me. It’s not a hybrid. It’s a unified concept that I’m only just now coming into, both artistically and emotionally. The piece is about loss and memory and what actually persists after someone or something is gone, which sounds heavy, but there’s a lot of warmth in it too. I think people will leave having heard something they didn’t quite have a category for, and that’s exactly where I want to live.
Do you have any other projects in the works? For the first time in a while I’m genuinely inspired to write new material. I have a couple of di erent album ideas forming, and I’m going to have to create them on the road this year, because the Snarky Puppy touring schedule around the “Somni” record is intense. I’m actually looking forward to that. Being out on the road gives me a kind of clarity I can’t
manufacture at home. It shows me a side of myself I’m not always in touch with otherwise.
What has music taught you about yourself? That I need discomfort the way other people need security. Every time I’ve played it safe, creatively or professionally, I’ve felt myself shrink a little. Music keeps showing me that the thing I’m most afraid to try is usually exactly the thing I need to do next. ■ Lexington Chamber Orchestra present Zach Brock and “What Remains”
May 9 • 7:30 p.m. • Centenary Church • 2800 Tates Creek Road
This program explores themes of return and transformation, with Lexington Chamber Orchestra performing the world premiere of violinist and composer Zach Brock’s “What Remains,” a new work for violin and orchestra that blends classical influences with improvisational passages.
At Joseph Hillenmeyer Garden Design, we view each project as an exploration—a process through which we help our clients find the garden they will love. We take an artful approach to problem-solving, creating sophisticated solutions for refined landscapes. Our plans are layered, detailed, and reflect an intimate understanding of outdoor spaces. We are translators, articulating the rough ideas formed at initial meetings into enduring gardens with resonance and beauty.
LIGHTING CELEBRATES TWO DECADES OF BRINGING LANDSCAPES TO LIFE AT NIGHT
STORY BY LIZ CAREY
The best client meetings for Kyle Adamson, the owner of the Lexingtonbased company Red Oak Outdoor Lighting, happen after the sun goes down. Once night falls, Adamson, who founded the company 20 years ago, can walk prospective clients through a portfolio of lighted landscapes — spaces transformed by his company’s carefully placed illumination — and also highlight changes in technology that’s happened over the past two decades.
Red Oak designs and installs outdoor lighting that brings homes and landscapes to life. From bistro lights over patios to subtle fixtures highlighting pathways and trees, the work adds drama, depth, and security.
A Lexington native, Adamson earned a degree in landscape architecture from the University of Kentucky and spent time with design-build firms in Dallas,
Atlanta, and Charleston, South Carolina. When he returned home in 2001, he launched his own firm, initially o ering both landscape architecture and lighting design before shifting his focus to lighting within a few years.
“I loved the landscaping and design side of it, but lighting makes such a di erence,” he said. “People invest in their properties and landscaping, and then they lose those details at night. Lighting enhances the property, and it’s a fantastic investment.”
That background in landscape architecture remains central to his approach. Adamson considers how plantings will mature and how lighting will interact with them across seasons.
“I know what the plants and trees are going to do and how they’ll look throughout the year,” he said. “In the spring, a tree might bloom white and really pop. In the fall, it might turn yellow and feel com-
pletely di erent. The lighting captures all of that.”
Technology has also reshaped the business. The shift from incandescent and halogen bulbs to LED lighting has improved energy e ciency while reducing maintenance.
“When I started, it was still incandescent and halogen,” he said. “LED changed everything. It’s more e cient and cuts down on maintenance.”
While no system is entirely maintenancefree, Red Oak o ers service plans to keep installations performing as intended, including adjustments as plantings grow and change. The company also advises clients on proper pruning and upkeep to preserve the integrity of the design.
“We stay in touch with clients to make sure everything still looks the way it should,” Adamson said. “We’re always adjusting as needed.”
Design trends have evolved as well. Where outdoor lighting systems were once primarily concentrated in backyards, they’re now just as common in front-facing spaces, where they enhance curb appeal and improve safety. Well-lit properties can also serve as a deterrent to crime.
Advances in technology have introduced new possibilities, from lighting sequences that activate as a car approaches to fixtures that gradually brighten along a walkway, adding both convenience and a sense of arrival.
As Red Oak looks to its next chapter, Adamson points to clients who embrace creativity as some of his favorites.
“We did a project this fall at a beautiful modern house, and the client said, ‘I have two things I want you to light,’” he said. “They were these seven-and-a-half-foot metal cutouts of Bigfoot. As you drive up, you see them right as you make the turn.”
For Adamson, the goal is simple: to elevate the exterior of a home with the same intentionality as the interior.
“I’m still surprised how many neighborhoods have so little lighting,” he said. “People used to think lighting your house was like bragging. But when it’s done well, it’s a real asset. Just like inside your home, you need good lighting. We believe the same should be true outside.” ■
Advances in technology have introduced new possiblities for lighting in recent years, from gradually brightening fixtures to motionsensory lighting sequences.
PHOTOS FURNISHED
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SAYRE SCHOOL CLASS OF 2026!
Sayre School was voted Best of Lex #1 Private High School and Private Elementary School, and #2 Private Middle School.
STORY BY TANZI MERRITT
During its 48-year lifespan, the iconic Lexington restaurant Alfalfa was known not only for its delicious food, but for being a hub for art, music, literature and community – a place where ideas were shared and philosophical discussions were had over generous portions of homemade farm-to-table meals.
Though Alfalfa closed its doors in 2021 after a handful of di erent iterations and ownership changes, a group of the original Alfalfa owners and sta are honoring the memory of the beloved institution with “Life, Art, Community and Cookery: Stories and Recipes from Alfalfa Restaurant.” This new cookbook, slated for release on May 8, features recipes as well as social history to commemorate the impact the restaurant had – and continues to have – on the Lexington community.
Alfalfa began in 1973 as a cooperative endeavor of a group of college students who wanted to build a business based on collaboration, empowering the sta to be a part of day-to-day decision making. Focusing on healthy, wholesome meals, it was one of the first Lexington restaurants to o er vegetarian options and prioritize local food sources. Alfalfa hosted art shows, literary readings, music performances, community gatherings, and fundraisers at its original location on South Limestone, near the University of Kentucky campus, for three decades before moving to its second location on Main Street in 2005, where it remained until its closing.
The driving forces behind the book are Marina Ubaldi Ritter, who co-owned Alfalfa from 1974-1987, and Lucinda Zoe, a server and cook with the restaurant from 1977-1987.
“For years, we’ve said that someday somebody should do a cookbook, and we agreed that when we retired we’d try to do it,” Ritter said. “Now we have both retired, so we jumped in.”
The women began gathering memories from former partners and cooks during the pandemic, and started puting the book together in earnest in August 2022. They threw a 50th anniversary party in November 2023, at the University of Kentucky’s Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History to celebrate and roll out the Alfalfa History Project. That year they
also started collecting stories at the oral history studio, from various folks who were involved with the restaurant in some way over the years.
“We have captured some incredible stories – not just about Alfalfa, but about the era,” Zoe said.
The final product is more than a cookbook. Focusing on the years Alfalfa operated from the South Limestone location, “Life, Art, Community and Cookery: Stories and Recipes from Alfalfa Restaurant” is also a social and cultural history of Lexington in the 1970s and ’80s.
“We really wanted to capture the time and the era that gave birth to Alfalfa, and to document the community that was built around it,” said Zoe. “When Alfalfa started in 1973, those of us that were there were dealing with the Vietnam War, people getting drafted, and the Kent State shootings.
“It was a time of great social unrest, and yet this small group of people came together and built a community that grew out of this restaurant,” she continued.
“With very little money or resources, we created a very vibrant, lively, creative artistic community that thrived. It became like a community meeting place, and we had a lot of creative people, writers and actors, painters and musicians who worked there.”
While the era was flourishing with creativity and vibrancy in many ways, there were also aspects of the time that feel grim to Ritter as she looks back.
“I was an owner of the restaurant, but I had to get my father and my artist husband — who was not working at the time — to co-sign on a bank loan so I could buy a car,” she said. “A woman couldn’t get a credit card in her name. A businesswoman who owns a restaurant had to have her unemployed husband sign o . Those were the times that we lived through.”
These and other stories illustrate the era highlighted in the book. At nearly 400 pages, it begins with a history of Alfalfa and the social and historical context of the time the restaurant was established; the second part of the book consists of a photo album, followed by 130 recipes.
Choosing the right health
At Trucordia, we can help you better understand your health insurance options.
Are you:
• New to Medicare
• Reviewing your Current Coverage
• Looking for Traditional health insurance coverage
• Need Temporary or Short-Term Health coverage
We take time to explain your health plan options. Call 859-309-5033 today to speak to a licensed agent, or visit Trucordiakentucky.com to learn more.
The recipe section includes illustrations created by Louisville-based artist Patricia Hatcher. Various ephemera, including flyers and posters from the restaurant, images of art that was displayed there, and memories from individuals connected to Alfalfa in a variety of ways.
“We talked to people who built the restaurant, like the carpenters and cabinetmakers that worked in exchange for meal tickets. We talked to artists who showed work and performed there, and we talked to former employees and customers to gather these stories,” said Ritter.
While she and Zoe are the primary content curators, they both say they couldn’t have done the work alone.
“There are 10 people in our group, which we call the Carrot Cake Collective,” added Ritter. “Lucinda and I have coordinated the majority of the work, and the rest of the group has been extremely helpful in sharing their stories as well as writing down and testing recipes.”
Another valuable partner in the project is the local art gallery Institute 193, which came on board as a co-publisher.
“They handled our fundraiser, and they have publishing experience that is invaluable,” Ritter said. “It’s been wonderful having them as a co-publisher.”
With this book, Ritter and Zoe are excited to share the legacy of Alfalfa with new generations. But it’s also about what the early team members took from their time at Alfalfa.
“People came together at this restaurant and [had experiences that] catapulted
them into the world,” Ritter said. “For many, they gained confidence working there and being around people. The vitality and creativity of the place helped them gain a sense of themselves to take out into the world.”
Ritter sees the legacy of Alfalfa as something that has the potential to positively impact the future.
“We want to remind folks, particularly the next generation, that you’ve got each other. You’ve got a community. You can
gather together over food. You can bake and garden and be together, and have a real community with your neighbors and friends,” she said. “The story of Alfalfa is a story of building a creative community.”
The Carrot Cake Collective has lined up two local events to celebrate the release of “Life, Art, Community and Cookery: Stories and Recipes from Alfalfa Restaurant.” Copies can be ordered online at Institute193.square.site, or purchased at the launch events. ■
May 8 • 4-7 p.m.
West 6th Brewery (Barrel Room)
600 W. Sixth St.
The launch party celebrating the release of “Life, Art, Community and Cookery: Stories and Recipes from Alfalfa Restaurant” will be catered by Moveable Feast Lexington, with a cash bar available. Books will be for sale, and books that were chosen as a perk during the fundraising campaign will be available for pick up.
May 9 • 4-6 p.m.
Institute 193 193 N. Limestone St
During this reception celebrating the artists who contributed to the book, copies of the “Life, Art, Community and Cookery: Stories and Recipes from Alfalfa Restaurant” will be available for purchase, along with t-shirts featuring the original Alfalfa logo and signed and numbered prints of the Carrot Cake painting.
BY
AS FEATURED IN THE NEW COOKBOOK, “LIFE, ART, COMMUNITY, AND COOKERY: STORIES AND RECIPES FROM ALFALFA RESTAURANT”
This dish was on the Alfalfa menu for generations. It’s good luck in the New Year, but tasty all year long!
Hoppin’ John Sauce:
• 1 can diced tomatoes (28 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 2 tablespoons red wine
• 2 tablespoons of molasses or honey
• salt and pepper to taste
Hoppin’ John:
• 1 can black-eyed peas (14.5 ounces), drained and heated
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 cups brown rice, cooked
• 1 cup combination of onions and green peppers, chopped
Method:
Combine all the Hoppin’ John sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Stir and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
To make the Hoppin’ John, layer a bed of rice, black-eyed peas, Hoppin’ John sauce, and grated cheddar cheese on a dinner plate. Top with a sprinkle of the chopped onions and green peppers.
Serves 2-4.
Note: A poached egg is always good on top! ■
RECIPE AND PHOTO BY
MAZUNTE BODEGA
Horchata is a sweet, milky beverage that’s commonly on the menu at Mexican restaurants and street vendors. Part of a family of light non-alcoholic beverages known as “aguas frescas” — refreshing and hydrating nonalcoholic drinks — it’s a great accompaniment to spicy food, and it can easily be upgraded into a cocktail. Great for Cinco de Mayo celebrations or any other time you’re looking for a unique, refreshing beverage! Skip the bourbon for a justas-delicious non-alcoholic version.
Ingredients:
• 2 ounces bourbon of choice
• 4 ounces Horchata (pre-batched Horchata is available to purchase at Mazunte Bodega; see below for an easy at-home recipe, if you prefer to make your own!)
• Cinnamon and white sugar
Method:
Rim glass with a blend of cinnamon and sugar. In a shaker with ice, add bourbon of choice and horchata. Stir and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with more cinnamon.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 4 cups water (for soaking)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick)
• 2 cups whole milk (substitute water or dairy-free milk, for a dairy-free version
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Simple syrup or agave to taste (approximately ¼ cup, but start with a little less and see how you like it!)
Method:
Rinse rice, then combine with 4 cups water and cinnamon to soak. Soak at least four hours or overnight. Blend the soaked rice, cinnamon and soaking water until very smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel into a pitcher. Stir in milk, sugar and vanilla. Taste and add more sugar if desired. Refrigerate until cold. ■
HOME-AND-GARDEN RELATED EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE COMING SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS
Wild Ones Annual Native Plant Exchange. May 7. For this annual plant exchange, plant enthusiasts are encouraged to bring one or more native plants (e.g., trees, shrubs, flowering perennials, ferns or grasses), labeled and potted in clean pots at least two weeks prior to the event. Acceptable non-native plants include naturalized plants and herbs. 5:30-8 p.m. South Elkhorn Christian Church Parking Lot, 4343 Harrodsburg Road. lexington. wildones.org
Arboretum Spring Plant Exchange. May 9. Attendees are invited to bring garden items to exchange (trees, shrubs, perennial divisions, bulbs, houseplants, and gardenrelated items such as tools, books and pots), though it is not necessary to bring anything to participate. Set-up begins at 8:30 a.m. for those
bringing items to exchange, with the exchange starting at 9 a.m. in the grassy overflow area behind the main parking lot. The Arboretum State Botanical Garden, 500 Alumni Drive. arboretum.ca.uky.edu
Annual Bluegrass Iris Society Show. May 9. The Bluegrass Iris Society will host its annual public show on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, with members displaying more than 100 di erent stunning and unique cultivars. Irises will
be judged according to national standards set by the National Iris Society, and a limited selection of potted irises will be for sale. 1-4 p.m. Lexington Green Mall (behind Joseph-Beth Booksellers), 161 Lexington Green Circle. www.bluegrassiris.org
University of Kentucky Women’s Club Annual Plant Sale. May 9. With a variety of sun and shade perennials and annuals — as well as other garden-related items — for sale, this annual plant sale provides funding for the UKWC scholarship fund. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Southern Hills United Methodist Church, 2356 Harrodsburg Road. www.ukwc.org
Down to Earth Garden Sale. May 9. This annual plant sale/ community fundraiser hosted by the Down to Earth Garden Club features plants grown, nurtured and generously donated by club members. The rain-or-shine event features native plants, herbs, fruits, vegetables, perennials, wildflowers, grasses, hostas, shrubs, trees, annuals, container gardens, succulents, irises, gardening books and many plants for sun or shade. Proceeds benefit local projects that promote gardening,
education, preservation, conservation and environmental stewardship. 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Centenary United Methodist Church, 2800 Tates Creek Road. downtoearthky.com/ plant-sale
Wild Ones Garden Tour. June 13. This rain-or-shine garden tour will feature five private home gardens and three public gardens. No pets or strollers allowed. Purchase tickets at any of the garden home locations, or at Wild Ones meetings. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Locations are listed at the event listing on lexington. wildones.org/events.
Building Industry Association’s Grand Tour of Homes. July 18-19, 25-26. The Grand Tour of Homes is the BIA’s annual scattered site showcase of new homes built by BIA Professional Builder Members. Taking place on two consecutive weekends, the free, self-guided tour o ers an opportunity for consumers to view the latest trends in new home construction and to speak directly with BIA Professional Builders about their dream homes. Tour hours are 12-5 p.m. on all four days. www. biacentralky.com/grandtour-of-homes.html ■
St. Paul and the Broken Bones. May 6. Birminghambased soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones channels classic Southern R&B through punchy horns and front man Paul Janeway’s dynamic, gospel-influenced vocals. 8 p.m. The Burl (Outdoors), 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. May 13. Mississippiborn guitarist Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, a Grammy winner and one of the leading voices in contemporary blues, blends Delta tradition with modern rock edge and commanding stage presence. 8 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com
S.G. Goodman. May 15. Kentucky native S.G. Goodman writes sharp, atmospheric songs merging indie rock textures with Southern storytelling and a clear sense of place. Her show will feature opening sets from Lexington songwriter Abby Hamilton and Tennessee humorist, actor and musician Andy Marie Tilman. 7 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com
LexPhil and The Lexington Singers: Symphony of Sound. May 15. The Lexington Philharmonic joins The Lexington Singers for a fullscale collaboration pairing orchestral works with choral arrangements, moving between classical repertoire and contemporary selections. 7:30 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. www. lexphil.org
MAY 16
Grammy-winning flatpicker Molly Tuttle brings precision guitar work and progressive bluegrass, joined by Nashville-based Maggie Rose, whose powerhouse vocals and genre-crossing style draw from soul, rock and Americana. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com
Buckcherry. May 16. Los Angeles rock band Buckcherry delivers a high-volume set rooted in early 2000s hard rock, built on driving ri s and frontman Josh Todd’s gritty vocal style. 7 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchestermusichall.com
A Flock of Seagulls with Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience. May 20. New wave legends A Flock of Seagulls performs synth-pop hits
including “I Ran (So Far Away),” joined by Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience, which recreates Depeche Mode’s electronic sound and visual style. 7:30 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com
Tahlsound: The John Hartford Jamboree. May 24. Doubling as the kicko to the summer bluegrass music series Southland Jamboree, this installment of Tahlsound honors the late folk and bluegrass composer John Hartford with a lineup rooted in bluegrass and old-time traditions. The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project will share new compositions, alongside regional acts Hancock & Shouse and The Tillers. Gates at 5 p.m. Oleika Temple Great Lawn, 302 Southland Dr. www.tahlsound.com
Yasmin Williams / JosephAllred. May 27. Virginia guitarist Yasmin Williams is known for inventive techniques that incorporate tapping and percussive elements. She is joined by Joseph Allred, whose ambient compositions explore minimalism and drone through acoustic guitar. 7:30 p.m. Singletary Center for the Arts, 405 Rose St. www.scfatickets.com
This long-running indie project pairs John Darnielle’s character-driven lyrics with a mix of lo-fi roots and fullband arrangements. 8 p.m. Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. www.manchester musichall.com
Grayson Jenkins. May 30. Eastern Kentucky songwriter Grayson Jenkins draws from coal country and rural life, delivering reflective country and Americana shaped by personal narrative and regional identity. 8 p.m. The Burl, 375 Thompson Road. www.theburlky.com
Gallery Hop. May 15. Downtown galleries, project spaces and pop-up venues open their doors for Lexington’s monthly art hop, featuring new exhibitions, artist talks and live demonstrations across multiple locations. 5–9 p.m. Various locations. www.lexarts.org
Arts Connect Incognito Art Ball. May 30. Hosted by Arts Connect, this annual masked fundraiser and auction invites guests to “bid on what you love, not who you know,” featuring more than 100 anonymous works by local and regional artists. The evening includes music, drinks and a lively, social atmosphere as attendees mingle with artists and place final bids. 6:30 p.m. LuigART Studios, 110 Luigart Court. www.artsconnectlex.org/ incognito-art-ball
Subtle: A Solo Exhibition by Patricia Seggebruch. On display through May 30. This exhibition explores the power of quiet attention through large-scale canvases layered with encaustic and oil. Using repeated hand-cut lino block patterns and soft ombré gradients, Seggebruch creates a steady visual rhythm that emphasizes presence and the beauty found in focused, creative work. Gallery Hop reception May 15, 5-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Wheelhouse Art, LLC. 500 W. Short St. www. wheelhouse.art
“Equine: The Art of the Horse.” On display through May 30. This exhibition highlights the horse as both subject and symbol, featuring works that reflect Kentucky’s deep equine culture through painting and visual storytelling. Opening reception May 1, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Tue.Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Lyric Art Gallery, 300 E. Third St. www. historiclyric.com
Rodney Hatfield and Lynn Sweet: Retrospective Exhibition. On display through June 28. A major retrospective at the Headley-Whitney Museum brings together more than 200 works spanning five decades by two iconic Kentucky artists. Rodney Hatfield’s bold, uninhibited paintings, ranging from abstract to figurative and landscape, appear alongside Lynn Sweet’s handcrafted furniture and paintings in fresco, watercolor, and acrylic. Artist talks: Lynn Sweet (May 3, 2 p.m.); Rodney Hatfield, (May 17, 2 p.m.). Gallery hours: Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Headley-Whitney Museum, 4435 Old Frankfort Pike. www.headley-whitney.org
Tabitha Arnold: “Gospel of the Working Class.” On display through June 13. Through large-scale punch-needle tapestries, Arnold interweaves contemporary political events with stories from historical class struggle, depicting both lesser-known labor histories and present-day organizing e orts. Opening reception May 1, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Institute 193, 215 N. Limestone St. www.institute193.org
“Surface Tension.” On display through July 18. This group exhibition brings together works by Jana Cariddi, Carlos Rosales-Silva, Trish Tillman and Ben Tollefson, exploring surface as an active site where texture, color and illusion give way to deeper social and psychological inquiry. Gallery hours: Tues.-Fri., 1-5 p.m. and by appointment. 2nd Story Gallery, 522 W. Short St. www.2ndstory.art
IMAGE FURNISHED
Lexington Craft Beer Week. May 8-17. This 10-day annual event celebrates the best of local craft beer, featuring tastings, special releases and other events across the city’s breweries and taprooms. www.lexingtoncraftbeerweek.com
Bluegrass Bock Fest. May 9. Hosted by West Sixth Brewing and Lexington Parks and Recreation, this inaugural festival will help kick o Lexington Craft Beer Week with locally brewed beers, including bock styles, alongside sausages, live bluegrass music, food trucks and family-friendly activities. The event also features crowd-favorite goat races on an allgrass track in the park. 3-8 p.m. Charles Young Park, 540 E. Third St. www.westsixth.com
Lexington Chamber Orchestra presents Zach Brock and “What Remains.” May 9. Presented by the Lexington Chamber Orchestra, this program explores themes of return and transformation, with the world premiere of Grammy Awardwinning violinist and composer Zach Brock's “What Remains,” a new work for violin and orchestra that blends classical influences with improvised passages. 7:30 p.m. Centenary Church, 2800 Tates Creek Road
Mayfest Arts Fair. May 9-10. Presented by Downtown Lexington Partnership, this long-running juried festival transforms Gratz Park into an open-air art market featuring up to 100 regional artists working across mediums including painting, ceramics, jewelry and mixed media. The weekend also includes live music on the park stage, local food vendors and free, family-friendly activities throughout the grounds, creating a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere in the heart of downtown. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Gratz Park, 250 W. Third St. www.downtownlex.com/ mayfest-arts-fair
An Evening with Bernadette Peters. May 10. Tony Awardwinning performer Bernadette Peters, known for defining roles in Broadway productions including “Into the Woods” and “Sunday in the Park with George,” presents an intimate evening of songs from the American songbook. Backed by a small ensemble, Peters will move between musical theatre classics and personal storytelling, with a special opening performance by The Lexington Theatre Company. 7:30 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonopera house.com
Awardwinning actress Bernadette Peters will perform at the Lexington Opera House on May 10. PHOTO
LuigART Women’s Collective, this second annual exhibit is designed to celebrate women in the visual arts. Female artists from Fayette and adjacent Kentucky counties were invited to participate. Curated by retired gallerist and artist Mary Rezny, the exhibit features 52 artworks in diverse genres across all mediums. Gallery hours: Fri.Sun., noon-4 p.m. Special events include an artist reception and awards March 8 (5:30-8 p.m.) and LexArts Hop reception March 21 (5-8 p.m.) Luigart Event Gallery, 110 Luigart Ct.
LexArts HOP. March 21. During the LexArts HOPs, thousands of locals and visitors alike converge on downtown Lexington to celebrate art throughout the evening with new gallery exhibitions and special arts events, at traditional and nontraditional gallery spaces alike. Patrons begin at one of 40-plus locations and visit as many or as few participating venues as they would like. O cial HOP hours are 5-8 p.m., with many venues keeping additional hours. A full guide is available each month at the LexArts HOP website. lexarts.org/discover/ lexarts-hop
Aquaventure 2025. On display March 3-May 2. This exhibit will display diverse works from an array of top artists from the Kentucky Watercolor Society. An opening reception will take place in conjunction with the LexArts Hop on March 21 (5-8 p.m.). Gallery hours: Fri-Sat., 12-4 p.m. and by appointment. Artist’s Attic, 401 W. Main St., Suite 401. www.theartistsattic.org
LuigART Women 2025. On display March 1-31. Hosted by the
Artist Showcase. On display through April 5. This exhibition highlights the work of Lexington artists Kiji Bae, Gayle Cerlan, Dalphna Donnelly, Marta E. Dorton, Chad Eames, Jack Girard, Sarah Heller, Georgia Henkel, Jennifer Dunham, Karen Spears Springate and Brady Saylor. Featuring a diverse range of media, including painting, photography, and sculpture, the showcase celebrates the city’s vibrant creative community. Gallery hours: Tues.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Fri., noon–8 p.m.; Sat., noon–5 p.m. Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center Community Gallery, 141 E. Main St. www.lexingtonky.gov/aboutdowntown-arts-center
FEAST. May 15. Hosted by FoodChain, this annual fundraiser brings together more than 30 female chefs for a night of tasting stations built around Kentucky-grown ingredients, alongside live music from Yapa! and Joslyn and The Sweet Compression. The evening also features a silent auction and interactive fundraising moments supporting FoodChain’s “Food is Medicine” initiatives. 6 p.m. Fasig-Tipton, 2400 Newtown Pike. www.foodchainlex.org
Houndstock. May 15-16. Presented by Smiley Pete Publishing and LM Communications’ HoundFM, this inaugural festival will feature two days of Americana, bluegrass and blues music with a bevy of local BBQ vendors. The lineup includes sets from Tee Dee Young; Bee Taylor & the Lexington Philharmonic; Treyvon King; Bedford; Mash Grass and more. Fri., 5-10 p.m.; Sat., 12-10 p.m. Gatton Park on Town Branch, 795 Manchester St. www. houndstockfest.com
Whose Line is it Anyway? May 19. Featuring cast members from the long-running improv series “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” including Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops, this live show builds scenes, songs and sketches entirely from audience suggestions, blending quick wit with spontaneous comedy. 7:30 p.m. Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. www.lexingtonoperahouse.com
Central Bank Center Supper Club. May 19. Designed for culinary enthusiasts, each installment of this new recurring dining series features immersive themes, curated menus and spirit-driven collaborations. The debut event will feature a partnership with Castle and Key Distillery, o ering a curated five-course menu led by Central Bank Center’s senior executive chef Chris Ross. 6 p.m. Central Bank Center, 430 West Vine St. www.centralbankcenter.com
Studio Players: Ken Ludwig’s “The Gods of Comedy.” May 21-June 7. Daphne and Ralph, two ambitious classics professors, see their academic breakthrough unravel when a desperate plea summons the gods of ancient Greece to campus. What follows is a fast-moving farce as myth collides with modern academia, sending up campus culture with screwball energy. Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. Carriage House Theatre, 154 W. Bell Ct. www.studioplayers.org ■
"Who's
Recent Residential Property Transactions
40502
105 Marne Ave. $169,000
174 St William Dr. $259,900
513 Park Ave. $260,000
470 Ashland Te.r $275,000
340 Park Ave. $330,000
3401 Farmington Rd. $340,000
815 Tremont Ave. $400,000
191 Eastover Dr. $465,000
727 Tremont Ave. $482,500
309 Richmond Ave. $485,000
3412 Heritage Pl. $500,000
3418 Woodstock Cir. $695,000
2925 Tabor Oaks Ln. $699,000
165 Idle Hour Dr. $750,000
1164 Taborlake Dr. $810,000
3217 Tates Creek Rd. $1,650,000 505 Culpepper Rd. $2,150,000
40503
3273 Saxon Dr. $260,000 1909 Westmeath Pl. $510,000
40513
2308 Stone Garden Ln. $330,000 1117 Hancock Ln. $430,000
2228 Mangrove Dr. $510,000
4124 Palmetto Dr. $521,002
3308 Higgens Ct. $592,000
4877 Firebrook Blvd. $675,000
2229 Shannawood Dr. $730,000
2240 Barnwell Ln. $896,500
BIGGEST MOVER: 505 CULPEPPER RD. $2,150,000
40514
1280 Kennecott Way $345,000 4232 Steamboat Rd. $372,000 1916 Melford Pl. $425,000 2432 La Cross Ct. $690,000
40515
517 Southpoint Dr. $220,000
621 Rolling Creek Ln. $418,000
704 Rainwater Dr. $479,500
960 Rockbridge Rd. $505,000
1004 Firethorn Pl. $562,000 ■
Recent arm’s length residential sales for this magazine’s distribution area. Information compiledby Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator David O’Neill. For more information on anyof these properties,or others,please visit www.fayettepva.com.
