Keeneland car show, ex-UK players in Rupp tourney, Spongebob: Lexington’s best events
Have an upcoming weekend event to list? Please send details a week in advance to Bsimms@herald-leader.com and jpatton1@herald-leader.com . Or list your event at kentucky.com/events .
Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best weekend events around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need things to do including festivals, food classes, movies screenings,live music concerts, comedy shows, free events, wrestling events,foodie events, concert series, theatre plays, family-friendly events, arts and craft festivals, art shows and more including the car show at Keeneland, Concours d’Elegance.
Lexington Restaurant Week
Thirty-six local restaurants including J Renders, Pasta Garage and Coles 735 Main will serve up special three-course meals during Lexington Restaurant Week running now through July 28. LexingtonRestaurantWeek.com.
Great meals, bargain prices: What’s on the menu for Lexington Restaurant Week?
The Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena featuring ex-UK players
The Basketball Tournament will kick off at Rupp Arena with former Wildcat players back in town this week for a $1 million, winner-take-all summer basketball tournament that this year will feature La Familia, a squad filled with Calipari-era stars. The Lexington regional of the single-elimination, 64-team event begins July 19 in Rupp Arena: WoCo Showtime (Wofford) vs The Nawf at 1 p.m., Herd That (Marshall) vs Jackson TN Boom at 3 p.m., War Ready (Auburn) vs D2 at 6 p.m., and La Familia (Kentucky) vs 305 Ballers at 8 p.m. Round of 32 games will take place between the winners on July 21 at12 and 2 p.m. From $13.50. 430 W Vine St. TheTournament.com/TBT/Lexington-Regional-Tickets/.
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Master Musicians Festival at Somerset Community College
The 31st annual Master Musicians Festival will bring bands like The Wallflowers, Sundy Best, Jeremie Albino and Zach Bryan collaborator Noeline Hofmann to the campus of Somerset Community College on July 19 at 4 p.m. and July 20 at 12 p.m. $55-$135. 808 Monticello St, Somerset. MasterMusiciansFestival.org.
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Interactive Art Show: ‘Mood Rooms’ at 21c Museum Hotel
Expansion, Lexington’s psychedelic music festival, will present the interactive visual artist showcase “Mood Rooms” at 21c Museum Hotel on July 19 from 5-8 p.m. during the LexArts gallery hop. Hyper-colorful projections from local artists Psensibil, Liquified, Chud Lights and Daniel Freed will be featured during the free event. 167 Main St. facebook.com/events/1129762828129764.
Art On The Town at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park
Art On The Town will again bring a variety of local visual artists and authors together at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park along with live music, food trucks and more on July 19 from 5-9 p.m. Free. lexingtonky.gov/events/23536/art-town.
Public Market: East End Nights at ArtHouse Kentucky
Journey along the Legacy Trail transformed into a public market during East End Night on July 19 from 6-10 p.m. The journey begins at ArtHouse Kentucky with a DJ and art exhibition before moving along Midland Ave, stopping at vendors along the way and eventually coming to an end at Charles Young Park. 576 E Third St. facebook.com/events/989699422512493.
Shakespeare in the Park: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Woodland Park
A Lexington tradition returns when “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” comes to Woodland Park on July 19, 20 and 21. Festivities begin with live music at 7 p.m. nightly followed by a presentation of the Shakespeare classic comedy play at 8 p.m. Free. 601 E High St. facebook.com/events/1016925180045826.
Comedian Josh Sneed at Comedy Off Broadway
Comedian Josh Sneed will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on July 19 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and July 20 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. $15-$18. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.
Summer Nights In Suburbia Concert Series at Moondance Amphitheater
90s cover band NVRMND will perform during the City of Lexington’s Summer Nights In Suburbia concert series at Moondance Amphitheater on July 19 from 7-9 p.m. Free. 1152 Monarch St. LexingtonKy.gov.
‘The Spongebob Musical’ at the Lexington Children’s Theatre
The Lexington Children’s Theatre will present “The Spongebob Musical” based on the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon several times between July 19 and 28. This weekend’s show times take place on July 19 at 7:30 p.m., July 20 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. (pay what you will), and July 21 at 2 p.m. $20-$25. 418 W Short St. LCTOkeenelandnStage.org.
The Guess Who Concert at Renfro Valley
Rock band The Guess who will perform hits like “American Woman” and “These Eyes” during a concert at the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center in Mt. Vernon on July 19 at 8 p.m. $35-$85. 2380 Richmond St, Mt. Vernon. RenfroValley.com.
Ohio Valley Wrestling at Manchester Music Hall
Ohio Valley Wrestling will return to Manchester Music Hall on July 19 at 8 p.m. $10-$25. 899 Manchester St. OVWrestling.com.
Dressage: KDA Summer Classic I & II at the Kentucky Horse Park
The Kentucky Dressage Association (KDA) will hold its Summer Classic I and II horse shows at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Rolex Stadium on July 20 and 21. 4089 Iron Works Pkwy. KyHorsePark.com.
Car show: Keeneland Concours d’Elegance
See some of the finest collector vehicles from antiques to future classics at Keeneland’s Concours d’Elegance from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 20. The featured car this year is the Mercedes Benz. There will be food, fashion, music and of course lots of speed on display. $25 at the gate, $20 in advance, military and under 12 free. keenelandconcours.com
Rainbow Walk at the Lexington Public Library - Central Library
JP Johnson will lead an hour-long walk through downtown Lexington’s LGBTQ+ history during the Lexington Public Library’s “Rainbow Walk” series on July 20 from 10-11 a.m. Free. 140 E Main St. Events.LexPubLib.org.
Bike Drive with J.J. Weaver at the Tates Creek Community Center
Kentucky football linebacker J.J. Weaver will host a bike drive in partnership with The Perfect Fit at the Tates Creek Community Center on July 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Young riders who stop by will be able to take home their own bike, free of charge while supplies last. 3460 Campus Way. Eventbrite.com.
Back To School Carnival at the Lyric Theatre
The Lyric Theatre will host a back to school carnival with free food, games, school supplies and more on July 20 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 300 E Third St. HistoricLyricTheatre.com.
Horror Murder Movie Club: ‘Jaws’ at the Farish Theatre
Enjoy cult classic film “Jaws” during the latest installment of the Lexington Public Library’s Horror Murder Movie Club at the Farish Theatre on July 20 from 2-5 p.m. Free. 140 E Main St. Events.LexPubLib.org.
Sip and Shop at the Distillery District
Kentucky Pop-Ups, a traveling vendor’s market pop up shop, will host a Sip and Shop 2 p.m.- 8 p.m. July 20 at the Distillery District, 1170 Manchester St. There will be 40 vendors, food and drink plus live music. facebook.com/events/7677218839062281
Farm Feast with Chef Amber Hokams at Shaker VIllage
Chef Amber Hokams will host a four-course garden supper featuring roasted leg of lamb, hazelnut shortbread and a colorful garden salad at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg on July 20 from 6-9 p.m. $99. 3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg. ShakerVillageKy.org.
Downtown Frankfort Bourbon Week on St. Clair Live
Downtown Frankfort Bourbon Week will conclude with a grand celebration of bourbon on St. Clair Live featuring live music, bourbon tastings and the official proclamation ceremony for “The Frankfort” signature cocktail on July 20 from 6-9 p.m. Free. 300 St. Clair St, Frankfort. Facebook.com.
Butch Shay Memorial at Richmond Raceway
The 10th annual Butch Shay Memorial featuring the $7,500 to win Ultimate Heart of America Super Late Models will return to Richmond Raceway on July 20 at 6 p.m. Richmond-Raceway.net.
Strawberry Cheesecake Shooters Class at Harkness Edwards Vineyards
Learn how to make your very own strawberry cheesecake shooters while sipping on wine at Harkness Edwards Vineyards in Winchester during a workshop on July 21 from 1-2:30 p.m. $47. 5199 Combs Ferry Rd, Winchester. facebook.com/events/337956792654164.
Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .