The Fayette County Public Schools family welcomes you all as we gather to celebrate the Lexingtonian experience as seen through our students’ eyes! Join us at the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center for a student-presented poetry reading from 6 PM to 8 PM on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Enjoy the creative efforts of our great city’s youth. Admission is free; light refreshments will be available during the reception.

LexPhil’s 2024/25 Season finale concert bursts forth into spring with Hector Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture followed by the evocative Cyber Bird Concerto by Takashi Yoshimatsu. The three movement work follows “an imaginary bird in the realm of electronic cyberspace”. Described as a ‘triple concerto’ the piece features saxophonist Jichen Zhang, pianist Meng Liu and percussionist Ben Stone.

The concert reaches its climactic finale with Igor Stravinsky’s formidable work, The Rite of Spring, originally a ballet but performed most often as a stand alone orchestral tour de force. Stravinsky’s angular motifs and furious rhythmic writing exemplifies the pagan rituals depicted in the ballet. The haunting opening bassoon solo is a foreboding beginning to the tumultuous journey that unfolds. The Rite of Spring is a wildly electric apex to the season that deserves to be experienced.

The setting of a historical marker at Gratz Park in Lexington, formerly the location of Transylvania University, which hosted LaFayette upon his arrival in Lexington, and salute to LaFayette as the namesake of Fayette County in the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government Center in Lexington.

The celebration of America’s esteemed French hero, the Marquis de Lafayette, continues into the evening with a grand finale you won’t want to miss. Join us for the splendid conclusion of Frankfort’s Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration, where elegance and history come together in a spectacular event!

Step back in time and experience a recreation of Lafayette’s 1825 Ball, filled with enchanting period music, lively dancing, and a delightful selection of hors d’oeuvres and specialty drinks, all designed to elevate your evening as we toast to Lafayette’s lasting legacy. While period attire is encouraged to fully immerse yourself in the era, it is not required—feel free to express your own personal style.

Be inspired by a Revolutionary Salute, performed by the Gov. Isaac Shelby Chapter Kentucky Society Sons of the American Revolution, and a captivating historical address from Lafayette expert and historian Julien Icher, shedding light on the hero’s remarkable contributions. Marvel at Lafayette artifacts from the Kentucky Historical Society, offering a rare glimpse into his life and times, and learn the art of historical dance from the talented Capitol City Historic Dancers and Musicians.

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening—a magical tribute to a true American hero! Register by April 14 to make sure you get a spot.

“Queer, Here, & Everywhere: The Roots of Kentucky’s LGBTQ History” is the first comprehensive exhibition of Lexington’s LGBTQ history, showcasing the importance of the queer community in this city. Highlighting key moments and figures in Lexington’s LGBTQ history, from Sweet Evening Breeze’s drag performances in the 1920s to the passage of the Fairness Ordinance in 1999, this exhibit will celebrate the resilience and contributions of the queer community. By shedding light on these often overlooked narratives, we hope to foster a greater sense of belonging for LGBTQ individuals in Lexington while also promoting understanding and appreciation among the broader population.

The highly anticipated DiverCity Festival is back, bringing together a vibrant fusion of cultures, entertainment, and community spirit! On Saturday, May 24th, from 12 PM to 7 PM, families, friends, and culture enthusiasts will gather for a day of unity, learning, and celebration everyone!

With over 40 live performances, more than 50 cultural and business booths, and an array of authentic food from around the world, DiverCity Festival is a one-of-a-kind experience designed to embrace, celebrate, and educate.

DiverCity Festival is a family-focused event, designed to celebrate the beauty of diversity while fostering a deeper understanding of different cultures. Whether you’re here to dance, explore, eat, or simply soak in the vibrant atmosphere, there’s something for everyone!

Join us as we come together to embrace our differences, celebrate our commonalities, and educate through the power of culture and community. This event is free and open to the public.

Bryan Station, established in 1779 in Lexington, Kentucky, was a crucial frontier settlement founded by William Bryan, an early pioneer from Virginia. As one of the first fortified outposts in the region, it played a key role in the defense of settlers against Native American attacks during the tumultuous years of Kentucky’s settlement. Learn about a new discovery of a possible William Bryan cabin that stood off of Clays Mill.

At a “Tea and Talk” Waveland serves Solomon’s Porch savories, scones and sweets and Elmwood Inn tea. Enjoy a special presentation! Cost is $40 per person. Limit 20 guests. Call 859-272-3611 for reservations.

KET’s 37th annual Summer Celebration, during the city’s “Come Home” month, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton is serving as Honorary Chair, for “No Place Like Home.” Rooted in a sense of place, KET showcases the people, places and pride across the commonwealth. Join us for a technicolor dreamscape of discovery, adventure, fun and fellowship! Like the magic behind the curtain of KET, an evening of surprises and possibility awaits. Where will KET take you next? Whether closer than you think or beyond your wildest imagination, thank you for supporting KET.

Big Ass Bourbon Tasting at LexLive will happen on Thursday, June 12 at 5 pm in downtown Lexington as part of the 250Lex year long celebration. The event will feature a flight of four bourbons, food, live music, giveaways and more.

Tickets for this event are not on sale yet. Please check back for more details.

A blunderbuss is a type of firearm that was popular from the 17th to the early 19th centuries. It is characterized by a wide, flared muzzle, designed to fire a spread of shot. Charlotte Mentelle carried a Blunderbuss to America in the 1790s. In 1820 Mademoiselle Mentelle opened a girl’s boarding school in Lexington. Charlotte’s blunderbuss is displayed at Waveland along with the portrait of her husband.

At a “Tea and Talk” Waveland serves Solomon’s Porch savories, scones and sweets and Elmwood Inn tea. Enjoy a special presentation! Cost is $40 per person. Limit 20 guests. Call 859-272-3611 for reservations.

“Come and meet those dancing feet,” as we bring back the tap-dancing extravaganza that kicked it all off for The Lexington Theatre Company. Follow starry-eyed Peggy Sawyer’s big dreams of the spotlight, in this love letter to Broadway and “the most glorious words in the English language” – musical comedy!

The Lexington Theatre Company combines Broadway veterans, rising stars, and local professionals for a production that feels just like Broadway, crafted right here in Lexington.

In 1825, General Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolution, made a visit to Lexington as a part of his U.S.A. tour. The townspeople, eager to honor the revolutionary icon, greeted him with parades, speeches, and an
overwhelming display of admiration for his role in securing American independence. Lafayette’s visit sparked a sense of pride and nostalgia, and in a celebration of the shared history between France and the United States.

At a “Tea and Talk” Waveland serves Solomon’s Porch savories, scones and sweets and Elmwood Inn tea. Enjoy a special presentation! Cost is $40 per person. Limit 20 guests. Call 859-272-3611 for reservations.