09.26.2023

Today’s Forecast

83º | Sunny | 9% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:29 a.m. | Sunset 7:29 p.m.

A project that projects

“I Was Here” shines a light on neglected history

Tapestries draped over the Old Lexington Courthouse.

The project started here in Lexington, with large tapestries draped over the Old Fayette Co. Courthouse. | Photo courtesy of the I Was Here Project

A local art project that began as a vital reminder of our nation’s history will make its debut on the One World Trade Center in New York City next month.

“I Was Here” started as a question artist Marjorie Guyon asked, “What would happen if you could bring the most beautiful, powerful ideas into public space?”

Staring out of her studio window and inspired by the current political climate, Guyon had a vision of an African mother and child “moving from window to window, like points of light.” Photographer Patrick J. Mitchell used this inspiration to photograph contemporary African Americans as archetypal ancestor spirits, thus bringing the idea to life.

According to the website, “They embody our missing portraits of family: mother, father, brother, sister. These models stood in the gap, representing the spirits of the ancestors, forming cohesive, ethereal images that convey the dignity of the African American individual and family — imagery largely invisible.”

As Lexington was a hub for auctions of the enslaved in pre-Civil War Kentucky, Guyon says the project aims to shed light “on the wound enslavement created in our fundamental understanding of what citizenship is.”

“We have to acknowledge who was instrumental in building the foundation of the country…The project in the end is about citizenship.”

A mockup of images projected onto the One World Trade Center in New York City. — A mockup of what the project could look like when projected onto the One World Trade Center in New York City. | Photo courtesy of the I Was Here Project

Sending a message beyond Lexington

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 12 until Sunday, Oct. 22, NYCxDESIGN will showcase “I Was Here” through a 200-ft high digital projection on all four walls of the One World Trade Center Podium in New York City, every evening from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

But you don’t have to travel to experience this impactful art project. VisitLEX has launched an on-the-street, self-guided digital tour that takes you through 24 sites “that integrate the Ancestor Spirits Portraits with sound, song, and narrative.”

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 26

Tropicalia | Tuesday, Sept. 26 | 7-9 p.m. | Lost Palm, 941 Manchester St., Lexington | Free | Dance among Lexington’s skyline while enjoying food + drinks on The Manchester’s rooftop.
Lex Out Loud Comedy Series | Tuesday, Sept. 26 | 7 p.m. | Pivot Brewing, 1400 Delaware Ave., Lexington | Free | Enjoy craft drinks and have a laugh with performances from five stand-up comedians.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

Oktoberfest in the Garden | Wednesday, Sept. 27-Friday, Sept. 29 | 4 p.m. | Kentucky Native Cafe, 417 E. Maxwell St., Lexington | Free | Celebrate Oktoberfest among greenery with live music, giant pretzels, local brews, and sparkling apple cider for the kids.
Yappy Hours | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 6-9 p.m. | Veterans Park, 4303 Tates Creek Rd., Lexington | Free | Bring your pup along for food trucks, live music, various vendors, and a romp in the park.

Thursday, Sept. 28

Hues of Innovation: A Roadshow Celebrating Black and Brown Founders | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 5-7:30 p.m. | Chase Bank, 201 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | Connect and network with like-minded entrepreneurs of color featuring keynote speakers and panel discussions.
Saxsquatch | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 8 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $18 | Bigfoot has been spotted and it turns out, he’s a jazz aficionado.

Thursday, Oct. 19

Pop Tab Palooza | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 5-7 p.m. | Central Baptist Church, 110 Wilson Downing Rd., Lexington | Free | Help support families and children through RMHC’s Pop Tab Palooza by collecting and donating the aluminum tabs you pull to open soda, soup, and other cans.*

Events calendar here

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Sports

20 tailgating essentials for a winning season

The weber grill is neatly folded up and wheeled along by a person in hiking boots.

Wheel a Weber portable gas grill to any cookout destination. | Photo via Amazon

From the best tailgating grill to a condiment caddy, shop all things game day grub:

If you’re looking for a great tailgating grill, the Weber portable gas grill has wheels and folds up neatly.
Keep your ketchup and mustard from running away with a condiment caddy.
Keep flies away with mesh food covers.
Use a cooler light for those p.m. tailgates to elevate your nighttime cooler experience.

Our full tailgating guide

News Notes

Closed

Community workshop space Kre8Now Makerspace has closed its doors. Over the last several years, the company served as a hub for creators from all industries and hosted several classes. Fans took to Facebook to share their memories and the impact it made on the local creator community.

Biz

A barbecue staple of the Warehouse Block is moving, but not very far. Blue Door Smokehouse will move from its home on Walton Avenue to 819 National Ave., aka the former home of Maximus CrossFit. The restaurant expects to move into the new space by the end of the year. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Sports

Swish, swish. It’s almost time for basketball in the Bluegrass. To kick the season off, the Wildcats will host two exhibition games at Rupp Arena on Friday, Oct. 27 and Thursday, Nov. 2, playing against Georgetown College and Kentucky State, respectively. (LEX18)

Health

The North Lexington Family YMCA will host its sixth annual Senior Health and Resource Fair on Thursday, Oct. 12. Here, members 55+ can tour the facility on 381 W. Loudon Ave., receive health screenings, and learn about memberships.

Try This

Talk about a stroke of luck. Every Wednesday starting at 5 p.m., head to 21c Museum Hotel for a free guided tour of their entire contemporary museum and its current exhibitions.

Asked

They say it’s your birthday. Tomorrow, LEXtoday turns two, and we want to commemorate our anniversary with the help of our dedicated readers. So let us know, what is your favorite LEXtoday memory? It could be an article you particularly enjoyed, a meme shared on Instagram, or anything in between.

Eat

Happy fall y’all. Celebrate the official start of fall by cozying up your evening meals. Our recs: Chicken with sauteed harvest farro and butternut squash or the ready-in-15-minutes pumpkin pasta carbonara (yes, that includes homemade pumpkin pasta sauce).*

Finance

Did you know your taxes might change after you retire? Here are a few things to consider while you prepare for the transition.*

Drink

It’s a brew-tiful celebration

Mirror Twin Brewing turns seven

Be sure to try bartender Alex’s beer of choice, the “Orange You Glad It’s Berry Sour.” | Photo courtesy of VisitLex

This week kicks off the beginning of Mirror Twin Brewing’s seventh birthday — and you’re invited to join the festivities. Here’s how you can celebrate our 2023 brewery bracket winner:

Bartender Tap Takeover | Tuesday, Sept. 26
Try the team’s favorite brews.

Slushee Flights + Trivia | Wednesday, Sept. 27
Enjoy $18 slushee flights and test your knowledge with a game of trivia starting at 7 p.m.

Bottle Drop + Trivia | Thursday, Sept. 28
Try out the new collaborative bourbon barrel-aged brew with Ethereal Brewing, “Blunt Force Trauma,” and a game of 90s trivia.

Trippin’ Roots | Friday, Sept. 29
Listen to the live tunes of this local folk Americana band + shop new can drops.

Brewer’s Breakfast | Saturday, Sept 30
Enjoy a fresh cooked breakfast, watch the UK vs. Florida football game, and explore deluxe slushee flights.

Anniversary Blowout | Sunday, Oct. 1
Wrap up the festivities with axe throwing, a bounce house, face painting, and new merchandise.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Aayat

From the editor

If you hear squeals of excitement coming from downtown tonight, just know it’s the sound of thousands of Millennials stuck in their teenage years, making the trek to Rupp Arena to see the one and only Jonas Brothers. But don’t worry, we still recognize the Queen of the North in this town.

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