09.28.2023

Today’s Forecast

74º | Thunderstorms | 65% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 7:25 p.m.

🎶 Can we get an encore?

Give these Lexington live music venues a listen

While Rupp Arena is home to the Wildcats, it’s also hosted some of the world’s largest international artists. | Photo courtesy of McGinn Photography

Hear that? It’s the scintillating sound of Lexington’s live music venues beckoning you to a performance you’ll never forget.

The concert scene is truly unmatched in our area — from Al’s Bar to Rupp Arena, there’s a stage for any type of tune. To get to know them all, you must do three things:

Put your hands in the air, wave ‘em like you just don’t care, then lay your eyes (and ears) on our guide.

Arenas/Stadiums

Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St. | Capacity: 19,576
Paul McCartney, Guns N Roses, Bruce Springsteen, and Janet Jackson have all graced the stage of our largest indoor venue. Here, you’re guaranteed to find a show that piques your interest.

A smokey image of the Burl's indoor stage in Lexington, KY — Rock on, Lex. | Photo by @asiseetheworld

Mid-sized venues

The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. | Capacity: 300-1,500
The Burl campus has everything you need: drinks, an arcade, and of course, live music. Whether you’re attending an intimate show inside, or outside to take in the Distillery District, there’s something for everyone here.

The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St. | Capacity: 540
To call this historic space simply a music venue would be an injustice. Along with the live music it hosts from both local and international artists, the Lyric also is home to art exhibits, networking events, and everything in between.

The exterior of the Lexington Opera House at night — Oh yes, there’s plenty going on at Lexington Opera House. | Photo by Lexington Opera House

Concert Halls

Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St. | Capacity: 1,000
And all that jazz. This historic venue in the heart of downtown hosts everything from concerts, to comedy shows, and even Broadway tours.

Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St. | Capacity: 400-1,100
OG Lexingtonians may remember this space as Busters, but a name change hasn’t impacted this venue’s role in our concert scene. Featuring high ceilings and two bars, this space is ideal for any live music lovers.

Did we miss your favorite? Drop us a line and we’ll get it added.

City Guides are presented by VisitLEX.

The show must go on

Asked

Do you prefer small intimate venues or large concert arenas/stadiums for live music events?

A. Small intimate venues
B. Arenas
C. Stadiums

Keep on rockin' in the free world

Events

Thursday, Sept. 28

Oktoberfest in the Garden | Thursday, Sept. 28-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.
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.

Friday, Sept. 29

Finn Fest | Friday, Sept. 29 | 7 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $48 | Support Central KY Make-A-Wish and Congenital Heart Defect Research at this live benefit concert in memory of local music lover Finn Collier.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie | Friday, Sept. 29 | 8 p.m. | Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine St., Lexington | $41-$64 | Watch one of the biggest names in hip-hop take the stage for his “Me vs. Myself: The College Tour.”

Saturday, Sept. 30

Central Kentucky Mystical Market | Saturday, Sept. 30-Sunday, Oct. 1 | Times vary | Clarion Hotel Conference Center, 1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington | $3-$5 | Shop from a variety of metaphysical vendors and meet with the area’s best healers, intuitives, mediums + psychics.

Sunday, Oct. 1

Hocus Pocus Charcuterie Class | Sunday, Oct. 1 | Times vary | Harkness Edwards Vineyards, 5199 Combs Ferry Rd., Winchester | $57 | Grab your witches and learn how to assemble a charcuterie board inspired by this Halloween classic.

Saturday, Oct. 21

42nd Annual Kentucky Book Festival | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 161 Lexington Green Cir., Lexington | Free | Meet your favorite writer, shop for new favorite books + visit the children’s tent at the oldest and largest literary festival in the state (kids 12 and under receive a free book).*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Traffic

Starting Monday, Oct. 2, a portion of East Loudon Avenue will be closed for one week. The westbound lane between Maple and Bryan Avenues will be shut down between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. for sewer line work. It’s expected to be completed by Friday, Oct. 6.

State

Today, online sports betting officially goes live in Kentucky following its legalization in March. Citizens can now wager on all sports online through sites like FanDuel + DraftKings. The minimum age to participate is 21. (WKYT)

Cause

The USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Program has extended its application deadline to Jan. 13, 2024 for farmers who have experienced prejudice from USDA Farm lending services. Black Soil KY will also host its final workshop about the program today at 1400 Fortune Way in Winchester.

Health

This Saturday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m., women of color are invited to Meadowthorpe Park for Black Women’s Wellness Day. The free event hosted by the Kentucky Association of Professional African American Women will host a race, feature seasonal produce, yoga, kid’s activities, and health screenings.

Try This

Calling all the Starbucks lovers. Moondance Amphiteater will host a Taylor Swift sing-along and dance party on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature a Taygate, bracelet making, food trucks, and friendship.

Feel Good

Did you hear the one about the horse that got loose on I-75? After a three-year-old horse escaped a trailer on the interstate over the weekend, causing a massive backup, Fast Betty Blue 19 is officially safe and healthy in her new home in Bourbon County. (LEX18)

Fact or Fiction

You can find financial tips, market updates + meet the team on Gratz Park Private Wealth’s new Instagram page. Give them a follow to find out.*

Community

The city’s Planning Commission is now considering new areas (highlighted on this map) for the proposed expansion of Lexington’s historic Urban Services Boundary. You can share your opinion about limiting the expansion to no more than 2,700 acres to help protect the area’s farmland by attending a public input session happening today at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, or by emailing the Planning Commission.*

Wellness

Why optimize hormones as you age? You can improve strength, bone density, libido, blood pressure, and mood. Learn about your testosterone levels with Wellcore’s At-Home Assessment Kit.*

Award

🏆 Our award-winning urban trail

Town Branch Commons Trail is already award winning

The Town Branch Commons Trail is a 2.2-mile-long pedestrian path that guides users through downtown. | Photo by LEXtoday

One of our city’s youngest projects is receiving national recognition — for the second time.

Town Branch Commons Trail was named the 2023 honoree by The American Society of Landscape Architects, where local architects Gresham Smith and New York-based firm SCAPE were recognized for the project that took ten years to complete.

The trail, which opened October in 2022, runs through the heart of downtown, including along Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden, Triangle Park, and the in-progress Town Branch Park. It also added over 300 trees to our urban center + two acres of planting areas.

The committee of architects pointed to Town Branch Commons Trail’s dedication to returning the “streets to pedestrian experiences while integrating ecological design principles to enhance landscape performance and reflect regional characteristics.”

Last year, the trail was also awarded the 2022 Environmental Excellence award from the Federal Highway Administration.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Aayat

From the editor

Live music has always held a special place in my heart, especially the concerts I’ve seen here at home. A few favorites include Paul McCartney at Rupp Arena, Lucy Dacus at Manchester Music Hall, and Mitski at The Burl. Let us know yours.

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