Here you can see the Studio, Encore room, and Embry room. | Photos courtesy of Lexington Parks & Recreation
City officials + members of the community unveiled the renovations — including the addition of four new spaces — to the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center this week.
“Since our arts center opened in 2002, the third floor has shown so much potential, but remained unfinished,” Mayor Linda Gorton said at a ribbon cutting on Wednesday. “Today, that potential is realized with wonderful reception and event spaces to support our community and arts organizations.”
The project cost $2.7 million, which was funded through an allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act.
Fun fact: Two of the new rooms are named after the department stores that used to call that same section of East Main Street home. Can you guess which ones?
Timeline + fun facts
Formerly known as the Downtown Arts Center, the building opened in February 2002.
2014 | Lexington Parks & Recreation takes over management + programming.
2017 | The center gets a new name in honor of former mayor Pam Miller, who helped oversee the facility’s creation.
Sip and Shop | 6-8 p.m. | That Cute Little Shop | Free | It’s a new year, find new clothes + new friends at this exclusive after-hours shopping event.
“New Year, New You, New Murder” | 6-9 p.m. | Wise Bird Cider | $54+ | Enjoy a three-course dinner, a complimentary welcome drink, and thrilling entertainment from Bluegrass Mystery Theatre.
Contra Swing Shift Dance Festival | 8-11 p.m. | Artworks at the Carver School | $12+ | Put your best foot forward in a special contra dance with live music from The Evil Twins — a beginner-friendly lesson will start at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25
Hand-Tied Turkey Wing Brooms | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg | $40+ | Step back in time with the folk art tradition of broommaking by making your own hand-tied creation from hemp cord and natural broomcorn.
Book Club Cooking Class | 4-6 p.m. | Harkness Edwards Vineyards, Winchester | $57 | Travel through Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale” by cooking a themed menu including garlicky herb pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, and glazed apples — one glass of wine is included.
Lexington Unsung Hero Awards | 7-10 p.m. | Carrick House | Pay what you can | This semi-formal affair will include a cocktail hour + awards ceremony celebrating the selfless community members who weave together the fabric of our city.
Sunday, Jan. 26
Tree Walk | 2-3 p.m. | McConnell Springs Park | Free | Bundle up for a stroll in the park where you’ll learn how to ID common winter trees through pattern, leaf buds, and fruit — registration required.
Sunday Cinema Series | 7-9 p.m. | Lost Palm | Free | Venture up to the rooftop bar for an indoor screening of “Top Gun” with food + drink specials and complimentary popcorn.
Up your sleepy-time mocktail game with this fan-favorite brownie batter flavor. | Photo provided by Beam Organics
Feeling drained, unfocused, and irritable after a restless night without sleep? We’ve been there.
But did you know long-term, poor sleep can lead to serious health risks?
Enter:Beam Dream, a delicious nighttime drink with CBD, magnesium, melatonin, and other natural ingredients clinically proven to promote deeper sleep and refreshed mornings.
The best part? Use code 6AM at checkout to save up to 40% on this guilt-free addition to your bedtime routine.
Congratulations to the team at Holly Hill Inn for being named a semifinalist for the “Outstanding Hospitality” category of the 2025 James Beard Awards. With an in-house art gallery, extensive bourbon library, and backyard gardens, this Midway restaurant really knows how to host. Pull up a chair.
Civic
The Lexington Continuum of Care is seeking volunteers to help with the 2025 LexCount. Volunteers will visit outdoor locations to count + conduct a survey with those experiencing homelessness. They will also facilitate access to shelters and distribute care packages. Sign up to help on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Plan Ahead
Do you consider yourself a wordsmith? Then you’ll want to sign up for Ethereal Brewing Slice House’s Scrabble competition on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. Bonus: The event will be hosted by Scrabble Grandmaster + Lexingtonian Mack Meller.
Biz
Nominations are open for the Downtown Lexington Partnership’s Annual Meeting & Awards of Excellence Luncheon on Friday, March 7. Learn more about the available categories including leadership achievement, landscape and streetscape, and the Smiley Pete award.
Award
UK journalism students Abbey Cutrer + Matthew Mueller placed in the Top 10 of the Photojournalism News and Features Competition. Part of 2024-25 Hearst Journalism Awards Program, the awards recognize “outstanding performance in collegiate journalism.” (UKNOW)
Job
The Arboretum is hiring a lead educator to work seasonally in the Kentucky Children’s Garden. The part-time role will develop + lead environmental educational experiences for kids as well as maintain the garden. Work is mainly outdoors, from mid-March to early November.
Finance
Are you doing everything possible to maximize your 2024 tax savings? Here are some tips + tricks from the experts at Gratz Park Private Wealth to help you navigate the tax code labyrinth — and potentially trim your tax bill.*
Travel
Skip expensive airline tickets + opt for a fun and affordable family road trip instead. With Outdoorsy, you can rent an RV for as little as $47 per night. Learn more.*
Category
City Guide
🥓 Our most important meal of the day
Mimosas at East End Tap & Table are a must. | Photo by LEXtoday
It’s Friday, you know what the means, we’ve got brunch on the brain. Whether you’re on the hunt for fluffy eggs, fried chicken and waffles, or mind-blowing bloody marys this weekend, we’ve got you covered.
Weekend musts
East End Tap & Table | Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Enjoy a mimosa carafe with your choice of juice while chowing down on the Frosted Flake-crusted PB+J.
Minglewood | Saturday, 1:30-4 p.m. + Sunday, 12-5 p.m. | You can get breakfast, like Freddy’s Favorite — Texas toast, a fried egg with bacon, lettuce, and tomato — anytime at this downtown spot. But, be sure to stop by during brunch service for $6 bloody marys + $7 mimosas.
Bottomless mimosas
Bear & the Butcher | Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | TVs galore, bottomless mimosa carafes + the Gargantua bloody mary pitcher — need we say more?
Zim’s | Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pair its Bluegrass Benedict with a $5 bloody mary or $12.50 mimosa pitcher featuring a variety of juices — OJ, cranberry, grapefruit + pineapple.
The internet’s favorite lip balm: Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask, which quenches dry lips overnight like magic. Try Laneige’s partner product, the Lip Glowy Balm, for the same moisturizing benefits on-the-go throughout the day.
}})
