The 2025 Kentucky AIDS Walk will begin at Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza. | Photo via AVOL Kentucky
On Sunday, May 18, at 1 p.m., AVOL Kentucky will host the 2025 Kentucky AIDS Walk at Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza on the corner of East Main and North Limestone. You can still join the walk, make a donation, or just swing by to enjoy community.
Funds raised support AVOL’s housing, healthcare, and prevention services for Kentuckians living with or at risk for HIV. “Together, we raise awareness, break stigma, and ensure Kentuckians living with HIV...know they’re not alone,” said Jon Parker, AVOL Kentucky’s executive director.
Event highlights include:
Live music
Food + drink
Local vendors
Pre- and post-walk parties
Giveaways (including a weeklong stay in Panama City Beach, FL)
Free HIV testing + resources
Speeches by Mayor Linda Gorton and Council Members Emma Curtis and Shayla Lynch
Asked
Asked
Do you plan to attend the AIDS Walk?
A. Yes, I’m going to walk. B. No, I can’t make it this year. C. I donated/volunteered this year.
Food Truck Friday | 6-9 p.m. | Shilito Park | Price of purchase | Pick your meal from several onsite food trucks + grab a local beer or cider and enjoy a picnic at this south side neighborhood park.
Jay Pharoah | Friday, May 16-Saturday, May 17 | Times vary | Comedy Off Broadway | $34+ | Laugh along with this side-splitting comic’s spot-on impressions, honed from six seasons as a Saturday Night Live cast member.
Alien Ant Farm | 8 p.m. | Manchester Music Hall | $23.93 | These rockers incorporate elements of funk, metal + prog rock with a strong vocal personality that will have you moshing like there’s no tomorrow.
Saturday, May 17
May Pop-Up Market at Fayette Mall | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Fayette Mall | Price of purchase | More than 50 local creators will showcase their handicrafts at this outdoor event, with food trucks supplying treats all day.
Monster Jam | Times vary | Rupp Arena | $23.50+ | Your ticket gets you a whole seat, but you’ll only need the edge of it as your marvel at amazing stunts and action-packed excitement.
Sarah Beth Terry | 7 p.m. | Barrel 53 | Price of purchase | The Eastern Kentucky musician has won multiple accolades for her songwriting including most recently Bluegrass Song of the Year for “Bottom of the Holler.”
Sunday, May 18
Horse’s Mouth Storytelling Night | 7-8:30 p.m. | West Sixth Brewing | Price of purchase | Six selected storytellers will have 10 minutes to tell a story about “drama” at this event that aims to “stir the pot.”
Tuesday, May 20
The Gaythering | 5-8 p.m. | Old North Bar | Price of purchase | Join the Imperial Court of Kentucky the third Tuesday of every month for a queer happy hour + networking event.
There is a potential for severe storms in the Horse Capital of the World today, due to an “unstable” mix of high temperatures and gusty winds. Brush up on safety with our Be Ready guide, anddon’t fret — we’re due for sunnier weather starting Saturday morning. (WKYT)
Environment
Nominate your favorite green thumb for an LFUCG Environmental Award in categories ranging from Education to Outstanding Organization. Don’t trust the website — Vice Mayor Dan Wu’s office has confirmed the deadline for nominations has been extended to Tuesday, May 20.
Sports
With the spring portal window closed and ~85 scholarships slated for the fall, UK’s football roster is taking shape. Stay up-to-date on the latest additions with this position-by-position breakdown. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Cause
You’ve got less than a month to purchase your raffle tickets for Pappy With a Purpose, a bourbon-based fundraiser benefiting Habitat for Humanity. As of this writing there are fewer than 150 entrants, giving you decent odds at securing the grand prize — a collection of extremely rare Van Winkle bourbons. (FOX56)
Eat
Dubai chocolate seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue these days, but you don’t need to travel too far to sample the trendy taste. DV8 Kitchen has upgraded its classic cinnamon roll with chocolate + pistachio cream.
Kids
The Living Arts & Science Center invites you to the closing reception of the Fayette County Public Schools Showcase. Artists from LEX’s middle + high schools will receive awards and scholarships today, May 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.
History
Commemorate Military Appreciation Month with a visit to the Kentucky History Center where you can discover “Our Stories, Our Service” — a new exhibit honoring the Commonwealth’s women veterans.
Drink
National Bourbon Week returns to Bardstown, KY (aka the Bourbon Capital of the World) from Monday, June 9 to Sunday, June 15. Immerse yourself in rich bourbon culture with tastings, classes, culinary offerings, and the all-new Mash Up event at the newly opened Bespoke in Bond. Grab tickets.*
Wellness
Improve gut health + boost natural production of GLP-1 (the same hormone Ozempic mimics for weight loss) with Bioma’s 3-in-1 formula. Get an extra 10% off with code 6AM10.*
Number
48 million. That’s how many Americans hear so poorly that their quality of life suffers — think: missing out on convos, concerts, and un-captioned movies. Fortunately, this hearing aid changes the game. Try out its dual processing technology for yourself with a free 45-day, no-risk trial.*
This year’s foodie fundraiser on Friday, May 23 at Fasig-Tipton features a first-ever live art auction, where you can watch artists create works during the event, then bid on their creations.
Artists include Lexington’s most-famous muralist Wylie Caudill, who served as the official artist of Kentucky Derby 150, intricate linework artist Brenna McNabb, mixed-media artist Ray Papka, and Kenyan-born woodcarver Kiptoo Tarus.
F.E.A.S.T by the numbers
25 | The number of chefs — all women — who will prepare dishes made from Kentucky Proud ingredients, some made by James Beard-recognized talents.
4 | The number of musical acts you’ll hear this year, including headliners Joslyn & The Sweet Compression.
3 | The number of “Top Chef” standouts supporting this year’s FEAST, including Lexington’s own Paula Endara (Grandam + Lost Palm) + Paducah, KY-based Sara Bradley (Freight House)
Pro tip: F.E.A.S.T is known to sell out, so get tickets while you can.
The Buy
A shower scrubber mat. It’s made with 500 soft silicone bristles that remove dirt and dead skin. Bonus: It easily attaches to the floor or wall of your shower with non-slip suction cups.
Hey hey it’s National Pizza Party Day so dial up some buds and order a pie from one of LEX’s best slice sources. Of course, if you’d rather savor your slice in solitary silence after a long week, that’s fine too.
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