What this town needs is more comedy. At least that’s what comedian Tim Northern thinks, so he organized the Louisville is Funny comedy festival, going on at several venues all weekend. I talked to Tim about his comedy career and how he has seen a drop in interest in comedy in the last decade or so.
It’s a big week for Jeanie Kahnke. The public relations director of the Ali Center is gearing up for the I Am Ali Festival, while alerting media to the newly-redesigned lobby and a new exhibit. She’s been at the Center for many years, and talks about how the Center has prospered in the last two years after the Champ passed away.
In the news, it came out this week that the Birracibo restaurant on Fourth Street Live! has shut down, making way later this summer for a new concept called Pizza Bar. Local business exec Junior Bridgeman has been involved in both enterprises with the Cordish Group. Local school officials and parents should be watching JCPS closely, as the state is threatening to take over the system. But I say the state has enough problems, including a plan enacted by Republicans that will bring new taxes to you on July 1 on auto repairs, fitness memberships and other previously untaxed services.
And if you want to talk about government sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong, the Metro Council decided this week to force local restaurants to offer specific healthy foods on its Kids Menus.
The big events this weekend — other than the Comedy Festival and I Am Ali — are the Denim and Diamonds fundraiser at Locust Grove and the Fest of Ale in New Albany. Thanks again to Passport Health Plan, Heuser Health and the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau for sponsoring the show.