Louisville

If you are a fan of surrealist art, specifically the work of Rene Magritte, don't miss This is Not a Pipe Dream, an Alley Theater production at the Speed Art Museum.

Wanting to be an artist, Magritte's ambition was written off by his father as "a pipe dream." He suffered another blow when his mother, who celebrated his work, died when he was 13. This is Not a Pipe Dream pays tribute to the importance of art and creativity as the audience learns of Magritte's life.

Within a museum is a perfect place to see a play about dreams and ambition. Imagination truly can prevail, as seen in the standing influence of Magritte's work.

There will be performances May 18-20, as well as the weekend of June 1-3. Head to the Speed Art Museum website for days and times.

Related: Where to See a Play in Louisville

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On Friday, May 18, artist Ryan McGinness is presenting a lecture at the 21c Museum Hotel.

McGinness now lives in New York City, but says spending his childhood immersed in the skate and surf culture of Virginia Beach heavily influenced his art. This early introduction to graphics and logos led him to illustration and design. He is known for creating unique experiences by screen-printing his own drawings, and exploring reproduction and multiples in the spirit of Andy Warhol.

The event is at 21c (700 West Main Street), is free, and is presented in cooperation with Land of Tomorrow Gallery.

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Image © Mali Anderson

Galerie Hertz (1253 South Preston Street) presents the ceramics of Tom Bartel and paintings of Rachel Clark, Ohio artists with ties to Kentucky.

Although working in different mediums, both artists concentrate on the head. Often the center representation of our identity, Bartel and Clark play with facial expression and the personality projected by a head when it is isolated from a body. The two share a studio, which may explain why the work pairs so nicely, despite drastic differences.

Some of Bartel's sculptures are spooky, with cracked glazes and aged features. Conversely, Clark's use of bright colors and googly eyes are often comical, giving a nod to illustrators such as Chris Ware.

The opening reception is today, Sunday, May 13, from 1-4 p.m. at Galerie Hertz. The exhibition will be on view through June 3.

Related: More Mother's Day Events

Image © Mali Anderson

Want to try a new restaurant this weekend? You're in luck, Fleur De Licious launches on Friday.

Louisville's restaurant week, which runs from May 11 through May 20, invites food lovers to try out Louisville's downtown restaurants. Restaurants participating in Fleur De Licious will be offering special meals and/or discounts through the festival's nine-day run.

Part of the hometown tourism campaign--providing residents incentives to visit local businesses--this annual culinary celebration is presented by the Louisville Downtown Management District.

Related: Mother's Day Events

Image courtesy of Louisville Downtown Management District

With the flood of Derby parades and parties behind us, it's time to once again enjoy what Louisville has to offer beyond Churchill Downs.

Starting today, the remainder of May is a hometown tourism celebration. To promote attractions, hotels and restaurants around Louisville and Southern Indiana, area business are offering a wide range of discounts to anyone with a Kentucky or Indiana ID. Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau organizes the event and provides a list of organizations participating.

The discounts of hometown tourism allow residents to take in a sampling of the region. Getting out there will remind you of how many great assets Louisville has to offer, whether it's Derby Week, or not.

Related: Guide to May Events in Louisville

Photo: Don Klumpp/Getty Images

The post positions, where each horse starts, for the 138^th annual Kentucky Derby have been announced. If all 20 horses stay in the game, the purse, what the owner of the winning horse wins, will be over $2 million.

Below is a list of the horses by position, their odds are in parenthesis. Pictured is Bodemeister, the Derby favorite...so far.

The race will start at 6:24 p.m. on Saturday. Happy Derby!

1. Daddy Long Legs (30-1)
2. Optimizer (50-1)
3. Take Charge Indy (15-1)
4. Union Rags (9-2)
5. Dullahan (8-1)
6. Bodemeister (4-1)
7. Rousing Sermon (50-1)
8. Creative Cause (12-1)
9. Trinniberg (50-1)
10. Daddy Nose Best (15-1)
11. Alpha (15-1)
12. Prospective (30-1)
13. Went the Day Well (20-1)
14. Hansen (10-1)
15. Gemologist (6-1)
16. El Padrino (20-1)
17. Done Talking (50-1)
18. Sabercat (30-1)
19. I'll Have Another (12-1)
20. Liaison (50-1)

Related: Kentucky Derby Festival Events

Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images

Taking place the Wednesday before Derby, the Great Steamboat Race is a battle between the Belle of Louisville and the Belle of Cincinnati. Keeping with tradition, tomorrow, May 2nd, the Belles will race down the Ohio River.

The Belle of Louisville, a historic landmark, is one of only six river steamboats still in operation. The Belle of Cincinnati has kept the appearance of a steam-powered riverboat but is powered by diesel. It is $130 to ride the Belle of Louisville; the ticket includes food, drinks and entertainment. Or you can cruise on the Belle of Cincinnati for $55. Although the Cincinnati is not catered, there will be a bourbon tasting for an additional fee. Questions? Need tickets? Call (502) 584-FEST.

Don't have a ticket? No worries, the race starts and ends at the Second Street Bridge, the turn around point is Six Mile Island. Any riverfront location within the race parameters will get you a spectator seat for free.

The vessels will board just before 5 p.m. and depart at 5:30 p.m. The race is scheduled for 6 p.m. and typically lasts around two hours.

Related: The Kentucky Derby Festival

Photo: Ken Reid /Getty Images

It's Derby Week, and that means this Thursday is the parade. As always, it will begin at 5:00 p.m. This year's Pegasus Parade Grand Marshal will be the one and only Cyndi Lauper.

Seats were for sale, but I think the event has sold out. Originally there were three ticketed seat options; $9 for a bleacher seat, $11 for a chair, or $26 for the review stand. The review stand has the best sightlines and is where camera crews are stationed to provide a televised broadcast of the parade.

Don't have a ticket? Don't worry, you can still see the parade for the optimal price of free. Try to get downtown early, spectators regularly stake out spots with folding chairs and blankets. Generally people begin reserving spots around noon. As the afternoon progresses, less and less prime positions are available.

The parade takes place on Broadway from Campbell to 9^th. Additional Derby events are free with a Pegasus Pin.

Related: Kentucky Derby Festival Events

Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

On Tuesday, May 1, there will be a performance of The Miracle Worker at The Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH).

Taking the story of Annie Sullivan teaching blind-and-deaf Helen Keller how to communicate, playwright William Gibson gives the story a dramatic arch. He condenses an incredible journey into an understandable story.

A reading theater, the play will not be produced with costumes or sets, but will be performed by blind actors, reading the script in Braille, and adding vocal expression to achieve dramatic effect.

APH is located at 1839 Frankfort Avenue. The event is free and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Space is limited and APH requests reservations be made in advance. Email for details: Kcarpenter@aph.org.

Related: May Events in Louisville

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out the 41st annual Cherokee Triangle Art Fair. With over 200 booths--there will be ceramicists, jewelers, metalworkers, woodworkers, printers, painters, fiber artists and photographers--fairgoers can admire a range of artwork and ask the artists questions about their influences and work processes.

In addition to all of the art, expect to find a plant sale featuring plants and herbs, an activity tent for kids, food, music, entertainment, caricatures and henna tattoos. The fair provides a fun day for families and young singles alike.

The event is on Cherokee Parkway between Willow Avenue and Cherokee Road. Admission is free. Additional information, and a list of artists attending, is available through the Cherokee Triangle Association.

Related: What is the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair?

Image courtesy of J.D. Schall