Open Studio

This year, as Lexington celebrates its 250th anniversary, the Origins Jazz Series has curated the inaugural Equinox Jazz Fest. The Equinox Jazz Fest is a five-day celebration, September 17-21, honoring the rich legacy and boundless future of jazz. Origins co-founder Eli Uttal-Veroff says the festival will feature everything from intimate showcases to electrifying headliner performances, all embodying the spirit of Jazz and its impact on Lexington. He's the guest this week on WUKY's Open Studio with Tom Musgrave.

The University of Kentucky has partnered with local organizations to present a powerful two-day celebration of Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright August Wilson culminating with a presentation of his deeply personal solo piece, “How I Learned What I Learned,” performed by UK Theatre and Dance faculty member Jeremy Gillett. Events take place in downtown Lexington Sept. 12-13. In this week's edition of WUKY's Open Studio, Tom Musgrave talks all things August Wilson with Gillet.

250Lex: Concert for Lexington, a celebration of the City’s 250th anniversary, will feature an all-star lineup of Lexington artists. Tom talks with music director Mélisse Brunet, conductor of the Lexington Philharmonic and hometown composer Shawn E. Okpebholo, whose original work, specially commissioned by the City of Lexington for this occasion, will be performed.

The stage is set for the lineup of performers that will help celebrate the grand opening tomorrow of Gatton Park on the Town Branch - a space that's being billed as downtown Lexington's new backyard, front porch, and living room - all rolled into one. WUKY's Alan Lytle talks with Gatton Park Conservancy Allison Lankford.

This week on WUKY's Open Studio Tom Musgrave talks with Dr. Leeann Potter, communications director with the Kentucky Arts Council, about the America250KY grant program. In addition to being administered by the arts council, it is supported by the Kentucky Historical Society. Learn about what the arts council is looking for in potential applicants as well as a few stories about some of the awardees from the first round of grants.

In April, governor Andy Beshear named Kathleen Driskell as the next Kentucky poet laureate. She will serve in the position for the next two years acting as Kentucky's literary ambassador. She talks with Tom Musgrave about that position, what plan she has for her two year term, and you'll even get to hear her read from her work.

Allegro Dance Project, an organization which has a goal of ensuring that everyone gets a chance to learn and perform dance, will present its latest event titled 'Beauty' this weekend at Moondance Amphitheatre in Lexington. Tom Musgrave sits down with ADP director and founder Jeana Klavene and director of music Thomas Usher.

On this week's episode of Open Studio Tom Musgrave continues his conversation with Dr. Everett McCorvey, director of the University of Kentucky Opera Theater Program. Opera has its origins in Europe, but in this segment, Dr. McCorvey discusses UK Opera Theater's initiative to tell American stories by American composers and librettists as part of its performance schedule over the next few years.

In this week's Open Studio segment, Tom Musgrave welcomes Lexington artist and teacher Gloria Artehaga, who talks about a multiyear project called Hispanics, the heartbeat of Kentucky's equine industry. This project includes a multimedia art exhibition that puts a spotlight on the significant contributions of the Hispanic community on Kentucky's signature agricultural industry.

This week on Open Studio Tom Musgrave welcomes Dr. Everett McCorvey. The long-time director of UK Opera Theatre talks about "It's a Grand Night for Singing" which opens its two weekend run this Friday June 13th.