It's All About...

Coasting: Our picks for the best amusement parks rides.

Photo by Tricia Spaulding.

Ahhh, summer. It's prime time to do things we kind of know we shouldn't do. Like visit three amusement parks in one week.

Interns Yvette Lanier and Tricia Spaulding, the ultimate in good sports, drove to Kentucky Kingdom, Kings Island and Cedar Point with me, where we rode more rides than our heads and tummies could handle.

This video shares our picks for the best rides at each park, but the guides above spell out the best rides for you, depending on what you want out of an amusement park. (Some of you, I know, would not be willing to shoot a few hundred feet in the air at 120 mph and 90 degrees. I wasn't really willing to do it, but under the guise of journalism, I'm always up for ridiculousness.)

Can't see the video? Here's a link.

We visited these parks in June, before a 13-year-old rider was severely injured on the Superman Tower of Power at Kentucky Kingdom. My always patient and understanding editor, Scott Shive, addressed our decision to run the story over at the editors' blog, Behind the Headlines.

Photo by Tricia Spaulding.

The Simpsons Movie.

Because I remember the 1990s mostly for pimples, flannel and sibling rivalry, it’s not a decade I miss much.

But when it comes to The Simpsons, few long-term fans would say they’d prefer a celebrity-laden episode of today to the social commentary and burp jokes of the past.

The fans who remember when America’s most obnoxious family as it adopted a dog, shot a nuclear power baron and consumed great quantities of Duff beer and doughnuts are exactly those who should be in line for The Simpsons Movie. We’ve waited 18 years for this cartoon. Yes, it is time to watch.

Sure, there are celeb cameos from Green Day and Tom Hanks, but nothing gratuitous. (Remember when The White Stripes randomly showed up on the TV show? Huh?)

The humor is a snappy mix of old-school Simpsons and the newer, ruder humor that makes its sister show on Fox, Family Guy, such a success. You will see Bart’s cartoon naughty bits as he skateboards through town in the buff and later hear Mr. Burns tell the meek Mr. Smithers that he’d never consider suicide, personally, but it might amuse him if Smithers wanted to try it.

And then there’s something so very characteristic of 1990s Simpsons: a plot, one that could never have fit into 22 minutes.

Grease previews on Broadway.

Laura Osnes and Max Crumm

Rich Copley is the undisputed king of Grease: You're the One that I Want coverage, but while he's away on vacation, I'll fill you in on the news.

The Broadway revival starring reality TV show contestants Max Crumm and Laura Osnes opens in previews tonight. In this NPR story, producer and judge David Ian points out that Max was the underdog in this race. In those first weeks of the reality show, we truly thought the stage show might be opening with Derek Keeling, the University of Kentucky graduate who previously played Danny on tour.

The show won't officially open until Aug. 19, but now is when we'll start hearing whether this experiment in casting has truly worked.

Here are more stories to keep you amused.

New York magazine: “I was at this bar and this guy just came up and he was like, ‘Max, hi!’” Crumm says. “And I said, ‘Hi, how’s it goin’?’’ And he’s like, ‘I hate you. I think you are terrible. I cannot believe you won.’"

New York Daily News: "You want to immerse yourself in the era," Kathleen Marshall says, "but don't want to be a slave to it."

Playbill: "Actually, the play, the way it's written, Danny and Sandy fight in every scene. They never are happy together, so you could make Sandy just really pouty and wanting to make Danny apologize in every scene, but Kathleen Marshall really has this vision of both of them coming into each [scene], and each time they see each other, remembering what they had in the summer and wanting it to work so badly, until something else comes in the way. It's a deeper side of it. It is a new discovery in the role of Sandy and her relationship with Danny, which is exciting."

Harry Potter and the Turn of the Century.

I hardly have anything to say about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that hasn't been said already. (Especially since I haven't finished it yet, so by all means, HUSH.) I'm just glad I was there for it, that at 12:01 a.m., I was getting in line at a packed book store, and never happier to shell out $17.99 for a hardcover. It's rare to see so many people so excited about a book, the printed word, and I'm still enchanted by that.

When 2099 rolls around and they're remembering significant events of the century, they will call up historic photos of us fools standing in line. Maybe the wee baby I saw at the store with the lightning bolt painted on his head will be scanning for an image of his mother, who clearly thought it was important for him to be there. And if I'm lucky, I will have little great-grandchildren with giant eyes, mousy hair and precocious vocabularies who will be able to carry tattered copies of the book in for show-and-tell, because even if they haven't read it, they will know that it was important.

For those that really have something to say, check out The Muggle Tongue, where the incredible Heather Chapman and the team of guest bloggers are finishing their run of reading.

Here's a story about the sales record that was smashed by the book, and Rich Copley's take on reviews and spoilers.

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Go: Daniel Wallace will speak at Joseph-Beth at 7 p.m. tonight!
He's the guy that wrote Big Fish, but tonight, he'll be talking about Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician. Want to know more? Here's his Web site. 

Listen: The Polyphonic Spree's Fragile Army
Finally, finally picked this up this weekend. Love it!

Potter Friday

At 12:01 a.m., we'll witness one of the greatest pop culture events of our time. If only so you can tell your grandkids about the madness surrounding Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I suggest you partake.

Here's the list of where you can go around Lexington, and our long list of Potter-related stories, featuring everything from analysis of death in kid lit to contests to spoiler videos.

In keeping with the love for the young teen wizard Potter, plus the debut of the Hairspray movie in Lexington, our summer mix this week, Teen Taste, focuses on teen idols. You can't even imagine the guilty pleasures revealed in this mix.

Now, I'm down in Nashville for a conference, but here's a quick look at what's else is happening this weekend.

It's all about...

Movies: New this week are Eagle vs. Shark, Golden Door, Hairspray, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and Paprika. I guess even Hollywood realized it didn't want to compete with Harry. (Maybe you can take a little break for Hairspray -- it does sound fantastic -- but I'm guess you'll wait till next weekend.)

Music: It's Louisville's Lebowski Fest weekend, which includes Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, Vietnam and Dr. Dog in its lineup. Walter Tunis also digs into a few shows, including Murder by Death, The Gourds and the Old Crow Medicine Show at the Master Musicians Festival, and VHS or Beta at The Dame tonight.

TV: Might want to take another look at the Emmy nominations list. And maybe you should read our interview with Kayne Gillaspie, the Project Runway contestant who is at Miss Priss, 401 W. Main St., from 2:30-4:30 p.m. today signing autographs. (He'll be attending the Miss Kentucky pageant in town this weekend.)

Food: Clinton Comley reviews Oasis. It's closed for vacation until Aug. 3, but...yum.

Emmy nominations

Emmy nominations were announced this morning, but they were really pretty overshadowed by the biggest pop culture event of the 21st century so far: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Here's a story about the Emmy nominations. More analysis later.

Interview: Katherine Paterson, author of Bridge to Terabithia

I remember reading Bridge to Terabithia the first time. Third, maybe fourth grade, sitting in the library at Roosevelt Elementary School, home of the Teddy Bears. I wasn't expecting the tragedy. Didn't see it coming, not even for a second. Maybe I missed the foreshadowing, but more likely, it's just a fine first example of how grief can swallow everything before you even look up.

Today's story about how kids and parents might deal with the possible tragedies Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was informed largely by Katherine Paterson, the author of Bridge to Terabithia. She intimately understands her readers and more importantly, what it means to tell a sad story to them.

Terabithia didn't include a tragedy to teach kids a lesson or jolt them into the revelation that sometimes great people, young people, go away. She did it because it was real, and as much as we'd like to hide painful truths from those we love, it's foolish to believe they don't see them already.

Behind the link, you'll find the interview with Katherine, when she spoke about the idea for the story, writing the book and her thoughts on the new movie, which was just released on DVD.

The Arcade Fire and Wilco in Kentucky.

The most exciting news to cross my inbox this week was not a TOTALLY AUTENT!C!! Harry Potter spoiler nor the news that Fridays are now officially part of the weekend. (Obviously, I would've believed neither, no matter how much I'd like to.)

Rather, it was news that the Arcade Fire and Wilco both have Kentucky shows coming up. Years have crawled past since I've seen these bands, both in Austin, Texas, in different years. I was a little speck far from the stage for Wilco, and it was still among the lovelier sets at Austin City Limits that year. (Lovely is not a word usually applied to anything at a sweaty, dusty music festival in summer in Texas. That's a huge compliment to the band.) The Arcade Fire show in Austin was more like theater than rock music. It completely changed the way I appreciate the band's albums, which I'd already pushed high on a pedestal.

Here's the good word:

Arcade Fire w/LCD Soundsystem
Oct. 3, 2007
Waterfront Park
Louisville, KY
Music Today pre-sale: July 23-July 27
Ticketmaster on-sale: July 28

(And hey, since Ohio is not so very far away, here's info about the Columbus show)
Oct. 5, 2007
LC Pavilion
Columbus, OH
Music Today pre-sale: July 31- Aug. 3
Ticketmaster on-sale: Aug. 4

Wilco
Sept. 21, 2007
Slugger Field
Louisville, KY
Ticketmaster on-sale: July 28

And while we're on the topic of live shows, the Singletary Center for the Arts announced its Turning the Corner series, which features Nickel Creek (tickets on sale Aug. 1) and Corey Smith (tickets on sale now.)

Falling in love with Once

We've already established that, lately, it's not so hard to move me to tears. (Hello, Ms. Weepy at the Farmers Market!) Still, the movie Once probably could've pried a tear out of the most hardened, stoic viewer. It opened in Lexington three weeks ago, but I realize now we didn't give it enough attention. It's only got a few days left here, so let me give you the basics, plus some additional reading on the topic...   

Working for the Weekend, or How to Keep Busy Outside the Office.

To celebrate the opening of Working: The Musical, our mix CD this week was all about work. (Wow, what a great way to get the weekend started.) We realized exactly how many songs involve hating your job, which is not something most of us at the H-L are familiar with. Nobody works at newspapers for anything less than love.

Here's the mix, Take This Job and Sing It, replete with everything from The Clash to R.E.M. to Dolly Parton to Belle & Sebastian to Stan Ridgeway. *Even Sting makes an appearance on the mix, which is grand, considering that he and the other officers will be at Churchill Downs this weekend.)

My Friday night will involve something I can only marginally call work: the LexArts Ball, A Midsummer Masquerade. I don't usually arrive black tie to work, but this is a special occasion.

 

Not so interested in tuxes, gowns and masks? Here's what's up for the rest of the weekend...

Movies: New movies this week include Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as if there is anybody left that hasn't seen it?, Crazy Love and Captivity, which wasn't screened for tickets. ::waving a giant red flag::

• Over the Hedge is this week's Free Friday Flick at Jacobson Park. (The last showing of this movie was rained out.) The sad news is that this is the last one for the summer, so today's the day to be a face-painted, pony-riding, zoo-petting fool. Activities start at 7 p.m., movie starts at dusk.

Music: Walter Tunis points out several exciting musical goings-on in Louisville, including The Police's Saturday show at Churchill Downs, the Violent Femmes' Friday show at Fourth Street Live, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy playing at the zoo with the Louisville Orchestra on Saturday (a tad, um, different, yes.) Next week, the Squirrel Nut Zippers will play at Jim Porter's on Wednesday.

• Closer to home, Lucinda Williams and Charlie Louvin will play The Kentucky Theatre on Tuesday. The Dame has a lot of local acts coming up, including Ill Subliminal tonight and Emily Hagihara on Saturday.

Shopping: We had an in-depth look at the shopping scene at the Junior League Horse Show in the paper earlier this week, and that continues now. Also, it's Lexington Loose Leaf Antique & Collectible Show & Sale this weekend at 528 Angliana Ave. Scoot out to Berea for the Craft Festival this weekend, too. Harriett Hendren also points out that Hunter's Hats is knocking 20-60 percent off. The little shop at 140 Deweese Street provided my Derby hat, which I love so much I'm forever and always trying to fit it into everyday outfits. Say hey to Lucille for me, if you stop by.

Eat: Wendy Miller reviewed Ramsey's, the downtown spot known for comfort food and neck ties, but not on its patrons. I recommend the zucchini burger. (And the pie. I know it's Missy's Pie, but while you're there, grab a piece.)

Stage: In addition to Working: The Musical, Lexington's SummerFest continues with Romeo & Juliet.