The Shake Up

Amidst the deep fried Kool-Aid and Krispy Kreme burgers, sandwiched between some talented pups and an armor of camouflage, you will find a band of pirates in the South Wing Parking Lot.  I wandered there expecting to see a high dive show, but what I found was an adventure. 

Sinbad invites you to accompany him on a journey to find the fabled Golden Pineapple. The crowd is quickly acquainted with an unusual band of gold-seekers from the quirky Joe to the daring Bobby and Sinbad’s monkey! And these pirates prove they have all the right moves in and out of the water as they pump up with crowd with some impressive trampoline tricks.

The show should come with instructions upon arrival, no blinking and you will be memorized. From synchronized diving to hand-stands, the crew performs impressive dives from two 12 foot boards before surfacing with unexpected treasures from the water below. And just when you think there couldn’t possibly be another dive you haven’t seen, two crew members plunge from a 15 foot platform together followed quickly by a mass dive of five different crew members leaving from variable heights at the same time!

When the crew docks at the island of Louisville, Kentucky a slap-stick comedy ensues as Sinbad attempts to clean up the ship and make repairs. When the mayhem subsides and the Golden Pineapple is still nowhere in sight, Sinbad looks to the audience for advice on what to do. The crowd enthusiastically points to the 80 foot platform and begins chanting for the climatic dive. Crew member Bobby exceeds expectations when he not only climbs to the top, but performs a difficult dive before plunging to the water below. Imagine traveling 55 miles per hour down the highway and having nine and a half feet to come to a complete stop. Did he survive the plummet and recover the treasure?

Well that’s for me to know and you to find out. This cast of colorful characters couldn’t agree on just ONE reason you should come out to the Kentucky State Fair and see their show. So whether it’s the “great looking bunch of pirates” or the self-proclaimed “awesome flying monkey” that draws you to the Sinbad High Dive Show, you are sure to be entertained from the moment you get there!

Catch this spectacular show daily at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.

What’s better than mouth-watering smoked barbeque from the The Q? Mouth-watering smoked barbeque from the Q and awesome live music. What’s better than that? Well, nothing. We think you’ll agree once you check out the Lawn Party Tent Sponsored by The Q at the Kentucky State Fair.

 What do you get when you blend jazz, blues ragtime, swing and original music with washboards, washtubs, kazoos, jugs and various other sundry hardware? Nothing less than the strange concoction called the Juggernaut Jug Band, back for their ninth year at the Kentucky State Fair. You won’t be able to help but enjoy this infectious music born during the Progressive Era right here in Louisville, KY!

 And keep the beat going with Artie Dean Harris, he has all the right moves to keep you wanting more. But this is no toe-tapping show, think Merle Haggard, Tom Cruise and a world-famous circus act all rolled into one young cowboy crooner. 

 True to their name, the Horizontal Boogie Band will have you dancing and singing all night long to your favorites from the 80s and 90s. Their set list includes songs from the likes of Rick Springfield, Duran Duran, Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses, ZZ Top and many more!

And if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed trying to decide what your favorite music is, well that’s ok. You’ll hear it all from country to classic rock when Trick Nickel hits the stage delivering a crowd pleasing performance every time!

 You’ll also be able to catch Lamont Gillispie rocking out as well as Kirby’s Dreamland playing your favorites. So don’t deny yourself a good time, indulge at the Lawn Part Tent Sponsored by The Q, located across from the West Courtyard. We’ll see you there!

I can’t be your hero/I can’t save the day/I can’t catch you when you fall/I just feel so weak from this all - “Hero” by Spencer Hodge

Spencer Hodge may not consider himself a hero, but he proved he was worthy of top honors at the inaugural Kentucky State Fair Songwriter Contest last year. The contest returns for its second year, but with an exciting new addition. On three consecutive Saturdays in June, local music shop Mom’s Music and the Young Adult Project tent will join forces to offer Songwriter Workshops to allow contestants to polish their entries before the July 1 deadline.

Each session will begin with a panel-style discussion led by professional songwriters allowing participants to ask questions regarding the songwriting profession. Aspiring young writers will have the exclusive opportunity to pick apart the minds of leading names including the man behind the catchy Seinfield theme song. Jonathan Wolff will offer the expertise of his extensive television career that has led to an impressive rap sheet boasting household names such as Will & Grace, Who’s the Boss? and King of Queens. Phil Copeland, who has taken home Emmys for his music on both ESPN’s SportsCentury and the CBS soap opera, Guiding Light, will showcase his diverse talent and expansive knowledge of the field.

Participating songwriters may also perform select pieces, describing their creative process or revealing where the seed of a song idea originated.

Gregory Riggle, VP of Industry Relations & Business Communications at SESAC, an international performing rights organization, will wrap up each workshop with his “Music Business 101” presentation. This interactive session will lay down the basics of the industry and demonstrate the life-cycle of a song through today’s music marketplace. Those participating in the workshops will learn valuable information regarding copyright, publishing and licensing.

The Kentucky State Fair Songwriter Workshops are free, but pre-registration is required, by no later than 12:00 noon on the Friday before each workshop. To register, email Stephanie Darst at sdarst@ksfb.ky.gov or call 502.367.5496, leaving your name, age, email address, and telephone number.

Date:               Time:                          Featured Songwriters:

June 11            2:00 to 4:00 p.m.         Paul Moffett and Anthony Payton

June 18            2:00 to 4:00 p.m.         Jonathan Wolff and Phil Copeland

June 25            2:00 to 4:00 p.m.         kRi and Hettie, Peter Searcy and BJ Davis

Don’t forget to submit your entries by July 1! Guidelines for the 2011 Kentucky State Fair Songwriter Contest are available online: www.kystatefair.org/specialAreas/yap.aspx