Annual summer flower & crafts festival, Julietta Market East End Edition, August plant swap & shop, and more. 
Happy Friday, Lexington. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Lexington Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Michael Shannon honed his craft in a Lexington summer theater, council boosts diversity on its boards, and BCTC students grow rooftop produce for pantries — catch up here.
State-level stories: Drivers grumble over new work zone speed cameras, juniors get free SAT instead of ACT, and critics praise six top Kentucky bourbons — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: South Korea’s court dismissed a Baby Shark copyright claim, a judge blocked fishing around Pacific atolls, and retirees eye a bigger Social Security increase — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Attend generative half-day writing retreat
- Walk to defeat ALS this Saturday
- Join free seasonal cooking classes at FoodChain
- Enjoy free fresh meals every Monday
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Reads: Rediscover stories at bookstores in Lexington. Skip the usual bestsellers and dive into one-of-a-kind finds that make every visit a mini adventure.
Nature: Bookmark this seasonal guide to find prime wildlife spots. At dawn, elk bugle and bald eagles wheel over glassy lakes in these parts, perfect for chasing epic encounters.
Money: Explaining credit cards to your teen can feel like cracking hieroglyphics. These easy credit lessons transform confusing plastic into real-world know-how.
Gamehouse: Whether you’re plotting world domination in Risk, forging trading empires in Catan, or barely surviving a crew of delightfully ruthless space invaders, Chaotic Good: Coffee, Comics and Games is your go-to for caffeine-fueled dice rolls and snack-powered strategy sessions.
Money: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool can save you hundreds.
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🕺 Contra Dance @ Tates Creek Ballroom | Friday (8/15) at 8:00pm – Contrary to popular belief, spinning utter strangers in a long line makes for cheap therapy. Caller Naresh Keswani leads the charge with a pick-up band eager to corral any musician who can count to eight. Lightning-fast beginner lesson means no excuses, just dancing shoes required.
👯♂️ 80s vs 90s Drag Show @ Crossings Lexington | Friday (8/15) at 10:00pm – If you’ve been yearning for shoulder pads to settle a score with flannel, swing by Crossings Lexington for an 80s vs 90s drag throwdown. Local queens go toe to toe, and that $5 donation nets guaranteed laughs, questionable hair choices, and support for local charities.
This weekend
🌸 Annual Summer Flower & Crafts Festival@ Mom-Mom’s Lavender | Saturday (8/16) at 9:00am – Think you’ve seen all the local blooms? Mom-Mom’s Lavender is back with towering sunflowers, dahlia show-stoppers, and zinnias bright enough to cheer up your feed, plus hands-on craft workshops and wine slushies. Half your entry fee helps rescue pups, so bring your sense of wonder.
🛍️ Julietta Market East End Edition | Saturday (8/16) at 9:00am – Ready to pretend you’re in a foodie’s dream without leaving the neighborhood? Julietta Market’s East End summer kickoff has everything, sizzling bites from our top local chefs, one-of-a-kind handcrafted treasures, and tunes that’ll keep you swaying between vendor stalls. Kids included, no chaperone required.
🎭 Investitures 44: Masquerade Ball @ Old North Bar | Saturday (8/16) at 6:00pm – If you’ve been waiting to dust off your fanciest mask, Old North Bar transforms into an emerald court this Saturday with Monarchs handing out royal titles, bites, and cocktails. A ten-dollar door nod benefits local charities, so your frivolous mask-based revelry finally pays off.
🌿 August Plant Swap & Shop @ Blue Stallion Brewing Co. | Sunday (8/17) at 12:00pm – Time to swap your plant hoard for fresh foliage at Blue Stallion Brewing, where cuttings, pots, macramé hangers, and freebies are all up for grabs. Craft beer and snacks keep the gossip flowing while you pretend your fern is trendy, not needy.
🧘 Somatic Yoga Exploration @ Lexington Salt Cave | Sunday (8/17) at 12:00pm – Dawn is leading a 90-minute somatic yoga session in our studio, blending gentle yoga with dance-based movement and emotional bodywork, props included. Come for the flexibility and stability, stay for Dawn’s dry wit and the chance to dust off the blocks you bought in 2010.
Next week
🐾 Art Exhibition: Fur and Feathers, Toes and Tails @ John G Irvin Gallery, Central Bank | Monday (8/18) at 9:00am – Our favorite gallery just got fluffier with Lesa Aker’s new pastel portraits of paws, beaks, toes, and tails. It’s like a nature doc in soft focus, minus the narrator’s dramatic gasp. Bring your discerning eye and maybe a friend who appreciates quality art and cheese.
🧵 Intro to Sewing Machines @ Jessamine County Public Library | Tuesday (8/19) at 1:30pm – Ever wondered what makes that sewing machine tick? Swing by Meeting Room 2 for a hands-on tour of all the basics, then channel your inner maker with a step-by-step drawstring bag build. No skills? No problem—threads, fabric, and friendly tips are all on us. Just don’t forget to snag your spot before the bobbin runs out!
🌴 Gardening Series: Gardening with Tropicals @ The Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky | Tuesday (8/19) at 6:00pm – Whether your green thumb peaked at a lonely fern or you’re secretly coveting a year-round Bali vibe, this tropical gardening meet-up has insider hacks to turn our unpredictable seasons in your favor. Expect hands-on demos, quirky plant lore, and zero judgment.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/15 Lost Palm Rooftop Sessions @ Lost Palm at The Manchester – 7 pm
- 8/15 Ms. Pat @ Comedy Off Broadway – 7 pm
- 8/15 Broncho @ The Burl – 8 pm
- 8/15 DJ Miracle @ Tin Roof Lexington – 10 pm
- 8/16 Live music @ DJ’s Bar and Grill – 7 pm
- 8/16 One Night of Queen @ Lexington Opera House – 7:30 pm
- 8/16 Sundy Best @ Manchester Music Hall – 8 pm
- 8/17 Tyler Montgomery @ Harkness Edwards Vineyards – 3 pm
🏠️ Price is right – Lexington edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Becky Reinhold (Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty)
A classic Ashland Park charmer, this recently renovated home blends historic character with a playful sense of style. The inviting front porch sets the tone, while inside, hardwood floors and a family room that flows into a boldly decorated kitchen keep things lively. The third floor flexes as a bonus bedroom, office, or hideout for movie marathons.
The backyard is fenced and ready for impromptu dinner parties or epic games of tag. Alley access and a one-car garage make parking a breeze. Just steps to Chevy Chase hotspots and minutes from downtown Lexington and UK.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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