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Summer arts and theatre activities have been mighty scarce this summer because of the pandemic and its affiliated social distancing requirements.

But gradually, the arts are making a reappearance.

Local and regional artists including Kendra Sexton, Karlee Grissam, Brandy Shumake, Dakotah Kat Brown and others will have their art displayed at Leeds Center for the Arts. 

In keeping with social distancing requirements the art will be displayed outside in the “coming attractions” windows.

Brown said that she had been approached by Leeds Board President Tracey Miller about an art exhibit on the topics of Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+  pride. The exhibit opens today and is available to all who walk past Leeds on North Main.

 

Leeds to produce zine

Leeds may be best known for its plays and musicals, but because of COVID-19, the arts organization is striking out in a new direction and producing an online literary magazine, a zine.

Called “Creativity in Quarantine” they are accepting submissions of art, photography, poetry, short stories, essays and more.

Deadline for submissions is July 31. For more information visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/leedscenterforthearts/posts/10158519290192929.

 

LexArts gallery hop tonight

LexArts is having one of its traditional gallery hops in a nontraditional way: online.

You can be healthy at home and still enjoy some of the region’s best artists without taking a hike around downtown Lexington tonight.

This is not the usual way to enjoy art, but it is convenient.

To take part, visit their website at lexarts.org for more information.

 

‘Hazard County’ to be produced in Somerset

Flashback Theater is closing out its 2019-20 season with “Hazard County” by Allison Moore, at the newly constructed, open air Lake Cumberland Farmers Market on East Mt. Vernon Street in Somerset this weekend, July 17-19.

Flashback’s original plans for the production were impacted by COVID-19, including the plan to produce in  Flashback’s Black Box Theater in April and May.

Instead, the production team has worked with the non-profit’s board to create a plan for performances that follow Social Distancing guidelines.

“Hazard County” tells the story of what happens when a young producer stumbles into town looking for stories and a fresh start.

He believes he’s found both in Ruth. Her made-for-TV tale captures his attention – a broke young widow in a rural Kentucky town, unable to access the trust fund set up for her children after her husband’s murder.

But neither of them has told the other the whole truth, and a past tainted by racism threatens to destroy Ruth’s already shaky existence.

This story is interspersed with memorable monologues from fans and critics of “The Dukes of Hazzard,” who blow apart the Southern stereotypes that tend to define Ruth’s world.

Performances are at 7 p.m. July 17 and July 18 and 2:30 p.m. July 19. Reservations are not required.

This is a pay-what-you-can performance; donations of $10 to $20 are requested.

 

Danville play reading

West T Hill Theatre in Danville is having a table reading of Elizabeth Orndorff’s comedy “Babe Dean and the Great Pendamic,” at 7 p.m. Monday, July 20.

Social distancing and masks are required.

The reading will be filmed for FB.

This will be the first of four episodes that look at what happens when the good citizens of Random, Kentucky, spend a weekend in lockdown.

Visit the website at westthill.net for more information.

Bill McCann is a playwright, poet, flash fiction writer and teacher who writes about arts events and personalities. He can be reached at wmccann273@gmail.com.