2009 Mayfest Arts Fair
Entertainment & Activities

Be sure to enjoy the variety of entertainment shows available throughout the weekend as well as the activities and demonstrations available for both kids and adults!

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On-Stage Entertainment

Strolling Entertainment

Paid Activities

Free Activities

On-Stage Entertainment

All on-stage performances will take place on the Carnegie Stage, located in Gratz Park in front of the Carnegie Center

Michael Fogler
Performing Saturday, May 9 at 10am.

A returning performer to Mayfest Michael Fogler performs a variety of songs and music with his guitar.

Octavia Sexton, Storyteller
Performing Saturday May 9 at 11:30am

Octavia Sexton is a master storyteller from Eastern Kentucky. Her natural dialect transports the listener into the mountains of Kentucky where "haints" chill your blood, Jack tickles your funny bone, and the hills and hollers are full of surprises

Midlife Harmony
Performing Saturday May 9 at 1pm

Midlife Harmony brings you your favorite songs from the 60s and 70s infused with beautiful harmonies and an acoustic flair. Featuring selections from James Taylor, Crosby Stills and Nash, The Mamas and the Papas, The Beatles, and even some unexpected artists like The Temptations, Steely Dan and the Everly Brothers. Midlife Harmony concerts always have the audience singing along.

For Fitness' Sake
Performing Saturday May 9 at 2pm

Honey Creek Stompers
Performing Saturday May 9 at 2:30pm

The "Honey Creek Stompers" are an acoustic, strolling Dixieland jazz band. Previously known as "Pi R Squared," this band performs at the Legends Baseball games, as well as many outdoor events and concert series including the KY Wine and Vine Festival 2008. The group plays Dixieland jazz and swing and traditional New Orleans style music, creating a fun, upbeat atmosphere. The group is made up of local professional musicians and music educators.

For Fitness' Sake
Performing Saturday May 9 at 3:30pm

Thunderwalker
Performing Saturday May 9 at 4pm

www.markthunderwalker.com
Mark’s world beat and new age acoustic performance includes only original compositions, played on hand crafted Native American style flutes, supported by orchestral backtracks. Audiences of all ages will enjoy Mark’s unique music and stories .

Jim Olive
Performing Saturday May 9 at 5pm
dixieent@verizon.net
www.dixieent.com

A fine balladeer, self-accompanied on bluegrass-style banjo, Jim performs old-time country and bluegrass tunes that evoke the pathos and ethos of Kentucky's best traditions, from its rural agrarian and coal-camp heritage

Steppin' High Quartet
Performing Sunday May 10 at 11am

www.songofthebluegrass.org
Steppin’ High Quartet performs throughout the area and are known for a fully entertaining package including timeless favorites, novelty tunes, and jokes. Anita Woods sings lead, Jean Points sings tenor, and Betty Belcher sings Baritone and Bass respectively. The co-directors of the Lexington Chapter of Sweet Adelines International of which all 4 are members. They are perpetually busy with the chorus and quartet activities and find energy and happiness in the friendships, the music, and especially the performances. We are Steppin’ High!

Rakadu Gypsy Dancers
Performing Sunday May 10 at 12:30pm

859-254-9790
info@meccadance.com
www.meccadance.com
Mecca Dance presents tribal belly dance by the Rakadu Gypsy Dancers accompanied by live hand drummers.  Mecca Dance is the winner of the DLC's 2006 Urban Innovation Award for their artistic contribution to Downtown Lexington.  Mecca Dance annually teaches and hosts the popular "Thriller Dance" parade in Downtown Lexington on Main Street.

Carla Van Hoose
Performing Sunday May 10 at 2pm

www.carlasings.com 
The Carla Van Hoose Group performs traditional music influence by folk, blues, bluegrass and rock.

Hepcats Swing Dancers
Performing Sunday, May 10 at 3pm

www.luv2swingdance.com 
The Hepcats are a community-focused organization dedicated to the furtherance of swing dancing and swing music. Participation in Hepcats activities is open to all singles, couples, all ages are welcome. The Hepcats offer weekly classes, monthly swing dances,, workshops, and live music events.

Alma Gitana
Performing Sunday May 10 at 4pm

www.almagitanamusic.com
Alma Gitana fuses musical styles and elements from countries and cultures throughout the Mediterranean—including Southern Spain, Morocco, Greece, Egypt, and Lebanon. This versatile group brings to the stage a wealth of talent stemming from their collective diverse backgrounds including rock, West African, traditional Irish and Scottish, jazz, classical guitar, flamenco, Latin percussion and Arabic. They’ve "Wowed!" audiences throughout the region with their tapestry of sound which transports the listener to destinations far and wide. Alma Gitana’s music will take you there—no passport!

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Strolling Entertainment

Strolling artists will be located at stations around the festival area or strolling through the crowd.

Grover Mollineaux
Strolling all day Saturday and Sunday

Grover is a local Lexington native who plays acoustic guitar and is a regular performer at many local hot spots around town.

Jim Olive
Strolling all day Saturday, May 9 & all day Sunday May 10. Performing on stage Saturday May 9 at 5pm

www.dixieent.com
A fine balladeer, self-accompanied on bluegrass-style banjo, Jim performs old-time country and bluegrass tunes that evoke the pathos and ethos of Kentucky's best traditions, from its rural agrarian and coal-camp heritage

Squash Beetle Morris Dancers
(859) 846-4214
SQUASHBEETLE@lsv.uky.edu

Morris Dance Performance
Performing by the Fountain in Gratz Park
Saturday May 9 at 11am & 12:30pm and Sunday May 10 at 12pm and 1:30pm

Morris Dancing is an English folk custom with earliest documented references in the 1450's and related to the performance entertainment at craft guild festivals in London and rural areas, and royal court sponsored pageants such as festivals, church ales, and tournaments. After Morris dancing lost favor with the church, dancers turned to participating in stage plays, attached themselves to secular events in rural areas for May Day and provided amusements for crowds, along with mock courts, mummers, plays, and musicians. In the 1700's there was an increase in Morris dance events and home village teams began to appear, performing at May Day, spring planting celebrations, and even during Christmas. Each English village with Morris teams developed their own traditions of dance, dress, and music, and many are still active in England. American Morris teams usually choose a particular English village style.

Maypole Dance (Audience Participation)
Located by the Fountain in Gratz Park 
Saturday May 9 & Sunday May 10 immediately following the Morris Dance performances

On Saturday and Sunday afternoon bring the children out to participate in the annual Maypole dance. The Squash Beetle Morris Dancers will teach you how to weave in and out as you enjoy this traditional springtime community dance.

Squash Beetle Morris Dancers from Lexington have been together for fourteen years. The name "Squash Beetle" comes from the description of a particular dance step. The team, or "side", has performed at many May Day and Maypole celebrations, Governor's Breakfast, Midway Fall Festival, Lexington Public Library, Shakespeare in the park, Renaissance fairs, Lexington Chamber Chorale and farmers' markets, and informally on streets and parks around Lexington. We welcome new dancers to join us at Tuesday evening practices, often at Arts Place.  

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Paid Activities

For a small fee you can participate in several activities or get involved in personalizing your own gifts!

Astro Jump
Located on Third Street

Children have an opportunity to expend some of that limitless energy by bouncing to their heart's content in DLC's Astro Jump!
$2 for five minutes of bouncing joy.
 

Captain Carlos' Mini Pirate Ship Ride
Captain Carlos
502-226-5751, ext. 2
660 Mt. Vernon Ridge Road
Frankfort Kentucky 40601
www.minipirateship.com

Climb aboard this mini pirate ship for some swingin' fun!
$3 per person

KY Broom Lady
Donna J. Williams
4487 Bethlehem Road
Pleasureville KY 40057
donna@kybroomlady.com
www.kybroomlady.com
Mayfest Booth #: D2

Simple cob-web broom making classses by 6th generation Kentucky Broom-maker Donna J. Williams. Supplies are provided and classes are held throughout the weekend.
$5 per person

King's Sand Art
John King
1720 Huntsman Ct.
Lexington, KY 40515
Mayfest Booth #:  

Use colored sand to create a unique, colorful sand "sculpture". Sand and container provided.
$4 to $7 each

Premier Face Painting
Contact: Kathy Oros
12102 Valley Drive
(502) 295-2842
premierfacepainting@yahoo.com  
www.premierfacepainting.com 
Mayfest Booth #:  

Face painting and temporary tattoos.
$6 - $12 each.

Rosie's Ponies: Pony Rides
Contact: Rosie
Georgetown, KY
502-863-0584
RosiesPonies@aol.com
Pony Rides Stationed by the Carnegie Center
Petting Zoo located in Gratz Park

Rosie returns to Mayfest to take little ones on a live pony around scenic Gratz Park.  
Pony Rides:  $3 each

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Free Activities & Demonstrations

There are lots of free activities and demonstrations for people of all ages!

The Art Museum at the University of Kentucky
Deborah Borrowdale-Cox, Director of Education
859-257-6199 or 859-257-5716
Deborr2@uky.edu
www.uky.edu/artmuseum
Location: Free Craft Tent in front of the Carnegie Center

Saturday, May 9, 12pm - 2pm: Free Craft Project

The Carnegie Center
251 West 2nd Street
Lexington, KY  40507
859-254-4175

Saturday May 9:  The Carnegie Center will host a Kentucky Writers Showcase & Book Fair.  About 20 Central Kentucky authors will be there, including Donna Ison (The Miracle of Myrtle: Saint Gone Wild), Marcia Thibeault (I Make Horse Calls), and Don Dampier (Finding the Fifties). The Book Fair will run from noon to 4 p.m. Come by, meet an author, buy a book, get it signed.  Also, an art exhibit featuring the works of high school students from Lexington Catholic will be located on the second floor of the building.

The Hunt-Morgan House
201 North Mill Street
Lexington, KY 40507
859-253-0362
www.bluegrasstrust.org

Ongoing All Weekend: The downstairs level of the Hunt-Morgan House will be open for tours and will also host the ‘Snapshots of Lexington’s Past Exhibit.’   Newly developed walking tours of some of Lexington’s historic districts will be available at the BGT Booth.

The Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit advocate for historic preservation that strives to protect, revitalize and promote the special historic places in our community to enhance the quality of life for future generations. The Trust is guided by the three tenets of the its mission - education, service and advocacy.

KY Broom Lady
Donna J. Williams
Pleasureville KY 
donna@kybroomlady.com
www.kybroomlady.com
Mayfest Booth #: D2 (Demonstration Village)

Ongoing All Weekend: 6th generation Kentucky Broom-maker Donna J. Williams demonstrates the art of traditional broom-making. 

Lexington History Museum
Short Street
Lexington, KY
www.lexingtonhistorymuseum.org
Located under the large tent in front of the Carnegie Center.

Ongoing all weekend: The Lexington History Museum will be supplying activities and crafts for kids of all ages all weekend. They will also have toys from different time periods to play with.

Lexington Livery
859-259-0000
lexingtonlivery@lexingtonlivery.com
www.lexingtonlivery.com

Saturday & Sunday, 1:30pm to 4:30pm: The Lexington Livery will be offering free carriage rides.  The carriage picks up riders on the corner of 2nd Street and Mill Street, by the Hunt Morgan House.

MountainFire Forge 

 Contact:  Gavin Wilson
London, KY
Mayfest Booth #: D5 (Demonstration Village)

Ongoing all weekend:  Gavin Wilson will be demonstrating copper and iron working.

Rosie's Ponies: Petting Zoo
Contact: Rosie
Georgetown, KY
502-863-0584
RosiesPonies@aol.com
Location:  In Gratz Park
(Pony Rides located at Third & Mill)

Ongoing All Weekend: Rosie returns with her petting zoo - stop by and spend some time with all the friendly animals, from goats and sheep to rabbits and pigs. Free, 50 Cents for a cup of feed.

Scroll Saw Work
Eddie Dugan
Harrodsburg, KY
Ongoing all Weekend: Watch the woodworker make his craft with a saw.

Starry-Eyed Glassworks
Contact:  Jessica Mayes
Paris, KY
Mayfest Booth #: D-1 (Demonstration Village)

Every hour on the hour: Saturday 11am - 5pm, Sunday 12pm - 4pm:  Free Glass Bead Forming Demonstrations

Wild Things
Rodger Coombs
Bardstown, KY

Ongoing all Weekend: Watch Rodger Coombs as he demonstrates his talent of painting scenes onto different wildlife feathers.

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