Category Archives: Summer Staycations

Grace Runkel, Online Only, Summer Staycations

Regency returns: Jane Austen fans celebrate author

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By Grace Runkel

During July 9 and 10 Locust Grove will be taking a step back in time to honor the beloved author, Jane Austen. For two days, Austen fans from all over will flock to the historic location to honor their favorite writer by visiting the annual Jane Austen Festival.

Put on by The Jane Austen Society of North America, Greater Louisville Region, the festival will be celebrating its fourth year. Fans of Jane Austen, or the Regency period in general, are invited to come and browse vendors selling Regency-esque goods, enjoy a traditional tea room, and check out many of the various events going on throughout the festival. Events include various shows which go over the fashion of the time period, a gentleman’s duel, and a fencing exercise. Visitors are not required to dress in traditional Regency clothing, but it is encouraged.

Nathan Logsdon from the Taylor Rose Historical Outfitter tent said he has attended the Jane Austen festival all four years, and comes for the different atmosphere and crowd it draws in.

“It’s different. I do a lot of living history entertainment all across the midwest. I don’t see the same crowd here. This is mainly about the upper class of society, while most I do is about the lower class. It’s a different take on the period,” said Logsdon.

Julia Bennet from the Bohemian Beauty said it is her love of Regency fashion that brings her to the festival.

“It’s really Regency-centric. It’s not war oriented. It’s more of a girly thing,” said Bennet. “I’m very much into the clothing and the lifestyle. It’s not really all about Jane Austen for me even though I have the name.”

Juniors Brianna Patterson and Taylor Combs are both volunteering at the festival. Combs said they found out about the opportunity over the announcements at school, and they both jumped at the chance. Both Jane Austen fans will be serving tea in the tea room, and Patterson will also be walking in the Regency Fashion Show.

“Jane Austen is the boss, she’s awesome. Her writing is unlike anybody else’s I’ve ever read before. She has the ability to suck you into her own little world,” said Patterson.

In addition to having a tea room, concessions are also available outside. Choices include iced tea, lemonade, water, scones, and various sandwiches, all of which are under $5.

The festival begins at 10:00 a.m. and runs until 4:30 p.m. Admittance to the festival is $10 for adults.

For more information go to http://www.jasnalouisville.com/ .

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Online Only, Summer Staycations

Animal adventure cures boredom

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By Rebecca Eberhardt                                                [slideshow]

About a week into summer break and I was desperate for something to do. So I did the only thing I could  think of: I asked my mom what I could do. Her response was to help her and my sister with taking care of my two nephews when they went to the Louisville Zoo the next day. In other words, play free babysitter. Figuring it had to be better than sitting at home watching movies or listening to music while trying to read my required reading for English, I agreed to go with.

One thing I hadn’t agreed to, though, was getting up before eight so we could get to my sister’s house by eight thirty. Somehow I did and we arrived at the zoo at nine thirty after a few pit stops. Like any teenager, my first reaction to getting there that early was to whine about why we had to be there so early. The animals would have been there no matter what time we showed up so why not wait until later.

Then I found out just how much better it was to get there before anyone else. And when I say before anyone else, I mean we were five of maybe two dozen people tops, exploring the area. Which also leads to my next point, there were literally no lines anywhere in the zoo. Whether it was to buy my ticket or get some lunch, I had zero wait time for whatever it was I wanted. Finally, it was a cool eighty degrees with just enough of a breeze to make it almost seem like it was spring. Only at that time of day during the summer is it ever going to be that perfect out.                                                                                                                                             

Well, it seemed perfect until we actually started walking around. However, with the aid of my most comfortable sneakers and the bottled waters my mom had snuck in with us the walk was bearable along with the heat, as the temperature rose to ninety-five. After a while though, the high temperature was starting to get to everyone, so with a quick look around, we dove into one of the air-conditioned buildings, finding relief from the blistering sun and a strong unidentifiable odor.

The animals were surprisingly active considering the heat. Most were up and roaming around their pens. However, there were a few exceptions, like the jaguar that refused to so much as lazily crack open one of his eyes in acknowledgement of us. But the best exhibits were by far the ones indoors, and not just because of the air-conditioning. It was because of all the games we got to play with the animals. For example, in the penguin exhibit, we were followed by one of the birds as we walked past the enclosure. Of course, Braydon, being a two-year old, took notice and began racing it back and forth for a good five minutes straight. At last we got him away from there and onto staring at other creatures with his big fascinated brown eyes.

The overall experience of the trip was pretty good. It had its low points, the stench of the buildings and the scorching heat. However, the highs of the experience far exceeded anything that put so much as a damper on it. My advice, if you’re an early riser, have to babysit, or are just plain out bored, go to the Louisville Zoo and enjoy yourself.

Zoo Hours
March – Labor Day (Sept. 5th) (Regular Hours)
 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 Exit by 6:00 p.m.
 Summer Evening Hours (June and July only)
 On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
 Exit by 8:00 p.m.

Admission Rates
Adventure Package (Package includes admission, unlimited carousel rides, the ZooTram, and one ticket to the 4D theatre.)
Prices
Adults (12 to 59) – $19.95 per a person
Children (3 to 11) – $16.95 per a person
Seniors discounted rate (60 and over) – $16.95 per a person
General Admission
Adults (12 to 59) – $12.95 per a person
Children (3 to 11) – $9.50 per a person
Children (2 and under) – FREE
Seniors discounted rate (60 and over) – $9.50 per a person

Other Attractions
Zoo Tram
$2.00 for a wristband that allows you to ride all day
$1.00 for one ride from the Rainbow Springs Station up to the hill to the Front Plaza Station.
Carousel
$1.50 for one ride
$10.95 for 9 rides
4D Ride
$5.00 for one ride
$4.00 for one ride if you have a membership
Sky Trail High Adventure Course 

For more information about the Louisville Zoo, visit http://www.louisvillezoo.org/ .

Grace Runkel, Online Only, Summer Staycations

A midsummer night’s play

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By Grace Runkel

Warning: This is not your English teacher’s Shakespeare.

For 51 years Kentucky Shakespeare has been performing various works of William Shakespeare in Central Park. What started out as a small theater troupe in 1949, has grown into a local tradition.

Every June Kentucky Shakespeare puts on a summer-long event called Shakespeare in the Park. Every Tuesday through Sunday at 8:30 theater-goers make their way to Central Park in Louisville for free entertainment. Their first production of the season is The Complete Works of Shakespeare.

While on my way to see The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged), I began to mentally prepare myself for several monotonous hours full of stiff actors babbling in a Shakespearean tongue, but I was quickly proven wrong.

Romeo and Juliet was the first play performed and consisted of a Juliet who wore a Snooki styled wig and a balcony scene performed on a construction lift. These, combined with many other slightly off details, transformed this over-told play into a hilarious comedy.

Some of the other highlights of the evening were a rapper’s version of Othello, the Moor of Venice and a mash-up of all of Shakespeare’s comedies.

The best part of Shakespeare in the Park is that admittance is completely free. Drinks are available for purchase, but many people bring their own snacks and drinks. Another popular item to bring is a blanket or cushion since wooden benches are only comfortable for so long.

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) will be performed through June 26, but if you cannot make it to that show do not fear. Beginning June 28 and going through July 10, Shakespeare in the Park will be putting on As You Like It. Then Two Gentlemen of Verona will be performed on July 14 through the 17. The last show of the season, The Orphan of Chao, will be presented by the University of Louisville and will play July 19 through the 24.

For a cheap way to spend your summer nights, a trip to Shakespeare in the Park cannot be beat.

For more information about dates and times visit http://www.kyshakespeare.com/Kentucky_Shakespeare/Welcome.html.

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