20+ Louisville shows & concerts in May: 'Twelfth Night,' PRIMUS, Kentucky R&B Fest & more

This arts and entertainment calendar updates weekly and lists events taking place in and around Louisville, from concerts to comedy shows, theater productions, musicals, and more.

SATURDAY, MAY 28

Alyssa Edwards performs onstage during the opening ceremony of WorldPride.
Alyssa Edwards performs onstage during the opening ceremony of WorldPride.

Alyssa Edwards: Life, Love & Lashes - Memoirs of a Queen. Tell-all story about Alyssa’s life, drag and finding love. 8 p.m., Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St. Tickets start at $43.88; meet and greet ticket available. kentuckyperformingarts.org.

Tech N9ne, Joe Cool, X-Raided, Mayday. 7:30 p.m., Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Road. Tickets: $32 advance, $35 day of show. headlinerslouisville.com.

Sondre Lerche. 8 p.m., Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St. Tickets start at $18. zanzabarlouisville.com.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Part of the 14th annual Chamber Music Festival of the Bluegrass. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., Barn at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg. General admission starts at $50. shakervillageky.org.

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“Still Ready.” Actors Theatre of Louisville show blends Ken’s inspired original songs and Christina’s evocative artwork and spoken word poetry, celebrating faith, family, and the joy of expansive Black and Afro-Latina artistry. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m., Wednesday-Friday, 7 p.m.; next Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m., Bingham Theatre, 316 W. Main St. Those attending must show a vaccination card or negative COVID test within 72 hours. Mask are required.Ends June 5. Tickets start at $20. actorstheatre.org.

“Lizzie the Musical.” Mind’s Eye Theatre Company presents the story of Lizzie Border, the primary suspect for her father and stepmother’s brutal murder in 1892. She was acquitted, but Lizzie became a tabloid sensation–and the most controversial figure of her time. Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday-next Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Martin Experimental Theater, Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St. Recommended for ages 18 and older. Contains violence, adult content, language and a depiction of sexual assault. Tickets start at $26. kentuckyperformingarts.org.

“Steel Magnolias.” Derby Dinner Playhouse presents the story of a circle of friends at Truvy’s Beauty Shop each week as they lean on one another for support through life’s tragedies and triumphs. Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday-next Saturday, 7:45 p.m.; Sunday, 1:30 and 7:45 p.m.; Wednesday, 1 and 7:45 p.m., at the playhouse, 525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville. Ends July 3. $39-$49. 812-288-8281. derbydinner.com.

“Twelfth Night.” Kentucky Shakespeare Festival presents Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy of mistaken identity, music, and the madness of love, where nobody is quite what they seem and anything is possible. Saturday and Sunday, Wednesday-next Saturday, 8 p.m., Central Park, 1340 S 4th St. Food trucks, 6 p.m.; Kids’ Globe, Will’s Gift Shop and Will’s Tavern, 7 p.m.; performance, 8 p.m. Ends July 22. Free. kyshakespeare.com.

Kentucky Shakespeare's 2022 season includes a New Orleans inspired production of "Twelfth Night."
Kentucky Shakespeare's 2022 season includes a New Orleans inspired production of "Twelfth Night."

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Great Podversations Episode 40. Great Podversations is produced by the Kentucky Author Forum and distributed by Louisville Public Media and available on all podcast apps, including iTunes, NPR, Google, Stitcher and Spotify. The podcast features author Anna Quindlen and writer Amy Bloom discussing Quindlen’s book "Write for Your Life." Anna Quindlen is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, novelist, and opinion columnist. Amy Bloom is the author of four novels and three collections of short stories. Free. For more information: kentuckyauthorforum.com.

Ari Shapiro, new host of NPR's "All Things Considered."
Ari Shapiro, new host of NPR's "All Things Considered."

Great Podversations Episode 39. Great Podversations is produced by the Kentucky Author Forum and distributed by Louisville Public Media and available on all podcast apps, including iTunes, NPR, Google, Stitcher and Spotify. The podcast features journalist and author Moises Naim discussing his book, "The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century" with radio host Ari Shapiro. Naím is an internationally-syndicated columnist and best-selling author. Ari Shapiro has been one of the hosts of All Things Considered, NPR's award-winning afternoon newsmagazine since 2015. Free. For more information: kentuckyauthorforum.com.

Great Podversations Episode 38. Great Podversations is produced by the Kentucky Author Forum and distributed by Louisville Public Media and available on all podcast apps, including iTunes, NPR, Google, Stitcher and Spotify. The podcast features Congressman Jamie Raskin and Russian expert Dr. Fiona Hill discussing both their books. Jamie Raskin represents Maryland’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Fiona Hill was the key impeachment witness during the U.S. House of Representatives Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry and its investigation into charges of presidential misconduct. Free. For more information: kentuckyauthorforum.com.

MONDAY, MAY 30

Les Claypool of Primus performs at Rock On The Range Music Festival on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Les Claypool of Primus performs at Rock On The Range Music Festival on Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

PRIMUS: A Tribute to Kings. With Battles. 8 p.m., Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, 724 Brent St. Tickets start at $37. kentuckyperformingarts.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 31

Java Men. 8 p.m., Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St. Tickets start at $12. zanzabarlouisville.com.

WEDNESDAY, June 1

Matt Heckler, Julian Ray Sikes. 8 p.m., Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St. Tickets start at $13. zanzabarlouisville.com.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2

Leonid & Friends. The 11-piece Chicago tribute band captures the spirit, musicality, and fire of American supergroup Chicago. Thursday, , 7:30 p.m., Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway. Tickets start at $50.60. kentuckyperformingarts.org.

The Music of Cream. Featuring family members Kofi Baker (Ginger Baker’s son) and Will Johns (Eric Clapton’s nephew). Thursday, 8 p.m., Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Road. Tickets: $25 general admission (standing); $35 reserved seating. headlinerslouisville.com.

FRIDAY, JUNE 3

Keith Sweat
Keith Sweat

49 Winchester. 8 p.m., Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St. Tickets start at $17. zanzabarlouisville.com.

Kentucky R&B Fest. Featuring Keith Sweat, Tevin Campbell, Raheem DeVaughn and 112. 8 p.m., KFC Yum! Center, One Arena Plaza. Tickets start at $85. ticketmaster.com.

Johnny Berry and the Outliers, The Get Down. Part of the Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series. , 6:30 p.m., Bicentennial Park, corner of Spring and Pearl streets. Sponsored by the City of New Albany, CLLB Law, WFPK and Caesars Foundation of Floyd County. Free.

NEXT SATURDAY, JUNE 4

For the Culture. The Keen Dance show speaks to the multiple growing phases, pains, and stories of life through distinct movement and storytelling through dance. 6 p.m., Bomhard Theater, Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St. Tickets start at $22.50, $17.50 for children. kentuckyperformingarts.org.

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Big K.R.I.T. - Digital Roses Tour. 8 p.m., Mercury Ballroom, 611 S 4th St. Tickets start at $29. mercuryballroom.com.

Reach features news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 20+ Louisville shows & concerts to see in May 2022