Bull Riding, Tony-nominated actor coming home highlight Lexington’s weekend events

Matt Wickstrom
·3 min read

Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best weekend events around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need things to do including family-friendly events, theatre plays, live music concerts, comedy shows, free events, truck and tractor pulls, professional bull riding at Rupp Arena, art events and performances including the “Lexington Theatre Company’s “Concert with the Stars.”

Comedian Nick Griffin at Comedy Off Broadway

Comedian Nick Griffin, a regular on late night television and nationally syndicated radio’s “The Bob And Tom Show,” will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on Jan. 5 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Jan. 6 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. $13-16. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com.

TNT Truck and Tractor Pull at Alltech Arena

The 2024 Kentucky Invitational Truck and Tractor Pull will return to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Alltech Arena on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. with everything from super modified four-wheel-drive trucks to hot farm tractors taking to the track. $25-30. 4089 Iron Works Pkwy. TnTTruckAndTractorPull.com.

Theatre play: Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ by Bluegrass Players at the Spotlight Playhouse

The Bluegrass Players will present Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” at the Spotlight Playhouse in Berea on Jan. 5 (pay what you can) and 6 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. $7-17 . 214 Richmond Rd N, Berea. TheSpotlightPlayhouse.com.

Professional Bull Riding at Rupp Arena

The Professional Bull Riders’ (PBR) Pendleton Whiskey Velocity Tour will make its way back to Rupp Arena for a night of sport featuring some of the top cowboy and bovine talent around on Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. From $18.50. 430 W Vine St. RuppArena.com.

Michael Lane is the winningest rider on the Velocity Tour having won nine events on PBR’s premier expansion series since its launch in 2014.
Michael Lane is the winningest rider on the Velocity Tour having won nine events on PBR’s premier expansion series since its launch in 2014.

In one night, Rupp Arena will transform from basketball to bull riding. Here’s how.

Twelfth Night Ceili at Pivot Brewing

The McTeggart Irish Dancers and musicians of the Kentucky Irish Music Academy will celebrate the Twelfth Night — the traditional end of the 12 days of Christmas — with a performance at Pivot Brewing on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. $5-50. 1400 Delaware Ave. facebook.com/events/198707626653416.

Chris Linton, Rye Davis Concert at Austin City Saloon

Singer-songwriters Chris Linton and Rye Davis will perform at Austin City Saloon on Jan. 6 at 9 p.m. $10. 2350 Woodhill Dr. AustinCitySaloon.com.

Nirvana Tribute Concert at The Burl

Unplugged In New York: A Tribute To Nirvana will have you singing along to hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Come As You Are” and other hits from the 90’s grunge icons during a concert at The Burl on Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. $15. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com.

Lexington Theatre Company: Concert With The Stars at the Opera House

The Lexington Theatre Company’s “Concert With The Stars” starring Tony Award nominee Colton Ryan will take place at the Lexington Opera House on Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. From $32. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com.

Colton Ryan and Anna Uzele in Broadway’s “New York, New York.” Ryan, a Lexington native, was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the musical.
Colton Ryan and Anna Uzele in Broadway’s “New York, New York.” Ryan, a Lexington native, was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the musical.

Tony nominee’s homecoming the first must-see Lexington arts event of 2024

Elvis Birthday Bash at Wildside Winery

The day prior to Elvis’ birthday, Wildside Winery in Versailles will host a celebration of The King featuring an Elvis impersonator, an Elvis look-alike contest and more on Jan. 7 from 1-4 p.m. 3080 Troy Pike, Versailles. facebook.com/events/909921180554239.

Henry Faulkner, shown here with one of his paintings on March 30, 1977, emerged in the art world in the late 1950s and is believed to have produced more than 5,000 works over three decades. The Kentucky-born artist, who was also a poet, singer and leading member of Lexington’s queer community in the mid-20th century, was widely collected and exhibited and had famous friends including playwright Tennessee Williams and movie star Bette Davis.

Henry Faulkner 100th Birthday Celebration at 21c

The Faulkner Morgan Archive will celebrate the 100th birthday of its namesake, Kentucky born artist and poet Henry Faulkner, at 21c Museum Hotel on Jan. 7 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. with live music, a pop-up exhibit, poetry reading from Silas House, and more. Free. 167 W Main St. facebook.com/events/1395407768056709.

Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites .