Louisville Downtown Truth

This is not a Louisville Tourism Promotion, but rather a slightly unique and bent point of view from a tad more discerning and critical professional voyeur. Of course, this fellow must hoof and paw his own stubborn way and not be in some frenetic hurry to get somewhere fast such as the latest faux Broadway show or Norah Jones concert. Downtown Louisville is still pretty pathetic by most city standards, but there is hope. It's just that hope takes a very long time in Louisville, Kentucky. I heard recently on the news that Louisville is ranked number seven in the country as the most dangerous place to be a pedestrian. I believe brother Jerry "Mayor For Life" Abramson made this cow town the sixteenth largest metro area in the U.S. of A. and that is certainly a laughing matter, if you know what I mean.

I have lived here for over twenty-five years. Owned three homes. Paid my taxes. Now I live downtown. I am paying my dues. Most of the guys and gals who live downtown with me are poor and need your money. They will harass you for change, forty cents usually, and tell you it's for the bus, or food, or even a cup of coffee. I tell them, man I live here too. In other words, give me a fucking break. I would have to admit I appear about as homeless as they do, but I do it on purpose. Always have. It's who I am. A small-town slob. But I am a citizen who expects more from people, more from our human race, including those who have and those who do not. And I am, for the most part, consistently dissatisfied.

The old architecture of Louisville is some of the best if you can still find it. The city is usually in the throes of tearing down an old building in order to construct another parking garage or ugly hotel so the tourists and suburban dwellers can have a place to park their behemoth or stay the night and have a party. Louisville loves a good party. But we are talking butt-ugly hotels, and I haven't seen too many attractive parking garages.

There are a few possibilities for some things memorable. Will Oldham aka Bonnie 'Prince' Billy lives here and does a rare show every now and then that gets barely on the local radar. Matthew DCE Landan has an eclectic coffee shop and beer joint that promotes music from the underground and relevant conversation. Ah, what else? Not much, although Great Lake Swimmers did play a free show down on the river late last summer which was a pleasant surprise.