Maiden Alley Oktoberfest: Paducah’s Celebration of All Things Fun
Day drinking?
Live music outdoors during the peak of amazing fall weather?
Food prepared by very capable hands, including an array of sausages, tons of pretzels, cheeses, strudels, kraut, potato salad, beef tongue (maybe), homemade buns, and so much more?
Five craft breweries?
An art fair?
A German car show?
Dirndls?
Lederhosen?!?
If you can’t help but exclaim a resounding “HELL YES!” to all these questions, then you are truly ready for the Paducah event that is Maiden Alley Oktoberfest!!!
It is our 5th year, which means it is time to add more fun stuff to the agenda. Up until now we have only highlighted the beer from our amazing friends at Schlafly Beer. They have been the signature beer of Maiden Alley Cinema from the beginning and they have been with us through it all. A big hats off to this amazing company!!!
BUT it is time to expand the event as we have more people to please! Starting in 2011 we were over the moon to have around 130 attendees. In 2014 we had over 600. The word is spreading!
So... we needed MORE beer. It was a no-brainer to reach out to our two new breweries located right here in Paducah, KY - Dry Ground Brewing Company and Paducah Beer Werks!
Dry Ground even took it a step further and partnered with Schlafly to make a collaboration beer that will be revealed at this year’s event. Done in the Kentucky Common style and aptly named Common Ground, this beer will offer a blast from the past.
Kentucky Common Beer is a once-popular style of ale from the area in and around Louisville, Kentucky from the 1850s until Prohibition. This style is rarely brewed commercially today. In addition, we will also have the amazing beer of West Sixth out of Lexington, KY and Tin Man out of Evansville, IN.
This event really is about 4 things; great beer, great music, great food, and a great cause.
By joining with the amazing crew at Kirchhoff’s Bakery & Deli you know the food will be top notch and of the highest caliber. Louie doesn’t mess around when it comes to a Bavarian spread.
Just as Kirchhoff’s is a Paducah tradition, we like to think that Maiden Alley Cinema is one as well. Through expanding our programming to include live music as well as film, we have found that our audience has become more diverse and broad. This event helps us to raise much needed operating support for the non-profit cinematic art house. Our mission is film, which allows us to bring a new independent/foreign film or documentary to the big screen every weekend, offer several films series (i.e. Faith in Film, Movies for Me and Film Brew), host rotating art exhibits in our lobby and keep amazing music on our stage through Music@MAC.
Photo by MAMC Photography
Speaking of music, we have a stellar line-up this year and as well as one additional hour to enjoy the festivities. Starting the day with local favorites Chris Black & the Eagles of Unemployment and then on to the Paducah Jazz Ensemble Polka Band for some traditional music to match the theme of the day.
Then, we have the Solid Rock’it Boosters - who always bring down the house. After that, we venture outside our great city to bring in Curio of Chicago, IL, and then the Loot Rock Gang of St. Louis, MO. To headline the day, we have Paducah’s own Jessica Lee Wilkes.
There will also be an after party at JP’s Bar & Grill, featuring live music by The Swamp Tigers, Commander Keen, and a few others to be announced.
And if you are feeling frisky and want to kick off the weekend in style, don’t miss our Maiden Alley Oktoberfest Beer Dinner Friday, October 16 at 7 pm. With food being prepared by German chef we can’t wait for a truly authentic meal. There will be 4 courses with a beer pairing for each course. Anita White of Gold Rush Café is even bringing her mother in from Germany to help in the process.
Tickets and more information can be found at www.maidenalleycinema.org
Also, you can purchase tickets for both events with CASH or CHECK ONLY at any of these fine Paducah establishments: Roof Brothers Wine & Spirits (Park Ave. location), Kirchhoff’s Bakery, Dry Ground Brewery, Etcetera & Etcetera Squared, Bricolage Art Collective, Gold Rush Café, Max’s Brick Oven, and of course Maiden Alley Cinema.
Bear Bryant and the Kentucky Wildcats
Remembering a legend of college football.
On September 11, 1913, Paul William Bryant was born in Munro Bottom, Arkansas, the eleventh of twelve children born to Wilson Monroe and Ida Kilgore Bryant. From a young age, he was undertaking legendary things, like the time when, at age 13, he agreed to wrestle a bear at a carnival. The nickname "Bear" stuck.
Kentucky Coach Bear Bryant with Team Captains Vito Parilli and Doug Mosely, 1953. Image via KDL
By 1930, Bear was a high school football player whose team won the Arkansas state championship, but he didn't quite make it to graduation. In fact, when the Bear was offered a football scholarship to the University of Alabama, he had to finish up his degree at a Tuscaloosa-area high school while undertaking fall practice with the Tide.
January 1, 1951 -- Bear Bryant's Wildcats win the Sugar Bowl
Now, here in Kentucky, we know Bear Bryant as the Coach who toughened up the Wildcat football team for eight seasons and reinvented the way we recruited our players. He took the 'Cats to their first Bowl game in 1947 and on to their first SEC Conference title in 1950.
Sugar Bowl Champion Kentucky Wildcats. Image via Big Blue Fans.
The 1950 Wildcats went on to upset the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the Sugar Bowl, with a final score of 13-7. That Sugar Bowl game is considered one of the greatest upsets in college football history, as the Wildcats ended Oklahoma's run for an undefeated season.
Now, as we all know, Coach Bryant stayed in Lexington through 1953. The stories are murky about why he left us to coach the A & M Aggies. Some say it's over a fight with Coach Rupp over a Cadillac, a watch, or maybe a cigarette lighter. Others say that the rivalry between the two legendary Kentucky coaches has been over-dramatized. In 1966, Bryant himself told Sports Illustrated: "The trouble was we were too much alike, and he wanted basketball No. 1 and I wanted football No. 1...In an environment like that one or the other has to go."
When you have the two best coaches ever to coach their respective sports, the stakes are high.
I hear that, after his 8 seasons at Kentucky were over, he tried his hand at coaching Down South and took to wearing a snazzy hat. I'll leave the stories of those years to our friends in Alabama who can tell them way better than I ever could.
Here's to Coach Bryant and the 1951 Sugar Bowl. Go Big Blue!
Pink and Green Plaid Butterfly Quilt
Every Thursday, I share photographs of a quilt my grandmother has made for me. My quilt collection is something I cherish deeply, both because my sweet granny has put so much time, skill, and love into the finished product, and because quilts are such a valuable key to the Appalachian culture in which I was raised.
My granny has always been really sweet about using the exact fabrics I pick out, even if they seem a little over-the-top when we're planning the quilt. I love the fresh, preppy colors of this one; the bright, almost chartreuse, green really adds a springy, preppy look to the room!
HerKentucky Gridiron Report: Saturday, September 5
Happy College Football Day, y'all! If you're like me, you didn't think it would ever get here, and you've spent the past month ensuring that there is absolutely no reason to leave the couch all day! In fact, going to one of these games is the only legitimate excuse I can think of for getting off the couch!
Division I Kentucky College Football Games
University of Louisville v. #6 Auburn, 3:30 p.m. (CBS) A whole lot of Cards fans are in Atlanta this weekend for the Chick Fil-A Kickoff Classic at the Georgia Dome. Auburn comes in as a pre-season Top Ten team, but Cards fans have placed a lot of faith and funds in hopes of an upset. As of Friday night, the spread was Auburn -10, with money lines Louisville (+330) and Auburn (-420). My prediction? You'll see a whole lot of squintin' and cussin' from Petrino AND ol' Gus Malzahn. Get some chicken strips for me, traveling Cards fans.
Morehead State at James Madison, 6 p.m. I don't reckon many Eagles fans are making the trek to Harrisonburg for this one.MSU Head Coach Rob Tenyer looks to rectify last year's 4-8 record, while JMU players are wearing helmet decals in honor of slain JMU alumna and newscaster Alison Parker.
University of Kentucky v. Louisiana-Lafayette, 7 p.m. (ESPNU). It's already been a big week for the Bunning-Townes clan; here's hoping QB Patrick can keep the streak alive as the Cats take on the Ragin' Cajuns. The spread is Kentucky -17, with money lines Louisiana-Lafayette (+550) and UK (-1100). My prediction is that we'll all turn over to the Bama-Wisconsin game by halftime, Pawwwlll.
Whether you're tailgating or watching at home, here's to a great day of college ball; may your favorite team win!
{Disclaimer: Do not place wagers based on lines I've taken from the internet. Y'all have better ways to spend your paychecks.}
Red Gold Tomatoes + Laura's Lean Beef Cheesesteak Pizza
Once again, HerKentucky has teamed up with Red Gold Tomatoes and Laura's Lean Beef to bring you a great grilling recipe. As seen on WAVE-3 this morning, here's the recipe for a fast and fun Cheesesteak pizza!
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 roasted red bell pepper, sliced (use from a jar)
- 1⁄2 onion, sliced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can RED GOLD® DICED TOMATOES, drained
- 1⁄2 tablespoon dried oregano
- 5 ounces Laura’s Lean Beef Sirloin Steak, cooked and thinly sliced
- 1 10 to 11 ounce container pizza dough, your favorite recipe or store bought
- 2 tablespoons RED GOLD® TOMATO PASTE
- 2 ounce shredded provolone cheese
- 2 ounce shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook red bell pepper, onions and tomatoes together until onions are soft. Sprinkle with oregano and set aside.
Grill or cook steak to a medium temperature. When finished cooking, slice the steak into thin pieces.
Divide pizza dough in half and roll each half out into a circle, getting it as thin as possible. Heat grill to high. Make sure grill rack is clean and gently lay each crust onto the grill rack. Cook about 1 to 2 minutes per side depending on grill temperature. Use tongs to flip and cook each side of each crust. If bubbles appear, just prick the dough bubble and keep cooking.
Spread 1 tablespoon of paste on each crust. Divide and top each pizza with the tomato mixture, beef and cheese. Carefully return pizza to grill, lower heat and close grill lid. Cook an additional 3 to 4 minutes until cheese is melted. Keep close watch on pizzas, moving them away from the hotspot on your grill if crust is getting to toasty. If you like a little bit of char on the bottom of the pizza – this is what gives it some authentic flavor.
Sprinkle with the ¼ cup tomatoes that were set aside along with the fresh parsley. Serve Immediately.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS PER SERVING
Calories 390, Fat 15g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 40mg, Sodium 1010mg, Carbohydrate 38g, Fiber 4g, Protein 25g,
Vitamin A 25%, Vitamin C 30%, Calcium 30%, Iron 20%
(This post was sponsored by Red Gold Tomatoes)
The Bourbon Kings
JR Ward's The Bourbon Kings sets unapologetic melodrama in the heart of the Derby City.
Welcome to J.R. Ward's Kentucky, where the bourbon is served up with a side of crazy sauce.
Ms. Ward, a self-professed "Yankee who now lives in the South"and alumna of Smith College and Albany Law School, did what all women who marry Louisville natives eventually do: she moved to Louisville. The corporate attorney-turned romance novelist usually pens novels with a paranormal edge, but has embarked on a new series set in a slightly fictionalized version of The Bluegrass State. The city of Charlemont serves as a stand-in for Louisville, where the University of Charlemont Eagles basketball team (whose team color is red) are in-state rivals with Kentucky University (blue, natch). Charlemont's spaghetti junction leads you down river road to the Easterly Estate, while Spirehill Downs is the home of the Charlemont Derby. We all know what she means.
JR Ward. Image via the Courier-Journal.
I reckon the Baldwines live somewhere around here.
When we meet the titular Bourbon Kings, the three Baldwine sons and their cartoonishly evil daddy, there's plenty of drama. Brother Max's whereabouts are unknown; I'm sure he'll get a Gary Ewing-style spinoff book of his own down the road. Meanwhile, eldest brother Edward has let the family business slip into quite a mess. He suffered horrible injuries after a South American kidnapping, as you do. Now, he spends his days training thoroughbreds, drowning in booze and self-pity, and employing call girls who resemble the love of his life, the scion of a rival bourbon house. THESE THINGS HAPPEN, y'all.
Younger sister Gin -- that's right, a "gin" in a House of Bourbon -- is Lucy Ewing meets Connie Corleone in Valentino RockStud Pumps. Only, kind of more vapid and self-sabatoging. There's a never-ending supply of wealthy litigators to serve Gin's appetites, but she pines for the father of her secret daughter. On behalf of every one of my single girlfriends here in the Derby City, I've got to say that Charlemont trumps the real Louisville in the availability of eligible gentlemen alone. A girl can find herself two or three dashing dates for the Derby in a moment's notice, complete with seersucker suits and vintage Jaguars.
As for the business end of it all, who even heard of independent operators handling operating expenses in the 21st Century? If the family label is suffering, you sell to a multinational corporation and retain a Presidency role for one of your offspring. Ol' JR Ewing taught us that trick in 1987 with his Cartel buddies.And why would your risk your personal fortune on the family company? Maybe Evil Daddy Baldwine is getting a bad rap: he might not be as evil as he is just plain dumb. He should've paid less attention to decking himself out in University of Charlemont red and a little more time listening to his business professors.
is the Upstairs, Downstairs romance between Bourbon King Lane Baldwine and Easterly's horticulturalist, Lizzie King, who characterizes their love as "Sabrina without the happy ending, darlin'." Lane's a playboy with a heart of gold -- he leaves New York City for his old Kentucky home when he hears that the family's African-American cook, whom he considers his "real mother", is in failing health. Lizzie's just folks, and she's got a farm across the river in Indiana to prove it. She keeps Graeter's ice cream in her freezer; lax copyediting keeps shifting whether that Graeter's was Peach or Candy Cane, but every real Graeter's fan knows that it would make no sense to have either of these seasonal flavors around at Derby Time. One would be 10 months out of season, and the other 5. But, that isn't as important as Lane and Lizzie's forbidden love, which peels the paint off the walls -- or at least destroys a priceless family painting in Lane's boudoir. You get the picture. Oh, and there's the pesky matter of Lane's spoiled, Virginia-bred wife (and possibly his evil daddy's mistress) to complicate things further. Y'all keeping up so far?
All the elements of a good soap opera are there in The Bourbon Kings -- gorgeous, rich bad boys with hearts of gold, forbidden love, family intrigue -- and it would be easy to dismiss Ms. Ward's Kentucky as a fantasy world of privilege, lust, and Southern stereotypes. But, there's just one small problem with that analysis: the story kind of works. As a reader, you root for these two crazy kids to bridge the gap across the Ohio River and fall into one another's arms. You cross your fingers that Sad Ol' Edward will find a way to leave his madams behind and find love with rival bourbon heiress Sutton Smythe. You hope that Gin will take a stiff drink of espresso or sparkling water and get her life together.
NBC has purchased a television project based on The Bourbon Kings, and additional novels in the series are expected. I, for one, couldn't be more excited. Ms. Ward's manuscript comes out and describes Lane as a "Channing Tatum lookalike", so the Eye Candy quotient promises to be high. (BTW, Endemol Shine Studios, if you're looking for a sassy Kentucky native lady blogger to add some local color to the writer's room, I'd love to talk to y'all!) I love a good soap opera, and I hope that this one plays out as self-aware and campy, on the grand scale of 80s dramas like Dallas or Dynasty. It would be nice to see bourbon in primetime, even with a crazy sauce chaser.
Red and White Ohio Star Quilt
Every Thursday, I share with you one of the beautiful quilts that my grandmother has made for me over the years. Quilting was just one of those aspects of Kentucky culture that I grew up around. If my granny is sitting down, she has a quilt block to work on.
I've written here on HerKentucky about making this quilt with my granny. She and I are both pretty headstrong and it was quite the experience!
I love this quilt pattern because it's so simple and old-fashioned. The Ohio Star pattern emerged in the early 19th century, then enjoyed a surge in popularity in the 1930s. Variants included the Texas Star and the Tippecanoe and Tyler Too patterns. You can read more about it here and here.