Legacies Unlimited, Inc presents the WALNUT STREET REVUE

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“Let the Good Times Roll at the Top Hat Club”

Kentucky Performing Arts
Bomhard Theater
June 13, 2026
7:30 pm

In the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s, the old Walnut Street area was the hub of activity for business, professional, and social life for Louisville’s Black community. The Walnut Street “strip” ran from 6th to 13th streets and contained establishments such as a black owned bank, insurance companies, nightclubs, restaurants, funeral homes, beer gardens, doctor & dentist offices, and an array of assorted businesses. More than that, however, it was the ambiance of Walnut Street and its significance to the Black community during the period of racial segregation that makes it memorable.

Walnut Street became known for its entertainment spots which featured Black performers who could perform in front of Black audiences only at Black owned clubs or performing halls. In addition to entertainment, an entire sub-culture developed on Walnut Street which included the business, entertainment and social life of Louisville’s Black community. In short, Walnut Street was the mecca for Black Louisville during the 1930’s, 40’s & 50’s.

In the early 60’s, Walnut Street fell victim to the sledgehammer of urban renewal and block after block of buildings and a people’s heritage was destroyed. But the Walnut Street period was an era of elegance and class. Historians will undoubtedly say that this period was a most significant one in the development of Louisville, especially Black Louisville.

This presentation is dedicated to the memory of Ray Johnson, whom we lost last year. A native of Louisville who lived on Walnut Street. Ray composed and performed the pre-show music, his special tribute to the memory of Walnut Street. Ray worked in New York as a pianist & composer. He was piano accompanist for Jack Parr’s ‘Tonight Show” plus the David Frost and Dick Cavett shows. He toured with major acts nationally before returning to Louisville where he played at Jack Fry’s Restaurant ’s for over 30 years.

As a tribute to the Walnut Street Era, The Walnut Street Revue presents “Let the Good Times Roll at the Top Hat Club” with Jason Clayborne serving as Emcee at the Top Hat Club, vocalist Sonya Hensley and Blues Messenger, Tee Dee Young.

Jason is a recipient of the prestigious Dove Award and has been nominated for the Stellar, Soul Train, Billboard and Grammy Awards. His contributions to Gospel Music are known Internationally.

Sonya has regaled audiences in 59 countries and has performed with mega stars such as Ricky Martin, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Buffett Norman Conners, Rose Royce and Raphael Martos of Spain. Best known for her film work in “The Cotton Club”, “Glitter” and television’s “It’s Showtime at the Apollo”, “The Sopranos” and countless commercials. She is a Louisville native and a graduate of Louisville’ Performing Arts School. (YPAS) and is delighted to take part in the legacy of the Walnut Street Revue. She will be accompanied by the Dave Clark Sextet.

Tee Dee Young hails from Lexington, KY and was born with “blues in his blood.”

He was named International Blues Finalist by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee and Best Blues Band in the state of Kentucky by the Kentucky Blues Society. He was named “Beale Street Blues King.” and inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2022. Tee Dee brings his exciting and seasoned blues band to this year’s Walnut Street Revue.

`The Walnut Street Revue will take you back to the days when Walnut Street was “the place to be & be seen” and give you a “feel” for what it was like to spend a Saturday night at the famous Top Hat Club.

This event will take place in the Kentucky Performing Arts Center’s Bomhard Theater on Saturday, June 13th, 2026. Tickets are available at the Kentucky Performing Arts Center Ticket Office and Better Days Records on Barret Avenue.

This event is made possible through the generous support of:
The Owsley Brown II Family Foundation
Hardscuffle Inc./American Life & Accident Insurance Company
Jack Frys Restaurant
WLKY-TV

Media Inquiries Only!
Contact: VIPP Communications
info@vippcommunications.com

Derby City Gospel Explosion Kicks Off Derby Week

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LEADING BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT FEATURING LOUISVILLE’S NATIVE SON D’COREY ‘DC’ JOHNSON AND GOSPEL LEGEND HEZEKIAH WALKER

(Louisville, Ky) DC Entertainment Presents Derby City Gospel Explosion Workshop and Concert.  It takes place in Louisville April 25th through the 27th.

There will be a workshop rehearsal from 6:00pm to 8:30pm on April 25th and 26th with early registration beginning at 5:00pm.  This will take place at Kingdom Land Baptist Church, 1822 South 11th Street.  The workshop is $30.00 per person.  It includes a folder with lyrics to all the songs being performed during the concert.  You must participate in the workshop to be included in the concert.  For information about how you can be a part of the workshop, contact Dionte Colbert at 502-650-6309. 

Then on Saturday, April 27th at St. Stephen Baptist Church, 1018 South 15th Street at 6:00pm with doors opening at 5:00pm you will get to witness the anointed voices of Grammy Award winning Gospel music legend Hezekiah Walker as the special guest for the evening.  America’s Got Talent, Season 18 Finalist and Louisville native D’Corey Johnson will be the host for the event and will perform during the concert.  Also, a part of the evening, Grammy nominated song writer Jason Clayborn will serve as the Clinician and Louisville’s own Daria Raymore will co-host with Johnson. 

Hezekiah Walker is excited to come to the Derby City to worship and spread God’s love and mercy by saying “I’m still here, I’m still alive, I’m still blessed, on my way to destiny because the favor of God is on my life.”

D’Corey Johnson is a talent blessed by God and he wants to show his gratitude to the city that supported him from the beginning of his young career by sharing his growth as an artist by saying “Stop trying to live everybody’s lifestyle. Live your own, and don’t let anyone tell you different.”

The three-day weekend of praise will be a blessing that you do not want to miss.  Signup to be apart of the workshop and then perform during the concert on the final evening.  Come be blessed and be a blessing to others.  Early bird concert tickets are $20 on Eventbrite and $30 at the door. 

Please post our event on your community and church announcement calendars.  To setup an interview, contact VIPP Communications at info@vippcommunications.com.

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The VIPP Report: “DON’T STOP TILL YOU GET ENOUGH” is more than just a song its the motto of Kentucky Derby fans experiencing all things derby

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NOW, AN OAKS DAY BRUNCH WILL DO A TRIBUTE TO THE MEGASTAR THAT MADE THE SONG SO FAMOUS

(Louisville, KY) Louisville Central Community Center, (LCCC) in collaboration with VIPP Communications announces their second annual Kentucky Derby event.  On Friday, May 3rd at 11 am at Old Walnut Street, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd, it’s the Oaks Day Derby Brunch. This year’s tribute will take you through the music catalog of Gary, Indiana native and pop megastar Michael Jackson.

The Derby Brunch hosted by Sherlene Shanklin is from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.  Some of Louisville’s top artists will perform some of the King of Pop’s 13 singles that hit number one on the charts.  Sheryl Rouse, Jason Clayborn and Jon-John Johnson will perform some of Jackson’s memorable and greatest hits.  The Youth Repertory Theater Troupe will showcase their talents after LCCC’s leadership and performing arts department prepared a curriculum giving the youth a history and music lesson on the humble beginnings of Jackson in Indiana living in a two-bedroom home with seven brothers and sisters at the time along with his parents practicing night and day to make the Jackson 5 a household name. Motown Records signed the group and the rest was history for Michael and his family.

Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door.  You can purchase them at louisvilletickets.com.  Doors open at 10 a.m. and guests are asked to wear their Oaks Day attire including your fascinator and/or hat to the brunch.  There’s will be vendors with your last-minute items needed for Oaks and Derby.  If you would like to reserve a booth contact Erica Bledsaw, Oaks Day Coordinator at Erica.bledsaw@lcccnews.org or by calling LCCC at (502) 583-8821 ext. 130.  Proceeds benefit LCCC youth programs.

Last year in our inaugural event music icon and Motown legend Stevie Wonder was highlighted along with J. Holiday as our featured music guest.

The Louisville Central Community Centers is a 501c(3), private, non-profit community-based organizations.  We offer a variety of programs and services in support of children and families.  Early childhood, education, youth development, arts education and other after school programs, employment services and job training for adults, money management, and homeownership are just some of the services provided

We would like to thank the following for their support for this year’s event: Erica Denise, VIPP Communications, Manhattan on Broadway and WoodForest National Bank.

If you would like to be a sponsor, request media credentials and/or request interviews, please contact us at please contact VIPP Communications at info@vippcommunications.com.

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VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.  http://vippcommunications.com/