The Grand Gala

Oscar-winner and quondam “American Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson performed at the Yard Gala, held May 3 at Marriott-Louisville Due east.

Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin Iii and NBA Champion Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal too attended the celebrity-filled fete.

Photos by TIM GIRTON | Contributing Lensman

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The Smirnoff Darrell Griffith Foundation Feel

Darrell Griffith’s annual Derby bash, the Smirnoff Darrell Griffith Foundation Experience, brought the evening of Derby to a close at the Kentucky International Convention Center’due south Cascade Ballroom.

Vocalist-extra Brandy was one of several celebrities who attended the event, which was filmed past BET and its spinoff, Centric, throughout the night. Kid Capri spun music for the crowd. Proceeds from the fustigate benefited diverse local charities.

Photos by TIM VALENTINO | Contributing Lensman

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Derby Eve Dancing

Stephen Reily and Emily Bingham invited guests to attend a night of Derby Eve Dancing May three at Gatchel’s Warehouse in downtown Louisville.

Photos by TIM VALENTINO | Contributing Photographer

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River City Celtics Headed To National AAU Tournament In Orlando

Front row (left to right): Lucas Burkman, Matthew Cornell (ball boy), Damon McClain and Jacob King. Back row (left to right): Coach Dennis Cornell, Noah Ellison, Patrick Mitchell, Juan Harris Jr., David Burton, Brendan King, Mitchell Bunton-Douglas, Will Britt and Coach Roger Burkman.

Forepart row (left to right): Lucas Burkman, Matthew Cornell (ball male child), Damon McClain and Jacob King. Dorsum row (left to right): Motorcoach Dennis Cornell, Noah Ellison, Patrick Mitchell, Juan Harris Jr., David Burton, Brendan Male monarch, Mitchell Bunton-Douglas, Will Britt and Omnibus Roger Burkman.

Louisville AAU basketball team, the River City Celtics, are headed to the Sunshine State to compete against the best 14 and under boys basketball teams from beyond the U.S.

The Celtics won the 14U Kentucky State AAU Tournament to earn the chance to represent Kentucky in the National AAU Tournament in Orlando, Fla., held in July at the ESPN Broad World of Sports facility at the Walt Disney Earth Resort.

Following two shut losses in pool play, the Celtics made an impressive comeback to win the state championship, the second title in three years for the squad comprised of eighth grade boys from Louisville.

Unbridled Eve Gala

Sisters Tonya York Dees and Tammy York Day hosted the second annual Unbridled Eve Gala May 3 in the Yard Ballroom of the Galt House Hotel.

Country superstar Luke Bryan headlined the evening. Nicholas David of NBC’due south “The Vocalization,” Jo Dee Messina and The Crashers likewise performed for guests, including celebrities Jane Seymour, Lauren Conrad, Warren Moon and many more. The event as well featured a dinner buffet, an sectional silent and live auction, 10 premium specialty confined sponsored by Southern Wine and Spirits, forth with an interactive trip the light fantastic activation from sponsor Humana Vitality.

Unbridled Eve benefited Blessings in a Haversack also equally three secondary charity beneficiaries.

Photos By TIM VALENTINO | The Voice-Tribune

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Derby Poker Title Celebrity Gala

Phil Hellmuth, Denny Crum and Robert Williamson III’s Derby Poker Championship Gala was held May 2 at The Olmsted.

Produced past Southern Gaming and Destinations Magazine, the outcome benefited Blessings in a Backpack and the Susan Chiliad. Komen Foundation. Guests enjoyed an evening of music and dancing, performing artists, food, a premium open up bar and an exciting poker tournament with some of the best poker players in the world.

Photos past JAMES EATON | Contributing Photographer Â

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Kentucky Derby Festival Slap-up Steamboat Race

The Belle of Louisville crossed the terminate line start, simply the Belle of Cincinnati claimed the Silver Antlers equally overall winner of the 51st annual Kentucky Derby Festival Bang-up Steamboat Race on May 1.

Each steamboat completed a series of tasks while maneuvering the race course on the Ohio River in an endeavor to accrue the highest points full.

Passengers on the Belle of Louisville and Belle of Cincinnati enjoyed specially-selected Four Roses Bourbon, along with a thrilling cruise.

Photos past JAMES EATON | Contributing Photographer

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Mighty Morehead

By EARL COX
Sports Columnist
The Voice-Tribune

At first glance you lot wouldn’t be impressed with  either Kenneth Faried’due south flying long hair or his size â€" but no one’s optics are equipped with slow-motion vision to evidence only how quick and fast he is. He also tin can spring out of the gym.

Rick Pitino would accept been glad to warn the NBA most what Faried tin can practise. Call up March 17, 2011 when Faried and his Eagle teammates ousted Louisville 62-61 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Denver?

Chances are that the coach of his electric current NBA team, the Denver Nuggets’ George Karl, got to see what Faried can do. Merely then again I retrieve the 24-hour interval I was leaving a Denny Crum exercise equally Karl was coming in. He asked me, “Which ones are the McCrays?”

I wanted to ask him, “And you lot are an NBA charabanc?”

When thinking back over the listing of great athletes who accept worn Morehead State University uniforms, chances are that yous volition forget a few and will be impressed past the high quality of Eagles.

Really now, what other Kentucky college has produced:

A Super Bowl Most Valuable player, The New York Giants’ quarterback Phil “Whitey” Simms, a proud son of Okolona and Southern High who is now a top Telly analyst.

A National Basketball Association forward, Steve Hamilton, who likewise was a fire-balling Major League Baseball pitcher.

Dan Swartz, a basketball star from Bath County who started every bit a UK Mutiny, just transferred to Morehead earlier playing in the NBA with the Boston Celtics.

A personal annotation about big Dan: We were in the same class at United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. I day before class started, he came from the back row and sat beside me. Dan got correct downwards to it:

“Earl,” he said, “Aint y'all a writer. Practise yous know what a theme is?

“Well, I don’t and I accept to write one. Will you lot write it for me?”

I told Dan that I was working several jobs at The Herald-Leader to stay in school and didn’t have time to write anything for him.

Afterward his time with Morehead and the Celtics, Large Dan returned to Bath Canton and was elected sheriff.

Waggin’ Trail Walk For The Animals

The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) volition host its 19th annual fundraising walk â€" the Waggin’ Trail Walk For The Animals â€" to heighten much-needed funds for the organization’s lifesaving programs. Creature lovers and their pets volition unite from 9 a.m. to 1 p.g. Saturday, May eighteen, at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, 3000 Freys Hill Road. During the event, pets and people can savour a timed 5K run or walk, family-friendly activities, a necktie-dye station, douse booth, adoptable pets, vendors and more. Participants who wish to have part in the run/walk can register online at kyhumane.org or the day of the event. Runner registration volition brainstorm at viii a.m. Awards volition be given to the height fundraising private, top fundraising team and Blitz prize winner.

Derby Hot 100

The first in a series of 3 Derby Hot 100 parties took identify May two at Diamond Pub Concert Hall located on Barret Avenue.

The Oaks Eve event featured the Jäger Derby Lounge and included a red carpet, dancing to music from guest DJs and a light show.

Photos by TIM GIRTON | Contributing Lensman

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The Hungover Games

A loose association of Barret Avenue businesses â€" including Meme-Tech, The Barret Bar, Monkey Wrench, Artist & Craftsman Supply, Nuts ‘N’ Stuff, The Nitty Gritty, Regalo, Revelry and the Louisville Nutrient Truck Clan â€" presented The Hungover Games May 5 on East Kentucky Street between Brent Street and Barret Avenue.

The twenty-four hour period-afterwards-Derby street fair included food trucks, ping pong, an ugly chapeau contest and prizes.

Photos by TIM VALENTINO | Contributing Photographer

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Derby Kick Off Party

Marc Abrams, along with David and Elizabeth Kaplan, hosted a Derby Kick Off Party on May ii at a residence near Cherokee Park.

Photos by TONY BENNETT | Contributing Photographer

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