Parents and children play with hula hoops near Fourth Street at the season-opener Live on Broadway on May 28.
Spicer and Kelley took over as consultants for Live on Broadway, formerly Downtown After Dinner, when the weekly event kicked off May 28 and have already amped up the festivities.
Spicer and Kelley have changed the tone of the event from music-centric to an all-inclusive art festival, including acoustical music, small jazz groups, outdoor cafés, Zumba classes, games and a variety of performing, literary and visual arts.
Among the changes is All About Food, a juried, competive art show showcasing downtown restaurants. During June, local artists are creating art which portrays exterior, interior, chefs, wait staff, food, dining customers or any distinguishing feature of an eatery in the Renaissance District.
At the end of the month, the art will be judged and prizes will be awarded. First prize will win $500. Second prize will win $250. The public will also be able to vote by text message for “People’s Choice.”
“It gets out artists in the restaurants, it gets the community in the restaurants ... and it gets restaurants involved in the community,” Spicer said.
Another new edition is “Visual Art Central” around the Market House Square, featuring glass-blowing, bead-making, pottery, ceramics, painting and drawing demonstrations.
“That’s what we’re trying to do is get people to realize that art is more attainable than they might think,” Kelley said.
The festival also features free golf cart shuttle rides from the Paducah-McCracken County Chamber of Commerce parking lot on Kentucky Avenue to any downtown restaurant.
Contact Danielle Ray, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8657.
“That’s what we’re
trying to do is get people to realize that
art is more
attainable than they might think.”
Karson Kelley
Live on Broadway consultant
