The Kentucky Sport, Boat & Recreation Show is this weekend, starting Thursday, Feb.9^th. And there will be more than just boats in attendance!

We’ve got ponies, climbing walls and not to mention huge savings on the latest models and equipment on display. But our most fascinating feature this year is a zip line strung up across the length of Rupp Arena, ready for anyone brave enough to attempt! You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity! The zip line is also free to ride with paid admission.

Check out this video to see what it’s like to zoom down on the zip line!

There is an age limit of 5 and up, as well as a weight limit of max 250 lbs. Tickets for admission will be sold at the box office on the day of the event.

Everyone knows that when you walk into Rupp Arena on game day, you’re walking into the house of one the greatest traditions in the college sport. We love our basketball, and the fans come out in droves to support their team and cheer them on.

It’s well known that the Big Blue Nation is one of the most fierce and compassionate fan bases in the NCAA, which is one of the reasons why it’s such an exhilarating rush to come and watch this UK team play. And it’s not just fellow Lexington community members that our games are attracting these days. Celebrities and famous faces have been visiting Kentucky basketball games for years, just to sample that incredibly overwhelming power that the Kentucky team and their fans bring to every event.

Big names from the world of pro sports come in and are blown away by the power that UK basketball brings out to the court and receives from the crowd. LeBron James and Ervine “Magic” Johnson have both stopped by in recent years and have been met with the emphatic Big Blue fans…and loved it!

The music industry hasn’t been shy either when it comes to making visits to the Kentucky basketball team. Both Jay-Z and Drake have come to UK games in the past and have been equally enamored with the raucous crowds and the skill on the court.

We of course have celebrity Big Blue fans that have grown up loving Kentucky basketball, like the lovely Ashley Judd. Ashley isn’t bashful when it comes to expressing her devotion to the Cats! You can sometimes spot Ms. Judd in the lower arena, shouting and cheering along with her fellow Kentucky fans.

All of this symbolizes what’s important at UK: community. Each person who sits down at Rupp to enjoy a UK game, or watches from home, becomes a part of our Big Blue Nation. We’re an inclusive community, taking in all fans who want to be a part of our Wildcat family. And we are always more than happy to cheer along side them.

The intense competition of Arenacross is making its way to Rupp Arena this weekend, February 4^th and 5^th. The AMA Arenacross Series is an extreme rough ride of high endurance motocross racing that is fun for the whole family!

Come check out Round 9 of this 16-rider race, as this series travels around the country. AMA Arenacross has been making stops at many of the most well-known and celebrated arenas in the United States, including our wonderful Rupp Arena. Each race takes place on a man-made dirt combat zone, using over 150 truckloads of dirt to shape and mold the previous home of UK Men’s Basketball into an unrecognizable Arenacross dirt valley.

Watch the spectacle of Arenacross, as motorist fly through air and battle it out over technical obstacles with competitions so close, there is no room for error. These events are truly some of the most unique challenges you’ll ever witness because anything can happen during these events, and it’s up to the drivers to make harrowing, split second decisions when it counts.

Defending champ Tyler Bowers leads a pack of vastly talented riders, ready to suit up and take their place on top of the winner’s podium, trophy in hand with the AMA Arenacross Series title.

The action isn’t over after Saturday’s battle royal, either. Join us again on Sunday for Amateur Day, where future stars will take on the track and compete with other riders of all skill levels. This is an event that is sure to feed your need for speed.

And let’s not forget about the kiddies, folks! The AMA Arenacross Series is fun for all members of the family, young and old alike! Hang out with us at the track party and post-race autograph session for fans of all ages and get to meet the biggest and brightest of the Arenacross tour. You don’t want to miss out on this incredible weekend!

Remember, adult admission is $20 and for kids, just $5! Tickets are still available at the Rupp Arena box office, Ticketmaster.com, and by phone at (859) 233-3535.

Easily one of the most distinctive progressive metal bands playing today, Trans-Siberian Orchestra has made its mark by taking classical, symphonic and orchestral music and using it to create hard-hitting, heavy metal rock operas.

That’s why we’re so excited to host them again, and this time in the spring! TSO will be coming to Rupp Arena on March 20^th and are performing “Beethoven’s Last Night” for one final tour, before taking a break to focus on their new album and show.

“Beethoven’s Last Night” is centered on Beethoven’s final night on Earth, combining what happened with what could have happened in a fantastic display of musicianship, storytelling and an out of this world stage production.

TSO has sold over 7 million albums since its beginnings. And they continue to do amazingly well on tour, having become one of the world’s current top acts. They were even mentioned in Billboard magazine as one of the top-touring artist of the past decade.  TSO has sold more than $280 million worth of tickets while touring a $20 million production that has motivated generations of fans to rediscover the gripping and engaging art of Rock Opera.

Time to get excited about the upcoming Miranda Lambert concert! In preparation for the big day, we’re taking a look at both of Miranda’s supporting acts. Let’s start with the lovable country boy, Chris Young.

Starting in small clubs and bars in Nashville, TN, Chris Young understands what it takes to push for and conquer dreams. That’s why after 3 albums, 4 consecutive #1 hits on the country charts, and a Grammy nomination, Young can really appreciate the success and the blessing his music has been.

Young’s music inspires good times with friends and family. His latest album, “Neon,” has captivated his audience with catchy, radio-friendly lyrics paired with that toe-tapping country sound.

2011 was a great year for Young. Having recently performed for the American Country Awards this December, and then taking home the prize for both Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Single of Year for “Voices”, Chris is an undeniable rising star and sure to be a great opening act for Miranda Lambert.

You can check out Chris Young on the Ellen Degeneres Show this Tuesday, Jan. 17^th or find more about him and his music at http://www.chrisyoungcountry.com/

Taylor Swift was back at Rupp Arena again for another sell out concert, this time for her Speak Now World Tour. Saturday Night’s Concert kicked off with David Nail. Amongst his short playlist was the award nominated song “Turning Home”. He doesn’t have that rough-and-tough country sound; it’s soulful, more sophisticated. He was a great opening act and really easy to look at!

Next up Needtobreathe, great band! Influenced by Tom Petty and Pearl Jam they really got the crowd moving and wondering, who are these guys and where did they come from? This group really has a unique sound. With songs like “Girl from Tennessee” and “Drive all Night” their sound resembled folk-rock; but with “Oohs and Ahhs” they sounded similar to Kings of Leon. I hope others took some time Sunday morning to download more songs by Needtobreathe; like I did! I appreciated that Taylor Swift picked a group that was a little off the beaten path; It was a nice change of pace to hear a group not-so country opening for a country superstar.

Taylor Swift took the stage with “Sparks Fly” and I had never heard screams so shrill! Little girls all over the world definitely look up to her; and why wouldn’t they when she writes all of her own songs? She’s quite talented; not only can she play the guitar but she played a 12 string guitar, piano and a ukulele. The stage set was also incredible. There were trap doors in the stage floor that the dancers were popping in and out off; she even arose from the ground with her white piano at one point. She moved to the back of the arena and sat on a glowing tree that was suspended from the ceiling; played guitar and sang while it slowly spun. One word to summarize this show: Dramatic. Between the ballet dancers, rope swinging trapeze dancers, back up dancers, actors, her awesome band, and finally travelling across the arena sky in a make-shift balcony where she sang her hit song “Love Story”… there was so much to see.

It was a family-friendly show but fun for those of us in the 25+ age range, too! Taylor’s songs are relatable whether you’re 15 or 45; all of her songs are about new love and heartbreak (and of course “Revenge”)… doesn’t that sum up every girl’s life? There were guys in the audience, too! Whether they were forced to come with girlfriends or daughters, I’d be willing to bet that those guys enjoyed the show, too. It’s easy to see why she can sell out a concert in a matter of minutes. She appears to be humbled by the die-hard fans that make glowing t-shirts and signs and expressed her gratitude to the 16,000 fans that came out. Great show Taylor! Thanks for coming back to Lexington!

Blogged by: Emily Dowd
Photos by: Paul Hooper

The Avett Brothers brought their unique form of folk rock to the heart of the bluegrass, and played an amazing show at Rupp Arena last night. It’s not often that folk rock acts play venues this large, and not only is it a treat for everyone, but it also is a testament to the success and skill of the brothers and their band.

A pleasant surprise or a bit of a let down. These are the two ways an unheard of opening act can be classified. Unfortunately, Jessica Lea Mayfield’s performance would fall under the latter description. Mayfield, a young blonde, took the stage wearing a sweet dress, black tights, and bold red heels. She strummed her guitar and occasionally sipped her wine as she sang what sounded like the same song over and over. Her feet seemed to be glued to one location on the stage for the duration of her act which was a shame because I longed for a better view of her shoes. When the Avett Brothers joined her for one song, the audience perked up some due to the promise of what was to come during the headliner’s set.

A short intermission for a crowd of around 5 thousand led into the main event. Beginning their show with the song, “Salina,” the Avett Brothers had the crowd clapping and singing along for rest of the evening. Scott and Seth along with the other band members bounced and jumped around the carpeted stage as they sang and played their instruments. It may be easy to picture a man and a guitar jumping around and maybe even a man and a banjo, but have you seem a man play his cello while jumping and spinning? I now have.

The concert made it evident that the Avett Brothers were enjoying every moment of playing the show which in turn, made the audience enjoy every moment of viewing the show. Songs like “Will You Return” and “Slight Figure of Speech” with their quick tempos made everyone get out of their seats and dance. It almost felt like you had to. But at the right times, the band would slow the show down and play crowd favorites like “January Wedding” and “Shame.”

One does not get to see many bands perform who are frequently described as being a part of the “folk rock” genre. So, seeing a crowd of people outfitted in plaid button-downs and boots “fist-pumping” to a banjo, guitar, cello, and stand-up bass was an absolutely beautiful sight. The Avett Brothers show brought amazing amounts of energy and life to their albums that just cannot quite come through earbuds or computer speakers. This concert reminded me of why people see their favorite bands over and over again.

Blogged by: Becca Colbert
Photos by: Paul Hooper

The Lexington Opera House may be 125 years old, but on stage it’s youth eternal as Broadway Live opens its 35th season with Peter Pan.

Starring Cathy Rigby from the famed 1990 Broadway Revival (fans will remember how the show ushered in a new era of acrobatic excellence), Peter Pan provides huge thrills for audiences young and old alike.

We all know the fantastical story of the lost boy, his determination to never grow up, and his defiance of the villainous Captain Hook. Still, there is a sense of discovery as the rich cultural legacy of Peter Pan comes alive on stage. Cathy Rigby’s performance is as transformative as fairy dust. Entreating the audience to do as Peter does, Rigby demonstrates how to live each moment to its fullest.

There are a few things the audience will want to know:

• Get the best seats you can. This is a physical performance and you want to be part of it!
• Don’t miss a moment of the performance! Every second of this performance is packed with musical and acrobatic delights. Get there early and don’t dilly-dally on your way back from intermission. The preludes are exquisite!
• The second half provides opportunities for audience participation. Parents will want to get their children prepared with a HEY OH! for the famous “Ugg-a-Wugg” pow wow. Stay alert and watch for your cue because if you know Peter Pan from Disney then you won’t expect this stellar rendition of the allegiance of Peter and Tiger Lily!
• If you’re not sure about musical theatre, put your worries aside. This show has physical comedy, acrobatics, and something better than nostalgia – the living embodiment of the best that life has to offer. Peter says it best, “I’m youth! I’m joy! I’m freedom!”

After the show, Cathy Rigby will sign your poster and pose for a picture. We got an autograph on a family memento – an old hat from our children’s Peter Pan costume. Rigby is a gracious and beautiful star, and (like Tiger Lily says) Peter Pan Is the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars!

Blogged by: Megan Smith

Two words for parents considering taking their youngsters to Barney’s Birthday Bash: floor seats! Your toddler or young child will want to dance along to every song, and you the adult companion will have a very satisfactory experience letting your little one dance to her hearts content!

There is also plenty of room for boogying in the first tier seats.

I took my 3 yo daughter to the Bash on Sunday, and she danced, clapped, and sang with such delight! Barney’s repertoire is familiar, so I had no trouble singing along. The large video display offered a combination of lyrics, illustrations, and the interviews with youngsters made popular on the Barney TV show.

The performance theme is, as the title suggests, the celebration of birthdays. This was great because my 3 yo knows what birthdays are and could follow along with every story line. The song and dance numbers were fun and colorful with lots of lights and confetti surprises.

Barney’s friends BJ, Baby Bop and Riff were all there, and so were four dancers who really helped to keep the crowd engaged in the performance. The quality of the production was solid and, as usual, the concessions at Rupp Arena are very fairly priced. Connoisseurs will notice that the Barney shwag is less expensive than some other childhood characters’ souvenirs.

Finally, and this really is the best thing about Barney, the performance is educational and entertaining. It will set young people on a path of good expectations for entertainment and social engagement in the arts.

Mom: What was your favorite part of the Barney show?

Daughter: All of it!

Blogged by: Megan Smith
Photos by: Megan Smith

What defines a good concert; packed seats, party-like atmosphere, catchy songs to sing along to, free shirts and alcohol? Well, if any combination of those criteria are what make a concert good, then Rupp Arena might have had one of their best concerts…. well, ever.

Country music and Kentucky go together like peanut butter and jelly, like chips and salsa, or even University of Kentucky Basketball and winning. They just work together, and when they do, it is a spectacular sight. Saturday night was one of those spectacular nights at Rupp Arena with Kenny Chesney in town along with special guests Uncle Kracker and Billy Currington.

I have been to very few country concerts, so I wasn’t totally sure on what to expect during it. I knew I would have a good time, and would enjoy the show, just was a little curious how to night would unfold. My overall experience was wonderful; I had a great time. Even during such a good time though, there was one thing that just didn’t seem right, but I will get to that in a bit.

Uncle Kracker was the first artist to take to the stage. As a rule for an opening act, Uncle Kracker was tasked with pumping the crowd up for Kenny Chesney. With a combination of some of his own songs and songs from other famous acts, Uncle Kracker got the crowd up from their seats, singing and dancing. During his short set he had done what he was put out on stage to do and then some.

This brings me to my first complaint though about the show. Now, I understand when an opening act doesn’t have all the big hits of the main attraction they play songs from bigger groups/artists. Normally, that really doesn’t bother me; or even when a big group does a cover of someone else’s song. The problem with Uncle Kracker was… he played more than just one or two songs from other artists, even though Uncle Kracker has established his own name. He had been in the music industry for a long time, so I assumed he had a bigger selection of songs to play. I might have stuck my foot in my mouth, but I want to say now though, that this wasn’t a totally bad thing. Uncle Kracker picked songs that everyone knew and would get people pumped up.

With the conclusion of Uncle Kracker, the stagehands came out and quickly turned the stage from Uncle Kracker to Billy Currington. Before this concert, I didn’t know any Billy Currington songs, so everything he was singing was completely new for me. I wasn’t able to sing along or get into the songs really at all. Even though I was disjointed from the songs, I still had a great time. In a combination of country and rock, Billy Currington seemed like he could be a headliner for his own tour.

In order to prep for Kenny Chesney, a large curtain was dropped over the stage as everything was assembled for his arrival. The curtain had a huge image on it of an island to set the mood for the rest of the concert as one of relaxation and partying. All along the curtain, Corona had their famous crown and blue words plastered as another cue to the mood of relaxing and partying. It didn’t hurt that since the concert was sponsored by Corona, that there was free Corona that was passed around in the pit.

As the lights dimmed, the crowd grew louder. Inside the curtain, lights began to shine and you could see silhouettes of the band artists and cameramen. Then it happened, you saw a guy standing in the middle of the curtain wearing a cowboy hat and within half a second, everyone knew who that was. The curtain raised and the show started with a bang.

From the first song to the final encore performance Kenny Chesney was pure brilliant on stage. He worked the crowd to perfection, made those iconic poses, and sang his heart out. Those lucky people who were in-attendance at the concert saw a show that only a true master of their craft can give. There was no weak section at all in the show. Kenny Chesney’s concert was basically the definition of perfection.

OH! I almost forgot possibly the biggest news of the night; a very special guest joined Kenny Chesney on stage for two songs. In a complete surprise to not only the fans, but to Kenny himself, the country legend George Jones came on to the stage. George Jones sang two songs, one on his own and one as a duet with Kenny Chesney. If it was possible to make this concert any better, it happened. When I was young my parents constantly listened to George Jones, so being able to see the actual person that has been in the industry for such a long time on stage doing what he loves, is something that I will never forget.

Not being a big fan of country music, coming into this concert I had mixed emotions. I really did not know what to expect, even though I had some insights from friends about Kenny Chesney in concert. After the concert was over and looking back at it now while writing this review, I had a blast. The entire three and a half hour show was brilliant and fun, exciting and thrilling. I won’t be missing the next Kenny Chesney concert when it comes to Rupp Arena again.

Click Here to See More Photos from the Show

Blogged by: Kyle Jessee
Photos by: Paul Hooper