Krista Greathouse, Festival producer, said the Lexington Philharmonic has been rescheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, on the Pfizer Animal Health Stage in the Courthouse Plaza.  Greathouse said she was unable to work out a new time for the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra to play

The new schedule for this evening in Courthouse Plaza includes an encore performance of Swing Street at 5 p.m. followed at 7:30 p.m. by Better Off Dead.

The popular Jimmy Church Band, a high energy dance and show group, which was scheduled to play Tuesday, will now play at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, followed at 8 p.m. by the Spazmatics.  Both will appear in the Courthouse Plaza.

Representatives of both the Philharmonic and the Youth Orchestra were involved in making the decision to cancel tonight’s concert.

“The Lexington Philharmonic was so excited to have the Sunday evening slot during the Spotlight Lexington Festival,” said Allison Kaiser, executive director of the Lexington Philharmonic.  “We were anticipating our performance to be a great big exclamation point mid-way through the festivities.  Unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating and the cold temperatures pose a great risk to the instruments.  We appreciate the understanding and flexibility from the Spotlight Lexington leadership as we look forward to the warmer weather forecast for Tuesday eve (Oct. 5) when we have a much better chance of presenting a successful performance.”

Kayoko Dan, Music Director and Conductor of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, said, “This morning, we made the tough decision to cancel the performance tonight due to weather.  The combination of the temperature, strong winds and the moisture is not an ideal situation, and we can not risk damaging our students’ instruments.  The members of the CKYO Symphony Orchestra have been working extremely hard for the past five weeks to prepare for this wonderful opportunity, and we are very disappointed that we are not able to perform for the community.  We thank Spotlight Lexington for trying to accommodate us, but we cannot fight Mother Nature.  We look forward to more opportunities to work with the city of Lexington in the near future.”

Other Spotlight Lexington activities for today include:

• Kentucky arts and crafts market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Triangle Park.

• Youth activities, ballet and magic show also in Triangle Park between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

• On the Insight Stage in Cheapside Park: 3 p.m., The Jason Scott Band (country); 7 p.m., Stir Fry (jazz).

• From 1-4:45 p.m. today, live action from the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on the jumbo video screen downtown.  The screen is located at the Centrepointe lot, where there are also several food vendors who open each day at 11 a.m.

• Half-price tickets available to Monday’s events at the Games.  Every day except Friday, the ticket booth is open on the Centrepointe lot from noon until 2 p.m., and there’s a booth in Cheapside Park on the historic courthouse patio from 4 -11 p.m.

ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

• “The Torques” will perform at 6 p.m. on the Pfizer Animal Health Stage in the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza.

• “The Tim Talbert Project” will perform at 5:30 p.m. on the Insight Stage in Cheapside Park followed at 8 p.m. by Robbie Bartlett (rescheduled).

ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

·         “Song of the Bluegrass” will perform at 6 p.m. on the Pfizer Animal Health Stage in the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza (new time).

·         “Kentuckians Chorus” will perform at 7 p.m. on the Pfizer Animal Health Stage in the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza (new time).

·         “Lexington Singers” will perform at 8 p.m. on the Pfizer Animal Health Stage in the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza (as previously scheduled).

ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2

• “The City” will perform at 4 p.m. (rescheduled) on the Pfizer Animal Health Stage at the Courthouse Plaza.
• “Young At Heart” will perform in Cheapside Park at 1 p.m. 

ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3

• “Better Off Dead” will perform at 5:30 p.m. on the Insight Stage in Cheapside Park.

ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5

• “Business Time” will perform at 5:30 p.m. on the Insight Stage in Cheapside Park (new).

ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8

• “J.D. Crowe and the New South” will perform at 6 p.m. on the Pfizer Animal Health Stage at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza (new time).
• Sam Bush will perform at 9 p.m. on the Pfizer Animal Health Stage at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza (new time).

ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

• “Bacchanal Steel Band” will perform at 1 p.m. on the Insight Stage in Cheapside Park, followed at 3:30 p.m. by “The Gray Squirrels, ” and then at 7 p.m. by “The Sensations” (as announced Monday).

Throughout the festival spectators are asked to leave certain items at home such as tents, grills, glass of any kind, coolers, and fireworks.  This will help to ensure everyone’s viewing pleasure and safety. 

Watch for more helpful information in the coming days as we prepare to kick off  Spotlight Lexington, a FREE 17 day fesitval in downtown Lexington.

“Spotlight is going to be a lot of fun for visitors here for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, but also for our local citizens,” Newberry said.  “There will be some challenges downtown in terms of traffic and street closures, but with a little patience we can all have a great time.”  Click here for detailed Street Closure information.

Extended closings affect Barr Street (courthouse garage remains accessible via Martin Luther King), Short Street and Limestone.  Intermittent closings will affect varying sections of Main Street.

Spotlight begins daily at 11 a.m., when food vendors open.  Most days, the festivities continue until 11 p.m. 

Throughout the festival spectators are asked to leave certain items at home such as tents, grills, glass of any kind, coolers, and fireworks.  This will help to ensure everyone’s viewing pleasure and safety. 

Traffic is likely to be most heavy on the three Fridays during the 17-day festival, planned for Sept. 24-Oct. 10 .  The opening night on Friday, Sept. 24, which is sponsored by Applebee’s, will kick off at 6 p.m. with Scott Said and the Backroads Band, followed by American Idol star Danny Gokey at 7 p.m., with country star Blake Shelton taking the stage at 8 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 1, features Broadway and now country star Laura Bell Bundy; and Friday, Oct. 8, starts with Bluegrass star J.D. Crowe and ends with newgrass star Sam Bush.  In addition, hip hop great Rob Base will finish the festival on Sunday, Oct. 10.  The final weekend of entertainment is sponsored by the Convenience Stores of Speedway.

The major Spotlight concerts will all be held on the Pfizer Animal Health Stage at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza.  Other concerts have been planned for the Insight Stage at Cheapside Park.  Triangle Park will feature Kentucky Proud products plus arts and crafts vendors in the Kentucky Market and free children’s activities each Saturday and Sunday of the festival.  A video board will carry coverage of NBC Sports and Universal Sports from the Kentucky Horse Park.  It will be located in Phoenix Park, facing the Centrepointe block.  Some of the dates and times of that coverage are listed on the entertainment page of the website, www.spotlightlexky.com.

Traffic updates will be available on the city’s website, www.lexingtonky.gov.  Starting Monday, Sept. 20, the front page of the city’s website will be devoted to Spotlight Lexington, providing updates on traffic, entertainment and more.  Traffic Engineers will remain on duty in Lexington’s Traffic Management Center until 11 p.m. or midnight each night of the festival to ensure that traffic flows smoothly into and out of downtown.

Parking is available in the downtown garages and curbside.  For a map of parking lots and garages see the Spotlight Lexington website.  North of High Street, LexPark metered parking spots will be free each day of the festival, beginning at 3 p.m.  Newberry thanked LexPark for its support.

During the Games, the city’s call center, LexCall 3-1-1 (425-2255), will have extended hours (7 a.m.- 11 p.m., weekdays; 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays).  Citizens who spot problems or have a concern during the Games, can call LexCall.  As always, for emergencies call 9-1-1.   

Finally, Carolyn Richardson, chair of the Lexington Games Host Committee, said it’s time to start wearing and using the Spotlight Lexington pin to claim discounts from some 63 local businesses.  The $5 pins, which provide discounts at over 63 local businesses and restaurants, as well as free entry to selected days during Keeneland’s Fall Meet, also qualify some purchasers for daily prize drawings. 

Seventeen lucky pin purchasers who find a gold key in the envelope when they purchase their pin, will have a chance to draw for a Honda Accord LX, provided by Don Jacobs Honda.  Three gold keys have already been found.

Pins are available for $5 at all Lexington area Kroger stores, downtown at Commerce Lexington, at the Don Jacobs dealership on Nicholasville Road and Fayette Mall.  Pins can be purchased in bulk at a discount.  Proceeds benefit the Spotlight Lexington Festival, helping to make all events free and open to the public.

For more information on the pin program go to www.spotlightlexky.com.

The festival will close with a performance by hip-hop artist Rob Base.  The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 10, on the main stage at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza.  In addition, all gold key recipients of the pin program will have their chance to win a new Honda Accord LX from Don Jacobs, and there will be fireworks on the Plaza to celebrate the end of the festival.

Spotlight Lexington, which ends Oct. 10, is the festival Lexington is planning for evenings and weekends during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  The festival is mentioned in the September issue of Southern Living magazine.  Other final weekend entertainment on the main stage includes:

Friday, Oct. 8:             JD Crow and the New South, 5 p.m.

Sam Bush, 8 p.m.

            Saturday, Oct. 9:         Kentucky Ballet Theatre, 3 p.m.

Lexington Ballet Company, 5 p.m.

Lula Washington National Dance Theatre / River City Drum Corp, 7 p.m.

            Sunday, Oct. 10          Rob Base, 6:30 p.m.

                                                Cheapside Park entertainment includes:

            Friday, Oct. 8:             Velveeta Jones, 5:30 p.m.

                                                Gravy, 8 p.m.

            Sunday Oct. 10:          Superfecta, 2 p.m.

                                                Tee Dee Young, 6 p.m.

            The final weekend will also include the annual Second Sunday cycling event, opening downtown streets to vehicle-free cycling.  There will also be other health and wellness activities.

            The Convenience Stores of Speedway SuperAmerica (SSA) are providing the sponsorship for the weekend entertainment, plus five $500 gas cards that will be among the daily prizes given out through the Pin Program.

            “Speedway is proud of our long history in the Lexington area, and we are delighted to be a sponsor of Spotlight Lexington and this unique opportunity to showcase all that the Lexington community has to offer,” noted SSA President Tony Kenney.

Newberry thanked Speedway and all of the sponsors of Spotlight Lexington, who are making the free festival possible.

The $5 pins, which provide discounts at over 63 local businesses and restaurants, as well as free entry to selected days during Keeneland’s Fall Meet, also qualify some purchasers for daily prize drawings. 

Seventeen lucky pin purchasers who find a gold key in the envelope when they purchase their pin, will have a chance to draw for a Honda Accord LX, provided by Don Jacobs Honda.  Two gold keys have already been found.

Pins are available for $5 at all Lexington area Kroger stores, downtown at Commerce Lexington and at the Don Jacobs dealership on Nicholasville Road.  Pins can be purchased in bulk at a discount.  Proceeds benefit the Spotlight Lexington Festival, helping to make all events free and open to the public.

For a complete list of entertainment, sponsors or businesses participating in the pin program go to www.spotlightlexky.com.

About SPEEDWAY SUPERAMERICA:

Speedway SuperAmerica LLC (SSA), headquartered in Enon, Ohio, is one of the nation’s largest company-owned and -operated convenience store chains and the largest in the Midwest with approximately 1,600 stores located in nine states. Most of the stores are operated under the Speedway and SuperAmerica brand names.  SSA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO).  For further information about SSA, visit the Company’s web site at www.speedway.com.

     Gene Woods, CEO of Saint Joseph Health System, the presenting sponsor of Spotlight Lexington, announced new entertainment for the first weekend, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.  “In his short career, he has already worked with the likes of Lenny Kravitz and U2,” said Woods, who will also play “my own blend of jazz and funk when our band The City performs.”  Trombone Shorty performs at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26.   The City performs at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 27.  Both performances will be on the Main Stage in the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza.

     Newberry announced two new sponsors for the festival:  Brown-Forman and Pfizer Animal Health.  “All Spotlight Lexington events are free because of the support of these and other sponsors,” Newberry said.  “We greatly appreciate their support.”

     Brown-Forman is a $60,000 cash sponsorship.  They are also providing an official I-Phone app; free Spotlight marketing materials for local bars and restaurants; a $500 dinner package that will be given away as one of the daily prizes with the Spotlight Pin program; and Woodford Reserve branded accessories for the Kentucky Utilities Patrons Club.

     Pfizer is a $25,000 title sponsorship for the Main Stage, which will be located on Barr Street.  “The World Equestrian Games are one of the biggest and most talked about sporting events held in the United States this year,” said Kim Crabtree, Strategic Account Manager for Pfizer.  “Spotlight Lexington provides a unique opportunity to experience live coverage of the World Equestrian Games, as well as some of the best food and entertainment that Lexington has to offer.  Not everyone is going to be able to view the games from inside the Horse Park.”  The jumbo screen with live feed will be on the Centrepointe lot.

     Newberry added to the list of regional groups that will perform during Spotlight, announcing performances by Robbie Bartlett, a classic R&B artist who will perform Sept. 26 in Cheapside Park, and the Jimmy Church Band, which will perform Oct. 5 on the Main Stage.

     Carolyn Richardson, chair of the Lexington Host Committee, which is planning Spotlight Lexington, provided an update on the Spotlight Lexington pin program.  The $5 pins, which provide discounts at over 60 local businesses and restaurants, as well as free entry to selected days during Keeneland’s Fall Meet, also qualify some lucky purchasers for daily prize drawings. 

     Seventeen lucky pin purchasers who find a gold key in the envelope when they purchase their pin, will have a chance to draw for a Honda Accord LX, provided by Don Jacobs Honda.  Two gold keys have already been found.

     Pins are available for $5 at all Lexington area Kroger stores, downtown at Commerce Lexington and at the Don Jacobs dealership on Nicholasville Road.  Pins can be purchased in bulk at a discount.  Proceeds benefit the Spotlight Lexington Festival, helping to make all events free and open to the public.

On the final day of the festival, Oct. 10, one lucky volunteer will win a car hood and two tickets to the race, Newberry said.  “We want our volunteers to understand how important they are to the success of Spotlight Lexington,” the Mayor said.  As volunteer program sponsor, Valvoline will also provide each volunteer with a Spotlight Lexington special-branded Volunteer T-shirt.

Allmendinger’s No. 43 Valvoline Ford Fusion was on display during today’s news conference.  Allmendinger joined Richard Petty Motorsports for the final five races of the 2008 season.  In 2009 he had six top-10 finishes.  This past weekend he finished 16^th in the Brickyard 400.

Spotlight Lexington is the 17-day festival Lexington is planning downtown on evenings and weekends during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.   Spotlight Lexington is being entirely funded through sponsorships, Newberry said.  “We have created opportunities for large and small sponsorships, and we want to thank all of the businesses that have already gotten involved,” he said.  St. Joseph Health System is the title sponsor.

More volunteers are needed for Spotlight Lexington.  To register to become a volunteer, or for more information, visit the Spotlight Lexington website at www.spotlightlexky.com.  The Games are now just 59 days away.  Spotlight Lexington begins on Sept. 24, one day before the Games. 

Valvoline is also getting involved in the Spotlight Lexington pin program, said Carolyn Richardson, chair of the Lexington Host Committee, which is planning Spotlight Lexington.  The $5 pins, which provide discounts at almost 40 local businesses and restaurants, as well as free entry to selected days during Keeneland’s Fall Meet, also qualify some lucky purchasers for daily drawings.  For a complete list of discounts go to www.spotlightlexky.com.

Valvoline is making a cowboy hat autographed by Richard Petty available as one of the daily prizes, Richardson said.  The grand prize is a Honda Accord LX, provided by Don Jacobs Honda.  Seventeen lucky pin purchasers who find a gold key in the envelope when they purchase their pin, will have a chance to draw for the car.  One gold key has already been found.

Pins are available for $5 at all Lexington area Kroger stores, downtown at Commerce Lexington and at the Don Jacobs dealership on Nicholasville Road.  Pins can be purchased in bulk at a discount.  Proceeds benefit the Spotlight Lexington Festival, helping to make all events free and open to the public.

The No. 43 Valvoline Ford Fusion will be on display during the news conference.  The news conference will be held in the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion in Cheapside Park, located next to the historic Courthouse on Main Street. 

Allmendinger joined Richard Petty Motorsports for the final five races of the 2008 season.  In 2009 he had six top-10 finishes.  This past weekend he finished 16^th in the Brickyard 400.

“I am thrilled to announce that country music star Blake Shelton will help us kick off our Spotlight Lexington festival.  With all of the talent spanning across many genres that we already have lined up to entertain our citizens and visitors, Blake’s addition is one more reason why Spotlight Lexington will be the place to be in Lexington during the Games,” said Mayor Jim Newberry.

Blake Shelton has charted seventeen singles on the country music charts, including six Number One hits: “Austin” (2001), “The Baby” (2003), “Some Beach” (2004-2005), “Home” (2008), “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” (2009) and “Hillbilly Bone” (2010), a duet with Trace Adkins. Besides these, three more of his singles have reached Top Ten: a cover version of Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time“, “Nobody but Me” and “I’ll Just Hold On“.  Earlier this year, Shelton won Vocal Event of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year for “Hillbilly Bone“.

In addition to the Courthouse Plaza, Spotlight events will be held in Triangle Park, Cheapside Park and in the Centrepointe block.  A large video board will be placed at Phoenix Park.  The video board will carry coverage from the Horse Park to downtown on a daily basis.  For the most up to date listing of entertainment at all of the venues, visit www.spotlightlexky.com. 

Funding for Spotlight Lexington is being provided through sponsorship.  Sponsors include presenting sponsor St. Joseph Health System, Kentucky Utilities, WKYT, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Valvoline, Applebee’s, Don Jacobs Honda, BMW, and Volkswagon, Lynn Imaging, Smiley Pete and the Kentucky Arts Council.