Devin Marks discusses the inspiration, planning, and community involvement behind the Ginkgo Galore Festival in Wilmore, Kentucky with show host Kate Savage. The conversation covers the festival's unique activities, the restoration of the historic granary, and how the event celebrates local history and culture.
Devin is President of the Ginkgo Foundation and Producer of the Ginkgo Galore Festival that will take place in Wilmore.
Devin brings deep roots in large-scale community event production, as founder of the Heritage Celebration in Tampa and in Boston led the 425th birthday celebration of Founding Mother Anne Hutchinson – a five day, 18 event series across three states.

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In this podcast my guests Sherry Jackson Thompson, Director; Wylie Caudill, Steve; and Kyle Wade, numerous roles - all female - discuss the upcoming production of Jeffrey by Act Out Theatre, exploring its themes of love, humor, and the impact of the AIDS crisis. They share insights into the mission of Act Out Theatre, the character dynamics within the play, and the challenges of rehearsing without a dedicated space. The discussion highlights the relevance of the play in today's context, emphasizing the importance of community and inclusivity in theatre.

Jeffrey was written in the shadow of a profound public health and social crisis. Opening off-Broadway to much success in 1992, the play emerged during the AIDS epidemic, when fear, stigma, misinformation, and political inaction shaped the lives of countless Americans. Although the circumstances are different, the parallels between then and now are disturbingly similar.
The early 1990s in America were marked by deep social and political divisions. Many people living with HIV and AIDS faced discrimination, isolation, and the loss of friends and loved ones while public institutions struggled to respond with the urgency the crisis demanded. The Reagan administration had been widely criticized for its delayed and inadequate public response during the early years of the epidemic, a failure that intensified the pain experienced by affected communities. These circumstances helped fuel activism and demanded that the public confront the human cost of silence.
Today, as we recognize disturbing parallels between now and then – we honor humor and heart as a means to a kinder day. Sadly, communities still confront social injustice, political polarization, and marginalization today.

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Step inside one of Lexington’s most creative spaces, what does it take to transform a crumbling historic building into a vibrant arts hub?

This episode of ArtThrob features Marco Logsdon and Michael Satterley, artists and co-owners of Louis Gard Studios & Event Space. Host Kate Savage leads an engaging conversation about the arduous restoration of a former hemp factory and jazz club, how the duo reimagined the space inch by inch, and how it now offers essential studios and event venues for the Lexington creative community. The discussion will resonate with artists, history buffs, arts entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in adaptive reuse, community-building, or behind-the-scenes arts stories. Listeners will hear about unique challenges, surprising discoveries, inventive solutions, and the powerful synergy between resident artists and community initiatives.

For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html