Wow. Has it been one year already? The parties. The plans. The celebrities. More parties. Some people may have wondered if the economy would tone down the celebrations surrounding the best two minutes in sports, but after taking a look at the list below, decide for yourself if that’s turned out to be true.
While some parties, like the Playboy Party, has gone to party heaven (or somewhere with a little more heat; you decide), there’s still more than enough to go around for all of us.
WEDNESDAY April 29th –
Derby Uncorked @ Churchill Downs – Marquee Village, Gate 10, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. $60 in advance, $70 at the door, Benefits: Thoroughbred Charities of America, Tasting: Mint Juleps, Open Bar, Hors d’oeuvres provided by Levy Restaurants, Entertainment: The Tyrone Smith Revue (a.ka. “Super-T”) and DJ Infiniti, http://www.louisvilleuncorked.com/
Celebrity Jockey Bartending Charity Event —
Prime Lounge, 104 W. Main St. 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 29. $10. 587-7463.
THURSDAY April 30th –Third Annual Pre-Derby All Star Jam — Glassworks
, 815 W. Main St. 10 p.m. Thursday, April 30. Featuring DJ Lo-Skee, DJ RL and DJ Kaos and a performance by crooner Smoke E. Digglera. $30. 295-0435
Recession-Proof Derby Kickoff Affair — Comedy Caravan, 1250 Bardstown Road. 10 p.m. Thursday, April 30. JRP Productions and 30something Entertainment team up for this grown and sexy Derby bash. $10. 608-3822
FRIDAY May 1st –
23rd Annual Oaks Brunch — Brown Hotel, 335 W. Broadway. 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 1. Brunch, cocktails and music by Steve Crews. $150. 589-0102.The Mint Jubilee — The Galt House, 140 N. Fourth St. 7 p.m. Friday, May 1. $500. Gourmet dinner, cocktails and dancing. Black-tie. mintjubilee.browncancercenter.org
. 562-3153.
Barnstable Brown Gala — 1700 Spring Drive. 8 p.m. Friday, May 1. Sold out.
Belvedere Celebrity Derby Lounge — Prime Lounge
, 104 W. Main St. 8 p.m. Friday, May 1. Music by DJ Vice. 587-7463.
Derby Eve Gala — Seelbach Hilton, 500 S. Fourth St. 8 p.m. Friday, May 1. $300. Benefits the American Lung Association. www.derbyevegala.org
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Triumph Gala — The Grand, 138 E. Market St., New Albany. 8 p.m. Friday, May 1. Dinner, cocktails, magic and music by R.U.O.K? Benefits for breast cancer research. $30 per person, $55 per couple. 949-8888.
All-White Pre-Derby Eve of Elegance Gala — The Galt House
, 140 N. Fourth St. 8 p.m. Friday, May 1. Hosted by DJ Reggie Regg. Guests are encouraged to wear white. $55 per person or $450 for a table of 10. 262-9542.
Derby Spectacular with Kim Kardashian — Glassworks, 815 W. Main St. 9 p.m. Friday, May 1. $125-$750. Open bar plus music by DJ Tendaji Lathan. www.russrenbarger.com
. 836-3448.
Rhythm Nation Derby Gala — Kye’s II, 500 Missouri Ave., Jeffersonville. 9 p.m. Friday, May 1. With DJ Fluid and more, musical performances and break dance group Zulu Crew. $100. kentuckyrhythm.com
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Goodtimers Derby Eve Bash — Butchertown Pointe, 1205 E. Washington St. 10 p.m. Friday, May 1. Featuring DJ E-Feezy and DJ Q, plus live jazz by Maestro J. www.myspace.com/thegoodtimers
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Glamourlife Kentucky Derby Weekend Afterhours —- Improv
, 441 S. Fourth St. 11 p.m. Friday, May 1, and 11 p.m. Saturday, May 2. With DJ Q and Atlanta’s DJ Markie Bee. Rowdy Records artist Novel will give a special performance. $25 per night or $40 for weekend pass. 608-3822
Derby City Party With A Purpose — The Gillespie, 421 W. Market St. 11 p.m. Friday, May 1. Hosted by Tom Joyner of “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” and Amobi Okoye of the Houston Texans. Featuring music by DJ Spinderella of Salt N Pepa. www.derbycitypwp.org.
THE BIG DAY: SATURDAY MAY 2ND –Darrell Griffith Foundation All Star Celebrity Derby Affair — Kentucky International Convention Center
, 221 S. Fourth St. 11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Music by Fantasia, Chrisette Michele and DJ Kid Capri. Open bar. $65-$125. 454-7550.
The Grand Gala — The Galt House, 140 N. Fourth St. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2. R&B singer Teena Marie is the featured entertainer. 583-5243. grandgala.com
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Louisville Urban League Guild Moonlight Cruise — Belle of Louisville
, 401 W. River Road. 8:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2. $50. 561-6830.
Down and Derby Party — Water Tower, 3005 River Road. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Featuring the Dumante Demon and the Derby City Roller Girls. Benefit for WINGS HIV/AIDS clinic and the Louisville AIDS Walk. $20. 896-2146.
THE DAY AFTER THE BIG DAY Sunday May 3rd –
Hair of the Dog Party — Yew Dell Gardens, 6220 Old LaGrange Road, Crestwood. 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 3. Barbecue, beverages and entertainment. $75. 241-4788. www.yewdellgardens.org.
Historic Homes Foundation Derby Breakfast — Farmington, 3033 Bardstown Road. 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 2. Buffet breakfast, open bar and bluegrass music by Dozens of Dollars. $125. Round-trip coach service to Churchill Downs is $40. 899-5133. www.historichomes.org
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Hillbilly Outfield Kentucky Derby Party — 12202 Old Shelbyville Road. 6 p.m. Friday, May 1, through 10 p.m. Sunday, May 3. Includes drinks, food, music and audio/video of the Derby. Wristbands are good for admission, food and drinks all weekend. Proceeds to benefit Make a Wish Foundation. 327-0705. hillbillyoutfield.org
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Bowl for the Roses — Sports & Social Club, 427 S. Fourth St. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30. $100 in advance, $150 at the door. Music by DJ K-Dogg. Benefit for Global Ministries and The Robby Albarado Foundation. joey@jdubentertainment.com.
100 Black Men of Louisville Derby Gala — Kentucky International Convention Center, 221 S. Fourth St. 9 p.m. Thursday, April 30. Dinner buffet and dancing. $150. 595-4381. www.100blackmenlouisville.com
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