Rosetta Chapel Opens Its Doors to Spread Gospel of Music in Portland

For the past couple years, fans of independent and underground music from all over Louisville have discovered a hidden treasure near 20th and Main Street in Portland: the Rosetta Chapel, a performance space which has hosted dozens of bands of all varieties, and also happens to be the home of Daniel Barber, a multi-media sculpture artist. He started out having dance parties with his friends, and the scene organically expanded into serving as a home for live music. The home’s namesake, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, is the “godmother of rock and roll,” the gospel blues singer and guitar innovator from the 1930s and ‘40s who influenced the likes of Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Tina Turner and Elvis Presley. The striking mural on the side of the church was created by prominent local artist Damon Thompson, whose work can be found on urban spaces all over Louisville.

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From River to Imagination: Portland Museum Welcomes 50-Foot Shrimp Boat

This spring, something extraordinary set sail—without even touching the water. A 50-foot shrimp boat, built in 1949 by Robert Guidry, once cut through Gulf Coast waters and more recently floated (and occasionally sank) along the Ohio River. Now, thanks to the shared vision, tenacity, and logistical wizardry of a dedicated crew, it has found its forever home in the backyard of the Portland Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.

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