For everyone who has listed 'Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft' as your alma mater on Facebook, head down to the Louisville Free Public Library this Saturday July 29, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. for PotterPalooza (301 York Street), in honor of Harry Potter's Birthday (which is technically July 31st).
The event claims to have everything Harry Potter, a Diagon Alley exhibit, a Muggle Museum, magical craft making, broomstick flying lessons, Quidditch, and more.
Activities for younger fans will take place from 2 to 5 p.m., and activities for older kids, teens, and adults will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Carmichael’s Kids will be selling books from the series during the event. And of course, everyone is invited to dress as their favorite character from the world of Harry Potter. FREE.
As part of 37FLOOD's 10th Anniversary we have asked Louisville writers to talk about music, Louisville, culture, and what it's like writing about it all in the Derby City. We will be posting the interviews throughout the summer.
Phillip Olympia is the founder of the Louisville music & entertainment blog Never Nervous, which he began in 2011. He is also a musician and operator of Dunkenstien Records.
37- What is the name of the publication you write for?
PO- Never Nervous, obviously named after Louisville Basketball
legend Never Nervous Pervis Ellison.
37- How long has it been operating?
PO- I started Never Nervous in 2011 as a sort of excuse to keep
in touch with music in Louisville. The band I was in at the time had just
broken up, and considering there wasn’t another band for me on the horizon I
figured this would be a good way to contribute to the “scene”.
37- How long have you been covering music in Louisville?
PO- I’ve only been “covering” music since 2011, but I’ve been
personally documenting it since the late 90’s by purchasing tapes, CDs and
records from countless bands thanks to likeminded friends that introduced me to
bands like Bodyhammer, Elliott, Seaside Panel and By the Grace of God when I
was a teenager.
37- What made you decide to cover music in Louisville?
PO- To start, Bryan Volz and Louisville Hardcore were a major
inspiration behind Never Nervous. I loved what he did, I loved his passion, but
wanted to expand beyond Louisville’s heavier side.
In short, I just fucking love this city and it’s weird
collection of artists and musicians. I haven’t been actively playing music in a
while, so as a spectator, how could I not? I’m never bored in Louisville as a
fan of music, and I don’t see that ever changing.
37- What has been the most exciting or rewardingpost you have written?
PO- That’s an impossible question to answer. I’ve gotten
all-the-way-hard writing about all sorts of things, whether it be reminiscing
about Bodyhammer’s “Die Young Amplifiers” album, interviewing Will Oldham about
his Merle Haggard covers record, or telling people how awesome Rec Bar was when
they first opened. Just about every thing I post about is a boner for me, and
if it wasn’t I wouldn’t write about it.
37- Has there been a scandalous situation you have been involved
with during your time as a music writer?
PO- Shit, John.. I don’t think I’ve ever written anything
scandalous or controversial, aside from a few record reviews that weren’t 100%
positive where the band/artist put me/NN on blast for not falling in love with
their project. But that’s not really news as a “music writer” right? Sometimes
you love it, sometimes you don’t, but there’s almost always something to
appreciate from a genuine artistic output, right? Yes, I’m right.
37- What Local music publications or writers do you keep up
with?
PO- I mean, all of them? I guess? LEO still turns me on to some
cool shit and rjmeads.com is a killer hip hop blog. I’ve actually been
subscribed to the 37Flood e-mail list for years. But to be honest, I spend so
much time in the Never Nervous e-mail inbox sorting through this and that
figuring out what’s what that I don’t have much time to get to much else aside
from clicking links on social media. The only blog that I anxiously comb
through on a daily basis is Bloody Disgusting, because duh, it’s awesome.
37- What are some of your favorite events you have covered?
PO- Man, covering last year’s Days of the Dead horror convention
was a fucking blast. Meeting the cast from Return of the Living Dead and a
bunch of other horror icons (like Sid Haig!) was so much fun. I know that’s not
related to music, but hot damn, that was a great time.
Aside from that, Poorcastle is always a blast, as is
Forecastle. I also had a great time hanging out at last year’s Louisville
Arcade Expo, especially when Bit Brigade performed their version of the
soundtrack to Mega Man II as a speed runner blew through the game while
remaining in sync with the band. It was nuts!
37- What do you see in the future for Louisville Music?
PO- In the near future I see Louisville’s hip hop scene continue
to blossom as a unique community unlike any other. I feel like acts such as
James Lindsey, Touch AC, 1200, Shadowpact, Goodbar & RMLLW2LLZ (to name a
few) are so fucking brilliant; I’m proud to walk on some of the same dirt as
those dudes for sure.
Aside from that, who the hell knows? I like being surprised,
I prefer to not prognosticate. Every week something awesome arrives in our
inbox, or something brilliant will surface on Bandcamp or Soundcloud (although
Soundcloud sucks, I wish people would stop using it).
In closing, I love this god damned town, warts, farts and
all. I love the noise, I love the food, I love the beer, I love the fun. Never
stop being awesome, Louisville.
