Kentucky Performing Arts
Bomhard Theater
June 13, 2026
7:30 pm
In the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s, the old Walnut Street area was the hub of activity for business, professional, and social life for Louisville’s Black community. The Walnut Street “strip” ran from 6th to 13th streets and contained establishments such as a black owned bank, insurance companies, nightclubs, restaurants, funeral homes, beer gardens, doctor & dentist offices, and an array of assorted businesses. More than that, however, it was the ambiance of Walnut Street and its significance to the Black community during the period of racial segregation that makes it memorable.
Walnut Street became known for its entertainment spots which featured Black performers who could perform in front of Black audiences only at Black owned clubs or performing halls. In addition to entertainment, an entire sub-culture developed on Walnut Street which included the business, entertainment and social life of Louisville’s Black community. In short, Walnut Street was the mecca for Black Louisville during the 1930’s, 40’s & 50’s.
In the early 60’s, Walnut Street fell victim to the sledgehammer of urban renewal and block after block of buildings and a people’s heritage was destroyed. But the Walnut Street period was an era of elegance and class. Historians will undoubtedly say that this period was a most significant one in the development of Louisville, especially Black Louisville.
This presentation is dedicated to the memory of Ray Johnson, whom we lost last year. A native of Louisville who lived on Walnut Street. Ray composed and performed the pre-show music, his special tribute to the memory of Walnut Street. Ray worked in New York as a pianist & composer. He was piano accompanist for Jack Parr’s ‘Tonight Show” plus the David Frost and Dick Cavett shows. He toured with major acts nationally before returning to Louisville where he played at Jack Fry’s Restaurant ’s for over 30 years.
As a tribute to the Walnut Street Era, The Walnut Street Revue presents “Let the Good Times Roll at the Top Hat Club” with Jason Clayborne serving as Emcee at the Top Hat Club, vocalist Sonya Hensley and Blues Messenger, Tee Dee Young.
Jason is a recipient of the prestigious Dove Award and has been nominated for the Stellar, Soul Train, Billboard and Grammy Awards. His contributions to Gospel Music are known Internationally.
Sonya has regaled audiences in 59 countries and has performed with mega stars such as Ricky Martin, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Buffett Norman Conners, Rose Royce and Raphael Martos of Spain. Best known for her film work in “The Cotton Club”, “Glitter” and television’s “It’s Showtime at the Apollo”, “The Sopranos” and countless commercials. She is a Louisville native and a graduate of Louisville’ Performing Arts School. (YPAS) and is delighted to take part in the legacy of the Walnut Street Revue. She will be accompanied by the Dave Clark Sextet.
Tee Dee Young hails from Lexington, KY and was born with “blues in his blood.”
He was named International Blues Finalist by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee and Best Blues Band in the state of Kentucky by the Kentucky Blues Society. He was named “Beale Street Blues King.” and inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2022. Tee Dee brings his exciting and seasoned blues band to this year’s Walnut Street Revue.
`The Walnut Street Revue will take you back to the days when Walnut Street was “the place to be & be seen” and give you a “feel” for what it was like to spend a Saturday night at the famous Top Hat Club.
This event will take place in the Kentucky Performing Arts Center’s Bomhard Theater on Saturday, June 13th, 2026. Tickets are available at the Kentucky Performing Arts Center Ticket Office and Better Days Records on Barret Avenue.
This event is made possible through the generous support of:
The Owsley Brown II Family Foundation
Hardscuffle Inc./American Life & Accident Insurance Company
Jack Frys Restaurant
WLKY-TV
