Outside The Spotlight
@outsidethespotlight.org
Outside The Spotlight is a series of jazz and improvised music events in Lexington, KY. We give a home to artists making music that doesn't fit with commercial sensibilities and build an environment where artists and audience can interact more directly.
Pinned
Outside the Spotlight
Information about Lexington, Kentucky's premiere improvisational music series.
outsidethespotlight.org
Outside the Spotlight presents multiple concerts each year, & almost all of them are totally free to attend!
While this is great, it means that we rely on your donations to keep a good thing going. This giving season, please consider donating. outsidethespotlight.org#giving
#freejazz #music #donate
While this is great, it means that we rely on your donations to keep a good thing going. This giving season, please consider donating. outsidethespotlight.org#giving
#freejazz #music #donate
Please join Outside the Spotlight as we present FRIEND LESS (Jon Mueller) and Zeus, Again on Wednesday, Sep 30th at artfarm in Lexington! The show is at 7pm and is all-ages / pay-what-you-can. Bring a friend! #freejazz #improvisationalmusic #percussion #community
September 7, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Please join Outside the Spotlight as we present FRIEND LESS (Jon Mueller) and Zeus, Again on Wednesday, Sep 30th at artfarm in Lexington! The show is at 7pm and is all-ages / pay-what-you-can. Bring a friend! #freejazz #improvisationalmusic #percussion #community
Reposted by Outside The Spotlight
Devin Gray Announces Fall 2026 Tour
Drummer and improviser Devin Gray has announced a fall tour with dates across Europe, the United States, and Canada. August 15 – Berlin, GermanyAugust 27 – Berlin, GermanyAugust 28 – Stockholm, SwedenAugust 31 – Berlin, GermanySeptember 11 – Berlin,…
Drummer and improviser Devin Gray has announced a fall tour with dates across Europe, the United States, and Canada. August 15 – Berlin, GermanyAugust 27 – Berlin, GermanyAugust 28 – Stockholm, SwedenAugust 31 – Berlin, GermanySeptember 11 – Berlin,…
Devin Gray Announces Fall 2026 Tour
Drummer and improviser Devin Gray has announced a fall tour with dates across Europe, the United States, and Canada. August 15 – Berlin, GermanyAugust 27 – Berlin, GermanyAugust 28 – Stockholm, SwedenAugust 31 – Berlin, GermanySeptember 11 – Berlin, GermanySeptember 15 – Brooklyn, NYSeptember 16 – Brooklyn, NYSeptember 17 – Tucson, AZSeptember 21 – Los Angeles, CA…
avantmusicnews.com
August 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Devin Gray Announces Fall 2026 Tour
Drummer and improviser Devin Gray has announced a fall tour with dates across Europe, the United States, and Canada. August 15 – Berlin, GermanyAugust 27 – Berlin, GermanyAugust 28 – Stockholm, SwedenAugust 31 – Berlin, GermanySeptember 11 – Berlin,…
Drummer and improviser Devin Gray has announced a fall tour with dates across Europe, the United States, and Canada. August 15 – Berlin, GermanyAugust 27 – Berlin, GermanyAugust 28 – Stockholm, SwedenAugust 31 – Berlin, GermanySeptember 11 – Berlin,…
Reposted by Outside The Spotlight
I didn't get to stay to see their quartet set, but Daisy, Vandermark, Moore, and Ali all played amazing solo sets first! Here's a picture of Ken Vandermark on tenor. Thanks to @outsidethespotlight.org!
July 14, 2026 at 12:59 PM
I didn't get to stay to see their quartet set, but Daisy, Vandermark, Moore, and Ali all played amazing solo sets first! Here's a picture of Ken Vandermark on tenor. Thanks to @outsidethespotlight.org!
Please join Outside the Spotlight as Bark Culture returns for a free ($10 suggested donation) show this Friday, August 14 at Lexington Scottish Rite. This will be a show you can bring your less-musically-adventurous friends to, and they will have a good time. Please come, and bring a friend! #vibes
August 12, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Please join Outside the Spotlight as Bark Culture returns for a free ($10 suggested donation) show this Friday, August 14 at Lexington Scottish Rite. This will be a show you can bring your less-musically-adventurous friends to, and they will have a good time. Please come, and bring a friend! #vibes
Monday July 13th at 7pm, Outside The Spotlight is proud to present the Tim Daisy (percussion), Ken Vandermark (reeds), Allen Moore (turntables), and Ishmael Ali (cello) quartet at 21C Museum Hotel Lexington (KY). The show is free, awesome, and all ages. Donations are appreciated. See you there!
July 11, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Monday July 13th at 7pm, Outside The Spotlight is proud to present the Tim Daisy (percussion), Ken Vandermark (reeds), Allen Moore (turntables), and Ishmael Ali (cello) quartet at 21C Museum Hotel Lexington (KY). The show is free, awesome, and all ages. Donations are appreciated. See you there!
Reposted by Outside The Spotlight
Special thanks to Lamont Collins and the Roots 101 staff. JOE MCPHEE/KEN VANDERMARK/CHRIS CORSANO tour poster designed by Robert Beatty. Thank you @edsunspot.bsky.social!. Also our very special thanks to @outsidethespotlight.org in Lexington, as well as Talk Low and No Response in Cincinnati.
July 2, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Special thanks to Lamont Collins and the Roots 101 staff. JOE MCPHEE/KEN VANDERMARK/CHRIS CORSANO tour poster designed by Robert Beatty. Thank you @edsunspot.bsky.social!. Also our very special thanks to @outsidethespotlight.org in Lexington, as well as Talk Low and No Response in Cincinnati.
What a great night with Jane is Not Acoustic and Luke Schneider! Thanks to all who came out!
April 24, 2026 at 7:23 PM
What a great night with Jane is Not Acoustic and Luke Schneider! Thanks to all who came out!
We have a cool show coming up Thursday 4/23/26 featuring Luke Schneider and Jane Is Not Acoustic. The show is at the University of Kentucky Art Museum at 7pm.
Look forward to a night full of weird electronic music & ambient pedal steel!
#Lexington #Kentucky #PedalSteel #ambient #electronic #music
Look forward to a night full of weird electronic music & ambient pedal steel!
#Lexington #Kentucky #PedalSteel #ambient #electronic #music
April 22, 2026 at 7:47 PM
We have a cool show coming up Thursday 4/23/26 featuring Luke Schneider and Jane Is Not Acoustic. The show is at the University of Kentucky Art Museum at 7pm.
Look forward to a night full of weird electronic music & ambient pedal steel!
#Lexington #Kentucky #PedalSteel #ambient #electronic #music
Look forward to a night full of weird electronic music & ambient pedal steel!
#Lexington #Kentucky #PedalSteel #ambient #electronic #music
Reposted by Outside The Spotlight
Even though I don't live in Lexington, #Louisville is close enough that I donated to Outside the Spotlight, a fantastic non-profit organization that brings jazz and improvised music events to Lex, only a short drive away. You should too!
@outsidethespotlight.org
givebutter.com/otsgiving2025
@outsidethespotlight.org
givebutter.com/otsgiving2025
OTS 2025-2026 Giving Campaign
By Outside the Spotlight
givebutter.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Even though I don't live in Lexington, #Louisville is close enough that I donated to Outside the Spotlight, a fantastic non-profit organization that brings jazz and improvised music events to Lex, only a short drive away. You should too!
@outsidethespotlight.org
givebutter.com/otsgiving2025
@outsidethespotlight.org
givebutter.com/otsgiving2025
Friends, Neighbors,
Outside the Spotlight presents Friends & Neighbors on Monday, Dec 1 at 7pm in The Cat's Den (Gatton Student Ctr). The show is all-ages and free to attend. This is event #241 for OTS, and it's the last show of the year.
Friends & Neighbors is an acclaimed Norwegian jazz quintet.
Outside the Spotlight presents Friends & Neighbors on Monday, Dec 1 at 7pm in The Cat's Den (Gatton Student Ctr). The show is all-ages and free to attend. This is event #241 for OTS, and it's the last show of the year.
Friends & Neighbors is an acclaimed Norwegian jazz quintet.
November 30, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Friends, Neighbors,
Outside the Spotlight presents Friends & Neighbors on Monday, Dec 1 at 7pm in The Cat's Den (Gatton Student Ctr). The show is all-ages and free to attend. This is event #241 for OTS, and it's the last show of the year.
Friends & Neighbors is an acclaimed Norwegian jazz quintet.
Outside the Spotlight presents Friends & Neighbors on Monday, Dec 1 at 7pm in The Cat's Den (Gatton Student Ctr). The show is all-ages and free to attend. This is event #241 for OTS, and it's the last show of the year.
Friends & Neighbors is an acclaimed Norwegian jazz quintet.
Outside the Spotlight presents multiple concerts each year, & almost all of them are totally free to attend!
While this is great, it means that we rely on your donations to keep a good thing going. This giving season, please consider donating. outsidethespotlight.org#giving
#freejazz #music #donate
While this is great, it means that we rely on your donations to keep a good thing going. This giving season, please consider donating. outsidethespotlight.org#giving
#freejazz #music #donate
Outside the Spotlight
Information about Lexington, Kentucky's premiere improvisational music series.
outsidethespotlight.org
November 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Outside the Spotlight presents multiple concerts each year, & almost all of them are totally free to attend!
While this is great, it means that we rely on your donations to keep a good thing going. This giving season, please consider donating. outsidethespotlight.org#giving
#freejazz #music #donate
While this is great, it means that we rely on your donations to keep a good thing going. This giving season, please consider donating. outsidethespotlight.org#giving
#freejazz #music #donate
Friends, Outside the Spotlight is celebrating 23 Years (!!!) of bringing free and improvised music to Lexington, KY. Please come out and celebrate with us this Thursday 🎉
#ListeningParty #saxophone #freejazz #anniversary #party #free #allages #lexington #lexingtonky
#ListeningParty #saxophone #freejazz #anniversary #party #free #allages #lexington #lexingtonky
November 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Friends, Outside the Spotlight is celebrating 23 Years (!!!) of bringing free and improvised music to Lexington, KY. Please come out and celebrate with us this Thursday 🎉
#ListeningParty #saxophone #freejazz #anniversary #party #free #allages #lexington #lexingtonky
#ListeningParty #saxophone #freejazz #anniversary #party #free #allages #lexington #lexingtonky
OTS #236
microplastique w/ Pointless TriangleFriday June 13, 2025
7:00pm
Lexington Art League at the Loudoun House
microplastique w/ Pointless TriangleFriday June 13, 2025
7:00pm
Lexington Art League at the Loudoun House
June 4, 2025 at 12:09 PM
OTS #236
microplastique w/ Pointless TriangleFriday June 13, 2025
7:00pm
Lexington Art League at the Loudoun House
microplastique w/ Pointless TriangleFriday June 13, 2025
7:00pm
Lexington Art League at the Loudoun House
Get ready for OTS #235: featuring Paul Giallorenzo Trio with Mikel Avery, and Jason Roebke at the U. K. Singletary Center President’s Room Thursday, May 1st. 7pm.
*This show is free and for all ages*
outsidethespotlight.org
*This show is free and for all ages*
outsidethespotlight.org
Outside the Spotlight
Information about Lexington, Kentucky's premiere improvisational music series.
outsidethespotlight.org
April 27, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Get ready for OTS #235: featuring Paul Giallorenzo Trio with Mikel Avery, and Jason Roebke at the U. K. Singletary Center President’s Room Thursday, May 1st. 7pm.
*This show is free and for all ages*
outsidethespotlight.org
*This show is free and for all ages*
outsidethespotlight.org
Outside the Spotlight Jazz and Improvised Music Series #234:
Ballister w/ Sparks Color Time
This show is FREE and ALL AGES. Donations to support the ongoing work of the series are greatly appreciated.
Sign up for our direct email list at www.outsidethespotlight.org
Ballister w/ Sparks Color Time
This show is FREE and ALL AGES. Donations to support the ongoing work of the series are greatly appreciated.
Sign up for our direct email list at www.outsidethespotlight.org
April 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Outside the Spotlight Jazz and Improvised Music Series #234:
Ballister w/ Sparks Color Time
This show is FREE and ALL AGES. Donations to support the ongoing work of the series are greatly appreciated.
Sign up for our direct email list at www.outsidethespotlight.org
Ballister w/ Sparks Color Time
This show is FREE and ALL AGES. Donations to support the ongoing work of the series are greatly appreciated.
Sign up for our direct email list at www.outsidethespotlight.org
BALLISTER returns to Outside the Spotlight!
April 8th, 7pm, Loudoun House, Free, All Ages
Dave Rempis, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and PNL.
Their unabashed energy makes for a powerful listening experience that combines driving grooves with noisy textures and occasional melodic interjections.
April 8th, 7pm, Loudoun House, Free, All Ages
Dave Rempis, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and PNL.
Their unabashed energy makes for a powerful listening experience that combines driving grooves with noisy textures and occasional melodic interjections.
March 22, 2025 at 6:35 PM
BALLISTER returns to Outside the Spotlight!
April 8th, 7pm, Loudoun House, Free, All Ages
Dave Rempis, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and PNL.
Their unabashed energy makes for a powerful listening experience that combines driving grooves with noisy textures and occasional melodic interjections.
April 8th, 7pm, Loudoun House, Free, All Ages
Dave Rempis, Fred Lonberg-Holm, and PNL.
Their unabashed energy makes for a powerful listening experience that combines driving grooves with noisy textures and occasional melodic interjections.
SPARKS COLOR TIME responds to preoccupations with Possibility as 'grateful' rather than 'avant garde' or gymnastic. Color Time features Nicholaus Diedrichsen, Kirby Davis, Zach Brock, and Kevin Sparks. A suite of five tunes respectively in 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be exposed and developed. #OTS234
March 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
SPARKS COLOR TIME responds to preoccupations with Possibility as 'grateful' rather than 'avant garde' or gymnastic. Color Time features Nicholaus Diedrichsen, Kirby Davis, Zach Brock, and Kevin Sparks. A suite of five tunes respectively in 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be exposed and developed. #OTS234
This will be “the place to be” on Friday evening.
This is like if cafe OTO was in Kentucky! Hope you can make it if you're local.
March 6, 2025 at 9:19 PM
This will be “the place to be” on Friday evening.
OTS action tonight! Percussionist Jon Mueller is back to delight and hypnotize with his curiously compelling methods of minimalist percussion. Anyone who has witnessed his last couple of trips to town knows that Mueller’s magic is hard to describe but also hard to deny.
@jonmueller.bsky.social
@jonmueller.bsky.social
March 4, 2025 at 6:40 PM
OTS action tonight! Percussionist Jon Mueller is back to delight and hypnotize with his curiously compelling methods of minimalist percussion. Anyone who has witnessed his last couple of trips to town knows that Mueller’s magic is hard to describe but also hard to deny.
@jonmueller.bsky.social
@jonmueller.bsky.social
Reposted by Outside The Spotlight
Stacked week in Lexington, Jon Mueller Tuesday, Irene Moon Friday. And the Irene Moon show should be over in time to make the MJ Lenderman gig!
Two great FREE/ALL AGES shows coming up in Lexington next week that I helped with (playing the March 7th one as well)
March 4th- @jonmueller.bsky.social at Institute 193 presented by @otslexington.bsky.social
March 7th- @moonirene.bsky.social /Ed Sunspot / @heartywhite.bsky.social at 21C Lexington
March 4th- @jonmueller.bsky.social at Institute 193 presented by @otslexington.bsky.social
March 7th- @moonirene.bsky.social /Ed Sunspot / @heartywhite.bsky.social at 21C Lexington
March 3, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Stacked week in Lexington, Jon Mueller Tuesday, Irene Moon Friday. And the Irene Moon show should be over in time to make the MJ Lenderman gig!
Composer and performer Jon Mueller returns to Outside the Spotlight for a night of improvisational percussion w/ accompaniment by video artist Tom Lecky.
OTS #233 Jon Mueller
March 4, 2025
7pm, All Ages, Free (Donations appreciated)
Institute 193, 215 North Limestone
#OTS233 #freejazz #lexington
OTS #233 Jon Mueller
March 4, 2025
7pm, All Ages, Free (Donations appreciated)
Institute 193, 215 North Limestone
#OTS233 #freejazz #lexington
February 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Composer and performer Jon Mueller returns to Outside the Spotlight for a night of improvisational percussion w/ accompaniment by video artist Tom Lecky.
OTS #233 Jon Mueller
March 4, 2025
7pm, All Ages, Free (Donations appreciated)
Institute 193, 215 North Limestone
#OTS233 #freejazz #lexington
OTS #233 Jon Mueller
March 4, 2025
7pm, All Ages, Free (Donations appreciated)
Institute 193, 215 North Limestone
#OTS233 #freejazz #lexington
Outside the Spotlight and Institute 193 present @jonmueller.bsky.social with visual accompaniment by @tomlecky.bsky.social on March 4, 2025. Please join us for an evening of hypnotic percussion at Institute 193 in downtown Lexington for this free, all-ages show! #OTS233 #freejazz #lexington #ky
February 23, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Outside the Spotlight and Institute 193 present @jonmueller.bsky.social with visual accompaniment by @tomlecky.bsky.social on March 4, 2025. Please join us for an evening of hypnotic percussion at Institute 193 in downtown Lexington for this free, all-ages show! #OTS233 #freejazz #lexington #ky
Reposted by Outside The Spotlight
This is like if cafe OTO was in Kentucky! Hope you can make it if you're local.
February 21, 2025 at 9:56 PM
This is like if cafe OTO was in Kentucky! Hope you can make it if you're local.
What a great time to sign up for our email list, where we always give you the juicy details about upcoming shows!
outsidethespotlight.org
outsidethespotlight.org
Outside the Spotlight
Information about Lexington, Kentucky's premiere improvisational music series.
outsidethespotlight.org
February 12, 2025 at 2:26 AM
What a great time to sign up for our email list, where we always give you the juicy details about upcoming shows!
outsidethespotlight.org
outsidethespotlight.org
The Chris Comer Trio tonight for Outside the Spotlight #232 in Lexington, KY.
January 25, 2025 at 5:57 AM
The Chris Comer Trio tonight for Outside the Spotlight #232 in Lexington, KY.