Where Kentucky’s Soul Takes Center Stage Beyond bourbon, horse racing, and basketball stands one of Kentucky’s most powerful cultural landmarks.Located in Lexington’s historic East End—once home to Black jockeys, grooms, and trainers who shaped the horse industry—The Lyric is a living symbol of music, history, and community. It is a place where legends performed, culture endured, and new stories continue to unfold.A Stage That Shaped American CultureOpened in 1948, The Lyric became a cultural anchor for Lexington’s African American community and a vital stop on the historic Chitlin’ Circuit—a network of safe spaces where Black performers could tour during segregation. Today, The Lyric remains one of the few places where this powerful chapter of American history can still be experienced.Legends & LegacyThe Lyric stage has welcomed some of the most influential artists in American history, includingRay Charles • B.B. King • James Brown • Tina Turner • Etta James • Count Basie • Cab Calloway • Redd Foxx and so many more