Bon Vivant Savant has created five unique series to showcase the best of the region. While they are not necessarily original in idea, they are unique to the area for one reason or another. Some are monthly events, while others are seasonal. Highlighting the best of a city is the mission by creating events, both for members and for the community. The original series listed below are open events, created with the desire to represent not only the big players but also some of the hidden or sometimes overlooked gems in our midst. The passion for the local tourism is sincere and profound. We hope you find them as interesting and are able to join us at one – or all – of them!

Wine & Wisdom Dinners: Taking the wine dinner to a whole new level. Instead of the food and beverage (not always wine) being the center of attention, I am more interested in utilizing them to complement a philosophical, cultural or educational topic. Flamenco with the wines and tapas of Spain, some political fare with local candidates or perhaps teas and dishes from the mid-east as we discuss Islam with local Muslims to understand their perspective and experiences. These dinners will usually be limited on reservations as the intent is to create an intimate environment for conversation and discussion.

Nibble & Sip Happy Hours: Think farmer’s market, but as a happy hour with live music. In an effort to promote local farmers, produce, artisans and venues, I am doing my best to highlight what is available in our own backyard. KY Proud was kind enough to help sponsor the first event and we certainly look forward to continuing that partnership as well as creating a similar ones with other Depts of Agriculture or other such entities.

Picnics ‘n’ Flicks: Showing great 80s films that are fun for the whole family. We love sitting under the stars enjoying a movie with friends and loved ones, a nice picnic basket, great live music beforehand along with free treats and occasional surprises. This year has been a blast getting started and we look forward to expanding the idea next year to include more than one area of town and featuring local filmmakers as well.

Supper Speakeasys: Underground dining is a growing trend around the world and we’re excited to be among the first to bring the experience to our city and our surrounding area. Great food, by great chefs in undisclosed locations. You will always be privy to the menu and the chef, but the location (a roof top, a warehouse, other unexpected places) will not be disclosed until 48 hrs before the event and only after reservations and payment has been made. These dinners will always be limited to no more than 25 people.

Theatre Hop: We were thrilled to pull off the first one on June 13, 2008. We had a great turn out even though it rained. Our next one will be coming up in November, but you can expect this to be a growing semi-annual event. We have some wonderful local troupes and independent performers that go – all too often – under the radar as they don’t receive much coverage. Let’s remedy that!

As a member of Louisville’s Bon Vivant Savant (if you’re single), you are also a member of the Single Gourmet. BVS holds the license for Single Gourmet in Louisville, N. Kentucky, Cincinnati and Lexington. This means, in addition to all the area events we provide, you may also participate in dining and travel events sponsored by other chapters of the Single Gourmet. The first three listed on this page have been wonderful partners to us as we’ve started my business and we feel they offer top-notch events and travel. This, in no way, diminishes the other chapters, I’ve just really enjoyed working with the folks in Chicago, Dallas and NYC and am always a little envious of the travel they put together.

For owner and event savant Jo Self, Bon Vivant Savant is the perfect fit for years of personal and professional experience. Jo sharpened her event planning skills at Yum! Brands, Inc., the multinational corporation that owns such brands as KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Jo was in charge of employee programs at the headquarters, organizing anything from cultural exploration events to etiquette parties. Her outstanding work at Yum! won her national awards from her professional organization, Employee Services Managers Association and she now serves on ESM’s national Board of Directors.

In addition to work, Jo’s personal passion for travel has lent big-city and international flair to her planning style. A Louisville Native, Jo lived in Boston, Chicago, Baltimore, Charlotte and Dallas before returning home. Stints in Milan, Italy; Lima, Peru; Montevideo, Uruguay and Guayaquil, Ecuador, also deepened her appreciation for other cultures. She had intended to obtain a Master’s in Spanish at the University of Louisville to learn more about the language and Latin culture. On second thought, she thought it better to live fully than vicariously, so instead she took a break from work and headed to South America for five months in 2007.

That adventurous spirit gives Jo a keen eye on the most interesting happenings in Louisville and beyond, so it’s only natural that she will soon expand Bon Vivant Savant to the Lexington and Cincinnati areas as well.

Jo began Bon Vivant Savant as a way to further engage with her community and fill a need. While professional networking groups abound, and social networking becomes more popular every day on the Internet, she saw a gap that could be filled with opportunities for face-to-face fun. The group wouldn’t focus on career opportunities, but rather on taking the every opportunity to enjoy life fully. Unlike online networks, the emphasis would not be on amassing a list of virtual connections, but on relationships built on shared appreciation for real-life fun.

And although Jo’s experience and connections to the restaurant community mean she enjoys dinner and wine tastings, she also wants to offer more to her members. Jo is genuinely excited when she talks about other opportunities, such as white water rafting, an outdoor movie series, horseback ridings and travel.

An independent spirit in many ways, Jo says she sees the Single Gourmet group (part of BVS) as a chance to “celebrate singledom.” With her experience at crafting social settings, she intends those outings to be a relaxed way for people to meet, without the pressures of a dating service – even without the assumption that everyone wants to date.

The new venture is ultimately an extension of Jo’s personality. It’s fitting that she would use her experience as a social coordinator, and her insider knowledge of restaurants and entertainment to help others take advantage of the world she sees, one bursting with opportunity. Easy in conversation and always open to new people and new experiences, Jo hopes Bon Vivant Savant will be a way to share those traits with members of her community and help them meet others ready to do the same.