Author: Dave Rolfes

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Arnold’s to host local event this Saturday

This Saturday night Cincinnati’s oldest tavern, Arnold’s Bar & Grill is hosting a party to celebrate all things Cincinnati. With the rousing success of last year’s Local, Local, Local party they have decided to bring it back again, and just like any sequel this one promises to be bigger and better than the original.

When people around Cincinnati celebrate all things local, it of course has to start with beer, and Arnold’s has that covered in a major way this Saturday. There will be specials on all things Christian Moerlein related including Hudy, Burger, Little Kings, the standard Moerlein products as well as the very special Arnold’s 1861 Porter which was made right here in Cincinnati’s historic Over the Rhine.

Reps and executives from Moerlein will be on hand giving out free gifts and talk about their beer.  Additionally, Mike Morgan will be on hand to sign and sell his book entitled When Beer Was King.  Over-the-Rhine Brewery District president Steve Hampton will also be there to talk all things Cincinnati beer related.

What would a night at Arnold’s be without local favorite and Cincinnati aficionado Jake Speed putting on a show? Jake has a monthly variety show entitled Old Time Music Revue, and he will be taking the stage with Sean Geil of local band The Tillers. Given the historical significance of Local, Local, Local (The Sequel) it can only be assumed that Jake will have something special planned for the evening entertainment.

In addition to beer and music, Arnold’s (map) is bringing in four local artists to display their work in the revamped gallery on the second floor of Arnold’s. Jason Haley, Dan Justes, Lisa Sullivan, and Mandy Tudor will have their work on display. There will also be a special menu of Moerlein influenced food and Gelato from local guys Madisono’s. Everything gets going at 7pm on Saturday night, with the Jake Speed’s show kicking in at 9pm.

Arnold’s Bar & Grill photograph by UrbanCincy contributor Thadd Fiala.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Thousands of pieces of artwork on display at sold-out Secret ArtWorks fundraiser

One of Cincinnati’s finest art sources, ArtWorks, hosted its annual fundraiser called Secret ArtWorks on Friday, November 19 at the Westin Hotel. ArtWorks is also the organization that brought pianos to the streets of Cincinnati this past summer and has helped create murals all over the city. However like nearly everything else ArtWorks does, there were some fun twists and turns that kept the event interesting and different from your standard fundraising evening.

What’s the secret about Secret Artworks? It’s the artists themselves. Each ticket to the event included hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, and a voucher for one 5×7 piece of art which the artist’s name is kept secret until after it is chosen. The idea is to remove any preconceived notion over who is a good artist and who is not away from the purchasing process. Instead, it truly is about the piece of art itself, and how it speaks to each person.

There were over 1,000 pieces available for the sold-out crowd to bid on – all of which were donated by local, national, and international artists. In years past, the process has gotten to be very competitive as people have lined up early to be able to choose their favorite piece and organizers expect much of the same this year.

Those who were unable to attend can still contribute to ArtWorks by making a donation online.  UrbanCincy photographer Thadd Fiala also paid the exhibit (Secret ArtWorks Photo Gallery) a visit so that everyone who might not have been able to take part in the wonderful evening can enjoy.

Categories
Business News Transportation

Pedicab service gets rolling in Cincinnati’s center city neighborhoods

As you walk around downtown Cincinnati, Newport, or even Bellevue these days you may see new pedicabs moving about. Pedicabs have become increasingly popular in other major urban areas throughout the United States including Austin, New York City, Boston, and San Francisco.

Newport-based J-Rides has begun operating within Cincinnati’s center city and, like many start-ups, was born from a moment of seeing a need and realizing that nobody else was providing it.

Residents of downtown Cincinnati, J-Rides’ owners Beatrice Terekhov and Jared Poweski say that they were out running errands one day when they realized that there was no quick and easy way to get from the Ohio side of the river to the Kentucky side without jumping in a car. A few days later they were getting started on a business plan to start J-Rides.

The bike taxis take revelers and residents alike between the different areas of the river basin for little or no charge. The drivers, who work mostly for tips, work under contract to operate a J-Rides pedicab and receive training and licensing.

“Servicing almost the entire urban area, the pedicabs can easily be flagged down for a ride or can be booked for a tour,” Beatrice told UrbanCincy. “Our pedicabs travel on the streets just like any other vehicle, but they are allowed on the Purple People Bridge which makes for a great ride.”

While pedicab service thrives in other urban settings, the owners of J-Rides say that they are still working to dispel myths about their service.

“We are all weather, can carry two to three passengers, and are absolutely safe,” Beatrice explained when asked about what hurdles they have to overcome. “Only severe weather like an ice storm or heavy snow will keep us off the road this winter.”

According to Beatrice, the pedicabs are also inspected by each city in which they operate, include seat belts, and have a canopy for cold and rainy weather.

Aside from moving people throughout the center city, J-Rides is also hoping to help create a thriving urban area in Cincinnati. This support, Beatrice says, may come through advertising for local establishments or by putting more eyes on the street. After one of J-Rides’ drivers recently helped apprehend a pickpocket in Newport, Beatrice says that their service is helping to make the urban environment both better and safer.

The company will also be assisting with upcoming walks and races by offering rides to people who might otherwise not be able to participate, and Beatrice hopes to host a fundraiser of their own later this year that will support the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

J-Rides pedicabs can be reserved by calling (513) 702-7656 or emailing info@j-rides.com. The pedicab service can also be used for longer rides including tours of the area with rates starting at $25 for 30 minutes. Look for the pedicabs throughout Bellevue, Newport, Cincinnati, and hopefully Covington once the Roebling Suspension Bridge reopens in about a month.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment Business News

2010 Cincinnati Film Festival continues this week throughout city

The 2010 Cincinnati Film Festival got started this past weekend in multiple venues around the Cincinnati region. The festival originally started as the Oxford International Film Festival in 2007 with 530 entries from 41 different countries.  The remodeled 2010 version is showcasing more than 100 films from 14 different countries at 11 venues throughout the city.

The festival will continue throughout the week with a closing reception scheduled for the evening of Saturday, October 16.  A day-by-day schedule is available on the festival’s website with about eight different showings each day this week.

The festival is based at the Esquire Theatre, a classic movie theater in the heart of Clifton’s Gaslight District, with a lot of showings at UC’s Main Street Cinema also located Uptown.  One special night at the Main Street Cinema will be Tuesday as Watch This host’s a free showing of the 1974 classic Chinatown as part of their project to watch the AFI Top 100 this year.

Many of the featured films opened over the weekend, but most have one or two showings each during the week. The full list can be found online and includes many films making their regional, U.S., or even world premier. Tickets can be purchased online on a film-by-film basis or by purchasing daily passes for $20 each.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment Business News

Get tuned up for the 2010 MidPoint Music Festival

This weekend thousands of music fans from around the Midwest will descend on Cincinnati for the annual MidPoint Music Festival that started in 2002. The music festival has been grown over the last three years by its new organizers Dan McCabe. This year’s festival will showcase over 230 performances at venues throughout Cincinnati’s center city.

While much of the focus is on the music, and rightfully so, Cincinnati is also on display showcasing its galleries, restaurants, and other offerings to the thousands of music fans. For those who may be unfamiliar with MidPoint, or Cincinnati’s center city, we have put together a comprehensive guide to the 10th annual MidPoint Music Festival.

Food Options:
Music starts at 7pm each night of the festival and is scheduled to last late into the night. As a result, many festival-goers will be searching for food options. Since last year’s festival many new offerings have sprung up in the areas surrounding the performance venues.

Cincinnati’s many food trucks will be on the move throughout the weekend, Mr. Sushi has late night offerings on 6th Street, Senate is now open and serving gourmet street food in the Gateway Quarter, Joe’s Diner has reasonably priced diner fare just off of Main Street in Over-the-Rhine, and a variety of existing establishments like Shanghai Mamas, Lucy Blue Pizza, and Gilpin’s Bagel Deli will be serving late into the night. Festival organizers also say that many of the MPMF venues will be serving food as well.

New Venues:
Festival organizer Dan McCabe has also been able to take advantage of several new venues now open for this year’s three-day event. Located downtown on W. 6th Street, FB’s will be new to this year’s festival. In Over-the-Rhine, Neon’s Unplugged will be another new venue and will also be the host for the Gold Star Chili Artist Clubhouse. Nearby MOTR, owned by McCabe, will be the other new venue and will continue to offer live music daily without a cover charge after the festival is over.

Free Stuff:
While MPMF is a bargain with three-day wristbands costing just $39 (available up through the start of the festival only), one-day passes at $20, or a cover charge at each venue, there are also plenty of options for folks to enjoy the festival at no cost. One such opportunity is the festival’s new partnership with the public library. Free live music will be offered on Fountain Square each night starting at 7pm. A free poster expo will be held at 5pm each day at the Know Theatre as a way for local artists to showcase their artistic talents.

Other Downtown Happenings:
Aside from MPMF, there are a plethora of other activities happening in the downtown area this weekend including the Final Friday gallery walk in Over-the-Rhine, Atomic Number 10’s one-year anniversary party, The Lackman’s grand opening, and the University of Cincinnati Bearcats football game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Music:
More than 230 performances in three nights can be difficult to plan for, even for the most ardent music fan, so here are a few strategies to think about heading into the weekend:

  • Get a Pass: If you missed out on the opportunity to purchase a three-day wristband, or are unable commit to the whole weekend, buy a one-day pass for $20 at any venue throughout the festival. Not only will it allow you the opportunity to explore different venues, but it also provides the opportunity to ride the free Metro Hybrid Shuttles.
  • Be Curious: Much of the fun at MPMF can be had by checking out new places and new bands that you may not have known. There are a total of 25 venues this year that will provide ample opportunity for even veteran Cincinnati music fans to experience music in new and interesting ways.
  • Support Local Artists: While the festival is a showcase for many artists outside the region, there are others that are a part of the Cincinnati scene which are worth seeing, especially if you have not seen them before. There are too many to name, but here are a few: Pomegranates, The Seedy Seeds, Wussy, You You’re Awesome, and Chocolate Horse.
  • Seek Out National & International Artists: While the local scene is key, MPMF provides bands from outside our region the chance to come in and play to a large crowd. It also provides fans the opportunity to sample some of music’s biggest up-and-comers. Again, there are just too many to name, but here are a few must see performances this weekend: Caribou, Phantogram, Surfer Blood, Best Coast, and Male Bonding.

The 2010 MidPoint Music Festival will be the biggest, and looks to be the best, one yet. Organizers and businesses expect downtown Cincinnati to be packed and turn into a giant playground for music fans.