Author: Dave Rolfes

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Six@Six Lecture Series to offer engaging public forums on six unique topics

The inaugural Six@Six Lecture Series presented by Northern Kentucky University (NKU) will begin this Wednesday, September 1. The gatherings will focus on a variety of topics, and take place at three of the more interesting historic and cultural venues in Cincinnati’s urban core.

The format is simple: six very different speakers, six different topics, all starting at 6pm, with a cost of $6.00 per lecture for adults (students free with valid ID). The Mercantile Library in downtown, Behringer-Crawford Museum in Devou Park, and the Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center in Covington will serve as the three venues being used over the course of the lecture series.

Five of the six speakers are full-time NKU faculty members with the sixth being a part of the NKU Military History Lecture Series program. The Six@Six Lecture Series will include a 60-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute question and answer period. The series will run through April 2011.

To get things started, one of NKU’s most celebrated professors, James Ramage, will give a lecture on Abraham Lincoln as a public speaker. The Regents Professor out of NKU’s Department of History & Geography says that while history has shown Lincoln to be one of the most prolific and respected speakers in United States history, he did not always fit the part and did not carry the physical presence that most of our celebrated leaders do today.  Later lectures will include topics on:

  • ‘The Art of the Quilt: Stitched [Hist]stories’ by Dr. Kimberly Allen-Kattus – 10/21/2010
  • ‘Covering the World in a Dangerous Age’ by  John Daniszewski – 11/11/2010
  • ‘Amazing Caves, Amazing Microbes: The Geomicrobiology of Caves’ by Dr. Hazel Barton – 12/7/2010
  • ‘Simple Gifts’ from Our Past: Frontier Shakers in the Ohio River Valley’ by Dr. Carol Medlicott – 3/31/2011
  • ‘The Marriage of Music & Word: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Fearless Carousel’ by Dr. Mark Hardy – 4/13/2011

Dr. Ramage’s lecture on Abraham Lincoln’s public prowess will take place on Wednesday, September 1 from 6pm to 8pm at the Mercantile Library (map). On- and off-street automobile parking is available in the immediate area for cash rates. Meanwhile, free bicycle parking is also available in the immediate area and virtually all Metro bus routes (plan your trip) serve this location via the Government Square Transit Hub.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Downtown Cincinnati eatery to celebrate reopening after complete redesign

On the evening of Friday, August 20, Cincinnatians will have an opportunity to be re-introduced to a local restaurant now known as The Bistro.  The restaurant owners plan to host a party to show off the recent changes that took place following the well-publicized split of Jean-Robert de Cavel from the Relish Group.

With native chef Chris Burns at the helm, owners at The Bistro say that the restaurant will focus on bringing local fare to the dinner table by using ingredients that are locally sourced.  This new focus is complimented by the interior décor which has also been updated with a fresh look.

The owners say that this Friday’s event is not really about the food as much as it is about the space. With The Bistro Bar Bash starting at 5pm and going until close, it is an opportunity for folks to see what the changes are about, enjoy some drink specials, and try out some of the food for free.

The Bistro has always featured a small but tremendous selection of microbrews, and that has not changed with the renovations.  This Friday night, twelve craft beers will be available all night long for $3 each.  There will also be $5 “You Call It” cocktails, as well as food from the bar menu offered up for free the entire evening.  Finally, The Bistro will be hosting DJ Gerald to spin some music and liven up the atmosphere for the evening.

Add in the weekly PNC MidPoint Indie Music Series on Fountain Square for a complete night of affordable entertainment in downtown Cincinnati. As with each and every other Friday night during the summer there will be four bands that take the stage starting at 7pm. This week’s headliner is local favorite Bad Veins who will be spending the fall on a national tour opening for Frightened Rabbit and Two Door Cinema Club.

Located only a half-block from Fountain Square at 413 Vine Street, The Bistro is easily accessible for many in the city. If arriving by car, there is easy parking either in the Fountain Square Garage or directly across the street at the Westin Garage.  Free bicycle parking is readily available nearby, and you can easily access both events with Metro bus service (plan your trip).

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Newport Bourbon Tours – Saturdays in August

The folks over at Newport Walking Tours have put together another variation of their tour through Newport for Saturday evenings in August. In the past we have reported on their treks through Newport exploring the gangster past, as well as their trips through historic Over-the-Rhine reliving some of Cincinnati’s colorful days, and now for the remaining Saturdays in August they are hosting the Bourbon & Bootleggers Dinner Party and Tour.

The commonwealth of Kentucky is known for the production of bourbon, which is a slightly sweeter version of whiskey made with at-least 51 percent corn, and the state takes great pride in its bourbon history. Even today, 95 percent of all bourbon made in the world comes from Kentucky, most notably the center area of the state ranging from Lexington in the east to Bardstown in the west. While you could travel down further down into the state, this tour takes place in our very own urban core and will definitely give you a local flavor as to what Newport’s hand is in the history of bourbon.

The tour starts at Gangsters Dueling Piano Bar, with arrival at 6:15pm. Prior to departing, you will learn a bit more about bourbon and sample different types at the bar prior to the tour. The walking tour then leads you around Newport, and is followed by dinner featuring dishes with bourbon in them such as Smokey Bourbon Brisket and Creamy Bourbon Chicken.

The bourbon samples, dinner, and tour cost $45.  The Bourbon & Bootleggers Dinner Party and Tour runs each and every Saturday evening throughout the rest of  August. Space is very limited, so organizers encourage those interested to purchase tickets ahead of time online.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

Cincinnati joining other global cities with interactive public piano exhibit

Cincinnati has joined a collection of international cities hosting a traveling public art and performance spectacle that is called Play Me, I’m Yours.  The Cincinnati exhibit will place 42 pianos in public spaces, across the Cincinnati region, that will be there for residents to play, listen to, and interact with.

Originally started in 2008 by Luke Jerram, Play Me, I’m Yours has entertained and fascinated those in London, New York, and Barcelona so far in 2010.  The timing of the pianos arrival coincides with the anniversaries of three local public radio stations – 90.9FM WGUC, 91.7FM WVXU, and 88.5FM WMUB.  Most of the pianos will be available from August 9 to 27, with a select few staying a bit longer.

The public interactive exhibit will offer Cincinnatians a chance to get out and explore the city, and create their own art by playing music or interacting with those that are.  According to British artist Luke Jerram the exhibit is as much about communities coming together as it is about music.

Many of the pianos were designed by local youth through ArtWorks’ summer jobs program.  Following the exhibit the pianos will be donated to local art centers to further enhance the arts for children locally for years to come.

Aside from having pianos set up in public spaces, Cincinnatians will be able to utilize the Play Me, I’m Yours homepage to share with each other, and the world, what is happening here by uploading pictures and videos.  And beyond the spontaneous performance at the pianos, up to three special performances may be organized per piano each day through the exhibit’s website.

A total of 18 of the 42 pianos installed throughout the region are located within Cincinnati’s center city at locations such as Cincinnati Museum Center, Findlay Market, Fountain Square, and Great American Ball Park. Some of those, like the Sawyer Point piano, will be available all day, every day, while others, like the one at the Cincinnati Zoo, will only be available during business hours.  A list of of all the pianos, their locations and details can be downloaded online.

Play Me, I’m Yours officially runs for three weeks starting with a kick-off celebration on Fountain Square from 11am-1pm on Monday, August 9 where two of the pianos will be located.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment News

2010 Cincy Blues Fest to entertain crowds at Sawyer Point this weekend

This weekend Sawyer Point will have a bluesy vibe as the Cincy Blues Fest returns for 2010 starting Friday night at 5pm. The event will bring top-notch blues talent to the Cincinnati central riverfront for two consecutive nights, and raise money for a local music education program.

Hosted by the Cincy Blues Society, this festival has been an annual event for many years now and offers Cincinnatians and visitors a chance to experience some great blues music for a low price all in one place. Blues lovers and music enthusiasts can purchase tickets for $10 on Friday and $15 on Saturday which has more than two hours of music starting at 2:30pm and going until midnight.

More than 40 national and local acts will take to four stages over the two day event. The Budweiser Main Stage will feature national acts both nights, as well as, a special performance by Blues Society’s Blues in the Schools program. Blues in the Schools brings accomplished area musicians into local schools to educate students about the history and significance of blues music, and is the main benefactor of the festival.

On Friday, Cincy Blues Fest will partner with the Gulf Restoration Network to raise awareness and funds for Gulf Coast and wetlands restoration efforts in a New Orleans-themed night called Pardi Gras. Saturday’s special performance features a tribute to one of the founders of Jazz music, Jell Roll Morton, with special Boogie-Woogie performances all day long. Additionally, the local blues scene will be featured on the St. Vincent de Paul stage all weekend long. Beer, wine, barbecue, and Cajun cuisine will also reportedly be available for purchase.

Festival organizers state that close to 400 volunteers help make the event possible each year. Those interested in signing up to volunteer can sign up online, or do so by contacting Tammy Reams at (513) 405-5868 or cincybluesvolunteers@gmail.com. A volunteer orientation party is scheduled for Thursday, August 5 at 7pm under the arches at Sawyer Point.

The 2010 Cincy Blues Fest will take place at Sawyer Point (map) in downtown Cincinnati. Limited automobile parking is available nearby. Lots of free off-street bicycle parking is available, and the event is accessible by Metro bus service (plan your trip). Refer to the festival’s website for discounted ticket information for children and Blues Society members.