Category: Arts & Entertainment

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Arts & Entertainment News

CPA to host event showcasing architectural gems of the Westside this Saturday

Cincinnati proudly boasts fantastic architectural gems. Downtown landmarks like Carew Tower, the Roebling Suspension Bridge, Music Hall, and Union Terminal help to establish a unique sense of place. Uptown, features at the Zoo, University of Cincinnati, and Christ Hospital demonstrate a range in architectural styles found here.

But while Cincinnati’s iconic landmarks leave a lasting impressing on residents and visitors alike, it is often the smaller, lesser-known architectural features that make this city a fantastic place to live.

On Saturday, January 29 at 10am, Cincinnati Preservation Association (CPA) will present Little Known Jewels of the West Side, an overview of hidden historic treasures of Cincinnati’s West Side neighborhoods. The event will be led by UC alumnus Dave Zelman, AIA, a registered architect in the hospitality studio of FRCH Design.

Saturday’s event will be held at the Hauck House located at 812 Dayton Street in the West End neighborhood. This beautiful Italianate stone townhouse on “Millionaire’s Row” was CPA’s original headquarters.

Reservations are required due to limited space. Contact CPA by calling (513) 721-4506 or emailing info@cincinnatipreservation.org. Admission is just $5 thanks to the support from Comey & Shepherd Realtors, City Office which is sponsoring CPA’s Winter Programs series at the Hauck House.

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Arts & Entertainment News

2011 Winter Blues Fest takes place this weekend at the Southgate House

This weekend, the 5th annual Cincy Winter Blues Fest takes over Newport’s historic Southgate House. With shows both Friday and Saturday evening  the winter version of the blues festival promises to be another hit after selling out last year.

Due to the demand on tickets, the Cincy Blues Society has decided to make tickets available online, and at a discounted rate, ahead of the weekend for the first time. Tickets are also available in advance at Shake It Records and at the Southgate House itself, though both of these places are cash only.

The Cincy Blues Society is dedicated to raising money to keep blues music alive. This winter festival, just like the annual outdoor event that takes place on the banks of the Ohio River each summer,  is as much a fundraiser as it is a musical showcase.

There are local and national artists that will be filling all the stages at Southgate House to benefit the Blues in the Schools program which is dedicated to keeping blues music alive for the next generation. There will also be a compilation CD available benefiting the program.  To kick off each nigh,t the Blues in the Schools band will be gracing the ballroom stage at 6pm. Music is scheduled to run each night until about 12:30am which makes for quite a fun evening. It is not often that patrons get a chance to enjoy music from each of the three stages at Southgate House, so this provides a unique opportunity.

Much like its local media sponsor, 89.7 FM WNKU which recently announced some bold acquisitions to expand their reach from Dayton to Huntington, WV, the Cincy Winter Blues Fest promises to be bigger and better than ever. Get your tickets early or you may miss out on a chance to boogie down this weekend.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Two chili cook-offs warm Cincinnati this weekend

As we deal with this season’s biggest snowfall so far, you might enjoy the opportunity to warm up with a bowl of chili this weekend. Two separate chili cook-offs are occurring this weekend in Cincinnati’s urban core.

On Sunday, January 23, Findlay Market will be hosting their seventh annual Chili Cook-off. Everyone is invited to stop by between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. to taste all of the entries. In addition to free chili, visitors will enjoy live music and a presentation entitled “How Hot Are You?” from Findlay Market vendor Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices. Christian Moerlein beer will also be for sale in the OTR Biergarten. Cash prizes will be awarded to the three best chilis, as determined by the firefighters of Cincinnati Fire Department Engine Company 5 in Over-the-Rhine.

On the same day, Park+Vine will be hosting their own Vegan Chili Cook-off. From 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., up to 20 chilis will be available for tasting at Park+Vine’s store at 1202 Main Street in Over-the-Rhine. There is a cost of $15 to attend, and proceeds will benefit the the Cincinnati Cooks! program from the FreeStore Food Bank. Everyone in attendance will receive a ballot to vote for the best chili in each of three categories.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Cincinnati time lapse video included in Vimeo’s global ‘Cities in Minutes’ project

Last year Vimeo organized a global project entitled Cities in Minutes. The project was intended to showcase individual cities through time lapse photography. In Cincinnati, Michael Weston and Joel Beeby put together a one minute, fourteen second video that he submitted as part of the global project that now features 69 entries from around the world.

The Cincinnati time lapse video starts over the majestic Ohio River on the popular Purple People Bridge and showcases a dramatic skyline view. From there the video moves to Fountain Square and downtown Cincinnati, then to Mt. Adams for a view of the “Big Mac” Bridge, and eventually out to Mariemont.

Weston and Beeby shot the video in summer 2010, and significant construction progress of the Great American Tower at Queen City Square is visible along with a festive atmosphere on Fountain Square.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Pretzelfest to raise funds for spring beer celebration

Join Christian Moerlein Brewing Company and the organizers and supporters of the 2011 Bockfest for a kegtapping of the official Bockfest Beer this Friday, January 21. The first-ever Pretzelfest has been organized in Over-the-Rhine as a delicious, homegrown way to raise support for the 19th annual spring beer festival, being held March 4-6, 2011.

Pretzels came about as early as 610 AD, originally used as a reward by monks for good children who memorized their prayers. A few thousand years later “Bretzels” are now a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and the perfect accompaniment to a delicious beer.

Venue 222 is hosting the event which will be a fun night of food, music, and beer. The brew on tap is the Moerlein Emancipator; a German style Doppelbock featuring six varieties of uniquely blending malts, which create a dark, robust lager with a toasted character and complex hints of caramel and toffee.

The Cincinnati Dancing Pigs, the area’s premiere jug band, will be performing that night, and six local eateries (MOTR, Shadeau Breads, Taste of Belgium, EAT WELL Catering, Skirtz & Johnston, and Mecklenburg Gardens) are offering a variety of unique pretzel creations for attendees to sample.

Admission to the event is $35 and includes sampling of freshly baked pretzels, four drink tickets, a brat, and an entry into the raffle for the Ultimate Bockfest Weekend. You can purchase tickets at the door, but space is limited, so buy them online in advance up to two hours before the event.

All proceeds from Pretzelfest, Ultimate Bockfest Weekend, and the Arnold’s Bathtub Raffle (a chance to drive the famous Arnold’s bathtub in the Bockfest Parade) go directly to supporting Bockfest. This homegrown weekend relies on grassroots support, and what better way to show some Cincy love by drinking beer?

PretzelFest will take place this Friday, January 21 from 6pm to 10 pm at Venue 222, located at 222 E. 14th Street in historic Over-the-Rhine.