Tag: arts

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Arts & Entertainment News

Over-the-Rhine rec center to offer Final Friday skate

Over-the-Rhine has a skating rink.

No, seriously. The Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center, located just steps away from Findlay Market, houses a 365-person capacity roller skating rink in its lower level that is in pristine condition. Caitlin Behle of Far-I-Rome Productions has stepped forward to bring new attention and patronage to a little-known space, in a way that is both fun and supports the neighborhood.

The Final Friday OTR Skate roller disco party hopes to become another staple in the myriad of events that bring people into Over-the-Rhine on the last Friday night of every month. From 8pm to 11 pm, two dollars buys skate rental for the evening. Two local DJs, Positronic and Dirty C will be providing music, and Cincinnati’s newest food truck, Taco Azul, will be stationed outside with taco treats. Artist collaborative SuchandSuch will have an art installation in the space.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Rec Center – everyone involved is offering their services for free. According to Behle, the OTR Skate, at its heart, is about helping the community.

“The OTR Rec Center is an invaluable resource to the community,” said Behle, who is an Over-the-Rhine resident and supporter. “They do so much with the little they have. I wanted to do something unconventional that benefits Over-the-Rhine and the people that live here.”

Another huge part of Behle’s motivation to host the event was to inspire and excite the creative community that is currently in the city. “Look, Cincinnati has all the potential of any other city,” explained Behle. “Tons of people that have so much creative power are leaving. We need to do more things to keep people here.”

Future skates could expand to include the Cincinnati Roller Girls, as well as expand into a side room to sell and display artwork from local artists. Yelp! Cincinnati is an event sponsor, and Southpaw Prints worked to create the initial poster.

The Final Friday OTR Skate is Friday, April 29 at the OTR Rec Center (map), and will take place from 8pm to 11 pm.

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Talib Kweli to celebrate Record Store Day in Cincinnati this Saturday

Saturday, April 16 is the 2011 version of the national celebration known as Record Store Day. This is the fifth annual day to celebrate all things great about locally owned and independent record stores around the country as there are specific qualifications for a store to participate.

Organizers say that for a shop to be included they must have a primary focus on a physical store location, whose product line consists of at least 50 percent music retail, whose company is not publicly traded and whose ownership is at least 70 percent located in the state of operation.

In Cincinnati, that means we have three participating shops including Mole’s Record Exchange uptown, Everybody’s Records in Pleasant Ridge and Shake It Records in Northside. On Saturday, each store will be celebrating music and trying to attract customers to their shops mainly through in-store performances and special limited edition vinyl releases that can only be found at certain stores throughout the country. Therefore record collectors and the curious shopper can find different releases at each store.

The in-store performance fun gets started at Everybody’s Records at noon and runs until 6pm with performances by Cletis T & the Poontingers, Quick Turns, and finally State Song. Uptown meanwhile, Mole’s Record Exchange will be focused primarily on special releases this year.

The biggest party will be at Shake It Records. National hip-hop recording artist Talib Kweli will be on hand at 1pm for an in-store performance and a signing of his newest release. Additionally local rockers Wussy will be playing at 7pm and another Cincy band heading for the big time, Foxy Shazam will play at 9pm.

Ben Harper says, “Independent record stores are much more than the name suggests. They are an international community and platform where music has an outlet and an opportunity to grow over the long term, in a way that sincerely connects with community and culture.”

This is totally true so take the time to get out and support three of Cincinnati’s contributions to this community. And here, we’ll leave you with a cut from Talib Kweli’s new album.

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Arts & Entertainment News

EcoSculpt on Fountain Square installs today

For the second year in a row, Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) has commissioned EcoSculpt on Fountain Square. To celebrate Earth Day in Cincinnati’s living room, the event is sculpture contest by area artists with works made entirely out of recycled and/or recyclable materials.

12 local sculptors are working today to install their works. From whales made of trash to crocheted plastic bags, the resulting art will be available to view through April 28. With some works as large as ten feet tall by ten feet wide, the result is a visible statement about utilizing and encouraging the use of recycling and recyclable materials in everyday Cincinnatians’ lives.

The Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance (GCEA) is EcoSculpt’s official sponsor. “We are excited to be a part of such an innovative event,” said Sean Fisher, General Outreach Manager for GCEA. “EcoSculpt not only spreads a message of environmental responsibility, but also provides a stage for emerging artists in the area.”

The event will culminate in an awards program on Earth Day, April 22 at 12pm on Fountain Square. Those interested can check out the sculptures on Fountain Square this weekend, and vote on their favorites at online. The votes will be used to help determine the 2011 People’s Choice Award winner.

EcoSculpt 2010 photograph by Thadd Fiala for UrbanCincy.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Keith Haring opening night dance party at the CAC

Opening nights have routinely become huge events at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) in downtown Cincinnati. The architectural masterpiece completed at the corner of 6th and Walnut Street allows visitors to enjoy cocktails, DJ entertainment and mingling on the ground-floor level, while enjoying the new and permanent exhibits on the upper levels.

Each new major opening night celebration brings something unique, with the Shepherd Fairey party being one for the record books as thousands poured into the CAC and surrounding areas. On February 25 the CAC welcomed new exhibits by Keith Haring and Jimmy Baker, and the party was yet another big draw for the museum.

One of the features of the opening night party was a video booth where party-goers were welcomed to enter and show off their dance moves. The end result is an entertaining and artistic. The video was edited by David DeWitt, and features “Hello” by Martin Solveig (ft. Dragonette). Enjoy.

 

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Scene Ultra Lounge to kickoff Cincinnati Art Scene this Thursday

Scene Ultra Lounge will kickoff a new showcase of local artists and creativity this Thursday. The event, Cincinnati Art Scene, will take place every Thursday from 8pm to 2am.

Organizers say that Cincinnati Art Scene will feature a local artist each month and include open mic and DJ mix ups. Drink specials will also be offered on 360-Eco Friendly Vodka and Cincinnati-based Rivertown Brewery selections.

“I’m extremely excited to be featured as their first artist,” says Robin Ewers. “Born and raised in Cincy, I couldn’t be more flattered by the opportunities that have been given to me and I’m looking forward to helping other local artists get some exposure too.”

Scene Ultra Lounge is located at 639 Walnut Street in downtown Cincinnati’s Backstage Entertainment District. Those interested in participating in future Cincinnati Art Scenes can contact organizers ar (513) 381-4327 or info@scenecinci.com.

Scene Ultra Lounge photograph by UrbanCincy contributor Thadd Fiala.