Tag: downtown

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Arts & Entertainment News Politics

Barack Obama packs Downtown and delivers historic speech

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee – Barack Obama – addressed the NAACP Convention at 8pm, July 14th, 2008. People started waiting at the Duke Energy Center about 6 hours earlier at 2pm hoping to get into the convention center to be a part of a movement and history in the making. Obama did not disappoint as he dazzled the crowd with a wonderful speech (full text).

Those who weren’t lucky enough to get inside, and others looking for different atmosphere, gathered on Fountain Square – packing it to the gills. Local organizations put together some entertainment for the expected crowd that started gathering en mass around 5pm. Others who wanted to stay at home could do so thanks to the live coverage by local NBC affiliate, WLWT-Cincinnati.

The presumptive Republican nominee – John McCain – will speak Wednesday at 11:30am. You will also be able to catch this on WLWT, Fountain Square, or in person at the Conference. It’s great to see the level of excitement about politics this year. It’s even better to see it first-hand right here in Cincinnati.

Fountain Square Scene – Photo by 5chw4r7z

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News

Political spotlight on Cincy next week

Next week will be a big week for Cincinnati as the political spotlight will be shining directly upon our city. It all starts with the 99th annual NAACP convention being held at the Duke Energy Center. The convention is expected to bring an estimated 9,000 delegates and two VERY important special guests.

The two presumptive presidential nominees, Sen. John McCain (R) and Sen. Barack Obama (D), are both scheduled to address the NAACP delegates this coming week. Local NBC affiliate WLWT-TV, Channel 5, has announced that they will cut in to normal programming to broadcast both speeches live. This then allows the speeches to be shown on the giant LED board over Fountain Square – expect big crowds.

McCain and Obama – from http://randallps129.blogspot.com/

The real issue here is not all of the coverage Cincinnati will get, the political attention, or big crowds that will fill hotels and spend big money. The thing that should be most noted is how it all came to be…Mayor Mallory, and other key leaders, worked aggressively to lure the NAACP convention to Cincinnati over the convention heavyweight Las Vegas.

In addition to that the City has worked very hard at giving Downtown a “spit-shine” to ensure a good impression on the 9,000 delegates. This 1-million dollar effort included things like repairing damaged sidewalks, curbs, street corners, painting light poles and other small projects.

Speech Schedule:
Sen. Barack Obama (D) — Monday, July 14th at 8pm
Sen. John McCain (R) — Wednesday, July 16th sometime between 9:30am and 12:30pm

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News

Bring VH1’s Top 20 Video Countdown to Cincinnati

Some local, regional, and state leaders have worked to extend an invitation to VH1’s Top 20 Video Countdown to come to Cincinnati’s Fountain Square. This is in light of the very popular new song/video, “It’s Not My Time,” from 3 Doors Down – which was filmed in Cincinnati. The video is shot entirely in Cincinnati and covers prominent city landmarks in Over-the-Rhine, Downtown, Mt. Auburn and Lower Price Hill.

So how can you help bring the countdown to Cincinnati? The easiest way is to go to VH1’s website and vote for the 3 Doors Down video. It is really quick/easy, and we need to get to work as the video is currently at the #14 spot on the countdown. Pass on this information to as many people as you know so that we can bring the countdown to Fountain Square.

This effort would generate six hours of national publicity in roughly 90 million homes. The show is a two-hour program that airs three times during the week – beginning from 9-11am Saturdays – and features a dozen mini-remotes during which host Alison Becker touts the different venues from the assigned location of the week (insert Cincinnati). Alison would be able to tape from Fountain Square, Government Square, the Freedom Center, restaurants and nightclubs in/around Downtown, plus some views overlooking the city.

WATCH “IT’S NOT MY TIME” HERE
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News

UrbanCincy readers are excited about streetcars

The June poll results are in…and it was a clear/decisive victory for streetcars (YouTube video about modern streetcars). The question was, “what are you most excited about over the next few years?” And phase 1 of the proposed streetcar system (141 votes) nearly tripled the amount of votes casted for the second place finisher (The Banks phase 1a – 53 votes), and tallied one more vote than the other four options combine.

I voted for the streetcar option for a pretty simple reason. It is something that helps make many of those other options (i.e. The Banks, OTR progress) more feasible and helps to spur more good things to come (i.e. future Queen City Squares). It’s like the gift that keeps on giving.

So, why did the other 279 voters vote the way they did, and most importantly, what are you going to do to help make them happen?

Image from Dewi’s Trains, Trams & Trolleys

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News

Contemporary Arts Center: ’08-’09 Exhibition Season

The 2008-2009 Exhibition Season, at the CAC, will be another great one. The CAC’s Chief Curator, Raphaela Platow, describes the upcoming season as “an opportunity to see ground-breaking moments in sculpture, painting, film, dance and multimedia, including new and site-related works.”

The season boasts artists like the 89-year old Austrian painter, Maria Lassnig, who will have her first U.S. exhibition; Mexican artist Carlos Amorales who will take part in the first collaboration with the Cincinnati Ballet in a site-related performance; the first museum exhibition of Donald Sultan’s early linoleum paintings; and the first-ever museum show anywhere for the Japanese painter Aya Uekawa.

You can become of member, of the CAC, for as little as $25/year with a Student or Senior Membership. All memberships get you exclusive discounts at the CAC store, a subscription to the CAC’s CENTERBEAT newsletter, 2 guest passes, and invites to some of the coolest parties/exhibits in town.

From left to right: Donald Sultan – Cantaloupe Pickers, 1983; Carlos Amorales – Black Cloud, 2007; Aya Uekawa – A Euro Lover, 2006; Maria Lassnig – Couple, 2005