The Bad Veins held their CD release show in downtown Cincinnati last Friday as part of Fountain Square’s Summer Music Series. The show was followed by an after party at the newly opened Righteous Room just a block away. Downtown is such a 9(pm) to 5(am) kind of place.
Thanks to Each Note Secure for the great write up, and special thanks to Sam Spencer for the terrific photographs which can be found on ENS.
Cleveland is on the verge of landing a major event that would not only pump an estimated $60 million into Cleveland’s economy, but also further establish Cleveland as a place that is welcoming to the LGBT community.
The Gay Games are the world’s largest sporting and cultural event for the LGBT community, and Cleveland is currently competing with Boston and Washington D.C. to hold this event in 2014 that, like the summer or winter Olympics, occurs once every four years.
The Cleveland Synergy Foundation (CSF) is one of the main groups pushing to land the Gay Games for Cleveland. The foundation states that its mission is to, “measurably enhance the economy, image and quality of life in the greater Cleveland LGBT and Straight community by attracting and creating athletic, cultural events and festivals.”
Cleveland Synergy Foundation also notes that while Cleveland may not sound like the first place for an event like this to be held, it should, as it has many advantages over Boston and D.C. – values that could be applied to many Midwestern cities:
CSF is working hard to promote Cleveland in those ways and more, and on Friday they intend to rally the Cleveland community with an event called Frivolity that will be held at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Cleveland.
The event and Cleveland’s efforts to attract it are important because the LGBT community is one of the key demographics when it comes to urban revitalization. It has been seen time and time again that the LGBT community is often a demographic that is known for being ‘urban pioneers.’
These pioneers go into decaying neighborhoods and take a chance where others would just take a pass. Urban pioneers are a rare breed and one to be sought after. In Cincinnati one such neighborhood is Northside where a once borderline neighborhood has become one of Cincinnati’s best with a neighborhood business district that boasts tons of local businesses with unique offerings, fun nightlife and an enjoyable street scene.
Over-the-Rhine is another such neighborhood. Given its size it will take more than just one set or urban pioneers like the LGBT community in Northside. In OTR it is the artists and creative class, young professionals, LGBTs and others. It took these pioneers to turn 12th & Vine from one of the worst intersections in Cincinnati to one of the best. It’s happening right now just up the street at 14th & Vine and throughout much of the 100+ block historic neighborhood.
If city’s want to continue to turn themselves around and repopulate their urban neighborhoods, then the demographics that are known for doing so must be pursued aggressively. That means Cincinnati must do a better job at attracting immigrant populations, artists and the creative class, young people and the LGBT community.
Hat tip to Ashley from Raves and Reviews in Cleveland. Photo of 2006 Gay Games in Chicago by William Zachary.
Robby Ginepri defeated Sam Querrey this past Sunday at the Indianapolis Tennis Championships. The Indy tournament is the first tournament of the Olympus US Open Series that leads up to, you guessed it, the US Open on August 31 through September 13.
What was noticeable about the Indy championship match was the non-sold out center court that seats 10,000. I have annually made the trip up to Mason to attend Cincinnati’s premier tennis tournament now know as the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters, and have grown accustomed to its vibrant feel and capacity crowds. ESPN’s Peter Bodo notes that:
“Indy’s big problem is Cincinnati, which is exactly 103 miles away. Cincinnati is the home of the hugely successful Western and Southern Financial Group Masters (an ungainly title for a great hard-court tournament that is perfectly positioned as the key warm-up event for the U.S. Open). Cincy’s prestige and consistently top-drawer field helps define Indianapolis, but not in a good way. Which tournament would you attend, Terre Haute, Ind.?”
One thing I have been predicting for some time now, is that the tennis powers-at-be have big plans for the Cincinnati tournament. The long-time men’s only draw has been joined by a complimentary women’s tournament that either precedes or follows the main men’s tournament. Just shortly after being around, ATP officials upgraded the women’s tournament to a status near that of the men’s. Facility upgrades including increased seating capacities, box seats and more are on the way for the Linder Tennis Center.
This all seems to be setting the stage for a combined two-week long event that would have both women and men competing at the same time. The end result would make the Cincinnati tournament (whatever it is called at that time) one of the biggest in the world. You would have the four Grand Slam events (New York, London, Paris, Melbourne). The Cincinnati tournament would then be in the next elite tier of tennis tournaments in the world.
If you haven’t been up to Mason to check out the competition of the world’s best tennis players in a fantastic facility and fan-friendly environment, then I suggest looking into getting tickets to this year’s tournament from August 8 through August 23. Check out CincyTennis for all the information on the event, getting tickets and much more.
One of Cincinnati’s trendiest shopping districts is celebrating this Friday with “Vine-L Friday” in the Gateway Quarter located in the heart of historic Over-the-Rhine. The Vine-L event is a mid-summer clearance where store owners are offering discounts and discussing what’s to come with their new fall merchandise.
The Little Mahatma will also be offering Tarot card readings from 5pm to 8pm. Discounts will vary from store to store, but the walkable shopping district makes for great window shopping and browsing from one location to the next.
City Roots, Iris Book Cafe, Joseph Williams Home, The Little Mahatma, A Lucky Step, Metronation, Mica 12/v, Outside, Park+Vine and Urban Eden will all be participating. Stores in the Gateway Quarter are open from 11am to 8pm. To view the participating store’s websites visit the Gateway Merchants Group website.
3CDC (check out their new website) is also recommending that you make a night of it in Cincinnati’s center city by hitting up Vine-L Friday in the Gateway Quarter with some dinner at Lavomatic and live music from Bad Veins on Fountain Square that starts at 7pm.
Coming this weekend to Covington’s Roebling Point is the 2009 Cincy BeerFest. From the creators of The Midwest Winter Beer Festival, this outdoor festival will feature 2 sessions where over 84 craft beers (full list) will be up for tasting. There will also be live music at each session, and food will be available to purchase from vendors or from any of the 5 establishments in the neighborhood.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Big Joe Duskin Foundation whose goal is “to produce as many in-school educational music presentations as possible, in as many schools as possible, to reach as many children as possible, using local professional musicians” and is all done in memory of Big Joe Duskin who passed away in 2007. Developing our youngest citizens and helping them reach artistic potential is one way to ensure that the Cincinnati region grows into a vibrant, diverse, and artsy area. By coming out and having a good time on July 25, you will be doing your part in making that happen.
Additionally, The Roebling Point Bar Association for Community Improvements will also benefit from the event. The area along Greenup Street in Covington at the base of the Roebling Suspension Bridge has been rapidly improving over the last few years and the bars and restaurants have bonded together to bring a unified approach to neighborhood improvements.
Session passes are available for $35 in advance and $40 on the day of the event. To order your wristband now, and save, go here.