Tag: fountain square

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Cincinnati-area cultural sites to take part in Museum Day on Fountain Square

More than 60 museums and historic sites throughout the Cincinnati region will be open to the public on Museum Day on September 15.

Locally, Museums & Historic Sites of Greater Cincinnati is organizing the efforts to get residents and visitors out to the many cultural attractions including destinations like the American Sign Museum, Betts House, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Observatory, Contemporary Arts Center, Fire Museum of Greater Cincinnati, and the William Howard Taft National Historic Site.

On Wednesday, September 15 from 10:30am to 2:30pm, organizers say that more than two dozen of these destinations will be on Fountain Square to showcase their programs with costume interpreters, objects from their collections, and other hands-on activities. Organizers hope that the event will allow for more people to see a large collection of the cultural attractions from around the region in one convenient, central location.

The Fountain Square (map) event is free and open to the public. Those interested can find off-street automobile parking available in the underground parking garage located beneath the square, and in other nearby on- and off-street parking locations. Free bicycle parking is available outside on Fountain Square, or inside the underground parking garage near the Vine Street entrance. Metro bus service also provides convenient access to the area via the Government Square Transit Hub (plan your trip).

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Arts & Entertainment News

‘Around Cincy’ video shows off Cincinnati’s vibrant Fountain Square

First and foremost, happy Labor Day.  Hopefully everyone enjoyed the fireworks and festivities on the Ohio River this year, and hopefully everyone is recovering from extended weekend celebrations so that they can get right back to work tomorrow morning.

To keep things light, check out this intriguing video put together of scenes from downtown Cincinnati.  The videographer says he decided to put the video together out of unused work, but the final product here is pretty darn good.  The video primarily stays on and around the vibrant Fountain Square.

‘Around Cincy’ lasts a brief 1:49.  If anyone is able to identify the song, please share that information in the comment section.

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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).

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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.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Watch This presents King Kong on Fountain Square – 7/31

“Watch This” is a plan to watch all of the American Film Institute’s top 100 films in one year.  Creators Alex Shebar and Allison Johnson are now more than half-way through their mission.  After putting on screenings in venues ranging from the 20th Century Theatre in Oakley to individuals’ homes, they are ready to take over Fountain Square for their biggest event yet.

On Saturday, July 31 at 8:30pm, Watch This will be showing the original 1933 version of King Kong on Fountain Square’s video board located atop Macy’s.  The event is free, and it is recommended you bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on.  The screening is coincides with Fountain Square’s weekly movie night that regularly draws large crowds to Cincinnati’s central plaza.  For some additional entertainment, come early and watch Over the Hedge, which will be playing at 7pm.

Adult beverages, soft drinks, Skyline cheese coneys, soft pretzels, nachos, candy bars, and kettle corn will be available for purchase.  You can RSVP for the event on Facebook, and follow the Watch This blog for a complete listing of screenings, and follow the #watchthis tag on Twitter for additional updates.