Tag: music

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Arts & Entertainment News

Bearcat Block Party to host UC tailgaters throughout 2010 season

The University of Cincinnati boasts one of the most urban college campuses in all of America, and quite possibly the most unique stadium in Division 1 football. As a result, Nippert Stadium’s scoreboard is mounted atop a neighboring building, midrises surround the sunken playing field, and the intimate venue is situated in the heart of campus.

This urban football setting also means that there are not seas of asphalt where fans can tailgate before and after the game. Bearcat fans instead tailgate on campus green areas, inside parking garages, and on surrounding streets. But as the Bearcats have their home opener tomorrow, fans will not only be treated to back-to-back Big East champions, but also a new tailgating experience just blocks away from the stadium on Short Vine.

Partially to satisfy the tailgaters displaced from one of the last remaining parking lots on campus which is now home to the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex, and partially to create a fun new urban tailgating experience for fans, the Short Vine Business Association (SVBA) has created the Uptown Cincinnati Bearcat Block Party.

With help from UC Athletics and the Uptown Consortium, the SVBA will offer live music, food and drinks, and entertainment in addition to the wide array of businesses found on Short Vine that will remain open during the event. Organizers say that the free street festival will take place two hours before and after every single Bearcats home football game along the 2600 block of Short Vine.

Nearby parking lots will be made available for fans needing to stash their cars away during the game, and a free shuttle will transport those to the game that would prefer to not walk the few short blocks.

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Arts & Entertainment News

East Price Hill to kick off free jazz series at Mt. Echo Park

The East Price Hill Improvement Association (EPHIA) will kick off their annual jazz series at Mt. Echo Park this Saturday, September 4. The live jazz series is being supported by Cincinnati Parks and the nearby Primavista restaurant.

The first free jazz concert will take place from 3pm to 6pm this Saturday, and include performances by the Wade Baker Jazz Collaboration and the Young Jazz Messengers. Events organizers say that Wade Baker is a native of Indiana and graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s prestigious College Conservatory of Music. The Young Jazz Messengers, on the other hand, is an ensemble of musicians from Cincinnati’s School for Creative & Performing Arts.

“This event celebrates the diverse community of East Price Hill through America’s finest original art form – Jazz,” said event organizer Ray Busche.  He went on to say that Cafe de Wheels will be on-site serving food during the event, but picnic baskets and coolers are also welcome for those looking to bring their own treats.

The annual jazz series presented by EPHIA is free and open to the public. Free automobile and bicycle parking is available at Mt. Echo Park (map), and the event can be accessed by Metro bus service (plan your trip).

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Business News

18 entities join to form 8th Street Design District, kick off month-long concert series

It has long been a work in progress, but the 8th Street corridor through northeast downtown Cincinnati has evolved into a vibrant district. A district made up of trendy loft living inside former warehouses; diverse establishments like the Blue Wisp Jazz Club, Silverglades, and University Galleries; and an ever-growing collection of design-related businesses.

The progression has been steady and thorough over the past two decades when much of the district was vacant or rundown. But now, a large group of businesses in the district, the City of Cincinnati, and Downtown Cincinnati Inc. have officially formed the 8th Street Design District.

“We began looking around and realized that this area is rich with people and businesses who are passionate about their creative product, whether it’s package design, architecture, music or other related support services,” explained Ken Neiheisel, Chief Creative Officer of Marsh, Inc. and spokesperson for the 8th St. Design District.

Design firms include GBBN Architects, Marsh, KZF Design, Glaserworks, KGB Advertising, and Brandstetter Carroll along with 12 other entities that help make up the district. According to Neiheisel, the firms intend to come together with the goal of creating an inspiring, vibrant area that will aid in increasing the value of their work to the city while also attracting new talent. He also hopes that district branding will help attract other similar companies to the 8th Street Design District.

“There is strength in numbers and we felt that as a group, we could have an impact not only on each other, but on the creative class and economic development in Downtown Cincinnati.”

In order to celebrate the formation of the new 8th Street Design District, and bring the downtown community together, the group has organized a month-long music mini-series on Friday, September 10, 17, and 24. The concerts will take place from 12pm to 1:30pm at the corner of 8th and Broadway. The Faux Frenchmen are scheduled to perform first, with Mix Machine and Rattlesnakin’ Daddies to follow. Those who would like to help the newly formed group, or get more information about the September music mini-series, are instructed to contact Ken Neiheisel at (513) 386-6101.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Kathy Wade to kick off Mercantile Library’s free Noon Music series

The Mercantile Library will kick off its 2010 season of Noon Music with a performance by Kathy Wade this Friday, September 3 at 12pm. The music series is designed to highlight American music from the library’s 175 years, and will include five total performances running through mid-December.

Event organizers say that this Friday’s event will be a mixture of lecture and performance comprised of “indelible impressions from the sounds of jazz.” Vocalist Kathy Wade will be joined by popular Cincinnati jazz pianist Ed Moss. Wade has been nominated for multiple Emmys for her work on children’s educational programs and jazz entertainment. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s prestigious College-Conservatory of Music, and has become popular locally at Playhouse in the Park.

Wade’s performance on Friday is entitled ‘A Black Anthology of Music: The Journey of Jazz’ and is expected to offer a historical exploration of the origins of jazz.

According to organizers, the 2010 season of Noon Music is free and open to the public thanks to a grant from the Elise Eaton Allen Performing Arts Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. The Mercantile Library is located on the 11th Floor of 414 Walnut Street. Future performances will include Cliff Adams, Nancy James, the Walnut Hills High School Senior Ensemble, and a Holiday Concert scheduled for December 17.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Final Friday to offer up usual fun with some unique additions tonight

Tonight in Over-the-Rhine, dozens of artists and art galleries will throw open their doors as they have done on the final Friday of every month since the mid-1990’s. Those who go out to enjoy the art and ambiance of the historic neighborhood are often treated to live music, wine tastings, exhibitions and more as they stroll from one destination to the next.

The best place to start, as always, is the Pendleton Arts Center. First constructed in 1909 for the Krohn-Fecheimer Shoe Company, the Pendleton Arts Center now boasts the largest collection of artists (200-plus) under one roof in the world. Inside, Final Friday-goers will experience the local artwork first-hand while also being treated to unique views of downtown Cincinnati and an overall dynamic artist community.

From there, a quick two-block walk over to Venue 222 will introduce you to a collection of artwork from the Contemporary Arts Center that will be on display from 7pm to 10pm. Once finished at Venue 222, you are in perfect position to work southward down Main Street where there will be a bounty of galleries, shops, and fun along the way.

Follow Main Street all the way south to 12th Street, then head two blocks west to Vine Street where more businesses will be taking part in the Final Friday festivities. Vine Street will also offer some delectable food options for which to enjoy at Senate or Lavomatic Cafe. But while out and about, be on the lookout for one of Cincinnati’s food trucks that may very well be serving up their treats to the crowd.

Final Friday for August 2010 will generally run from 6pm to 11pm throughout the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, with most all galleries and exhibitions free and open to the public. Free bicycle parking is widely available throughout the neighborhood, and several Metro bus routes service the area (plan your trip). For those driving, automobile parking can be found at on-street parking meters, or at several off-street parking lots/garages nearby.