Tag: music

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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 Business News

Monthly street fair to fill Main Street in Over-the-Rhine this weekend

August’s Second Sunday in OTR event will have more than 60 local vendors ranging from handmade jewelry to fine art and photography work. Other vendors will be selling items such as “upcycled” purses, locally designed t-shirts, wood-fired pizza, and even authentic Belgium waffles.

Second Sunday in OTR is a monthly street fair presented by the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce that takes place in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. The event closes Main Street to automobile traffic from 13th Street to Liberty Street in order to allow pedestrians to enjoy the many vendors, live music, street performers, food and beer without the worry of any automobiles.

This month’s street fair will include a free yoga session hosted by You Do Yoga at 12:30pm (Main at Woodward), a Samba parade led by Baba Charles from Peasley Community Center at 1:30pm (Main from 13th to Liberty), a cooking demonstration by celebrity chefs Jose Salazar and Summer Genetti at 2:30pm (1419 Main St., Falling Wall Condo), and a local talent show at 3pm (Main at Woodward at DJ booth).

Nearby at Neon’s Unplugged (map), live music will be provided by Messerly & Ewing from 12pm to 1:15pm, and KT & The Pickups from 1:30pm to 2:30pm.

The Second Sunday in OTR street fair runs from 12pm to 5pm, and is free and open to the public. Various on- and off-street automobile parking options are available nearby in addition to free bicycle parking and convenient Metro bus service (plan your trip).

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Arts & Entertainment News

2010 Cincy Blues Fest to entertain crowds at Sawyer Point this weekend

This weekend Sawyer Point will have a bluesy vibe as the Cincy Blues Fest returns for 2010 starting Friday night at 5pm. The event will bring top-notch blues talent to the Cincinnati central riverfront for two consecutive nights, and raise money for a local music education program.

Hosted by the Cincy Blues Society, this festival has been an annual event for many years now and offers Cincinnatians and visitors a chance to experience some great blues music for a low price all in one place. Blues lovers and music enthusiasts can purchase tickets for $10 on Friday and $15 on Saturday which has more than two hours of music starting at 2:30pm and going until midnight.

More than 40 national and local acts will take to four stages over the two day event. The Budweiser Main Stage will feature national acts both nights, as well as, a special performance by Blues Society’s Blues in the Schools program. Blues in the Schools brings accomplished area musicians into local schools to educate students about the history and significance of blues music, and is the main benefactor of the festival.

On Friday, Cincy Blues Fest will partner with the Gulf Restoration Network to raise awareness and funds for Gulf Coast and wetlands restoration efforts in a New Orleans-themed night called Pardi Gras. Saturday’s special performance features a tribute to one of the founders of Jazz music, Jell Roll Morton, with special Boogie-Woogie performances all day long. Additionally, the local blues scene will be featured on the St. Vincent de Paul stage all weekend long. Beer, wine, barbecue, and Cajun cuisine will also reportedly be available for purchase.

Festival organizers state that close to 400 volunteers help make the event possible each year. Those interested in signing up to volunteer can sign up online, or do so by contacting Tammy Reams at (513) 405-5868 or cincybluesvolunteers@gmail.com. A volunteer orientation party is scheduled for Thursday, August 5 at 7pm under the arches at Sawyer Point.

The 2010 Cincy Blues Fest will take place at Sawyer Point (map) in downtown Cincinnati. Limited automobile parking is available nearby. Lots of free off-street bicycle parking is available, and the event is accessible by Metro bus service (plan your trip). Refer to the festival’s website for discounted ticket information for children and Blues Society members.

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Macy’s Music Festival headlining busy weekend in downtown Cincinnati

The Macy’s Music Festival takes place this weekend in downtown Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium. Nearly 50,000 R&B and soul fans from around the region are expected to pour into the stadium and nearby venues as they are treated to performances by Jaheim, Melanie Fiona, Teena Marie, Charlie Wilson, Cameo, K’Jon, En Vogue, Maze, Raheem DeVaughn, and Erykah Badu who was added to replace Jill Scott. The two-day music festival is expected to have a local economic impact of $20 million.

Jill Scott canceled her appearance at this year’s festival after learning of an illness in the family. Her absence is certainly a loss for the festival, but the addition of Erykah Badu is one of the few replacements that is able to fill Scott’s proverbial shoes in the festival lineup.

The music festival is complimenting a host of other events that are expected to keep Cincinnati’s center city packed all weekend long.  One such event is the annual convention for the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) which is expected to draw 5,000 people from around the world, and create an economic impact of $3 million.  The first-place Reds are also in town and hosting the Atlanta Braves in a three game series that is expected to draw three sell-out crowds totaling more than 120,000 fans over the weekend.

Tickets for the Macy’s Music Festival range from $48 to $88 and can be purchased online, or by calling 1-800-452-3132 for group sales.  Performances begin at 7:30pm both nights at Paul Brown Stadium (map).  In the mean time, enjoy ‘Other Side of the Game’ by Erykah Badu.

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Downtown Cincinnati’s newest club celebrates grand opening – 7/17

Cincinnati’s newest nightclub is celebrating a grand opening tonight, Saturday July 17 at the corner of 6th and Main streets.  Passage Lounge serves as the eastern anchor to downtown Cincinnati’s growing Backstage Entertainment District.

General Manager Robert Bond states that, “Our number one commitment is to be a service-based venue and we have trained our staff to provide our downtown Cincinnati community patrons with a full, pleasurable and exciting experience.”

At first observation, Passage is definitely a place to see and be seen. The majority of the space is an open plan, with a circular bar serving 360 degrees of drinks anchoring the center of the space. There is a DJ booth and elevated dance stage that can be seen from the street. True to its name, Passage’s decor is mysterious and exotic, with VIP areas accessible only through a secret passage way. Even the restrooms have a trompe l’oeil feel that fools the eye.

Go check out Passage Lounge (map) if you are looking for a new place to enjoy yourself and dance the night away in a classy, fun atmosphere.  The doors will open at 7pm tonight with the party going until 2:30am at which point several late night food options are located nearby for snacking and socializing.

Passage is open Wednesday through Friday from 4pm to 2:30am and Saturdays from 7pm to 2:30am.  They will feature weekday happy hours with drink specials, live entertainment, and a tapas menu which will begin on Wednesday, July 21.  Passage has table reservations available. Those interested in reserving tables or the VIP room should contact Ramsey Houston, at (513) 720-9946 or vip@passagelounge.com.