Tag: over-the-rhine

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Business Development News

Broadway Commons district study to examine area impacted by new Cincinnati casino

Cincinnati casino developers have selected Harrah’s Entertainment to operate the new casino to be built on Broadway Commons, and the city has approved the necessary funding to move forward on a new Broadway Commons district study that will include recommendations on design, policy, and programming for the newly developed area.

The $15,000 study is being funded jointly by the City of Cincinnati, UC Community Design Center, and Bridging Broadway. The Local Initiative Support Coalition of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky (LISC) will help direct the six-month study with the rest of the group.

“We hope to integrate what the community wants to see there, and make sure their vision is realized,” said Stephen Samuels, President, Bridging Broadway. “We also hope to be strong allies with the development team as a big part of our mission has been to help see this development happen in a constructive manner amongst so many constituents.”

The casino plan includes a $400 million, 500,000 square-foot facility located on the 20-acre Broadway Commons site. Rock Gaming (formerly known as Rock Ventures) developers hope to start construction, on the casino, in late 2010 and entertain the first visitors by 2012. It is anticipated that the massive development will attract more than six million visitors annually, and create 2,800 jobs.

In the mean time, local leaders will embark on the Broadway Commons district study which will study the economics, transportation, urban design, and social issues faced within a half-mile radius of the project. The study will officially begin on Wednesday, September 1 and include a series of community dialogue meetings.

Samuels says that to achieve these goals, the non-profit group could use additional help from those in urban planning, architecture, consumer research, technology, construction, community outreach, and grant writing fields. Those interested in participating are encouraged to contact Stephen Samuels at stephen@bridgingbroadway.com.

“I am both confident and skeptical that we can achieve these goals with Rock Gaming,” Samuels explained. “I would not have spearheaded this effort had I not had any concerns, but so far the city and the developers have been great partners.”

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Know Theatre announces four new productions for 13th season

The innovative and eclectic Know Theatre has announced its “lucky 13” season with four new main stage shows, a new artistic director, and involvement in several educational and outreach oriented collaborations.

The Over-the-Rhine theatre company has a reputation for producing quality shows that stretch the boundaries of traditional theater, and this season is bound to be no different.  In addition to its main productions, the theatre is also involved in the seventh annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival, will host a New Year’s Eve speakeasy party, and is a collaborator for educational shows such as Calculus: The Musical! Three out of the four new main stage shows announced (one is still in the works) range the gamut from a passionate love affair to space and time travel.

Skin Tight, the first show of the 2010-2011 season, is a performance detailing the unique pain and passion that love and loss provides. The production is directed by Drew Fracher and will run from October 9-30.

“Skin Tight is a unique piece combining beautifully poetic text with intense physical action on stage,” described newly appointed Producing Artistic Director Eric Vosmeier. “I’m excited to see what Drew can do with this kind of show which I suspect will be unlike anything Know Theatre audiences have seen on our stage before.”

Vosmeier helped steer the theatre through a turbulent time last season, and is excited to see where the Know is headed in the future. Productions such as the theatre’s holiday show, A Wrinkle in Time which is a stage adaptation of Madline L’Engle’s classic book, help to stir that excitement. Jason Ballweber will return from his wildly popular Sideways Stories From Wayside School production last year to lead Meg and Charles Wallace through space in time to save their father. The show will be produced in collaboration with the Four Humors Theater in Minneapolis.

The final show of the season, The Dragon, will be produced alongside Madcap Puppet Theater, another local institution. Local playwright and actor Alison Vodnoy will be adapting the 1943 version of the play. With the exception of two characters the cast will be entirely puppets, created, designed and built at the Madcap Theatre. Experienced puppet theatre director Irina Niculescu will be directing.

A Wrinkle in Time runs November 27 through December 26, 2010, and The Dragon will run from April 2 through May 7, 2011. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Know Theatre box office at (513) 300-5669. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 the week of the show, and season subscriptions cost $48.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Aural Grid musical art installation to hit OTR’s streets this weekend

Aural Grid

Aural GridStrange sounds may be heard on Saturday when a “musical-spatial exploration” will be taking place.  The event will be centered on Main, Orchard, Sycamore, and 13th Streets in Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.  Those interested in attending are encouraged to stand, walk, run, dance, or bike down these streets to experience the piece.

Named Aural Grid, the event is being presented by the CS13 Gallery, Project CincinnatUS, and The Marburg Collective, and the project is being partially funded by an Individual Artist Grant provided by the City of Cincinnati to Project CincinnatUS.

Project CincinnatUS states that their mission is to present “a year-long performative exploration of the ways in which Cincinnatians relate to each other, their histories, and their city.”

The musical installation will take place on Saturday, August 21 from 5pm to 6pm.  A potluck cookout will be held at 212 Orchard Street following the installation, and will include a performance from the band Turmeric.  For more information on this and future Project CincinnatUS events, follow the group on Twitter @ProjectUS and become a fan on Facebook.

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Business News

Pet Wants to celebrate grand opening at Findlay Market with “Yappy Hour” festivities

Pet Wants will celebrate its official grand opening at historic Findlay Market today from 4pm to 7pm. Store owners Michele Hobbs and Amanda Broughton are encouraging pet owners to bring their pups to the store to take part in Findlay Market’s first “Yappy Hour.”

Hobbs and Broughton say that those attending will be treated to door prizes, live music, and 20 percent off purchases.  Other Findlay Market vendors like Market Wines, Daisy Mae’s Market, Silverglades, and Skirtz & Johnston will be providing light food and drinks.

The urban feed market is the first of its kind in Cincinnati’s center city. The store specializes in natural foods and treats, and also offers free delivery to its urban clientele. The owners also pride themselves on stocking food products that are made in Ohio, and pet toys that are made of organic and/or recycled materials.

Pet Wants’ grand opening Yappy Hour is free and open to the public. Free on- and off-street parking is available nearby including the Findlay Market merchant parking lots. The market provides free bicycle parking, and Metro bus service is also available (plan your trip).

Normal operating hours for Pet Wants (map) are Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 6pm. Orders or questions can be submitted by calling (513) 721-8696, or emailing petwants@gmail.com.

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Arts & Entertainment News

20 Years/20 Artists exhibit celebrates success of city grant program

Mayor Mark Mallory, Councilmember Laure Quinlivan, and members of the board of the Art Academy of Cincinnati came together on Friday, August 6 to celebrate the opening of a 20 Years/20 Artists – an exhibit showcasing the work of local artists who have received grant money from the City over the last 20 years.

In 1989 the City of Cincinnati established a competitive grant program that awarded money to extraordinary artists in order to help them establish their body of work while also making the arts more accessible to residents. To date, the Individual Artist Grant Program has awarded $700,000, through 320 grants, to 20 artists who might have not otherwise had the chance to change the world around them by sharing their talents.

“20/20 showcases work of successful artists whose work wouldn’t have reached the public without a grant,” said Ron Bates, chairman of the Art Academy’s Board of Trustees. “No other local government in the tri-state area has done this, and it makes a huge difference to these local artists.”

Artists who have participated in the grant program over the years were able to submit work to display in this exhibit highlighting the success of Cincinnati’s Individual Artist Grant Program. The exhibit features 35 pieces of work currently in the gallery, including two media works.  At the preview of the new exhibit a few of the artists came and spoke about how the grant program helped launch their careers.

“This [grant money] gave me a reason to dream a bigger dream,” local artist Kate Kern said. “This exhibit is a celebration and recognition of artists we support.  It’s a homecoming for those who have made it outside of Cincinnati.”

The free exhibit is open Monday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm until Friday, September 3.  A special reception will be held during this month’s Final Friday event on August 27 from 5pm to 8pm.  The Art Academy of Cincinnati is located in Over-the-Rhine at 1212 Jackson Street.  The exhibition has plenty of on- and off-street automobile parking options nearby in addition to free bicycle parking and Metro bus service (plan your trip).