BuyCincy

Enjoy Your Weekend, May 11-13: St. Patrick's Weekend Edition

2010-03-12T12:45:24Z

Forget the green beer (its gross anyway), and get thyself to some St. Patrick's Day activities this weekend. Head to Arnold's or Fountain Square for some Irish fun, or hit the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. As always, feel free to add your own events in the comments, and enjoy your weekend!

St. Patrick's Day Parade

5th Street, Downtown

11:00 AM, Sat. 13 Mar.

FREE

Watch and enjoy the 44th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade downtown. Parade travels west on 5th Street to Plum and then south on Plum to 3rd Street and the finish. http://www.cincystpatsparade.com/ -DB

Mad Hatter Party
Arnold's Bar and Grill, 210 E 8th St, Downtown
8pm - 1am, Fri Mar. 12
Kick off the St. Patrick's Day weekend at Arnold's with music, Jameson, and ridiculous hats. Get prizes for wearing crazy hats, or get a hat from Guinness, who will be handing out swag all night. There will be drawings for a mountain bike courtesy of Jameson and a giant Guiness mirror. Prizes are drawn at 10pm, but music from The Catfish Evans Trio and The Tadcasters will go on all night.

3rd Annual O'Nati's Irish Pub

Fountain Square, Downtown

10:00 AM, Sat. 13 Mar.

FREE

Hosted by McCormick and Schmick's and Guinness, enjoy a day long party on Fountain Square of Irish beer, food, and music. Party starts at 10:00 AM but goes until 10:00 PM. http://www.myfountainsquare.com -DB

Fringe for a Night
Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine
6pm, Sat., Mar. 13
Free-$15
Know Theatre announces this year's Fringe Festival shows, shows off their new website, and brings back a 2009 Fringe Festival Critic's Pick this Saturday. Happy hour starts at 6pm, with the Fringe lineup and website unveiling at 6:45, both of these events are free (save for your bar tab). David Gaines' 7(x1) Samurai, a comic take on Kurosawa's epic film that's decribed as an "unusual style of theatre ... like Kill Bill meets The Magnificent Seven in a Bugs Bunny cartoon," starts at 7:30 ($12 in advance at www.knowtheatre.com, $15 night of show).

'Pancakes in the Woods'

California Woods Nature Preserve

9:00 - 1:00 AM, Sun. 14 Mar.

$4 - $6

Enjoy pancakes and sausage in the woods and learn about the process and story of maple sugaring. All proceeds benefit California Woods and Magrish Riverlands Preserves. Reservations not required. Requested donation: $6 for adults, $4 for children. Call 231-8678 for more information. http://www.cincyparks.com/ - DB

Enjoy Your Weekend Mar. 5-7: Bockfest Edition

2010-03-05T17:34:21Z

There are a few weekends every year we look forward to in child-like anticipation. MidPoint weekend, Oktoberfest weekend, and yes Bockfest weekend. This weekend's Bockfest celebrations remind us that spring is around the bend, and celebration is needed. But, even if you don't get your kicks from Bock beer, there is plenty to do around this city this weekend. As always, feel free to leave your events in the comments, and enjoy your weekend!

Bockfest Parade
From Arnold's on 8th down Main St. to Bockfest Hall (1621 Moore)
6:00 PM, Fri. 5 Mar.
One of the city's most fun and offbeat parades is lead by the Sausage Queen down Main St. in OTR to this year's Bockfest Hall location, the old Kauffman Brewery on Moore St. Go to check out juggling monks, crazy floats, and the infamous Trojan Goat. Stay for the copious amounts of Bock beer throughout OTR.

Bockfest: German Churches of OTR Tour
Leaving from Bockfest Hall
2:00 PM, Sun. 7 Mar.
$20
Join me, former QueenCitySurvey blogger, on a walking tour of historic German Churches of OTR during Bockfest and benefitting the OTR Foundation. Tickets were still available as of this posting. Check the website for tickets and details and for all Bockfest festivities. http://www.bockfest.com -DB

Cinciditarod
Fountain Square and surroundings
Race starts at noon, party at 3:00 PM, Sat. 6 Mar.
Leaving Fountain Square at noon, 49 costumed teams physically attached to grocery carts will rush around the city picking up items for the Freestore Foodbank. After returning to the Square, soft drinks, beer, and food will be available at the 3pm party. We can't put it much better than the press release: "It's a tribute to the Alaskan Iditarod - a brutal 1,100 mile dog-sled race - but instead of dogs, it's people; instead of sleds, it's shopping carts; and instead of Alaska, it's Cincinnati."

Friday Nights Fights
Cincinnati Athletic Club, 111 Shillito Place
6:00 PM, Fri. 5 Mar.
$30
The annual boxing event to benefit the Cincinnati Museum of Athletics presented by Cincinnati Golden Gloves, the Police Athletic League and the CAC. Ticket includes a ten matches card (subject to change) and free Montgomery Inn buffet in the CAC Lounge. http://www.cincinnatiathleticclub.com -DB

CPA Presents 'The Skyscraper District' Lecture
The Gwynne Building, Sixth and Main Streets
10:30 AM, Sat. 6 Mar.
$7 - $12
An illustrated lecture on Cincinnati's magnificent classic skyscrapers, by architectural historian Walter E. Langsam. Call 513-721-4506 for more information http://www.cincinnatipreservation.org -DB

The Cincinnati Bar Revolution

2010-03-05T13:49:15Z

Written and photographed by Courtney Tsitouris, author of www.epi-ventures.com, a blog about dining in and dining out in Cincinnati

Slowly emerging in Cincinnati, a line of no-nonsense bartenders are looking to eradicate the overly-hyped, dumbed-down cocktails and flavorless combinations that have become so prevalent today. You won't, for example, find a Strawberry Daiquiri at Rookwood Bar and Restaurant, where Rommel Wells is mixing serious, handcrafted drinks.

He is, so to speak, raising the bar with his nod to classic, respectable beverages filtered through his own creative lens. In a world of noisy, drink-slinging madness, Wells breathes life into the bar experience.
He is a self-confessed history junkie -- an interest that reflects in his time-honored approach to bartending. "I like the concept of a classic bar," he says. "I want to get back to the point where bartenders are as important as chefs. If you're going to have a great meal, you should have a great drink, too."

Under the appropriately named "Proper Drinks" section on his menu, 1940's style cocktails include incarnations of a Tom Collins and a Negroni. The Sazerac, an unabashed combination of rye bourbon, sugar, bitters and an absinthe rise, is serious enough to make you question your ride home but gentle and smooth enough for over-drinking.

But it is perhaps the original Les Fleurs Du Mal, in all of it's artistic, elaborate glory that grabs the attention of bar enthusiasts looking for a classic with a twist. Here, Wells drops an absynth-soaked sugar cube into a long glass and tops it with a concoction of candied rose petal, rose simple syrup and Hendrick's Gin. The crisp addition of Prosseco makes the drink as delicious as it is visually compelling.

One gets the sense, watching Wells attend to a lined bar full of thirsty customers, that he is, indeed, every bit as authentic as his cocktails. Dressed in a smart suit and even sporting a handlebar mustache, he has certainly picked the perfect historical establishment from which to pour his drinks. After all, Rookwood Bar and Restaurant, high on top of a Mount Adams hill, was once the studio and manufacturing facility for the famous Rookwood Pottery, Co.

As a regular frequenter of nearby vendors like Herbs Spice and Everything Nice, Wells also places heavy emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. It's a nice touch -- along with his attentive service and commitment to quality.

Watch out. Rookwood Bar and Restaurant is part of a crackling fire, a slow but steady bar revolution rising in Cincinnati, reminding us all that there's more to drinking than just drinking. There's craft.

Cafe de Wheels + Segway = Awesome

2010-03-05T00:23:52Z

They're calling it "Wheels on Wheels," I'm calling it the best thing to happen to my lunch break in a long time. Cafe de Wheels, the burger truck taking Downtown and Clifton by storm has added another tool in its arsenal, Thursday afternoon Segway deliveries in and around Downtown.

In case you haven't noticed, its been cold. Like really cold. And, although my hunger for the best burger downtown is nearly crippling, so is the 16 block roundtrip walk for Cafe de Wheels from my office during my lunch break.

However, now, I have the power of Segways on my side. All you need to do to get Segway delivery is call (513) 549-5246, text (513) 560-6234 or order via the cafedewheels.com "Quick email Order button" any Thursday from 11am to 2pm. You'll have a burger, veggie burger, or Cuban sandwich in a jiffy.

Disappointed that you can only get this goodness once a week? We are too. But, according to Cafe de Wheels, "If order demand presents itself in the form of copious burger orders, then it's possible that the gods of beef and potatoes will consider opening the flood gates to additional days."

There is a delivery charge of $2, but its a small price to pay for burger goodness delivered to your Downtown or Over-the-Rhine office next Thursday.

Enjoy Your Weekend Feb. 26-28: Final Friday, German Heritage Museum, BYOProject

2010-02-26T17:36:17Z

Hit up Final Friday, grab a Cincinnati Cyclones bobblehead, or find fun ways to, gasp, be productive this weekend. As always, feel free to add interesting events in the comments and enjoy your weekend! Final Friday
various venues in Over-the-Rhine
6-9pm-ish, Fri 26 Feb
FREE
As always, Over-the-Rhine is the place to be this Final Friday! Spend the evening wandering through this eclectic neighborhood, enjoying art exhibits, theatrical performances, food and drink, and special offers from area independent retailers. -VL

Cincinnati Cyclones Twister Bobblehead Night
U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway
7:30 PM, Fri. 26 Feb.
Price varies, check website
Join the Cyclones for Friday night hockey where the first 2,500 in attendance received a free Twister mascot bobblehead. Check website for ticket prices. -DB

Cabaret Benefit for Acclaim Guest Equity Grant
Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine
10:00 PM, Fri 26 Feb.
$10, or $5 with Adding Machine: A Musical ticket purchase
Join a cabaret-themed party after the conclusion of the well-received Adding Machine. Proceeds from the benefit will go to the Acclaim Awards' Guest Equity Artists Grant, a grant that helps local theatres "acquire the high caliber of working Equity actors in Cincinnati." The party will feature performances by members of the Adding Machine cast, friends of Know Theatre of Cincinnati, former recipients of the Acclaim Guest Equity grants, and former Acclaim rising stars including Charlie Clark and Broadway veteran Mark Hardy. -BC

What Do I Get??--A Final Saturday Retro Wave Post Punk Pool Party
Grammer's, 1440 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine
9:30pm-12:15am
DJ Casey takes over Saturday for an evening of left of the dial, post-punk retro wave. As an added bonus, free water, popcorn and parking is provided!! That said, however, no pools will be provided, as the term was just tossed into the title for some ironic and cheeky alliteration and juxtaposition. Head out of hibernation and celebrate the end of February. -VL

BYOProject
Happen Inc., 4201 Hamilton Ave., Northside
5:30-8pm, Sun 28 Feb
FREE
BYOProject is a a chance to get be productive and social at the same time. Bring your own project and hang out and meet other creative people in Cincinnati. We've had writer, knitters, designers, painters, quilters, needle felters, and even a bee keeper building some kind of bee keeper stuff. Everyone is welcome. Music provided by Projectmill DJ Ben Davis. -VL

'The Pennsylvania German Long Rifle' Lecture
German Heritage Museum, 4764 West Fork Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45247
2:00 PM, Sun. 28 Feb.
FREE
Part of an ongoing lecture series exploring topics of German heritage. -DB

Enjoy Your Weekend, Feb 19-21: Fine Arts Fund, Shepard Fairy, VisuaLingual

2010-02-19T02:20:43Z

It's a weekend to find art throughout the area, from Shepard Fairey's message-driven works to the free plays, art openings and dance performances of the Fine Arts Fund Sampler Weekend throughout the city. As always, feel free to add interesting events in the comments and enjoy your weekend! Fine Arts Fund Sampler Weekend
various arts venues throughout Cincinnati
20-21 Feb
FREE
Creative things will be happening all over the place -- music, dance,
storytelling, theatre, painting, and much more. Come share the
experience of these performances and exhibits and vibrant activity
with family, friends, and neighbors! -VL

HOME WORK: New Work by VisuaLingual
Betts House, 416 Clark St., West End
5-8pm, Sat 20 Feb
FREE
Stop by the oldest brick house in Ohio still on its original site, and
check out Flourishing, the new line of home accessories by
VisuaLingual, inspired by ornamentation found on 19th century
buildings in Cincinnati. -VL

'Starburst: Color Photography in America'

Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park

Thru 9 May

FREE!

Opened last Saturday, this exhibit showcasews work from the 1970's from a variety of artists. The Museum is free however there is a $4 parking charge. -DB

Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand and Shilpa Gupta: A Bit Closer opening party
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 East 6th St., downtown
8-11pm, Fri 19 Feb
FREE
The entire Cincinnati community is invited to the party celebrating
Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand and Shilpa Gupta: A Bit Closer. This
event is free and open to the public, and features a DJ set by Shepard Fairey. -VL

NVISION 2nd Anniversary Sale

4577 Hamilton Ave., Northside

Through Feb. 28

Local crafts, vintage clothing, and funky accessories are all discounted to help celebrate NVISION's 2nd full year in business. All clothing and accessories are 20% off, making this a good time to take a long overdue visit to the store. -BC

ArtAlive Party
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 East 6th St., downtown
7-11pm, Sat 20 Feb
$25-$30
This is a one-of-a-kind party to celebrate the arts of the greater
Cincinnati region, hosted by Fine Arts Fund Friends for the Arts. -VL

Fish Frys!

Various sites

Fridays thru 2 Apr.

Price varies, check website

A Lenten tradition, enjoy a fish fry at various locations all around the greater Cincinnati Area beginning this Friday. The Catholic Telegraph has a handy schedule. -DB

2010 Bockfest Sausage Queen Competition

2010-02-17T23:44:27Z

Here at BuyCincy, its our mission to talk about some of the things that make Cincinnati unique. And, well, it doesn't get any more unique than the annual Bockfest Sausage Queen Competition. The winner of the gender-neutral competition is bestowed the honor of leading one of Cincinnati's most unconventional parades, the Bockfest kickoff from Arnold's bar to Bockfest Hall in OTR.

Interested in the prestige that goes along with being Bockfest Queen? You have three more chances to qualify for the Bockfest Queen finals, starting with tomorrow's qualifying round at Arnold's.

Per the competition rules, the Sausage Queen will be judged on the following criteria:

Personality: Good traits will include a love of bock beer, a sense of humor, and a taste for meat. The personality round will involve a series of questions posed to the contestants by the judges.
Presence: The contestant must look good carrying a sausage and have diva tendencies. The presence round will involve a very short catwalk turn while sporting a string of bockwurst.
Talent: Whatever "talent" you think a Sausage Queen should possess is good enough for us.

Your last three chances to qualify for the March 6 "Little Kings" Sausage Queen finals are:

February 18, 2010, 9:00PM, Arnold's Bar & Grill, 210 East 8th St., Cincinnati

February 26, 2010, 9:00PM, Blue Bar, 266 Pike St., Covington

February 27, 2010, 9:00PM, Milton's Prospect Hill Tavern, Cincinnati

Enjoy Your Weekend, Feb 12-14: OTR Plays, Northside Art, Covington Benefit

2010-02-12T12:52:39Z

2 great art openings in Northside, Bockfest trophy making, and a big ass snowball fight highlight the weekend. As always, feel free to add interesting events in the comments and enjoy your weekend! Friday Night Blows
River City Works, 532 East 12th St., Over-the-Rhine
6-9:30pm, Fri 12 Feb
FREE
The Art Academy of Cincinnati, River City Works will again be working with Arnold's Bar and Grill to create a Bockfest trophy, an original work of hand-blown glass art. Get to the glass-blowing studio early for the best parking and hot food. Bring sunglasses to watch the art-making action! -VL

Cincinnati's Largest Snowball Fight
P&G Pavilion at Sawyer Point
2pm, Sun. Feb 14
Free
Show your true love on Valentine's day by hurling a snowball at the lady or fella in your life. Join a crowd of other snowlovers at the large open spaces of the P&G Pavilion, where teams will be divided and madness will ensue. -BC

'My Name is Asher Lev'
Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, 1127 Vine Street
Thru Sun. 15 Feb.
Time & price varies
My Name is Asher Lev concludes its run at the Ensemble Theatre this weekend. Saturday includes an additional matinee. Ticket price varies with date and time. Tickets for children 12 and under are $16.00. www.cincyetc.com -DB

RISE UP HAITI: Music and Art Benefit for the Restavek Foundation
The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington
6:45-11:30pm, Fri 12 Feb
$15
At this event, the Greater Cincinnati creative c ommunity will come together for RISE UP HAITI, a fundraising celebration to help end child slavery in Haiti. There will be live music, silent art auction, cash bar, and Taste of Belgium waffles. All proceeds will benefit the Jean Cadet Restavek Foundation, dedicated to abolishing child slavery in Haiti. -VL

Nuclear Winter Opening Reception
NVISION,
6-10pm, Fri. Feb 12
Free
Cincinnati artist Jeff Stout presents Nuclear Winter, an exhibit of drawings and paintings described as "part science-fiction fantasy, part environmental warning, and part metaphysical metaphor." A "Nuclear Winter library" (with books available at NVISION) and a special brooding soundtrack will accompany the works. -BC

'Backyard Maple'
Caldwell Nature Preserve
2:00 PM, Sun. 13 Feb.
FREE!
Discover the tricks of the trade for making maple syrup at home. Meet at the Nature Center. Call 761-4313 for more information and reservations. www.cincyparks.com/ -DB

Looking Glass: Illustrations by Julie Hill exhibit opening
Fabricate, 4012 Hamilton Ave., Northside
7-11pm, Sat 13 Feb
FREE
Fabricate is pleased to announce the opening of Looking Glass: Illustrations by Julie Hill. The work includes a mix of pen, watercolor and colored pencil, and the opening reception will feature PROJECTMILL DJs, potable beverages and hors d'oeuvres. -VL

Senate Restaurant to Open Feb. 19th

2010-02-06T00:33:03Z

After a long wait, Over-the-Rhine's newest restaurant has set an official opening date. Senate, located on Vine St. in the Gateway Quarter, will open Feb. 19th according to their Facebook page. The restaurant will serve gourmet street food (think super-fancy hot dogs and lobster BLTs) and specialize in craft cocktails. We're really excited to see how this concept (and this awesome location) turns out.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Feb 5-7: Super Bowl, First Friday, Local Shows

2010-02-05T15:02:50Z

#snOMG. Don't let the white death get you down, there's plenty to do if you're brave enough to venture out of your igloo. As always, feel free to add interesting events in the comments and enjoy your weekend! Super OTR Bowl Party
Venue 222, 222 E 14th St., Over-the-Rhine
5pm-10pm, Sun. Feb 7
$20
The Bengals won't be playing (and the follow-up snark is too easy to comment on that), but you can still watch the game and celebrate the city. This inaugural party for America's biggest sporting event features "your fill of Moerlein Lager & Ales, Little Kings, Hudy Delight, Hudy 14-K, Burger Classic as well as wine, soda and water," multiple large screens, and food that can be purchased from Cafe de Wheels. The $20 cover supports the Over-the-Rhine Foundation. Reservations are limited.
http://www.otrfoundation.org/SuperBowl.php -BC

GrapeVine First Friday
various stores, Gateway Quarter, Over-the-Rhine
5-7pm, Fri 5 Feb
FREE
The perfect way to finish off your work week, spend your happy hour with the merchants of the Gateway Quarter, strolling the shops, sipping some wine and getting a headstart on finding that perfect gift! This month, the shops feature wines for Valentine's Day -- sweet reds and wines that pair well with chocolate. -VL

70 Years of Big Band
Corbett Auditorium, University of Cincinnati
4:00 PM, Sun. 7 Feb.
$5 - $10
The CCM Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band play historic favorites. Call 513-556-4183 for tickets and information. UC students are free. http://www.ccm.uc.edu -DB

Personal Vistas: New Work by Kim Flora exhibit opening
PAC Gallery, 2540 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills
http://pacgallery.net
5-8pm, Fri 5 Feb
FREE
Kim Flora is an emerging Cincinnati artist and a 2008 recipient of the City of Cincinnati Arts Grant. The latest paintings embody two distinct aesthetics: the minimal and tranquil, and the large and turbulent. Wax or encaustic painting is an ancient medium Flora utilizes to examine contextual elements of contemporary painting. -VL

The Sweet Sound of Baroque Oboe
http://www.catacoustic.com/season.html
7:30pm, Sat 6 Feb at North Presbyterian Church, Northside
3pm, Sun 7 Feb at St. George's Episcopal Church, Glendale
$7-$20
Catacoustic's next concert will be a program of music for the baroque oboe, featuring the internationally renowned musician, Debra Nagy. This concert is on two separate days in different venues, Northside and Glendale. -VL

Cincinnati Symphony: I Like Tchaik
Music Hall, 1241 Elm Street
8:00 PM, Sat. 6 Feb.
$25 - $105
Two Tchaikovsky works in one night! http://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/ -DB

Enjoy Your Weekend: 29-31 Jan. 2010

2010-01-29T17:59:42Z

Between Final Friday in OTR, Penguin Days at the Zoo, and another great show at Mayday, we're sure you'll stay busy this weekend. As alway, feel free to add interesting events in the comments and enjoy your weekend! Final Friday
various venues, Over-the-Rhine
Fri 29 Feb, 6-9pm-ish
FREE
From the art at the Pendleton Arts Center and Main St. galleries, to food and drink specials at Mixx Ultra Lounge and Lavomatic, to live music at Outside and the Know Theatre, among many other happenings, Over-the-Rhine is the place to be on the Final Friday of this and every month. -VL

State Song and Earthquakes
Mayday, 4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
Sat 30 Jan, 10:30pm
Local three-piece State Song plays their first gig of the year at Mayday, supporting their upcoming record Dear Hearts & Gentle People. Stick around after the show and dance the night away with an indie rock DJ set by Earthquakes. -BC

Penguin Days
Cincinnati Zoo, 3400 Vine Street
Thru Sun. 28 Feb.
Price varies; check website.
Enjoy half-price admission to the Cincinnati Zoo every day through February 28. Check website for prices and for special weekend animal encounters. http://cincinnatizoo.org -DB

Living in the 80s
Below Zero Lounge, 1122 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine
http://www.belowzerolounge.com
Fri 29 Feb, 9am-2am
$10 donation for NKU Pride 2010
All 80s music all night long, featuring live DJ, 80s makeovers, drink specials, door prizes and the best music in town, all benefitting NKU Pride 2010. -VL

Forgotten Cincinnati Opening
Park + Vine, 1109 Vine St., Atomic Number Ten, 1306 Main St., Joseph Williams Home, 1232 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Fri 29 Feb, 6pm-9pm
FREE
Part of the aforementioned Final Friday, photographers Sherman Cahal, Zach Fien, and Ronny Salerno find beauty in forgotten locales from abandoned churches to derelict industries. -BC

Cincinnati Reds Select-A-Seat
Great American Ballpark, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way
11:00 - 2:00 PM, Sat. 30 Jan.
Get your 2010 Season Tickets before the price goes up and participate in a free Q&A with Reds players, coaches, and broadcasters. Check website for ticket information and participating Reds players and coaches. http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/ticketing/selectaseat.jsp -DB

Mt. Washington Residents Want Local Restaurant

2010-01-28T02:57:24Z

Looking for a charming city neighborhood to open a locally-owned restaurant? Mt. Washington residents say they have just the place for you.

In tonight's brainstorming for the city's Mt. Washington Neighborhood Enhancement Program (which I attended representing my very cool new employer greatercea.org), one idea came up over and over again from every group in the room. Mt. Washington is hungry for a new local sit down restaurant option that will serve as a social space in the community and draw young families to the area.

Combined with ideas on a community garden vocally supported at the meeting, a hyperlocal restaurant could likely make a large impact immediately, giving the residents a place to walk to, hang out at, and spend some cash.

So, investors and restaurateurs, I know of at least 40 dedicated advocates (and, if those 40 were representative of the community, many many more) that would gladly support and market this option. Go, check out this great community and see the opportunity to add some interest to a unique Cincinnati neighborhood.

Enjoy Your Weekend: 22-24 Jan. 2010

2010-01-21T22:08:30Z

OTR art exhibits, music at Mayday in Northside, a winter hike through Ault Park, and more are on tap for this weekend. Feel free to add your own events in the comments and, if there's something happening in the near future that you think our readers would like to know about, email us at events [at] buycincy [dot] com. Enjoy your weekend! If Everything Is Possible (we're all f***ed): Experiments in Humor
Aisle Gallery, 424 Findlay St. 3rd fl., Over-the-Rhine
5-8pm, Fri 22 Jan
FREE
This exhibit of work by Andy Marko promises work at the intersection of the personal, the political and the humorous, with live performances by Kirk Mayhew, Andy Marko and clowns, as well as cotton candy, fruit punch and hot dogs. -VL

Reno Bo
Mayday, 4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
9pm, Fri 22 Jan
Nashville-based Reno Bo steps out from playing with The Mooney Suzuki and Albert Hammond Jr's band (of The Strokes) to lead a solo project, which he brings to Mayday Friday. While his previous work was known for garage rock, Reno Bo's solo endeavor falls to the pop and folk side of the spectrum, listen at myspace.com/renobo   -BC

Shake Off the Winter Blues Hike
Ault Park
10:00 AM, Sun. 24 Jan.
FREE
Get your blood pumping and your body moving as we hit the trail and hike the hills of Ault Park. We'll stop along the way to admire the winter scenery and look for wildlife in the quiet woods. Make sure to dress for the cold. Meet in the parking lot. Call 231-8678 for information. http://www.cincyparks.com -DB

HUXY: Modes of Masculinity
Museum Gallery - Gallery Museum, 1218 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine
http://www.mg-gm.com
6-11pm, Fri 22 Jan
FREE
This exhibition in a new OTR arts venue examines the roles, stigmas, and stereotypes of what it means to be a man in the 21st century.   -VL

Yoga storytime
Blue Manatee, 3054 Madison Rd., Oakley
2pm, Sun 24 Jan.
FREE
Blue manatee introduces Preschool Yoga as their newest in-store weekly event. Meet the instructor, Miss Suzi, and read some stories to find your inner yogi. All ages welcome.

Playhouse in the Park: Saturday Morning Performance Series
Anderson Center, 7850 Five Mile Road
3:00 PM, Sat. 23 Jan.
$5
Playhouse in the Park presents "Cyrano" at the Anderson Center in Anderson Township as part of their School and Community Outreach Tour. Developed for students, grades 6 through 12. Call 513-688-8400 for tickets. http://www.cinstages.com/article.asp?CinStageNewsID=3917   -DB

Enjoy Your Weekend: 15-17 Jan 2010

2010-01-15T03:34:38Z

Great music, winter sales, and broomball fun highlight this mild January weekend's event listings. Feel free to add your own events in the comments and, if there's something happening in the near future that you think our readers would like to know about, email us at events [at] buycincy [dot] com. Enjoy your weekend! Celebrate Cincinnati With Jake Speed and Christian Moerlein
Arnold's Bar and Grill, 210 East 8th St. Downtown
9pm, Saturday, Jan. 16
Christian Moerlein will hit 2010 running with a night full of music, beer, food, and swag. Moerlein reps will be on hand to give out gear, a full selection of Moerlein and Hudy beer will be on tap, Arnold's will be cooking up Moerlein-infused dishes, and Cincinnati booster Jake Speed and the Freddies will play guests into the night.   -BC

Mascot Broomball
Fountain Square, Downtown
1:00 PM, Sat. 16 Jan.
FREE
Watch area mascots battle each other in the annual Mascot broomball game on Fountain Square. http://www.myfountainsquare.com -DB

Winter Sale in the Gateway Quarter
on and around Vine St. between Central Parkway and 13th St., Over-the-Rhine
Fri 15 Jan-Mon 25 Jan
FREE, but bring your wallet
Enjoy special savings at some of your favorite independent retailers, including A Lucky Step, Joseph Williams Home, Little Mahatma, Metronation, MiCA 12/v, Outside, Park + Vine, and Switch Lighting & Design. -VL

Sandy's Circus
Blue Manatee Children's Bookstore and Decafe, 3054 Madison Rd.
Sunday January 17th 1:30pm
Ages 4-8, $5/child.
Join local glass artist Sandra Gross as she leads a story time based on the work of Alexander Calder. Snacks and the opportunity to create your own work of art will be provided. -BC

Art in the Making: 3D: Found Object
Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Dr., Mt. Adams
2-4pm, Sat 16 Jan
$10-20; reservations suggested
Parents and children collaborate with local artist Joel Armor during this workshop featuring a gallery tour and hands-on art making. This program is designed for ages 6-12 accompanied by an adult.   -VL

Great Music in a Great Space: St. Peter in Chains
St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, 325 W. 8th Street
3:00 PM, Sun. 17 Jan.
FREE!
Part of an ongoing series, watch a free concert of the Cincinnati Symphony, directed by Paavo Jarvi, in St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, downtown. http://www.stpeterinchainscathedral.org/   -DB

The Minor Leagues and Fairmount Girls
Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave
10pm, Sat. 16 Jan.
FREE, 21 and up.
Our good friends and one of the city's catchiest bands, The Minor Leagues invades Northside Tavern this Saturday, along with Fairmount Girls and Chicago's Midstates & The Choir of Ghosts. -BC

MiCA & MiCA 12/v Consolidation Sale
MiCA 12/v, 1201 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine; MiCA, 2039 Madison Rd., O'Bryonville
Fri 15 Jan-Mon 25 Jan
FREE, but bring your wallet
In case you haven't heard, MiCA and MiCA 12/v are consolidating into a single location at 12th and Vine in OTR, so this sale will feature steep discounts of 20-40% on many items in both stores. -VL

Cincinnati Cyclones Military Appreciation Night
US Bank Arena, 100 Broadway
7:30, Sat. 16 Jan.
Price varies; See website
It is Military Appreciation Night where all with military ID get in for $7. Tickets are normally $12.00 - $24.50. Pulled Pork sandwiches are also only $1 for the evening's contest against Toledo. http://www.cycloneshockey.com/   -DB

AbbyGirlSweets Brings Cupcakes Downtown

2010-01-13T22:42:49Z

Good news for downtown residents and workers, and bad news for my will power. AbbyGirlSweets, previously located on Madison Rd. in Oakley has relocated to 5th St. downtown (between Race and Vine). Owners Nathan and Andrea Thompson opened up the 5th St. location last week, selling from-scratch cupcakes baked with, according to their web site, "the finest and freshest ingredients, like pure cane sugar, sweet cream butter, and only the best cocoa."

Using this story as a cheap excuse to bring half a dozen home ($2.50/piece when you buy 6, $2.75/piece when bought individually), I stopped by after work and picked out an assortment.

Within 30 minutes of getting home (go ahead and try to leave a cupcake box untouched), the Coconut cupcake was divided and conquered, a delicious victory. As mightily as I tried, the cupcake box called me back for a second round later. The second cupcake, Peanut Butter Cup, is definitely for peanut butter fanatics, the peanut butter frosting was perfect for me, but was a bit too rich for my fiancee.

Still waiting to be eaten are Maple Buttermilk, Vanilla Buttercream on Vanilla, and Carrot Cake. I also got a Cupcake of the Week - Chocolate Covered Stawberry. AbbyGirlSweets plans to introduce a special cupcake every week via their Facebook page.

AbbyGirl Sweets is open Mon.-Fri. 11am to 6pm, so you can pick some up for a mid-day sugar rush, or, as I did, take some home in the evening.