Yours Truly always appreciates the outdoor creativity this town inspires. Fountain Square and The Genius of Water lend themselves to seasonal activities. Our riverfront always provides something fun and interesting to do, eat, hear or buy. Make your way downtown to hear some iconic film music performed by the best Cincinnati has to offer.
Wednesday, Nov. 27
Servatii, Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt | 5-9 p.m. Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxall Way, The Banks. DETAILS: Cincinnati’s own holiday themed German-American Christmas market opens in the adjacent Smale Riverfront Park and Schmidlapp Event Lawn. Food vendors, lights, beverages and merchandise are available for purchase. And, did I say music? Lots of music! Rent an igloo for your one-of-a-kind cocktail party or don some skates for an adventure on the Ice Rink. Runs through Jan. 5.
The Raisins | 8 p.m. Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: The legendary, local, power pop quartet returns for three shows wrapped around the Thanksgiving holiday. Fun and quirky tunes reign supreme. Saturday is sold out. Limited availability Wednesday and Friday. There is also a new documentary about the boys, entitled “The Bends,” in case you would like to learn more.
Thursday, Nov. 28
Happy Thanksgiving to All from your Culture FIXERS, Meg and Ray!
Take the day to enjoy your family’s culture (if you dare) and catch the Arts Train, again, tomorrow!
Friday, Nov. 29
Fountain Square, Duke Energy’s Light Up the Square | 6-9 p.m. 520 Vine St., downtown. DETAILS: Extend your Thanksgiving festivities and kick off the holiday season with this grand Cincinnati tradition. Music by 2nd Wind Band starts off the evening, followed by a one-hour televised extravaganza that includes the tree lighting and a dazzling fireworks display. Enjoy drinks from The Fountain Square Bar or secure your slippery spot on the ice at the UC Health Ice Rink. Our favorite Tyler Davidson Fountain will be lit up for your viewing and photographic pleasures.
Saturday, Nov. 30
Art Beyond Boundaries, “Changing Perceptions: Reunited” | 5-7 p.m. 1410 Main St, Over-the-Rhine. 513-421-8726. DETAILS: This annual exclusive exhibition showcases a variety of paintings, photography, sculpture and other media by local and regional artists with and without disabilities. The ABB Gallery provides a professional venue for artists with disabilities where they can display, market and sell their work. Artists enjoy programs, exhibit space, workshops and other services in this OTR mainstay. Runs through Jan. 10.
De La Dance Company, “The Nutcracker, Jazzed Up!” | 2 p.m. 5141 Kennedy Ave., Kennedy Heights. 513-871-0914. DETAILS: We’re all familiar with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” with Clara and Herr Drosselmeyer and lots of mice and well, a giant nutcracker. Enjoy a jazzed up version of that famous story with music by Tchaikovsky adapted by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn for a lively twist on a traditional classic. Runs through Dec. 15.
Cincinnati Pops, “Home Alone: Film in Concert” | 7:30 p.m. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. DETAILS: “There are 15 people in this house and you’re the only one who has to make trouble!” Didn’t you just want to say that a couple of days ago? Join the orchestra and a giant, high-definition screen to watch the 1990 Chris Columbus holiday film starring Macaulay Culkin. John Williams’ score is performed live by the Pops, conducted by principal guest Damon Gupton, for a heartwarming, comedic end to your holiday weekend. In a pre-concert talk by film historian Joe Horine, he discusses Williams’ score, a “greatest hits” of holiday music, along with elements of the composer’s long career. Repeats Sunday, Dec. 1. “I made my family disappear.” Hopefully, nobody did that a couple of days ago.
Sunday, Dec. 1
Matinée Musicale, Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano | 5 p.m. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: International opera star Isabel Leonard takes the stage in a concert highlighting her expansive career on the opera and concert stage. Her repertoire ranges from Vivaldi to Massenet to Strauss and Rossini. She has sung with some of the foremost conductors in the world, including Seiji Ozawa, Michael Tilson Thomas, James Conlon and Marin Alsop. She is in high demand as a recitalist and a multiple Grammy Award winner. View her planned program.
Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony, “12 Days of December” | 7 p.m. Summit City Church, 7950 Pfeiffer Rd., Montgomery. 513-549-2197. DETAILS: Artistic director and conductor Michael Chertock leads BAMSO and the Cincinnati Choral Society in an evening of Chanukah and Christmas favorites. The orchestra seeks to bring a high quality, artistically enriching, musical experience to all those in the greater Cincinnati area. All concerts are free.
Monday, Dec. 2
Leontine Cinema, “Lady Bird” | 7:30 p.m. Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. DETAILS: Director Greta Gerwig excavates the turbulent bond between a mother and her teen daughter. Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) fights against but is exactly like her wildly loving, deeply opinionated and strong-willed mom (Laurie Metcalf), a nurse working tirelessly to keep her family afloat after Lady Bird’s father (Tracy Letts) loses his job. “Lady Bird” strikes the balance between the relationships that shape us and the beliefs that define us.
Memorial Hall, Phil DeGreg Trio: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” | 7 p.m. 1225 Elm St., downtown. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: Who doesn’t remember the 1965 animated special, rerun year after year and all of its iconic lines and music? The film’s soundtrack was notable as it featured a mix of Christmas music and jazz by pianist Vince Guaraldi. Producer Lee Mendelson said, “I have always felt that one of the key elements that made that show was the music. It gave it a contemporary sound that appealed to all ages.” Cincinnati jazz favorite Phil DeGreg and his trio, Aaron Jacobs (bass) and John Taylor (drums) perform the iconic score along with unique versions of other Christmas classics. Repeats on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Harriet Beecher Stowe House, A Harriet Beecher Stowe Christmas | 7 p.m. 2950 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills. 513-751-0651. DETAILS: This is a bit of a different take on the holiday season. Learn how 19th-century abolitionists such as Harriet Beecher Stowe combined their holiday celebrations with activism. Author Pamela McColl discusses her book and presents an overview of the literary and art legacy that follows the holidays. Included are literary passages from Mark Twain, Louise May Alcott, Washington Irving and Harriet Beecher Stowe.
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