This week features a number of “once-a-year” events that you shouldn’t miss. Early music fan? Enjoy concerts all over town for the better part of February. A film festival featuring stories of Israeli and Jewish life, a play in a courthouse and a giant craft beer tasting add to a great mix of events. Enjoy!
Wednesday, Jan. 29
Conveyor Belt Books, “Don’t Look Back” | 7:30 p.m. Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. DETAILS: Legendary documentarian D.A. Pennebaker caught up with the iconic Bob Dylan during his 1965 UK tour, his last as an acoustic-only artist. The film features some of Dylan’s most famous songs: “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” “The Times They Are A-Changin’” and “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.” Tonight’s screening is hosted by a cool little bookstore in Covington offering up “scarce and rare used reads” and thousands of other tomes for sale.
Thursday, Jan. 30
American Sign Museum, Artist Talk: Feeling Tubular with Bing Reising | 7 p.m. 1330 Monmouth St., Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. DETAILS: Listen to the ASM’s newest tube bender and learn about his journey from neon enthusiast to collector to how he learned the craft. The ASM is a bright space that is sure to bring back (or dredge up) a host of memories about times past.
Friday, Jan. 31
Contemporary Arts Center, Vivian Browne: “My Kind of Protest” | 7-10 p.m. Opening reception, 44 E. Sixth St., downtown. 513-345-8400. DETAILS: Pioneering activist and influential teacher. This exhibit features paintings, prints and works on paper of Vivian Browne (1929-1993), founder of the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition that fought for Black representation in New York museums. Her nuanced approach to color and form challenged neatly defined categories of abstraction and figuration. Runs through May 25.
The Story Collective, “12 Angry Jurors” | 7:30 p.m. Warren County Common Pleas Courthouse, 500 Justice Dr., Lebanon. 513-293-7136. DETAILS: A play in a courthouse, now that sounds interesting. Jurors hear a murder case of a teenager who has killed his abusive father. Or has he? While nearly unanimous in its verdict, things change. Can one dissenting juror sow just one seed of doubt? Real judges and bailiffs working in the aforementioned courthouse appear on stage. Repeats tomorrow evening and next weekend.
The Carnegie, “Seussical” | 7:30 p.m. 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington. 859-491-2030. DETAILS: The Lorax, Mayzie, the Mayor of Whoville and the Cat in the Hat are all waiting for you. Watch your favorite Dr. Seuss characters in a colorful, family-friendly collaboration between The Carnegie and UC’s College-Conservatory of Music. With music by Lynn Ahrens, lyrics by CCM alum Stephen Flaherty and book by Ahrens and Flaherty, this adaptation is based on the classic children’s books by Theodor Geisel. Yes, yes, don’t despair. Horton’s here, too. Have fun! Runs through Feb. 16
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Strauss and Debussy | 7:30 p.m. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. DETAILS: In the mood for a prank? Richard Strauss’ “Till Eulenspigel’s Merry Pranks” is sure to please. If you’ve ever played the piece, you know it’s a wild ride for everybody. “Till” pulls no punches. Strauss’ “Horn Concerto No. 1” was written when he was only 18 years old. CSO principal horn Elizabeth Freimuth steps into the spotlight to play the concerto inspired by the composer’s father, a horn virtuoso. Conductor Jun Märkl – music director of the Indianapolis and Taiwan Symphony Orchestras – closes the program with Claude Debussy’s totally atmospheric “Images,” originally conceived for two pianos. We are so very glad he changed his mind on that one. Repeats Saturday.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Playhouse in the Park, “Primary Trust” | 7:30 p.m. 962 Mt. Adams Cir., Mt. Adams. 513-421-3888. DETAILS: The winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama takes the stage right here in the Queen City. Playwright Eboni Booth introduces us to Kenneth, a 38-year-old bookseller. After being laid off from his job, Kenneth finds kindness and friendship in unlikely places. Learn what happens when a predictable, comfortable life begins to crumble and one man must find a way to make it work. DeShawn Harold Mitchell plays Kenneth in his PIP debut. Runs through Feb. 23.
Cincy Beerfest | Noon & 6:30 p.m. Cintas Center, Xavier University, Evanston. 513-745-3428. DETAILS: Hundreds of local and regional craft beers as well as new craft wines and distilleries will be on display and available for sampling. Two sessions are available and tickets for Designated Drivers can be purchased. Enjoy what is said to be Cincinnati’s largest craft beer celebration. Be careful.
Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival, “Bad Shabbos” | 7:30 p.m. 20th Century Theater, 3021 Madison Rd., Oakley. 513-731-8000. DETAILS: The festival presents a lineup of award-winning films showcasing Israeli and Jewish stories. In tonight’s opening night film, a Shabbat becomes a comedy when a new interfaith couple attempts to bring their Catholic and Jewish parents together for the first time, despite an accidental death. Enjoy the historic ambiance of the 20th Century Theater while you discover how it all turns out.
Sunday, Feb. 2
Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Inner Visions: “The Music of Stevie Wonder Reimagined” | 2 p.m., First Unitarian Church, 536 Linton St., Avondale. 513-281-1564. DETAILS: Today’s performance in the Jazz@First series pays tribute to American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder. Guitarist Brad Myers joins the Phil DeGreg Trio for fresh and inspiring arrangements of the music of one of the greatest pop artists of the 20th century. Complimentary wine and cheese at intermission.
Cincinnati Early Music Festival, Seven Hills Baroque, “Water” | 3 p.m. St. Gertrude Church, 6543 Miami Ave., Madeira. 513-561-5954. DETAILS: Explore the movement and mystery of life-giving water as 7HB continues their season focusing on the four classical elements. The program includes works by Arne, Galuppi, Caldara and Paxton as we flow with gently rolling rivers, tempestuous seas and a few tears. FREE, but donations accepted. The Early Music Festival continues through Feb. 23 at concert halls and churches all over town.
Cincinnati Song Initiative, “Goethe: Aus den Buchern“ | 3 p.m. Mercantile Library, 414 Walnut St., downtown. 513-621-0717. DETAILS: CSI’s German poet series “The Belletrists” concludes today with the second concert featuring songs by Hugo Wolf based on poems of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Goethe’s books “Wilhelm Meister” and “The Book of Suleika” offer poems of innocence, suffering and passionate earthly love in a blend of Eastern and Western traditions.
Monday, Feb. 3
Memorial Hall, The CC3: “From Airports to Spaceships” | 7 p.m. 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: The Chris Comer Trio returns to the MEMO for a performance that includes an inspired arrangement of the landmark ambient piece, “Music for Airports” by Brian Eno. “Music for Spaceships” concludes the program, a collaboration between all three band members featuring some jazzy, “outer space music.” The concert pays tribute to Cincinnati musician and radio legend Ron Esposito who has performed “Music for Airports” and collaborated with the group.
Tuesday, Feb. 4
Jewish & Israeli Film Festival, “Full Support” | 7 p.m. Cincinnati Art Museum Auditorium, 953 Eden Park Dr., Eden Park. 513-721-2787. DETAILS: The festival presents a lineup of award-winning films showcasing Israeli and Jewish stories. Tonight’s film takes us to a cozy Jaffa bra shop fitting room where customers confess their intimate bond with their breasts. It’s a tale of love, war, womanhood and cup-size. It’s a story that’s written on our bodies, in every curve, contour and stretch mark. The film is in Hebrew with English subtitles.
Cincinnati Early Music Festival, Moyen Age and Heri et Hodie | 12:10 p.m., Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., downtown. 513-621-1817. DETAILS: The festival continues as these two ensembles present a joint concert of Jewish vocal and instrumental music from the Medieval period as well as a healthy dose of the Sephardic. Music Live@Lunch offers lunches for purchase at the Cathedral or bring your own. Take a break from your busy day and join others who are needing same.
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