Apparently, it’s Film Week in Cincinnati. Cincinnati World Cinema, Woodward Theater and the OTR International Film Festival offer up some unique flicks. Movies not your thing? Cincinnati doesn’t disappoint with other CSO, Matinée Musicale and Mutual Dance Theatre events. How about a Manifest art opening? Yours Truly checks out “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at CCM Opera.
Wednesday, March 5
Cincinnati World Cinema/Woodward Theater, Remembering David Lynch: “Blue Velvet” | 7 p.m. Garfield Theatre, 719 Race St., downtown. 859-957-3456. DETAILS: CWC and the Woodward join forces to honor the legacy of filmmaker David Lynch who died in January. This dark, psychological horror film – probably Lynch’s most famous – stars Kyle MacLachlan as college student Jeffrey Beaumont. Isabella Rossellini assumes the role of lounge singer Dorothy Vallens. Such intrigue from one severed ear in this classic film noir. Surely you’ve seen an episode or two of the surreal horror TV show, “Twin Peaks” or the heartbreak of “The Elephant Man,” two other Lynch favorites. This is that guy.
Thursday, March 6
FotoFocus Presents: An-My Le | 6:30 p.m. Fath Auditorium, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Dr., Eden Park. 513-721-2787. DETAILS: Vietnamese-American photographer An-My Le presents the 2025 FotoFocus Spring Lecture. Le’s work explores the intersection of human experience and political realities. Coording to Kevin Moore, FotoFocus artistic director and curator, “An-My Lê is a singular voice in photography. Her work combines personal history with geo-politics in a brave, elegant and thoughtful way.” Over her 30-year career, her lens has captured war, landscapes and displacement with a personal and historical focus. Event is free, but reservations are suggested.
American Sign Museum, Big Signs: The Signs and History of Frisch’s Big Boy | 7 p.m. 1330 Monmouth St., Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. DETAILS: Oh, my gosh! Do we miss it? What was your thing? Tartar sauce, pumpkin pie, Swiss Miss? Regardless of your favorite, we all loved the signs and Big Boy, himself, that iconic bigger than life fiberglass kid in those red-striped pants (or were they checkered?). Learn about the history of our favorite place to go after the game and the iconic Mainliner sign that was rescued by the ASM and is now undergoing restoration. A little bit of nostalgia to get you through the end of the week.
Chamber Music Cincinnati, Isidore String Quartet with Jeremy Denk, piano | 7:30 p.m. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: You’ll never be disappointed by any ensemble from the Julliard School. Formed in 2019, the quartet survived COVID, reconvening to study with chamber music greats such as Miriam Fried, Joseph Kalichstein and the Juilliard String Quartet’s legendary cellist, Joel Krosnick. The program also includes one of America’s foremost pianists, Jeremy Denk joining the group in Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34. The evening opens with Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet in B Flat Major, Op. 76, (Erdödy) #4, “Sunrise” and the String Quartet No. 3, “Unrequited” by Billy Childs.
College-Conservatory of Music, Britten: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | 8 p.m. Patricia Corbett Theater, University of Cincinnati, Clifton. 513-556-6638. DETAILS: Here’s an opera you probably don’t hear very often. Benjamin Britten’s offbeat, ethereal 1960 interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy is nothing short of enchanting (Yours Truly thinks so, anyway.). In an unusual compositional move, Britten wrote the leading role of Oberon for countertenor Alfred Deller and fashioned Puck as a speaking role. Fairies and mortals still cross paths, elixirs are still given to the wrong folks and madness and love still reign supreme as Britten sticks closely to the familiar words of The Bard. Opera is not just a summer event in Cincinnati. Runs through Sunday.
Friday, March 7
Mutual Dance Theatre, Whim W’him | 7:30 p.m. Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., 513-621-2787. DETAILS: This virtuosic Seattle dance company takes the Cincinnati stage for the first time. Belgian Olivier Wevers leads the group as they perform his works and those of guest artists including Noelle Kayser and Cameron Fraser-Monroe. Wever’s work, “Unconditional,” is an abstract piece reflecting on water as a source of life, memory, and unconditional love. Fraser-Monroe’s work, “SCRAP,” examines both the good of challenge and competition. Kayser’s“Druid Hills, Wild Bills” is a farcical work blending text from “Miss Manners” and the denim-and-rhinestone aesthetic of the early ’00s. Stick around for a post-show Q&A. Repeats Saturday with a pre-show talk with Wevers.
Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas, “Partitas and Suites” Stefani Matsuo, violin, Hiro Matsuo, cello | 7 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 100 Miami Ave., Terrace Park. 513-831-2052. DETAILS: The CSO may be taking the night off, but two of its musicians aren’t. Enjoy an evening of Bach, including his Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004, Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012, plus a selection of the popular Inventions. CSO concertmaster, Stefani Matsuo and her husband CSO cellist, Hiro Matsuo perform these gold standards of the violin and cello repertoire.
American Legacy Theatre, “Higher” | 10 p.m. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., downtown. 513-345-8400. DETAILS: Experience a newly reimagined performance of “HIGHER” – an original Rock Musical about The Power of Love in Overcoming Addiction. The writer of “HIGHER”, Mark Levine says, “Stigma isn’t just a word we throw around. Stigma prevents people from getting treatment. Stigma affects employment, housing, medical care and on and on. It’s not an exaggeration to say stigma kills.” Levine and his collaborators believe music can change the way a message is received. This we know. Continues on select evenings in the galleries of the CAC through March 9 and then through March 22 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Manifest Gallery, “Totally Open” • “Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana” • “Shooting Day For Night” Robert McCann (painting) | 6-9 p.m. 2727 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills. 513-861-3838. DETAILS: The gallery opens its doors to three new exhibits running through Apr. 4. “Totally Open” is an experimental process where the gallery put out an “open call” for submissions without a required theme. A theme would then be discovered throughout the curatorial process. “Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana” is just that. Artists and their pieces were chosen from our three-state region, a closer look at what is being created in “our own backyard.” Manifest wants you to know that Robert McCann’s paintings have “frequently dealt with the potential for metaphors in our byzantine mass media culture, and the overwriting of epic and intimate events in the particular artifice of painting.” That’s quite a mouthful, but sounds interesting, nonetheless. Yes, it’s OK to look up “byzantine,” again. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Exhibits on display through April. 4
LADD, Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival | Multiple films, times and locations. DETAILS: After a festive opening reception and screening this evening, the festival opens for two full days of films and events throughout OTR. Film has a pivotal role to play in understanding each other, challenging our stereotypes and changing our culture highlighting authentic inclusion beyond the ADA. Learn more via David Lyman’s article in the March M&M magazine.
Saturday, March 8
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, “Fountains and Pines of Rome” | 7:30 p.m. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. DETAILS: The beauty of Rome takes center stage in this evocative program of Respighi favorites. If you’ve been, you know Rome is, indeed, full of gorgeous fountains and towering pines. Take a return trip from the comfort of your seat in the equally striking and historic Music Hall. The program opens with Julia Perry’s “A Short Piece for Orchestra” followed by Richard Strauss’ last completed work, “Four Last Songs.” Soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha joins the orchestra for Strauss’ wistful songs of farewell. Come early to enjoy a performance by the UC Cello Choir. Repeats Sunday, 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 9
photo by Shervin Lainez)
Matinée Musicale, Lawrence Brownlee, tenor | 5 p.m. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: Hailed as “one of the world’s leading bel canto stars” (The Guardian), Brownlee is also a leading figure on the world’s opera stages. He is an activist for inclusion and diversity in the industry. Brownlee’s recording career includes Donizetti’s rarely-performed song repertoire and the album Rising. Enjoy some dinner at one of OTR’s great restaurants after the concert.
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Concert Series, Seven Hills Baroque | 3 p.m. 10345 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery. 513- 984-8401. DETAILS: SHB continues 2024-2025 concert series, “The Four Elements” exploring the connection between music and nature. Up next is “air.” Explore the beauty of warmer air and the spring upon us with “a program of music inspired by springtide winds, fluttering wings, stately dances and music of the spheres.” Works by Telemann, Handel and Graupner.
Monday, March 10
Woodward Theater, “The Accidental Getaway Driver” | 7:30 p.m. 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. DETAILS: Director Sing J. Lee’s debut feature, based on a true story, explores the Vietnamese-American immigrant experience through the eyes of elderly taxi driver Long Ma. Long Ma is unwittingly roped into the escape plans of three prison escapees in this real life drama. Lee won Best Director at the 2023 Sundance Festival for the film, co-written with Christopher Chen and starring Hiep Tran Nghia, Dustin Nguyen and Dali Benssaiah.
Tuesday, March 11
Memorial Hall, Marc Broussard, Time is a Thief Tour with Kendra Morris | 7:30 p.m. 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: This acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician rolls in to the MEMO at the top of your week for some Louisiana soul and R&B classics. Born and bred in Louisiana, Broussard’s music “radiates soulful Louisiana blues, but his songs blend those influences with raucous rock ‘n’ roll to create unique and infectious music.” (NPR) Florida-born Morris’ new album, “I Am What I’m Waiting For” combines rough-hewn powerhouse vocals with arrangements that betray a whimsical instinct for joyous noises. Your classically trained Culture FIXER can’t even imagine what that sounds like. Now, Mozart’s joyous noises. Nevermind. We won’t go there.
Young Professionals Choral Collective, “Kaleidoscope” | 7:30 p.m. Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., downtown. DETAILS: YPCC shares its spring concert drawing inspiration from the ever-shifting patterns of a kaleidoscope. The program explores a wide range of musical styles, ranging from classical choral traditions to bold and innovative contemporary compositions. This season’s theme “Tapestry” explores connection, diversity and unity.
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