Conservation, history and diverse cultures are all on tap. We love our Mozart, our Monet and our Music Hall, but other compelling events await. Check out an über-interesting French film or learn about conserving natural resources through Native American dance. A little gypsy jazz for lunch, anyone? Everything you need to stay culturally current is ready and waiting.
Wednesday, March 19
Cincinnati Zoo, Barrows Lectures | 7 p.m. Frisch’s Theater, Harold C. Schott Education Building, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. 513-281-4700. DETAILS: Moreangels Mbizah, a conservation biologist, is the second distinguished speaker in the 2025 Barrows Conservation Lecture series. Mbizah is committed to strengthening the capacity of communities to not only coexist, but protect wildlife as unfortunate realities of climate change set in. Featured in a 2018 National Geographic film, “One Woman’s Remarkable Journey to Protect Lions,” she has delivered a popular TED talk, “How Community-Led Conservation Can Save Wildlife.” More important than ever for us city folk to learn about these critical issues.
Over-the-Rhine Museum, Three Acts: Stagelights and Stories | 6:30 p.m. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: The next installment of this story-sharing series will delve into the plethora of Over-the-Rhine theaters and their fascinating stories. If you know anything about Cincinnati history, you know that what is now OTR was packed with all kinds of music halls, nickelodeons, stages and vaudeville houses, some of which are still standing, others about to be re-born (See Emery Theater above). This should be an interesting evening for the history enthusiasts amongst us or those who just love Cincinnati.
Thursday, March 20
Northern Kentucky University, Albertine Cinematheque Festival of French Films | 6 p.m. Farris Auditorium, MEP Building, Rm. 200, Nunn Dr., Highland Heights. 859-572-5416. DETAILS: This new festival is funded by the French government to promote French film festivals at colleges and universities across the US. The next six weeks will feature five recent releases and one classic film. After each, faculty members from the departments of English and world languages and llteratures will lead a discussion. “The Taste of Things/La Passion de Dodin Bouffant” opens the festival. In 1889 chef Dodin Bouffant and his lover Eugenie share a passion for food and each other. One wants to get married, but the other does not. Make your way across the river to see how it all turns out. Remaining films…
- March 27 “Le Regne Animal” (The Animal Kingdom)
- April 3: “Sur L’Adamant” (On the Adamant)
- April 10: “Linda Veut du Poulet!” (Chicken for Linda!)
- April 17: “Toni En Famille” (Toni)
- April 24: “Belle de Jour”
Friday, March 21
Cincinnati Pops, “American Originals: Harlem Renaissance” | 7:30 p.m. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. DETAILS: The Harlem Renaissance is known as a vibrant, creative cultural arts movement that took place in New York City in the 1920s and ’30s. Black identity and pride came into focus to create many of the dynamic blues and jazz sounds we’ve come to know and love. John Morris Russell and the CSO – with special guests Marcus Roberts and the Marcus Roberts Trio, Mykal Kilgore, Tatiana Mayfield and Asya Little-Graves – celebrate the centennial of this all-American movement. Repeats Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Summermusik, We Are One: Water | Various times, locations. DETAILS: According to Summermusik, “We Are One: Water explores the importance of water in Native American and Asian Indian culture while addressing conservation issues through storytelling, music, art and dialogue.” (Seems we have another conservation-related event, this week. Is there a theme, here?) Members of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and guests explore water in four free concerts over five days, culminating at the Cincinnati Art Museum with a piece inspired by the panic of the California wildfires.
Friday
- Passage of the River | 7:30 p.m. Bell Tower Arts Pavilion, 3270 Glendale-Milford Rd., Evendale. DETAILS: Dancer, director and producer Padma Chebrolu offers a live dance performance with traditional Asian-Indian music and excerpts from her film “Passage of the River,” which is set along our own magnificent Ohio River.
Saturday
- Connor Chee Public Piano Masterclass | 10:30 a.m. First Unitarian Church, 536 Linton St., Avondale. DETAILS: This Navajo pianist and composer blends classical music with his Native American heritage. His solo piano music is inspired by traditional Navajo chants and songs. Masterclass is for area piano students.
Sunday
- Spirit Chief Names the Animal People | 4 p.m. Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., downtown. DETAILS: This program is designed for children ages 8-13 and their families. Pianist Connor Chee (Navajo culture) and hoop dancer Star Chief Eagle (Lakota culture) will teach about the importance of water in Native American cultures and small actions the audience can take to protect the environment. From 3-4 p.m., children are invited to make a water-inspired tapestry and take home the children’s book, “We Are Water Protectors,” by Carole Lindstrom.
Tuesday
- A Requiem for Water | 7:30 p.m. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Dr., Eden Park. DETAILS: Learn about the current challenges to conserving the Ohio Valley water ecosystem and how you can help. On the program is Reena Esmail’s “Malhaar: A Requiem for Water,” inspired by the California wildfires. Vidita Kanniks, Hindustani vocalist, James Feist, tabla, Thomas More University Dolce Chorus, We Are One Chorus and conductor Daniel Parsley perform, along with musicians from the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. Come early at 6:30 p.m. to view an exhibition of community partners specializing in environmental conservation.
Playhouse in the Park, “The Book Club Play” | 7:30 p.m. 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Mt. Adams. 513-421-3888. DETAILS: A comedy about books and booklovers. It doesn’t get much better than that. When members of the local book club become the subject of a documentary, when the camera starts rolling discussions about life and literature take unexpected turns. Add in a provocative new member and some unexpected titles and the group dynamic changes. From playwright Karen Zacarias, the show has sold out all over the country. Annalisa D’Aguilar, Adam Langdon, Eli Mayer, Matthew McGloin, Marina Shay and Kim Wuan take the PIP stage. When Yours Truly imagines her own book club on camera and the ensuing discussions, well, I can’t even.
Monday, March 24
Woodward Theater, “The Visitor” | 9:30 p.m. 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. DETAILS: Don’t have to be at work at the crack of dawn? Stop in at the Woodward for a late-night showing of Bruce Labruce’s thought-provoking reimagining of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s 1968 film “Teorema.” Well-known performance artist Bishop Black stars as a “refugee” emerging naked from a mysterious suitcase on the banks of the Thames River in London. He becomes entangled with a privileged white family where he disrupts the norms and conventions of the day, conquering each family member, shattering taboos in their otherwise staid lives. Not to be missed.
Memorial Hall, Mambo Madness | 7 p.m. 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: Be ready to let go as Cincinnati’s “Latin Jazz Experience” takes the stage for an evening of rhythmic mayhem. Mambo Madness is sure to start your week off, right, with an infectious blend of energy, tunes and some of the best jazz musicians in town. Michael Sharfe (bass), Tim McCord (saxophone & flute), John Zappa (trumpet), Brian Batchelor-Glader (piano), Andrew Gillum (drums) and Baba Charles Miller (percussion) promise to take the MEMO stage to new heights in sound.
Ghostlight Stage Company, Cabaret on the Runway | 7 p.m. Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Mt. Adams. 513-421-3888. DETAILS: Get to know this relatively new(er) Cincinnati theater company as you enjoy some fashion AND song. The show features four fashion designers and their creations on the runway, accompanied by the sights and sounds of live musical theater. You may want to dress down lest you find your own self on the aforementioned runway with “Dress Your Way Up” playing at your feet.
Tuesday, March 25
Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum, Tuesday Blues | 7:15 p.m. 3738 Eastern Ave., East End. 513-473-5745. DETAILS: Come early to learn some blues steps and then stay for a blues blowout in the lovely and historic Carnegie Center. Support local musicians and enjoy time with other like-minded dancers as you explore this deeply felt genre of spirituals, ballads and other songs from the African-American experience of the deep south.
Christ Church Cathedral, Music Live@Lunch | 12:10 p.m. 318 E. Fourth St., downtown. 513-621-1817. DETAILS: Gypsy jazz at lunchtime? How cool is that? If you’ve never heard Cincinnati’s own Faux Frenchmen, take this opportunity to have a little lunch (bring your own or buy one at the church) while you listen to some ’30s and ’40s Parisian Hot Club jazz, re-Americanized by Brian Lovely, George Cunningham, Paul Patterson and Don Aren. Maybe you’ll be able to go back to work.
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