You might not believe it with our chilly nights lately, but summer officially arrives Sunday. Around these parts, that means more than grilling and baseball: It means cultural celebrations (i.e., food), jazz galore and opera. Wrap your seven veils and pick a night on the town from our handy list.
Juneteenth
The posting of Union General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, marked the functional end of nearly 250 years of American slavery. Ever since, that day, called either Emancipation Day or Juneteenth, has been commemorated by Black Americans as a day of both solemn remembrance and celebration. The federal government finally got with the program and established a national holiday only in 2021. Several local events over the weekend will mark the day.
Appropriately, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will be a center of activity with events scheduled through the day Friday. 50 East Freedom Way, downtown. 513-333-7500.
Friday
- Opal’s Walk for Freedom, 10 a.m. Cincinnati is one of eight cities invited to take part in this year’s event. Participants in all the cities will simultaneously walk 2.5 miles, symbolizing the two and a half years between the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation and Juneteenth. The name honors Dr. Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” Paid registration required.
- Juneteenth Jubilee, 11 a.m. The celebration on Freedom Way gets underway, with a community market, food trucks and live entertainment.
- Freedom Center opens, noon. Admission is free Friday to the museum’s exhibits and special events, including the opening of “Jubilation! Ambassadors on a Sacred Journey,” a multimedia exhibition that celebrates the history, accomplishments and legacy of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. (“Jubilation” runs through July 26.)
Over the weekend
- Eden Park hosts the 39th annual Cincinnati Juneteenth celebration on two stages, at Seasongood Pavilion and Mirror Lake.
- Saturday: Starts at 11 a.m. with a parade of flags representing the countries from which Africans were taken and the countries where they were enslaved. At noon, the festival proper kicks off with live entertainment at both stages, food, and more than three dozen other vendors and exhibitors.
- Sunday: 2:30 p.m. The annual Fathers Day Concert, which traces its roots to 1938 takes place at Seasongood. It leans more to spiritual music, praise dancing and gospel.
But wait, there’s more…
Findlay Market puts its Black-owned businesses in the spotlight for its Juneteenth Weekend. 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.
- Friday: Headline event is an 11 a.m. panel and group discussion.
- Saturday: A Juneteenth Tasting Tour (2 p.m., ticketed) connects guests with five Black food entrepreneurs at the market.
- Sunday: The Juneteenth Jubilee (10 a.m.-4 p.m., ticketed) offers samples and discounts on goods from businesses throughout the market district.
Last, music has been integral to the Black experience for centuries. Caffè Vivace welcomes trumpeter Benny Banack III, his band – Jon Eschelman on piano, George DeLancy, bass, and Alex Merk, drums – and their special guest vocalist, Broadway veteran Gabrielle Djenné, in “From Etta to Ella,” a tribute to Black ladies of song. 7 and 9 p.m., Caffè Vivace, 975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills. 513-601-9897.
Wednesday, June 17
Clifton Cultural Arts Center, Anna Applegate | 7 p.m., Burnet Woods bandstand, Clifton. 513-497-2860. DETAILS: Fingers crossed, but so far it looks like the weather will hold for this week’s Wednesday in the Woods series concert. Cincinnati-based Anna Applegate grew up in Kentucky in a family whose members all listened to and played music. Inspirations range from Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash to Mariah Carey. Wonder how those mix? It’s free to find out.
Jazz in the Camp, Sounds From the River | 6:30 p.m., American Sign Museum, Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. DETAILS: This week’s Jazz in the Camp series performance isn’t quite jazz. “Sounds From the River,” created by vocalist Kathy Wade and Learning Through Art Inc., traces the historical development and migration of music of the diverse populations that traveled along the Ohio River. It comprises 12 instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers from Revolution Dance Theatre and a storyteller. Good thing the Sign Museum has some space.
Thursday, June 18
Cincinnati Opera, “Salome” | 7:30 p.m., Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: It takes less than two hours for Richard Strauss to take us from “How beautiful Salome is tonight” to “Someone kill that woman!” The formula for disaster: Mix a petulant, obsessive teenage girl on a hot Mediterranean night with a lecherous father-in-law and an implacable prophet. “Salome” is one of the most dramatic and startling operas in the repertoire, and it’s been too long since local audiences have had a chance to experience it. Real-life couple Kathryn Lewek and Zach Borichevsky share the stage; Robert Spano conducts. Repeats 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Friday, June 19
Schützenfest | 6 p.m., Kolping Center, 10235 Mill Road, Springfield Township. DETAILS: The granddaddy of local German festivals – it’s been held since 1866, mind you – crowns this year’s Schützenkönig with the usual Gemütlichkeit – i.e., beer (including some special imports on tap), wursts, relatively authentic German music and dancing. Treat the limburger sandwiches with the respectful distance they deserve unless everyone in your group has one, too. Continues 3-11 p.m. Saturday and 1-9 p.m. Sunday.
SOS Art 2026 | 6 p.m., Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: To mark SOS Art’s 24th year, its next show, “SOS Art 2026,” will be open 24 days. More than 100 Greater Cincinnati artists are participating in this year’s SOS Art event, which includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints and artist presentations on current issues of peace and justice. In addition, the show includes miniprints on themes of peace and justice by artists from across the country. Opening reception 6 p.m. Friday. Runs through July 12.
Cincinnati World Cinema, Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour | 7 p.m., Garfield Theatre, 719 Race St., downtown. 859-957-3456. DETAILS: As Cincinnati World Cinema says, you won’t see a mix of films like these in any other theater around town. The 12th annual Sundance shorts program includes three award winners and three nominees. They run the gamut from comedy to horror to animation. Five are from women, and the films come from the Dominican Republic, India, Mexico and Sweden in addition to the U.S. Runs weekends through June 28.
Saturday, June 20
City Flea | 10 a.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St, Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: The area’s premier purveyors of hip arts, crafts, tasty treats and sundry other treasures is jumping the gun a bit by labeling this the first summer flea. The solstice isn’t until Sunday, but it’s close enough.
Celtic Fest Ohio | 11 a.m., Renaissance Park, 10542 E. Ohio 73, Waynesville. 513-897-7000. DETAILS: You’d think we’d already have enough fest-ing on tap for the week, but nay. Just a wee drive up I-71, it’s the annual Celtic Fest Ohio. Decamped in the spacious digs of the Ohio Renaissance Festival, there’s room for five stages of entertainment, plus the requisite bounty of food (one wonders what Celtic warriors would think of the tofu wrap), cultural presentations (from traditional music to border collies), and potables both potent (like the venerated uisge beatha) and prim (get yourself a proper cuppa).
Sunday, June 21
CSO, Brady Block Party | 6:30 p.m., Ezzard Charles Park, 500 Ezzard Charles Drive, West End. 513-381-3300. DETAILS: The block party bandwagon this week is in the CSO’s back yard just a few blocks from Music Hall. John Morris Russell conducts music by the Isley Brothers, Cab Calloway, John Williams, Florence Price, Igor Stravinsky and Alan Menken. Michael Preacely is guest vocalist. Concert is at 8 p.m. to give you plenty of time to enjoy the food and other activities.
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