Culture and the arts not only provide enjoyment and relaxation, but sometimes require us to consider the ways of the world. So it is this week. The Appalachian experience, LGBTQ issues, diversity and grief create art that makes us think. Seafood, Fleetwood Mac, a majestic owl and good shopping are still on tap, but have a closer look.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Roebling Books & Coffee, An Evening with Author Beth Howard: “Song for a Hard-Hit People” | 6 p.m. 601 Overton St., Newport. 859-308-7086. DETAILS: Beth Howard is the cultural strategist for Showing Up for Racial Justice, the largest national organization bringing white people into the fight for racial and economic justice. She discusses her life growing up in Eastern Kentucky and the economic struggles, trauma and sexism she experienced in Appalachian communities. Howard discovered the long history of white Appalachians working side by side with their Black and Brown neighbors to combat racism and further causes of social justice. She concludes “we haven’t got a chance unless we organize.”
Thursday, Aug. 13
Great Inland Seafood Festival | 5-10 p.m. Festival Park, 201 Riverboat Row, Newport. DETAILS: Head to Riverboat Row for the region’s annual celebration of all-things-seafood. Anything and everything from lobster, oysters, shrimp and fish to crab, salmon and Key Lime Pie will be available. Big Bamboo’s Caribbean Grill, Maw Maw’s Creole Kitchen, Captain’s Seafood Market, Naughty Lobstah and others will be grilling, frying, boiling and serving up your favorites. Scheduled music includes Sunburners, K9 Jack, City Slickers, Vinyl Countdown and more. Runs through Aug. 16.
It’s Commonly Jazz | 6-8 p.m. Seasongood Pavilion, 1600 Art Museum Dr., Eden Park. 513-357-2619. DETAILS: Cincinnati-born Mandy Gaines headlines tonight’s jazz offering in Eden Park. She has delighted audiences for years with her unique interpretations of soul, jazz, pop and R&B classics. Gaines has performed with such greats as Wynton Marsalis, Dany Doriz, Randy Brecker, Scott Hamilton, ElDee Young, Red Holt, Rhoda Scott, Leroy Jones and more. There’s always ample seating, but get there early if you want a prime spot. Or bring a picnic supper and hang out on the hillside.
Friday, Aug. 14
Memorial Hall, TUSK: The Classic Tribute to Fleetwood Mac | 8 p.m. 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: The five members of TUSK, the classic Fleetwood Mac tribute band, will tell you they are more than a band. They are a family. The band has a rich history going back decades, having met as children. Each note of a Fleetwood Mac song is said to be created with authenticity and respect. No gimmicks, no fancy costumes. Each band member takes on the role of one of the original band members: Kathy Phillips (Stevie Nicks), Scott McDonald (Lindsey Buckingham), Kim Williams (Christine McVie), Randy Artiglere (John McVie) and Tom Nelson (Mick Fleetwood). Limited seats remain.
Manifest Gallery, Season 22 Finale | 6-9 p.m., 2727 Woodburn Ave., Walnut Hills. 513-861-3638. DETAILS: Manifest Gallery presents four wide-ranging exhibits encompassing the experimental to the traditional for its season 22 finale. The 18th annual NUDE features 20 works by 16 artists from nine states, Canada and Taiwan. The uncovered human form has been recreated in art over time into many different forms and visuals. Manifest’s goal is to explore how the human body is used in art over time. VELVET invited artists to explore the “variance, darkness and graphic power of the color black.” PASTEL, a medium most of us are familiar with, has been around since the Renaissance. Pastel colors can take a soft and light hue or more of an intense, rich tone making it a very versatile medium. INHEIRITANCE is a two-person exhibit featuring the work of Daniela Kovacic, a Chilean figurative painter and Katie Simmons, an artist, educator, wildlife biologist and anthropologist. Runs through Sept. 11.
The Carnegie, “La Cage Aux Folles” | 7:30 p.m. 1028 Scott Blvd, Covington. 859-957-1940. DETAILS: Complicated family dynamics? Indeed. You probably know the story. Jerry Herman (score) and Harvey Fierstein (book) created this Tony Award-winning story about the owner (Georges) of a drag club called La Cage Aux Folles (The Cage of Madwomen), his showstopping partner (Albin) and their straight son (Jean-Michel) who, let’s say, doesn’t participate in the “family business” and has other plans. Described as “dazzling, beautiful and bawdy,” this show is inherently a celebration of love. Josh Walden stars as Albin/Zaza and Kevin Kelly as Georges. The cast also includes Jack Haroutunian, Arden Allmon, Max Cadillac, Brittany Hayes, Denton Yockey and Sarah Folsom. Runs through Aug. 23.
Studio Kroner, “Where Grief Takes Shape: A Fernside Art Event” | 6-8 p.m. VIP reception, 130 W. Court St., downtown. 513-428-9830. DETAILS: Studio Kroner hosts a weekend exhibit by children and teens sharing stories of grief and healing through art. Established in 1986, Fernside Center for Grieving Children provides grief services, outreach and education to our community by addressing the unique needs of grieving children. Alumni will tell their stories on Saturday from 1-2 p.m. in the gallery and artist Cedric Michael Cox will lead an interactive art session on Sunday afternoon from 1-3 p.m. in the gallery. Only on display through Sunday.
Saturday, Aug. 15
City Flea | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: Keep your dollars local and support small business. City Flea is Cincinnati’s “original curated, urban flea market” since 2011. Many original “fleas” have grown into full-time business owners working to help our community thrive. Beautiful Washington Park is yours to enjoy, with drinks from The Porch, local coffee vendors, and food trucks for your dining pleasure.
Summermusik, “The Island of Enchantment” | 7:30 p.m. Corbett Theater, School for Creative and Performing Arts, 108 W. Central Pkwy, Over-the-Rhine. 513-723-1182. DETAILS: The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra presents its second Mainstage performance celebrating our southern neighbor, Puerto Rico, the “Isle del Encanto.” Fabiola Mendez, cuatro-virtuoso, joins the CCO for Ernesto Cordero’s Concierto Criollo for Cuatro. Roberto Sierra’s Symphony No. 3 “La Salsa” chronicles Puerto Rico’s history. Works by two emerging composers, Luis Quintana and Angelica Negron, complete the program. CCO conductor Eckart Preu and Mendez offer a pre-concert talk in the SPCA Mayerson Theater.
Sunday, Aug. 16
Cincinnati World Cinema, “Wild Inside” | 4 p.m. Garfield Theatre, 719 Race St., downtown. DETAILS: An owl named Flaco, sweetheart of the Central Park Zoo, escapes his enclosure, the only home he’s ever known. For the next year Flaco, a Eurasian eagle-owl inhabits Central Park, learning how to fly, hunt and protect himself. He soon becomes famous as NYC residents follow his adventures and accept him into their hearts. Director Penny Lane joins CWC for a post-film discussion Repeats Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m.
Summermusik, “Jangueo Boricua” (Puerto Rican Hangout) | 4 p.m. Delhi Event Center, 5031 Delhi Rd., Delhi. 513-723-1182. DETAILS: A Little Afternoon Musik settles in for an afternoon of Puerto Rican music and culture. Cuatro player extraordinaire Fabiola Mendez offers an encore appearance after last evening’s performance on the Mainstage. The Puerto Rican celebration continues with new arrangements by Sonia Morales-Matos for cuatro accompamied by the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra string quartet. Local salsa band Son del Caribe performs traditional Puerto Rican songs.
Tuesday, Aug. 18
Woodward Theater, “Ask E. Jean” | 7:30 p.m. 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. DETAILS: Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio ACT presents this 2026 documentary by director Ivy Meeropol about the life of American journalist E. Jean Carroll. Carroll’s writing career spanned television, magazines, books and anthologies through the ’90s and early 2000s. She became newsworthy, again in 2019 when she filed suit for sexual abuse against Donald Trump. Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and later for defamation in 2023.
Summermusik, “A Night at the Circus” | 7:30 p.m. Newport Syndicate, 18 E. 5th St., Newport. 513-723-1182. DETAILS: The Summermusik Chamber Crawl Series takes us to the circus and all of those weird and exciting encounters we remember from our childhoods. Acrobats, jugglers, stilt walkers and more. Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra principal clarinetist John Kurokawa has curated a program inspired by the Big Top. Music by Fucik, Shostakovich, Haydn, Satie, Piazzolo, Prokofiev and others will be “accompanied” by Queen City Circus Performers for this family-friendly experience.
Discover more from Movers & Makers
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.