
What? More snow? Fortunately, there’s plenty going on this week to warm your heart (Valentine’s Day is coming!) and take your mind off the weather. Shake it off and read on …

The arts are alive and well even in the dead of summer. Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra opens its monthlong Summermusik festival, while the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra gets movin’ across the river. Queen City Opera’s game-changing take on Mozart’s “Magic Flute” jumps on at the Aronoff. Plenty of outdoor music and some good theater pieces round out the week.

The fact that our city can support dozens of smaller galleries and community theater groups, plus children’s performing ensembles and music in churches at lunchtime speaks to how deeply the love and appreciation of arts and culture runs in us. To say nothing of the talent! Have a look and find something new, something smaller-but-mighty to experience this week.

A lot of work (and money) has been put toward turning Elm Street into Cincinnati’s arts axis. How is that paying off? Well, four of our first five picks this week take place along a two-block stretch of Elm. And that doesn’t even count the CSO – and they’re playing, too. So park once, and enjoy often.