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The Carnegie’s 13th Annual SUITS THAT ROCK Raises More Than $76,000

Suits That Rock logo

Sept. 11 – The Carnegie just received a donation that they were not expecting for Suits That Rock. Their total is now more than $76,000 for the campaign. Would you be willing to update your post? The team is very excited about this news!

Covington, KY – The Carnegie is pleased to announce that its monthlong Suits That Rock virtual fundraising campaign raised more than $68,800. The Carnegie replaced its original in-person concerts with an online celebration throughout the month of August. Suits That Rock benefits The Carnegie’s arts education programming, which provides in-school and after-school, and summer camp art programming to local students.

“Planning a monthlong virtual event was a learning experience for everyone involved. As a business professional and musician, you learn the importance of being flexible,” said John Domaschko, a Suits That Rock founder. “Each of the participating Suits would like to thank the event’s sponsors, donors and volunteers for making the event a success! We are looking forward to ‘getting the band back together’ in 2021 to raise even more funds for The Carnegie kids!”

The “Rock On for the Carnegie Kids” online campaign featured intimate interviews with founding Suits Paul Bromwell, Kevin Canafax, John Domaschko, and Greg Shumate. The campaign also included performance recaps throughout the years, interviews with Guest Suits, sponsor highlights, and more. The program concluded with a special “Suits Fireside Chat” featuring the founders of the fundraising concert series.

“Over the last twelve years, the funds raised by the Suits have transformed our arts education program offerings, and that’s something to be celebrated,” said Kim Best, Executive Director of The Carnegie. “Thanks to Suits That Rock, The Carnegie’s arts education programming has grown from offering just 5,000 student experiences each year to more than 83,000 student experiences regionally. The funds raised this year will be instrumental in helping to sustain our programming throughout the pandemic.”

Even though the campaign has technically finished, donations are still being accepted. Please visit http://www.thecarnegie.com/suits to donate. All Suits That Rock virtual programming will remain available on the Suits That Rock official Facebook page and The Carnegie’s YouTube channel. For more about The Carnegie, visit www.thecarnegie.com.

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About The Carnegie: The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center.  More information about The Carnegie is available at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030. 

The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from Cincinnati Wine Festival, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, the Kentucky Arts Council and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. / US Bank Foundation. The Carnegie is also supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.

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Sinclair Theatre Presents ANTIGONE

ST_Antigone logoSinclair Theatre presents Sophokles’ classic, ANTIGONE, with modern translation by Anne Carson, streaming online from Oct. 1-4. Tickets cost $10 at www.sinclair.edu/tickets. Groups of 20 or more, or instructors seeking classroom viewing should email: patti.celek@sinclair.edu. Multiple student attendee codes can be made available to instructors who are providing online assignments.

Originally slated for live performances in Sinclair’s Black Box Theatre in April and cancelled by the COVID 19 pandemic, the show had already been cast, rehearsals begun and the set nearly completed. To accommodate health and safety guidelines for everyone involved, Gina Neuerer, chair of Music, Theatre and Dance, elected to move the set to Blair Hall to utilize the larger space. The performance was reblocked to include social distancing on stage and masks were incorporated into costuming. Sinclair‘s Learning Technologies Department was enlisted to film and edit the finished product for streaming.

“The story of Antigone, a woman who persisted against King Kreon, was added to our season pre-pandemic because of its relevance to enacting change by standing up for what you believe to be right,” says Neuerer. “We also felt there was a correlation to the 19th Amendment Anniversary with an emphasis on making all voices heard by exercising your right to vote.”

“One vote DOES make a difference,” says Kimberly Borst, Sinclair acting professor. “The 19th Amendment was ratified by only one vote in Tennessee in 1920. After decades of struggle, the decisive vote was cast by a 24-year-old representative who reputedly changed his vote in the third round.”

Co-directed by Kimberly Borst and Gina Neuerer, cast includes:
Antigone – Kylee Pauley; Ismene – Rebecca Shelley; Kreon – Kasaahn Johnson; Haimon – Rafael Santillan; Eurydike – Cormari Pullings; Teiresias – Mackenzie Moore; Boy/Messenger – Connor Gray; Guard – DJ Swann; Chorus:  Lilly Robillard, Riley Karr, Callista Kinney, Jasmine Eason and Meredith Sandstrom.

Once patrons have reserved their ticket online, they will receive an “attendee code” that will allow them to watch the performance on their own device in the comfort of their own homes during the streaming period. After Oct. 4th, the recording will be destroyed due to licensing restrictions.

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PRECIPICE: What Took Us Over the Edge Runs Sept. 18-20

FLI_Precipice logoPRECIPICE: What Took Us Over the Edge
Footlighters Inc.
Sept. 18-20
[Online]

A New Song Cycle
Music by Matthew Nassida
Lyrics by Lexi Rigsby

Directed by Amanda Marasch
Produced by Katie McCarthy & Chad Brinkman

Cast: Michael Bojtos, Chris Brasfield, Amanda Marasch-Brinkman, Kelsey Chandler, Amanda Emmons-Shumate, Joyanna Feller, Caitlin Fry, Emma Horn, George Ivan, Je’Shaun Jackson, Kristen Jeter, Field Oldham, Mayi Reyes, Jamard Richardson, Molly Sexton, Alex Slade & Cian Steele

A musical theater song cycle, explores the significant human moments of revelation and change. As we stand on the edge of a proverbial cliff – uncertain whether to retreat or take a step forward into the abyss – we are welcomed by the memories, good and bad, that brought us to the brink. This powerful new work examines the exhilaration and the fear that comes as we stumble upon our tipping points and allow each of us to see ourselves from the ether standing beyond the precipice.

With an all-star cast of performers from across the United States, we bring you an exploration into human lives. The Footlighters, Inc. is proud to premiere PRECIPICE: What Took Us Over The Edge, a year in the making, by the emerging musical theater writing team of Rigsby and Nassida.

After the final live broadcast performance, a video recording of the program will be available on our YouTube channel for your enjoyment at a later date. 

  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 18-19 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Sept. 20 at 2:30pm

Official page |

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HEATHERS The Musical Runs Sept. 18-20

VVT_Heathers logoHEATHERS The Musical
Virtual Venue Theatricals
Sept. 18-20
[Online]

Direction & Technical Direction by Charity Farrell
Music directed by Gillian Berkowitz
Choreographed by Katelyn Parish

Cast: Charity Farrell as Veronica Sawyer, Gavin Cole as Jason Dean, Abby Parr as Heather Chandler, Emily Kay as Heather Duke, Christina Emily Jackson as Heather McNamara, Nathan Cockroft as Ram Sweeney, Mark Quach as Kurt Kelly, Casey Borghesi as Martha Dunnstock, Jade Litaker as Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom, Trevor William Hayes as Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper/Kurt’s Dad & Jimmy Lewis as Principal Gowan/Veronica’s Dad/Ram’s Dad
Ensemble: Jill Amantea, Jamie Dee Bradley, Riley Dominiak, Mikey Marmann, Carrington Martin, Michael McCrary & Conor Sheehan

Veronica Sawyer is a brainy, beautiful misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High School. But before she has time to get comfortable atop the teenage food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously sexy new kid, J.D. When the almighty Heather Chandler kicks her out of their group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss Heather’s aerobicized ass … until J.D. suggests a more sinister plan for that bullet. Heathers is a hilarious, heartfelt, and homicidal show based on one of the all-time great teen comedies.

The show starts promptly at the scheduled time, so allow yourself time to log into the viewing portal early.

  • Fri-Sun, Sept. 18-20 at 8pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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Fitton Center and Pyramid Hill Announce A New Live Performance Series

MISC_Fitton Center logoHamilton, Ohio. The Fitton Center for Creative Arts and Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in in Hamilton, Ohio are pleased to announce that they are partnering on a brand new outdoor concert series, Fitton on the Hill! Presented in Pyramid Hill’s outstanding covered outdoor pavilion.

The Just Strange Brothers kick things off, 7pm Friday 18 September with a 70s & 80s Jukebox. The Just Strange Brothers, present a night of classic 70s & 80s music, including hits from Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, Earth Wind Fire, Toto, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye, and much, much more!

Friday October 2 at 7pm will be a family style event with Cincinnati’s favorite puppet theater, Madcap Puppets bringing the classic fairytale of Pinocchio to life.

And the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra will feature vocalist Mandy Gaines for a special afternoon of Big Band Jazz on Sunday October 4 at 2pm with a performance of classic jazz standards, the Great American Songbook and Big Band Swing!

The Fitton Center & Pyramid Hill have been working closely with the Butler County Health department on all planning for the event, and all seating groups or family units will be set with socially distant spacing, with plenty of room to move. Masks will be required for all patrons when not in their designated seats. Free parking will be available on site, and venue entrance drop-off for patrons will be available for all performances.

Tickets can be purchased from the Fitton Center Box Office at fittoncenter.org or by phone at 513 863 8873. Online sales will be limited to a maximum of 4 seats. For family group sales of 5 or more seats, please call the box office. Tickets for the 70s & 80s Jukebox and Big Band Jazz are $27 for Fitton Center and Pyramid Hill Members and $33 for non-members. Tickets for Pinocchio are $8 & $10 respectively.

For additional information about the Fitton on the Hill, please contact Fitton Center Executive Director by phone at:
513.926.9743
or by email at ian@fittoncenter.org.

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.

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Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture

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