Category Archives: Events

March 8, 2026 · 7:50 pm

THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY | Wed., April 1, 2026 | Aronoff Center

THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY
April 1, 2026
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

[Cincinnati, OH] – Relive the magic of the legendary folk-rock duo! The internationally acclaimed hit, The Simon & Garfunkel Story, returns to the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 7:30 PM for one show only. The immersive concert-style tribute show, complete with nostalgia-inducing, unforgettable hits, will recreate the magic and authenticity of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel live on stage and chronicles the amazing journey of the iconic, Grammy Award-winning act. The event is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2025-26 Season.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS], or the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For group sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155. Prices include all applicable fees and taxes and are subject to change.

Fans aren’t the only ones blown away by The Simon & Garfunkel Story. Earlier this year, immediately following a performance in Long Island, Art Garfunkel himself rushed the stage, grabbed the microphone, and declared, “What a great f—— show!” before leaving the audience in awe once again. If the legend himself is a fan, you know this is a tour you won’t want to miss.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story covers the duo’s humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60s, as well as their dramatic split in 1970. The Simon & Garfunkel Story culminates with the pair’s famous “The Concert in Central Park” reunion in 1981 which had more than half a million fans in attendance. The show features a set list of nearly thirty songs and uses state-of-the-art video projection, photos, and original film footage. A full live band will perform all the hits including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Homeward Bound,” and many more, complete with the unmistakably perfect harmonies that will transport audiences down memory lane.

With more than 100 million album sales since 1965, Simon & Garfunkel’s unforgettable songs and poetic lyrics poignantly captured the times and made them one of the most successful folk-rock duos of all time. Over the years, they won ten Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1977, the Brit Awards honored their “Bridge Over Troubled Water” album with Best International Album. In 2003, Simon & Garfunkel were awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the following year saw their “The Sound of Silence” awarded a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

For tour dates, tickets and more information about The Simon & Garfunkel Story, visit www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com.

ABOUT RUCKUS ENTERTAINMENT (Producers)
Ruckus Entertainment, based in Los Angeles and formed in 2022, brings together veteran entertainment producers Alison Spiriti, Justin Sudds, Dean Elliott, and Ralph Schmidtke who are collectively responsible for producing over 100 touring productions seen by millions around the world. Their burgeoning production company brings audiences world-class concerts and live events and is focused on celebrating the history and music behind iconic, globally recognized musical artists. Current productions include The Simon & Garfunkel Story, The Life and Music of George Michael, and The British Invasion.

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Season Sponsors:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), MIAMI UNIVERSITY, ARTSWAVE, LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, TRIHEALTH

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, altafiber, Bahl & Gaynor, Cincinnati Herald, CityBeat, Fairfield Inn & Suites Cincinnati Uptown/University Area, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing, Kinley Cincinnati, Pepsi, Summerfair Cincinnati

media ParTNer:  103.5 wgrr-FM

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CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:             The Simon & Garfunkel Story

WHEN:            Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – 7:30 PM

WHERE:             Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

PRICE:                Ticket prices start at $52.50, inclusive of all fees.

INFO:               This immersive, concert-style theater show chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It tells the story from their humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60s to their dramatic split in 1970. It culminates with the famous “The Concert in Central Park” reunion in 1981 with more than half-a-million fans in attendance.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale now

  • www.CincinnatiArts.org
  • (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
  • Aronoff Center Ticket Office
  • Group sales (10 or more): (513) 977-4155

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March 5, 2026 · 3:06 pm

Overture Awards Finals Competition and Awards Ceremony | Sat., March 14 | Aronoff Center

TOMORROW’S STARS

FINALS COMPETITION and AWARDS CEREMONY
March 14, 2026
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

Tickets on sale now

[CINCINNATI, OH] – The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is proud to present the 2026 Overture Awards Finals Competition. The Overture Awards provides $4,000 to six area high school students for education and training expenses, with eighteen finalists each winning $1,500. The program also includes an Arts Educator Award for Excellence in Arts Instruction totaling $2,000.

The Overture Awards Finals Competition and Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater. Winners will be announced immediately following the competition. The Visual Art Finalists Exhibition will be showcased in the Aronoff Center’s Center Stage Room (adjacent to the Weston Art Gallery on 7th Street) from Tuesday, March 10 – Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.

This year, 189 students applied to compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. It also provides students an opportunity to share their talents and interests among their peers in a supportive environment outside of their individual schools. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Final, and Final.

The Overture Awards Regional Competitions were held virtually in January 2026. The top twenty to thirty percent of competitors in each discipline advanced to the Semi-Finals, which were held at the Aronoff Center from February 5-12. Twenty-four finalists will compete in the Finals Competition at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater on March 14.

Now in its 30th year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation (now Duke Energy) and Leadership Cincinnati (a program of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber). The Overture Awards is funded and administered by the Cincinnati Arts Association, which operates and manages the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. The Overture Awards also relies on hundreds of volunteers from the community who help raise funds, adjudicate, manage the competitions, and nurture the program. 

The Overture Awards are endowed by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

THANK YOU to the following generous supporters of the Overture Awards and Dancing for the Stars (CAA’s annual fundraiser which benefits the Awards):

Accent on Cincinnati, Ryan Anderson, Arthur Murray-Cincinnati, Arthur Murray -West Chester, Baru, Douglas Beal, Doreen Beatrice, Karla Boldery,  James Branham, Bonita Brockert, Carri Chandler, Bill Chappie, Dance Manor, DelightMore, eat well celebrations & feasts, Maura Garuccio, Heidelberg Distributing Company, KungFood AmerAsia, Lasting Impressions Event Rentals, Desiree Mainous, Erin Mignano, Moerlein Lager House, Dylan Morton, Jozsef Parragh, The Party Source, Pepsi, Prime Cincinnati, Punky’s Pixel’s,  Stacy Sims, Sebastian Bakehouse, Street City Pub, Skyline, Josh Tilford, Alyenendrov Tsorokean, Vintage on Race, Willow Run Custom Bourbons

Chris O’Brien and Janeen Coyle (former hosts of “Married with Microphones,” 103.5 WGRR-FM), JD Hughes (popular DJ and 103.5 WGRR-FM personality)

Overture Scholarship Sponsors: The Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee; Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.; Otto M. Budig Family Foundation; Summerfair Cincinnati; TriHealth

Printing Sponsor:  Harlan Graphics 

2026 Overture Awards Finalists 

CREATIVE WRITING

  • Lauren Ashelman, grade 12, Springboro High School
  • Devi Kool, grade 11, Wyoming High School
  • Olivia Landry, grade 11, Villa Madonna Academy
  • Angela Tang, grade 11, William Mason High School

DANCE

  • Brinkli Cox, grade 10, Homeschool/Studies with Hairston School of Dance
  • Nora Doyle, grade 11, School for Creative and Performing Arts/Studies with Just Off Broadway
  • Easton Gliebe, grade 11, Ohio Virtual Academy/Studies with Just Off Broadway
  • Riley Neugebauer, grade 12, Turpin High School/Studies with Just Off Broadway 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

  • Autumn Rinaldi, grade 11, Cincinnati Country Day School/Studies with Dr. Sarah Kim
  • Sophia Suwiryo, grade 11, Summit Country Day School/Studies with Professor Alvin Chow
  • Mario Agustín Ynga Orellana, grade 10, Walnut Hills High School/Studies with Dr. Laura Sabo
  • Grace Yu, grade 12, Indian Hill High School/Studies with Joyce Grabell

THEATER

  • Maeve Bachman, grade 12, Sycamore High School/Studies with Andrea Davies
  • Avery Fox, grade 12, Homeschool/Northern Kentucky University/Studies with Xan Jeffery
  • Elliot Martin, grade 11, Highlands High School
  • Jai’Den Pritchett, grade 11, Sycamore High School/Studies with Musical Arts Center 

VISUAL ART

  • Edie Anderson, grade 12, School for Creative and Performing Arts
  • Jinming Gu, grade 11, Indian Hill High School/Studies with Yinyan Studio
  • Riley Judd, grade 12, School for Creative and Performing Arts
  • Ronan Wolfer, grade 12, Loveland High School

VOCAL MUSIC  

  • Genevieve Howard, grade 12, Newport Central Catholic High School/Studies with Talia Zoll Studio of Music
  • Ray Muenzer, grade 12, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy/Studies with Musical Arts Center
  • Sahana Siddharth, grade 10, Seven Hills School/Studies with Allison Highland
  • William Wittekind, grade 12, Saint Xavier High School/Studies with Musical Arts Center

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 700,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than two million students and adults.

CAA is proud to be a member of Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Arts Education, Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce.

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CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:          2026 Overture Awards – Finals Competition and Awards Ceremony

WHERE:        Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

WHEN:          Saturday, March 14, 2026 – 1:00 PM

TICKETS:       $15 • $10

INFO:            The 2026 Overture Awards Competition provides $4,000 to six area high school students for education and training expenses with eighteen finalists each winning $1,500. Students compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Vocal Music. The program also includes Arts Educator Awards for Excellence in Arts Instruction totaling $2,000. The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale now

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March 4, 2026 · 5:32 pm

CARS, DOGS, MONEY, AND THE MOON Runs March 19-22

CARS, DOGS, MONEY, AND THE MOON
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Studio Series
March 19-22
[Over-the-Rhine]

By David Kisor
Directed by Jared D. Doren

Cast: Keaton Eckhoff, David Kisor, Jennie Malone & Linsey Rogers

Cars, Dogs, Money, and the Moon is an evening of songs and storytelling set in Huntington, West Virginia. With the spirit of a good old-fashioned hootenanny, the original score moves from foot-stomping tunes to tender, heartfelt ballads. Blending true family history with a few well-spun tall tales, Kisor transports audiences to the mid-1900s, when life felt simpler in some ways and harder in others. Together, the songs and stories unfold like a living photo album, capturing the grit, humor, and heart of urban Appalachia.

Cars, Dogs, Money, and the Moon was first produced at Ensemble Theatre in 1996, directed by D. Lynn Meyers in her first season as Artistic Director. David Kisor recalls, “When I brought the idea to Lynn, it was just a few songs and scene sketches. She skillfully helped sew the pieces together into a patchwork quilt of a show. I was green back then, writing straight from the heart. The honesty of the storytelling produced some of my most memorable songs.”

  • Thu-Fri, March 19-20 at 7pm
  • Sat, March 21 at 4pm
  • Sun, March 22 at 5pm

Official page |

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March 2, 2026 · 5:29 pm

Pitch Night for trueBIRD at trueTHEATRE

Our next Pitch Night is coming up!

Tuesday, March 17 (yes, St. Patrick’s Day), at Northside Tavern, from 7-9pm.

Come to pitch a story for “trueBIRD” or just to listen. Free to attend either way!
Check out the comments for links with more details.

As always, a HUGE thanks to the Northside Tavern for hosting! …and, this time, also a HUGE thanks to Rhinegeist Brewery! Any purchase of a Rhinegeist product at the Northside Tavern the evening of Pitch Night, will lead to a donation to True Theatre.

See you on the 17th! (P.S., while some participants will be invited to expand on their stories for our April show, “trueBIRD,” ALL participants who pitch a bird-themed story will receive a free ticket to the show!)

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March 2, 2026 · 5:14 pm

Cincinnati Opera and CCM’s Opera Fusion: New Works Partnership Presents Public Preview of OKEEFE: KISS THE SKY

A New Opera-Ballet by Christopher Tin and Kelley Rourke
Commissioned by Washington National Opera

Soprano Christine Goerke headlines an exclusive sneak peek of this new work inspired by the life of legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe

CINCINNATI (March 2, 2026)—Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) invite the public to an exclusive preview of O’Keeffe: Kiss the Sky, a new opera-ballet commissioned by Washington National Opera and inspired by the life of celebrated American artist Georgia O’Keeffe, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Cincinnati Ballet (1801 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45202). This special sneak peek will be presented through Cincinnati Opera and CCM’s dynamic creative partnership, Opera Fusion: New Works, which offers composers and librettists the opportunity to refine their works-in-progress through Cincinnati-based workshops.

With music by GRAMMY Award-winning composer Christopher Tin, libretto by Kelley Rourke, stage direction by Francesca Zambello, and choreography by Jessica Lang, O’Keeffe: Kiss the Sky traces the artist’s journey to becoming one of America’s most iconic creative forces, and the people who shaped her along the way. At its heart is the tension between her passionate but complicated marriage to art dealer and photographer Alfred Stieglitz—her greatest champion, but also controlling and unfaithful—and the liberating influence of Mabel Dodge Luhan, an intellectual and arts patron who brought artists to the Southwest and, in so doing, helped Georgia discover the vast desert landscape that would define her work. Through opera and ballet, O’Keeffe: Kiss the Sky explores not just the artist’s life but the unpredictable ways relationships shaped her voice and legacy. Commissioned by Washington National Opera, O’Keeffe: Kiss the Sky will receive its world premiere there at a date to be announced.

Internationally-renowned soprano Christine Goerke will lead the cast of the March 31 preview in the role of Mabel Dodge Luhan, with mezzo-soprano Natalie Corrigan as Georgia O’Keeffe and tenor Tristan Tournaud as Alfred Stieglitz. Also featured are dancers Sierra Armstrong, SunMi Park, and Tristan Brosnan from American Ballet Theatre, along with student singers and dancers from CCM.

Event Information

  • Opera Fusion: New Works presents O’Keeffe: Kiss the Sky Public Preview
  • Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m.
  • Cincinnati Ballet, 1801 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45202
  • Tickets: $15 for adults; free for full-time students (one ticket per valid student ID)
  • Order at cincinnatiopera.org or 513-241-2742

About Opera Fusion: New Works
Opera Fusion: New Works (OF:NW) is a partnership between Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) dedicated to fostering the development of new American operas. OF:NW offers composers and librettists the opportunity to workshop an opera during a residency in Cincinnati utilizing the facilities, personnel, and talent of both Cincinnati Opera and CCM. The workshops are cast with a combination of CCM students and professional artists and culminate with a public presentation of excerpts. Opera Fusion: New Works is generously supported by an anonymous donor. For more information, visit ofnw.org.

About Washington National Opera
Washington National Opera (WNO) is one of the world’s leading opera companies. Led by General Director Timothy O’Leary, Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, and Music Director Robert Spano, WNO presents a wide-ranging repertory that spans iconic classics, contemporary works, and newly commissioned operas. Founded in 1956, WNO celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2026, a year that also marks its return to operating as a fully independent company. Recent seasons have featured acclaimed productions of Verdi’s Aida, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, and a landmark Turandot with a newly commissioned ending by Christopher Tin and Susan Soon He Stanton. WNO’s legacy includes Zambello’s internationally celebrated Ring Cycle, the D.C. premiere of Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s Blue, and the world premiere of Philip Glass’ reimagined Appomattox. WNO is also internationally recognized for its education and community engagement programs, including the American Opera Initiative, the Cafritz Young Artist Program, the WNO Opera Institute, and Opera in the Outfield®, which advance WNO’s mission to make opera vital, accessible, and artistically ambitious in the nation’s capital. 

About CCM
Nationally ranked and internationally renowned, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is a preeminent institution for the performing and media arts. The school’s educational roots date back to 1867, and a solid, visionary instruction has been at its core since that time. CCM offers 10 degree types (BA, BFA, BM, MA, MFA, MM, MME, AD, DMA, PhD) in nearly 120 possible majors, along with a wide variety of pre-collegiate and post-graduate programs and workshops.

CCM provides students with professionally oriented immersive experiences in order to prepare them to enter directly into performing and media arts careers. CCM’s Opera and Voice Departments provide one of the most comprehensive training programs for opera singers, coaches, and directors in the United States. CCM’s Dance Department puts an emphasis on ballet and contemporary styles, making it perfect for dancers seeking top-level training and rigorous artistic, academic, and studio curriculum. CCM offers an international faculty of dedicated educators who are also celebrated professionals in their own right, widely and currently active in their respective fields. Many of the college’s graduates have achieved notable success in the performing and media arts, and 94.1% of graduates are working or continuing their education one year after graduation.

CCM Voice and Opera program support is provided by The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund and the Patricia A. Corbett Estate. Additional support for CCM’s undergraduate opera productions is provided by Rafael and Kimberly de Acha. CCM Dance program support is provided by the Corbett Endowment and the William L. Gasch Endowment Fund for Dance Excellence. To learn more, visit ccm.uc.edu.

About Cincinnati Opera
Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences. Founded in 1920 and the second-oldest opera company in the U.S., Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every summer and engaging programs throughout the year. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary masterworks brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative artists.

Cincinnati Opera is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. Our programming is made possible in part by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Cincinnati Opera also receives support from The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, and the H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, along with many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. Cincinnati Opera is a member of OPERA America. Learn more: cincinnatiopera.org.

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