Category Archives: Events

June 19, 2019 · 12:05 pm

PORGY AND BESS and BLIND INJUSTICE Opera Raps in July

co_logoCincinnati Opera Presents
July Opera Raps:
Meet the Cast of PORGY AND BESS &
Introducing BLIND INJUSTICE 

CINCINNATI—Each year, Cincinnati Opera presents a diverse series of informative and entertaining Opera Raps lectures in the months leading up to, and during, the summer performance season. These community programs are created to enlighten and engage opera devotees and newcomers alike, and feature conversations on topics related to Cincinnati Opera’s 2019 Summer Festival. For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

Meet the Cast of Porgy and Bess
Cincinnati Opera’s 2019 season production of Porgy and Bess features a star-studded cast: Grammy-nominated soprano Talise Trevigne as Bess; Metropolitan Opera bass Morris Robinson as Porgy; baritone Nmon Ford as the menacing Crown; and many more. Join us for a panel discussion led by Cincinnati Opera’s Evans Mirageas, and meet the magnetic singers who will bring the Gershwins’ great American opera to life on the Music Hall stage this summer. 

When: Tuesday, July 9, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, 7080 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237
Admission: FREE, but tickets are required. Call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at (513) 241-2742 to reserve.

Introducing Blind Injustice
This summer, Cincinnati Opera presents the world premiere of Blind Injustice, an opera drawn from the real-life tragedies and triumphs of six women and men, all of whom were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. Eventually, they were set free through the work of the Ohio Innocence Project.

At this event, exonerees Nancy Smith and Rickey Jackson will share their stories; Blind Injustice cast members will sing several excerpts from the work; and librettist David Cote, composer Scott Davenport Richards, stage director and dramaturg Robin Guarino, and Ohio Innocence Project Director Mark Godsey will discuss the project with Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera. 

Blind Injustice is a collaboration between Cincinnati Opera, the Ohio Innocence Project, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and the Young Professionals Choral Collective.

When: Wednesday, July 17, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, 7080 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237
Admission: FREE, but tickets are required. Limit 4 tickets per household. Order online at cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at (513) 241-2742 to reserve. 

Founded in 1920, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of opera every June and July in multiple venues, including the recently renovated historic Music Hall. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary works brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative teams. 

Cincinnati Opera’s 2019 Summer Festival runs June 13 through July 28, featuring Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro,Charles Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet, Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos, the world premiere of Blind Injustice by Scott Davenport Richards and David Cote, based on true stories of the Ohio Innocence Project, and The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. Cincinnati Opera’s 2019 Season Presenting Sponsor is Huntington Bank. The 2019 season is also made possible with support from ArtsWave, Ohio Arts Council, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, and many generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. 

Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences. 

cincinnatiopera.org

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June 15, 2019 · 8:45 am

CFF19: Fringe Encores/Pick of the Fringe

CFF19_MirandaOur slate of award-winners is:

  • Audience Pick – THE VEGETABLES! by Old, Old, Old, Very Old Man Productions!
  • Fringe Next Pick – TALES FROM THE CUCKOO CLUB from Caldera Studios!
  • Artists’ Pick – MY GERIATRIC UTERUS from Aggressive Curl Pattern Productions!
  • Critics’ Pick – THIS HOUSE WILL NEVER LET US GO from Gideon Productions!
  • Producer’s Pick – DESCENT: A Murder Ballad from Hannah Gregory!
  • Full Frontal Pick – ZOINKS! from Queen City Flash!

And our slate of Encores, drawn from our available Pick of the Fringe Winners as well as our “Shows You Wished You’d Gotten To See” votes are as follows:

  • 1:30 PM – DESCENT: A Murder Ballad at Know Theatre
  • 2:45 PM – MY GERIATRIC UTERUS at Art Academy Room 103
  • 4:00 PM – ZOINKS! at Art Academy Room 563
  • 6:30 – THE VEGETABLES! at Know Theatre
  • 7:45 – 90 LIES AN HOUR at Know Theatre **PLEASE NOTE VENUE CHANGE**
  • 9:00 – LET’S PRANK CALL EACH OTHER at Know Theatre

For individual tickets visit https://knowtheatre.vbotickets.com/events

For an Encore Pass visit https://knowtheatre.vbotickets.com/events and click on the Subscriptions tab.

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June 14, 2019 · 2:57 pm

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Presents the 13th Annual FREE Shakespeare in the Park Tour Starts Next Week!

CSC_Shakespeare in the Park 2019 logoThe tour of over 40 locations runs from June 21- August 31, 2019

Cincinnati, June 14, 2019- Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2019 FREE Shakespeare in the Park Tour opens next week on Friday June 21! This year’s tour has over 40 performance stops (and growing). The popular Shakespeare titles, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Macbeth will be presented.  These performances are FREE and open to the public.  The cast features six actors from CSC Professional Intern Company.  Following the Park Tour, these shows will travel and tour to local schools, community centers, venues and other performing arts locations through May 2020.  Last year, CSC’s FREE Shakespeare in the Park tour had over 10,000 people in attendance!

The FREE Shakespeare in the Park Tour kicks off the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2019-2020 season, which also marks their third year in their new custom-built theater (The Otto M. Budig Theater) in Over-the-Rhine.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is constantly working to expand their reach further and further into the region and has one of the largest programs for free outdoor Shakespeare in the nation, both in number of stops and the size of the region reached. For a complete list, including show titles and info on the venues, visit this page:http://cincyshakes.com/shakespeare-in-the-park/  

Admission to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Shakespeare in the Park Tour is free and there is no ticket or RSVP required.  All performances are open to all and are general admission, open seating.  Arriving early is typically recommended for best seating and lawn chairs and blankets are recommended.  For questions regarding inclement weather or for details and rules regarding outside food and drink (including or excluding alcohol), please contact the individual parks and venues.

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Production Information:

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare
What happens when feuding fairies meddle in the love lives of human couples? Comical adventures, mistaken identities, and a silly play-within-a-play! The cast of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is on tour with fairies, lovers and Nick Bottom and the Mechanicals as they hilariously attempt to rehearse and perform a play for the Duke’s wedding. In this whimsical forest, a happy ending is guaranteed for both sprites and mortals alike.

ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare
One of the most beloved romantic tragedies in Shakespeare’s canon, Romeo and Juliet is the tale of the Bard’s star-crossed lovers. Romeo and Juliet fall instantly in love only to discover they come from feuding families. In defiance of their families, amidst the animosity of friends, and in concealment from their mentors, a young couple risk everything to be together. CSC is proud to present this modern production of Romeo and Juliet and prove its continued relevance in the lives of the young and old alike.

MACBETH by William Shakespeare
Prophecies. Ambition. Murder. Madness. In Shakespeare’s famous cursed play “Macbeth”, we see the darkness of the world overcome the light. After an encounter with three witches on a Scottish battlefield, Macbeth must make a decision that will change the course of his life.  Betrayal, love, bloodshed and tragedy adorn the path in this chilling, supernatural tale, leaving us wondering how far Macbeth will go to get what he wants. Tormented by visions and guilt when the price of his crimes take their toll, what fate awaits Macbeth? Find out in Shakespeare’s supernatural thriller.

Both shows are suitable for children and families of all ages and are approximately 90 minutes in length with an intermission.

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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for audiences of all ages.  In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in OTR. CSC’s repertoire is made up of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, and contemporary classics.  CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of the Theater Communications Group and the Shakespeare Theater Association.  Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach over 50,000 young people and underserved community members each season by taking Shakespeare into schools, parks, community centers and by hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions.  In 2015, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the classics!

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June 10, 2019 · 3:14 pm

Vampires in Covington, Should We Be Scared?

MISC_Count Smackula logoCOUNT SMACKULA AND HIS THREE SCARES
Kaos Studios
June 27-30
Leapin Lizard [Mainstrasse]

(Covington, KY – June 10, 2019)

Hello Mortal. Do you want to meet a vampire?

My name is Count Christian Drago Smackula and you have found our event information. Bravo! My family Troupe and I invite you to a private evening of theatrical entertainment, drinks and candor. Together, we will share and perform century old tales from our immortal lives. This is our form, our craft and our medicine.

This particular performance is the revival of our 1919 production of Count Smackula and his Three Scares with the full original cast.  It began as a revenge piece of sorts, now the show has been adapted for today’s audience as an introduction to real vampires in the mortal public.  We will be revealing three of my most precious memories, or scares, for your entertainment.

The performances will be held at Leapin Lizard at 724 Main St. Covington, KY

  • Thursday June 27th at 8pm
  • Friday June 28th at 8pm
  • Saturday June 29th at 8pm
  • Sunday June 30th at 2pm

The Troupe includes Zadie Nageir, Durina Kovac and Lawrence Hemming. The play is written and performed by the ensemble. We unearth where Bram Stoker got some of his ideas for Dracula and bust myths about real vampires and sanguinarians. It will be a night of laughter, drama and kinship.

Leapin Lizard has graciously offered us their space to share our story with you all.  Unfortunately, the building is not handicap accessible as there is a flight of stairs to traverse to access the performance space – we apologize for this inconvenience.

Doors open an hour before the show and there will be a full-bar (vampire friendly) open before and after the show. Tickets are $20 and available at buytickets.at/kaosstudios.

Please follow our Instagram and Facebook pages for updates leading to the performance.

If you want a SNEAK PEEK, Count Smackula and the Troupe will be performing a free vampire MEET & GREET improvised show at SECOND SIGHT SPIRITS (301 Elm St. Ludlow, KY) on FRIDAY JUNE 21st, 8pm. We will be taking suggestions from the audience to perform memories from our mortal or vampire past. This is a vampire and mortal friendly event.

We can’t wait to see you there.

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June 3, 2019 · 4:08 pm

KSO’s 25th Summer in Devou Park

KSO_Purple logoThe Kentucky Symphony Orchestra offers its 25th Summer Series of free, family-friendly concerts at the historic amphitheater in Covington’s Devou Park. A tradition since WPA structure was built in 1939, musicians and entertainers have brought communities together at the concert bowl for shared and memorable experiences. More than 325,000 residents from across the region have attended the KSO’s varied, thematic summer concerts since 1995.

This summer the KSO and its subsidiary groups continue to offer universally appealing and nostalgic programming to the region on the following Saturdays beginning at 7:30 p.m.

“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”
(She Bop Live)
7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2019

The KSO’s studio orchestra celebrates 5 decades of popular female artists and girl bands — Patsy Cline, Whitney Houston, Adele, En Vogue, Taylor Swift, Patti LaBelle and many more. Whether you are a “Redneck Woman” or like to “Walk Like an Egyptian,” call your
gal pals and meet at the band shell to “Express Yourself,” and for a litte R-E-S-P-E-C-T! (Full playlist attached)

45s Without Words
(All about that tune)
7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 3, 2019

Back when writing a melody or catchy tune was celebrated, AM radio blasted the airwaves with instrumental hits into the 1990s. Then the age of electronica dawned and pop instrumental singles went the way of the floppy disk. The K-so Combo (together a small string section) authentically channel the jazz-fusion, blues, rock and funk songs without words of Santana, Booker T & the MGs, Edgar Winter, Herbie Hancock, Rush,
Herb Alpert… to mention but a few.

Russian Allusion
(Enchanted Slavic Classics)
7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 31, 2019

A sizeable portion of the world’s most frequently performed orchestral repertoire hails from Russia. The KSO surveyed the dossiers of several Russian composers to cherry-pick these popular classics: Khachaturian’s enchanting Masquerade Suite, Borodin’s rollicking Polovtsian Dances and Rimsky-Korsakov’s seductive Scheherazade.

“The KSO’s Summer Series in this beautiful, tree-lined park is really about the community coming together. Few events today allow families, neighbors and friends to simply come out and share a relaxed and unique cultural moment together. Continuing a truly memorable tradition is what the KSO provides in part with the support of local corporate sponsors Toyota, DBL Law, Fischer Homes, and Schneller & Knochelmann” commented KSO Music Director and Founder, James Cassidy.

Join the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. — July 13, August 3 & 31.

Concessions are available on-site. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. For more information and directions, visit the KSO at www.kyso.org or call (859) 431-6216. $5 (per person) suggested donation. The TANK Shuttle from Covington Catholic to the band shell runs from 6:00 -7:30 p.m. and after the concert for $1 each way. Free parking in the park (though limited).

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