Category Archives: Events

October 28, 2024 · 5:38 pm

ELF the Musical at Loveland High School Nov. 13-16

Christmas spirit starts early in Loveland with a production of ELF the Musical at Loveland High School November 13th – 16th.  This show is a great start to the family holidays and will have you pulling out your decorations extra early.

A baby who crawled into Santa’s sack and grew up at the North Pole with the elves finds out he actually is human.  When he sets off to find his family in New York City, Buddy’s adventures show him the good and the bad of live in the big city.

Will people believe he really knows “the big guy”?  Can he raise enough Christmas spirit to get Santa’s sleigh to fly and save his dad’s publishing company from ruin?

Over 70 students are involved in this production –  the backstage crew, the actors singing and dancing on stage, and the orchestra playing the stick-in-your-head sparklejollytwinklejingley tunes.

Performances are Wed-Fri at 7pm, Sat at 2pm & 7pm.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and senior citizens.

Order yours here: https://lovelandhstheater.wixsite.com/lhsdrama/box-office

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October 28, 2024 · 5:32 pm

Cincinnati Ballet, City, 3CDC, and Art Academy of Cincinnati Announce WINTER WONDERLAND Installation in Washington Park

Story Walk to Be Unveiled December 1 for Holiday Season

CINCINNATI (October 24, 2024) – The holiday season is just around the corner and the Cincinnati Ballet, the City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), and the Art Academy of Cincinnati have partnered to bring a Nutcracker-inspired Winter Wonderland installation to Washington Park this December.

The installation, Winter Wonderland presented by Cincinnati Ballet, will be a story walk with six scenes created by students from the Art Academy of Cincinnati, in addition to dazzling holiday lights on park trees, along paths, and surrounding the bandstand.  The story walk will be viewable from December 1-31 and the lighting enhancements will remain in the park through February 2025. Additionally, Cincinnati Ballet will host a special event December 1 to celebrate the launch of the story walk experience from 11AM – 3PM. The event will include ballet dancers and characters, family-friendly activities, music, and more. Santa Claus will also be on-site at the Sherwin-Williams Porch greeting families and taking free photos.

“The holidays are a magical time for families to enjoy our City. Bringing Washington Park to life with the timeless tale of The Nutcracker will create memories and a connection to Cincinnati that will last a lifetime. These experiences are the cornerstone of growing our City. I can’t thank the Cincinnati Ballet, 3CDC, and the Art Academy of Cincinnati enough for making this moment possible” said Cincinnati City Councilmember Seth Walsh.

“We’re thrilled to partner with staples of our community, the Cincinnati Ballet and the Art Academy of Cincinnati, to bring holiday magic to Washington Park this winter” said Christy Samad, Executive Vice President of Civic & Commercial Space Activations for 3CDC. “OTR is rich with shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences during the holiday season and we’re excited to give folks one more reason to come downtown and enjoy the holidays in OTR. We’re grateful to the City of Cincinnati for helping us to bring this vision to life.”

This season, the Cincinnati Ballet is celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Nutcracker in Cincinnati. The Company first performed the holiday classic in 1973. Performances will be held at Music Hall from December 19 – 29 and tickets can be purchased at https://cballet.org/performances/the-nutcracker-presented-by-sheakley-family/.

“This season we joyfully celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Cincinnati Ballet’s enchanting production of The Nutcracker,“ said Interim Artistic Director Cervilio Miguel Amador. “Attending The Nutcracker at Music Hall has been a beloved holiday tradition for families across generations. This immersive and spectacular installation at Washington Park will enhance this magical experience!” “Our mission is to share the love of dance with our community,” said Cincinnati Ballet CEO Debbie Brant. “We are so excited to bring this partnership to life in Washington Park, as we come together to celebrate the magic of the holidays.”

Winter Wonderland presented by Cincinnati Ballet debuts December 1, 2024 and will be viewable during all park hours (7AM – 10 PM) seven days a week through December 31.

Washington Park’s Sherwin-Williams Porch and concession stand offer full bar service including hot chocolate, coffee, Coca-Cola products, beer, wine, seltzer and liquor from brands like Fifty West Brewing Company, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, Heineken, White Claw, Dark Horse, Bud Light, Boone County Distilling, Rhinegeist, Canvus Premium Cocktails, and The Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. No outside alcohol is permitted in the park.

Washington Park is located at 1230 Elm Street, in the heart of OTR. Secure parking is available in the Park’s 450-space underground garage facility, or at nearby Mercer Garage on Vine Street.

MORE INFORMATION: www.WashingtonPark.org.

# # # 

About 3CDC
The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) is a private, non-profit full-service real estate developer with a mission and strategic focus to strengthen the core assets of Downtown Cincinnati in partnership with the City of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati corporate community. Its work is specifically focused on revitalizing and connecting the Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine. For more information, visit http://www.3cdc.org.

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October 21, 2024 · 6:20 pm

MARY’S MONSTER and THE RAVENSIDE OCCURRENCE at Playhouse in the Park On Oct. 28

MARY’S MONSTER and THE RAVENSIDE OCCURRENCE
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Oct. 28
Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre [Eden Park]

MARY’S MONSTER
Written by Maggie Lou Rader
Directed by Jennifer Joplin

Cast: Angelique Archer as Mary

  • Mon, Oct. 28 at 6:30pm

–

THE RAVENSIDE OCCURRENCE
Written by Derek Snow
Directed by Piper Davis
Orchestration composed by Jimmie A. Parker

Cast: Meredith Frankie Crutcher as Emma Clifton,
Abi Esmena as Nora Dale, Tess Talbot as Hazel Correy & Aiden Sims as Bethany Avon

A Black Victorian Ghost Story. Inspired by the nursery rhyme “Old Abram Brown,” the story follows four Victorian women as they escape Bedlam. Miles outside London, they find refuge in an old house with a dark past.  Just in time for Halloween. The reading is free, and no reservations are required.

  • Mon, Oct. 28 at 8pm

Official page |

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October 14, 2024 · 5:44 pm

BLINK Opportunities at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall

BLINK OPPORTUNITIES AT THE ARONOFF CENTER AND MUSIC HALL

Aronoff Oasis, The Music Hall Experience, and
BLINK IN THE BALLROOM Will Light Up Cincinnati!

October 17-20, 2024
7:00 PM-11:00 PM 

[CINCINNATI, OH] – The Aronoff Center and Music Hall will be open to the public during Cincinnati’s much-anticipated BLINK – one of the largest light, art, and projection mapping events in the nation – Thursday, October 17 to Sunday, October 20 from 7:00 PM-11:00 PM each night.  Restrooms will be available, and guests may purchase concessions at the venues’ bars.  In addition, BLINK-inspired art installations/exhibitions may be experienced at both buildings.

ARONOFF CENTER / WESTON ART GALLERY

  • ARONOFF OASIS:  It’s not a mirage! The Aronoff Center will serve as your technicolor Oasis throughout BLINK!  Don’t miss the colorful light display on the Aronoff’s glass façade choreographed to music inside this beautiful arts destination. In the Aronoff’s expansive lobby, enjoy some R&R including public restrooms, concessions, fun crafts for the kids, and an Instagram-worthy neon display.
  • The Aronoff’s Weston Art Gallery will feature exhibitions in both the street-level and lower-level galleries including Rachael Banks: The Trail of the Dead and the group show Memory Fields, curated by Sso-Rha Kang.

MUSIC HALL

  • THE MUISC HALL EXPERIENCE, an official BLINK installation, will present a 30-minute projection experience like never before. For 2024, the façade of the historic venue will feature four unique lighting and projection shows, each by a different artist: Chase Haverkos (Cincinnati, OH), Lightborne (Cincinnati, OH), Susan Kosti (Syndey, Australia), and AVextended (Beaugency, France). Stay for one or see all four!
  • BLINK IN THE BALLROOM, presented by Friends of Music Hall and Cincinnati Arts Association, will showcase talented theater organist Trent Sims playing a medley of new and classic songs on the 1927 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Guests will also experience interior lighting effects, and a remarkable Music Hall model made with botanical materials by Applied Imagination.  Concessions will be available for purchase. 

BLINK 

From its first event in 2017, BLINK’s founding team sought to nurture a sense of community and connection through public art. They came together, a collection of creatives, entrepreneurs, local artists, art enthusiasts, and arts supporters, wanting to show Cincinnati what a future city could be – through an unforgettable art experience. They also wanted to show the world what Cincinnati had to offer, to solidify it as a hub of creativity, forward-thinking conversations, and aspirational ideas. Light was the medium. It is fundamental to the human experience. It connects us all. It can illuminate a path toward inclusion and possibility. What they didn’t know was how much connection it would drive. How it would light up a city and the humans within it and become a beacon of light for our city and beyond.

Now in its fourth iteration, BLINK has become more than a gift to the city. It attracts artists from around the globe who believe in its mission. It draws more than two million people who walk the city’s blocks in wonder and amazement. It crosses a river and connects a region. It provides a $126 million economic impact to our region. But it also still connects us.

Everyone is welcome to experience the light, the art, and our community.

BLINK is FOR THE PEOPLE. BY THE ARTISTS.

For more information about BLINK, visit https://www.blinkcincinnati.com/.

# # #

CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                 BLINK Opportunities at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall

WHEN:                Thursday, October 17 – Sunday, October 20 | 7:00 PM-11:00 PM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – 650 Walnut Street – Music Hall – 1243 Elm Street

INFO:                   The Aronoff Center and Music Hall will be open to the public during Cincinnati’s much-anticipated BLINK arts festival. Restrooms will be available, and guests may purchase concessions at the venues’ bars.  In addition, BLINK-inspired art installations/exhibitions may be experienced at both buildings. Entry to the Aronoff Center and Music Hall is FREE, and all are welcome.

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October 10, 2024 · 6:54 pm

National Tellers Announced for 4th Annual Cincinnati Storytelling Festival, Nov. 14-16

(Covington, KY) Cincinnati’s favorite storytelling event returns to Westwood this November with three nationally recognized storytellers taking center stage. Lyn Ford, Andy Offutt Irwin, and Paul Strickland will delight audiences young and old over three days of live storytelling at West Side Brewing, the Westwood Town Hall, and the Westwood Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library.

Thursday night’s shows, “Gather Round” and “Twisted Tales,” will both be held at West Side Brewing in the back room. Last year’s “Gather Round” sold out, so it is recommended to secure advance tickets. Friday night’s shows include “Laugh Riot!” at West Side Brewing, a short dinner break, and then the much-anticipated ghost story show “Spooky Stories” across the street at Westwood Town Hall.

Saturday will include a wide variety of programming, starting with “Children’s Stories,” a free show for children and families at the Westwood Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library, and then a guest performance at Town Hall featuring the best of “True Theatre.” “Old Tales Told New” will feature masterful and entertaining reimagining of age-old stories, and the closing show “Two Truths and a Truth, Hosted by a Liar” is sure to delight and entertain.

Most shows are for adults and children ages thirteen and up, with the exception of the Saturday afternoon library show which is specifically for children and families, and the Thursday night late show which is restricted to adults ages 21+.

Advance tickets and passes are on sale now. cincystoryfest.com/buy-tickets.

FESTIVAL HISTORY
The Cincinnati Storytelling Festival, founded in 2020, is a weekend event featuring professional storytellers from a variety of backgrounds and traditions. Held on Cincinnati’s West Side, the festival brings communities together to enjoy fairy tales, scary stories, laugh-out-loud tales, and everything in between! Over the past three festivals, the Cincinnati Storytelling Festival has brought nationally-recognized storytellers to Cincinnati audiences, including Bil Lepp, Lyn Ford, Sheila Arnold, Adam Booth, Megan Hicks and Antonio Rocha. For the fourth festival, to be held this November, Artistic Director Paul Strickland is bringing back Ohio storyteller Lyn Ford for a second appearance and introducing Georgia storyteller Andy Offutt Irwin.

LYN FORD
Lynette (Lyn) Ford is an internationally respected, fourth-generation Affrilachian storyteller, author, poet, and workshop presenter. Lyn’s folktale adaptations and original stories are rooted in her family’s multicultural Black Appalachian (or Affrilachian) heritage.

Lyn’s work has taken her to major storytelling festivals and literacy and storytelling conferences across the country, as well as in Australia and Ireland, and, via the Zoomiverse, in Germany and for the Federation of Asian Storytellers story swaps. Lyn is an Ohio Arts Council Teaching Artist and a Thurber House mentor for young authors, with more than thirty years of experience and several award-winning publications. Lyn is a two-time recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s ORACLE Circle of Excellence award, and a 2023 recipient of the National Association of Black Storytellers’ Black Appalachian Storytelling Fellowship and NABS’ prestigious Zora Neale Hurston Award. Lyn is a member of the Writers Council of the National Writing Project and the National Association of Black Storytellers’ Brother Blue Circle of Elders.

Lyn is also a certified laughter yoga teacher and, occasionally, pretty weird. She was featured at the inaugural Cincinnati Storytelling Festival in 2020 and will be featured for the second time in the festival’s history this November. storytellerlynford.com.

ANDY OFFUTT IRWIN
With a manic, Silly Putty voice, astonishing mouth noises, and heart-filled stories, Andy Offutt Irwin is equal parts mischievous schoolboy and the Marx Brothers, peppered with a touch of the Southern balladeer. He has been a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival eleven times and is a perennial favorite at the International Storytelling Center’s Teller-in-Residence series.

A storyteller, theatre director, singer-songwriter, and Shakespearean actor, Andy was Artist-in-Residence at Emory University’s Oxford College from 1991 to 2007. He has performed at LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in New York, The Library of Congress, Walt Disney World, and a whole mess of theatres, colleges, and festivals all over the United States.

Andy lives in Covington, Georgia. He thinks he is funny. andyirwin.com.

PAUL STRICKLAND, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Paul is a professional storyteller and theatre artist who lives in Covington, Kentucky. He has well over seven hours of unique family friendly stories in his repertoire, including reupholstered folk tales, fairytales for adults and future adults, tall-tales and even historical stories that just happen to have never happened.

Paul has been a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival, the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, and many more major storytelling festivals across the U.S. Always adapting to whatever audience is in front of him, Paul loves telling stories in every imaginable environment, from comedy clubs to elementary and middle schools, corporate events and even two prisons – where he was not an inmate at the time. Collections of his stories have won “Best of Fest” honors more than 18 times at Fringe Theatre Festivals in the US and Canada, and his shadow and flashlight ghost story play was featured Off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse. Selections from his comedy performance “Levels of Difficulty” are still played nearly every day on SiriusXM radio.

Cincinnati audiences know and love Paul Strickland for his award-winning performances at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. He is one of the co-founders of the Cincinnati Storytelling Festival. ainttrue.com.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE AND TICKETS

  • Full Weekend Pass: $55
  • Friday Pass: $25
  • Saturday Pass: $30
  • Single Tickets also available ($12-$20 per show)
  • Advance Tickets: https://www.cincystoryfest.com/buy-tickets
  • Ticket Fees: Advance tickets will have an additional ticketing fee added to the total price to pay for our ticketing service, Cincy Ticket.
  • Ratings: All shows are recommended ages 13+ unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, November 14, 2024
Preview Night, West Side Brewing, 3044 Harrison Ave.

  • “Gather Round” at 7pm (60 min.) $12
  • “Twisted Tales” at 8:30pm (60 min.) FREE, Ages 21+

Friday, November 15, 2024

  • Happy Hour Show, West Side Brewing, 3044 Harrison Ave.
    “Laugh Riot!” at 6pm (60 min.) $12
  • Dinner break from 7:15-8:15pm
  • Main Event, Westwood Town Hall, 3017 Harrison Ave.
    “Spooky Stories” at 8:30pm (90 min.) $20

Saturday, November 16, 2024

  • Special Family Event, Westwood Library, 3345 Epworth Ave.
    “Children’s Stories” at 2pm (45 min.) FREE
  • Main Events, Westwood Town Hall, 3017 Harrison Ave.
    “True Theatre” at 4:30pm (60 min.) $15
    “Old Tales Told New” at 5:45pm (60 min.) $15
  • Dinner break from 7-8:15pm
  • “Two Truths and a Truth, Hosted by a Liar” at 8:30pm (90 min.) $20

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