Category Archives: Events

Cincinnati Opera Kicks Off Its 2023 Summer Festival with Opera in the Park on Sunday June 11

CO_Opera in the Park

Photo by Philip Groshong

A Free Community Concert in OTR’s Washington Park

The musical celebration features opera and musical theater favorites performed by stars from Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 season, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Brass Institute

Cincinnati, Ohio — Cincinnati Opera celebrates the kickoff of its 2023 Summer Festival this weekend with a free community concert in the heart of Over-the-Rhine.

On Sunday, June 11, at 7:30 p.m., Cincinnati Opera presents Opera in the Park, a free concert in Washington Park featuring a selection of opera and musical theater favorites performed by star singers from Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Brass Institute. Guests who arrive early can also enjoy a free preview performance by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Brass Institute, beginning at 6 p.m.

Admission to Opera in the Park is free and open to the public. Visit cincinnatiopera.org for more information.


CALENDAR INFORMATION

What:
Cincinnati Opera presents Opera in the Park

When:
Sunday, June 11, 2023
6 p.m.: Preview concert by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Brass Institute
7:30 p.m.: Opera in the Park

Where:
Washington Park, 1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Description:
Cincinnati Opera presents Opera in the Parka free concert of opera and musical theater favorites in Washington Park.

Featured singers include cast members from the company’s upcoming productions of Lucia di Lammermoor (June 22, 24), The Knock (June 23, 27; July 2, 5, 7) and The Barber of Seville (July 6, 8): sopranos Raven McMillon, Felicity Tomkins, and Saane Halaholo, mezzo-sopranos Kayleigh Decker and Briana Elyse Hunter, tenors Santiago Ballerini, Terrence Chin-Loy, and Sahel Salam, baritones Anthony Clark Evans, Thomas Dreeze, and Armando Contreras, and bass Griffen Hogan Tracy.

Also featured are the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra led by conductors Stephen Mulligan and Kevin Miller, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Brass Institute. Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, will emcee.

Just before Opera in the Park, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Brass Institute will perform in Washington Park beginning at 6 p.m. Top high school brass players from around the region, conducted by Daniel Wylie, will join professionals from around the country, conducted by Professor Jaime Morales, to present arrangements of Cincinnati Opera-inspired music, from Wagner to Gershwin.

Attendees are invited to bring friends, families, and dogs–plus blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics–to enjoy this evening of opera under the stars. Concessions and food trucks will be available in and around Washington Park throughout the evening.

Admission:
Free. Guests are encouraged to register in advance for weather alerts and event updates. All registered attendees will also be entered in a drawing for a pair of tickets to a Cincinnati Opera 2023 Summer Festival performance.  To register, visit cincinnatiopera.org/opera-park2023.

For Information:
cincinnatiopera.org


Looking ahead:

Cincinnati Opera
2023 Summer Festival

Lucia di Lammermoor
By Gaetano Donizetti
June 22 & 24 at Music Hall

The Knock
By Aleksandra Vrebalov and Deborah Brevoort
June 23 & 27 and July 2, 5 & 7 at Music Hall’s Wilks Studio

The Barber of Seville
By Gioachino Rossini
July 6 & 8 at Music Hall

Studio Sessions
July 12 & 19 at Music Hall’s Wilks Studio

Madame Butterfly
By Giacomo Puccini
July 22, 27 & 29 at Music Hall

Visit cincinnatiopera.org for complete season details.


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 nation, 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. 

Opera in the Park is a part of the DBL Law OTR Performs series in Washington Park. Opera in the Park is sponsored by Western & Southern Financial Group.

Cincinnati Opera is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. Cincinnati Opera also receives general season support from Chavez Properties, the Ohio Arts Council, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts, along with general season and project support from many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. 2023 Media Partner is Classical 90.9 WGUC. Cincinnati Opera is a proud member of OPERA America. To learn more, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

To learn more, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

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VALIANTLY: A Dungeons & Drag Queens Adventure On June 30-July 1

MISC_ValiantlyValiantly: A Dungeons & Drag Queens Adventure
June 30th – July 1st, 8:00 pm
Clifton Comedy Theatre
404 Ludlow Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220

Join us for a night of magic, mayhem, and drag as we journey through a mystical world inspired by everyone’s favorite roleplaying game. Our fearless queens will guide you through a thrilling adventure filled with battles, quests, and laughs.

Whether you’re a seasoned D&D player or a first-timer, Valiantly is the perfect event for you. Our friendly Game-Master is an expert at making everyone feel welcome and included, so don’t be shy! As an audience member, you will have the chance to suggest over-the-top actions for your character and roll for sweet, sweet success, or dismal failure.

Get ready to don your armor, grab your dice, and join us for an unforgettable night of fun and adventure.

Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valiantly-a-dungeons-drag-queens-adventure-tickets-633478921507

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OTR International Film Festival to Announce 2023 Film Lineup May 23rd

OTRIFF_logoOTRIFF Film Activation & Film Announcement Party

CINCINNATI, OH – The highly-anticipated annual Over-The-Rhine International Film Festival (OTR IFF) is on again this July and will announce its full film line-up celebrating diversity, inclusion, disability rights, and our shared humanity on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. The event is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. An OTRIFF Activation will be held in the Fifth Third Atrium with a Film Announcement Party to follow at Fountain Square.

The Hollywood Red Carpet-themed announcement will kick off at 11am, featuring a fireside chat with the festival Artistic Director, tt stern-enzi, as well as the filmmaker and stars of the locally produced film “A Slice of Pie” . Information about the festival will be available and festival representatives will be on hand to answer questions.

Beginning at 4pm, the film announcement party begins on Fountain Square. Trailers for the 2023 OTRIFF Film line-up will be shown for the first time. There will be speakers, entertainment, giveaways, food trucks, cash bar and more. The celebration will end with jazz beginning at 6pm on the main stage.

OTRIFF FILM ACTIVATION

  • Tuesday, May 23, 2023 (Fifth Third Atrium from 11 am – 1 pm)
  • 11:00 am Activation Begins; 11:20 am Fireside Chat (Q&A at 11:50)

OTRIFF FILM ANNOUNCEMENT PARTY

  • Tuesday, May 23, 2023 (Fountain Square from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
  • Festival info, movie trailers, giveaways, food trucks, cash bar, entertainment

The program will feature speakers who will share their perspectives on why The Over-The-Rhine Film Festival, presented by LADD, brings the community together:

  • tt stern-enzi, OTR Film Festival Artistic Director
  • Blis Hanousek DeVault, Film Director, Slice of Pie (official Selection – OTR Film Festival 2023)
  • Kala Gibson, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, Fifth Third Bank
  • Jason Harris, Director of Strategic Operations, LADD
  • Molly Lyons, Festival Director

About Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival
In 2022 the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, presented by Procter & Gamble, was named one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the world (yes, WORLD) by MovieMaker Magazine. Experience the festival for yourself this July 6th–8th in the heart of the Over the Rhine district of Cincinnati. The festival, organized by leading disability services and advocacy organization LADD, is known as the nation’s premier inclusion and diversity film festival led by the disability community. The mission of this film festival is to create a sense of shared humanity through stories, conversations, and action. The festival’s vision is focused on giving a voice to the voiceless, empowering filmmakers who are more often than not forced into the margins of media and telling untold stories that deserve to be heard. LADD brings the annual festival to Cincinnati to continue reframing how we see disability in the entertainment industry’s ongoing discussion of diversity. Learn more at otrfilmfest.org.

About LADD
Guided by the belief that every person has ability and value, LADD empowers adults with developmental disabilities to live, work, and connect. Founded in 1975, the Cincinnati non-profit now supports over 650 adults experiencing disabilities through housing, employment and meaningful community engagement programs. The Over-The-Rhine Film Festival, presented by LADD, uses cinema as a tool to build empathy and create experiences for filmmakers and audiences that expands well beyond the screen. The Over-The-Rhine Film Festival, presented by LADD, held in the diverse area of Over-The-Rhine, is the first and only diversity-driven film festival led by people from the disability community. Learn more at laddinc.org.

About Fifth Third
Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust. Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com.

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Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s FREE Shakespeare in the Park Returns with THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, an All-New Park Production

CSC_Comedy of ErrorsThe tour of nearly 40 parks in the tristate area July 14- September 3, 2023.
View the complete schedule here

Cincinnati, May 18, 2023 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s FREE Shakespeare in the Park tour returns this summer with “The Comedy of Errors” directed by Justin McCombs running from July 14 through September 3 with nearly 40 performances of FREE Shakespeare in parks across the tri-state area, including Cincinnati, Fairfield, Glendale, Lebanon, Madeira, Mason, Oxford, Portsmouth, Springfield, and West Chester in Ohio; Covington and Erlanger in Kentucky; and Lawrenceburg and Richmond in Indiana – and more! The complete schedule can be viewed online here at cincyshakes.com/event/park.

This year continues the tradition of CSC selecting a brand new Shakespeare title and production each summer with even more production value behind it!  This summer the show will be Shakespeare’s wacky comedy “The Comedy of Errors.”  Audiences can expect an announcement each spring about the new title and production and look forward to seeing more of Shakespeare’s canon over the years in Cincinnati.

A family separated in a shipwreck reunites when two sets of identical twins find themselves in the same place at the same time with the same face decades later. The only problem is that they don’t know what’s in front of them. What follows is a series of mistaken identity, love triangles, and misadventure. Have a laugh at the errors of comedy in “The Comedy of Errors,” this farcical and fun story perfect for the whole family!

Learn more at cincyshakes.com/event/park.

What is FREE Shakespeare in the Park?
Launched in 2007, CSC’s FREE Shakespeare in the Park tour is one of the nation’s largest summer Shakespeare offerings, both in geographic area covered and audience members served. As the only professional outdoor theatre opportunity in the Cincinnati region each summer, CSC’s FREE Shakespeare in the Park tour attracts more than 10,000 patrons to 50 area parks anywhere within a two-hour radius of Cincinnati. CSC’s FREE Shakespeare in the Park Tour enhances the vibrancy of neighborhoods throughout the region by creating traveling arts programs that increase the affordability, availability, and accessibility of the arts outside the downtown core. The park tour is an annual tradition—the closest audiences can get to what it might have been like to watch Shakespeare’s plays as they were first performed at the open-air theaters in Southhampton—and the heart of CSC’s mission to bring Shakespeare to life for all.

How can someone support FREE Shakespeare in the Park?
FREE Shakespeare in the Park is made possible through the generous support of companies, foundations, and donors throughout the tri-state and beyond. If you would like to make a gift in support of the program, please visit cincyshakes.com/park-fund or call 513.381.2273 x 3208.

All donors to our Shakespeare in the Park Fund between now and August 31 will be entered in a drawing to win two free subscriptions to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 30th Anniversary Season. We also have a variety of fun Shakespeare in the Park themed thank you gifts in exchange for your donations!

  • A Gift of $10 – Vinyl Sticker
  • A Gift of $25 – Bumper Magnet
  • A Gift of $50 – Water Bottle
  • A Gift of $100 – Insulated Tote Bag
  • A Gift of $500 – Roll-up Picnic Blanket
  • A Gift of $1,000 – Portable Camp Chair

Thank you gifts will be fulfilled beginning July 15, 2023.

The 2023 FREE Shakespeare in the Park Tour is generously sponsored by Western & Southern Financial Group and is made possible by donors to the FREE Shakespeare in the Park Fund.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company also sends special thanks to our Operating and Season Support Partners: The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation; Debby and Jim Mason; The Ohio Arts Council, The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation; Lightborne; and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source of arts funding.

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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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for all.  In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. CSC’s repertoire is composed of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, world premieres, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of Theater Communications Group and Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach more than 50,000 young people and community members by meeting audiences where they are. This includes sharing programming in schools, parks, community centers and 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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SHAWNEE LIVING HISTORY TOUR Staged Preview Readings on May 20-21

CFTI_logoCaesar’s Ford Theatre, Inc will present staged preview readings of its new historical outdoor theatre production, the Shawnee Living History Tour, on Saturday May 20, 200 at 7:00 PM and on Sunday May 21, at 2:00 PM at the Xenia Area Community Theater 45 E. Second Street Xenia, Ohio 45385. Admission is free.

All American Indian roles will be read by Tribal Citizens of federally recognized American Tribes.

For more information please email info@caesarsford.com. Please also visit our new website www.caesarsfordtheatre.org.

Support for Caesar’s Ford Theatre, Inc comes from the Ohio Arts Council, Culture Works, Greene County Department of Development, National Endowment for the Arts, The Dayton Foundation, Greene County Parks & Trails, and our individual supporters. Thank You!

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