Tag Archives: Cincinnati Arts Association

May 20, 2026 · 5:08 pm

DANCING FOR THE STARS 2026 Announces Winners

Celebrity Dancer Meeka Owens (Cincinnati City Councilwoman)
and Dance Pro Alyenendrov Tsorokean
Crowned New Dancing for the Stars Champs

Dr. Mona Foad Honored as Fundraising Champion

[CINCINNATI, OH] – Meeka Owens (Cincinnati City Councilwoman) and dance pro Alyenendrov Tsorokean (Phoenix Rising Ballroom) were crowned the champions of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s eighteenth annual Dancing for the Stars on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Music Hall Ballroom. The dance pair earned perfect scores of (10) from each of the three judges. Dr. Mona Foad (Founder & CEO, Mona Dermatology) took home the Fundraising Champion Award as the celebrity who raised the most money for the event through ticket sales and donations – more $17,000.

Alex Beach (Director, Lifetime Engagements, Fidelity Investments) and Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor) took second place. Robert Warfel (Public Safety and Law Enforcement Executive) and Desiree Mainous (Owner, Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Montgomery) placed third.

In the fundraising arena, Robert Warfel (Public Safety and Law Enforcement Executive) placed second and Felisa Insignares (founder of ELEVATI Elevated Essentials and Owner Designer Items & More Boutique) placed third.

As the Cincinnati Arts Association’s largest annual fundraiser, the popular event raised $104,000 in support of the organization’s acclaimed arts education and community engagement programs, which reach over 75,000 Cincinnatians annually.  

Inspired by the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars 2026 featured six Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program at which the audience vote and judges scores propelled the winners to victory. The competitive dance theme for the evening was the 1950s, and each dance pair had a maximum of three minutes to woo the crowd and the judges. 

The night featured the following dance pairs, in performance order:

  • Dr. Mona Foad (Founder & CEO, Mona Dermatology) and Jozsef Parragh (Independent Dance Instructor): “The House is Rockin’” – Wynonna Judd
  • Nicholas Dunigan (Vice President, Wealth Management for Fifth Third Bank) and Melissa Vaughn (Arthur Murray – Montgomery): “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” – Hauser
  • Meeka Owens (Cincinnati City Councilwoman) and Alyenendrov Tsorokean (Phoenix Rising Ballroom) “Respect” – Aretha Franklin
  • Alex Beach (Fidelity Investments) and Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor): “Boogie-Woogie Queen” – Shayna Thompson
  • Robert Warfel (Public Safety and Law Enforcement Executive) and Desiree Mainous (Owner, Arthur Murray – Montgomery): “Jailhouse Rock” – Elvis
  • Felisa Insignares (founder, ELEVATI Elevated Essentials and Owner of Designer Items & More Boutique) and James Branham (Arthur Murray – Dayton): “Mambo Italiano” – Dean Martin and Rosemary Clooney

Event emcees were Chris O’Brien and Janeen Coyle (former hosts of “Married with Microphones,” 103.5 WGRR-FM). The competition judges were Doreen Beatrice (Dancing for the Stars Professional Alumna and committee member), Douglas Beal (Independent Dance Instructor and committee member), and Pam Kravetz (Nationally Recognized Artist and Arts Educator | Celebrity Dancer, Dancing for the Stars 2018)

In addition, Dancing for the Stars 2026 featured:

  • Dinner-by-the-Bite provided by Baru, DelightMore, eat well celebrations and feasts, Prime Cincinnati, Sebastian Bakehouse, Skyline Chili, Street City Pub, Vintage on Race.
  • A special showcase performance by 2026 Overture Awards Vocal Music winner, William Wittekind (grade 12, Saint Xavier High School).
  • Music by DJ JD Hughes of 103.5 WGRR-FM.

Event Committee:  Douglas Beal, Doreen Beatrice, Terry Foster, Alex Johns, Ginger Loftin, Rosemary Schlachter

Presenting Sponsor: TriHealth

Event Sponsors:  Accent on Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – Dayton, Arthur Murray – West Chester, Bonita Brockert, Jozsef Parragh, The Party Source, Phoenix Rising Ballroom, Punky’s Pixels

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio. 

Cincinnati Arts Association’s Education & community Engagement Programs
CAA’s Education & Community Engagement department cultivates diverse, inclusive, and accessible arts engagements, seeking to remove barriers preventing arts participation. Committed to a practice of antiracism, the Education and Community Engagement department encourages the use of CAA venues, develops diverse arts supporters, and fosters an appreciation and understanding of diverse arts disciplines, while encouraging and supporting practicing arts educators and administrators, audiences, and aspiring artists.  

SchoolTime presents a series of programs that feature nationally recognized artists at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. The Artists on Tour program brings a variety of arts experiences directly to schools, community centers, and other organizations. The finest local teaching artists in the region enhance learning with unique programs that vary in culture and art form.

The Arts in Healing Initiative integrates the performing and visual arts in medical and community healthcare settings and other non-traditional settings to promote community wellness and encourage the community to explore the arts as an active part of their healing and ongoing wellness.   

The Overture Awards is a program that recognizes and rewards excellence in the arts among Greater Cincinnati students in grades 9-12. Its mission is to encourage arts education as an integral part of a student’s academic experience and to create an environment that encourages training in, and appreciation of, the arts. The Overture Awards is the area’s largest solo arts competition and offers awards in six artistic disciplines: creative writing, dance, instrumental music, theatre, visual art, and vocal music.

Now in its 30th year, the Overture Awards has granted more than $1,000,000 to youth and arts educators in the Tri-state region. The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation (now Duke Energy) and Leadership Cincinnati (a Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce program).

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION
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 more than 600,000 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, including Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestras, May Festival, and First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati, presented by TriHealth. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more 2.1 million youth and adults.

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April 21, 2026 · 3:56 pm

The Passing of Jared O’Roark

From Spring Grove Obituaries

Michael Jared O’Roark, age 46, passed away suddenly on March 18th, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on June 13th, 1979, in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

Jared was a devoted husband, son, and brother whose life was rooted in love for his family and friends. He leaves behind his partner and husband of eight years, Benjamin Herrin, parents Michael Ron and Jody L. (Stobbs) O’Roark, brother Jordan (Ashley Rountree) O’Roark, nieces Tatum and Piper O’Roark, mother-in-law Vicky (Weitz) Herrin, father-in-law Mark (Liz Potter) Herrin, brother-in-law Bradley (Anna Sebastian) Herrin and nephew Lincoln Herrin.

Jared was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John (Evelyn Rymal) Stobbs and paternal grandparents, James (Barbara St Clair) Roark.

Along with Jared being a loving and devoted family member and friend, Jared was an award-winning arts leader, educator, and community builder whose work over more than two decades left a lasting imprint across Cincinnati, Tampa Bay, and far beyond. He believed deeply that the arts should belong to everyone. He did not just talk about equity, accessibility, and inclusion. He lived those values, showing up with an authenticity in his work and in his life that people could feel, creating spaces where people felt welcomed, seen, heard, and valued.

He approached his work with care and intention, building something strong, beautiful, and deeply human. Young people found their voice through him. Communities connected. The arts became a bridge. He had a gift for bringing people into the same room, listening, and helping shape something meaningful and wonderful. Those who worked with him knew his integrity, felt his empathy and love, and saw the impact he made.

At the Cincinnati Arts Association, Jared poured himself into connecting young people to the arts and to one another. He built a group of teaching artists who reflected the communities they served, because it mattered to him that every student could see themselves in the room and in what was possible. What he helped create became more than an after-school program. It became a space where students could express themselves, feel supported, and begin to understand their own voice.

Jared was always thinking about who else could be reached. He worked to bring the arts into classrooms, supported young artists through the Overture Awards, and contributed to healing-centered work that met people where they were. He believed that when people are met with care, creativity, and connection, something shifts, sparks ignite, and lives change.

One of his most enduring works was Project: Shattered Silence, a youth-centered creative process he created, wrote, and directed. It invited young people to step forward with their stories, to speak what had often gone unspoken, and to be heard. Over a decade, more than 400 teenagers took part, discovering the strength of their own voice.

What began on stage reached far beyond it, becoming a PBS documentary that earned three Regional Emmy Awards in 2013, with additional nominations in 2014. But its true impact lived in the conversations it sparked, the understanding it deepened, and the quiet ways it changed those who experienced it, sending ripples outward for years to come.

Jared moved through the world with a fierce and gentle awareness. He saw something in people they had not yet seen in themselves. Through his work, he did not just create. He made space for others to step into their own voice.

He opened doors for young people and artists, building connections and supporting those around him. Earlier in his journey, he helped bring new performance spaces to life and supported more than 150 artists, including work with Broadway producer Zev Buffman. But more than anything, his impact lived in the people he believed in and the light he helped them find.

Jared received many honors, including Best of the Bay: Theatrical Trailblazer, the National Art of Heart Award, and international humanitarian recognitions. But that was never what drove him. He was guided by a belief in people, in their stories, and in helping others see themselves more clearly.

What he leaves behind cannot be measured in awards, but in the lives he touched, the voices he helped bring forward, and the sense of belonging he created for so many, including himself. He carved out space where there was none, and in doing so, helped others find where they belong.

He was a collaborator, mentor, and advocate who led with intention, resilience, and humor. He believed in the arts as a way to heal, connect, and transform. We have lost a giant, and he will be deeply missed.

Jared’s Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday May 16th, 2026 beginning at 1:00 pm in the ballroom at Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH. with an Irish Wake to immediately follow. Kindly respond to joroark.memorial@gmail.com to RSVP and to share any photos as we are creating a photo montage for the memorial.

To honor Jared’s life and the causes he was passionate about, a GoFundMe campaign has been created in his memory. Donations will support several charities and organizations that were meaningful to him and will allow his legacy to live on.

https://gofund.me/541d3c877

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April 9, 2026 · 5:18 pm

DANCING FOR THE STARS to Benefit CAA’s Overture Awards | Sat., April 25 | Music Hall Ballroom

SEASON EIGHTEEN

April 25, 2026
Music Hall Ballroom

CINCINNATI, OH – Who will be voted Cincinnati’s best celebrity dancer?  Which stars have the right moves to rule the dance floor?  Find out on Saturday, April 25, 2026, when the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) celebrates Season Eighteen of its fundraiser Dancing for the Stars at the Music Hall Ballroom to benefit CAA’s Overture Awards – the nation’s largest locally-run high school arts scholarship competition – and arts education programs. 

Inspired by the hit ABC-TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars will feature six Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program at which the audience will vote for their favorite celebrity dancer. The competitive dance for the evening will be themed to the 1950s, and each dance pair will have a maximum of three minutes to woo the crowd and the judges.

In addition, Dancing for the Stars will feature:

  • Dance music by JD Hughes, guest DJ and 103.5 WGRR-FM on-air personality
  • Pre-event reception and whiskey tasting provided by Willow Run Custom Bourbon
  • Open dancing before and after the competition
  • Lite bites provided by some of Cincinnati’s finest restaurants and caterers

In addition to the winner of the dance competition, Dancing for the Stars will crown a Fundraising Champion – the celebrity dancer who raises the most revenue toward the event’s fundraising goal through table/ticket sales and donations. Fans may add a donation under their favorite celebrity’s name at the time of ticket purchase or sponsorship, or by simply making a donation if they cannot attend the event. These direct donations will help one of the fans’ favorite celebrities win the Dancing for the Stars Fundraising Champion award – which will be announced on the evening of the event – and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Tickets are currently on sale at the following levels (a portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible):

  • $100 – Patron (pre-event reception and two drink tickets)
  • $150­ – VIP (pre-event reception and open bar)
  • $1,000 – Patron Table (ten Patron level tickets)
  • $1,500 – VIP Table (ten Premium level tickets)

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION

THE STARS:

  • Alex Beach (Director, Lifetime Engagements, Fidelity Investments)
  • Nicholas Dunigan (Associate Wealth Management Advisor, Fifth Third Bank)
  • Dr. Mona Foad (Founder & CEO, Mona Dermatology)
  • Felisa Insignares (Owner, Designer Items and More Boutique)
  • Meeka Owens (Cincinnati City Councilwoman)
  • Robert Warfel (Public Safety and Law Enforcement Executive) 

THE PROS (with Star pairing):  

  • James Branham (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – West Chester) – Felisa Insignares
  • Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor) – Alex Beach
  • Desiree Mainous (Owner, Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Montgomery) – Robert Warfel
  • Jozsef Parragh (Independent Dance Instructor) – Dr. Mona Foad
  • Alyenendrov Tsorokean (Phoenix Rising Ballroom) – Meeka Owens
  • Melissa Vaughn – (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Montgomery) – Nicholas Dunigan 

THE HOSTS: Chris O’Brien and Janeen Coyle (Retired radio hosts – 103.5 WGRR-FM, Married with Microphones) 

EVENT COMMITTEE: Doreen Beatrice, Douglas Beal, Terry Foster, Alex Johns, Ginger Loftin, Rosemary Schlachter

EVENT SPONSORS:  TriHealth – Presenting Sponsor, Accent on Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – Montgomery, Arthur Murray – West Chester, Baru, eat well celebrations and feasts, Mazunte, Prime Cincinnati, Punky’s Pixels, Willow Run Custom Bourbons, Skyline, Vintage on Race 

SEVENTEEN YEARS OF DANCING FOR THE STARS WINNERS:

  • 2007:    Dr. O’dell Owens (former Hamilton County Coroner)
  • 2008:    Jenell Walton (former WCPO-TV9 Anchor and Reporter)
  • 2009:    Phil Schworer (past President, Cincinnati Bar Association; Environmental Lawyer, Frost, Brown and Todd)
  • 2010:    Donna Speigel (Owner, The Snooty Fox)
  • 2011:    Dr. Tracey Skale (Chief Medical Officer, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services)
  • 2012:    Regina Russo (former Director of Marketing and Communications, Cincinnati Art Museum)
  • 2013:    Chris Seelbach (Cincinnati City Councilman)
  • 2014:    Neal Schulte (Founder & President, Schulte Financial Group, LLC)
  • 2015:    Johnny Chu (Owner, AmerAsia Kungfood Restaurant)
  • 2016:    Jay Lame (Financial Analyst, Lenox Wealth Management)
  • 2017:    Rohan Hemani (Procter & Gamble Fabric Care Intrapenuer)
  • 2018:    Dr. Marcia Bowling (Gynecologic Oncology, Oncology Hematology Care, Inc.)
  • 2019:    Halle Quinn (Community Volunteer)
  • 2022:    Sebastian Castillo (General Manager, Prime Cincinnati)
  • 2023:   Britton Spittler as Brock Leah Spears (Project Manager, ADM)
  • 2024:   Deb Schubert (Health Care Professional Marketing, Procter & Gamble)
  • 2025:   Erin Mignano (Vice President and General Manager, Turner Construction)

Cincinnati Arts Association’s Arts Education Programs
CAA’s Education Department promotes life-long learning through its programs, which are diverse, multidisciplinary, and accessible to all ages and cultural groups. SchoolTime presents a series of programs that feature nationally recognized artists at CAA’s two venues (the Aronoff Center and Music Hall), and Artists On Tour brings the finest local artists in the region to Tri-state schools for interactive arts experiences aligned with the curriculum.

The Overture Awards Scholarship Competition is the largest locally run arts scholarship competition in the country.  The program annually provides a $4,000 scholarship to six area high school students for education and training, with eighteen finalists winning a $1,500 scholarship. This year, over 200 students were nominated to compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, or Vocal Music. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Finals, and Final.

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 with an opportunity to share their talents and interests among their peers in a supportive environment outside of their individual schools.  Now in its 30th year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation and Leadership Cincinnati (a Cincinnati Regional Chamber program).

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 more than 600,000 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, including Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestras, May Festival, and First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati, presented by TriHealth. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education and community engagement programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 2.1 million students and adults.

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CALENDAR INFORMATION 

WHAT:                Dancing for the Stars 2026
                                A Benefit for Cincinnati Arts Association’s Overture Awards and Arts Education Programs

WHEN:                Saturday, April 25, 2026

  • 6:30 PM – Dancing, Dinner-by-the-Bite, Open Bar
  • 8:00 PM – Celebrity Dance Competition
  • 9:30 PM – Dance the Night Away

WHERE:              Music Hall Ballroom

PRICES:               $100 – Patron Ticket • $150 VIP Ticket • $1,000 – Patron Table • $1,500 – VIP Table
Additional Sponsorship Opportunities available: $2,500 to $10,000.  Contact Vice President of Development, Sarah Miller, at Smiller@cincinnatiarts.org or (513) 977-4106 for details.

INFO:                   Inspired by the hit ABC-TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars will feature six Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program at which the audience will vote for their favorite celebrity dancer. The stars include: Alex Beach (Director, Lifetime Engagements, Fidelity Investments), Nicholas Dunigan (Associate Wealth Management Advisor, Fifth Third Bank), Dr. Mona Foad (Founder & CEO, Mona Dermatology), Felisa Insignares (Owner, Designer Items and More Boutique), Meeka Owens (Cincinnati City Councilwoman), Robert Warfel (Public Safety and Law Enforcement Executive).

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION – Tickets on sale now

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April 7, 2026 · 5:43 pm

360 ALLSTARS | Thu., May 7 | Aronoff Center 

360 ALLSTARS

May 7, 2026
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

[Cincinnati, OH] – SOLD OUT ON BROADWAY… SOLD OUT IN EDINBURGH… SOLD OUT AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE… SEEN BY OVER ONE MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE! An urban circus of BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming and more, the international hit 360 ALLSTARS makes its Tri-state premiere at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 7:30 PM as part of its 10-year anniversary World Tour. The show is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s CAA PRESENTS! 2025-26 Season.

Tickets are on sale now www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. Group discount tickets for 10 or more are available by calling (513) 977-4155.

A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus. Boasting a stellar cast of World Champion and World Record-holding artists and athletes, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. Add to this a stunning live soundtrack delivered by award-winning musicians, coupled with spectacular video projections, 360 ALLSTARS is as aurally exciting as it is visually astounding. A magnificent, colorful, and astonishing expression of a generation that has reinvented the circus, 360 ALLSTARS is a revolutionary production that will leave you dizzy with excitement!

CAST BIOS

HERU ANWARI (Indonesia) – 3x Australian Champion BMX Flatlander
Born in Indonesia, Heru Anwari is an elite BMX Flatland rider. He was awarded “Rider Of The Year” by the Indonesian Ministry of Youth from 2011-2014, and in 2013, he was crowned champion at the Indonesia International Urban Sport Festival. In 2017, he moved to Australia and won the Down Underground Flatland Championship three years in a row. Outside of his success as a competitor, he has featured as an actor in the TV series GoBMX, founded his own clothing brand ZTFF, and has collaborated with companies such as Honda, Acer, Intel, and Sony.

B-BOY CURT RAGE (USA) – National Champion Break-Dancer
Curt Rage is a highly accomplished B-boy, originally from Annandale, VA, now based in Los Angeles. With an illustrious career in breaking, Curt Rage has won numerous prestigious competitions. This year, he was the winner of Freestyle Session with his crew, earning them a spot in the World Finals, in which they finished second place. He has been invited to Red Bull BC One multiple times and has competed internationally at some of the world’s top-tier events. Additionally, Curt Rage has been a featured judge and competitor in breaking battles worldwide. Beyond the dance floor, Curt Rage has appeared in commercials for major brands like Instagram, Camping World, and NBA 2K.

B-BOY KENZO (USA) – National Champion Break-Dancer
Kevin “Kenzo” Ibanez is a powerhouse of movement and passion. A two-time National Champion who claimed his titles in Washington, D.C., Kenzo began breakdancing at just seven years old and has been dominating the floor ever since. Known for his explosive style, fearless energy, and gravity-defying flips, he’s competed and performed at some of the biggest stages in the country. Whether in the heat of a battle or in performance on stage, Kenzo brings intensity, creativity, and unmatched charisma. He maintains a deep love for his art and is always on a mission to prove that greatness starts with passion and ends with impact. 

JOSH CURTIS (UK) – Internationally Acclaimed Roue Cyr Artist
Born in the English countryside, Josh Curtis is a dynamic Cyr wheel artist whose journey began with breakdancing as a kid. After earning a BA (Hons) in Circus Arts in 2020, Josh has gone on to captivate audiences around the world with his unique style and fluid control. When not performing, he shares his passion by teaching circus arts, helping to inspire the next generation. His work has taken him to major stages and collaborations with global brands like Hyundai and ASICS. Now in his fourth year touring with the international sensation 360 ALLSTARS, Josh continues to push the limits of movement and performance. 

PAFO (Japan) – World Renowned Basketball Freestyler
Pafo is one of the world’s leading basketball freestylers. Hailing from Japan, he has travelled the world wowing audiences with his incredible tricks and unparalleled freestyling feats that rival even the best of the Harlem Globetrotters. An experienced and exciting performer, Pafo has been featured in productions, events, basketball games, festivals, and televised performances, wowing audiences across the globe with his phenomenal basketball freestyle skills.

MIRRAH (USA) – International Mistress of Ceremonies
Mirrah is a passionate LA-Sydney based hip hop and soul artist, with a strong message of self-empowerment, positivity, and unity. Armed with a microphone, she is able to amaze crowds with her incredibly versatile vocal skillset and sensational stage presence. Combining intricate wordplay with soulful vocals and a comprehensive mastery of her craft as a captivating performer, Mirrah’s unique and uplifting approach to live performance has taken international stages by storm. She has been featured in film clips of artists including Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child, Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, 50 Cent, and many more. Bringing world-class talent to the stage, Mirrah is able to seamlessly draw you in with her endearing personality and blow you away, all at once!

GENE PETERSON (Australia) – Multi Award-Winning Drummer and Composer
Gene Peterson has fast established himself as one of Australia’s leading musicians. He is a phenomenal percussionist, a prolific composer, and an exceptional pianist. As a drummer, he has toured extensively across Australia, Europe, Asia, America, and The Middle East, and has won numerous awards and competitions, including “The Billy Hyde’s National Drum Play Offs.” Aside from his successes as a touring artist, Gene is also a renowned producer and composer, has been commissioned to create the scores for symphony orchestras to productions on Broadway, and is the creator and director of 360 ALLSTARS.

COMPANY BIO 

ONYX PRODUCTIONS
Onyx Productions has fast established itself as a leading Australian production house, with a portfolio of multi-disciplinary contemporary works. Founded in 2011 by producer and performer Gene Peterson, Onyx Productions has achieved significant success both nationally and internationally. To date, the company has delivered over 3,500 performances across more than 100 tours to more than two million people worldwide, including sold out seasons on Broadway, in Edinburgh, and at the Sydney Opera House.

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

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CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                360 ALLSTARS

WHEN:                Thursday, May 7, 2026 – 7:30 PM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

PRICES:               ADULT:  start at $35, inclusive of all fees

                          STUDENT: $25, inclusive of all fees

INFO:                   A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus. Boasting a stellar cast of World Champion and World Record-holding artists and athletes, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture.

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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April 2, 2026 · 8:08 am

TREE Runs April 25-26

TREE
Cincinnati Arts Association
April 25-26
Aronoff Center Fifth Third Bank Theater

TREE is intended for ages 0–3, but all ages are welcome with a paid ticket; each child must attend with a paid adult.

Snuggle up in your warm nest while the mama bird takes care of her glowing eggs. The tree is full of wonders—tiny bugs and animals moving around, all while gentle music plays. As the moon rises, its twinkling stars will help you drift off to sleep, filling you with the energy to soar like a bright baby bird when morning comes.

TREE lets you enter a fully interactive, multi-sensory universe, wrapped in soft light, music, and silence, where five characters interact with your little ones.

  • Fri, April 25 at Noon
  • Sat, April 26 at 3pm

Official page |

 

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