Save the Date

A new year means a chance to do it all over again, and maybe – to try things for the first time. Whichever bucket you fall into, it’s time to make a plan for fun.

As we turn the calendar page (does anybody use paper calendars anymore?), let’s take a look at some of the things Cincinnati People is most looking forward to in 2023. 

Reds Opening Day

The city may have Bengals fever right now, but Reds Opening Day is right around the corner. Baseball’s oldest team will open play on Thursday, March 30 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. A new beginning might be just what the doctor ordered. The team’s performance on the field left something to be desired in 2022, but hope springs eternal in the Cincinnati sports world. Besides, the Findlay Market Opening Day parade never disappoints.  

Flying Pig Marathon

One of the country’s favorite marathons celebrates its silver anniversary in 2023. The 25th Flying Pig Marathon weekend is May 5-7, 2023 in downtown Cincinnati. Races range from one to 26.2 miles, with events perfect for serious runners, furry friends - and those looking for some family fun. Don’t miss the P&G Health and Fitness Expo at the Duke Energy Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, May 6-7 and the Family Fun Fest at Smale Park on Saturday, May 6.

Taste of Cincinnati

It feels only right to follow up Cincinnati’s healthiest weekend with one full of gastronomic delights. Kick off your summer with Taste of Cincinnati, May 27–29. The nation’s longest-running culinary arts festival begin in 1979 and has expanded into a bucket-list item for foodies everywhere. More than 450,000 hungry folks are expected at the annual food extravaganza in downtown Cincinnati, where more than 50 restaurants and food trucks will serve up delicious menu items. Taste is also a music festival, with continuous live entertainment throughout Memorial Day weekend.

Summerfair

Let’s roll right into the next weekend, when Summerfair Cincinnati takes the spotlight. In its 56th year, Summerfair will be held once again at historic Coney Island, June 2–4, 2003. More than 300 artisans and craftspeople from all over the country will feature their work, along with a variety of gourmet arts and regional performers. Artists apply and then are judged, allowing only the best to exhibit their pieces for the more than 20,000 who visit Summerfair yearly.

Queen City Championship

In 2022, the LPGA returned to Cincinnati after more than 30 years. The Kroger Queen City Championship, presented by P&G, drew enormous crowds in its inaugural year at Kenwood Country Club, and will return there September 4-10, 2023. The gorgeous grounds at Kenwood CC are the perfect backdrop for the world’s best female golfers to show their incredible skill and their personalities, as fans cheer them along the way.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Prost! Cincinnati loves its festivals, and its German heritage. Put them together and you have the marquee event of the year: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. The event is the second largest Oktoberfest in the world, behind only Munich, Germany, and returns to downtown streets in mid-September. A half million patrons will eat 20,000 cream puffs, 23,000 Bavarian pretzels and 3,600 pounds of sauerkraut. And the beer. Oh, the beer. Last year’s Oktoberfest featured more than 130 varieties of beer and alcoholic beverages from national and local breweries.

Kroger Wellness Festival

The newest addition to Cincinnati’s festival lineup is the Kroger Wellness Festival. This free two-day health and wellness festival brings together all the good stuff: healthy foods, celebrities, interesting discussions, live entertainment and tons of freebies. You can check out chef demos, product sampling, celebrity fitness challenges and hear from industry experts – at The Banks in downtown Cincinnati. Dates for the 2023 festival have yet to be announced.

Cincinnati loves its festivals and big events, and you will, too. From baseball to beer, golf to great art,  there’s something for everyone in 2023.

– Kathrine Nero

Bring the Heat

If the college bowl games over New Year’s left you hungry for more, you’re in luck!

The board of the Cincinnati USA Sports Commission is exploring a new college football bowl game that would be held at TQL Stadium, and air exclusively on The CW Network.

Called the Cincinnati Chili Bowl, the new event will feature two Division I conferences where two of their Bowl eligible teams will be invited to play in the December postseason game. Discussions with conferences are underway. Pending official approval, the three-hour telecast would air on The CW Network and would be available in 100+ million homes across America. 

Officials from the Cincinnati USA Sports Commission have studied best practices from college football games over the last year to ensure the following ideals: A professionally managed football game aired on national TV to promote the Cincinnati region, a fiscally responsible opportunity for the participating colleges, unique fan engagement events and an opportunity for the student athletes to network with area executives for future employment opportunities.

On the day after the Bowl Game, 30 regional corporate leaders will be invited to host the “Big Wigs Business Brunch” where student athletes from both schools can meet and network with business leaders to discuss employment opportunities.

Additionally, the Player Gifting Suite will be focused on professional attire and tools the student athletes can use for internships and employment.

The proceeds from the Cincinnati Chili Bowl will benefit the Cincinnati USA Sports Commission to be used in attracting new sporting events to the region to drive economic impact.

To that end, the Cincinnati Chili Bowl Champions—a collective of regional executives—will be invited to support the Bowl Game with a financial contribution, sponsorship opportunities and ticket purchases for the Bowl Game.

The feasibility study for the Cincinnati Chili Bowl will be led by Jackie Reau, CEO of Game Day, along with local businessmen Steven Young and John Schenk.

The financial support needed to move forward will include a mix of corporate sponsors, hospitality and ticket sales as well as local event tickets.

Initial fan engagement plans feature bourbon and craft beer tours, culinary tours, college marching band, cheer and dance team challenges, an esports tournament between the two schools and a fan fest. 

4 More: Adam Turer

As part of our year-end issue, we are revisiting some of our favorite Cincinnati People from 2022.

We checked in with Saturday Hoops’ Adam Turer.

What’s been the biggest surprise to you in 2022?

A pleasant surprise has been a significant influx of young volunteers. We’ve seen tremendous and consistent dedication from local high school and university students volunteering their time each Saturday morning. We hope to continue that trend in 2023.

What’s changed since we last spoke?

We opened the resource closet courtesy of Bigger Than Sneakers, which allows us to provide our kids with new basketballs, shoes, clothes, and other accessories each week. For the first time, we started programming in September in Winton Terrace and the West End, serving over 500 kids this Fall. We officially became a program of Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, providing additional resources and leadership for our group mentoring model.

What have you learned about our community this year?

The future is in great hands. We’ve had so many alumni of our program who are now young adults continue to come back and serve. The younger kids look up to them as role models and that’s exactly what our program is designed to build. We mentor our community’s future mentors, strengthening the cycle of cheerful giving and good stewardship.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023?

We aim to open our third Saturday Hoops location in Avondale in February, which creates an opportunity to serve hundreds more children. This presents an opportunity for new volunteers and donors to help us reach more kids and serve in a new community.

Find more info on Saturday Hoops and its impact here.

4MORE: Tamara Harkavy

As part of our year-end issue, we are revisiting some of our favorite Cincinnati People from 2022.

We checked in with Tamara Harkavy, co-chair of the Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial.

What’s been the biggest surprise to you in 2022? 

The committee intentionally planned offerings that were as diverse as our community. Activities were planned in partnership with Cincinnati’s many Jewish institutions; the Skirball Museum, Mayerson JCC, Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati, and American Jewish Archives among them. But to our delight we found that so many of Cincinnati’s institutions were also eager to participate. From the Museum Center to the Cincinnati Art Museum to the Playhouse in the Park to the Opera, all going above and beyond to present relevant and captivating performances, exhibitions and events that celebrated our 200-year history in Cincinnati. 

What’s changed since we last spoke?

Initially, we offered a lot of amazing programming in celebration of the bicentennial. There were about 30 planned events, in total. But as the community became more involved and recognized the significance of the bicentennial, we actually doubled that number, to about 60 events! Some of the events were small and intimate, others were months-long and aimed at attracting the broader public. Many were postponed or retooled because of Covid.  The “Leaders in Light Speaker Series” was a great example of this. In partnership with the Mercantile Library, the series was to feature in-person engagements with four dynamic speakers; but we had to pivot. Still, we saw people log on and join us virtually for this very timely series. We believe each speaker made an impact on the audience. This was witnessed by the willingness of attendees (virtually or in person) to participate with questions and responses that showed how profoundly important it is to address issues that relate to hatred, racial bias and antisemitism.

What have you learned about our community this year?

I’ll use one amazing event as an example and it’s one that inspired me the most: Rainbow Shabbat. It was fun, colorful and filled with joy. This event, like no other, showed how eager the Jewish Community is to embrace diversity and celebrate differences. Music, food and even a drag queen were the backdrop of Rainbow Shabbat, but the real stars were the people who attended. LGBTQ+ Allies coming together to pray, eat, dance and share in a shabbat experience like no other. The minute it ended, people started talking about next year!  A new Jewish Cincinnati Tradition is born. I am already looking forward to Rainbow Shabbat 2023! 

What are you looking forward to in 2023?

Obviously, Rainbow Shabbat 2023! We have made so many new friends during this celebration and we want to strengthen those bonds as we move forward into 2023 and beyond. What we found, is that people are interested and appreciative of our Jewish community. When we opened our arms and invited people in, they responded with energy and excitement. To celebrate the way the Jewish culture and Jewish people are interwoven into Cincinnati’s history was a very significant aspect of the bicentennial, but equally significant, is the desire to look ahead and figure out how to be more inclusive, more welcoming, and more engaged. I think we created a solid foundation for that, that we will continue to build on, for another 200 years.

4 More: Jennifer Steele

As part of our year-end issue, we are revisiting some of our favorite Cincinnati People from 2022.

We checked in with Jennifer Steele, CEO of Meals on Wheels Southwest OH & Northern KY.

Check out an interview with Jennifer, below.

What’s been the biggest surprise to you in 2022?

 I was continually surprised by the pure goodness of others in 2022. In spite of so many challenges, I was still brought to tears more than once by just how thoughtful and kind people can be. People stepped up to help in the most amazing ways: rushing to our aid when catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles we use to take seniors to critical medical appointments, giving to seniors on fixed incomes even as inflation hit their own families hard, giving of their time when they had so little for themselves. It has been truly inspiring to witness. I wish that everyone could see what I get to see each day – there is just so much good in this world, so much reason for hope.

What’s changed since we last spoke?

The biggest change for Meals on Wheels has also been the most recent! We announced a merger with 55 North this month, which will improve services for more than 11,000 area seniors. Combining the resources of two forward-thinking organizations will help us increase the quality of life of the seniors in the communities we serve.

What have you learned about our community this year?

I like to think that when we merged with Cincinnati Area Senior Services last year we kicked off a trend in nonprofit mergers and combinations in our region. I’ve learned that we are a community of leaders, donors, volunteers, and supporters willing to do whatever it takes to work smarter, serve more people in better ways, and to have a greater collective impact. I love that we’re closing out the year with a bang, and with another merger. Togetherness is something we care a lot about at Meals on Wheels, and it takes many forms. 

What are you looking forward to in 2023?

Growth! In 2023 we will be expanding innovative programs and services to keep seniors healthy and connected in this rapidly changing world. I’m also really looking forward to continuing to put our region on the map nationally through our research into senior hunger and loneliness, and to rolling out an equity-based innovation roadmap that we’ve been working on for the past 18 months.  

Light Year

Cincinnati’s Jewish community is inviting the city to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Hanukkah on the Square
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m.

Fountain Square
Fifth and Vine Streets

Details at mayersonjcc.org/hanukkah-at-fountain-square

“The message of Hanukkah is the message of light,” said Rabbi Yosef Kalmanson of Chabad of Southern Ohio. “The nature of light is that it is always victorious over darkness. A small amount of light dispels a lot of darkness. Another act of goodness and kindness, another act of light, can make all the difference.”

Though the official Hanukkah at Fountain Square event is sold out, guests are still welcome to come to Fountain Square and enjoy the light show and lighting of the menorah.

The evening also includes ice skating, bumper cars, and more on Fountain Square. 

“With public celebrations in the area, Jewish children get to grow up with pride in their Jewish heritage and a feeling of equality and
self-confidence as Americans,” said Rabbi Kalmanson.

Rabbi Kalmanson was instrumental in fighting for the display of a menorah on Fountain Square, which began in 1985.

“For many years it was challenged in court, but still appeared on the Square,” said Rabbi Kalmanson. “Chabad also lit the Menorah in City Hall and the Mayor's office starting in the late ‘80s.

Hanukkah on the Square is is presented by the Mayerson JCC in partnership with Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and Chabad of Southern Ohio.

“The Menorah serves as a symbol of Cincinnati's dedication to
preserving and encouraging the right and liberty of all its citizens
to worship God freely, openly, and with pride,” said Rabbi Kalmanson. “This is especially true in the United States, a nation that was founded upon and vigorously protects the right of every person to practice his or her religion free from restraint and persecution.”

Holiday Fandemonium

Got a Cincy sports fan on your list? You probably have more than one!

Get gifts for everyone, and something for yourself, at the Sports Flea at The Banks on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cincinnati sports teams will be on-site selling merch and apparel, giving you a one-stop shop for all your holiday present needs.

Teams will be set up at Sample Space, 140 Marian Spencer Way. Find unique items from

• FC Cincinnati

• Cincinnati Fear

• Cincinnati Cyclones

• UC

• Xavier

The Bengals and Reds team shops will be open, too, so you can stroll through The Banks and wrap up all your shopping!

A Dickens of a Time

If You Go

Mr and Mrs. Fezziwig’s Holiday Party
Dec. 14–18, 7 p.m.
The Phoenix, 812 Race St.

Get tickets and information.

Ticket price includes lite bites, dessert and unlimited punch, cider and hot cocoa.

Adults will receive one drink ticket for beer, wine or spiced mead. Cash bar available for additional adult beverages. Holiday attire is welcome. Period costumes are not necessary.

If you think you can’t enjoy a Victorian holiday celebration because Playhouse in the Park isn’t performing A Christmas Carol this year, think again!

While we all wait for their all-new production to debut next year, you can celebrate the holidays Dickens-style with everyone’s favorite party hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig.

Immerse yourself in a Victorian-era party at The Phoenix! Carolers and actors will perform throughout the party for an interactive, festive evening that takes you back in time and celebrates the cheerful spirit of the season.

Like any good party, guests will enjoy holiday-styled beverages and light bites, play a variety of parlor games, including knock rummy, charades and “Yes or No,” as seen in the Playhouse’s production of A Christmas Carol, and have the chance to learn Victorian-era group dances. All the while, Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig and other Victorian-era characters will be mingling among the guests!

Dylan Shelton in rehearsals for Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig’s Holiday Party, at the Phoenix Dec. 14–18.

Even the youngest guests (children ages 5 and up) will have a grand time, with guided, fun activities in the library and parlor, including Victorian-era floor games, holiday arts and crafts, puppet shows, a magician, and even a short, original melodrama written and performed in the Victorian style.

Out of this world

It’s been more than two years since the red planet was closest to Earth. This Saturday, you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with it.

Cincinnati Observatory is hosting “Mars-a-palooza”, where you’ll learn about Mars, tour the observatory, and weather permitting, get a good look at Mars through the historic telescopes.

For ticketing info and more, click here.

Next Sunday, Dec. 11, the observatory welcomes the holiday season with a special open house. The afternoon includes tours, safe solar viewing (weather permitting), holiday refreshments, and shopping.

Plus you can take your holiday photo by their special Galaxy Tree. Admission is free, with no reservations required.

All the Bright Lights

If You Go

PNC Festival of Lights
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Zoo Hours, through Jan. 8, 2023
Sunday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

North Polar Express train ride begins at 2:30 p.m. Activities, including visits with Santa, begin daily at 4 p.m.

PNC Festival of Lights is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas

Share your #PNCFestivalOfLights pictures on your social channels using #cincyzoopic for a chance to be featured in future Zoo marketing materials!

Did you ever think you’d fall in love with a baby hippo? Did you ever think you’d fall in love with a baby hippo TWICE?

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, home to our beloved Fiona and Fritz, is celebrating the holidays in a big way with the 40th annual PNC Festival of Lights.

“I was here for the first PNC Festival of Lights and look forward to enjoying the 40th anniversary of one of my favorite Zoo events,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard. “We add something new every year and keep the favorite things that bring back great memories for repeat guests.”

Photos by Shae Combs

Festival of Lights is the region’s longest-running holiday tradition, with four million LED lights, hung with care by Zoo employees and volunteer elves. Visitors coming to see animals should come earlier in the day or visit indoor habitats such as World of the Insect, Night Hunters, and Manatee Springs, where they can see the three manatees that arrived earlier this month.

The Zoo is bringing back its popular Under the Sea area, where guests are surrounded by lights and giant, colorful jellyfish. Pose for Instagram-worthy photos here and at Elfie Selfie Stations throughout the Zoo. 

“The events team has done a spectacular job reimagining Santa’s Village and moving it to our new picnic shelter area.  The space is new, but our wonderful Santa hasn’t changed!”

Santa will be available for visits and photos in the all-new Santa’s Village, sponsored by Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers, starting at 4 p.m. To give more people a chance to ride the popular North Polar Express Train, sponsored by Superior Credit Union, it will start running at 2:30 p.m. daily.  It will chug through a longer-than-ever light tunnel to make your ride extra bright!

Kind of a Big Deal

Sure, shopping online has its perks. Need a gift in a flash? It’ll be at your door tomorrow morning!

But where’s the fun in that?

While we love a good online deal (especially this time of the year!), there’s just something about hunting down the perfect gift at a local business, chatting with the owner and leaving the store with that perfectly wrapped present. Andd Saturday, Nov. 26 is the perfect time to do it!

OTR Chamber just released it’s “Buy OTR Made” list:

Here, you can find discounts, holiday happenings and more! Click here for that.

It’s Small Business Saturday.

The movement kicked off in a big way back in 2010, in the midst of the recession.

It’s a wonderful way to kick of the holiday shopping seasons, while supporting local businesses!

Here’s a list of Tristate businesses who are signed up for the official event, but it’s likely that every local store you know and love will be taking part.

Light Hearted

A Northern Kentucky holiday tradition is back, and bigger than ever.

Light Up The Fair is open for the season at the Boone County Fairgrounds, 2819 Idlewild Rd., Burlington, Ky. The family favorite light show is Northern Kentucky’s only drive-thru light display, and even if it’fs been a part of your family’s tradition for years, there’s something new this time around. 

This is the fifth year for the event, and just as its popularity has grown over that time, so has the display itself. Light Up the Fair is now longer than ever – you can now work your way through two full miles of twinkling, brilliant lights set to holiday music you can hear through your car’s stereo.

If You Go

Light Up The Fair
Boone County Fairgrounds
2819 Idlewild Road, Burlington

Open rain, snow, or (moon)shine

Sunday–Thursday: 5:30–9 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 5:30–10 p.m.

Open holidays through New Years Eve.

Tickets:

$7 per person (1-3 people); $25 carload of 4- 8 people

Free for active Military and First Responders

 The LED light show lets you enjoy the holiday scenes from the comfort of your own vehicle, and features more than a million lights. Keep an eye out for quite a few local touches, like a replica of the famous Florence Y’all water tower as a centerpiece to one display. A 300-foot long Snowflake Tunnel is also an annual favorite. Organizers promise a few surprises as well this year.

To enjoy music on the ride, tune the radio in your car to 97.9 FM. A Light Up The Fair team member will also remind you of the channel information, when you enter the fairgrounds!

Light Up the Fair is created by Boone Lighting Effects, and opens at dusk every day through Dec. 31, including holidays. 

Crazy in Love

The Cincinnati premiere of the Timothée Chalamet feature film shot in Cincinnati, “Bones and All” was held Sunday evening, November 13, before a packed house at the Esquire Theatre, Clifton. 

Attending the local premiere were David Kajganic, screenplay/producer and a graduate of Miami University, and Theresa Park, producer. The movie was directed by Luca Guadagnino, who also directed Chalamet’s breakout film, “Call Me by Your Name.”

“Bones and All” received a 10-minute standing ovation at its premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September and won two awards at Venice, including Best Director for Guadagnino and Best Young Actor for Taylor Russell.

“Bones and All” will be released nationally in theaters on November 23

Stars & Stripes Forever

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati will host its second annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.

At the ceremony George Goldhoff, president of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, will present a $10,000 donation to Jeremy Yost, assistant national employment director at the DAV and a Marine veteran.

Robert Lomax, from the Hamilton County Sherriff’s office, will sing the National Anthem.

Hard Rock Cafe and Brick’d Oven Pizza will be offering Veterans Day lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all military personnel, veterans, and first responders.

Local Legends

If You Go

The Golden Ticket Opening Reception
Friday, Nov. 4, 6–8 p.m.
CCAC @ Short Vine Gallery
2728 Short Vine St.

Additional information at cliftonculturalarts.org/golden-ticket.

Some of the best regional artists are participating in the 13th annual Golden Ticket juried exhibition at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC), presented by Summerfair. This prestigious exhibition features the artwork of exceptional local artists, all vying for “Best in Show" and the coveted “People's Choice” award, voted on by attendees.

The exhibition opens on Friday, Nov. 4 with an opening reception celebrating the artists, judges, and the community.

“The Golden Ticket is proof how many exceptional artists work right here in our area,” says Jayne Utter, managing director of Summerfair. “The 43 artists in this year's exhibition are the cream of our crop. Some sell at Summerfair, others are award-winners in our outreach programs.”

The annual Golden Ticket exhibition showcases diverse, talented artists living or working within a 25-mile radius of the CCAC. Over $1,500 in prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, second and third place, and honorable mention. The artist with “Best in Show” will also have a solo exhibition hosted by the CCAC.

Janiene Baker | Katie Baker | Christina Baitz-Brandewie | Carol Blum | Beth Belknap Brann | Alan Brown | Greg Buening | Christopher A Cain | Stephen Childress | Don Cluxton | Lisa Hueil Conner | Brooke Crowley | Daniel Dickerscheid | Samantha England | Judith Effa Ford | Leslie Getz | Tina Gutierrez | Devan Horton | Francis Huffman | Jonathan Kamholtz | Michael Kitei | Debra Bushman Kopena | Paul Kroner | Veronica Lash | Becky Linhardt | Tom Lohre | Scott Meyer | ChengLun Na | Carole Price | Kat Rakel-Ferguson | Jazmina Robinhawk | Jacqui Rohner | Kate Rowekamp | Anisha Sangshani | Thelma Shotten | Linda Susman | Teresa Tolentino | Rory Torstensson | Mark Ullrich | Joanie Wiedner | John Wiehe | Jan Wiesner | Mark Wiesner | Clinton Wood III

“The Golden Ticket has featured some of the most well-known and celebrated artists in the region, but also created a launching pad for many emerging artists,” said CCAC Executive Director, Leslie Mooney. “We are so proud and honored to be able to showcase the work of the incredibly talented artists who live and work in the Greater Cincinnati region.”

The jury for this year’s Golden Ticket was Mary Campbell Zopf, retired executive director from Muse Machine; Brandon Hawkins, co-Owner and lead teaching artist with Soul Palette; Jee Eun Lee, assistant professor of ceramics at Northern Kentucky University; and David C. Smith, the owner of Eisele Gallery.

“It was very exciting hearing the results from the jury this year because we have a nice balance of familiar names and new artists,” says Emily Versoza. CCAC’s gallery coordinator. “That’s really what the Golden Ticket is all about – celebrating impressive local talent at all stages of their career.”

Since 2018, CCAC has used the space on Short Vine Street for exhibitions and programs. Earlier this year, however, CCAC broke ground for its new facility, located at 3412 Clifton Ave.

“For years CCAC has hosted Summerfair’s Emerging Artist Exhibition,” says Utter. “So it was easy to choose them when we were looking for an organization for our next ‘Big Give,” especially when they were looking for donors to support their new building.”

“With our four-year commitment came the honor of being the presenter of The Golden Ticket,” Utter says.

On the Dark Side

If you like your Halloween chills with a murderous local twist, take a trip with “The Darkside of Brewing Tour – Tales of Cincinnati’s Haunted and Gruesome Past.”

This limited-edition seasonal guided walking tour from the Brewing Heritage Trail, which continues through Nov. 5, offers tales of macabre events – grave robbing, a serial killing saloonist, and other murderous and deadly mayhem. The tour also includes a visit to an abandoned city street overtaken by nature, as well as a flashlight tour of the underground cellar complex of a historic abandoned Cincinnati brewery.

Tours begin at the Brewing Heritage Trail Tour Center, 1939 Race St., and end at the same location.

The non-profit Brewery District CURC organizes historic brewery tours and started the first large-scale heritage tour program in Over-the-Rhine in 2006. It is a non-profit organization committed to making Cincinnati’s historic Brewery District a healthy, balanced, and supportive neighborhood economy by preserving, restoring, and redeveloping our unique brewing history and historic urban fabric through projects like the Brewing Heritage Trail.

In addition to the limited-edition seasonal tour, the Brewing Heritage Trail offers a wide range of tours throughout the year such as “Built on Beer”, “Brewers & Barons”, and “Brunch, Beer, & Breweries” tours. For a complete schedule of tours, times, and tickets, visit brewingheritagetrail.org.

Setting the Scene

Backlot 2022

Saturday, October 29, 7 – 11 p.m.
Waypoint Aviation, Lunken Airport

Event attire: Hollywood Glam

VIP cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m., with general admission at 7 p.m.

Music provided by Fixx Band, and valet service is available at Waypoint Aviation.

Get tickets!

Ready for your close-up?

Celebrate the movie industry and the local crews and talent that keep the industry growing during Film Cincinnati’s fourth annual Backlot gala.

“We are excited to bring Backlot back to celebrate the work of our local crews and talent, as well as to welcome the motion picture industry to Greater Cincinnati,” said Kristen Schlotman, executive director of Film Cincinnati.

With the theme “Hollywood Glam,” Backlot is Film Cincinnati’s largest fundraiser, helping the non-profit continue to bring in major motion picture production teams to the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2017 and 2018, the last years figures are available, the motion picture industry had an economic impact of nearly $80 million in the Cincinnati area, according to the University of Cincinnati Economics Center. 

Along with celebrating local talent, the event will honor Sarah Green with their Founder’s Award. Green is an Oscar and Emmy-nominated producer known for powerful auteur-driven work in film and television. She currently is in town for Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders, starring Tom Hardy, Austin Butler and Jodie Comer. She also is in post-production for Michael Shannon’s directorial feature debut, Eric LaRue.

Green produced Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life with Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain and Sean Penn, which won the Palme d’Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award.  Other notable productions include Nichols’ Mud, Midnight Special and Loving, Malick’s The New World, Knight of Cups and Song to Song, Julie Taymor’s Academy Award-winning Frida, Karyn Kusama’s Girlfight, and John Sayles’ The Secret of Roan Inish. 

Film Cincinnati, celebrating its 35th year in 2022, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to attracting, promoting and cultivating film, television and commercial production throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Since its beginning in 1987, Film Cincinnati has brought hundreds of films to Greater Cincinnati, plus thousands of commercials, music videos, documentaries and industrials.

Screen Time

If You Go

Cinema OTR
1517 Vine St.

Open Wednesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

If you’re looking for a mix of good music, classic films, and Black culture, Cinema OTR is the place to be.

Located in the heart of OTR, the new bar and lounge is dedicated to ‘90s R&B, hip hop, and classic Black films. Who doesn’t love a good throwback movie while enjoying a cocktail?

Cinema has even dedicated their cocktail menu to classic Black films. Their specialty drink, “Nina” was inspired by the film “Love Jones” (1997), an iconic film to this day, that represents Black love, life, careers and the possibilities in between. The character, Nina, was a young, beautiful, and outgoing woman. The cocktail is said to be a perfect balance of bold and beautiful, just like Nina.

Cinema also has special events throughout the week, including Matinee Day Party,The Games Watch Party (Who Dey!), and The Late Show. Vsit their Instagram page for a full schedule.

– Tiasia Cockrell

Horsing Around

Prepare thyself for fun, feasts (on massive, roasted turkey legs), mayhem, and more at the Ohio Renaissance Festival!

Pro Tip:

Beautiful fall weekends add to magic at the Renaissance Fair. So, be patient and plan ahead to avoid the long lines.

This weekend and next are your last chances to get in on the fun in Warren County.

Not sure what to wear, see or do? We solved that for you with a trip of our own!

Inside the festival walls you’ll find endless forms of entertainment. There’s also artisans selling their goods, shops and of course, plenty of beer and food.

Show time

The entertainment in the shire is non-stop! Just listen for the laughs and follow the signs to find a show.

One of our first stops took us to the Mudd(e) Show, where classic literary tales are performed in the shire’s Muditorium.

Grab a leg

You mustn’t miss the delicious turkey legs!

Get your front row seat (if you dare). We watched Dante’s Inferno (slightly muddy) but the muddiest shows of all, The Viking Show and Jerkules prove to be massive messy fun.

From there, we wandered into a few shops, tried on cloaks, and crowns and then grabbed a few beers.

There’s a great variety of brews and food to choose.

Joust a lot of fun

The full armored joust is another “can’t miss” event.

Combatants compete in high-energy shows multiple times a day.

There’s truly so much to do and see at the Renaissance Festival and don’t worry about missing something. There’s activity everywhere you turn!

For ticket info and more, click here.

Street, Lights, People

More than 2,500 participants from 85 groups will shine a light on cultural heritage, identity and pride, the Cincinnati region, and our connections as humans throughout space and time during the BLINK parade on Thursday, Oct. 13.

The parade steps off at 7:30 pm, and participants will light up Fifth Street from Broadway to Elm streets, with a special Parade Finale near Fifth and Elm.

Parade Torchbearers

For the first time, the parade features local TorchBearers, nominated by the community, that will be carrying glowing BLINK torches 10 Torchbearers were chosen by a committee:

• Will from Make-A-Wish

• Kristen Schlotmann

• Toilynn O’Neal Turner

• Lee Turner

• Jo Martin

• Ian & Jessica Orr

• Gary Dangel

• Charlotte Reed

• Sherry Hughes

• Isaac Wright

The parade is the official kickoff to BLINK™, the nation’s largest light, art, and projection mapping experience. Sitting at the crossroads of innovative art and new technology, BLINK embodies the spirit of world-building, connecting artists who craft their own unique environments within the Cincinnati cityscape.

This free, four-night event runs from 7 to 11 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 13 through Sunday, Oct. 16.

With more than 100 installations and projections, it will hard, though not impossible, to see everything at BLINK. This year, events are broken into five zones, spanning 30 blocks from Seventh Street in Covington to McMicken Avenue. So you could do a little more than a zone a night and try to do it all.

But if you want to capture the spirit of the event and wander through all of the art and events, we’ve picked a few highlights in each zone to act as a guide.

COVINGTON

In The Middle
by Antaless Visual Design
Mother Of God Church, 119 W. Sixth St.

Through the use of lights and shadows, the expansion of time and space, the multiplication of objects, the application of physical/mathematical laws, the project appears as a continuous succession of ideas that pursue the logic of reasoning and at the same time the logic of the imagination.

Arcade of Light
by Kemper Sauce Studios
Madison Ave. and W. Fifth Street

Find an interactive collection of retro style games built on the latest in microcontroller technology. Each piece is designed to be fun and approachable, with an exaggerated scale that imparts a sense of childlike wonder. The installation draws on the unique experience of the ARCADE: where undiscovered worlds live behind blinking neon lights and a new friend may be just a quarter away.

Cinemagic
by Spotted Yeti Media
Madison Ave and Sixth St

With endless entertainment at your fingertips, it’s often a quest to find just the right thing to watch. CINEMAGIC takes you on a journey through worlds influenced by film and television masterpieces. With a touch of whimsy and magic, watch as Ms. W. Panes navigates her streaming options searching for the perfect escape to a world of make believe.

 Drawing inspiration from the building’s geometric exterior, CINEMAGIC transforms physical architecture through touchscreen navigation, opening portals to imagination.

Drone Show Viewing Area – Presented by CVG Airport
Madison Ave. at the Riverfront

The Eyes Up Drone Show – Presented by Altafiber will be visible from both sides of the river. Show times are Thursday, 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

THE BANKS

Eyes Up Drone Show – Presented by Altafiber
Smale Park

Show times Thursday, 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m

The BLINK Drone Light highlights the Suspension Bridge, using the Roebling as the back drop for the nightly shows. The show includes 300 drones for an approximately 10-minute show with a sequence of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating in harmony.  

The Banks Zone is made possible by P&G, extending its relationship that has been in place since BLINK’s inception in 2017.

“The P&G Zone is the welcome mat for BLINK greeting attendees from the highways and the bridges alike. It’s so critical for us to make a great first impression for BLINK attendees and we couldn’t do that without the partnership with P&G,” says BLINK co-founder Andrew Salzbrun.

The Golden Garden at The Black Music Walk Of Fame
by PRG
Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 25 Race St.

The Golden Garden at the new Cincinnati Music Black Walk of Fame celebrates the greatness that has risen from our city and an appreciation for the greatness that lives within each of us.

Visit for an expansive experience within the BLINK footprint that invites guests to gather, bask in the golden glow of their light, and lounge together under the stars. Within the footprint, you’ll also find the light-based installations Parastella and fences.

Enchanted Forest
by Kolar Design
Smale Riverfront Park

Wander into the Enchanted Forest, explore the secrets of the fairy trees, and discover a magical moonlit forest clearing! The Enchanted Forest at Schmidlapp Lawn is a place where you can dance, listen, relax and celebrate community throughout Blink 2022.

Fences
by Immerge Interactive
Smale Riverfront Park

Fences is an interactive light installation, where patterns are generated by the motion of foot traffic along a custom LED display. The 72-foot long and 7-foot high artwork creates lighting effects through color, shape, and brightness across 9,000 individually controlled LEDs. As viewers walk along the path, video tracking creates patterns that are displayed alongside them. Over time, the interactions layer to create generative patterns that visualize the current viewers and the history of those who have visited the space.

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

Care Bear
by Michael Coppage with Jason Snell and Adam Wicktora
Walnut and Seventh streets

Care Bear is an adaptation of Michael Coppage’s Black Box Project. The project will address current events and topics of importance in a nuanced, artistic way, celebrate Cincinnati and it's people, places and things. the goal of the project is to turn a 55ft Black man into a teddy bears, showing the softer, funnier, side and grounding him in his humanity. This extension of the Black Box project goes interactive by adding animated elements by Jason Snell and Adam Wicktora.

Fifth Third Bank Presents ElectriFi
Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets

Energy makes our lives better. It is all around us, yet we can be limited by it—by the finite amount we have and how to cleanly produce it. But not today. Today we celebrate our ability to generate energy from sustainable sources such as the sun while we reflect upon the opportunities this creates for future generations.

Featuring The ARRAY, A B!G ART work by:

• Paul Magnuson

• Devin Giles

• Laura Anzola

• Mathew Waddell

• Chris Depape

• Stephen Rhoades

• Fifth Third Bank

Mural 84.51
by Tristan Eaton

At 18, LA-born artist Tristan Eaton designed his first toy for Fisher-Price, and quickly became a driving force in the world of ‘Art Toys.’ Upon graduating from the School of Visual Arts in New York, Eaton revolutionized the art toy works as the founding creative director of the legendary KidRobot. Shortly after, he founded Thunderdog Studios, where he amassed a roster of high profile clients including Nike and Universal. In the years since, Eaton has become one of the most prominent international muralists. He earned the coveted job of rendering the classic Universal Monsters at Universal Studios and an elusive licensing deal with Marvel, kicking off the partnership with a limited run of a Marvel’s The Avengers fine art print series that sold out in just five minutes. His endeavors have also ventured into the metaverse. Eaton’s first ever animated paintings combine spray paint--one of Eaton’s most prolific mediums--and digital art--which has become wildly popular thanks to the NFT Renaissance. Eaton’s work can be seen in the Museum of Modern Art's (MoMA) permanent collection as well as the Cooper Hewitt Museum. Most recently, the Long Beach Museum Art (LBMA) hosted a 25-year career retrospective of his work.

The Manifold Potential
by Lightborne
Contemporary Arts Center

A celebratory exploration of possibilities; how the alchemies of light, sound and time can be wielded to alter the perceived world, using the iconic CAC architecture as our inspiration and canvas. We’re drawn to the anamorphic potential of animated light colliding with the structure, augmenting the perceptions of viewers with a revelry of vibrant animations that explore the lines, surfaces and volumes of the building, letting the architectural forms lead us on a journey through the manifold variations hidden within.

Frisch’s Mobile Roller Rink

During BLINK, Frisch’s Mobile Roller Rink will be popping up at Court Street Plaza, located between Vine and Walnut streets. The rink has nearly 9,000 square feet of space. Walk-ups are also welcome, cashless payments only or make a reservation.

The Frisch's Mobile Roller Rink is operated by 3CDC.

Asianati Night Market
23 W. Court St.

The first ever Asianati Night Market brings the tastes, sights, and sounds of classic Asian night markets to Court Street (between Race & Vine)!

• Asian street food stalls with curated "Night Market" menu items

• Family-friendly glow-in-the-dark activities & games

• Rows of iconic Night Market lanterns

• Asian-inspired art & light installations

Night markets have been the cornerstone of many Asian cultures for centuries symbolizing a vibrant, diverse and inclusive community experience with delicious, accessible late-night street food.

Sponsored by P&G and Frost Brown Todd.

OVER-THE-RHINE

The Inside Out
by Lightborne

 As active participants in the audio visual design field, we strive to make the impossible possible: to provide our audiences with an escape from a world of limitations, and aggravations

The engines of creativity contained within our walls are ready once more to create a shared experience with our city. Join us as the worlds we’ve created break free from the concrete confines of our physical space and transform our street and neighborhood.

TIMISIEN
Architects of Air
Ziegler Park, 1322 Sycamore St.

The luminarium is accessible to wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties. Visitors remove their shoes before entering an airlock. Once inside they can wander freely or just lay back and enjoy the ambiance of the structure.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. $15 for adults, $10 for children 2-10, under age 2 are free. Tickets can be purchased on-site or fast passes are available at zieglerpark.org.

Mr. Dynamite
by  Kyle Eli Ebersole

James Brown is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians of the 20th century. 

Brown spent the formative years of his career on the Cincinnati-based King Records label producing some of his earliest hits and providing inspiration and guidance to a generation of musicians. Highlighting the vibrant mural created by Artist Jenny Ustick and Artworks. This projection sends you on a musical journey that honors the legacy of Mr. Dynamite.

Disco Ball Y’all
by Disco Ball Y’all
Elm and 12th streets

The current Guinness World Record for largest disco ball is found on the Isle of Wight in England. This ball was confirmed as measuring nearly 33 feet in September of 2014.

Disco Ball Y’all’s vision is to create a disco ball that measures 67 feet, more than doubling the current world record. This landmark would then be gifted to the city of Louisville. Why, you ask? Here's why:

1. Louisville is the world's largest producer of disco balls.

2. This disco ball will exemplify the energy, innovation, passion, and wonderful weirdness that we know exists in our great city.

3. It is our duty as Americans to ensure that this record is broken, and the title brought to its rightful home in the good ole U.S.A.

I Am Ezz
by Jason Snell with Jim Cunningham and Citoak
1537 Republic St.

On a canvas created for ArtWorks’ 100th mural, “I Am Ezz” is an audio/visual anthem dedicated to local legend, Ezzard Charles.

In 12 verses of spoken word layered atop a record from the 1961 album, “Ezz-thetics”, “I Am Ezz” follows our unlikely hero on his epic journey from Jim Crow South through Cincinnati’s West End to an against-all-odds rise as champion of the world—inside the ring and out.

FINDLAY MARKET

The Findlay Market Zone will be home to a number of new murals which will remain a part of the city’s artistic landscape for years to come.

Sister City
by Jenny Ustick  & Sean P. Hafer
Dunlap Street

Sister City is a visual love letter to the people, history, and culture of Ukraine.

Artist team Jenny Roesel Ustick and Sean P. Hafer are University of Cincinnati DAAP Professors and active artists and designers who have teamed up to create a mural and projection mapped animation for BLINK Cincinnati 2022.

This mural, sponsored by the Cincinnati–Kharkiv Sister City Partnership, Cincy4Ukraine, and the College of DAAP at the University of Cincinnati was created to remind us of the strength and beauty of Ukrainian culture and the enduring friendships between the people of Kharkiv and Cincinnati. Sean P. Hafer and his students have created projection mapped animations to be projected onto the permanent mural.

The DogFish
by DogFish Crew

The DogFish, a historic Burning Man Art Car or “Mutant Vehicle”, has participated in the art and culture event for 23 years.

Burning Man is a week long global gathering in the Nevada desert where we come together to create a “participative temporary metropolis” based around art, music and community on the “playa”. The DogFish has returned to Cincinnati, and is creating a place to gather, dance and share some of its magic and mysticism with BLINK community.

WHO DEY!
by Lindz & Lamb

Hear that Bengal growlin’ mean and angry
Here he comes a prowlin’ lean and hungry
An offensive brute
Run, pass or boot
And defensively he's rough, tough
Cincinnati Bengals
That’s the team we're going to cheer to victory
Touchdown Bengals get some points upon that board
And win a game for Cincinnati