Downtown and Over-the-Rhine Events
October 27 – 29, 2017
More events at www.downtowncincinnati.com
Art in Bloom
Cincinnati Art Museum
Through Sunday, Oct. 29
www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/events-programs/fundraisers/art-in-bloom/
A biennial fall celebration of fine art and floral designs, Art in Bloom, returns to the Cincinnati Art Museum. The ninth Art in Bloom features special events, family friendly activities, docent-led tours and demonstrations by curators and floral arrangers.
Art in Bloom display approximately 70 arrangements from local garden clubs, professional designers, groups and individuals paired alongside works from the museum’s permanent collection, including paintings, ceramics and sculptures.The floral designers’ sculptures will emphasize, challenge and build upon elements and concepts within a selected work of art, creating a dialogue between the two pieces.
Art in Bloom’s 2017 featured work of art is the whimsical Vaudeville (circa 1982) by Lenore Davis, a fabric artist working in the latter half of the twentieth-century, living and working in Newport, Kentucky. Much of Davis’ work centers on the idea of the body in motion and intermingled human forms. She used fabric because of its inherent versatility of its function in everyday life.
Art in Bloom is free to attend from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. and during Art After Dark on Friday, Oct. 27 from 5–9 p.m. Docent-led tours are free, but reservations are required. Special events including Evening in Bloom, High Tea and Lecture with Dennis Buttleworth and Debbie Oliver, and Jazz in Bloom require tickets, pricing varies.
The O’Keeffe’s Ice Rink, Presented by Fifth Third Bank
Friday, Oct. 27, 12 p.m.Fountain Square, Fifth & Vine Streets
https://myfountainsquare.com/features-of-the-square/fsq-ice-rink/
The outdoor ice arena that will take over Fountain Square from Halloween through President’s Day. The rink includes admissions and rental tents with 600 pairs of skates; a full-service concessions tent with hot and cold snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Pre-Holiday Hours (Oct 27 – Dec 14)
Monday – Thursday: 12 o 10 p.m.
Friday: 12 to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thanksgiving Break, November 23-27, 9 a.m. to 11p.m.
Holiday Hours (December 15 – Jan 1)
Monday – Sunday: 9a to 11p
Post-Holiday Hours (Jan 2 – Feb 19)
Monday – Thursday: 12p to 5p
Broomball: 6p to 10p
Friday- Sunday 12p to 9p
Amenities include skate rental, lockers, benches, and concessions options.
The ice rink is available for private rental and groups. See below for information.
Cost: $6.00 admission and $4.00 skate rental. Payable by cash or credit card. Children under 55 inches must be accompanied by an adult while on the ice. Admission and skate rental close one hour before the rink closes. Times are subject to change due to weather or special events.
Although the rink can stay cold up to about 60 degrees air temperature in dry weather, warm temperatures with high humidity or rain can make the rink unskatable and cause it to be closed temporarily.
Peter Pan Jr.
Friday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 28 at 2 and 5 p.m.
Sunday, October 29 at 2 p.m.
Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St.
Peter and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbell, visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night and, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget. In the adventure of a lifetime, the travelers come face to face with a ticking crocodile, a band of bungling pirates and, of course, the villainous Captain Hook. Peter Pan JR. is the perfect show for the child in all of us.
A Musical Based on the Play by Sir J.M. Barrie. Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh. Music by Morris (Moose) Charlap. Additional Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Additional Music by Jule Styne. Originally directed, choreographed and adapted by Jerome Robbins.
Cincinnati Ballet: Romeo and Juliet
Music Hall, 1241 Elm St.
Friday, October 27, 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 28, 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 29, 2017, 1 an d6:30 p.m.
Cincinnati Ballet returns to the newly renovated Cincinnati Music Hall with Victoria Morgan’s passionate Romeo & Juliet.
Victoria Morgan brings the most well-known love story of all time, Romeo & Juliet, to life with a dazzling blend of dance and drama. Shakespeare’s legendary tale, written nearly 420 years ago, continues to captivate audiences with the unfolding of a great romance destined for tragedy.
Morgan’s Romeo & Juliet was last performed in 2013. The performance is set to Sergei Prokofiev’s breathtaking score, performed live by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and conducted by Cincinnati Ballet Music Director, Carmon DeLeone.
This season’s production will be part of the five-week Music Hall Grand Opening celebrations. The Company joins Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras, Cincinnati Opera, and May Festival, as a Music Hall resident performing company with three total productions this season, leading with Romeo & Juliet and followed by The Nutcracker in December, and Carmina Burana + Serenade in February, 2018.
Music Hall, one of the nation’s most treasured performance venues, has undergone a major renovation. A welcome addition, a rehearsal studio for the Company has been created and includes sprung floors and ballet barres.
Dada Rafiki: A Celebration Of Sisterhood
Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St.
Friday, Oct.27, 7 p.m.
Award-winning Artist/Poet Annie Ruth and the Cincinnati Arts Association are proud to present Dada Rafiki: A Celebration of Sisterhood, an empowering, inspirational cultural gathering celebrating remarkable women in the community by honoring their spirit and the legacy of their service and accomplishments.
Dada Rafiki (pronounced Dah-Dah RAH fee- KEE), which translate to “sister friend,” is an empowering, inspirational cultural gathering created by acclaimed artist/poet Annie Ruth to celebrate remarkable women in the community. She has partnered with the Cincinnati Arts Association to bring together women from all walks of life throughout the region.
Dada Rafiki showcases multiple artistic forms, such as spoken word, music, song from several genres, various types of dance, and visual art -- all in one setting. The event incorporates mainstream as well as lesser known, but up-and-coming, performances in the vocal and gospel arts, the visual arts, dance, and inspirational spoken word to uplift and praise the awe-inspiring “everyday” women in our community.
Featured artists include world touring singer-songwriter Dee Dee Foster; nationally acclaimed dancer/choreographer and Taft Museum of Art 2017 Duncanson Artist in Residence Stafford Berry; a regional and community-wide mass choir under the direction of Dr. Catherine Roma; Emmy-award winning Spoken soul artist JaHipster; and Gospel Artist Janice Napier and a host of distinguished performing artists.
Books by the Banks Book Festival
Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St.
Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more than a decade, the region’s biggest and best book festival, Books by the Banks, has brought the best in literature to downtown Cincinnati. This year’s festival is no different and will feature over 130 authors, as well as literary themed activities for all ages.
Many bestselling national authors have already joined the lineup
- Kate DiCamillo, the author of “Because of Winn Dixie” and one of only a handful of people to have been honored with not one, but two Newbery Medals.
- Lauren Oliver, best-selling author of many young adult novels, including “Before I Fall,” which was recently adapted as a major motion picture.
- Stephanie Powell Watts, a literary newcomer but already an award winner with her novel “No One is Coming to Save Us.”
- Matt Bellassai, Buzzfeed writer and YouTube sensation.
- Gretchen Carlson, returns to Cincinnati — she cut her teeth as a reporter for WCPO before heading to Fox News. She has now become a spokesperson against sexual harassment in the workplace with her book “Be Fierce.”
- It is again a banner year for children’s authors including Rafael Lopez, Ben Clanton, Will Hillenbrand, Loren Long, Chris Grabenstein and many more.
In addition to the Author Pavilion, where visitors can buy books and get them signed, there are many more activities during the Festival. The popular Kids’ Corner will feature a “Farm” theme and includes free balloon sculptures, face painting and acts by top-notch children’s performers.
There is also a Teen Scene packed with special events just for teens, including V.I.P. author meet-and-greets, maker-activities with special guest HIVE 13, a spooky photo booth, ‘tattooing’ by henna artists, and lessons on how to apply stage make-up for Halloween.
The popular Writing & Getting Publishing series returns this year with panel discussions covering hot topics for writers and workshops to help hone the craft.
Macy's Family Festival: Street Art
Saturday, Oct. 28, 12 – 3 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St.
www.contemporaryartscenter.org/calendar/2017/10/28/macys-family-festival-street-art
Celebrate the opening of the UnMuseum’s newest mural, inspired by Swoon’s community- focused street art and designed by local high school students in collaboration with Reverb’s Michelle D’Cruz during this free event. Visit the 6th floor to see create temporary graffiti art, experiment with kid-friendly spray paint and work together on collaborative art making.
DesignBuildCincy
Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Music Hall, 1241 Elm St.
Meet with the city’s best designers, architects, contractors, retailers and craftsmen to take your project to the next level. DesignBuildCincy is a curated, intimate home show that gives you the opportunity to meet artisans and fabricators who can build anything.
From kitchen designers to cabinetmakers, architects to remodelers, ironworkers to artisans, see companies you would not normally see at other Home Shows.
Enjoy and use the Cincinnati Design Experience by Urban Blooms and Modern Makers to network and linger with friends or designers, craftsmen and contractors who you meet at the show. CDX is a collaboration of artists, underground creatives and emerging designers working together to create three themed and furnished social hubs at DesignBuildCincy for visitors and vendors to discuss their dream projects or just relax in a room filled with many of Cincinnati’s most creative people.
Beyond the main expo portion, DesignBuildCincy will include multiple events at multiple venues. Next door to the Music Hall expo, at historic Memorial Hall, attendees can sit in on talks by heavy-hitting design and architecture experts like Chip Wade from HGTV. On Saturday afternoon, Soapbox will host a speaker series as part of the day's activities.
In addition to the normal exhibitors at the show, a Cincinnati Design Experience will feature three distinct themed and furnished "social hubs" for attendees. These gathering spaces are being designed and curated by local creatives and will be available to use during the duration of the two-day event
Sunday afternoon, attendees are invited to the Doors Open OTR architectural tour, presented by the Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati. The free, self-guided tour will give attendees a behind-the-scenes peek at over 25 unique venues and organizations that are contributing to the neighborhood's growth.
Fall Fest Weekend
Washington Park, Elm and
Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29, 12 to 6 p.m.
Enjoy a weekend of family-friendly fun, with a jam-packed entertainment lineup for all ages. There will also be local vendors selling craft & homemade items, baked goods & more. Children can enjoy a pumpkin patch, Halloween crafts with Happen Inc, the Sunrock Farms animal education farm, facepainting, and more.
Entertainment lineup:
Saturday
12to 1 p.m.: Madcap Puppet Show
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Andy Hopkins
3 to 4 p.m.: Comet Bluegrass All Stars
4:30 to 6 p.m.: Bulletville
Sunday
12 to 1 p.m.: Casey Campbell Folk Kids Trio
1:30 to 2:30 p.m : Magician- Charlie Cadabra
3 to 4 p.m.: Casey Campbell
4:30 to 6 p.m.: Wilder
Enjoy food from The Arepa Place, Goldstar Chilimobile, Davis Cookie Collection, Smooth Nitro Bike, five one three bagel co, and others. Vendors include, Heather’s Peddlers, Usborne Books & More, Bundle Up Crochet, Chesnut Street Studio, and Ten Thousand Villages/
Carol Ann’s Carousel Trick or Treat Event
Oct. 28, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Carol Ann's Carousel, 8 W Mehring Way,
www.cincinnatiparks.com/event/cacs-trick-or-treat-event/?instance_id=17634
Come whirl inside at Carol Ann’s Carousel for aTrick or Treat Event/ Enjoy family friendly crafts, coloring, games and contests! Come dressed in your costume to receive a free ride on the Carousel, and $1.00 off coupon for Krohn Conservatory’s Cincinnati Choo Choo Holiday Show! Enter into the ‘Best Dressed Like a Carousel Character’*Contest, for a chance to win a basket full of Park goodies, valued at over $60! Seeing you at the Carousel will be a ‘treat’ for the animals!
Howl-O-Ween Party
Saturday, Oct. 28 at 1 – 3 p.m.
Rover The Rhine
910 Race St.
Lots of fun will be unleashed at Rover the Rhine’s inaugural Howl-O-Ween party. Have fun getting spooky with some furry friends with a photo booth, paw-rade, and costume contest, while raising money for Pets In Need, which provides affordable, high-quality veterinary care to people with limited means.
The go Vibrant Zombie Walk
Saturday, Oct. 28 from 2 – 4 p.m.
Smale Riverfront Park
The go Vibrant’s Million Step Challenge is wrapping up with a thriller of an event! Dress like a zombie or in a Halloween costume and walk the final two miles of the go Vibrant Million Step Challenge. In May, go Vibrant teamed up with 15 neighborhoods around Greater Cincinnati this summer to launch the “One Million Step Challenge.” The challenge highlighted the neighborhoods of East Walnut Hills, Northside, Pleasant Ridge, Downtown, Golf Manor, Delhi, Evanston, Walnut Hills, Madisonville, Avondale, Clifton, Covington, Mt. Adams, Mt. Washington, Newport but was open to all neighborhoods and residents of the Greater Cincinnati area.
T-shirts, goodies and ghouls, and prizes for best Zombie Walk and Costume. The event is free but a $20 donation to go Vibrant is suggested.
Secret Garden Halloween Party
Saturday, October 28, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
21c Museum Hotel, Walnut St.
www.metropoleonwalnut.com/news/2017/secret-garden-halloween-party/
On Devil’s Night, enveloped in darkness, the main ballroom will be transformed into a secret garden for revelers to mingle with the unknown. Dancing. Costumed entertainment. Exclusive art viewing. Cocktails and music.
For one night only, an exclusive viewing of artworks from the 21c collection will be shown including, The Masked Ball by Yinka Shonibare M.B.E. (British-Nigerian) to inspire mystery and enchantment. Take your pick of spooky libations from Metropole and dance the night away to music. Be sure to watch out for apparitions lurking in the shadows! Costumes are encouraged. Entry is a suggested donation of $10, which will go directly to ArtWorks.