Kick off the weekend with us as we present our New Music Showcase at Bogart’s. The bands nominated for CEA New Artist of the Year will each perform tonight and audience members will get to vote for their favorite. The lineup: Heavy Hinges (7:45-8:15p.m.), The Natives (8:30-9 p.m.), Public (9:15-9:45 p.m.), Jeremy Pinnell and the 55's (10-10:30 p.m.), DAAP Girls (10:45-11:15 p.m.) and Ohio Knife (11:30 p.m.-midnight). Nominee R. Ring was unable to perform. The total votes will be weighted by votes from the CEA nominating committee to determine the ultimate winner. The winning band will get a show at Bogart’s and a live recording session at Ultrasuede Studio and will be announced at the CEAs Sunday, Jan. 27. Be a part of a fantastic night in local music — tickets and more info here. A stone’s throw away, at University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), the school is hosting its annual Moveable Feast fundraiser Friday. The event, which is sold-out, features a sampling of all the major talent from different CCM departments. Guests will enjoy dinner by the bite and drinks throughout CCM and performances include: musical theatre, dance, drama, opera, choral music, preparatory department, chamber music, wind symphony, piano, backstage tours and lighting demos. If you didn’t get tickets to Moveable Feast but are looking to indulge in a vast array of the arts this weekend, check out Performance and Time Arts, Friday and Saturday. Entertainment includes puppetry, poetry, dance, drama and more at Contemporary Dance Theater’s studios at College Hill Town Hall. The event begins at 8 p.m. each night; tickets are $15, $12 for students and seniors. Arnold’s Bar and Grill has been a Cincinnati institution since 1861, and has always been big supporters of local beer, music, food and causes. So it’s no surprise that Saturday Arnold’s presents Local Local Local 4, a celebration of all things — you guessed it — local. Live music from Cincy Brass starts at 9 p.m.; master distillers and owners/CEOs of local breweries will be on hand with swag and endless info on your favorite area brews and booze; a mini craft market will feature local artists; and the menu will be full of beer-infused bites and dessert specialties from Madisono’s, Bonbonerrie and Take the Cake. It all starts at 8 p.m. Winter Family Days at Newport Aquarium are in full swing every day through Feb. 28. Two children get free admission for each adult paying full price. Check out sharks, jellyfish, Mighty Mike (not to be confused with this guy) in Gator Alley and more aquatic creatures 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Stock up on used books, CD, DVDs and more at the Friends of the Public Library Winter Warehouse Sale running now through Sunday. Members get 50% off their haul Saturday and Sunday. Go here for more info.Check out our calendar for more art exhibits, theater shows, concerts and special events.

Stop by the hipster haven that is Northside Tavern this weekend as it celebrates 10 years as a neighborhood bar and live music staple. NST's 10th Birthday Bash runs 6:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday with treats from Take the Cake both nights. Tonight, there's music from You, You're Awesome, Ohio Knife and Lydia Burrell. Saturday features music from Wussy and The Tigerlilies, the first band to rock the Tavern's stage a decade ago. As always, no cover. HB, NST!Independent Spirit Award-nominated film In The Family opens at The Esquire tonight. Writer, director and star Patrick Wang will be in town for the premiere weekend, and will host a Q&A after this weekend's screenings. Check out the 8 p.m. screenings Friday and Saturday and the 1 p.m. show Sunday to meet and chat with the star. Read our review here.San Francisco dance company Robert Moses' Kin performs in town this week with Contemporary Dance Theater's Guest Artist Series. Faith and Fable was inspired by choreographer/artistic director Robert Moses' children – fairy tales, in particular. Moses reexamined moral tales and translated them into a multi-genre dance piece for all ages. Performances are tonight at Saturday at the Aronoff Center. Go here to read our interview with Moses.
LEGOs are one of those iconic toys that kids still think are cool and adults still secretly want to play with. This weekend's LEGO's KidsFest may be marketed toward youngsters, but LEGO fans of any age can be entertained for hours at this construction block convention. At the fest, you'll find a LEGO model museum (clearly not built by kids), a master builder academy, activity area, challenge zone and much more. Saturday's sessions have sold out, but there's still tickets available for tonight (4-8:30 p.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 3-7:30 p.m.) All sessions feature the same fun exhibits and activities. Find ticket information and event details here.Saturday morning, Park + Vine hosts a Grow Your Own Garden Class. Greensleeves Farm's Gretchen Vaughn will dish the dirt on growing vegetables and herbs at home with a hands-on demonstration on sowing and transplanting seeds. After the class, you'll take home a starter kit with seeds, soil and a plant. The class limited to 15 people, so RSVP at info@parkandvine.com. The workshop is $15 and runs from 10 a.m.-noon.The Newport Aquarium welcomes Mighty Mike, a 14-foot, 800-pound American Alligator this Saturday. Mike is the largest gator in the U.S. outside of Florida. The new Gator Alley exhibit will feature many species of alligators and crocodiles from around the globe. The aquarium is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Find admission and other details here. Purchase your tickets in advance to save time at the door.For more theater, visual arts and music events this weekend, check out our To Do, Music and Arts coverage.