Jesse Elliott pursued a variety of ventures — international human rights law, economics writing, community non-profits, deli service — before returning to songwriting, his first and best love. Elliott formed These United States and embarked on a sonic mission to craft complex and engaging story-songs set to a soundtrack that somehow touches on a dozen different contemporary musical styles.   

We live in an answer-fueled society today. Search engines are the go-to solution for every problem or tinge of curiosity — Google knows us as well, if not better, than we know ourselves.   

Consistently exciting and breathtakingly brilliant Portland Cello Project mixes original compositions with powerful baroque Classical rearrangements of slamming Hip Hop tracks. PCP’s new album, the just released Homage, features cover art that leans in the direction of Rousseau while pumping out Mozart-y versions of Lil Wayne’s “She Will,” Kanye West and Jay-Z’s “That’s My Bitch” and Outkast’s smash hit “Hey Ya,” which one might suspect will have you shaking it like a Gainsborough oil portrait.   

A recent trip to Wisconsin reaffirmed for me the exciting correctness of the Cincinnati Art Museum’s efforts to build collections in Folk/Outsider Art and Contemporary Crafts. This year, the museum has displayed work from two new collections — Chicago collector Robert Lewis’ Outsider Art and Cincinnati collectors of Contemporary Craft Nancy and David Wolf.  

Considering the state of the economy, it might seem daring for a new commercial gallery dedicated to contemporary art to open its doors. But the brand new PAC Gallery in East Walnut Hills, set for a grand opening 5-8 p.m. Saturday, is not only opening but is also devoting its first show to contemporary art from India.   

Small Streams-2, the newest offering from Cincinnati Choreographers’ Collective this weekend at Contemporary Dance Theater’s College Hill Dance Hall, features the diverse work of eight highly regarded choreographers in two full-length evening performances.  

Noticing how individual works play off each other can give a new slant to looking at an exhibition, allowing you to think like a curator. Contemporary Printmaking at Manifest Gallery offers such a rewarding opportunity.   

One aspect of contemporary dance I appreciate is that, for the most part, you can never really be certain of what you're going to see. This notion also becomes a reason why too many people avoid it: They don't know what to expect; perhaps they fear they won't get it.   

This month, Jessica Flores begins her important new job as associate curator of contemporary art at the Cincinnati Art Museum.