The 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival wraps up this weekend with final performances Friday and Saturday. If you still haven’t checked out any of the freaky, funny, unique performances in this 10th annual fest, go here to check out show reviews and find a full schedule and festival guide. Cincinnati Rollergirls host their last home game of the season at the Cincinnati Gardens Saturday. The 'girls face Kitchener, Ontario’s Tri-City Roller Girls in a double-header that kicks off at 7 p.m. And it’s Fan Appreciation Night, so expect plenty of free CRG goodies throughout the night! Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door ($15/$17 for courtside seats). Happy Hour (dolla dolla beers, y’all) starts at 6 p.m. Find tickets and more info here. Last weekend, teams of filmmakers throughout Cincinnati (and across 125 other participating cities throughout the world) participated in the 48 Hour Film Project, requiring them to write, shoot and edit a movie in just two days. On Friday, they received a movie genre, character, prop and a line of dialogue to include in the short film and the rest was up to them — the finished product had to be completed by Sunday. This Sunday, the public can check out the eclectic mix of results at the Thompson House. Screenings take place at 1:30 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and admission is $10 for a single screening group, $30 for the whole day. Short Vine in Corryville is on its way to becoming the next happenin’ spot in the local arts scene. Don’t believe me? Check out the opening of 71 Gallery (2609 Vine St.) 5-10 p.m. Friday. Local artist Tony Dotson has created the space for outsider artists like himself as well as graphic designers. The gallery’s debut artist is Eye Candy Design agency’s Janet Berberich, who also works on Short Vine. Berberich also helped develop Artbeat on Short Vine, a monthly event that also kicks off Friday. Check out our feature on Dotson and Berberich here. Date Night Movies return to Washington park Saturdays this Summer but don’t let the event name fool you — anyone can enjoy these free, open-air films. The movies run 9-11 p.m. every Saturday through Aug. 17 (no movies Aug. 3-10). This week’s selection is the 1954 mystery classic, Rear Window. Go here for a full lineup of summer events at Washington Park.For more stuff to do this weekend, check out our To Do picks full calendar and Rick Pender’s Stage Door for weekend theater offerings.

• The annual food/music fest Taste of Cincinnati — Cincy’s unofficial “start of the summer” — doesn’t begin until tomorrow, but tonight you can get an outdoor music fix that couldn’t be more “summery.” Reggae Culture Splash 2013 goes down 7-10:30 p.m. tonight at Washington Park (1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine).  The event features a stellar lineup of contemporary Jamaican Reggae stars, headed up by singer/songwriter Luciano, who is credited for helping keep socially/religiously inspired Roots Reggae music thriving in the face of an increasingly electro-dependent Dancehall craze. Speaking of Dancehall, fellow Culture Splash performer Sister Nancy is credited as being the first female DJ in the genre and is also a fantastic vocalist. Also scheduled to appear are producer/artist Milton Blake, local collective Black Youth Faith and more, including DJing from I Vibez, Queen City Imperial Sound System and Frankie D.  Unlike most Washington Park concerts, Culture Splash is not a free event. Tickets for Reggae Culture Splash are $25 at the gates. The tickets will be available starting at 5 p.m. An after-party will be held at Grammer’s (1440 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine) at 10 p.m.; admission is $10 before midnight and $20 after. • For some more local Reggae flavor tonight, you can check out Cincinnati Reggae greats The Cliftones celebrate the release of their latest single, the fourth to be issued this year, with a show at Southgate House Revival in Newport. The 9 p.m. event also features performances by Magic Jackson and The Almighty Get Down.  In January, just before winning the 2013 Cincinnati Entertainment Award for “Reggae/World Music,” the group released “Hard Ground,” which was mixed by noted producer Jim Fox (who has worked with Black Uhuru, Barrington Levy, Culture and other Reggae superstars and legends). In March, The Cliftones’ “Hold Steady” was released. That one was mixed by DJ Prophesy (Bassnectar, Glitch Mob) and mastered by one of the greatest Dub producers ever, Scientist.  The ’Tones latest, “Gone (Warn Mi),” is another Prophesy/Scientist collaboration, as is the "limited release" track the group dropped on Soundcloud recently, "Run Come Down." Check both out below: Be sure to show up early to tonight's release show; free download cards for the new single will be given to the first 100 people through the door. The group will unveil another single in late June and are planning on issuing a 12-inch vinyl EP in August. The Cliftones are gradually moving toward a full-length release; it’s tentatively scheduled to drop in October. For more on the group, visit thecliftones.com.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the seventh annual OTR (that's "Over-the-Rhine," if you don't get the hip lingo) 5K Run and Summer Celebration, featuring a fine art show, food, drink and other vendors, the 5K Run and a strong lineup of local, original music in OTR's Washington Park. The festivities kick off with the 10 a.m. OTR 5K, which begins and ends at Washington Park this year. Here are the artists — including several Cincinnati Entertainment Awards nominees and winners — you can check out (on the park's Bandstand and Main Event Lawn Stage) this year. (Click each name for more info on the performer.)• The Cincy Brass (Event Lawn Stage 10:15am-11:30am)• Baoku & the Image Afro-Beat Band (Event Lawn Stage 12:00pm-12:45pm)• DAAP Girls (Event Lawn Stage 1:15pm-2:00pm)• Decker, the solo guise of Histoire singer Jane Smith. (Event Lawn Stage 2:30pm-3:15pm)• The Tillers (Bandstand 11:30am-12:15pm)• Mia Carruthers (Bandstand 12:45pm-1:30pm)There will also be the following "special appearances":Young Professionals Choral Collective (Bandstand 10:45am-11:15am)Cincinnati Opera (Bandstand 2:00pm-2:20pm)Queen City Brass Band (Bandstand 2:45pm-3:30pm) Click here for more info.

We told you a few weeks back about the lineup for the MidPoint Indie Summer concert series on Fountain Square, featuring numerous (primarily local) Indie and Rock acts every Friday this summer from 7-11 p.m. Click here for the full rundown. But there are many other popular themed nights returning this summer to both Fountain Square and Washington Park, which re-opened after a major makeover in time to introduce live music nights last summer for the first time. (Both spots are managed by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC). Fountain Square's PNC Summer Music Series will have live music five days a week, while Washington Park will host three themed music nights this summer. All events are free and a great way to enjoy our city's central districts. The concerts begin at the end of May/start of June and run through the end of August/start of September. Be sure to check the official websites of both venues for any updates, additions or cancellations. Fountain Square • Every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m., the Square presents "American Roots" night. This year, the lineup is the strongest its been, showcasing the best of Greater Cincinnati's rich Roots/Americana scene (as well as a few regional faves).  May 27 8 p.m.: Magnolia Mountain 7 p.m. Terminal Union June 4 8 p.m.: Kentucky Struts 7 p.m.: The Turkeys June 11 8 p.m.: The Tillers 7 p.m.: Tom Evanchuck June 18 8 p.m.: Dallas Moore Band 7 p.m.: Jamison Road June 25 8 p.m.: Kentucky Timbre 7 p.m.: Tex Schramm July 2 8 p.m.: Shiny and the Spoon 7 p.m.: Ten String Symphony July 9 8 p.m.: Glossary 7 p.m.: Frontier Folk Nebraska July 16 8 p.m.: Pure Grain 7 p.m.: Straw Boss July 23 8 p.m.: Jeremy Pinnell & the 55s 7 p.m.: Arlo McKinley July 30 8 p.m.: Great Peacock 7 p.m.: The Seedy Seeds August 6 8 p.m.: Bulletville 7 p.m.: Ricky Nye & Chris Douglas August 13 8 p.m.: Mason James 7 p.m.: Honey and Houston August 20 8 p.m.: Bobby Mackey 7 p.m.: Blair Carman August 27 8 p.m.: Robert Ellis 7 p.m.: Fifth on the Floor • Reggae Wednesdays return to the Square this summer, with wider-net bookings that include numerous regional and touring Reggae acts. Music runs every night from 6-10 p.m. and acts are teamed up with a DJ or DJ squad for each event.  May 29 The Ohms Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D June 5 The Zionites Summer Splash Happy Hour with Queen City Imperial Sound System June 12 Cliftones Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D June 19 Seefari Summer Splash Happy Hour with I Vibez June 26 The Drastics Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D July 3 Jah Messengers Summer Splash Happy Hour with Queen City Imperial Sound System July 10 Dougie Simpson and Faith Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D July 17 Billbuckers Summer Splash Happy Hour with I Vibez July 24 Ark Band Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D July 31 Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew Summer Splash Happy Hour with Queen City Imperial Sound System August 7 Ras Dodirie Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D August 14 Ras Gato Summer Splash Happy Hour with I Vibez August 21 Nature Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D August 28 One World Tribe Summer Splash Happy Hour with Queen City Imperial Sound System • Salsa dancers and music lovers will be happy to know that Salsa on the Square is returning this summer on Thursdays, running 7-10 p.m. As always, dance instructors will be on hand to give you pointers (if you need 'em). Music is provided primarily by some of Greater Cincinnati's finest Salsa/Latin music groups.  May 30: Son Del Caribe June 6: Kandela June 13: Zumba June 20: Tropicoso June 27: Grupo Tumbao July 4: Clave’ Son July 11: Kandela July 18: Tropiscoso  uly 25: Grupo Tumbao August 1: Zumba August 8: Azucar Tumbao August 15: Clave’ Son August 22: Brian Andres & the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel  August 29: Son Del Caribe  • Before MidPoint Indie Summer on Fridays, local club/bar conglomerate 4EG (which operates several nightclubs in the area) will present 4EG Happy Hour from 5-7 p.m. Local DJs will spin every Friday (except for Aug. 2, when local cover band Snidely Whiplash performs).  May 31: DJ Ice Cold Tony June 7: DJ Jake the Ripper June 14: DJ E-trayn June 21: DJ Identity June 28: DJ Jesse the Ripper July 5: DJ D-Lo July 12: Fuseamania July 19: DJ Tina T July 26: DJ Will Kill August 2: Snidely Whiplash  August 9: DJ Scene August 16: DJ Simo August 23: DJ Spryte August 30: TBA • One of the most popular nights on the Square during the summer is Saturdays' "Beats" night, booked by local promoter Self Diploma. The concerts run 7-10 p.m. and again feature an impressive mix of local and touring Hip Hop, Electronic and DJ acts. Among the national act highlights this year are Mod Sun, Hoodie Allen, Watch the Duck and DJ Jazzy Jeff.  June 1 10 p.m.: Chuck Inglish 9 p.m.: Puck 8 p.m.: Olu 7 p.m.: The Natives June 8 10 p.m.: DJ D-LO 9 p.m.: Cal Scruby 8 p.m.: SD Choice 7 p.m.: DJ Vizion June 15 10 p.m.: Hoodie Allen 9 p.m.:D-Why 8 p.m.: Sam Lachow 7 p.m.: Ian J June 22 10 p.m.: Mod Sun 9 p.m.: Trademark Aaron 8 p.m.: Junya Be 7 p.m.: Jean P June 29 10 p.m.: Drummer vs Emulator 9 p.m.: Firecat 451 8 p.m.: Black Signal 7 p.m.: Catch Phrase July 6 10 p.m.: Mutrix 9 p.m.: Milk N Cookies 8 p.m.: DJ X Nightmare 7 p.m.: No Limits July 13 10 p.m.: T Mills 9 p.m.: Huey Mack 8 p.m.: Santino Corleon 7:30 p.m.: Round 2 Crew 7 p.m.: Nick Youngerman July 20 10 p.m.: Collin Mcloughin 9 p.m.: Napalm 8 p.m.: X5ight 7 p.m.: DJ Sab July 27 10 p.m.: Watch the Duck 9 p.m.: Gold Shoes 8 p.m.: Vincent Vega 7:30 p.m.: DJ Rhetorik 7 p.m.: Emari J August 3 10 p.m.: Somo 9 p.m.: Arin Ray 8 p.m.: Eben Frankewitz 7 p.m.: Alabama Capital August 10 9:30 p.m.: Stafford Brothers 8:30 p.m.: Davey C 7:45 p.m.: J Hollow 7 p.m.: 4 Grand August 17 9:30 p.m.: Candyland 8:30 p.m.: DJ Prism 7:45 p.m.: B-Funk of Dave Rave 7 p.m.: Neon Medusa August 24 9-11 p.m.: DJ Jazzy Jeff 8 p.m.: Joseph Nevels 7 p.m.: Erica P Washington Park After a successful inaugural summer of events last year, Washington Park brings back three music nights, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, plus several other entertainment offerings, including "Dancing Under the Stars," an every-Tuesday dance night, with lessons that focus on different types of dancing each week. (Click below for the concert lineups.)

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With Cinco de Mayo falling on a weekend this year, you can bet the margaritas will be a-flowing at your favorite watering hole. Join us for our fourth annual Cantina Crawl Saturday for plenty of cerveza and swag at Bakersfield (6 p.m.), Nada (7 p.m.), El Coyle (8 p.m.), Pirate’s Cove (9 p.m.) and Tostado’s (10 p.m.) WARNING: Actually trying to drink at each location is probably unwise. Be safe and get yourself a designated driver! Find a full list of participating cantinas here. Photography duo The Hilton Brothers, Paul Solberg and Christopher Makos, are in town for the opening of their FotoFocus-sponsored exhibit at Miller Gallery Friday. The show features diptych photos of flowers, horses and the late, great Andy Warhol in drag. Meet the artists at Friday’s reception, 7-9 p.m. and look out for our interview with them in next week’s issue. They say April showers bring May flowers, so it makes perfect sense that this month’s Essex Studios Art Walk is themed “Bloom.” From 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, more than 120 artists will show off their floral-inspired artwork of various mediums throughout the studios. Go here for full details. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has dubbed Friday Over-the-Rhine Night with its "Fanfare for Cincinnati" concert in Washington Park. The night kicks off with a bike ride starting at the park at 6 p.m., a comedy show by OTRimprov and plenty of on-site food trucks and vendors. The CSO concert runs 8-10 p.m., followed by more eats and a performance by Young Heirlooms until 11 p.m. Find a full event lineup and ticket info here. Comic books are making a comeback! With the popularization of superhero culture and hits like The Walking Dead, the old-school media is cool once again. Celebrate Free Comic Book Day Saturday at one of many local comic shops (search here) and swing by the Main Library downtown as it presents its first ComicCon Sunday. Local writer/musician Chris Charlton will be on hand at Covedale comic book shop, Rockin’ Rooster, Saturday and at the library’s panel discussion Sunday along with many other notable local comic writers, publishers and illustrators. Check out our interview with Charlton here.For more stuff to do this weekend, check out our To Do picks, full calendar and Rick Pender’s Stage Door for weekend theater offerings.

Whether or not the weather wants to cooperate, it’s spring, dammit. So, this weekend, grab a popsicle, throw on your Easter best, go play in a park and celebrate the season — even if you have to do it while wearing a sweater. Local small-batch gourmet popsiclery streetpops opens for the season this Final Friday. Swing by the storefront at 1437 Main Street beginning at 5 p.m. for music, a photobooth, sammies from C’est Cheese and, of course, delicious and unique frozen treats. The pop shop will subsequently be open 1-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and the streetpops cart will make an appearance at various farmers markets and events through fall. You probably won’t be able to pass a yard or park this weekend without seeing neon, plastic orbs dotting the grass — it’s Easter egg huntin’ time, y’all! The newest community hunt goes down at Washington Park Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon. Local comedy troupe OTRimprov presents “The Chronicle” Saturday at Know Theatre. The improvisational comics will take “themes, ideas, characters, words and scenarios from guest storytellers and turn them into a beautifully chaotic series of improvised scenes.” Tickets are just $5 and can be purchased here. If you’re looking for new places to check out, eat, drink, shop or play, be ruse to read our Best of Cincinnati issue. From Best Burger to Best New Bar to Best Bookstore, you voted and the results are in. And don’t forget our staff picks — we have pretty good taste, too.For more stuff to do this weekend, check out our To Do page or full calendar for more events, concerts, theater shows and art exhibits.

Top o’ the weekend to ya! Whether you’re as Irish as the Blarney Stone or just enjoy a good excuse to day-drink, there are plenty of St. Patrick’s Day weekend activities for all ye lads and lassies. Kick off the holiday Saturday with the 47th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which starts at Eggleston Avenue and Reedy Street, travels north on Eggleston, west onto Central Parkway, south down Sycamore Street and east on Fifth Street. Nick Clooney serves as grand marshal for the parade, which steps off at noon. Fountain Square and Washington Park will be bustling with Irish pride on Saturday as well. Enjoy plenty of drinks, grub, live music and Celtic entertainment between bar hoppin’ from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on the Square and 8 p.m. at the park.Naturally, the Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati is also offering plenty of holiday festivities. From Irish dancers to an on-site pub, the center offers a more traditional but fun run of events Saturday and Sunday. Find a full schedule here. ReelAbilities, the film festival featuring movies made by and about people with disabilities, continues this weekend. Catch film screenings Friday and a closing event Saturday at the Contemporary Arts Center. Read our feature on the festival here. Local arts organizations have collaborated on a multifaceted performance inspired by Shakespeare’s works. Catacoustic Consort (which performs “early music” from the Renaissance to Baroque periods) and concert:nova (a chamber music ensemble that performs in unconventional spaces, blending traditional with contemporary styles) worked together with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to present a show of music performed in or drawn from Shakespeare’s plays in A Common Thread. The show takes place at Mercantile Library Sunday and Monday. Read our full feature on A Common Thread here. For more stuff to do this weekend, check out our To Do page or full calendar (with plenty of St. Patty’s Day bar events) and Rick Pender’s Stage Door for weekend theater offerings.