CLASSICAL MUSIC: THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN Czech composer Leoš Janáček anticipated Hollywood by several decades when he composed an opera in 1921 based on a serialized novella that appeared as a daily comic strip in a local newspaper. The Adventures of the Vixen Sharp-Ears by Rudolf Těsnohlídek and Stanislav Lolek follows the story of a female fox who is captured by a local forester, but manages to escape, find a mate and raise a family. Janáček was also way ahead of The Lion King when he began The Cunning Little Vixen, creating a libretto that has the circle of life as its underlying theme. The brilliant score depicts the animal world and humanity with warm lyricism, gentle humor and an unflinching acceptance of nature’s cycle. CCM presents The Cunning Little Vixen Friday through Sunday at CCM’s Corbett Auditorium.
MUSIC: THE ROOMSOUNDS The past five years have been fairly auspicious for The Roomsounds. The Connecticut quartet began its musical life as a full-bore Punk band under a different name, which earned the group a slot on the Warped Tour and scored it a Warner Bros. contract. But eventual legal hassles with the label and a gnawing dissatisfaction with the limitations of its sound led the group to the momentous decision to leave New England behind and relocate to Dallas, chosen for its warmer climate and central-ish position between the coasts. Once ensconced in a barren industrial space with no amenities, the newly dubbed The Roomsounds — vocalist/guitarist Ryan Michael, guitarist Sam Janik, bassist Red Coker and drummer Dan Malone — reinvented itself as a straight-up Rock band, tapping into the ’60s vibe of Exile on Main St.-era Rolling Stones and Faces while adopting the contemporary energy of similarly inclined translators like Oasis and The Black Crowes. They play a free show at MOTR Pub. Read more in Sound Advice here.
MUSIC: TWIN LIMB Dreamy, gauzy Indie Pop outfit Twin Limb initially began with Lacey Guthrie (vocals, accordion, keys) and Maryliz Bender (drums, guitar, vocals), who entered the studio with producer Kevin Ratterman to record an album. But the atmospheric wonder that Ratterman gave Twin Limb’s sound changed the group so fundamentally that he became a full-fledged member of the band. The trio scrapped the planned full-length, instead releasing its stellar debut EP, the sparse, magical Anything Is Possible and Nothing Makes Sense, late last year. The band has been making waves on the road with its engaging, magnetic live show, which stops in Northern Kentucky Friday. Louisville band Frederick the Younger and Cincinnati’s Coconut Milk open. 8 p.m. Friday. $10; $12 day of show. Madison Live, 734 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., madisontheateronline.com.
EVENT: MONSTER JAM What do Grave Digger, Max D, Scooby Doo, El Toro Loco, Monster Mutt Dalmatian and Zombie have in common? They’re all world-famous, 1,500-horsepower trucks you can see at Monster Jam, which comes to Cincinnati on Friday. Monster Jam combines racing, freestyle competition and fan connections for a night of supersized and souped-up entertainment. Those who enjoy big trucks, neat tricks, things that have fallen and can’t get up, smashed vehicles or those who would just like to check a monster truck rally off their bucket lists should mark their calendars. Mullets aren’t required. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $10-$50. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown, usbankarena.com.
ART: SIDEREAL SILENCE AT THE WESTON ART GALLERY Shinji Turner-Yamamoto, the Japanese-born, U.S.-based artist living in Cincinnati since 2008, has received international attention for work exploring nature in new ways and in unexpected spaces. His latest show — Sidereal Silence — debuts at downtown’s Weston Art Gallery on Friday. Occupying the entire gallery, the exhibition includes a surround sound installation of waterfalls, a large-scale clear-acrylic structure that disperses water vapor, a two-channel video of waterfall loops, paintings made outdoors on raw cotton canvas with natural, organic materials and a series of smaller sculptural works focusing on crystal formations that emulate stars. Turner-Yamato discusses his work during a Gallery Talk at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Friday. On view through June 5. Free. Weston Art Gallery, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
ONSTAGE: LATIN PASSION The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra hosts special guest Juanjo Mena, who will conduct Manuel de Falla’s romantic opera La vida breve (The Brief Life), full of Flamenco dancers, colorful vocal textures and a lush orchestral score, for this weekend’s Latin Passion program. Before the opera, the evening begins with a performance of the lighthearted Fantasía para un Gentilhombre (Fantasia for a Gentleman) by soulful Spanish guitarist Pablo Villegas. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $10-$101. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatisymphony.org.
SATURDAY 09
SPORTS: FC CINCINNATI Cincinnati’s latest foray into the world of professional soccer, FC Cincinnati, hosts its home opener this weekend against Charlotte Independence. Backed by the deep pockets of owner and CEO Carl Lindner III, the organization has been upfront about its intention to eventually earn a spot in soccer’s top league in America, Major League Soccer. But first, there’s futbol to be played in the United Soccer League, where FC Cincinnati is fresh off its first victory, a 2-1 road win over Bethlehem Steel FC on April 3. The team has nabbed the University of Cincinnati’s recently renovated Nippert Stadium as its home field, where all will be welcome to wave orange and blue towels and scream every time the good guys send one across the box. Viva la vuvuzela! 7 p.m. Saturday. $10-$25. Nippert Stadium, 2700 Bearcat Way, Clifton Heights, fccincinnati.com.
EVENT: REVEL & MOONLIGHT The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company hosts a pre-party and kick-off event for its 2016 PROJECT38 Festival, the CSC’s education initiative where actors from the resident ensemble work with students at local schools over a nine-month period to co-create one of Shakespeare’s 38 works. Revel & Moonlight acts as both a fundraiser for the program and an excellent party. The night begins with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, cigars and live theatrical performances from area students, followed by dinner by the bite, more drinks and entertainment. The night continues on with dancing, more drinks and some late-night revelry (beginning at 10:30 p.m.) with music and munchies. Can one desire too much of a good thing? 6:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday. $25-$500. The Transept, 1205 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cincyshakes.com.
ATTRACTION: SEAHORSES: UNBRIDLED FUN Get up close and personal with 10 species of seahorses, sea dragons, pipefish, shrimpfish and trumpetfish at the Newport Aquarium’s newest permanent exhibit, Seahorses: Unbridled Fun. The show is being touted as the most interactive seahorse exhibit in the United States, and for good reason. A large video screen magnifies the fish as they swim and socialize, and giant seahorse sculptures give guests an even closer look at their features and details. Make sure to bring your smartphone along and play the aquarium’s Seek & Find, a game that challenges you to discover as many seahorses as possible in the Coral Reef. Opens Saturday. Free with general admission: $23.99 adults; $15.99 children 12 and under. Newport Aquarium, Newport on the Levee, Newport, Ky., 859-261-7444, newportaquarium.com.
EVENT: TARTAN DAY CEILIDH 2016 Tartan Day, a national celebration of Scottish heritage, might take place on Wednesday, but the Cincinnati Caledonian Pipes & Drums Band is bringing the party home this weekend. One of the oldest pipe bands in the country, CCP&D was established in 1912 with the mission of preserving Scottish culture and heritage with music and public events. Its annual ceilidh — Scottish for “party” — is an all-out bash. In addition to performances from the band, the day features a haggis-eating contest, treats from Scottish bakeries, a Scotch tasting and traditional dances from several local groups, including the Cincinnati Scots Highland Dancers. 6-10 p.m. Saturday. $15 adults; $8 children 11 and younger. American Legion Post 72, 497B Old State Route 74, Mount Carmel, cincypipesanddrums.org.
ART: PRICE HILL ALFOMBRAS This Saturday, Price Hill Will, with the assistance of local Guatemalan artist Hugo Stuardo Ramirez Carrasco and Price Hill artist Lizzy DuQuette, will lead the community in the Latin American tradition of making colorful sawdust carpets called “alfombras.” Traditionally, alfombra-making begins on the last Sunday before Easter and, much like the sandpainting practiced by Southwestern Native Americans or Buddhist monks in Tibet, is a reminder of the impermanence of life. There will be other art-making activities throughout the day, including opportunities to make your own mini alfombras using designs created by students at the Center for Interfaith Community Engagement, plus a concert by the MYCincinnati Bucketeers at 2:30 p.m. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Free. Warsaw Firehouse, 3120 Warsaw Ave., Price Hill, mycincinnatiorchestra.org.
ONSTAGE: GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS A-B-C: “Always Be Closing.” That’s the mantra of four desperate Chicago real estate agents, locked in close to mortal combat to become top dog. In David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize winner from 1984, these guys are selling worthless real estate to unwitting buyers and will stop at nothing — lies, bribery, betrayal, flattery, even intimidation and burglary — to make what they think of as an honest living. Cincinnati Landmark Productions takes another stab at establishing its Incline Theater in East Price Hill as a place to see serious drama. Can they sell it? Time will tell. Through April 24. $23-$26. Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre, 801 Matson Place, East Price Hill, 513-241-6550, cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com. SUNDAY 10
ATTRACTIONS: ZOO BLOOMS While the Cincinnati Zoo is known for its diverse collection of animals, it’s also home to one of Ohio’s two accredited botanical gardens. Now is the time to catch the garden at its finest with Zoo Blooms, a display of more than one million tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, flowering trees and shrubs blooming throughout the park. While the Cincinnati Zoo is known for its diverse collection of animals, it’s also home to one of Ohio’s two accredited botanical gardens. Now is the time to catch the garden at its finest with Zoo Blooms, a display of more than one million tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, flowering trees and shrubs blooming throughout the park. Zoo Blooms on display through April. Free with admission; $13-$27. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org.
ATTRACTIONS: BUTTERFLIES OF THE CARIBBEAN
Krohn Conservatory’s annual extremely popular and extremely beautiful International Butterfly Show returns with Butterflies of the Caribbean. The Caribbean is a collection of cultures and colorful islands connected by a bright blue sea, and the flora, fauna and free-flying butterflies of this exhibit reflect that whimsical seaside attitude. Find white sand, a coral reef, palm trees and an island-inspired floral display in the pinks and yellows of a Caribbean sunset. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Through June 19. $7 adults; $4 children. 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park, 513-421-5707, cincinnatiparks.com.
ONSTAGE: ANNAPURNA
Annapurna is the Hindu goddess of nourishment. It’s also the name given to one of the most dangerous Himalayan climbing peaks, the 10th highest in the world, with a horrendous fatality rate of 40 percent. That lonely, dangerous place might offer a hint as to some of the perils and pleasures of Sharr White’s new play that has appropriated this name. The comedy-drama reveals the tangled history between two once-married, ferociously damaged people who battle an avalanche of love and loss in the wilds of Colorado. Two actors familiar to ETC audiences star: Regina Pugh and Dennis Parlato. Through April 10. $28-$44. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-3555, ensemblecincinnati.org.
This article appears in Apr 6-13, 2016.
