Movies and TV We’re Looking Forward to in 2019
A behemoth of sequels, remakes and follow-ups will hit the silver screen in 2019. (Quick shouts: It 2, Pet Sematary, Zombieland 2, Toy Story 4, Lion King, Avengers 4, Star Wars: Episode IX.) But, personally, I’m hype to indulge in Men in Black: International. Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth are the new duo — that’s…
The Boar’s Head Yule Log and Festival May Just Be Cincinnati’s Most Eccentric — and Plum Pudding-Filled — Holiday Tradition
This Cincinnati tradition celebrates 79 years of pageantry, pleated pantaloons and roasted boars' heads. This ancient Christmas festival, rooted in pagan forestry, goes back almost 700 years and symbolizes the Christ Child’s triumph over sin. Our local fest, held at Christ Church Cathedral, is modeled after one that originated at Queen’s College in Oxford, England…
The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Plays the Score of ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ Live While the Film Screens at Music Hall
Accio, orchestra! The Cincinnati Pops performs with everyone’s favorite boy wizard when the orchestra plays John Williams’ score to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets live while the film plays on a screen above the stage. The movie, which chronicles Harry’s second year at Hogwarts as he meets Tom Riddle and battles a basilisk,…
First Midnight at 3 Points Urban Brewery Has Aerial Artists, Food from Pendleton Restaurants and Glittery Beer
Ring in 2019 at 3 Points in Pendleton with an evening that includes aerial performers, body paint art and music by DJ Mike Dow. Tickets include 10 drinks (wine, beer or cocktails); food from Boomtown, Lucius Q and Nation Kitchen & Bar; and a midnight champagne toast. And, for one night only, the brewery will…
Cincinnati Country/Americana Singer/Songwriter Noah Smith Hosts a ‘Big Ol Family New Year’s Eve’ at Ludlow Garage
Country/Americana singer/songwriter Noah Smith had a great 2018, marked by the release of his debut album, Long Cut, and the birth of his third child. The Cincinnati-based musician has been writing and performing locally for more than a decade, but in 2012, he dropped his band “persona” The Gambling District and began working under his…
The Golden Retriever of Comedy — Ryan Hamilton — Does and NYE Stand-Up Set at Funny Bone Liberty
Ryan Hamilton is, to borrow an expression from fellow comedian Jackie Kashian, one of the golden retrievers of comedy; everyone’s always glad to see him. That is even truer these days in what can sometimes be a toxic climate. “I like people to come out of the show feeling good no matter what we talk…
Ring in 2019 at Rhinegeist with a Film Noir Black-and-White Theme
Rhinegeist goes film noir fantasy for their New Year’s Eve to-do with a vintage black-and-white theme. Enjoy beer, wine and cocktails while you listen to music from DJ Matty Joy in the taproom and Jess Lamb and the Factory in the event lounge. There will also be a custom photobooth and two-tone balloons will drop…
MadTree Transforms its Entire Oakley Campus into a Party Destination for New Year’s Eve
MadTree is going to be filled to the brim on New Year’s Eve with people looking to ring in 2019 with beer, bands and balloons. The brewery is transforming the taproom, beer garden and barrel warehouse into party spaces for the night complete with beer, wine and specialty cocktails plus a complimentary champagne toast at…
Downtown Karaoke Bar Tokyo Kitty Gets Super Cute for New Year’s Eve with a Kawaii Circus
Countdown to 2019, pink bubbly in hand. Tokyo Kitty will transform into a “kawaii” circus for the night, with acrobats, dancers and carnival treats. Karaoke your heart out, kid. Everyone gets access to sushi, popcorn, cotton candy and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Upgrade to VIP for a private karaoke room. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.…
Hotel Covington Offers Two Tiers of Partying (and Price Points) for Its All That Glitters New Year’s Eve Party
Head to Hotel Covington for two tiers of fun. For a general admission ticket, get access to an upstairs party with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and interactive photobooth, with light bites for purchase and a live DJ. VIP Gold guests gain access to a special Eva G. Farris Ballroom with a complimentary bar…
2019 Turns into 1920 with a ‘Gilded Eve’ NYE Party at 21c Museum Hotel
The 21c Museum Hotel is hosting a Great Gatsby-themed bash to ring in 2019 — because if you invert 2019, you get 1920. Dress in your best 1920s attire for a costume contest at 11 p.m., with prizes awarded for the best flapper and the most dapper. There will also be interactive dance performances from…
New Year’s Eve Blast on Fountain Square is a Family-Friendly Party with Booze, Food and Fireworks
Looking for a tame way to ring in 2019 with a few thousand friends? This family-friendly NYE on Fountain Square is a free dance party featuring funny games, live music and a fireworks show at midnight. Drinks and snacks will be for sale and the ice rink will be open; skate rental and rink admission…
Break Out the Juggalo Face Paint — It’s a Holiday Hangover Weekend with Twiztid
If anything, the words “two Detroit Horrorcore rappers in face paint” conjure images of Insane Clown Posse for most music fans. But in the world of juggalos, you have to be more specific. Though there is a shared aesthetic and crossover business ties with ICP, Twiztid MCs Jamie Madrox and Monoxide have achieved a lot…
Best in Show: Top TV Picks of 2018
The Golden Age of television just keeps on shining. Here are some of my favorites of the year. Amazon’s Homecoming sends its characters — and viewers — down a mysterious rabbit hole, following Heidi Bergman (Julia Roberts) during and after her stint working at a government facility for veterans. Loading an impressive amount of twisty…
Brew Year’s Day at West Side Brewing Means a Running Club, Brunch and All the Bowl Games
Get 2019 started on the right foot at West Side Brewing — by joining the inaugural West Side Brewing Running Club jaunt through the neighborhood at 10:30 a.m. If you aren’t up for that, the brewery is also serving brunch (an omelet station, bacon, sausage, etc.), releasing their Barley Wine beer in cans and hosting…
Start 2019 with a Special Screening of ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ at the Cincinnati Art Museum
The future is here at the Cincinnati Art Museum. The CAM’s Moving Images film series occurs the first Thursday of every month and screens both new and classic films that are “in dialogue with art.” This time it’s Stanley Kubrick’s eerie and dazzling sci-fi drama 2001: A Space Odyssey from 1968 to celebrate the 50th…
Curating From a Crowded Field: The Best Movies of 2018
What a year it has been for your friendly neighborhood film critic. Besides the typical responsibility of keeping a critical eye on the films opening in our market, I assumed the role of curator/programmer for the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival (newly rebranded after a strong run as ReelAbilities Cincinnati). Expanding my purview of the film…
Stick to Your New Year’s Budget Resolution with the Cincinnati Cyclones Hockey Throwback Weekend
Party with the Cincinnati Cyclones like it’s 1999 — or your New Year’s resolution was to get more serious about sticking to your budget. During Throwback Weekend, the team will be offering two opportunities for fans to grab cheap tickets and discounted eats. In addition to dollar beers, you can also find dollar hotdogs, pizza…
If You Said ‘Yes’ Over the Holidays, the Early January Wendy’s Bridal Show at the Cincinnati Convention Center Has Some Ideas for You
If you said “yes” to your honey over the holidays, bring your soon-to-be-bridal butt to the Duke Energy Convention Center for Wendy’s Bridal Show Jan. 5-6. Find more than 150 vendors covering everything you need to get ideas for your big day. There will be photographers, bakers, DJs, venues, invitation designers, dress boutiques and more.…
Some of Our Favorite Things We Saw In — and Out — of Cincinnati Galleries and Museums in 2018
In Cincinnati, 2018 very well could be dubbed the year that art crept outside the borders of a frame and into works upon we swung, skated and even ate from. It was a year marked by far-reaching regional festivals (we’re looking at you, FotoFocus), anniversaries and record-breaking shows. The Cincinnati Art Museum’s Terracotta Army: Legacy…
Impactful Shows From Cincinnati Stages in 2018
Lots of great theater happened on Cincinnati stages during 2018, making it tough to single out the “best” shows of 2018. So I’m simply offering my opinions regarding the shows that I’m still thinking about as the year draws to a close. At the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, the mainstage production that keeps coming…
East End Burger Joint Terry’s Turf Club Will Reopen Under New Ownership
Looks like East End burger joint Terry's Turf Club is set to reopen in the New Year under new ownership — at least according to the business's Facebook page. On Christmas Eve, Terry's posted that a new owner will be taking over and keeping most of the current staff — "a good Christmas present for…
A Year in CityBeat Dining Reviews: 2018
Agave & Rye 633 Madison Ave., Covington, agaveandrye.com Agave & Rye faces both Hotel Covington and The Madison Event Center and is just around the corner from the Braxton Brewing Company. With its full bar and kitchen open until 2 a.m. seven nights a week, this glossy taqueria has been an instant hit for patrons…
The Year in News: A Tragic, Jubilant Year for Cincinnati in 2018
Maybe you could say this about any given year, but 2018 in Cincinnati felt overloaded, sagging under the weight of a number of heavy local stories. There was the near-meltdown within City Hall as City Manager Harry Black faced off with Mayor John Cranley before eventually exiting just before getting fired by Cincinnati City Council.…
The Year in Greater Cincinnati Music Releases: 2018
Scroll to the bottom for a playlist of more than 100 songs released in 2018 by artists from the Greater Cincinnati area. Moonbeau – Moonbeau Cincinnati Synth Pop duo Moonbeau — led by Claire Muenchen and Christian Gough — is making some of the best music of the new wave of New Wave. On the…
Pendleton’s 3 Points Urban Brewery Adds Some Sparkle To New Year’s Eve with Glitter Beer
Pendleton's 3 Points Urban Brewery is hosting a New Year's Eve party (9 p.m.-2 a.m.; $100) with aerial artists, DJs, body paint art, food from neighbors Boomtown, Lucius Q and Nation and, since it's a brewery, plenty of drinks. Entry includes 10 drink tickets with booze ranging from wine and cocktails to beer, including a…
Union Terminal-Themed Watch Raises Money for Cincinnati Museum Center
A limited-edition watch inspired by the art deco design of Union Terminal is also benefiting the building to which it pays tribute. Cincinnati Watch Company designed the timepiece in partnership with Union Terminal, and the company is donating a portion of the proceeds to the National Historic Landmark's current occupant, the Cincinnati Museum Center, which…
These Local Officials Scored Spots on a Parks and Recreation-Themed Good Government Ranking
Three local leaders got top honors on a new good-government ranking, and it is literally blowing our minds. But let’s back up for just a minute and talk about the best part of all of this first. The 100-spot ranking is released every year by good government group Engaging Local Government Leaders, and it’s named…
Happy Hangover Cure: Queen City Radio is Offering IV Hydration, Bottomless Mimosas and a Bloody Mary Bar on New Year’s Day
Rehydrate, relax and cure your hangover on New Year’s Day at Queen City Radio. The bar will be offering sessions with local IV Hydration Boutique (yes, a mobile intravenous hydration company) like you’re a goddamn celebrity. The local company, which consists of board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners and registered nurses, has “created IV cocktails that safely…
Greg Dulli of Cincinnati Music Legends The Afghan Whigs Offers a Haunted Take on the Holidays with New Song and Music Video
From the looks of some recently posted photos on social media, Southwest Ohio native Greg Dulli appears to be cooking up something with The Afghan Whigs, the legendary AltRock band he co-founded in Cincinnati in the ’80s. But in the meantime, Dulli has given fans a little holiday treat very much in the moody, melancholic…
Recommended Greater Cincinnati Concerts for the Week of Dec. 20-23
THURSDAY 20 THE COMET–Christmas Schmidtacular featuring The Steve Schmidt Organ Trio and Friends. 8:30 p.m. Holiday Jazz. Free. THE GREENWICH–Phil DeGreg & Friends. 8:30 p.m. Brazilian Jazz. $5. LUDLOW GARAGE–Reina del Cid. 8:30 p.m. Indie Folk. $12-$35. MOTR PUB–Parker Gispert with Human Heart. 10 p.m. Alt/Rock/Various. Free. THE REDMOOR–“Island Christmas Holiday LIVE” with The Merry…
Voting is Live for the 2019 Best Of Cincinnati Readers Poll
It's time for the 23rd annual Best of Cincinnati Readers Poll. Your votes will determine the area's best restaurants, bars, arts organizations, retail stores, services, parks, media personalities, sports teams, politicians, causes and urban experiences. The ballot is organized into six major sections: Eats, Shops & Services, Arts & Culture, Music & Nightlife, Sports and…
Federal Judge in Ohio Allows Massive Opioid Suit to Go Forward
A lawsuit against drug companies by municipalities across the country including Cincinnati will go forward after a decision by federal judge in Northern Ohio yesterday. U.S. District Court Judge Dan A. Polster, who sits on the bench in the Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division in Cleveland, refused a motion from drug companies to dismiss…
The Aronoff Center Just Released More (Albeit Limited) ‘Hamilton’ Tickets
Fans, rejoice: you still have a chance to snag Hamilton: An American Musical tickets. For the uninitiated: The rapped and sung musical, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, follows the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton. (Here's the soundtrack on Spotify in case you need to beef up.) As reported by Fox19, the Cincinnati Arts Association confirmed earlier today…
Pleasant Ridge’s Share: Cheesebar Now Offers DIY Fondue Kits
Share: Cheesebar's Wednesday night Fondue For Two event is a cheese lover's dream. If you haven't made it to the weekly event, the cheese shop offers a shareable pot of housemade fondue with dippable options for vegetarians and meat-eaters, including things like potatoes, broccoli, apples and sausage. They also run a half-price wine special for the evening,…
The Italian-American Holiday Feast of the Seven Fishes at The Presidents Room Offers Much Seafood — and Wine
The Feast of the Seven Fishes aka the Festa dei sette pesci is an Italian-American dinner party of multiple fish dishes that honors the Dec. 24 vigil held to wait for the birth of little baby Jesus. (It is tradition to abstain from eating meat until Christmas Day, so fish must die.) The Presidents Room…
Latkapalooza 2018 Takes Over Pendleton’s 3 Points Urban Brewery
The Jewish Federation’s Young Adult Division and Meyerson JCC host this annual dance party featuring drink specials, Kosher snacks and raffle prizes. As they say, skip the Szechuan and sweatpants and spend the evening drinking and dancing instead. Open to ages 21-45. 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Monday (Dec. 24). Free admission. 3 Points Urban Brewery, 331…
Straight No Chaser Brings Some A Cappella Christmas Music to the Taft
If you like your music without instruments, you’re going to love 9-person a cappella group Straight No Chaser. The YouTube sensation which originated at Indiana University has developed into a full-fledged phenomenon with seven Atlantic Records releases, including One Shot, just released Nov. 2 and full of hits like “When a Man Loves a Woman”…
Hike in the Dark During This Winter Solstice Celebration at Rowe Woods
Hike Rowe Woods by the light of the moon to reflect on the ancient tradition of observing the winter solstice aka the longest night of the year aka the official first day of winter. Learn about the event’s both modern-day and historic symbolism, and the significance of the solstice as we look to spring. Enjoy…
Gabe Kea Does a Pre-Christmas Stand-Up Set at Go Bananas
“I have been living in Cincinnati for about nine years and cannot imagine living anywhere else,” says comedian Gabe Kea, who grew up in St. Louis. “I eat my chili over spaghetti now; I call the grocery store ‘Kroger’s,’ when it is actually just Kroger; and make fun of the other side of the city…
Cincinnati Park Board Says No to CCAC in Burnet Woods
The Cincinnati Park Board of Commissioners today voted against allowing a nonprofit arts group to build a facility in Burnet Woods, the 90-acre woods wedged between Clifton, University of Cincinnati and Avondale, but did vote to let another, smaller project go forward. A number of supporters came out to speak for the Clifton Cultural Arts…
Cincinnati’s Eco Friendly Eats and Sustainable-Leaning Restaurants
As consumers, it can be hard to buy the things we want while being conscious of how our decisions affect the environment. Choosing to eat at establishments making an effort to reduce their carbon footprints can make your belly and the planet a little happier. While these aren’t the only Cincinnati restaurants that have decided…
This Year’s Crop of Deluxe Music Box Sets Offers Quick and Easy Last-Minute Gift Ideas
One of the best and easiest gifts to get at the last minute for the holidays is a good old hard copy music release. Everybody likes music and it’s nice to unwrap something that’s not a gift card. If you’re shopping to impress, a box set can drop jaws, particularly if you splurge for a…
Cincinnati Musicians Scotty McEvoy and Mark Becknell Bring Island Christmas Holiday Sounds to Mount Lookout
Love Christmas music but hate cold winter weather? Two Cincinnati musicians —Scotty McEvoy (The SunBurners) and Mark Becknell (Queen City Silver Stars) — have devised just the event for you this Thursday, Dec. 20 at The Redmoor (3187 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, theredmoor.com). “Island Christmas Holiday LIVE” will feature The Merry Gentlemen, a new band…
