13 Things to Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (June 17-19)
Friday, June 17 Water Slide World Record Attempt at Coney Island This weekend, Coney Island will attempt to set a world record for the most people down a water slide in 24 hours. The fun will happen on the green Twister, a 45-foot-high water slide that features four separate chutes that twist and turn over…
The Black Pearl Experience Hosts Social Events for Greater Cincinnati’s Black Queer Community
“For a good four hours, come and be free.” That’s what The Black Pearl Experience co-founders Latoya Watson and Darrah Dunn want for the attendees of their social events — freedom to dance, drink, socialize and come as they are. In the spaces they create, they hope to foster joy, connections and a sense of…
The Taft Museum of Art’s Newest Exhibit Brings Costumes from Film Adaptations of Jane Austen’s Novels to Life
Get ready to promenade at the Taft Museum of Art this summer: Fashion & Sensibility made its North American debut on June 11. Traveling from London, England, the exhibition features costumes from a number of acclaimed film adaptations of Jane Austen’s beloved novels. On display in the Fifth Third Gallery and throughout the Taft historic…
Sample Beers From 100 Breweries at Jungle Jim’s International Craft Beer Festival
Need to make plans for Father’s Day this weekend? Jungle Jim’s International Market is hosting the 15th annual International Craft Beer Festival June 17 and 18, where you can sample among 400 lagers, ales, ciders, seltzers, canned cocktails and more made by 100 craft breweries from around the world (with a solid lineup of local…
Bloom OTR Nightclub to Open in Former Below Zero Lounge Space
The former home of a beloved local LGBTQ+ institution is getting new life with the opening of Bloom OTR. The inclusive nightclub is taking over the space previously occupied by Below Zero Lounge — the nationally recognized bar that closed in April after 15 years. Bloom is slated to open on June 24, in…
Even Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow Is Calling for Better Gun Control Laws
In the wake of the ongoing gun massacres that have become weekly – if not daily – in the United States, everybody has an opinion about what should be done to stop the bleeding. This week, a local sports hero finally gave his. During a June 14 Cincinnati Bengals press conference, quarterback Joe Burrow told…
Best Cincinnati Fringe Festival Shows to Catch Before Festival Ends, According to CityBeat’s Theatre Critic
The final day with a full slate of performances for the 2022 Cincinnati Fringe Festival is Friday, June 17. On Saturday, June 18, three encore presentations will be offered on Know Theatre’s mainstage, with a larger seating capacity than the classroom venues in the Art Academy of Cincinnati. CityBeat’s theatre critic Rick Pender recruited a…
Black Lives Matter Mural Outside City Hall is Getting a Refresh
The Black Lives Matter mural outside City Hall is getting a touchup. Black Art Speaks, the non-profit behind the mural’s creation, will be on Plum Street Wednesday June 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. refreshing the outline of each letter in the mural. The project will be open to the public and will feature…
Cincinnati Public Schools Won’t Allow Teachers to Carry Guns, Bucking New Ohio Republican Law
Many teachers throughout Ohio have pushed back as state lawmakers took steps to add more guns to school campuses. And now that a new law is in effect permitting teachers to be armed with little training or planning, a local school district is saying no way. The Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education passed a resolution…
Ghost Baby in Over-the-Rhine Named One of ‘The Best Bars in America’ by Esquire Magazine
Over-the-Rhine’s bar scene has really been popping off in recent years and now has even received some national recognition. On June 15, Esquire Magazine released its 2022 list of “The Bar Bars in America” which included Cincinnati’s Ghost Baby. The magazine describes this list as “25 worthy locations for a big night out.” This literal…
Gov. Andy Beshear Appoints Members to Advisory Committee Exploring Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Kentucky
Gov. Andy Beshear has announced the 17 members of the Team Kentucky Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee, who will help him explore legalizing medical marijuana through executive action after the state legislature failed to push a bill through at this year’s session. “Polling suggests 90% of Kentucky adults support legalizing medical cannabis, while at the same…
Cincinnati Abortion Doulas Will Continue Care, With or Without Roe v. Wade
Even as a decision on Roe v. Wade approaches, those that help abortion patients through the process say it will not spell the end of abortion care, just a change in the way it’s done. “I don’t want Ohio to become one giant health care desert in terms of abortion access, but that looks like…
Cheers the 150th Anniversary of the Purple People Bridge with a Big Bourbon Bash
Help the Purple People Bridge say cheers to 150 years with a Big Bourbon Bash on June 16. Held from 5-9 p.m., the party will feature bourbon, cocktails and city views. Area craft distilleries Boone County, Brain Brew, Cincinnati Distilling, Karrikin Spirits Co., Neeley Family, New Riff, Northside Distilling and Pensive will be on hand…
With an Excessive Heat Warning in Effect, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Open Public Cooling Shelters
Cincinnati is facing record-high temperatures this week, and the county and city are hoping to offer some relief to residents in the form of cooling shelters. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission has announced it will be opening its rec centers — save for those in Bond Hill and Winton Hills, which are closed due to power…
In Advance of Upcoming Cincinnati Show, Zombies Singer Reflects on Band’s Decades-Long Career
The Zombies singer Colin Blunstone didn’t intend to become a singer in a rock ’n’ roll band. Inspired by his five uncles, whom he says were all multi-instrumentalists, Blunstone originally just wanted to play guitar. “I pleaded with my parents to buy me a guitar,” he says via phone from his home in England. “When I…
Drink Schnapps and Eat Schnitzel at Schützenfest Cincinnati, America’s Oldest German Festival
Carrying the title of America’s oldest German festival, Cincinnati’s Kolping Society is hosting the 156th Schützenfest this weekend at its headquarters in Mount Healthy. Translated as “The Marksman’s Festival,” the original Schützenfest began in the 15th century when, according to the legend, a German marksman shot an eagle that attacked a child. When German immigrants settled…
Cincinnati Burger Week to Bring Discounted Gourmet Burgers to Area Eateries in July
Cincinnati Burger Week is coming back for its 8th year this July. From July 11-17, local restaurants are showing off their creative takes on the staple during this annual burger-themed restaurant week. “We are excited to present the 8th Annual Cincinnati Burger Week lineup with many old favorites and new first year participants as well.…
A Strawberry Supermoon Will Rise Over Cincinnati Tonight. Here’s How to See It
Cincinnati’s night sky will be offering a sweet surprise on the evening on June 14: a Strawberry Supermoon. This big, bright full moon will rise from the southeast and “appear large and golden-hued” — not pink — according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. It will reach maximum illumination at 7:52 a.m. EST, but those in…
84,000 Duke Energy Customers in Greater Cincinnati Still Without Power After Raging Storm
At 5 p.m. Monday in Cincinnati, the sky turned grey and clouds began spitting rain. An hour later, the region was fighting a windy, rainy, violent storm that would scatter debris and cause major damage. As of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, about 84,000 Duke Energy Customers throughout Greater Cincinnati are still without electricity after the June…
Downtown Skyline Location Reopens With New Walk-Up Window
The Court and Vine Street Skyline location has officially reopened. Skyline shared on Instagram that the spot is open and now has a walk-up window where you can place your order outside. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skyline Chili (@officialskylinechili) The store is only open Monday through Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. …
Celebrate National Bourbon Day with Drink Deals on Northern Kentucky’s B-Line Bourbon Trail
National Bourbon Day is June 14 and there’s no better place to be to celebrate than in Kentucky, home of the coveted spirit. Locally, The B-Line — an extension of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour — and tourism organization meetNKY are combining to offer special spirits, drink deals and events at participating locations. “National…
Gov. Mike DeWine Signs Bill Allowing Teachers to Carry Firearms in the Classroom
Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation on June 13 that could allow teachers to carry firearms in the classroom. House Bill 99 grants local boards of education authority to decide whether to allow their teachers and school workers to carry firearms. Whether the bill establishes a quantitative legal minimum has been disputed. However, it says local school…
Juneteenth Celebrations Continue Throughout Greater Cincinnati
On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that enslaved African-Americans were now free and that the Civil War had finally ended — two and a half years after U.S. President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Festivities ensued. And now more than 150 years later, June 19 or…
‘Memoria’ is a Strange Hallucinogenic Trip That Promises to Artfully Mess With Your Mind
Film buffs have a term for movies that don’t follow any predictable narrative arc or patterns of character development, yet nevertheless qualify as “storytelling.” They’re “mess with your head” movies, meaning they really keep your brain on its toes trying to figure out what’s going on when and where. Or why. It’s a tough approach…
Explore the Hidden Gardens of Mount Adams During a Sunset Garden Stroll
The private gardens of one of Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhoods will be on full display during a walking tour on June 14. Mount Adams’ Sunset Garden Stroll invites attendees on a self-guided jaunt to explore seven of the area’s backyard gardens and verdant public spaces. Started in 1998, the event “shows unique ways to create a…
Northern Kentucky Diner Named One of America’s Best by ‘Food & Wine’ Magazine
If you need a goetta fix anytime day or night, one Northern Kentucky diner offers the best bites in the country, at least according to a recent write-up in Food & Wine magazine. The national publication released its list of “The Best Diners in Every State,” and named Anchor Grill as Kentucky’s top spot. The cult-favorite…
BLINK Parade Returns in October to Illuminate Cincinnati
Beloved light and art festival BLINK is returning to take over Cincinnati in October. And so is the illuminated BLINK parade. On Oct. 13, parade participants will help kick off the weekend-long festival with a glowing procession themed after “Together: a constellation of shared cultures and unique identities; we illuminate joy through creative expression.” Led by…
Campaign Watchdogs Sue J.D. Vance Campaign, Super PAC Over Alleged Covert Website Scheme
The Campaign Legal Center and End Citizens United are suing J.D. Vance’s campaign committee and the super PAC Protecting Ohio Values for alleged illegal in-kind contributions during this year’s U.S. Senate primary election. The lawsuit, filed earlier this week, was first reported by The Daily Beast. It points to a covert website, uncovered by Politico last…
Counterfeit Pills Laced With Fentanyl Influencing Ohio’s Historic Overdose Rates
Ohio’s overdose crisis has been heavily linked to the use of prescription painkillers or heroin, but it is not the case anymore. Health officials now warn historic levels of overdose deaths are being exacerbated by the availability of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, a potent and deadly synthetic drug. Shabbir Imber Safdar, executive director of…
Rooftop Pop-Up Parties Return to Northern Kentucky’s New Riff Distilling
New Riff Distilling in Newport is welcoming in summer with a series of rooftop pop-up parties. Called “Riff Tops,” the events include “inventive cocktails, beloved classics, flights, exclusive single barrel selections, neat pours, beer, wine and limited snacks,” per a release. There will be views of the Cincinnati skyline as well as specialty drinks like…
Ohio’s Only Transgender Female High School Varsity Athlete Discusses Impact of Trans Sports Bill
Ember had only just made varsity when she learned about the state legislation that would block her from playing softball. To say she made varsity is something of a stretch. Her northeast Ohio high school team is short on players. It has no junior varsity counterpart. There aren’t even enough athletes to keep up a summer…
Louisville Rapper Jack Harlow to Kick off ‘Come Home The Kids Miss You Tour’ in Cincinnati This Fall
Rapper, songwriter and producer Jack Harlow — who hails from nearby Louisville — is coming to Cincinnati this September. Harlow will be kicking off his “Come Home The Kids Miss You Tour” at the Andrew J Brady Music Center on Sept. 5. Harlow will be performing with Miami-based rap duo City Girls, known for songs like “Act…
George Clooney Is Going After Jim Jordan, and 9 Other Greater Cincinnati Stories You May Have Missed This Week
Another week, another mass shooting, it seems. The nation continues to unravel what really happened in Uvalde, Texas, while simultaneously dealing with new horrors. Cincinnati’s mayor has been vocal about needing tighter weapon restrictions, and the city will join in the nationwide March for Our Lives protest on June 11. It’s harrowing stuff, and we…
Guest Commentary: The Mother of a Transgender Child on Why Her Family is Leaving Ohio
Editor’s Note: The letter below was submitted to The Buckeye Flame by a parent who is in the process of moving her family out of Ohio state because of proposed legislation, including House Bill 454, which would ban gender affirming care for her 11-year-old transgender child. The Buckeye Flame generally does not publish letters or…
Saturday’s March for Our Lives in Cincinnati and Around Ohio Will Demand Gun Law Reforms
The March for Our Lives movement was born four years ago in response to the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, and on June 11, people from Ohio will march again with others from around the nation to demand gun-law reforms. The rebirth of the movement comes in the wake of the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.…
Watch Out: Cincinnati Native J.D. Vance Is Coming for Your Porn
Ohio Republican Senate candidate and Middletown native J.D. Vance is out with the latest and bravest plank in his Conservative Family Values platform: banning porn. It remains to be seen whether or not doing so will remain the private desire of a man for whom the disintegration of the nuclear family and the declining (white) birth…
Doctors Discredit Ohio Transgender Sports Bill as Extreme Overreach
Adding to the criticism from the medical field about bills attempting to restrict transgender health and inclusion in Ohio, on June 9, doctors expressed grave concerns about a bill that would ban trans youth from participating in their chosen sports. During a press conference led by Democratic state representatives, Dr. Anita Somani held up a…
Mason Couple Celebrates 50th Anniversary by Recreating their Honeymoon at Camp Cedar and Kings Island
Mason-based couple Dale and Barbara White had a very Cincinnati honeymoon fifty years ago. The couple was married on June 9, 1972, and spent their honeymoon at the just-opened Kings Island Campground and amusement park. Dale said in a release that they drove their Midas Mini-Motorhome to Lebanon, Ohio, where they had “scoped out a…
16 Things to Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (June 10-12)
Friday, June 10 Charm at the Farm in Lebanon The open-air vintage market will return for its first pop-up of the season this weekend, featuring more than 100 vendors with items such as clothing, jewelry and gifts, with food and drinks available from local businesses. On Saturday, Pure Barre will host a $5 fitness class…
Pride Is Protest: The Growth Of LGBTQ+ Pride Celebrations Around Kentucky
When Chris Hartman started working with the LGBTQ advocacy organization the Fairness Campaign in 2009, there were just three Pride festivals in Kentucky: A long-standing celebration in Louisville, one in its infancy in Lexington and a brand new event in northern Kentucky. For members of the LGBTQ community in much of Kentucky, commemorating Pride meant…
Guest Commentary: Ohio Republicans Celebrate Pride by Creepily Bullying Female Athletes and Trans People
Transgender people — especially transgender people of color — have been leading the activist charge toward LGBTQ+ equality since the beginning, literally throwing the first bottles at the Stonewall riots. And since the beginning, they’ve been the most victimized. They remain so, and Ohio Republicans have devised a savagely creepy, abhorrent way to target and…
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval to Perform with Improv Cincinnati on June 10
This Friday, it’s ok to laugh at Cincinnati’s mayor. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval is slated to be the special guest for Improv Cincinnati’s “Veracity” show on June 10. In the show’s format, Pureval will deliver a 30-minute monologue featuring personal anecdotes, and Improv Cincinnati’s team then will develop extemporaneous comedic scenes around those stories. The…
‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ Is a Bizarre Departure and Clonal Return for Beloved Dinosaur Franchise
About 30 minutes into Jurassic World: Dominion, out June 10 nationwide, when Chris Pratt’s Owen Grady and Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire Dearing arrive in Malta to disrupt a CIA operation involving the illegal trafficking of dinosaurs, one wonders what franchise, exactly, this is the conclusion to. Every previous Jurassic Park film was staged entirely or in…
George Clooney Doc on Richard Strauss, Ohio State Sex Abuse Scandal Finds Home on HBO
HBO has grabbed the rights to George Clooney’s documentary feature on the Richard Strauss sex abuse scandal at Ohio State, which is being produced by Clooney and Grant Heslov’s Smokehouse Pictures in partnership with Sports Illustrated Studios and 101 Studios. The feature, based on the October 2020 Sports Illustrated feature by Jon Wertheim, will take a…
Kurt Vile & The Violators Coming to Cincinnati’s Andrew J Brady Music Center This Fall
Laid-back psych-pop musician Kurt Vile and his band The Violators are stopping by Cincinnati this fall. Vile plays the Andrew J Brady Music Center on Oct. 16 in support of his latest album, (watch my moves). Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. June 10 at ticketmaster.com. Vile, a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter — formerly the…
Vote for Cincinnati Reds Players to Be in 2022 MLB All Star Game
Election season is never over, it seems. Fortunately, this one has nothing to do with political parties. Voting is open for the 2022 Major League Baseball All Star Game, with a number of Cincinnati Reds players on the ballots. Through June 30, fans can vote for their favorite players at each position within both the National…
The Empanada’s Box to Graduate from Findlay Launch Program to Brick and Mortar Location in Covington
Food entrepreneurial program Findlay Launch Accelerator is celebrating its first graduate. The Empanada’s Box was started by Diego Nunez in 2020, inspired by his parent’s restaurant and bakery in Buenos Aires. Nunez moved to the U.S. in 2000, hoping to develop his own restaurant in the states. Nunez began selling his delicious stuffed pastries as…
Look Who’s Eating: Chef Jeffrey Harris of Nolia and Jimmie Lou’s
CityBeat is resurrecting our popular “Look Who’s Eating” column, where we ask local chefs and food industry insiders a few questions, from where they’ve been dining to whether they prefer chili or goetta. Chef Jeffery Harris began cooking in his native New Orleans as young as 4, where his great-grandmother Jimmie Lou Green instilled a…
7 Don’t-Miss Cincinnati Fringe Festival Shows, According to CityBeat’s Theatre Critic
Now in its 19th year, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival is back in force with an eclectic selection of offbeat shows that represent a broad creative spectrum — monologues, musicals, satires and serious storytelling. Choosing between more than three dozen productions available through June 18 is no easy task, so CityBeat’s theatre critic Rick Pender recruited…
City of Columbus Considers Treating Gun Violence as a Public Nuisance
In defiance of a gun loving state legislature, the city of Columbus is mulling a novel legal strategy: treating gun violence as a public nuisance. Rather than passing a local law restricting gun access that would likely be struck down in court, Columbus officials indicated they want to instead invoke a state law that says local…
NEW REPORT: Ohio Scores 53/100 in Business Climate for LGBTQ+ People. And That’s Up from 2021.
A new report was released this month ranking the business climate for LGTBQ+ people in all 50 states. Ohio scored a 53.43 out of 100, a failing score that actually represents an increase over 2021. Out Leadership’s State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index measures “the impact government policies and prevalent attitudes have on LGBTQ+ people residing in…
Over-the-Rhine Gastropub Quan Hapa Has Reopened
The last year has been a bit of a struggle for popular Over-the-Rhine Asian gastropub Quan Hapa, but it looks like they’re back and better than ever. In October of 2021, the Vine Street spot closed for renovations, reopened in November and closed down again in January of 2022 due to staffing issues. Fans of the establishment’s chicken…
Crown Republic Restaurant Group to Revamp Mercer OTR Space
There soon will be something new in the space formerly occupied by The Mercer OTR. Crown Republic Restaurant Group (CRG) announced it has signed a lease in the large location on the corner of Vine and Mercer Streets. Co-owned by chef Anthony Sitek and director of hospitality Haley Nutter-Sitek, the CRG owns and operates Over-the-Rhine…
Cheviot Passes LGBTQ+ Pride Month Resolution Despite Dramatic Opposition from Councilmember
Declaring June as Pride Month has not been smooth sailing in Cheviot. The past month has seen a flurry of activity in this west-central Hamilton County city, less than 10 miles northwest of Cincinnati. City Councilmember Stefanie Hawk brought forward language in May, which was assigned to be heard by the city’s Internal/External Affairs Committee.…
Goose’s Rick Mitarotonda Talks Musical Influences, Band Growth Ahead of Ohio Show
Everyone who knows jam bands knows the biggest, most obvious influences: Phish and the Grateful Dead. But Norwalk, Connecticut’s Goose has switched things up a bit and found a shocking amount of success along the way. The band will headline two shows at Legend Valley in Thornville on June 10 and 11, for those who…
Text Alerts May Help Kentuckians Prepare for COVID-19 Medicaid Coverage Expiration
The COVID-19 public health emergency mandating continuous coverage for Medicaid enrollees is expected to expire later this year, and experts say states such as Kentucky could ramp up communication, including text messages and emails to beneficiaries, to ensure residents don’t slip through the cracks when the policy ends. Since the start of the pandemic, many…
Cincinnati Bengals Quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Ken Anderson Activate Wonder Twin Powers
Cincinnati got a thrill when the current tiger finally met a legendary one. During practice at Paul Brown Stadium on June 6, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, wholesome dude and fashion icon Joe Burrow was beside himself when he got to know Ken Anderson, one of his position predecessors who deserves a spot in the Pro Football…
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval on Gun Massacres: State Leaders Stand in the Way of Action
Mayors of big cities across the United States – including Cincinnati – are pleading with state and federal officials to finally address the onslaught of gun violence throughout the country. Just days after yet another violent shooting, officials met at the annual United States Conference of Mayors in Reno to determine what, if anything, could…
Nashville Peach Truck Tour is Making Several Stops in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Next Week
The Peach Truck tour is a favorite part of summer for peach fans, and the Nashville-based operation will again be making its way to the Greater Cincinnati area this summer. Stephen Rose and his wife, Jessica, will be bringing farm-fresh Georgia peaches to stops in over 30 states across the United States. All stops feature…
Guest Commentary: Next Week, Ohioans Can Concealed Carry Firearms with No Permit, Background Check or Training
Do you feel safer knowing that anyone who can legally pack heat will be able to carry hidden firearms in Ohio without a license, background checks or basic training starting next week? A whole level of scrutiny and safety requirements that once applied to concealed handguns in Ohio disappear June 13. If you’re at least…
‘Reproductive Freedom’ Amendment Proposal Faces Uphill Battle in Ohio
A second constitutional amendment introduced in Ohio to protect reproductive choice in the state likely will not be on the ballot for November, because it would need to make it through a Republican supermajority first. The constitutional amendment was introduced by House Minority Whip Jessica Miranda, D-Forest Park and Senate Assistant Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood,…
Cincinnati Government to Hold Public Pedestrian Safety Discussion June 8
Thanks to escalating deaths and injuries, pedestrian safety has been on Cincinnati officials’ minds lately. Now they’re looking for help from the community to do something about it. This week, an assortment of officials will host a public discussion and problem-solving session to tackle pedestrian safety issues. The session “will include brief presentations and remarks from…
After Failed Gubernatorial Run, Former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley Takes Local Law Job
A former Cincinnati politician is settling back into life outside public service. Former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley has returned to Keating Muething & Klekamp, the Cincinnati law firm where Cranley had practiced before landing the city’s top leadership position. Cranley will join the firm’s real estate group and “will focus his practice on tax increment financing,…
KIND Snacks to Give Away Free Plant-Based Frozen Dessert Bars in Cincinnati This Weekend
KIND, the company that helped revolutionize the granola bar industry (they substitute the processed ingredients for fruit and whole nuts), is now selling plant-based ice cream bars. For a limited time on June 11 and 12, Cincinnatians will have a chance to try these plant-based frozen dessert bars for free. Throughout the summer months, KIND…
Kentucky Child Actor Dishes on Her Role in ‘Stranger Things’ Season Four
The superstar hit Netflix show Stranger Things released its fourth season on May 27. Among its many mysterious monsters and creepy creatures is one played by a child actress who hails from Kentucky. 10-year-old Elizabeth Howlett of Louisville appears in “Vecna’s Curse,” the second episode of the fourth season. Howlett plays a zombie-esque character listed…
Review: ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Flies Fast but Is Full of Nostalgia and Meaningless Inspirational Slogans
Top Gun: Maverick: 3 out of 5 stars Top Gun: Maverick is the timeless story of a renegade, a man’s man for whom no rules apply, a champion who can never be bested, or disciplined, even when he’s taking a proverbial and a literal poop on his own government. That’s right, I said it. U.S.…
Former Cincinnati Police Officer Supports Anti-Protest Bill Moving Through Ohio Legislature
A bill currently making its way through the Ohio legislature could increase the penalties for people arrested while protesting in the state. Ohio House Bill 109 would create three new felony charges of “riot assault,” “riot vandalism” and “bias motivated intimidation.” These charges are fifth-degree felonies, and can be raised up to third-degree felonies if…
Ohio, Kentucky Have Two of the Worst State Economies in the Nation, Report Says
If you live in Ohio or Kentucky, you may have noticed that money stuff isn’t so great right now. That’s the finding in a new study from personal finance website WalletHub. According to WalletHub’s June 6 list of 2022’s Best and Worst State Economies, the Buckeye State and the Commonwealth both are near the bottom…
Mom ‘n ’em Coffee & Wine Opens Second Location in Madisonville
Camp Washington coffeeshop Mom ‘n ’em Coffee & Wine opened a second location in Madisonville on June 6. Named “Best Coffeeshop in Ohio” by Food & Wine magazine earlier this year, the popular coffee shop and wine bar shared on Facebook that they decided to expand to a new neighborhood about a year ago. Related…
Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up Truck Returns to Cincinnati June 11
If you ever thought Sanrio’s Hello Kitty was just so dang cute you could eat her, this weekend you can… kind of. The traveling Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will return to Greater Cincinnati June 11 and will be bringing its themed “super-cute” treats and merchandise along for the ride. The truck will stop at the…
Poet, Civil Rights Activist Nikki Giovanni to Return to Cincinnati for Juneteenth Event
On June 13, the Mercantile Library will host “A Nanofestival of Black Joy, Liberation & Expression,” featuring author, poet and activist Nikki Giovanni. This event, coordinated by Urban Consulate, aims to spark dialogue around the many facets of Black life in the United States. Alongside Giovanni, expect to see Cincinnati’s Poet Laureate Yalie Saweda Kamara,…
Graeter’s Ice Cream Releases Second of Five Limited-Time Bonus Flavors
Graeter’s Ice Cream has announced the second of five limited-time bonus flavors and this one is a delicious chocolate treat. The local favorite French pot ice cream maker is releasing five secret bonus flavors this year, and it has just unveiled the second: Frozen Hot Chocolate. Graeter’s describes the flavor as a “decadent combination of…
Ohio’s Response to Uvalde? Armed Teachers and $117 Million in Funding for Enhanced Security at Ohio Schools
Responding to a spate of gun violence in American schools and communities, Ohio Republicans have offered a two-pronged approach: guns and money. Last week, Republican state lawmakers passed legislation that will allow local boards of education to allow teachers to carry a firearm. Up to 24 hours of training must be required, but a board…
The True-Blue Story Behind Cincinnati’s Blue Creamy Whip
“I’ll have a small Smurf cone with jimmies, please.” A non-native Cincinnatian may be hard-pressed to decode that sentence, but it makes sense at Kings Island. The Smurf cone, blueberry ice cream, blue soft serve – whatever you call it – is an essential piece of Cincinnati’s food canon, and we have Kings Island to…
Billy Bob Thornton and J.D. Andrew of The Boxmasters Remind Cincinnati They’re ‘Alive’
Early pandemic life for the Boxmasters was pretty much business as usual, other than songwriting sessions conducted over Zoom and social distancing observed in the recording studio – and maybe the fact that the studio was equal parts workspace and refuge. “It was definitely less stress for me in the studio than at my house…
Missing Linck Festival Celebrates Cincinnati Beer History on June 4
Want to drink some beer unlike anything else? Missing Linck Festival will give you the chance to try some thoroughly new-meets-old school beers made by 10 local breweries using a 150-year-old yeast that was recently discovered in a forgotten Over-the-Rhine cellar. Missing Linck Festival is a celebration of single-cell organisms, their contribution to brewing and…
Cincinnati Zoo Named Best Zoo in the Country by USA TODAY Readers
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has been voted the best zoo in America by readers of USA Today. The zoo placed number one for Best Zoo on USA Today’s “10Best” Readers Choice Awards, and the botanical gardens made second place on the Best Botanical Garden list. “It’s wonderful to be recognized for being a great…
Guest Commentary: Ohio’s Most Powerful Elected Politicians Are Morally and Ethically Bankrupt
We aren’t living in the Ohio that most Ohioans want. We are living in the Ohio that corrupt politicians obsessed only with maintaining and maximizing their power, and enriching themselves and their donor friends, want us to live in. This week, the gerrymander-rigged Ohio General Assembly fast-tracked legislation to put more guns in Ohio public…
Ohio Republicans Ignore Supreme Court’s June 3 Deadline for Submitting New Redistricting Plan
The Ohio Supreme Court gave the Ohio Redistricting Commission until June 3 to adopt a new legislative plan for the sixth time. No meetings were scheduled, and no maps have been seen or publicly announced. On June 2, a spokesperson for the House Republicans said “nothing has been decided.” Commission rules state that 24-hours notice…
Flogging Molly’s Dave King Talks About New Pandemic-Era Drinking Ballad, Prepares to Hit Cincinnati
Flogging Molly frontman Dave King has often spoken of the squalid conditions of Beggars Bush, the Irish housing project he once called home. For him, music helped him get through a particularly tough period in his life. “[Beggars Bush] was really dismal,” he says via phone from Ireland. Flogging Molly brings its co-headlining tour with…
Hart & Cru Brings European Charm to Pendleton
Local sommelier Kevin Hart, proprietor of the boutique wine shop Hart & Cru in Pendleton, has built a solid reputation for himself in the city as a friendly, inviting authority on old world wines. Before opening the shop in November, Hart’s career in the industry yielded wineCRAFT, a local wine importer and distributor which provides…
Ky. Governor Beshear Signs Order to Freeze State Gas Tax
Kentucky governor Andy Beshear froze the state gas tax ahead of a 2-cent raise. The governor signed the emergency resolution on June 1 to prevent the July 1 raising of the gas tax. The rise was caused by the 110% increase predicted for the wholesale price of gasoline in the upcoming fiscal year (July 1,…
Public Comment on Cincinnati’s Proposed City Budget Starts June 2 in Madisonvillle
Before Cincinnati City Council approves the $1.5 billion city budget for Fiscal Year 2023, citizens will have a chance to offer feedback during a series of public meetings, starting June 2 at the Madisonville Recreation Center. To maintain city operations, the budget – which was revealed on May 26 – relies on $18.6 million in…
17 Things to Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (June 3-5)
Friday, June 3 Wine and Beer Festival at Valley VineyardsValley Vineyards will host its annual Wine & Beer Festival this weekend, featuring alcoholic beverages made entirely in-house. Taste the locally-made alcohol and enjoy live music and food trucks while at the two-day festival. Admission to the festival is free, with a parking charge of $5.…
Slipknot Lead Singer Stops Cincinnati Show for Audience Member in Need of Medical Attention
Heavy metal band Slipknot’s lead singer Corey Taylor stopped their Cincinnati show so an audience member could get medical attention. The band played at Heritage Bank Arena June 1 on their Knotfest Roadshow tour. A fan captured the moment on film and then shared it to Twitter where Taylor stopped the show and said “Let’s…
Three Cincinnati-Area Locations to Participate in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson
Three Cincinnati-Area Locations to Participate in The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson Three different Cincinnati-area swimming spots are participating in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson. The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is a worldwide event taking place on June 23 where millions of people can learn to swim. The event was started by the World Waterpark Association…
Explainer: Ohio’s District Maps, Ballot Seats Will Shape Chances of Ohio Abortion Ban
The majority of Ohioans want abortion care to remain in place, but the likelihood of a near all-out ban on procedures is practically certain as Ohio lawmakers prepare for the likelihood that the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade this summer. In the Buckeye State, conservative political games will enable that to happen. Data from…
Over-the-Rhine Deli and Sandwich Shop Closes
Over-the-Rhine deli, grocery and sandwich shop closed its doors on May 27. The Takeaway announced the closure of the 1324 Main Street location on Facebook. Although the closure is sad, it seems like something new is coming Cincinnatians way “We’re closing down to reimagine and start dreaming again of what this little corner of Main…
Cincinnati Opera Returns to Music Hall for 2022 Season
Like many other events, Cincinnati Opera’s 2020 centennial celebration was a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. But for the 2022 season, the opera will finally return to Music Hall after two years away. Even better: much of the original 2020 program remains intact. There’s plenty to celebrate. Five operas range from classic grand opera to…
Producer Katie Hartman Fondly Welcomes More Weirdos to 19th-Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival
After two years of sustaining its offbeat “Kinda Weird. Like You” Cincinnati Fringe Festival traditions with mostly virtual presentations, the 19th-annual Cincy Fringe returns June 3-18 with live, in-person, indoor productions. Artists from 15 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Australia will be performing for two weeks on Know Theatre’s Jackson Street stage in Over-the-Rhine, as…
Monthlong Slate of Pride Events Scheduled for Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky
Greater Cincinnati organizations, shops and nightlife destinations will celebrate Pride Month in June with a bevy of commemorations and events. Here’s a small sampling. Pride Flag Raising at City Hall A ceremony, hosted by Cincinnati Pride in partnership with the City of Cincinnati, will honor LGBTQ+ citizens with the raising of the inclusive Pride flag,…
After Uvalde Massacre, Ohio GOP Hurtles Toward Arming State’s Teachers Who Keep Saying No
The Ohio Senate advanced fast-tracked legislation on May 31 that would allow local boards of education to permit teachers to carry guns in classrooms. Passage would eviscerate current law in Ohio that allows teachers to arm themselves only after completing more than 700 hours of police training and receiving approval from their local school board.…
