From neighborhood block parties and outdoor shopping pop-ups to a drive-in laser light show, here’s what we recommend doing this weekend.
FRIDAY, JULY 9
If you’ve missed live theater, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is bringing back its annual Shakespeare in the Park tour, offering free, outdoor Bard classics all summer long. With performances through September, works will be staged at outdoor theaters from Madeira to Covington and Over-the-Rhine to Mason. The professional touring cast of six actors — Marcus Anthony, Angelique Archer, Arrianna Chai, Tyren Duncan, Colleen Dougherty, and Brianna Miller — will present truncated versions of Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth. This weekend, catch Romeo and Juliet at 7 p.m. July 9 at Eden Park’s Seasongood Pavilion (1600 Art Museum Drive, Eden Park); at 7 p.m. July 10 at Keenher Park (7411 Barrett Road, West Chester); and 7 p.m. July 11 at Washington Park (1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine). More info atcincyshakes.com.
Drive-In Laser Light Show at Coney Island
What exactly is a drive-in laser light show? According to an exclamation-point-infused description, it includes “some of your favorite Musical Hits from Current Pop to Classic Rock! All choreographed with cutting-edge effects, high-powered lasers, and DUAL large screen video projection!” The show is family-friendly and aimed at all ages. Event organizers say ticketholders will pull their cars into the lot and park like they would at a drive-in movie. There will be tailgating space in front of each spot so people can set up lawn chairs while still socially distancing. An FM radio station will be synced to the musical score. 9 p.m. July 8; 9 and 10:30 p.m. July 9 and 10; and 9 p.m. July 11.Tickets start at $29.99 per carload and go up to $99.99 per car for front-row parking. 6201 Kellogg Ave., California, freshtix.com.
Bacon, Bourbon and Brew Festival
This fest focuses on the titular bacon, bourbon and beer in its name. Sample limited edition bourbons and bourbon flights, drink local beer partake in educational events and trivia, listen to live local music and consume copious amounts of bacon. There will be bacon-wrapped little smokies, bacon on a stick, bacon cheese fries, barbecue bacon sundae in a waffle cone and even a bacon-wrapped corn dog. Check out the full bourbon lineup and music acts online. 5-11 p.m. July 8 and 9; noon-11 p.m. July 10; noon-9 p.m. July 11. Free admission. Festival Park at Newport on the Levee, Newport, cincinnatifestivalsandevents.com.
Paintings, Politics, and the Monuments Men: The Berlin Masterpieces in America at the Cincinnati Art Museum
Art, intrigue, Nazis and World War II are the subject of a new exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum (CAM). Paintings, Politics and the Monuments Men will take visitors through a lesser-known period of art history via the “Berlin 202.” These 202 paintings, which were originally on display in the State Museums of Berlin, were extracted from salt mines by the U.S. Army after World War II. The works then went on a 14-city journey across America in 1948-49 in what the CAM says became the “first blockbuster art exhibition of our time.” More than 2.5 million guests viewed the 16th- to 18th-century works before they were returned to Germany. The paintings play into a larger story about Nazis and their systematic looting of precious artworks, monuments and other pieces of history during World War II, as well as the ethics of America’s “temporary transfer” of the German-owned paintings out of that country. Through Oct. 3. $10 general admission; $5 for students, seniors and children 6-17; and free for members. Active-duty military, reserves, retirees and veterans of the United States Armed Forces can receive a free three-month membership. 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
SATURDAY, JULY 10
The O.F.F. Market
After six years of summer and winter markets at both Oakley Square and MadTree Brewing Company, the O.F.F. Market was canceled in 2020 due to COVID. This year, the market moved to Summit Park in Blue Ash. O.F.F. Market will be popping up across the expanse, featuring up to 120 vendors per event. Booth offerings run the gamut from artisan eats and apothecary items to vintage shops, flower stalls and T-shirt companies. This year, it’s also partnering with Fifty West Brewing Co. to serve brews on tap. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 10. Free. 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash, facebook.com/theoffmarket.
The City Flea
The City Flea will be back at Washington Park from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 10. Founded in 2011, the City Flea has hosted hundreds of local vendors to date and offers a platform for entrepreneurs and creators to introduce their goods to the community and grow their businesses. From food to plants to jewelry to vintage dealers, there’s something for almost everyone at every market — including food. The Flea is also adding live music to the mix, with a performance by Black Brass at noon this Saturday. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 10. Free. 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, thecityflea.com.
Market Bleu
This quarterly indoor pop-up market takes place at the Contemporary Arts Center lobby and features a slew of artisans and artists. Shop handmade items (in the air conditioning) and grab a cocktail from the bar. 6-10 p.m. July 10. Free. 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, facebook.com/marketbleu.
After taking a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, Music Hall is once again opening its doors for guests to go behind the scenes of Cincinnati’s landmark structure. The Friends of Music Hall are restarting tours inside the walls of the “beautifully and thoughtfully restored 1878 building,” says the group. Starting July 9, tours — which will last about an hour — will take place Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. More weekly dates will return after Aug. 23. “This stunning and majestic structure reflects the spirit of Cincinnati’s past and present,” reads a release from Friends of Music Hall. “Designed by legendary architect Samuel Hannaford, the spectacular hall was the envy of countless cities in the 19th century. Today it’s the cornerstone of the 21st-century renaissance of Cincinnati’s cultural heart in historic Over-the-Rhine.” 1 p.m. Mondays and Fridays and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays. $15; $5 for children under 12; discounts available for ticket bundles/groups. 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, friendsofmusichall.org.
SUNDAY, JULY 11
Butterflies of Bali at Krohn Conservatory
Krohn Conservatory reopened in May, welcoming folks back with its 25th butterfly show — a reboot of Butterflies of Bali. The show features 120,000 fluttering butterflies and is inspired by the country’s vibrant forests, rice paddies beautiful beaches and lakes. The conservatory has extended the event’s hours past its typical 5 p.m. closure, welcoming guests from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and it only lets 40 visitors in per hour, making for a comparatively unique and intimate experience with the show. Through Sept. 26. $10 adults; $7 for ages 5-17; free for under 4. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park, cincinnatiparks.com/krohn.
Over-the-Rhine street festival Second Sunday on Main is back this summer, and this weekend, the monthly neighborhood party — now in its 16th year — is celebrating Pride. On July 11, there will be live music, a drag show and belly dancing in addition to a Braxton biergarten and more than 100 different vendors. The main stage will feature performances from BERSHY, the Cincinnati Opera, Brooklyn Rae, Jess Lamb & the Factory, The Bumbling Bard, Mysfits and Anya Belly Dance. Below Zero Lounge (which recently made Yelp’s top 100 best LGBTQ+ bars across America list) is also hosting a drag show with PH Dee, Queen Danicure, Sister MSG, Sister Barely Clearance, LaLa St. James, Brock Leah Spears, and Tayta the Queen.Noon-5 p.m. July 11. Free. Main Street from 12th Street to Liberty, Over-the-Rhine, secondsundayonmain.org.
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This article appears in The Burger Issue 2021.