Looking for something to do this weekend? Several events in greater Cincinnati are set to celebrate Black History Month, Mardi Gras (keep your shirt on) and one fluffy, late Valentine’s Day surprise.

If you’re looking for even more to do every day of the week, visit the CityBeat events calendar, which is free to use if you have something planned that you’d like to advertise to CityBeat readers.

Joshua Redman at Memorial Hall 8 p.m. Feb. 17 American saxophonist and composer Joshua Redman brings his celebrated jazz concert “3×3” to Memorial Hall on Friday. “3×3” spotlights Larry Grenadier on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums, playing compositions from Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk and Wayne Shorter. Tickets start at $45. 8 p.m. Feb. 17. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, memorialhallotr.com. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Cooking with Soul at Findlay Kitchen 6-8 p.m. Feb. 17 Organized by Afromeals, the Cooking with Soul class will explore dishes influenced by West African and Native American culture. Included on the menu are Creole and Cajun shrimp and sausage cups; cornbread; collard greens with smoked turkey; macaroni and cheese; fried chicken wings and a surprise dessert. Tickets are $75. 6-8 p.m. Feb. 17. Findlay Kitchen, 1719 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, findlaykitchen.org. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Mardi Gras Ball by Price Hill Will 6:30-10 p.m. Feb. 17 A night of games, raffles, food, drinks and live music will support Price Hill Will and celebrate the Mardi Gras season. This year’s ball features New Orleans-style cuisine from New Orleans on the Go and music by MYCincinnati. Don’t forget your Mardi Gras attire. Tickets include entry, buffet dinner and five drink or game tickets. Tickets start at $75. 6:30-10 p.m. Feb. 17. Mardi Gras Ball at ARCO 3301 Price Ave., Price Hill, secure.givelively.org. Photo: Provided by Price Hill Will
Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting presented by Cincinnati Black Theatre Company 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 6 p.m. Feb. 19 The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is hosting the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company’s performance of Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting all weekend. The play imagines a meeting between Joe Louis, Paul Robeson, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Jackie Robinson and Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey in 1947 in which they discuss a strategy for promoting a black baseball player to the major leagues. Tickets are $20 and include a free ticket to a Reds Baseball game (except opening day) and a ticket to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17; 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18; 6 p.m. Feb. 19. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, The Banks, cincinnatiblacktheatre.org. Photo: Freedom Center Facebook
Small Business Saturday at Esoteric featuring Black and Brown Entrepreneurs 2-6 p.m. Feb. 18 Esoteric Brewing Company and Healing Headwraps, Hats & Headbands by Miss NebSa present a vendor market with Black and Brown makers and owners. Esoteric’s brew lounge will fill with vendors, food and drink to celebrate local makers and business owners and Black History Month. 2-6 p.m. Feb. 18. Esoteric Brewing Company, 918 East McMillan St., Walnut Hills, esotericbrewing.com. Photo: facebook.com/Esotericbeer/photos/
MainStrasse’s Mardi Gras Parade & Pub Crawl 7 p.m. Feb. 18 MainStrasse’s famous Mardi Gras celebration begins at Larry’s All American Cafe and travels to Main and 5th streets. Line up to see what Covington has in store for this year’s parade – it’s always fun and entertaining. Keep your shirt on, parade participants will throw you beads for free. Stick around for the Mainstrasse Pub Crawl and make sure to stop by Up Over Bar, where it’s Mardi Gras all year long. 7 p.m., Feb. 18, Covington, Ky. Photo: facebook.com/MainStrasseVillage/
My Furry Valentine Pet Adoption Event 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 18 12-5 p.m. Feb. 19 A weekend in support of animal rescue and welfare at Sharonville Convention Center is one of the largest around, showcasing hundreds of adoptable pets. My Furry Valentine represents different rescue and shelter groups from around greater Cincinnati. All the animals (dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and other small critters) are under one roof. Every pet adopted goes home with “swag” and a chance to win a raffle basket. General admission is $5 and children under 5 years old are free. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 18 and 12-5 p.m. Feb. 19. Sharonville Convention Center 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville, myfurryvalentine.com. Photo:facebook.com/MyFurryValentineEvent/photos
International Holocaust Remembrance Day: A Conversation with Zahava Rendler 12:30-1:30 p.m. Feb. 19 Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center hosts Holocaust survivor Zahava Rendler in commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day and the humanity center’s fourth year at Union Terminal. Speaker Zahava Rendler was born Golda Feuerberg in Stryi, Poland on March 30, 1941, according to the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s website. Rendler is now a Cincinnatian, and she will share her story and discuss topics surrounding the fight against hate and prejudice. 12:30-1:30 p.m. Feb. 19. Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, jewishcincinnati.org. Photo: Nick Swartsell
Cincinnati Cyclones Vs. Fort Wayne Komets at Heritage Bank Center 7:30 p.m. Feb 17 It’s time to start checking the laundry for loose change. The Cincinnati Cyclones will welcome the Fort Wayne Komets to Heritage Bank Center for Puckchop Piggy Bank Giveaway Night, a celebration of the Cyclones’ hammy mascot. For one night only, the first 3,000 fans through the door will receive a Puckchop piggy bank, which could be used to save for tickets and snacks to the next Cyclones game. Visitors can take advantage of $5 craft drafts and seltzer, $1 popcorn and $3 hamburgers. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17. 100 Broadway St., Downtown, cycloneshockey.com. Photo: Allison Babka
Photo: Stephanie Scarbrough
Purrfect Day Cat Cafe’s Pajama Party | Jan. 21 Photo: Ashley Moor
Bunnies and Blooms at Krohn Conservatory 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 17-19 Hop on over to Krohn Conservatory for “Bunnies and Blooms.” The annual spring show will feature bunnies frolicking through flowers in the showroom, a collection of classic books with bunnies and formal vegetable garden-themed plantings. Tickets start at $7 and are free for guests ages four and under. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb 17-19. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Dr, Mt. Adams, cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks. Photo: Enoch Leung, Wikimedia Commons