WEDNESDAY 30 EVENT: Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest Bring your furry friend to Washington Park on Wednesday for a Howl-O-Ween costume contest. Judges don’t care whether the outfit is homemade, store-bought or “somewhere in between,” and there will be prizes awarded for the Best Pair (owner and dog costume), Most Original Homemade Costume, Scared Silly (the scariest costume) and Fan Favorite. You can enter your dog in more than one category, but they can only win once. Registration is available at the park. Vendors including Good Paws Training, Rover The Rhine and Milli&Moo will also be on-site. 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. Free. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark.org. Photo: Facebook.com/Events/517777975708347
WEDNESDAY 30 EVENT: Cincinnati Pizza Week Kick-Off Party CityBeat’s Cincinnati Pizza Week is back Nov. 4-10. But before you get to gorge on seven days’ worth of $8 pies from your favorite local pizzerias, Braxton Brewing Co. is hosting a kick-off party on Oct. 30 with sneak peek samples, your first chance to grab a Pizza Week passport, live music and plenty of Braxton brews. Then, starting Nov. 4, head to any one of the two dozen-ish participating area eateries— Catch-A-Fire, Dewey’s, Goodfellas, Harvest, Joe’s Pizza Napoli and more — to grab a cheap pizza and have your Cincinnati Pizza Week passport stamped. Get four or more stamps and enter to win $250 in gift cards. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. Free admission. Braxton Brewing Co., 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, cincinnatipizzaweek.com. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
WEDNESDAY 30 MUSIC: Michael Franti & Spearhead Michael Franti & Spearhead bring a blend of Rock, Hip Hop, Funk and Soul to Riverfront Live. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. $30. 4343 Kellogg Ave., East End, riverfrontlivecincy.com. Photo: Anthony Thoen
WEDNESDAY 30 ONSTAGE: The Lifespan of a Fact The Lifespan of a Fact explores the battle between storytelling and accuracy onstage at the Playhouse in the Park. Through Nov. 16. Tickets from $30. 962 Mt Adams Circle, Over-the-Rhine, cincyplay.com. Photo: Mikki Schaffner Photography
WEDNESDAY 30 ART: On Belonging On Belonging is a series of black-and-white photos, videos and written stories that examine the ever-changing community of Over-the-Rhine. Free. Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, on-belonging.com. Installation photo by Audrey Law// Portraits by Asa Featherstone
WEDNESDAY 30 FILM: Halloween III: Season of the Witch at The Esquire Theatre John Carpenter’s Halloween is one of the most iconic slasher films to date, with its haunting minimalist score and tale of a crazed masked man killing young women in the American suburbs. It solidified Jamie Lee Curtis as the seminal Scream Queen and birthed not only an entire franchise but also greatly influenced a generation of horror cinema. 1982’s Halloween III: Season of the Witch marked a departure for the series. Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, it completely shed the Michael Myers storyline. Dark but campy, it instead hones-in on a mad scientist who plans to mass murder children by way of an ancient Celtic ritual that involves satanic Halloween masks. Though not as influential, its kookiness is worth a watch. Luckily, you can revisit the flick at the Esquire Theatre — just in time for Halloween. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. $10. Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, esquiretheatre.com. Photo: Emerson Swonger
THURSDAY 31 EVENT: Longfellowship of the Ring Over-the-Rhine bar Longfellow is doing its annual Halloween costume change and transforming from its typical hip drinking destination into Longfellowship of the Ring, a Lord of the Rings-themed hobbit haunt. Expect karaoke “in the fires or Mordor,” surrounded by homemade boulders, and $4 ales. Partygoers are encouraged to “wear elf ears,” “fight evil” and “smoke pipe-weed.” The best costumes will be awarded prizes. 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Free admission. Longfellow, 1233 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/longfellowcinti. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
THURSDAY 31 EVENT: SkyRosa’s at Northside Yacht Club The Northside Yacht Club is transforming into SkyRosa’s, “Cincinnati’s No. 1 Chizzaria,” just in time for Halloween. For one night only, the bar will be slinging a disgustingly delicious blend of Cincinnati’s favorite regional delicacies: Skyline-style chili and LaRosa’s pizza. The menu will feature a cheese coney wrapped in a slice of pizza (with an available vegetarian option); SkyRosa’s fries topped with chili and cheese on one side and marinara, cheese and pepperoni on the other (also with a vegetarian option); and smoked chicken and/or cauliflower wings with a parmesan marinara or chili cheese sauce. Last year, NSYC transformed into Applebee’s for Halloween and people lost their minds. Expect a crowd this time around…and heartburn. 4-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Free admission. Northside Yacht Club, 4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, facebook.com/northsideyachtclub. Photo: Provided
FRIDAY 01 MUSIC: Ian Noe Ian Noes brings gritty Appalachian Folk to the Southgate House Revival. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. Advance Tickets $10; Date of Show $15. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com Photo: Kyler Clark
FRIDAY 01 EVENT: Dent Schoolhouse Lights-Out Tour As an adieu to spooky szn, the Dent Schoolhouse bows out with perhaps the scariest iteration of their already scream-worthy haunt: a Lights-Out Tour. This year’s theme is “ZoBo’s Revenge 2.0” — aka the schoolhouse will be filled to the brim with monstrous clowns. Seriously. Maybe don’t wear a yellow raincoat and steer clear of anything involving the sewer system…just to be safe, ya know? Each group will be given only one glow stick to guide them through the darkness. If you really want to up the fear factor, a touch pass allows Dent’s actors to physically touch you (in an appropriate and safe manner, says their website). 7:30-11:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2. $25-$50. Dent Schoolhouse, 5963 Harrison Ave., Dent, frightsite.com. Photo: Provided by Dent
FRIDAY 01 EVENT: Layers of Wonder The Cincinnati Museum Center is celebrating its legacy — which began more than 200 years ago with the founding of the Western Museum Society — with an extravagant party. Layers of Wonder, as the event is dubbed, will bring crafted cocktails, light bites, live music and entertainment to the museum for an enchanting evening of exploration and indulgence. The party will have bars on every level as well as hors d’oeuvres from local culinary favorites for guests to enjoy while they peruse various exhibits. “Walk the cobblestone streets past an 1850s steamboat and beer hall as you feast on a rustic Cincinnati staple and raise a stein of your favorite local brew. Sneak into a 1930s speakeasy to enjoy a Manhattan and decadent desserts. Embrace your inner carnivore or herbivore as you graze in the shadow of dinosaurs and explore the nooks and crannies of The Cave with a spiked shaved ice in hand. And let our mad scientists delight your taste buds with liquid nitrogen-fueled foods and fizzing cocktails,” a press release reads. There will also be an incognito sketch artist meandering throughout the celebration to capture moments from the evening. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. $200; $150 member; $225 premium. Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, cincymuseum.org/layersgala. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
SATURDAY 02 EVENT: Northside Record Fair The Northside Record Fair returns with thousands of LPs, 45s, 7-inches, CDs, cassettes, posters, T-shirts and assorted memorabilia for sale from more than two dozen vendors. Sponsored by local record shops Torn Light Records and Shake It Records, regional vendors include Skeleton Dust Records from Dayton, Vinyl Shock from Columbus, Atlantic Posters from Chicago, Half-Price Books, Ohio’s WonderTwin Records pop-up and plenty more. According to the event description, “This ain’t no Beatles and Elvis fair. These vendors will be bringing out the good stuff, the rare stuff, the stuff you only dream of finding.” Think Punk, Psych, Blues, Classic Rock, World Music, Garage Rock, Hip Hop, Experimental, Industrial…the list goes on. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. $5; $10 early bird entry at 10 a.m. North Church, 4222 Hamilton Ave., Northside, facebook.com/northsiderecordfair. Photo: Provided by Northside Record Fair
SATURDAY 02 ART: The Last Picture Show and Shelter In Place 3 The Last Picture Show and Shelter In Place 3 opened Oct. 26 at Thunder-Sky, Inc., ushering in the gallery’s 10-year anniversary. Through Dec. 13. Free. Thunder-Sky, Inc., 4573 Hamilton Ave., Northside, raymondthundersky.org. Photo: Adam Doty
SATURDAY 02 EVENT: Fountain Square Ice Rink Opening Weekend Sorry, Michael Myers: your time is over; it’s Gremlins season now. If it’s on-brand for you to listen to Xmas-themed playlists as soon as November hits — no judgment here — take note: From 6-10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 you can witness Macy’s holiday tree going up on Fountain Square to launch the season. And if you’re really feeling the spirit, at 10 a.m. that same day, the Fountain Square Ice Rink will open to the public for a tree trimming party (starting at noon). Wear some flannel — of the lumberjack variety, not grunge — throw on a scarf, grab some hot cocoa and you’ll basically be an extra in one of those Hallmark movies. How very twee. Though typically $4, skate rental will be free all opening weekend long with the purchase of admission ($6). The rink will be open daily (except certain holidays) through Feb. 2, 2020, so you’ll have plenty of time to hone your skills and maybe not embarrass yourself completely. Concessions will be selling hot and cold snacks and boozy beverages. And if you want to see that tree get lit, come back Nov. 29 for Macy’s Light Up the Square (6 p.m.-midnight), which will feature live music, food trucks and Saint Nick himself (or so a press release, er, elf told us). 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday Nov. 3. $6 skate admission. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown, myfountainsquare.com. Photo: Facebook.com/Fountainsquare
SATURDAY 02 EVENT: Mac & Cheese Throwdown CityBeat’s second-annual Mac & Cheese Throwdown will take place at downtown’s The Phoenix on Nov. 2. Local chefs will go head to head in a melty, cheesy smackdown competition pitting mac and cheese dish against mac and cheese dish to see whose creation reigns supreme. The event will feature more than 15 local mac-and-cheese slingin’ restaurants including favorites like Eli’s BBQ, Fiery Hen, Keystone’s Mac Shack, MamaBear’s Mac (the winner of 2018’s throwdown), Lucius Q and Court Street Lobster Bar. Expect fun and flavorful creations like brisket mac and cheese, lobster mac and cheese, white truffle mac and cheese and more. Tickets include endless samples, drink tickets, live music and your chance to vote for the best mac. If you’re looking to kick things up a notch, opt for the VIP ticket, with general admission perks plus early entry (11:15 a.m.), a private bar, exclusive VIP vendors, an additional drink ticket and some swag. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. $35; $50 VIP. The Phoenix, 812 Race St., Downtown, macandcheesecincy.com. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
SATURDAY 02 EVENT: Great Ohio Brew N’ Que Fifty West and Great Lakes Brewing Company are teaming up again for the fifth annual Great Ohio Brew N’ Que, a big ol’ beer and barbecue party. The two breweries have crafted their annual collaboration brew — this year, it’s Pip’s Pale Ale — which will be on tap during the party along with other specialty beers including Fifty West’s Double Home Sweet Home marshmallow sweet potato brown ale, Hit the Road Jack maple pecan brown ale and Ghost of Imogene barrel-aged imperial stout, and Great Lakes’ Christmas Ale, Ohio City oatmeal stout and Blackout Stout, which is aged in Heaven Hill barrels. Chefs from each brewery have also come together to create some tasty barbecue. Tickets include an all-you-can eat buffet (with vegetarian options) and eight beer tickets. Additional beer will be available for purchase. 4-midnight Saturday, Nov. 2. $40; $20 designated driver (includes food but not beer). Fifty West Production Works, 7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township, fiftywestbrew.com. Photo: Provided by Fifty West
SATURDAY 02 EVENT: Rhinegeist Rare Beer Fest Drink your way across America while staying in one spot thanks to Rhinegeist’s 2019 Rare Beer Fest. Try some of country’s rarest beers from up to 40 participating breweries with origin points ranging from your own backyard all the way to Yakima, Washington. The event is split into two sessions and the VIP options for both sessions have already sold out. General admission includes 10 beer samples as well as a tasting notebook; the VIP option — if you snagged a ticket — includes 10 beer samples, four samples from the exclusive bar, a tasting notebook, a food token and a take-home bottle of Rhinegeist’s Rare Beer Fest Specialty Blend. Session One: 1-5 p.m.; Session Two: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. $45; $70 VIP. Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, rhinegeist.com. Photo: Devin Luginbill
SUNDAY 03 EVENT: John Cusack John Cusack heads to the Taft Theatre for a screening of Say Anything followed by a Q&A. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. $52.75-$153. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, tafttheatre.org. Photo: Twentieth Century Fox
TUESDAY 05 MUSIC: Lucy Dacus Acclaimed Indie Rocker Lucy Dacus supports her covers EP 2019 at The Woodward Theater. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. Tickets from $15. The Woodward, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, woodwardtheater.com. Photo: Elizabeth Weinberg
TUESDAY 05 MUSIC: Killing Joke Early Post Punk band Killing Joke opens for Tool at the U.S. Bank Arena. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 05. From $55. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown, usbankarena.com. Photo: Facebook.com/Killingjokeofficial
TUESDAY 05 MUSIC: Tool Fans who waited 13 years for the release of Progressive/Alt Metal heroes Tool’s fifth album, Fear Inoculum, were understandably giddy with excitement over its release in August. The same day as the release, local fans got even more reason to get excited as the band announced a return to Cincinnati on the Fear Inoculum tour. Tool has played Cincinnati several times over the past 20-plus years. In 1996 they performed at The Garage (at the site of the former Caddy’s downtown, near the riverfront) and they were last in town 10 years ago when they performed at Riverbend’s PNC Pavilion. Fear Inoculum topped Billboard’s album chart upon its release, knocking Taylor Swift out of the top spot (and leading to some amusing confusion among Swift’s fans over who Tool even was). The album’s epic title track was released in early August and became the longest song to ever crack the top 100 on the singles chart, clocking in at more than 10 minutes. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 05. From $55. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown, usbankarena.com Photo: Travis Shinn
TUESDAY 05 ONSTAGE: Mean Girls at the Aronoff Center Wildly popular teen comedy film Mean Girls is headed to Broadway in Cincinnati at the Aronoff Center during its national tour. The musical is based on the 2004 movie, which tells the story of a clan of popular teens — dubbed “The Plastics” — who become at odds with an innocent girl that moves into their suburban Illinois town from the African savanna and attempts to take down the queen bee. The award-winning creative team behind the Mean Girls musical includes director Casey Nicholaw (Aladdin, The Book of Mormon), author Tina Fey (30 Rock), composer Jeff Richmond (30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) and lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde). Nov. 5-17. $35-$115. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org. Photo: Facebook.com/Meangirlsbway