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It’s too cold too soon. What’s new, Cincinnati? Not sweater weather. Despite the unseasonable fall freeze, we found a few — mostly inside — things to do this weekend. Put your beer coat on at Sonder Brewing’s five-year anniversary. Check out OTR’s annual chili cookoff, attend a paint and sip event or be part of a World Record Breaking Night at the Cyclones Game. If you’re one of those Grinches who likes to discourage early holiday festivities by shaming the jolly ones into submission, maybe visit the holiday tree going up on Fountain Square to instill some cheer. Scroll down to see all of our weekend picks.
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.
Alice (In Wonderland) at Cincinnati Music Hall
Feb. 10-12
Alice (In Wonderland) is a story by 19th-century English author Lewis Carroll that follows a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and then finds herself in the wacky world of Wonderland. The Cincinnati Ballet, shown here in rehearsals for Alice, will perform a humorous portrayal of the story with a score by New York composer and violinist Matthew Pierce. Pierce’s other works include The Wizard of Oz and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The performance will be held in Springer Auditorium. Feb 10-12, with more performances to follow. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cballet.org. Photo: facebook.com/cincinnatiballetEclectic Small Works
When: Nov. 3 from 5-8 p.m.
Where: ARTclectic Gallery, Madisonville
What: Holiday themed art show.
Who: Local artists.
Why: Because in about a month you’ll be scrambling to buy holiday gifts. Start early. Photo: ARTclectic FacebookPaint and Sip
When: Nov. 3 from 7-9 p.m.
Where: The Pitch, Over-the-Rhine
What: A paint-by-numbers style event with refreshments.
Who: The Paint Sesh
Why: Learn to paint “The Vibrant Tiger.” Photo: Anna Kolosyuk via UnsplashCyclones World Record Night
When: Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Heritage Bank Center, Downtown
What: Cincinnati Cyclones take on the Iowa Heartlanders
Who: Cincinnati Cyclones
Why: Be part of an attempt to break the world record of the most people doing the “Macarena” at once. Photo: Aidan Mahoney’90s Rock Night at Madison Theater
When: Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.
Where: Madison Theater, Covington
What: A night of ’90s tribute bands.
Who: The Pretender, American Idiots, Only in Dreams and Disarm
Why: Because ’90s music is the best music. Photo: Madison Theater FacebookBrick Fest
When: Nov. 4 at 9 a.m.
Where: Duke Energy Convention Center, Downtown
What: A display of life-size brick builds and interactive activities.
Who: Brick Fest Live.
Why: Contestants from the Lego Masters TV show will be there. Photo: Watty62/Wikimedia CommonsComedy at The Comet
When: Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Comet, Northside
What: Standup comedy
Who: George Rigden with Faith Mueller and Justin Bradley, hosted by Wayne Memmott
Why: An intimate comedy experience featuring up-and-coming acts. Photo: facebook.com/TheCometCincinnatiNative American Heritage Month Storytime
When: Nov. 4 from 2-3 p.m.
Where: Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Hyde Park
What: Storytime in honor of Native American Heritage Month.
Who: Joseph-Beth Booksellers
Why: An informative and entertaining mid-day story session is never a bad idea. Photo: facebook.com/JosephBethCincyRock ‘n Revival for A Cure
3 p.m. March 11
The seventh annual Rock ‘n Revival is taking over the Sanctuary, Lounge and Revival Room at the Southgate House Revival on Saturday. More than 20 bands are playing in one night to benefit the John Forsthoefel for Glioblastoma Research Fund. Bands include The Grove, See You in the Funnies, Jim Trace and the Makers, Green Light Morning and Junior Citizens. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door. 3 p.m. March 11. The Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com. Photo: Google Maps screengrabOTR’s Annual Chili Cook-off
When: Nov. 5 from 2-5 p.m.
Where: Low Spark Bar, Over-the-Rhine
What: Chili taste test and competition.
Who: Local chili-cooking enthusiasts.
Why: Participants and guests are the judges. It’s only $5 to enter your recipe. Photo: UnsplashNorthside Record Fair
11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 1
The biannual Northside Record Fair is a Cincinnati staple that attracts collectors and vinyl lovers from across the Midwest. More than 20 vendors will make their rare collections available to swoon over or buy. The event is sponsored by Shake It Records and Torn Light Records, and according to the event page it “ain’t no Beatles and Elvis fair.” Posters, t-shirts and other music memorabilia will also be for sale. Tickets are $5. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 1. 4222 Hamilton Ave., Northside, northsiderecordfair.com. Photo: Provided by Jon LorenzTouch a Truck
When: Nov. 4 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Bellevue Beach Park, Bellevue
What: An interactive display of city vehicles like police cars, fire trucks, dump trucks and construction vehicles. A viewing and “touching” event for the whole family.
Who: City of Bellevue
Why: Truck touching sounds silly, but you know you want to. Photo: Zlatko Duric via UnsplashNature Cleanup at Oxbow Nature Conservancy
When: Nov. 4 at 9 a.m.
Where: Oxbow Nature Conservancy, Harrison
What: Cleanup on the western property of the conservancy.
Who: Oxbow Inc.
Why: Pizza party to follow. Photo: Oxbow Inc. FacebookColorFall at Perfect North Slopes
When: Nov. 3, 4 & 5
Where: Perfect North Slopes, Lawrenceburg
What: An immersive light show and nature walk.
Who: Perfect North Slopes
Why: A nod to the coming holidays and fun for the whole family. Photo: Perfect North Slopes FacebookAnnual Tree Lighting at Fountain Square
6-9 p.m. Nov. 25
At Fountain Square, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — literally. Join fellow revelers to celebrate the official start of the holiday season now that Thanksgiving is over with the 2022 ProLink Staffing Light Up the Square event. From the event’s page: “Festivities begin at 6 p.m. when we will be joined by special guests Sheree Paolello and Mike Dardis from Channel 5 and Freddy Mac and Nat from Q102. The evening will feature live music, special appearance by Santa Claus and a dazzling fireworks display.” 6-9 p.m. Nov. 25. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown, myfountainsquare.com. Photo: Vincent DiFrancescoMojo Blues Cats
When: Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.
Where: Mansion Hill Tavern, Newport
What: Live music.
Who: Mojo Blues Cats
Why: Check out one of Cincinnati’s premiere blues bands. Photo: Mojo Blues Cats FacebookSonder Brewing’s 5th Anniversary
When: Nov. 4 at 9 a.m.
Where: Sonder Brewing, Mason
What: A celebration of Sonder’s birthday.
Who: Sonder Brewing
Why: Sonder will be releasing a new or old beer every hour. Photo: facebook.com/sonderbrewingOhio Sons at Northside Tavern
When: Nov. 3 at 9 p.m.
Where: Northside Tavern, Northside
What: Live music
Who: Ohio Sons, A.M. Nice, Cold Stereo and Never View
Why: A great lineup at a great venue. Photo: Northside Tavern FacebookNaked Karate Girls at Rick’s Tavern & Grille
When: Nov. 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: Rick’s Tavern & Grille, Cheviot
What: Live music, “Party like God’s Glow” party
Who: Naked Karate Girls
Why: They aren’t naked, they aren’t girls and they don’t do karate. Photo: Naked Karate Girls FacebookThe City Flea at Washington Park
10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 22
Support small businesses and local artists at the monthly City Flea, Cincy’s monthly curated, urban flea market. Shop for yourself or others from a wide selection of jewelry, trinkets, vintage memorabilia, home decor and more. Don’t have time to stop by? The City Flea will be back Aug. 12, Sept. 16 and Oct. 14.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 22. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St. cityflea.com. Photo: Hailey BollingerNight of Tarot at Roebling Books
When: Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Roebling Books and Coffee, Dayton, Kentucky
What: A tarot card reading
Who: “Resident Diviner”
Why: Couple’s reading, private reading and individual card readings available. Photo: Petr Sidorov via UnsplashBlack -n-Bluegrass Roller Girls
When: Nov. 4 at 5 p.m.
Where: Hits 55, Covington
What: The NKY roller girls versus The Downriver Roller Dolls
Who: Black-n-Bluegrass Roller Girls
Why: It’s the last match of the season. Photo: facebook.com/BlacknBluegrassRollerGirlsDent Schoolhouse Lights Out
When: Nov. 3 & 4 from 7:30 p.m.-12 a.m.
Where: Dent Schoolhouse, Dent
What: Experience the haunted house with almost no lights at all.
Who: Dent Schoolhouse
Why: The lights-out special only occurs one weekend of the year. Photo: Provided by Dent SchoolhouseFall Showcase
When: Nov. 4 from 4-6:30 p.m.
Where: Wyoming Fine Arts Center, Wyoming
What: A fall showcase featuring art and activities.
Who: Local artists
Why: Food, activities, art. What more do you need? Photo: Wyoming Fine Arts Center Facebook
Katie Griffith is CityBeat’s arts and culture reporter. She proudly hails from the West Side of Cincinnati and studied journalism at the University of Cincinnati. After freelancing for CityBeat for many...
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