Looking for some exciting and rewarding — and perhaps new and different — Arts & Culture activities for this weekend? Here are five recommendations from CityBeat:
1) RBG not only are the initials of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's name, it's also the title of the surprise-hit documentary about her, which is opening at the Esquire Theatre this weekend. The film, from Betsy West and Julie Cohen, looks at how the 85-year-old Ginsburg has not only become a formidable legal scholar,, but also a pop-culture icon. More info: esquiretheatre.com.
2) Dance Theatre of Harlem is bringing a fine, diverse program of ballet and contemporary dance to Cincinnati Friday and Saturday that includes "Valse-Fantaisie,” a piece by George Balanchine; “This Bitter Earth,” a pas de deux from choreographer Christopher Wheeldon set to the Dinah Washington song of the same name; “Change,” from renowned modern dance choreographer Dianne McIntyre and which is set to Negro spirituals; and “Harlem on My Mind,” choreographed by Darrell Grand Moultrie and set to Harlem Jazz tunes. Shows are 8 p.m. at downtown’s Aronoff Center for the Arts. Tickets at cincinnatiarts.org; read our story here.
3) PAR-Projects, which has been presenting top-quality art exhibits in its unusual but very effective gallery space (part of a converted Northside lumber-drying facility) at 1662 Hoffner St. in Northside, begins its 2018 season with the 6-10 p.m. Saturday opening of the show This system is working, by sculptor Christian Benefiel. PAR_Projects also will be showcasing recent gallery upgrades. The artist has in the past used wood to create what looks like deconstructed slices of the cosmos, so this sounds very promising. It will be up through July 14. You can see a short video of his work here (on Facebook); or read more about PAR-Projects here.
4) Crafty Supermarket occurs Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Music Hall Ballroom, 1241 Elm St. in Over-the-Rhine, so there's no need to stay home and shop Etsy on this day. The craft show is perfectly timed for those looking for regionally made gifts for Mother's Day, Father's Day and beyond. More than 100 vendors will be displaying wares, including such new ones as Cincinnati Cruisers (hardwood longboards) and Knoxville's Meghan McCrary (playful paper products like Boss Lady magnets and postcards depicting Knoxville's strange Sunsphere). Admission is free. More info here.
5) Sew Valley, the new nonprofit organization offering specialized equipment and a sense of community to those rediscovering sewing as a potentially lucrative 21st-century business, is holding a fundraiser/member showcase Friday from 7-9:30 p.m., with donations suggested. It's your chance to meet the growing number of Cincinnati sewists, plus check out such machinery as a Kansai double-needle bottom cover stitch machine. Sew Valley is in the West End building that is also home to the venerable National Flag Co. factory, which makes the open house doubly interesting. It's at 1010 Hulbert Ave. More information: sewvalley.org. Read our story here.
