Trying to beat the heat? Us too. There’s plenty of events this weekend, whether you’re soaking up the sun or staying cool inside.
If you’re looking for even more to do on every day of the week, visit the CityBeat events calendar.
Friday-Sunday, Music Hall – Springer Auditorium, Over-the-Rhine
“Lalovavi,” an Afrofuturist opera by Kevin Day and libretto by Tifara Brown, makes its world premiere this week. It’s the first of three operas commissioned by the Cincinnati Opera’s Black Opera Project. The audience finds Lalovavi set 400 years in the future in Atlas — once known as Atlanta — controlled by the dictator Titan. His daughter, Persephone, escapes her father’s sinister plans for her future and encounters the Nunewak society outside Atlas, a culture attuned to nature with its own language. Read more about the show here.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs
Friday – Sunday, Great American Ballpark, downtown
Let’s face it: the Reds are bad. Despite their strongest ever start to the regular season, the Reds were the MLB’s worst team in June by nearly every metric, and don’t seem to show any signs of making a surprise playoff run like they did in the previous season. Better news: there’s almost nothing better to do on a weekend than grabbing a couple coneys or a slice of LaRosa’s and taking in the sights and sounds of GABP.
“Dogberry and Verges Are Scared” at Cincy Shakes
Friday-Sunday, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Over-the-Rhine
From July 10 to 25, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company will present its latest light-hearted summer offering, a brand-new comedy titled “Dogberry and Verges Are Scared.” It’s a buddy comedy with Shakespearean roots, developed by actors Michael Doherty and Will Mobley. Its inspiration is the two bumbling constables from the Bard’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” a pair who are regularly and comically frightened by the prospect of real danger. Read more about the world premiere of the new show here.
Friday – Saturday, Fountain Square and The Banks, downtown
We’re finally in the quarterfinals of this year’s World Cup, which is — for our money — the most exciting iteration of the tournament in decades. (Personally, we’re fine with anyone winning as long as it’s not England.) Both Fountain Square and The Banks will be holding watch parties for the World Cup this weekend. Fountain Square has giveaways from FC Cincinnati’s “Summer of Soccer,” while The Banks has set up a “viewing village” with a giant screen and plenty of drinks to go around. Take your pick.
Friday, 7:30 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave, Anderson Township
Here’s what’s probably your last chance to see one of the most legendary rockers of all time. Whether you call him Zimmy, The Bard, The Voice of a Generation, or whatever other nickname he’s earned across his career, Bob Dylan himself is touching down in the Queen City at Riverbend this weekend.
Friday – Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville
Meet big names from your favorite franchises—like Brian Donovan (Rock Lee in “Naruto”) and Quinton Flynn (of “Kingdom Hearts” fame)—as they share behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the anime world. While you’re there, shop merchandise from local vendors, sit in various workshops and join the cosplay costume contest. It’ll be so kawaii.
Saturday, 7 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave, Anderson Township
Iconic rock band Muse is bringing their “The Wow! Signal Tour” to Cincinnati this weekend, too. Bloc Party (yeah, the “Helicopter” guys) are opening. It’s a good weekend for rock music in Cincinnati.
“Marvels: The Novelization” Discussion & Reading With Author Steve Darnall
Sunday, Roebling Books Newport, 601 Overton Street, Newport
If you’re a comic book fan, this is the place to be this weekend. Steve Darnall is a writer whose credits have included everything from comic books to newspapers to broadcasting. He collaborated with celebrated artist Alex Ross on the critically acclaimed comic series “Uncle Sam” and the 2020 miniseries “Marvel.” Now, he’s discussing his latest project at Roebling Books in Newport.
Rob Schneider at Hard Rock Casino
Saturday, 8 p.m., Hard Rock Casino, Pendleton
Comedy legend Rob Schneider is ready to make you laugh. Whether you know him from his time on “Saturday Night Live” or for appearances in movies like “Big Daddy” and “Deuce Bigalow: American Gigolo,” one thing’s for sure: he’ll probably be pretty funny at Hard Rock Casino this weekend.
Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Colerain
Cincinnati’s only working local winery is having a summer event for the ages. Try plenty of great wine (including wine slushies), shop local crafts and hear live music. And if you’re not big into wine, they’ll have beer on tap, too.
