FRIDAY 14
ART: REUSED + RECYCLED AT C-LINK GALLERYHeld in conjunction with Brazee Street Studios’ first Open Studios event of the year, as well as their sixth-annual art material swap, C-LINK Gallery hosts an opening reception for a group show titledReused + Recycled featuring work made with recycled materials. Using found objects as a jumping-off point for art-making and creativity, participating artists include Andrew Neyer, Paige Wideman, Jonpaul Smith and Sara Caswell-Pearce. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Thursday. Through May 4. Free. C-LINK, 4426 Brazee St., Oakley, c-linklocal.com.
ONSTAGE: EQUUSPeter Shaffer’s searing British drama from 1973 is the story of Dr. Martin Dysart, a serious-minded psychiatrist struggling to treat Alan Strang, a 17-year-old boy suffering from a pathological religious fascination with horses. He is presented for treatment after he horrifically blinds six horses with an ice pick in a barn in rural Suffolk, England, an act that requires the doctor to plumb the depths of the boy’s obsession while wrestling with his own demons and existential questions. The show’s 1975 Broadway production won several Tony Awards, including the season’s best play. Through April 23. $26 adults; $23 students/seniors. Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, 801 Matson Place, East Price Hill, cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.
COMEDY: STEVE GILLESPIEMiddle-aged men irritate comedian Steve Gillespie. “They have shit and that bugs me,” he tells an audience. “I know. I get it. You have a house and a family and a job; go away. I’m bitter. I’ve got nothing.” Well, he has only two things: “I’ve got credit card debt and my friend’s Netflix password. It’s not even his password; it’s his cousin’s. We’re all using like one of 10 Netflix logins. If you have your own Netflix login, you’re in the Illuminati.” Middle-aged men also often ask him how much money he makes doing stand-up. “You want to hear I’m struggling so you can feel better about that soul-sucking sales job that you devoted your life to? You can’t fill the hole in your soul with my problems.” Thursday-Saturday. $8-$14. Go Bananas, 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, gobananascomedy.com.
MUSIC: KISHI BASHIClassically trained violinist Kaoru Ishibashi — better known by his performing moniker, Kishi Bashi — sharpened his Pop chops by lending his talents to the music of such artists as Regina Spektor, of Montreal and Sondre Lerche. He’s also a founding member of Electro Pop outfit Jupiter One, but in recent years he’s stepped out as a solo artist (backed by a full band). It’s no surprise that Kishi Bashi’s first two records —2012’s 151a and 2014’s Lighght — featured plenty of violin; less expected was their expansive Pop soundscapes, which ranged from otherworldly ethereal to textured foot-stompers that brought to mind Animal Collective at their most accessible. Kishi Bashi’s most recent album, last year’s Sonderlust, was borne in the midst of a tough personal period for the Virginia native — he and his wife of 13 years went through a separation. Read more in this week's Sound Advice. Kishi Bashi plays 20th Century Theater Friday. For tickets/more info, click here.
MUSIC: SON VOLTThe splintering of the very popular Uncle Tupelo in the mid-’90s provided conclusive evidence that its two massively gifted songwriters were better off on separate playgrounds. Jeff Tweedy has certainly been a diverse musical juggernaut with Wilco over the past two decades, but Jay Farrar has been an unparalleled sonic explorer, collaborating with the Flaming Lips’ Steven Drozd (on Farrar’s solo Sebastopol), Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard (on the soundtrack for the Jack Kerouac documentary film One Fast Move or I’m Gone), Varnaline’s Anders Parker (with their transformative Folk duo Gob Iron) and with his genre spanning band Son Volt. With Son Volt, Farrar has examined the breadth of American music, from shambling Rock to twangy Americana in all its varied Honky Tonk Country and dusty Folk glory, particularly on the band’s first three albums: 1995’s critically acclaimed Trace, 1997’s Straightaways and 1998’s Wide Swing Tremolo. During Son Volt’s subsequent six-year hiatus, Farrar charted an acoustic solo path before reconvening his Son Volt bandmates to contribute a cover of Alejandro Escovedo’s “Sometimes” to the Por Vida benefit album in 2004. Read more in this week's Sound Advice. Son Volt plays Southgate House Revival Friday. Click here for tickets/more show info.
SATURDAY 15
EVENT: BEER-LINGUALLove is universal, especially in regard to fellow humans and, well, beer. Kung Food Chu’s AmerAsia is celebrating that love with a boozy block party in support of immigrants in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, with proceeds from the event benefitting the English Language Learning Foundation. Beginning at 2 p.m., breweries including MadTree, Rhinegeist, Braxton and Urban Artifact will serve up brews in the parking lot adjacent to AmerAsia alongside food, games, vendors, live music and a raffle for baskets filled with rare and specialty beers. Head inside the restaurant at 4 p.m. for a tap takeover with Three Floyds, Prairie Artisan Ales and Evil Twin Brewing. 2 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. AmerAsia, 521 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., facebook.com/kungfoodchu.
EVENT: GET LIT! CINCINNATI
Get Lit! Cincinnati is an independent literature fair and book drive that offers the unique opportunity to meet and chat with some of the area’s most talented indie writers, all under one roof. Partnering with Pose Mortem Press, which specializes in publishing on a small, immediate and local scale, the day will feature breakout sessions intertwined with readings and performances, including sessions that deal with questions of self-publishing, indie screenwriting and the intricate process of poetry. Bring a new or gently used book to donate to Rockdale Academy in Avondale and you’ll receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win some prizes. Find a full schedule of events, authors and small press participants online. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Free. Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside, getlitcincy.com.
SPORTS: FC CINCINNATI HOME OPENER
FC Cincinnati kicks off its home season against Saint Louis Football Club this Saturday, and to say the anticipation is high would be an understatement. FC Cincinnati shattered the United Soccer League’s single-game attendance record for regular season games last September against Orlando City with an estimated 24,376 fans, and Nippert Stadium drew an average 17,296 fans per game. The club is coming into only its secondseason with season ticket sales topping 11,000 — nearly double last year’s 6,000. We could very well see FC Cincinnati becoming one of Major League Soccer’s newest team additions in the coming years, and speculation has been thrown around as to where to build a new stadium. For now, the team is set to christen a recent $2 million renovation of Nippert, which widened the field to meet MLS and international standards. 7 p.m. Saturday. $5-$30. Nippert Stadium, 2700 Bearcat Way, Clifton Heights, fccincinnati.com.
EVENT: HOLLER FESTIVAL: A CELEBRATION OF KENTUCKY CRAFT BEER AND SPIRITS
Several local breweries are looking to extend the tradition of camaraderie, fellowship and cooperation commonly associated with Kentucky bourbon distilleries to the craft beer and whiskey scene. Enter the second-annual Holler Festival. With a state that has nearly five million barrels of bourbon aging as we speak, it’s hard to think of a better cause to get behind (and reap the hoppy spoils of). Both general and VIP admission include drink tickets and light bites courtesy of McHale’s Catering. VIP perks includes access to heavy hors d’oeuvres, exclusive tastings of New Riff’s OKI bourbon and a commemorative tasting glass. 6-10 p.m. Saturday. $50; $75 VIP. New Riff Distilling Event Center. 24 Distillery Way, Newport, Ky., newriffdistilling.com.
SUNDAY 16
Easter Brunch at Via Vite — Easter brunch, Italian style. Enjoy authentic Italian items and traditional brunch favorites, including Tuscan braised pork belly and cannellini bean ragout, buttermilk pancakes and Italian shrimp salad. RSVP suggested. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $30 adults; $10. Via Vite, 520 Vine St., Downtown, 513-721-8483, facbeook.com/viavite.
Easter Brunch at Forno Osteria + Bar — An Easter brunch buffet featuring dishes like pancakes, frittata, shrimp and grits, polenta and Bolognese and more. RSVP suggested. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $25 adults; $10 children. Forno Osteria + Bar, 3514 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, fornoosteriabar.com.
Easter Brunch at The Phoenix — Easter brunch featuring live music, photos with the Easter bunny and a buffet with an omelet station, waffle station, carving station and a mimosa and bloody mary bar. RSVP. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $36 adults; $15 children; free 3 and younger. The Phoenix, 812 Race St., Downtown, 513-721-8901.
Easter Jazz Brunch at Washington Platform — Breakfast and lunch favorites, including an omelet station, cheesy grits, breakfast meats, a carving station, fried chicken and more. RSVP suggested. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $27 adults; $22 seniors; $18 children. Washington Platform, 1000 Elm St., Downtown, washingtonplatform.com.
Easter Brunch at Coppin’s — A buffet brunch featuring smoked salmon, mini quiches, lemon-lavender scones, banana pudding shots, cooked-to-order omelets, buttermilk fried chicken and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Coppin’s at Hotel Covington, 638 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., hotelcovington.com.
Easter Brunch at Prime — Menu includes eggs benedict, a carving station and other Easter favorites. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $37 adults; $15 children; $13 bottomless mimosas. Prime Cincinnati, 580 Walnut St., Downtown, primecincinnati.com.
Easter Brunch at Metropole — A two-course prix fixe Easter brunch fully stocked with farm-fresh goodies, including quinoa hash and avocado toast. A special a la carte kid’s menu is available. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $30. Metropole, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, facebook.com/metropoleonwalnut.