11 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (Aug. 9-11)

Summer's not over yet, Cincinnati, and this weekend is packed with events to help you soak up these last few weeks of carefree joy before we all switch gears to pumpkin spice season. From a nature hike in search of butterflies and exploring the Newport Aquarium after dark to a free outdoor concert with one music legend and a musical sharing the life story of another, there's no shortage of fun to be had. Keep scrolling for even more things to do this weekend in Greater Cincinnati.

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.
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Bodies in Flux Exhibit
When: Thursday, Aug. 8; Friday, Aug. 9; and Saturday, Aug. 10 from 6-10 p.m.
Where: Alice OTR, 1432 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
What: Through art and storytelling, artist Asha White has created an exploration of reproductive rights, body autonomy and the power of communal empathy using six fabric vaginas and a documentary of the project’s journey.
Who: Asha White
Why: Each vagina represents an aspect of reproductive justice, and there are objects inside that were inspired by community discussions and creative writing workshops held this past spring.

Bodies in Flux Exhibit


When: Thursday, Aug. 8; Friday, Aug. 9; and Saturday, Aug. 10 from 6-10 p.m.
Where: Alice OTR, 1432 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
What: Through art and storytelling, artist Asha White has created an exploration of reproductive rights, body autonomy and the power of communal empathy using six fabric vaginas and a documentary of the project’s journey.
Who: Asha White
Why: Each vagina represents an aspect of reproductive justice, and there are objects inside that were inspired by community discussions and creative writing workshops held this past spring.
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Earth to Kentucky’s Kaiju Show
When: Friday, Aug. 9 at 6 p.m.
Where: Earth To Kentucky, 836 Main St., Covington
What: After a six-month hiatus, wonderful and wacky toy store Earth To Kentucky is reopening to the public. The event also includes the opening reception for its kaiju-themed art show, Da Toys All Monsters.
Who: Earth To Kentucky
Why: Enjoy a monster-themed art show featuring Godzilla and friends. There will also be a cardboard city where you can pretend to be a monster, and you’ll be able to browse the store’s unique collection of toys.

Earth to Kentucky’s Kaiju Show


When: Friday, Aug. 9 at 6 p.m.
Where: Earth To Kentucky, 836 Main St., Covington
What: After a six-month hiatus, wonderful and wacky toy store Earth To Kentucky is reopening to the public. The event also includes the opening reception for its kaiju-themed art show, Da Toys All Monsters.
Who: Earth To Kentucky
Why: Enjoy a monster-themed art show featuring Godzilla and friends. There will also be a cardboard city where you can pretend to be a monster, and you’ll be able to browse the store’s unique collection of toys.
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Mason Symphony Orchestra’s Show with Livingston Taylor
When: Friday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Corwin M. Nixon Park, 6249 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason
What: Livingston Taylor, best known for hits like “I Will Be In Love With You” and “Carolina on My Mind” (and for being James Taylor’s brother), is joining Mason Symphony Orchestra for a free outdoor performance. 
Who: Mason Symphony Orchestra
Why: Taylor’s successful music career spans over 50 years and he’s written top-40 hits and appeared alongside stars like Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac and Jimmy Buffett.

Mason Symphony Orchestra’s Show with Livingston Taylor


When: Friday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Corwin M. Nixon Park, 6249 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason
What: Livingston Taylor, best known for hits like “I Will Be In Love With You” and “Carolina on My Mind” (and for being James Taylor’s brother), is joining Mason Symphony Orchestra for a free outdoor performance.
Who: Mason Symphony Orchestra
Why: Taylor’s successful music career spans over 50 years and he’s written top-40 hits and appeared alongside stars like Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac and Jimmy Buffett.
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Aquarium After Dark at Newport Aquarium
When: Friday, Aug. 9 from 7:15-11 p.m.
Where: Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport
What: Visit the aquarium after dark for a pizza party, animal encounters, animal touch opportunities and a self-guided twilight tour and scavenger hunt.
Who: Newport Aquarium
Why: Experience the wonder of the aquarium and its animals’ nocturnal behaviors when the lights go down.
Photo: Casey Roberts

Aquarium After Dark at Newport Aquarium


When: Friday, Aug. 9 from 7:15-11 p.m.
Where: Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport
What: Visit the aquarium after dark for a pizza party, animal encounters, animal touch opportunities and a self-guided twilight tour and scavenger hunt.
Who: Newport Aquarium
Why: Experience the wonder of the aquarium and its animals’ nocturnal behaviors when the lights go down.
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Artisan513 Birthday Bash
When: Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
What: A market celebrating creativity, local art, music and food from local vendors.
Who: Artisan Marketplace
Why: Shop local.

Artisan513 Birthday Bash


When: Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
What: A market celebrating creativity, local art, music and food from local vendors.
Who: Artisan Marketplace
Why: Shop local.
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On the Wing: Butterfly Walk with Glenn Crisler
When: Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to noon
Where: Kirby Nature Center, 2 E. Main St., Addyston
What: Explore the nature center and look for butterflies.
Who: Western Wildlife Corridor
Why: You’ll get to search for and ID butterflies with an expert and learn how to attract them to your yard.
Photo: Kenneth Dwain Harrelson

On the Wing: Butterfly Walk with Glenn Crisler


When: Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to noon
Where: Kirby Nature Center, 2 E. Main St., Addyston
What: Explore the nature center and look for butterflies.
Who: Western Wildlife Corridor
Why: You’ll get to search for and ID butterflies with an expert and learn how to attract them to your yard.
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Sip & Press Fundraiser/Paint Party at 16 Lots South
When: Saturday, Aug. 10 from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: 16 Lots Southern Outpost, 1 Levee Way
What: A t-shirt painting party for a good cause.
Who: 16 Lots Brewing
Why: Support mental health awareness and create a t-shirt you’ll be able to wear the same day, all while enjoying a boozy slushy. Stay after to watch the Bengals’ first preseason game at 7 p.m.
Photo: Provided by 16 Lots Southern Outpost

Sip & Press Fundraiser/Paint Party at 16 Lots South


When: Saturday, Aug. 10 from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: 16 Lots Southern Outpost, 1 Levee Way
What: A t-shirt painting party for a good cause.
Who: 16 Lots Brewing
Why: Support mental health awareness and create a t-shirt you’ll be able to wear the same day, all while enjoying a boozy slushy. Stay after to watch the Bengals’ first preseason game at 7 p.m.
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Beautiful, the Carole King Musical
When: Saturday, Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m.
Where: The Carnegie Gallery Education Theatre, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington
What: A musical based on the true story of legendary singer/songwriter Carole King. 
Who: The Carnegie
Why: Celebrate the story of King’s rise to fame, as well as the power of friendship. The musical also features over two dozen pop classics, including “It’s Too Late,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “One Fine Day” and “You’ve Got a Friend.”
Photo: thecarnegie.com

Beautiful, the Carole King Musical


When: Saturday, Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m.
Where: The Carnegie Gallery Education Theatre, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington
What: A musical based on the true story of legendary singer/songwriter Carole King.
Who: The Carnegie
Why: Celebrate the story of King’s rise to fame, as well as the power of friendship. The musical also features over two dozen pop classics, including “It’s Too Late,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “One Fine Day” and “You’ve Got a Friend.”
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Sarah Shook & the Disarmers
When: Saturday, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m.
Where: Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport
What: Experience the searching lyrics and gritty, evocative voice of this country/punk/rock artist.
Who: Southgate House Revival
Why: The band just released their fourth album, Revelations, which CityBeat writer Jason Gargano describes as “the culmination of a creative and personal evolution.”
Photo: Jillian Clark

Sarah Shook & the Disarmers


When: Saturday, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m.
Where: Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport
What: Experience the searching lyrics and gritty, evocative voice of this country/punk/rock artist.
Who: Southgate House Revival
Why: The band just released their fourth album, Revelations, which CityBeat writer Jason Gargano describes as “the culmination of a creative and personal evolution.”
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Cincinnati Plant Party
When: Sunday, Aug. 11 from 12:30-5 p.m.
Where: Knox Joseph Distillery at the OTR Stillhouse, 2017 Branch St., Over-the-Rhine
What: A curated market featuring the best local and independent plant shops, pottery makers, propagators, collectors and artists.
Who: City Plant Party
Why: It’s Cincinnati’s biggest plant party and will have something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or an expert plant parent.

Cincinnati Plant Party


When: Sunday, Aug. 11 from 12:30-5 p.m.
Where: Knox Joseph Distillery at the OTR Stillhouse, 2017 Branch St., Over-the-Rhine
What: A curated market featuring the best local and independent plant shops, pottery makers, propagators, collectors and artists.
Who: City Plant Party
Why: It’s Cincinnati’s biggest plant party and will have something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or an expert plant parent.
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Hope Fest
When: Sunday, Aug. 11 from 4-6 p.m.
Where: Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown
What: An annual festival aimed at inspiring and uplifting the community. This year will put a spotlight on crucial issues in Cincinnati, including homelessness, human trafficking and mental health.
Who: Sister Kelli Blackwell and the City of Cincinnati
Why: Meet and connect with fellow Cincinnatians to share experiences and build hope and community.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Hope Fest


When: Sunday, Aug. 11 from 4-6 p.m.
Where: Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown
What: An annual festival aimed at inspiring and uplifting the community. This year will put a spotlight on crucial issues in Cincinnati, including homelessness, human trafficking and mental health.
Who: Sister Kelli Blackwell and the City of Cincinnati
Why: Meet and connect with fellow Cincinnatians to share experiences and build hope and community.
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