19 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Week (June 19-25)

WEDNESDAY 19

ART: No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man at the Cincinnati Art Museum
With her ongoing “Before I Die” project, Candy Chang has become a leader in the burgeoning field of participatory public art. To date, since the first one appeared on the outside of an abandoned New Orleans house in 2011, there have been more than 5,000 blackboard-like “Before I Die” walls created in some 70 countries — including one just installed at the Cincinnati Art Museum as part of the second phase of its No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man exhibit. She created it in 2018. The wall now at the art museum is 8 feet high and 42 feet long — it occupies roughly a half of a second-floor balcony’s overall space.Through Sept. 2. Free admission. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiartmuseum.org
Photo: Courtsey of Candy Chang

WEDNESDAY 19

ONSTAGE: Lizzie
In the sweltering New England summer of 1892, Lizzie Borden was accused of the brutal killing of her father and stepmother. Though acquitted, the speculation around Lizzie as the true perpetrator who got away with murder-times-two endures. As the schoolyard rhyme goes: “Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks. And when she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41.” Currently onstage at the Human Race Theatre Company in Dayton, Lizzie is a bloody good high-octane Rock opera sung by four supremely talented women. Lizzie runs through June 30 at Human Race Theatre Company, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. More info/tickets: humanracetheatre.org.
Photo: Scott J. Kimmins

WEDNESDAY 19

MUSIC: The Wailers
Starting in 1963, future Reggae legends Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer formed The Wailers as a Ska singing trio in Kingston, Jamaica. The band would grow to take on many forms, most notably Bob Marley & the Wailers, which came together in the mid-’70s with brothers Aston “Family Man” Barrett and Carlton Barrett on bass and drums, respectively. The grouped backed Marley on his journey to becoming a worldwide, cross-genre music icon until his death in 1981. Marley reportedly personally requested that the Wailers continue on after his death, a mission Family Man Barrett has stayed true to ever since. The post-Marley Wailers were founded by the Barrett brothers and have featured a rotating lineup that has included other original band members, as well as other members of the Barrett family, including current drummer Aston Barrett Jr., Family Man’s son who carries the torch for his late uncle (Carlton was murdered in 1987). The Wailers’ setlist features Reggae classic after Reggae classic, giving multiple generations of fans the chance to experience Marley’s magic with some of the roots of Reggae music’s family tree. 8 p.m. Wednesday. $20. Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, bogarts.com.
Photo: The Wailers

WEDNESDAY 19

LIT: The Gay Metropolis: An Evening with Charles Kaiser
Charles Kaiser chronicles this history in his book The Gay Metropolis: The Landmark History of Gay Life in America. Kaiser will be at downtown’s Mercantile Library June 19 to discuss and read from the book. First published in 1997, he has updated The Gay Metropolis for the third time for 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Organized by decade, it winds through modern LGBTQ history, starting with the 1940s and World War II, weaving through Stonewall and the AIDS epidemic, all the way to the present day.The Gay Metropolis: An Evening with Charles Kaiser takes place at The Mercantile Library from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. More info: mercantilelibrary.com.
Photo: Provided by Charles Kaiser

WEDNESDAY 19

FILM: The Devil Wears Prada at Washington Park
Free films return to the park on Wednesdays this summer. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, grab snacks (and/or booze) from the concession stand and get ready to watch an assortment of movies on the big screen. Join Cincinnati Pride for this week’s screening: The Devil Wears Prada. Bring your family and friends and wear your finest fashions to compete for best dressed. Prizes will be awarded. Films start at dusk. 9-11 p.m. Wednesday. Free admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark.org
Photo: 3CDC

THURSDAY 20

FILM: Easy Rider at the Cincinnati Art Museum
The Cincinnati Art Museum hosts a screening of 1960s biker film Easy Rider as part of its Moving Images series. Perfectly lined up with the ethos of the current No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man exhibit, this 1969 film — the directorial debut of actor Dennis Hopper — follows outlaw hippie motorcyclists Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Hopper) as they take a cache of smuggled cocaine from Mexico to Los Angeles, sell it and try to make their way to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Catch this free screening (with a cash bar) featuring an introduction by Stan Corkin, University of Cincinnati Niehoff Professor of Film and Media. 7 p.m. Thursday. Free admission. Fath Auditorium, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
Photo: Cincinnati Art Museum Facebook

FRIDAY 21

ONSTAGE: Shakespeare in the Park A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is bringing the Bard to the great outdoors this summer during its annual Shakespeare in the Park traveling performance series. The troupe of six actors from the CSC Professional Intern Company will be presenting excerpts from Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet for free in parks, pavilions and public spaces across the Tri-State. This week, catch A Midsummer Night’s Dream 7-9 p.m. Friday at Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park (1600 Art Museum Drive, Mount Adams), 7-9 p.m. Saturday at Linden Grove Cemetery (401 W. 13th St., Covington) and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Bramble Park (6300 Bramble Ave., Madisonville). Expect costuming, crowds and truncated showtimes. No tickets required. Get more info and additional show info at cincyshakes.com.
Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

FRIDAY 21

COMEDY: Randy Rainbow
Randy Rainbow, the New York-based singer/comic actor/writer/video producer, brings his live show to the Taft Theatre. The 90-minute stage show, described as a “greatest hits package,” includes some of Rainbow’s most popular song parodies plus a Q&A. Rainbow became popular with the LGBTQ community when his 2010 video parody, “Randy Rainbow is Dating Mel Gibson,” went viral. Since, he’s done tons of political satire and in February Rainbow was cast on Broadway as Sebastian Sebastian in a week-long restaging of Call Me Madam. His large, loyal and vocal fanbase weigh in on new song parodies, which Rainbow generally drops on Mondays after marathon sessions of writing, filming and editing. His most recent videos posted in May included a nod to Pop icon Ariana Grande’s “Breathin,” which became “Just Impeach Him.” 8 p.m. Friday. $47. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, tafttheatre.org.
Photo: Courtesy Randy Rainbow

FRIDAY 21

EVENT: Big Bounce America
Big Bounce America is an aptly named tour taking a giant inflatable bounce house to 40 cities across 25 states through November. And the world’s largest bouncy castle — according to Guinness World Records — is making a stop in Cincinnati Friday through Sunday. The colorful big-ass inflatable bounce house includes a basketball court, slide and ball pit, plus a DJ in the middle “playing a carefully selected soundtrack with nightclub quality sound and lights,” according to a release. Traveling with the main attraction are also an obstacle course called the Giant and a “space-themed wonderland” called airSPACE. The Giant features more than 40 obstacles to overcome and airSPACE is an intergalactic inflatable maze filled with aliens, spaceships, moon craters, a five-person race slide and 50-foot-wide bounce space. The family-friendly Big Bounce pop-up features sessions organized by ages, including those for adults only so you don’t step on any kids. Time slots start at 1 p.m. Friday. Tickets range from $16 to $30 for adults (ages 16 and up) for a three-hour pass to all three attractions. Each ticket is for a dedicated time slot. Heroes Sports Park, 2175 Springdale Road, Mount Healthy, thebigbounceamerica.com.
Photo: Big Bounce America

FRIDAY 21

COMEDY: Andrew Schulz
Andrew Schulz is probably most recognized as a cast member of the TV series Sneaky Pete, as well as for his past work on MTV’s Guy Code. On the latter, he got to demonstrate his knowledge about relationships, something he still does onstage. “Women, you show love through love; we show love through sacrifice,” he explains to an audience. He insists men show love all the time, but their partners don’t know it. “For example, we’re sitting on the couch, cuddling, chilling and watching movies. You’ve got your leg on top of my leg. I don’t want your leg there. At no point in time during the movie am I thinking, ‘Baby you know what would make this better? If I had no feeling from the hip down. If I had one leg with blood in it and the other doing a Lieutenant Dan.’ ” 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday; 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday. $25-$55. Liberty Funny Bone, 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township, liberty.funnybone.com.
Photo: Andrew Schulz Facebook

SATURDAY 22

EVENT: Brunched
CityBeat’s boozy breakfast club is back as our annual Brunched event takes over multiple floors of The Phoenix downtown with bottomless bloody marys and mimosas, screwdrivers, bellinis, Irish coffee, craft beer and more! Oh — and food. Greater Cincinnati brunch hot spots will be on hand offering samples of their best bites. Look for stations from Sleepy Bee, Holtman’s Donuts, Revolution Rotisserie, Branch, First Watch, Keystone Bar & Grill, OTR Bagelry and more. Tickets include food and drink samples, the ability to vote for the best bloody mary and best mimosa, live music, valet parking and plenty of brunch swag. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday. $40; VIP tickets are sold out. The Phoenix, 812 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, brunchedcincy.com.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

SATURDAY 22

EVENT: Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival
Join in celebrating the LGBTQ community during this day of family-friendly fun. There will be food, drinks, vendors, entertainment and nothing but good vibes to go around, so come being unapologetically, authentically you. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. with a route that winds from the intersection of Seventh Street and Central Avenue to The Banks and Freedom Way, ending at Sawyer Point, with the festival immediately following at noon. The fest will feature headline performances from Ty Herndon, Peppermint, Kiiara, Nina West and Todrick Hall. See more about Pride and associated events on page 11. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. Free. Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, cincinnatipride.org.
Photo: Ty Wesselkamper

SATURDAY 22

EVENT: That’s My Jam: A Fruited Beer Festival
More than 15 breweries are coming together to show off their best fruited beers to ring in the first official weekend of the summer. Participating breweries include Sixth Sense, DankHouse, Seventh Son, Sonder, Brink, Grainworks, Fifty West, MadTree, Branch & Bone, Jackie O’s, Listermann, Rhinegeist and more. Tickets include 20 tasting tickets and a That’s My Jam glass; upgrade to VIP for a T-shirt and crowler. Designated driver admission includes food and unlimited soft drinks/bottled water. 2-5 p.m. Saturday. $50; $65 VIP; $15 designated driver. Streetside Brewery, 4003 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum, streetsidebrewery.com.
Photo: Scott Dittgen

SUNDAY 23

MUSIC: Potty Mouth
Potty Mouth co-founder Ally Einbinder and original member Abby Weems have gone on record as being somewhat dismayed at the characterization of their sound as “Riot Grrrl,” the X-chromosomatic Punk offshoot championed by women rockers in the Pacific Northwest in the early ’90s. The band’s last two releases were their first to feature outside co-songwriters, most notably former Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla, and SNAFU benefits from a decided shift away from lo-fi to a big, polished Pop Punk sound.8 p.m. Sunday. Free. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com.
Photo: Nazrin Massaro

SUNDAY 23

EVENT: Dog Day of Summer at Spring Grove
Dogs usually have a ruff time getting into the grounds of Spring Grove Cemetery, but for this one day each year, furry friends are invited to share in the historic site’s scenery with responsible pet owners. In addition to self-guided exploration, a remembrance ceremony will be held at noon in honor of all the lost pups. Owners are encouraged to bring pictures of their departed companions to use in decorating white luminary bags. Other events include a gift basket raffle, a guess-the-treats contest, organized trail walk, animal adoptions and a luau picnic. Fred’s Mission and 2nd Hand Paws will also be on-site with adoptable dogs. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, 4521 Spring Grove Ave., Spring Grove Village, springgrove.org.
Photo: Provided by Spring Grove

SUNDAY 23

FILM: NY Cat Film Festival
Fourteen short films screen at the NY Cat Film Festival at the Esquire Theatre. An annual celebration of cats, some of the short films are The Pet Effect, Pure Fluff, Winter Break and Instagram Cat Mom, among others, that explore “the fascinating felines who share our lives,” according to a release. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Pets in Need of Greater Cincinnati, a nonprofit veterinary clinic treating cats and dogs for low-income individuals/families. If cats aren’t your furry friend of choice, The NY Dog Film Festival will follow next weekend, with screenings 2-4 p.m. June 30 to honor comedic, colorful, competitive and companion canines and the humans who love them. 2-4 p.m. Sunday. $10. Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, esquiretheatre.com.
Photo: Provided by Kathy Parsanko PR

MONDAY 24

MUSIC: Country and Americana artist Charley Crockett stops at the Southgate House Revival. See Sound Advice on page 44.
The day after Charley Crockett performs in Greater Cincinnati, he’ll head to Nashville for one of the biggest shows of his career: A milestone for any Country artist, Crockett will make his debut at the legendary Grand Ole Opry on June 25, performing alongside Dustin Lynch and Montgomery Gentry. “The Opry is one of those stages I didn’t even consider as a possibility, to be honest,” Crockett says in a press release. “So, to say I’m humbled by the invitation to play there is like saying thanks to somebody that just saved my life! I hope they like me.” The odds of that are pretty good. Doors 7:30 p.m.; show 8 p.m. Monday. Tickets $15. Southgate House Revival, 111 E Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com.
Photo: Provided by Charley Crockett

MONDAY 24

MUSIC: The Doubleclicks
Based on the West Coast, The Doubleclicks are a sibling comedy/music duo featuring Laser Malena-Webber and Aubrey Turner, who deliver their clever Indie Folk Pop (they proudly identify as “Nerd Folk”) with a musical base of cello, ukulele, acoustic guitar and a meowing toy keyboard. They began the project in 2011 and have since written songs about Star Trek, The Hobbit, how dinosaurs are just big chickens, the Mars Curiosity Rover and cats — they have a lot of songs about cats. The twosome’s sound is a remarkably charming mix of kids’-music innocence and Freak Folk weirdness — like Garfunkel & Oates performing on Yo Gabba Gabba! with Kimya Dawson — and it has drawn an ever-increasing fanbase that has helped their albums reach the upper echelon of the Billboard comedy charts. 7 p.m. p.m. Monday. $10. Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, knowtheatre.com.
Photo: Kim Newmoney

TUESDAY 25

LIT: Harriet Beecher Stowe Freedom Writer Award & Lecture
The Mercantile Library will award journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the late The Washington Post Global Opinions columnist killed by Saudi Arabian agents in Turkey in October 2018, with the Harriet Beecher Stowe Freedom Writer Award on June 25. Accepting the honor on his behalf is his Washington Post editor, Karen Attiah. “Each year, we try to select someone who exemplifies Harriet Beecher Stowe’s commitment to shining light on oppression in the name of freedom,” says Paul De Marco, a local lawyer and nominating committee member. “Certainly, the prior recipients have done that, and I can’t think of anyone more worthy (than Khashoggi). Our idea always was, because Karen was his editor — we thought it would be fitting for her to accept this award.” The Harriet Beecher Stowe Freedom Writer Award & Lecture will take place 6-8 p.m. June 25. Tickets are $20 for nonmembers and free for members. More info at mercantilelibrary.com.
Photo: Karen Attiah // Courtesy Karen Attiah