FRIDAY 21
MUSIC: UBAHN FEST
The unique location of Cincinnati’s Ubahn Fest — an underground “tunnel” between Pete Rose Way and Third Street, near Paul Brown Stadium — instantly makes it one of the cooler musical events in Cincinnati. But previous year’s bookings — featuring a mix of established and up-and-coming Hip Hop and Electronic artists (including a hefty dose of local performers) — have helped make Ubahn a crucial destination festival for young regional music lovers. This year’s lineup has upped the ante, turning it into an event that could develop a national reputation on par with the legendary Cincinnati Hip Hop event Scribble Jam. The Hip Hop acts alone at Ubahn make it a must-attend fest for fans. The biggest name — Nas — is a Hip Hop legend. Nas’ 1994 debut album, Illmatic, is inarguably a classic of the genre, establishing the MC as one of the best (lyrically and delivery-wise) in the game from the get-go. Though he famously hasn’t released an album in five years, Nas has remained a relevant artist since his first release — in the weeks leading up to his Cincinnati appearance, he’s been promoting his collaboration with Erykah Badu, “This Bitter Land,” from the soundtrack for the film The Land, while also drawing headlines for collaborations with DJ Khaled and Robin Thicke, his casting in an upcoming Jennifer Hudson film and his successful tech/business investment company. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available in advance through Ticketmaster; single-day tickets are $49, while two-day passes are $89. Visit ubahnfest.com for more into and read more about the fest in this week's Spill It.
For the first time since 2001, the Cincinnati Ballet presents treasured comedy Coppélia, which tells the story of Dr. Coppélius’ dream come true: His latest doll creation has come to life. Little does he know that this doll, named Coppélia, is ready to shake things up. Hilarity ensues over mistaken identities, infatuation and love throughout the village. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will perform the music of Léo Delibes live, while Kirk Peterson’s choreography brings the story to life on stage. And if you’re worried about the “creepy doll coming to life” storyline, keep in mind that this production is a comedy — the humor and musicality of Coppélia are nothing to be afraid of. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday. $32-$113. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cballet.org.
SATURDAY 22
SPORTS: PRINCESS NIGHT AT THE CINCINNATI CYCLONES
This Saturday, the Cincinnati Cyclones take on the Wheeling Nailers at U.S. Bank Arena. However, that’s not the only exciting part of the night — it’s also princess night. Join all of your favorite princesses — Anna, Elsa, etc. — as you sit with royalty and watch sweaty men beat each other up on the ice. A $131 “Princess 4 Pack” of tickets will be available, which includes four tickets to the Cyclones Princess Night, four tickets to Disney’s “Dare to Dream” on ice (Oct. 27-30 at U.S. Bank Arena) and four light-up crowns. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $15. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown, cycloneshockey.com.
EVENT: THE BIG WHISKER REVIVAL 3
Some men wait until no-shave November to let their faces get fuzzy. However, other men welcome their self-growing facial accessories (or are deathly afraid of razors) and are proud of their hairy chin-fur. For them, the Cincinnati Beard Barons present The Big Whisker Revival: a yearly facial hair competition. This Saturday, beardsmen from across the Tristate will compete to prove who has the best facial follicles. Better still, money will be raised to support One Way Farm Children’s Home in Fairfield. Not a beard grower? Don’t fret! Vendors from the Cincinnati area will be selling handcrafted goods, arts and crafts, soaps, oils and other grooming products for those with or without. Includes live music by Moonshine and Wine. 5 p.m. Saturday; competition begins at 8 p.m. $10 early bird; $15 day of. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, Ky., beardbarons.com/revival.
EVENT: PROOF COCKTAILS & SPIRITS FESTIVAL
At the Proof Cocktails & Spirits Festival, you can prove you have what it takes to drink (responsibly) all night while sipping spirit samples and cocktails from participating pourers like Wellmann’s Brands, Second Sight Spirits, Northside Yacht Club and more. The festival features six themed pop-up bars, including a Tiki Bar to keep the summer alive; a Log Cabin with a fireplace, mountainside drinks and mac and cheese from 4EG; and a VIP Speakeasy from Wiseguy Lounge. From the people who produce Cincy Winter Beerfest, Proof provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate all things alcohol. 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday. $65-$95; $35 designated driver. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, prooffestival.com.
HALLOWEEN: TRICKS OR TREATS WEEKEND AT THE RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Prepare thyselves for medieval mischief during the Renaissance Festival’s final hurrah of the season. The fest celebrates All Hallows’ Eve with two days of costume contests and trick-or-treating throughout the recreated 16th-century English village, plus pumpkin decorating for little lords and ladies. The 30-acre event also features 100 shows daily, more than 135 arts and crafts shops and old-fashioned games and activities like archery, axe throws and darts. When the sun sets on Sunday, the fun bids farewell until 2017, so make sure to savor the greatest treat of all — a giant, juicy turkey leg — one final time. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $21.95 adults; $19.95 seniors; $9.95 kids 5-12. 10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville, renfestival.com.
MUSIC: HUNTERTONES
If you attended Cincinnati’s MidPoint Music Festival last month and your appetite for brilliantly conceived and executed horn music was whetted with the appearances of The Budos Band and Lucky Chops, create a phone reminder, put a Post-It on your computer, write yourself a note and stick it to the refrigerator with the Charlie Brown magnet you got in second grade — Huntertones are coming. Although Huntertones’ sound is rooted in Jazz, saxophonist Dan White has stressed in interviews that potential fans shouldn’t be intimidated by that weighty genre designation, insisting that the band’s combination of technical proficiency and improvisational intuition is applied to a high power live presentation that is anything but a sedate Jazz experience. Dancing shoes, a breathable outfit and antiperspirant are strongly encouraged — Huntertones absolutely guarantees a good time.Click here for more info on this free show.
EVENT: BEER BARON BALL
Slip into a cocktail dress, fasten your cuff links or don your dirndl before you embark on an adventure at the Beer Baron Ball for an evening of glamour, catered dinner and local beer to celebrate Cincinnati’s brewing heritage (it’s black tie optional, so why not opt; Bockfest costumes and other entertaining attire also welcome). This ball supports the development of the Brewing Heritage Trail, which seeks to create an interactive tour in the city’s historic Brewing District. The night begins with the tapping of a ceremonial keg, followed by live music, the launch of the Brewing Heritage Trail app and an open craft beer bar to keep you entertained before dinner. Doors open at 6 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $150. JACK Casino, 1000 Broadway St., Pendleton, beerbaronball.org.
SUNDAY 23
HALLOWEEN: MAINSTRASSE VILLAGE DOG PAWRADE
Costume-clad canines are invited to parade along MainStrasse’s Sixth Street Promenade. This year’s theme is “fairy tale favorite,” and three prestigious pooches will take home a prize for their impeccable Halloween fashion senses in three categories: Best Original Costume, Best Store-Bought Costume and Best Theme Costume. Stick around to browse pet-friendly vendors and to trick-or-treat at MainStrasse businesses. Proof of vaccination required. 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday; 2:30 p.m. parade. $5 entry. MainStrasse Village, Sixth St., Covington, Ky., mainstrasse.org.
TV: WESTWORLD
Michael Crichton had a knack for envisioning sinister theme parks. Most are familiar with the dystopian dinosaur dreamland Jurassic Park, which he wrote. But he’s also the author behind Westworld, HBO’s latest big-name, jam-packed drama set in a visual playground. The themes and characters explored in Westworld are as vast as the expansive, immersive titular theme park. Before the guests arrive, they’re outfitted in authentic-looking 19th-century Wild West garb, down to their choice of weapon (which can only “kill” hosts — the artificially intelligent beings that populate the park — rather than other humans). They then arrive via an old-timey train to a dusty and bustling main street, where it’s next to impossible to identify the other human guests from the hosts. From cowboys to Indians to barmaids to bank robbers, along with their horses and other animals, they’re all made to look and act real. Inevitably, the line between human and manmade creatures is blurred — so much so that you can’t help but wonder if some of the assumed human characters are actually A.I., or vice versa. 9 p.m. Sunday, HBO.
TV: THE WALKING DEAD
Which major character is on the receiving end of Negan’s bat? So much focus has been on what will follow that final fateful moment of last season’s finale — when an unidentified member of the group fell victim after a most disturbing game of “eeny, meeny, miny, moe” — that little thought has been given to how this season will move the story along. Reportedly multiple characters meet their ends in this season opener, at the hands of new baddie Negan and elsewhere. But how the survivors move on will determine the rest of the season. Season 7 Premiere, 9 p.m. Sunday, AMC.
