The full Cincinnati Music Festival may be postponed until 2022, but events taking its place this year will ensure that music and art still will be celebrated.
Organizers have announced three music and art events for July 22-24 that could take the sting out of postponing the music fest for another year. The events will take place during the weekend that the Cincinnati Music Festival traditionally happens, a press release says.
At 8 p.m. Thursday, July 22, R&B singer Kem will perform at the Andrew J. Brady ICON Music Center downtown. He'll be joined by R&B/Soul singer Leela James in what will be the new ICON Center's first concert. Kem, who was born in Nashville and whose full name is Kem Owens, performed at the Cincinnati Music Festival in 2018, the release says. Tickets are on sale now.
The fun continues Friday, July 23, when Soul group Love Street performs in Washington Park. Joined by Vibe 5 and Tonia Ruby, the event is part of the "Friday Flow."
Finally on Saturday, July 24, there will be an outdoor artwork gallery in Washington Park. The curated exhibit will be Cincinnati Music Festival themed and will highlight collaborations between artists and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People Of Color)-owned businesses. Exhibits will remain in Washington Park for a month before moving to Court Street.
Live musical entertainment will accompany the artwork collection on July 24.
"Music provides hope, comfort and determination, especially now during uncertain times," said Joe Santangelo, producer of the Cincinnati Music Festival. "These three events promise to share the positivity and history of our Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G and to bring together our fans through their love of music and art."
Earlier this year, the Cincinnati Music Festival rescheduled its trademark massive event for the second year in a row due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Janet Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Biz Markie and more had been scheduled to perform.
The festival is slated to return to Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium July 21-23 next year.
