Cincinnati’s AGAR Hosts Citywide ‘Front Porch Pours’ Happy Hour This Friday
Just because you're staying at home in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus (keep it up, y'all!), it doesn't mean you have to enjoy your Friday happy hour alone. AGAR, the creative marketing and event agency known for its work on local experiences including the Ubahn Fest, BLINK, Danger Wheel and more, is…
DeWine Orders State Water Utilities to Halt Shutoffs, Restore Service During COVID-19 Crisis
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statewide order Tuesday, March 31 that will prevent water utilities from shutting off connections due to non-payment and will require them to restore service to those customers whose water has been disconnected. Greater Cincinnati Water Works already announced March 16 that it had suspended all shut-offs and is restoring…
Northern Kentucky Music Teacher Hosts Truck Bed Sing-Along Tour Around Bellevue
While many musicians are moving to online platforms to share their music amid coronavirus social distancing, a Northern Kentucky private music teacher is switching things up a bit. Bryan McCartney, a Bellevue resident with a studio in the neighborhood, kicked off his Trunk Bed Sing-Along Tour on March 25. The premise is quite simple: Folks throughout…
A Stay-at-Home Mixtape of Quarantine-Themed Tunes
We are clearly living in unprecedented times. In some ways, the coronavirus pandemic feels a bit like the aftermath of 9/11, save for two important aspects: first, 9/11 was an American tragedy that brought us together and gave new meaning to the “united” part of our country's identity, and second, we were able to embrace…
Cincinnati Chef Jose Salazar Urges Diners to Order Pick-Up Rather Than Delivery Through Uber Eats
A well-known Cincinnati restaurateur and chef is urging customers to support their local restaurants by ordering food for pick-up, rather than through third-party delivery app Uber Eats. According to Salazar, who owns Mita's downtown and Goose & Elder and Salazar in Over-the-Rhine, the delivery service has waived the delivery fee for customers, but the 30…
Covington’s Agave & Rye Launches ‘Gloves on Hand’ Campaign for Restaurants to Donate Unused Gloves
The need for protective personal equipment for medical professionals is at dire levels with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Factories are shifting nearly overnight to produce ventilators and other supplies to assist the medical workers and patients who are in the throes of this historic crisis. With the closings of most restaurants around the country and…
Holocaust & Humanity Center Hosts Digital Holocaust Survivor Speaker Series
Cincinnatians can now hear the stories of Holocaust survivors and their family members via Zoom. The series, originally held in person at the Holocaust & Humanity Center, coincides with the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II (Sept. 2, 1945) and also marked the center's second year of calling Union Terminal home. (The…
Ohio Shelters Aren’t Built for Social Distancing
Ohio is starting a new effort to focus on the collision of two public health crises: coronavirus and homelessness. Gov. Mike DeWine announced the creation of a new task force that will examine how to best help homeless programs that are struggling to meet local, state and federal guidelines to reduce the spread of the…
Cincinnati Shirt Company Originalitees Creates Fundraising Tee and Tote for Freestore Foodbank
COVID-19 has brought with it tough times for just about every community in our city and the world. Many people find themselves needing a helping hand as they face insecurity and concern for their families and futures. Because of this, facilities like shelters and food banks are more critical than ever. In response to this…
The National’s Aaron Dessner and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe Collaborate on a New Song
R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe just released a new track on YouTube, "No Time for Love Like Now," a collaboration with The National's Aaron Dessner. In the description, Stipe wrote: "First take! A new song with Aaron Dessner. This is the demo track. Echoing Love xxx Michael." Of the song, Stipe told Variety, "I started working with Aaron…
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Issues Order Limiting Out-of-State Travel
On Monday, March 30, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued an order limiting out-of-state travel for Kentuckians to help stop the spread of COVID-19. “Right now we have more cases in other states,” Beshear said in a release. “What it means is your likelihood of getting infected and potentially bringing back the coronavirus may be greater…
Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Ohio Order Banning Surgical Abortions During Coronavirus Crisis
A federal judge has put a temporary hold on an order by Ohio officials to cease surgical abortions during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The Ohio Department of Health issued an order on March 18 telling medical facilities to cease elective surgeries whenever possible to conserve scarce personal protective equipment and medical capacity. That, state officials…
Cincinnati’s Whispering Beard: Home Edition Streams Past Music Festival Sets to Your Living Room
The Whispering Beard Folk Festival has been drawing a mass of regional music fans for the better part of a decade, and due to our recent coronavirus-related living/social distancing conditions, the fest is hosting a special streaming series to entertain listeners and support music industry members. Dubbed "The Whispering Beard: Home Edition," the festival team…
Northern Kentucky Confirms First Pediatric Case of Coronavirus
The Northern Kentucky Health Department has identified 37 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including its first pediatric case. The pediatric coronavirus patient is a resident of Boone County. Their age was not disclosed in a press release. "It appears that the number of lab-confirmed cases is rapidly increasing," said District Director of Health Lynne Saddler in…
E+O Kitchen and E+O New Asian Chef Rodelio Aglibot Dies After Cardiac Episode
Chef Rodelio Aglibot, nicknamed "The Food Buddha" and the mind behind E+O Kitchen and E+O New Asian, passed away in Cincinnati on March 28 after a cardiac episode. In a statement, the restaurants' Director of Operations Tim Weiss said, "We will deeply miss our ‘Food Buddha,’ who showered us with his knowledge of Asian culture.…
Honoring Ohio’s Front-Line Fighters Against Coronavirus on National Doctor’s Day
Today is National Doctor's Day, but there's little time to celebrate for doctors on the front lines of a global pandemic. More than 34,000 active physicians work in Ohio, including Dr. Eric Adkins at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He said one of the greatest challenges for medical providers in the coronavirus response…
As a Record Number of Ohio Unemployment Applicants Express Frustration, State Officials Say They’re Working on Solutions
The crisis caused by pandemic coronavirus COVID-19 has triggered a record number of layoffs in Ohio as some businesses struggle to stay open and other non-essential establishments were ordered to close by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. Now, as many of those workers file for unemployment benefits with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services,…
First Positive COVID-19 Test at an Ohio Prison is Worse Than it Seems
Sunday evening, mere hours after Gov. Mike DeWine postulated that inmates in Ohio’s correctional facilities might be safer in prison than at home with their families, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction confirmed that an officer at the Marion Correctional Institution (MCI) had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first known positive case…
City of Cincinnati Furloughs 20 Percent of its Workforce as Coronavirus Causes Budget Havoc
The City of Cincinnati confirmed it is making massive furloughs today in order to address a looming $60 million to $80 million budget deficit related to pandemic coronavirus COVID-19. Those cuts were "extreme," Mayor John Cranley said today, but necessary as the city struggles with an enormous reduction in tax revenue related to closure of…
The 2020 Cincinnati Fringe Festival Goes Online Only
In a recent feature posted on CityBeat about what’s happening with local theaters, I wrote that there had been no word from Know Theatre regarding the 2020 Cincinnati Fringe Festival, scheduled for May 29-June 13. Today word arrived, and it’s good news — if a tad weird, but isn’t that what Fringe is all about?…
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Extends School Closure Order
In his daily press briefing on Monday, March 30, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine declared he was extending his kindergarten through 12th grade school closure order. Schools will now be closed through Friday, May 1 instead of April 3. The order will be signed by Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton and will be reevaluated as…
Cincinnati Streetcar Will Shut Down Tomorrow Over Coronavirus Concerns
The City of Cincinnati will close the city's streetcar tomorrow, Mayor John Cranley announced today, as well as bar use of rental scooters. Those closures — and the shuttering of the city's bike share Red Bike, which started last night — come as the city seeks to slow the spread of pandemic coronavirus COVID-19. Cranley,…
Hamilton County Emergency Management Asking for Donations of PPE for Health Care Workers and First Responders
Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has put out a call for donations of personal protective equipment for the region's health care workers and first responders. "The Southwest Ohio region’s healthcare professionals and first responders need your help to protect them as they work tirelessly to treat and fight the COVID-19 outbreak," the agency…
FDA Allows Full Use of Columbus Company’s Surgical Mask Sterilization Tech After Pressure from Gov. DeWine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended a previous decision regarding the use of Columbus, Ohio-based science and technology institute Battelle's CCDS Critical Care Decontamination System after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted spoke about their disappointment in the national agency in a press conference on Sunday, March 29. The system sterilizes health…
The Who Reschedules its Spring U.S. Tour Dates Including its First Greater Cincinnati Show Since 1979 Tragedy
On Dec. 3, 1979, The Who played Cincinnati's Riverfront Coliseum and the show resulted in one of the worst concert tragedies of all time, as 11 people were killed in the push to get into the arena. Near the end of WCPO’s documentary The Who: The Night That Changed Rock — marking the 40th anniversary of the tragic…
Send an Encouraging Message to a Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Team Member
Now more than ever, your encouragement and support are needed for the incredibly hard-working team at Cincinnati Children's. The doctors, nurses, research associates, front desk members and more are working tirelessly and putting themselves in the line of fire to keep us all safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. And letting them know how…
Here’s How to Vote in Hamilton County’s April 2020 Primary Election
Stopping the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio has prompted many novel decisions on the part of state officials, including changing the date and altering some of the typical processes for the Ohio Primary Election. On March 17 — the original slated date for the Ohio primary — Ohio Department of Health Director Amy…
Samantha the Gorilla, the Oldest Lived Animal at the Cincinnati Zoo, Has Passed Away
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden announced on Monday, March 30 that the community's beloved Samantha the Gorilla has passed away. Samantha was the oldest mammal at the Cincinnati Zoo, and celebrated her 50th birthday in January. The team at the zoo made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Samantha on Sunday morning. “We have been…
City Directs Cincinnati Red Bike to Close Temporarily to Slow Spread of Coronavirus
Cincinnati Red Bike shut down overnight on March 29 and will remain closed until further notice to help slow the spread of COVID-19 on direction from city officials, according to a news release by the bike share nonprofit. No jobs will be eliminated by the temporary closure, Red Bike says, though the nonprofit acknowledged the…
Taste of Cincinnati Rescheduled as a Result of Coronavirus Pandemic
One of the city's biggest — and tastiest — food festivals has been rescheduled amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 42nd-annual Taste of Cincinnati, a massive three-day food-centric event that offers flavors from throughout the city, has announced that they will push back their originally scheduled dates of May 23-25 to July 3-5. "The nation’s longest…
Chief: Cincinnati Police Officer Tests Positive for COVID-19
A Cincinnati Police officer who worked patrol duty has tested positive for the pandemic coronavirus that causes COVID-19, CPD Chief Eliot Isaac announced. The officer is the first confirmed case of the virus in the department, though two others are also being tested. All three worked in CPD's District Three, which includes West Side neighborhoods…
Northern Kentucky Reports First Greater Cincinnati Coronavirus Death
A resident of Kenton County has died of COVID-19, the Northern Kentucky Health Department reported today — marking the region's first death from the virus. The woman was 66 years old and had underlying health conditions, according to officials. Officials confirmed three new cases of COVID-19 in Northern Kentucky today, bringing that area's total up…
21c Museum Hotel Temporarily Closes All Nine Properties Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
21c Museum Hotel co-founder Steve Wilson announced on March 28 that they have made the difficult decision to temporarily close all of their nine properties, amid the coronavirus pandemic. "This is a day none of us could have imagined a month ago, and although it is heartbreaking in many ways, we know this is the…
Confirmed Coronvirus Cases Top 1,000 in Ohio; Governor Calls for ‘Doubling or Tripling’ Hospital Capacity
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine warned of a coming surge in cases of pandemic coronavirus COVID-19 during his daily briefing today and said the state will need to greatly increase hospital capacity to meet demand. The state today confirmed 1,137 cases of the virus, including 19 deaths, 107 admissions to intensive care units and 276 hospitalizations…
Cranley: Region Could Use Duke Energy Convention Center in Coronavirus Response
Mayor John Cranley told media today that the Greater Cincinnati area needs to triple its capacity to treat those in hospitals ahead of an expected surge of cases of COVID-19 caused by the pandemic novel coronavirus. One option to help fulfill that daunting task could be repurposing one of the area's largest meeting spaces to…
Economic Fallout From Coronavirus Could Cause a $60 Million to $80 million Budget Deficit for City of Cincinnati
The City of Cincinnati could feel some big financial impacts from the pandemic coronavirus, City Manager Patrick Duhaney wrote today in a memo to Mayor John Cranley and City Council. The economic fallout from COVID-19 could mean a budget deficit this year and next year of between $60 million and $80 million — a gap…
The Cincinnati Zoo Needs Your Help to Feed and Care for Its 2,000 Animals
The financial and economic impact of ordered COVID-19 closures is impacting everyone from individuals and families to small businesses and larger institutions. And the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is one place feeling those effects. In a press release, the zoo says closing its doors to the public has hit the nonprofit especially hard. “We…
Kentucky’s Red River Gorge Temporarily Closed Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
The Daniel Boone National Forest announced on Friday, March 27 that they have temporarily closed public access to the Red River Gorge, in addition to multiple recreation areas throughout the forest. "Our decision to shut down recreation areas is in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for social distancing, as well as…
These Are Cincinnati’s Best Eats as Selected by CityBeat Readers
CityBeat has been in the business of curating the Best Of Cincinnati® for more than two decades, highlighting the city’s most outstanding selections in Arts & Culture, Eats, Shops & Services, Music & Nightlife, City Life and Sports & Recreation. And the responsibility of selecting these exceptional entities is divided between our readers and staff. This year, half…
Indiana-Based Songwriter Austin Lucas Performs from Germany for a Homebound Tri-State Audience
Bloomington, Indiana-based songwriter Austin Lucas is no stranger to the road — he’s spent decades making the haul to clubs and concert stages all over the world, performing alongside artists like Willie Nelson and Jamey Johnson. And now, the Country/Folk singer finds himself stranded a long way from home. “This was my third time in…
Cincinnati’s Taft Museum of Art Launches Virtual Programming
Four days a week, you can enjoy virtual programming from the Taft Museum of Art at home. On Mondays, join Urban Sketchers of Cincinnati and participate in a drawing challenge based on a weekly prompt. The museum says, "Inspired by the Taft collections and architecture, join a group of fellow art lovers (of all skill…
The ‘Cincinnati Cooks’ Facebook Page Shares Recipes and Food Tips from Local Chefs and Home Cooks
Brett Valls, a local designer and a moderator from the Cincinnati Cooks Facebook group, emailed us here at CityBeat to tell us about his page — something I personally did not know about and seems like a super helpful resource for home cooks trying to find recipe ideas while staying safe at home. So consider…
Cincinnati Theaters Look to Life After Coronavirus
On March 11, I attended opening night of Dominique Morisseau’s Pipeline at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. It’s an important story about the tragic phenomenon by which young black men act out and end up incarcerated. As luck would have it, that fine performance was also closing night. The next day, D. Lynn Meyers, ETC’s producing artistic…
How Being a TV Critic Prepared Me for Self-Isolation
In the past few weeks, many of us have gotten acquainted with terms and actions including "self-isolation," "social distancing" and "quarantines," rapidly moving from learning their definitions to implementing them into our daily lives. With folks being encouraged to work remotely if possible, avoid groups of people and venture out only for essential trips, cabin fever…
Here’s How to Donate a Bottle of Karrikin Spirits’ Distillery-Produced Hand Sanitizer to a Health Care Worker
In response to the drastic shortage of hand sanitizer, Karrikin Spirits Co. has started making its own at its Fairfax distillery. The sanitizer is being produced in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines, with more than the recommended alcohol percentage to help kill germs. Since their master distillers have immediate access to alcohol, the restaurant says, "It’s…
Busken Bakery Selling ‘Quarantine Cakes’ Shaped Like Toilet Paper Rolls
Cincinnati-based Busken Bakery is celebrating the little things in life. They're keeping their ovens on to help spread a little cheer during these challenging times, and taking some creative steps to bring some joy (and laughs) to families across the city. Busken has come out with specialty "Quarantine Cakes," designed to look like a roll…
Ohio Could See 6,000-8,000 New COVID-19 Cases Per Day at Peak Surge
Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton made a shocking prediction at Thursday's COVID-19 press conference: During "peak surge," she said, Ohio could see as many as 6,000-8,000 new cases of the coronavirus every day. Given the state's limited testing capacity, in which tests are reserved for the highest risk patients, Acton said there'd be no…
Ohio Beer Sales Were Up 38% in the Week Before the Coronavirus Shutdown
The Buckeye State saw the coronavirus pandemic coming and took, for the most part, necessary steps to provide for each other's safety as Ohioans worked to flatten the curve. We worked from home. We skipped unnecessary social functions. We called our parents and told them to do the same. We washed our hands. We stocked…
Cincinnati Zoo’s Live Safaris Featured on Forbes’ List of Virtual Travel Experiences to Try
Staying at home and practicing social distancing doesn't have to be boring. Forbes magazine is bringing some of the world's greatest adventures to you in one of their of their recent online articles. The publication lists 20 worldwide experiences that you can explore virtually, two of which feature our very own Queen City: one is at…
Children’s Theater of Cincinnati Launches Streaming Performances of Family-Friendly Musicals
While, like the rest of our local performing arts venues, the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati has had to postpone its upcoming programming because of the coronavirus pandemic, it has come up with a digital solution to entertain families. The new TCT Everywhere page features everything from acting exercises and study guides to craft ideas and contests.…
Bogart’s Hosts Homepalooza Virtual Music Fest Featuring Lots of Greater Cincinnati Bands
Ready to rock at home? Bogart's has gathered some of Greater Cincinnati's favorite local bands to perform a virtual music festival. The so-called Homepalooza will be streaming on Bogart's Instagram page starting at 6 p.m. Friday, March 27. Bands slated to perform are Indie Pop band Campus Rex, "wavey Rock and Roll" group Coastal Club, AltPop/Rock…
Greater Cincinnati Start-Up Harper Offering Free Digital Dog Training Classes
As we hunker down in our homes and families are together now more than ever, people are looking to keep themselves and their children busy with all of this newfound time. An article by The New York Times indicates that many families are using their abundant time at home to adopt and foster dogs and…
Pendleton’s BrewDog Opens an Digital Bar So You Can Stream and Sip
While developments in the COVID-19 pandemic continue to pour out all over the world and people are largely confined to their homes, people are yearning for life’s smallest joys now more than ever. As a Cincinnatian, you’re probably thinking you’d like to hit one of the city’s many breweries and get back to chopping it…
Meijer to Install Plexiglass Shields to Combat Coronavirus, Removes Sandy the Coin-Operated Pony
Michigan-based retailer Meijer announced Wednesday that it would be taking extra safety measures across its 248 supercenters as the coronavirus continues to sweep through the state. As an essential business, Meijer and other grocery stores are among those allowed to operate during Ohio's stay at home order issued by Gov. Mike DeWine. To combat the risk of…
Chalk Up the Cov Campaign Aims to Spread Joy and Positivity with Chalk Art
Renaissance Covington, a nonprofit with the goal of revitalizing downtown Covington, has created a new event called Chalk Up the Cov. The goal is to spread joy and positivity through creativity and sidewalk art. “At a time when stress is high and uncertainty looms for many, we want to help brighten up the community,” says…
Ohio Clocks 187,000 Unemployment Claims in a Week as National Total Shatters Records
More than 187,000 Ohioans applied for unemployment benefits for the week ending March 21, according to federal jobs data released today. The avalanche of jobless claims added to the more than 3.28 million claims filed across the country — an amount that crushed the previous record for weekly claims set in 1982, when 695,000 people…
Thunderdome Restaurant Group Creates Relief Fund for Employees Impacted by Restaurant Closures
Day after day, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to develop as restaurants, food workers and other businesses deal with the ordered temporary closings of their dine-in operations. For many, the future is unclear as the timeline placed on social distancing is unknown. As the unprecedented situation continues to develop, and workers and employers…
College Hill’s Silk Road Textiles Offering DIY Face Mask Kits
College Hill shop Silk Road Textiles — which carries ethically traded fabrics and yarn — has put together DIY face mask kits for people who want to help health care workers who may be exposed to COVID-19. Each kit costs $15 and includes instructions and supplies to make 15 masks. Kits are available by calling…
Missing Haircuts? East Walnut Hills’ Parlour Salon Offering Online DIY Hair Tutorials
East Walnut Hills hair salon Parlour knows you're missing your regular haircut/hair care appointments — both literally and emotionally — so they've created a series of tutorials for you to try at home. Follow their #parlouratelier hashtag on Instagram and check out their saved IG stories @parlourcincinnati for DIY hair tips. Their stylists will teach…
NPR Music Extends the Deadline for Its Tiny Desk Contest
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide restrictions, NPR Music has extended the deadline to submit to its Tiny Desk Contest. The new deadline is 11:59 p.m. Monday, April 27. The original deadline was March 30. "While the current stay-at-home order may prevent bands from getting together, we hope this extension will give them…
Cincinnati’s 43rd-Annual Concours d’Elegance Canceled Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
The Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance is a nationally recognized event that celebrates automotive excellence highlighting exquisite cars and motorcycles. Vehicles are displayed in the formal gardens of historic Ault Park, with a classic pavilion overlooking the show field, and includes an automotive art show and brunch. The committee behind the annual event announced that it has…
LaRosa’s Updates All Restaurant Location Hours
Restaurants and eateries throughout the country have had to make adjustments to their operations to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Among those restaurants making changes is LaRosa’s Pizza, which is modifying its operating hours to help keep their locations clean. In addition to limiting orders to pick-up and delivery, the Queen City favorite will…
Ohio Lawmakers Extend Primary to April 28 with No In-Person Voting; Voter Rights Groups Protest
Ohioans will have until April 28 to vote via absentee ballot in the primary, the Ohio General Assembly decided yesterday. However, most residents will not be given the opportunity to vote in person following the last-minute suspension of the March 17 election due to fear of the spread of COVID-19. The legislature's move has drawn…
Phone Data Shows That Ohio is Pretty Good at Social Distancing Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
You deserve a six-feet-apart air high-five, Ohio. You're killing the social distancing game, according to your phone data. New York and Norway-based data and analytics company Unacast revealed the findings of its “Social Distancing Scoreboard,” which shows just how good — or bad — of a job some states are doing at navigating this whole staying the…
Waffle House Closes 429 Locations Due to Coronavirus, Including Some in Ohio
Waffle House, whose penchant for remaining open even in cases of natural disasters is so consistent that FEMA uses its rare closures to determine the severity of such disasters, has announced that they will be temporarily closing 429 of their locations due to coronavirus, including several in the Ohio area. As odd as it sounds,…
Arnold’s Bar and Grill to Host a Virtual ‘Opening Day Anyway’ Party
The 101st Reds Findlay Market Opening Day Parade has been canceled for its slated date of March 26 due to restrictions around large public gatherings and Ohio's stay at home order to stop the spread of COVID-19. And Major League Baseball, which at first postponed its season by two weeks, has declared baseball is postponed…
Cincinnati’s Metro Bus Service Temporarily Suspends Fares, Adjusts Route Schedules in Response to Coronavirus
Starting March 29, riders on the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority's Metro buses won't have to pay a fare due to concerns about transmission of COVID-19. The fare suspension will run until at least April 21, when the SORTA board will have to vote to extend it at its regular monthly meeting. Metro is also…
This 1927 Plan to Finish the Cincinnati Subway Shows What Might Have Been
It's one of Cincinnati's most famous — or infamous — notes of trivia. The Queen City has a few miles of unfinished subway tunnels underneath its major thoroughfare and former canal, Central Parkway. The First World War, the changing winds of politics and other factors conspired to mothball the enormous project in 1928, leaving generations…
Eat Your Feelings with an Insomnia Cookies ‘Sugar Rush’ Box While Donating to the American Red Cross
Fresh-baked cookie chain Insomnia Cookies is offering a pretty sweet deal right now that not only satisfies our urge to eat our feelings during our coronavirus anxieties, but also offers a way to contribute to a good cause. Insomnia is offering free local delivery (within their delivery radius) on their "Sugar Rush" 12-count mix-and-match cookie…
Cincinnati’s Asian Food Fest Moves to August
Cincinnati's 10th-annual Asian Food Fest has moved its event date from Mother's Day weekend to August. The culture and cuisine festival representing countries including Cambodia, China, Hawaii, India, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and more will now take place Aug. 8-9 on Freedom Way between Elm and Walnut streets at The Banks. This free event features Asian…
Have a Digital 5 O’Clocktail with Cincinnati Bartender Molly Wellmann
You can take the bartender out of the bar, but you can't stop Molly Wellmann from cocktail craftin' and story tellin', or however that saying goes… Cincinnati bar owner and mixologist Molly Wellmann started a fun and educational daily video series on her Facebook page last week, dubbed 5 O'Clocktails, where she chooses a cocktail…
A Bunch of Greater Cincinnati Musicians Are Doing Live-Stream Concerts Tonight
Do you miss going to live shows? And supporting local bands? Tonight, the live shows are coming to you so you can enjoy local music from the comfort of your couch. A series of Greater Cincinnati musicians are preparing an evening of sequential live streams, starting at 7:30 p.m. with Kelly Thomas and Jeremy Smart.…
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Commissions Local Playwrights to Write Monologues of Hope
Containing the spread of COVID-19 has brought on difficult times for countless families, businesses and communities as people have had to adjust their daily lives, schedules and even incomes. As the world comes to a halt to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus, Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park is working to provide members…
Downtown’s Arnold’s Bar and Grill Hosting Free Live-Streamed Quarantine Cooking Class
Running out of ideas for what to cook at home? Arnold's Bar and Grill is hosting a live cooking class with chef Kayla Robison at 6 p.m. tonight (March 25). Head to the Arnold's Bar and Grill Facebook page — facebook.com/arnoldsbar — before the start of the class and watch the live stream once it begins. Chef…
CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati 2020 is Live
Have you ever sat around wishing there was a publication that would list all of the best things in Cincinnati, as determined by a group of your peers as well as a handful of select staffers at your local alternative paper? Well, your wish has been granted. CityBeat has been in the business of curating the Best Of Cincinnati® for…
Prizm, Ohio’s Last LGBTQ+ Publication, Ceasing All Print and Digital Operations
The Publisher of Prizm, the only remaining LGBTQ+ media outlet in Ohio, has announced that the publication will cease all print and digital operations due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Its February edition was its last to be printed. In a letter to readers, Carol Zimmer Clark said that the COVID-19 outbreak has caused financial duress.…
Beshear: One Kentuckian Contracted COVID-19 After Attending a ‘Coronavirus Party’
On March 24, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the largest increase yet in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Bluegrass State — including one person who reportedly contracted the virus from a "coronavirus party." Beshear says that, including 39 new cases announced Tuesday, the state now has at least 163 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.…
Milford, Ohio Spring Breaker Who Boasted “If I Get Corona, I Get Corona” Apologizes
A CBS interview with spring breakers packing Florida's beaches even as the coronavirus pandemic's infection and death toll rose and states issued stay-at-home orders became a predictably viral moment. Displaying not just youthful ignorance but general, intentional ignorance, the spring breakers boasted of ignoring social distancing recommendations and lamented how obeying them would have torpedoed SPRING…
Support Greater Cincinnati Restaurants During the Great American Takeout Initiative on March 24
Governors in states across the country have ordered the closure of bars and restaurant dining rooms to the public in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. In almost all cases, especially locally, carry-out and delivery are OK and encouraged. But those restrictions are obviously having an economic impact on restaurants both big and small.…
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Has Extended Its Season Cancellation Through May
As the world grapples with the restrictions placed on social interaction to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, many if not all concert and event venues are having to postpone or outright cancel upcoming events. Theaters, musicians, comedians and others have been vastly affected by the orders of Governor Mike DeWine and other leaders banning…
Cincinnati Music Icon Bootsy Collins Says to “Put On Your Funk Shield”
Cincinnati music icon Bootsy Collins has some wise words to share regarding staying safe during the coronavirus pandemic. The Funk legend posted a photograph of him and his wife on Instagram on March 23, along with a perfectly Bootsy message for his followers, asking them to "put on your funk shield and guard your family…
One of Greater Cincinnati’s Largest Churches Continues Services Despite Coronavirus
One of Greater Cincinnati's largest churches will continue to hold services despite the intensifying crisis around the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has issued a number of orders restricting large gatherings, including an order instructing Ohioans to stay at home except to get food, exercise, medical care or other…
Cincinnati Advertising Agency Curiosity Supports Small Cincinnati Businesses in New Campaign
The challenging practice of social distancing due to COVID-19 has affected people and businesses in the community in various ways. And as many local businesses are facing layoffs and restructuring as a result of lost revenue due to closure orders from Gov. Mike DeWine and decreased traffic, Cincinnati ad agency Curiosity is taking it upon…
How Are Local Law Enforcement Agencies Operating Under Ohio’s Coronavirus Stay at Home Order?
Following Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's Sunday order that all Ohioans stay in their homes except to get food, exercise or medical attention to try to slow the spread of COVID-19, some local law enforcement agencies have announced changes to the way they will operate. Those include changes in what kinds of calls officers will respond…
Findlay Market Opens Special Hours for Senior Citizens and Vulnerable Populations
Ohio's oldest continuously operating public market, Findlay Market, is currently open and offering fresh food and other groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their normal market hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, but they are offering special times set aside for senior citizens and vulnerable populations to…
Pleasantry OTR is Delivering Meals to Emergency Department Health Care Workers and You Can Help
Neighborhood restaurant and natural wine bar Pleasantry OTR is putting together special meal packages for health care workers in local emergency rooms and ICUs. Meals cost $10 and can be purchased on their website. Pleasantry says, "Imagine that instead of 'distancing' right now, you were leaving home each day to interact with hundreds of people…
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Orders Closure of All Non-Life-Sustaining In-Person Retail Businesses
As of 8 p.m. Monday, March 23, all in-person retail businesses in Kentucky that are not "life-sustaining" have been ordered to close. An executive order by Gov. Andy Beshear mandated that closure for the duration of Kentucky's state of emergency or until he rescinds it. This is all to help curb the spread of COVID-19. As…
Cincinnati’s Condado Tacos Offering $10 ‘Bud Boxes’ for Carry-Out
Condado Tacos, a casual Mexican chain well-known for its build-your-own tacos and vibrant decor, is now offering a special combo. The restaurant recently announced its $10 Bud Box, which comes with your choice of two tacos from their taco suggestions menu, and either a half-sized queso blanco or traditional guacamole with chips. The restaurant is…
Cincinnati Public Schools Offers Online Enrichment Learning Packets to Help Parents with Homeschooling
On March 12, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered that all kindergarten through 12th grade schools close until April 3. And on CNN's State of the Union, DeWine said that the closure may even last through the end of this school year. “We’ve informed the superintendents that while we closed school for three weeks, that the…
Louisville’s Louder Than Life Music Festival Expands to Four Days, Metallica to Headline
Danny Wimmer Presents has expanded its Louder Than Life music fest in Louisville to four days: Sept. 17-20. That's one extra day added to the "biggest Rock festival in America." And that extra day — Thursday, Sept. 17 — will feature Metallica as the headliner. In a release, the production company said, "We are adding a Thursday to 2020 Louder Than Life and,…
Parents Encouraged to Act Now to Prevent Educational Losses
With schools in Ohio closed to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, millions of children could lose critical learning time. But there are resources to help fill the gap. Education experts say early-childhood learning is critical to future academic performance. According to Betsy Zorio, vice president for U.S. programs and advocacy at the nonprofit…
Old Milford and Pendleton Parlor Offering Free Ice Cream Through Thursday
Cincinnati Parlor, a local ice cream shop chain that has three locations throughout the Queen City, is offering a tasty special this week in order to brighten spirits. Now through the end of business on Thursday (March 26), stop by either the Pendleton Parlor or the Old Milford Parlor and enjoy either soft serve or…
Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Responds to Ohio Attorney General’s Order to Cease Non-Essential Abortions
On March 17, the Ohio Department of Health issued an order to postpone elective surgeries and procedures, with the goal of preserving personal protective equipment (PPE) for those dealing directly with COVID-19 patients and to preserve the number of available hospital beds. That order told doctors and hospitals to reschedule non-essential procedures. Some examples of…
Watch the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Digital Safari Featuring Kris and Remus
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is currently closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and will remain closed until further notice. And since you can't go to the zoo, the zoo is coming to you. The institution is offering digital alternatives to connect with its audience during this time, including hosting a series of Home…
Newport’s New Riff Distilling Offering Curbside Bourbon Pick-Up
Newport's New Riff Distilling's tastings and tours may be closed to the public, but you can still get their bourbon — delivered directly to your car. The distillery is offering online ordering plus curbside pick-up for most gift shop offerings, which includes spirits — bourbon, rye and wild gin — and swag. There is a…
What Does Ohio’s Stay at Home Order Mean for Those Experiencing Homelessness?
There are many implications to yesterday's unprecedented action by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton ordering Ohioans to stay in their homes unless absolutely necessary. That "stay at home" order, designed to try and slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, carves out a number of exceptions — you…
Cincinnati’s Hard Rock Casino Offers Online Gambling You Can Play From Your Couch
Ohioans have experienced a series of business closures ordered by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine over the past week or so as an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Cincinnati's Hard Rock Casino (formerly JACK Casino and in the process of rebranding after being bought by Hard Rock International last fall) announced on March 14 that…
These Essential Businesses Are Allowed to Remain Open in Ohio Under ‘Stay at Home’ Order
In his daily press briefing on Sunday, March 22, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton had signed a statewide "stay at home" order, essentially an order to shelter in place. The order goes into effect Monday night (March 23) at 11:59 p.m. and will be in effect until…
Kentucky’s U.S. Sen. Rand Paul Tests Positive For Coronavirus
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is the first senator to test positive for novel coronavirus COVID-19. The virus has caused a global pandemic and infected almost 30,000 people in the United States, killing at least 377 Americans. There are more than 300,000 cases of confirmed worldwide, with many more believed to be undiagnosed. Paul's…
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton Signs Stay at Home Order for All Ohioans
In his daily press briefing on Sunday, March 22, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton had signed a statewide "stay at home" order, essentially an order to shelter in place. The order goes into effect Monday night (March 23) at 11:59 p.m. and will be in effect until…
Cincinnati Restaurant Owners Lobby for $225 Billion National Bailout
In his second press briefing of the day on Friday, March 20, Mayor John Cranley introduced four members of the Cincinnati restaurant industry — Jean-François Flechet of Taste of Belgium, Bob Deck of 4EG, Cristian Pietoso of Via Vite/Forno Osteria and Britney Ruby Miller of Jeff Ruby's — to discuss the current state of the city's…
Downtown Cincinnati’s Mita’s to Transform into a Relief Center for Restaurant Workers
Downtown Cincinnati's Mita's has teamed up with chef Edward Lee's The LEE Initiative program to transform the restaurant into a relief center for employees in the food and beverage industry that have been affected by coronavirus-related closures. The center provides aid for restaurant workers who were laid off or experienced a significant pay reduction or…
Braxton Brewing Co. Hosts ‘Dark Charge Cellar Day’ to Raise Funds for Employees
As a result of the mandated bar and restaurant closures in response COVID-19, many small businesses are feeling an economic impact. That includes Covington's Braxton Brewing Co., which said in an email blast that they had to lay off many of their employees. "Over five years we have grown our team to over 80 people…
Ohio Museums Association Compiles List of Virtual Programming
The Ohio Museums Association, an "advocate for connecting and empowering Ohio museums and museum professionals," has gathered a list of the virtual programming occurring at Ohio museums and institutions while they are closed because of COVID-19. "Museums across the state know that Ohioans rely on these organizations to provide fun and educational experiences for the whole…
Fran DeWine’s Homemade Chicken and Noodles Recipe
During a press conference earlier this week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine asked his wife, Fran DeWine, to kick off the day's announcements with some ways to keep busy and positive while social distancing. Her wholesome list of ideas ranged from reading books with your children and preparing your garden to cooking with your family, more…
Kentucky’s House of Representatives Pass Bill Raising Tobacco Purchasing Age to 21
Kentucky's House of Representatives has adopted legislation to raise the age at which people can buy tobacco products (that includes all nicotine products, not just cigarettes, as well as vaping products) to 21. The "tobacco 21" legislation, officially Senate Bill 56, already passed the state Senate and is heading to Gov. Beshear. "Today, the Kentucky General…
Cincinnati Blues/R&B Singer/Saxophonist Leroy Ellington Releases New Live Album
Veteran Cincinnati music promoter and Blues/R&B singer/saxophonist Leroy Ellington and his band Sacred Hearts are releasing a new live album, the follow-up to last year’s studio effort Sanctified. Live and Kickin’ It will be released March 20 through the new Blues label Infiniti Group Records. Musicians featured alongside Ellington on the album include longtime local greats like Marcos Sastre, Charlie Fletcher and Max…
Greater Cincinnati Roots Band Harlot & the Hounds Release Debut Album
Roots ensemble Harlot & the Hounds are gearing up to release their debut album, Fireflies. The band grew out of Harlot, singer/guitarist Molly Morris and singer/banjo player Ellie Mae Mitchell’s Americana duo project in which they first showcased their remarkable vocal harmonies. Fleshing out the project, The Hounds are flutist Gwyneth Ravenscraft and trumpet player…
Cincinnati’s Japanese-Style Pop-Up Mochiko to Deliver Pastries to Your Door This Sunday
Mochiko is a Cincinnati culinary endeavor that takes inspiration from a style of Japanese cuisine known as “yoshoku,” which incorporates Western recipes with Eastern ingredients and sensibilities. Erik Bentz cooks the savories and Elaine Townsend bakes the sweets. They’ve already established a cult-like following via their pop-ups and recently had to cancel their event at…
Watch the First Five of the Cincinnati Zoo’s Digital Safaris, Meet Many Animals
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is currently closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and will remain closed until further notice. But since you can't go to the zoo, the zoo is coming to you. The institution is offering digital alternatives to connect with its audience during this time, including hosting a series of Home…
Cincinnati Musicians: Submissions Open for NPR’s 2020 Tiny Desk Contest
Now that you likely have a little more indoor time on your hands: NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest is now taking submissions for its 2020 competition. The annual contest (now in its sixth year) is an offshoot of NPR’s popular Tiny Desk Concert series, for which an eclectic array of artists perform intimate sets in…
Kings Island Postpones Opening Day Because of Coronavirus Pandemic
Kings Island has postponed its April opening day and rescheduled it, hopefully, for mid-May. According to a release on the Kings Island website from Cedar Fair Entertainment CEO Richard Zimmerman, "We have been continuously monitoring and following regional and national health directives related to COVID-19 and we want to keep you informed on how these…
Advocates Call for Better Coronavirus Response for Ohio Prisoners and Jails
Ohio is being hailed as a national leader for taking bold steps to protect residents from the new coronavirus, and civil rights groups say people in jail or prison deserve the same consideration. Ohio has at least 119 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with more than 7,300 across the country. According to some reports, cases have…
Karrikin Spirits Co. Begins Making Hand Sanitizer at its Fairfax Distillery
In response to the drastic shortage of hand sanitizer, Karrikin Spirits Co. has started making its own at its Fairfax distillery. The sanitizer is being produced in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines, with more than the recommended alcohol percentage to help kill germs. Since their master distillers have immediate access to alcohol, the restaurant…
Alternative Rock Legend Bob Mould Tries Optimism on for Size on ‘Sunshine Rock’
Singer, songwriter and singular guitarist Bob Mould needs little introduction. The upstate New York native has been making music for four decades. He began with the influential 1980s Minneapolis Punk/Indie Rock trio Hüsker Dü, then enjoyed a fruitful two-album run in the early ’90s with Sugar. As a solo artist, he has released a string…
Cincinnati Confirms Three Cases of Coronavirus
UPDATE: The city had dropped that number to three because one of the males was located in the suburbs, not the city itself. The City of Cincinnati now has four confirmed cases of COVID-19. In a press conference with Mayor John Cranley, Cincinnati Health Department Commissioner Melba Moore announced that three males and one female, with…
The Christ Hospital Closing its Mason Coronavirus Testing Site
The Christ Hospital has announced it is closing its Mason COVID-19 collection and testing site as "test kit availability continues to diminish across the state," they say. "We currently do not have indication from the state when additional kits will be available. Therefore, our Mason COVID-19 test site is closing at the end of the…
Plague, Pandemic and Zombie Movies to Stream During Quarantine
Social distancing and self-quarantine. Scary but necessary. Admit it, though: some of you are kind of excited about having a ready excuse to stay home and gorge yourself on movies, TV and carry-out/delivery. Of course, you could hunker down with all those shows you're behind on, or have been meaning to start watching (Better Call…
LaRosa’s Modifying Pick-Up and Delivery Services During Coronavirus Pandemic
Local pizzeria LaRosa's is modifying its pick-up and delivery process to better serve (and protect) diners and staff during the coronavirus pandemic. In a release, LaRosa's says its full menu will be available for pick-up and delivery from all locations with just a few changes "as part of its commitment to public safety and to…
Crescent Springs’ Cork ‘N Bottle Offering Access to Rare Bourbon with Velvet Smoke Receipt
UPDATE: Cork 'N Bottle has switched up the promo to feature Velvet Smoke next. Spend $20 on takeout from Velvet Smoke from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, show your receipt, get access to rare bourbon. Cork 'N Bottle liquor store in Crescent Springs is offering access to rare and limited bourbons if you…
Nearly All Adoptable Pets from Hamilton’s Animal Friends Humane Society Have Found Homes
Amid coronavirus social distancing, families are stepping up to adopt and foster, looking for either a companion to symbiotically lift their spirits with, or to lend a hand in times of need. Hamilton's Animal Friends Humane Society announced on their Facebook page on March 19 that nearly all of their adoptable pets have found homes,…
Northside’s Urban Artifact Launches Online Beer Store with Flat-Rate Delivery
After Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's executive order to shut bars and restaurant dining rooms to the public, many have been finding creative and digital solutions to reach their customers. And Urban Artifact now has a way to get beer delivered to your door. The Northside brewery has launched its online beer store and is offering…
Greater Cincinnati Grocery Stores Adjust Their Hours, Set Aside Shopping Time for Those 60 and Older
In his daily COVID-19 press conference on Thursday, March 19, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine assured the public that the grocery supply chain is intact and anything missing from shelves is gone because of high demand and stores not having time to restock. It's not because America's toilet paper supply has been completely depleted. I want…
Fast-Casual Sushi Chain FUSIAN Now Offering Fresh Produce Delivery
Fast-casual sushi chain FUSIAN is offering several different pick-up and delivery options to help feed guests during the COVID-19 outbreak and in-restaurant shut down. They are currently offering $1 delivery through their app, free delivery on Fridays, $1 peanut butter and jelly rolls, an expanded menu, family-style take-home meal kits and a gift card offer…
Second Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Hamilton County
Hamilton County Public Health has announced a second confirmed COVID-19 case in Hamilton County this afternoon. According to a press release, the patient is a man in his 60s who is currently hospitalized. No further information regarding the patient was released in respect to his privacy. Earlier today, Hamilton County Public Health announced the county's…
More Than 110,000 New Unemployment Claims in Ohio This Week Due to Coronavirus Fallout
There were 3,895 new unemployment claims in Ohio last Sunday through last Wednesday, which was last year, really, before All Of This happened. Working proactively and with the best medical information at hand, Gov. Mike DeWine took swift and early action late last week to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.Parades, games, concerts and…
Here’s a List of Ohio Craft Brewers Offering Beer for Carry-Out and Delivery
After the Ohio Department of Health issued an order on March 15 to close all bars and restaurants to the public, many have been using alternative means like carry-out, pick-up and delivery to serve their customers. That includes breweries. The Ohio Craft Brewers Association says, "Of OCBA’s 230 operating brewery members, 173 of them have changed…
Have Your Tres Belle Cake Order Delivered to Your Car by a Jolly Unicorn
A bakery in Reading is getting a little creative with Ohio's coronavirus restrictions. Tres Belle Cakes, located on 8921 Reading Road in the Bridal District, is taking curbside pick-up to a whole new level. Today, from 1-2 p.m., a unicorn will deliver your pick-up orders to your car and "give all the elbow bumps," according to…
Hamilton County Board of Elections Closes Building, Keeps Drive-Up Dropbox Open
The Hamilton County Board of Elections is closing its building at 4700 Smith Road in Norwood. It is suspending non-essential operations, according to a release, to help curb the spread of COVID-19. "The Board has a 24-hour, secure drive-up drop-box that voters can use to deposit any correspondence to the Board of Elections. In addition,…
First Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Hamilton County
Hamilton County Public Health announced the county's first confirmed COVID-19 case in a press conference on Thursday, March 19. The confirmed case is a New York resident in her 20s who is staying with her family in Hamilton County. The patient who tested positive for #COVID19 in Hamilton County was diagnosed in Ohio, however she…
Cincinnati Nonprofit Transform Offers Transgender Youth Support, Acceptance and a Brand New Wardrobe
By all accounts, Elliott Reed is a pretty typical 17-year-old. A high school senior, his days are occupied with school, friends, dating, working a part-time job at the mall and making plans for college. He wears band tees, black boots and a curly, more-on-top haircut synonymous with contemporary teenage boydom. Like generations of teens before…
Universal Pictures is Releasing These Current In-Theater Movies Via Streaming on Friday
Comcast and NBCUniversal has decided to release some current-run movies via streaming in response to the shuttering of theaters during the COVID-19 outbreak. On Friday, March 20, they'll be releasing The Hunt, The Invisible Man and Emma for the public to stream at home. The rental period lasts 48 hours and costs $19.99. The films…
Colerain Township’s Red Squirrel Closing, Giving Away Free Food From Kitchen
Colerain Township's Red Squirrel is closing its doors, for now, amid coronavirus' massive impact on the food and beverage industry. But before they officially close at noon today (March 19), the eatery is offering up free food items from the kitchen to those who need them. The restaurant posted on their Facebook page today, thanking…
Cincinnati Ballet Rescheduling Upcoming April and May Performances
The Cincinnati Ballet has announced it will reschedule a couple of upcoming performances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the CDC's recommendation the U.S. suspend public gatherings of 50 or more for eight weeks. The ballet is rescheduling Director's Cut, "a triple bill of dynamic works from choreographers with distinct points of view,"…
Over-the-Rhine’s Boombox Buns Opens Brick-and-Mortar Under ‘Temporary Conditions’ Today
Boombox Buns, an Over-the-Rhine carry-out eatery offering homemade Chinese-style steamed buns, also known as baozi or bao, is opening its much-anticipated brick-and-mortar under "temporary conditions" on March 19. Nathan Friday is the man behind Boombox Buns, and while the steamed bun-centric eatery is the first brand within Friday’s company, Together We Eat, and it likely won’t be the last.…
Christ Hospital Delays Opening Its Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing Site in Mount Auburn
The Christ Hospital has delayed the opening of its drive-thru testing site at 2139 Auburn Ave. in Mount Auburn. It was slated to open Wednesday, March 18, and won't open "until further notice" because of a lack of testing supplies. According to a Facebook post and press release, "Due to high demand for testing, and limited testing…
Cincinnati Health Collaborative Issues Guidelines for COVID-19 Testing Sites
The Health Collaborative — a collective health care group featuring board members from Bon Secours Mercy Health, UC Health, TriHealth, Christ Hospital and Cincinnati Children's Hospital, among others — are hoping to make sure the area's medical systems have enough capacity to handle those who may get the sickest from COVID-19. They have issued a…
Kentucky’s SofaBurn Records to Give 100 Percent of Online Store Sale Profits Directly to Artists
Dayton, Kentucky's SofaBurn Records is a label with a roster of artists that includes the likes of Jeremy Pinnell, Buffalo Killers, The Light Wires and Ampline. And to help said artists during the current COVID-19 pandemic, SofaBurn is giving 100 percent of the profits of anything bought from their online store directly to them. The label also…
CityBeat Furloughs Beloved Staffers Due to Coronavirus Pandemic Impact
As the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on both public health and the national and local economy continues to swell, elected officials, health care leaders and businesses have taken unprecedented measures — at least in our lifetime — to curb the spread of the virus and mitigate its effects. That means, whether voluntarily, preemptively or under direction,…
Please Consider Donating to CityBeat to Support Local Journalism
As the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on both public health and the national and local economy continues to swell, elected officials, health care leaders and businesses have taken unprecedented measures — at least in our lifetime — to curb the spread of the virus and mitigate its effects. That means, whether voluntarily, preemptively or under direction,…
Northern Kentucky Confirms First Case of Coronavirus
The Northern Kentucky Health Department has issued a release confirming its first case of COVID-19. A 66 year-old female and Kenton County resident has tested positive for the virus. She is in isolation at St. Elizabeth Hospital at Fort Thomas. The release did not specify if she had a history of travel. “We have been…
DeWine Orders Salons, Barbershops, Tattoo Shops and 181 of Ohio’s BMVs to Close Amid Coronavirus Concerns
In today's (March 18) news conference regarding recent COVID-19 updates, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and DeWine's wife, Fran DeWine, covered new business closure orders, virus testing information, advice about how to spend your time while social distancing, and tips for small business owners…
Ohio’s Blood Supply Could Reach Crisis Level Without More Donors
Blood centers in Ohio and other states are issuing an urgent call for donors. Dozens of blood drives, as many as 2,700 nationally, have been canceled recently as high schools, colleges and businesses shut their doors to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. If current trends continue, said Gail McGovern, president and chief executive…
Ways to Practice Self Care and Be Mindful of Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The times are, indeed, strange. In the face of collective uncertainty regarding the novel coronavirus, also called COVID-19, there are ways to practice self-care, even as communities across the globe — including Ohio and Kentucky — have enacted necessary social distancing measures. We're social creatures. The news cycle can feel as stressful as ever. I…
Cincinnati’s MadTree Brewing is Slinging Beer and Pizza From Their ‘Adult Ice Cream Truck’
Oakley's MadTree Brewing is hoping to spread a little cheer to the Cincinnati people this week. The brewery is taking to the streets, driving around "adult ice cream trucks" bearing ice cold brews and fresh 'za from Catch-a-Fire Pizza. The brewery updates their planned routes, timelines and menu daily on their website. They have beer…
Jacob Trevino of Gorilla Cinema Presents Hosting Gift Card Telethon to Support Staff Members
Jacob Trevino, owner of hospitality brand Gorilla Cinema Presents which runs popular Cincinnati bars and restaurants like Overlook Lodge, The Video Archive, Tokyo Kitty and The Lonely Pine Steakhouse, is hosting a gift card telethon to raise funds for his brand's staff members today (March 18) amidst closures related to coronavirus. The telethon runs from 4-8 p.m.…
Cincinnati ElectroPop Band Passeport Releases Debut EP ‘Aren’t We All’
If you were placing bets on the next band out of Cincinnati headed towards breakout national success, you’d be wise to put some money on Passeport. Though the local ElectroPop foursome only released their first official singles last year, Passeport’s fully realized sound is the result of six years’ worth of experience and development together.…
Todd Pavlisko’s “Pop Supernatural” at Weston Art Gallery Shoots But Doesn’t Quite Score
On the Weston Art Gallery’s street level, Cincinnati native and New York-based artist Todd Pavlisko presents ornately carved violins that appear to be melting over basketballs. But let’s consider the symbolism of this soft collision: basketballs and violins are each loaded with cultural meaning. A wall text tells me Pavlisko is interested in “a confluence…
Romare Bearden’s Profile Series at the Cincinnati Art Museum Transcends the Autobiographical
It would have been near the end of summer in 1927, boarding a train to Pittsburgh, when a young Romare Bearden last waved goodbye to his friend Liza. I imagine him watching her on the platform, shrinking in the distance as the train pulls away, then shifting his gaze to the fields and houses sliding…
Streaming Recommendations From CityBeat Editors
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Not unique to Cincinnati are cancelations and the postponement of events, with experts recommending the practice of social distancing in order to slow its spread. For many of us, this means working remotely (if able) and staying home for…
Inside the Night Portuguese Street Artist Vhils’ Art Shook the Walls at the Contemporary Arts Center
Joe Civitello moves quickly down the long sloping stairs at downtown’s Contemporary Arts Center. It’s after 10 p.m. on a Thursday in early February, and the day’s visitors have long gone home. As the CAC’s installations director, Civitello generally deals with a range of material like wood and drywall. But tonight, he’s checking in on…
Findlay Market Shopping App Lets You Support the Market Without Leaving Your Car or Home
Over-the-Rhine's Findlay Market offers plenty of ways to shop and support the many businesses that make up the market, but the real game-changer that is gaining quite a bit of popularity in these changing times is their Findlay Market Shopping app. The app, available for download on Apple's App Store and Google Play, gives shoppers…
Playhouse in the Park’s Just-Announced 2020-21 Season Offers Some Things Old and Some Things New
Artistic director Blake Robison’s ninth season at the Cincinnati Playhouse presents another fine balancing act, satisfying both theatergoers with an appetite for new material as well as those who love to see favorites returned to our city’s Tony Award-winning regional theater. Robison says that the forthcoming season has "dexterity" and points to his "great love…
Cincinnati Red Bike Center Opens at Findlay Market
A new center that opened today in Findlay Market will be a one-stop shop for users of Cincinnati's bike share program. The Red Bike Market Center is open the same hours as the popular, historic market Tuesday through Sunday and is geared toward helping Red Bike customers with starting or renewing memberships, making cash payments…
Cincinnati’s Women Chefs Are Stepping Off the Line and Making a Name for Themselves in Non-Traditional Kitchens
Women in food are a fact. As long as there’s a place for anyone who has a passion for the culinary arts, women will be in food. The more intriguing thing today is just where those places are. In Cincinnati, it seems change is a-brewing in the food industry as women are stepping off the…
How is Hamilton County Preparing for Coronavirus COVID-19?
As more and more cases of COVID-19 (colloquially known as the coronavirus) spread around the world and slowly increase in the United States, officials with the Hamilton County Health Department say they're preparing in case the virus reaches Southwestern Ohio. Coronaviruses are a broad category of virus that cause the common cold, among other illnesses.…
We Caught Up With Poet Tyehimba Jess on the Music and Places That Shaped Him Ahead of His University of Cincinnati Appearance
Tyehimba Jess is obsessed with music and the ways it infects how we express ourselves. Music — and musicality — dominates Jess’ two books of poetry. leadbelly, which surfaced in 2004, centers on the singer, songwriter and guitarist whose various hardships inevitably mark his haunting Folk and Blues songs. Jess’ long-simmering follow-up, 2016’s Olio, is…
Replacement for Cincinnati City Council Member Amy Murray Poised to be Sworn in Tomorrow
Cincinnati City Council looks likely to get a new member. Council member Amy Murray, who will resign March 4 to take a job in the administration of President Donald Trump, will be replaced by West Side Hamilton County Probate Court Magistrate Elizabeth "Betsy" Sundermann. Sundermann is expected to be sworn in at tomorrow's council meeting.…
Progressive Roots Bands Greensky Bluegrass and The Wood Brothers to Play Cincinnati This Summer
Fresh off of their show at a packed Madison Theater, popular "Jamgrass" band Greensky Bluegrass has announced a summer tour that will bring them back to Greater Cincinnati. The band is slated to perform July 29 at Riverbend's PNC Pavilion. Greensky is touring with the "soulful Folk" (as Paste called them) band The Wood Brothers,…
The Cincinnati Zoo Hosts an Adults-Only Slumber Party with Drinks, a Bonfire and Private Zoo Tours
Spend a night on the wild side at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's adults-only slumber party. The overnight adventure welcomes adults ages 21 and up for dinner, drinks and a tour of the zoo, offering special encounters with a few African animals along the way. The tour includes an inside look at how zookeepers keep…
Drink Unlimited Wine for a Good Cause at the Cincinnati International Wine Festival
If drinking for a cause is your thing, look no further than the Cincinnati International Wine Festival. Yes, as the name suggests, this is a fest dedicated to vino. But it is also a nonprofit that has granted more than $6 million to local charities in everything from arts and education to health and human…
Ride a 24-Foot T. Rex at Jurassic Quest at the Duke Energy Convention Center
Dinosaurs are back from extinction for Jurassic Quest at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Featuring over 80 life-sized animatronic recreations of the prehistoric beasts that once roamed the Earth, Jurassic Quest is perfect for families to learn about and interact with dinos up close and personal. The website says, “In collaboration with leading paleontologists, each…
Cincy Shakes’ ‘Pride & Prejudice’ is a Fresh Take on an Austen Classic
CRITIC'S PICK To marry for love or security? That’s the quandary at the center of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of Pride & Prejudice. The play, adapted by Kate Hamill from Jane Austen’s beloved novel, stars Caitlin McWethy as the clever Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet in this knee-slapping dramedy. Set in rural England during the early 19th…
Xavier University’s Longest-Serving President Announces Retirement Date
After two decades at the helm of one of Cincinnati's largest universities, Rev. Michael Graham will retire June 30, 2021 as president of Xavier University, he announced today at the school's annual spring convocation. Graham is the school's 34th president over its almost 200-year history. He says it's a good time for him to leave…
These Greater Cincinnati Breweries are Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day with Green Beer and Kegs and Eggs
Saint Patrick’s Day is March 17, but Braxton gets ahead of the holiday in throwing a Saint “Practice” Day on March 14. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. with VIVE-mosas and green Storm Golden Cream Ale. Parlor on Seventh will serve an Irish breakfast, and VIVE hard seltzer launches its green-hued packaged Saint Patrick’s Day limited-edition…
Know Theatre’s ‘Alabaster’ is a Thoughtful Drama with Goats
CRITIC's PICK Alabaster is a play about four troubled women — two of those women are goats, sure, but their problems are equally relevant to a human’s woe. The work succeeds as a moving exploration of loss, love and perception. Though most people only like goats if they’re served with curry and rice, Alabaster has…
Drink and Think During Themed Trivia Events at Greater Cincinnati Breweries
Almost any night of the week, you can hit up all kinds of trivia in Greater Cincinnati — especially themed trivia nights. But Last Call Trivia and Trivia with a Twist, the city’s two main trivia companies, have been collaborating with breweries to bring pop-culture fans special theme nights beyond the ever-popular The Office, Friends…
University of Cincinnati’s Reed Gallery Brings Imaginary Exhibition ‘Selections from the Seagrave Museum’ to Life
Like many other art gallery and museum shows, the current Selections from the Seagrave Museum at the University of Cincinnati’s Reed Gallery has plenty of exhibit labels — those wall notices adjacent to individual works that provide names and information about their creators. But this show’s labels are decidedly different. Weird and unsettling, even. Some…
Cincinnati Museum Center Explores the Mysteries of Mayan Civilization in Upcoming Exhibition
The mysteries of the Maya will unfold at the Cincinnati Museum Center by way of the aptly titled Maya: The Exhibition. Opening March 14, the show features over 300 original objects that reveal information about daily life in the civilization, from religion to politics to innovations. It promises to be immersive, drawing museumgoers into the…
Cincinnati City Councilmember Tamaya Dennard Stepping Down
Roughly a week after Cincinnati City Councilmember Tamaya Dennard was arraigned on federal charges of accepting money for her vote, she announced today that she will step down from her office. "It is with great sadness that I announce my resignation effective today," Dennard said in a statement released today by her legal team. "The…
Cincinnati City Manager: Man Dies of Stroke After Neighbor Calls Cincinnati 911 and No Emergency Response Comes
Cincinnati's Emergency Call Center is again at the center of scrutiny after a man suffered a stroke in January and died after the ECC failed to send help, an email today from Cincinnati City Manager Patrick Duhaney to members of city council reveals. A call-taker with the city's 911 service has been suspended related to…
Renowned Newport Brunch Spot The Baker’s Table Has Expanded its Offerings to Include a Cozy Dinner Service
What I like best about The Baker’s Table, a little gem of a restaurant in an unexpected corner of Newport, is simply the place itself. The charming, one-room dining and bar area has such a cozy, inviting décor and ambiance that one immediately feels at home. I’ve had two dinners and one brunch there, and…
Columbus’ COSI Named No. 1 Science Museum in America by ‘USA Today’
Columbus' Center of Science and Industry (COSI) was named the best science museum in the nation in a recent reader's choice poll from USA Today's 10Best series. The publication's 10Best lists are compiled by local or national experts that are both well-traveled and well-educated, according to the website. The experts curate an unbiased list of…
EDM Violinist Lindsey Stirling’s Summer North American Tour Includes Cincinnati Stop
Violinist and dancer Lindsey Stirling — a unique and eclectic Electronic music sensation — is embarking on a 36-city North American tour this summer that includes a stop in Cincinnati. The tour behind Stirling's latest album, Artemis, will bring her to Riverbend's PNC Pavilion on Friday, Aug. 7 with special guests Kiesza and Mako. Tickets…
Peace, Love and Little Donuts is Now Open in Hyde Park
Pittsburgh-based donut chain Peace, Love and Little Donuts has officially opened its first Cincinnati location. The donut shop is located just off of Hyde Park Square on Edwards Road and offers "tennis ball-sized" made-to-order donuts with 36 flavor options to choose from. The donut flavors are split into four categories; Funkadelic, with extravagant options like…
Four New Low-Calorie and Low-ABV Beer Releases from Greater Cincinnati Breweries
Low-ABV and low-calorie beers are all the rage these days for those looking to lead a more “guilt-free” lifestyle. Health-conscious drinkers who are interested in lifting weights and losing pounds are less interested in carbs and calories. And while these brews may not be keto or paleo — or exactly good for you — they're…
Blackberry Smoke’s Celebration of Southern Rock Tour is Coming to Cincinnati This Summer
Modern Southern Rock torchbearers Blackberry Smoke are bringing their summer tour to Cincinnati. As the tour’s title suggests, the group’s “Spirit Of The South Tour: A Celebration of Southern Rock and Roll” will be a Southern Rock extravaganza, as Blackberry Smoke will be joined on the trek by like-minded acts The Allman Betts Band, The…
Newport Aquarium’s Immersive Eel-Filled Shipwreck Adventure Exhibit Opens This Weekend
The Newport Aquarium is adding some "ahoy" with the forthcoming Shipwreck: Realm of the Eels exhibit, opening March 6. The new, million-dollar attraction will take the place of the 20-year-old Dangerous & Deadly display and transform the space into an interactive and immersive sunken seafloor. According to a press release, "Guests will discover the ruins of a long-ago sunken…
Comedy Rock Heroes Tenacious D to Bring Pre-Election Tour of Swing States to Cincinnati
Tenacious D will not just shut up and sing. The comedy/music duo featuring Jack Black and Kyle Gass has announced that in the lead up to the 2020 election, they will be embarking on "The Purple Nurple Tour… Twisting Hard To The Left." "Donald Trump has proven to be the most divisive, corrupt and dangerous President…
West Side Creamy Whip Zip Dip Opens its 70th Season with a Special Giveaway
Creamy whip Zip Dip is opening its doors for its 70th season on March 6, which means warmer weather, little league games and balmy evening ice cream runs can't be too far off. And the first 500 people to order get a special gift: a themed Zip Dip koozie. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3015434791840692&id=163211047063095 A West Side family tradition,…
‘The Ghosts of Eden Park’ Author Comes to Mercantile Library for Talk, Bourbon Tasting
Author and historian Karen Abbott is coming to downtown’s Mercantile Library to discuss her book The Ghosts of Eden Park. Abbott is from Philadelphia, not Cincinnati, although the topic of her vivid historical fiction is the Queen City’s infamous bootlegger George Remus. The subhead encapsulates the spirit of The New York Times best-seller: “The bootleg…
Walnut Hills’ Fireside Pizza Collaborates with Oriental Wok on a Crab Rangoon Pizza
Two local eateries have collaborated on one very important culinary creation — the Crab Rangoon Pizza. Fireside Pizza recently partnered with chefs Guy Burgess and Susanna Wong from Oriental Wok, one of their "absolute favorite restaurants in the world," on the innovative fusion pie. The pizza is made with a base of Oriental Wok crab…
