Know Theatre, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to Open Distinctly Different Shows in January
The beginning of the year is typically slow for Cincinnati theater, but things will explode on Jan. 27 when both Know Theatre and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company open productions that adhere to their ongoing missions while also suggesting fascinating new directions. These shows will be staged by directors with perspectives that underscore the broadening impact of…
Sound Advice: Memorial Hall to Welcome Neko Case’s Emotionally Resonant Tunes in January
After an acclaimed 25-year solo career, Neko Case finally decided it’s okay to pause, catch her breath and look back with the pleasure of a deep retrospective titled Wild Creatures in 2022. It’s a revealing reminder of just how potent and powerful her voice has always been, whether singing solo, with her band The Boyfriends,…
Cincinnati Author Holly Brians Ragusa’s Memoir Reclaims the Narrative of Her Father, Serial Killer Victim John Powell
Holly Brians Ragusa heads to a bakery on an overcast, chilly afternoon to discuss her recently-released debut novel, Met the End, which she describes as a true crime survival memoir. Before taking a seat, she sees a few people she knows and pauses to embrace a friend. An Over-the-Rhine local who grew up on the West…
Sound Advice: Award-Winning Christian Artist Anne Wilson to Perform as Part of Cincinnati’s Winter Jam
When it comes to Christian music, it can be hard to break into the scene, much less break the mold. If you’ve spent any time listening to Christian music, you know it’s been carried by the same voices and same sounds for decades. In 2021, Anne Wilson set out to change all that and so…
Wave Pool Exhibit Provides the Ultimate Gift of Art and Human Connection
Art is the gift that keeps on giving. It gives us a way to connect, remember and reflect, and Wave Pool’s current exhibit, The Gift, offers viewers a beautifully wrapped present filled with care and reflection in the works on display. Wave Pool is a quaint yet lively contemporary art gallery in Camp Washington. The…
Sound Advice: Rhiannon Giddens’ Musical Alchemy is Headed to Cincinnati’s Memorial Hall
While many people learned how to relax and catch up on naps during the COVID-19 shutdown, others endured in different, more productive ways. Folk musician Rhiannon Giddens opted for the latter option and in a creative flurry recorded They’re Calling Me Home, a Grammy award-winning record of traditional songs. She also published Build a House,…
Commentary: David Rhodes Brown is an Enduring Legacy in Cincinnati’s Music Scene
The legend of David Rhodes Brown is a bit of a tall tale within the Cincinnati music scene. Standing at a natural 6’5” before adding his signature cowboy boots and hat, Brown literally and figuratively towered above his constituency with his impeccable musicianship, booming voice, over 60 years of experience and incomparable affability and kindness.…
Covington’s Secret Bar Is a Drag in the Best Way
There’s more than just a name hidden in Creative House of Art and Design (CHAD), an arts and craft store that offers art instruction on Mainstrasse in Covington. When abbreviated, Creative House of Art and Design spells out owner Chad Turner’s first name. And when you venture a little further into the colorful store –…
Northwood Cider Company Offers a Distinctly Unique Take on Ciders in Norwood
The Cincinnati area’s first brewery and taproom dedicated only to hard ciders opened in Norwood in November. Northwood Cider Company is the brainchild of a former brewery owner and a real estate finance and development professional who bonded over their shared passion for community development and hard ciders. Co-owner Darrin Wilson was first exposed to…
Sound Advice: Dream Pop Band Plastic Picnic Crafts Memorable Melodies with Heart-on-your-Sleeve Lyrics
Brooklyn-based dream pop band Plastic Picnic has been busy lately, releasing their debut record As Long As You Need over the summer in addition to a handful of singles on their Bandcamp. The band will be embarking on a short tour of the Northeast and Midwest in early 2023. With a sound somewhat reminiscent of…
Guest Commentary: Want More Teachers? Start Valuing Education
School districts across the country are facing a historic number of teacher vacancies — an estimated 300,000, according to the National Education Association, the largest U.S. teachers union. Some states are particularly hard hit, with approximately 2,000 empty positions in Illinois and Arizona, 3,000 in Nevada, and 9,000 in Florida. How are political leaders responding?…
Ohio’s Maligned Voter ID Law Already Being Challenged in Court
The same day Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill into law, Ohio’s new photo voter ID law saw its first court challenge. The Elias Law group filed suit on Jan. 6 on a behalf of a handful of Ohio interest groups. The firm, headed up by Democratic elections attorney Marc Elias, rose to national prominence…
Teresa Theetge Sworn in as Cincinnati’s First Female Police Chief
Teresa Theetge has officially been sworn in as Cincinnati’s newest police chief, the first woman in the city’s history to hold the job. She was sworn in as the department’s 16th chief on Jan. 9 at Union Terminal before an audience of colleagues, city leaders and more than 60 family members. “It is a new…
Cincinnati Sues Williamsburg Apartments Owners for Repeated Violations, ‘Substandard Living Conditions’
Has the Williamsburg apartment complex burst its final pipe? The city of Cincinnati announced Jan. 10 that it has filed a lawsuit against Williamsburg of Cincinnati Apartments & Townhomes for “maintaining substandard living conditions at the premises.” The case will be heard in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. Residents have reported numerous violations and…
Vote for Smale Riverfront Park as One of the Nation’s Best Riverwalks
Once again, a Cincinnati landmark is getting national recognition — but it could use a little help from locals. “10 Best,” USA Today’s travel information hub that frequently relies on reader input, has included Smale Riverfront Park among its nominees for the best river walk in its latest readers’ choice poll. “Cities across the United…
Fountain Square Releases Lineup of New Winter Events at UC Health Ice Rink Downtown
Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean the winter fun has to stop. The UC Health Ice Rink at Fountain Square will be open until Feb. 20 and offering special events throughout January and February. Special events include: Bengals Watch Parties: Playoff games will be shown on the Fifth Third LED Board, and the…
Crown Restaurant Group Sets Opening Date for Newest Over-the-Rhine Restaurant Five on Vine
Five on Vine, Crown Restaurant Group’s newest endeavor, will officially open in the former Mercer space in Over-the-Rhine on Jan. 18, according to a press release. “Five on Vine represents a culmination of efforts from Crown Restaurant Group and 3CDC that will breathe new life into one of Over-the-Rhine’s most prominent culinary locales,” reads the…
FC Cincinnati Nets Five Friendlies Before 2023 Season Begins
Cincinnati’s pro soccer team will have a month of friendlies to get its groove back before attempting another postseason run. FC Cincinnati will play five pre-season matches before the 2023 season officially starts. Team members are preparing at the Mercy Health Training Center in Milford before departing Jan. 23 for Walter Campbell Sports Park in Clearwater, Florida.…
Like Executive Order, ‘Palm Cards’ Guiding Law Enforcement On Kentucky Medical Marijuana Vague
Days after Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s executive order granting preemptive pardons for medical marijuana obtained out of state went into place on Jan. 1, confusion about how the order functionally operates continues, raising fears that Kentuckians legitimately seeking medical marijuana could still face criminal consequences. One element potentially contributing to that confusion are the “palm…
Cincinnati Cyclones Split Weekend Games, Gather Nearly 12,000 Stuffed Toys
The Cincinnati Cyclones split a pair of weekend games, but the end result still was a huge victory. During the Jan. 7 3-2 loss to the Wheeling Nailers, the ‘Clones saw one of their biggest home crowds ever. According to Cyclones records, 12,187 fans packed Heritage Bank Center, the largest attendance for the season so…
Cincinnati Rollergirls Hosting Tryouts in Colerain Township Sunday, Feb. 12
Editor’s note: After this story was originally published, the Cincinnati Rollergirls changed its tryout and bootcamp dates as follows: The Cincinnati Rollergirls are looking for some new recruits. The roller derby team will be holding tryouts Sunday, Feb. 12 at The Place in Colerain Township from 10 a.m. to noon. Tryouts are open to cisgender,…
Go Vote! CityBeat’s 27th Annual Best of Cincinnati® Readers Poll Is Live.
Get ready to cast your ballot to determine the best of the best Cincinnati has to offer. CityBeat’s 27th annual Best of Cincinnati® Readers Poll is officially live. Your votes will determine the area’s best Eats, Shops & Services, Music & Nightlife, Arts & Culture, Sports & Recreation and City Life. Here are the basic…
Joe Burrow Sets New Records as Cincinnati Bengals Head to the Post-Season Again
One week after a frightening injury, things are looking up for both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills. After the Bengals’ Jan. 8 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow passed out cigars to celebrate Cincinnati’s first back-to-back AFC North title. The Bengals are now the No. 3 seed in the AFC…
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Signs Controversial Voter Photo ID Bill
Late in the night on Jan. 6, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine cleared his desk — signing into law two controversial bills. One makes changes in the way Ohioans will vote going forward. Most notably, it requires voters casting a ballot in-person to present a photo ID. The other law orders state agencies to award drilling…
Abortion Pills Still Hard to Get in Ohio, Despite New FDA Policy
Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration changed requirements for pills used to induce an abortion, state law would keep Ohioans from benefitting from the change. Last week, the FDA announced that it would not enforce a rule that pregnant people need to pick up mifepristone in person and allows retail pharmacies to dispense the…
Cincinnati Has the Damar Hamlin Fan Club, and 8 Other News Stories You May Have Missed This Week
What an up-and-down week! The president was in town, which was great, but a young football player nearly died of cardiac arrest before the eyes of millions, which was not great. Catch up on the big headlines of the week: Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin Finally Wakes, Chats with Teammates Via FaceTime at UC Medical…
Yes, the Bible Is Totally Queer, Ohio Pastor Says
“My parents had a harder time with me leaving the Catholic church to become Episcopalian than coming out as gay,” says Dr. Ben Huelskamp. Huelskamp is the Executive Director of LOVEboldly, a Columbus-based nonprofit that seeks to develop spaces where LGBTQ+ people can flourish in Christianity. On Jan. 19, LOVEboldly will be hosting a free…
Damar Hamlin FaceTimes Team While Recovering at UC Med Center: ‘Love You Boys’
Things are looking much brighter for Damar Hamlin. After a harrowing week of recovery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after his cardiac arrest during a Jan. 2 game at Paycor Stadium, the Buffalo Bills safety has finally spoken to teammates and coaches, giving them a big dose of relief. His message? “Love you…
Gov. Mike DeWine Vetoes Cincinnati Rep’s Liquor Bill, Approves Unlimited Police Firearms in Mobs
While Ohio House and Senate lawmakers organize committees and prepare for the coming session, Gov. Mike DeWine is putting the finishing touches on the last one. So far in 2023, the governor has signed 23 bills into law and vetoed one. The veto DeWine rejected HB 286, sponsored by Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati. The bill…
Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment’s First-Ever Event Space The Lempicka Set to Open in June
Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment says its first event space, The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby, will open its doors in June. The Lempicka is described as a one-of-a-kind space that “offers a luxurious backdrop for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, fundraisers, business events and more,” according to a press release. The space can hold up to 200…
On Jan. 6 Anniversary, Officials Warn About Rising Extremism from Veterans
On the eve of the second anniversary of the U.S. Capitol insurrection, congressional Democrats and dozens of veterans on Jan. 5 in a press conference called on incoming House Republican leaders to condemn political violence and hold their members who supported the attack accountable for their actions. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is scheduled on Friday,…
Details to Know for Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Tom Browning’s Memorial Service at Great American Ball Park on Jan. 6
Baseball fans can honor “Mr. Perfect” at the ballpark one more time. The remembrance for former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning, who died Dec. 19, will be held June 6 at Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way. There will be a public visitation noon-3 p.m. at Bally Sports Club, followed by a celebration of…
‘Poo Butt’: Ohio Rejected These Hilarious Vanity Plates in 2022
Ringing in 2023, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles released its annual list of rejected vanity plate applications from 2022. From “UGH FML” to “DRG DELR” the 759 rejected applications were deemed profane, obscene, sexually explicit, or meant to provoke a violent response or advocate immediate lawlessness. Although sex and drugs were heavy hitters on…
Alicia Reece Becomes Hamilton County Commission President for 2023
Alicia Reece has been named the new president of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners. 2022 Hamilton County Commission president Stephanie Summerow Dumas passed the gavel to Reece on Jan. 5 after a unanimous board vote. Reece will serve as president for one year, according to the Ohio Revised Code. “This gavel has taken on a…
Ohio Just Banned ‘Gas Station Heroin’
Following studies of adverse effects, from restless arm syndrome to sudden death, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy has banned any product containing the chemical tianeptine, also known as “Tia” or “Gas Station Heroin,” due to its opioid-like effects. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, in an emergency order, permitted the board to classify the chemical as a…
Damar Hamlin is Awake and “Neurologically Intact” at UC Medical Center
Damar Hamlin has shown “remarkable improvement” over the past 24 hours, according to an update provided to the Buffalo Bills from the physicians at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The Bills tweeted Jan. 5 that “while still critically ill, he [Hamlin] has demonstrated that he appears neurologically intact. His lungs continue to heal and he is…
In Kentucky Address, Beshear Touts Infrastructure Improvements and Emergency Response While Begging for Education Increases
In his fourth State of the Commonwealth Address, Gov. Andy Beshear spoke glowingly of Kentucky’s economy and optimistically of its future, while calling on lawmakers to approve 5% raises for teachers, a proposal that got a cold reception from Republican leaders. Speaking to a joint-session of the General Assembly, the Democratic governor highlighted the state’s…
Here’s Everything U.S. President Joe Biden Ate During His Visit to Greater Cincinnati
Ice cream apparently is not the only dessert that U.S. President Joe Biden likes. Biden showed off his sweet tooth in Cincinnati on Jan. 4 right after delivering an address celebrating major federal funding for the improvements for the Brent Spence Bridge, which links Northern Kentucky with Cincinnati. Accompanied by Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval, Ohio…
Brent Spence Bridge Project Is a Bipartisan Miracle, Local and State Officials Claim
President Joe Biden, joined by senators and governors from both sides of the political aisle and the Ohio River, came to Kentucky on Jan. 4 to celebrate the bipartisanship that’s bringing a long-awaited upgrade of the Brent Spence Bridge and other critical infrastructure around the country. “A bridge built over half a century ago, having…
More Young Children Are Eating Cannabis Edibles by Mistake, Study Finds
A growing number of children in the U.S. have accidentally consumed cannabis-infused edibles in recent years, according to a new study. The report, published Jan. 3 in the journal Pediatrics, analyzed data from the National Poison Data System. It found a staggering 1,375% increase in reported cases of children under the age of 6 accidentally…
Queen City Music Spotlight: Catch These 10 Cincinnati Concerts Featuring Local Acts in January
The New Year is already bringing some good fortune to local music lovers. With the re-emergence of old traditions, along with some familiar favorites and newer talent appearing across Greater Cincinnati over the next month, it looks like the year is starting off just right for the Cincinnati music scene. Rae Fisher’s Tuesday Night Residency…
Damar Hamlin’s Family Says Stop Blaming Cincinnati Bengals’ Tee Higgins for Clash at Paycor Stadium
The Cincinnati Bengals have offered full support to Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety who collapsed in cardiac arrest during a game at Paycor Stadium this week – and that includes Tee Higgins. Hamlin, 24, had gone into cardiac arrest during the first quarter of the game on Jan. 2. After colliding with Bengals wide…
These Were Ohio’s Biggest LGBTQ+ Stories in 2022
So much of 2022 was…well…oof. The Republican supermajority in the Ohio legislature was hell-bent on introducing a slate of anti-LGBTQ+ bills designed to write LGBTQ+ Ohioans out of existence. Hearing after hearing featured individuals stepping up to the mic to say truly horrible things, including gender-affirming care being compared to dog training, countless accusations of…
Got Unpaid Medical Bills? Some Ohio Hospitals Won’t See You
Despite growing evidence of the harm caused by medical debt, hundreds of U.S. hospitals maintain policies to aggressively pursue patients for unpaid bills, using tactics such as lawsuits, selling patient accounts to debt buyers, and reporting patients to credit rating agencies, a KHN investigation shows. The collection practices are commonplace among all types of hospitals…
Ohio Republican Jim Jordan Surprisingly Turns Down Powerful Speaker Role in U.S. House Squabble
Republican control of the U.S. House got off to a rocky start Jan. 3 when the party was unable to decide who should become speaker amid a sharp disagreement within the party’s more conservative faction. California Rep. Kevin McCarthy didn’t clinch the backing of the 218 lawmakers he needed to become the head of the…
President Joe Biden to Celebrate Brent Spence Bridge Project in Covington on Wednesday
U.S. President Joe Biden is making a habit of visiting Greater Cincinnati. The president will be in Covington on Jan. 4 to celebrate the $1.635 billion award that the federal government is providing for the Brent Spence Bridge project. The funds, which were announced in late December, will be used to repair the bridge and erect…
Damar Hamlin Supporters Linger Outside UC Medical Center: ‘The Bengals Fans are Right Here’
Amber Moran, 19, wore her Bengals jersey to UC Medical Center on Jan. 3, but she’s standing outside the hospital to root on a player from another team – Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin. “I just came to show my support and love to the Bills family,” Moran tells CityBeat. Moran is wearing Bengals jersey…
Butler Tech School of the Arts Students Write and Record ‘Hold On,’ an Anthem on Perseverance
Two young local artists are hoping to inspire the Greater Cincinnati area and beyond with their new song, an anthem aiming to encourage anyone going through a tough time to just “Hold On.” Grayson Morley and Nekhia Willis are seniors at Butler Tech School of the Arts and the talent behind the song Hold On,…
Fifty West Brewing Announces Reopening of Original Brewpub in Columbia Township
After being closed for almost three years, the Fifty West Brewing Co. Brewpub in Columbia Township is reopening and returning to full service. According to a press release from the brewery, the restaurant is now under the direction of Cincinnati chef Jackson Rouse, who is promising to bring back the original dining experience customers loved.…
Former Cincinnati City Council Member Begins Tenure as U.S. Rep for 1st Congressional District
On Jan. 3, former Cincinnati City Council member Greg Landsman is scheduled to be sworn in as the U.S. Representative for the 1st Congressional District – but only if the House of Representatives elects a new speaker. Landsman defeated incumbent Republican Steve Chabot in November for the House seat, knocking Chabot off his post for…
Kentuckians Brace for Impact of New Income-Tax Cuts
Permanent income tax reductions went into effect in Kentucky on Jan. 1. Some residents said they are concerned about the effects the cuts will have on education, affordable housing and public services. House Bill 8, passed last year, reduces the state’s income tax rate by 0.5%. Seth Littrell, communications specialist for United Campus Workers of…
Ohio Braces for More Redistricting Funny Business in the New Year
The new year could include many different developments in the redistricting arena, but one thing is for sure: new maps have to be on the agenda. But this time around, majority leaders may not have as much trouble getting maps through the current approving authority: The Ohio Supreme Court. With the departure of Chief Justice…
Guest Commentary: Good Riddance, Rob Portman
Good riddance, Rob Portman. As a now former U.S. Senator from Ohio, you will be remembered not as a principled statesman but as a moral coward. We, your constituents, hoped for better from you but it never came. Even after Jan. 6, you couldn’t summon the courage to convict a traitorous ex-president for what you…
Yes, the Cincinnati Chili Bowl Could Become a Real Thing
It seems Cincinnati will celebrate its chili any way it can. The Cincinnati USA Sports Commission is looking to add a new game to the extensive college bowl season. The Cincinnati Chili Bowl – named, of course, for the local cheese-topped delicacy – would welcome Division I college football teams to TQL Stadium in the West…
