May 6 – Jun 14, 2020
72 Things We’ve Learned in Quarantine (and Hope to Remember Afterward)
Riah Milton — a 25-Year-Old Black, Transgender Woman — Killed in Liberty Township, Deadnamed in Media
Riah Milton, a 25-year-old transgender woman, was shot dead in Liberty Township on June 9. According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, two subjects involved in the killing have been apprehended and charged. The third, 25-year-old Tyree Jeffery Cross, remains at large. Milton’s death has gone viral, chants to #sayhername expanding far beyond Cincinnati. On…
Cincinnati Art Museum’s Nine-Story Art Climb Staircase Weaves Through the Eden Park Hillside
An asymmetrical, zig-zagging flight of stairs rises near the intersection of Eden Park Drive and Gilbert Avenue from the sidewalk, flanked on either side by greenery as it weaves through a hillside. This is the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Art Climb: 164 steps and nine stories high with 16 landings. The stairway also includes four “art…
Cincinnati Black Pride Goes Virtual June 25-28
Cincinnati Black Pride is on for 2020. But the event, scheduled for June 25-28, will now be held virtually due to restrictions around COVID-19. "It just wasn’t an option to do away with CBP,” says Tim’m T. West, co-founder and Board Chair of Cincinnati Black Pride. West says the festival has picked up so much momentum in…
Cincinnati’s Downtown Main Library Branch Ready to Reopen to In-Person Service
Recently, some of the Public Libraries of Cincinnati and Hamilton County have started restoring services via curbside and drive-thru pick-up. And now, a portion of the Main Branch is ready to reopen to in-person service on July 15. The first floor of both Main branch buildings will be open in targeted use and limited capacity…
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Announces Reopening Date
After closing its doors in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has officially announced its reopening date: July 24. “The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a place of understanding and dialogue, where we confront our past in order to build a better, more equitable future and the climate…
Statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis Will Be Removed from Kentucky Capitol Building
In a press briefing last week about COVID-19 and the protests in Louisville — now centered around the murder of David McAtee at the hands of law enforcement when they fired on a crowd of protesters and the death of Breonna Taylor, who was shot eight times when police broke down her door to execute a search warrant…
Northside Yacht Club Opening Outdoor Two-Story Patio This Weekend
That's right, y'all. After several months of offering carry-out only due to the coronavirus pandemic, Northside Yacht Club is opening its patio on Friday, June 12 for the summer season. Operations are slightly different, but completely worth it to enjoy a Capri Sun of Anarchy and some vegan cauli wings while sitting on a breezy rooftop…
Humans Launch a Change.org Petition Against Kings Island’s Required Face Mask Policy
When Kings Island announced it was reopening to the public on July 12, it also announced some new health and safety precautions to combat the spread of COVID-19. “We are ready to welcome our guests back to Kings Island for some long-overdue fun,” said Mike Koontz, Kings Island's general manager, in a release. “The safety…
Greater Cincinnati Music Venues Plan to Reopen Despite Uncertain Future
The economic impact of COVID-19 on local businesses is one that has been felt uniquely by local music venues. While many establishments have been able to remain open in limited forms the past three months, either through curbside services or delivery, the congregational nature of live music has forced many independent spaces to remain closed.…
Cincinnati’s Public Stairways Offer Flights of Urban Exploration
Over 400 sets of steps carve through Cincinnati’s hillsides and valleys, threading through the city’s 52 neighborhoods and making space for pedestrians to get from here to there. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, social distancing measures have left many with a renewed interest in exploring Cincinnati’s outdoor spaces, including its many urban staircases. …
How Often Do Asymptomatic People Spread the Coronavirus? It’s Unclear
Don’t put aside your mask. People who aren’t showing symptoms can pass the coronavirus on to others, experts say, despite a comment from a top global health official that it’s rare and not what is driving the pandemic. Controversy over whether people who don’t have symptoms are infectious arose during a World Health Organization news…
Uber Eats is Waiving Delivery Fees for Black-Owned Businesses Through The Rest of 2020
Uber says it's showing commitment to the Black Lives Matter movement by waiving delivery fees on its Uber Eats app for Black-owned businesses for the remainder of 2020. The app's delivery fees typically run $3 to $5. "Uber stands in solidarity with the Black community and with peaceful protests against the injustice and racism that…
Bellevue’s First Rooftop Bar Coming Soon to Fairfield Avenue
Over the past few years, the quaint Northern Kentucky neighborhood of Bellevue has picked up momentum as a hot spot for emerging businesses and first-time home buyers who want a small-town feel while remaining close to the city. With coffee shops, bars and restaurants, a brewery, old-school creamery and boutiques, the neighborhood has plenty to…
The Cincinnati Sisters Host a Variety Show for the Black Trans Protesters Emergency Fund
If you've seen a member of the Cincinnati Sisters — or, more likely, a group of them together in solidarity at any outing from a Pride parade to a protest to a Tea Dance — they are hard to ignore. And that's the point. They are members of the LGBTQ+ community on a mission to…
LGBTQ Ohioans Embrace Fight for Racial Justice
As they reflect on their own fight for equal rights, members of Ohio's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning or queer community are standing with people fighting for racial justice. June is Pride Month, which was born out of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York. Grant Stancliff, communications manager with Equality Ohio, explains there…
Northern Kentucky’s Evening-Only Bakery Moonrise Doughnuts Has Reopened
Latonia's evening-only bakery Moonrise Doughnuts has reopened its doors after a several-months long hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The shop reopened its doors on June 11, and worked on renovations throughout the space during the stay-at-home orders. According to a Facebook post by the bakery, currently, a portion of Moonrise Doughnuts' parking lot has…
Watch: Bootsy Collins’ New Video ‘Stars’ Featuring Dr. Cornel West and Béla Fleck
Cincinnati Funk legend Bootsy Collins just released a new music video for his latest single "Stars," featuring a slew of eclectic collaborators — among them philosopher Dr. Cornel West, drummer Steve Jordan, banjo icon Béla Fleck, 15-year-old Country star and social media maven EmiSunshine and Cuban singer Olvido Ruiz. All of the proceeds from the streams…
Lil’s Bagels in Covington Hosts Scarlet Begonias Flower Truck Pop-Up
Scarlet Begonia's Flower Truck, named after a Grateful Dead song of the same name (minus the "flower truck" part) is a self-proclaimed groovy pop-up floral experience. According to their start-up story on the website, Kara Acri spent more than 25 years in PR before tackling her dream of floral design and blending it with her…
Dr. Amy Acton Steps Down as Ohio Department of Health Director
Dr. Amy Acton has decided to step down as the Director of the Ohio Department of Health. Gov. Mike DeWine announced the news during his coronavirus press briefing on Thursday. Acton took on the role of director in February 2019. "When the coronavirus hit China and we started seeing this on TV, Dr. Acton started…
East Walnut Hills’ Night Drop to Begin Outdoor Cinema Series This Summer
East Walnut Hills bar Night Drop is transforming their outdoor parking lot into a drive-in cinema of sorts, minus the cars. Called #ProudlyPresents, the film experience will last all summer long and feature classic and cult favorite movies screened outside on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights via projector (weather permitting). And one can assume there…
New Anthology from Ohio-Based Belt Publishing Will Put Black Midwestern Voices Front and Center
To read coverage of the nebulous Midwest, during election season, say, is to encounter a region of abundant whiteness. Permanent whiteness. Plenty of diners. This coverage and the images it perpetuates are at best incomplete. Thankfully, an anthology of Black writers, to be published in September, will offer a corrective to this history and ongoing practice of…
Cincinnati’s 33rd-Annual Juneteenth Festival Goes Virtual as a Result of COVID-19
The annual Juneteenth Festival celebrates the legal end of slavery in the United States, a tradition with historical roots in Texas that began in Cincinnati in 1988. According to the Cincinnati Juneteenth website, "On June 19, 1865, a Union General arrived in Galveston, TX, and re-issued Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Thus the name 'Juneteenth.' Texans have been…
Eastgate’s RJ Cinema Distillery and Taproom Reopens This Weekend Screening Classic Films
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced last week that certain entertainment venues can begin opening their doors as of June 10. Among the venues allowed to open are movie theaters, aquariums, country clubs, public playgrounds, museums, indoor sports facilities and several more. RJ Cinema Distillery and Taproom in Eastgate wasted little time reopening following Gov. DeWine’s announcement,…
Over-the-Rhine’s Harvest Pizzeria Closing Its Doors Indefinitely
Over-the-Rhine's Harvest Pizzeria announced their plans this week to close their restaurant's doors to the community indefinitely on June 13. The Columbus-based eatery, located at Findlay Market and well-known for its wood-fired pizzas and local ingredients, explained in a Facebook post that they made the difficult decision to close "for a bit in the hopes…
Hamilton County Public Health Reminds You Not to Drink Pool Water
As pools in the state have been allowed to reopen under Gov. Mike DeWine's Responsible RestartOhio guidelines, Hamilton County Public Health has issued this very important tweet for anyone who has previously, or intends to in the future, drink their pool water: Chlorine doesn’t work instantly—some germs can survive in pools for days. Don’t drink…
Ohio State Senator Asks If ‘Colored Population’ Has Higher COVID Rates Because ‘They Don’t Wash Their Hands As Well’
Ohioans are getting to know the names of a whole bunch of statewide legislators in 2020 for all the wrong reasons. This week's entry: Republican State Sen. Steve Huffman, who is also a doctor, yesterday in a hearing on whether to declare racism a public health crisis asked the Director of the Ohio Commission on…
Walnut Hills-Based Green Man Twist Offers ‘Soft Serve for Social Change’
Four years ago, a bright blue and green soft serve truck parked itself smack dab in the center of Walnut Hills. With its colorful branding and playful slogan, “Life is hard enough, your ice cream should be soft,” Green Man Twist quickly became a soft serve staple in its community. However, this ice cream food…
Ohioans Now Permitted to Dance, Play Pool and Listen to Live Music According to Updated Order
The Ohio Department of Health revised their Dine Safe Ohio Order on June 5, updating the wording to allow "open congregate areas" to be used again for guests in restaurants, bars, banquets and catering facilities — with social distancing and sanitation guidelines in place. Which basically means that dancing is now permitted (at a safe,…
Tens of Thousands of Ohioans Ordered to Repay Unemployment Benefits
Marnie Behan got a surprising message in April from Ohio’s Department of Job and Family Services about her ongoing unemployment payments. Instead of sending her next unemployment payment, they said she needed to pay the department. The bill was almost $3,000. She had 45 days to repay it, or the case would be sent to…
Greater Cincinnati’s Belterra Park and Belterra Casino Resort Set Reopening Dates
After temporarily closing due to the coronavirus pandemic, Anderson's Belterra Park and Florence, Indiana's Belterra Casino Resort have announced their reopening dates. Anderson's Belterra Park is slated to open at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 19 and Florence's Belterra Casino Resort will open at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 15 — both at reduced capacities,…
Musician, Activist and Poet Siri Imani on Why CityBeat is Necessary
To say CityBeat is a communications pillar in the community would be an understatement. To me, CityBeat is just as much a part of my tribe as the people in this city. My first experience with CityBeat was reading my mom's article about her activist-based open mic on UC's campus. At the time, I already…
Downtown’s Crown Republic Gastropub to Begin Hosting ’90s-Themed Brunch Parties Every Sunday
Sunday brunch parties are back at Crown Republic Gastropub, starting this Sunday, June 14. The downtown eatery is taking it back a few decades to transform into a weekly '90s-themed destination with boozy breakfast bevs, nostalgic jams and festive menu names. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every Sunday, brunch lovers and '90s fanatics can make their…
City of Cincinnati Has Spent More Than $420,000 on Police Overtime for Protests, and Tab Could Grow
The City of Cincinnati has spent more than $420,000 on police overtime since local George Floyd protests began, a memo from City Manager Patrick Duhaney says. Most of that overtime came on May 29 and 30, the first two days of protests, according to the memo. On those days, large protests and marches were met…
Greater Cincinnati’s Metro Bus Service Will Resume Full Service Soon
The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority's Metro bus routes will resume their usual schedules June 28, officials announced. Most Metro buses were running on a reduced, Saturday schedule as of March 29 due to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's stay at home order. That caused consternation from some transit advocates. SORTA took some precautions to protect…
Here is How You Can Weigh in on the City of Cincinnati’s Budget
UPDATE: City Manager Patrick Duhaney has released his new budget proposal. This budget also fully funds the Citizen Complaint Authority, adding two new investigator positions. Ah, it's that magical time of year again: You're looking for the defining summer jam, you're hitting every creamy whip spot in town, and Cincinnati's elected officials are gearing up to…
Pleasant Ridge’s Overlook Lodge Offers Immersive Camp Experience with Themed Cocktails and Bites
The team behind Gorilla Cinema Presents, known for their film-inspired bars like Video Archive and Tokyo Kitty and popular experiential events, is inviting folks to enjoy the essence of the outdoors — indoors — in their most recent pop-up series. Up in the Woods is an "intimate" cocktail experience that takes place at Pleasant Ridge's…
Braxton Brewing Co. Sets Reopening Date for Covington Taproom and Rooftop Deck
After Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ordered that restaurants and bars close to in-person service in March, Braxton Brewing Co. shut its doors and began offering curbside pick-up. But it is ready to open its Covington taproom and rooftop deck to the public again. At 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, both will reopen with new COVID-19 safety protocols…
Esquire, Mariemont and Kenwood Theaters Ready to Hold Their Soft Reopening
After closing its three theaters per health and safety orders from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the state department of health, the Esquire, Mariemont and Kenwood theaters are ready to reopen. DeWine gave indoor cinemas the go-ahead to reopen on June 10. And this local indie trio has said it is ready to hold its…
Buy This Italian Wine from The Rhined and 100 Percent of Proceeds Will Go to MORTAR
Local importer wineCraft and Grifalco winery, an Italian organic wine company from the Piccin brothers, have donated six cases of their “Gricos” Aglianico to The Rhined to help raise funds for Cincinnati minority and marginalized entrepreneurship hub MORTAR. According to a post from The Rhined, "Our fiends, the Piccin family of Grifalco in Basilicata, Italy, reached out wanting to…
Pendleton’s Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey Reopens Dining Room
After temporarily closing its doors to diners, Cincinnati's beloved frontier food joint Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey has announced the reopening date for its dining room. The Pendleton eatery will officially reopen to dine-in visitors on Wednesday, June 10 with new hours "for the foreseeable future" from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m.…
Freedom Center Hosts Virtual Chat with Curator of Smithsonian’s ‘Illegal to Be You: Gay History Beyond Stonewall’
Katherine Ott is a historian and the curator of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's Illegal to Be You: Gay History Beyond Stonewall, an exhibit currently on view that honors the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and other hallmarks in modern LGBTQ+ civil rights. The show is described as: There is no unified gay…
Public Outcry Grows Over Senator Rand Paul’s Blocking of Anti-Lynching Bill
Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul is the sole holdout in Congress on legislation that would, for the first time, recognize lynching as a federal crime. His decision has sparked growing public outcry, both nationally and at home. Democratic state Rep. Reginald Meeks of Louisville said his community is disappointed in Paul's decision, especially amid the…
Three Ways the Media Can Save Itself From Itself
We’re at a turning point in American society right now. And even though ongoing protests have shown us there is an incredible unity among us, they have also shown us how institutions of oppression have deeply entwined themselves in our daily lives. The media has come under fire in recent years for being too partisan…
Newport Aquarium Announces Reopening Date
Newport Aquarium, which has been closed since March, announced Tuesday that it will be open for business for annual passholders June 22 and on June 25 for all other guests. Eric Rose, Newport Aquarium’s executive director, said that he is looking forward to seeing guests again. “We’ve spent months thoughtfully preparing to reopen, and although…
Where to Get Tested for COVID-19 in Cincinnati
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of who is a priority for getting tested for COVID-19 on their website: Hospitalized patients with symptoms Health care workers, workers in congregate living settings, and first responders with symptoms Residents in long-term care facilities or other congregate living settings, including prisons and shelters, with symptoms Persons with symptoms of potential…
The Florence Y’alls Baseball Team Unveils Their New Uniforms
The recently rebranded Northern Kentucky Frontier League baseball team the Florence Y'alls has introduced a new look to go with their new name. Previously known as the Florence Freedom, the team and city officials held a press conference in January to announce the name change. The team was purchased by an ownership group led by…
OutReels Cincinnati Hosts Streaming Pride Watch Party for ‘Circus of Books’ Gay Porn Shop Documentary
The Over-the-Rhine Film Festival and OutReels Cincinnati are hosting a streaming watch party for the documentary Circus of Books. (OutReels is an LGTBQ-centered film festival and organization.) Circus of Books is a Netflix doc that was released in 2019 about the legendary Los Angeles gay porn, adult toy and LGBTQ media store. It was director by filmmaker…
Kings Island Will Open in July — But You’ll Need a Reservation and Pre-Visit Health Screening Before You Go
Greater Cincinnati's beloved Kings Island announced some much-anticipated news this morning (June 9). The amusement park has set their opening dates for the summer season: season pass holders get advance entry July 2-11 and the park will open daily on July 12, with some new health and safety precautions in place. “We are ready to…
Clerk of Courts Aftab Pureval Sets Up Tenant Help Center as Eviction Proceedings Begin Again in Hamilton County
Eviction proceedings began again today in Hamilton County Courts after a nearly two month delay due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. County judges had decided May 29 to wait until July 1 to begin eviction proceedings again. But they reversed course last week after Salvador Properties, which owns apartment buildings in Cincinnati, sued in the…
Over-the-Rhine’s Queen City Radio Reopens Today After 85 Days of Coronavirus-Related Closure
Over-the-Rhine hangout Queen City Radio is back after 85 days of being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. And they're celebrating the news by offering gift certificates to the first 85 guests who visit. Queen City Radio reopens its doors to the public today (June 8) at 4 p.m. and they're inviting folks to bring…
The Burlington Antique Show Returns to the Boone County Fairgrounds in June
The Burlington Antique Show, the Midwest’s premier antique market, is back for the season. While they generally start things in May, because of COVID-19 the season kick-off has been pushed back until June. The show, featuring more than 200 dealers offering the best antiques and vintage collectibles, returns to the Boone County Fairgrounds on June 21,…
Jonn Schenz of Camp Washington’s Schenz Theatrical Supply Has Died
Jonn Schenz of Camp Washington's Schenz Theatrical Supply has passed away. Condolences and notices of his death started appearing on his personal Facebook page and Camp Washington's community page last night. No cause of death was given, although based on posts to his Facebook, he appears to have been ill. This was posted to the…
Charli D’Amelio Viral TikTok Dance Inspires Social Distancing Among Young Ohioans
Dancing in a white-and-black T-shirt and gray sweatpants to Jordyn's "Big Up's," social-media influencer Charli D'Amelio seems like she's just having fun. But her TikTok video is a #distancedance challenge aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 among the app's dedicated users. D'Amelio's video is a part of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's effort to encourage…
Northern Kentucky and Ohio Public Defenders Will Protest for Black Lives Matter Today at 3 p.m.
Today, public defenders across the country are marching in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and to honor the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and others who "died because of white supremacy," says a release from a group of Northern Kentucky Public Defenders. Northern Kentucky Public Defenders will meet at the…
MPH Brewing Now Open in Downtown Montgomery, Will Also Serve Colorado’s Left Hand Brewing Beers
A new brewery has cropped up in downtown Montgomery over the spring. MPH Brewing, located at 7880 Remington Road, opened up on May 21 and serves over a dozen of their own craft beers, select wines, and a menu that is in the process of expansion through head chef Mark Mayhall. In addition to their spacious taproom,…
Coney Island’s Sunlite Pool Will Reopen June 12
Cincinnati's Coney Island will be opening to the public for the season on Friday, June 12. This news comes after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gave amusement parks and water parks the go-ahead to open their doors on June 10. There will obviously be some health and safety updates made to accommodate COVID-19 concerns, which you…
Originalitees Launches Line of Cincinnati Believes Black Lives Matter T-Shirts to Raise Funds for Local, National Causes
Originalitees, a state/city/neighborhood pride clothing brand founded in 2009 by Khisha Asubuhi with a storefront in Walnut Hills, has launched a new line of shirts dedicated to supporting the current movement for social, political and racial justice sparked by the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many others. Twenty percent of proceeds from the sales…
In a Cincinnati Suburb Created Segregated, Greenhills Ralliers Proclaim That Black Lives Matter
The grass is green on the commons and the Greenhills Community Building shines white in the sunlight. It’s a textbook early summer Friday in the quiet suburb just north of Cincinnati. But June 5, 2020 is also unique. Several dozen people, mostly but not all white, have put down their Black Lives Matter signs and…
These Over-the-Rhine Bars Are Turning into Rest Stations for Protesters This Weekend Offering Bathrooms, Water and More
It's going to be hot this weekend, so if you are going to be outside protesting or attending any of the other vigils or demonstrations, make sure you stay hydrated. Today's forecast from weather.com: Tomorrow's forecast: Several Over-the-Rhine bars are — and have been — opening up their doors to protesters and demonstrators to offer…
The Cincinnati Art Museum Sets a Date to Reopen to the Public
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gave museums the go-ahead to reopen on June 10. And the Cincinnati Art Museum just announced it will be reopening to the public on Saturday, June 20. Hours that first weekend are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21. After that, hours will be 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays…
Miami University Students Will Return to Campus This August
Miami University President Gregory P. Crawford said students will be returning to the Oxford campus for fall semester on Aug. 17 — that's one week earlier than originally planned so they can complete all of their classes before Thanksgiving break and take their final exams remotely, according to a release. “After reviewing our academic calendar…
Watch: Siri Imani’s Intensely Powerful Performance of Her Poem “Lost Generation” Set to Music by the Cincinnati Symphony
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra just reposted this video of Cincinnati poet, musician and activist Siri Imani performing her work "Lost Generation" during the 2019 Look Around collaborative event at Washington Park. Look Around — largely inspired by Imani's work — was held to commemorate the CSO's 125th anniversary and was designed to activate the community…
Surprise: Kings Island Can Open on June 19
During his COVID-19 press briefing today, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that two weeks from today, casinos, racinos, amusement parks and water parks will be able to reopen. ➡ NEW: Two weeks from today, casinos, racinos, amusement parks, and water parks, will be able to open. In addition, we received safety plans for the Memorial…
Cincinnati Metro Says It Will No Longer Let CPD Use Its Buses to Transport Arrested Protesters
Cincinnati Metro has released a statement regarding the highly criticized use of its buses to transport large amounts of arrested protesters to the Hamilton County Justice Center over the weekend. On Sunday, May 31, Metro stopped operating to the public at 9 p.m., cutting off a publicly funded transportation option for essential workers and other…
This Weekend’s Planned Protests Over the Death of George Floyd
At 6 p.m. on Friday, June 5, there were be a Vigil Against Police Violence at the Cincinnati Police Memorial (corner of Ezzard Charles and Central Parkway). Here is the event description: "With people having to return to work or continue to WFH, it's hard for many of us to find ways to TAKE ACTION…
Ohio Unemployment Claims Drop for Ninth Week in a Row, but Near 1.3 Million Total
The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services reported 34,575 new initial jobless claims for the week ending May 30, according to a press release. While Ohio’s jobless claims have been dropping for nine weeks, the nearly 1.3 million claims filed in Ohio during the last 11 weeks of the pandemic is more than the…
How Coronavirus Stress May Scramble Our Brains
I’m on deadline, but instead of focusing, my mind buzzes with unrelated tidbits. My first-grader’s tablet needs an update before her online school session tomorrow. Heartbreaking deaths from COVID-19 in New York City make me tear up again. Was that a kid’s scream from upstairs? Do I need to run up there, or will my…
As George Floyd Protests Continue, What Do Various Cincinnati Activists Suggest in Terms of Police Reforms?
Over the past week, thousands of Cincinnatians have joined protests put together by a diverse, often young group of organizers over the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd and similar incidents. With all the anger and mourning, suggestions for reforms and new ways of approaching policing have emerged from both younger activists and veteran police accountability advocates…
Cincinnati Museums — Like All of Them — Release Their Reopening Plans
To help curb the spread of the coronavirus, Cincinnati's museums — the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Museum Center, Contemporary Arts Center, Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Taft Museum of Art — made the decision, together, to close their doors to the public in March. "This was one…
Contact Tracing: Next Step in Slowing Spread of COVID-19 in Ohio
When people are first diagnosed with COVID-19 in Lorain County, they receive a call from someone like Mitch Dandurand, an epidemiologist at Lorain County Public Health. He asks them to think about whom they have been in close contact with in the past few days. This is the first step in contact tracing, which has…
Beshear Wants to Remove Statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from Kentucky Capitol Building
In a press briefing on Thursday about COVID-19 and the protests in Louisville — now centered around the murder of David McAtee at the hands of law enforcement when they fired on a crowd of protesters and the death of Breonna Taylor, who was shot eight times when police broke down her door to execute…
Kings Island Sues the Ohio Department of Health Director, Warren County Health District to Reopen
The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law in Columbus — the same law center that filed suits on behalf of a bridal shop and gyms — has now filed a suit against the Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton on behalf of Ohio amusement parks Cedar Point, Kings Island and Kalahari Resorts. The suit claims,…
Cincinnati Mass Defense Coalition Sends Letter to City Council Regarding Mass Arrests and Confinement of Protesters
Cincinnati's Mass Defense Coalition — comprised of members of the ACLU of Ohio, the Hamilton County Public Defender's Office, Beloved Community Church, All Of Us Or None, the National Lawyers Guild, the Ohio Justice & Policy Center and others — sent a letter to Cincinnati City Council via email on Thursday, June 4 regarding the arrests…
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Will Reopen June 10 — But You’ll Need to Make Reservations
After several months of virtual safaris and scrolling through zoo babies photos from our couches, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has finally been able to set an opening date. The zoo, which closed its gates on Sunday, March 15 for the safety of its staff and the public during the current COVID-19 pandemic, will open with…
This Ohio Bill Would Make Cocktails To-Go Permanent
Ohio House Bill 669 — which had apparently first been named House Bill 666 ~spooky~ — was introduced toward the end of May by Republican State Reps. D.J. Swearingen and Jeff LaRe. And it's recently been gaining some traction (in the way that they had their third hearing about it Thursday). Nicknamed the Businesses Expansion and…
How to Be Safe Attending Cincinnati Protests During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Exercising your First Amendment right is part of being a responsible citizen in this country. Unfortunately for those wanting to protest police brutality and racial injustice against black people, we are also in the midst of a global pandemic that spreads very easily. So, if you’re out protesting, and want to stay safe from COVID-19,…
Ché on Wheels and Kon-Tiki Cocktail Bar Open at Newport on the Levee’s Bridgeview Box Park
Newport on the Levee's new outdoor drinking and dining hub Bridgeview Box Park is beginning the opening process. The project has taken over the space formerly occupied by Mitchell’s Fish Market, which was demolished in order to provide more substantial river views and to better connect with the Levee. The Bridgeview Box Park features a turf plaza with…
#BirthdayForBreonna Asks Public to Send Cards to Officials Demanding Charges Be Brought Against Breonna Taylor’s Killers
26-year-old black EMT Breonna Taylor was killed by Louisville Metro Police officers early on the morning of March 13. According to reports, LMPD officers forced their way into Taylor's apartment while executing a search warrant for a narcotics investigation and shot her eight times after her boyfriend fired a gun at them. Taylor was unarmed.…
Downtown’s Woods Hardware Property Knocked Over During Protest; Good Folks See and Clean it Up
Downtown Cincinnati's family-owned Woods Hardware was one of the several shops affected by last weekend's protests that turned aggressive as the evening drew on. According to a Facebook post by shop CEO Matt Woods, he received an alert from his general manager on Saturday morning around 1:45 a.m. that flower racks located in front of…
The Cincinnati Relief Fund Supports Protesters Who May Have Been Exposed to the Coronavirus While Detained
Everyone has been sharing links on their social media listing different places to donate to support the Black Lives Matter movement, the family of George Floyd and to help end police brutality, in addition to providing bail to protesters and myriad other related causes. If you'd like to keep your money local, Cecilia Padilla, Audrey Patterson…
Covington’s New NKY Pride Center to Provide Safe Space for LGBTQ+ Youth
Last year, cities in Northern Kentucky witnessed an incredible amount of momentum in the efforts to further the LGBTQ+ movement. When the city of Covington issued a call to action for surrounding cities to join them in passing fairness ordinances which would extend protections to LGBTQ+ citizens, Dayton, Kentucky; Bellevue; Highland Heights; Fort Thomas; and…
Cincinnati Police Have ‘Escalated Lawful Protests into Chaos’ with Unjustified Use of Chemical Weapons, Says Ohio NLG
The National Lawyers Guild is an over-80-year-old alternative bar association whose mission is to use "law for the people, uniting lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jailhouse lawyers to function as an effective force in the service of the people by valuing human rights and the rights of ecosystems over property interests." You may have seen…
Controversy Continues Over Protesters Held in Hamilton County Justice Center
Controversy continues over protesters held outside in the so-called "sally port" of the Hamilton County Justice Center after they were arrested at a George Floyd protest in Cincinnati on Sunday. Arrested protesters interviewed by CityBeat say they were held for up to 10 hours in the exposed courtyard and that they were not given food,…
Over-the-Rhine’s Sundry and Vice to Act As Voter Registration Hub This Weekend
If you need to register to vote, you can do so this week/weekend at Sundry and Vice in Over-the-Rhine. The bar will be acting as a hub where Ohio residents can either register to vote or update their address at these times: 1-6 p.m. Thursday, June 4 1-6 p.m. Friday, June 5 1-6 p.m. Saturday,…
President of Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Releases Statement About Protests
As protestors gather across the world in the name of George Floyd and the international systemic racism his murder represents, Woodrow Keown, Jr., president and COO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, has taken an opportunity to make a statement. Keown Jr. explains the crucial importance for this museum within the community, and explains the significance of…
FRINGE 2020 CRITIC’S PICK: Proximity
"How do we negotiate the space that exists between us?” Dance collective Pones poses this question in its 2020 Fringe production, Proximity, which sees 18 dancers take to the streets of Cincinnati in a free-flowing study in movement at arm’s length. Pones’ dancers — wearing no face masks — skirt the edges of social distance,…
Cincinnati Public Pools Taking Reservations for Blocks of Swimming Time This Summer
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) announced May 22 that it will reopen seven of its 24 pools on June 8. These include The Dempsey Aquatic Center at the Price Hill Recreation Center, Evanston Pool, McKie Center Pool, The Dunham Otto Armleder Memorial Regional Aquatic Center at Dunham Recreation Complex, Hirsch Pool, Oakley Pool and Pleasant…
CityBeat Critic’s Picks from the 2020 All-Digital Cincinnati Fringe Festival
The 2020 Cincinnati Fringe Festival is “an all-digital, totally online, 100% at-a-safe-distance, for 2020-only” affair from May 29-June 13. CityBeat's team of critics have been reviewing the new additions to the fest's 20-show primary lineup and we've been posting them on our Fringe Festival Coverage hub here. We have also been posting original reviews of Fringe…
Tuesday George Floyd Protest Ends Quietly at Curfew in Cincinnati; Activists Vow to Continue
After a day of non-violent protest at the Hamilton County Courthouse and Cincinnati City Hall, a group of hundreds of activists dispersed quietly as an 8 p.m. curfew closed in on Tuesday. The protest was a continuation of days of demonstrations and marches decrying the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police…
City of Cincinnati Will be Under 11 p.m. Curfew Through Monday
Mayor John Cranley today announced that the City of Cincinnati would be under an 11 p.m. curfew through Monday. The move comes as protests around the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin continue in Cincinnati and across the country. While some vandalism broke out Friday and Saturday and…
Kentucky-Based Ale-8-One Now Offering New Seasonal Orange Cream Flavor in Cincinnati
Kentucky-based soft drink company Ale-8-One released their popular seasonal soda flavor, Orange Cream, in select locations last May. This year, they're releasing the limited-time bubbly beverage in Cincinnati beginning early June. The brand, which has been around since 1926 and is the only soft drink invented in Kentucky, has only featured two new flavors —…
Memorial Fund for Punk Rock Grandma Pat Rice Launched to Help with Funeral Costs
The death of Cincinnati's beloved Punk Rock Grandma Pat Rice was announced over the weekend. She died of cancer on May 29 at the age of 76. She was a superfan who probably attended more music events than just about anyone and was beloved by bands and everyone in the music scene. In a 2010…
Cincinnati’s Beloved Community Church, ACLU of Ohio Host Activist Day of Virtual Training
The right to protest is powerful, and Ohioans fighting for social justice can learn how to ensure their voices are heard at an online event this evening. According to Robin A. Wright at Cincinnati's Beloved Community Church, protests throughout history have been used as legitimate and meaningful passports to reform. She noted that this also…
Northside’s Shake It Records Reopens for In-Person Shopping
If you've been desperate to physically flip through some vinyl albums while searching for your next find — and just pretending to do so in crates at home really wasn't cutting it — there's some good news: Northside's Shake It Records has reopened to in-person shopping. Since March, they've been doing online orders, limited delivery…
Cincinnati’s Eli’s BBQ is Giving Away Free Lunch Today to Black Members of the Community
Cincinnati's Eli's BBQ, a popular East End eatery that also has a location at Findlay Market (and can be find at Kroger stores across the city), has announced its support for the back community. The restaurant brand, owned by Elias Leisring, posted on its Facebook page on the evening of June 2 letting folks know that they will…
Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld Proposes Policy Reforms, Tells Public How They Can Help
In what Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld himself referred to as a long Twitter thread posted last night (it is), he announced a series of policies and ideas he plans to sponsor, saying (or tweeting), "We have made many changes in our Police Department, and have a Chief – Eliot Isaac – who has embraced…
FRINGE 2020 CRITIC’S PICK: Opinions of Men: A Stupid History of the Protestant Reformation
Forget about the story of the Protestant Reformation you thought you learned in fifth grade. Opinions of Men: A Stupid History of the Protestant Reformation is a raucously funny, delightfully creative look into the early days of Protestantism. You’ve always secretly wanted to know, right? Creators Ben Dudley and That Crying Mask and That Laughing…
FRINGE 2020 REVIEW: Desperately Seeking the Exit
I’ll be the first to admit that one-person shows usually aren’t my thing. I think it takes an exceptional script and director, a wonderfully focused-story and impeccable timing to achieve a stellar one-person show experience. Not an easy feat, I know. I’m sorry to say that, although Desperately Seeking the Exit definitely hits on some…
FRINGE 2020 REVIEW: Dream&
Raise your hand if, until this weekend, you’d hadn’t seen any of your friends in 65 days! (It’s me; I’m raising my hand now.) The Queer Feminists Next Door from Cincinnati know exactly how you feel. In a proudly queer, definitely trippy and song-filled journey through social isolation, Dream& explores the concept of life beyond…
FRINGE 2020 CRITIC’S PICK: Quit While You’re Ahead
On the eve of graduation, three high school friends gather over beers and charts to discuss the pros and cons of quitting while you’re ahead. And the meaning of life. Developed by Cincy native and returning Cincy Fringe artist Alexx Rouse and her A to Z Productions partner Zach Robinson, Quit While You’re Ahead follows…
FRINGE 2020 REVIEW: Hive Mind
Hive Mind is about a group of bees banding together to save each other, their hive and perhaps the world. Developed and performed by Cincinnati-based Performance Gallery (in its 17th consecutive Cincy Fringe production) and Solasta Theatre Lab, Hive Mind is positioned as a modern fable that explores collective and environmental, with a small group…
FRINGE 2020 REVIEW: Colony
The tiny honeybee is essential to our food production and ultimately to the survival of our world. This year, PSOPHONIA Dance Company and AURA Contemporary Ensemble from Houston make their Cincinnati Fringe debut with Colony, a “thoroughly intertwined performance of music and dance” exploring this threatened keystone species. Organized into movements such as “Queen,” “Pollination”…
FRINGE 2020 CRITIC’S PICK: Forbidden City!
It is no secret that the camera can sap the energy out of a performance. Enter Martin Dockery, an intense and inventive storyteller from Brooklyn, New York, capable of packing the mania that an online Fringe experience demands. (Cincinnati Fringe Festival audiences may recognize Dockery from 2015’s Moonlight After Midnight.) Dockery’s Forbidden City!, an autobiographical…
FRINGE 2020 REVIEW: The Bassoonist
Cincinnati-based actor and writer Sean Mette has assembled a solo performance rooted in an event from August 1705 involving a fight between composer Johann Sebastian Bach and an amateur musician, Johann Geyersbach. At age 20, Bach was hired to oversee music for a church in Arnstadt, Germany; Geyersbach, 23, played bassoon in a student orchestra…
Gov. DeWine Says Ohio K-12 Schools Will Reopen in Fall
In his press briefing today, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said K-12 schools will reopen this fall. 🚍K-12 SCHOOLS: Our goal is to start school in the fall. The date for starting school is solely in the power of the local school boards and that will continue to be the case. pic.twitter.com/ofG3lSY7kN — Governor Mike DeWine…
Black Louisville Barbecue Shop Owner David McAtee Killed by Law Enforcement; LMPD Chief Fired
Early Monday morning, David McAtee, known for operating popular barbecue spot Yaya's in Louisville, was shot and killed while Louisville Metro Police Department officers and the National Guard were attempting to disperse a crowd protesting the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Former-LMPD Police Chief Steve Conrad said that officers and the guard were…
Cincinnati’s Chefs’ Warehouse Now Offering Home Delivery After Coronavirus Business Shift
Cincinnati's Chefs’ Warehouse is a service that delivers high-quality food to chefs and restaurants across the country, and it has recently expanded business to offer delivery to homes throughout the nation. The Queensgate warehouse, which delivers ingredients to popular Cincinnati restaurants like Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, Boca, Sotto and Goose & Elder, is selling those…
FRINGE 2020 REVIEW: Killjoy, Ohio
A year ago the fevered minds of Queen City Flash — writer/actor Trey Tatum, actor Jordan Trovillion, director Bridget Leak — entertained Cincy Fringe audiences with Zoinks!, a hilarious spoof on teen detective tales with some ghostly twists. The trio has returned for the 2020 online incarnation of Fringe with Killjoy, Ohio, a tall-tale meditation…
Half of Terence Hammonds Protest Platter Sales This Week Will Go to the Cincinnati Bail Out Fund
Fifty “Protest Platters” designed by local artist Terence Hammonds that depict different scenes of contemporary and historical protests against injustice in the United States are now available at Wave Pool’s online store. A collaboration between Hammonds; The Welcome Project, which brings immigrant and minority communities in the city together through art and community activities; and Breakfront Pottery, these…
Cincinnati Museum Center to Cut 50 Full-Time and 125 Part-Time Staff as a Result of COVID-19 Revenue Loss
The Cincinnati Museum Center announced in a press release on the afternoon of June 2 that they have had to lay off a significant portion of their staff as well as implement salary reductions due to the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic. "This is a devastating moment for our teams. We’ve had incredible momentum…
The Cincinnati Zoo Welcomes Very Cute Baby Colobus Monkey
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden welcomed an adorable new member to the their furry family on May 29. Anza, a six-year-old guereza colobus monkey, gave birth to a baby whose sex has not yet been determined — right at the end of the annual Zoo Babies month. According to the Cincinnati Zoo primate curator Ron Evans, “The…
Sidney Cherie Hilley’s ‘Faux Real’ Examines Deepfakes in a Virtual and In-Person Exhibit at Camp Washington’s Wave Pool
Wave Pool contemporary art center has announced their newest exhibition, Faux Real, opening June 13. Faux Real focuses on the “rapidly imposing threat of deepfakes.” The exhibit explores the idea that in the modern day and age — especially during these unprecedented times — the connections we have with the world and with each other…
FRINGE 2020 REVIEW: Love & Other Lures
Have you ever fallen head-over-heels for someone who isn’t quite your type? Perhaps that’s what happened when Dr. Dour, the somber ethno-crypto-zoo-musicologist (his term!), first met the cheery, be-ribboned Peach. They’ve been performing together for years now, but while Dr. Dour and Peach make dark and beautiful music together, in Love & Other Lures, they…
FRINGE 2020 REVIEW: Dreary, Dearie
The lights go up on a traditional proscenium stage, and Dreary, Dearie, a one-woman show from Caitlyn Waltermire, gets off to a rocky start. Adelaide is trying to tell us a story about a childhood trauma — “My earliest memory is making peace with death from inside a pile of dirt” — but she stumbles, corrects…
FRINGE 2020 CRITIC’S PICK: Paul & Erika’s House Show
Paul Strickland’s tall tales of the Big Fib Trailer Park and Erika Kate MacDonald’s storytelling using inventive puppetry has made them Cincy Fringe favorites (and Know Theatre regulars), especially when they combine forces. Paul & Erika’s House Show is a new venture, not to mention an adventure, from the get-go. Last fall they were doing…
City of Cincinnati Curfew Extended Through Tuesday Night by Mayor Cranley
At the request of Police Chief Eliot Isaac, Mayor John Cranley has extended the citywide curfew to include Tuesday night. The curfew will begin at 8 p.m. Tuesday and end at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning and includes all of Cincinnati. In a Facebook post, the city said: "As a reminder, the curfew is for all…
Cincy Shirts Is Raising Funds for Small Businesses Damaged, Looted During Weekend Protests
Cincy Shirts, a local boutique and T-shirt designer that offers Queen City-related apparel, is offering a new series of shirts and stickers that raise funds for the OTR Chamber Small Business Relief Fund, which is financially assisting Cincinnati businesses affected by "costs incurred from riots and COVID-19," according to a Cincy Shirts Facebook post. https://www.facebook.com/cincyshirts/posts/2985685874834110 The…
The Friends of the Library Open The Garage Pop-Up Bookstore in Their Hartwell Warehouse
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County's Friends of the Library has opened a new bookshop in the garage of their Hartwell warehouse. Aptly called “The Garage,” the bookstore features gently used books both bundled and organized by age range and reader level, as well as games and puzzles. Customers can purchase bundles for…
Cincinnati Police Arrest, Then Release Enquirer Reporter Covering Monday Night Protests
Patrick Brennan, a Cincinnati Enquirer who typically covers FC Cincinnati, was out Monday night covering the protests after the city's 8 p.m. curfew until he was arrested by Cincinnati Police on McMicken Avenue between Over-the-Rhine and the West End. He was released about 30 minutes later. CityBeat's currently furloughed (but still actively reporting, and contributing…
New Playbook to Help Ohio Men Prevent Violence
"Boys will be boys." "Nice guys finish last." And "Man-up" are just some of the expressions that men may be told throughout their lifetime. While they may seem harmless, research shows such stereotypes can actually support violence. Glenn Harris is the coordinator of the Engaging Men program at the Ohio Men's Action Network (OHMAN) which…
Metro Releases Statement Regarding the Use of Buses By CPD for Transport of Arrested Protesters
In order to comply with Mayor John Cranley's citywide curfew — in effect from 9 p.m.-6 a.m. last night — Metro suspended its bus service. Tonight's curfew begins at 8 p.m. and service will cease accordingly. The curfew did not just apply to people on the streets, but also those in cars, on motorcycles or…
Metro Buses Used to Transport Arrested Protesters After Public Bus Service Suspended for Cincinnati’s Curfew
In order to comply with Mayor John Cranley’s citywide curfew — in effect from 9 p.m.-6 a.m. Sunday, May 31 and Monday, June 1 — Metro suspended its bus service last night and will do so again tonight. The curfew did not just apply to people on the streets, but also those in cars, on…
City of Cincinnati’s Curfew Will Be 8 p.m. Tonight
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley today announced that the city's curfew would start at 8 p.m. tonight, earlier than the 9 p.m. citywide curfew last night and the city's initial 10 p.m. curfew initiated Saturday in a downtown, Over-the-Rhine and the West End. The curfews have come after days of protests in Cincinnati and many other…
Social Media Posts Show Cincinnati Protest Arrestees Held Outside Overnight
Multiple video posts on social media outlets shared with CityBeat claim a large number of individuals arrested last night at a protest in Cincinnati have been held outdoors overnight without food, water or blankets. According to those posts made earlier this morning by at least three people claiming to be arrestees, a number of arrested…
Cincinnati’s Ohio River Paddlefest is Going Virtual This Summer
Cincinnati's annual Ohio River Paddlefest is taking a different approach this summer to offer a safer way to celebrate amid the coronavirus pandemic. The event, which was slated for Aug. 1, invited roughly 2,000 padders to participate in a nine-mile trip along the Ohio River for the "nation’s largest paddling celebration." The event kicked off…
Thin Blue Line Flag Raised Outside of Hamilton County Justice Center
On Sunday, Hamilton County Sheriff's deputies raised a "Thin Blue Line" flag outside of the justice center to replace an American flag Sheriff Jim Neil says was stolen during acts of "vandalism." Not unsurprising, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil @hcso_org is only making things worth by replacing the American Flag with the “Blue Lives Matter”…
FRINGE 2020 CRITIC’S PICK: m-o-u-s-e
Rory Sheridan is a one-man whirling dervish performing all the roles in the script he wrote for m-o-u-s-e. In the story’s frame, he’s an archeologist in the distant future who has stumbled on the autobiography of Walt Disney’s pet mouse in a long-lost vault. With his life support system dwindling, he has less than an…
Covington, Kentucky Institutes 9 p.m. Curfew for Sunday and Monday Nights
Like the city of Newport and the city of Cincinnati, the Covington has issued its own citywide curfew. The curfew will be in effect from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Sunday and Monday night. "Given that the neighboring cities of Cincinnati and Newport have taken similar actions, and given that we’ve seen people from…
Newport, Kentucky Issues Curfew for Sunday Night
The City of Newport has issued a curfew for Sunday, May 31. The curfew is in effect from 9 p.m. tonight through 4 a.m. According to the executive order: The curfew applies to all persons with the following exceptions: (i) public safety personnel; (ii) persons working for federal, state or local government or law enforcement; (iii)…
CPD Officer Hit with Bullet in Clifton/CUF Protest Overnight
Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac began his portion of today's press conference as he did yesterday's by once again condemning the actions of the officers who killed George Floyd saying, "That is not the way professional law enforcement should conduct themselves. We support the prosecution of the officers involved in that and we support professional…
Mayor Cranley Extends Curfew Citywide for Tonight and Tomorrow Night, Moves Up Start Time
As a result of continued unrest overnight, Mayor John Cranley has extended the city curfew both in length of time and geographic reach. The curfew goes into effect at 9 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night and will now include all Cincinnati neighborhoods. It ends at 6 a.m. both days. The curfew…
Ohio Entertainment and Recreation Destinations Closed Through July 1 Per Department of Health Order
On Friday, the Ohio Department of Health extended its director's order closing some entertainment and recreation destinations through 11:59 p.m. July 1. That includes: Places with amusement rides Carnivals Amusement parks Water parks Aquariums Zoos Museums Arcades Fairs Children's play centers Playgrounds Funplexes Theme parks Concert and music halls Country clubs and social clubs Indoor…
Listen to Yesterday’s Speakers from the Washington Park Protest Over the Death of George Floyd in This Video
YouTube user Russell Hausfeld has uploaded a video of the peaceful protest over the death of George Floyd that took place at noon on Saturday at Washington Park featuring the speakers who shared their important messages over racial injustice and systemic civil rights issues. Speakers included Fanon Rucker, Democratic candidate for Hamilton County Prosecutor; Leland…
Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival Rescheduled for October
Cincinnati Pride decided to postpone its June 27 festival and parade amid the uncertain conditions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Good news is, they now have a firm date and location for the rescheduled event. In a statement, Cincinnati Pride says: Over the past few months, our world has faced numerous uncertainties and challenges: friends and…
Over-the-Rhine Shops and Restaurants React to Damage Sustained During Last Night’s Demonstration
"Racism is real; silence is compliance." This message appeared on the boards covering Idlewild’s Over-the-Rhine storefront windows less than 24 hours after Cincinnati’s May 29 protest, held in honor of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless other murdered African-Americans — the first of multiple protests planned in Cincinnati for the weekend. “We painted a saying…
Hamilton County Sheriff Reminds Criminal Damagers and Looters ‘We Do Have Room in Our Jail for You’
In a press briefing this morning, Mayor John Cranley addressed the property damage and theft that happened during last night's demonstrations after stating: "The biggest and most important issue facing the country today, and our city as a result, is the murder of George Floyd and it has obviously, understandably, created a great deal of…
You Can Donate to These Organizations to Support Protestors and Help Advance Long-Term Systemic Change
Showing up to support a cause can happen in a variety of ways. And if showing up to a large in-person protest during the coronavirus pandemic doesn't feel socially distant enough for you, there are other ways you make your voice heard. Along with voting, calling your local representatives, educating yourself about the causes of…
Mayor Cranley Issues 10 p.m. Curfew for Downtown and Over-the-Rhine for Tonight and Tomorrow Night
Mayor John Cranley has issued a 10 p.m. curfew for downtown and Over-the-Rhine effective tonight and tomorrow. The curfew also includes The Banks and the West End. It ends at 6 a.m. The curfew comes as a result of the events surrounding last night's protests over the death of George Floyd and the resulting property…
Cincinnati’s Punk Rock Grandma Pat Rice Has Died
Pat Rice, better known to most in the Cincinnati music scene as Punk Rock Grandma, has died. She was a superfan in her 70s who probably attended more music events than just about anyone and was beloved by bands and everyone in the music scene. In a 2010 story, Music Editor Mike Breen wrote, "Rice…
Gov. Beshear to Call Up National Guard to Louisville After Demonstrations Over Death of Breonna Taylor Turn Violent
In a statement on YouTube on Saturday morning, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he has called up the National Guard to Louisville after demonstrations over the shooting death of 26-year-old black EMT Breonna Taylor by police officers turned violent. "I hope everybody knows that this is a big step and a tough step and it's…
Marchers and Cincinnati Police Clash in the Hours After Peaceful George Floyd Protest Draws Hundreds
Cincinnati Police and marchers faced off in the streets of downtown and Over-the-Rhine during a night of protests over racial injustice. Peaceful protest at the Hamilton County Justice Center started about 6 p.m., followed by a march that briefly shut down I-75. Crowds later in the evening broke windows at the Hamilton County Justice Center…
Newport on the Levee’s Outdoor Dining and Drinking Hub Bridgeview Box Park Hosts Soft Opening
Newport on the Levee's new outdoor drinking and dining hub Bridgeview Box Park is beginning the opening process. Starting this weekend, per an email, some of its tenants will be hosting soft openings and "the restaurants will continue to expand their menus over the next month." https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqt_k9hfrh The project has taken over the space formerly…
Northern Kentucky’s Pride Celebration Goes Virtual This June
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, NKY Pride is taking its annual Pride festivities online. NKY Virtual Pride will take place Sunday, June 7 and coincide with the opening of the NKY Pride Center (230 W. Pike St., Covington). The center will "provide community-based services and programs for LGBTQ+ residents of Northern Kentucky and the…
Court Street Lobster Bar Reopens with Booth Barriers and Other Creative COVID Precautions in Place
If you've been craving a lobster roll — either the Maine or Connecticut kind — Court Street Lobster Bar has reopened for lunch and dinner service with some new COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Tomorrow is our Grand Re-opening!! We are so excited to be back and see all of your smiling faces and serve…
A Peaceful Protest Over the Death of George Floyd Is Planned at Over-the-Rhine’s Washington Park This Saturday
“The People of Cincinnati, PEACEFUL PROTEST,” organized by Harold “DJ HD” Douglas, will take place at noon at Washington Park (1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine) on Saturday, May 30. The event release reads: May 24, 2020, the Black Community suffered the loss of a brother, son, father and friend, George Floyd. Floyd’s murder knelt on his…
What Greater Cincinnati Creamy Whips Are Doing to Keep Customers Safe from COVID-19
If you grew up in Cincinnati, you know that when your favorite neighborhood creamy whip opens its doors summer is here to stay. And while, yes, creamy whip is basically soft-serve ice cream, creamy whip is also the name for where the aforementioned ice cream is served. Real creamy whip must come from a creamy whip (Orange…
Covington to Allow Restaurants to Expand Outdoor Seating into Sidewalks, Parking Lots and Streets
As the economy slowly reopens after the several-months-long shut-down due to the coronavirus pandemic, the restaurant and bar scene on both sides of the Ohio River is experiencing a new normal. Covington is launching an initiative called ReCov (Recover Covington) where they aim to offer expanded patio options to businesses within the city in order…
Jimmy Buffett is Not — We Repeat, NOT — Coming to Riverbend in 2020
The sound you hear is the sound of thousands of Parrotheads crying salty tears onto the rims of their margaritas because Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band will not be making an appearance in Cincinnati until 2021. Buffett's annual tour stop — and giant-ass messy tropical tailgate — outside of Riverbend Music Center has…
Milford’s New The Governor Diner Reopens for Sit-Down Service Monday with a Seasonal Menu and Boozy Slushies
Brothers Paul and Neil Barraco had been working in fine dining for years when they returned to their East Coast roots to open a classic diner with a modern twist in downtown Milford. With Paul, who has served as executive chef a Milford's 20 Brix for more than a decade, and Neil, specializing in front…
Multiple Protests and Rallies Over George Floyd’s Death Planned in Cincinnati
Multiple Cincinnati groups have organized protests and rallies around the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man who died in Minneapolis after being taken into police custody and pinned to the ground by an officer. A video shows Floyd repeatedly saying he can't breathe as that officer has his knee on Floyd's neck. At…
Cincinnati Fringe Festival 2020 Reviews
The 2020 Cincinnati Fringe Festival will be “an all-digital, totally online, 100% at-a-safe-distance, for 2020-only” affair from May 29-June 13. Performances will be available via online streaming, accessible by anyone with a computer, tablet, smartphone or smart TV. Tickets will still be required to view shows. All-access passes cost $200 and cover all performances; individual…
Kentucky Kingdom Amusement Park in Louisville Can Reopen June 29, If You’re Up for a Drive
In his COVID-19 press briefing on Thursday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gave Louisville amusement park Kentucky Kingdom the go-ahead to reopen on June 29. “Based on talks we’ve had over the last several days, we can announce that Kentucky Kingdom will be able to open the week of June 29,” said Beshear. “We appreciate the…
Modern OTR Diner Sacred Beast Reopening with Expanded Outdoor Seating and Weekend Brunch
Modern Over-the-Rhine diner Sacred Beast is one of the restaurants that has taken advantage of the city's new plan that allows bars and eateries to expand their outdoor seating into sidewalks and streets to accommodate social distancing. And the restaurant is reopening today with a bigger patio as a result of a partial lane closure…
Cincy Groove Is Hosting a Two-Day Streaming Music Fest to Help Save Covington’s Wunderbar
German-inspired pub and eatery Wunderbar in Covington (and its sister spot Peppe Cucina) closed on April 20 with a post on Facebook saying, "Well guys due to unforeseen circumstances Wunderbar and Peppe Cucina will be closing for the foreseeable future." Later, owner Nathan Chambers referred the circumstances as a dissolution of a business partnership in…
‘If You’re Doing Something Cool, CityBeat Will Find You’ Says Stuart MacKenzie of NSYC, Jerry’s Jug House
CityBeat has been absolutely integral to Cincinnati’s rebirth and renaissance. This diehard altweekly has been Cincinnati’s forever champion, seeking out and highlighting our city’s diamonds in the rough, and making voices heard that would otherwise remain silent. Many a restaurant, band, artist and playwright’s career has been launched by their coverage. Besides breaking local arts…
Cincinnati Dance Troupe Pones Inc. Creates Quarandance Video to ‘U Can’t Touch This’
Cincinnati's performance art troupe Pones Inc. hasn't let the coronavirus lockdown stop them from groovin'. The dancers collaborated on a "Quarandance" video to the appropriately chosen tune "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer. The video takes place across the city, featuring the members passing their moves on to each other throughout the song. They posted…
Cincinnati Red Bike Reopens Its Bike Share Service
On direction from city officials, bike share nonprofit Cincinnati Red Bike shut down overnight on March 29 to help slow the spread of COVID-19. And today, they announced that shut-down is over. Red Bike is reopening this afternoon (May 28) after submitting a detailed plan to the Cincinnati Health Department. “Red Bike has been a great…
Columbus Law Firm Moves to Dismiss Criminal Charges Against Ohio Restaurant Owner Who Opened Two Weeks Early
The nonprofit 1851 Center for Constitutional Law in Columbus (the ones who filed suits against the Ohio Department of Health on behalf of gyms and a bridal shop) have now filed a motion asking that criminal charges against the owner of a Cambridge, Ohio diner who opened in-person dining early be dropped. National Road Diner…
Cincinnati Pops Red, White & Boom Fourth of July Show at Riverbend Canceled
Were you hoping to celebrate America's birthday in your red, white and blue regalia from the lawn of Riverbend while the Cincinnati Pops played patriotic tunes onstage? Sorry. Not this year. Just one more event canceled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. But all is not lost. "July 4th with The Pops has been…
Cincinnati Zoo Uses Innovative 3D Printing Technology to Encourage Meerkats to Forage for Food
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is merging innovative technology with nature in a recent partnership with engineers from GE Additive's Cincinnati consulting team. The group is designing 3D metal printed feeding devices that offer a more natural foraging experience for animals at the zoo, including birds and meerkats. “Something that we often think about is…
Cincinnati Zoo’s Harambe is Trending on Twitter Again — on the Fourth Anniversary of His Death
The Cincinnati Zoo's 17-year-old western lowland gorilla Harambe was killed four years ago, on May 28, 2016, after a 3-year-old child climbed into his enclosure. Harambe grabbed and dragged the child. And, as zoo employees feared for the child's life, they decided to shoot the gorilla. The incident obviously sparked all sorts of controversy about…
Ohio Senate Passes Bill Banning Local Plastic Bag Bans for One Year
The Ohio Senate took yet another courageous stand Wednesday when it passed a bill which would forbid municipalities from banning or imposing special fees on plastic bags and other so-called auxiliary containers for one year. House Bill 242 will now return to the Ohio House, from whence it sprang. It was there conceived by legislators who…
CVS Opens Four New Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing Sites in Cincinnati
CVS Health originally announced their plan to open 1,000 COVID-19 testing locations around the country by the end of May on April 27. With the addition of 34 new testing sites coming to the state of Ohio, CVS has made good on their goal of 1,000 test sites built as part of their effort to…
The Dollars and Cents of Ohio’s Response to Natural Disasters
It's a prime time of year for flooding and tornadoes in Ohio, and a new report highlights the ways the state is fiscally prepared to respond when disaster strikes. According to findings from The Pew Charitable Trusts, Ohio uses four out of five common methods used by states to ensure money is available to pay…
Why Broad Spectrum Hemp Is The Best of Both Worlds for Seniors
This article was originally published on blueribbonhemp.com. To see the original article, click here. When it comes to cannabis, broad spectrum hemp is one of the best options available for senior citizens. Rather than turn to opioids and other potentially deadly medications, patients can get a safer, healthier alternative. Now that the stigma surrounding cannabis…
Covington Rooftop Bar Yonder Bar Opens for the Season Today
This Covington rooftop spot by the folks from downstairs Commonwealth Bistro features a chic treehouse-esque bar with a small tapas menu, craft cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine. Inspired by owners Chris and Tess Burns' love of Kentucky State Parks,Yonder opened last June and is reopening for the summer on May 28. It will be open 5-11…
‘I Can’t Breathe’: Pleas from George Floyd Force Eric Garner’s Wife to Relive Tragedy
Three words still haunt Esaw Garner six years after her husband Eric Garner was killed by a New York Police Department officer during an arrest for selling loose cigarettes. Those same three words rang in her ears again Tuesday night. “I can’t breathe,” were the words Eric Garner repeated 11 times while Officer Daniel Pantaleo…
This Interactive Map Shows All the Outdoor Street Dining and Bar Spots Across Over-the-Rhine
The City of Cincinnati has created a novel program — the Reignite Cincy: Temporary Outdoor Street Dining Program — that allows bars and eateries to expand their outdoor seating capacity into sidewalks or streets to accommodate the Responsible RestartOhio sector-specific health and safety guidelines for restaurants. All restaurants permitted to expand their dining areas are responsible for setting up…
Lost & Found OTR Reopens with New Patio in the Middle of 14th Street
Lost & Found OTR, a cocktail bar with a focus on funky local art, creative drinks and, now, an expanded food menu, has been closed to the public since Gov. Mike DeWine's order in mid-March. In the meantime, they've been offering carry-out cocktails, wine, beer and assorted low-proof spirits, plus soups, salads, sandwiches and full…
Freedom Center President Woodrow Keown, Jr. Issues Statement on Death of George Floyd
George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, died Monday in Minneapolis while in police custody. A widely circulated video shows Floyd, who was arrested after officers responded to calls of an alleged forgery in progress, pinned to the ground by one of those officers. In the video you can see an officer with his knee on…
Watch Out for Confrontational Mother Deer in Cincinnati Parks
Cincinnati Parks has issued a nice reminder to avoid mother deer if you're out for a hike or nature walk, because they can be real assholes. (The deer, not Cincinnati Parks.) Remember this helpful rhyme if you stumble upon a little fawn in the wild: "Stay clear of female deer," aka keep your eyes peeled for that…
College Hill’s Hollywood Theater to Transform into Drive-In Movie Hot Spot All Summer
Over Memorial Day weekend, the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corp transformed the neighborhood's historic Hollywood Theater into a drive-in movie experience for the community. And after a successful weekend-long event, the organizers have decided to extend the drive-in movie theater through the rest of the summer. The full summer line-up has not yet been released,…
Cincinnati’s Battle with the 1918 Flu Pandemic Chronicled in the Digital Influenza Encyclopedia
Everyone keeps comparing the current COVID-19 pandemic to the "Spanish flu" pandemic of 1918 — that once-every-hundred-year outbreak — because, well, they are very similar. It was an H1N1 virus whose spread coincided with troop movements during the end of World War I. According to the Centers for Disease Control, "In the United States, it…
Hyde Park’s Busken Bakery Honors Class of 2020 with Free Cake
The “new normal” we’ve all had to adjust to as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a variety of unpredictable lifestyle changes. For the class of 2020, this means virtual graduation ceremonies and canceled or postponed graduation parties. Across the city, multiple businesses and organizations have made efforts to honor this year’s graduates…
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Responds to Protestors Hanging Him in Effigy
In his daily COVID-19 press briefing on Tuesday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addressed an event that occurred over the weekend, where protestors hung an effigy of him in a tree by the Governor's Mansion during a Second Amendment rally in Frankfort. The rally, described as an event "to educate and inspire everyone today to be more…
Cincinnati City Councilman David Mann Announces His Candidacy for Mayor
Cincinnati City Council member David Mann announced Tuesday in a letter to potential donors his intent to run for Mayor in 2021. Mann has served on city council for more than 20 years, including three years as mayor. He has also served two years as Ohio’s 1st Congressional District representative for the 103rd Congress. “Betsy…
The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour Is Postponed Until 2021
This summer's Doobie Brothers 50th anniversary tour would have marked the first time Michael McDonald, guitarists Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons (the only lifelong member of the Doobs) and multi-instrumentalist John McFee have toured together in nearly 25 years. The announcement of the reunion and tour was made in November during a Doobie Brothers showat the Ryman…
FRINGE FLASHBACK: Butcher Holler Here We Come
There were more than 120,000 coal miners working in West Virginia in 1968. With the recent mountaintop removal process, when huge dragline machines have scraped away 500 mountains from the top down throughout Appalachia, only 20,000 miners remain employed in West Virginia. These miners focus on veins of coal, literally hollowing out the mountain, leaving…
Purchase a Gov. Andy Beshear Waving Car Wiper and Support the Kentuckians Affected by Coronavirus
Kentucky-based company WiperTags sells removable rear wiper accessories that add a little fun to your automobile. They offer window decals with tags that attach to your rear wiper blade arm with options ranging from waving dogs and cat tails to crazy clowns, American flags and even Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear offering a friendly wave. "The…
FRINGE FLASHBACK: Petunia and Chicken
Sick of cynicism? Sarcasm overload? Impatient with imps and people who cut in line? You need a love-laden dose of Petunia and Chicken! Starring two multi-tiered actors from the Animal Engine Theatre in New York City, you will be transported via ship and train to the American prairie (and even to Alaska) through many character voices,…
FRINGE FLASHBACK: The Unrepentant Necrophile
"Well, you don’t see something like that every day." That was my reaction immediately after watching The Unrepentant Necrophile, the latest offering from The Coldharts, a Brooklyn-based theater company whose previous Cincy Fringe entries (The Legend of White Woman Creek and Edgar Allen) were among the most memorable productions of the 2014 and 2015 festivals. This show, perhaps…
FRINGE FLASHBACK: Stow Your Baggage
The concept is fairly straightforward: first class seats are up front, coach seats are toward the back. The set is simple and sparse: a microphone; a chair; a metal bar cart housing several mini water bottles, some cups and cheap whisky in a plastic jug. But Alexx Rouse, the mind behind the production, is far…
No News Is Bad News: Support the CityBeat Press Club
CityBeat is and always has been Greater Cincinnati’s completely free source of independent news, culture, music, arts and eats since we began 25 years ago. Our core mission is to provide an alternative voice in the media landscape and to share informative, thought-provoking, investigative and entertaining stories — all accessible to every single person, both in…
FRINGE FLASHBACK: Knifeslingin’
“Ninety-nine percent of all knifeslingin’ is balance…or maybe its 75 percent.” This wacky fact is part of the world of J. Merrill Motz’s comedy Knifeslingin’, a show appearing at this year’s Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Part comedy, part courtroom drama, Knifeslingin’ explores the world of media knifeslinger Ted “Critter” Montana, whose series of knifeslinging videos leads to inspiring one…
FRINGE FLASHBACK: Lady Macbeth and Her Pal, Megan
The unfortunate dichotomy bestowed upon women in Western society is the virgin or the whore. Megan Gogerty, however, puts forth the idea that women don’t have to be either, but can instead be a witch. In this solo performance by Gogerty and her Cornfed Productions from Iowa City in Lady Macbeth and Her Pal, Megan the comedian…
Camp Washington’s Mom ‘n ’em Coffee Hosting European Car Meet-Up This June
Calling all car enthusiasts: Camp Washington's Mom 'n 'em Coffee is hosting a European car meet-up at their coffee shop on Sunday, June 7. The open house event invites folks to come and go as they please between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and those participating with European cars to park in…
Hamilton County Offering Small Business Relief Grants to Those Affected By Coronavirus
Hamilton County's Small Business Relief Program is offering monetary aid to local companies who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. For the first round of assistance, the program will use $5 million from its CARES Act allotment to offer grants ranging from $2,500-$10,000. The grants can be used to "pay the expenses of the business a) related…
Northside Yacht Club Creates ‘Yacht Ones’ Hot Sauce and Trivia Carry-Out Challenge, Butthole Burner
If you’re not feeling ready to run through the doors of your favorite restaurant just yet, the Northside Yacht Club and seven other Cincinnati chefs are teaming up to deliver an experience dedicated to one thing — the consumption of hot wings. If you can handle the heat, you can enter the “Yacht Ones” online…
Covington’s KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia Now Open for Carry-Out
KungFood Chu's AmerAsia in Covington temporarily closed its doors at the end of February in order to renovate their space, with plans to expand by adding more seating and a larger kitchen, plus a multi-use space for parties. And after what feels like a very long several months, the eatery announced via a Facebook post on May…
Butler County Investigating COVID-19 Cases Linked to Miami University Student Social Gatherings
The Butler County General Health District has issued a release saying it is investigating several cases of COVID-19 contracted by Miami University students with possible links to off-campus social gatherings. The cases are thought to have stemmed from social gatherings held between May 8 and May 16. The Butler County General Health District release asks…
NPR Music Features Cincinnati Musician Molly Sullivan’s Tiny Desk Content Submission as a #DeskoftheDay Pick
We're not saying that Cincinnati musicians are obviously some of the best musicians in the country, but if we were, it seems like NPR Music might agree. The outlet just shouted out two of the city's brightest while combing through their Tiny Desk Content submissions: Lauren Eylise's "Peaks and Valleys" just landed herself on NPR's Heat…
Local Artist Brings Cincinnati Landmarks to Life With Botanically-Inspired Coloring Book
Social distancing is still in full swing, so there's really no better time to cozy up with a coloring book and some freshly-sharpened colored pencils and go to town. And this local artist has taken all of our beloved Queen City landmarks and icons and turned them into botanically infused drawings that you can bring…
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Gets $3 Million Gift from Local Couple
Cincinnati couple Digi and Mike Schueler have pledged a $3 million gift to the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park to support the construction of the theater's new mainstage complex and to help fund artistic programming at the Playhouse for the next five years, according to a release. “Digi and Mike’s extraordinary gift leads us into…
Nonprofit Record Label for Formerly and Currently Incarcerated Musicians Raising Funds to Get PPE into Ohio Prisons
Die Jim Crow Records (DJC) is a nonprofit label, founded by Fury Young, with the goal of providing “formerly and currently incarcerated musicians a high-quality platform for their voices to be heard,” Young says via email. The label’s first EP, released in 2016, was recorded locally at the Warren Correctional Institution in Lebanon, and included…
Mountain Dew’s Ohio-Themed Bottle Features Cincinnati Zoo’s Fiona the Hippo
On May 18, Mountain Dew kicked off another round of its special edition series DEWnited States Label Collection contest, which features state-inspired labels for all 50 states — and a very familiar hippo face can be found on Ohio's bottle, along with a flying pig, baseball, buckeye leaves and a few other state symbols. The promotion runs…
Cincinnati Fringe Festival Announces Additional Theater and Bar Series Programming for 2020
The Cincinnati Fringe Festival announced it was going all-digital for this year's event in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Cincy Fringe will be “an all-digital, totally online, 100% at-a-safe-distance, for 2020-only” affair with the same date range that had been previously announced — May 29-June 13. Performances will be available via online streaming,…
Drive-Thru and Curbside Pick-Up Start This Week at Certain Cincinnati Public Library Locations
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County closed all of its 41 locations on March 13 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The eBranch has been open online since then and the library has been offering plenty of additional digital programming as well, but starting this week, they are expanding some…
Ohio Farmers Embrace Conservation to Mitigate Spring Flooding
The prospect of heavy spring rains — linked to climate change — has led some farmers to use conservation measures to protect their fields. Dennis Reer plants corn, soybeans and wheat at 5R Farms in Seneca County, and also grows cover crops in the off season, because living roots make the soil more porous so…
Effigy of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Hung from Tree During Second Amendment Rally in Frankfort
During a Second Amendment rally held on Sunday, May 24 in Frankfort, Kentucky — described as a Patriot Day Rally on Facebook — Gov. Andy Beshear was hung in effigy from a tree. The rally, described as an event "to educate and inspire everyone today to be more like the original American Patriots who would…
Cincinnati Zoo’s New Baby Wallaby Peeks its Head Out of Moms Pouch, ‘Releases Itself from Quarantine’
The Cincinnati Zoo had a sweet surprise visit from a baby wallaby this weekend. The joey, who had been visibly moving around in its marsupial mom Ava's pouch, popped its hairless pink head out to say hello. “We’re so excited to finally meet our new wallaby joey,” said Christina Gorsuch, Cincinnati Zoo’s curator of mammals,…
Arlington Memorial Gardens’ 1,000-Flag Field of Memories Memorial Day Tribute Open for Drive-Thru
Arlington Memorial Gardens cemetery and memorial park has placed 1,000 American flags on its grounds to create a visual tribute to honor the nation's military members during Memorial Day weekend. “Our Field of Memories was created in 2015. 1000 American Flags are erected each year as a stunning tribute to the men and women who have paid the…
Ohio Coronavirus Safety Guidelines Allow Live Music in Bars and Restaurants
While concert clubs remain closed, Ohio is prepared to allow some live music to return. Under the Dine Safe Ohio order issued by the state, live music at a bar or restaurant can return under the following limitations: Musicians and bands may perform in restaurants and bars as long as the individuals who are performing maintain social distancing…
The Cincinnati Zoo Announces Its Reopening Plans
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden decided to close its gates on Sunday, March 15 for the safety of its staff and the public during the current COVID-19 outbreak. And it has remained closed to the public ever since. But during a press conference today, Zoo Director Thane Maynard outlined the institution's plan for reopening.…
27 Hot Summer Reading Recommendations from Cincinnati Librarians and Booksellers
As we near the end of May, we’re also approaching two and a half months since the start of Gov. DeWine’s stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’ve been busy binge-watching the latest Netflix originals, trying out every virtual workout posted on Instagram and YouTube or flocking to the parks to soak in…
This Interactive Map Shows How Many Coronavirus Cases Each Cincinnati Neighborhood Has
The City of Cincinnati has created a comprehensive COVID-19 case tracker dashboard that shows not only how many cases of the virus have been confirmed in the city — as well as hospitalization numbers, deaths and recoveries — but also where those cases are located and the breakdown based on age, sex and race. The interactive neighborhood…
Cincinnati Caps Third-Party Food Delivery Fees
On Thursday, Cincinnati City Council approved legislation to limit the amount third parties can charge restaurants located within the city for delivering food. The fee those third-party operators like Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash can charge? No more than 15% of the total food cost. The legislation, which was introduced and championed by council member…
There Were More Ohio Jobless Claims in Past Nine Weeks than Previous Three Years Combined
Preliminary data released Friday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Ohio employers shed 823,700 jobs in the month of April. It's the most staggering month of job loss yet during the COVID-19 crisis. In the past nine weeks, more than 1.2 million Ohioans have filed…
Submit Your Coronavirus Photos and Stories to the Cincinnati Museum Center for a Future Exhibition
Quarantine is coming to a close in the Greater Cincinnati area as businesses begin to open, stay-at-home orders are ending and small groups are beginning to gather — at safe distances. Many of us have documented our experiences during this unprecedented time through either photography, journaling or gathering materials, and the Cincinnati Museum Center is…
These Cincinnati Breweries Have Reopened Their Taprooms to the Public
Cincinnati is well known for its relationship with beer; our hoppy history is built on a foundation of the favorite beverage. And we drink plenty of it, possibly now more than ever. According to Nielsen, Ohio beer sales were up 38 percent for the week ending March 14 — the week before our stay at home…
These Seven Cincinnati Public Pools Will Open This Summer
According to Cincinnati Recreation Commission director Daniel Betts, the CRC is opening these seven pools for the summer out of the city's 24 — at least for now. "Pools, unlike summer day camps, are quite more challenging to open," he said during a press conference. "And so given the fact that we've lost a little…
Artist and Educator Pam Kravetz Supports CityBeat Because It ‘Truly is the Heartbeat of Our City’
Coffee on a Saturday morning from Coffee Emporium has never been complete without grabbing a copy of CityBeat from the shelving on the right-hand side as you walk out the door. It is such a vivid memory because it has been part of my weekly routine forever! I always look forward to seeing the cover…
Cincinnati Zoo’s Kris and Remus Featured on Disney+ ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’
The Cincinnati Zoo's adorably dynamic duo Kris the cheetah and Remus the scruffy pup are getting the recognition they deserve on a new television series by Disney+. It's a Dog's Life kicked off on May 15 and features stories about incredible canines and "their extraordinary jobs." On a portion of today's episode (May 22), series host…
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers in Cincinnati Seized a Whole Bunch of Meth Hidden in Bars of Soap
First it was the 3,400 pounds of mitten crabs. Now, it's 50 pounds of meth hidden inside of decorative soap. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Cincinnati Express Consignment Operations hub in Erlanger were alerted to a weird package during their inspections by a drug-detecting dog on May 20. X-rays showed "inconsistencies" in…
Walnut Hills’ Comfort Station Reopens Indoor Bar Today
Comfort Station, everyone's favorite historic rest area-turned-industrial chic drinking destination is opening its indoor bar today. Today at 5pm we are officially re-opening both the inside and our patio (hook it up Mother Nature!) in accordance with… Posted by Comfort Station on Thursday, May 21, 2020 The Walnut Hills establishment, owned by the team behind Sundry…
Thank God: Mini Golf Can Reopen in Ohio This Month
Miniature golf, batting cages, and bowling alleys will be able to resume operations on May 26th if they can meet appropriate safety protocols. #ResponsibleRestartOhio #StaySafeOhio #InThisTogetherOhio pic.twitter.com/Eu7cmtkR1U — Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 21, 2020 This afternoon, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted made what is possibly the most important announcement of this pandemic — while the…
Can’t Find Flour at the Grocery Store? Try Kentucky’s Sixth-Generation Family-Run Weisenberger Mill
While it seems like much of the economy is suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the makers of some household products are thriving. It has become apparent that there are a handful of items Americans refuse to live without during quarantine: toilet paper, alcohol, hand sanitizer, guns and flour. Yes, flour. Alongside the…
Evanston Leaders Hope to Reactivate a Food Pantry in a Vacant Catholic Church to Help Those Impacted by the Pandemic
Can a soaring but empty Catholic church in Evanston provide some relief for those who have suffered financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Neighborhood leaders hope so. St. Mark Catholic Church at 3500 Montgomery Road hasn't hosted services since 2010, when its congregation merged with others and moved to Bond Hill. But the 114-year-old…
Judge Allows Online Signature Collection for Ohio Ballot Initiatives
Ohio groups trying to put ballot measures before voters in November won't have to go door-to-door looking for support. A federal judge ruled this week that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state must allow petition signatures to be gathered electronically, and pushed the collection deadline back to July 31. Toni Webb is campaign manager of Ohioans…
Mixed-Use Project in Cincinnati’s Lower Price Hill Lands Tax Credits
A project bringing 47 units of affordable housing and renovated commercial space to Lower Price Hill has landed federal tax credits and loans to help finance its construction. That development will involve rehabilitation of 10 vacant and historic buildings and construction of 16 new units of housing next door. The development is called LPH Thrives.…
No Deep-Fried Buckeyes for You. The Ohio State Fair Is Canceled.
The Ohio State Fair — known for its life-sized butter cows, deep-fried delicacies, carnival rides, pig races, petting zoos, farmers, craft competitions and all other manner of wholesome American entertainment — has been canceled for this year. At least the in-person version. Slated to take place July 29-Aug. 9 at the Ohio Expo Center and…
Cincinnati’s Little Kings to Offer New Blood Orange and Agave Lime Beers at Party Source
Cincinnati-based Little Kings, known for its popular cream ale in petite 7 oz. green bottles, is back with a new look and two new flavors. The brand is offering a limited pre-release of their two new flavors, blood orange and agave lime, as well as a black labeled cream ale (its is classically a green label) at…
Gold Star Founder Fahid ‘Frank’ Daoud Has Died
If you’ve lived in Cincinnati for any amount of time, you’ve likely stumbled into the center of a debate between die-hard fans of Skyline and Gold Star: which local chili chain is the best? Both founded by immigrants — Skyline in 1949 by Greek transplant Nicholas Lambrinides and Gold Star in 1965 by the four…
Northside LGBTQ-Friendly Affordable Housing Will Move Forward After Winning Federal Tax Credits
A development that would create 57 units of affordable housing in Northside marketed to LGBTQ seniors was awarded pivotal federal tax credits yesterday, clearing the way for that project to move forward. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency awarded Apple Street Senior almost $1 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the U.S. Department of…
The University of Cincinnati Shares Tentative Plan to Return to Campus
The University of Cincinnati announced in an open letter from President Neville G. Pinto to the UC community its tentative plan to return to campus for the fall semester. This Return to Campus (RTC) plan is subject to change dependent on the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) directives. “If our medical experts identify new or…
Cincinnati’s Jeff Ruby Restaurants Now Taking Reservations for In-House Dining
We've spent the last several months cooped up in the house, experimenting with our cooking skills or ordering take-out from local restaurants — getting "all dolled up for a night on the town" is distant memory, but one many of us have looked forward to. And if you're one of the many folks ready for…
NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest Gives Cincinnati’s Lauren Eylise the Heat Check Stamp of Approval
Cincinnatian Lauren Eylise has landed herself on NPR's Heat Check list featuring Tiny Desk Contest submissions — basically public radio's list of hot tracks to listen to "highlighting artists who aren't afraid to take risks." This compilation featured Tiny Desk "contenders who could definitely hold their own among the usual selections from the worlds of R&B, hip-hop, reggae,…
Ohio Court Rules Forced Closure of Gyms Unconstitutional
A collection of 35 independent Ohio gyms sued the Ohio Department of Health and its director Dr. Amy Acton for enforcing the closure of fitness centers during the state's Stay Safe Ohio order. Cincinnati's Iron Plate Gym, Evolution Fitness & Lifestyle Management and Gracie Cincinnati Jiu-Jitsu training center are included in the list of plaintiffs. The 1851 Center for Constitutional…
You’re Going to Have to Wait Until Next Summer to See Some Barenaked Ladies at PNC Pavilion
Riverbend's PNC Pavilion was all set to transform into a ’90sPalooza fest on July 21 when the Barenaked Ladies' Last Summer On Earth was slated to come to town. The Canadian band was carting along special guests the Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket for the angsty sojourn. But, unfortunately, as a result of…
How Fear and Anger Change Our Perception of Coronavirus Risk
Even as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in many places, some U.S. states are starting to relax social distancing guidelines. With public health experts often disagreeing with politicians pushing for reopening, in many cases individuals may decide for themselves when and how to return to society. To be clear, for many people, the decision…
Cincinnati Ranks No. 5 for Best City Park System in the Nation According to New Report
As parks and other open spaces across the country gradually lift restrictions, The Trust for Public Land announced that Cincinnati's park system ranks fifth in the nation in the Annual ParkScore Index Report, climbing three spots above its ranking in 2019. Minneapolis had the No. 1 ranking park system in the nation. Oklahoma City was…
CVG Airport Traffic Was Down 95% in April, Compared to 2019
In what could only be described as expected news due to state-mandated travel bans as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, numbers posted to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport show there was a dramatic drop-off in passenger traffic this April as compared to numbers seen the same time last year — a 94.62 percent decrease…
Cincinnati Porch Pours, Nation Kitchen and HomeMakers Bar Create ‘Party Parcel’ Kits for Memorial Day
AGAR's Front Porch Pours events, which invited neighborhoods to cheers to social distancing from their porches or windows during the coronavirus pandemic, has teamed up with some local businesses to offer an immersive Queen City experience without leaving the house this Memorial Day weekend. In collaboration with HomeMakers Bar, Nation Kitchen & Bar and DJ…
Film Cincinnati Hosts Zoom Happy Hour with Killer Films Producer Christine Vachon
Film Cincinnati is hosting a Zoom happy hour with Killer Films' Independent Spirit Award-winning producer Christine Vachon. Vachon is no stranger to the Queen City. She's filmed five projects in town — Todd Haynes' Academy Award winner Carol, a 1950s lesbian romance starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, based on the novel The Price of…
Kroger Tells Employees to Return Extra COVID-19 Emergency Pay — Then Retracts Demand
In the ongoing saga of Kroger and how it is paying its employees — deemed essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis — comes a new chapter. In a widely shared letter posted on social media, the Kroger Payroll Department asks an employee to pay them back $461.60 of "overpaid" COVID-19 Emergency Pay. Kroger asking workers to…
Deep-Fried Chili Cheese Coneys Return to the Northside Yacht Club for One Weekend Only
The Northside Yacht Club is bringing back its freaky little Frankenweenie favorites for one weekend only. This Friday and Saturday night (4-10 p.m. May 22 and 23) you can get yourself a disgustingly delicious deep-fried chili cheese coney to go. This culinary revelation features a chili cheese coney topped with more chili and cheese, wrapped…
EPA Enforcement Pause Could Spur Harmful Algae-Bloom Growth in Lake Erie
Every summer, harmful algae blooms begin to form in lakes and ponds across Ohio, turning bodies of water into oxygen-deprived pools, toxic to humans and animals. Algae blooms thrive in years with more rain and more runoff pollution, and this year could be another bad one. In addition to another warmer, wetter summer, would-be polluters…
Beshear Announces Opening Dates for Kentucky Museums, Aquariums, Distilleries and More
In his COVID-19 press briefing on Tuesday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear released more dates for when additional state businesses could reopen. The governor said museums, outdoor attractions, aquariums, libraries and distilleries will be given the OK to reopen on June 8 as long as they follow the Healthy at Work guidelines. "We're going to try…
CincyMusic and Inhailer Radio Host Two-Night Streaming Local Music Fest to Benefit MOTR Pub and Woodward Theater
Local music website CincyMusic and Cincinnati's independent radio station Inhailer Radio are teaming up to host a big-ass benefit show for sister Over-the-Rhine indie music venues the Woodward Theater and MOTR Pub. The streaming music fest will feature 20 bands over two nights — Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23 — and take place…
DeWine Lifts Ohio’s Stay at Home Order, Replaces It with ‘Strong Recommendations’ to Protect Each Other
During Tuesday's COVID-19 press briefing, Gov. Mike DeWine introduced a new concept: an Urgent Health Advisory – Ohioans Protecting Ohioans. The advisory will in essence lift and replace the Stay Safe Ohio stay at home order, which was set to expire May 29. "Since the original stay-at-home order, a lot has happened. Our orders have…
Rejoice My Briny Babies: Urban Artifact’s Pickle Gose is Back
Urban Artifact's universally controversial sour gose Pickle is back. Well, almost back. Start your countdown calendar….now. On June 22, all you freaky die-hard Pickle fans can start stocking up on this seriously dill-y delight. According to the brewery, the beer is made with 1,000 pounds of cucumbers, nine pounds of sea salt, two pounds of…
Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment CEO Britney Ruby Miller Teaches Us How to Grill the Perfect Steak
Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, and the team behind Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment is making sure you're well prepared to serve up some excellent grilled meats in honor of the holiday. In a helpful tutorial, CEO Britney Ruby Miller walks viewers through the step-by-step process of how to grill the perfect Jeff…
Kentucky Reports Two New Cases of Children Afflicted with Multi-Symptom Inflammatory Syndrome Associated with COVID-19
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced during a press conference Monday that the state has two new cases of children diagnosed with an inflammatory syndrome that the Centers for Disease Control has said is associated with COVID-19. Both children were hospitalized, but one, a 5-year-old, has returned home. The other, an 11-year-old, is still receiving medical…
What Could the Rest of a 2020 Season Look Like for the Cincinnati Reds?
The months that the world has been without sports have left a giant gap in the lives of millions of fans around the world. For Cincinnatians, we were robbed of arguably our most beloved local holiday with the cancelation of Opening Day and the Opening Day Parade. It’s been a rough ride without the escape…
CityBird Chicken Tender Restaurant Opens Anderson Township Drive-Thru This Week
Thunderdome Restaurant Group is expanding with a fourth location of its CityBird chicken tender chain. The new fast-casual restaurant will open in Anderson Township at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20 and will be their first CityBird with a drive-thru. It will also feature a dining room and carry-out. The deep-fried offspring of Thunderdome's The…
Northside Aerial Artist Uses Haunting ‘ScareCorona’ Porch Performance to Frighten Off COVID-19
There's a reason the neighborhood Facebook group page is called "…only in Northside!" And it's because (speaking as a Northsider), there's many things that can only happen in the green-leaning enclave of LGTBQ Rock & Roll liberals and libertarians. One of those things is a community-wide ScareCorona art show. This whimsical steampunk-esque take on Medieval…
Former Bengals Star Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson Leaves Generous $1,000 Tip at Florida Restaurant
Former Bengals wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson (he legally changed his last name in 2008 to reflect his football number, 85, later changing it back) is spreading some positivity amid the coronavirus pandemic, showing some love to a restaurant in Florida with a rather hefty tip and well wishes. Havana's Cuban Cuisine, located in Cooper…
City Asks Bars, Restaurants to Take Responsibility for Their Own COVID-19 Safety Measures as Indoor Dining Reopens
Mayor John Cranley’s latest press conference provided an update on the city’s reopening, which most recently saw bars and restaurants opening their outdoor seating to the public over the weekend. But before addressing the reopening of bars and restaurants, Mayor Cranley gave the floor to Cincinnati Health Commissioner Melba Moore to speak on the latest…
Newport’s BB Riverboats to Resume Cruises Starting Memorial Day Weekend
Newport's BB Riverboats is resuming their cruises beginning this Memorial Day weekend, with a limited-time discount and social distancing measures in place. The cruise line temporarily closed on March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and as Ohio and Kentucky businesses begin to open their economies — both states will begin permitting indoor dining at…
New Rhinegeist-Adjacent Eatery OTR Chili Company Sets Opening Date for Dine-In Service
Housed in the old Sartre space in the Rhinegeist Brewery building, OTR Chili Company is a retro diner-style spot offering self-proclaimed "authentic Cincinnati chili" in addition to burgers, salads and shakes. The operation is overseen by managing partner Jim Cornwell, chef Francisco Alfaro, sous-chef Zach Leetch, bar manager Sam Shelton and dining room manager Samantha De…
East Walnut Hills’ Night Drop to Screen ‘Jaws’ for Memorial Day Movie Night
East Walnut Hills' Night Drop, the chic and sultry bar located beneath restaurant Branch, has transformed its parking lot into a spacious, socially distant patio with an outdoor bar featuring creative cocktails and a petite menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads and sides. And to celebrate summer, they're converting their space with a "drive-in movie sized…
Cincinnati’s Mercantile Library Featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not… in the 1930s
In a Ripley's "Believe or Not" column originally published in 1933, Cincinnati's Mercantile Library is highlighted for its astonishingly long lease — an unbelievable 10,000 years. Touted as "the longest lease in the world!," the Mercantile's collector and librarian Cedric Rose says the clipping is from one of their scrap books. "I believe it's from…
Goddamn Weather: Both a Flash Flood and Tornado Watch are in Effect for Much of the Greater Cincinnati Area Tonight
Severe threat increasing for today. pic.twitter.com/Jro13Maon6 — NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) May 18, 2020 Weather. We have it. Or at least a slight risk for a severe bout of it. According to the National Weather Service we have two current weather advisories out for the area: a flash flood watch and a tornado watch. So…
Cincinnati’s Rhinegeist Brewery Hides Sneaky ‘Free Joe Exotic’ Message on Bottom of Cheetah Beer Can
The packaging team at Over-the-Rhine's Rhinegeist Brewery has been known to occasionally hide secret messages on the bottom of their beer cans, offering lighthearted nuggets of humor and joy to lucky customers who find them. A recent public post went viral on Facebook showing a Cheetah lager can with "Free Joe Exotic" printed on the…
The Dark and Tragic Backstory Behind Chuck E. Cheese’s New ‘Premium’ Takeout Pizza, Pasqually’s
Why is it that so many children's stories are synonymous with suffering? We're talking lots of dead dogs, dying trees, a dead spider and one existentially doomed stuffed rabbit. But perhaps no story is as tragic as that of orphaned rat-turned-entrepreneur Chuck E. Cheese, who recently launched a new premium pizza brand so that he and his animatronic pizza party…
Pleasant Ridge’s Lonely Pine Steakhouse Offering Make-at-Home Meal Kits
Pleasant Ridge's Lonely Pine Steakhouse is kicking off a new culinary offering starting this week — just in time for the holiday weekend. The retro steak-focused eatery by Gorilla Cinema Presents is now selling Lonely Pine Premium Cook Kits with four different options including: Route 66 Date Night for two ($80) with four 4-oz. petite…
Crafty Supermarket Is Going Online with a Virtual Weekend-Long Craft Market
Crafty Supermarket is taking its shopping experience online for a two-day virtual maker market from 4-8 p.m. Friday, May 22 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 23. More than 50 vendors will be featured on the market's Facebook and Instagram, with each maker sharing unique experiences including live studio tours, demos and more. “Crafty Supermarket has…
Glamour Magazine Asks If Dr. Amy Acton Is the ‘Pandemic’s Most Midwestern Hero’ in New Interview
In an interview released today, Glamour magazine asks: Is Amy Acton the Pandemic's most Midwestern hero? The story, by Ohio-based writer Sarah Stankorb, features the subtitle: "Ohio Governor Mike DeWine broke with the GOP, saved thousands of lives, and is earning record bipartisan approval. You can thank Ohio State Health Director Amy Acton for that."…
Looking Glass Hospitality Group to Reopen Its Three Greater Cincinnati Restaurants for Indoor Dining
Cincinnati-based Looking Glass Hospitality Group plans to reopen its three restaurants for dine-in service on Thursday, May 21, in accordance with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's next phase of Responsible RestartOhio guidelines. LGHG oversees TAHONA Kitchen+Bar, S.W. Clyborne Co. Provision & Spirits and Fretboard Brewing & Public House. “As always, our top priority is to provide…
Maroon 5 Postpones Its Summer Tour, Including Stop at Riverbend Music Center
Maroon 5 has just announced that its massive summer tour that was set to include a stop at Riverbend Music Center on Sept. 1 has been bumped to 2021. No new date has been announced for the Cincinnati show, but according to a release from the band, original tickets will be honored when the new…
See a 360-Degree Rendering of the Andrew J. Brady ICON Music Center at The Banks
The Andrew J. Brady ICON Music Center at The Banks just posted a 360-degree rendering of the interior of the venue. The ICON Music Center boasts 2 indoor balconies. The contemporary seating configuration was designed with music lovers in mind. Each balcony has dedicated restrooms & concessions, and no seat is further than 125 feet…
Cincinnati Music Festival Postponed Until Next Year
The long-running Cincinnati Music Festival announced its plans to postpone its July event until 2021 via a Tweet on May 18, amid the coronavirus pandemic. It is with a heavy heart that we are postponing the annual Cincinnati Music Festival Presented by P&G to July 22, 23 and 24th of 2021. We are thrilled to…
Mason City Schools Looking for Photography Volunteers for ‘Operation Diploma Delivery’
In the age of COVID-19, normalcy is a thing of the past. But a father of three Mason City Schools students is embracing this reality, and rather than striving for a graduation ceremony that is “as normal as possible,” he's hoping to offer "an extraordinary experience during this extraordinary time." Ryan Hartsock is not only…
Kentucky’s Red River Gorge Sets Reopening Date
Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest temporarily closed public access to the Red River Gorge, in addition to multiple recreation areas throughout the forest, on March 27 due to the coronavirus pandemic. And they have just announced a tentative reopening date: June 3 — at least for a portion of the park. The forest will begin reopening…
DeWine: Restaurants That Ignore Patio Guidelines Could Lose Liquor License
Gov. Mike DeWine saw the same photos you might have seen from this weekend's first round of patio openings across the state. It appears that while the vast majority of restaurant and bar owners have taken the state's guidelines seriously and reopened in adherence with not only the letter but the spirit of the rules,…
Kroger to Offer Workers Additional Coronavirus ‘Thank You’ Bonus After Backlash
Kroger has agreed to pay its full-time workers a $400 bonus and its part-time workers a $200 bonus as "Thank You Pay" for working during the coronavirus pandemic. The $130 million deal follows a $2 per hour "Hero Bonus" the company started paying in late March with an initial planned duration through April 18. That…
Mayor Cranley Says Cincinnati Bars ‘Can and Will Be Shut Down’ if They Violate COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Ohio allowed outdoor seating at bars and restaurants to reopen yesterday (May 15) with social distancing and other COVID-19 safety protocols in place, as outlined in the Responsible RestartOhio Plan. And based on photos that were spread around social media last night, it appeared that some Cincinnati bars were having issues adhering to those guidelines.…
Rhinegeist is Reopening its Rooftop Deck on Tuesday
Rhinegeist has announced it is reopening its rooftop deck at noon on Tuesday, May 19. View this post on Instagram We're thrilled to announce that our Rooftop will reopen this coming Tuesday (5/19) at 12 pm, followed by our Taproom on Thursday (5/21) at 12 pm. While we'd love to open this weekend, we want…
You Better Tip Like Your Money Is on Fire as Cincinnati Restaurants and Bars Reopen
Restaurant patios in Ohio can open for business again under new safety guidelines as of today (May 15). Indoor seating at restaurants and bars begins next Thursday (May 21). There will be restrictions — including dividers or space between tables — and while important for helping control the spread of COVID-19, those restrictions are going to…
Stream Films from Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca and the Toronto International Film Festivals on YouTube
You don't need to be an A-lister or a foot-loving director to catch some of the many films that once hit the big screen at international film festivals. Hell, you don't even have to leave your house … or your sweats. Since March, the coronavirus pandemic has forced entire industries to a standstill, including those…
Here’s Who Cincinnati Workers Should Contact with COVID-19 Safety Concerns and Questions
Ohio recently set up a portal on its unemployment page for employers to narc on employees who refused to come back to work during the pandemic for fear of contracting the virus. Not only did the state decide to offer the snitching tool in the midst of stay-at-home orders, it took the added step of…
You’re Going to Have to Wait at Least 134 Minutes If You Want a Haircut at SportClips Today
Hair salons and barbershops were allowed to reopen in the state of Ohio today and it seems like people have crawled out of their quarantine bunkers like a bunch of hirsute slobs looking for a groomin'. Because, as of right now, if you were interested in popping into a SportClips or Great Clips, ya can't.…
Cincinnati’s Strangest Spring
Spring Grove Cemetery was lush and green on the second day of spring this year, and small carpets of violets were starting to wake up between patches of old graves and older trees after sleeping through the winter. Yes, we were not supposed to really go anywhere because of the governor’s orders to maintain social…
Cincinnati’s The English Contractor Gets Home Renovation Reality Show on Destination America Channel
Cincinnati's The English Contractor, a home builder, remodeler and contracting firm, has gotten their own show on the Destination America channel. The six-episode reality series will focus on home renovation and remodeling projects from the team. The first episode airs 7 a.m. Saturday, May 23. “This show captures what we do every day,” says Craig…
Kentucky Sets Reopening Date for Restaurants and Initial Health and Safety Guidelines
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has issued some initial reopening requirements for restaurants under the state's Healthy at Work initiative. Kentucky restaurants will be allowed to reopen on May 22 at 33 percent capacity and with outdoor seating. The full requirements can be read here, but some highlights include: Restaurants must limit the number of customers…
Kentucky to Allow Gatherings of 10 or Less and Sets Travel Ban Expiration Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced in his May 14 press conference two anticipated benchmarks on the road to reopening the state, both of which tie nicely into Memorial Day weekend plans. On Friday, May 22, small gatherings of 10 people or less will once again be permitted in Kentucky (the relaxation on gatherings was moved…
The Ohio Brew Haul Initiative Aims to Support Greater Cincinnati’s Local Breweries
The nonprofit Ohio Craft Brewers Association (OCBA) launched the Ohio Brew Haul on Thursday to encourage beer drinkers to buy beer to support their local breweries. The event is a fundraiser for both the OCBA and Ohio craft breweries. “Ohio’s craft breweries contribute a great deal of positive impact in their local communities,” said OCBA executive director…
Good Government Groups Push for Ohio Voting Reforms Before November Election
The Ohio Voter Rights Coalition is pressing for a number of voting reforms to make voting safer and more convenient in the November election and beyond. The group supports Senate Bill 191, which would make it possible to order an absentee ballot online. Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters Ohio, says…
College Hill Hosts Hollywood Drive-In Theater for Memorial Day Weekend
College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corp is hosting a socially distant Memorial Day Weekend event that is sure to entertain. Kicking off on Friday, May 22, the parking lot of College Hill's historic Hollywood Theater is being transformed into a drive-in movie theater on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with different films screened each night. Tickets cost…
Eight Over-the-Rhine Restaurants Expand with New Outdoor Street Seating Program from City of Cincinnati
Eight Over-the-Rhine restaurants have already been approved by the City of Cincinnati for the novel dining program — the Reignite Cincy: Temporary Outdoor Street Dining Program — that allows eateries to expand their outdoor seating into public right of ways to accommodate social distancing as the state of Ohio gives the go-ahead for restaurants and bars to…
Ohio Sets Reopening Dates for Gyms, Child Care, Pools, Campgrounds and More
During his press briefing on Thursday, May 14, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the reopening dates for additional sectors of the state economy and recreation: May 21: Campgrounds and camping May 22: Horse racing May 26: The BMV (for certain services), gyms and fitness centers, no-contact and low-contact sports and pools (this does not include…
Newport’s Hagfest Goes Digital with Merle Haggard Tributes and Local Bluegrass, Folk and Country Tunes
We currently live in a world where concerts, festivals and other live entertainment performances temporarily do not exist. With large gatherings prohibited and performers unable to put on shows, some of the nation’s biggest festivals have been pushed back or canceled entirely. Even the most iconic music fests, like Coachella and Stagecoach, are not immune…
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to Stream Live from Music Hall This Weekend
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will be playing live in Music Hall for the first time since mid-March — and for the first time since the CSO announced the cancellation of the remainder of its 125th-anniversary season. This special performance — "Live from Music Hall" — will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube and cincinnatisymphony.org at 8…
Downtown’s Arnold’s Bar and Grill Hosts Final Drive-By Fish Fry
Arnold's Bar and Grill decided to extend the life of their Friday drive-up Lenten fish fry after its immense popularity, continuing the tradition through May. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. The restaurant posted this week that this Friday (May 15) will be the last drive-by fish fry of the…
Here’s When Greater Cincinnati Canoe and Kayak Liveries Are Opening for the Season
Sweet summertime is right around the corner, which means local canoe and kayak liveries are getting geared up to put sun-thirsty folks on the river. Here's a few regional businesses' plans for their coronavirus-related regulations and openings this season. Green Acres Canoe Rental Green Acres Canoe hopes to open mid-May, and it will only rent…
Nashville’s Famous Peach Truck Will Stop in Cincinnati on Its Annual Summer Tour
The Peach Truck tour is a favorite part of summer for fruit fans, and the Nashville-based operation is continuing its annual tradition in spite of the current pandemic. With new health and safety precautions in place, Stephen Rose and his wife, Jessica, will be bringing farm-fresh Georgia peaches to stops across Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania,…
Cincinnati Salons and Barbershops Get Ready to Reopen with These Health and Safety Precautions in Place
On May 7, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced in a press conference that salons and barbershops may reopen beginning on May 15. Specific guidelines have been put into place to ensure the highest level of sanitation to protect the health of salon employees and customers. Guidelines include customers waiting in their cars until their appointment…
Local Musicians Perform a Cover of ‘Lean on Me’ for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Such uncertain times have garnered unity and teamwork around the world, with people coming together to spread joy by thanking first responders, celebrating drive-by birthdays and joining together in song. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital wanted to offer their patients and the greater community some happiness during these uncertain times, so they asked a slew of Cincinnati…
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CityBeat is and always has been Greater Cincinnati’s completely free source of independent news, culture, music, arts and eats since we began 25 years ago. Our core mission is to provide an alternative voice in the media landscape and to share informative, thought-provoking, investigative and entertaining stories — all accessible to every single person, both…
Ohio Restaurant Association Releases ‘Ohio Restaurant Promise’ Safety Pledge
As Ohio restaurants get ready to open their outdoor dining spaces on Friday, May 15 and indoor dining rooms on Thursday, May 21, the Ohio Restaurant Association has crafted a pledge to help both customers and staff feel safe returning to dining out. The Ohio Restaurant Promise is an agreement between restaurant owners and operators…
Sycamore Township’s March First Brewing Opening Their Patio at Midnight on May 15
Ohio restaurants and bars are permitted to open their outdoor seating beginning May 15 as part of Gov. DeWine's Responsible RestartOhio initiative, with indoor dining spaces opening May 21. And Sycamore Township's March First Brewing isn't waiting another minute to welcome guests back to their patios and beer garden. The brewery is opening up their…
After Final Count, Hamilton County’s Issue 7 Bus and Road Levy Passes
Greater Cincinnati will get its first every countywide bus levy after Hamilton County voters narrowly approved Issue 7, a .8 percent sales tax increase to fund improvements to the region's struggling Metro bus service. Results were too close to call after the COVID-19 pandemic extended mail-in voting to late April. But a final count of…
Cellphone Data Shows Ohioans Staying Home Less Since May 1 — Despite Continued Stay at Home Order
Some Ohioans, mostly those who live in northwest Ohio, are ignoring Gov. Mike DeWine's stay-at-home order and leaving their homes again, according to a new estimate from The New York Times, which analyzed cellphone data from users who agreed to share data from downloaded apps. The data shows activity from May 1 through May 8 compared…
Cincinnati Musicians: Create a 513 Anthem to Win $1,000 and Have Your Song Broadcasted On Air
A new contest is asking Cincinnati creatives to use their talents to show some pride for their city — and win some prizes in the process. 513 Anthem, a collaboration between Cincy Nice and Little Kings Brewery, knows if there's one thing that can bring a community together, it's music. And the Queen City is much…
Cincinnati’s Starlight Doughnut Lab Selling Weekly Donut Boxes at Nine Giant Brewing
Cincinnati-based donut purveyor Starlight Doughnut Lab is headed back to Pleasant Ridge's Nine Giant Brewing this weekend after a brief break to do what they do best — offer the fine folks of the Queen City their mouthwatering donuts with fun and creative flavors. Beginning this week, Starlight Doughnut Lab will begin offering donut boxes,…
Ohio Secretary of State Hopes to Make Mail-In Voting Easier for November Election
Ohio didn't have a lot of time before the primary election to adjust after the pandemic struck. The hectic, confusing announcements from Gov. Mike DeWine, ensuing court battle and eventual postponement from March to late April is something the state will be looking to avoid in November's presidential election. “Clearly, nobody envisioned the Ohio primary…
Cincinnati Bar Association Hosting Facebook Live Answer Sessions for Common COVID-19 Legal Questions
The Cincinnati Bar Association — as in lawyers not cocktails — is hosting a series of informational sessions for those who may have legal questions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. These 30-minute Facebook Live panels will answer pre-selected questions, submitted by the public. A release from the CBA says, "Questions related to the…
Camp Washington Chili Celebrates ‘513 Day’ with 513 Goetta 3-Way
Today is May 13 or 5/13… or 513, which also happens to be Greater Cincinnati's area code. To commemorate the day, Camp Washington Chili is inviting fans to celebrate with a 513-Way, a goetta-infused version of the classic 3-Way. Celebrate #513day with our #513way! The birthplace of the greatest #Cincinnati mash-up thanks to @5Cincinnati and…
This Interactive Map Shows How Many COVID-19 Cases Each Cincinnati Neighborhood Has
The City of Cincinnati has created a comprehensive COVID-19 case tracker dashboard that shows not only how many cases of the virus have been confirmed in the city — as well as hospitalization numbers, deaths and recoveries — but also where those cases are located and the breakdown based on age, sex and race. The…
Cincinnati Public Schools to Host Graduation Car Parades for Seniors
Cincinnati Public Schools are paying tribute to this year's graduating class with a special drive-thru ceremony and car parade. According to a release from CPS, starting May 18, different schools will be hosting a parade for their seniors and families so they can receive recognition and their diplomas. CPS says seniors will drive to the…
Kettering, Ohio’s Fraze Pavilion Cancels Entire 2020 Summer Concert Season Due to Coronavirus
Kettering, Ohio has decided to cancel its entire 2020 summer concert season at Fraze Pavilion because of the coronavirus pandemic. And it's not just the concerts — the city has decided it's not safe to open the Kettering Recreation Complex, the Charles I. Lathrem Senior Center, the Kettering Fitness and Wellness Center, the Habitat Environmental…
Pandemic EBT to Help Low-Income Families with Kids Buy Groceries
About 850,000 Ohio children who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunches at school now will receive about $300 each to make up for the meals they're missing with schools closed due to COVID-19. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Ohio's application to launch a temporary pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program. Rachel Cahill,…
Clifton Cultural Arts Center to Build New $8.5 Million Home in Clifton
The Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) has found a new home. Or at least the space where they plan to build one. The CCAC will be relocating just down the street from their current space in Clifton and will be building a new center at 3412 Clifton Ave. Neighbor Dewey's Pizza and the CCAC entered into a…
A Film Soundtrack-Inspired Quarantine Music Playlist: Lights, Camera, Music
Time now for the next installment of the Quarantine Playlist, and this edition's subject matter is yet another favorite pastime that has been quashed due to the limitations of social distancing, namely the watching of movies in a theater, just as God and Louis. B. Mayer intended. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good…
Covington’s Libby’s Southern Comfort Now Offering Boozy Popsicles To-Go
Covington's Libby's Southern Comfort knows that summer is just around the corner, so in the spirit of the season, they're offering a boozy new item on their carry-out menu that's sure to bring out the kid in all of us. (Especially if you have any fond memory of Fla-Vor-Ice — the neon nostalgia-inducing sugar bomb…
Pregnant Cincinnati Women Discuss the Impact COVID-19 is Having on Their Birth Plan
As Ohio and Kentucky begin easing restrictions and reopening their economies, one of the first sectors each state let expand in terms of operating capacity was health care. Because citizens were able to flatten the curve, hospitals weren’t overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. And medical facilities were able to resume outpatient and invasive surgeries, diagnostics and…
The Black Keys Cancel Their Summer Tour, Including Their Cincinnati Stop at Riverbend
The Black Keys have just announced that they've canceled the summer tour that was set to bring them to the Riverbend Music Center July 22 for a great double bill featuring singer-guitarist Gary Clark Jr. "We are very disappointed to let you know the US ‘Let's Rock’ Summer tour is no longer happening," reads a…
Ohio Tattoo and Piercing Shops and Massage Therapists are Allowed to Reopen May 15
During the state's COVID-19 press briefing today, Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced that tattoo and piercing shops and state-licensed massage therapists, acupuncturists and cosmetic therapists will be allowed to reopen on May 15. That is the same day that outdoor dining and hair salons and barber shops can reopen — all while following their respective…
Ohio Gyms Sue Department of Health for Enforcing Closure of Fitness Centers During Stay at Home Orders
A collection of 35 independent Ohio gyms is suing the Ohio Department of Health and its director Dr. Amy Acton for enforcing the closure of fitness centers during the state's Stay Safe Ohio order. Cincinnati's Iron Plate Gym, Evolution Fitness & Lifestyle Management and Gracie Cincinnati Jiu-Jitsu training center are included in the list of plaintiffs.…
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Says In-Person Catholic Mass Will Resume May 25
Catholics around Cincinnati will be able to return to in-person mass starting Monday, May 25, according to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s website. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr asked all pastors in Cincinnati to resume the public celebration of mass “every day of the week, beginning May 25,” in a “letter to the faithful” on The Catholic Telegraph. …
Greater Cincinnati’s Drive-In Movie Theaters Reopen with COVID-19 Protocols in Place
While traditional movie theaters continue to remain closed under the Ohio Department of Health's “Stay Safe Ohio” order, the state's drive-in theaters have been allowed to reopen — with COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place. The Greater Cincinnati area's two drive-in theaters — Holiday Auto Theatre in Oxford and Starlite Drive-In in Amelia —…
Kentucky Confirms First Case of Mysterious Childhood Illness Possibly Linked to COVID-19
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear provided an update on the state’s status in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, May 11. The press conference opened with Gov. Beshear reminding Kentuckians of the state’s commitment to overcome the challenges brought on by the coronavirus. “We are committed to passing this test of humanity, to dealing with…
Original Broadway Production of ‘Hamilton’ Coming to Disney+
Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has confirmed that the original Broadway production of his smash hit is coming to Disney+ in July — July 3 to be exact, just one day before the Fourth of July. #America. It’s only a matter of time… Our Hamilton film. THIS July 3rd. On Disney+.#Hamilfilm pic.twitter.com/cXTM949hRr — Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel)…
Columbus Named as COVID-19 ‘Location to Watch’ in Unreleased White House Report, Says NBC News
According to an unreleased White House report obtained by NBC News, Columbus, Ohio is listed as a "location to watch" in regards to a possible spike of COVID-19 infections. NBC News says: "The data in a May 7 coronavirus task force report are at odds with President Donald Trump's declaration Monday that 'all throughout the…
Jeff Ruby’s The Precinct Offering Free Cook-at-Home Family Meal Kit Giveaway
Jeff Ruby's The Precinct, located in Columbia Tusculum, recently began offering curbside family-sized dinner kits to make at home. The steak-centric meal kits serve four and include four Jeff Ruby steaks to grill, the restaurant's signature Freddie Salad, baked mac and cheese, asparagus and a loaf of sourdough bread from Sixteen Bricks. The upscale eatery…
Japanese-Style Pop-Up Mochiko Offering DIY Ramen Kits to Make at Home
This week, Cincinnati's popular Japanese-style pop-up Mochiko is offering a way to make their tasty ramen at home. The eatery is offering DIY kits that include housemade ramen noodles, shoyu broth, pork chashu and toppings — plus a veggie friendly option. The kits cost $13 and offers one generous serving. Place your orders (maximum of…
Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District Crew Saves Snowball the Guinea Pig from Sewer
Stay-at-home orders were clearly misunderstood by an adventurous West Price Hill pet guinea pig named Snowball last month, who made his way out of his home on April 27 and wandered into a storm drain inlet. The Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District received a work order from the family that read "guinea pig in sewer" and sent…
Kroger to Discontinue ‘Hero Bonus’ for Frontline Workers, Unions Urge for Extension and Safer Conditions
It may be the end of the aisle for a meager hourly bonus for essential grocery workers risking their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. In late March, Kroger announced that it would provide thousands of its hourly frontline grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy, and call center associates with weekly $2 per hour pay increase, or…
Cincinnati’s Cabana on the River Opens for the Season This Week
It's official: Summer is on its way (despite what the weather may feel like right now), and the West Side's Cabana on the River is welcoming it with open arms, opening its doors for the season on Friday, May 15. Cabana's opening falls on the same date that Ohio restaurants and bars are permitted to reopen…
London’s Damnably Records Streaming 2016 Wussy Gig at the Windmill Brixton in Memory of John Erhardt
Wussy pedal steel guitarist John Erhardt passed away last week, the band announced on their Facebook page. Wussy posted a heartfelt remembrance of their longtime friend, who had also been in the Ass Ponys with vocalist Chuck Cleaver, saying, "John gave us a beauty that we’ll never see again. A combination of love, friendship, stability and that…
PETA is Already Selling a Joe Exotic ‘Tiger Killer’ Halloween Costume
Sure, Halloween may be six months away, but PETA is already hawking a Joe Exotic costume. The animal rights activist group is now taking preorders for its "Tiger Killer" costume, which comes with a blonde mullet wig, a mustache, an orange jumpsuit, jail bars and a stuffed animal tiger toy. “Netflix's docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness glossed…
Four DIY Greater Cincinnati Brewvolution Brewery Bike Rides to Do for Bike Month
May is National Bike Month and, typically, local Jack Martin helps riders combine their love of biking and beer with a series of Brewvolution brewery rides, going from local brewery to local brewery in a specific part of town. Jack Martin's Brewvolution Ride series is a staple of #BikeMonth. This year he's sharing routes for…
Wave Pool’s Frozen ‘Welcome Table’ Box Dinners Blend Storytelling and Cuisine from Immigrant Chefs
Wave Pool has joined forces with Dean's Mediterranean to create a series of frozen boxed meal kits that share both the cuisine and culture of immigrant chefs. "As an evolution of our Cincinnati's Table dinner series aimed at connecting and sharing the food and stories of Cincinnati's immigrant and refugee residents, we are launching a frozen dinner…
Early Data Shows Black People Are Being Disproportionally Arrested in Ohio for Social Distancing Violations
This story was originally published by ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. On April 17 in Toledo, Ohio, a 19-year-old black man was arrested for violating the state stay-at-home order. In court filings, police say he took a bus from Detroit to…
Solve This Bike Month Scavenger Hunt from Tri-State Trails While Exploring Greater Cincinnati on Two Wheels
May is National Bike Month and Tri-State Trails — a self-defined "alliance of community advocates advancing a vision to connect and expand our region’s trail and bikeway network" — is offering some fun ways to explore the city on two wheels. From March 16 to April 6, local bike trail use was up 30 percent compared…
ESPN Leaks Reds Pitcher Trevor Bauer’s Phone Number During FaceTime Interview
Mistakes happen to the best of us, especially during a pandemic, and sports network ESPN is no exception to the rule. During what appeared to be a FaceTime interview with Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer over the weekend, the network broadcast the player's phone number for the whole world to see. Bauer was a pretty great…
Gov. Beshear Issues Reopening Requirements for Kentucky Retail, Houses of Worship, Funeral Homes
Kentucky's economy continues its roll-out to reopening. And Gov. Andy Beshear has outlined sector-specific requirements for the reopening of places of worship, government offices and agencies, retail and funeral services, among others. Industry-specific guidelines are available at govstatus.egov.com/ky-healthy-at-work. “I believe that the healthiest economy coming out of COVID-19 is going to be the one that can…
Florida-Based Adult Film Studio is Making a ‘Tiger King’ Parody Porno
One of the true constants in life is that everything you enjoy will eventually end up as a porno parody in some form or another, and the Netflix docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is no exception. Last week, Tampa-based Blazed Studios announced that they have begun casting calls for a Tiger King porno that will…
Iconic Modern Composers Craft One-Minute Fanfares for the CSO and Cincinnati Pops in Response to COVID-19
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops have a new project in the works, asking more than a dozen composers (so far) to write short, one-minute "fanfares" for solo musicians to play "as a commentary on the COVID era," says a press release. The fanfare concept is inspired by Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man,…
Here Is Where You Can Find COVID-19 Testing in Northern Kentucky
Multiple COVID-19 testing sites are now available in Northern Kentucky, including a new drive-thru coronavirus testing site in Erlanger operated by St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “To open Kentucky safely, we need testing. Right now, we have the capacity to do 30,000 tests weekly. A big part of being healthy at work is being able to be…
Independent Music Venues Are Asking for Your Support for Federal Financial Relief Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
It's an inarguable fact that smaller independent venues help form the backbone of a music scene in any city, and are often key in giving support and spotlight to bands on the rise. Locally speaking, places like the Southgate House Revival, MOTR Pub, Woodward Theater, Ludlow Garage, The Comet, Memorial Hall, Schwartz's Point Jazz Club…
City of Cincinnati Closing Some Streets in OTR and Downtown to Expand Outdoor Restaurant Seating
In a press conference on Friday, Mayor John Cranley announced that some streets in downtown, Over-the-Rhine and at The Banks would close to help local restaurants expand their outdoor seating capacity. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that restaurants may open outdoor dining starting May 15, as long as they can comply with sector-specific health and…
Trump Team Considering Drive-In MAGA Rallies Due to Coronavirus
The coronavirus pandemic has put a pause on almost every aspect of life in the United States — including political rallies. But President Donald Trump's team has reportedly been at work considering possible workarounds. One idea floated involves holding rallies at drive-in theaters around the country. According to The Daily Beast, Trump's team plans to pitch…
Over-the-Rhine’s La Ofrenda Continues Weekend Patio Pop-Up with Margs, Tequila and Tamales To-Go
While the world has essentially been on lockdown in order to flatten the coronavirus curve, many restaurants and bars have either closed indefinitely, closed permanently, adapted their businesses to carry-out or delivery platforms, or have had to come up with creative alternatives to continue serving the community. Gorilla Cinema Presents temporarily closed several of their…
Arrest Made in 1987 Cold Case Murder of Ohio Teen Thanks to Genetic Genealogy
Cuyahoga Falls police announced Wednesday the arrest of 67-year-old James Zastawnik of Cleveland for the December 1987 murder of Barbara Blatnik. Blatnik was just 17 when her nude, strangled body was found near Blossom Music Center, some 30 minutes away from her home, five days before Christmas. The three-decade-old cold case had received renewed interest…
As Ohio Reopens, Its Neighbors in Kentucky and Michigan Take a Slower Route
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton have received national praise for the speedy and deliberate action taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the state. While approval ratings for both remain high for now, the question will be what those numbers, and Ohio's COVID-19 stats, look…
Hamilton County Breaks Down Confirmed COVID-19 Cases by Zip Code
Each week, Hamilton County Public Health releases data on the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county, broken down by zip code. As of Wednesday, when the above map was updated, there were 855 confirmed cases, 178 hospitalizations, 53 deaths and 363 recoveries. As of Friday, there are now 1,664 confirmed cases, 323 hospitalizations and…
Make Your Own Virtual Homecoming Music Festival with This Handy Playlist
The National was slated to bring their Homecoming music festival back to Smale Riverfront Park on May 8 and 9. It has been canceled because of COVID-19, with the band issuing a statement saying: "We made every attempt to reschedule Homecoming for 2020, however due to circumstances beyond our control, the festival will not take…
City of Newport Offering Financial Relief to Businesses Affected by Coronavirus Pandemic
The City of Newport has launched a small business emergency assistance program to provide financial aid to entrepreneurs within the Northern Kentucky neighborhood that have experienced economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Emergency Business Assistance Program began in early April and provides $500 a month up to $2,000 to approved businesses to use…
These Cincinnati Malls Plan to Reopen May 12. Here’s What They’re Doing to Protect Shoppers
Under Gov. Mike DeWine's Responsible RestartOhio plan, consumer and retail services are allowed to reopen on Tuesday, May 12. And that includes malls. Both the indoor Kenwood Towne Centre and Tri-County Mall plan to reopen that date, with health and safety measures in mind. Under the governor's sector-specific guidelines, retail and consumer operations must require…
Food Strike Begins at Ohio’s Marion Correctional Institution, One of the Country’s Worst Sources of COVID-19 Cases
The incarcerated men of Marion Correctional Institution in Ohio began a food strike on May 6, protesting deteriorating meal services as COVID-19 continues to sweep through the prison. Marion is home to one of the most concentrated coronavirus outbreaks in the U.S. As calls for mass release grew louder in the state capital, the 86…
The Mill Creek Bird Project is Asking Novice Naturalists to Grab Their Binoculars and Gather Some Data About Birds
Since we've been in quarantine, observing the natural world — especially the antics of birds — has become quite the entertaining pastime. If you'd like to take your novice bird-watching to the next level, consider helping out the Mill Creek Alliance's Mill Creek Birds Project on Saturday, May 9. Obviously, everyone has to conform to…
Take a Virtual Tour of FC Cincinnati’s New West End Stadium
FC Cincinnati sent out an eblast inviting fans to take a virtual tour of the new West End stadium — and also to claim a spot to reserve club space for the season with a $100 deposit. Apparently purchasing goes live for that May 12. The email says, "In 2021, we all move. We march…
Learn About the Stars During a Library Livestream with Cincinnati Observatory Astronomer Dean Regas
As many of us turn to the natural world as a source of entertainment during quarantine (are bird feeders the new TV?), many may want to know more about what they're actually looking at when they look up at the night sky. Cincinnati Observatory astronomer Dean Regas is leading a livestream session on the Public…
Taste of Cincinnati Postponed Again Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
Organizers behind one of the city's biggest — and tastiest — food festivals announced this morning (May 8) that the festival, which was rescheduled due to the coronavirus, has been postponed to a further, not-yet-determined date. The 42nd-annual Taste of Cincinnati was originally scheduled for May 23-25 and was rescheduled for July 3-5. According to a…
Michael Bublé’s Cincinnati Tour Stop at the Heritage Bank Center Has Been Rescheduled for March 2021
Canadian crooner Michael Bublé has rescheduled his "An Evening with Michael Bublé" Cincinnati tour stop at the Heritage Bank Center. The show, originally scheduled for May 16, will now take place March 20, 2021. "I am so looking forward to getting back on stage. I've missed my fans and my touring family. Meantime, I hope everyone…
Gov. Beshear Announces Opening Dates for Kentucky Restaurants, Movie Theaters and Gyms
In his COVID-19 press briefing on May 7, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the next wave of business openings for the state economy. Beshear is calling this the Healthy at Work Phase 2 and said all businesses slated to reopen must still follow the state's 10 rules of staying healthy at work as well as industry-specific guidelines. If guidelines…
Survey: Ohioans More Concerned About Potential Health Threat Posed by Other Restaurant Diners Than by Staff
A recent survey conducted by Columbus-based national PR firm Inspire PR Group, with marketing research firm Illuminology, found that Ohioans were more concerned about distancing themselves from other diners and possibly getting sick from them than they were about contracting COVID-19 from restaurant staff. The survey, Eating 2020: How COVID-19 Will Change Consumer Engagement with…
Wussy Pedal Steel Guitarist John Erhardt Has Died
Wussy pedal steel guitarist John Erhardt passed away this Monday, the band announced on their Facebook page. The Cincinnati Indie Rock heroes — which released their most recent album, the critically-acclaimed What Heaven Is Like, in 2018 — were slated to tour as a full five-piece, with guitarist/vocalist Chuck Cleaver, guitarist/vocalist Lisa Walker, bassist Mark Messerly, drummer…
Downtown’s Arnold’s Bar and Grill Offering Limited ‘Yo Mama Burgers’ During Friday Fish Fry
Arnold's Bar and Grill decided to extend the life of their Friday drive-up Lenten fish fry after its immense popularity, and so far people have continued to take advantage of the weekly tradition. Typically, the Friday fish fry menu is quite petite — offering just the beer-battered fried cod, fries, slaw and tartar sauce, plus two…
Washington Post Story Details Coronavirus Impact on Over-the-Rhine Renaissance
The Washington Post opens its recent in-depth look at how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine with a few austere paragraphs: Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood was just hitting its stride, after years of turbulence. New restaurants were popping up, long-struggling theaters were selling out, work was plentiful and the quaint streets were crowded. All the…
Gov. DeWine Sets Opening Dates for Ohio Restaurants, Bars and Hair Salons
As anticipated, Gov. Mike DeWine today gave restaurants the go-ahead to reopen — May 15 for outdoor dining and May 21 for indoor dining — assuming they follow the best practices as recommended by the restaurant advisory panel and adopted by the state. Hair salons, barbers and other personal services may reopen on May 15…
The First Phase of Cincinnati Art Museum’s Art Climb Opens Ahead of Schedule
A new project that aims to connect the Cincinnati Art Museum with surrounding communities has completed its first phase and is welcoming visitors earlier than planned. The Art Climb is a massive staircase that stretches from the intersection of Eden Park Drive and Gilbert Avenue to the CAM's front entrance. The first phase of the project…
72 Things We’ve Learned During Quarantine (and Hope to Remember Afterward)
Chances are, if you are a human on the planet Earth, you’ve recently spent the last four to six weeks (or more) in some type of quarantine — self-imposed, government-mandated or a combination of both. Unless, of course, you’re a health care worker, essential employee or have other extenuating circumstances that meant you couldn’t safely lock…
Cincinnati Native Sudan Archives Melds Contemporary Technique with African Musical Traditions on ‘Athena’
Cincinnati native and current Los Angeleno Brittney Denise Parks records music under the moniker Sudan Archives. The cover art for the vinyl version of her full-length debut, 2019’s Athena, finds Parks posing nude on a pedestal, bronzed like an old-school Greek statue in a nod to the album’s goddess namesake. Parks is holding a violin…
Cincinnati Funk Legend Bootsy Collins Will Appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
You may see a familiar local face when tuning in to NBC's Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this evening (May 7). Cincinnati Funk legend Bootsy Collins will take the stage on the popular weeknight show, using the platform to bring awareness to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund. The charity provides financial assistance to members of…
Road to Reopening: How Cincinnati Restaurants and Bars Are Navigating Safety and Uncertainty in Coronavirus Culture
The communal experience of dining, post-pandemic, is going to look different. We’re no longer going to be rubbing elbows with strangers at a crowded bar, or standing 10 deep in hopes of being called next on an hour-long waitlist. Those days are gone — for now. So what will the restaurants and bars of the…
Justin Caldbeck: Tips for Pitching to a VC From a Binary Capital Co-Founder and Duke Alumni
Starting a business is a different journey for everyone. Some people get inspired and start rolling with their ideas until they run out of money. Others know how much they will need from the beginning and have a plan in place for every cent. Regardless of your approach, you will likely need financial help at…
The City Flea is Going Virtual for its May Market
The City Flea is adapting to the coronavirus pandemic and taking its May market online. The "virtual flea" will be held Saturday, May 16 on the City Flea Instagram page and shared on their Facebook page as a story highlight. Basically, they'll be posting information about their vendors throughout the day and then collecting all of that…
Ohio Air National Guard Flying Over Cincinnati Area Hospitals as Salute to Frontline Workers This Morning
Toledo's Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing will be flying over Greater Cincinnati area hospitals this morning (May 7) to honor the frontline workers keeping our communities safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Kicking off at 10:30 a.m. at Mercy Anderson, the flight path crosses over 15 total hospitals weaving from the East Side of Cincinnati,…
Allez OTR Named One of Best Bakeries in America by Food & Wine Magazine
Food & Wine just released a list of the 100 best bakeries in America and one Cincinnati spot is included: Allez OTR. And, conveniently, baker Tom McKenna's shop tops the list, thanks to alphabetical order. The magazine write-up praises Allez as such: "Casually capturing the energy of a modern French boulangerie with a studied (but…
Island Noodles Hosts Pop-Up at Smale Riverfront Park to Raise Funds for OTR Brewery District
A festival foodie favorite, Island Noodles is hosting a pop-up at Cincinnati's Smale Riverfront Park this weekend (May 9-10) to raise money for local cause. The popular vendor is teaming up with Cincy Events Management (CEM) to raise funds for the OTR Brewery District's Brewing Heritage Trail. According to a press release from CEM, Island…
Cincinnati Rockers Automagik Return with Glorious New Album ‘Fluorescent Nights’
The COVID-19 quarantine has not hindered Zach Evans and Devin Williams, Automagik’s songwriting brain trust. In fact, except for the lack of toilet paper and restaurant seating, the last six weeks could have been just another incredibly productive period for the duo, who are currently working remotely — Evans from his Newport home and Williams…
Submit Your Cat Videos to Be Included in the National Quarantine Cat Film Fest
The Quarantine Cat Film Fest it taking over 100 independent virtual art house cinemas on June 19. The film fest will be a feature-length movie made up of a bunch of shorter films of people's cats doing weird stuff and the proceeds from ticket sales will go to help each individual cinema. So far locally,…
Bridgetown Community Working Together to Keep Charlotte The Pig in the Neighborhood
A Bridgetown resident is in danger of losing their beloved family pet, a friendly potbellied pig named Charlotte. According to a petition on change.org, Charlotte has become a favorite member of the neighborhood among families and children who make it a point to visit her on their daily walks. But a complaint from a "grouchy…
The Ohio Department of Health is Hiring Coronavirus Contact Tracers
Looking for a new part-time job? Want to do something that makes a difference during the COVID-19 outbreak? The Ohio Department of Health has posted links to jobs for contact tracers, both entry level and supervisor roles. Now more than ever, #Ohio needs people who can make a difference. Consider joining @OHdeptofhealth as a temporary…
Watch: Automagik’s Impish New Video for ‘Buick’ Off Their Forthcoming Album ‘Fluorescent Nights’
Automagik’s new album, Fluorescent Nights, drops May 15. The band initially planned to preview it when they opened for of Montreal at the Woodward Theater just prior to the original April album release date; the show was an early pandemic casualty and has been postponed until September. Fluorescent Nights was seeded by the tracks “Buick” and…
Ohio Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips for Fungi Fans and Beginning Foragers
The start of spring in Cincinnati symbolizes new beginnings. From high school proms and college graduations (from the "before time," of course) to the blossoming hope of transitioning from a bitter cold winter into a fresh and warm summer, Cincinnatians look forward to the changing of the seasons for a variety of reasons. For some, the…
12 Recommended Shows to Watch During the 17th-Annual (and First Digital) Cincinnati Fringe Festival
When word came down from the state of Ohio in mid-March that mass gatherings were to be banned — in auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, meeting rooms, theaters, even outdoors — to help control the spread of COVID-19, a lot of scrambling began in the arts world, especially at Know Theatre. Know is the producer of Cincinnati’s…
Outdoor Dining and Drinking Destination ‘Bridgeview Box Park’ Opening Soon at Newport on the Levee
A vibrant outdoor dining and entertainment hub is emerging at Newport on the Levee, dubbed the Bridgeview Box Park. The project will take over the space formerly occupied by Mitchell’s Fish Market, which was demolished in order to provide more substantial views and to better connect with the Levee. According to a release, the Bridgeview Box…
Greater Cincinnati Farmers Pivot to Support the Local Food Chain as COVID-19 Continues
Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky businesses are caught in a collective pivot as they grapple with ever-evolving news related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the local food chain, this impact is felt all the way from the restaurants, groceries and markets to — the root of it all — farms. Deemed essential workers, farmers have…
Northside’s Melt Revival is Bringing Back Their Sunday Brunch
Northside's Melt Revival is bringing back its popular Sunday brunch menu for carry-out and delivery starting this Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10). The restaurant, known for its incorporation of locally sourced and fresh ingredients as well as its vegan and vegetarian options, adjusted its hours after the coronavirus pandemic emerged, temporarily ending Sunday service. But they…
