FRIDAY
SPORTS: REDSFEST So maybe they came in last in the NL Central last season, but they’re still our Cincinnati Reds, and while they may not win the season, they always win the traditions. Redsfest is the team’s annual winter warm-up, offering fans of all ages a chance to interact with Reds past, present and future with autograph signings, games and other activities. See appearances from the likes of Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, Joey Votto, Marty Brennaman and more, plus play on an indoor baseball field, check out Reds-related booth displays, visit the Hall of Fame and pick up some authentic merchandise. But Redsfest isn’t just about the Reds — it helps sustain the Reds Community Fund, the philanthropic arm of the team, which improves the lives of young people through baseball. 3 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday. $17 single-day pass; $25 two-day pass. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, cincinnati.reds.mlb.com.
HOLIDAY: SAENGERFEST Three years ago, Saengerfest — a German tradition that celebrates choir singing groups, or Saengerbunds — returned to Cincinnati after a 60-year hiatus. Although the event was hugely popular after it was established locally in 1849, popularity died down with the rise of the May Festival. Now, Saengerfest is back, and it’s taking over four historical venues patrons can tour while enjoying choral classics: the Christian Moerlein brewery, St. Francis Seraph, the First Lutheran Church and the Over-the-Rhine Community Church. Fourteen choirs, including the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus, the May Festival Youth Chorus, MUSE | Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir and the SCPA Primary Select Choir, will participate. Shuttle buses take concert-goers from venue to venue. 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $25 per night. christmassaengerfest.com.
HOLIDAY: TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA WINTER TOUR As part of its annual winter tour, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is visiting Cincinnati for a musical retelling of a holiday story, recounted in the orchestra’s unique audio-visual way. This year’s performance is “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” which follows a young girl who runs away from home and finds herself among the ghosts of an abandoned vaudeville theater. The story includes Christmas classics like “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Music Box Blues” and “This Christmas Day.” A portion of ticket proceeds benefits Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Toys for Tots, St. Joseph’s Orphanage and The Music Resource Center. Tickets purchased online come with a digital copy of the orchestra’s recently released studio album. 4 and 8 p.m. Friday. $35.50-$63. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown, usbankarena.com.
MUSIC: JESS LAMB This Friday, Cincinnati-based singer/songwriter Jess Lamb will be putting out a new EP, her first major release since her post-American Idol single, “Memories.” In honor of the release, Lamb is performing a free show Friday at MOTR Pub. Joining Lamb and her band for the 9 p.m. event are Dayton, Ohio’s Moira and Cincinnati’s The Perfect Children. The EP — titled Free and featuring the tracks “Lovers on the Run” and “Step Out of the Dark” — marks an expansion of Lamb’s musical approach as she moves into new territories that were only hinted at previously. Dubbed “Industrial Gospel” by Lamb, her new recording is more heavily focused on synths, beats and guitars, which help create an atmospheric sound that’s even darker than her earlier work. Read more about Lamb here. Jess Lamb performs a free show Friday at MOTR Pub. More info: motrpub.com.
HOLIDAY: FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS It’s that time of year again — more than 2 million sparkling lights illuminate the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, transforming its exhibits and landscape into an exuberant “Wild Wonderland.” New in 2015 are a Wild Lights Show on Swan Lake and a Frozen-themed area where guests can meet Anna and Elsa. Other festival features include visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Toyland Express Train Ride and a black-light show by Madcap Puppets. Remember to stop by the Holiday Post Office and the newly themed Gingerbread Village, where you can peek through the windows of each house to find the mouse that lives inside. Through Jan. 2. $27 adults; $21 seniors/children. 3400 Vine St., Avondale, 513-281-4700, cincinnatizoo.org.
HOLIDAY: IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS This holiday tale, full of romance, comedy and choreographed dance routines, is brought from the screen to the stage in an all-new Broadway musical. Including classic Berlin songs like “Blue Skies,” and, of course, “White Christmas,” this story follows two war buddies from Florida to Vermont as they plan a fantastic show in the rundown inn of their former general, finding two sweethearts in the process. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, packed with laughs and some of the best songs in show business, is one of the greatest beginnings to the holiday season. Through Dec. 6. Tickets start at $29. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org.
HOLIDAY: CINCIDEUTSCH CHRISTKINDLMARKTCincideutsch, Cincinnati’s society for German speakers, hosts its annual Bavarian-inspired Christmas market on Fountain Square. Inspired by the famous holiday markets across Germany, Christkindlmarkt features gifts made by local vendors and artisans, traditional German eats and Glühwein (aka hot spiced wine). Another good excuse to break out the dirndl. Weekends through Dec. 20. Free admission. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown, myfountainsquare.com.
ONSTAGE: AS YOU LIKE ITWho knew cross-dressing could be such fun? Apparently Shakespeare did. All the actors on the Elizabethan stage were men, so having Rosalind dress as a man while hiding in the Forest of Arden was a kind of double-down trick. While disguised, she finds the forest’s trees covered with love poems about her “real” self. What’s a girl to do? That’s what As You Like It is about. One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, it’s a good-natured choice for the holidays. Audience favorite Sara Clark will play Rosalind; she excels with verbal comedy, so be prepared to laugh. Through Dec. 12. $22-$39. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 719 Race St., Downtown, 513-381-2273, cincyshakes.com.
SATURDAY
EVENT: DAD DAY AT RHINEGEIST Party in plaid with dad at Rhinegeist. The brewery celebrates the release of its seasonal brew Dad — a hoppy holiday ale — with a party featuring commemorative glassware and posters for the first 100 guests. The event is BYOD and BYOP (bring your own dad and bring your own plaid), with a special #DadPlaid photobooth and cozy holiday setting. BTW: Dad comes in a plaid can, which is why Dad Day has a patterned theme, not just because tartan is incredibly festive. Noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Free. Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, rhinegeist.com.
ONSTAGE: THIS IS OUR YOUTH Wayward young people working hard to grow up — that’s the big picture for Kenneth Lonergan’s drama about three friends on the cusp of adulthood navigating their lives in 1982 New York, out from under their dysfunctional parents but still making a mess of things in the arenas of friendship and love. In this local production, Ed Stern, longtime producing artistic director at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, directs three Xavier University theater students — Mac Blais, Griff Bludworth and Tatum Hunter. He’s excited to work with actors who are exactly the right age for their roles. Through Sunday. $12-$17. Gallagher Student Center Theater, Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, Evanston, 513-745-3939, xavier.edu/theatre.
HOLIDAY: HOLIDAY MARKET AT FINDLAY MARKET Findlay Market’s Holiday Market is a shopping wonderland. Local artisans and craft vendors will bring holiday joy through old-fashioned gifts, food and seasonal drinks. Live holiday music will be provided by Cincinnati choirs and musicians while scavenger hunts and craft beer keep market-goers occupied. There will also be holiday cooking demos, kids activities and a performance from the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. And, according to our sources, Santa Claus himself will be making a surprise appearance. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Free. 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, findlaymarket.org.
ONSTAGE: ALL CHILDISH THINGS It’s 2006 and two thirtysomething guys still pine for the galactic adventures promised by Star Wars when they were kids. In Joseph Zettelmaier’s 2011 play, one guy lives in his mom’s basement; another has a girlfriend who could care less about The Force. But they’ve concocted a plan for their big break that involves raiding a Norwood warehouse storing collectible Star Wars memorabilia by Kenner Toys. A nefarious character says he’s ready to pay big bucks for their take. Zany shows rooted in childhood have become a holiday staple at Know Theatre, and this is right up that weird, happy alley. Through Dec. 19. $20. Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-300-5669, knowtheatre.com.
MUSIC: WAXEATER Waxeater is full-bore Post Punk/Hardcore with brains, brawn and balls. The band launched its 2010 Sleeper album with a track called “Are Those Fucking Beers Ice Cold Yet?” and devoted its latest, 2013’s Baltimore Record, to songs themed entirely around the HBO series The Wire. It’s not hard to connect Waxeater to the likes of Shellac, Jesus Lizard (they’re named after a JL song), The Melvins and early Black Sabbath, as the trio grinds gears with abrasive dissonance, but still manages to bristle with some semblance of Grunge-tinted melodicism and a wickedly sharp sense of humor. And as the musicians exhibit the concussive power of a monsoon leveling a grass-hut village in the service of songs that are perfectly obfuscating, it becomes infinitely clear that Waxeater is thinking man’s Punk with scorched-earth appeal. Read more about the band in this week’s Sound Advice. Waxeater performs Saturday with Wolverton Brothers and Knife the Symphony at Northside Yacht Club. More info/tickets: northsideyachtclub.com.
ART: GIMMIE GIMMIE GIMMIE AT THE WESTON ART GALLERY The Weston Art Gallery hosts an opening reception for Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie, an exhibition organized by artist and sometimes-curator Todd Pavlisko. Gimmie will examine “the varied experience of amassing objects and the practice of collecting” by featuring installation work by artists Antonio Adams and Alfred Steiner, as well as iconic works by world-renowned artists including Vito Acconci, Chris Burden, Ana Mendieta and Adrian Piper. Opening reception: 6-8 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 17. Free. 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery.
HOLIDAY: WILLY WAHOO’S WINTER WONDERLAND This special holiday celebration is part of MainStrasse Village’s series of Christmas events. The animated holiday attraction includes a candy cane forest, ice-skating dogs, photos with Santa and more in Goebel Park. The holiday fun keeps going this weekend with a visit from Saint Nicholas on Sunday — similar to Santa, but much more fond of leaving oranges in socks. He’ll stop by Goosegirl Fountain at 6 p.m. to give treats to good girls and boys. Through Dec. 20. Free. Goebel Park, Covington, Ky., mainstrasse.org.
ART: SHOP: CINCINNATI AT BRAZEE Peruse one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays (or just because) at C-LINK Gallery’s annual SHOP: Cincinnati exhibition. Beginning Friday, the gallery inside Brazee Street Studios will showcase a treasure trove of handmade items crafted by local artists, including everything from jewelry, ceramics and ornaments to greeting cards, paintings and more. Through Dec. 26. Prices vary. C-LINK Gallery, 4426 Brazee St., Oakley, brazeestreetstudios.com.
EVENT: BRAXTON BLOCK PARTY Dec. 5 is Repeal Day (the day Prohibition was repealed), and Braxton Brewing Company is throwing a Braxton Block Party from noon-1 a.m., where they’ll release their first bottled beer in the Heritage Series, Dark Charge, “a massive imperial stout that showcases Kentucky’s heritage: bourbon.” They’ll sell Dark Charge and its variants — Dark Charge Bourbon Barrel-Aged with Starter Coffee, Dark Charge Bourbon Barrel-Aged with Vanilla — in bottles and also have them on tap. Besides the new beers, Braxton will have several local and regional beers on tap, along with food trucks and the band Motherfolk. braxtonbrewing.com.
SUNDAY
EVENT: REPEAL DAY CELEBRATION On Dec. 5, 1933, the United States passed the 21st Amendment, effectively repealing Prohibition. Celebrate by getting drunk on Sidecars and Mary Pickfords in Jazz Age costumes at the Metropole at 21c. The restaurant and bar’s Repeal Day Celebration honors the end of Prohibition with 1920s tunes, a burlesque show and classic speakeasy cocktails. Period-inspired costumes encouraged; mustaches provided by Metropole. Special room rates apply for those who don’t want to tipple and drive. 7-11 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. 609 Walnut St., Downtown, metropoleonwalnut.com. HOLIDAY: O.F.F. MARKET Brunch, booze and shopping await at the O.F.F. Market’s winter 2015 event. Vendors, ranging from small businesses and entrepreneurs to farmers and chefs, will sell items specifically geared toward the holiday season. Accompany your perusal with drinks from a full bar that includes local craft brews, mimosas and a special-recipe bloody mary. Brunch, booze and shopping await at the O.F.F. Market’s winter 2015 event. Vendors, ranging from small businesses and entrepreneurs to farmers and chefs, will sell items specifically geared toward the holiday season. Accompany your perusal with drinks from a full bar that includes local craft brews, mimosas and a special-recipe bloody mary.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. 20th Century Theater, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, theoffmarket.org.
MUSIC: SLEATER-KINNEY
It seems slightly inaccurate to describe the past decade without the ebullient adrenaline rush of Sleater-Kinney as a hiatus. It implies that the trio’s members — guitarists/vocalists Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker and drummer Janet Weiss — have been preoccupied with the scent of long-neglected roses and gazing into heretofore unexplored navels between 2005’s The Woods and this year’s across-the-board-excellent No Cities to Love. Given the artists recent schedules, Sleater-Kinney needed a hiatus from its hiatus. Read a full feature on the band here. Sleater-Kinney plays Bogart’s Sunday. Tickets/more info: bogarts.com.
HOLIDAY: ICE RINK ON FOUNTAIN SQUARE
Fountain Square’s Ice Rink is officially open, offering daily skating and special events all the way through February. Rent a pair of skates on-site and spend the day in the heart of downtown. Open daily. $6 admission; $4 skate rental. Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown, myfountainsquare.com.
COMEDY: RANDY LIEDTKE
Randy Liedtke is a Los Angles-based comedian who hails from Oregon. He’s known for obtuse jokes that feature odd turns. “The last few days of my grandmother’s life was spent in a hospice home surrounded by her family,” he tells an audience. “It was getting late at night so we ordered a pizza and the delivery guy shows up to the home and we’re like, ‘Pizza’s here!’ ” But it was at that exact moment his grandmother passed. Liedtke swears this story is true. “How long do you have to wait to eat in that situation? I don’t want to be rude, but we all agreed we were hungry 20 minutes ago.” Thursday-Sunday. $8-$14. Go Bananas, 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, gobananascomedy.com.
HOLIDAY: BRICKMASNewport on the Levee has partnered with the Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana LEGO Users Group to present BRICKmas. This holiday display is centered around one of the world’s favorite toys, but in large-scale. With more than 13 scenes built out of LEGO bricks — from a life-size Santa head to a Star Wars tribute to giant models of Music Hall, Washington Park and the Roebling Bridge — there’s a bit of everything. Through Jan. 1. $10. Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport, Ky., newportonthelevee.com.
ART: FIELD GUIDE AT THE CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM
Jochen Lempert, the German photographer whose first major U.S. museum show, Field Guide, is now at the Cincinnati Art Museum, combines the metaphysical with the biological so well that the effect is often magical. Or, I should say, the effect is downright scientific. He’d appreciate that latter term — he’s a trained biologist who turned to art photography in the 1990s. Yet much of his work achieves magic by making something ephemeral concrete and vice versa. This is a show to spend some time with, because the way individual images affect the viewer often depends on the size and placement of the black-and-white prints. And the impact upon our cognitive process of seeing, in close proximity to each other, close-ups of sand (“Etruscan Sand,” a 2009 photogram), “Rain” (a 2003 photograph) and “Crushed Shells” (a 2013 photogram) teaches us as much about ourselves as photography. Read more about the exhibit here. Jochen Lempert’s Field Guide is on display at the CAM until March 6. More info: cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
This article appears in Dec 2-8, 2015.
