FRIDAY EVENT: THE MINI MICROCINEMA Last year, the Mini Microcinema demonstrated that many Cincinnatians crave opportunities to take film seriously as an art form and communications medium — and now it’s back for a return engagement. C. Jacqueline Wood opens the 2016 iteration of The Mini at The Carnegie in Covington, with a screening of Roger Beebe’s multiple-projector work and the Cartoon Research Laboratory’s presentation of classic cartoons along with contemporary animation. For more details and future screening information, visit The Mini’s website. Opening 5:30-9 p.m. Friday. Through April 23. Free. The Carnegie, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington, Ky., mini-cinema.org.
ART: KING ME
Nina Wells, who goes by the artistic name Nina M Dot, opens her photographic exhibition at the Globe Gallery on Friday evening featuring lenticular portraits of local men of color contrasted with images of themselves dressed as kings. Wells aims to restore the perception of these men’s self-value by applying a what-you-see-is-what-you-become mindset. “It is a platform for men of color to better understand their value in this world,” she says in a press release. A recipient of People’s Liberty’s $15,000 Globe grant, the artist’s message of black male empowerment will be accessible to small group audiences on opening night in 20-minute increments to allow for a more intimate viewing experience. On view through May 7. Free. 1805 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, peoplesliberty.org, reserve viewing space at tinyurl.com/jc85f4m.
ONSTAGE: AMERICAN IDIOT
The show is not easy to watch: American Idiot takes a hard, cynical look at jaded youth who struggle with the expectations of the American Dream and come to epitomize a generation that failed to launch. By the story’s end, Johnny, Will and Tunny have moved on with their lives — getting beyond dreams and accepting the hard lessons of maturity. They’re not necessarily happy, but they can have stable, if unimaginative lives. The show’s final lyric in “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” sums it up: “It’s something unpredictable but in the end is right. I hope you had the time of your life.” A dark, punkish attitude, to be sure, but one we can learn from. Read more about American Idiot here. American Idiot at UC’s College-Conservatory of Music is onstage at Patricia Corbett Theater Thursday through March 13. More info: ccm.uc.edu.
ONSTAGE: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Harper Lee passed away last month, but her Pulitzer Prize-winning story of justice and racial inequality lives on, not only as a novel and its memorable cinematic rendition, but also in Christopher Sergel’s theatrical adaptation. Eric Ting, a new associate artist at the Cincinnati Playhouse, has given a more timeless rendition to the story of a valiant attorney with moral integrity defending a wrongly accused black man, bringing it to life in a bare theater. His approach sounds fascinating. Stage veteran Dale Hodges narrates the story in the role of the adult Scout, and the cast features numerous other local performers. Through April 10. $35-$85. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mount Adams Circle, Mount Adams, 513-421-3888, cincyplay.com.
MUSIC: WE BANJO 3
There are so many odd signifiers and dichotomies in the composition of We Banjo 3 that it’s worth identifying as many as possible. Let’s start with the group’s titular and misdirecting “3.” There are actually four members of WB3, two sets of Irish brothers, and only two banjos, played by Enda Scahill and Martin Howley (who also play mandolin and guitar); acoustic guitarist David Howley (who occasionally plays banjo) and fiddler/percussionist Fergal Scahill rounding out the group. Hailing from Ireland, the quartet characterizes its sound as Celtgrass, a combination of the members’ native roots and Americanized Bluegrass. Since Country and Bluegrass are largely a product of British Folk and the Celtic musical tradition, it’s an interesting hybrid. Read more about the group in this week's Sound Advice. We Banjo 3 plays Live! at the Ludlow Garage Friday. More info: liveattheludlowgarage.com.
TV: FLAKED
New dark comedy from Will Arnett and Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz. Arnett stars as Chip (popular name!), a recovering alcoholic and an AA leader in the tight-knit community of Venice, Calif., who’s past and bullshitting ways begin to catch up with him. Series premiere. Netflix.
SATURDAY
EVENT: SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE
Remember to wear green or you’ll get pinched at the 50th annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Smale Riverfront Park might be the prime viewing location to see the parade this year as it follows a new route along the river from Paul Brown Stadium to Freedom Way and Rosa Parks Street. Rain or shine, the McGing Irish Dancers will step dance their way down the parade route, along with floats, bagpipers, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and more. This year’s honorary grand marshals are Chris and Janeen from WGRR’s “Married with Microphones.” Noon Saturday. Free. Parade leaves from Mehring Way and Central Avenue, Downtown, cincystpatsparade.com.
EVENT: SAINT PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATION ON FOUNTAIN SQUAREJoin Cincinnati’s Irish (and non-Irish) brethren on the Square for a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. The all-day party features live Celtic Rock from the likes of The Kells and Fintan, Guinness on tap and themed merchandise for those who forget to wear green. Have a beer and practice your Irish step on the Square. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. Free. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown, myfountainsquare.com.
FILM: DIANE TERAMANA FILM SCREENING AT WAVE POOL
New York-based video artist Diane Teramana will screen a few of her videos created in the early ’90s as a response to the controversy over the Robert Mapplethorpe obscenity trial. Teramana videotaped the opening of The Perfect Moment in Cincinnati and made a subsequent film documenting “current nation artists who don’t mind letting it ‘all hang out,’ ” she says in her artist statement. The film demonstrates Mapplethorpe’s connection to other contemporary artists who, in performance, sculpture, painting and installation, have likewise depicted the nude form without a hint of shame or resultant debate. 7-9 p.m. Saturday. Free. 2940 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington, wavepoolgallery.org.
SPORTS: CINCINNATI ROLLERGIRLS HOME OPENER
In the first game of its 10th-anniversary season, the Cincinnati Rollergirls face off in a double-header against Rochester, N.Y.’s Roc City Roller Derby. Get hyped before the game — tailgating is encouraged — grab a $1 beer during happy hour and cheer on the team at the historic Cincinnati Gardens. All season long, home games feature CRG’s varsity and junior varsity teams, the Black Sheep and the Violent Lambs. 6 p.m. Saturday. $14 adults; $6 kids 7-12; free for kids 6 and younger. Cincinnati Gardens, 2250 Seymour Ave., Norwood, 513-631-7793, cincinnatirollergirls.com.
ART: CANSTRUCTION
See the Cincinnati Chapters of the American Institute of Architects and Society for Design Administration’s entries for Canstruction, the international design and building competition. Local teams race to build sculptures created entirely from packaged food, all of which will be donated to Freestore Foodbank after the competition. With family-friendly guided treks to the sculptures on Saturday mornings, it’s the perfect outing to witness how art and design fuse with public service. On view through March 27. Free. Weston Art Gallery, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery.
EVENT: MEOWSQUERADE BALL
This animal-themed fiesta is the annual fundraiser for the Tristate Noah Project, a no-kill rescue with the ultimate goal of becoming the first free-roaming sanctuary in the Tristate for farm and domestic animals. Become your favorite animal with the help of resident face painters, and preserve the moment in a masquerade-themed photo booth. Locally based belly dance and music troupe the Keshvar Project performs throughout the evening, and DJ Mowgli keeps the party going all night long. Ticket price includes lite bites, a silent auction and a cash bar. 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday. $25. Leapin Lizard Gallery, 726 Main St., Covington, Ky., tristatenoahproject.com.
TV: SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Ariana Grande hosts and performs. 11:30 p.m. NBC.
SUNDAY
EVENT: TASTE OF INDIA
You can have a dose of Indian culture and eat it, too, with free samples of Indian dishes and performances at the 19th-annual Taste of India presented by the Association for India’s Development. In addition to mouthwatering Indian food, the celebration includes a display of Rangoli art, henna tattoos and colorful Indian clothing, jewelry and other handicrafts. See the bright culture come to life with a performance of Bollywood song and dance routines and folk dances. With free admission, it’s the perfect opportunity for those who’d love to embark to India but can’t afford that pricey airline ticket. 2-5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Tangeman University Center, University of Cincinnati, 2766 UC MainStreet, Clifton Heights, cincinnati.aidindia.org.
MUSIC: EXPERIENCE HENDRIX TOUR For a living, breathing testament to the wide-ranging influence guitar innovator Jimi Hendrix had (and continues to have) on contemporary music, one need only glance at the lineup for this year’s Experience Hendrix tour, an annual traveling tribute to the Rock legend featuring current artists performing Hendrix’s music. His unparalleled guitar approach has touched musicians across generations and genres, and he was one of the rare musicians to actually change how an instrument is played. His style was magical, otherworldly and to this day fans and musicians listen and wonder, “How the hell did he do that?” Read more in this week's Sound Advice. The Experience Hendrix tour takes place Sunday at Taft Theatre. More info/tickets: tafttheatre.org.
ONSTAGE: EMMA
Pretty much all you need to do to sell theater tickets these days is attach Jane Austen’s name to a show. No zombies in Emma à la the current film adaptation Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but Cincinnati Shakespeare is on the bandwagon with another stage adaptation by Jon Jory, the longtime leader of Actors Theatre of Louisville; his renditions of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility have been bestsellers for the classic theater company. This production is all about girls — directed by 12-year ensemble member Kelly Mengelkoch and featuring second-year ensemble member Courtney Lucien as Emma Wodehouse, the amateur matchmaker whose efforts don’t unfold quite as planned. Through March 26. $14-$36. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 719 Race St., Downtown, 513-381-2273, cincyshakes.com.
ONSTAGE: NEWSIES
Low expectations and high results — that’s the story of Newsies, about a ragged band of New York newsboys in 1899 who fought back against publishing titans and won. It’s also the path the 2012 musical followed on Broadway. It was intended to be onstage for just a few months that year, but it gained such quick popularity that it ran for more than 1,000 performances across three seasons. It was the highest-grossing show of 2011-2012 and picked up eight Tony Award nominations, including wins for score and choreography. They’ll be dancing jubilantly at the Aronoff for the next two weeks. Through March 13. $29-$107. 650 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-621-2787, cincinnatiarts.org.
ART: PASSAGE
Only a few of us can travel in space like Neil Armstrong or Yuri Gagarin, but we all travel through myriad spaces in everyday life. It’s so common, we rarely even think about it. But the South Korea-born, London-based artist Do Ho Suh thinks about it very much. He approaches public and private spaces with the same sense of exploration that an astronaut devotes to the moon. You’ll be able to see what he’s discovered when the exhibition Passage opens at the Contemporary Arts Center on Friday. Only a few of us can travel in space like Neil Armstrong or Yuri Gagarin, but we all travel through myriad spaces in everyday life. It’s so common, we rarely even think about it. But the South Korea-born, London-based artist Do Ho Suh thinks about it very much. He approaches public and private spaces with the same sense of exploration that an astronaut devotes to the moon. You’ll be able to see what he’s discovered when the exhibition Passage opens at the Contemporary Arts Center on Friday. More info: contemporaryartscenter.org.
ART: AFTER THE MOMENT: REFLECTIONS ON ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE Seven regional curators have each chosen five new works by local artists that reflect how Mapplethorpe’s The Perfect Moment influences today’s artistic landscape. When the CAC presented that show in 1990, law-enforcement officials infamously and unsuccessfully prosecuted it on obscenity charges. Thirteen of Mapplethorpe’s own photographs will be displayed; many — if not all — were in the The Perfect Moment, including one of a naked 5-year-old boy, “Jesse McBride,” that was specifically cited in the 1990 prosecution. Also, 1980’s “Man in a Polyester Suit,” controversial for its depiction of a man wearing a suit but exposing his penis, will be shown. Read more about Mapplethorpe and The Perfect Moment here. After the Moment: Reflections on Robert Mapplethorpe continues through March 13 at the Contemporary Arts Center. More info: contemporaryartscenter.org.
TV: THE WALKING DEAD
The voice on the other end of the loudspeaker is revealed as the group fights to rescue Carol and Maggie. 9 p.m. AMC.
