FRIDAY 25
EVENT: ART AFTER DARK: 30 AMERICANS
Visit the Cincinnati Art Museum for the latest installment of after-hours party Art After Dark to celebrate the new exhibit 30 Americans. Some of the most important African-American artists have their work showcased in the provocative display, which focuses on race, gender and historical identity in contemporary culture through painting, photography, sculpture, video and installation. Take guided tours of the exhibit and watch performances from Elementz, DJ Apryl Reign and violinist Eddy Kwon. 5-9 p.m., Friday. Free admission. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
ONSTAGE: ANNAPURNA
Annapurna is the Hindu goddess of nourishment. It’s also the name given to one of the most dangerous Himalayan climbing peaks, the 10th highest in the world, with a horrendous fatality rate of 40 percent. That lonely, dangerous place might offer a hint as to some of the perils and pleasures of Sharr White’s new play that has appropriated this name. The comedy-drama reveals the tangled history between two once-married, ferociously damaged people who battle an avalanche of love and loss in the wilds of Colorado. Two actors familiar to ETC audiences star: Regina Pugh and Dennis Parlato. Through April 10. $28-$44. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-3555, ensemblecincinnati.org.
ART: FINAL SHOW AT PHYLLIS WESTON GALLERY
Phyllis Weston Gallery is closing after the December death of the grande dame of Cincinnati’s visual art, Phyllis Weston. Pop-up shows will round out the last month of business. First is a group exhibit featuring digitally manipulated photos of long-ago street scenes from gallery director Courtney Huber, feminist Rococo-style drawings by Colleen Kelsey of Dayton and ethereal prints by Cincinnatian Emily Sites Karns. Former artist-in-residence Max Unterhaslberger, now living in Chicago, will return April 14 with a series exploring color. The final exhibit, a one-night event tentatively scheduled for April 28, will showcase world-renowned wildlife painter John Ruthven and bring Weston’s legacy full circle. In the 1960s, Weston gave Ruthven — who still works in his Georgetown, Ohio, studio at age 91 — his first major show. On view through April 2. Free. Phyllis Weston Gallery, 2005 ½ Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-321-5200, phyllisweston.com.
ART: WHITE PEOPLE A RETROSPECTIVE
Jymi Bolden, director of Art Beyond Boundaries gallery, has curated an encore exhibition of work by award-winning former Cincinnati Post photojournalist Melvin Grier that “looks at the majority through a minority’s eyes.” Bolden and Grier have known each other since Bolden interned for the photographer as a student at the Art Academy in the 1980s. And although Grier retired from journalism when the Post folded in late 2007, 33 years of working in the field often led him to capture moments and circumstances in which he was the only person of color in the room. If it’s anything like the artist’s exhibition of the same name at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center in 2011, White People: A Retrospective will employ a black male lens aimed squarely at white America. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Friday. On view through May 13. Free. 1410 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, artbeyondboundaries.com.
MUSIC: LAZYEYES
With the resurgence and return of Shoegaze giants like My Bloody Valentine, Ride and Swervedriver, it’s not surprising that contemporary bands following a similar sonic arc are enjoying a little added attention as a result. Brooklyn-based Lazyeyes has only emerged from the New York scene over the past four years, but the band has amassed a serious following with two EPs, a pair of singles and a lot of local and regional gigging, all of which highlight the trio’s Strokes-like Garage Pop swing, Shoegaze intensity and Dream Pop melodicism. Read more about the band in this week's Sound Advice. Lazyeyes plays MOTR Pub Friday with Beverly. More info: motrpub.com.
SATURDAY 26
EVENT: BRAXTON BREWING ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Braxton celebrates a year of lifting one to life with a bottle release of Trophy Pale Ale, live music in the nearby MadLot (Red Wanting Blue, Motherfolk, The Tillers and Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle), new beers on draft (a Catalyst Czech Pilsner, 1st Gear Belgian IPA and Yesterday’s Headlines Berliner Weisse) and a Trophy Grant. Five percent of proceeds from Trophy Pale Ale sales are donated back into Northern Kentucky community projects. The Trophy Grant is an accumulation from the past year’s Trophy sales, presented to a local nonprofit. Noon. Free admission. Braxton Brewing Company, 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, Ky., facebook.com/braxtonbrewingcompany.
EVENT: MILES AHEAD SCREENING AND AFTER PARTY
Actor/director Don Cheadle’s Miles Ahead — a poignant exploration of famed Jazz musician Miles Davis — was filmed in the Queen City, and the Esquire is rolling out the red carpet this weekend for an advanced screening and celebration. Beginning with a red carpet arrival, festivities continue after the screening with a party at The Transept, OTR’s recently renovated church-turned-event space. Keep an eye out for Cheadle, who will be in attendance. 6 p.m. Red Carpet Arrival; 7 p.m. screening; 9 p.m. after party Saturday. $200 screening and after party; $50 after party only. Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, filmcincinnati.com.
MUSIC: BOYZ II MEN
Motown Philly back again. Horseshoe Casino welcomes Grammy-winning R&B group Boyz II Men this weekend for a sold-out show. The best-selling vocal quartet-turned-trio belts out their most iconic emotional ballads, including (hopefully) “End of the Road” and “I’ll Make Love to You” in the casino’s Pavilion. If you don’t have tickets already, wander the building and see if you can hear some muffled smooth jams. 8 p.m. Saturday. $43-$53. Horseshoe Casino, 1000 Broadway St., Pendleton, horseshoecincinnati.com.
ONSTAGE: THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE
You think you have problems with your mother? You should compare notes with Maureen Folan about her maternal relations. In Irish writer Martin McDonagh’s 1996 play, it’s more like outright warfare between Maureen and Mag. It’s been said that mutual loathing might be more durable than love, but this is one painful household in rural Ireland, as they argue and torture one another. Dark Irish humor permeates McDonagh’s writing, and it requires a certain temerity to appreciate it. In the close confines of Falcon Theatre’s Newport space, this will be a powerful experience. Staged by veteran local director Ed Cohen. Through April 2. $15-$20. Falcon Theatre, 636 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 513-479-6783, falcontheatre.net.
ATTRACTIONS: BUTTERFLIES OF THE CARIBBEAN
Krohn Conservatory’s annual extremely popular and extremely beautiful International Butterfly Show returns with Butterflies of the Caribbean. The Caribbean is a collection of cultures and colorful islands connected by a bright blue sea, and the flora, fauna and free-flying butterflies of this exhibit reflect that whimsical seaside attitude. Find white sand, a coral reef, palm trees and an island-inspired floral display in the pinks and yellows of a Caribbean sunset. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Through June 19. $7 adults; $4 children. 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park, 513-421-5707, cincinnatiparks.com.
SUNDAY 27
FILM: IRIS
Cincinnati Art Museum’s free “Moving Images” film series resumes after a short hiatus with one of the great documentarian Albert Maysles’ last films, 2014’s Iris. It celebrates Iris Apfel, a 94-year-old New York style-maker known for her unique look; she combines designer and flea market pieces, accentuated with colorful accessories and oversized signature Mr. Magoo-like eyewear. She was the subject of a fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005. 2 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
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.
EVENT: HOLIDAY JAZZ BUFFET
Washington Platform hosts a holiday Jazz buffet to celebrate Easter. Buffet includes breakfast and lunch options, with live music from the Mike Sharfe Trio. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $25 adults; $21 seniors; $7 children. Washington Platform, 1000 Elm St., Downtown, 513-421-0110, washingtonplatform.com.
EVENT: EASTER BRUNCH AT METROPOLE
Chef Jared Bennett presents a two-course prix fixe menu full of farm-fresh ingredients, including dishes like Challah bread pudding, frittata with fingerling potatoes and a special a la carte kid’s menu. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $25. Metropole, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-578-6660, metropoleonwalnut.com.
EVENT: EASTER BRUNCH AT VIA VITE
Authentic Italian brunch favorites, including braised pork belly and navy bean ragout, stone-fired pizza, penne Bolognese, crispy gnocchi and more. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $35 adult; $15 child. Via Vite, Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown, 513-721-8483, viaviterestaurant.com.
