FRIDAY ONSTAGE: HAPPY DAYS If you’re looking for uplifting plays, Samuel Beckett is not the guy you’d normally turn to. Nevertheless, the writer of Waiting for Godot had occasional lighter moments, and Happy Days was one of them — even though it’s an absurdist tale of a woman buried up to her waist and a man sleeping in a hole. This production by Diogenes Theatre Company features the return of two former Cincinnati theater favorites, director Michael Haney and actress Amy Warner, playing the indomitable Winnie, who maintains both sanity and optimism in the face of adversity. Joining Warner onstage is Minnesota actor Michael Sommers as her laconic husband Willie. Through May 22. $29; $14 students. Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-721-3344, diogenestheatrecompany.com.
SPORTS: AVP PRO BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOUR
AVP’s beach volleyball tour returns to Cincinnati in the form of a five-day qualifying event for the Rio Olympic Games — the final qualifying event for the 2016 Summer Olympics held on American soil. The tour was scheduled to begin on May 17 with qualification tournaments, and features main draw tournaments and pool play into the weekend. The tour culminates 6:30 p.m. Saturday with men’s and women’s award ceremonies. But that isn’t all: The Linder Family Tennis Center transforms into a beachy getaway in honor of the event, featuring music, food and interactive activations, which let you personally assume the role of a pro volleyball player. Events continue through Saturday. Free. Lindner Family Tennis Center, 5460 Courseview Drive, Mason, avp.com.
COMEDY: DAVE ROSS
Dave Ross is a stand-up comedian based in Los Angeles. When he’s not doing stand-up, he’s in a sketch group called WOMEN that produces skits for Comedy Central and IFC's Comedy Crib. He also hosts a podcast called Terrified, won a MOTH Grand Slam and was interviewed by Marc Maron on the WTF Podcast. His advice for young people? Turn 30. “If you’re still in your twenties, you should try this being in your thirties stuff. Everything is better now. I don’t throw up anymore; I have a teapot. It’s dope.” Thursday-Sunday. $8-$14. Go Bananas, 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, gobananascomedy.com.
EVENT: REUSE-APALOOZA
This sustainable soirée brings customers, designers and local leaders together to celebrate the power of renewability. Featuring light bites, My Nose Turns Red circus performers and entertainment by Sexy Time Live Band Karaoke, ReUse-apalooza is the annual fundraiser of Building Value, a nonprofit that salvages reusable building materials for public sale. A highlight of the night is the opportunity to win a one-of-a-kind home or garden item — including everything from decorative plant holders to furniture — during the Designer Challenge Auction, which features functional pieces constructed from reused or repurposed materials. 7-11 p.m. Friday. $25. Building Value, 4040 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-475-6783, buildingvalue.org.
ATTRACTIONS: DA VINCI – THE GENIUS
What do an airplane, a helicopter, an automobile, a submarine, a parachute, a bicycle and a military tank have in common? They were all envisioned by Leonardo da Vinci, the 16th-century artist, scientist and thinker. The new Cincinnati Museum Center exhibit, Da Vinci – The Genius, lets you push, pull, crank and interact with replicas of the Renaissance Man’s machines. Explore da Vinci’s legacy like never before in 17 themed galleries with more than 200 pieces, plus educational animations of his most famous work and the most in-depth analysis ever of the iconic “Mona Lisa.” Through Sep. 25. $19.50; $17.50 senior; $12.50 children; discounts for members. Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, cincymuseum.org.
ONSTAGE: MAY FESTIVAL
Surround yourself in song and celebrate music director James Conlon’s final season with the May Festival, America’s oldest choral festival. Performances include Dvořák’s Stabat Mater, the first piece Conlon conducted with the May Festival 37 years ago, plus a special concert of works by Mozart and two world premieres performed in the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. The fest’s finale concert on May 28 will be the very last performance at Music Hall before it closes for renovation. Through May 28. Ticket prices vary. Find a full schedule at mayfestival.com.
EVENT: CINCY SWING FEST WEEKEND
Rewind to the 1920s, when crowds in Harlem took to the dance floor with a new type of move called Swing; a time when Swing-era bandleader Cab Calloway referred to dancers as “jitterbugs,” out on the floor with their fast, bouncy movements. You too can Jitterbug, Charleston and Lindy Hop right at home on present-day Fountain Square. Free, impromptu dance instruction from The Lindy Society will be accompanied by local Jazz and Swing bands. Ambitious performers can participate in a Jack & Jill competition Saturday night, and pin-up studio Retrocentric will be on hand to give mini-makeovers. 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Free. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown, myfountainsquare.com.
MUSIC: SUGAR CANDY MOUNTAIN
California’s Sugar Candy Mountain is one of the new breed of Pysch Rock's top artists to keep an eye on if you’re a fan of modern Psych Pop and Rock. Wonderfully showcasing the music’s tendency to meld vintage elements with new and unique visions, Sugar Candy Mountain is the brainchild of Will Halsey, an active Bay Area musician and engineer who played drums for successful Indie act The Blank Tapes, and singer/songwriter/guitarist Ash Reiter. The two musicians met when Halsey responded to ad Reiter had placed looking for a drummer for her eponymous band, an Indie Pop outfit. Halsey got the gig, and the two became romantically involved (they’re getting married later this year). Read more in this week's Sound Advice. Sugar Candy Mountain plays MOTR Pub Friday with All Seeing Eyes and A Giant Dog. More info/tickets: motrpub.com.
SATURDAY
EVENT: CINCINNATI LIBRARY COMIC CON
Set your phasers to stun and head downtown for the fourth-annual Cincinnati Library Comic Con. This year’s event celebrates the 50th-anniversary of Star Trek with an exhibit of memorabilia ranging from the original series through the rebooted films, plus screenings of fan-favorite Star Trek movies. This daylong geeky get-together also features tabletop game play, cosplay contests, creator booths, special guest cartoonists/comics/graphic novelists, a drawing contest and additional events for kids, teens and adults. Noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Free. Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Main Branch, 800 Vine St., Downtown, cincinnatilibrary.org.
EVENT: WESTSIDE MAKERS NEIGHBORHOOD FIELD DAY AND BOOK RELEASE
Calcagno Cullen, who has brought attention to Camp Washington’s potential through her Wave Pool gallery, has also noticed ripples in Covington’s west side neighborhood. Over the past four months, she’s used a grant from the Center for Great Neighborhoods to profile roughly 30 community-makers and compiled a book of their recipes, designs and DIY tips. Cullen says that when she started the project, she expected to meet artists quietly working in their basements. Instead she found budding philanthropists and other creatives eager to share and inspire. Get to know a chicken keeper, librarians, gardeners, yoga teachers, musicians, cooks, a sculptor and more at a party in and around Orchard Park. 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Free; $5 book. Orchard Park, 318 Orchard St., Covington, Ky., facebook.com/westsidemakers.
ART: DOMESTIC DEPARTURES AT KENNEDY HEIGHTS ART CENTER
Multimedia installation artist Susan Byrnes has taken over five rooms throughout the Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s historic house to reframe domestic activities for audiences and reflect the processes and environments that contain and shape the development of personal identity and family interaction. In addition to the sculptural installation and ambient audio work featured within the home, Byrnes will engage local Kennedy Heights residents to build upon existing pieces and create additional artworks to populate the exhibition. A public reception featuring the completed exhibition, including the community components, will be held Saturday. Reception 6-8 p.m. Saturday. Free. Through June 4. Kennedy Heights Arts Center, 6546 Montgomery Road, Kennedy Heights, kennedyarts.org.
MUSIC: RUBY THE HATCHET
The band coalesced five years ago after a succession of basement jams in their home state of New Jersey, followed quickly by their relocation to Philadelphia. The fivesome — vocalist Jillian Taylor, guitarist Johnny Scarps, organist Sean Hur, bassist Mike Parise and drummer Owen Stewart — blended Black Sabbath’s black-hole heaviness, Blue Cheer’s acid-drenched mindmeld, shades of Led Zeppelin’s Brit Folk nuance and Alice in Chains’ growling-hellhound ferocity to forge a sound that pummels and purrs with equal intensity. Read more about the group in this week's Sound Advice. Ruby the Hatchet plays Northside Tavern Saturday with Electric Citizen. More info/tickets: northsidetav.com.
MUSIC: WISEWATER
The latest show at the DownTowne Listening Room — an intimate, listener-friendly space located in the former Shillito’s building in the heart of downtown — is being headlined by Nashville’s on-the-rise Wisewater, an acoustic Folk/Americana duo featuring members with some impressive chops and credentials. Kate Lee, who has backed artists from Lady Antebellum to Rod Stewart, sings and plays fiddle, while Forrest O’Connor, busy Nashville session player and son of world-renowned fiddler Mark O’Connor, also sings and plays mandolin and guitar. Formed in 2014, Wisewater has drawn praise from peers and critics for its impeccable musicianship and impressive, crafty songwriting. The twosome’s introductory release, the buzz-building EP The Demonstration, was released last year and a full-length is in the works. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $12. DownTowne Listening Room, 151 W. Seventh St., Downtown, downtownelisteningroom.com.
EVENT: OTR 5K AND SUMMER CELEBRATION
Summer is on the way and Over-the-Rhine is celebrating its arrival early with a neighborhood 5k and block party. The 10th-annual OTR 5k run/walk leaves and returns to Washington Park, with a course that winds its way through city streets, led by The Garage OTR – Segway of Cincinnati to keep everyone on track. After the race, cool down in the park with a big-ass party. There will be live music, the first official City Flea of the season, Art on Vine, kids activities and more. Expect food from local vendors, plus local beer and coffee, and cocktails on the deck starting at 11 a.m. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. $35 race registration; free Summer Celebration. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, otr5k.com, washingtonpark.org.
MUSIC: LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL
It is always interesting to see what the spawn of legendary musicians will come up with when moving into the family business. One of them is guitarist and vocalist Lukas Nelson, who has been slowly rising up on his own laurels while also still playing with his dad, Willie Nelson, on occasion. Lukas is more of a rocker than his father — he’s someone who’d rather plug in his electric guitar and jam with Neil Young than play Country music with Pops. And for the past couple of years, Lukas has been doing just that. He and his band, Promise of the Real, made the 2015 album The Monsanto Years with Young, and toured with him to support it. Things must’ve gone well, because they’re backing Young on tour again this summer. That’s a heady endorsement — the characteristically outspoken and honest Young would not play with Lukas and his crew if they didn’t have the chops. Read more in this week's Sound Advice. Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real play Southgate House Revival Saturday with Jim Castro. More info/tickets: southgatehouse.com.
SUNDAY
TV: PREACHER
AMC — home of The Walking Dead — continues to cash in on the comic book craze currently taking over screens with its latest original series. Developed by Seth Rogen and frequent contributor/childhood friend Evan Goldberg along with Breaking Bad writer/producer Sam Catlin, Preacher brings to life the dark graphic novel by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. The Preacher at hand is Jesse Custer, a rugged Texan minister who develops an unbelievable power and sets out on a mission of biblical proportions: a journey to find God — literally. By his side are his BFF Irish vampire Cassidy (the stellar Joe Gilgun) and his trigger-happy, on again, off again girlfriend Tulip (Ruth Negga). Expect the action-packed brutality of Dead with far more twisted humor. And because Chris Hardwick is AMC’s Ryan Seacrest, of course he’s hosting a Talking Preacher after-show — but only following the May 29 re-airing of the premiere and the July 31 finale. Catlin, Cooper, Goldberg and Rogen will join Hardwick on the show next Sunday at 10:30 p.m. New episodes will pick up at Preacher’s regular 9 p.m. Sunday time slot on June 5. Series Premiere, 10 p.m. Sunday, AMC.
ATTRACTION: ZOO BABIES
Oh, baby: ’tis the season for tots of all sorts at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Cubs, calves, chicks and more will be on exhibit throughout the month of May. Gasp and squeal in the presence of more than a dozen babies, including Bowie the penguin in the Children’s Zoo; Dale the takin at Wildlife Canyon; Boca the alligator in Manatee Springs; and bonobos Kibibi and Bolingo in the Jungle Trails. The zoo’s recently born cheetah cubs will also be viewable at the nursery, and Emperor scorplings (aka baby scorpions) are on exhibit in the Insect World building. Human moms receive free admission on Mother’s Day (May 8). Through May 31. $18 adults; $13 children and seniors. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org.
ONSTAGE: VIOLET
Ensemble Theatre staged this moving musical back in 1999 to great success, but that was before people were flocking to Over-the-Rhine as they do today. To close out its 30th-anniversary season, ETC has revived the story of an anxious young woman bearing a disfiguring scar from a childhood accident. She’s on a cross-country pilgrimage to a televangelist she hopes will heal her, but along the way she meets people who help her find the true meaning of beauty. Composer Jeanine Tesori created powerful anthems for this show, and director D. Lynn Meyers has assembled excellent singers and actors to perform them. Tickets are selling fast. Through May 22. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, ensemblecincinnati.com.
ONSTAGE: BRIGADOON
This old-fashioned show from 1949 is just the kind of musical that Cincinnati Landmark Productions excels at staging. The story of a town in Scotland that disappears into the Highland mists and only returns one day every hundred years is a delightful, tuneful fantasy from writer Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe (the team that created My Fair Lady and Camelot). This tribute to simplicity, goodness and the power of love will have you humming your way out of the theater, especially “Almost Like Being in Love.” Through May 22. $23-$26. Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, 4990 Glenway Ave., 513-241-6550, cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.
ATTRACTION: 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.
ART: UNRAVELED: TEXTILES RECONSIDERED AT THE CAC
In Unraveled: Textiles Reconsidered, nine artists deconstruct and reanimate clothing, blankets, rugs and other fabrics into emblems of political and personal expression. Textiles are mined for their metaphors to explore aspects of identity and interconnectedness. Adrian Esparza's “Dawn,” an azure weft spun around a grid of nails using a cheap serape’s single thread, may act as the exhibit’s skeleton key. It depicts, abstractly, a 1908 photograph of the Mount Adams incline, a long-demolished structure. Its title refers to the Procter & Gamble detergent — which Esparza reserves a certain nostalgia for — yet it could just as easily indicate artistic genesis. Read more about the exhibit here. Unraveled: Textiles Reconsidered is on display at the CAC through Aug. 14. More info: contemporaryartscenter.org.
ART: 30 AMERICANS AT THE CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM
If you’ve been to the Cincinnati Art Museum lately, you’ve seen an early arrival for the show 30 Americans, which opens Saturday. It is the mural-sized “Sleep,” by Kehinde Wiley, the New York-based portrait painter whose depictions of young African-American men in poses reminiscent of Old Masters paintings have made him an art star. It is in the Schmidlapp Gallery, the corridor between the main entrance and the Great Hall, and is impossible to miss. 30 Americans, which primarily features some 60 artworks on loan from Miami’s Rubell Family Collection, also has such important contemporary African-American artists as Kara Walker, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mickalene Thomas, Glenn Ligon and more. On view through Aug. 28. Free admission. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
TV: GAME OF THRONES
Sansa finally gets to confront Littlefinger for setting her up with Ramsay; Arya goes to work; Tyrion meets with a new Red Woman; Bran’s latest voyage brings him face to face with the Night’s King and White Walker army. 9 p.m. HBO.
