If you're a festie fan, this is your weekend because there are three music festivals going on around the Tristate. Ohmstead Music Festival returns to Hannon's Camp American through Sunday, bringing Reggae/Rock groups The Cliftones, Skeetones, Revenge Pinata and more, joining The Ohms (who created the annual fest 10 years ago). Camp, browse vendors and listen to everything from brand new acts to regional talent. Tickets at the gate are only $30 for the weekend.—-
Perhaps you're more of a beardo than an Ohmsteader? Over in Friendship, Ind. the Whispering Beard Music Festival features Americana, Roots, Folk and Bluegrass acts through Sunday. Headliners Todd Snider and Hayes Carll are joined by local groups such as Magnolia Mountain, The Tillers and Josh Eagle & the Harvest City (read our interview with them here). For details on both festivals, check out Mike Breen's Sound Advice.
In addition to these annual festivals is a brand new one - Feywill Music Festival. More than 50 local acts take over MainStrasse Village tonight and Saturday, filling up venues such as Goebel Park, Cock & Bull, Village Pub and Zola. Ten bucks gets you into all venues both nights so you can enjoy the musical stylings of The Western, DJ Gerald, Knife the Symphony, You, You're Awesome, DJ Mowgli, The Wild Talents and more. Check out the details here.
It wouldn't be right to talk about music festivals without mentioning MidPoint Music Festival, which is less than a month away! Tonight's MidPoint Indie Summer Series will be your last chance to snag discounted $39 wristbands, which will give you access to the smorgasbord of talent on all 18 stages Sept. 22-24. Start planning out your MPMF itinerary now - the full schedule has been released. Margot and the Nuclear So and So's headline tonight's show.
Cincinnati attracts and produces a lot of amazing talent when it comes to music, but that same is definitely true for comedy. If you're like most, you've always wanted to head over to Go Bananas or the Funny Bone, but never really got around to it. Thankfully, you can catch up this weekend. Tonight and Saturday, Cincinnati Brew Ha Ha celebrates five years of a match made in heaven: laughter and booze. There will be 50 comedy acts ranging from local all-stars like Brian Knab to headliners Bert Kreischer (who got his start as a real-life Van Wilder) and Caroline Rhea (who will always be Aunt Hilda to me). Additionally, breweries from across the country will bring a sampling of 100 different types of beer to sip as you enjoy the comedy. Beer wristbands are $5 and each sample is a buck. Best of all, all the comedy acts are free! It all goes down at Sawyer Point. Go here for directions, line-up and vendors. Check out our interview with "Funniest Person in Cincinnati" Brian Knab here.
For years, my mom seriously thought my cousin invented Cornhole. He didn't, but now the backyard game we all know and (kinda) love hits the big time Saturday with the World Cornhole Championships on Fountain Square. The tournament coincides with the Tailgate Bash, featuring the UC football team and drumline, a grill-out, live music and plenty of cold beer. Sure, you could pretty much do this in your driveway, but you've been meaning to be more social, right? Get all the details here.
The Taste of Blue Ash sure has exploded over the past couple years. What used to be a typical suburban summer fest is now one of the most anticipated live music events in the city, according to middle-aged suburbanites. In addition to food from local eateries La Petite France, Rascals NY Deli and Azad India and plenty of family-friendly games and activities, the Taste of Blue Ash brings big names Pet Benatar, REO Speedwagon and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. The festival runs daily through Sunday. Get performance times and directions here.
Wrap up your weekend on a positive note Sunday at the Pittie Please Find a Cure event. Good Deeds for Bullied Breeds teams up with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in a two-for-one benefit. The day starts with a walk at England-Idlewild Park in Burlington, Ky. to raise money for CFF. Good Deeds for Bullied Breeds works to "dispel harmful myths and stereotypes that characterize our pets as vicious and lead to laws that punish responsible owners and their pets." Well-behaved dogs of all kinds and their owners are invited to stop by, meet other puppy pals, watch demonstrations, enjoy live music and vendors and fight breed discrimination. Go here to get involved.
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