Happy PARK[ing] Day! Across the world today, people are converting metered parking spaces into tiny temporary public parks. Look up #parkingday on Instagram to see how artists, activists and everyday citizens are turning parking spots into amazing hangout spots — just for an hour (or as long as their meter lasts).
In Cincinnati, PARK[ing] Day is being celebrated on Main Street in Over-the-Rhine and on Eighth Street between Broadway and Sycamore streets until 2 p.m. From 5-7 p.m. Friday, parking spaces on Main Street will be transformed into temporary galleries and performance stages. Find more information here.
French street artist JR is in town this week for his exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center opening Friday — his first solo show in the country. JR takes photographs of people, prints these extremely large-scale portraits and pastes them on buildings, rooftops and trains across the globe. Tonight’s opening at the CAC begins with a members-only artist talk at 7 p.m. The celebration opens to the public at 8 p.m. ($10 for non-members). JR’s Inside Out photo van will be on-site to take free portraits of people that will be printed as
36-by-53-inch posters, ready for pasting. The exhibit, JR, is open at the CAC through Feb. 2, 2014. Read our interview with JR and find more details about the show.
Saturday is the last day of summer and the final City Flea in Washington Park before the market goes indoors for the fall and winter. Send off summer with a trip to the flea, open 10 a.m-4 p.m. Find more info and vendors here.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is the largest ‘fest in the country — more than 500,000 German enthusiasts fill six blocks of downtown for the annual celebration. In addition for brats and beer, Star Trek star/social media superstar George Takei is Grand Marshal this year! The OG Mr. Sulu will lead this year’s World’s Largest Chicken Dance at 4 p.m. Saturday. Oktoberfest runs 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Pick up the official fest guide in this week’s issue or online.
The Thompson House in Newport is now under new management they’re hosting an open house for bands and patrons this weekend. The new crew is ready to answer your questions about the bar, bands and any rumors starting at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Go here for more info.
For more art openings, parties and other stuff to do this weekend, check out our To Do picks, full calendar and Rick Pender’s Stage Door for weekend theater offerings.
