16 Things to Do in Cincinnati This Weekend (Aug. 15-18)

THURSDAY 15

MUSIC: Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden brings Heavy Metal to Riverbend Music Center. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. $31.50 lawn seats. Riverbend Music Center, Kellogg Ave., California, riverbend.org.
Photo: John McMurtrie

THURSDAY 15

MUSIC: Madison Violet
Folks/Roots duo Madison Violet heads to the Southgate House Revival. 8 p.m. Thursday. $15. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com.
Photo: Provided

THURSDAY 15

COMEDY: Kenny DeForest
Originally from Springfield, Missouri, comedian Kenny DeForest became part of the Chicago stand-up comedy scene before moving to New York a few years ago. “I’m about to turn 33 and I just started reading,” he tells an audience. “Guess I was just partying. Then I had to stop so my life wouldn’t fall apart, and now I’m like, ‘Let’s see what these words are all about.’” One thing he’s been reading about is toxic masculinity. “The first time I read the phrase ‘toxic masculinity,’ I assumed it was what turned Dwayne Johnson into The Rock. I wish it was that; it’s way lamer.” In 2017, DeForest released an album, B.A.D. Dreams, and has appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers as well as The Late Late Show with James Corden. Through Sunday. $8-$14. Go Bananas, 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, gobananascomedy.com.
Photo: Yoko Haraoka

FRIDAY 16

EVENT: Cincinnati Celtic Festival
Celebrate your Celtic heritage at this three-day event — or celebrate somebody else’s because traditional fare and live entertainment are open to people of all ancestry. (According to the fest, the Celtic nations are Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man.) Think you’ve got knobby knees? Try your hand — er, knees — at the Knobbiest Knees contest, which is just one of nine wacky contests alongside the Tallest Tale and Haggis Toss. Other highlights include a dart tournament, a Scottish and Irish whiskey tasting tent and a Highland Dancing competition. Expect traditional dishes including Scotch eggs, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and corned beef and cabbage, with Irish beer to wash it all down. There will also be Irish and Celtic bands onstage throughout the weekend. 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. The Banks, Downtown, cincycelticfest.com.
Photo: Cincinnati Celtic Festival Facebook

FRIDAY 16

ONSTAGE: Ring of Fire
Mama Mia did ABBA. Beautiful did Carole King. Now, Ring of Fire is doing Johnny Cash. Enjoy 31 songs from the legendary musician’s extensive discography as they are brought to life onstage by talented local actor-musicians who take on multiple roles and play their own instruments. Adapted from the Broadway production, the show features hits including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “I Walk the Line” and the titular “Ring of Fire.” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8 p.m. Aug. 23 and 24. $28-$42. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, memorialhallotr.com.
Photo: Mikki Schaffner Photography

FRIDAY 16

FILM: Auntie Mame in Eden Park
Free films screen at Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park with a bonus: free live music. This Friday catch the Oscar-nominated Auntie Mame, the 1950s Technicolor comedy about everyone’s favorite wacky Manhattan aunt and her orphaned nephew, who eventually learns to love Mame’s free-spirited ways. Known for quotes like, “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!,” this ribald (but all-ages) cinematic experience will include pre-show tunes by Jake Speed & the Freddies as well as on-site concessions from Empanadas Aqui and Happy Hippo Shaved Ice. 7 p.m. Friday. Free. Seasongood Pavilion, 950 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, facebook.com/mtadamscinemainthecity.
Photo: YouTube

FRIDAY 16

EVENT: My Black Family Reunion
This three-day family festival is celebrating its 31st anniversary in 2019. As one of “Cincinnati’s largest family-focused events,” the Black Family Reunion will bring attendees, nonprofits and businesses together to celebrate the strengths and values of the black family. This year’s theme is Embracing Our Excellence and will feature a parade, amateur boxing event, free health screenings, food vendors, live music from acts like Tony Toni Tone, a basketball tournament, a Sunday church service, African-American heritage vendors and more. Main events take place at Sawyer Point (705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown) with satellite events around town, including the parade, which steps off from the Avondale Town Center (3529 Reading Road) at 10 a.m. Saturday. The main Black Family Reunion Celebration takes place noon-9 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday at Sawyer Point, with additional events Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Get event dates, times and venues at myblackfamilyreunion.org.
Photo: Easley Blessed

FRIDAY 16

EVENT: Cincinnati Leather Weekend
Cincinnati Leather Weekend is a three-day event for the leather and kink community featuring a drag show, classes, a contest, dance party and victory brunch. Originally conceived as Mr. Cincinnati Leather in 2012, the event was renamed Cincinnati Leather in 2018 to be more inclusive. This year’s Cincinnati Leather events kick off Friday with a drag show at the Woodward Theater and a chance to meet the contestants of Saturday’s Cincinnati Leather Contest. Contestants are all 21 and older, live in the Greater Cincinnati area and “work to grow and maintain the community through visibility, fundraising and by creating gathering spaces.” Before the competition at the Woodward on Saturday, Below Zero Lounge will be hosting a free kink and fetish education “Kink U” workshop, which includes live and hands-on demos. There is also a Saturday happy hour at the Mini Microcinema for women and non-binary folx. Sunday, recover from Saturday evening’s festivities with a Victory Brunch at MOTR Pub featuring the contest winner, other contestants and visiting leatherfolk. After brunch, head to the Mount Adams Pavilion for a Sunday Funday Tea Dance from 4-7 p.m., followed by after-parties at The Birdcage and Bar 901 starting at 8 p.m. Basically, it’s a whole lotta leather packed into a little ol’ weekend. Find a full list of details, ticket prices and venues at cincinnatileather.com.
Photo: Cincinnati Leather 2017 provided by Cincinnati Leather

SATURDAY 17

EVENT: City Flea + Kids Market
Though the City Flea occurs monthly in the summertime, August’s rendition is special in that it’s adding a little fun courtesy of kid makers. In addition to regular vendor participants, 33 local kids will also be showcasing their work and getting a taste for small business at this market. All 33 spots, which were given on a first-come, first-served basis, have been filled, but interested kids can sign up to be added to the waitlist. Shop local and support these mini makers. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, thecityflea.com.
Photo: Provided by the City Flea

SATURDAY 17

EVENT: Makerspace: Glow, Radiate and Blink!
Get ready for BLINK 2019 with this Makerspace workshop at the CAC. The BLINK art and light festival will span 30 blocks and cross the Ohio River from Oct. 10-13 with large-scale projection mapping, murals, interactive light sculptures and live entertainment. Learn how to make your own work of luminary art and awesome party hats in this class, which will teach attendees how to create paper circuits, color changing light-up balloons and the science behind why things glow in the dark. The Makerspace is a “new kind of workspace that provides the community with the opportunity to work with tools for making, digital design and fabrication and coaches to assist in learning the techniques.” This event is kid-friendly. 1-3 p.m. Saturday. Free. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, facebook.com/cincycac.
Photo: BLINK 2017 by Hailey Bollinger

SATURDAY 17

EVENT: An Afternoon with the Beer Barons
Do you like beer and dead people? The Spring Grove Heritage Foundation does, too, and its annual An Afternoon with the Beer Barons explores both via tours and tastings (of beer, not people). Docents will lead guests on guided, air-conditioned motor coach jaunts of the final resting places of famous local beer kingpins like Christian Moerlein and John Kauffman, relating tales of their history and alcoholic achievements along the way. Local living brewers — including those from Brink Brewing, Christian Moerlein, MadTree, Fretboard, Swine City and more — will be on hand so you can sample their most popular and unique beers. There will snacks from food trucks Patriot Grill and Peace Pizza and live music from the Cincy River Rats. Strictly 21 and up. 4-7 p.m. Saturday. $30; $20 designated driver. Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Ave., Spring Grove Village, springgrove.org.
Photo: Spring Grove Facebook

SATURDAY 17

ART: Fronkenstein: A Retrospective of the Works of Robert Fronk
Fronkenstein: A Retrospective of the Works of Robert Fronk is on view at Thunder-Sky, Inc. Through Oct. 4. Free. Thunder-Sky, Inc., 4573 Hamilton Ave., Northside.
Photo: Mackenzie Manley

SUNDAY 18

EVENT: Wave Pool Fifth Anniversary Pool Party
The Camp Washington art and community engagement space Wave Pool is celebrating five years of making waves with a block party. Come out to the blocked-off Rachel Street to enjoy art and connect with your neighbors. There will be free food served from La Soupe’s community paella pan, drinks, a putt-putt course, the POPP=D mobile gallery, Take A Moment Studio T-shirts, artist-in-residence Abigail Smithson’s interactive basketball activity, the Archive of Creative Culture’s Argosy Airstream, live performances from local bands Blossom Hall, Freedom Nicole Moore and Upstairs and the results of a drawing marathon. Wave Pool says to “come in your swim trunks.” 4-8 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Wave Pool, 2940 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington, facebook.com/wavepoolgallery.
Photo: Provided by Wave Pool

SUNDAY 18

EVENT: Burlington Antique Show
As the Midwest’s premier antique market, the Burlington Antique Show is celebrating almost four decades of bringing the best antiques and vintage collectibles to the Boone County Fairgrounds. More than 200 dealers converge the third Sunday of the month (through October) to exhibit and sell their authentic wares — Midcentury Modern, Art Deco, pre-war, Industrial and more. It’s generally pretty crowded, so if you’re a real hunter, aim for early-bird admission ($6; 6-8 a.m.) 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. $4. Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, burlingtonantiqueshow.com.
Photo: burlingtonantiqueshow.com

MONDAY 19

MUSIC: Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge began her career in 1988 with a self-titled album, which included one of her signature songs, “Bring Me Some Water.” In 1993, Etheridge came out as lesbian and also released her breakthrough album, Yes I Am, notching hits like “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One.” Following numerous Grammy nominations and a string of critically and commercially well-received albums, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 after the release of her eighth full-length, Lucky. She made a stirring return to the stage at the 2005 Grammys ceremony, performing “Piece of My Heart” in tribute to Janis Joplin. In 2006 Etheridge won the Best Original Song Academy Award for “I Need to Wake Up,” her contribution to the climate-change documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Etheridge has long used her platform to advocate for many causes, especially when they involve things with which she’s had direct experience. Since coming into the public eye, she has been outspoken about LGBTQ rights and also supported breast cancer awareness orgs, music education groups and numerous other endeavors. In April, Etheridge released her 15th studio album, The Medicine Show, on which she sings about various forms of wellness and healing, including the tragedy of the opioid crisis and the curative powers of cannabis. “Calling the album The Medicine Show puts straight up, front and center, that this is about health, wellness, cannabis, this new thought, new paradigm, however you want to talk about it, however you want to understand it,” she says in a press release. 7:30 p.m. Monday. $29.50-$58.50. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, tafttheatre.org.
Photo: Lauren Dukoff

TUESDAY 20

MUSIC: Hieroglyphics
Members of Hip Hop collective Hieroglyphics head to The Mockbee. 9 p.m. Tuesday. $25 advance; $30 door. The Mockbee, 2260 Central Parkway, Brighton, cincyticket.com.
Photo: Provided