22 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Week (Oct. 23-30)

WEDNESDAY 23

LIT: An Evening with Hannah Hart
YouTube cooking comedy phenom Hannah Hart is out with a new cookbook, My Drunk Kitchen Holidays!, named after her popular YouTube channel, My Drunk Kitchen. Now more than a human with a kitchen, a camera and a cocktail, this two-time New York Times bestselling author, LGBTQ activist, podcaster (Hannahlyze This), Forbes “30 under 30,” et al is embarking on a book tour. According to a release, the book — subtitled “How to Savor and Celebrate the Year” — is a “humorous entertaining guide that’s both festive and inspirational.” There are almost 50 recipes arranged into 12 months of themes and holidays, with anecdotes and activities to celebrate both with friends and family or alone. The cookbook also includes ideas on how to honor Pride month and other occasions like Middle Child’s Day, Video Game Day, Mental Health Day and Just Because Day. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23. $28 book and meet-and-greet. Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2692 Madison Road, Rookwood, josephbeth.com.
Photo: Provided by Metro Public Relations

THURSDAY 24

ONSTAGE: The Investigation: A Search for the Truth in Ten Acts at Know Theatre
The Mueller Report has been dissected in every major media news outlet, thousands upon thousands of tweets and has even been made into a graphic novel. Now it’s getting the stage treatment. Over-the-Rhine’s Know Theatre will present a one-night-only staged reading of The Investigation: A Search for the Truth in Ten Acts, written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning playwright and screenwriter Robert Schenkkan (the mind behind All the Way, which Cincinnati Shakespeare Company will stage in spring 2020). Described as a “fascinating (and surprisingly funny) dramatization of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report,” the show promises to bring “into vivid focus just what is at stake when self-serving interests threaten our democratic process.” Such a production is a feat in itself — the 448-page Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election is so dense and complex that many lawmakers and government officials haven’t even read it. The bipartisan legal advocacy group Law Works has provided this script to theaters across the United States with the goal of ensuring that the public has access to the findings in the report in a more digestible format. 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. $25; $15 rush tickets (if available). Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, knowtheatre.com.
Photo: Provided by Know Theatre

THURSDAY 24

EVENT: CityBeat’s HopScotch
An annual tasting event guaranteed to light a fire in your belly for Scotch, Irish whiskey and American whiskey, the whiskey-curious and longtime liquor enthusiasts alike are invited to this evening of booze-infused revelry. Sample over 50 Scotch and whiskey varieties from distilleries at home and abroad, ranging from Bardstown, Kentucky’s Preservation Distillery to Ireland’s Slane Whiskey and more paired with light bites from some of Cincinnati’s most-loved restaurants, including Nicholson’s and Lydia’s on Ludlow. The party takes over Newport’s New Riff Distilling for an evening of liquor, live music and all the samples you can handle. New Riff will be offering their Rye Perfect Manhattan with Scotch-soaked cherries in addition to their bottled-in-bond bourbon, rye bourbon and single barrel. (Yes, there will be some bourbon at the party.) You don’t have to wear a kilt to HopScotch. But if you want to, take this as your official nod of approval. The glory, fame, photo ops and shots shall all be yours. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. $35. New Riff Distilling, 24 Distillery Way, Newport, hopscotchcincy.com.
Photo: Devin Luginbill

THURSDAY 24

MUSIC: Celine Dion
French Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion is stopping by Cincinnati on her Courage World Tour — her first North American jaunt in more than a decade. Usually seen onstage during her years-long residency in Las Vegas, the diva lost her husband and former manager René Angélil to cancer in 2016 and was rumored to be dealing with hearing issues in 2018. But much like the heart, Celine will go on and on… and onto the stage at the U.S. Bank Arena on Oct. 24. The tour kicked off in September in Quebec City and will hit 50 cities. 6 p.m. doors; 7:30 p.m. show Thursday, Oct. 24. $49.50-$199.50. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown, usbankarena.com.
Photo: usbankarena.com/event/2019/10/celine-dion-courage-world-tour

THURSDAY 24

MUSIC: Ben Folds with Savannah Conley
Pop Rock singer/songwriter/pianist Ben Folds recently released his memoir, A Dream About Lightning Bugs, and he’s hitting the road to promote it with a mix of solo concerts (just Folds and a piano) and book signing events. Since his early years fronting the popular North Carolina trio Ben Folds Five, Folds has etched out a wide-ranging career in music. Along with his solo albums (which produced the hit “Rockin’ the Suburbs”), he has collaborated with a vast array of artists including Regina Spektor, Sara Bareilles, Amanda Palmer, Nick Hornby and William Shatner (Folds re-kickstarted Captain Kirk’s “ironic covers” career). In more recent years, he was a judge on the NBC show The Sing-Off for five seasons and he has performed with symphony orchestras all over the world; next year he’ll be playing concerts with orchestras from Minnesota to Australia. 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. $18.75-$75. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, tafttheatre.org.
Photo: Joe Vaughn

FRIDAY 25

EVENT: Night Circus: Witchcraft
Night Circus: Witchcraft promises an evening of “beautifully wicked entertainment” with a “dark alternative cirque theme.” Think aerial acts, macabre burlesque, tarot readings, belly dancing, pole and lyra performances, assorted vendors and emcee, the “high priestess of horrors” and recent winner of Louisville’s Drag Me To Hell spooky drag queen competition, Stixen Stones. Must be 18 and up. 7-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. $25 general admission (includes show admission and access to the afterparty); $100 VIP (includes two tickets plus a table at the front of the stage, two drinks and goodies). The Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/passionproductionscincy.
Photo: Facebook.com/passionproductionscincy

FRIDAY 25

MUSIC: You Know You’re Right: A Multi-Genre Tribute to Nirvana
The influence of Nirvana is often framed by the effect it had on the music industry but what made the band’s breakthrough so unique was more the freedom and spirit it embodied. The upcoming You Know You’re Right concert at The Redmoor is a celebration of that breadth of influence, with Greater Cincinnati acts who play music from a variety of genres coming together to celebrate Nirvana’s legacy. Timed to the 30th anniversary of the trio’s first Cincinnati show (an “intimate” gig at Murphy’s Pub during the Bleach era, pre-dating Dave Grohl’s enlistment), the tribute show will feature artists ranging from ElectroPop performer Bishop Battle and Funk/Jam crew Sovereign Being to Metal group 6 Hours to Kill and rootsy singer/songwriter Mara Moon (with eclectic local band Hobilly). The musicians will be playing music from across Nirvana’s career, from the best-known songs to the deepest deep cuts. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. $7. The Redmoor, 3187 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, theredmoor.com.
Photo: Fotografia

FRIDAY 25

MUSIC: Inhailer Radio: INspired
It used to be that to start a legit radio station, you needed everything from a studio to an FCC license. But these days you can get by with a microphone and a website and broadcast any kind of programming you’d like. Of course, to make and maintain an internet radio station that is designed to sustain and grow listenership, a few more resources are often necessary. That’s partially what the Inhailer Radio benefit INspired is all about — it’s the community minded, local-music-friendly media outlet’s inaugural fall fund drive. But it’s also a chance to have some fun, promote local music and explore the craft that Inhailer so lovingly boosts. Inspired by late radio outlet WNKU’s Catfish Ball (during which local acts would pay tribute to artists who’d recently died), Inhailer’s INspired showcase will feature nearly two dozen Cincinnati acts who will play their own music as well as songs by the artists who’ve influenced them. The event will take over the entire Southgate House Revival with music by the likes of (among others) Automagik, The Vims, Wonky Tonk, Knotts, Ronin Halloway, Quotah, Moonbeau, Beloved Youth, Carriers, Multimagic and Season Ten, who will also be celebrating their new album release, Nature. 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. $15. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, southgatehouse.com.
Photo: Lance Adkins

FRIDAY 25

EVENT: Rhinegeist Halloween Party
Creep it real at Rhinegeist’s Halloween Party with killer entertainment from DJ Matty “The Joker” Joy and DJ SKG all night. Snap a photo in your clever or sexy costume in the photo booth or show it off for the costume contest. Scary, couple and character costumes will all be judged. Or conjure up some friends to win the group costume contest. Costumes need to be submitted online by Oct. 18. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25. Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St. Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/rhinegeist.
Photo: Facebook.com/rhinegeist

FRIDAY 25

EVENT: DesignBuildCincy
This design showcase collects over 100 vendors, craftsman and luxury retailers and sticks them all in one place: Music Hall’s Grand Ballroom. If you’re tackling a home remodel, you’ll find everything from architects, contractors and metal fabricators to woodworkers, tile suppliers and kitchen designers. If you just want to shop, hit the DesignMakersMarket for “one-of-a-kind decorative accents and furnishings.” On Friday night the show has added a special TasteMakers event with food vendors and area restaurants offering their local bites on displays crafted by design companies 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27. $8; $10 door. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, designbuildcincy.com.
Photo: Facebook.com/designbuildcincy

FRIDAY 25

EVENT: Art After Dark: Tormented Souls
It’s spooky season at the Cincinnati Art Museum, where things get a little devilish at Art After Dark. Explore the new Treasures of the Spanish World exhibit (for free), featuring over 200 works of art and historical documents from Spain and Latin America, including Roman Spain; watch a dance performance from Pones; listen to music from DJ AB; get a docent-led tour of the museum with the Playhouse in the Park; look skyward for some stargazing with the Cincinnati Observatory; and indulge in some food and specialty cocktails for purchase. 5-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. Free. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Art Museum

FRIDAY 25

DANCE: The Wizard of Oz
The Cincinnati Ballet presents what artistic director Victoria Morgan calls a “Broadway-ballet” version of The Wizard of Oz Through Nov. 3. From $29. Aronoff Center of Arts, 650 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, cballet.org.
Photo: Aaron M. Conway

SATURDAY 26

EVENT: Cincy Punx Art Fair
If you’ve taken a walk in Over-the-Rhine recently, it’s probable that you’ve seen a black-and-white hand-drawn flyer advertising Cincy Punx Art Fair, complete with a cartoon feline wearing a spikey patch-covered vest that reads, “All cats are beautiful.” The brainchild of Ally Bachman, a student at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, the art fair is imbued with a DIY aesthetic, featuring smaller vendors/artists (most of which are local), live painting by Zach Gibson and a “badass potluck” — so bring a dish to contribute. Vendors include Doneybat (Bachman), Emma Rose, Lord of the Left Hand, Landslide Records, Rebirth Garments, Sea Dax, Very Very Small Press, Emlayart, S. Long, BeachGoth420, Megamax, Cannoli, Realicide and more. Being so close to Halloween, costumes are encouraged. Get spooky. 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. $1-$15 suggested donation. Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, searchable on Facebook.
Photo: Facebook/Cincy-Punx-Art-Fair

SATURDAY 26

EVENT: The Niehoff Lecture: Bob Woodward
The Mercantile Library will present its 32nd-annual Niehoff Lecture, featuring two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Bob Woodward. In the early days of his nearly 50-year career in journalism, Woodward broke the story of the Watergate scandal in 1972 with fellow The Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein. Still working at The Washington Post, now as an associate editor, Woodward has spent his career covering American government and the nine most recent presidencies. He has authored or co-authored 19 books, 13 of which have been No. 1 national bestsellers. The Niehoff Lecture is the Mercantile’s sole fundraising event and includes a black-tie cocktail reception and multi-course dinner. Since its inception in 1986, it has hosted the likes of Tom Wolfe, Ray Bradbury, Julia Child, Joyce Carol Oates and, last year, Margaret Atwood. 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. $175 Mercantile members; $230 nonmembers. Hyatt Regency Hotel Ballroom, 151 W. Fifth St., Downtown, mercantilelibrary.com.
Photo: BobWoodward.com

SATURDAY 26

MUSIC: Quintron and Miss Pussycat
Quintron and Miss Pussycat bring their surreal organ-and-puppet-show experience to MOTR Pub. 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Free. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main Street, Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com.
Photo: Judy Copper

SATURDAY 26

EVENT: Big Gay Craft Fair
Hosted by the Human Rights Campaign Cincinnati, this craft fair features LGBTQ vendors and allies with a cash bar slinging cocktails, mocktails and sodas. Vendors include the likes of Paper Acorn, The Jammery, Stormy Soaps, Hempworx, Evergreen Accessories and more, covering all your handmade bases from artwork and apothecary items to jewelry and artisan eats. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Free admission. Fueled Collective, 3825 Edwards Road, Rookwood Exchange, facebook.com/hrccincinnati.
Photo: Facebook.com/FueledCollective

SATURDAY 26

EVENT: Books by the Banks
Books by the Banks is the ultimate bookworm bash, featuring authors of all stripes ranging from children’s writers to memoirists and mystery novelists to scribes who offer some local flair. Meet the likes of Karen Abbott, author of The Ghosts of Eden Park; Catherine McKenzie, author of I’ll Never Tell; and local Jessica Strawser, of Forget You Know Me. In between meet-and-greets and book signings, stop by author talks and writing panels covering everything from graphic novels and getting your foot in the door to plotting a mystery and a beginner’s guide to self-publishing. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Free admission. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, booksbythebanks.org.
Photo: Corrie Schaffeld

SATURDAY 26

CLASSICAL: Festival of Words
Concert:Nova’s Festival of Words blends storytelling and song via three unique events at various Cincinnati venues. The series begins on Saturday Oct. 26 as part of another fest — Books by the Banks — with a free family-friendly performance at 12:45 p.m. of Ferdinand the Bull, co-sponsored by classical radio station WGUC. Next, audiences can provide their own words via a storytelling session with Bespoken — an organization devoted to storytelling as a way to foster community and communication — the following afternoon, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. at their offices at 708 Walnut St., downtown. Wrapping up the Festival of Words weekend, Cincinnati-native poet Jon Sands returns to perform selections from his most recent collection, It’s Not Magic, a winner in the 2018 National Poetry Series competition. Sands and the concert:nova trio perform 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at First Lutheran Church on Race Street, an intimate venue with perfect acoustics. More info at concertnova.com.
Photo: Provided by Bespoken

SATURDAY 26

EVENT: Fall Fest Weekend
Washington Park hosts a weekend of family-friendly fall fun with vendors and live entertainment. Live music starts at noon each day and runs until 6 p.m. with performances from local acts including Chelsea Ford and The Trouble, Warsaw Falcons and Comon Center. In between sets, shop seasonal goodies from vendors including Bee Haven, Donna’s Gourmet Cookies, Daisy Jane’s Flower Truck and Ten Thousand Villages, plus eats from Just Q’in, Quite Frankly, Chino’s Street Food and Urbana Cafe, among others. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27. Free admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washigntonpark.org.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

SUNDAY 27

EVENT: Hallowqueen
The drag queens are taking over the dining room at Metropole for a wickedly raucous brunch. The restaurant invites you to “slay the day” as you watch favorite local queens, including Amaya Sexton, sashay from table to table while you dine on family-style breakfast and brunch dishes and a welcome mimosa. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. $35 (brunch, mimosa and show). Metropole, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, metropoleonwalnut.com.
Photo: Paige Deglow