Walk, Wine, Wild Side
April 15
You may be one of those people who, "can't walk and chew gum at the same time," but what about walking and drinking wine at the same time? O'Bryonville is back with their annual Wine Walk series which kicks-off this Thursday, from 5:00p.m.- 8:00p.m., along the Eclectic Mile -a collection of unique shops and restaurants. The businesses stay open for extended hours during Wine Walk to allow patrons to browse around, while sampling complimentary wines and refreshments. Among the shops along the Eclectic Mile are Hemptations, i-do boutique, indigenous - a hand crafted gallery, Nicholson Antiques and many, many more. Click here for a complete list of shops and eateries. And, aside from being a fun evening, Wine Walk is also a charitable event. Each walk in the series benefits an area charity, with every purchase made during the event, becoming a donation to the selected charity. The first Wine Walk will be, Walk on the Wild Side, a benefit for the UCAN (United Coalition of Animals) Cincinnati Feral Cat Initiative. To keep with the "wild side" theme, Ten Thousand Villages will host Thayne Maynard of the Cincinnati Zoo who'll bring some exotic animals for you to meet. They'll also be wildlife sculptor, Bonne Meyer Day, at indigenous demonstrating her art. Be sure to also get down to Nicholson's Antiques to see Animal Communicator Donetta Zimmerman, UCAN, Purrfect Friends, plus artists Nancy Hamson and DebCline. Walk on the Wild Side will also feature the adoption unit from the League of Animal Welfare, who will be on site with cats & dogs in need of a good home. Wine Walks will occur every third Thursday of the month from April through December. Click here for a full list of event dates and charities to be benefited.
Dwelling Evolution
April 16
Flat, tenement, high-rise, those are just a few of the names for an apartment - a place most of us have lived at one time or another. Another interesting tid bit? A century ago, apartment living was considered immoral by many people. Neither of these are probably items you think too much about, but multi-family housing has a rich history here in Cincinnati. The Betts House's newest exhibit, From Tenements to Townhouses: Multi-Family Housing in Cincinnati, explores this history. The exhibit, which examines the physical structures and social context of multi-family housing in Cincinnati and how it evolved over the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, opens this Friday. Don’t miss this chance to see some Cincinnati's architecturally unique multi-family buildings, while learning about an unobserved area of history. Margo Warminski, the Preservation Director of the Cincinnati Preservation Association, will curate the exhibit. Join Warminski at the opening reception, Friday evening, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. From Tenements to Townhouses will be on view from April 17 through September 30. Click here for more information about the exhibit, and upcoming lectures on Over the Rhine Tenements and Rowhouses, plus a walking tour of historic multi-family housing in Walnut Hills, beginning in May.
Out Of The Dark
April 17
"The darkest thing about Africa has always been our ignorance of it," said geographer George Kimble. Come see, as Africa's amazing culture, is brought into the light through I See Africa: Realities, Perceptions and Imaginings, opening this weekend at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center. This inspiring exhibit features works by selected artists who, through sculpture, painting and photography, present their perceptions of Africa and her people's influence. Among the artists exhibiting, is Nigerian photographer Alfred Olusegun Fayemi who, for the past 25 years, has focused on social documentary photography of continental Africans and Africans in the diaspora. Dr. Fayemi's photographs communicate the realities of contemporary Africa and Africans through images of children playing with home-made toys to open-air dancing parties, and more. Also on exhibition are works by James Haase, Queen Brooks, Cynthia Lockhart, Elliott Jordan, and Ike Okafor-Newsum. You will also have the opportunity to view African artifacts on loan from Cincinnati Art Museum and private individuals. I See Africa is truly a cultural feast for the eyes, and is not to be missed. The opening reception is this Saturday from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - it's free to the public. But if you're looking to learn more about African culture from the man who's captured it on camera, Dr. Fayemi will be in town to deliver a special gallery talk on Friday from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Attendees to the preview event on Saturday will get to meet the artists, enjoy live music, as well as sample African cuisine by Emanu. Tickets for this private event are $30.00. Either way, come open your eyes to another world, Africa. Exhibit continues through June 5.
Make Some Noise
April 17
Usually, as the saying goes, "It's hell getting old." But, if you're The Mercantile Library, getting old is a splendor. The Mercantile Library is more than a home for books; it's one of the oldest cultural centers in the Midwest. Over the decades, it's influential and popular Niehoff Lectures have attracted prominent speakers like Herman Melville, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Tom Wolfe, to name drop a few. Opening its doors in 1835, The Mercantile Library is the senior library of Cincinnati, and it's inviting you to join in the celebration of the institution's 175th anniversary this Saturday for Big Noise at the Mercantile Library. Just because it's turning 175, doesn't mean the library is quieting down anytime soon. This evening will be full of great food and fun, music and dancing with performances by Queen City Brass, Tropicoso, Patricia Linhart, and the Faux Frenchman. The party starts at 7:00 p.m. in the Reading Room. Tickets to Big Noise are $100.00 per ticket or 2 for $175.00- reserve your spot ASAP. This is on time when no one in the library will be shushing you for making a little noise.
Indie Grocery
April 17
If you're looking to purchase apples and milk, go to Krogers. If you're looking to purchase cool Indie crafts, come to the Crafty Supermarket - a collection of indie crafters, punk artists, DIYers and other unconventional makers who put a lot of value on locally made goods. The Crafty Supermarket is back for a spring show, happening this Saturday at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Browse jewelry, paper goods, clothing, home décor, collectives and delicious foods. Click here for the full line-up of vendors. With more than 40 craft vendors, food vendors, a live DJ from PROJECTMILL, do-it-yourself craft activities and so much more, this is one supermarket you won't mind spending hours in.
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