Soapicks May 4-10

Tap That
May 6
Come celebrate life, liberty and the pursuit of hoppiness at Christian Moerlein Brewing Company's annual Ceremonial First Tapping Party. This Thursday, Moerlein will unveil their latest creation, Moerlein Northern Liberties India Pale Ale (IPA). The newest IPA is dedicated to the immigrants of the era located in the historic 'Northern Liberties' section of Cincinnati, north of Liberty St., in Over-the-Rhine.  Annexed by the City of Cincinnati in 1849, the Northern Liberties IPA features a label by local artist Jim Effler, that shows a Liberty Maiden of Cincinnati marching down Liberty St. uniting the gathering crowd in the pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The Ceremonial First Tapping Party will take place in Over-the-Rhine's Historic Brewery District, at Rookwood Pottery Company, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Don't be late, the First Tapping ceremony will happen at 6:00 p.m. on the dot, or tap, rather. Tickets are $20.00 in advance or $25.00 at the door-price includes food and beer tickets. Proceeds from the First Tapping will benefit the OTR Brewery District non-profit redevelopment group.

The Candy Man Can
May 7 & 8
"Dance ballerina dance, and do your pirouette..."--lyrics from Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Ballerina." Well, it's time now for that ballerina Sammy sang about to come to life on stage - a Cincinnati stage to be exact. The Cincinnati Ballet presents not one, but two, ballets in their upcoming double-bill production, The Sammy Project!. The first, Simply Sammy, features original choreography by Darell Grand Moultrie and music by Sammy Davis Jr. This performance is a non-narrative tribute to the beloved entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. and his songbook of American standards. The second performance in the line-up is, In The Upper Room, with choreography by Twyla Tharp and music by Phillip Glass. Twyla's performance shatters the boundaries of ballet with both physically demanding and geometrically striking moves by the Cincinnati Ballet Company dancers. There are only three showings of The Sammy Project!: Friday at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tickets range from $25.00 - $80.00 and will sell out quickly. So hurry up, or you'll be sorry you missed this world premiere of masterful, contemporary ballet at the Arnoff Center for the Arts.

Max *
May 7 (One night showing)
A photography exhibition with no theme or hidden agenda.  The exhibition will feature work by Shay Derickson, Cameron Knight, Joe Lamb, Brian Leckrone,Jesse Reed, and Soapbox's own managing photographer, Scott Beseler. The work of these "street" photographers will be shown in a relaxed urban setting on the first floor of the Mockbee, 2260 Central Parkway, from 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Two Ping Pong tables. Cash Bar. Great Music. Free Admission.  Come for the art, stay for the Ping Pong!!!

Give Me Five
May 7
5th Street Gallery is turning five years old this month and they're celebrating with their 5th Anniversary Show, Five on 5th. The artist's co-op was founded in the 5th month (May) of 2005 in order to build a vibrant local artist presence in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. So to celebrate five years of doing just that, 5th Street Gallery has invited five former members: Naomi Bradford, Karen Heyl, Mike Mount, Charles Ross & Frank Satogata for a special showing of their paintings, sculpture & glass works. Also on display for Five on 5th, are pieces by the 14 current member artists with works in glass, ceramic, fiber, sculpture, jewelry and paintings. Five on 5th's opening reception will be this Friday from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at 5th Street Gallery, located at 55 West 5th Street (seeing the reoccurring theme here). The exhibit will continue through June 5.

Happy Mother's Day Moms Of Cincinnati
May 9
Making breakfast in bed for your mom was fine when you were a child, but now that you're all grown up, treat your mom to something a little more sophisticated this Mother's Day. Head over to the Taft Museum Mother's Day Brunch from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for a scrumptious bunch in the Museum's beautiful garden. Then after brunch, take mom a stroll through the galleries and see the latest exhibit, Dutch Utopia. What better way to show mom how much you love and appreciate her. Cost for brunch is $21.00 for adults; $16.00 for children 4-15; free for children 3 and under. Price includes brunch, tax and gratuity. For reservations, which are required, call (513) 352-5140. But if brunches aren't really your mom's thing, take her for a trip around the world at World Affair on the Square. Both Saturday and Sunday, Fountain Square will feature international food and beer for sale, along with local musicians and artists performing music and dance from across the globe. If mom has always wanted to to see Europe, here's your chance to give her a little preview. World Affair on the Square will run from noon to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Back for Seconds
May 9

Second Sunday on Main is back for its sixth season with a new name: Second Sunday in OTR (Over-the-Rhine).  The hip, eclectic street festival is growing with development in the surrounding neighborhood and will now include Vine and some cross streets in the Gateway Quarter. The season starts this Sunday, May 9 and continues through September 12 on the second Sunday of every month from 12 - 5 p.m. This Sunday, Main and Vine street shops and galleries will be open, as well as 33 craft and food vendors showcasing their wares. Newly opened Neon's Unplugged will host a Beer Garden and live music on their 4,000 square foot patio and don't miss the celebrity chef demo at Falling Wall on Main Street featuring Jeremy Luers from the Rookwood Bar & Restaurant.  The event is free and open to the public and mothers get special treatment this week: there will be free carnations for the first 100 moms.