Soapicks January 12-18

'In' For Twenty-Ten
January 14
Ever read those "What’s In, What’s Out" sections of magazines? Well, in our own version, "out" for 2009 are books being made into major motion pictures -*cough* Twilight- and "in" for 2010, are books being made into on-stage plays. In The Tempest Tales, written by best-selling author Walter Mosley, we learn what happens when an African American man from Harlem refuses to accept his damnation to Hell by St. Peter after accidently being shot by a cop. Heaven and Hell collided in this novel which asked the controversial question, "Is sin for blacks the same as it is for whites?" Joseph Beth Booksellers invites you to get an inside look at the man behind the book during An Evening with Walter Mosley this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Mosley will discuss his new play, The Fall of Heaven, which is based off the best-selling tales and hold a book signing session to follow. Event sponsor, Joseph Beth Booksellers, will have copies of the book on site for sale. Also, enjoy a cash bar and Jazz pianist, Rashon Murph, who will provide music for the night. An Evening is free, but tickets should be reserved in advance by calling the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888. And if you like what you hear, be sure to catch The Fall of Heaven at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park when it opens January 23

Pink, Black, White & Polka Dots
January 15-16
How many of you ladies posted a color as your Facebook status last week in support of breast cancer awareness? And how many of you men had no clue what was going on? Well the Rivertown Music Club - a local organization led by musician Kelly Thomas that has combined music and charity for the past five years - invites everyone to be in on the secret, and the support, this weekend during One More Girl On A Stage. It's all about the ladies during this two-night showcase which features some of the best female artists in the Greater Cincinnati area. Get down to York Street Café in Newport, KY for two stages of music, a feminine-themed art gallery showing, belly dancing, silent auction and split-the-pot raffles. Proceeds and donations from the event benefit the leader in breast cancer research, The Susan G. Komen foundation. Taking the stage will be hostess Vicki D'Salle, Lauren Houston, Tupelo Honey, Wonky Tonk, The Polly Esthers and many, many more. One More Girl On A Stage begins at 7:00 p.m. both Friday and Saturday night; $7.00 cover per night at the door or $10.00 for a weekend pass. Event is for ages 18 and up.

Better Worlds
January 16
The Kennedy Heights Arts Center has For a Better World featuring poems and black-and-white drawings by 44 poets and 39 artists from the Greater Cincinnati area. The exhibit's works - part of 2006 editions of the For a Better World publication - reflect upon peace and social justice issues from Cincinnati and around the world. The Opening Reception will be this Saturday night at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. Honor the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this weekend with this powerful exhibit which continues through February 27.

A Shot in the Dark
Through February 4
A Shot in the Dark: Musical Stills, by Soapbox's managing photographer, Scott Beseler, kicked off this past weekend at Fabricate in Northside. Beseler's photojournalistic take on the local and national music scene captures locals like The Heartless Bastards, Lions Rampant, The Sundresses and many more in candid and live shots. The exhibition runs through February 4th, Wednesday through Saturday from 12-6 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m.