Things to do in Cincinnati this week: May 15-21

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·13 min read
Seen through a fractal lens, a Red Lacewing Butterfly rests on a plant at Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati on Friday March 18, 2022.
Seen through a fractal lens, a Red Lacewing Butterfly rests on a plant at Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati on Friday March 18, 2022.

Monday, May 15

FAMILY: Butterflies of the Meadow, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs March 25-June 18. Admission is $10, $7 for ages 5-17 and free for ages 4-under. cincinnati-oh-gov.

FILM: “Yellow Rose,” 7:30 p.m., Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Tells the story of a Filipino American teen growing up in Texas who wants to be a country music performer. $15, $12 advance. Cincyticket.com.

MUSIC: Jazz at the Park: Mambo Combo, 6-9 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. washingtonpark.org.

Tuesday, May 16

FILM: "The Way," 7 p.m., CMX, 7514 Bales St., Liberty Township; Cinemark 16, 500 Rivers Edge Drive, Milford; AMC 20, 1 Levee Way, Newport; Regal & RPX, 5500 Deerfield Blvd., Mason; Cinemark 14, 5870 Harrison Ave., Green Township. Directed by Emilio Estevez and starring Martin Sheen. tickets.ocenave.tv.

MUSIC: The Wood Brothers, 7:30 p.m., Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. With Shovels & Rope. tafttheatre.org.

MUSIC: Live at Lunch: Ricky Nye, 12:10 p.m., Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., Downtown. Free. 513-621-1817; cincinnaticathedral.com.

MUSIC: Jazz at the Square: Michael Mavridoglou, 6-9 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Free. myfountainsquare.com.

RECREATION: Ziegler Pool Opens, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Ziegler Pool, Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine. Pool opens for the season.

SPORTS: Florence Y’alls vs. Joliet Slammers, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Thomas More Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, Florence. Runs May 16-18. Florenceyalls.com.

Wednesday, May 17

COMEDY: Jeff Arcuri, 7:30 p.m., Funny Bone Comedy Club, 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township. One night only. $32. liberty.funnybone.com.

FESTIVAL: Dillsboro Homecoming Festival, Downtown Dillsboro. Southeast Indiana town hosts a four-day street fair known for its unusual contests, including frog-jumping and best dressed frog competition. Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday. Runs May 17-20. facebook.com.

HEALTH: Workout on the Green, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Wednesdays April 5-Oct. 25. Washingtonpark.org.

MUSIC: Music Box performs Genesis: The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, 8 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $40-$60. memorialhallotr.com.

MUSIC: Reggae Unplugged, 7-9 p.m., Washington Park, The Porch, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Wednesdays April 5-May 17. Free. Washingtonpark.org.

MUSIC: JAMII Community Open Mic Night, 6-9 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. 15 open mic spots and two local performers each week. Hosted by Siri Imani. Runs May 3-Sept. 27. Free. myfountainsquare.com.

RECREATION: FCC Pre-Match at the Park, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Live music and family-friendly activities before the FCC match. Free. Washingtonpark.org.

SPORTS: FC Cincinnati vs CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m., TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. Fccincinnati.com.

The Broadway production Moulin Rouge comes to Aronoff Center for the Arts. Pictured: The cast of the North American Tour.
The Broadway production Moulin Rouge comes to Aronoff Center for the Arts. Pictured: The cast of the North American Tour.

THEATER: Moulin Rouge, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Runs May 17-June 4. $44.25-up. Cincinnatiarts.org.

Thursday, May 18

ART OPENING: Two Generations: Mothers and Daughters Exhibit, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Gallery at Interiors by Kurtinitis, 3561 Columbia Parkway, Columbia Tusculum. Artists Jan & Jessie Boon, and Joanne & Laura Sloneker. Runs May 18-Aug. 4. Free.

ART: Wet Paint, 6-7:30 p.m., 21C Museum Hotel, 609 Walnut St., Downtown. Join artist Joe Walsh, who works in illustration, animation and film, to learn about creating public art. Hosted by ArtWorks. Free.

CHARITY: CincyJams, 7 p.m., Hard Rock Casino, 1000 Broadway, Downtown. Cincinnati's workplace battle of the bands features employees from local companies competing, and the audience chooses the winner. Benefits ArtsWave. Artswave.org/cincyjams.

COMEDY: David Cross: Worst Daddy in the World Tour, 8 p.m., Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. Ages 18-up. Sean Patton opens. tafttheatre.org.

Comedian David Cross brings his Worst Daddy in the World Tour to Taft Theatre on Thursday.
Comedian David Cross brings his Worst Daddy in the World Tour to Taft Theatre on Thursday.

COMEDY: Caleb Synan, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Go Bananas Comedy Club, 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery. $10-$15. Gobananascomedy.com.

COMEDY: Craig Conant, 7:30 p.m., Funny Bone Comedy Club, 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township. One night only. $25. liberty.funnybone.com.

DANCE: Salsa on the Square: Mambo Combo, SalsaNati, 7-10 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Free. Myfountainsquare.com.

FILM: “Rhythms of the Land,” 7 p.m., National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. Less than 1% of American farmers are Black. This documentary honors the legacies of Black farmers. A panel discussion with filmmaker Gail P. Myers follows. Free, registration required. Freedomcenter.org.

JOB FAIR: Cincinnati Veterans Job Fair, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Registration is free and available online to all transitioning military, veterans, military spouses and dependents. recruitmilitary.com.

MUSIC: Roger McGuinn, 8 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $30-$55. memorialhallotr.com.

MUSIC: Rickie Lee Jones, 8:30 p.m., Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. $35-$65. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com.

MUSIC: Rockin’ the Roebling: Floyd & the Walkmen, 6-10 p.m., Smale Riverfront Park, Schmidlapp Lawn, Downtown. Free.

THEATER: Trouble in Mind, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs May 13-June 3. cincyshakes.com.

Candice Handy as Wiletta Mayer in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2023 regional premiere production of “Trouble in Mind” by Alice Childress playing May 12-June 3, 2023 and directed by Crystian Wiltshire.
Candice Handy as Wiletta Mayer in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2023 regional premiere production of “Trouble in Mind” by Alice Childress playing May 12-June 3, 2023 and directed by Crystian Wiltshire.

THEATER: The Sinister Speakeasy, 8 p.m., American Sign Museum, 1330 Monmouth Ave., Camp Washington. Immersive event by Queen City Murder Mystery Co. features chilling true stories, three signature prohibition-era cocktails, and prizes for best dressed flapper and gangster. $50. Eventbrite.com.

ENDING: Cry It Out, 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Walton Creek Theater, 4101 Walton Creek Road, Mariemont. Runs May 4-21. Mariemontplayers.com.

Friday, May 19

ART OPENING: Voices & Visions, 5-8 p.m., Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Exhibition celebrates the creativity and achievement of regional Asian American artists. Free. Contemporaryartscenter.org.

CHARITY: Views and Brews, 6-10 p.m., Smale Riverfront Park, Schmidlapp Lawn, Downtown. Bus tour of various overlooks. Beer and food vendors at each park. Tentative schedule: Smale Park, Mount Echo Pavilion, Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park. Benefits Cincinnati Parks Foundation. $140 couple, $75 single. Cincinnati-oh-gov.

COMEDY: Miranda Sings, 7:30 p.m., Taft Theater, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. tafttheatre.org.

Arnez J comes to Funny Bone Comedy Club this weekend.
Arnez J comes to Funny Bone Comedy Club this weekend.

COMEDY: Arnez J, 8 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Funny Bone Comedy Club, 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township. $32-$37. liberty.funnybone.com.

FESTIVAL: Coasterstock, Friday-Saturday, Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. SOLD OUT.

MUSIC: Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. With The Interrupters with Special Guest, Bedouin Soundclash. SOLD OUT.

MUSIC: Leo Kottke, 8:30 p.m., Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. $30-$50. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com.

MUSIC: Otep, 7 p.m., Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington. With September Mourning, Critical Khaos. $22-$25. madisontheater.com.

MUSIC: Rick Springfield, 8 p.m., Hard Rock Casino Ballroom, 1000 Broadway, Downtown. $34-up. hardrockcasinocincinnati.com.

MUSIC/FESTIVAL: May Festival, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. Runs May 19-27. Mayfestival.com.

MUSIC: Indie Friday: Noah Smith's Crooner Circus, 7-10 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs May 5-Sept. 29. Myfountainsquare.com.

NIGHTLIFE: Queen City Disco, 8 p.m., Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Put on your best 1970s wardrobe and dance the night away. $30. eventbrite.com.

NIGHTLIFE: Black Mama Glow Up, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Celebrate motherhood and the power of women. Live DJ mixtape battle, pampering, snacks and more. Free.

POETRY: Art & Poetry, 3-4 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. Actors from Cincinnati Shakespeare Co. perform Friday at Jane's Bar at the Elm St. Esplanade. On Saturday there will be interactive art activities throughout the day, an open mic at 4 p.m. and a poetry slam from 5:30-8 p.m. at Janes Bar with more than 20 poets competing for cash prizes. Free.

SPORTS: Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Yankees, 6:40 p.m. Friday, 4:10 p.m. Saturday, 11:35 a.m. Sunday, Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Runs May 19-21. Reds.com.

ENDING: Twelfth Night, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Loveland Stage Company, 111 S. Second St., Loveland. Runs May 5-21. Lovelandstagecompany.org.

Saturday, May 20

The 26th annual Canstruction competition, sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, features sculptures built out of canned and non-perishable foods. There will be an opening reception Saturday at the Weston Art Gallery.
The 26th annual Canstruction competition, sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, features sculptures built out of canned and non-perishable foods. There will be an opening reception Saturday at the Weston Art Gallery.

ART OPENING: Canstruction 2023, 3-5 p.m., Weston Art Gallery, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Free. cincinnatiarts.org.

ART: Flax-to-Linen Demo Workshop with Amber Ostaszewski, noon-2 p.m., Wave Pool’s Grassroom, corner of Township and Colerain Ave., Camp Washington. As part of One Year, One Outfit. Free. wavepoolgallery.org.

COMEDY: Demetri Martin, 8 p.m., Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. tafttheatre.org.

COMEDY: Helltown Comedy Showcase: Hunter Roberts, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m., The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside. $10. Bombsawaycomedy.com.

COMEDY: Straight Jokes No Chaser Comedy Tour, 7 p.m., Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. With Mike Epps, Cedric the Entertainer, DL Hughley, Earthquake and DC Young Fly. $73.50-up. heritagebankcenter.com.

FESTIVAL: Oxford Wine & Craft Beer Festival, 2-10 p.m., Uptown Memorial Park, 4 S. Main St., Oxford. $30, $25 advance. Oxfordwinefestival.com.

MUSEUM: Escape the Village, noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m., Heritage Village, 11500 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. Unique escape room experience set in authentic historic building containing 19th-century artifacts. Heritagevillagecincinnati.org.

MUSEUM: Timeless Beauty Tea, 11 a.m., Hillforest Victorian House Museum, 213 Fifth St., Aurora. 3-course tea and short program about beauty routines of Victorian women, tour of mansion and beauty samples. $35. Reservations required. Hillforest.org. SOLD OUT.

MUSEUM: Open House, 1-4 p.m., Historic Hunt House, 4364 Hunt Road, Blue Ash. Hosted by Blue Ash Historical Society. Includes scavenger hunt, pioneer crafts, and refreshments. Free.

MUSIC: Koe Wetzel, 6 p.m. doors, MegaCorp Pavilion, 101 W. Fourth St., Newport. With The Cadillac Three, Pillbox Patti. $44-up. promowestlive.com.

MUSIC: Dopapod, 8 p.m., Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington. $20-$25. madisontheater.com.

MUSIC: Cincinnati Men's Chorus: Friends, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $20-$25. memorialhallotr.com.

MUSIC: Fifth and Vine Live: Strutter (Kiss Tribute), 7-10 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs May 6-Oct. 7. Free. myfountainsquare.com.

NIGHTLIFE: Cin City Burlesque: Giggle Water, 6 and 9 p.m., Juniper's, 409 W. Sixth St., Covington. Choose from two performances. $15-up. eventbrite.com.

NIGHTLIFE: PorkGrind, 10 p.m., The Mockbee, 2260 Central Parkway, Brighton. Chicago DJ Jesse Mercado blends tech/house edm, tribal beats and top 40 hits popular in the LGBTQ+ community. Ages 21-up. $10-$20. eventbrite.com.

OUTDOORS: Community Days: Kids to Parks Day, Great Parks of Hamilton County. No motor vehicle permit required to drive into Great Parks on Community Days. greatparks.org.

RECREATION: FCC Pre-Match at the Park, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Live music and family-friendly activities before the FCC match. Free. Washingtonpark.org.

RECREATION: The All Ohio Freaknik Car Show, 4 p.m., Hamilton County Fairground, 7801 Anthony Wayne Ave., Carthage. Food trucks, games, cars. Taurus bash, entertainment from DJ Fresh and DJ Slick Rick. Ages 21-up. 513-557-9002; cincyticket.com.

RECREATION: Fred Minnick's Blind Bourbon Live, 8:30 p.m., Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. Blindfolds and bourbon provided at this rare whiskey tasting with bestselling author. $100. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com.

Renowned whiskey expert Fred Minnick showcases his bourbon expertise at Ludlow Garage.
Renowned whiskey expert Fred Minnick showcases his bourbon expertise at Ludlow Garage.

SHOPPING: Native Plant Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Bowyer Farm, 2210 Mason-Montgomery Road, Lebanon. Advance registration required. Cincinnatizoo.org.

SHOPPING: Dirty Hands Garden Club Plant Sale & Swap, 10 a.m.-noon, Fort Wright Fire House, 409 Kyles Lane, Fort Wright. Free admission and parking.

SPORTS: FC Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m., TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. Hell Is Real in-state rivalry. Fccincinnati.com.

SPORTS: WFC 154: World Fighting Championships, 7 p.m., Lawrenceburg Event Center, 91 Walnut St. Combat sports athletes compete. $40-up. thelawrenceburgeventcenter.com.

THEATER: Origin Story, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre at Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mount Adams Circle, Mount Adams. Runs May 20-June 25. cincyplay.com. Opening night SOLD OUT.

THEATER: Prohibition Murder, 7:30 p.m., Fitton Center for the Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton. Interactive whodunnit escapade set in a Chicago speakeasy. $32-$39. fittoncenter.org.

Sunday, May 21

ART: Barns to Brushes, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Aberlin Springs, 3395 Harvest Road, Morrow. Artists can participate in a plein air painting event. $10. Register: the-arts-alliance.org.

COMEDY: Creed Bratton, 6:30 p.m. doors, Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. $18-up. bogarts.com.

Catch comedian, actor and musician Creed Bratton at Bogart's Sunday.
Catch comedian, actor and musician Creed Bratton at Bogart's Sunday.

COMEDY: Cincinnati Joke-Off Competition, 8 p.m., Comfort Station, 793 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills. Interactive stand-up comedy. $10, $5 advance. eventbrite.com.

EXPO: Candle Expo, noon, Marriott Northeast, 9664 S. Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason. Over 35 different candle vendors. Live jazz, live podcast, drinks, light snacks. $35. Cincyticket.com.

FARMERS MARKET: Hyde Park Farmers Market, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Hyde Park Square, Erie Ave. Bring your own shopping bag. hydeparkfarmersmarket.com.

FESTIVAL: Cincinnati Alchemy Fest, 2-8 p.m., Smoke Justis, 302 Court St., Covington. $30. Cincinnatialchemyfest.com.

FILM: "In Viaggio: The Travels of Pope Francis," 4 p.m., Garfield Theatre, 719 Race St., Downtown. Join Pope Francis as he travels through 53 countries meeting people of all faiths, races and circumstances. $8-$12. cincyworldcinema.org.

RECREATION: All-GM Spring Auto Show, 9 a.mm.-4 p.m., Jeff Wyler Eastgate Auto Mall, 1117 State Route 32, Batavia. Vehicles must be 1999 or older and GM-built or powered. Food trucks, DJ, raffles and door prizes. Registration is $20, $15 advance. Free for spectators. Benefits Matthew 25 Ministries.

SHOPPING: Burlington Antique Show, 6 a.m.-3 p.m., Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington. $6 early bird admission (before 8 a.m.), $4 general. Free ages 12-under. Burlingtonantiqueshow.com.

SPORTS: Kumite VI, 5 p.m., Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grappling tournament. $37-$52. madisontheater.com.

Looking ahead

CHARITY: A Russian Summer’s Night, June 9, Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, gourmet Russian-themed dinner, vodka tasting, live auction, raffle baskets and entertainment. Benefits St. George Russian Orthodox Church. $250. Stgeorgeroc.org.

CHARITY: Light the Night, Oct. 5, Yeatman’s Cove at Sawyer Point Park, Downtown. Benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Lightthenight.org/ohio.

CHARITY: Passport to Success, Oct. 5, Miami Township Community Center, 3780 Shady Lane, North Bend. Benefits Santa Maria Community Services. santamaria-cincy.org.

Have an event you’d like us to know about? Send all the details to calendar@cincinnati.com with “Things To Do” in the subject line.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Things to do in Cincinnati this week: May 15-21