A Night at the Opera
Lies! Betrayal! Romance! Murder!
No, it's not a Hollywood blockbuster or a reality TV show, it's opera. As Cincinnati Opera season begins its 105th season, see why it's the perfect time to fall in love with all the music, drama, and magic at Music Hall this summer.
This essay was originally written for a book commemorating Cincinnati Opera’s centennial in 2020. As the 105th season begins this week, it’s a great time to revisit “How to Fall in Love with Opera” and see how you can enjoy the 2025 season. (Details below!)
Rigoletto
Thursday, June 12, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 14, 7:30 p.m.
Springer Auditorium, Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in Italian with projected English translation
Tosca
Thursday, June 26, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 7:30 p.m.
Springer Auditorium | Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in Italian with projected English translation
Fiddler on the Roof
Wednesday, July 23, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 27, 3 p.m.
Springer Auditorium | Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in English with projected lyrics
Studio Sessions
Wilks Studio | Cincinnati Music Hall
Tuesday, June 17, 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 10, 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 17, 8 p.m.
For info and tickets visit www.cincinnatiopera.org.
I’m not going to lie to you – opera can be intimidating. So much singing in foreign languages, big theatrical gestures, towering sets, twirling dancers, and explosive feelings...yet not nearly as many horned helmets as those Bugs Bunny cartoons promised. But opera is worth the effort.
It’s fitting that the Cincinnati Opera performs in summer, which is considered blockbuster season, cinematically speaking. You will find thrilling chases, thunderous explosions, epic love stories, and hundreds of extras on stage at the opera that will put the multiplex to shame. Imagine a Michael Bay film but with an even more convoluted plot and an actual soul. That’s what opera can be.
I came to my appreciation of opera a bit later in life, which I chalk up to youth and inexperience, and have been making up for it ever since. Thanks to support from dear, opera-loving friends, I have grown to appreciate the art form and treasure the experience of going to the opera.
Though everyone has to find their own path in opera, as in life, I would like to offer a few recommendations that have eased my journey to opera admiration.
1. Use the Buddy System
For most things that are potentially frightening, like learning to drive a stick shift, poaching an egg, or picking out a wedding dress, it’s best to have a trusted guide. Find someone who has been through it before, knows the pitfalls, and can help you navigate the process.
One of my favorite parts of Cincinnati Opera season is at the beginning of a performance when Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, invites the audience to introduce themselves to each other and share a personal opera story, which could be mentioning first opera or their favorite one. It’s an opportunity to meet someone new or hear about an unfamiliar opera or find common musical ground. These exchanges create an instantaneous camaraderie among the audience members.
Going with a friend, and meeting fellow audience members, are wonderful reminders that at its heart, opera is a shared experience. The singers and the ensemble, the conductor and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the audience all create that special and immersive opera experience.
So bring a friend or two with you to add the charm and magic of the occasion. Having a support system also has a practical application, though, as you will then have someone to gasp when you gasp, cheer when you cheer, and hand you tissues when someone dies. (That’s not a spoiler; it’s opera, someone is going to die.)
2. Dress to the Nines
One of my favorite parts about going to the opera is that you can’t be overdressed! You want to wear a tux? Wear a tux! Haven’t found a place to wear that ball gown? You’re in luck! Going to the opera is not the time to be timid with your fashion choices.
Opera can be rich with excess and you, dear patron, have license to revel in it. The performers are often in gorgeous and detailed costumes, so you should take the opportunity to do the same. The elements of an individual performance can help take some of the guesswork out of what to wear. Heading to Pagliacci? Weave in festive clown elements by way of Fellini. Aida is onstage? Break out the gold sandals and eyeliner. The premiere of Fellow Travelers called for a fit-and-flare floral and pearls. Not only do these personal costuming choices help you get into the spirit of things, they also make for amazing conversation starters in the lobby.
While it’s fun to dress up, maybe formality isn’t for you. Even though the renovation of Music Hall greatly improved the building’s air conditioning, July is still July in Cincinnati. A more casual approach can be a good idea in the heat and humidity. And I guarantee someone wearing a tux will say you look great and express regret to you that he is not doing the same.
3. Embrace the Surprise and Delight
The feeling you get walking into Music Hall on an Opera Night is one of overwhelming joy.
As mentioned above, you will have many opportunities to make new friends. Opera fans are not a shy lot. They talk to their old friends and strike up conversations with people they’ve never seen before. Topics range from opera (natch) to architecture, literature to politics, and wherever it was you found that incredible hat you’re wearing. From waiting in the lobby for the auditorium to open to mingling at intermission and chatting at after parties, a night at the opera offers the chance to meet many people who might not otherwise encounter.
The crowd at the opera is among the most vibrant, diverse, and engaging you will find. Even if the night’s performance is a tragedy, the people assembled will be welcoming, expansive, and delighted. It’s a glimpse of what the world that could be all the time -- strangers and friends creating a joyous community centered around music and art.
4. Suspend Your Disbelief – Every Bit of It
Opera exists in a magical realm that is accessible to mere mortals only during the heat of a Cincinnati summer. Allow yourself to be swept up in the opulence and beauty of grand opera, captivated by the intricacies of experimental works, charmed by the blossoming of new love, or delighted by mistaken identity and the attendant confusion.
The characters in an opera will not make the same decisions you do. Butterfly isn’t going to fight for custody of her child and send Pinkerton packing. (No matter how many times I tell her to!) Aida isn’t going to bring an army to rescue her lover. No one in The Marriage of Figaro is going to have a simple explanatory conversation with anyone else.
These things are never going to happen. You just need to go with it.
Plus, sometimes there are ghosts or camels or literal deus ex machina.
Opera is no place to quibble about historical accuracy or realism, but to immerse yourself in incredible artistry and supremely talented performers among kindred spirits.
Roar over the slapstick. Sob through the tragedy. Hiss at the villain. Swoon when the lovers kiss. Applaud. Stand, and repeat.
5. But Notice the Details
My favorite way to see an opera is from the front row. Purists might argue that’s too close for the right musical balance, but to me, there’s no way better way to experience the show. Along with seeing the singers’ raw emotion and catching the most subtle movements from all the players, you can watch the musicians use their entire bodies to play their instruments and even catch a glimpse of the conductor’s highlighted and dog-eared score.
But there’s not a bad seat in the house at Music Hall. In the center of the auditorium, the sound is perfect, offering the ideal balance of instruments and voices. The balcony affords a “big picture” view with the chance to see everything happening all at once. In an opera, the sets, singers, and musicians all play to the back of the house, so you can experience the full power of a great show no matter where you are. No matter where you are, the surcaps will help you follow the story.
So does this all work?
I was fortunate to participate in a leadership development program many years ago along with a friend who worked at the opera. He organized a class outing as a way for us to learn more about this Cincinnati arts institution. So a number of us ventured out together to see a contemporary opera and then go to the opening night party after the show.
Since it was summer, I wore a floral slip dress and threw on a pair of opera gloves. As it turns out, the perfect place to wear opera gloves is the opera, as was pointed out to me by a fellow patron in the lobby.
The opera, Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar, was a gorgeous, tragic story about the poet Federico García Lorca. At the after party we met the incredible cast, saw people in fabulous outfits, and heard more gorgeous music in the exquisite setting of Music Hall. It was amazing. I wish you could have been there.
I treasure that evening, and so many like it, that offer a little bit of magic on a summer night. The feeling of being thoroughly modern and wonderfully timeless; in the center of your hometown yet also faraway and cosmopolitan; swept up in the grandeur of it all while chatting with your closest friend.
That warmth and community is what defines Cincinnati Opera for me. In a world that can be harsh and dispiriting, opera offers a perfect tonic that is is bright and gay and uplifting. Couldn’t we all use more of that?
– Tricia Suit
Down by the Water
Think you know a lot about the local history? Discover more with powerful new storytelling platform, the Freedom Journey app from America's River Roots, that connects users to stories of courage and resistance that defined America’s path to freedom along the Ohio River.
Take a walk into history with the Freedom Journey app, developed by America’s River Roots in collaboration with the Cincinnati Museum Center and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
This powerful new storytelling platform connects users to the stories of courage and resistance that defined America’s path to freedom along the Ohio River.
The free GPS-based app highlights more than 160 historic sites and figures across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia, tracing the journeys of Freedom Seekers and conductors on the Underground Railroad.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring untold stories to life, all digitally connected,” said co-founders Rick Greiwe, Kelly Kolar and Tim Fogarty. “We’re honored to collaborate with cultural institutions to illuminate the river’s role in shaping America’s path to freedom.”
The app’s launch coincides with the 30th anniversary of the National Underground Freedom Center. “The Freedom Journey app brings history to life,” said Woody Keown, President & CEO of the Freedom Center. “It allows users to walk in the footsteps of heroes and experience the impact of the Underground Railroad in a new way.”
The Freedom Journey app is a free GPS-enabled, historically accurate guide tracing the routes of Freedom Seekers along the Ohio River. Along the way, the app highlights key people and places of the Underground Railroad, featuring exclusive content.
Beginning at Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the app extends through Ohio towns like New Richmond, Ripley, Portsmouth, and Marietta, and crosses into Northern Kentucky and western West Virginia.
Users can choose from curated tours – The Heart of Freedom (three hours), Crossing Boundaries (full day), and Along the Journey (two days) – or create personalized routes using the Build Your Own Freedom Journey feature.
Users can explore immersive content featuring notable figures like Levi Coffin, Sarah Fossett, and John Rankin, and visit historic sites including Cincinnati’s Harriet Beecher Stowe House and Ripley’s Rankin House.
“By tracing the path of Freedom Seekers and operatives, we preserve and deepen our experience with American history. This region’s past connects us to our humanity, here in the heart of it all.” says Holly Brians Ragusa, Freedom Journey App Content Director and America’s River Roots advisory board member. “This platform compels us to honor and engage with these stories. I’m proud to have worked so closely with the expert teams at the Freedom Center and Cincinnati Museum Center to carry this knowledge forward to inspire future generations.”
The inaugural America’s River Roots Festival, a celebration of music, culture and cuisine, will be held October 8–12, 2025, along the riverfronts of Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport. Learn more at www.americasriverroots.com.
The Freedom Journey app was made possible by the following donors and contributors: The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, The Mr & Mrs. John J. Strader Fund, The Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial, The Crosset Family Foundation, Thomas J. Emery Memorial Foundation, The National Underground Freedom Center, The Cincinnati Museum Center, Kolar Design, Ministry of Design, HBR Writes and Pigeon-Tech, a Division of SRISYS, Inc. SRISYS, Inc. is the official digital app development partner for America’s River Roots, Inc.
Middle of Everything
Don't miss your chance to see the Mid-Century Modern works of The Crafted World of Wharton Esherick, as it ends a nationwide tour at the Taft Museum of Art, opening June 7.
The Crafted World of Wharton Esherick
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike St.
June 7–Sept. 7
General admission is free for Taft members, military, and youth (17 and under); $15 for adults; and $12 for seniors. Admission is free on Sundays and Mondays.
For tickets and information visit taftmuseum.org/CraftedWorld.
If your idea furniture leans more toward IKEA practicality or Wayfair bargains, treat yourself to the Mid-century modern masterpieces in The Crafted World of Wharton Esherick, opening June 7 at the Taft Museum of Art.
The exhibition presents the innovative work of Wharton Esherick (1887–1970), the famed American artist best known as the father of the studio furniture movement. Co-organized by the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania and the Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern, Pennsylvania, the stop at the Taft wraps up the exhibition nationwide tour.
Between 1926 and 1966, Esherick built his hillside home and studio in southeastern Pennsylvania. Now the Wharton Esherick Museum (WEM), it houses a treasury of work from seven decades of artistic practice. To share Esherick’s creative vision with contemporary audiences, The Crafted World draws on WEM’s rich and seldomly loaned collection of over 3,000 works of art, detailing the artist’s career from his early woodcut illustrations to his revolutionary reimagining of furniture forms as organic sculpture.
“This exhibition, in the unique setting of the Taft Museum of Art (also once a residence), brings a fresh perspective to Wharton Esherick’s distinct aesthetic vision and imaginative spirit as well as the important legacy he left in crafting the meaning of ‘home’ for future generations. Programming will engage contemporary audiences with tours by working artists, workshops with woodcarvers and printmakers, and more,” says Taft Museum of Art Associate Curator, Ann Glasscock, who is curating the museum's presentation of the exhibition.
Esherick’s hillside retreat was the locus, and often the subject, of his creativity throughout his career. Visitors—high-end clients, avant-garde artists, skilled tradespeople, and ordinary individuals interested in living with Esherick’s work—entered a world crafted by the artist’s hands. Esherick found acclaim through private commissions, such as a suite of interiors (1935–38) for Justice Curtis Bok, including a fireplace now in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and public exhibitions, for example the “America at Home” display at the New York World’s Fair (1939–40). Today, Esherick is considered a foundational figure for the American studio craft movement.
Sunshine Days
Summerfair Cincinnati, one of the oldest and largest continuous art fairs in the country, returns to Coney Island May 30 to June 1. Get insight into the event’s history, what to expect this weekend, and how they support local artists all year long, from Jayne Utter, managing director.
Summerfair Cincinnati marks its 58th year, returning to Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., May 30 to June 1, with more than 340 juried artists. Summerfair opens Friday, May 30 at 12 p.m, continuting until 7 p.m. The art fair is open Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, June 1, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Summerfair Music
Saturday, May 31
12 p.m. Aprina Johnson
1 p.m. Boutique
2 p.m. The 3 Micks
3 p.m. Chris Collier & The Full Band
4 p.m. Silver Strings
5 p.m. The Cheryl & Shorty Show
6 p.m. Jam Grass Duo Sunday, June 1
11 a.m. Eric Wurzelbacher & Brandon Coleman
12 p.m. The Faux Frenchmen
1 p.m. The Amador Sisters
2 p.m. Farm Report
3 p.m. Wild Carrot
4 p.m. Tracy Walker Artists at Summerfair represent 12 categories: photography, painting, drawing/printmaking, wood, metal, sculpture, glass, ceramics, fibers, leather, jewelry and 2D/3D mixed media. Along with artwork, Summerfair features a slate of regional performers as well as its Gourmet Arts area with unique food and drink.
What started as a small art fair’s salute to the opening of Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park has grown into one of the oldest continuous art fairs in the country, drawing more than 20,000 art enthusiasts to see and purchase the works of artists from across the United States. Summerfair is listed in the top 50 America’s Best Art Fairs and one of the top five Best Midwest Art Fairs by Art Fair Calendar.com.
During its history, Summerfair has given more than $2 million to the regional arts community. A non-profit 501(c)3 arts organization, proceeds from Summerfair Cincinnati provide award, scholarship and exhibit opportunities to a variety of emerging (high school and college), individual (working professional) artists and local/regional small and mid-sized arts organizations.
Tickets for Summerfair can be purchased for one day or multi-day admission at summerfair.org. One-day tickets are $10, with children 12 and under admitted free. Multi-day tickets are $15.
Hair, All About It
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati closes its season with the regional premiere of “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” by award-winning playwright Jocelyn Bioh.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
May 31 – June 22
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
1107 Vine St.
Tickets for adults start at $30; student tickets are $28; and children are $24.
See more at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is stressed to impress to close its 2024–2025 season,
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by award-winning and Tony-nominated Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play), makes its regional premiere this weekend.
This laugh-out-loud comedic gem is a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play that celebrates the indomitable spirit and interconnectedness that define us all.
At Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon nestled in the pulsating heart of Harlem, a lively community of West African immigrant hair braiders weaves together humor and heart. Amidst the laughter and playful shop talk, a diverse group of women share dreams, love stories, and hidden secrets, all while creating stunning braided masterpieces. On a sweltering summer day, the lighthearted banter reveals deeper reflections on the challenges of feeling like outsiders in their own neighborhood, sparking a powerful exploration of identity and belonging, and confronting what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.
“One of the things I love about Jaja’s is all these voices and ideas converging in this one place,” says ETC Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “It’s important to celebrate a community’s voice in a way that feels accessible and understandable and that can be empathetic as well as celebratory. These women’s lives are changed in an instant by powers beyond their control. I think it’s essential in our world to recognize what other people may be up against that we’re unaware of as we go about our daily lives.”
Strength In Numbers
At the end of its 2025 Campaign, ArtsWave announced it raised $12.3 million for the region’s arts, demonstrating remarkable resilience in a year marked by economic and funding uncertainty in the arts.
Community-based fundraising through ArtsWave has been the primary way to fund the region’s arts since 1927.
Donations can still be made at artswave.org/give.
ArtsWave announced it raised $12.3 million for the region’s arts during its 2025 Campaign, demonstrating remarkable resilience in a year marked by economic and funding uncertainty in the arts. At the same celebration event, next year’s 2026 Campaign Chair was also announced, along with an upcoming public event at The Banks.
2025 Campaign Chair Mel Gravely, Executive Chair of Triversity, shared the news with arts organizations, donors, and civic and business leaders at a celebration held Tuesday evening at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. During the event, business leaders comprising Gravely’s Campaign Cabinet were recognized for their efforts in fundraising for the arts.
Of the campaign results, Gravely noted that “Through economic ups and downs, political changes, and global uncertainties, ArtsWave has remained the steady force behind our vibrant arts community for nearly 100 years. This year, our community has once again demonstrated its extraordinary commitment. This achievement reflects the Cincinnati region’s understanding that a vibrant arts sector is not an ‘extra,’ but an ‘essential.’”
2025 ArtsWave Campaign chair Mel Gravely with Alecia Kintner, CEO of ArtsWave.
ArtsWave saw continued success with its “Leaders for Cincy Arts” initiative for new and increased gifts of $5,000+, with 205 business executives and community leaders participating in its second year. “The strong response from our business community shows that Cincinnati’s leaders recognize the critical connection between our region’s arts and its economic prosperity,” said Gravely.
Alecia Kintner, president and CEO of ArtsWave, thanked Gravely while announcing that the 2026 ArtsWave Campaign will be chaired by James Zimmerman, partner-in-charge of the Taft Cincinnati office and long-time ArtsWave Board member. Kintner noted, “Mel has led this campaign with extraordinary vision during a challenging year. As we welcome James to chair the 2026 campaign, we’re confident his leadership will help us continue building momentum as we approach our centennial anniversary in 2027.”
Funds raised from the ArtsWave Campaign support 150+ arts organizations, projects, and artists via competitive grants, resulting in thousands of performances, exhibitions, public art projects, arts education programs, festivals and more for the region’s residents and visitors. ArtsWave’s investments also advance the sector’s shared strategy to build the Cincinnati region’s national reputation, deepen residents’ roots in the region, enliven neighborhoods, bridge cultural divides and fuel creativity and learning through the arts.
This year saw significant growth in ArtsWave’s “More Arts More Kids” initiative, which expanded to reach 15,000 students—triple last year’s impact. Students from Cincinnati Public Schools, Catholic Inner-city Schools Education (CISE), and Ludlow Independent experienced performances at Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Arts Association, The Cincinnati Children’s Theatre, CSO Young People’s Concerts and the Cincinnati Art Museum with further expansion planned for the coming school year.
The ArtsWave App also gained significant traction in its first year, with nearly 15,000 downloads and almost 400 daily users. “The app is the tool of the future, and we’re just scratching the surface of what it can do,” said Kintner. “It’s becoming an essential platform for connecting our community with arts throughout the region.
While the campaign concludes, Cincinnati’s arts will be in the national spotlight soon with Americans for the Arts Convention, taking place June 12–14. The national gathering will bring arts leaders from across the country to Cincinnati, showcasing the region as a vibrant hub for the arts. The conference kicks off with a public celebration at The Banks, inviting the entire community to participate. The free ‘Party at the Banks’ will feature the return of fan-favorite BLINK installations, local food trucks, a drone show over the Ohio River, a mainstage music and fashion event hosted by Cincinnati’s own Drew Lachey and featuring a surprise pop-up performance from a secret multi-platinum recording artist.
Each year, ArtsWave relies on public gifts from thousands across the Cincinnati region to reach its goal for supporting the arts. As is the case every year, the total dollar amount announced includes contributions already received and reported, as well as projections for workplace campaigns that are ongoing through the summer.
“For those businesses and individuals who are still finishing their campaigns, please know that your gifts are essential,” said Kintner. “Our arts organizations need reliable funding more than ever before to plan the programs that transform our community. Together, we can create stronger arts for a stronger region.”
Leading Edge
Christina Vassallo, CAC director, is one of only seven arts execs chosen for the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management Fellowship.
The Contemporary Arts Center has been at the forefront of arts and culture, both in Cincinnati and around the world, for more than 80 years. That commitment to excellence and a bold initiatives continues, as Christina Vassallo, the Alice & Harris Weston Director of the CAC, has been chosen to be part of the prestigious DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management Fellowship in Washington, D.C., an honor awarded to just 3% of applicants worldwide.
“This fellowship brings incredible resources and international dialogue to the work we are doing here in Cincinnati,” said Vassallo. “I’m honored to represent the Contemporary Arts Center and our community as we shape the future of contemporary art and engagement.”
Vassallo is one of only seven arts executives in this year's cohort, representing the United States, Hungary, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and England, selected from an applicant pool of 51 countries. The intensive three-year program provides fully subsidized executive training in strategic planning, leadership, fundraising and governance. She will begin her first year of the fellowship with a month in residence in Annapolis, Maryland, joining an elite network of global arts leaders committed to the future of cultural institutions.
Since joining the CAC in 2023, Vassallo has led the institution through its 20th anniversary in the landmark Zaha Hadid-designed building, launched a new strategic plan and introduced an artistic vision that strengthens the museum’s role locally and internationally. Her selection for the DeVos Fellowship is a reflection of her dynamic leadership in Cincinnati and a significant milestone for the city’s cultural sector.
Vassallo brings more than 15 years of executive-level experience to the CAC, with prior leadership roles at the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, SPACES in Cleveland, and Flux Factory in New York City. Her work has consistently championed innovative programming and sustainable growth in the arts.
The DeVos Institute assists arts, culture, and humanities organizations, as well as universities, public media, medical, K-12 education, and science non-profits.
In One Voice
Grammy-award winner Renée Fleming, the 2025 May Festival Director, has curated a series of powerful storytelling that explores the voice in everything.
Photo: Andrew Eccles, Decca
Each spring, the Cincinnati May Festival is a reminder of Cincinnati’s historic, and still pivotal role, in the choral music.
This year’s Festival Director, Renée Fleming, a five-time Grammy Award winner and National Medal of Arts recipient, has performed at the greatest opera houses, concert halls, and theaters and has captivated audiences around the world with her extraordinary voice and artistry.
In addition to her consummate artistry as a performer, Fleming as a passion for research at the intersection of arts, health and neuroscience Fleming will host two rare learning opportunities open to the public: a panel discussion called Music and Mind: Conversation with Renée Fleming on May 20 as well as a special masterclass for young professional singers and pianists on May 21. The community is encouraged to attend both unique experiences.
“I’m honored to serve as Festival Director for the 2025 May Festival, and to collaborate with Matthew Swanson and the Chorus,” said Fleming. “Cincinnati is famous for its vibrant music scene, as well as its discerning and engaged audience, giving us the opportunity to offer new and unexpected musical narratives alongside revered works. Beyond music’s power to express the most profound ideas and feelings, we are learning more every day about its enormous potential to improve our health and well-being. The Festival is programmed with those goals in mind, and I invite everyone to join us for a celebration of powerful, transformative music-making.”
Fleming has led the groundbreaking Sound Health initiative, a collaboration with the National Institutes of Health and the National Endowment for the Arts, bringing together neuroscientists, music therapists and arts practitioners to explore the impact of the arts on mental and physical well-being.
Inspired by this work, Fleming created Music and the Mind, a presentation and discussion which delve into topics such as music therapy and cognitive neuroscience. Since 2017, Fleming has presented to over 60 cities globally, earning the Research!America Rosenfeld Award for her contributions to the public understanding of these vital connections. She brings the panel discussion to Cincinnati on May 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the Ballroom at Music Hall, joined by founder Stacy Sims (The Well), researcher Betsey Nuseibeh (UC Osher Center for Integrative Health), early childhood music specialist Donna Dirksing Doran (The Summit Country Day School), and clinical psychologist Sian Cotton (University of Cincinnati College of Medicine).
In addition, Fleming will hold a special masterclass for select young professional singer and pianists on May 21 at 5 p.m. at Memorial Hall. Presented in collaboration with the Cincinnati Song Initiative, the masterclass will give participants the chance to learn from the artistry and expertise of Renée Fleming, one of the world's most celebrated singers, as she shares her insights on vocal technique, performance and interpretation. This opportunity, open to the public, provides an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the discipline and artistry required to succeed in the classical music world.
A 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree, Fleming has performed at the greatest opera houses, concert halls, and theaters and has captivated audiences around the world with her extraordinary voice and artistry. Her illustrious career includes historic performances at prestigious events, such as Super Bowl XLVIII, the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, alongside her recent role as Goodwill Ambassador for the Arts and Health appointed by the World Health Organization.
In 2016, Fleming was appointed Artistic Advisor for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she championed the intersection of health and the arts. She has led the groundbreaking Sound Health initiative, a collaboration with the National Institutes of Health and the National Endowment for the Arts, bringing together neuroscientists, music therapists and arts practitioners to explore the impact of arts on mental and physical well-being. Inspired by this work, Fleming created the presentation Music and the Mind, which delves into topics such as music therapy and cognitive neuroscience. Since 2017, Fleming has presented this program to over 60 cities globally, earning the Research!America Rosenfeld Award for her contributions to the public understanding of these vital connections.
The 2025 May Festival opens Friday, May 16, with Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem Mass performed by the May Festival Chorus and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Ramón Tebar. A profound work born from the composer’s grief over the death of his friend, poet Alessandro Manzoni, Verdi’s Requiem was completed in 1874 and reflects the composer’s deep emotional range, blending operatic intensity with sacred themes. A celebrated interpreter of Verdi’s music, through signature portrayals of Violetta in Verdi’s La traviata and Desdemona in Verdi’s Otello, Fleming has often expressed her deep connection to music by the composer, highlighting his capacity to evoke a wide spectrum of emotions. Curated by Fleming in her role as Festival Director, his performance marks the May Festival’s 12th in its 152-year history, underscoring the enduring impact of Verdi’s music with its everlasting themes of loss, hope and the human experience.
On Sunday, May 18, the May Festival Chorus, May Festival Chamber Choir, May Festival Youth Chorus, and Ambassadors Ensemble from the Cincinnati Boychoir join forces for a monumental choral music event at Music Hall. Inspired by Fleming’s work in promoting the healing power of music, this unique performance will highlight the transformative effects of community and singing together. The program, called “Chasing the Dawn: A Choral Journey,” will showcase a range of musical styles, as each chorus brings its own distinct voice to the stage. Innovative staging and dynamic lighting effects will create a visually immersive experience of sound and light that enhances the emotional depth of the choral performances. The program will include music by Lili Boulanger, Morten Lauridsen, and others, as well as arrangements by Swanson and Holmes.
The following week on Thursday, May 22, the May Festival continues with a special presentation of Kevin Puts’ innovative new work, The Brightness of Light, a series of songs chronicling the romance of two major 20th-century artists—painter Georgia O’Keeffe and photographer Alfred Stieglitz. Drawn from thousands of letters, and accompanied by projections of O’Keeffe’s iconic floral paintings designed by Wendall Harrington, the performance will weave together their correspondences, revealing the fragility of love and the yearning to hold onto it. Renée Fleming, singing as Georgia O’Keeffe, will be joined by baritone Rod Gilfry as Alfred Stieglitz. The program also includes Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music and Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms. Former May Festival Principal Conductor Juanjo Mena will conduct the performance.
The 2025 May Festival concludes on Saturday, May 24, with Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene, inspired by Fleming’s 2023 Grammy Award-winning album of the same name. Paired with a film provided by the National Geographic Society, the multimedia program charts humanity’s evolving relationship with nature, in the context of climate change, through a blend of Romantic and contemporary songs performed by Fleming, including works by composers Nico Muhly, Kevin Puts and Lord of the Rings’ Howard Shore. The May Festival Chorus joins Fleming for the grand Festival conclusion, with works by Giacomo Puccini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Richard Rodgers.
Now you See It
The group exhibition “Ohio Now: State of Nature,” opens Friday, May 2 at the Contemporary Arts Center, with works by artists from across the state
“Ohio Now: State of Nature”
Opening Friday, May 2, 7 to 9 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. Sixth St.
www.cincycac.org
The opening reception features free admission to the galleries with a cash bar, complimentary small bites by Herban Vegans (while supplies last), and desserts for purchase by Cookiefection, with a performance by Uno Lady, a “one woman ghost choir” based in Cleveland.
Participating artists in the exhibition are
Catherine Clements (Bowling Green)
Avery Mags Duff (Akron),
Myles Dunigan (Oberlin)
Tina Gutierrez (Cincinnati)
Brian Harnetty (Columbus)
Desert Kitchen Collective: Glenna Jennings, Jalisa Robinson & Friends (Dayton)
Keith Lemley (Ravenna), Celeste Malvar-Stewart (Columbus)
Lori Nix & Kathleen Gerber (Cleveland)
Elena Osterwalder (Columbus)
Praxis Fiber Workshop (Cleveland)
John Sabraw (Athens)
Charmaine Spencer (Cleveland)
Supermrin (Cincinnati)
Amy Youngs (Columbus)
With the group exhibition “Ohio Now: State of Nature,” the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC), in partnership with Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (moCa), brings together artists from across the state who are creating daring works that focus on sustainability, agriculture, and the circular economy.
“This exhibition has been a great example of CAC’s mission to be a lab for understanding ourselves, others, and the world around us through the creation and experience of all contemporary art forms,” said Christina Vassallo, CAC’s Alice and Harris Weston Executive Director. “We are thrilled to have designed ‘Ohio Now’ with moCa, as a recurring exhibition series that will explore the breadth of artistic talent across this state.”
Through diverse materials and perspectives, these artists reflect on humanity’s relationship with the environment, incorporating found elements like waterway pollutants, plant-based dyes, and grass clippings, while others investigate topics ranging from climate change conspiracies to natural history and arthropods.
“Ohio Now: State of Nature” features works by 15 artists, duos, or groups focused on the relationships within complex ecosystems, with art that across multiple media and disciplines that examines and hopes to shift our impact on the environment. Many draw directly from personal experiences as farmers, grocery workers, or environmental observes. Comprised of works spanning painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, installation, and community-based practice, this exhibition highlights the urgency of environmental issues while inviting dialogue and response.
“Ohio is the seventh most populous state in our country – we have rural areas, we have densely populated urban communities like Cincinnati and Cleveland, we have suburban communities – and there are artists living and making work in every type of community across the state. This exhibition represents a sampling of the innovative and diverse practices across Ohio,” said Theresa Bembnister, CAC Curator. “CAC and moCa are uniquely positioned – geographically and as two premier contemporary arts institutions – to develop and present an exhibition that can think local while reflecting on national and global realities.”
This exhibition is organized in partnership with moCa Cleveland.
“An institutional partnership like this – formed between the premier contemporary art organizations in the northern- and southern-most cities in Ohio – illustrates our commitment to supporting regional perspectives and engaging audiences with the evolving landscape of creative practices in their communities,” says Vassallo.
The presentation of “Ohio Now: State of Nature” at CAC is supported by Lucinda Barnes, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Bruce Lazarus & Phil Weintraub, Barbara K. Myers, P&G, and The Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation.
Looking Ahead
Celebrate summer a little early! Summerfair – recognized as one of the best fine arts and crafts fair in the nation – is getting ready for this year’s event at Coney Island. You can join the fun with the release of a new beer and this year’s poster at HighGrain Brentwood.
Summer is a little bit closer with the debut of the 2025 Summerfair poster and a seasonal lager from HighGrain Brewing.
This year’s poster was created by Amy Panfalone, a middle school art teacher for the Lakota Local School district. She has been teaching art for more than 20 years. She holds a Master in the Art of Teaching, a bachelor's degree in art education from SUNY Buffalo and an associate degree in commercial art technology from Sinclair Community College in Dayton.
Summerfair Cincinnati Poster Reveal
Thursday, April 24, 6 to 8 p.m.
HighGrain Brentwood, 9176 Winton Road.
Along with the new poster, a new seasonal lager for Summerfair will be released that night.
Artist Amy Panfalone will be at HighGrain signing copies of the poster.
“I feel so blessed to be able to help promote wonderful artists associated with Summerfair through my poster design,” says Panfalone. “I thought a fun way to illustrate the many different types of artists would be through personified paint brushes. Each brush reflects the diverse approaches and personalities of artists everywhere.”
Panfalone will be at HighGrain on April 24, signing copies of the poster.
“This is the second time we have worked with Amy on our poster,” says Jayne Utter, managing director of Summerfair. “We are excited for everyone to see her latest work and her fun and beautiful take on the creative process!”
Summerfair will be held at Coney Island, Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1. Advance tickets are on sale now at summerfair.org, with one-day ($10) or multi-day tickets ($15) tickets available. Children 12 and under admitted free.
Stormy Weather
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company gets into the act with the wild and windy Spring weather! A new production of “The Tempest” has all of the magic and monsters, love and liquor, and retribution and redemption, with an eco-conscious twist. All of costumes, props, and the entire set were created with recycled and reused materials.
Dani Grace Nissen as Miranda, Jason Coffenberry as Ferdinand, and Leslie Brott as Prospera in William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
“The Tempest”
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
1195 Elm St. adjacent to Washington Park
Through May 4
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday matinees on April 20, 27, and May 4, 2 p.m. Tickets available at cincyshakes.com “The eco-friendly approach just made sense for ‘The Tempest’ because of the content of the show itself,” says Samantha Reno, scenic designer with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. “The island has its own life force, its own ecosystem, and the story deals a lot with ideas of colonization and its impact on environments and inhabitants.”
In “The Tempest,” the exiled sorcerer Prospera waits, marooned on an enchanting, yet ecologically fragile island, consumed by thoughts of revenge. So when fate places all her old enemies within reach, tempests (both literal and metaphorical) stir. As the climate shifts, so do allegiances, while young love takes root in this unpredictable environment. .
Designed with an eco-conscious objective, all costumes, props, and the entire set have been created with recycled and reused materials. The set will also be recycled after the show, making “The Tempest” almost completely sustainable.
“About 99.9% of this set is recycled or reused materials — and that was both the challenge and the fun of it,” says Reno. “We are always committed to a blend of salvaged materials and things that could be re-used again after a show anyway but we really dialed it up for this one. It definitely requires more weekly maintenance and staff time to manage the materials — But it’s absolutely on-brand for this production.”
Cincy Shakes collaborated with the Cincinnati Recycle and Reuse Hub and members of the community to supply some of the needed materials to bring magic to the stage.
“Our engagement team was looking into local organizations we could partner with for this show and came across (Cincinnati Recycle and Reuse Hub),” says Reno. “We reached out to see if they’d be interested in collaborating — and they said yes right away! They were so excited to be part of something this unique and creative. The ReUse & Recycle Hub is like a playground for creative people. We found so many amazing materials there — egg cartons and CDs that we turned into flowers, packing materials we sculpted into platforms, and even cork that became sand.”
The team also put out a call to their audiences, who showed up in a big way. Ordinary people donated incredible items — agricultural erosion netting that we was used to shape the island’s greenery and cardboard used to build structures. Be on the lookout! The creative team even found ways to sneak in Easter eggs from past productions.
While many re-used, re-purposed and found objects are used for the set and costumes, Reno does have a pick for the strangest thing in the show, which also confirms the belief to never throw anything away.
“Definitely the masts on the ship sails!,” says Reno. “They’re actually made out of stacked metal trash cans we found in the basement of the theatre — There were 16 of them just sitting there! We figured out a way to turn them into these towering masts.”
Cannes you Believe it
“The Mastermind,” a movie shot in Cincinnati and NKY last fall, is in competition for the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
A movie shot entirely on location in Cincinnati is premiering at Cannes?
Mais oui!
Filmed last Fall, “The Mastermind,” will make its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in May. A compelling crime drama, the film is directed by the acclaimed Kelly Reichardt, and has been selected to compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or.
“Being chosen to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival—especially in competition for the Palme d’Or—is an extraordinary achievement for filmmakers,” said Kristen Schlotman, president and CEO of Film Cincinnati. “Cannes stands as one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, and we are absolutely thrilled for Kelly Reichardt and the entire team to be recognized with this remarkable honor.”
Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Vietnam War era, “The Mastermind” delves into the intricate world of art theft. The narrative follows a daring heist that challenges the boundaries of loyalty and morality during a period of significant social and political upheaval.
The film boasts a stellar cast, including Josh O’Connor, Alana Haim, and John Magaro. Reichardt, known for her nuanced storytelling in films such as “First Cow” and “Wendy and Lucy,” brings her distinctive directorial approach to “The Mastermind.”
“The selection of ‘The Mastermind’ for the Cannes Film Festival underscores Cincinnati’s appeal to filmmakers seeking diverse and authentic settings,” said Schlotman. “Film Cincinnati remains committed to supporting productions that not only tell compelling stories but also contribute to the local economy and highlight the city’s rich cultural tapestry.”
The Invitation
Rapper, songwriter, and educator Rich Robbins joins the Taft Museum of Art as the 2025 Duncanson Artistin-Residence, beginning April 10.
The annual Duncanson Artist-in-Residence program at the Taft Museum of Art begins April 10, with Chicago-based rapper, songwriter, producer, educator, and television host Rich Robbins leading public programs, teaching workshops, and visiting schools across Greater Cincinnati throughout the month.
Robbins is the museum’s 39th Duncanson artist-in-residence. His music has also garnered one million streams and counting across major streaming platforms, with collaborators including artists such as Mick Jenkins, Saba, Mother Nature.
Outside of the studio, Robbins has also headlined major festivals such as the Taste of Chicago and Metro and performed at nationally iconic venues like the Apollo Theater in New York. Robbins is a First Wave Hip Hop & Urban Arts Scholarship Program recipient from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Through this program he developed his craft as part of a high-level artistic community alongside faculty, staff, and nationally renowned spoken word and hip-hop artists and engaged the community in service-learning projects that combined multicultural arts and activism.
Celebrate the kickoff of his residency on Thursday, April 10, 6–8 p.m. at the Taft, with a meet and greet opportunity with Robbins, and special performances by Elementz artists and hip-hop storyteller Stephen Hooks. This is a FREE event and includes admission to the Taft’s current exhibitions Mystery & Benevolence, J.M.W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons, and the collection galleries featuring the Duncanson murals.
Duncanson Artist-in-Residence programs:
Creative Writing Workshop
Saturday, April 12, 4–5:30 p.m.
Harriet Beecher Stowe House
Join Robbins for a creative writing workshop that explores the power of storytelling, lyricism, and rhythm in creative writing. Recommended for ages 18 and up. This is a FREE event! Registration is not required; participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
FREE! Family Funday
Sunday, April 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Taft Museum of Art
Celebrate Earth Day at the museum! Make upcycled art all day under the tent, join a hands-on workshop with Charlotte Reed of Art Equals, and rock out with the Taft's 2025 Duncanson Artist-in-Residence, Rich Robbins, and School of Rock Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. This is a free event! Registration is not required. Includes admission to Mystery & Benevolence, J.M.W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons, and the collection galleries featuring the Duncanson murals.
Educator Master Class: Art Integration for K-12
Wednesday, April 16, 5–7 p.m.
Taft Museum of Art
This immersive masterclass, led Robbins, equips K-12 teachers with strategies to integrate the arts into their curriculum. This is a FREE event for K-12 educators. Registration is required.
Master Class: Hip-Hop and Creative Thinking
Thursday, April 17, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Elementz
Discover how hip-hop fosters innovative thinking, helping artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives break boundaries in their work. This session will challenge participants to reimagine problemsolving, branding, and expression through the spirit of hip-hop. This is a FREE event! Recommended for audiences ages 13 and up. Registration is recommended.
Master Class: The Art of Lyricism and Story Writing
Tuesday, April 22, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Elementz
Explore the craft of songwriting and lyric writing through hip-hop’s rich storytelling tradition. Learn how to harness personal experiences, cultural influences, and rhythm to create impactful narratives. This is a FREE event! Recommended for audiences ages 13 and up. Registration is recommended.
Master Class: Technology and the Music Business
Thursday, April 24, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Elementz
Navigate the evolving music industry with insights into how technology is shaping production, distribution, and artist visibility. From streaming to social media strategies, this session equips participants with the knowledge to thrive in today’s music landscape. This is a FREE event! Recommended for audiences ages 13 and up. Registration is recommended.
Closing Celebration
Saturday, April 26, 1–3:30 p.m.
Artsville
Celebrate the closing of the 2025 Duncanson Artist-in-Residence with a creative and reflective afternoon exploring the journey of this year's residency through live performances, visual displays, and community engagement. Guests will have the opportunity to meet hip-hop artist Rich Robbins, hear insights about his work, and experience the impact of this residency on Cincinnati's communities.
Register at www.taftmuseum.org/duncansonprogram.
Established in 1986 by the Taft Museum of Art and the Robert S. Duncanson Society, the award-winning Duncanson Program honors the achievements of contemporary Black artists working in a variety of disciplines—year-round. Over the years, many nationally and internationally acclaimed artists spanning an array of disciplines have been selected for the Duncanson Artist-in-Residence. This includes visual and performance artist Vanessa German, choreographer Stafford Berry, and the esteemed poet Nikki Giovanni (the inaugural Duncanson Artist-in-Residence in 1986).
The program honors the relationship between Black American painter Robert S. Duncanson and his patron, Nicholas Longworth, who commissioned Duncanson to paint landscape murals in the foyer of his home circa 1850-52, now the Taft Museum of Art.
Teenage Dream
Take Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” add a happier ending and music by hitmaker Max Martin and you get Broadway in Cincinnati's “&Juliet”!
& Juliet
Aronoff Center for the Arts
Through April 20
Tuesday – Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets at CincinnatiArts.org.
You probably read Romeo & Juliet in high school Since then you’ve seen one of the movies – up to and including West Side Story – and it always ends the same way – in tears.
But the musical & Juliet begs the question “What would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?”
You can explore the answer to that question through an incredible pop music landscape as Broadway in Cincinnati brings & Juliet to the Aronoff Center for the Arts.
Featuring songs by the legendary Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Max Martin, a book by the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” David West Read, direction by Luke Sheppard and choreography by Emmy-Award winner Jennifer Weber, & Juliet opened on Broadway in November 2022, where it continues playing to sold-out crowds and breaking box office records.
Rachel Simone Webb brings a warmth and an incredible voice to Juliet. She leads a formidable cast as Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems including “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is,” and “Can't Stop the Feeling!”
Spoiler alert: Romeo makes an appearance (because of course he does…), played by CCM grad Michael Canu. You won’t want to love this “guy with a tight body and lots of feelings” but his adorable lack of self-awareness will win you over.
Michael Canu and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET
Photo: Matthew Murphy
&Juliet recontextualizes these pop anthems in fun and often moving ways, offering unexpected takes on marriage, love, letting go, and, of course, finding true love.
& Juliet has been performed on four continents since its World Premiere in September 2019. It began at the Manchester Opera House in England, before moving to London’s West End, where it won three Olivier Awards, and 6 WhatsOnStage Awards before playing its final performance at the Shaftesbury Theatre in March 2023. The show had its North American premiere in July 2022 in Toronto, where it broke box office records and played to standing-room-only audiences, before heading to Broadway, where it again broke box office records and plays nightly to sold-out crowds.
Header image: Rachel Simone Webb and the company of the North American Tour of & JULIET.
Photo: Matthew Murphy
Getting Creative
Christian Vassallo, executive director of the Contemporary Arts Center, and other arts leaders join CreativeOhio's inaugural Advocacy Leadership Institute.
CreativeOhio is the statewide voice for Ohio’s creative sector. With over 130 member organizations, we provide leadership, advocacy, and support to strengthen and enhance Ohio through arts, culture, and creativity.The CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute is made possible with support from The George Gund Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and Edwards Companies.For more information visit creativeoh.org.CreativeOhio has announced the selection of six arts leaders from the Cincinnati area for the inaugural CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI). This innovative program, launching in May 2025, will equip participants with advocacy skills, legislative insights, and statewide connections to champion Ohio’s creative sector. These leaders are among a cohort of 25, representing 15 cities throughout the state.
The selected Cincinnati-area cohort members are:
Justin Brookhart, Executive Director, BLINK / Senior VP of Cultural Economy, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
Sara Clark, Director of Development, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Gee Horton, Artist/Founder, Gee Horton Studios
Colleen Houston, CEO & Artistic Director, ArtWorks
Kristin Riepenhoff Zelinskas, Program Officer, Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Christina Vassallo, Alice & Harris Weston Executive Director, Contemporary Arts Center
“These Cincinnati-area leaders exemplify the strength and impact of the arts in Southwest Ohio,” said Sarah Sisser, Executive Director & CEO of CreativeOhio. “Their participation in this program will further empower them to advocate for the arts, ensuring that creativity continues to be a driver of economic growth and cultural vibrancy in our state.”
The CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute, which runs from May to October 2025, provides participants with hands-on workshops, site visits to cultural hubs, and in-depth discussions on legislative processes, public funding, and advocacy strategies. The program is designed to cultivate a new generation of advocacy champions dedicated to strengthening Ohio’s creative economy.
“As CAC embraces our mission to be a lab for understanding ourselves, others, and the world around us through the creation and experience of all contemporary art forms, it is an exciting time to join arts leaders from around Cincinnati and the state of Ohio to help strengthen the voice of the arts sector in Cincinnati and beyond,” said Vassallo.
Rising Above
Don't miss American Legacy Theatre at The Contemporary Arts Center for the Ohio premiere of "Higher," an original rock musical, opening this weekend.
“Higher”
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St.
March 7–9, 13–15, 20–22
Tickets begin at $40 for general admission; discounted and complimentary tickets are available for active military, veterans, and those in need of financial assistance
Art gets off the all at the Contemporary Art Center, with Higher, an original rock musical developed by American Legacy Theatre.
Performances of the show, which opens March 7, will take place in the CAC’s three-story gallery space. “Higher” has been newly rewritten for this production for its Ohio premiere.
“Higher” explores the power of love, with a gripping story set amidst the crisis of addiction that has rocked so many families and communities across the country, particularly here in the Midwest.
The musical is a message of hope from playwright Mark Levine, with a mission to reduce stigma surrounding those impacted by the opioid crisis, which continues to affect millions of people from all walks of life.
“Higher” shines a light on the emotional rollercoaster of addiction, told through a gripping love story. During the performance, viewers will experience All-American beginnings of the main character, Benjamin, and see how life’s harsh realities align to derail his dreams. As he searches for meaning and belonging, his newfound love, Mara, offers a tempting and dangerous "solution."
Directed by Matthew David Gellin, this original rock musical is the first of its kind in American musical theatre, tackling the subject of addiction in a new way. ALT developed the production to bring people from all walks of life together to build a shared vocabulary and create shared experience.
Supported by a dynamic seven-person ensemble, Benjamin’s journey unfolds, leading him to discover powerful ways to rise above his pain, and ultimately to make the hardest decision of his life. This compelling new work explores struggle, transformation, and hope in ways that every viewer will be moved by.
This American Legacy Theatre presentation at CAC is made possible through the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation's generous support of The Basement: CAC's Black Box Lab.
On the Landscape
J. M. W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons, rarely displayed works by one of Britain’s greatest painters, opens at the Taft Museum of Art on March 1.
J. M. W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons
Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St.
March 1–June 15
General admission is free for Taft members, military, and youth (17 and under); $15 for adults; and $12 for seniors. Admission is free on Sundays and Mondays. For tickets and information visit taftmuseum.org/Turner250.
Special programs:
Create & Play | The Art of Watercolor
Thursday, March 19, 10:15 a.m.
FREE! Family Funday | Earth Day Art
Sunday, April 13, 10 a.m.–4p.m.
Afternoon Tea | British National Tea Day
Friday, April 18, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Curator Talk & Tour | Watercolor Horizons
Featuring Tamera Lenz Muente
Wednesday, April 23 & May 21, 11 a.m.–12p.m.
A full listing can be found at taftmuseum.org/Turner250.
Looking for a Spring Break destination without breaking the bank? Consider making an epic trip to see European vistas without leaving the city!
The Taft Museum of Art and the Cincinnati Art Museum are celebrate the 250th anniversary of James Mallord William Turner’s birth with a special exhibition of the painter’s incredible watercolors.
J. M. W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons is the first exhibition to bring together the entirety of the two museums’ luminous works by Turner in this medium.
The dozen paintings in Watercolor Horizons feature views of Switzerland, Germany, France, England, Scotland, and Italy. The exhibition explores Turner’s skill with a brush on paper through these remarkable landscapes, examples of his innovative techniques, and painting tools from the era on loan from local collections.
“J. M. W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons is a rare opportunity to see these treasures up close and in person. Each is filled with exquisite color and mind-blowing details that you can examine with magnifying glasses we’ll have in the gallery. Paired with a tea from the café or a family program, the Turner birthday experience at the Taft is one not to miss!” says the exhibition’s curator Tamera Lenz Muente.
Considered one of Britain’s greatest landscape painters, Turner (English, 1775–1851) was a master of the art of watercolor. A prolific artist and intrepid traveler, he was especially drawn to mountains, alpine lakes, glaciers, river valleys, and the sea, as well as the human presence within these dramatic settings.
Hometown Proud
ArtsWave and meetNKY have teamed up to launch the Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grants — a new initiative designed to use the arts to drive economic growth, strengthen communities, and highlight Northern Kentucky’s unique cultural identity.
Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grants
Now open for applications, the grants will provide up to $10,000 per project to eligible organizations. Funded projects will take place between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, with a focus on strengthening Northern Kentucky’s cultural and economic vitality.
How to Apply
To be eligible for the Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grants, organizations must:
Have 501(c)(3) status or operate as a nonprofit with an established fiscal agent within the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN MSA, which includes: Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio; Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, and Pendleton Counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn, Franklin, and Ohio Counties in Indiana.
Have a primary mission focused on arts or cultural heritage programming that benefits Northern Kentucky communities.
Full grant guidelines and application details will be available at artswave.org/nkygrants.
ArtsWave, the Cincinnati region’s leading arts funder, and meetNKY, Northern Kentucky’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, have announced the launch of the Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grants —a new initiative designed to use the arts to drive economic growth, strengthen communities, and highlight Northern Kentucky’s unique cultural identity.
“This innovative partnership with meetNKY allows us to build on our longstanding investment in Northern Kentucky,” said Alecia Kintner, president and CEO of ArtsWave. “By deepening our commitment to creative placemaking, we're not just supporting individual artists and organizations—we're catalyzing economic growth and fostering an even stronger sense of community to unify the entire region.”
Creative placemaking has been proven to deliver measurable economic benefits, from increased foot traffic for small businesses to higher property values and job creation. According to Americans for the Arts, arts-driven development stimulates local economies and boosts tourism—making it an essential strategy for regions like Northern Kentucky that are looking to grow.
“Creative placemaking projects not only boost our region’s appeal as a destination for meetings, conventions, and tourists, but they also instill pride in our residents,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY. “This partnership connects us even closer with ArtsWave’s vast capabilities and networks, tying Northern Kentucky to the region’s vibrant arts ecosystem.”
Lisa Sauer, former co-chair of the ArtsWave Campaign and retired P&G executive, offers a resident’s perspective, “As a Northern Kentucky resident, I'm thrilled to see this targeted investment in our community. We know that the arts have the power to transform neighborhoods, attract visitors, and improve quality of life for everyone. This grant is yet another tool for building growth in Northern Kentucky and the region as a whole.”
Looking Forward
Summerfair's annual “Emerging Artists” exhibition opens at Clifton Cultural Arts Center, showcasing student artists from local universities.
Summerfair Emerging Artists Exhibition
Clifton Cultural Arts Center
3412 Clifton Ave.
Opening reception: Thursday, Feb. 13, 6 to 8 p.m.
Exhibition continues through Feb. 28
More at www.summerfair.org.
While Cincinnati has a vibrant history as a strong arts center, its future as a cultural center is also bright.
Each year Summerfair Cincinnati presents the Emerging Artists exhibition, featuring works by junior and senior art students from Greater Cincinnati colleges.
This exhibition is an important part of Summerfair’s mission to support young artists in the region through awards, scholarships, and exhibitions. These young artists represent the next generation of artists on the local art scene. They are nominated by their professors, juried by Summerfair, and are given the opportunity to exhibit their work among their peers.
“This exhibition not only showcases some of the best young talent in our region, it also helps these artists develop the skills needed to be part of exhibitions as they move forward in their careers,” says Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director. “They get first-hand experience about communicating with directors, preparing their works, and attending an opening reception.”
This year, the works will be shown in the new Clifton Cultural Arts Center, which opened last spring. CCAC the first purpose-built community arts center in the city of Cincinnati. The 20,000 sq. ft., sustainably built building features a two-story glass-front art gallery, multi-purpose classrooms, performance and meeting space, as well as a green rooftop terrace.
The artists in this year’s exhibition represent seven area schools and feature works in a variety of media.
Art Academy of Cincinnati:
Margaret Faulkner, Tom Schneider, Elizabeth Zajkowski
Miami University:
Jordan Prewitt, Kit M. Soares, Lana Traum
Mount St. Joseph University:
Jensen Orbegozo, Kerigan Pollard, Madison Taylor
Northern Kentucky University:
Jessie Crawford, Taryn Frank, Alexandra Agnus Hoegermeyer
Thomas More College:
Haleigh Spare
University of Cincinnati | DAPP:
Ethan Fessler, Sophia Kroto, Venus Yam
Xavier University:
Briana Dunn, Megan Dodds, Molly Jachim
The Emerging Artists Exhibition continues through Feb. 28. The gallery is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Easy Tiger
Take a look behind-the-scenes of Life of Pi, winner of three Tony Awards, playing at Broadway in Cincinnati at the Aronoff Center through Sunday.
The Broadway Across America touring production of Life of Pi and Broadway in Cincinnati presented a behind-the-scenes look at the visually stunning show, playing through Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Aronoff Center. Members of Life of Pi’s production team and cast explained their methods, the show’s impact, and answered questions from students from UC’s College Conservatory of Music and School for the Creative and Performing Arts, many of whom were treated to opening night tickets for the show.
Taha Mandviwala, a London, Ky. native who got his start at Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park, stars as Pi. Guests at the behind-the-scenes event got a surprise appearance from Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger at the center of the story, and the three world-class puppeteers who bring him to life.
Good news: Broadway in Cincinnati has announced rush tickets are available through the end of the show. Tickets will be 50% off current pricing at the Aronoff Center box office, two hours prior to the performance, while supplies last.
Based on the novel that sold more than 15 million copies and became a worldwide phenomenon, Life of Pi is an epic story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation.
After a shipwreck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi survives on a lifeboat with four companions— a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world-class puppetry, and exquisite stagecraft, Life of Pi creates a breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.
Get tickets at cincinnatiarts.evenue.net/events/LPI.