First and Foremost

Just 12 years younger than the nation, Cincinnati has been at the center of sweeping changes and pioneering innovations that have influenced the region, the country, and the world.

The Centinel of the North-Western Territory

The Centinel of the North-Western Territory, established in 1793 by William E. McGuffey (yes, the “McGuffey Readers” guy) was the first newspaper in Ohio and one of the earliest newspapers in the Midwest.

Edited by William Maxwell, a Revolutionary soldier, who moved west after the war. It was the first printing of record in what is now Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin – the Old Northwest Territory – and was published weekly until 1796, when Maxwell sold the paper.

The Centinel earned a reputation for reliability and became an influential voice in local journalism, contributing to community engagement.

Elizabeth Blackwell

Elizabeth Blackwell’s story begins on Eighth Street between Walnut and Main– not far from the plaque honoring her on the YWCA building. Blackwell, her mother, and sisters opened The Cincinnati English and French Academy for Young Ladies in their home as a way to support themselves. A dying friend’s comment – that she would have received better care from a female physician – inspired Blackwell to apply to medical school.

She enrolled at Geneva Medical College and in 1849 became the first American woman to earn a medical degree, training nurses for Union hospitals during the Civil War. Blackwell also championed social justice and women’s rights, advocating for equal access to education.

Today, women make up more than half of all U.S. medical school enrollees – a milestone that traces its roots directly to the doors Blackwell forced open more than 175 years ago. Her legacy endures in every woman who has practiced or aspired to practice medicine.

Ingalls Building

If you are walking around the corner of Fourth and Vine streets, you may overlook the Ingalls Building – the world’s first reinforced concrete skyscraper.

Standing 16 stories tall,  the building helped cement the acceptance of high-rise concrete construction across the United States. When Melville E. Ingalls first proposed the idea to city officials, the skepticism ran high –  the tallest building at the time stood just six stories. It took two years to secure the permit, but in 1903 the building was completed and became an instant landmark. His pioneering efforts helped establish the viability of concrete for large, multi-level buildings.

Now a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, the building serves as a reminder that Cincinnati has long punched above its weight in shaping American innovation – and that sometimes the most transformative ideas come wrapped in the most unassuming facades.

Fire Museum

The Cincinnati Fire Museum is more than just an educational building – it stands as a reminder of the long history of firefighting in Cincinnati.

The city made history in 1853 when it established the nation’s first paid, professional fire department by law. The department’s organizational model became a blueprint adopted by cities across the country, cementing Cincinnati’s place as a pioneer in the technological and administrative development of the American fire service. The museum opened in 1980 with a mission to honor the history of the first volunteers, the first paid professionals and the modern firefighter, while also teaching visitors the importance of fire safety. Its interactive exhibit, the Safe House, empowers guests with hands-on fire safety education set inside a model home environment.

As one of the most prominent and prosperous American cities in the mid-1800s – and home to Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose observations and experiences inspired “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” a novel that transformed the country – Cincinnati played a pivotal role in the Civil War. That history is commemorated throughout the city.

Lincoln Statue in Lytle Park

In 1913, Charles P. Taft – brother of former U.S. president William Howard Taft – commissioned sculptor George Gray Bernard to create a statue of Abraham Lincoln, honoring the man who led the nation through the Civil War.

What set Bernard’s work apart from other Lincoln sculptures was his use of a life mask of Lincoln rather than relying on decades-old photographs. Nonetheless, the statue drew sharp criticism over its portrayal of Lincoln,

That Lincoln continues to inspire public art, political debate and civic pride more than 160 years after his assassination speaks to the enduring power of his presidency and the values he represented.

Black Brigade Monument

In 1862, the Black Brigade of Cincinnati became the first organized African American group employed for military duty in the Civil War, mobilized to protect Cincinnati from Confederate forces.

When members first sought to volunteer, city officials dismissed them, saying it was not their war to fight. On Sept. 4, General Lew Wallace appointed Judge William Martin Dickson to lead the African American men, removing them from the mistreatment they had faced at the hands of the police. Many of the men voluntarily returned to serve under Judge Dickson, marching across the river under the National flag, digging rifle pits, clearing trees, and building forts, magazines, and roads.

The Black Brigade disbanded Sept. 20, but many members went on to serve honorably in the Union Army — some enlisting in the renowned 54th Massachusetts Regiment. In 2012, a memorial was erected at Smale Riverfront Park to honor the brigade’s impact on Cincinnati and the nation. Their service helped lay the groundwork fro the full racial integration of the U.S. military — a milestone not officially achieved until President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981 in 1948, more than 80 years later.

The Freedom Center

Situated on the banks of the Ohio River, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center draws visitors from across the country seeking to understand the true meaning of inclusive freedom through different artifacts and exhibits.

Since opening in 2004, the Freedom Center has told the stories of heroes from the Underground Railroad through the present day. Its location on the Ohio River carries deep historical significance —  the very banks where many enslaved people took their first steps on free soil after escaping through the Underground Railroad. Through thought-provoking exhibits, programming and films, the Freedom Center sparks dialogue around freedom, the denial of freedom, systemic racism, implicit bias and modern-day enslavement. For students, educators and first-time visitors alike, the Freedom Center offers a tangible connection to a chapter of American history that textbooks alone cannot fully convey.

It makes it a resource not just for Cincinnati, but for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the country’s past and its ongoing story.

– Ella Tabor

Built to Last

As we move into the semiquincentennial – and we should absolutely take every chance we can to use that word while we can – we should all enjoy a bit of Cincinnati history.

From politics to industry to the arts, Cincinnati has long held a place in the national conversation, inspiring generations to aim higher and go farther.

Steamboat Monument
E. Mehring Way and Broadway

Cincinnati’s history is tied to the Ohio River, from the flatboats of the 1700s to the river industry that propelled the city’s growth in the 19th century, leading the city to become one of the major steamboat capitals of America.  

This history is honored by the the National Steamboat Monument at Sawyer Point. Thie bold, musical, and mist-filled homage to its steamboat legacy. Unveiled in 2002 and designed by sound-sculpture architect Christopher Janney, the monument combines steel, steam, and sound in a way that’s more interactive art installation than a static memorial.

Music Hall
1241 Elm St.

This iconic building is home to the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and May Festival.

Music Hall is a historic landmark, originally created to be a convention center, and quickly became a space for a multitude of activities, including sporting events, exhibits, and circuses, among other things. Internationally acclaimed artists continued to visit the venue, establishing its reputation for incredible music. The hall closed for renovations during 2016-17, and has been thriving in the blooming OTR neighborhood.

Music Hall continues to change innovate, as it is home this Summer to Cincinnati Opera’s inaugural production in the Black Opera Project, “Lalovavi,” and as a focal point of BLINK, the nation’s largest public art event.

Rhinegeist
1910 Elm St.

By the mid-1800s, 36 breweries produced more than 30 million gallons of beer in Cincinnati, much of it served in the 1,800 saloons that were open by 1890. The brewing heritage runs deep – literally, with lagering tunnels dug underneath the breweries and still open for tours.

That spirit is kept alive today in a number of revived local breweries, including Rhinegeist. Meaning “Spirit of the Rhine,” this craft brewery and cidery is housed in the historic site of the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company. Moerlein was the largest Cincinnati brewery of the 19th century, so Rhinegeist is both preserving and carrying on the city’s great beer traditions.

Neil Armstrong

The first man who walked on the moon is immortalized on a mural located on Fifth Third Bank Headquarters along Walnut Street.

Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, attended Purdue University, and became a naval aviator from 1949 to 1952. He later earned a Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California as well as honorary doctorates from several universities. Armstrong left NASA in August 1971 to become professor of engineering at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, a post he held until 1979. He was decorated by 17 countries and received numerous special honors.

William Howard Taft Birthplace 
2038 Auburn Ave.

Located in Mount Auburn, the birthplace and childhood home of William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The site features two main buildings – Taft’s family home, restored to look as it did during William’s childhood and the Visitor Center.

William Howard Taft National Historic Site preserves the birthplace and boyhood home of William Howard Taft, the nation's 27th President and 10th Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The site was established in 1969 to give visitors an understanding of the environment that shaped Taft's character and philosophy. We encourage visitors to explore the stories and articles listed on this page to learn more about the "Gentle Giant" and the Cincinnati area in which he grew up.

Statue of James A. Garfield
Piatt Park, 801-811 Vine St

Ohio native, U.S. Army general, U.S. Representative, and the 20th president of the United States, James A. Garfield took the oath of office in March 1881, was shot by an assassin in July and died in September. Cincinnati-born sculptor Charles Henry Niehaus paid tribute to Garfield, designing the statue in 1883 for its placement in Piatt Park, the city’s oldest park.

Statue of William Henry Harrison (

Joining Garfield’s statue is one honoring William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States and the first of eight American presidents from Ohio. Sculpted and designed by Louis T. Rebisso of the Cincinnati School of Art, the statue was unveiled in Piatt Park on May 30, 1986 and is the only equestrian statue in Cincinnati.

– Ella Sander

Making a Spectacle

“Artrageous”
Emery Theatre, 1112 Walnut St.

Friday, June 26, 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 27, 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 28, 2 p.m.

Tickets start at just $30, visit thechildrenstheatre.com

Looking for a family outing that’s anything but ordinary? The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) invites audiences of all ages to experience “Artrageous.”

“‘Artrageous’ is pure joy,” said Kim Kern, president and CEO of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. “It’s colorful, interactive, and full of surprises.”

“Artrageous” is a five-star, internationally touring sensation that transforms the stage into an immersive experience and vibrant celebration of music, art, and creativity.

This one-of-a-kind performance experience feels like a rock concert meets a live painting event. Featuring a troupe of world-class artists, musicians, singers, and performers, “Artrageous” combines live music, action painting, choreography, and audience participation into a fast-paced multimedia spectacle that turns the artistic process into live entertainment.

The fun doesn't stop on the stage. Audience members may find themselves joining the troupe under the spotlight, discovering surprises throughout the performance, along with an opportunity to win a painting valued at $25,000 just by being there. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite DIY “Artrageous”-inspired costumes to participate in the Costume Contest, and the first 100 attendees at each performance will receive a complimentary Adventure Kit.

Whether you're a budding artist, music lover, or simply looking for a fresh way to spend time together this summer, “Artrageous” offers an unforgettable experience that celebrates imagination, self-expression, and the joy of creating something together.

“Summer is the perfect time for families to try something new and create memories together,” said Kern. “It's exactly the kind of experience families will remember long after summer ends.”

Forever Free

Run the Block: Juneteenth Unity Run/Walk

Friday, June 19, 6 –9 p.m.
Esoteric Brewing Co.
918 E McMillan St., Cincinnati

6:30 p.m. Welcome and stretch
6:45 p.m.  Run/walk starts

After the fun at the Freedom Center ends, head to Walnut Hills for the Juneteenth Unity Run/Walk. The route features a 1.8 Mile loop and 1.4 Mile walking loop in Walnut Hills. Afterparty features DJ AQ, fitness challenges, raffle prizes, and Black-owned businesses.

Sponsored by Tri-State Running, Pig Works, and Hoka

FREE event, participants are asked to RSVP here.

In 2021, Juneteenth officially became a Federal holiday. But since June 19, 1866 – the first anniversary of the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston to announce the end of slavery – “Jubilee Day” has been commemorated with community celebrations.

True to the spirit of those earliest Juneteenth celebrations, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center welcomes everyone to join the Juneteenth Jubilee on Friday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live music, food trucks and a Community Market, with activities spilling out onto Freedom Way.

The day begins with Opal’s Walk for Freedom, commemorating the advocacy of Dr. Opal Lee – the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” – to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Guests will also enjoy free museum admission thanks to the Fifth Third Foundation. They can experience drop-in programming centered around the theme “What does Afro-futurism mean to you?” and give back through the Juneteenth Blood Drive with Hoxworth Blood Center.

The current exhibit at the Freedom Center, “Jubilation! Ambassadors on a Sacred Journey” immerses visitors in the legacy of the Fisk Jubilee Singers®, the Grammy-Award winning world-renowned ensemble group that introduced African American spirituals to the world.

This exhibit not only honors the Fisk Jubilee Singers’ historic contributions and their roles as ambassadors of Fisk University, a historically Black university, but it also emphasizes their lasting influence on American music and culture. Jubilation! celebrates their work as pioneers who used music as a tool for resilience, empowerment, and social change.

Performances throughout the day feature 2nd Wind Band, DJ Vader, Ijo Ugo Performing Arts, Skate Downtown Cincy and DJ Arie. Guests will find family-friendly fun with Indigo Hippo, Black Lit Books, The Gaskins Foundation, and Cincinnati Metro, plus free screenings of “Afrofantastic: The Transformative World of Afrofuturism” and “Space is the Place.” Cincinnati Observatory will be onsite with a Pop-Up Planetarium!

Newly added to this year’s Juneteenth lineup is a special panel discussion featuring cast members from “Disney’s The Lion King,” at the Aronoff Center through July 5 as part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s Broadway in Cincinnati series.

This unique conversation will explore the power of storytelling, representation and cultural legacy through one of the most celebrated productions in theatrical history. Panelists will share insights from their experiences in the production and reflect on themes that resonate deeply with Juneteenth.

For a full list of event at the Freedom Center visit freedomcenter.org/voice/event/juneteenth-jubilee-2026.

Sense of Place

“From free concerts at a historic rail site in Ludlow to arts programming woven into a Covington farmers market, these initiatives are building vibrant, connected communities and making culture within reach for everyone. We're grateful for MeetNKY's partnership in making this work possible,” said Alecia Kintner, president and CEO of ArtsWave.

Family poses after participating in a performance at Sparks in the Park in Covington with Circus Mojo, a 2025 grantee.

Photo:The Center for Great Neighborhoods

This week, ArtsWave and MeetNKY awarded $60,000 through nine Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking grants to support arts and cultural heritage projects across Northern Kentucky. The grants, part of an ongoing strategic partnership between the two organizations, fund community-driven initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods, celebrate cultural identity and drive economic vitality throughout the region.

2026-27 Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grants

African Women Alliance
Creative Roots: A Heritage Skills Workshop

Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theatre
Afrika On The Move: Expanding Cultural Connections & Community Wellbeing

Infinite Hills Productions, Inc.
The Rail Sessions

Pones
Ride with an Artist Day

Queer Kentucky, Inc.
NKY Anthology Print Magazine

ReNewport
The Orchard Project

Southbank Shakespeare
Southbank Shakespeare Summer Season

The Center for Great Neighborhoods
Arts at the Market

Urban Appalachian Community Coalition
UACC Place Keepers – Woven Branches Project

“These nine projects reflect what creative placemaking does at its best, it roots the arts in the neighborhoods where people already live, work and gather,” said Kintner.

Funded projects will take place between June 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027, spanning Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties.

The grant program supports nonprofit organizations proposing arts-driven initiatives that contribute to community development across Northern Kentucky, aligned with ArtsWave's Blueprint for Collective Action.

Projects include a traveling African cultural festival and wellness initiative, a live music series activating Ludlow's historic Railfan Tower, arts experiences aboard TANK bus routes, expanded free Shakespeare performances throughout Northern Kentucky and creative programming at the Covington Farmers Market. Projects also include hands-on African cultural heritage workshops, a print anthology highlighting Northern Kentucky's LGBTQ+ arts community, continued transformation of Newport's Orchard Street corridor through public art and events, and a collaborative project engaging young adults in exploring Appalachian heritage through visual art and storytelling.

“Arts and culture are central to how people experience and connect with Northern Kentucky,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of MeetNKY. “These projects energize public spaces, reflect the character of our communities and make Northern Kentucky a more compelling place to live and visit. We're proud to support this work alongside ArtsWave.”

In Your Feelings

Salome
June 18 and 20, 7:30 p.m.

Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street

Music by Richard Strauss
Libretto by Hedwig Lachmann
Based on the play by Oscar Wilde

Sung in German with projected English translations

Lalovavi
Thursday, July 9 and July 11, 7:30 p.m,

Music by Kevin Day 
Libretto by Tifara Brown

Sung in English and Tut* with projected English lyrics and translation

Carmen
July 25, 29 and 31, 7:30 p.m.
August 2, 3 p.m.

Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Ludovic Halévy and Henri Meilhac

Sung in French with projected English translations

Orpheus and Euridice
July 28, 8 p.m.
Wilks Studio, Music Hall

Music and text by Ricky Ian Gordon

Sung in English with projected lyrics

Tickets and info at www.cincinnatiopera.org

If your only experience with opera is what you’ve seen in Warner Brothers cartoons, I urge you to give Cincinnati Opera a try this summer.

It will be at once what you’ve seen Bugs Bunny perform and all-together something new.

Opera is BIG and it is explores all the big themes – love (obviously), death (so many deaths), revenge (though often “he had it coming”) and joy (no, really).

These are also all the things that make us human and shape how we see our world, in ways both mundane and grand.

There is an old adage in musical theater that when you can’t talk about how you feel, you sing. Opera is all singing.

You may not know a single word of Italian, but when Madame Butterfly sings her final aria you will still cry. Her expression of sadness over the loss of her child and the many (many) tragedies in her life transcend any language barrier and speak to universal truths.

Like any good summer blockbuster, Cincinnati Opera features plenty of action, monumental characters and an unforgettable score.

The season begins next week with “Salome,” based on the play by Oscar Wilde and music by Richard Strauss, who you might know from “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

The opera is a mix of political intrigue, sex, and chaos – all the things things you’re scrolling to on Netflix. “Salome” is described as a fever dream of obsession, power, and prophecy, where every glance is loaded, and no desire is without cost.

Maybe sci fi is more your thing? What if I said you could experience the world of “Blank Panther” on the stage of Music Hall.

This is the promise of “Lalovavi.”

The author and her husband, post-opera, post- crying.

Set 400 years into the future, “Lalovavi” is an Afrofuturist adventure that follows Persephone, the youngest daughter of the ruler of Atlas, the city formerly known as Atlanta. Expect secret identities, betrayal, and a road trip on the way to discovering one’s destiny.

“Lalovavi” is a world premiere and the first production of The Black Opera Project, a bold initiative shaping a more expansive future for opera, rooted in artistry, legacy, and the power of stories that deserve to be seen and heard. Each story is designed to uplift, inspire, and resonate profoundly.

Created by award-winning composer Kevin Day and writer and performance poet Tifara Brown, “Lalovavi” is a massive production, with sets and costumes to rival a Marvel movie.

Wrapping up the season is a classic, transporting “Carmen” to Havana. This epic tale of love and rivalry doesn’t really end well for anyone, but the story and music – some of which you’ll recognize from “The Bad News Bears” – have enthralled audiences for more than 150 years. This is your chance to find out why!

The season also includes Ricky Ian Gordon’s new retelling of “Orpheus and Euridice,” one of the all-time saddest love stories. The myth is a cautionary tale to don’t look back, and Gordon infuses the opera with longing, loss, and ultimately acceptance.

One question I often is “Do you need to get dressed up for the opera?”

I do, and you most certainly can. In our hyper-casual society, it’s fun to break out a sparkly dress or a bow tie. But it’s also summer in Cincinnati, so that moisture-wicking shirt makes a lot of sense.

Cincinnati Opera is very much come as you are, just as long as you make sure to get there.

– Tricia Suit

One of the Family

Photo: Tasha Pinelo

Saturday, June 13
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St.

Tickets:
General Admission: $15 Child Ticket (Ages 3-18); $30 Adult Ticket
(CAC Members receive a $10 discount)
Children 2 and under are free!

Discount code: ArtfulCincy (case sensitive) for
$10 off General Admission tickets for Adults!

VIP Admission
$40 VIP Ticket adds open bar, including brunch-themed cocktails, to General Admission experience

Host/Hostess Package
$250 package includes two VIP tickets plus recognition on CAC’s website and social media channels

Tickets and additional information are available at cincycac.org/artful.

Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) has long been a place to explore the world – and our own creativity – through art and ideas. With Artful Adventure, even the smallest visitors will have that chance.

“Last year’s inaugural Artful Adventure confirmed something we’ve long believed at CAC – families are looking for meaningful ways to experience art and community together,” says Carolyn Hefner, chief of external affairs with CAC. “We saw children and adults engaging side-by-side, creating, exploring exhibitions, and making memories in spaces can often be perceived as primarily for adults.It’s also a wonderful way to introduce new families to CAC while raising support for the programs the serve thousands of young people each year.”

All proceeds from Artful Adventure support CAC’s mission to remain a lab for understanding ourselves, others, and the world around us through the creation and experience of all contemporary art forms.

“CAC serves more than 14,000 learners annually through educational programming, school partnerships, and hands-on art experiences,” says Hefner. “A family-friendly fundraiser is a natural extension of that work because it allows families to experience firsthand the creativity, curiosity, and connection that contemporary art can inspire.”

This fun-filled day combines fan-favorite CAC Family Fest experiences with special artist activations, collaborative art projects, food, music, and interactive gallery experiences throughout the museum.

Highlights include

• Clay Ghost Making with current CAC-exhibiting artist Michael Stillion

• Collaborative printing with local artists Jon Flannery and Joe Walsh of Take a Moment Studios

• Artist interactions with CAC Artist-in-Residence Micah Mickles

• Storytime with Zaza Scents

• Gallery ghost hunts through the exhibition “Michael Stillion: And then it was flowers”

• Post-It Poetry inspired by the exhibition “Gee Horton: Chapter 4, In Another Lifetime”

• A giant collaborative Blue Tape Mural

• Artful City community-building installations

• A family dance party with DJ Nat Jones

• Little Fox face painting

• Interactive playscape experiences for younger guests

Photo: Tasha Pinelo

“One of the biggest highlights is the opportunity to experience CAC as and interactive playground for creativity,” says Hefner. “Families can participate in hands-on art activations throughout the building, explore current exhibitions, and engage with artists and creative partners from across the community.

Guests can also enjoy light brunch bites from Magnificent Morsels, Munch! Midnight + Brunch, and others, along with beverages from Rhinegeist, and more. Urbana Café will be open throughout the day for coffee and treats for purchase.

The atmosphere is playful, energetic, and uniquely CAC. For many families, it’s a chance to make lasting memories while supporting an institution that believes art should be accessible to everyone.

“We love that Artful Adventure removes the idea that fundraising events need to be formal or adult-focused,” says Hefner. “Instead, it invites multiple generations across our community to engage together while supporting programs that ensure young people throughout the region have access to the arts.”

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All proceeds from Artful Adventure support CAC’s mission to remain a lab for understanding ourselves, others, and the world around us through the creation and experience of all contemporary art forms.

Artful Adventure is sponsored by Corrie Loeffler + Adam Turer, Carolyn + Cody Hefner, and Shannon + John Morris

A Day in the Sun

Summerfair Cincinnati
Friday, May 29, 12 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 31, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

One-day tickets are $10, multi-day tickets are $15. Children 12 and under admitted free.

Tickets for one day or multi-day admission are availalbe at summerfair.org.

Summerfair Cincinnati marks its 59th year, returning to Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., May 39–31, with more than 340 juried artists.

“Coney Island looks spectacular!” says Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director. “The park area where Summerfair is held is beautiful. Our footprint is mostly the same as previous years.”

Which means visitors will be seeing the best of the best!

The artists 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.

“You will be able to find great art is every category and every price point from all over the country,” says Jayne Utter, Summerfair’s managing director. “Even Rhode Island is represented this year!”

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.

Music at Summerfair

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 (

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. 

This year, along with Summerfair T-shirts, totes, and other merch, you’ll find a new collaboration with The Cincy Hat, created by Bengals center, Ted Karras. The Cincy Hat Summerfair collection includes two limited-edition hats that will help support artists and arts organizations in the region. Each hat pairs the iconic Cincy Hat logo with Summerfair’s signature bright and vibrant colors.

Karras helped officially launch The Cincy Hat Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education and infrastructure for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Cincinnati area, in October 2024. The initiative further established his long-lasting commitment to supporting adults with IDD, which first became widely publicized in 2022 when he began selling his fan-favorite Cincy Hat to benefit Village of Merici, a living community and service provider based in his hometown of Indianapolis.

The hats will be for sale for $35 at the Summerfair information booth. This joint fundraiser will support Summerfair’s mission to support artists and arts organizations in the region and Cincy’s Hat’s mission to provide housing and educational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

Also available exclusively at Summerfair, a new light lager from HighGrain Brewing feauring artwork from this year’s commemorative Summerfair poster by local artist Rich Blandford.

“Our weather is going to be perfect!” says Utter. “Come enjoy a day or the entire weekend with us. There will be local entertainment Saturday and Sunday. Our food court will be full of many choices. There is a youth arts area where the kids can be creative. Then there is all the fabulous art, so you can shop for gifts or yourself – we’ll never judge you!”

Outside Interests

Cincy Fringe, officially the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, promises “real theatre handmade by real people.”

Cincy Fringe returns for its 23rd year with an outrageous assortment of one-hour, live performances created and performed by independent theatre artists in pop-up venues all over OTR.

Queer Appalachia: “Early Bird,” “Appalachian Songcatcher,” “Transcendent”),

Reclaiming Catholicism: “Unreconciled,” “Dizzy Miss Lizzie’s" Roadside Revue Presents The Saints”)

Reimagined Masculinity: “FRONTIER So Far, Good... Girl?,” “PAPA”

Celebrations of Life and the Destigmatization of Grief: “Pato Y Muerte,” ‘Memento Holly,” “This Will Only Ever Happen Once,” “Homesick”

Horror and Revenge: “Bloody Fairytales,” “The Mad Women’s Ball,” “Locusta’s Assassins,” “A Hollywood Horror Story”

Musicals: “BOMB! An FBI Musical,” “Private Equity! The Musical,” “The Saints.”

See a full schedule of all shows and get tickets at cincyfringe.com/

From Friday, May 29 to Saturday, June 13, the festival unleashes a whirlwind of wholly original theatre and experimental performance from more than 35 independent local, national, and international theatre artists.

Katie Hartman, now in her fifth year as producer of the Cincy Fringe, is excited to dive into this year’s festival, which though all new and different, do have some recurring subject matter.

“Prevalent themes that are running through the festival include queer Appalachia, reclaiming Catholicism, reimagined masculinity, celebrations of life and the destigmatization of grief, a healthy dose of horror and revenge and more musicals than we’ve had at any one festival in a long time,” says Hartman.

A 14-day celebration of theatre, art, music, dance, puppetry, and everything in between, Cincy Fringe showcases everything that is glorious about being human – to be daring, honest and imperfect – all performed in intimate pop-up venues. Audiences can expect the unexpected as churches, storefronts, street corners, and so much more are transformed and imbued with live performance - all within the heart of OTR.

“The Cincy Fringe is really special,” says Katie Hartman, now in her fifth year as producer of the Cincy Fringe. “It’s famous for being a festival where artists and patrons mix and mingle in the Know Theatre’s Underground Bar. Every night, after seeing a wild variety of shows from a wide array of artists, folks meet there and talk about all the art they just saw and the party just keeps going. It’s a joyful and generous place where people get to show up as their favorite self; we’re so excited to welcome folks into that experience.”

This year the festival carries the torch of creative community care and radical self-expression with a Primary Lineup of 25 production, featuring new work from 13 local creators, 10 productions from across the U.S., and two international artists from Canada and Australia. With 21 world premieres, 13 regional premieres, and 10 producing companies that have never-been-seen in Cincinnati, adventurous audiences are guaranteed an experience of a brave and unabashed creative community that can’t be had anywhere else.

With more than 160 ticketed events, free Kids Fringe programming on weekend afternoons, a full Saturday of back-to-back ASL-interpreted shows, and a different, free, Late Night event every night at 10 p.m., the Cincy Fringe is Cincinnati’s Summer Theatre Party.

“Fringe Late Night is where we get to know each other. It’s where friendships are made.”

— Katie Hartman, producer of Cincy Fringe

Each night of the festival, audiences can enjoy a different, free, themed event in the Know Theatre Underground Cabaret & Bar. These include pitches for new shows, puppetry, gay spelling be, and Fringe Olympics, all culminating in the “Picks of the Fringe” awards.

“Fringe Late Night is something that really sets our festival apart from any other theatre festival on the continent,” says Harteman. “Every night at 10 p.m. in the Know Theatre Underground, the distinction between artist and patron blurs and folks get to come together and connect. We laugh, we dance, we sing karaoke, we ride Segways, we play DnD, and we talk about experiences in the theatre that we’ve witnessed or been a part of that have changed the way we think about life and art and the people that we love.”

Big Shoes to Fill

Photos: Andy Dobson

Eric Appleby (bass, keyboards, toy piano, tap) was a co-founder, publisher, and designer of “Forklift, Ohio: A Journal of Poetry, Cooking & Light Industrial Safety.” He has designed poetry books and chaps for authors including Dean Young, Charles Wright, Paul Violi, Chad Sweeney, Adam Fell, Russell Dillon, and Matt Hart. A graduate of Ball State University, he works as a Computer Whisperer Marketing Hack for a regional wholesaler. He plays in the bands Nevernew, 7 Speed Vortex, and TRAVEL.

Nick Barrows (narrator) is the host of the Inhailer Radio's programs, “Kinda Early” and “In.Local.” He is a vocalist in the bands Jack Burton Overdrive and Hare Hunter Field. He has been performing poetry for more than 25 years, from Kaldi’s Coffee House to Word of Mouth at MOTR Pub. His words have appeared in “Forklift, Ohio: A Journal of Poetry, Cooking, & Light Industrial Safety” and several Aurore Press anthologies.

Jane Carver (keyboardist, vocals), a graduate of the Art Academy of Cincinnati, she is an adjunct professor at Bowling Green State University. Her artistic practice includes fabrication in wood, ceramics, metal, plastics, and found objects, drawing, photography, set design and construction, as well as writing, music composition, and production.

Matt Hart (vocals, guitar) was a co-founder of “Forklift, Ohio: A Journal of Poetry, Cooking, & Light Industrial Safety” and editor-in-chief from 1994–2019. The head of creative writing at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and faculty mentor in the PNCA/Willamette University Low-Residency Creative Writing MFA Program, his awards include a Pushcart Prize, a grant from The Shifting Foundation, and fellowships from the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference. Hart’s music has been featured on MTV and in major motion pictures, including Kevin Smith’s “Mallrats.” He plays in the post-punk/indie rock bands Nevernew and Travel.

Jay Reynolds (multi-instrumentalist) has been playing woodwinds since he was 12 years old and he’s loved every minute of it. A graduate in saxophone studies from both the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy and The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. From playing as a session musician alongside artists like Bootsy Collins, to touring with bands like 10-time Grammy Award winners Asleep At The Wheel, he has played either sax, flute, or clarinet in literally every style of music.

Christian Schmit (percussion and sound effect specialist) is a graduate of the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 1994 and has a master of fine arts from the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) at the University of Cincinnati. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at U.C. – DAAP’s School of Art and AAC. His work has featured in exhibitions in venues including Eva G. Farris Art Gallery at Thomas More College, the Carnegie Arts Center, Wave Pool, and Weston Art Gallery. His work is represented in numerous private collections.

(Note: For the purposes of his story, a “Shoe” can be a poem, a musical composition, or a performer. Just go with it.)

Founded in the late ’90s by longtime collaborators Eric Appleby and Matt Hart, The 50 Shoes are a mix of spoken-word poetry, genre-defying music, dance performance, and visual art.

On Friday, for the first time in more than 20 years, The 50 Shoes are reuniting for a one-night-only performance at the Weston Art Gallery.

Michael Goodson, director of the Weston Art Gallery, has begun to bring in more performances including the Mark Lomax Quartet playing John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” in honor of its 60th anniversary and Puzzle of Light playing a set including massive sound sculptures.

“Hart’s poetry was suggested to me as I spoke to people about including writers and poets to the programming,” says Goodson “Our first conversation made it clear that we had similar interests in music as well. The 50 Shoes seemed a clear interstitial moment between punk and poetry. It also seemed to be an interesting portal into Cincy’s historied punk and alternative scene.”

Hart and Appleby have played in bands together – punk and otherwise – for more than 30 years, and also published “Forklift, Ohio: A Journal of Poetry, Cooking, & Light Industrial Safety,” for 20 years. The other band members – Jane Carver, Jay Reynolds, and Christian Schmit – have played with both Hart and Appleby in other bands, as well as in numerous other musical projects on their own. (See sidebar.)

“We’ve all known each other for decades, and it's fun doing something out-of-the-ordinary, which is itself beyond-out-of-the-ordinary,” says Hart.

The origin story of The 50 Shoes dates back to a discussion about the artistic process between Hart and Schmit, a visual artist and Shoes’ percussionist.

Schmit recounted his thoughts about drawing the perfect shoe. Even if he got it right the first time, he still needed to erase and re-draw the shoe another 49 times because as an artist he wanted to try every idea.

Inspired by that concept and tribulation, Hart wrote 50 short poems that, he says, were all trying to do the same thing but couldn’t. Then Appleby, in a spirit of collaboration – and, admittedly, a bit of one-upmanship – decided to set each poem to music.

“It's been fascinating, sometimes humbling, to try on these pieces we originally wrote and performed in our 20s, and wear them at our current age,” says Appleby. “A Shoes performance always felt precarious – if only by the numbers – doing 35 pieces, trading off among a dozen instruments, and each one a different mood, style, or genre.”

Every performance includes a recitation of the poem by Hart before exploding into a song – melodic, noisy, jangly, shanty – composed by Appleby.

The musical elements include Schmit’s hand-assembled percussion rig, tap dancing, toy piano, accordion, saxophone, bass, and guitar. The players often switch instruments and on occasion abandon them completely.

“As with all art, these pieces are significantly a record of their own making, and each performance of them is a demonstration of the process,” says Hart. “The pieces are in many ways still alive, evolving moment to moment.”

While poetry and music can be often solitary endeavors, a group of dedicated musicians and friends, contributed music and sounds to Appleby’s original concepts. Through improvisation and, of course, trial and error, the Shoes created the final songs the audience hears.

“The words of a Shoe often don’t ‘make sense’ in any conventional way, so what follows their recitation is our best effort at making sense, illuminating, underlining, erasing, re-drawing, or transforming them,” says Appleby. “It’s a bit like that old saw that in musical theater – when itts too much to say, you sing; and when it's too much to sing, you dance. But with the Shoes, we try to do all of these at once, or in rapid succession. Also, there’s one where Christian actually plays a saw.”

– Tricia Suit

Stranger Things

“The House on Watch Hill”
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
1127 Vine Street

Friday, May 22
Meet the Inspiration!

6:45 p.m.: Pre-show photo opportunities for media only
7:30 p.m.: Performance

Immediately following the show: Exclusive talkback with cast members and the real-life inspirations for the show

Performances continue through May 31, 2026
Tuesday – Saturday, 7:30 pm
Saturday and Sunda,t 2:00 pm

Tickets and information at ensemblecincinnati.org

Inspired by true events, “The House on Watch Hill” now playing at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati tells the true story of a group of local teenagers who set out to create an unforgettable haunted house experience.

At this Friday’s performance the audience will have the unique opportunity to meet the actual people whose lives inspired the production!

The evening includes pre-show photo opportunities and a special post-show talkback featuring the real-life inspirations alongside members of the cast.

It’s a rare opportunity to learng behind-the-scenes insight into the real memories and experiences that inspired the story onstage.

“The House on Watch Hill” by Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor, the Tony-nominated creators of “Bandstand,” closes Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s (ETC) 40th anniversary season with this regional premiere. Pulsing with original ‘80s-inspired music, this thrilling new musical is full of nostalgia, heart, and a touch of the supernatural. Playing through May 31, the show is directed by D. Lynn Meyers, ETC’s Producing Artistic Director, and Dee Anne Bryll.

“Do you remember a summer when you thought everything was possible?” asks Meyers. “This show is about the stripping away all the layers of who we’ve become and going back to a time when we were still growing, still dreaming, and still hoping things come to fruition. It’s based on a true and local story about the life of one of its creators, Richard Oberacker, and the summer that changed his life. What a brave and beautiful opportunity to share his story. The concept of this story would be considered completely outrageous if it wasn’t true. And the music? It’s intoxicating. Once you jump in, the rhythm just keeps going throughout the whole piece. These songs could have been hits of the ‘80s had they been written during that time.” 

“The House on Watch Hill” follows a group of teen misfits in the summer of 1984 who set out to build the ultimate haunted house in their Cincinnati suburb. Led by 14-year-old horror buff Patrick, their project stirs up fears far more real than any ghost story. Set to an original ’80s-inspired soundtrack and steeped in Cold War anxiety and latchkey freedom, this coming-of-age story is funny, moving, and maybe just a little spooky. A must-see for fans of “Stranger Things,’ “The Goonies”, and anyone who’s ever felt like an underdog, “The House on Watch Hill” captures the bittersweet moment between childhood and growing up—when you’re old enough to know the world is scary but brave enough to face it anyway.

The cast includes Jason Collins (Adult 1), Julianne Ferreira da Silva (Jennifer), Wesley Akio Geary (Paul), Adrian Graff (Patrick), Jordyn Amani Jones (Joy), Morgan Lindell (Kristin), Sara Mackie (Adult 2), Gavin Poronsky (Tim), and Tommy Sanders (Jason).

Best Foot Forward

Give yourself a breather during this long weekend to enjoy movement and explore nature in Eden Park.

Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Parks Foundation, and Cincinnati Parks are collaborating on a community event on Saturday, May 23 that includes a free Cincinnati Ballet performance and a guided wellness experience at the Seasongood Pavilion.

Before the performance, guests are invited for optional guided wellness walk led by Dr. Barbara Walker of the Osher Center at 4 p.m., following the performance with Derek Scacchetti with Urban Rangers at 7 p.m., or explore the self-guided route around Mirror Lake and Tom Jones Commons at their own pace. Along the way, interactive signage with QR codes will demonstrate ballet-inspired movements for participants to try themselves before experiencing the Ballet performance at 5:30 p.m.

The event is a gift to the community from The Women’s Committee of Cincinnati Parks in celebration of its 20th anniversary. Featuring a special performance by the Cincinnati Ballet Academy Professional Training Division at Seasongood Pavilion, the evening will celebrate the connection between wellness, creativity and the outdoors through dance, walking and guided conversation as part of the award-winning Cincinnati Parks + Rec for Wellness, an initiative powered by the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Parks + Rec for Wellness is a free, citywide initiative supported by Cincinnati Parks Foundation in partnership with Cincinnati Parks and Cincinnati Recreation Commission along with many community organizations. The program connects people to nature, movement and community through free experiences in Cincinnati Parks. This interactive experience is designed to encourage movement, play and connection while bringing together wellness, public art and performance in one of Cincinnati’s most iconic parks.

From dance and nature to movement and mindfulness, this evening is designed to celebrate the many ways Cincinnati Parks can bring people together.

Songs of the Season

2026 Cincinnati May Festival

Friday, May 15, 5 p.m.
Dîner En Fleur
Washington Park

Friday, May 15, 7:30 p.m.
“An Eclectic Opening Night”

Saturday, May 16, 5:30 p.m.
Festival Family Lounge
Wilks Studio

Saturday, May 16, 7:30 p.m.
“The Water’s Journey”

Sunday, May 17, 3 p.m.
“A Dream Deferred: Langston Hughes In Song”
Memorial Hall

Tuesday, May 19, 7:30 p.m.
Vocal Arts Ensemble:
Rossini’s “Petite Messe Solennelle”
Christ Church Cathedral

Thursday, May 21, 7:30 p.m.
On Love And Lust
Music Hall

Friday, May 22, 12:30 a.m.
Minis At Cincinnati Art Museum Babies Sing
Cincinnati Art Museum

Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m.
Minis At Cincinnati Art Museum Sensory Saturdays
incinnati Art Museum

Saturday, May 23, 7:30 p.m.
“Porgy And Bess: Festival Finale”
Music Hall

Tickets and Information

Julia Bullock, a Grammy-winning vocalist, brings her considerable talents to this year’s Cincinnati May Festival, both has a festival director and as a singer.

The 2026 May Festival revisits works from the history of the Festival in combination with new works never performed by the May Festival Chorus before, as well as new visual elements and collaborations with local performing arts groups, including the Cincinnati Ballet and the Classical Roots Community Choir.

As the oldest choral music festival in the Western Hemisphere, the 2026 May Festival features the most works by Black Americans, as well as pieces from the most diverse composers over the span of the four main concerts. The May Festival Chorus will perform pieces ranging from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” to selections from Carlos Simon’s “Good News Mass”. They will sing alongside Bullock and be joined on stage by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director, Cristian Măcelaru, conductor Matthew Swanson and guest conductor Anthony Parnther.

For opening night, The May Festival hosts Dîner en Fleur in Washington Park, a public picnic for community members to come together and share a meal before attending the concert at Music Hall.

Inspired by the traditions of the Festival’s more than 150-year history, guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic baskets and food, as well as come dressed in spring attire to enjoy a night of choral music while dining with neighbors. Dîner en Fleur will feature live entertainment, picnic tables for seating and free activities for guests. In addition to live entertainment, there will also be the opportunity for attendees to create their own free flower crown in partnership with the Cincinnati Art Museum.

The party is followed by “An Eclectic Opening Night,” concert, a powerful celebration of music from across centuries and genres, reflecting the Festival’s storied past while boldly stepping into its future.

As co-curated by this year’s May Festival, along with May Festival’s Director of Choruses, Matthew Swanson, Bullock brings a distinguished international career marked by acclaimed performances, innovative curatorial projects and recognized leadership in social advocacy within the arts to the one-year role. Her solo album Walking in the Dark won the 2024 Grammy Award for “Best Classical Solo Vocal.” She has also performed on three Grammy nominated recordings and showcased her talent in lead roles of John Adam’s “El Niño” and “Antony and Cleopatra” at the Metropolitan Opera.

In addition to her performances and being artist-in-residence at preeminent art institutions around the world, Bullock is also responsible for launching three signature projects that have flourished nationally and beyond. This includes a multimedia ethnographic anthology called “History’s Persistent Voice,” which focuses on the influence of pre-emancipation voices across generations, emphasizing that era’s poetic musical traditions while centering the multifaceted identities of the Black American experience, realized through art.

“After almost a year of research and conversations, I am thrilled to share our key programming for this year’s May Festival,” said Bullock. “Historically, the festival has focused on gathering together local arts communities and performers, commissioning new work, and presenting unexpected repertoire side-by-side. I’ve followed that same ethos in planning this year’s music and events and am excited that these four core programs so clearly represent the May Festival in all its breadth and flair. Additional announcements will follow over the months ahead.”

Opening night’s performance will by conducted by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director, Cristian Măcelaru. The concert begins with Anton Bruckner’s “Psalm 150,” a dynamic and compelling showcase for chorus and orchestra, which will be performed by Bullock. A dialogue in song follows as the works of Alexander von Zemlinsky and Margaret Bonds — based on texts written by Langston Hughes — are intertwined. This concert concludes with an “Eclectic Mass;” a compilation of movements from various composers that, together, complete the Mass ordinary. The “Eclectic Mass” contains selections from Carlos Simon’s “Good News Mass” and Sanctus, Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina’s “Missa Assumpta est Maria,” Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Cantata No. 191,” Margaret Bonds’ “Credo” and ends with a gospel-inspired arrangement of a May Festival staple, the “Hallelujah Chorus” from George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah”, entitled, “Soulful Hallelujah.” The “Eclectic Mass” is heightened as Carlos Simon, for the first time with the Cincinnati May Festival, improvises on the Hammond Organ and Associate Director of Choruses, Jason Alexander Holmes, plays the role of the preacher.  

The Festival continues with music inspired by the power and mystique of water. Under the baton of Măcelaru, the CSO performs Duke Ellington’s, “The River,” a first for the Cincinnati May Festival. In his 1973 autobiography, Ellington composed “The River” to recount the journey of water as an allegory for life and spiritualty. The May Festival Chorus takes the stage alongside the CSO for the second half of the program in Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 1, “A Sea Symphony,” which also focuses on the power of the sea as a metaphor for life and the journey into death’s unknown.

For its second week, the Cincinnati Ballet’s Second Company will join the May Festival Chorus on stage for for the first time in the May Festival’s history. Cincinnati Ballet’s Yoshihisa Arai will create new choreography for two renowned and rarely performed ballets: Igor Stravinsky’s “Les noces” (“The Wedding”) and Carl Orff’s “Catulli Carmina” (“Songs of Catullus”). Also new to the May Festival program, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s percussion section and four pianists take center stage in performing “Les noces” alongside guest artists soprano Victoria Okafor, contralto Sara Couden, tenor Nicholas Phan and bass-baritone Yannis François.

In a celebratory conclusion, the May Festival Chorus joins forces with members of the Classical Roots Community Choir, the May Festival Youth Chorus, Bullock and baritone Alfred Walker for the “Festival Finale: Porgy and Bess'.” This final performance features Alfred Walker as Porgy and Bullock as Bess in her own personal selections from “Porgy and Bess.” This performance also features the first collaboration between the May Festival and the Classical Roots Community Choir. To wrap up the Festival, the program features “Plain-Chant for America” by William Grant Still, the first African-American composer to have a work performed by a major American orchestra. In addition, the program includes Stephen Paulus’ “Prayers & Remembrances” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Make our Garden Grow” from “Candide.” In a nod to honoring tradition, the 2026 May Festival will end with Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from “Messiah.”

No stranger to Cincinnati, Bullock performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra last season in “El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered,” a chamber orchestral recreation of John Adams’ “El Niño” arranged by Bullock and her husband and conductor, Christian Reif. The recreation amplifies the voices of women and Latin American poets. Bullock says her time in Cincinnati encouraged her to accept the opportunity as the May Festival’s third Festival Director.

“What has been so special as a curator for this upcoming season is the collaborative spirit and expertise of both the May Festival team and the Cincinnati Symphony. Never have I felt so enthusiastic and excited while devising programs in partnership with arts organizations,” Bullock said. “What a lucky city to be filled with people who are so devoted to putting on a festival of this scale year after year! I honestly just feel lucky, as a singer, to take part in your arts and cultural experience.” 

More to See

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“Voices Unheard: Art, Identity, and Experience” 
Opening reception: Friday, May 15, 5 p.m. 
Community Gallery
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St.

Exhibition continues through May 31.

More at cincycac.org.

Through a new partnership, Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) and the Hamilton County Juvenile Court are working to develop meaningful, creative opportunities for court-involved youth.

The initial collaboration opens to the public this Friday, with a multi-media exhibition showcasing the voices of young people currently housed at the Court's Youth Detention Center.

The exhibition, “Voices Unheard: Art, Identity, and Experience,” was created with support from the music, English, art, and science teachers inside the Youth Center's Cincinnati Public School. The works – including photographs and original words and music by the students – reflect personal stories of identity, resilience, rehabilitation, and growth shaped by lived experiences.

“Voices Unheard” invites visitors to look beyond assumptions and connect with the creativity, strength, and humanity of these young artists, offering an opportunity for reflection, understanding, and community connection.

Penny Harris, a CPS art teacher for 30 years, has worked at the CPS Youth Center school for the past seven years. A collaboration with local photographer Julian Howard sparked the idea for the CAC exhibit.

“At the Youth Center, all of our classrooms have become important spaces for detained kids,” says Harris. “They’re places where the kids can be creative, feel heard and valued. We reinforce to them that their voice matters and despite their circumstance, their futures hold promise.”

The county’s Youth Detention Center holds children facing serious charges while their case moves through the juvenile court system. If a child's case is bound over to the adult system, they remain in juvenile detention until the case is decided, up until the age of 21.

“By providing access to the arts through opportunities like this exhibition, CAC hopes to offer the assistance needed to help young people recognize their potential, find their voice, and envision new possibilities for their future,” says Elizabeth Hardin-Klink, director of education at CAC. “The work these students have created, with the tremendous support of dedicated CPS educators, is something to be championed in our community.”

“We are very grateful to our CPS teachers and CAC for working together to create this partnership for kids in our care,” said Juvenile Court Administrative Judge Kari Bloom. “Data tells us that a young person's brain is not fully developed until their mid-20s. For kids in the juvenile justice system, exposure to opportunities like this give them self-awareness, resilience, and a stronger sense of identity. Developing those qualities will lead to better outcomes for them and the community, when they are eventually released.”

All the ‘Rage

Maya Keleher as Alice Paul and SUFFS Company

“How long?” is the question at the heart of “SUFFS,” playing at the Aronoff Center for the Arts through Sunday, May 17.

Aronoff Center for the Arts
650 Walnut St.

Now through May 17

May 13, 7:30 p.m.
May 14, 7:30 p.m.
May 15, 7:30 p.m.
May 16, 2 and 7:30 p.m.
May 17, 1 and 6:30 p.m

Tickets and more info.

The Tony Award-winning musical about the fight to win the right to vote for American women is a must-see. Get tickets for this limited engagement by Broadway in Cincinnati. And ladies, take your sister, niece, best friend, and most importantly, a man, to see this one!

The musical opened on Broadway in 2024, and though you not know all the songs, but powerhouse vocals from the entire cast, but especially Maya Keleher, Marya Grandy, and Danyel Fulton, make it all instantly memorable and poignant.

“SUFFS” is a charming history lesson wrapped in a stirring score, exploring the passion of first (and second!) wave feminists. The show looks at the fight for civil rights through the stories of Ida B. Wells and Mary Church Terrell. But the central conflict – other than against the true enemy of those opposed to women’s rights! – is the struggle between Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt.

Catt’s National American Woman Suffrage Association, working from the foundation established by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, took a more “slow and steady” approach to suffrage and women’s rights. Paul took a more radical approach, organizing marches and protests, forcing other women and men to take a stand.

Many of the lyrics, while telling tales of the past, touch on topics still relevant today. Talk of tyranny, racism, and the rights of women long ignored are still with us. But, like the closing song urges, “Keep Marching.”

– Tricia Suit

Together is Better

Footage from a 2023 production of “Label•less” at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

“Label•less”
Thursday, May 7, 7 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St

VIP and General Admission tickets are available at lacheyarts.com.

Attendees will experience live performances from the cast, gain insight into the creative process, and engage directly with the artists behind the work.

“Label•less,” a powerful new musical created by Drew Lachey and Lea Lachey, will take center stage in a one-night immersive fundraising event on May 7, at the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Contemporary Arts Center. Presented by Lachey Arts in collaboration with Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) and creative studio Brave Berlin, the event will transform CAC’s second-floor gallery into a fully immersive environment through large-scale projection mapping, live performance, and storytelling.

Developed over eight years in Cincinnati,“Label•less” is now preparing for its summer 2026 Off-Broadway debut in New York City. The May 7 event offers audiences and supporters an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the production at a pivotal moment in its evolution.

Blending music, movement, and personal narrative, “Label•less” features a dynamic cast of young performers sharing real-life experiences–creating an emotionally resonant work that explores identity, belonging, and the shared human experiences that connect us beyond labels.

For one night, CAC’s gallery space will be reimagined through projection mapping by Brave Berlin, surrounding guests with dynamic visuals that respond to and enhance the performance. The evening will be hosted by Jackie Congedo, CEO of the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, serving as emcee.

“This event is about more than showcasing the work–it’s about inviting people into the journey,” said Drew Lachey and Lea Lachey. “Cincinnati is where “Label•less” was born, and it’s incredibly meaningful to share this next chapter here before taking it to New York.”

Hosted within the internationally acclaimed CAC building, the event brings together leaders across business, arts, and philanthropy to support a homegrown production with national momentum.

“This moment speaks to what makes Cincinnati special–a city where artists, institutions, and partners come together to move bold ideas forward,” said Carolyn Hefner, Chief of External Affairs at CAC. “We’re proud to host “Label•less” at CAC as it takes this next step from a Cincinnati-born work to the national stage.”

Brave Berlin’s involvement adds a layer of innovation and design, transforming the performance into a fully immersive experience.

“It is an absolute honor to visually amplify this message of inclusion, empathy and love in a space that gives voice to contemporary artists, said Steve McGowan and Dan Reynolds from Brave Berlin. “We really believe that these stories have the power to ignite change.”

Book Lights

“The Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky literary landscape is historically rich and fertile ground,” says Holly Brians Ragusa, founder of Lit Cincy “We see stark differences along the natural divide of the Ohio River, which is the impetus for writers to build bridges with words.”

Brians Ragusa, author and local literary advocate, today recently announced the launch of Lit Cincy, a new charitable organization dedicated to strengthening and unifying the literary ecosystem across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Lit Cincy is a community-driven, partnership-focused initiative designed to make the region’s literary life more visible, connected, and thriving —from poets to playwrights, novelists to journalists, emerging and youth voices to established authors.

“I am always inspired by Cincy's literary offerings, and certainly wanted to highlight them, but in this instance I am compelled to meet this moment in our nation's history–an inflection point at 250 years of democratic ideals–where literacy rates are falling, misinformation runs rampant, freedom of speech is in peril, books are banned, digital tools write for us, authors are cancelled and members of the press are under increasing threat,” she says. “Not since the Guttenberg Press have we had an acceleration in technology meet with repression of knowledge. For the first time in recorded memory, we are backsliding, as the Flynn effect shows us with Gen Z.  Now is the time to stress and feature our literary past and paths foward.”

Lit Cincy is already building partnerships within the region. The organization focuses on several key priorities, including amplifying literary events across the region; advocating for literary expression and accessibility; supporting writers and creating meaningful connections for readers; fostering cross-genre collaboration; encouraging literacy; and increasing visibility for literary spaces.

The organization’s board of directors offers a microcosm of literary voices, including award-winning authors, poets, journalists, essayists, academics, and independent creatives from around the region, all united by a shared passion for the written word.

Lit Cincy has developed a comprehensive calendar which include upcoming readings and other literary events. But it is also a space for partners and interested collaborators to share their programs and raise their platforms.

“While I am excited to support partners, build collaborations and fill programming gaps with literary love, I think I am most excited about our volunteer opportunities and purpose driven board,” says Brians Ragusa. “We aim to invest energy in our literary community and advocate for literacy, expression, and the unfettered pursuit of knowledge. Books in hands. Words on pages. Minds in action. That is what drives us.”

More information about Lit Cincy, including opportunities for involvement, events, and donations, is available at litcincy.org.

Make It Stick

A reception celebrating the exhibition will be held on Saturday, May 9, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Attendees will receive free rolls of Duck Tape® while supplies last.

If you just think of duct tape as just a go-to problem solver for automotive, home improvement, and any other emergencies, you aren’t thinking big enough!

Beginning Saturday, May 9 Washington Park, you’ll find vibrant, larger-than-life sculptures made entirely of Duck Tape® brand duct tape will be on public view atas part of the annual “Duck Tape® at the Park” exhibition from Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC).

Created by students and alumni from AAC, along with local artists, and sixth and eighth graders at The Summit Country Day School, the eight sculptures are on view through May 18.

AAC President Joe Girandola has been partnering with Duck Brand® for 20 years, teaching a special class sponsored by Shurtape Technologies, LLC, the company that markets Duck Brand®. 

He has also worked with the material in his independent artistic work and while teaching at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. 

The semester-long Duck Tape® studio course enables students to work with the material to create and cover large-scale sculptures. The semester culminates in a public gallery exhibition at Washington Park in collaboration with 3CDC.

“There is so much magic to this DIY material,” says Girandola, “This material carries a kind of unexpected power. It starts as something utilitarian—meant for quick fixes—but in the hands of our students, it becomes a tool for building at full scale, for thinking differently, for transforming the ordinary into something incredible. In my opinion, duct tape is the quintessential American ‘oil paint’ and the theme this year of America 250 is perfectly aligned with this year’s sculptures.”

The annual Duck Tape® exhibition has drawn crowds consistently and has piqued the interest of local and national media. In 2011 while Girandola was teaching at the University of Cincinnati, the transporting of Duck Tape® sculptures from Cincinnati to Avon was featured in an episode of of A&E’s “Shipping Wars.”  

A Look Ahead

Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) has named Lacy Schutz  as Interim Executive Director, effective May 18.

Schutz brings nearly 20 years of cultural institution leadership to the role, with a track record of advancing artistic ambition alongside organizational and financial strength. Most recently she served as Managing Director of ATHR Gallery in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, one of the leading contemporary art galleries in the Gulf region. Prior to that she served as Executive Director of Shaker Museum in New York, where she stabilized operations, rebuilt donor and community trust, and launched a transformative capital campaign. She has also held senior leadership roles at the Museum of the City of New York.

“We are genuinely thrilled to welcome Lacy to CAC,” said Emily Kokenge and Rick Michelman, co-presidents of CAC’s Board of Trustees. “She understands what makes CAC singular, and she has the experience to protect that while building the foundation this institution needs to take its next leap. We couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.”

Schutz has a deep commitment to the civic role of contemporary art institutions and to CAC’s history of courageous programming.

“CAC has been making bold choices since 1939,” Schutz said. “It has shown work that wasn’t safe, stood its ground when that mattered, and earned a particular kind of trust that very few institutions can claim. I am coming to Cincinnati to help build on that, to strengthen the foundation that makes the risk-taking possible, and to make sure this place continues to be what it has always been: somewhere the future gets rehearsed.”

CAC, at 44 E. Sixth St., has expanded its public hours for the summer, with galleries open Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through June. Urbana Cafe is open in the Kaplan Hall Lobby seven days a week – Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hear We Go

Tasha Pinelo

CPR One Year Anniversary Open House
Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2117 Dana Ave.
Find out more.

Gathering Space

Jake Speed & The Freddies  
12– 12:45 p.m.

Members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
1:15 – 2 p.m.

ANNIE D
2:45 – 3:30 p.m.

Madcap Puppets
4– 4:45 p.m.

Performance Studio

Wild Carrot
12:15 – 1 p.m.

Cincinnati Opera
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.

Preston Charles III
2:45 – 3:30 p.m.  

Trinity Lê
4 – 4:45 p.m.

Board Room

OK Whaddya Know
12:30 – 1:15 p.m.

Roni’s Dance Company
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. 

Peraza Music Workshop
3 – 3:45 p.m.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
4:15 – 5 p.m.

Fully embracing the middle of their name, Cincinnati Public Radio is holding a free open house to celebrate the one-year anniversary of thee opening of the Scripps Family Center for Public Media.

“Our new home in Evanston has dramatically enhanced and expanded CPR’s role,” says Richard Eiswerth, president and CEO / general manager of Cincinnati Public Radio (CPR). “In this first year of operation, we’ve hosted more than 100 public events, welcoming more than 10,000 people. There is no other public venue like this in Evanston, and we’re proud to be part of this diverse and historic Cincinnati neighborhood.

The celebration on Saturday includes live music from local musicians (and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra!), family-friendly programs from Madcap Puppets, Antonio Violins, and Classics For Kids, and performances from Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Guests can also enjoy refreshments fromCream + Sugar Coffeehouse, El Cardenal Taqueria, Fosters Foodies, and Marty’s Waffles

The first anniversary milestone comes in the midst of the collapse of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which ceased operation in January after Congress voted to cut federal funding to the organization. That funding was a key part of small and rural public media station budgets. Though the CPB was a small percentage of the CPR’s total budget, it covered critical operational costs such as music performance rights and national news distribution.

“We have been humbled and amazed at the depth and breadth of public support since the elimination of CPB,” says Eiswerth. “We’ve heard from major donors, long-time supporters, and those who may have been listening for decades but never contributed. They all recognize the value and importance of a source of unbiased, factual international, national, state, and local news — alongside compelling and inspiring musical offerings, with a heavy emphasis on Cincinnati-area performances.”
Eiswerth points out that two great huge changes — the loss of federal funding and the move to the new headquarters — have energized local supporters.

He also thinks that CPR’s staff and board have been inspired to meet the challenge to become a truly local, community-centered public service.

Despite the potentially daunting loss of federal funding, Scripps Family Center and enthusiastic local supporter, offered CPR the chance to continue to look forward and think bigger.

“We are presently neck deep in developing a new strategic plan that, we hope, can lay out our direction for the next three to five years; although, as recent events have demonstrated, it can be a bit presumptuous to assume to anticipate what these next three to five years will entail,” says Eiswerth. “We do know, and we will plan, to expand our news and music offerings, engage more partners across the media, business, and information sectors, and bring much more of the public into our building and onto our airwaves.”