A Running Start

Starting to feel like you need to get moving again? Why not train for a 5k surrounded by local art, architecture and music.

ArtsWave is teaming up the Flying Pig Marathon for The Art of Training for a 5K, on Thursday, March 25, at 7 p.m. Join Flying Pig Marathon executive director Iris Simpson Bush and WLWT's Megan Mitchell to learn how to train for a 5K using four uniquely artful 3.1-mile courses designed by Iris herself. The event will touch on the benefits of running for both mind and body, along with how the arts augment that experience.

Admission to the event comes with custom maps of the four courses, video previews of each and a playlist of Cincinnati-based music and musicians to spur you on to new heights. Each course will take you on an artistic tour of a different part of our community, past public art, historical and architectural wonders. ArtsWave Pass members an access the program for NO COST, or individual tickets can be purchased for $15.

Arts4Wellness is a live, socially-distanced wellness program with creative flair offered each month to keep us healthy and hopeful throughout 2021. Experience yoga in FC Cincinnati's new stadium, healthy grilling tips from It's Commonly Jazz co-founder, Carolyn Wallace, behind-the-scenes stories from Cincinnati-filmed movies and so much more!

The easiest way to access all of these events is by becoming a member of ArtsWave Pass. For a $75+ gift to ArtsWave, you'll receive no-cost access to all 12 Arts4Wellness events, plus complimentary tickets, merchandise, dining deals and more from partners across the region.

Celtic Pride

Your St. Patrick’s Day celebration may be a bit quieter than in years’ past, but that’s no reason to skip the party completely. Embracing the resilient spirit of the Irish, you can find smaller ways to celebrate the city’s Irish heritage while still enjoying music, dancing, and, of course, whiskey.

Whether you want to raise a socially distant pint or bring the party home, here are some to say “Sláinte!” on St. Patrick’s Day.

The Irish Heritage Center, 3905 Eastern Ave., will hold its St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 17, with the pub opening at 3 p.m., with an Irish Mass at 2 p.m. Though seating is limited, the IHC does offer a “Hundred Thousand Welcomes” (Cead Mile Failte) to all who enter the great hall. Entertainment throughout the day includes Irish and Celtic music, dancers, sing-alongs, children’s arts and crafts, and visit from St Patrick himself, with story time into the late evening. Because of social distancing, guests are asked to register in advance. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

Rather celebrate at home? Try your hand at baking Irish Buttermilk Scones (recipe below) courtesy of IHC founder Maureen Kennedy from a family recipe. The IHC also offers Irish boxed sandwiches ($10 each) with your choice of

• Corned Beef sandwich with Thousand Island dressing and coleslaw

• Atlantic smoked salmon with arugula, lemon, caper and chives on a French croissant

• Cherrywood ham, smoked cheddar and Dijon poppy seed butter on a brioche bun

• Chickpea and barley pita with hummus and grilled Mediterranean vegetables

Each box comes with a snack and cookie. Order by calling in your selection at (513) 533-0100.

The Irish Center has also coordinated a live stream with one of Dublin’s best bands, Dereck Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones. The show will be available to stream beginning at 5 p.m. If want to join the virtual event, call the Irish Center to learn more, and please register before March 17.

Molly Malone’s, 112 E. Fourth St. Covington, will hold its traditional St. Patrick’s Day party, creating a safe and fun celebration with social distancing, limited capacity and durations, and mask requirements. The bar will have live on two floors, with Liam’s Fancy (12 p.m., second floor), Grey Dogs (1 p.m., third floor), Lost Celts (6 p.m., second floor), and Easter Rising (7 p.m., third floor), and pipers and Irish dancers stopping by all day.

Make reservations online, with $10 cover. With limited capacity, stays are limited to 2.5 hours, so as many people as possible will be able to attend and enjoy the festivities. Court Street will be closed, with outdoor tables for dining and drinks. 

Doors open at 7 a.m. for kegs ’n’ eggs, with the first 100 guests receiving a St. Patrick’s Day 2021 t-shirt. 

Want to sleep in a bit? Head to Fishbowl At The Banks, 141 E Freedom Way, for Shamrock Juice, the featured fishbowl, or green tea Jell-O shots. Live music starts at noon, with Michael Paulik (12-4 p.m.), Brad Martin (4-6 p.m.), Nick Heffron (6-10 p.m.), DJ Steve The Greek (10 p.m.-midnight). You can enjoy the music onstage and streaming live on the Fishbowl Facebook page, so you can bring the party home.  

Nicholson’s, 625 Walnut St., will have performances from bagpiper Robert Reid and the Cincinnati Highland Dancers throughout the day, with musician Mike Haskins from 6-9 p.m. Along with live music, the tavern will have Irish fare and drink specials, with Guiness, Harp, and Smithwick’s on tap.

You can also have your own celebration with their St. Patrick’s Day Carryout Package, with corned beef and cabbage and smoked salmon for $25. Call (513) 564-9111 to reserve your feast.

Photos courtesy Maureen Kennedy/Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati

–Tricia Suit

---

Irish Buttermilk Scones
From the Kitchen of Eve Kennedy 
Serves 8

The Secret: Don’t over mix and be sure the oven is hot!

8 oz. self-rising flour
pinch of salt
1 oz. butter or margarine
1 egg, beaten
5 oz. buttermilk
milk to glaze

Preheat oven to 450° F. Sift flour with salt and using your fingers incorporate the butter or margarine until it resembles small crumbs. Make a well in the center and pour in beaten egg and buttermilk. Mix to form a soft dough, adding a little extra buttermilk, if necessary. Turn out on a floured surface and roll out to 1-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch rounds. Brush with milk and place on a floured baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes until light brown.

Thank you to Maureen Kennedy,
co-founder, of the Irish Heritage Center,
for sharing her grandmother’s recipe.

Bring the Party Home with Cincinnati International Wine Festival

Order tickets now!

Enjoy the Cincinnati International Wine Festival experience at home this year! Order tickets now for a virtual tasting party for two on Thursday, March 18. 

Though guests are usually invited to “Come to the Party,” but until it is safe for everyone to be together in person, the festival is “Bringing the Party to You”!

With this special opportunity, donors and guests can safely celebrate the world of wine from the safety and comfort of their own homes. Don’t miss this exclusive, limited edition virtual event! All proceeds from this virtual event will benefit the more than 30 local non-profits as part of the festival’s “Giving Back One Glass at a Time” initiative.

Explorer Ticket – $75

Includes (3) curated bottles of wine, hand-picked by our winery partners, PLUS

• (2) Cincy Wine Fest @ Home GoVino wine glasses (shatterproof, dishwasher-safe, and BPA-free)

• Virtual tasting lead by an expert from the wines you receive in your box

• Customers must pick up from Fueled Collective on March 17 and 18

Enthusiast Ticket – $150

Includes ALL amenities from the Explorer Ticket, PLUS

• (1) Party Kit with all of the goodies needed to enjoy your virtual #CincyWineFest, including a Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktail kit, cheese samples from Murray’s Cheese, delicious snacks, and other surprises. Kit valued at over $100.

• Customers must pick up from Fueled Collective on March 17 and 18

Aficionado Ticket – $295

Includes ALL amenities from both the Explorer & Enthusiast Tickets, PLUS

• More exclusive wine selection for your tasting experience

• Hearty hors d’oeuvres made by the amazing eat well celebrations and feasts

• Complimentary delivery (within/near the I-275 loop of Cincinnati)

Cincinnati Riverfront Volksmarch Group Announces

The Cincinnati Riverfront Volksmarch Group (CRVG) announces the theme of their March Volksmarch, “The Coming of Spring – Bockfest Volksmarch.” The 5K (3.1 Mile) Volksmarch is Saturday March 6 between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Registration 10 a.m. to Noon and complete walk by 1 p.m.). Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite Bockfest attire during the walk.

“We are excited to support Bockfest during these pandemic times by theming our March Volksmarch in their honor and donating a portion of the proceeds to the Brewery District non-profit, the organizers of Bockfest,” said Bob Igel co-chair of the Cincinnati Volksmarch Group.  

Pandemic Social Distancing protocols will be adhered to during the Volksmarch. Groups of no more than 10 people can start the Volksmarch at a time. The after walk social activities will have social distancing tables spaced and participants seated in the Moerlein Lager House and adjacent outdoor areas.   

The CRVG is a group of individuals that are lighthearted; enjoy walking, and drinking beer. The Volksmarch takes place the first Saturday of every month regardless of weather conditions (except snow emergencies). Think of the Riverfront Volksmarch as a monthly social group that meets up gets a little exercise and enjoys life. Regardless of weather conditions the group will meet monthly to enjoy life and the seasons of the riverfront. Each Volksmarch will have a theme. March’s theme will be “The Coming of Spring – Bockfest Volksmarch”.   

Hours, location and cost:

• The first Saturday of each month

• Next Volksmarch Saturday, March 6

• Moerlein Lager House 115 Joe Nuxhall Way Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

• Parking located directly below the Moerlein Lager House

• Registration between 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. with your walk beginning as soon as you register

• Completion of walk to be done by 1 p.m.

• Cost: $3 per participant

• Special participant offer: Purchase a commemorative Bockfest Pint Glass for just $5 and get your $3 entry fee waived

• All participants are entered into a raffle to win cool prizes

• Children are free

Up to date information on the Cincinnati Riverfront Volksmarch can be obtained via their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Cincinnati-Riverfront-Volksmarch-Public-Page-113592707159901

Bockfest, Cincinnati’s annual celebration of Spring, the area’s brewing heritage and bock beer, is March 5-7. Due to the ongoing pandemic, organizers have had to alter many events so visit www.bockfest.com for the latest details from the Bockfest event organizers

Funky’s Wine Dinners Flourishing in COVID times

By Stephanie Denzel

Take a trip to the vineyards of Italy or California Wine Country all while staying  in Cincinnati. A few sips of wine along with a delectable meal and you’ll be transported thanks to Funky’s Catering Wine Dinners.

These one-night-only dinners have been growing in popularity since they restarted following the pandemic related shut downs. Once a month, the Cincinnati-based catering company hosts 60 guests for a unique experience at one of its  three venues.

The Funky’s Catering team puts on a great evening  showcasing a selection of wines from an area around the world. Previous dinners have highlighted Italy, South Africa, France, Pacific Northwest and California Wine Country. Then, the team of Funky’s chefs pairs each wine with a five-course meal and hors d’oeuvres.

Health  precautions are taken at each event from taking temperatures to distancing tables , but the experience isn’t lost. The chef makes it a point to visit with each guest and answer any questions.

Tickets for these events go quickly. This month’s Wine Dinner sold out weeks ahead. If you’d like to be the first to know about such evenings, sign up for Funky’s mailing list.

Climb down the Rabbit Hole to Alice's Wonderland

By: Stephanie Denzel

Photography by: Shae Combs

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense.” - Alice

Get whisked away by the Mad Hatter into a land like you’ve never seen before. The Alice- an immersive cocktail experience- will give you a peak inside the rabbit hole.

From riddles and tricks to a mystery you must solve, this experience is a great COVID-safe evening. Just beware of the Queen of Hearts- that’s all we’ll say.

The event runs through March at the Sample Space at The Banks. Get your tickets here.

MVP Cocktail Showdown

By: Tanya Busby

Kansas City Chiefs or Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Patrick Mahomes or Tom Brady?

Pick your MVP and represent Sunday from your jersey to your cocktail. Our resident bartender Tanya Busby is back with a cocktail for both team’s fans.

Kansas City Tap Water

• 1.25 oz vodka

• 1.25 oz gin

• 3-4 oz Sprite

• A lime

Tampa Bay Hurricane

• 1 oz dark rum

• 1 oz white rum

• 3 oz passionfruit puree

• 3 oz orange juice

• 1/2 a lime

• Splash of grenadine

From Maria to Alice to Eleanor: Extraordinary Women in Extraordinary Times

By: Stephanie Denzel

Eleanor Roosevelt: Wife of President Franklin Roosevelt and the longest-serving First Lady of the United States

Maria Longworth Storer: The founder of Rookwood Pottery in Cincinnati and granddaughter of Cincinnati businessman Nicholas Longworth

What do these two women have in common? One shared family member- Alice Roosevelt Longworth.

Join in on the virtual conversation Tuesday, January 26 at 7 p.m. with D. Lynn Meyers, the Producing Artistic Director at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, and historians Nancy Broermann and Constance Moore as The Mercantile Library takes you inside the lives of these three extraordinary women. Save your spot here.

They will explore the challenging circumstances they faced - world wars, a pandemic, social upheaval - and the contributions each made all while in the glare of the public spotlight.

This program is presented by The Mercantile Library and Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. It is free and open to the public via Crowdcast.

Shop unique new merchandise online to support the arts through Monday

Prior to Thanksgiving, ArtsWave, the engine for the arts, announced the launch of an online store at ArtsWave.org/POWERmerch to provide POWER OF HER merchandise now through early December as a holiday fundraiser and capstone to the 18-month initiative, celebrating women in the arts, presented by Procter & Gamble with support from the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee, LPK and various community leaders. 

The new merchandise line celebrates women in the arts and women throughout the Cincinnati region. The store includes something for everyone – from onsies and youth t-shirts, to adult shirts, masks, mugs, postcards and more. The store will be online from now through December 7.

Three of the items have been created by local artists and entrepreneurs. Erikka Gray, owner of District 78, a lifestyle brand and vendor of handcrafted candles and part owner of Pause, a MOTAR-created alternative wellness venture on Short Vine Street, has developed a special POWER OF HER candle. The new soy-based, long-burning candle scent is as bold as Gray is and it is her reflection of the daring, inclusive, celebratory and declarative strength of Cincinnati’s women artists, entrepreneurs and leaders.

Dawn Grady, owner of Junebug Jewelry Designs, a pop-up store on Vine Street and also a MOTAR graduate, has created a limited edition pair of POWER OF HER earrings that are made of Argentium silver, which is tarnish-resistant, hypoallergenic and responsibly resourced. Grady combines this brilliant metal with three semi-precious gemstones – citrine, rhodonite and turquoise – each with energies reflective of the POWER OF HER concept. Grady mentions, “Each stone was chosen to reflect a woman’s ascension to her own personal royalty.” For instance, the turquoise used is meant “as a symbol of wisdom, nobility and power” says Grady.

In addition, ArtsWave’s “Imagineers, Impresarios, Inventors: Cincinnati’s Arts and the POWER OF HER,” will be featured on the merchandise website. This book, released in summer 2020 and edited by Kathy Merchant, former President/CEO of Greater Cincinnati Foundation and ArtsWave Women’s Leadership Roundtable member, celebrates nearly 200 women who have shaped Greater Cincinnati’s arts. The book includes 120 essays in total told by 34 journalists, freelance writers and authors. 

The POWER OF HER brand concept was created by globally recognized and local brand design and innovation marketing agency LPK on a pro bono basis and as a reflection of its longtime work with ArtsWave and so many Cincinnati cultural institutions. LKP Creative Director Jessica Owens Stephens has volunteered additional time beyond her role at LPK to design the branded merchandise in the store.

Over the last 18 months through the POWER OF HER, the arts sector has come together through hundreds of female-centric works and an array of events to celebrate women in the arts. POWER OF HER salutes and honors female leadership with woman-centric works of all kinds, underscoring creativity as the vehicle for inclusion and equality. Inspired by the many Cincinnati cultural and civic organizations which were founded by women and have celebrated anniversaries over the past year,* POWER OF HER encompasses art forms of all types. Here are the remaining POWER OF HER events presently on the schedule.

Shop Summerfair artists this Holiday Season

Summerfair Cincinnati is excited to announce its new Holiday Virtual Event. This event will showcase 45 Summerfair 2020 artists and their work online at Summerfair.org starting Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020.

These 45 artists represent 13 different art categories - 2D/3D, ceramics, digital art, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, painting, photography, printmaking and wood - from 15 different states. 28 artists are either local or regional artists.

“We are thrilled to be able to give some of our beloved Summerfair artists a platform to showcase their work,” said Jayne Utter, Executive Director of Summerfair Cincinnati. “It’s been a tough year for many of them. We hope this will give them an opportunity to display their exceptional work and give Summerfair guests the chance to shop their favorite artists.”

The Summerfair Holiday Virtual Event will begin Thursday, November 26 and can be found at Summerfair.org.

Registration is now open for 2021 Pig Works events

Registration for the 2021 Flying Pig weekend powered by P&G, Queen Bee weekend empowered by P&G and Kroger and TQL Beer Series events will open on Monday, October 12. All events will be offered for virtual registration at first, with special pricing and incentives for early registrants. 

As government approval and health protocols are adjusted in the coming months for in-person events, Pig Works will be adjusting its registration policies as well. Virtual participants already signed up will have first choice, when guidelines allow, to stay virtual or to transfer to in-person registration. 

“We remain hopeful and optimistic that we will be able to host you in-person and are preparing for that,” said Iris Simpson Bush, president and CEO of Pig Works, “but we feel that this is the most transparent and fair way to move forward at this time.”

The first event in the 2021 Pig Works schedule is the Bockfest 5K, part of the TQL Beer Series, on Saturday, March 6, 2021. Learn more about each event and register here.

Patty Brisben Foundation to Hold Virtual Annual Gala Saturday

The Patty Brisben Foundation, serving to enhance women’s sexual health and well-being through research and education, is going worldwide with its 15th annual Gala as the party goes virtual this Saturday, October 3, starting at 8 p.m. EDT.

Consultants and supporters are the hosts for parties around the world as the Gala will be streamed live to homes throughout the U.S. and abroad. More than 200 hosts and their guests across 42 states, as well as Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, and Japan, have already signed up to participate.

“We are so excited to be able to take our annual Gala virtually to Consultants and their guests this year,” said Patty Brisben, founder of Pure Romance. “We wish we could all be together, but this way we can stay safe and connect virtually to raise money for women’s sexual health.”

Music, special guests and auctions will be part of the Virtual Gala, which raises funds for grants given by the Foundation to researchers and clinics around the world. Nearly half of all women experience sexual difficulties at some point in life. Despite this, most healthcare providers receive very little training when it comes to sexuality, and even less in the area of female sexual health.

The Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health aims to change that by directing resources and funding research to advocate for women’s sexual health, and advance the understanding of the issues facing women’s sexuality.

Individual tickets to the Gala are still available at http://pattybrisbenfoundation.org/pbf-gala/.