It’s Not Too Late to Sign Up for the Annual Ohio River Paddlefest
On Saturday, Aug. 2, thousands of paddlers will hit the Ohio River for the 24th annual Ohio River Paddlefest. If you want to be one of them, registration is now open. Cincinnati nonprofit Adventure Crew will host the event again this year. “We love bringing people together to celebrate nature and the outdoors,” Miriam Wise,…
Biannual Northside Record Fair to Expand to Two Floors, Offering Over 60,000 Records
Attention vinyl fans and crate-diggers: The Northside Record Fair is back and bigger than ever on Saturday, March 29. The biannual fair, located inside the former North Church, now the Heart In Balance Event Center, at 4222 Hamilton Ave., features thousands of records in every genre imaginable, from jazz to experimental. Sponsored by Cincinnati’s Feel…
That One Mailman, Sean Fogelson, Talks Rise to Fame, Stand-Up Comedy and Life Off Screen
This story is featured in CityBeat’s March 20 print edition. It’s a sunny, winter afternoon on Beech Avenue in Price Hill and Sean Fogelson is standing in front of his childhood home. “It didn’t used to be blue,” says Fogelson, a.k.a That One Mailman of TikTok fame. “We used to hoop over there,” he points…
Jill Sobule’s Career Remains Vital Since 1995’s Groundbreaking ‘I Kissed a Girl’
This story is featured in CityBeat’s March 20 print edition. In 1995, while working as a Denver newspaper writer, I attended Austin’s South by Southwest music festival and discovered a talented and new — to me — singer/songwriter, Jill Sobule. Another Denver writer at South by Southwest had encouraged me to attend a showcase for…
Woodward Theater Screens a Variety of Indie Films as Part of its Successful Woodward Cinema Series
This story is featured in CityBeat’s March 20 print edition. It’s a Monday evening, and cinephiles are gathered at Woodward Theater with beer and popcorn in their hands to watch an indie film. Nothing is better than beginning the week with a film screening. In 2021, the Woodward Theater soft launched Woodward Cinema, a means…
Review: Court Street Kitchen Offers New American Fare in a Charming Environment Downtown
This story is featured in CityBeat’s March 20 print edition. If you’ve been stuck in the winter doldrums, you might not have noticed the mini-renaissance going on in our dining scene. Over the past few months, several notable restaurants have opened in Cincinnati. Among the latest is Court Street Kitchen (CSK), a significant addition to…
What’s On Your Mind, Cincinnati: How to Weather Turbulent Times With Your Friends
This story is featured in CityBeat’s March 20 print edition. Mike Madanat, the founder of Authentic Life Counseling, will be answering your burning questions in the “What’s On Your Mind, Cincinnati?” advice column each month. I’ve shared a friendship spanning over two decades with my best friend, from elementary school to college and now in…
Award-Winning Author Robin McLean to Discuss Her Work at University of Cincinnati’s Visiting Writers Series
This story is featured in CityBeat’s March 20 print edition. Award-winning author Robin McLean describes her latest work, 2022’s Get ’em Young, Treat ’em Tough, Tell ’em Nothing — a collection of 10 short stories — as a “North American road trip.” “There’s a lot of scammers and tricksters — and those who were tricked,” McLean…
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is Moving to a New Location This Fall
Prost! Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is getting a new home. Organizers announced Tuesday that the 2024 festival will be held at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove this September. Last year, the event was held on Fifth Street and in the years prior had taken place on Second and Third streets. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is the largest Oktoberfest outside…
Bridges Nepali Cuisine to Transition Downtown Store to Walnut Hills
A popular Cincinnati restaurant is moving its Downtown location to a new neighborhood. Bridges Nepali Cuisine says it will be closing its Court Street store after five years in business and transitioning to Walnut Hills. The restaurant says while the decision was difficult, they’re excited to join the neighborhood. “We are extremely excited to announce…
Preservation Group Says it Made Offer to Buy Sunlite Pool from MEMI
A preservation group dedicated to saving Coney Island’s Sunlite Pool says it made an offer to buy the pool from the property’s new owner, Music & Event Management Inc. (MEMI). In December, MEMI, a subsidiary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO), announced it had bought the former amusement park and would be demolishing it to…
Guest Commentary: Men, We Need to Step up for Reproductive Freedom in Ohio
In June 2022 something unprecedented happened. For the first time in American history, the United States Supreme Court took away a constitutionally protected right. About 170,000,000 women (half of our citizens) were denied basic health care and bodily autonomy. Nearly 50 years of legal precedence erased at the drop of a gavel. A dad in…
Former Salazar Restaurant to Transform into Moroccan-Inspired Wine Bar
Cincinnati chef Jose Salazar is transforming his former Salazar restaurant space into a new concept inspired by his travels. Safi, a Moroccan-inspired wine bar, is expected to open in the space this summer. Salazar operated his self-named restaurant at 1401 Republic St. in Over-the-Rhine for 10 years before announcing at the end of last year…
Guest Commentary: Honorable Republicans Who Tell the Truth about Trump Have Become an Endangered Species
Every time Orange Julius breezes into town to entertain his delirious fandom of red hats (pumped up on the Village People and right wing propaganda) there should be a prominent sign in the background that reads, “The Emperor has no clothes.” At least one truthteller in a sea of madness. That was missing in Dayton…
Ohioans Testify Against Gov. Mike DeWine’s Proposed Rules for Transgender Health Care
Fourteen people testified against Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed administrative rules for transgender health care during a public hearing Monday morning. The proposed rules would affect the care transgender youth would receive in hospitals and would also require medical providers to collect data on transgender health care — both adults and youth. “It’s two very…
What We Know About the Antisemitic ‘Save Ireland from the Jews’ Sign That Hung Over I-75 in Cincinnati
A large sign depicting an antisemitic phrase was hung from a pedestrian bridge in Downtown Cincinnati over the weekend. A large white cloth with the phrase “Save Ireland from the Jews” (a Star of David was drawn in place of the “e”) appeared draped from a pedestrian bridge over Columbia Parkway sometime early in the…
Skyline Chili is Getting Rid of Pepsi Products, and Mountain Dew Lovers are Pissed
Is nothing sacred anymore? If you want to enjoy a 3-Way and Mountain Dew, you’ll have to do it in your own home from now on. Skyline Chili announced Monday that it will be rolling out Coke products at its restaurants starting in April. “Power Couple Alert!” the local chain wrote on its social media.…
Stop, Collaborate and Listen: The ‘I Love the 90s’ Tour is Coming to Cincinnati’s Hard Rock Casino
Grab your bucket hats, JNCO jeans and neon jackets, because the ‘90s are back in Cincinnati for one night only this summer. The “I Love the 90s” tour, a concert that takes guests back in time with some of the most iconic names in rap, hip hop and R&B of the decade, will stop at…
2024 Election Will Shape the Future of the Ohio Supreme Court
The Ohio Supreme Court could see significant changes if Republicans on the ballot take two seats in November currently held by incumbent Democrats. Meanwhile, two Democrats are facing off in the primary Tuesday for the nomination to run for a third seat up this year. The 2024 election holds not only potential changes to congressional…
Donald Trump Makes Last Minute Push for Bernie Moreno in Ohio’s U.S. Senate Primary
A couple thousand Ohio voters spent a blustery Saturday on a Dayton tarmac waiting to see Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. In front of bleachers done up with bunting, Trump promised the largest “deportation operation in American history” and compared immigrants to animals. He warned reelecting Joe Biden could be the last election in the…
The 2024 Greater Cincinnati Primary Election Guide
While primary elections aren’t until May 21 for Kentucky and May 7 for Indiana, they are coming up on March 19 at designated polling locations in Ohio. Primaries tend to have a lower interest – and subsequently lower turnout – for voters, especially during a presidential election year. But, primary elections can have a noteworthy…
Review: Sydney Sweeney Shows Her Star Power in ‘Immaculate,’ a Batshit Psycho-Thriller
The Sydney Sweeney train keeps chugging along, as the actress takes command of the box office one movie genre at a time. Anyone But You, the silly Much Ado About Nothing redo she did with that pretty boy from Top Gun: Maverick, shocked the hell out of everyone by making more than $200 million worldwide.…
Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood Bar The Orbit Room Launches GoFundMe to Remain Open
An LGBTQ+-friendly Over-the-Rhine bar is reaching out to the community for help to keep the space spinning. The Orbit Room is an upscale neighborhood bar located in the historic Apotheke building at the corner of Vine and Findlay streets. It often features live music, along with signature cocktails and plant-based food from neighbor Essen Kitchen.…
MadTree Celebrates Birthday and Kitchen Reopening with ‘Bonanza’ This Weekend
Popular Oakley brewery MadTree’s annual birthday bash, Bonanza, is happening this weekend, and on top of the festivities, it will also be celebrating the grand reopening of its new kitchen. Bonanza is happening in MadTree’s taproom all day Saturday, March 16 and will feature live music, family-friendly activities, rare beer and the brewery’s new menu.…
Indiana Gov. Casts Doubts on Antisemitism Ban, Signs Happy Hour Bill
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday strongly questioned a bill defining and banning antisemitism within the state’s public education system. He spoke to reporters after signing a bill legalizing happy hours and carry-out alcohol. And he weighed in on the ongoing race to succeed him as governor, as well as other bills left to sign: on…
What the Money Race Looks Like Ahead of Ohio’s Most Competitive Congressional Primaries
On Tuesday, Ohio voters will decide on the nominees for November’s election. The top of the ticket is already set — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump picked up enough delegates this week to secure their respective nominations. On the Republican side, at least, the U.S. Senate race remains a toss-up between three…
Madisonville’s New High-End Restaurant Alara Sets Opening Date
A restaurant years in the making is slated to open its doors this month. Alara is the newest concept from Looking Glass Hospitality, which also owns popular Cincinnati area restaurants including Toast & Berry, Emery and Fretboard Brewing & Public House. The restaurant is set to open in Madison Square in Madisonville on Monday, March…
Inaugural Queen of the West Burlesque Festival to Celebrate Movement, Expression and Dance
A new festival celebrating burlesque is launching in Over-the-Rhine this month. The inaugural Queen of the West Burlesque Festival is a local, community-driven festival that will celebrate burlesque, as well as movement and expression. It’s happening Friday and Saturday, March 29-30 at Oddfellows Liquor Bar and Memorial Hall. The festival will feature a house party,…
Guest Commentary: Kentucky Supermajority Can Do Anything it Wants, So Why Not Protect Kids From Gun Violence?
Let’s start here: Republicans have an overwhelming supermajority in the Kentucky legislature. We also have a record surplus. If a Republican-sponsored bill is a priority, if leadership wants it, there is nothing to stop them from fully funding and passing that bill. In 2019, the year after the deadly Marshall County High School shooting, our…
Warren Davidson Was the Only Ohio Republican to Vote Against TikTok Ban
Citing major national security concerns, the U.S. House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that effectively bans TikTok unless the company splits from its Chinese owner ByteDance. The 352-65 vote occurred just a week after lawmakers introduced the bipartisan proposal and days after the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce unanimously advanced the legislation, an…
National Labor Relations Board Investigates NKY Amazon Air Hub for Spying, Harassing Union Organizers
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a federal agency that investigates violations of workers’ rights to unionize, is investigating Amazon’s KCVG Air Hub in Hebron, Kentucky. In a March 13 press release, Amazon Labor Union-KCVG organizers said the NLRB issued a “broad complaint” against Amazon related to possible workers’ rights violations at KCVG, setting an…
Local Designer Creates Looks for Cincinnati Ballet’s Upcoming Show
One of four works debuting in Cincinnati Ballet’s Mercurial Landscapes has strong Cincinnati ties. Mercurial Landscapes is a contemporary show created by three choreographers that showcases four works, one of which is a world-premier presentation with costume design by Cincinnati native Asha Ama Bias-Daniels. Bloom by Rena Butler premieres to the world within the showcase…
Cincinnati Secures Spot in Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities Initiative
Cincinnati has clinched a coveted spot in the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative, according to a March 12 announcement from Mayor Aftab Pureval’s office. Cincinnati is one of 25 U.S. cities participating in the commitment to building resilient, eco-friendly communities. The three-year program, backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies with a $200 million investment, aims to turbocharge…
‘A Victim of its Own Success:’ Popular Fourth of July Fireworks Display at Ault Park Canceled
Organizers are calling it quits on a nearly 60-year Fourth of July tradition. On Wednesday, Cincinnati Parks announced the popular fireworks show at Ault Park will no longer happen, calling the event “a victim of its own success.” “Due to the growing number of attendees, and increasing complexity, the organizers of the 4th of July…
FotoFocus Announces Featured Projects for its 2024 Biennial
Have you ever looked at a photo or a work of art and wondered if there was a story behind it? Why the photographer chose that angle or the painter those colors? Those missing puzzle pieces to select works will be uncovered during FotoFocus’ Biennial this fall. FotoFocus, a Cincinnati arts nonprofit that champions photography…
Element Eatery Adds Two New Dining Options to its Food Hall
There are now two new options for diners visiting Madisonville food hall Element Eatery. Zaria Street Eats and BrewRiver Sandwich Shop opened at the food hall on Saturday. Zaria serves up hearty and healthy Italian dishes, while BrewRiver Sandwich Shop — an extension of BrewRiver Creole Kitchen in the East End — offers chef-driven, scratch-kitchen…
Indiana AG Rokita Says Gov. Holcomb Should Veto ‘Toothless’ Antisemitism Ban
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita on Tuesday called on Gov. Eric Holcomb to veto a bill — which he dubbed a “toothless mess” — that defines and bans antisemitism within the state’s public education system. In contention is the definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), part of which references 11…
If the Presidential Slate is Set, Will Ohio’s GOP Voters Still Show up for the U.S. Senate Primary?
In a week, Ohio voters will cast their ballots in the state’s presidential primary. Outside a catastrophic event, though, there’s no doubt which candidates will represent their parties come November. Democrat Joe Biden doesn’t face a credible challenger and Republican Donald Trump will likely sew up the nomination this week. For races down the ticket,…
Narcan Training Open to Public at Binski’s Bar in Camp Washington
A group dedicated to stopping accidental drug overdoses is offering a free Narcan training course. Noam Barnard of Cincinnati’s Coalition for Community Safety (CCS) has been conducting naloxone (name brand Narcan) training for more than two years. Barnard and CCS representatives often train Greater Cincinnati service industry workers, but anyone interested can get trained on…
Guest Commentary: Gerrymandered Ohio Statehouse Republicans Look to Dismantle 111 Years of Open Primaries
When Ohioans vote in the 2024 presidential primary next week, they’ll follow the same protocol that’s been in place for over a century. They’ll be asked whether they want a Republican or Democratic ballot and vote their conscience on the respective candidates and issues. For some 111 years, Ohio’s open primary has given all voters,…
Big Loans, Outside Spending Stand Out in Final Campaign Reports Ahead of Ohio’s U.S. Senate Primary
Next Tuesday is Election Day in Ohio, and the final batch of campaign finance reports sets the stage for what could be close race for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. Entrepreneur Bernie Moreno has seen a burst in fundraising from individuals since picking up former President Donald Trump’s endorsement. But the campaign finance picture gets…
Bring Home a Furry MVP from Washington Park’s Mutt Madness Dog Adoption Event
While March Madness basketball brings a bunch of net swishes, Mutt Madness at Washington Park this weekend will have all the tail swishes. On Saturday, March 16, the pooches will take over the Over-the-Rhine park for a special adoption event. Mutt Madness will feature plenty of adoptable dogs, and you can even adopt them on-site.…
A Unique Craft-Your Own Candle and Cocktail Concept is Coming to College Hill
A unique concept that allows people a place to gather, create and connect is expanding in College Hill. Zonieke Alston-Betts started her shop, Pour Candle Co., as Pour Mobile Wine Bar in 2021. She joined the entrepreneurial OurShop program in College Hill almost a year ago where she expanded the concept to include make-your-own candles,…
Ohio Democrat Marcy Kaptur is the Longest-Serving Woman in Congressional History
Marcy Kaptur lives and breathes Toledo. The 77-year-old has represented Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, which includes her hometown, since 1983 — making her the longest-serving woman in congressional history. “We eased into it,” she said with a smile in her Toledo office. “It’s quite an honor. The years have gone so fast. We’ve been so…
IVF Controversy Echoes Memorable Debate in Kentucky House 40 Years Ago
Veteran Kentucky lawmakers call it one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the state’s general assembly. Memory of it has revived this spring as the nation — and Kentucky lawmakers — weigh a controversy over in vitro fertilization, a way to help infertile couples have a baby. “What happened back in the…
East Walnut Hills’ Tropical-Themed Restaurant Solstice Closing Permanently
East Walnut Hills is losing another restaurant after tropical-themed Solstice announced its closure Monday. Solstice opened in the former Suzie Wong’s space in late June. The restaurant, which served up taco-style dishes featuring ingredients from different tropical regions, was the second venture of 3B4D Hospitality Group, which also owns Anjou, also in East Walnut Hills.…
Greater Cincinnati House Candidate Urging Voters to Sit Out Primary Election to Send Message on Gaza
A little-known candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives is asking voters to speak up on Gaza by sitting out the primaries. Cleveland Canova is the only Democrat running to represent District 56 in the Ohio House of Representatives, which includes Lebanon, Mason and the central and southwest reaches of Warren County. Depending on how…
Vote for Your Favorite Drink in Martini Madness With Homemakers Bar and Fifty Fifty Gin Club
You’ve heard of March Madness, now get ready for Martini Madness. As college basketball fans get ready for their favorite teams to duke it out to the national championships, martini fans can vote for their favorite drinks from Homemakers Bar and the Fifty Fifty Gin Club to go dancing. From March 19 to April 7,…
Kentucky Democrats Walk Out to Protest ‘Alternatives to Pregnancy Termination’ Bill
In 2017, Central Kentuckian Heather Hyden faced an “upsetting, awful” and “horrific experience.” The baby she carried — a “very wanted pregnancy” — had a lethal fetal anomaly. She was induced in February of that year, medical care she would be unable to receive in Kentucky today because of the state’s near-total ban on abortion. …
At Least Seven Ohio Universities are Reviewing Race-Based Scholarships After Supreme Court Ruling
At least seven Ohio public universities are reviewing scholarships in the wake of comments Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost made about race-based scholarships after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against race-conscious admissions. Cleveland State University, Kent State University, the University of Akron, the University of Toledo and Youngstown State University all said they are in the…
Review: ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Lacks the Joys of the Franchise’s Earlier Installments
Kung Fu Panda 4 reminds us that animated movie franchises should really end after the third one. I’m still kinda mad that Pixar gave us one of the best movie trilogies of all time with the Toy Story saga, then served up a meh fourth installment in 2019. The same goes with the Shrek franchise,…
’Tis the (Next) Season: Four Cincinnati Performing Arts Organizations Announce 2024-2025 Seasons
Predicting the future is both a joy and a challenge for the leaders of performing arts organizations. There’s a lot of guesswork about which titles and works will appeal to audiences. Also, there is optimism that the whole package of season offerings will keep people returning regularly from late summer 2024 to late spring 2025.…
Cincinnati City Council Passes Temporary Ceasefire Measure After Weeks of Public Comments
Cincinnati City Council returned to a discussion of a Middle East ceasefire resolution this week, but the all-Democratic body remains divided. For months, hundreds of people have addressed council during the public comment portion of the weekly meetings. Most are Cincinnatians imploring council to pass a resolution that calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, others…
Guest Commentary: VoteRiders Helps Ohioans Receive the Proper Identification to Vote
“Family friendly.” Whenever I hear this term, I immediately think of the many citizens whose age, marital status, disability or gender identity become yet another barrier to securing the state-issued ID that Americans increasingly need to vote. Currently, 38 states request or require specific forms of identification to vote. In many states, like Ohio, to…
MadTree Brewing Celebrates International Women’s Day With Frida Kahlo-Inspired Drinks
A Cincinnati brewery is celebrating International Women’s Day by paying homage to one the most legendary painters of the 20th century and throwing a couple big events. MadTree Brewing says, each March, it celebrates International Women’s Day by hosting its Ascending Women Event Series and creating a specialty beer or Sway (its vodka soda brand)…
NTSB Chair Casts Doubt on Vent and Burn Strategy Following East Palestine Train Derailment
National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy cast doubt Wednesday on the justification for a controlled burn following a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio last year. She spoke before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Some committee members focused on the recent mid-air door plug accident on an Alaska Airlines flight,…
Ohio Legislative Leaders Brush Off Concerns Over Alabama IVF Ruling’s Impacts
After an Alabama Supreme Court decision that ruled frozen embryos housed outside of a human body were still considered children, states across the country are debating the implications of such a decision. Ohio legislative leaders are saying bills that would ban IVF are not being considered, but one lawmaker who has introduced a “personhood” bill…
Pizza Party at Oddfellows Liquor Bar Promises Plenty of Music, Good Vibes and Slices
The best party is a pizza party. Burrito Boys Booking, the organizers behind Burritofest at The Comet, are putting together a new show this Saturday that promises plenty of pizza, music and good vibes. Pizza Party will be held at Oddfellows Liquor Bar in Over-the-Rhine on Saturday, March 9. The show, named in honor of…
New Book Aims to Keep Coney Island Memories Alive, and You Can Share Your Story
The news of Coney Island being sold to be demolished and turned into a music arena crushed many in Cincinnati who hold fond memories of the nearly 140-year-old amusement park. Now, two locals to whom Coney Island is near and dear and a Cincinnati publishing company are working on a book to enshrine those memories…
Fast-Casual Superfoods Cafe Frutta Bowls to Open New Location in Liberty Township
A new fast-casual cafe where you can grab a fueling meal packed with superfoods is opening in Liberty Township this month. Frutta Bowls is opening a new location in the Liberty Center in March. The cafe features a menu of customizable bowls, as well as smoothies, toasts and protein bites. Available ingredients, including açai, kale…
Contentious Antisemitism Bill Passes Indiana Senate, Heads for Further Negotiations in House
State senators on Tuesday approved a bill that would define and ban antisemitism at Indiana’s public education institutions despite pushback from many in the state’s Jewish community. In contention has been a definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which was included in the original version of House Bill 1002 but…
License Suspensions Could be Costing Ohio a Big Chunk of its Workforce
Suspending Ohioans’ driver’s licenses over debts doesn’t just hurt those people. It also is likely taking a huge bite out of the state’s workforce, according to a study released last week by researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. According to the report’s more conservative estimate, a whopping 14.4% of the Ohio labor force…
