April 2024

Rhiannon Hoeweler and Brady Duncan of MadTree, with Jennifer Hafner Spieser of Cincinnati Parks Foundation

FOCUS ON: Environment & Sustainability

ReLeafing Cincinnati

Parks Foundation partners with MadTree Brewing

CSO’s Langrée bids fond ‘adieu’

Polly Campbell: A twisty vision of science’s future

Opera

Behringer-Crawford

Polly

One of the defining natural characteristics of our region is the verdant landscape that surrounds us. We tend to take it for granted that trees are plentiful everywhere across the Tristate, but that is not the case in all neighborhoods. Our Casey Weldon shines a light on an extensive tree-planting partnership between Cincinnati Parks Foundation and MadTree Brewing. See Page 26.

We also asked organizations working within the green space to nominate important contributors so we can know who is making a difference. See Page 28 to meet our green Notables.

And a huge thank you to Building Value, Beech Acres, Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub and Ohio River Foundation for your advertising support of this special section. We invite organizations to look ahead at our editorial calendar (on our website) and consider supporting our future efforts on your behalf.

We thought it only appropriate to keep our April Mix & Mingle within our green issue family, so please join us April 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Alcove by MadTree Brewing in the heart of Over-the-Rhine.

The tenure of Louis Langrée, outgoing music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, has not been without its adventures. First, there was the renovation of Music Hall. The CSO’s participation in LumenoCity opened the door to what is now BLINK, the region’s largest arts event. Then came the pandemic, of course,

Co-publishers Thom and Elizabeth Mariner

requiring all sorts of creative measures to keep concerts alive. Violinist/writer Thomas Consolo provides perspective on Langrée’s contributions to the CSO and Cincinnati’s musical life on Page 10. We are always grateful that you take the time to read this magazine each month. While we continue to expand our digital presence, the permanence of print plays a vital role in our work as the public voice of Greater Cincinnati nonprofits. If you would like to join the 2,500 subscribers who receive a copy in the mail, sign up for free on our website. But remember, donations are always welcome to help keep nonprofit news free and available to all.

Happy Spring!

Thom Mariner & Elizabeth Mariner, Co-publishers

Join M&M for our monthly

Mix & Mingle

Alcove by MadTree Brewing

1410 Vine Street, OTR

Tuesday, April 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Complimentary light bites, happy hour drink prices. No agenda, no speeches. Just good company.

Elizabeth & Thom Mariner, co-publishers; Doug Bolton, board chair

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For their work on this issue, our gratitude to:

• Tess Brown and Casey Weldon, associate editors

• Phil Fisher and Ray Cooklis, copy editors

• Helen Adams, photographer

• Shasta Taber, volunteer

• All the nonprofits that contributed news and photos.

Arts coverage supported by:

Publishing schedule

Issue

OCTOBER

’24 / JAN ’25

© Copyright 2024 Movers & Makers Publishing We make every effort to verify information submitted for publication (print and online), but are not responsible for incorrect information or misidentified photos provided to us.

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Publication of this magazine and its website (www.MoversMakers.org) does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of any information contained within, including advertisements and links.

Movers & Makers Publishing is a nonprofit with fiscal sponsorship provided by Cincinnati Cares.

“ I DO! ” with a view

Arts & Culture

Cincinnati Opera devotes $5M to bring Black creations to stage

A new, multimillion-dollar commissioning initiative by Cincinnati Opera aims to empower Black American creators to develop new works celebrating their culture and stories.

The Black Opera Project is a byproduct of a Mellon Foundation grant to support three fully staged, full-length operas by creators of color that focus on uplifting stories about Black culture or communities. Cincinnati Opera’s financial commitment will be about $5 million. As the project’s kickoff, the company will present the world premiere of “Lalovavi” in June 2025.

“We also felt that these new works needed to be composed, written, directed and conducted by Black people,” he said.

Artistic Director Evans Mirageas called the project an important next step in the company’s “commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

“The launch of The Black Opera Project marks the fruition of dreams long held by Black artists like me,” said singer Morris Robinson, Cincinnati Opera artistic adviser.

While Robinson was singing the lead role in “Porgy and Bess” in 2019, Cincinnati Opera leaders invited the renowned bassbaritone and his castmates into a conversation about the future of the art form.

“My colleagues and I expressed concern that there were no operas that truly represented African American culture in a positive, modern, realistic and contemporaneously relatable way,” Robinson said. He asked when there was going to be a staged opera that had the same social impact as the movie “Black Panther.”

State awards millions in tax credits for job-producing films

Greater Cincinnati’s booming feature film and television industries recently received millions of dollars in tax credits aimed at luring media projects – and the jobs they create – to the region.

That includes what some fans and movie buffs theorize is the first installment of DC Comics’ new Superman universe. (Union Terminal as the Hall of Justice?)

The Ohio Department of Development recently awarded more than $44 million in tax credits for 23 film projects across the state. Nine of those TV and movie productions are being shot at least partly in Cincinnati, Dayton and around Southwest Ohio.

The awards came through the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit Program, which provides a refundable tax credit of 30% on production cast and crew wages, plus other in-state spending.

Local projects range from

smaller TV shows to a $363 million blockbuster titled “Genesis,” which will have locations in both Cleveland and Cincinnati. The movie – speculated in various reports as James Gunn’s first since taking over creative control of the DC cinematic universe – received more than $11 million in tax credits based on an estimated $39.7 million in total eligible production expenses. “Genesis” will create about 122 jobs, per the state of Ohio.

Film and TV projects with connections to Greater Cincinnati received nearly $33 million in state tax credits. Those projects – with a combined total budget of more than $448 million – will create about 360 jobs.

The state of Ohio created the tax credit in 2009 to encourage and develop a strong film industry in Ohio.

“Lalovavi” is by award-winning composer Kevin Day and writer/performance poet Tifara Brown, the librettist, both firsttime opera creators.

Primarily in English, it will be the first opera to incorporate songs and poetry written in Tut, a language developed by Black Americans and passed down from their enslaved ancestors as a way to covertly learn how to read and write when it was illegal for them to do so.

The title of the opera, “Lalovavi,” is the Tut word for “love.” The debut on June 19, 2025, coinciding with the Juneteenth holiday, is part of that season’s Cincinnati Opera Summer Festival.

 cincinnatiopera.org

Ensemble Theatre kicks off annual student playwriting contest

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati has launched its annual playwriting competition for local college students.

Now in its sixth cycle, PLAY/write: The Jackie Demaline Regional Collegiate Playwriting Competition is open to students enrolled full- or parttime at any regional college or university.

The contest got its name from Jackie Demaline, a longtime arts and theater reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer. She died

in 2018 and arranged for her estate to fund the PLAY/write competition.

There will be up to three winners this year. Each winner will receive $2,500 from the Jackie Demaline Fund and a professional reading of their script.

Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays in English of at least 50 pages. Translations, musicals, adapted works and children’s plays aren’t eligible.

 ensemblecincinnati.org

Film and TV projects with connections to Greater Cincinnati received nearly $33 million in tax credits to support the creation of nearly 360 jobs.

Jackie Demaline

Marketing image for “Lalovavi,” a planned premiere for 2025

PENE PATI

“The most exceptional tenor discovery of the last decade.” —Opéra-Online

AMINA EDRIS

CINCINNATI DEBUT

PENE PATI TENOR

AMINA EDRIS

SOPRANO

ROBERT MOLLICONE

PIANO

Sunday, April 21, 2024 • 3 PM

Memorial Hall

1225 Elm Street • OTR

AMINA EDRIS

“A magnetic presence” —Opera News

“He proved to us from the first moment that he has everything to be a tenor we will continue to hear about the next twenty years.” —Le Devoir

• Making his third appearance with Matinée Musicale Cincinnati by popular demand

• International Opera Awards 2022 Reader’s Choice Award

• First Prize winner at the 2014 Montserrat Caballé International Aria Competition

• In 2012 won the coveted Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge ‘Bel Canto’ Award

• Performed title role of Romeo in Charles Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet at 2019 opening night at San Francisco Opera

Tickets:

MemorialHallOTR.org or 513-977-8838

“… agile, distinctive voice with a warm middle register and glittering high notes.” —Classical Voice

• First Prize (female singer) and Audience Prize at the 2018 Inaugural Concours Bordeaux Médoc Lyrique

• Won the Deborah Riedel award at the Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Competition

• Won the prestigious Sydney Eisteddfod McDonald’s Operatic Aria Competition and the Dame Heather Begg Award

• Performed title role in world premiere of John Adams’ Antony and Cleopatra at opening of San Francisco Opera’s centennial season

Three Cincinnati museums high in national rankings

Three of Cincinnati’s most beloved institutions had strong showings in a contest to select the top museums in the United States.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center finished second in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in the “Best History Museum” category, with the Cincinnati History Museum coming in third. The Children’s Museum finished fifth in its category.

The Cincinnati Museum

Center operates all three venues.

“We’re honored to be recognized by our community and voters across the nation as the home of some of the country’s best museums,” said Elizabeth Pierce, CMC’s president and CEO.

First place in the history museum category went to the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis was first in its category; the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh finished second.  cincymusem.org

Cincinnati named best place to see street art

Cincinnati has long been known to residents and visitors as a great public art city. Now the rest of the world knows: The Queen City came in first in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best City for Street Art.

This marks Cincinnati’s fourth consecutive appearance in the top 10 of the fan-voted contest. The city was the street-art runner-up in both 2021 and 2022, followed by an eighth-place finish last year.

Cincinnati was one of 20 nominated cities selected by a panel of experts, including USA TODAY editors, 10Best.com editors and influential contributors. The public then spent four weeks voting.

Cincinnati beat out major art powerhouses such as New York, Philadelphia, Nashville, Miami and Washington, D.C. Also in the top 10 were Detroit, Oklahoma City and Portland, Ore. Richmond, Va., finished second.

“Being the No. 1 city for street art is a testament to ArtWorks’ longstanding commitment to prioritizing community-based

partnerships, listening to community voices, hiring local artists, celebrating heritage and elevating civic pride,” said Colleen Houston, CEO of ArtWorks, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting art throughout the region.

Since its inception in 1996, ArtWorks is responsible for more than 14,000 public and private art projects, including more than 300 permanent murals throughout Cincinnati.

The 10Best editors listed “Mr. Tarbell Tips His Hat,” “The Golden Muse,” “Mr. Dynamite” and “Ice Cream Daydream” murals as their favorites.

 artworkscincinnati.org

VAE music director leaves for new post, creative work

After more than a decade with Cincinnati’s Vocal Arts Ensemble, Music Director Craig Hella Johnson stepped down to pursue new professional opportunities.

In addition to taking a new creative role with the acclaimed Oregon Bach Festival, the Grammy-winning choral music conductor and composer plans to do more composing and other creative work.

“The role at OBF is a factor,” he said, “but the desire for more space to compose was something I shared with the VAE team long before Oregon was even in

the picture.”

Johnson’s VAE tenure concluded after performances of J.S. Bach’s B Minor Mass in March.

Johnson, a Juilliard Schooltrained pianist, earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Yale University School of Music. His professional career began in 1991 at the Victoria Bach Festival, and he founded the Conspirare vocal ensemble in Austin, Texas, with which he won a Grammy Award in 2014.

Johnson first came to Cincinnati in 2012 as a guest conductor for VAE. “I fell in love with the artists of VAE and with Cincinnati,” he said of that initial trip. “It

was a very special experience that ultimately led to my becoming much more deeply involved with the ensemble.”

Less than a year later, Johnson became only the fourth music director of VAE since its founding in 1979. In his 10-plus years with VAE, Johnson has led the organization through a variety of milestones, including the start of its record-setting residency at Memorial Hall.

In his new role, Johnson will lead what the Oregon Bach Festival described as its “modern choral initiatives.” He’ll work alongside another new festival hire, Jos van Veldhoven, the longtime artistic director of the Netherlands Bach Society.

 vaecinci.com

Craig Hella Johnson

ArtWorks’ ‘Mr. Dynamite’ James Brown mural

The Cincinnati Museum Center operates all three venues that placed high in USA TODAY’s 10Best awards.

A portion of the museum’s new ‘Barbie’ exhibit

Behringer-Crawford reopens with fresh look, new exhibits

World War I uniforms, Barbie and the Kentucky Derby are the focus of new exhibits at BehringerCrawford Museum, which recently reopened after a short project to spruce up the Covington space with energy-efficient windows, new blinds and an updated veranda.

Chief among the new exhibits is a collection of authentic World War I uniforms, tools, accoutrements and trench art.

And on the heels of the popular “Barbie” film, the museum is

taking a look at the legacy of the iconic doll with a display of dolls, accessories and memorabilia.

Debuting April 6 is “Race to Fame: Hometown Kentucky Derby Legends,” showcasing local jockeys, trainers, owners and horses who have left an indelible mark on the industry, said Jason French, BCM’s curator of collections.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. All exhibits are included with admission.

 bcmuseum.org

Latest CRC/ArtWorks murals adorn Bond Hill Rec Center

ArtWorks and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission once again have teamed up to bring a pop of color and positivity to a local neighborhood.

Their newest collaboration is a pair of murals on the walls of CRC’s Bond Hill Recreation Center.

Designed by Cincinnati artist Ciara LeRoy, the murals feature a bright, color-blocked style inspired by Bond Hill’s architecture and what ArtWorks described as “African American/Black textile patterns.” LeRoy worked with teaching artist Kelsey Gray and nine apprentices, ages 14 to 21, to

create the murals.

Chris Pike, who leads communications for CRC, described the collaboration with ArtWorks as fitting, given his organization’s commitment to Bond Hill. The historic, largely Black-occupied neighborhood welcomed a minipitch provided by FC Cincinnati in 2023. Other recent additions include a new playground and pickleball courts, and there are plans to add a top-tier ball field in the near future.

The ArtWorks-CRC partnership began in 2018.

 artworkscincinnati.org



One of the new murals, designed by Cincinnati artist Ciara LeRoy

Louis’ legacy

Langrée lived up to CSO’s tradition of embracing the new

By Thomas Consolo

With the 2010-11 season, conductor Paavo Järvi wrapped up a decade as the Cincinnati Symphony’s music director, and speculation swirled through local media about who might succeed him.

A Cincinnati Enquirer assessment of the orchestra’s “hot picks” featured nearly two dozen possibilities, including a handful of bigger names and some “other” candidates. Like sports-page musings about a team’s next head coach, of course, such exercises amount to educated guessing.

To be fair, though, the paper’s crystal ball for the orchestra included several conductors who have indeed gone on to lead major orchestras – just not Cincinnati’s. Those included Hans Graf (Houston Symphony), Carlos Kalmar (Oregon Symphony), Gianandrea Noseda (National Symphony), Robert Spano (Fort Worth Symphony and Washington National Opera) and even Paavo’s younger brother, Kristian Järvi (radio symphony in Leipzig, Germany).

Further down in the “possible” category was a French conductor who had led New York’s Mostly Mozart Festival since 2003. Described by the New York Times as “affable,” this conductor was seen to have breathed new life into both the orchestra and the festival. In his March 2011 CSO debut, he was a hit with musicians, and critics praised the warmth of his performance of Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.

He was quickly hired to lead an are-we-sure-about-this return

engagement that August. The program included two repertoire mainstays, Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Both the orchestra’s players and management eventually decided, yes, they were sure.

And so, in April 2012, Louis Langrée was named the CSO’s 13th music director. It was a lucky pick all around.

Fast forward 12 years, and Langrée’s journey here has come full circle. In May, he will lead his final two programs as music director of America’s fifth-oldest orchestra. Like many of his programs here, the May concerts look both backward (including Beethoven 7) and forward, with premieres each weekend.

Langrée spoke with Movers & Makers in early February – between rehearsals for performances of Brahms’ “A German Requiem” – about his years in Cincinnati and his thoughts on the orchestra and the city he came to love.

Tradition of innovation

Louis, as he’s known to most of those who work in Music Hall, came to the CSO knowing enough about its present but surprisingly little about its past. As he learned, he said, “I was amazed!”

Like any 126-year-old institution, the CSO has a long tradition. What surprised Langrée, though, was how deeply and broadly innovation was ingrained in those traditions. The orchestra has been quick to adopt not just new music, but also new technology.

“It’s a tradition to be experimental,” he said, checking off a list that includes being among the first orchestras to make recordings and the first to perform on a national radio broadcast. It continued through LumenoCity, the outdoor show that brought the east façade of Music Hall to life using cuttingedge lighting technology as the orchestra performed a live accompaniment in Washington Park. The success of those annual events led directly to today’s BLINK festivals.

“For three nights, there were 15,000 people each,” Langrée said. “For those 45,000 people who came, they didn’t feel, ‘Let’s go to listen to a classical music concert.’ They didn’t know what to expect, but they wanted to be part of something unusual, which was experimental.

“That speaks about this institution. There are so many orchestras who cultivate the repertoire and others that are more experimental.” It’s clear he’s proud to put the CSO in the latter category.

LumenoCity said a lot about the city, too, Langrée said. With all those people packed into a small space (the first year’s crowds far exceeded expectations), “there were no problems, no aggression. It was like a big smile over the city.”

Fanfares for pandemic times

Then there’s the experimentation in music. During Langrée’s tenure, the CSO has commissioned 65 new works, more than under any previous music director. They include works by Julia Adolphe, Daníel Bjarnason, Jennifer Higdon, David

Lang, André Previn, Caroline Shaw and Zhou Tian.

The crown jewel of the list is the searing Symphony No. 6 by Christopher Rouse, who succumbed to cancer shortly before the premiere performance in 2019. “It was sublime and unbearable,” Langrée said. A recording of that powerful performance is available to stream at cincinnatisymphony.org.

The largest category of commissions came in response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Langrée cited the orchestra’s response as another example of its embrace of experimentation. In addition to concerts that were canceled when the world shut down, so were several premieres. The pandemic was hard on creators, too, Langrée said. “No one commissioned anything of these composers.”

The CSO, of course, famously commissioned a series of fanfares during World War II. With another big anniversary year at hand, the orchestra asked, why not do it again, but with a twist? The result was the Fanfare Project, a series of commissions for 22 fanfares for solo instruments.

“There are works in every field, every genre. Any style,” Langrée said. “I loved that, this sense of experimentation.”

Building community

Over a dozen years, Langrée has led hundreds of CSO performances. “Somehow I remember each one,” he said, “each program.” Asked about favorites among those, he doesn’t hesitate with a shortlist.

Photo by Chris l ee

 In September 2022, after the pandemic, the CSO returned to live performances in Music Hall with Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”). “The symbolism of course was more than music,” he said. Surprisingly, it also was his first performance of the work.

 Langrée’s first concert as music director, in November 2013, featured Maya Angelou narrating Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait.” (It was paired with a 2010 work by Jennifer Higdon and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.) Angelou died the next spring, “and then we asked young composers to write pieces inspired by her poems. It was very special.”

 The February 2020 recreation of one of the most famous nights in classical music history, the 1808 Beethoven Akademie concert. Though it already included the premieres of the fifth and sixth symphonies, Beethoven wrote the Choral Fantasy as a finale – in case the audience wasn’t suitably impressed! Besides the appeal of four hours of Beethoven’s music, the CSO performances became a community event, with a twohour break that offered a Viennese biergarten dinner.

 The two-year focus on the works of Brahms that complemented the four symphonies with musical connections to other composers. The standout for Langrée was the March 2016 program that paired the Brahms Symphony No. 2 with the Berg Violin Concerto and Johann Strauss Jr.’s “Blue Danube” waltz.

 Connections with the community. Besides LumenoCity,

Langrée was enthusiastic about MusicNow, the collaborations with Bryce Dessner and his group, The National. People who came out of curiosity or to see Dessner were exposed to music like Edgard Varèse’s “Amériques” and Krzysztof Penderecki’s “Polymorphia.” The response of the diverse audience was exciting, he said. Not everyone liked every piece, but what was important was that they came for the challenge.

Cement of the city

Praise for Cincinnati audiences is a recurring theme for Langrée. “I love this city, I love this orchestra,” he said. “It’s been my home away from home, but it wasn’t ‘away.’ I made it home.”

He related the story he’s told before about the importance of culture in the city. In many European cities, he said, the most impressive buildings are often dedicated to power – a city hall, a palace of justice or an historic aristocratic seat. In Cincinnati, by contrast, the “palace” is Music Hall, dedicated to culture.

“It’s the most important building here, the most visible in this historic district,” he said. “It’s where people meet and share under the auspices of music. That says something already. It’s not saying everybody is playing an instrument, but that art is the cement of the city.”

Langrée has now hired more than a quarter of the CSO’s members. What he hopes to leave behind is the artistic flexibility he’s tried to create. “My pride is when I hear ‘my’ musicians. When they play the same piece a totally different way. This flexibility is very cherishable.”

Music Hall’s renovation has helped, too. “Now musicians can project, and they can whisper and make details that would have been lost. We are closer to the audience, and the audience is closer to the stage. We [the orchestra and

audience] are closer to the music.”

The orchestra in return has given him a great deal, he said. “As a conductor, musician, leader, they have made me a better conductor and a better person.”

The Cincinnati chapter isn’t the only one ending in Langrée’s story. Last summer marked his last with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra. He can’t be entirely blamed for that: The festival’s home, Lincoln Center, dropped the festival and reinvented it with a different name (one without “Mozart”) – and a different music director. (Langrée’s influence in the orchestra lives on, though. He hired most of the members.)

The end of two of the biggest chapters of his musical life doesn’t mean there’s any downtime ahead for Langrée. In October 2021, he was appointed director – as in full director, not just music director – of the Théâtre National de l’Opéra-Comique in Paris. Which is to say, he shows no signs of easing his pace. 

Louis’ farewell celebration

Louis Langrée leads the final two programs of the CSO’s 2023-24 season, his last as the orchestra’s music director.

May 3-4: Beethoven 7 and Dessner: Bryce Dessner, Piano Concerto (U.S. premiere of CSO co-commission); Dessner’s “Mari”; Beethoven Symphony No. 7.

May 10-12: Louis’ Grand Finale: Beethoven, “Leonore” Overture No. 2; Anthony Davis, “Broken in Parts” (world premiere of CSO commission); Dukas, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”; Ravel, “Daphnis et Chloé” Suite No. 2

 513-381-3300 or cincinnatisymphony.org

Louis Langrée with Brahms Festival souvenir fan

Louis Langrée with composer/guitarist Bryce Dessner at MusicNOW in 2015

Cultural Exhibits/Tours

American Legacy Tours | Over-the-Rhine. 859-951-8560. americanlegacytours.com

ƒ Historic tours in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

American Sign Museum | Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. americansignmuseum.org

ƒ Permanent collection

Archaeological Research Institute | Lawrenceburg. 812-290-2966. exploreari.org

ƒ Hands-on educational experiences

Behringer-Crawford Museum | Devou Park, Covington. 859-491-4003. bcmuseum.org

ƒ Artifacts and history of Northern Kentucky

ƒ Opens April 6. “Race to Fame: Hometown Kentucky Derby Legends”

Brewing Heritage Trail Tour Center | Brewery District, Over-the-Rhine. 513-604-9812. brewingheritagetrail.org

ƒ Sundays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 2 p.m. Built on Beer Tour

ƒ Wednesdays & Fridays, 2 p.m. & Saturdays, 10 a.m. Over & Under the Rhine Tour

ƒ Saturdays, noon & 3 p.m. Cincinnati Brewing & Distilling Tasting Tour

Cincinnati Fire Museum | Downtown. 513-621-5553. cincyfiremuseum.com

ƒ Permanent collection

Cincinnati Food Tours | Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine. 513-602-5602. cincinnatifoodtours.com

ƒ Exploring Queen City food culture and heritage

Cincinnati Museum Center | Union Terminal, Queensgate. 513-287-7000. cincymuseum.org

ƒ Thru July 28. Pompeii: The Exhibition

Cincinnati Nature Center | Milford. cincynature.org

ƒ Hiking and exploring old-growth forest

Cincinnati Observatory | Hyde Park. cincinnatiobservatory.org

ƒ Oldest professional observatory in the United States

Cincinnati Type & Print Museum | Lower Price Hill. cincinnatitypeprintmuseum.org

ƒ Equipment, tools and artifacts

Cincinnati Zoo | Avondale. 513-281-4700. cincinnatizoo.org

ƒ World-class fauna and flora

Friends of Music Hall | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-621-2787. friendsofmusichall.org

ƒ Indoor tours available weekly

ƒ Outdoor tours by appointment

ƒ April 4, 5 p.m. Bricks & Beer –Cincinnati Music Hall History and Hops

Glendale Heritage Preservation | Glendale. 513-771-8722. glendaleheritage.org

ƒ Thursdays & Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. “For 50 Years, Preserving the Past for the Future”

Greater Cincinnati Police Museum | Pendleton. 513-300-3664. police-museum.org

ƒ Permanent collection

Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills. 513-751-0651. stowehousecincy.org

ƒ Saturdays & Sundays. Sneak Peek Visits (currently under renovation)

ƒ April 3, 7 p.m. Discussion: “Poetry to Resist and Uplift”

ƒ April 6, 10 a.m. Walking Tour: Abolitionists & African Americans in Walnut Hills

ƒ April 13, 10 a.m. Walking Tour: African American History along the Cincinnati Riverfront

ƒ April 27, 10:30 a.m. Discussion: “The Shaping of Black America”

Heritage Village Museum |Sharonville. 513-563-9484. heritagevillagecincinnati.org

ƒ April 27, noon-4 p.m. “Heroines of Our History”

Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center, Union Terminal. 513-487-3055. holocaustandhumanity.org

ƒ Media, artifacts, art and interactive exhibitions commemorating the Holocaust

Jurassic Quest | Duke Energy Convention Center. jurassicquest.com

ƒ April 12-14. Interactive dinosaur experience

Krohn Conservatory | Eden Park. 513-421-4086. cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks

ƒ Thru April 21. “The Shape of Nature Featuring Oscillation”

Lloyd Library and Museum | Downtown. 513-721-3707. lloydlibrary.org

ƒ Permanent exhibit . George Rieveschl Jr.: History of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Milford Historical Society | Milford. 513-248-0324. milfordhistory.net

ƒ Permanent exhibit . Historical displays of art, artifacts and more

(City of) Montgomery | Montgomery. montgomeryohio.gov

ƒ April 27, 1 & 3 p.m. Walking Food Tour

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | The Banks, downtown. 513-333-7500. freedomcenter.org

ƒ Exploring themes of individual freedom

National VOA Museum of Broadcasting | West Chester. 513-777-0027. voamuseum.org

ƒ Voice of America anti-propaganda

RAPTOR Inc. | Milford. raptorinc.org

ƒ April 26, 1-4 p.m. Open house of birds of prey sanctuary

Skirball Museum | Hebrew Union College, Clifton. 513-221-1875. csm.huc.edu

ƒ Permanent exhibit: “An Eternal People: The Jewish Experience”

ƒ April 11-July 28. “The Guiding Hand: The Barr Foundation Collection of Torah Pointers”

Exhale Dance Tribe ’s “The Silence of Flowers” celebrates new works by founders/artistic directors Missy and Andrew Hubbard

– April 20 in the Aronoff’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater.

Valley View Nature Preserve | Milford. valleyviewcampus.org

ƒ Preserved 190-acre farm and open land

Vent Haven Museum | Ft. Mitchell. 859-341-0461. venthaven.org

ƒ World’s only museum dedicated to ventriloquism

White Water Shaker Village | Harrison. whitewatervillage.org

ƒ April 13, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friends of White Water Shaker Village Annual Gathering

Dance

Cincinnati Ballet | Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-5219. cballet.org

ƒ April 5-7. “Mercurial Landscapes”

ƒ April 11-14. Family Series: “Sleeping Beauty”

College-Conservatory of Music | Corbett Auditorium, University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu

ƒ April 11-14. “Little Mermaid”

Dayton Ballet | Victoria Theatre, Dayton, Ohio. daytonperformingarts.org

ƒ April 12-14. “New Beginnings”

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company | Boll Theatre, University of Dayton. dcdc.org

ƒ April 27-28. “In Freedom”

DE LA Dance Company | Kennedy Heights. 513-871-0914. deladancecompany.org

ƒ April 26-May 12. “La Sylphide”

Exhale Dance Tribe | Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-2787. exhaledancetribe.org

ƒ April 20, 8 p.m. “The Silence of Flowers”

Revolution Dance Theatre | Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. revodance.com

ƒ April 26-27. “Bible Stories”

Fairs/Festivals/Markets

Asian Food Fest | Court Street Plaza, downtown. asianfoodfest.org

ƒ April 27-28, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Food, beverages and cultural expressions

Blooms & Berries Farm Market | Loveland. blooms-berries-farm-market. myshopify.com

ƒ Mid-April-October

City Flea | Factory 52, Norwood. thecityflea.com

ƒ April 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spring Vintage Market

Vintage Market Days | Xenia. vintagemarketdays.com

ƒ April 19-21

The Well | Pyramid Hill, Hamilton. thewell.world

ƒ April 8, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Total Eclipse of the Arts

Film

Cincinnati World Cinema | Garfield Theatre, downtown. 859-957-3456. cincyworldcinema.org

ƒ April 19, 7 p.m. Garfield Shorts Spotlight Series Vol. 4: “PASSIONS”: life, love, art, creation and family

Friends of Music Hall | Music Hall Ballroom, Over-the-Rhine. 513-621-2728. friendsofmusichall.org

ƒ April 12, 7 p.m. Silent Movies Made Musical with the Mighty Wurlitzer

Northern Kentucky University | Griffin Hall Digitorium, Highland Heights. nku.edu/academics/artsci

ƒ Thursdays thru April 18. Albertine Cinémathèque Festival of French Films

Ohio River Foundation | Woodward Theater, Over-the-Rhine. ohioriverfdn.org

ƒ April 19, 7:30 p.m. Wild & Scenic Film Festival

OTR International Film Festival | Contemporary Arts Center, downtown. otrfilmfest.org

ƒ April 18, 6:30 p.m. A Celebration of the Life of Julia Reichart

Literary/Lectures

Barnes & Noble | Virtual. 513-972-5146. stores.barnesandnoble.com

ƒ April 2, 3 p.m. Discussion: Anna Quindlen “After Annie”

Cincinnati Zoo | Frisch’s Theater, Avondale. 513-281-4700. cincinnatizoo.org

ƒ April 3, 7 p.m. Barrows Conservation

Lecture: Chris Myers and Lynne Borne Myers

ƒ April 17, 7 p.m. Barrows Conservation

Lecture: Diana Beresford Kroeger

Decorative Arts Society | Taft Museum of Art, Lytle Park, downtown. decorativeartsociety.org

ƒ April 14, 2 p.m. Jeanine Falino “Women in Design and Craft”

Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org

ƒ April 3, 11:30 a.m. Celebrating Self Series: Cincinnati Rollergirls

Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center, Union Terminal. 513-487-3055. holocaustandhumanity.org

ƒ Wednesdays, 11 a.m. Holocaust Speaker Series (virtual)

ƒ April 7, 1 p.m. Hornstein Lecture: “Rebuilding Jewish life in Krakow after the Holocaust”

Joseph-Beth Booksellers | Rookwood Commons, Norwood. 513-396-8960. josephbeth.com

ƒ April 2, 7 p.m. Discussion: Keith O’Brien “Charlie Hustle”

ƒ April 3, 7 p.m. Discussion: Sarah Hogle “Old Flames and New Fortunes”

ƒ April 4, 7 p.m. Discussion: Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr. “Gay Poems for Red States”

ƒ April 26, 7 p.m. Discussion: Anne Lamott “Somehow” (School for Creative and Performing Arts)

ƒ April 29, 7 p.m. Discussion: Woz Delgado Flint “The Distraction-Free First Draft”

ƒ April 30, 7 p.m. Discussion: Jeneva Rose

“Home is Where the Bodies Are”

The

May Pang, John Lennon’s companion & lover during his “Lost Weekend” era is showcasing her candid photos of Lennon at a special two-day free exhibition.

ARTS & CULTURE | The List

Music

American Sign Museum | Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. americansignmuseum.org

ƒ April 11, 7 p.m. Signs & Songs: Ricky Nye Inc.

Antigone Music Collective | Clifton Cultural Arts Center, Clifton. antigonestringquartet.com

ƒ April 5, 8 p.m. Modern string pieces celebrating the solar eclipse

Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas | St. Thomas Episcopal, Terrace Park. 513-831-2052. bachensemble.org

ƒ April 28, 5 p.m. Bach Vespers for Easter

Bogart’s | Short Vine, Corryville. bogarts.com

ƒ April 11, 6:30 p.m. Eli Young Band

ƒ April 12, 7 p.m. Owl City

ƒ April 16, 6:30 p.m. Queensryche

ƒ April 20, 7 p.m. Pecos & The Rooftops

ƒ April 23, 7 p.m. Mickey Darling

ƒ April 26, 6:30 p.m. Atmosphere

ƒ April 30, 6 p.m. Bayside

Brady Music Center | The Banks, downtown. bradymusiccenter.com

ƒ April 9, 8 p.m. Jessie Murph

ƒ April 11, 8 p.m. Brothers Osborne

ƒ April 12, 7:30 p.m. Dethklok

ƒ April 17, 8 p.m. Emo Orchestra

ƒ April 19, 8 p.m. Joe Satriani, Steve Vai

ƒ April 23, 8 p.m. Godsmack

ƒ April 24, 8 p.m. Todd Rundgren

ƒ April 30, 8 p.m. Madison Beer

Bromwell’s Harth Room | Downtown. bromwellshearthroom.com/music

ƒ Wednesday-Saturday evenings Live jazz

Butler Philharmonic | Sorg Opera House, Middletown. 513-844-5151. butlerphil.org

ƒ April 7, 3 p.m. “Broadway Meets Blockbuster”

Caffè Vivace | Walnut Hills. 513-601-9897. caffevivace.com

ƒ Most evenings, live jazz

Chamber Music Cincinnati | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-342-6870. cincychamber.org

ƒ April 7, 4 p.m. Randall Goosby with Zhu Wang, piano (Corinthian Baptist Church)

ƒ April 9, 7:30 p.m. Randall Goosby with Zhu Wang, piano

Chamber Music Yellow Springs | First Presbyterian Church, Yellow Springs. 937-374-8800. cmys.org

ƒ April 28, 4 p.m. Annual competition for emerging professional ensembles

Christ Church Cathedral | Downtown. 513-621-1817. cincinnaticathedral.com

ƒ April 7, 4:30 p.m. Choral Evensong with Thom Miles, organ

ƒ April 14, 3 p.m. Amanda Mole, organ

ƒ April 20, 7 p.m. Kory Caudill: “Songs of Appalachia”

◆ 12:10 p.m. Music Live@Lunch (Christ Church Chapel)

ƒ April 2, Matt Tolentino, accordion

ƒ April 9, Mekala Kirtan

ƒ April 16, CCM harpsichord & organ studios

ƒ April 23, Brian Cashwell, jazz piano

ƒ April 30, Clark and Jones Trio

Christ Church Glendale | Glendale. 513-771-1544. christchurchglendale.org

ƒ April 28, 4 p.m. A Service of Choral Evensong

Cincinnati Arts Association | Procter & Gamble Hall. Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org

ƒ April 7, 7 p.m. Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra (Music Hall)

ƒ April 19, 7:30 p.m. Celtic Woman

ƒ April 20, 8 p.m. “RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles”

Cincinnati Camerata | Plum Street Temple, downtown. cincinnaticamerata.com

ƒ April 28, 3 p.m. “Hallelujah! Psalms of Praise and Passover”

Cincinnati Choral Society | Indian Hill Church, Indian Hill. cincinnatichoralsociety.org

ƒ April 28, 3 p.m. “From Mountain to Shore” w/ Wayside Winds

Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra | 513-280-8181. cincinnatijazz.org

ƒ April 18, 7 p.m. Big Band Series: The Look of Love: Mandy Gaines Sings Burt Bacharach (The Redmoor)

ƒ April 28, 2 p.m. Jazz@First Series: April in Paris feat. Valérie Agulhon Graschaire (First Unitarian Church)

Cincinnati Museum Center | Union Terminal, Queensgate. 513-287-7000. cincymuseum.org

ƒ April 24, 7:30 p.m. Ken Cowan, organ w/ Christ Church Cathedral and St. Peter in Chains Cathedral Choirs

Two of the city’s premier church choirs – Christ Church Cathedral and Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains – join forces on April 24 for a unique concert with organist Ken Cowan in Cincinnati Museum Center ’s resonant rotunda.

Cincinnati Song Initiative | Church of Our Savior, Mt. Auburn. cincinnatisonginitiative.org

ƒ April 21, 3 p.m. “To the Woods”

Cincinnati Symphony & Pops | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. cincinnatisymphony.org

ƒ April 12-14. (Pops) “The Dream of America”

ƒ April 19, 7:30 p.m. (CSO) “Classical Roots”

ƒ April 20-21. (CSO) “Hadelich Performs Brahms” Augustin Hadelich, violin

ƒ April 25, 7:30 p.m. (Winstead Chamber Series) Music of Schulhoff, Reaneke, Khachaturian and Schumann

ƒ April 26-27. (CSO) “Dvořák Symphony No. 8” Katharina Wincor, conductor; Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello

Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. cincinnatisymphony.org/csyo

ƒ April 28, 2 p.m. (Concert Orch.) “Walk Abouts”

ƒ April 28, 7 p.m. (Philharmonic Orch.) “Spartacus”

Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton. 513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org

ƒ April 4, 4:30 p.m. The SunBurners (U-Square)

ƒ April 5, 4:30 p.m. Matt Tolentino Band (Short Vine Square)

ƒ April 11, 4:30 p.m. Mill Creek Drifters (U-Square)

ƒ April 12, 4:30 p.m. TBA (Short Vine Square)

ƒ April 18, 4:30 p.m. Küf Knotz & Christine Elise (U-Square)

ƒ April 19, 4:30 p.m. The Twi-Lites (Short Vine Square)

ƒ April 25, 4:30 p.m. Wild Carrot (U-Square)

ƒ April 26, 4:30 p.m. Indy Gorgeous Club (Short Vine Square)

College-Conservatory of Music | University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu

ƒ April 2, 7:30 p.m. Jazz Lab Band (Corbett Theater)

ƒ April 2, 7:30 p.m. Classical Guitar Ensemble (Werner Recital Hall)

ƒ April 6, 7:30 p.m. Concert Orchestra & Chorale: “Carmina Burana” (Music Hall)

ƒ April 7, 4 p.m. Brass Choir: “Swinging With Timmers Big Band” (Corbett Theater)

ƒ April 9, 7:30 p.m. Composition Series: “A View from the Edge” (Cohen Studio Theater)

ƒ April 9, 7:30 p.m. Ariel Chamber Music Competition Winners Concert (Werner Recital Hall)

ƒ April 12, 7:30 p.m. Wind Ensemble: “New Beginnings” (Corbett Theater)

ƒ April 13, 7:30 p.m. Percussion Ensemble (Cohen Studio Theater)

ƒ April 17, 7:30 p.m. Concert Orchestra: “Baroque Concerto Extravaganza” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ April 19, 7:30 p.m. Wind Symphony: “Emerging Light” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ April 20, 7:30 p.m. Philharmonia: “Philharmonic Jazz Returns!” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ April 20, 7:30 p.m. Chamber Choir: “The Tower and the Garden” (Knox Presbyterian Church)

ƒ April 22, 7:30 p.m. UC Bearcat bands (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ April 24, 7:30 p.m. UC Symphony Orchestra (Corbett Auditorium)

Dayton Philharmonic | Schuster Center, Dayton, Ohio. daytonperformingarts.org

ƒ April 5-6, 7:30 p.m. “Total Eclipse: The Sun and The Planets”

ƒ April 27, 7:30 p.m. “Arrival from Sweden: The Music of ABBA”

DownTowne Listening Room | Cincinnati Fire Museum, downtown. downtownelisteningroom.com

ƒ April 20, 7 p.m. Christine Havrilla & Mama’s Black Sheep

Fairfield Community Arts Center | Fairfield. 513-867-5348. fairfield-city.org

ƒ April 26, 8 p.m. Robin Spielberg

Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org

ƒ April 6, 7:30 p.m. Newbees “One of These Nights”

Fluidity | First Lutheran Church, Over-the-Rhine. fluiditycccc.org

ƒ April, 13, 7:30 p.m. “Mysterium,” in support of Faith Communities Go Green

Ghost Baby | Over-the-Rhine. ghost-baby.com

ƒ Most evenings, live music, five stories down

Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. hardrockcasinocincinnati.com

ƒ April 26, 8 p.m. Trace Adkins

Heritage Bank Center | Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com

ƒ April 7, 8 p.m. Andrea Bocelli

ƒ April 20, 7 p.m. MercyMe

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra | 859-431-6216. kyso.org

ƒ April 20, 7:30 p.m. “Long Live the King,” with Brenda Portman, organ (Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church)

ƒ April 21, 2:30 p.m. “Long Live the King,” encore (Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington)

Knox Church | Hyde Park. 513-321-2573. knox.org/music

ƒ April 14, 4 p.m. All-Beethoven Concert. Earl Rivers, conductor

Lakeside Music Concert Series | Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Lakeside Park. lakesidechurch.org

ƒ April 6, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Come and Sing: Schubert

Linton Chamber Music | 513-381-6868. lintonmusic.org

ƒ April 14, 4 p.m. “Six of One” (First Unitarian Church, Avondale)

ƒ April 15, 7:30 p.m. Encore of previous (Congregation Beth Adam, Loveland)

Linton Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions, Music With Madcap, “Peter and the Wolf” | 513-381-6868. lintonmusic.org/pbj

ƒ April 6, 10:30 a.m. (Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Clifton)

ƒ April 9, 6 p.m. (Child Focus, The Carter Center, Eastgate)

ƒ April 13, 10:30 a.m. (Loveland Library)

ƒ April 20, 10:30 a.m. (Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Symmes Twp.)

ƒ April 27, 10:30 a.m. (Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Lakeside Park)

ƒ April 29, 6 p.m. (Boone County Public Library, Florence Branch)

Ludlow Garage | Clifton. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com

ƒ April 4, 7:30 p.m. Raul Malo

ƒ April 6, 7:30 p.m. Dave Mason

ƒ April 7, 7:30 p.m. Geoff Tate

ƒ April 10, 7:30 p.m. BBMAK

ƒ April 11, 7:30 p.m. John Moreland

ƒ April 12, 7:30 p.m. Jump

ƒ April 13, 7:30 p.m. Strangelove

ƒ April 19, 7:30 p.m. Carbon Leaf

ƒ April 20, 7:30 p.m. Spyro Gyra

ƒ April 21, 7:30 p.m. The Skatalites

ƒ April 23, 7:30 p.m. Matthew Sweet

ƒ April 24, 7:30 p.m. Young Dubliners

ƒ April 25, 7:30 p.m. Take 6

ƒ April 26, 7:30 p.m. A Flock of Seagulls

ƒ April 27, 7:30 p.m. Catalina Wine Mixer

ƒ April 28, 7:30 p.m. Howie Day

Madison Theater | Covington. 859-491-2444. madisontheater.com

ƒ April 5, 8 p.m. Badfish: A Tribute To Sublime

ƒ April 11, 8 p.m. Action Bronson

ƒ April 12, 8 p.m. High Fade

ƒ April 18, 8 p.m. Cool Cool Cool

ƒ April 19, 8:30 p.m. Big Something

ƒ April 26, 8 p.m. Guided By Voices

Matinée Musicale | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. matineemusicalecincinnati.org

ƒ April 21, 3 p.m. Amina Edris, soprano, and Pene Pati, tenor

ARTS & CULTURE

MegaCorp Pavilion at Ovation | Newport. promowestlive.com

ƒ April 13, 7 p.m. Wish You Were Here

ƒ April 19, 7 p.m. Gavin Adcock

ƒ April 27, 6:30 p.m. Dustin Lynch

Memorial Hall | Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. memorialhallotr.com

ƒ April 1, 7 p.m. Estrada do Sol: Echoes from Brazil…A 75 Year Retrospective

ƒ April 8, 7 p.m. The Five Little Bears

ƒ April 14, 8 p.m. The Kings of Queen

ƒ April 15, 8 p.m. Suzanne Vega

ƒ April 16, 7 p.m. Pamela Mallory Trio

ƒ April 18, 8 p.m. Live Dead and Brothers

ƒ April 22, 7 p.m. Carlos Vargas

ƒ April 24, 8 p.m. Robert Cray Band

ƒ April 26, 8 p.m. Sarah Jarosz

ƒ April 29, 7 p.m. Steve Hoskins & Phil DeGreg Trio play Paul Simon

Miami University | Hall Auditorium, Oxford. 513-529-3200. miamioh.edu/music

ƒ April 3, 7:30 p.m. Miami Sings Music Hall Featuring Chamber Singers, Choraliers, Men’s Glee Club (Music Hall)

ARTS & CULTURE | The List

Miami University (cont.)

ƒ April 18-19, 7:30 p.m. Guerilla Opera Punk Ensemble (Center for Performing Arts)

ƒ April 20, 7:30 p.m. Steel Band: 30th Anniversary Concert

ƒ April 23, 7:30 p.m. Jazz Ensemble

ƒ April 25, 7:30 p.m. Percussion Ensemble

ƒ April 27, 7:30 p.m. Choraliers and Chamber Singers (Kumler Chapel)

Miami University Regionals | Johnston Hall 142, Middletown. miamioh.edu/regionals

ƒ April 4, 4 p.m. Old-time Music Jam

Northern Kentucky University | Greaves Concert Hall, Highland Heights. 859-572-5464. music.nku.edu

ƒ April 8, 7 p.m. String Area Recital

ƒ April 9, 7 p.m. Jazz Combos

ƒ April 10, 7 p.m. Woodwind Area Recital

ƒ April 11, 7 p.m. Burdette Voice Studio Recital

ƒ April 16, 7 p.m. Jazz Ensemble

ƒ April 18, 7 p.m. Symphonic Winds & Choirs

ƒ April 22, 7 p.m. Steel Band

ƒ April 23, 7 p.m. Vocal Jazz

ƒ April 25, 7 p.m. Philharmonic Orchestra

ƒ April 28, 7 p.m. Percussion Ensemble

Queen City Concert Band | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-561-1799. queencityconcertband.com

ƒ April 24, 7:30 p.m. 50th Anniversary Concert (School for Creative and Performing Arts)

ƒ April 28, 2 p.m. Spring Concert

The Response Project | theresponseproject.org

ƒ April 28, 7:30 p.m. “Tremor” (Part 1). Artists from Visionaries + Voices with performances by concert:nova. (The Well, Camp Washington)

ƒ May 5, 6 p.m. “Tremor,” (Part 2) Brianna Matzke, piano. Five world premieres and panel discussion (American Sign Museum, Camp Washington)

Schwartz’s Point | Fiver Points, Over-the-Rhine. thepointclub.weebly.com

ƒ Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Jazz

ƒ Sundays. Blues, boogie woogie, jazz

Seven Hills Symphony | Walnut Hills High School, Evanston. 7hillssymphony.org

ƒ April 6, 7:30 p.m. “Carmina Burana” (Music Hall)

Opening r ece p tion: F r iday , A pr i l 5, 6- 8 p.m .

Soli Music Society | Meshewa House at Turner Farm, Indian Hill. solimusicsociety.com

ƒ April 15, 7:30 p.m. Showcase Series: “Bach, Mozart, Beethoven”

Sorg Opera House | Middletown. sorgoperahouse.org

ƒ April 13, 8 p.m. The Cleverlys

Southgate House | Newport. 859-431-2201. southgatehouse.com

ƒ Nightly rock, alternative blues, etc.

Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org

ƒ April 30, 7:30 p.m. Teskey Brothers

TempleLive at Riverfront Live | East End. riverfrontlivecincy.com

ƒ April 19, 8 p.m. Sam Grisman Project

Trinity Episcopal Church | Covington. 859-431-1786. trinitycovington.org

ƒ April 17, 12:15 p.m. Midday Musical Menu: Vincent Phelan, violin, and Stephen Phillips, piano

Viva Voices | Sycamore Presbyterian Church, Symmes Twp. vivavoices.net

Pianist and musical visionary Brianna Matzke has created a multi-disciplinary minifestival exploring her personal challenges with a recently diagnosed “essential tremor” in her hands. Takes place April 28 and May 5 at two venues in Camp Washington.

Opera

Cincinnati Opera | First Lutheran Church, Over-the-Rhine. 513-241-2742. cincinnatiopera.org

ƒ April 17, 7:30 p.m. Opera Rap Community Conversations: “Violetta’s Chosen Family”

College-Conservatory of Music | Cohen Studio Theater, University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu

ƒ April 4-6. Daniel Catán: “Rappaccini’s Daughter” (La Hija De Rappaccini)

Dayton Opera | Schuster Center, Dayton, Ohio. daytonperformingarts.org

ƒ April 20-21, 7:30 p.m. Puccini: “Tosca”

Theater/Comedy

Brady Music Center | The Banks, downtown. bradymusiccenter.com

ƒ April 26, 7:30 p.m. Hasan Minhaj, comedian

s (Clev e land, O H )

Er y ka h Tow n se n d (Clev e land, O H )

Th u T r an ( C le v elan d , OH )

Ca t hr i ne W h it e d (C i nc i nnat i , OH )

Xi a Z h ang ( Ci n cinn a ti, OH)

Co - Cu r ated By : Ss o -R h a Ka n g a nd M a tt Dist e l

Exhibition Co - Sponsor :

Sa r a M . an d M i chelle Vance Wa d del l

Presenting Sponsors:

M. Ka t heri n e H urle y

Th e A n nex Galler y

La u re n Han n an Shaf e r

Sa r a M . an d M i chelle Vance Wa d dell

Tami W hite, B a der+ S im o

ƒ April 19, 7:30 p.m. Chorale & Chamber Ensemble: “Vive La France,” Duruflé: Requiem and more

Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. woodwardtheater.com

ƒ April 17, 7:30 p.m. The Bygones

Xavier Music Series | Gallagher Center Theater, Xavier University. 513-745-3161. xavier.edu/musicseries

ƒ April 2, 8 p.m. Awadagin Pratt

ƒ April 25, 8 p.m. John Medeski

Broadway Across America | Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-721-3344. cincinnati.broadway.com

ƒ April 23-May 5. “Six”

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati | Taft Theatre, downtown. 513-569-8080 x10. thechildrenstheatre.com

ƒ April 20-29. “Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr.”

Cincinnati Arts Association | Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org

ƒ April 5-7. “Men Are From Mars – Women Are From Venus Live!”

Cincinnati Landmark Productions | Price Hill. 513-241-6550.

cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com

ƒ Thru April 7. “The Producers” (Covedale Center)

Kara Güt, Plainchant for Paper Hands, 2022, mixed media, 48 x 48 x 15 inches

ƒ April 17-May 12. “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” (Incline Theater)

Cincinnati Music Theatre | Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-2787. cincinnatimusictheatre.org

ƒ April 26-May 4. “Children of Eden”

Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative | Fifth Third Bank Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-ARTS. cincyplaywrights.org

ƒ April 16, 7:30 p.m. Earthfest 2024

Dayton Live Broadway Series | Schuster Center, Dayton, Ohio. daytonlive.org/series/broadway

ƒ April 9-14. “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical”

Ensemble Theatre | Over-the-Rhine. 513-421-3555. ensemblecincinnati.org

ƒ April 13-May 5. “The Match Game”

Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org

ƒ April 20, 7:30 p.m. “Bollywood!”

ƒ April 26, 7:30 p.m. Playhouse in the Park: “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”

The Ghostlight Stage Company | theghostlightstageco.com

ƒ April 1, 7 p.m. Shining a Light Workshop & Lecture Series: “Contemporary Theatre and the Fat Body: Moving Through Space as Your Authentic Self” (Spring Grove Village)

Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre | Parrish Auditorium, Hamilton. 513-737-PLAY. ghctplay.com

ƒ April 25-28. “Hello, Dolly!”

Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. hardrockcasinocincinnati.com

ƒ April 19, 7 p.m. Impractical Jokers

Heritage Bank Center | Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com

ƒ April 27, 8 p.m. Katt Williams, comedian

Human Race Theatre | Dayton. humanracetheatre.org

ƒ April 25-May 12. “Peerless”

Improv Cincinnati | Clifton Performance Theatre, Clifton. improvcincinnati.com

ƒ Friday & Saturday. Comedy shows

INNOVAtheatre | Sorg Opera House, Middletown. innovatheatre.com

ƒ April 14-28. “American Idiot”

Know Theatre | Over-the-Rhine. 513-300-5669. knowtheatre.com

ƒ April 5-28. “The Light Chasers,” a musical by Craig Minowa

La Comedia Dinner Theatre | Springboro. 800-677-9505. lacomedia.com

ƒ Thru May 5. “West Side Story”

Lebanon Theatre Company | Lebanon. 513-932-8300. ltcplays.com

ƒ April 26-May 5. “Em’s Story”

Ludlow Garage | Clifton. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com

ƒ April 18, 7:30 p.m. Ben Bailey, comedian

Lumos Players I Maineville. lumosplayers.com

ƒ April 10, 7:30 p.m. “Monst3r or (#MeToo, Brute)” by Marshall Logan Gibbs (virtual)

ƒ April 19-27. “Into The Woods”

Marjorie Book Continuing Education | Carson Masonic Lodge, Clifton. marjoriebook.org

ƒ April 19-23. “Go Back for Murder”

Mason Community Players | Mason Community Playhouse, Mason. 513-398-7804. masonplayers.org

ƒ April 12-20. “Timeless: A Musical Revue”

MegaCorp Pavilion at Ovation | Newport. promowestlive.com

ƒ April 20, 7 p.m. Napoleon Dynamite Live!

ƒ April 24, 7 p.m. TommyInnit: “How To Be A Billionaire”

Mount St. Joseph University | Delhi. 513-244-4387. msj.edu

ƒ April 11-20. “Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood”

Northern Kentucky University | Corbett Theatre, Highland Heights. 859-572-5464. theatre.nku.edu

ƒ April 11-20. “The Play That Goes Wrong” (The Carnegie)

Oxford Community Arts Center | Oxford. 513-524-8506. oxarts.org

ƒ April 5, 7 p.m. Mister C Live: “Air is Everywhere!”

Playhouse in the Park | Mt. Adams. 513-421-3888. cincyplay.com

ƒ Thru April 7. “Stew” (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre)

ƒ April 13-May 12. “The Chosen” (Rouse Theatre)

ƒ April 27-June 2. “Vietgone” (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre)

School for Creative and Performing Arts | Over-the-Rhine. 513-363-8100. scpa.cps-k12.org

ƒ April 25-26. “Into The Woods Jr.”

Sharonville Cultural Arts Center | Sharonville. 513-554-1014. sharonvilleculturalarts.org

ƒ April 12-21. “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella”

Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org

ƒ April 6, 7 p.m. Kathleen Madigan, comedian

ƒ April 13, 7 p.m. Rodney Carrington, comedian

ƒ April 21, 8 p.m. “Ghosts: Do You Believe?” w/Dustin Pari

ƒ April 25, 8 p.m. Ben Brainard, comedian

ARTS & CULTURE | The List

Tri-County Players | Bell Tower Arts Pavilion, Evendale. 513-471-2030. facebook.com

ƒ April 26-May 5. “The 39 Steps”

True Theatre | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. memorialhallotr.com

ƒ April 25, 7:30 p.m. “trueHAND”

Village Players | Ft. Thomas. 859-392-0500. villageplayers.org

ƒ April 26-May 4. “Spreading It Around”

Xavier University | Gallagher Theater, Evanston. 513-745-3939. xavier.edu/theatre-program

ƒ April 19-21. “John Proctor is the Villain”

Visual Art

21c Museum Hotel | Downtown. 513-578-6600. 21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati

ƒ Thru September. “The SuperNatural”

The Annex Gallery | The Pendleton, Over-the-Rhine. annexgallery.org

ƒ Current exhibit . “Artistry Rekindled” Retrospective works of Raymond P. Harris

Art Academy of Cincinnati | Over-the-Rhine. 513-562-6262. artacademy.edu

ƒ Thru April 26. Group Thesis Exhibitions

Art Design Consultants/Ft. Thomas | adcfineart.com

ƒ Thru April 6. Deby Raymond: “Summit in Color”

Art Enclave | Gallery 42, Mason. 513-492-7474. artenclave.com

ƒ April 12, 5-8 p.m. Flower Show (Gallery 42, Mason)

Art on Vine | artonvinecincy.com

ƒ April 14, noon-6 p.m. Hello Spring (Rhinegeist Brewery)

ARTclectic Gallery | Silverton. 513-822-5200. artclecticgallery.com

ƒ Thru April 30. “Green Beginnings”

ArtWorks | V² Gallery, Walnut Hills. 513-333-0388. artworkscincinnati.org

ƒ Thru May 9. “Sawdust”

Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center | Covington. 859-431-0020. bakerhunt.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 9. Community Art Show –Baker Hunt & DBL Law

The Barn | Mariemont. 513-272-3700. artatthebarn.org

ƒ April 7-28. Annual juried exhibition. Reception: April 7, 1-4 p.m.

The Carnegie | Covington. 859-491-2030. thecarnegie.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 17. “Suspended Between Forms,” inspired by curator Zito Madu’s new novel

Cincinnati Art Galleries | Downtown. 513-381-2128. cincyart.com

ƒ Thru April 26. “Glimpse”

Cincinnati Art Museum | Eden Park. 513-721-2787. cincinnatiartmuseum.org

ƒ Thru April 7. “Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass”

ƒ Thru May 26. “Whitfield Lovell: Passages”

ƒ Thru June 30. Modern and Contemporary Ceramics

ƒ April 20-Oct. 20. Shahzia Sikander: “Collective Behavior”

ƒ April 26, 5-9 p.m. Art After Dark

Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton. 513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org

ƒ April 5-May 3. Juried Exhibition: “New Woman” Reception: April 5, 6-8 p.m.

Contemporary Arts Center |Downtown. 513-345-8400. contemporaryartscenter.org

ƒ Thru April 14. Tai Shani: “The Politics Of Emancipation Through A Female Lens”

ƒ April 5-Sept. 8. Jayson Musson: “His History of Art”

The Contemporary Dayton | Dayton, Ohio. 937-224-3822. codayton.org

ƒ Thru April 5. 30th Open Members Show

DAAP Galleries | University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati. 513-556-2839. daap.uc.edu

ƒ Thru April 4. Faculty Showcase (Reed Gallery)

Dayton Art Institute | Dayton, Ohio. 937-223-4278. daytonartinstitute.org

ƒ Thru May 26. “Telling Stories: World Literature in Art”

ƒ Thru April 28. “James Pate, TechnoCubism: The Art of Line Painting”

ƒ Thru May 12. “The Artistic Life of Aka Pereyma”

Dearborn Highlands Arts Council | Lawrenceburg. 812-539-4251. dearbornhighlandsarts.org

ƒ Thru April 21. Youth Art by Dearborn County students in grades K-12

Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org

ƒ Thru April 6. “Double Take”

Indian Hill Gallery | Indian Hill. 513-984-6024. indianhillgallery.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 10. “Delicate Ecologies,” paintings by Kelley Booze, Katherine Colborn and Samantha Haring

Clifton Cultural Arts Center named its new signature gallery after Elizabeth Nourse, a 19th -century “New Woman” who made a living as a painter. The “New Woman” juried exhibition –opening April 5 – showcases the artwork of women from Cincinnati and beyond.

Joseph Clark Gallery Arts of Africa | Northside. 513-351-8111. josephclarkgallery.com

ƒ African arts and crafts

Kennedy Heights Arts Center | Kennedy Heights. 513-631-4278. kennedyarts.org

ƒ Thru April 13. “Déjà Vu: Creativity Repeats Itself” (Lindner Gallery)

ƒ Thru April 27. 16th annual student art show (Kennedy Gallery)

ƒ April 13, 6-8 p.m. Issue 005: Tellus Zine: “Value” (Lindner Annex)

Lloyd Library and Museum | Downtown. 513-721-3707. lloydlibrary.org

ƒ Thru April 20. “Flora Mania”

Manifest Gallery | E. Walnut Hills. 513-861-3638. manifestgallery.org

ƒ Thru April 5. “Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana” regional • “In Search of Blue” art about or featuring the color blue

ƒ April 19-May 17. “Drawn 2024” international drawing exhibit • “Soft” made of or about soft materials • “Modular” works that can be reconfigured.

Reception: April 19, 6-9 p.m.

Mean St. Gallery | Over-the-Rhine. meanstreetgallery.com

ƒ April 5-27. Natalia Munro and Julia Lipovski

Miami University/Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum | Oxford. 513-5292232. miamioh.edu/cca/art-museum

ƒ Thru June 8. “Minohsaya: Painted Robes of the Myaamia and Peoria” • “Landscape in Art: An Art & Architecture History Capstone Exhibition” • “The World In Which We Live: The Art of Environmental Awareness”

self Protrait, by elizabeth n ourse

Middletown Arts Center | Middletown. 513-424-2417. middletownartscenter.com

ƒ Thru April 23. Nate Flanagan: “Observations: A Delicate Impression”

ƒ Thru April 18. Brian Mathus: “Mixed Signals”

Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights. 859-572-5148. nku.edu/gallery

ƒ April 11-26. Spring BFA Senior Exhibitions. Reception: April 11, 5-7 p.m.

PAR-Projects | Northside. parprojects.com

ƒ Thru April 27. Tom Day: “The Great American Consumer”

Pendleton Art Center | Pendleton, Over-the-Rhine. 513-421-4339. pendletonartcenter.com

ƒ April 26, 5-9 p.m., open studios

Queen City Clay | Norwood. queencityclay.com

ƒ Thru April 12. Annual K-12 show

ƒ April 19-May 3. “Influence/d”

Rosewood Arts Centre | Rosewood Gallery, Kettering. 937-296-0294. playkettering.org/rosewood-gallery-home

ƒ Thru April 13. Reni Gower: “GEOmatrix: The Perfect Proof V” • Eli Kessler: “Structural Deviation”

ƒ April 22-May 25. Kristen Letts Kovak: “Out of Order” • Jo-Ann Morgan: “Comfort Quilts: Remembering the Innocent”

Sharonville Cultural Arts Center | Sharonville. 513-554-1014. sharonvilleculturalarts.org

ƒ April 5-27. Kitty Schroeder and Heather Stormer

Skirball Museum | Hebrew Union College, Clifton. csm.huc.edu

ƒ Thru June. Modern Israeli art, Mark Podwal prints and recent gifts

Solway Gallery | West End. 513-621-0069. solwaygallery.com

ƒ Thru April 26. John E. Dowell: “Paintings and Aquatints” • Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson: “Works from the 1980s, and the Esther and Alan Saks Collection”

Studio Kroner | Downtown. studiokroner.com

ƒ Thru April 13. Kevin Muente: “Promised Land”

Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery | Mount St. Joseph University, Delhi. msj.edu

ƒ Thru April 5. Retrospective: Craig Lloyd, professor emeritus

ƒ April 12-May 11. 2024 Senior Thesis Exhibition: Art Education, Fine Art, and Graphic Design. Reception: April 12, 6-8 p.m.

Summit Hotel | Madisonville. 513-527-9900. thesummithotel.com

ƒ Thru May 18. “Circles, Squiggles, and Lines”

Taft Museum of Art | Lytle Park, downtown. 513-241-0343. taftmuseum.org

ƒ Thru May 19. “African Modernism in America”

ƒ Thru May 19. “A Breath of Fresh Air: Nature Inspires Rarely Seen Works from the Taft Collection”

ƒ Thru June 16. “Trading Places: The Rijksmuseum Lends Rare Painting to the Taft Museum of Art”

Visionaries & Voices | Northside. 513-861-4333. visionariesandvoices.com

ƒ April 1-5. Double Vision Preview Week

Warren County Historical Museum | Lebanon. wchsmuseum.org

ƒ Thru April 27. Ohio landscape artist Chuck Marshall

Weston Art Gallery | Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-977-4165. cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery

ƒ April 5-June 2. “A New World: Ohio Women To Watch 2023”

Reception: April 5, 6-8 p.m.

Xavier University Art Gallery | A. B. Cohen Center, Evanston. xavier.edu/art-department

ƒ Thru April 5. Haley Aho, graphic design • Mary E. Baker, graphic design • Kaitlyn Blaha, graphic design • Alex Fischer, graphic design • Donna Ronyak, sculpture

ƒ April 12-May 3. Solo Thesis Exhibition: Aleni Antalis, graphic design and photography. Reception: April 12, 5-7 p.m. 

The Datebook

APRIL 4, THURSDAY

Jewish Family Service, Annual Meeting | 7 p.m. Amberley Room, Mayerson JCC. An evening of appreciation and camaraderie. Free event.

 hjlive.app/events/6839

APRIL 6, SATURDAY

Caracole, AIDS Walk Pre-Race Spaghetti Dinner | 5 p.m. Hannaford Hall, Calvary Episcopal Church. Spaghetti dinner open to entire community, not just race participants. Meal prices: $10/adult; $6/youths 19 & younger.

 secure.qgiv.com/event/2024aidswalk

APRIL 7, SUNDAY

Caracole, AIDS Walk + 5K/10K | 9 a.m. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum. Opening ceremony, walk or run 5K or run 10K. Registration: $30/adult; $20/youth (19 & younger). Registration includes event T-shirt (while supplies last). Prices increase day of event.

 secure.qgiv.com/event/2024aidswalk

APRIL 10, WEDNESDAY

Urban League of Greater Southwest Ohio, 30th Annual Glorifying the Lions | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Cintas Center. 2024 honorees: Karen Bankston, Calvin D. Buford, Michael Fisher, Delores Hargrove-Young, J. Phillip Holloman and John Pepper.

 ulgso.org/lions

APRIL 11, THURSDAY

University of Cincinnati, Alumni Celebration | 6-9 p.m. The Westin Cincinnati. Reception, dinner and awards program celebrating 2024 honorees. Bearcat chic cocktail attire recommended. Tickets: $100.

 alumni.uc.edu

APRIL 12, FRIDAY

CISE, Annual Fundraising Event | 6-10 p.m. TQL Stadium. Food, open bar, complimentary parking, yard games, raffles, silent auction, DJ and dancing. Tickets: $70.

 cisekids.org/party

APRIL 13, SATURDAY

With a Spotlight on the Movers and Makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s Fundraisers, Friend-Raisers and Community Events

Friends of White Water Shaker Village, Annual Gathering | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Miami Whitewater Community Church and the White Water Shaker Village North Family Site. Celebrating 250th anniversary of Shakers’ arrival in America featuring Shaker scholars Jerry Grant and Sharon Koomlerk, lunch and tour of village. Reservations required. Tickets: $30/member; $35/non-member.

 whitewatervillage.org

Karen Wellington Foundation, 17th Annual Karen’s Gift | 7-11 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. Open bar, food and music by Sly-Band. Tickets: $175.

 karenwellingtonfoundation.org/events

Junior League of Cincinnati, A Night in Monte Carlo | 7-11 p.m. Cincinnati Ballet’s Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance. Gaming night featuring blackjack, Texas Hold ’em and craps with light bites, drinks and silent auction.

 jlcincinnati.org/springfundraiser

Lighthouse Youth and Family Services, Beacon of Light | 6-10 p.m. 20th Century Theater, Oakley. 2024 Humanitarian Award recipients Yvette Simpson and Dr. Jeannette Taylor. Custom food stations, open bar, dessert bites and silent auction. Event chairs: Peter Barrett and Michelle Barrett. Valet parking. Smart casual attire.

 lys.org

Magnified Giving, Magnify Your Run/ Walk 5K | 7 a.m.-noon. Kestrel Point, Winton Woods. Family-friendly and dogfriendly event with 5K, mile and virtual race options available.

 raceroster.com

 magnifiedgiving.org/events

UpSpring, Benefit Bash | 6 p.m. Great American Ball Park. Open bar, dinner, silent/live auction. Tickets: $100.

 upspring.org/benefitbash

APRIL 14, SUNDAY

American Lung Association, Fight for Air Climb | 8 a.m. Great American Ball Park. Designed for every type of climber, from beginners to competitive climbers. Complimentary snack and water.

 FightForAirClimb.org/Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati Alumni Association will award its highest honors for UC alumni to (top) Dr. Dean J. Kereiakes, Kathy Wade, (bottom) Ruthie S. Keefe and Sean A. Addo on April 11

Magnified Giving board member Ryan Nicley and his family are organizing the inaugural Magnify Your 5K Run/Walk on April 13 at Kestrel Point in Winton Woods.

Lisa Woodruff will serve as guest speaker for Welcome House ’s annual Spring Showe r on April 17 at Summit Hills Country Club.

Kishshana Palmer will be keynote speaker at Leadership Council for Nonprofits’ annual Securing the Future Conference on April 26 at Cintas Center.

APRIL 17, WEDNESDAY

EquaSion, Compassion Through Action Dinner | 6 p.m. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Reception, dinner and program. Honoring Kay Geiger and Jack Geiger, Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney and Eric Kearney, John Isidor and Sandy Kaltman, and Shakila T. Ahmad and Dr. Masood Ahmad. Cocktail or business attire. Tickets: $150.  equasiondinner.rsvpify.com

APRIL 18, THURSDAY

New Perceptions, Annual Ladies Night Out | 5:30-9 p.m. Receptions Banquet and Conference Center, Erlanger. Pampering services from local salons, spas, jewelers, psychics and more; hors d’oeuvres, desserts, silent auction and raffles. Tickets: $75.  newperceptions.networkforgood.com/ events/67347-ladies-night-out

APRIL 19, FRIDAY

Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky, Building Bridges to Better Futures Inaugural Breakfast | 8-9:30 a.m. MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. Proceeds benefit Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky. Jeff Thomas, longtime supporter and CHNK

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board member, will provide breakfast. Complimentary parking in on-site garage. Free admission.  chnk.org

APRIL 20, SATURDAY

Giving Voice Foundation, Mimosas for Memories | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Cincinnati Club. Bottomless mimosas, brunch by-thebite, silent auction, vendor pop-ups, photo booth and Pappy Van Winkle bourbon raffle. VIP experience available. $125 general; $170 VIP.

 givingvoicefdn.org

The Nuxhall Foundation, Opening Day Parade | 10 a.m. Sacred Heart Church/ Nuxhall Miracle League Fields. Parade and on-field ceremony. Tickets: Free.

 nuxhallmiracleleague.org/events

APRIL 25, THURSDAY

The Nuxhall Foundation, Leading Ladies Night Out | 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Topgolf, West Chester. Dinner, drinks, gameplay, silent auction, live auction and celebrity appearances. Tickets: $150; $900 for bay of six attendees.

 nuxhallmiracleleague.org/ladiesnight

Cincinna� Art Club honors Art for a Life�me award recipients

On May 9th the Cincinnati Art Club will honor two past presidents, Roger Heuck (1995-1998) and Kay Worz (2008-2010). They have devoted decades to visual art by creating, collecting, teaching, administrating, and promoting art in the community, and we are delighted to pay tribute and celebrate their achievements.

The Cincinnati Art Club was established in 1890 This heritage and progress are testament to our involvement in, and appreciation for, fine arts across the region The celebration continues with a historic exhibition of our past presidents works and other significant Cincinnati artists from the past 133 years Our founders were some of the foremost artists of their day. The first president was John Rettig, followed by Henry Farny and two years later Frank Duveneck. Each generation has produced important artists of their time.

The Cincinnati Art Galleries, 225 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, will host the evening festivities and exhibition. The exhibition will be on

view at the Cincinnati Art Galleries until late June.

The May 9th celebration will be a true salute to artistic achievement with specialty drinks, DelightMore Catering, Chef Richard’s Desserts, music, and raffle baskets to enjoy Eight carefully chosen Cincinnati Art Club artists who have also dedicated their lives to art and continue to inspire with their creations will have their work auctioned to the highest bidder. (Artists: Brian Burt, Ursula Brenner, Ray Hassard, MaryBeth Karaus, Gail Morrison, David Mueller, Tom Post, and Jens Rosenkrantz, Jr.)

For more information about the event contact: https://cincinnatiartclub.org/artfor-a-lifetime

Brian Burt Jens Rosenkrantz, Jr Gail Morrison David Mueller

Roger Heuck Kay Worz

DATEBOOK

APRIL 26, FRIDAY

Camp Joy, Dance for Joy 2024 | Music Hall, from 6-10pm. Happy hour, dinner, dancing, silent auction, live music by Johnny Clueless. Emcee: WCPO 9’s Steve Raleigh. Tickets: $175; table of 10: $1,750.  event.gives/danceforjoy2024

Leadership Council for Nonprofits, Securing the Future Conference | 7:30 a.m. Cintas Center. Half-day nonprofit conference with workshops and networking. Keynote: Kishshana Palmer, international speaker, trainer and coach. Tickets: $75-100. Sponsorships from $1,500.  leadershipcouncil.us

APRIL 27, SATURDAY

DePaul Cristo Rey High School, Rey of Light Scholarship Benefit | DePaul Cristo Rey High School. Chairs: Lisa Ciccia and Tammy Silvestri. Cocktail hour, dinner, raffles, silent auction and live auction.  depaulcristorey.org/support/rey-of-light

Dragonfly Foundation, Grand Gala | 6-11 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom. Dinner, music, entertainment, open bar, silent auction and grand raffle. Black tie optional. Tickets: $200. Sponsorship opportunities available.  dragonfly.org/gala

Montgomery Woman’s Club, Luncheon & Fashion Show | 10:15 a.m. Manor House, Mason. Fashions by Chico’sKenwood. Theme: Kentucky Derby. Raffles, silent auction and derby hat contest. Proceeds benefit Girls on the Run Greater Cincinnati. Tickets: $45; after April 1: $50. presmontgomerywomansclub@gmail.com

P.E.T.A.L.S Incorporation, Nonprofit Masterclass | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cintas Center. Tools, resources and education for nonprofit leaders. Keynote: Rosemary Oglesby-Henry. Tickets: $299; after March 31: $350.

 thepetalsincorporation.com

Purcell Marian High School, Grand Event: Revelry in Red | Purcell Marian High School. Seated dinner, open bar, silent auction, Praestan Award presentation, raffles and live auction. Cocktail attire, “best red” requested. Tickets: $160.  purcellmarian.org

SPCA Cincinnati, Fur Ball Gala | 6 p.m. Sharonville Convention Center. Cocktails, silent auction, raffles, dinner and program. Tickets: $350.

 e.givesmart.com/events/xJx

MAY 2, THURSDAY

Green Umbrella, Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center. Keynote: Jacqueline Patterson, founder and executive director of Chisholm Legacy Project. Speakers, exhibitor expo, art show, breakfast, lunch and networking reception. Tickets: $175.

 midwestsustainabilitysummit.org

MAY 3-5, FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Flying Pig Marathon | Races of varying lengths for all, culminating in full marathon. Proceeds benefit multiple charities.

 flyingpigmarathon.com

MAY 5, SUNDAY

Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, Carryout Italian Dinner and Open House | 3-6 p.m. 5530 Colerain Ave. Learn more about LBFE, meet team and support by purchasing dinner.

 littlebrotherscincinnati.org

MAY 7, TUESDAY

Assistance League, Books & Brunch Event | 10:30 a.m. Kenwood Country Club. Local authors: Jenn Bishop, Rick Pender, Loren Long and Heather Webber. Brunch, silent auction, raffle, lottery tree and wine pull. Tickets: $95.  assistanceleaguecincinnati.org

MAY 8, WEDNESDAY

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Partners in Action Luncheon | Noon-1 p.m. Cintas Center. Lunch and learn about Sisters and their work. Tickets free; donations accepted.

 sndohio.org

YWCA Greater Cincinnati, Annual Career Women of Achievement Luncheon | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. Keynote: Yvette Simpson. Lunch, networking and afterparty. Awardees: Tracey Artis, Bridgit Chayt, Chara Fisher Jackson, Christie Kuhns, Kimm M. Lauterbach, Jill Miller, Alicia Reece, Kristen Schlotman, Alicia Townsend and Kelly Wittich. Tickets: $125.

 ywcacareerwomen.org

MAY 9, THURSDAY

Cincinnati Art Club, Art for a Lifetime | 6-9 p.m. Honoring past presidents Roger Heuck and Kay Worz. Food by-the-bite, special drinks, music, raffle baskets and Live Art Auction of paintings and photography by CAC artists. Tickets: $150.

 cincinnatiartclub.org/art-for-a-lifetime

Jaqueline Patterson will be keynote speaker for Green Umbrella’s 12th annual Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit on May 2

St. Vincent de Paul-Cincinnati will honor Joann Hubert and the late Ed Hubert at its annual Celebration of Service on May 9 at Hotel Covington.

Deni Tato and Rico Grant chair the inaugural Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati “Project Role Model” fashion show May 10 at the Hilton Netherland Plaza.

MAY 9, THURSDAY (CONT.)

St. Vincent de Paul, Celebration of Service| 6 p.m. Hotel Covington. Honoring Joann Hubert and late Ed Hubert. Tickets: $175.

 svdpcincinnati.org

MAY 10, FRIDAY

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Project Role Model | 6 p.m. Hilton Netherland Plaza. Honorary event chairs Deni Tato and Rico Grant, VIP happy hour, fashion show, food, specialty drinks, silent auction, designer handbag raffles, take-home goody bag and photo opportunities. Tickets: $125.

 e.givesmart.com/events/AS7

MAY 11, SATURDAY

Young Professionals Choral Collective, Pure Imagination Gala | Cincinnati Masonic Center. Headlined by John Morris Russell.  ypccsing.org

MAY 14, TUESDAY

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Fore Youth Golf Outing | Vineyard Golf Course. Morning and afternoon rounds, contest holes, raffles, split-the-pot, swag bags, lunch and dinner followed by celebrity sports Q&A session.

 cycyouth.org/golfouting

MAY 15, WEDNESDAY

Adopt A Class, Celebration Breakfast | 8-10 a.m. Duke Energy Convention Center. Keynote: Cincinnati City Manager Sheryl Long. End-of-year celebration breakfast. Tickets: $40.

 aacmentors.org

Design Lab, Dine with Design | 4 p.m. Gallery Building, Newport on the Levee. Awards celebration, walking tour to local restaurants with light bites and drinks. Tickets: $350/single ticket; $600/two tickets.

 designlearnandbuild.org

OTR Chamber of Commerce, OTR Awards | 5-8 p.m. Woodward Theater. Awards honoring top performers in OTR business community. Tickets: $55.

 otrchamber.chambermaster.com

MAY 16, THURSDAY

Alzheimer’s Association, An Era of Hope Gala | 5:30-9:30 p.m. Music Hall. Courage and Hope Award recipient Bob McEwan. Gatsby-themed with cocktail reception, bourbon pull, wine ring toss, raffle, auction and dinner. Tickets start at $300.

 alzgala24.givesmart.com

Hearing Speech + Deaf Center, Service Award Gala | 6-9 p.m. Bell Event Centre. Honoring Dr. Roy M. Kulick, with recognition of Shining Star Isaiah Williams. Open bar, dinner, awards, auction and complimentary valet parking. Tickets: $150.

 hearingspeechdeaf.org

MAY 17, FRIDAY

Cancer Support Community, Par-tee for Hope | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Topgolf West Chester. Gameplay, food, drinks, contests and prizes.

 mycancersupportcommunity.org

Easterseals Redwood, Annual Express Fundraiser | 6-10:30 p.m. Turfway Park Racing & Gaming. Live

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entertainment, food stations, open bar, live and silent auctions and raffle. Tickets: $125.

 secure.qgiv.com/event/express2024

MAY 18, SATURDAY

ChangingGears, Grand Prix Fundraiser | 6-10 p.m. Hanger 2, Lunken Airport. Pedal kart, relay race tournament on indoor track and obstacles. Tickets: spectators $40; teams $300.

 changing-gears.org/grand-prix

Design Lab, Awards Ceremony and Exhibit Reception | 10 a.m. Gallery Building, Newport on the Levee. Student presentations and awards celebration. Free admission.

 designlearnandbuild.org/design-lab

Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame, 10th Induction Class Ceremony | 3 p.m. Mayerson JCC. Honoring 10th induction class, music by Steve Schmidt Trio with Michael Sharfe and Mark Wolfley and special tribute to Herb Aronoff. Tickets: $25 online; $30 at door, day-of. Students: $10.

 cincyjazzhof.org

Friday, April 26, 2024

Cintas Center half-day morning conference for nonprofit leaders featuring keynote, workshops, and networking details and registration:

https://bit.ly/Secure2024

Keynote speaker Kishshana Palmer, speaker, trainer, and coach with experience in fundraising, marketing, and talent management, helps leaders create high performing teams.

DATEBOOK

MAY 19, SUNDAY

Lindner Center of HOPE, Community Education Day | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Manor House, Mason. Half-day workshop and breakout sessions to acknowledge May Mental Health Month to enhance awareness of mental health and wellness.

Keynote: Brandon Saho.  lindnercenterofhope.org

MAY 20, MONDAY

Bayley, Golf Classic | 9:30 a.m. Western Hills Country Club. Afternoon of golf honoring Adrienne Walsh, retiring CEO and president.  bayleylife.org

JUNE 1, SATURDAY

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Take Steps Charity Walk | 10 a.m. T.M. Berry International Friendship Park. Dedication ribbon ceremony and 2-mile walk route.  takesteps.crohnscolitisfoundation.org

JUNE 2, SUNDAY

Holocaust & Humanity Center, 2024 Cincinnati Upstander Awards | 6-10 p.m. Union Terminal. Threecourse meal, live music, art and awards ceremony. Tickets: $100.  holocaustandhumanity.org

JUNE 3, MONDAY

Stepping Stones, Golf Classic | O’Bannon Creek Golf Club. Golf, food, drinks and raffles. Tickets: $250.  steppingstonesohio.org/golf-classic

JUNE 8, SATURDAY

Cancer Support Community, Backyard Bash: Blue Ash | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CSC, Blue Ash. Free family-friendly event including firetruck, attractions, games, crafts, entertainment, food, drinks and giveaways.

 mycancersupportcommunity.org

46th Cincinnati Concours

d’Elegance, Countryside Tour | Noon. Mariemont Square. Scenic tour of region and viewing of private car

collections. Benefits juvenile arthritis. $50 per car; student drivers: $15.  ohioconcours.com

46th Cincinnati Concours

d’Elegance, Hangar Party | 5-9 p.m. Executive Jet Management, Lunken Airport. Red carpet greeting, gourmet dinner by-the-bite and silent auction. Peruse exotic cars, motorcycles and private jets. Benefits juvenile arthritis. Tickets: $150.  ohioconcours.com

JUNE 9, SUNDAY

46th Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance, Car Show and Brunch | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ault Park. Exotic cars and motorcycles highlighting milestones of famed Italian marques, Ford Mustang and Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg classics. Plus VIP brunch, craft beer garden and automotive art show. Benefits juvenile arthritis. Shuttle from Fifth Third Bank operations center in Madisonville. Tickets: $45; students: $15; 12 and under: free. VIP brunch: $60.

 ohioconcours.com/events/schedule

Queen City Charities, Wigs & Waffles | 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Rhinegeist Brewery. Open bar, brunch buffet, drag show and silent auction.

trucks, raffle, door prizes, mini-golf and live music from Fifth Crow. Tickets: free; $20/vehicle in show.

 nuxhallmiracleleague.org/carshow

JULY 18, THURSDAY

Cincinnati Opera, To Sir, With Love | 6-9 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom. VIP pre-performance cocktail, opening night performance of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio and post-show party. Black-tie optional. Tickets start at $500.  cincinnatiopera.org/to-sir-with-love

JULY 27, SATURDAY

Cancer Support Community, Backyard Bash & Car Show: Eastgate | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastgate, location TBA. Free family-friendly event including car show, games, crafts, entertainment, food, drinks and giveaways.  mycancersupportcommunity.org

The Nuxhall Foundation, The Nuxy Bash | 7 p.m. Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields, Fairfield. Celebrity softball game, concessions and fireworks show. Free.

 nuxhallmiracleleague.org/events 

queencitycharities.com

JUNE 21, FRIDAY

Cincinnati Zoo, Zoo La La | 7:30-11 p.m. Age 21+ event. Food sampling from local restaurants and variety of signature cocktails and libations, up-close animal encounters, live entertainment, carousel and train rides and games. Tickets: $125; early

cincinnatizoo.org/events

Gifts & Grants

United Colored American Cemetery wins $750K from National Park Service

A federal grant worth $750,000 is going toward the preservation of a historic African American cemetery in Cincinnati viewed as symbolic of the longstanding fight for equal rights.

The National Park Service awarded the funds to The United Colored American Cemetery in Madisonville through the Historic Preservation Fund’s History of Equal Rights grant program.

This year, grants went to sites significant to the equal rights of women, laborers, Hispanics, African Americans and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The United Colored Cemetery is one of the oldest African American burial grounds in Ohio. The dedication of its current site on Duck Creek Road took place in 1883. However, it includes many graves moved from an earlier cemetery in Avondale that closed to make way for white development, per the Park Service.

With these grant dollars, Union Baptist Church, which maintains the property, is planning structural repairs to the burial vaults, monument cleaning and repair. They’ll also make security enhancements and improve accessibility.

The Park Service awarded $5 million to eight projects across six states during this grant cycle.

 union-baptist.net/about-us/our-history/ united-american-cemetery

State awards $753K in local grants to aid trafficking survivors

Five Cincinnati-area nonprofits received more than $753,000 from the state of Ohio to support local survivors of human trafficking.

Awards went to the Ohio Justice and Policy Center ($200,000), Center for Addiction Treatment ($198,037), Cincinnati Union Bethel ($182,040), The Salvation Army ($100,000) and BLOC Ministries Inc. ($73,050).

Funding came from Ohio’s new Direct Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Grant Program. Launched in September by Gov. Mike DeWine, the initiative seeks to provide enhanced assistance and services to what the state called a “growing number of sex and labor trafficking victims in need of support.”

Thirty organizations across 14 counties received more than $4.6 million during the initial round of funding for this cycle.

 ovc.ojp.gov/program/ human-trafficking/grants-funding

Durr Foundation helps establish medical child care plan in NKY

A grant from The R.C. Durr Foundation will help support young children with special medical needs in Northern Kentucky.

Brighton Center plans to use the funding to create a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care service program at Early Scholars Child Development Center in Newport. The project is a partnership with Easterseals Redwood.

PPEC, also known as medical child care, offers specialized nursing services for children with complex medical needs requiring more attention and support than a traditional classroom can provide.

With the grant, Brighton Center can provide additional support to children from 6 months to 5 years old. That covers the cost of a child’s medical care, social and developmental needs and pre-kindergarten education. PPEC participants will be in classrooms alongside other Early Scholars students.

Some families may qualify for no-cost services.

Officials didn’t release the value of the grant.

 durrfoundation.com

Dater Foundation gives $25K to North Fairmount Community Center

The Charles H. Dater Foundation provided a $25,000 grant to the North Fairmount Community Center for the organization’s afterschool enrichment initiatives.

This program helps neighborhood children through hands-on projects, homework support and physical activities to broaden their horizons and inspire them to question and explore.

Founded in 1980, NFCC offers programs including educational opportunities for young people and adults, quality affordable housing and a free store for residents of Fairmount.

 nfcommunitycenter.org

ArtsWave commits $326K to 49 community projects

ArtsWave awarded $326,690 to 49 organizations working to create or expand projects – from youth art programs to the Cindependent Film Festival – across Greater Cincinnati.

The grants are part of ArtsWave’s Catalyzing Impact program, which aims to encourage a breadth of programming through arts and cultural heritage projects.

Grant values range from $1,700 to $10,000, covering up to 50% of the total expenses for the proposed project.

Descriptions of the projects awarded are available on the ArtsWave website.

In approving the funding, ArtsWave’s board of directors stated that each project presents an opportunity to help create a more vibrant regional economy and connected community.

This program receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as ArtsWave’s annual fundraising initiative. The 2024 ArtsWave Community Campaign continues through May 23.

 artswave.org/give 

The Center for Addiction Treatment was one of five Cincinnati-area organizations awarded state funds to help local survivors of human trafficking.

Brighton Center CEO Wonda Winkler and her team are working with Easterseals Redwood on a medical child care program in Northern Kentucky.

Cincinnati Parks, MadTree partner for

a greener future

One focus of the Green Cincinnati Plan is ensuring there is enough tree canopy cover to help the city prepare for impending climate change.

Research shows that not having enough trees can lead to ailments, such as chronic respiratory conditions. Property can be damaged by extreme heat and flooding from shifts in weather patterns.

And experts believe that lower-income neighborhoods and communities where people of color reside are most vulnerable to becoming “urban heat island neighborhoods,” according to the city’s Office of Environment and Sustainability. In Cincinnati, areas with the least amount of tree canopy cover can get up to 12 degrees warmer in the summer than those with more trees and green spaces.

Cincinnati Parks and its urban forestry team have worked for the past four decades to plant and maintain trees of all sorts and sizes in parks, tree lawns, public spaces and the right-ofway in areas across the city.

But the city department does have limitations. It can’t just go on private property and start planting trees, said Crystal Courtney, who oversees the parks’ division of natural resources.

Trees aren’t cheap, either; trees between 6 and 10 feet can cost up to $200 – and the cost goes up as the size increases, as does the cost of planting. Putting in trees can be cost-prohibitive for cash-strapped homeowners.

Cincinnati Parks, limited by the city budget, doesn’t have the means to buy enough trees by itself either.

That’s where the Cincinnati Parks Foundation and its corporate partner, MadTree Brewing, come in.

For the past four years, MadTree and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation have worked together to promote the ReLeaf program – a

By Casey Weldon

tree giveaway open to all Cincinnati residents, with a focus on neighborhoods with the lowest percentage of canopy.

Four decades of green investment

Cincinnati has embraced the notion that trees and nature are essential to human life since the creation of its first public greenspace in 1817. Through the Cincinnati Parks Department, the city has spent two centuries planting trees in parks, on public land and in rights of way across the Queen City.

Since the 1980s, its team of arborists has cared for and managed every tree on public land within city limits. Their work includes not only tree trimming and care but also long-term management plans. City property owners fund the program through a $0.03 per front foot assessment. These funds can be used only to purchase and manage trees within the right-of-way, such as tree lawns and public land.

So the city started the ReLeaf Program in 1988, and it conducts regular analyses to determine tree coverage across Cincinnati.

“We found that only 1% of the entire canopy in the city is actually within the right-of-way, so if we’re going to make a dent and to meet the goals of canopy citywide, then we have to find alternative methods,” Courtney said. “That’s what the ReLeaf program is really about.”

A happy, fruitful accident

The fruitful ReLeaf partnership between MadTree and Cincinnati Parks wasn’t so much planned as just kind of happened, said Jennifer Hafner Spieser, president and CEO of Cincinnati Parks Foundation.

For most of ReLeaf’s 35-year history, the foundation partnered with Cincinnati-based

Cinergy and later Duke Energy, which acquired Cinergy in 2005, to cover program costs.

That partnership ended a few years ago –about the same time MadTree began seeking to “establish deeper roots” in the community, said Brady Duncan, a brewery co-founder.

The popular beer maker opened its anchor space in Cincinnati’s Oakley neighborhood in 2013. In those early years, MadTree focused on making a quality product and just kind of “holding on for dear life,” Duncan said.

As the brewery started to find its place in the craft brew world, Duncan and fellow founder Kenny McNutt voiced a desire to “get back to their origins” and give back to Cincinnati.

The Queen City transplants looked at their old business plan’s vision for investing in local neighborhoods, Duncan said. He described that moment as a “double-down” on what they wanted to be as a company.

“There’s a reason we put our beer in cans; it’s better for the environment. There’s a reason we call ourselves MadTree,” Duncan said. “We want to be rooted in the community and want to be a part of taking care of the Earth.”

Corporate philanthropy matters

MadTree was an early adopter of the 1% for the Planet campaign, led by companies of all sizes committing 1% of their gross sales to local nonprofits, especially those focused on sustainability.

The initiative has raised tens of millions of dollars for nonprofits around the world. MadTree has a goal of raising $5 million for that cause.

At first, Duncan said, his team focused on making “little splashes wherever we could” as opposed to “really saying this is what we’re going to get behind.”

At Mount Storm Park: Rhiannon Hoeweler, MadTree Brewing; Jennifer Hafner Spieser, Cincinnati Parks Foundation; Brady Duncan, MadTree Brewing

Photo by helen a da Ms

One of those splashes was its investment in the Arbor Day Foundation, a national nonprofit focused on planting trees. It’s a great organization, Duncan said, but it didn’t really help them make the type of local impact they’d envisioned.

That approach started to change in 2019 after a chance encounter between Parks and MadTree, Hafner Spieser said. MadTree was working to make improvements at Mount Storm Park, a site where Cincinnati Parks already planned to plant trees as part of its revitalization plan.

“They thought, ‘Wait a minute, we can just partner directly,’ ” Hafner Spieser recalled.

Since 2020, the Parks Foundation has received more than $208,000 from MadTree through donations and in-kind support. The brewery’s staff, who receive paid time off to volunteer, have also taken part in “all-hands” plantings and beautification projects, adding more than 100 trees in Mount Storm, Ezzard Charles Park in the West End and throughout the Lower Price Hill and Bond Hill neighborhoods.

An estimated record 200 MadTree employees will take part in a planting in Avondale on Oct. 29.

MadTree recently received B

Corp Credentials for its commitment to social and environmental initiatives.

A growing canopy

The Green Cincinnati Plan sets standards for tree canopy coverage in select areas. Within most residential areas the goal is 40%, downtown is 10% and industrial or mixed-use areas are 25%.

Overall, Cincinnati is at 43% coverage, above the desired 40% threshold. But that figure is misleading: “It’s easy to forest a park,” Courtney said. In the neighborhoods, it’s far more difficult.

About 20 city neighborhoods don’t meet the canopy goals. That includes the Oakley neighborhood MadTree calls home.

Cincinnati Parks accepts tree-planting applications from residents and businesses in those sub-40% areas before opening the process to the rest of the city.

“That’s really where we’re focusing our efforts,” Courtney said.

The parks team works with Green Umbrella and the Groundwork Ohio River Valley through the Climate Safe Neighborhoods project, which explores the relationship between historical race-based housing segregation and the impacts of climate change in 13 metropolitan areas, including Cincinnati.

“It can’t just all be about us,”

Hafner Spieser said. “We have to work with everybody else who’s involved in these communities – from neighborhood councils to businesses to key community members who can outline what needs to be done and what fits the look and feel of the community.”

Groundwork ORV taps community leaders like Margaux Roberts as organizers, who go door-to-door and host events to get people involved in the process. “To be a part of a movement that is manifesting greatness for my neighborhood and city is a true game changer,” said Roberts of Bond Hill, one of the targeted neighborhoods.

“I’m surrounded by environmental superheroes … on a daily basis,” she said.

Blooming bigger every year

ReLeaf has planted more than 25,000 trees at schools, businesses and residences across Cincinnati –and the program is getting bigger. It has taken on a new energy in recent years, Courtney said, at least partially from the brewery adding a “cool factor.”

Over the past four years, ReLeaf has led to the planting of 4,550 new trees, increasing the city’s total canopy by 5%.

Rhiannon Hoeweler, MadTree’s vice president of experience & impact, noted that the brewery turned ReLeaf into a monthlong

October is ReLeaf month

Oct. 10: MadTree hosts an Ascending Women panel discussion focused on the healing power of trees and plants.

Oct. 16: For ReLeaf’s annual “Night in the Trees,” 1,000 trees in the beer garden are lit up and a band performs. ReLeaf participants in attendance can pick up their new trees that evening.

Oct. 19: Residents who applied for ReLeaf trees can pick them up at the brewery.

series of events, similar to other happenings at its Madison Road taproom or Alcove restaurant in Over-the-Rhine.“This is just one of the many ways MadTree is working to make Cincinnati a better community today and into the future,” added Hoeweler, who co-chaired the Parks Foundation’s Hats Off Luncheon last year.

Courtney and the project’s collaborators expect 2024 to be the biggest ReLeaf yet.

“It just keeps building,” she added. “There’s so much good work in the pipeline, so just keep an eye out for things to come.” 

 cincinnatiparksfoundation.org

 madtree.com

The Notables

Movers & Makers asked organizations involved in environment and sustainability to introduce their notables to our readers, part of a regular feature highlighting people making a difference in Greater Cincinnati’s nonprofit community.

Colleen O’Connor connects people to parks with litter removal events

As the program officer for Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Colleen O’Connor creates initiatives that help communities connect to their neighborhood parks. She constantly explores opportunities to harness the power of parks to support the city and its people. Cincinnati Parks Foundation created obLITTERators, a volunteer litter removal group, to help support the Cincinnati Parks team. Under O’Connor’s leadership, volunteers meet monthly in parks throughout the city to pick up litter. Thanks to a grant from the Ohio EPA and a partnership with the Clean Up Collective, she expanded the group’s impact. In 2023, the volunteers removed over 33 tons of litter from Cincinnati Parks. O’Connor works with community groups that want to remove litter alone or host their litter pickups. A busy mother of four, O’Connor is dedicated to giving back to the community. It’s not unusual to find her entire family at an obLITTERators event. 

Erik Hyden decreases hunger by saving food from being wasted

Erik Hyden, food donor manager at Last Mile Food Rescue, is a Cincinnati-born-andraised food enthusiast. Last Mile Food Rescue is the area’s largest perishable-food rescue organization dedicated to ending food waste and hunger. Since joining Last Mile in October 2022, Hyden has been instrumental in expanding the network of food donors. Through his efforts, Last Mile diverted 3.2 million pounds of food from landfills in 2023. This equates to 2.7 million meals for the food insecure. Prior to Last Mile, Hyden spent over 20 years as an executive chef, most recently at McCormick & Schmick’s. Fine dining is where he developed a passion for bringing wholesome and delicious food to the people of Cincinnati. As an early figure in the area’s farm-to-table movement, he gained a sense of how communities can improve their food security. Hyden leverages his extensive experience and connections to tackle food insecurity and waste. 

David Rich’s construction career features reuse and sustainability

David Rich has spent the better part of his 40-year professional life in construction, and his later years with Building Value, a social enterprise offering deconstruction, demolition and hardscaping services, reusing and recycling materials. Rich’s father introduced the concept of interlocking concrete pavers to the United States 50 years ago, and Rich and his brothers all started in the installation business, learning – literally – from the ground up. In 1982, he joined Reading Rock as a hardscape specialist before starting Cincinnati’s first microbrewery, The Barrelhouse, in 1993. He returned to Reading Rock in commercial sales before becoming director at Building Value, attracted to its mission of sustainability in construction. Rich will retire this month after 10 years of giving materials second and third chances, and of training people to be conscious of waste and how to create less of it. 

Michele Gottschlich connects people to recovering Mill Creek

Michele Gottschlich works to connect communities to the Mill Creek and beyond as board chair of the Mill Creek Alliance and leader of the grassroots Connecting Active Communities Coalition. Gottschlich enjoys building partnerships with many jurisdictions and regional organizations – such as Tri-State Trails, Great Parks and Hamilton County Planning + Development – to catalyze smart, sustainable and equitable strategies (recreation, community health, nature restoration and active transportation). Once a symbol of industrial harm, the Mill Creek is a comeback story. The water is now safe for canoeing and fishing, and the stream has much potential. Gottschlich organizes an annual Canoes & Conversations event that brings elected officials, planners and community champions to the creek. In her free time, Gottschlich bakes cookies and frequents parks and trails with her three children and two dogs. 

Melinda Voss instills wonder, then action, for environment

Since joining Ohio River Foundation in 2023 as education programs manager, Melinda Voss has already made her mark on watershed education. An experienced environmental educational leader, she works to develop the next generation of environmental stewards in Greater Cincinnati and beyond by instilling a sense of wonder and empathy for nature, then imparting knowledge and inspiring action. Voss manages efforts to engage students and teachers in ORF’s innovative, hands-on, STEM-based education programs including River Explorer, Mussels in the Classroom and ORF’s summer conservation course. In 2023, under Voss’ leadership, ORF education programming reached more than 5,000 students in four cities across 56 schools. Voss and her family live on the West Side of Cincinnati on their fourth-generation, regenerative farm. In her free time, she loves spending time in the fields, woods and streams with her two children, as well as gardening and riding horses. 

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’Connor

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Mary Dudley brings students into the world of nature

MaryDudley

Mary Dudley is ecology education manager for the Civic Garden Center. She facilitates environmental education programming for teens and adults and supports team members engaging with native and edible plant propagation, middle and high school field studies and habitat restoration. Dudley is a passionate educator whose career has taken her from Cincinnati to Seattle to Boulder, Colo., to Coral Gables, Fla. and back. She believes that everyone benefits from learning environments in and inspired by the natural world, and she strives to bring environmental education to students of all ages. Prior to rejoining the CGC team, Dudley worked as the agriculture education teacher at James N. Gamble Montessori High School in the Cincinnati Public School district for five years. She has two children, ages 7 and 5, and her family has lived in Westwood for nine years. Dudley enjoys cooking meals from garden-fresh produce and looking for beautiful wildflowers in Mount Airy Forest. 

Andy Dickerson leads Cardinal to front of conservation work

AndyDickerson

Andy Dickerson is executive director of Cardinal Land Conservancy. Cardinal has grown from one employee and 1,500 acres protected to eight employees and 10,000 acres protected. His goal is to keep Cardinal on the “flaming front” of conservation by protecting key ecological targets as well as supporting passive recreation. Empowering staff to grow personally and professionally while developing them into leaders is paramount to Cardinal’s success. Pollinatorfriendly pastures, carbon offsets and helping lead the regional Greenspace Alliance are important to Dickerson. Cardinal’s new offices in Loveland will help folks learn about some of the best ecological restoration techniques while working with health care professionals to use nature as a treatment for common mental-health disorders. In his free time, Dickerson likes to travel, hike, hunt, fish or do math (He loves statistics!). 

Jeff Corney’s career brought him to leadership of nature center

Jeff Corney is rounding out his fifth year as executive director of Cincinnati Nature Center. He knows that this place and its people are the crown jewel of a career in conservation and education spanning three decades and six states. Corney said he is proud of CNC’s remarkable growth, and what he senses is an invigorated determination among staff and volunteers to inspire conservation. He finds it gratifying to see more people getting outdoors to hike, learn about nature and take actions to help the environment. With a background in natural resources from Ohio State, Corney is particularly proud of CNC’s thriving native plant and landscape restoration programs, and its renewed focus on conservation research and community action initiatives. Corney and his wife are avid foodies, using date nights to explore local restaurants. On weekends, Corney and family are often right back at CNC hiking. 

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Joanne Gerson unites faiths to take care of the Earth

Joanne Gerson believes that all faith traditions share a common goal of caring for the planet. This is what sparked her to create Faith Communities Go Green, a collaboration with Green Umbrella, Greater Cincinnati’s regional climate collaborative, and interfaith organization EquaSion. By integrating care for the world through religious goups, Faith Communities Go Green works to reduce the risk of catastrophic climate change. One project, the Energy Efficiency initiative, is working with 52 local faith communities to reduce their carbon footprints. Gerson served as Montgomery planning commissioner, program committee chair for Hamilton County Regional Planning Partnership and on Green Umbrella’s Watershed Task Force. After successfully founding Shomrei Olam, a local Jewish environmental organization, she decided to broaden the reach and created Faith Communities Go Green. She is humbled by the energy and passion of her team. She and her husband spend their summers hiking in the nation’s parks. 

Bill Gupton created Heritage Acres as site dedicated to natural burial

Heritage Acres Memorial Sanctuary is the only natural burial ground in Cincinnati and the Tristate region, dedicated exclusively to natural (“green”) burial. Bill Gupton is its founder, past president and current manager. He first envisioned this nonprofit enterprise more than a decade ago, and through tenacious fundraising and extensive research –with the help of the organization’s Founders Circle and countless volunteers – brought Heritage Acres to fruition in 2020. Nearly 80 people have been laid to rest at Heritage Acres, which also is an arboretum, education center and nature preserve. Gupton lives on the East Side with his wife Jennifer and son Patrick. They enjoy stewarding the land, which also yields treats like maple syrup and blackberry jam.

Kari Horn brings innovation to protecting resources

Kari Horn, natural resource manager for Great Parks, brings over two decades of experience and a strong academic background in biology to her role. She has led significant projects such as the Natural Resources Management Plan and partnership development with organizations like Groundwork Ohio River Valley’s Green Team. Horn oversees a team of natural resource experts who focus on research, water quality improvement, natural area restoration and much more. Her contributions, including the Shaker Trace Seed Nursery Project, introduce innovative methods to protect critical natural resources. She also oversees monitoring for wetland delineation, reptile and amphibian surveys, and vegetation assessments, leaving a lasting impact on regional ecosystems. Horn’s commitment to conservation and transformative leadership positions her as a valuable asset to regional conservation work. When she’s not working, Horn loves planning adventures and exploring local parks with her son and daughter. Horn lived in France for two years and is a terrible but enthusiastic juggler. 

Margaux Roberts works for climate and for epilepsy awareness

Margaux Roberts is leading the way for health, equity and justice in her community. She is a community organizer with Groundwork Ohio River Valley, epilepsy awareness advocate, CEO of On the Gaux Enrichment and a passionate Bond Hill resident and mom. She demonstrates leadership by working with her community toward climate-resilient solutions through education and planning. She has presented at various conferences and served as an equity liaison to the Green Cincinnati Plan. As an environmental justice leader, she is an inspiration to youth and her community to strive for action, get dirty and create lasting relationships. Roberts’ favorite thing to do is raising her son to be the next environmental superhero like his mom, plus she enjoys singing, going on walks and spending time with family. 

Mallory Geresy leads zoo in progress toward zero waste

Mallory Geresy is the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s net-zero project manager. The zoo’s goal is to be zero-waste (diverting 90% or more of waste from the landfill) by 2025. The zoo diverted about 300 tons of waste in 2023. It implemented a centralized collection space for hard-torecycle items like batteries and plastic film, used an aerobic digester for pre-consumer food waste recycling, began working with a farmer to compost elephant waste, and worked to make all ticketed zoo events zero-waste. These successes are thanks to cross-departmental collaboration and partnerships with Last Mile Food Rescue, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections and the Ohio Penal Institute. Geresy is from Cincinnati and loves all things outdoors (hiking, climbing, camping, etc.). Her favorite exotic animal is the giraffe. The most notable thing she’s found in the trash during a waste audit is a $25 Panera gift card. 

Courtney Reitman-Deinlein enthusiastic about KCB mission

Courtney Reitman-Deinlein is board president of Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, responsible for the strategic direction of the organization, along with the 20 members of the board. She recently forged her own path by starting CRD Family Wealth Advisors LLC after a long and distinguished career in the private wealth tax group of Deloitte. She has served on the board of Keep Cincinnati Beautiful since 2019 and became president at the end of 2023. The organization values ReitmanDeinlein’s enthusiasm for its mission and her attention to detail. Reitman-Deinlein’s favorite things to do when she is not working are cooking and gardening. She has also restored a vintage Trans Am among other interesting hobbies. 

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Paige Young leads city teens on adventures in nature

A passion for working with kids and a desire to give back brought Paige Young to Adventure Crew as a volunteer in 2016. She soon joined its part-time staff, eventually becoming co-director of programming alongside Clint Victor. Today, his title is “Paige’s husband,” while Young took on the programming director role full time in 2021. She has worked diligently to expand the quality and quantity of adventures and the number of teens served. Those who’ve seen Young fulfilling Adventure Crew’s mission – connecting city teens with nature and each other through outdoor adventures – might not believe she wasn’t always outdoorsy. Adventure Crew fostered her love of outdoor activities, particularly kayaking and snowboarding. In her free time, she and her husband visit as many national parks as they can. The Loveland home they share with their three cats has kayak access to the Little Miami River. 

Greg Larison knows the land to foster Boone Conservancy

Greg Larison is a long-time board member and board chair of The Boone Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust dedicated to land conservation in Northern Kentucky. As an outdoor enthusiast and vice president of surveying at Viox & Viox, Larison uses his extensive knowledge of the area’s land and its history to further the mission of the conservancy. A native of Northern Kentucky, Larison has decades of experience in land surveying, records research and survey calculations. He channels his many talents to assist the conservancy, helping to preserve the region’s natural lands. Larison’s favorite things to do when he’s not working are traveling to national parks, hiking, camping, backpacking and working on his small farm. He is researching original Virginia and Kentucky land grants prior to and immediately after the Revolutionary War and soon after Kentucky statehood. 

At work and home, Brad Hughes is anchored in sustainability

Brad Hughes is known for founding Artichoke, a “curated cookware collection” store in Over-the-Rhine. He’s also known for hopping in the co-mix recycling dumpster at Findlay Market and sorting out the trash. These days, he’s dumpster diving less, but that’s the only change in his sustainable lifestyle. He grew up in a household in which sorting the trash and composting food scraps were important, and he has maintained those habits. He diverts his food scraps from the landfill through the Residential Composting Program at Findlay Market. He considers reusability when he buys: Can this packaging be reused or repurposed? Is it recyclable? And for things that can’t be repurposed, there’s the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub. He and his wife Karen built Artichoke on a foundation of sustainability. In fact, 1824 Elm St. was the first LEED Gold Certified building in OTR. 

Tricia Watts leads WAVE Foundation into education center at the Levee

Tricia Watts is the fearless, kind and ambitious executive director of WAVE Foundation. Her years of experience in the nonprofit world have brought much-needed guidance to WAVE since joining in 2021. Watts’ love of nature is felt in everything she does – you can catch her meandering through the woods and listening to jam bands at outdoor venues in her free time. One of her most incredible achievements is the creation of the WAVE Center for Conservation Education, coming to Newport on the Levee later this year. She’s spent countless hours working with the board of directors, applying for grants and meeting with architects to make this happen. Because of her, WAVE can now host aquatic education programs both in the community and at its own facility. 

Felix Marisa Head raises visibility of local permaculture programs

Felix Marisa Head is marketing director of Cincinnati Permaculture Institute. In a few months she raised the public profile of the ecologicaldesign nonprofit: She filled enrollment in design courses, helped sell out the plant nursery, doubled the listserv and increased collaborations. Head is able to speak to diverse individuals who have been brought to permaculture to find solutions for modernworld problems. The ethics and principles are embedded in her DNA, so she is able to use her clever wordsmithing to appeal to homesteaders, native plant enthusiasts, social justice activists and anyone interested in a sustainable, equitable society. Head seeks to weave a web of social unity for a better world. Her genuine walk makes her talk appear effortless. 

Colleen McSwiggin’s ‘reuse’ idea saves hard-to-recycle items

Colleen McSwiggin is executive director of the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub. The idea for the hub grew out of her work at Mount St. Joseph University, where she started a Beyond the Bin program to help collect items for nonprofits. She also organized electronics collection events that sent over 300 tons to be recycled over eight years. It was at one of those events that the idea for the hub was born, as a way to provide centralized sustainability for items that can’t go in curbside recycling but that can have a second life. She’s very proud that the Hub has diverted over 377 tons from the landfill since opening its doors in April 2021. Outside of the Hub, McSwiggin enjoys genealogy research, traveling and singing with the School of Rock adult program. She’s also a skilled trivia player, as she proved on “Jeopardy,” where she was a one-time winner. 

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FelixMarisa Head

BradHughes

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Cincinnati Zoo to add largest solar panel array yet

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden held a groundbreaking in February for a 2.8-megawatt solar array above its Euclid Avenue parking lot.

Roughly 5,000 solar panels will provide shade for about 800 parked cars and buses when construction wraps up in May or early June. It will also generate power – and maybe some financial savings – for the zoo and its neighbors.

Mark Fisher, vice president of facilities and sustainability, views the project as crucial to the zoo’s goal of achieving net zero status by 2025. But tapping into solar energy is nothing new for the Avondale institution. It installed its first array about 18 years ago, a small set of solar panels on the Harold C. Schott Education Center.

Including upcoming projects, the zoo has invested in eight arrays of various sizes, either on its 75-acre compound or other facilities across the region.

In 2011, solar efforts ramped up with the construction of a 1.56-megawatt array in its main parking lot on Vine Street. It remains the largest publicly accessible urban solar array in the country, according to the zoo. It has helped the zoo operate “off the grid” – meaning it’s not drawing energy from the electrical grid – numerous times over the last decade, Fisher said.

This new array is about the same physical size as the record-setter, but it’ll produce more than twice the output. The energy created compares to that of 16,019 gas-powered cars driven for a year, Fisher said.

Once the new panels are online, two-thirds of the zoo’s electrical needs will come from its parking lots.

 cincinnatizoo.org/conservation/ sustainability

Volunteer-led Great Parks event cleans Ohio River

Volunteers are gathering along local riverbanks this spring and summer for Great Parks’ Ohio River Sweep cleanups.

The events are a collaboration with the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, or ORSANCO. The interstate commission represents a group of states and the federal government that work together to keep the river and its banks clear from pollution and other debris.

One of those organizations is Great Parks, which has emphasized conservation since its founding in 1930.

This year, participating agencies are hosting events up and down the river from March to October to assist with pollution mitigation. Great Parks’ first Ohio River Sweep of 2024 was set for March 23 near Woodland Mound. The organization plans to hold a second event July 13 at Fernbank Park on the west side of Hamilton County.

Great Parks has about 25 miles of greenspace frontage on the region’s four major rivers – Great Miami, Little Miami, Whitewater and the Ohio. More of the organization’s sites sit on smaller tributaries, such as the Mill Creek.

 greatparks.org/get-involved/volunteer

Beech Acres marks 175 years with tree-planting fundraiser

To mark its 175th anniversary, Beech Acres Parenting Center is giving people a unique opportunity to express love for their children and family members through a yearlong treeplanting fundraiser.

Through the Beech Family Tree campaign, donors can purchase a tree and add a personalized plaque in their family’s name or almost any message of up to 145 characters. Thanks to community partnerships, donors can choose

to plant their tree in a variety of local locations – a school, park or even their own backyard.

The goal is to plant 175 trees. Each tree costs $1,250, payable in one lump sum or monthly installments.

Beech Acres is partnering with the nonprofit Taking Root for tree sourcing and planting. There are a variety of species to choose from, but in some instances, the desired location will determine the eligible options.

Beyond being a unique fundraiser, the project aims to add to the vibrancy of the tree canopy in areas all over the city.

 beechacres.org/175-tree-planting

Great Parks offers special viewing sites for 2024 total solar eclipse

Great Parks will offer special viewing sites for the 2024 total solar eclipse, including Miami Whitewater Forest in northwest Hamilton County. It’s the only Great Park site in the path of totality, or total blockage of the sun by the moon.

Darkness is expected to arrive at the park at 3:08 p.m. on April 8. Totality will last for one to two minutes.

Great Parks will also welcome guests to two satellite locations – Parky’s Farm and Sharon Woods. Although those sites won’t be in the path of totality, those who go there should still experience up to 95% blockage.

Miami Whitewater Forest Campground is accepting limited campsite reservations for the eclipse. On the day of the eclipse, Great Parks is bringing animal ambassadors, yard games and science-oriented informational stations to the site.

All three parks will have a limited supply of certified eclipse glasses, available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Interpreters will be present at each site as well.

There is no charge to attend. Food, drinks and merchandise are available for purchase.

 greatparks.org/calendar 

A groundbreaking took place in February for what will become the biggest solar array at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

Ohio River Sweep events take place every year near select Great Park spaces. There are two such events in 2024.

Zoo’s botanical garden named tops in nation by readers

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden took the top spot in the Best Botanical Garden category in USA TODAY’s 10Best 2024 Readers’ Choice poll. It also earned the number two spot in the 10Best zoo category.

The botanical garden has long been noted for its spectacular seasonal displays, such as the tulip display in April.

Here’s how the poll’s editors put it in announcing the win: “The gardens at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden include a Butterfly Garden with a variety of

Fluidity concert to focus on environmental justice

Fluidity, a “creative choral group for a cause,” is hosting an “ecocharged” concert April 13 to create awareness about environmental justice and raise money for a new “green” organization in Cincinnati.

The performance of “Mysterium” at First Lutheran Church in Over-the-Rhine will support Faith Communities Go Green, a collaboration between Green Umbrella and interfaith organization EquaSion.

Fluidity’s performance aims to blend music that reflects themes of interconnectedness, stewardship and hope. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear firsthand from FCGG leaders about their work and learn how to integrate environmental consciousness and action into their daily lives and societal framework.

“ ‘Mysterium’ represents an opportunity to unite communities through the universal language of music, while also raising awareness and support for environmental conservation efforts,” said Matthew Moquin-Lee, Fluidity’s artistic director.

 fluiditycccc.org

plants, a Dinosaur Garden of ferns and conifers, and an Endangered Species Garden devoted to the propagation and preservation of endangered plants. A spring highlight of the botanical garden is the 100,000-bulb tulip display.”

Nominees for the 10Best Readers’ Choice Award categories are chosen by a panel of experts, then readers choose their favorites over four weeks of voting. The rules allow readers to vote online for one nominee per category per day.

 cincinnatizoo.org

Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative selects Cincinnati and 5 others in Ohio

Cincinnati is one of five Ohio cities selected to take part in a $200 million initiative to prepare for and adapt to impending climate change.

Bloomberg Philanthropies selected the Queen City and 24 other municipalities across the United States for the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities. The three-year initiative focuses on leveraging historic levels of federal funding to build lowcarbon, resilient and economically thriving communities.

The project will provide each participating city with support to pursue green solutions in areas such as building and transportation projects. Key areas include green workforce development and readying lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color for climate change.

Cities also will receive guidance from experts like PolicyLink, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. They’ll also benefit from a dedicated innovation team of experts in areas like data analysis. Cincinnati plans to have its three new staff members work alongside its Office of Environment and Sustainability team to implement the Green Cincinnati Plan.

Bloomberg is providing each participating city with customized policy and technical assistance so they can take advantage of public, private and philanthropic investments and grant funding.

 cincinnati-oh.gov/oes

Seasonal tulip display at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Nonprofit News

SVP Cincinnati announces Phase 2 of nonprofit incubator

Six regional nonprofits advanced to the second round of an accelerator focused on helping organizations advance their missions through socially minded innovations.

The advancing participants in Social Venture Partners Cincinnati’s Project XLR8 are Bluebird Bus of Hope, Corporation for Findlay Market, Opportunities Peoples Justice Leaders, School Board School, SuperSeeds and The Women’s Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

SVP will provide each member with coaching and guidance. Projects in this class range from a mobile app to help those with food insecurity to a program for teaching life skills to people recently released from prison. They will receive $2,500 in additional funding as well.

At the end of 12 to 16 weeks, SVP partners will select one of the six concepts for a sustained investment of up to $20,000 annually for three years. They’ll also continue to receive strategic support from SVP.

Previous Project XLR8 winners include Refugee Connect and Cornerstone Renter Equity. This group came from a field of 11 organizations that participated in the first phase of Project XLR8 in 2023. They all received $1,000 in seed funding for taking part.

 svpcincinnati.org

MadTree creates Frida-inspired drinks for Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, MadTree Brewing crafted a series of beverages to celebrate iconic artist Frida Kahlo and to support future trailblazers looking for a chance to shine.

The Oakley-based brewery created a limitededition canned cocktail and a specialty beer in honor of Kahlo, a Mexican painter, activist and feminist hero. Frida is a tequila-and-soda drink with prickly pear, lime and jalapeño. The beverage – part of MadTree’s Sway line – is available

in the taproom and local stores. The brewer also has a new IPA, “Flower Crown,” named in honor of the headwear Kahlo is wearing in one of her famous self-portraits. The beer is available at MadTree’s taproom only.

Proceeds from the sale of both beverages go to the local chapter of the Pink Boots Society to assist, inspire and encourage women and non-binary individuals to pursue careers in the fermented/alcoholic beverage industry.

Members of the local Pink Boots have participated in the collaboration brew day for the past six years. For the past two years, the group paid particular attention to the design and manufacturing of Sway cocktails.

Money raised through the sale of these beverages go back to the Cincinnati chapter of Pink Boots. The group supports Pink Boots members across the region through a variety of educational opportunities and professional experiences.

MadTree also hosted a pair of events celebrating women in art to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8.

 madtree.com

Cincinnati NAACP launches

new voter awareness van

The Cincinnati NAACP plans to use a new mobile civic engagement station to promote voting in marginalized Hamilton County neighborhoods.

The organization launched V.O.T.E. (Voting Outreach Training Education) in mid-February, making it the first NAACP chapter in the United States to launch such a civic engagement strategy.

A key part of the effort is a Mobile Civic Engagement Unit, a 24-foot-long bus retrofitted with computer stations, printers and Wi-Fi. It will provide information and resources on local and national election issues.

Cincinnati NAACP plans to bring the vehicle to monthly events across the region, beginning in April.

Trained volunteers will educate residents about the voting process, distribute instructional materials, print sample ballots, provide absentee ballot request forms and assist with online registration. Paper voter registration forms will be available as well.

Those in attendance will receive instructions on how to verify their registration status, track their mailed applications and ballots, find polling locations and identify their elected officials.

 cincinnatinaacp.com

Women Helping Women expands to Clermont County

Women Helping Women observed Women’s History Month by expanding services to a fifth county in Southwest Ohio.

Survivors of gender-based violence living in Clermont County can now tap into the nonprofit’s network of tools and resources, including a 24/7 hospital accompaniment team.

Kristin Smith Shrimplin, president and CEO of WHW, noted that for “far too long, crucial needs went unmet” in Clermont County. With this expansion, WHW can provide residents of that area with access to its hotline, and the move enables its staff to “collaborate with so many more partners each year,” she added.

Initially just in Hamilton County, WHW expanded to Butler County in 2013. It began services in Adams and Brown counties four years later.

WHW’s most recent expansion has been several years in the making. Planning took a major step forward last year thanks to leveraged capital and an enhanced support network.

Last year, the organization’s Rise Beyond Violence growth campaign raised roughly $10 million, nearly double the initial goal. Shrimplin highlighted Mercy Health and The HealthPath Foundation of Ohio for “showing up for survivors and for making WHW’s Clermont County expansion a reality.”

 womenhelpingwomen.org

Local members of the Pink Boots Society help brew MadTree’s limited-release Women’s History Month beverages.

Cincinnati NAACP’s new mobile V.O.T.E. vehicle will travel to community events through Election Day

UC Cancer Center opening dedicated blood cancer facility

University of Cincinnati Cancer Center is opening a $158 million facility dedicated to advancing research and treatment for various types of blood cancer.

Officials believe the Blood Cancer Healing Center has the potential to help Southwest Ohio further establish itself as a primary destination for innovative research on diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. But it also will give the more than 1.6 million Americans who battle blood cancer every year a place to receive novel therapies, world-class treatment and other vital services under one roof.

Located on Burnet Avenue, the state-ofthe-art, 212,000-square-foot facility will offer comprehensive patient support and innovative treatments for blood cancer patients.

Care will be given around the clock in inpatient and outpatient settings. The complex will have 30 inpatient beds, outpatient and infusion clinics, survivorship and supportive services and a clinical trials unit. It’ll feature novel therapies and other treatments, including those involving cellular and stem cells.

Clinical services will begin this summer as part of a phased opening. The plan is to open other spaces within the facility in 2025. The estimated price tag for the first two phases is $158 million.

The design of the Blood Cancer Healing Center aims to increase collaboration between researchers and industry partners. A dedicated laboratory space is set to open next year.

 uchealth.com/en/cancer-center

Main Street Ventures helps student entrepreneurs launch concepts

Four college entrepreneurs will work to take their business concepts to the next level after winning admission to Main Street Ventures’ summer residency program.

The four are University of Cincinnati students

Aniruddhan Ramesh and Joe Kuncheria Panjikaran, University of Dayton student Alayah Harris and Miami University student Tatem Lindner.

Each of the winners impressed judges during the annual Launch It: Cincy pitch competition at Union Hall in Over-the-Rhine. Student teams came from colleges and universities from across the region.

Ramesh and Kuncheria Panjikaran created PhizzIO, a business-to-business platform providing software services to physiotherapy centers.

Harris’ The Recipe Book app focuses on homestyle cooking. Lindner’s Silux is a luxury silicone ring brand.

Each winning team received a $10,000 grant and a stipend to spend the summer living, working and exploring Cincinnati. They’ll also have access to office space, mentoring, finance support and other resources to help grow their business ideas.

 mainstventures.org/launch-cincy

New arts partnership aims to increase vibrancy of Northern Kentucky

ArtsWave has a new partnership with Northern Kentucky’s convention and visitors bureau designed to increase cultural vibrancy in that part of the Greater Cincinnati region.

ArtsWave and meetNKY will jointly fund and execute strategies to enhance the character and identity of communities across Northern Kentucky.

With support from meetNKY, matched in part by a gift from Corporex, ArtsWave will hire a new staff member to work primarily in Covington, Newport and other surrounding cities south of the Ohio River.

ArtsWave will have a physical presence in Northern Kentucky for the first time, according to the organization’s CEO, Alecia Kintner. She said the aim is to enable her organization to take part in more events in that part of the region.

That means being able to have more face-toface time with community partners and working

directly with someone dedicated to finding new and increased ways for arts organizations to make an impact in the NKY region.

Initial funding for the program also comes from the annual ArtsWave Community Campaign and its Stronger Arts for a Stronger Region early-gift drive.

Neither ArtsWave nor meetNKY outlined any specific fundraising or arts investment goals.

 meetnky.com

Red Bike to reopen after all, look for new funding model

The bike-share system Red Bike can remain open in Cincinnati after a group of community partners came up with funding. On March 21, representatives of government offices, foundations, transportation agencies and nonprofits gathered outside City Hall to announce they’d raised $500,000 to keep Red Bike open for at least the next year.

Just days before, Red Bike had declared a need to shut down for good due to financial challenges.

The group came together at the urging of City Council Member Mark Jeffreys. The coalition consists of the city of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, the Haile Foundation, Interact for Health, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Duke Energy, Tri-State Trails, Hamilton County, Visit Cincy, the city of Covington, Devou Good Foundation and FC Cincinnati.

Together, they spent about a week creating what Red Bike Board Chair Anastasia Mileham called a “bridge plan.” The parties pledged a combined $450,000. They also hoped to raise another $50,000 through an initiative at Rhinegeist Brewery that runs through April 30.

Interact for Health is offering a consultant to help create Red Bike’s long-term strategic plan. Mileham said she envisions it relying on a mixture of public and private funds.

“This past year at Red Bike we got used to saying about fundraising that everyone seemed interested, but no one wanted to dip their toe in the water first,” Mileham said. “With Councilman Mark Jeffreys’ leadership, everyone jumped into the pool at once.”

Because of the planned closure, Red Bike laid off all 11 of its staff members, with the exception of its executive director. The organization is working to hire a new team and prepare all 72 stations to resume operations on May 13.

Red Bike has been closed since mid-December.  cincyredbike.org

Editor’s note: This version of the story reflects new developments that occurred after the April print edition went to press. 

UC Cancer Center’s new $158 million facility will combat blood diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Launch it: Cincy pitch competition winners with judges: Kara Willis, Tatem Lindner, Patrick Dingeldein (back), Joe Kuncheria Panjikaran, Aniruddhan Ramesh, Alayah Harris, Lindsay Stricker and Tim Ruge

Tressa Johnson joined the Center for Respite Care board, bringing over 21 years of employee benefits experience, including leadership, sales, account management, project management, plan design, employee communication and customer service.

Scott Schuster was appointed to the Great Parks Board of Park Commissioners for a term through December 2026. Schuster is president of the Cincinnati Museums Foundation and vice president of philanthropy at Cincinnati Museum Center.

The Afterschool Alliance selected Beth Wiseman, director of school-age services at Learning Grove, to serve as a 2024 Afterschool Ambassador. She is one of 15 leaders in the country chosen to serve a one-year term, working with community leaders and policymakers, organizing events and growing support for afterschool and summer learning programs.

The Christ Hospital Health Network named Steve Rosfeld president of The Christ Hospital Foundation. Rosfeld to replace Rick Kammerer, who retired in December. Rosfeld comes from the University of Cincinnati Foundation, where he began his career in 2006 and most recently was vice president of development.

Kelly Janszen is the new board chair of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati. She joined the board in 2019, previously serving as secretary and vice chair. From 2018 to 2020, she served on the campaign cabinet for Cincinnati’s Ronald McDonald House’s expansion.

Greater Cincinnati Foundation announced new leadership and members for its board:

• Ellen G. van der Horst, director of Triversity Construction Company, has been appointed chair. She also chairs the Playhouse in the Park board and has been a member of several additional business and civic organizations.

• David Osborn has been named vice chair. Osborn is president of Osborn Williams & Donohoe, LLC.

• Brian E. Hodgett, vice president of state government relations and Ohio community relations for P&G, and Herb Robinson, P&G retiree, have joined as new members.

Ten Thousand Villages Cincinnati, a leading global fair trade nonprofit dedicated to financially empowering artisans in

developing countries, announced the appointment of Sydney Prochazka , vice president for institutional advancement at Mount St. Joseph University, to its Cincinnati board of directors.

Cincinnati Works appointed Vanessa Kurtzer as its new director of development. Kurtzer will be responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program that includes major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving and special events. Also, it hired Nikki Hollis as director of employment services. She will develop employer partnerships, create innovative workforce pipelines and manage program services and staff.

The council of trustees that governs Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky named three new members: Mickey Fritz, partner of The Dempsey Fritz practice at Baird; Lauren Huizenga, general counsel and senior vice president of Wendal Inc. and its affiliated companies, including Connetic Ventures; and Jim Uebel, executive vice president and Northern Kentucky market president of Central Bank and Trust Co.

TriHealth announced that Jean Griffin, Xavier University’s dean of students for the past 11 years, has been selected to assume the full-time role of executive of the TriHealth/Xavier University Strategic Alliance Reporting to both TriHealth and Xavier, Griffin will oversee all aspects of the partnership, including: student, faculty and employee health and wellbeing; academic offerings; and support for the launch of the new Xavier College of Osteopathic Medicine.

A rtWorks welcomed Elizabeth (Liz) LaCause (not pictured) as senior director of advancement. In her new role, she will oversee ArtWorks’ strategic planning and execution of sponsorships, donor support (both individual and institutional giving), and grants. 

Nikki Hollis

Jean Griffin

Jim Uebel

Lauren Huizenga

Mickey Fritz

Vanessa Kurtzer Sydney Prochazka

Herb Robinson

Brian E. Hodgett

David Osborn

Ellen G. van der Horst

Kelly Janszen

Steve Rosfeld Beth Wiseman Scott Schuster

Tressa Johnson

Snapshots

Who, what, where & why

Rockdale Temple celebrates 200 years

Rockdale Temple, the oldest Jewish congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains, commemorated its 200th anniversary at its Bicentennial Celebration Weekend.

On that Friday evening, Senior Rabbi Meredith Kahan and Erin Binder, assistant rabbi and educator, led the Bicentennial Legacy Shabbat in Rockdale’s Messer Chapel honoring former rabbis, past presidents and their families. The guest speaker was Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism.

On Saturday evening, the Bicentennial Gala began with a cocktail hour in Rockdale’s Heldman Social Hall and continued in the Amberley Room of the Mayerson JCC, with dinner and dancing for 240 people. Funds raised will support engagement and education for Rockdale’s next generation.

 rockdaletemple.org

Rabbi Mark Goldman, Rabbi Meredith Kahan, Rabbi Alan Freedman, Rabbi Erin Binder and Rabbi Shena Jaffee

Gerry Korkin, Rabbi Meredith Kahan and Sally Korkin

Brotherhood President David Solomon and Jaynie Levinson

Jen Smilg and Larry Smilg, Rockdale treasurer

Past presidents passing the Torah: Gerry Korkin, Dr. David Schwartz, Rabbi Emeritus Mark Goldman, Rachel Schild and Dr. Ed Herzig

Rabbi Erin Binder, Abby Marcus, Qui Nguyen, Brad Blackmore and Dr. Karla Blackmore

Aaron Herzig, Rockdale vice president and bicentennial co-chair; Sally Korkin, Rockdale president; an image of Joseph Jonas, founding Rockdale president; Barrie Kraus, bicentennial events and gala chair; and Stephanie De Falco, Rockdale secretary and bicentennial co-chair

Abby Schwartz and Dr. David Schwartz

Thom Mariner, Mary Southworth, Jeffrey Stivers and Elyse Hyder provided music for the service.

at the reception following services

Stepping Stones event brings in $86K for those with disabilities

Stepping Stones hosted its 16th annual Open Your Heart fundraiser in a hybrid format, netting more than $86,000 to benefit year-round programming for children, teens and adults with disabilities.

Supporters gathered in person at Eddie Merlot’s for a cocktail hour and a delicious dinner with a premier raffle, artwork created by Stepping Stones program participants and live speed painting by Mark Thesken. Other supporters enjoyed their meals from Eddie Merlot’s in the comfort of their own homes. At-home supporters were able to purchase fitness kits for participants and donate to support Stepping Stones’ programs.

The event’s presenting sponsor was Convalescent Hospital Fund for Children. Cherub sponsors were Amy Joseph and George Joseph, and Saundra Seger and Mark Seger.

 SteppingStonesOhio.org

Bake-off sweetly promotes Ignite Peace

Ignite Peace hosted its second How Sweet It Is bake-off at West Side Brewing. Eighteen bakers competed for the title of Fan Favorite and guests indulged in homemade desserts. The event drew 70 attendees and raised more than $1,300.

Ignite Peace (formerly Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center) educates and advocates for peace, challenges unjust systems and promotes creation of a nonviolent society.

 ignitepeace.org

Third place-winner Kris Mead presented chocolate mousse brownies.

Second-place winner Sharon Harris made amaretto cheesecakes.

First-place winner Eleanor Grayson baked key lime bars.

Artist Mark Thesken painted two pieces that were auctioned.

Kristian Scarpitti, Marlen Frey, Lindsey Koopman, Stephanie Dalle Molle, Jen Emerich and Kasey Lewis

Vases painted by Stepping Stones Adult Day Program participants

Board President Matt Hemberger and Allison Hemberger

Event founder Mary McGraw and Mike McGraw

Event chairs Leo Dalle Molle and Stephanie Dalle Molle with event vice chairs Susan Eltringham and David Eltringham

Guests sample a spread of desserts and cast their votes.

Lindner Center’s Touchdown for HOPE yields record support

Lindner Center of HOPE hosted its signature fundraiser, Touchdown for HOPE, in the Bally Sports Club at Great American Ball Park. The event drew record sponsorship support and its largest post-pandemic attendance of nearly 240. Sponsorships, donations and ticket sales reached $225,000.

Employees, board members and community supporters enjoyed the tailgate and Super Bowl watch party surrounded by big-screen TVs, with a buffet full of Cincinnati food favorites and other tasty treats.

Honorary co-host John Jackson, a former offensive tackle with the Cincinnati Bengals, welcomed the group just before kickoff, and thanked sponsors and fans for supporting the center. Dr. Paul Crosby also addressed attendees, sharing his appreciation of the Touchdown for HOPE committee: Mary Alexander, Brock Anderson, Chrissey Barrett Haslam, Greg Harmeyer, Graham Mercurio, Gary Mitchell, Terry Ohnmeis, Jennifer Pierson, Ryan Rybolt, Carl Satterwhite, Joel Stone, John Winch and David Wyler. The 2024 team captains were Scott Robertson, John Ryan and David Tasner.

Proceeds from Touchdown for HOPE will go toward Lindner Center of HOPE’s Transforming HOPE capital campaign, enabling it to add more treatment units, expand wellness facilities and add clinical staff.

 lindnercenterofhope.org

Touchdown for HOPE

2024 committee members: Carl Satterwhite, Suzy Killin, Mary Alexander, Dr. Paul Crosby, John Ryan, Terry Ohnmeis, Scott Robertson, David Tasner and Graham Mercurio

Dr. Paul Crosby, Craig Lindner and Dr. Paul Keck

Attendees Brad Knueven, Noah Kreischer, Dustin Shell, Meg Switala and Greg Harmeyer of Tier 1 Performance

Carl Satterwhite and Dawn Satterwhite have a 360-degree photo taken.

John Jackson, honorary co-host and former Cincinnati Bengal, welcomes the crowd.

Heart Ball raises $1.4M

More than 1,200 guests celebrated the American Heart Association’s centennial year at this year’s Greater Cincinnati Heart Ball at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Presented by St. Elizabeth Healthcare, the Heart Ball was chaired by David Spaulding, president of Lithko Contracting.

Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO of Kroger, was honored with the Heart of the City Award, a tribute to non-medical professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the community.

Dr. DP Suresh, executive medical director of the Florence Wormald Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, was honored as the first recipient of the Dr. Creighton B. Wright Healthcare Leadership Award.

The Heart Ball’s Open Your Heart moment featured the story of Matthew Mangine, a young Northern Kentucky athlete who passed away from cardiac arrest. Matthew’s story was shared to highlight the need for widespread CPR training and advocacy for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places.

All proceeds from the Heart Ball support the work of the American Heart Association.

 heart.org

Dr. Brett Kissela and Lorie Kissela with Dr. Sakthivel Sadayappan and Bhuvaneswari Sakthivel

Nancy Brown, Rodney McMullen, David Spaulding and Tim Massa

Nancy Brown, Dr. DP Suresh, Dr. Creighton B. Wright and Vera Hall

Alyson Poling, John Schenk and David Spaulding

Greater Cincinnati board members: (back) Tim Steigerwald, Dr. Sakthivel Sadayappan, Sam Privitera, Dr. Costa Andreou and Mike Uhl; (front) Colleen Lindholz, Deborah Hayes, Dr. Creighton B. Wright, JoAnne Noyes, Kevin Jones, Dr. Evie Alessandrini, Beverly A. Grant, Terri Hanlon-Bremer and Vera Hall

Kim Mangine and Matt Mangine

Chris Tomlin, Matt Nestheide, Jenny Collopy, Laura Tomlin, Traci Nestheide and Kenny Collopy

Delores Hargrove-Young and Jill Meyer

Ambassador Board event brings help for Talbert House

Talbert House’s Ambassador Board raised nearly $18,000 at its annual Home is Where the Heart Is fundraiser, held at LoVe nightclub in downtown Cincinnati. Proceeds support Talbert House’s service line and efforts to provide affordable housing for adults, veterans and families overcoming barriers such as mental health, poverty, trauma, addiction and homelessness.

One hundred guests celebrated the Ambassador Board’s 10th anniversary, featuring snacks from Good Plates Eatery and music by DJ Hilla Smooth. Guests participated in a raffle and a spin-to-win game for prizes from Condado Tacos, Rhinegeist Brewery and more.

 talberthouse.org

Board chair Kate Gormley of event sponsor Myriad Genetics and Grant Freking

Board member Jasmine Wright with Kenya Sanders and Brittany Fuller

Board member Zac Martin of event sponsor HORAN and Victoria Forbes

Current members and alumni of the Talbert House Ambassador Board: (back) board alumnus Jay Kasting, vice-chair Brian O’Toole, service chair Gabe Ohliger, Alyssa Argenti, Zac Martin, past board chairs Meredith Fossett and Scott Griffith; (middle) Ramona Peckham, Patrick Finlay and board alumnus Nick Rivera; (front) Tori Roberts, Jasmine Wright, Cory Macke, board chair Kate Gormley, past chair Lacey Luxon, Rachel Rambin and past chair Sam Rossell

Courtney Mills and board member Tre James

Mayerson JCC showcases wide range of Jewish, Israeli films

This year’s Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival featured a hybrid lineup of more than a dozen films, with screenings offered online or in-person. Several community organizations supported the films, from romantic comedies to dramas and documentaries.

The monthlong festival opened with a film and event at Memorial Hall, where moviegoers enjoyed refreshments and tasty treats while watching “Matchmaking,” an Israeli romantic comedy. Rockwern Charitable Foundation was presenting sponsor.

 mayersonjcc.org

Miami doubleheader scores for Ride Cincinnati

Miami University hosted its ninth annual Love. Honor.Care event, with proceeds benefiting Ride Cincinnati. Community members, Ride Cincinnati participants, volunteers and friends attended an afternoon of basketball and fundraising while watching the Miami Redhawks men’s and women’s teams in a doubleheader. During halftime of the men’s game, Miami University and Miami Athletics representatives presented a donation check to Ride Cincinnati representatives. The event brought in over $19,000 to help Ride Cincinnati kick off this year’s fundraising efforts. The group holds cycling events to raise money for cancer research and care.

 ridecincinnati.org

Eowyn Garfinkle Plymesser, JCC manager of arts and culture

Holly Wolfson, Josh Wolfson, Bob Oestreicher and Jenny Oestreicher

Daniel Hiudt, Rick Lefton and Ross Vigran

Fran Coleman and Zahava Rendler

Yarden Neeman, Israeli emissary to Cincinnati’s Jewish community

David Sayler, Miami University director of athletics; Greg Crawford, Miami University president; Allison Gordon; Miles McDowell; David Nevers; Todd Henderson; and Renate Crawford, university ambassador

Aaron Weiner, Michael Friedes, Mike Montano, Chris Schoeny, Rick Jansen, David Lafferty and Mike Frye

Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival committee: Frances Kahan, Amy Klein, Erik Jensen, Lauren Bowen, Sam Greene, Brian Sugerman, Aaron Weiner, Tara Vigran, Evan Gildenblatt and Eowyn Garfinkle Plymesser

Queen City Book Bank raises $351K for literacy programs

The Queen City Book Bank hosted its annual Gala for Literacy: One for the Books fundraiser at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. The more than 350 guests helped set a record by netting $351,000 for QCBB’s literacy programs.

Special guests included New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Loren Long and speaker Rayshun Holt, program director at Cincinnati Works. Holt reminded the audience that the ability to read can alter the future trajectory of a child’s life story and our community.

Recognition was given to champions of QCBB’s mission, including:

• Great American Insurance Group, Corporate Partner

• Kim Kemen, Education Partner of the Year

• Payton’s Lemonade Stand, Adopt-A-Book/ Adopt-A-Future Award

• Scott Brown, Community Builder Award

• Arin Gentry, Literacy Champion

• John and Susan Frank, Extra Mile Award

• QCBB’s group of Thursday “Vivacious Volunteers”: Fran Acito, Kelly Attiyah, Kathy Aug, Maureen Born, Nancy Braun, Debbie Cappel, Susan Cranley, Katie Droder, Mary Anne Hengehold, Susie Kushman and Maureen Niehaus (Volunteer of the Year)

 queencitybookbank.org

“Vivacious

The Queen City Book Bank’s Thursday

Volunteers”

Susan Frank and John Frank, Extra Mile Award recipients

Jessica Parks, guest speaker Rayshun Holt, Michelle Otten Guenther, author and illustrator Loren Long and Tracy Long

Jess Obert, executive director of Payton’s Lemonade Stand, which won the AdoptA-Book/Adopt-AFuture Award

Arin Gentry, this year’s Literary Champion

Community Builder Award winner, Scott Brown (right), with Liz Asman of the Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati

Kim Kemen, Education Partner of the Year

Physics and music share wonder at The Well

The Well hosted astrophysicist Alan Lightman in conversation with classical composer Brian Raphael Nabors to kick off a new music commission for its national Mindful Music Moments program.

Guests at The Well’s Camp Washington space listened to Lightman and Nabors talk about time, the cosmos and the importance of wonder to both science and art. Astronomer Dean Regas and Dr. John Tew provided introductions and the Antigone Collective performed.

 thewell.world

Event celebrates DePaul Cristo Rey’s work-study program

The power of DePaul Cristo Rey High School’s Corporate Work Study Program to change students’ lives, support businesses and help the greater community was on display at the program’s annual Corporate Partner Leadership Breakfast.

DPCR students and staff honored Pioneer Partners who have been with the program since its inception in 2011, as well as new partners and five-year partner KPMG. Cincinnati Children’s and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation were honored as Partners of the Year. Dress for Success Cincinnati was recognized as Nonprofit Partner of the Year.

Niki Krebs, a Messer Construction executive who shepherds the program there, served as keynote speaker.

The school’s work-study program partners students in grades 9-12 with local businesses and organizations, creating a pipeline of diverse, young talent for the community’s future workforce while making a private, college-prep education available to families who could otherwise not afford it.

DPCR students work five days a month at 85 companies and organizations throughout Greater Cincinnati.

DePaul Cristo Rey is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school with a mission to educate young people who have the potential but limited financial means to go to college.

 dpcr.net

Physicist Alan Lightman flanked by Antigone Collective musicians Liam Battle and Amelia Korbitz

Shermirah Smith (center), vice president of the Corporate Work Study Program, with Annise Anderson of St. Francis Seraph Ministries and Joi Lindlau of Good Samaritan Hospital

DPCR sophomore Diego, a student associate at Messer Construction, introduced keynote speaker Niki Krebs of Messer.

Kim Hull of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital with DPCR junior Imari, who works at Children’s through the school’s Corporate Work Study Program

Board President Alisa Smith with Dean Regas

Lisa Nolan and Courtney Shannon of Dress for Success Cincinnati, recognized as the Nonprofit Partner of the Year

Jordan Celestin and Patty Basti of KPMG, which was honored for five years of partnership

The Well’s board and staff: (back) trustee Alisa Smith, emeritus trustee Susan Tew, trustee Morgan Mazone, Bryce Kessler, composer and trustee Brian Raphael Nabors, emeritus trustee Dr. John Tew, trustee Jill Smith and trustee Mike Nauman; (front) Patrick Raneses, executive director Stacy Sims, Kami Lerma, trustee Jane Fisher and trustee Rana Dotson

Photos

Victorian’s casino-themed gala a sure bet for 125 guests

The Victorian at Riverside in Covington held a “Casino Royale”-themed gala at a private club in Clifton’s Gaslight District. The 125 guests bid on global trips to destinations used in James Bond films.

The 2024 Victorian at Riverside Philanthropic Award winner was Dr. Christian Gausvik of Christ Hospital for his work in gerontology and medical care for the LGBTQ+ community.

The event’s Dessert Dash had guests bidding on scrumptious delights and racing to claim them for their tables. The evening ended with casino gaming and The Kim Kelly Orchestra playing James Bond themes and bossa nova tunes. The top casino prize was a stay at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

WCPO-TV anchor Evan Millward was the event’s emcee. Premier sponsors were Ashley Builders Group and Bahl and Gaynor. Other sponsors included Assured Partners, Resource Graphics, Heritage Bank, OmniCare Pharmacy, Hotel Versailles and Silas Creative Kitchen, Seniors Guide Magazine and New Republic Architecture.

The Victorian at Riverside is a nonprofit serving the senior community in Greater Cincinnati.

 victorianatriverside.org

Emmy Award Winner Regional - Interview/Discussion Program

Board President Ron Padgett, CEO Carrie VanDerzee and WCPO anchor Evan Millward

Peter Barrett and Michelle Caruso Barrett

Victorian Enrichment Coordinator Stefanie Feltner and Wynn Feltner

Cody Gausvik and Philanthropic Award winner Dr. Christian Gausvik

Victorian CEO Carrie VanDerzee, Lisa Durban LaBonte, Caroline Prem, Katie Mitakides and board member Patricia Hakes

Victorian at Riverside Gala Chair Andrew Campbell and Dave Sanders

Ashley Burnside, Genevieve Perrino and Katie Knowles

Found House boosts support for solving housing crisis

Found House Interfaith Housing Network’s 2024 Faith in Action Breakfast rallied support for solutions to the affordable-housing crisis.

The event featured a panel discussion with Ignite Philanthropy founder Susan Ingmire, Cincinnati City Council Member Meeka D. Owens and Susan E. Thomas of Fifth Third Community Development, moderated by Daisy Kershaw of WLWT-TV. Opening and closing blessings were given by Rabbi Aaron Torop of Wise Temple and Rev. Suzanne Allen and Rev. Todd Anderson of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church.

The housing network honored Judy Caldwell of the Church of Advent in Walnut Hills for her commitment to outstanding service.

 foundhouse.org

Students compete in Clovernook’s Braille Challenge

Thirty school-aged students with blindness or visual impairments competed in a statewide braille literacy competition hosted by Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired. This marked the eighth year for the Ohio Regional Braille Challenge.

The day-long competition at the Cincinnati Museum Center tested participants on fundamental braille skills such as reading comprehension, spelling, speed and accuracy, proofreading, and charts and graphs. Judges from the Braille Institute will review the test results and announce the challenge winners in each category this spring.

Students who compete in preliminary events like the Ohio Regional Braille Challenge can qualify for the National Braille Challenge finals – the only academic competition of its kind for students who are blind or visually impaired. More than 50 regional events take place in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The top 10 finalists in each age category compete in the finals each summer.

 clovernook.org

Panel discussion with Daisy Kershaw of WLWT, Ignite Philanthropy founder Susan Ingmire, Susan E. Thomas of Fifth Third Community Development and Cincinnati City Council Member Meeka D. Owens

Board members Chara Fisher Jackson, Robert Taylor, Jamie Berring, Brian Henning and Susan E. Thomas

(Center) Rabbi Aaron Torop of Wise Temple delivers an opening blessing.

Rev. Suzanne Allen of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church delivers a closing blessing.

Matthew Shad, Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired board chair, with an Ohio Regional Braille Challenge participant

Participants recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the opening ceremony.

Challenge participants enter the Cincinnati Museum Center.

Stacey Burge, president and CEO of Found House Interfaith Housing Network

Photos by leigh taylor

Saint Ursula Academy shines at sparkly fundraiser

The theme of Saint Ursula Academy’s SUA Palooza this year was “Bejeweled: A Shimmering Soiree,” which blended country music with pop and soul. Nearly 350 parents, alumnae, past parents, current students, faculty, staff and friends attended.

The evening included dinner by-the-bite, silent auction, raffles, games and music by 2nd Wind Band. Local 12’s Meghan Mongillo served as the emcee. Student speakers Lucy Steinert, class of 2026, and Lena Garr, class of 2024, spoke before the Fund a Need appeal to support tuition assistance.

More than $230,000 was raised to support costs not covered by tuition and other operating expenses.

 saintursula.org

Saint Ursula Academy students at SUA Palooza

Guests danced the night away with the band 2nd Wind.

Emcee Meghan Mongillo, the SUA Bulldog, students Lucy Steinert and Lena Garr, and SUA President Lelia Keefe Kramer

Parents Julie Mussman and Katie More hosted a bourbon-tasting station.

SUA parents Jenell Walton, Kimatha Hamilton and Andrea Lewis

Parent guests Julie Beck and Jill Miller Guests took their bling to the dance floor at SUA Palooza.

Supporters back foundation’s O’Dell Owens scholarship fund

More than 125 supporters turned out to raise money for the Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation’s Dr. O’Dell Moreno Owens Scholarship Fund and to remember the late Dr. Owens, a noted Cincinnati health advocate and public official. The event at The Metropolitan Club in Covington was emceed by WLWT-TV’s Courtis Fuller.

The event netted over $20,000 for scholarships to Black and Hispanic graduates of Newport Independent, Covington Independent and Cincinnati Public Schools.

Students can apply for the Owens scholarship and more than 140 others, which can help them earn workforce certifications and associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, on the foundation website through May 31.

 cincinnatischolarshipfoundation.org



Student’s speech on family poverty wins Rotary competition

Yiri Diaz Mercedes’ stirring account of family life below the poverty line won first place in the Rotary Club of Cincinnati’s 4-Way Test Speech competition. The competition challenges high school students to hone public speaking skills while incorporating the Rotary’s 4-Way Test, the ethical standard that calls on Rotary members to assure that everything they think, do or say is the truth; is fair to all concerned; will build goodwill and better friendships; and will be beneficial to all concerned.

The DePaul Cristo Rey High School sophomore described her early years in Puerto Rico, where children went to sleep to the sound of rainwater falling through a leaking roof and where her parents often went to bed hungry so their children wouldn’t starve.

Diaz Mercedes was one of four finalists competing before an audience of close to 150 business and community leaders. Other finalists were Addison Miller, a junior from Wyoming High School; Quinn Ruthman, a junior from Walnut Hills High School; and Katie Claes, a junior from Archbishop McNicholas High School in Mount Washington.

Rotary members worked with students to develop speeches and to hold in-school competitions to choose finalists.

 cincinnatirotary.org

Toilynn O’Neal Turner, Carole Rigaud, Mary Hemmer, Ed Rigaud and Paul Hemmer

Raven Flanigan, Beth Collins, Genine Gibson, Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation President Whitney O’Neal, Chris Owens (Dr. O’Dell Owens’ son), Robbie Jennings Michels of the Metropolitan Club, Talli Flanigan, D. Flanigan and Valentina Moreno Cheek

Mark Allen, Shonda Allen, Jamila Watson and Debra Tucker Bennett

Robbie Jennings Michels and DJ Butch Gibson

Contestants Addison Miller, Quinn Ruthman and Katie Claes congratulate winner Yiri Diaz Mercedes, foreground.

Speech competition chair Laure Quinlivan, left, with celebrity judges Megan Mitchell, WLWT-TV news anchor; Cincinnati City Council Member Victoria Parks; and Olympic gold medalist Mary Wineberg

Trivia Night celebrates CYC’s service to young people

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative’s 11th annual Trivia Night for Brighter Futures provided an evening of fun and inspirational stories in support of CYC and the 4,000-plus young people it serves each year. The event was presented by TQL and hosted by the collaborative’s Young Professionals Board.

The theme of the night was “(20)24k Gold,” with prizes and raffle packages. The night included a happy hour featuring music by Cincinnati’s DJ Wavy Moe and gameplay hosted by Last Call Trivia. The evening’s highlight was mentor Chris Ramos and his mentee, Deshaun Sanders, sharing their story about how mentoring can empower both people and lead to a lifelong friendship.

 cycyouth.org

Exploring More in Retirement

Technology is constantly changing, and that’s why Life Enriching Communities encourages continuous learning for all of our residents. On our campuses, you can explore:

• Icon Communication for a one-stop-shop of community awareness for events and socialization

• VirtuSense Balance Assessments to evaluate risk of falls and strengthen health

• Care Coordination to navigate the complex healthcare system in a home environment

Embracing technology is part of the Life Enriching Communities mission. Spark your curiosity and discover endless ways to fill your days with meaning and purpose when you live with us.

board members

Ashleigh Dubois and Tom Marth

Mentoring pair Chris Ramos and Deshaun Sanders

DJ Wavy Moe provided music for the happy hour.

1896 Cincinnati novel offered a twisty vision of science’s future

Cincinnati history is a deep well. So much of the past is evident in this city. It often grabs people and pulls them in, myself included. Once you start with some odd or interesting historical anecdote, it’s compelling to follow the story backward. On the way, you find yourself going down curving alleyways and fascinating paths.

If you come across the 1896 novel “Etidorhpa,” by John Uri Lloyd, you will be pulled further into deeper and twistier alleyways and tunnels. Foundational to the science fiction/fantasy/secrets-ofthe-universe genre of American literature, this book has never been out of print, and still commands a following of people willing to bushwhack through its dense prose.

It begins with a young Cincinnati businessman’s visit from a ghostly man named I-Am-TheMan-Who-Did-It. He tells of a

cave in Kentucky. He is guided by a faceless figure who lays the truths of existence on him, from science to morals to spirituality.

Lloyd was a pharmacist, a member of the Eclectic school of medicine. This was one of many alternative medical sects that sprung up in the late 19th century. The ancient theory of bodily “humors” and the drastic cures of bleeding and purging were being discredited. Better science was needed. Other alternatives like osteopathy, chiropractic and homeopathy seem a lot more like wishful thinking. Between 1834 and 1939, there were 19 medical schools in Cincinnati teaching various approaches (or ripping people off). The longestlived were the Eclectics, who took a middle path.

Lloyd’s great work for the Eclectics was finding new medi-

his brother Curtis Gates Lloyd, a mycologist, amassed a huge library of books about botany and medicine and mushrooms. It’s the basis of the Lloyd Library, still thriving in a nondescript building you may have passed downtown at Plum and Court streets.

Some people think the journey in “Etidorhpa” was inspired by a psychedelic mushroom trip, and one chapter describes giant fungi. On the other hand, there are several chapters about the dangers of drink and narcotics. And, though there is one fantastical, hallucinatory section, no one would do ’shrooms if the result were as boring as “Etidorhpa.”

The main repeated action is the faceless guy showing I-Am-TheMan something crazy, I-Am-TheMan objecting, then the faceless guy explaining why it’s perfectly

spelled backwards.

I’ve read – skimmed – the book a couple of times. What I find interesting and possibly visionary is how Lloyd challenges his challengers, not by saying they have to have faith, but that they haven’t done the science right. They’re working with insufficient data or they’re thinking too narrowly. “Matter is not food, but a carrier of food,” he says. “What is food? Food is sunlight.” That’s true! Good way to look at it.

You can discern the man who thought there were better ways to treat disease than using leeches, and tried thousands of plantderived compounds looking for them. Perched at the turn of the century, he’s trying to negotiate science and religion, trying to understand whether science is going to be a benefit or a curse in the future.

That impulse to explain it all with an alternative to the received wisdom is not unique to the 19th century. Obviously. It’s now stronger than ever. I wouldn’t be surprised to find an account on X promoting the Hollow Earth theory and claiming we don’t know about it because of antifa, or Taylor Swift. I admire Lloyd’s skepticism and his energy in trying to show us the light, but I’m kind of glad he didn’t have access to the internet. 

Polly Campbell covered restaurants and food for the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1996 until 2020. She lives in Pleasant Ridge with her husband, and since retiring does a lot of reading, cooking and gardening, if that’s what you call pulling weeds. She writes monthly on a variety of topics, and she welcomes your feedback and column suggestions at editor@moversmakers.org.

Polly Campbell