September 2023

September 2023

FOCUS ON PERFORMING ARTS

The Music Minions

Polly Campbell on live theater

The musical odyssey of Polina

Bespalko

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Informed. Inspired. Involved.

Movers &Makers

September 2023

Publishers’ Letter 4

Arts/Culture 6

MoversMakers.org

New Museum Center fossil exhibit 6

C.F. Payne exhibit and book at Cincinnati Art Galleries 6

Eighth Blackbird co-founder joins CCM faculty 7

Wave Pool invited back to NYC’s Amory Show 7

ArtWorks’ new ‘Love Wins’ mural 8

Harriet Tubman commemorative coins 8

Little Amal puppet touring area hosted by CCO 9

A/C List: September arts and culture events 10

FOCUS ON 18

Music Minions tap into the power of the arts

| By Leyla Shokoohe 18

Notables: performing arts 20

‘I want more…’ – Polina Bespalko’s musical odyssey

| By David Lyman

24

The Datebook 26

Social calendar with a spotlight on the movers and makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s fundraisers, friend-raisers and community events.

Nonprofit News 34

Names in the News 36

Gifts/Grants 38

Snapshots 40

CABVI Braille Ale release party 40

Planned Giving Council awards Voices 41

Heart Association “recess” in Nippert Stadium 42

Karen Wellington golf outing 42

Movers & Makers’ August networking happy hour 44

ALZSTAR Music Festival for Alzheimers’ research 45

Magnified Giving empowers educators 46

Thirteenth annual Covington Partners golf outing 47

OTR Film Festival gala hosts Sheen family 48

NewPath YP board swings at Topgolf 49

The Last Word 66

Polly Campbell: The magic of live theater

On the cover: Polina Bespalko, photo by Tina Gutierrez for Movers & Makers ©2023

PUBLISHERS’ LETTER

Cincinnati is a more vibrant and interesting place these days largely because of the contributions of people who have chosen Our Fair City as home. Transplants help us see the value of what we already have in place and how we can harness those resources in creating a better future.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of arts and culture, where infusions of new ideas reshape and enhance our region, adding dimensions not thought possible even a few decades ago. This is particularly evident in the ever-expanding number of organizations and venues presenting performances by visiting artists.

This month, David Lyman shines a light on one such organization – the Xavier Music Series and its director, pianist Polina Bespalko. Polina came to Cincinnati with life experience via Mozambique, Brazil and Russia and has transformed her series into a smorgasbord of musical genres from near and far. Learn more about this dynamo on Page 24.

Live events aren’t very satisfying for anyone unless there is an

The publishers at Movers & Makers’ August happy hour at the Kinley Hotel, photos Page 44.

Get your Culture FIX every Wednesday

Join 10,000 other M&M subscribers to our FREE weekly email newsletter.

In it, you will find a link to our Culture FIX column, posted every Wednesday morning at MoversMakers.org. We outline the best local arts & culture events for the week ahead, based on decades of experience working in the Cincinnati arts scene.

Also in the newsletter – links to our latest posts of local nonprofit news, people on the move, gifts and grants and much more.

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audience. Over the past few years, a trio of ardent fans and supporters has increasingly made its presence felt at a wide variety of concerts and exhibits. Affectionately known as the Music Minions, Daniel Pfahl, Cindy Lewis and Michael Moore met at and forged their friendship through repeated, shared audience experiences. Learn more about their bond and their impact on Page 18, as written by Leyla Shokoohe.

Each month, we ask organizations to shine their light on one of their colleagues. This month, meet this year’s performing arts Notables on Page 20.

We also point your attention to the hundreds of upcoming fall events, arts and culture (Page 10) and a myriad of fundraisers (Page 26), the lifeblood of nonprofits. Go forth, experience, contribute and support with your time, talent and treasure. Help our nonprofit partners make Greater Cincinnati continually more vibrant, interesting, healthy, fair and just.

Thanks for reading M&M! Please tell a friend.

Thom & Elizabeth Mariner, co-publishers

Fiscal sponsor:

• Tess Brown and Casey Weldon, associate editors

• Phil Fisher and Ray Cooklis, copy editors

• Tina Gutierrez , cover story photographer

• All the nonprofits who contributed news and photos.

Arts coverage supported by:

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2023 Publishing schedule

Issue Deadline Available OCTOBER SEPT 1

NOVEMBER SEPT 29 OCT 25

DEC. ‘23/JAN. ‘24 OCT 27 NOV 21 2024 schedule coming to our website soon. www.moversmakers.org/publishing-schedule

© Copyright 2023 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.

Readers are advised to confirm event dates and other important details and check for last-minute changes with the organizations or advertisers involved.

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.

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

Digital edition & daily posts www.MoversMakers.org

Tim Schroeder named 2023

Metropolitan Award honoree

Sponsorships for NOV. 9 AWARDS PROGRAM available. For more information: https://bit.ly/3pBGFL5

Arts/Culture

Gallery features work of famed illustrator C.F. Payne

5-8 p.m. Sept. 22, Cincinnati Art Galleries, 225 E. 6th St., Downtown

Fossils to be on display at the Cincinnati Museum Center as part of the “Ancient Worlds Hiding in Plain Sight” exhibit

New Museum Center gallery can take you back before dinosaurs

Opening Sept. 28, Cincinnati Museum Center

An addition to the Cincinnati Museum Center’s permanent gallery collection promises to transport guests back 450 million years to a time even before the dinosaurs roamed the earth.

The “Ancient Worlds Hiding in Plain Sight” gallery, opening Sept. 28, will showcase a collection of Late Ordovician Period fossils. The Ordovician is the earliest period of the Paleozoic Era, which is defined as 541 million to 252 million years ago.

Museumgoers will begin by exploring an underwater environment like one found during the Ordovician. They’ll then make

their way to dry land to experience the Carboniferous Period (359 million to 299 million years ago).

“We hear 450 million years ago and think this time and these creatures are so far removed from us, but we’re ready to show you they’re much closer than you realize,” said Elizabeth Pierce, president and CEO of Cincinnati Museum Center.

“Our newest exhibit uses our incredible fossil collection to not just educate you about a bygone era of biodiversity, but to nurture curiosity, illuminate career paths for future scientists and inspire connection between people as they discover a new hobby of fossil hunting,” Pierce said.

 www.cincymuseum.org

Cincinnati Art Galleries opens an exhibition and sale of over 150 illustrations by Cincinnati artist C.F. Payne. The show, which runs through Nov. 22, includes 35 of Payne’s illustrations from the recently published book “Cincinnati Characters: The Unknown, Unappreciated and Unhinged” by veteran journalist Brent Coleman.

A member of the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame, Payne is nationally known for his book

illustrations and his work for Time Magazine, Mad Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone, National Geographic and many other publications.

The book by Coleman, a writer and editor with the Cincinnati Enquirer for 26 years, reveals the fascinating lives of various men and women who influenced the Queen City’s development in the 1800s and early 1900s.

Coleman and Payne will hold a book signing during the Sept. 22 opening.

 www.cincyart.com

Regas aims to be ‘astronomer to world’

After more than two decades at the Cincinnati Observatory, Dean Regas is leaving to start his own “space business” and become “astronomer to the world.”

Regas said his goals are to do more public speaking, write more books and articles, and travel more for special events, such as the partial eclipse in October and full eclipse next spring. “For me, it’s still all about getting people inspired about space, the stars and astronomy,” he said.

Plans call for him to stay in Cincinnati and continue his podcast and work with local NPR station WVXU.

 www.cincinnatiobservatory.org

C.F. Payne, “Robert Duncanson,” mixed media on paper, 11” x 8”

C.F. Payne, “Samuel Hannaford,” mixed media on paper, 9 1/2” x 7”

Astronomer Dean Regas

Eighth Blackbird co-founder Photinos joins CCM faculty

Sheida Soleimani’s Welcome Edition No. 9, in progress

Wave Pool again represents Cincinnati at New York’s Armory Show

Cincinnati’s Wave Pool has been selected to exhibit at the New York City Armory Show for the third year in a row. It is the only gallery from Cincinnati and one of only 11 in the not-for-profit section of the art fair.

The internationally known show, which features more than 800 artists representing more than 35 countries, takes place Sept. 7-10.

Wave Pool will present its three most recent Welcome Editions by artists Baseera Khan, Lorena Molina and Sheida Soleimani. Welcome Editions are limited edition art

objects fabricated at least in part by Cincinnati-based refugees and immigrant artisans.

For Wave Pool’s ninth Welcome Edition, Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani is creating a field of 100 cast aluminum tulips, representing the first 100 protesters that have been killed in Iran since the slaying of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Red tulips are a long-standing revolutionary symbol in Iran, associated with martyrdom.

 www.wavepoolgallery.org

 www.thearmoryshow.com

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music recently welcomed acclaimed cellist Nick Photinos to its roster of performing and media arts faculty members. A fourtime Grammy Award winner and a co-founder of the contemporary music sextet Eighth Blackbird, Photinos has assumed the title of eminent scholar in chamber music. He carries the title under the auspices of a state initiative intended to attract individuals to Ohio who have achieved national and international prominence. The position was previously held by

internationally acclaimed pianist James Tocco, who retired from the college in 2021.

The role is a homecoming of sorts for Photinos, who attended CCM along with the other members of Eighth Blackbird from 1997-2000. As professor of chamber music and eminent scholar, Photinos will focus on chamber music coaching, curriculum, concerts, competitions and community partnerships. Photinos will also develop, teach and promote CCM courses and programs in entrepreneurship, innovation and professional development.

Paul Jacobs



Nick Photinos

New mural proclaims ‘Love Wins’ in Cincinnati

ArtWorks celebrated 50 years of Pride events in Cincinnati with a new Over-the-Rhine mural titled “Love Wins.”

The piece – designed by Chroma Projects’ Matthew Dayler and painted by ArtWorks apprentices – sits above Queen City Radio. It features images of historic triumphs by the LGBTQ+ community and reflects the decades of protest and heartache required to earn them.

The project was a collaboration with Cincinnati Pride.

www.artworkscincinnati.org

Freedom Center helps unveil designs for Tubman commemorative coins

Leaders from Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center joined officials from the United States Mint to unveil designs for three commemorative coins celebrating the legacy of freedom fighter Harriet Tubman.

Tubman is the most famous figure from the era of the Underground Railroad, a secretive network that helped enslaved individuals liberate themselves in the first half of the 19th century.

Born into slavery in 1822 on a plantation in Maryland, Tubman self-liberated in 1849 by moving to the free state of Pennsylvania. She returned to Maryland 13 times over the next decade, leading 70 enslaved people to freedom in Canada.

By 1850, as many as 100,000 enslaved people had escaped through the Underground Railroad to free states like Ohio, or even as far as Canada, according to the Freedom Center. As many as 40,000 freedom seekers made their way across the Ohio River.

Cincinnati had the third-largest African American population of any city in the United States, a major reason why the Freedom Center is in the Queen City.

The Freedom Center and the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, N.Y., will receive some financial benefits from the sale of the coins.

 www.freedomcenter.org

 www.usmint.gov

Tasty new exhibit at Museum Center

Cincinnati Museum Center is opening a new kitchen studio in November to teach visitors about food science, history and culinary traditions from all over the world. The Cr(EAT)e Culinary Studio will feature versatile space, including the Kroger Food Lab, outfitted with full cooking stations. Planned programming includes chemistry tutorials, lessons on local food culture and special events where guests can prep and cook food on-site.

 www.cincymuseum.org

One of the designs for the U.S. Mint’s Harriet Tubman commemorative coin program

Cr(EAT)e camper with counselor

The new ‘Love Wins’ ArtWorks mural in Over-the-Rhine

Little Amal, puppet of refugee, bringing human rights message

Little Amal, the internationally celebrated 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, will arrive in Cincinnati on Sept. 22 as part of her 6,000-mile journey across the United States this fall.

Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, in partnership with Cincinnati COMPASS, Kroger Wellness Festival, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and numerous other local organizations, will help welcome Little Amal to Cincinnati with a series of theatrical “events of welcome.”

Throughout the puppet’s two-month trek to more than 35 U.S. cities and towns, cultural institutions and artists will come together to greet Amal. All events along the route are open to the people of the towns and cities Amal is visiting.

Since July 2021, Amal has traveled to 97 towns and cities in 15 countries and been welcomed by more than a million people. She has become a global symbol of human rights, conveying the urgent message “Don’t forget about us.”

 www.walkwithamal.org

CSO, Music Hall selected for starring role in video for new jazz concerto

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Music Hall are set to co-star in a large-scale video recording of composer Justin Morell’s jazz trumpet concerto “All Without Words.” The Boundless Arts Foundation selected the CSO and its home venue to host the free concert at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20.

Morell composed the work in 2021 as a tribute to his nonverbal autistic son, Loren Morell. Loren’s spontaneous vocalizations evolved into a piece featuring a solo trumpet, orchestra, rhythm section and chorus. The performance also will include dancing and other forms of visual art.

Tickets are available through the Music Hall box office.

 www.cincinnatisymphony.org

Art educators surprised with gifts, opportunities ahead of school year

Manifest surprised art teachers from 10 Greater Cincinnati high schools with $1,400 worth of art books during a special recognition event in late July. Each educator received the complete works from Manifest Press, the publishing arm of the organization’s nonprofit programming.

Manifest invited regional high school arts educators to attend a special event in their honor. While there, the teachers received a tour of Manifest’s Clifton facility. They also learned about resources available to them and programs available to their students.

 www.manifestgallery.org

Art educators tour Manifest’s building in Clifton.

Little Amal has visited 97 cities and towns in 15 countries so far.

Composer Justin Morell

The A/C List

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

ArtWorks Mural Tours | artworkscincinnati.org

ƒ Walking tours of Pendleton, Over-the-Rhine and downtown

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

ƒ Artifacts and history of Northern Kentucky

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

ƒ Tours exploring Queen City brewing heritage

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

ƒ Permanent collection

Cincinnati Food Tours | Findlay Market. 513-602-5602. cincinnatifoodtours.com

ƒ Tours exploring Queen City food heritage

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 4. Bricktionary: The Ultimate LEGO A-Z

ƒ Opens Sept. 28. New permanent exhibit: “Ancient Worlds Hiding in Plain Sight”

Cincinnati Nature Center | Milford. cincynature.org

ƒ Ponds and trails amidst old-growth forest

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

ƒ Permanent collection of equipment, tools and artifacts

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

ƒ World-renowned fauna and flora

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

ƒ Indoor and outdoor tours of iconic Queen City landmark

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 Sept. 13, 5:30 p.m. Hard Hat Tour

ƒ Sept. 26, 10 a.m. Walking Tour: “Abolitionists and African Americans in Walnut Hills”

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

ƒ Sept. 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Columbia Settlement 1788

ƒ Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. History

Alive Days

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

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

Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati | West Chester. icgc.us

ƒ Sept. 2, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. “Know Your Neighbor”

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

ƒ Thru Oct. 22. “First Flowers.” From Applied Imagination – man-made botanical sculptures of Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, pterosaur, and more

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.

Cincinnati Ballet opens its 60th season with Kaplan New Works: “More Room to Play” – nine performances of five cutting-edge choreographic creations at the Aronoff Center from Sept. 15-24

Mt. Adams Civic Association | Mt. Adams. 513-235-3957. mtadamscincy.org

ƒ Historic walking tours

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

ƒ Permanent collection exploring themes of individual freedom

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

ƒ History of Voice of America anti-propaganda program

Over-the-Rhine Museum | 513-813-7309. otrmuseum.org

ƒ Historic tours of OTR

RAPTOR Inc. | Milford. raptorinc.org

ƒ Sept. 24, 1-4 p.m. Open house for 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”

Valley View Nature Preserve | Milford. valleyviewcampus.org

ƒ Sept. 10, 7:45 p.m. Night hike

White Water Shaker Village | Harrison. whitewatervillage.org

ƒ Sept. 24, 2-5 p.m. Great Outdoors Weekend Open House

Dance

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

ƒ Sept. 15-24. “More Room To Play”

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

ƒ Sept. 29-Oct. 8. “Fall For Dance”

Synergy Dance Series | Artsville, Madisonville. synergydanceseries.com

ƒ Sept. 10, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Inaugural Concert

Fairs/Festivals/Markets

Brink Maker’s Mart | North College Hill. brinkbrewing.com/makers

ƒ Sept. 30, noon-6 p.m. Vendors selling all handmade items

City Flea | Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine. thecityflea.com

ƒ Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Eclectic arts and crafts fair

CHAMBER MUSIC CINCINNATI

America’s Most Inclusive Chamber Music Presenter

ANNOUNCING OUR 94 th

SEASON

KRONOS QUARTET | Five Decades

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 • 7:30pm

Memorial Hall

“One of the Top Ten String Quartet Ensembles of All Time.”

—BBC Music Magazine

Works closely associated with Kronos and compositions from 50 for the Future.

GRYPHON TRIO

Tuesday, November 14, 2023 • 7:30pm

Memorial Hall

“Big, Bold, almost orchestral performances.”

—Los Angeles Times

Beethoven “Archduke” & Dvořák “Dumky” Trios.

MICHELLE CANN

CSO 2022–23 Soloist

Sunday, December 10, 2003 • 4:00pm

Word of Deliverance Ministries

Tuesday, December 12, 2003 • 7:30pm

Memorial Hall

“…a pianist of sterling artistry.” —Gramophone

Works by Ravel, Still, Liszt, more.

DANISH STRING QUARTET

Thursday, February 15, 2024 • 7:30pm

Memorial Hall

“Ensemble music at its purest.” —New York Times

Works by Haydn, Shostakovich, and Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden.”

IMANI WINDS

Sunday, March 10, 2024 • 4:00pm

New Prospect Baptist Church

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 • 7:30pm

Memorial Hall

“Each member is a virtuoso…dazzling ensemble playing.”

—Washington Post

New works commissioned for Imani Winds.

RANDALL GOOSBY

CSO 2023 Soloist

with Zhu Wang, piano

Sunday, April 7, 2024 • 4:00pm

Corinthian Baptist Church

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 • 7:30pm

Memorial Hall

“Randall Goosby has everything.” —LA Times

Includes Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Violin Sonata.

ARTS/CULTURE | The List

Civic Garden Center | Avondale. 513-221-0981. civicgardencenter.org

ƒ Sept. 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fall Native Plant Festival

Gathering of the Guilds | Weavers Guild of Greater Cincinnati, Winton Hills. gotgcincy.org

ƒ Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Handmade Art Craft Festival

Great Parks of Hamilton County | Sharon Woods. 513-521-7275. greatparks.org

ƒ Sept. 17, 3-7 p.m. Hispanic Heritage Festival

Green Umbrella, Great Outdoor Festival | Various locations. greatoutdoorweekend.org

ƒ Sept. 23-24. Celebration of the great outdoors

Kroger Wellness Festival | The Banks, downtown. kroger.com/f/wellness-festival

ƒ Sept. 22-23, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

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

ƒ Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Art Affaire 2023

Ohio Renaissance Festival | Waynesville. 513-897-7000. renfestival.com

ƒ Weekends, Sept. 2-Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Oktoberfest Newport | Newport’s Festival Park. thingstodocincinnati.com

ƒ Sept. 22-24. German food, music and culture

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati | Fifth St., downtown. oktoberfestzinzinnati.com

ƒ Sept. 14, 4-10 p.m.

ƒ Sept. 15-16, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

ƒ Sept. 17, 10 a.m -7 p.m.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum | Hamilton. pyramidhill.org

ƒ Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Art Fair

ƒ Sept. 24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Art Fair

Second Sunday on Main | Main Street, Over-the-Rhine. facebook.com

ƒ Sept 10, noon-5 p.m. Eclectic street festival with monthly themes: Sustain on Main

Cincinnati World Cinema | Garfield Theatre, downtown. 859-9573456. cincyworldcinema.org

ƒ Sept. 23, 7 p.m. Shorts Spotlight

2023 Movers & Makers

Cindependent Film Fest | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 214-843-6781. cindependentfilmfest.org

ƒ S ept. 29-30

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

ƒ Sept. 1, 2 p.m. “America’s Truth: Cincinnati”

NightLight 513 | Covington Plaza. nightlight513.com

ƒ Sept. 7, 7 p.m. “The Devil Wears Prada”

ƒ Sept. 21, 7 p.m. “Pulp Fiction”

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

ƒ Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m. “Coal Baby”

Ziegler Park, movies on the lawn | Pendleton. zieglerpark.org

ƒ Sept. 6, 9 p.m. “Remember the Titans”

ƒ Sept. 13, 9 p.m. TBA

ƒ Sept. 20, 9 p.m. TBA

ƒ Sept. 27, 9 p.m. TBA

Literary/Lectures

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

ƒ Sept. 12, 3 p.m. Discussion: Ann Patchett “Tom Lake” (virtual)

ƒ Sept. 25, 3 p.m. Discussion: Jessica Knoll “Bright Young Women” (virtual)

Cincinnati Preservation Association | The Porch at Washington Park, Overthe-Rhine. cincinnatipreservation.org

ƒ Sept. 5, 5 p.m. Preservation in the Park: Christian Huelsman “Spring in Our Steps”

Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills Branch Library and virtual. 513-751-0651. stowehousecincy.org

ƒ Sept. 6, 7 p.m. Discussion: “The Importance of Literacy, Past and Present” Dr. John Getz

Hebrew Union College | Clifton. 513221-1875. huc.edu/campus-life/cincinnati

ƒ S ept. 5, 12:30 p.m. Klau Library

Lecture Series: Rabbi Richard Sarason: “The Different Rites That Unite Us: Mahzor Gems from the Klau Library”

Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center. 513-4873055. holocaustandhumanity.org

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

Guest conductor Christian Reif launches the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s season with a fiery program featuring dance music by De Falla, a violin concerto by Prokofiev and Stravinsky’s masterpiece

‘The Rite of Spring.’ At Music Hall Sept. 30 and Oct.1

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

ƒ Sept. 5, 7 p.m. Discussion: Chris Bachelder & Jennifer Habel “Dayswork”

ƒ Sept. 9, 4 p.m. Discussion: Joe Posnanski “Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments”

ƒ Sept. 12, 7 p.m. Discussions: Katrina

Kittle “Morning in This Broken World” • Jill Lepore “The Deadline”

ƒ Sept. 16, 7 p.m. Discussion: Monica

Chenault-Kilgore “Long Gone, Come Home”

ƒ Sept. 25, 7 p.m. Discussion: John Scalzi “Starter Villain”

ƒ Sept. 26, 7 p.m. Discussion: Kristen

Simmons “Find Him Where You Left Him Dead”

ƒ Sept. 27, 7 p.m. Discussion: Kerry Winfrey “Faking Christmas” • Rachel Ignotofsky: “What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon?”

Music

20th Century Theater | Oakley. the20thcenturytheater.com

ƒ Sept. 27, 7 p.m. Carvin Jones

Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra | 513-549-2197. bamso.org

ƒ Sept. 3, 7 p.m. Labor Day Concert (Tom Stone Amphitheater)

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

ƒ Sept. 4, 7 p.m. Jai Wolf

ƒ Sept. 9, 8 p.m. The Ten Band (Pearl Jam Tribute)

ƒ Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m. Bryan Martin

ƒ Sept. 13, 6 p.m. Hatebreed

ƒ Sept. 15, 6:30 p.m. Bowling For Soup

ƒ Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m. Corey Smith

ƒ Sept. 18, 7 p.m. Thursday

ƒ Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. half·alive

ƒ Sept. 20, 7 p.m. Lil Tracy

ƒ Sept. 22, 7 p.m. Circle Jerks

ƒ Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m. Head Automatica

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

ƒ Sept. 5, 8 p.m. W.A.S.P., Armored Saint

ƒ Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. Corey Taylor

ƒ Sept. 16, 1 p.m. The National’s Homecoming Festival

ƒ Sept. 20, 7 p.m. Jawbreaker

ƒ Sept. 30, 8 p.m. The Mars Volta

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

ƒ Sept. 24, 4 p.m. Cantus

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

ƒ Tuesdays, 12:10 p.m. Music Live@Lunch (Christ Church Chapel)

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

ƒ Sept. 7, 12:05 p.m. Estrada do Sol

Cincinnati Parks | Ault Park, Mt. Lookout. cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks

ƒ Sept. 21, 6 p.m. Ault Park Summer Music Festival: Michelle Robinson Band

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

ƒ Sept. 9-10. (Pops) “The Princess Bride” Sarah Hicks, conductor

ƒ Sept. 16-17. (Pops) “Heroes: A Video Game Symphony”

ƒ Sept. 22-24. (Pops) “Defying Gravity: An Evening with Stephen Schwartz & Friends” Stephen Schwartz, piano

ƒ Sept. 30-Oct. 1. (CSO) “The Rite of Spring” Christian Reif, conductor; ClaraJumi Kang, violin

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

ƒ Sept. 10, 4 p.m. Wind Symphony:

“From the Ashes” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. Philharmonia:

“Back to Nature” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ Sept. 17, 7 p.m. Jazz Orchestra:

“Basie Land” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m. Jazz Lab Band:

“In The Tradition” (Corbett Auditorium)

ƒ Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m. Ariel Quartet:

“Wolf, Beethoven & Schubert” (Werner Recital Hall)

Collegium Cincinnati | Christ Church Cathedral. collegiumcincinnati.org

ƒ Sept. 24, 3 p.m. “Quartet for the End of Time”

Fountain Square | Downtown. 513-621-4400. myfountainsquare.com

X Jazz at the Square:

ƒ Sept. 5, 5 p.m. Aaron Jacobs (music of Duke Ellington)

ƒ Sept. 12, 5 p.m. Animal Mother

ƒ Sept. 19, 5 p.m. Dee Marie Band

ƒ Sept. 26. EWI Quartet (music of Herbie Hancock)

Greenacres Arts Center | Indian Hill. 513-898-3256. green-acres.org

ƒ Sept. 7, 6 p.m. Cincinnati Pops, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, May Festival

Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. hardrockcasinocincinnati.com

ƒ Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m. Staind

ƒ Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. KC and The Sunshine Band

Heritage Bank Center | Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com

ƒ Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m. $uicideboy$

ƒ Sept. 23, 8 p.m. Fantasia

Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church - Organ Concert Series | Hyde Park. 513-871-1345. hydeparkchurch.org

ƒ Sept. 17, 4 p.m. Paul Jacobs

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

ƒ Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m. “TV Guide (Television Themes & Toons of the 1950s-90s)” (Devou Park, Covington)

ƒ Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m. “TV Guide (Television Themes & Toons of the 1950s-90s)” (Tower Park, Ft. Thomas)

Ludlow Garage | Clifton. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com

ƒ Sept. 1, 8:30 p.m. Modern English

ƒ Sept. 2, 8:30 p.m. Men Without Hats

ƒ Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. Darin and Brooke Aldridge

ƒ Sept. 8, 8:30 p.m. Bob James Trio

ƒ Sept. 9, 8:30 p.m. Lyfe Jennings

ƒ Sept. 15, 8:30 p.m. Fantastic Negrito

ƒ Sept. 16, 8:30 p.m. Gino Vannelli

ƒ Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. Amy Bruni

ƒ Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m. Dead Boys

ƒ Sept. 21, 8:30 p.m. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

ƒ Sept. 23, 8:30 p.m. Humble Pie Legacy

ƒ Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m. Geoff Tate

ƒ Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. Kiefer

ƒ Sept. 29, 8:30 p.m. 40 Fingers

ƒ Sept. 30, 8:30 p.m. Lotus Land (Rush Tribute)

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

ƒ Sept. 5, 7 p.m. Max & Iggor Cavalera

ƒ Sept. 9, 8 p.m. Town Mountain

ƒ Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m. Escape the Fate

ƒ Sept. 17, 8 p.m. Stephen Stanley

ƒ Sept. 21, 8 p.m. moe.

ƒ Sept. 23, 8 p.m. Drive-By Truckers

ƒ Sept. 26, 8 p.m. Brian Jonestown Massacre

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

ƒ Sept. 17, 3 p.m. Sarah Daneshpour, piano

MegaCorp Pavilion at Ovation | Newport. promowestlive.com

ƒ Sept. 7, 7 p.m. The Glorious Sons, The Blue Stones

ƒ Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m. Tash Sultana

ƒ Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m. Ween

ƒ Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m. CAKE

ƒ Sept. 16, 5:30 p.m. Danzig

ƒ Sept. 20, 6 p.m. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

ƒ Sept. 27, 7 p.m. Noah Cyrus

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

ƒ Sept. 7, 8 p.m. Julian Lage

ƒ Sept. 12, 8 p.m. Corinne Bailey Rae

ƒ Sept. 16, 8 p.m. Fleetwood GoldThe Fleetwood Mac Experience

ƒ Sept. 22, 8 p.m. John Hiatt

Nowhere Else Festival | Martinsville, Ohio. 513-253-6999. nowhereelsefestival.com

ƒ Sept. 1-3. Hosted by Cincinnati duo Over the Rhine.

Riverbend Music Center | Coney Island. 513-232-6220. riverbend.org

ƒ Sept. 5, 8 p.m. Smashing Pumpkins

ƒ Sept. 9, 1:30 p.m. Ohio is for Lovers Festival

ƒ Sept. 13, 6 p.m. Rob Zombie & Alice Cooper

ƒ Sept. 28, 7 p.m. Jelly Roll

ƒ Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. Nickelback

RiversEdge | Marcum Park, Hamilton. riversedgelive.com

ƒ Sept. 16, 8:30 p.m. Signs of LifeThe American Pink Floyd

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Concert Series | Montgomery. st-barnabas.org

ƒ Sept. 17, 3 p.m. No Promises

Vocal Band

St. Peter in Chains Cathedral | Downtown. 513-421-5354. stpeterinchainscathedral.org

ƒ Sept. 17, 7 p.m. Heri et Hodie

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

ƒ Thursday-Saturday. Live jazz

ARTS/CULTURE | The List

Sorg Opera House | Middletown. sorgoperahouse.org

ƒ Sept. 8, 8 p.m. Oak Ridge Boys

ƒ Sept. 23, 8 p.m. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org

ƒ Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. Dreamcatcher

ƒ Sept. 10, 8 p.m. Blue October

ƒ Sept. 23, 8 p.m. The Piano Guys

ƒ Sept. 27, 7 p.m. Emo Orchestra

TempleLive at River Front Live | East End. riverfrontlivecincy.com

ƒ Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m. Voyage (Journey Tribute Band)

ƒ Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m. Giovannie & The Hired Guns

ƒ Sept. 14, 6 p.m. Finger Eleven X 10 Years

Washington Park | Over-the-Rhine. washingtonpark.org/events

X Jazz at the Park, 6-9 p.m.

ƒ Sept. 11. April Aloisio

ƒ Sept. 18. Keigo Hirakawa Trio

ƒ Sept. 25. Steely Organ Trio

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

ƒ Sept. 1, 8 p.m. Los Straitjackets w/Jake

La Botz Trio

ƒ Sept. 23, 8 p.m. Monophonics w/ Dos

Santos

ƒ Sept. 26, 8 p.m. James McMurtry (and his band)

ƒ S ept. 29, 6 p.m. Jazzed About Art 2023

Xavier Music Series, Jazz Quest | 513-745-3161. xavier.edu/musicseries

ƒ Sept. 6, 8 p.m. Dave King / Chris Weller

Duo (Radio Artifact)

ƒ Sept. 20, 8 p.m. Andrew Haug Quartet, feat. Ben Tiberio (The Lounge, Liberty Exhibition Hall)

ƒ Sept. 28, 8 p.m. Mark Guiliana Quartet (The Lounge, Liberty Exhibition Hall)

Theater/Comedy

Bogart’s | Corryville. bogarts.com

ƒ Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. Tana Mongeau & Brooke Schofield “The Cancelled Podcast Tour”

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

ƒ Sept. 5-17. “MJ The Musical”

CenterStage Players | Arts Center at Dunham, Price Hill 513-558-4910. centerstageplayersinc.com

ƒ Sept. 8-17. “Silence! The Musical”

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

ƒ Sept. 19-21, 6:30 p.m. “Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show”

ƒ Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m. Bored Teachers Comedy Tour

ƒ Oct. 11, 8 p.m. Chris Tucker: The Legend Tour 2023

Cincinnati Landmark Productions | 513-241-6550. cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com

ƒ Thru Sept. 10. “Man of La Mancha” (Incline Theater)

ƒ Sept. 7-Oct. 1. “Bright Star (Covedale Center)

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

ƒ Sept. 8-16. “Stayin’ Alive”

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

ƒ Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. “Howdy Neighbor” by Mary Beringer

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-2273. cincyshakes.com

ƒ Thru Sept. 3. Shakespeare in the Park: “The Comedy of Errors” (various)

ƒ Sept. 8-24. “Gaslight”

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

ƒ Sept. 9, 8 p.m. An Evening With Aaron Lazar: From Broadway To Hollywood (Werner Recital Hall)

ƒ Sept. 28-30. “Sweet Charity” (Corbett Theater)

ComedySportz Cincinnati | cszcincinnati.com

ƒ Sept. 1, 8 p.m. Short form comedy improv (Clifton Comedy Theatre)

ƒ Sept. 10, 2 p.m. Short form comedy improv (Madcap Education Center)

ƒ Sept. 15, 8 p.m. Short form comedy improv (Madcap Education Center)

Drama Workshop | Cheviot. 513-598-8303. thedramaworkshop.org

ƒ Sept. 29-Oct. 15. “The Tin Woman”

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

ƒ Sept. 9-Oct. 1. “What the Constitution Means to Me”

“Sanctuary City,” a new play from Pulitzer Prize-winner Martyna Majok, tells of two young people, the children of immigrants, who become one another’s sanctuaries in the wake of 9/11. Runs in the Playhouse’s Rosenthal Theatre Sept. 16-Oct.22

Fairfield Footlighters | Fairfield Community Arts Center. 513-867-5348. fairfieldfootlighters.org

ƒ Sept. 22-24. “The Tempest”

Falcon Theatre | Monmouth Theatre, Newport. 513-479-6783. falcontheater.net

ƒ Sept. 29-Oct. 14. “Home, I’m Darling”

Footlighters | Stained Glass Theatre, Newport. 859-291-7464. footlighters.org

ƒ Sept. 14-Oct. 1. “Young Frankenstein”

Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. hardrockcasinocincinnati.com

ƒ Sept. 2, 6 p.m. 7 9:15 p.m. Kings of Late Night

INNOVAtheatre | Sorg Opera House, Middletown. innovatheatre.com

ƒ Thru Sept. 4. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”

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

ƒ Sept. 22-Oct. 8. “Monsters of the American Cinema,” by Christian St. Croix

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 3. “Souvenir”

Ludlow Garage | Clifton. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com

ƒ Sept. 22, 8:30 p.m. “The Beat Goes On” Starring Lisa McClowry as Cher

Mariemont Players | Walton Creek Theater. 513-684-1236. mariemontplayers.com

ƒ Sept. 7-24. “Steel Magnolias”

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

ƒ Sept. 15-23. “Escanaba in da Moonlight”

Merit Theatre Company | Anderson Center Theater, Anderson Twp.. 859-795-1860. merittheatre.org

ƒ Thru Sept. 1. “The Sound of Music”

Middletown Lyric Theatre | Finkelman Auditorium, Middletown. 513-425-7140. middletownlyric.org

ƒ Sept. 8-16. “Calendar Girls”

Northern Kentucky University | Griffin Hall Digitorium. 859-572-5464. theatre.nku.edu

ƒ Sept. 28-Oct. 8. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”

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

ƒ Thru Oct. 1. “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” (Rouse Theatre)

ƒ Sept. 16-Oct. 22. “Sanctuary City” (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre)

Queen City Vaudevillians | Artsville, Madisonville. queencityvaudevillians.com

ƒ Sept. 23, 7 p.m. Nostalgic songs and skits

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

ƒ Sept. 29-Oct. 1. “The Wedding Singer”

Sorg Opera House | Middletown. sorgoperahouse.org

ƒ Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. “Give My Regards to Middletown: Musical Memories of the Sorg 1891-1918”

ƒ Sept. 16, 8 p.m. Scriptless in Seattle

Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org

ƒ Sept. 8, 6 p.m. Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza

ƒ Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. Michael Carbonaro, magician and improv artist

ƒ Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m. Tim Dillon, comedian

ƒ Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. Chazz Palminteri: “A Bronx Tale” One Man Show

ƒ Sept. 28, 7 p.m. Game Grumps Live

ƒ Sept. 30, 7 p.m. Sal Vulcano, comedian

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

ƒ Sept. 29-Oct. 8. “Geezers”

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

ƒ Sept. 29-Oct. 7. “Doublewide, Texas”

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

ƒ Sept. 7, 8 p.m. Neil Hamburger, comedian

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

ƒ Sept. 15-17. “Love and Information”

Visual Art

1628 Ltd. | Garfield Place, Downtown. 513-320-2596. 1628ltd.com

ƒ Thru Nov. 16. “Stillness in Motion: Still Life Art and its Reflection on Human Existence”

The Angelico Project | The Barn, Mariemont. angelicoproject.org

ƒ Sept. 30-Oct. 11. Greater Cincinnati Catholic Art Exhibition

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 22. “The Color of Jazz: Concepts in Improvisation”

ƒ Thru Sept. 22. “Printwave, works by Pull Club Studio”

ƒ Sept. 28-Oct. 27. “Print Selections from the AAC Archives” • “Transfer – Moving”

Reception: Sept. 28, 5-8 p.m.

Art Beyond Boundaries | Over-the-Rhine. 513-421-8726. artbeyondboundaries.com

ƒ Sept. 2-Oct. 20. “Summertime: The Joy of Quarantine with ABB”

Reception: Sept. 2, 5-7 p.m.

Art on Vine | Court Street Plaza, downtown. artonvinecincy.com

ƒ Sept. 2, noon-6 p.m. Visual art festival

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

ƒ Sept. 1-Oct. 31. “Action and Abstraction”

Arts Alliance | Building B, Sinclair College, Mason. 513-309-8585. the-arts-alliance.org

ƒ Sept. 9-Dec. 30. Rick H. Jones: “NEW WORKS” Reception: Sept. 9, 6-8 p.m.

ArtWorks | V² Gallery, Walnut Hills. 513333-0388. artworkscincinnati.org

ƒ Thru Sept. 15. “Matter Matters”

ƒ Sept. 29-Nov. 17. “Parts or Pieces”

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 6. “Paints Well With Others”

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

ƒ Sept. 9, 6-9:30 p.m. “FreshART,” plein air same-day fundraiser

Cincinnati Art Club | Mt. Adams. 513-241-4591. cincinnatiartclub.org

ƒ Sept. 8-30. “ViewPoint 55”

Reception: Sept. 8, 5-9 p.m. (Eisele Gallery)

ƒ Sept. 23-24. Greater Cincinnati High School Plein Air Contest

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 15. “In the Dappled Sunlight: Summer Reflections”

ƒ Sept. 22-Nov. 22. “The Art of C.F. Payne” Reception: Sept. 22, 5-8 p.m.

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 24. “Roberto Lugo: Hi-Def Archives”

ƒ Thru Oct. 8. “Creating Connections: Self-Taught Artists in the Rosenthal Collection”

ƒ Thru Oct. 15. “Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds”

ƒ Thru Jan. 7. Contemporary Japanese Ceramics

ƒ Thru June 30, 2024. Modern and Contemporary Ceramics

ƒ Sept. 29, 5-9 p.m. Art After Dark party

Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Short Vine, Corryville. 513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org

ƒ Sept. 29-Oct. 30. Leslie Getz Solo Exhibition. Reception: Sept. 29, 6-8 p.m.

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 24. FotoFocus - Baseera

Khan: “Weight of History” • Robert O’Neal: “Open to All” • Luis Camnitzer: “Monuments to Unknown Heroes”

ƒ Sept. 22-Jan. 28. “A Permanent Nostalgia for Departure: A rehearsal on legacy with Zaha Hadid” Reception: Sept. 22, 6-10 p.m.

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Enjoy

Thank

ARTS/CULTURE | The List

Eisele Gallery of Fine Art | Mariemont Square. 513-791-7717. eiselefineart.com

ƒ Sept. 8-30. Cincinnati Art Club’s “ViewPoint 55” annual juried exhibition. Reception: Sept. 8, 5-9 p.m.

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 22. “Human Nature, Class Act”: Amanda Maciuba and Jennifer Purdum

Grail in the US | Loveland. grail-us.org

ƒ Thru Nov. 10. “Egyptian Women

Embroiderers of Akhmim: An Ancient Tradition Finds Modern Expression”

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

ƒ Sept. 8-Oct. 28. “Autumn Annual Exhibition,” works of Frank Herrmann and Rob Robbins. Reception: Sept. 8, 6-9 p.m.

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 28. “Urbanism: Mixed Media Paintings by Jonathan Carter”

ƒ Thru Oct. 28. “Wish You Were Here”

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 15. “Nude 15” annual survey of the uncovered human form

• “Private Space” works about that which is secret • “Plastic” art made of or about plastic

Miami University/Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum | Oxford. 513-529-2232. miamioh.edu/cca/art-museum

ƒ Thru Dec. 3. “It’s Our World: A Student Response Exhibition” • “A Golden Time: Ohio Women Artists at the Turn of the Century” • “Heritage: Shaping Past, Present and Future”

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

ƒ Thru Oct. 19. Logan Walden

ƒ Sept. 8-Oct. 19. Annual Reunion

Exhibit Featuring Christopher Walden. Reception: Sept. 8, 6-8 p.m.

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

ƒ Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Art Affaire 2023

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 10. Truth & Healing Artist Showcase

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

ƒ Thru Oct. 20. Alice Pixley Young and Adrienne Dixon: “Cadence” • M’Shinda Abdullah-Broaddus: “Portal Again”

Pendleton Art Center | Pendleton. 513-421-4339. pendletonartcenter.com

ƒ Sept 29, 5-9 p.m. Open studios

Queen City Clay | Victory Park, Norwood. queencityclay.com

ƒ Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Norwood International Art Show

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

ƒ Sept. 8-30. Kris Grenier: “And So We Are Found”

Studio Kroner | Downtown. studiokroner.com

ƒ Sept. 7-Oct. 7. Cynthia Lockhart & Mark Wiesner: “Beyond The Material”

Reception: Sept. 7, 6-9 p.m.

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

ƒ Thru Oct. 28. “20 Years Ago Today,” revisiting Cincinnati’s Millennial alternative scene. Discussion: Sept. 28, 6-8 p.m.

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

ƒ Thru Sept. 10. “Modern Women/ Modern Vision: Photography from the Bank of America Collection” • “The Boat Trip: Etchings by Charles François Daubigny”

Warren County Historical Museum | Lebanon. wchsmuseum.org

ƒ Thru Sept. 2. Japanese Kokeshi Doll Exhibition

ƒ Sept. 8-Oct. 21. Recent Donations to the Collections

Wash Park Art | Over-the-Rhine. 513-291-3626. washparkart.com

ƒ Thru Sept. 16. “Bare: Imperative Beauty and Response”

Wave Pool Gallery and The Welcome Project | Camp Washington. wavepoolgallery.org

ƒ Thru Sept. 2. “Spheres of Influence”

ƒ Thru Sept. 16. “The New Historiographic Atlas”

Westwood Art Show | Westwood Town Hall. westwoodartshow.com

ƒ Sept. 9, noon-7 p.m. 60 small, local, hand and homemade arts, wine tastings, art demonstrations and activities for all ages, food and drink, and live music 

X avier University MUsic series | 2023:24

Jazz Quest

Off-campus venues

Sept. 6, 8 p.m.

Dave King & Chris Weller Duo

@Radio Artifact

Sept. 20, 8 p.m.

Andrew Haug Quartet, feat. Ben Tiberio

@Liberty Exhibition Hall

Sept. 28, 8 p.m.

Mark Guiliana Quartet

@Liberty Exhibition Hall

Nov. 30, 8 p.m.

Donny McCaslin Quartet

@Revel OTR

Classical Guitar Bellarmine Chapel

Nov. 13, 8 p.m.

Jason Vieaux

Jan. 20, 2 p.m.

Berta Rojas

Classical Piano

Gallagher Center Theater

Nov. 21, 8 p.m.

Jeremy Ajani Jordan

Jan. 13, 8 p.m.

Terrence Wilson

April 2, 8 p.m.

Awadagin Pratt

Jazz Gallagher Center Theater

Feb. 8, 8 p.m.

The Bad Plus

March 26, 8 p.m.

Julian Lage Trio

April 25, 8 p.m.

John Medeski

Sea Son SponSor:

Sarah Marvin Foundation for the Performing Arts

Jazz Que St Serie S SponSor:

Rockwern Charitable Foundation

Dave King & Chris Weller

Andrew Haug

Jeremy Ajani Jordan

The Bad Plus

Terrence Wilson

Julian Lage

Awadagin Pratt

John Medeski

Mark Guiliana

Jason Vieaux

Donny McCaslin

Berta Rojas

Far from evil, these minions tap into power of the arts

On a warm night at the end of July, two men and a woman walk into a bar to see a string quartet perform Mozart. No, this isn’t a joke. It’s The Music Minions.

If you’ve been to an arts event in Cincinnati, chances are you’ve seen The Music Minions. You might not have known it – this group of zealous art-lovers are not yellow and they do not speak gibberish – but with their robust, genre-spanning arts attendance, it’s likely every performing house in the region has welcomed The Music Minions.

“Minions can be looked at in an evil way but really, they’re just followers that want to be involved, that are playful and want to have fun,” said Daniel Pfahl, one of the core trio of Minions. “That’s sort of how each of us operated when we were out. Individually, we’re really very different people (with) different upbringings.”

In addition to Pfahl, an IT support specialist at PNC, the Minions are Michael Moore, a wealth management advisor at Wealthquest, and Cynthia “Cindy” Lewis, human resources director for the City of Covington. Each of them has some favored arts genres, but they are equal opportunity consumers, seeing anything and everything that catches their fancy.

On this particular night, the Minions have three arts events on the books. First, at 5 p.m. sharp, they will convene at MOTR in Overthe-Rhine for the aforementioned string quartet featuring CSO violinist Gerry Itzkoff. Next, they will pile into Moore’s Tesla and head over to Wash Park Art Gallery for the opening party of the exhibit “BARE: Imperative Beauty and Response,” at 6 p.m. Finally, they will head to Christ Church Cathedral to catch Collegium Cincinnati Summer Sing at 7:30 p.m.

This is a fairly normal roster for the Minions – a veritable buffet of arts experiences. But for them, experiencing the arts is about more than just attending events.

“What we really enjoy doing is just connecting,” Pfahl said. “It’s cliche, but we like

connecting with people and causing people to be interested in going out and exploring different things.”

The self-described community arts activists first united about six years ago. Moore and Lewis met – perhaps this is obvious – at a Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra concert, where Moore was seated next to Lewis and her daughter. (Moore and Pfahl had met a few months before.)

“I’m at the symphony on a Friday night and I see this 6-year-old girl – her daughter – and I say, ‘You’re out awfully late for a Friday night.’ She answered, ‘I’m here to see the violinist. I play the violin.’ ” Moore told her his kids also play the violin and they had a long conversation. When her mother asked, “What’s going on?” Moore and Lewis and started chatting.

A few weeks later, Moore ran into Lewis again, this time after another symphony event, for a special solo performance by the violinist Jennifer Koh.

“Michael’s kind of an extrovert and he just started talking to me,” said Lewis. “That’s the thing about people – you just energetically know who your tribe is. I instantly felt comfortable with him. It’s one of those cosmic pairings of the universe where you meet somebody and just instantly you’re all friends. (They’ve) been some of my best friends ever since.”

They don’t always attend events together –sometimes they go solo, other times they invite other friends and acquaintances to join them.

“I have a really good friend and he doesn’t like to go out much, but every time I call him and say, ‘Tony, you gotta do this,’ he says ‘All right,’ ” said Moore. “My friend Jennifer is the same way. She has never said no to me. She says, ‘You know what? I used to look these things up before I go, but now I just go

because I know it’s gonna be (good).’ ”

Those moments of trust are internal, too.

“That’s something I enjoy doing is using our joint efforts to expand our musical taste,” Pfahl said. “Each of us has our own favorite things. They’re playing Mozart tonight – Lewis isn’t a fan. (Moore and I) are Phillip Glass, minimalist music fans – he’s way deeper into it. I’m probably way more on the bluegrass side than Michael would ever really enjoy. But we’ll go to it.”

Live music is only one aspect for the Minions.

“We love going to FotoFocus. We love going to the art galleries,” Pfahl said. “I like walking into a place like (MOTR) and knowing Dave’s behind the bar. I don’t need to develop a relationship with him, but I can joke with him and over time he recognizes me, I recognize him. We do that intentionality with the arts community so that we’ve developed relationships with the audience, with the musicians.”

The Minions have established a rapport with lots of local musicians.

“I met Ixi Chen (CSO clarinetist) 10, 12 years ago, and she was just incredible,” said Moore. “Meeting these musicians for me is what solidified that connection. (CSO violinist) Eric Bates plays in a rock band, Turnsole. Ted Nelson (cellist), Ixi’s husband, works out to hardcore death metal and then, Owen Lee, a bassist for the symphony, plays keyboard for

Michael Moore, Cindy Lewis and Daniel Pfahl are The Music Minions

Michael Moore, Cindy Lewis and Daniel Pfahl at a Chamber Orchestra fundraiser

Electric Citizen, which is like a thrash band. People have a misconception of musicians. … It’s really cool to get to know them.”

Lewis echoed that sentiment.

“Everyone has lives and experiences – to be able to connect like that, just even for a moment in time in a real way is cool,” she said.

Back at MOTR, Bates, who is playing, joins the Minions at their high-top table. They’re finishing burgers and are on their second beers. An older group enters the bar to catch the string quartet – anomalous, as this bar’s median age hovers around 30 and local rock bands necessitating ear plugs are the typical entertainment du jour. An elderly woman sits alone at a table against a wall, burger half-finished in front of her, filming the quartet with rapt attention even as a bachelorette party raises the entire volume of the already noisy, happy-hour-packed bar.

Though not of their specific creation, this is the kind of magic the Minions are trying to tap into and share with anyone who’s interested in joining. (Honestly, who knows – it’s possible they will invite this woman to join them at the next MOTR String Quartet Happy Hour.)

“It’s not always saying, ‘Hey, go see this Beethoven show,’ ” Pfahl said. “It’s like, ‘Hey, there’s this up-and-coming great Black artist that you don’t know about yet, but we’ve met, and you should go see his art. You should go support him.’ That’s the type of thing we love doing – finding and connecting to those folks out there.”

The Minions talk the arts advocacy talk, but they also walk the arts advocacy walk. Moore is on the Mutual Dance Theatre board. Pfahl and Moore are on the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra board. Moore has been on the concert:nova board. They usher at Music Hall and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

“There’s just so much inequity … in society, so I do carry that back into the music and arts world,” Pfahl said. “It’s very frustrating because, as a white male in his 50s, I find myself falling

into the same trap, which is you want to invite others into your world, instead of finding a way for them to invite you into their world. I think that’s the challenge a lot of our arts organizations are still struggling with. They’ll come up with these great events, but if you step back from it it’s like, did they invite you there or did you create an event that looks like you were invited? It’s the type of thing that hits nerves with people but it’s something I’m always cognizant of.”

In addition to their physical support, the Minions are also committed to financially giving back to the arts organizations that brought and continue to bring them together. They regularly donate to different arts groups, both in their collective capacity as The Music Minions and on an individual basis.

“It gives me the feeling that I’ve created a small thread of connection,” Pfahl said. “There’s a goodwill side but there’s also this other side, we do get fed by the voices that come back to us and thank us.”

Moore agreed.

“We combined to sponsor a concert with the Chamber Orchestra, and we combined to sponsor an event at the Contemporary Arts Center last year,” Moore said.

Joining them in that support were Kenneth Jordan and Don Dukes, both now equally important members of The Music Minions, which is the name the group is credited under for those donations. It’s no secret that financial support is integral to keeping the arts alive.

So what is it about the arts that makes it so special for these three Minions?

“I operate on the concept of beauty,” Pfahl said. “(The arts) are an expression of beauty. There are certain songs that more people will respond to. Beethoven’s Fifth – everyone loves it. But there are other songs on the fringe that will take a long time to digest and appreciate,

but it’s also beautiful. For me, pursuing the arts is what feeds that aspect of making my spirit happy. Being exposed to contemporary art, Old Masters and so forth. It pushes those buttons for me.”

For Lewis, it’s about people.

“Art, be it music, be it visual arts, be it dance, etc., it says the things that people cannot say in their day to day,” she said. “It gives people a space to experience whatever emotions they need to experience. We go out onto the stage of life, that’s what we call real life. Art, in my mind, is actually giving a space for the reality of what we’re all experiencing – but most of us have to go out into the world and have masks. Art exposes tragedy, suffering, deep conflict, and it gives people a safe space to experience what they’re not willing to verbalize on the day-to-day.”

For Moore, it’s a two-parter.

“It’s a spiritual and kinesthetic feeling for me when it hits just the right note,” he said. “It’s not only the familiar but the new that I’m just rewarded again and again and again when I go out and do something I don’t know. I think, ‘My God, that was different than I expected but incredibly engaging.’ But the other thing is that music creates an unintentional community.”

At least fifteen people have trickled in solely for the string quartet at MOTR. The Minions are paying their tabs and preparing for the trek to the art gallery in Washington Park. Another Mozart piece has just ended, and the Minions sum up the happy hour concert in true, supportive Minion fashion.

“This is their biggest crowd,” Moore said. “I’m psyched for them.” 

 Keep up with the Minions at facebook.com, themusicminions

The Music Minions after a CSO concert at Music Hall

Fun selfies add to the Minions’ audience experience.

The Minions and Lewis’s daughter, Anna, at Music Hall in 2018

Notables in Performing Arts

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

ChristySamad

Christy Samad manages 3CDC’s many civic spaces for all to enjoy

The Cincinnati entertainment scene would not be nearly as vibrant, creative or expansive without Christy Samad, senior vice president of event management for Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. Under Samad’s leadership, 3CDC has become one of the biggest event programmers in the city, annually hosting nearly 1,600 free, family-friendly events at six 3CDC-managed civic spaces – Fountain Square, Washington Park, Memorial Hall, Ziegler Park, Court Street Plaza and Imagination Alley. Her team also provides support and infrastructure for hundreds of events hosted by third parties at these spaces. The 3CDC events team puts on a wide variety of events, from staples like Friday Flow at Washington Park and Salsa On the Square to new endeavors like Memorial Hall’s Reflection series featuring BIPOC artists. In her free time, Samad loves spending time with her family and expressing her creativity by painting wall murals in her daughters’ rooms. 

Caroline Sackleh creates ensemble to celebrate women’s musicianship

Caroline Sackleh is the founder and director of New Downbeat, a new-music collective that features women musicians performing works exclusively by living composers. She most recently received her doctorate in bassoon performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a cognate in chamber music, which is where the idea for New Downbeat came alive. Founded in 2019, this collective began as a group of like-minded, classically trained musicians and composers who wanted more – to create performance opportunities that celebrate women’s musicianship and to collaborate with living composers to create something special. Now entering its fifth season, New Downbeat has commissioned and premiered over 40 solo and chamber works. The roster includes 21 musicians and six composers, administered by Sackleh and associate director Alexis Shambley. In her free time, Sackleh enjoys gardening, knitting and exploring outside. 

Director-actor Candice Handy leads educational programs for Cincy Shakes

Candice Handy is in her third season as Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s education director in charge of programs that include PROJECT38, tours and workshops in schools, and educational matinees reaching nearly 25,000 students a year. She is also an actor, director and teaching artist. Handy was last seen in CSC’s productions of “Trouble in Mind,” “As You Like It,” “King Lear,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “All the Way.” Handy recently directed CSC’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and will be directing CSC’s 2024 production of James Baldwin’s “The Amen Corner.” She was the creative director for the Educational Theatre Association project, Finding Voice-New Works for Young Theatre Artists of Color, and is the founder of Cincinnati Black Theatre Artist Collective. In her free time, she likes to play piano. 

Daniel Parsley key force in expanding orchestra’s programming, relationships

Daniel Parsley, associate conductor of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, has been a key driving force in expanding the CCO’s programming to reach more diverse audiences through the We Are One festival series as well as the Walk with Little Amal. These projects have elevated the CCO’s status not just as an arts organization, but as a nonprofit serving its community’s members. Parsley also has helped foster artistic relationships for the CCO with partner organizations, including several vocal-based ensembles, given his own pedigree in vocal music. Parsley is a fitness enthusiast and enjoys kayaking. He also loves to cook and experiment with food of all cuisines and cultures. In fact, at the age of 33, Parsley has visited 34 countries for professional, academic and leisure opportunities. He loves experiencing new cultures, cuisines and landscapes, and bringing these influences back to his work with the CCO. 

DanielParsley

CandiceHandy

CarolineSackleh

“She created transfixing poetry.”

—The Mercury News

SARA DANESHPOUR

PIANO

Sunday September 17, 2023

3 PM

Memorial Hall

1225 Elm Street • OTR

“Strength, finesse, passion; it was all there.”

—The Washington Post

“…blazing technique, power, expressivity, imagination and stage presence.”

—The New York Concert Review

• Still in her early 20s, one of the most refined artists of her generation

• Stuns audiences with an unusually wide repertoire ranging from Bach to Boulez

• This fall joins the faculty of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Tickets: MemorialHallOTR.org or 513-977-8838

• Recipient of many awards including 1st Prize, Gold Medal 2007 International Russian Music Piano Competition; 1st Prize, Gold Medal & Audience Award 2007 International Piano Competition in San Jose; 3rd Prize, 2017 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition

MatineeMusicaleCincinnati.org

Isaac Selya eyes partnerships that resonate beyond the opera stage

Isaac Selya, Queen City Opera founder, is notable for his entrepreneurial vision: He created the company from scratch, including its orchestra, and spearheaded innovative collaborations with the Ohio Innocence Project, the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center, Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and many others. His upcoming world premiere reconstruction of Tchaikovsky’s lost eco-opera “Undina” is a collaboration with Green Umbrella and the Cincinnati Nature Conservancy. He enjoys coffee, exercise, vegetarian cooking and reading science news. He has studied eight languages, and he owns more pairs of red shoes than can fit in his closet. He is very talented at Nintendo games, although he does not have as much time to play them as he did in his youth, when his parents bribed him to practice the cello more by buying him video games. He has three cats: Tosca, Aida and Tamino. 

Allison H. Kropp helps lead TCT in Emery Theater restoration

Allison H. Kropp is a community volunteer and former partner, of counsel, at the law firm of Dinsmore and Shohl. A member of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s board of trustees since 2014, Kropp was recently appointed chairman. She has served as cochair for TCT’s A Crown for the Queen City campaign to raise $48 million to reimagine and restore the Emery Theater as TCT’s permanent MainStage home and state-of-the-art venue. While at Dinsmore, Kropp focused on advising nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations on operational and compliance issues, along with board governance practices. Kropp is the vice chair of Cincinnati Museum Center’s board, the vice chair of the Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio, and recently joined The Christ Hospital Foundation board. Kropp loves to read and spend time with her children. She enjoys the outdoors and loves Cincinnati, and she was on the Uncle Al Show when she was a child. 

‘Wonder Woman’ Angela Williamson keeps orchestra running smoothly

Angela Williamson, general manager and CFO of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, has helped power the KSO since she signed on as an intern in 1996. A former CPA, Williamson built and installed the KSO’s recordkeeping systems and databases (which she maintains today). She has overseen KSO galas and still runs the front of house at all KSO concerts, managing volunteers, ticketing and concessions, even chasing buses at KSO education concerts and selling popcorn at summer shows. Occasionally you may even see Williamson on stage singing with the KSO. Many think she is related to Lynda Carter (TV's Wonder Woman). Williamson married both her job and her husband, KSO founder and Music Director J.R. Cassidy. 

TV producer Doug Lillibridge doubles as advocate for local jazz

Doug Lillibridge serves as the executive producer at Channel 12 during the day, but at night you can find him rooting for the local sports teams or enjoying jazz across the Tristate. He serves as board president for the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra and board member for the Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame. In his role with CCJO, Lillibridge helps drive the organization’s fundraising efforts and serves as an ambassador for jazz in Cincinnati, including having launched the increasingly popular Cincinnati Community Jazz Calendar. Lillibridge has also helped the CCJO bring live jazz to Fountain Square every Tuesday night this summer, scheduling a variety of performers to present a wide range of themes and musical styles. Lillibridge may have the “NOOZGUY” license plate, but perhaps “JAZZGUY” would be equally appropriate. 

Creativity, inclusivity hallmarks of De La Dance’s Meridith Benson

Meridith Benson’s impact on the mission of De La Dance Company is remarkable. Benson has exerted her influence on the company as co-director, and has helped orchestrate a blend of creativity and vision, propelling the company to new heights of artistic excellence, innovation and inclusivity. Through her vision, De La Dance stands as a beacon of diversity and inclusivity in the Cincinnati arts scene. Its mission is woven into every aspect of its existence, from the works on stage, to the composition of its dancers, staff, and board. Benson is a nationally sought-out teacher, coach, and choreographer. Her passion for nurturing the next generation of dancers makes her an influential figure in the dance community. Alongside her busy career, she has managed to raise four children, exemplifying the power of determination and resilience. 

Joanie Schultz has profound impact on array of Playhouse productions

Joanie Schultz is in her third season as associate artistic director at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Her impact is profound, as she supervises all the organization’s artistic and educational programs. She assembles creative teams for each production, conducts national and local casting, and works on season selection with the Playhouse team. As a resident director, she helmed recent productions of “Frida: A Self Portrait” and the world premiere of “Origin Story.” This coming season, she serves as co-writer and codirector of the new production of “Dracula.” Schultz lives in Northside with her puppy, Apollo. She’s loving getting to know the Cincinnati community, where she has felt so welcomed. 

AllisonH.Kropp

MeridithBenson

JoanieSchultz

AngelaWilliamso

IsaacSelya

Cat Dixon rallies community to celebrate choral music

Cat Dixon is director of advancement and engagement for the Vocal Arts Ensemble and the May Festival, charged with raising funds and growing audiences to support these Cincinnati choral music institutions. Dixon was instrumental to the success of the May Festival’s 150th anniversary season of celebrations, planning and executing special events and projects throughout the year to complement the 2023 season of performances. Her work facilitated the 25 for 25 Launch Party, Community Choral Showcase, and the CET Documentary “The City that Sings: Cincinnati’s May Festival,” in addition to smaller touches to enhance the anniversary festivities. When she’s not rallying the community in support of the May Festival and Vocal Arts Ensemble, Dixon enjoys spending quality time and traveling with her husband and two children. The Dixons are always looking for the next natural wonder or urban oddity to explore. 

Opera’s Jemannie Severson Luong uses arts to help enrich children’s experiences

Jemannie Severson Luong is the education manager for Cincinnati Opera and the owner of Picnic Party Cincinnati. Luong’s passion is to provide young people with meaningful childhood experiences and opportunities for educational growth through the arts. She especially aspires to provide opportunities to underserved youth, with a strong emphasis on Spanish-speaking youth and children of immigrant families. As an advocate of diversity, equity and inclusion, Luong uses her M.A. in communication from the University of Cincinnati to study effective methods for organizations to incorporate DEI practices into their workspace. Luong speaks English, Spanish and Cantonese Chinese. She is also a wife, new mom and dog mom. Her favorite thing to do when she’s not working is being a homemaker – cooking, cleaning and making her home comfortable brings her peace. She is a huge fan of salsa dancing and is a very good parallel parker. 

TylerGabbard

Under new director Tyler Gabbard, Carnegie breaks attendance records

In his first three months as theater director, Tyler Gabbard smashed sales records at The Carnegie. “Singin’ in the Rain” outsold any previous production in the theater’s history. Not long after, “Kinky Boots” broke records again, selling out almost every performance and becoming the second highest-grossing production in Carnegie sales. Gabbard received a 2023 Next Generation Leader Award in the Arts, Entertainment & Hospitality category through the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Gabbard isn’t just an administrator, he’s also an artist. For over a decade, he worked as a scenic designer at The Carnegie and other institutions. In his free time, Gabbard enjoys supporting the vibrant local arts communities. This includes attending local and national theater performances, checking out exhibition openings, and participating in the endless flow of arts programming happening across the region. 

JemannieSever son Luong

‘I want more…’

“Everybody will tell you I overthink a lot,” said pianist Polina Bespalko, the coordinator of Xavier University’s music program and director of the school’s remarkably robust Music Series. Then, without a hint of irony, she added, “I have thought about this for a long, long time.”

It’s hilarious. But unintentionally so, as Bespalko is nothing if not serious. It’s not that she lacks a sense of humor. It’s just that she tends to be exceedingly methodical with nearly every aspect of her life. Growing up in the Soviet Union can do that to you. It can make you approach things more critically. And, yes, to overthink. Even more so when you are something of a public figure, as Bespalko was when she was studying at the vaunted Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory in the 1990s.

The Communist government had already collapsed. But Russian society still retained qualities not unlike the cancel culture so prevalent in the U.S. today. A fall from grace can come from the slightest misstep. And when it does happen, it happens quickly. And with devastating results.

All around Bespalko, the Soviet Union was lurching through its final political tremors, from the heavyhanded leadership of an aging Leonid Brezhnev – the leader when she was born – through the relative openness of Mikhail Gorbachev and the chaotic freedom that followed.

So despite her youth, Bespalko was as careful as she was forceful in advancing her fledgling career. She was unwavering in her goals. She had discipline. And direction. And an unerring sense of how to stay within the guidelines of “acceptable” activities.

Bespalko was already regarded as a promising pianist when she entered Moscow’s Central Music School at the age of 7. That’s hardly surprising, considering that her mother, Serafima, a choral conductor, had begun her formal instruction two years earlier with a regimen that included six hours of daily musical instruction.

Harsh? By our standards of child-rearing, it certainly sounds like it. But to Bespalko, it was “nothing unusual. It was the only life I knew. I already loved music, so it didn’t feel like a hardship.”

But one of the ironies of the Soviet and relatively restrictive Russian system that followed it is that enterprising people were often able to find ways to engineer things in their favor. For many, in fact, negotiating the

By David Lyman

It’s a season with music that is really challenging in its own way. That is no surprise to people who know me – my journey, you see, is more varied than many people realize. – Polina Bespalko

In music, as in life, Polina Bespalko is on an unwavering odyssey of discovery

sometimes-inexplicable Communist bureaucracy was a perfect training ground for life in an entrepreneurial, capitalist world.

Since taking over Xavier’s Music Series, for instance, she has expanded not only the number of performances, but broadened the programming to include jazz in addition to classical piano and guitar. She has even moved four of this season’s 12 presentations to off-campus venues, the new Jazz Quest Series. The season opens on Sept. 6 with a performance by the Dave King/ Chris Weller Duo, along with special guest Josh Strange at Northside’s Radio Artifact.

“It’s a season with music that is really challenging in its own way,” she said. “That is no surprise to people who know me – my journey, you see, is more varied than many people realize.”

She was born in Mozambique, then spent several years as a child in Brazil. And though she was quite young at the time, she never lost her passion for what she calls “that soulful music of Brazil. I love world music and ambient, too. I would love to present an all-female mariachi band.”

Currently, she is working on an ambitious program for herself that she hopes to premiere in 2024.

“It will symbolize my journey,” she said. “Musically, this odyssey goes from Rameau to Keith Jarrett.” And then – unexpectedly – she cut loose with a lusty laugh. “I know – it is a very ambitious project. Oh, and I am also working on my own podcast.”

Does she have no limitations? From the outside, it seems she must have negotiated some Faustian deal to have more hours at her disposal than the rest of us.

“That is nothing compared to my daughter,” she said, laughing again. “Nadya is 21 and going to be a senior at the University of Delaware. And that woman – she makes videos and blogs. She is a great writer and works at the Sister City headquarters. She does independent research and reviews theater and food. There was a time she had to keep up with me. Today, that has reversed – I have to keep up with her.”

Perhaps Nadya is unknowingly mirroring her mother’s own experience as a young woman growing up in Moscow.

Back in Russia, Bespalko managed to have an active performing schedule even as she was navigating a daunting curriculum that ranged from “solfège, eurhythmics, music history, music theory, sight-singing – everything.” And that was on top of an intense academic load.

“I played a lot. But my music was very young. I see the same thing when my students are approaching a new piece of music,” said Bespalko. “They create their own interpretations. You expect that. But sometimes that can be very

challenging because they are so young. That is the beauty – and the curse – of performing.”

But thanks to her mother and her specialized education, Bespalko was immersed in all manner of artistic expression. She reflects on some of the more memorable artistic encounters of her youth; a vast Chagall retrospective for which her mother stood in line for eight hours to get tickets, a 1996 Moscow performance by Michael Jackson. But there is one that stands out in her mind. Indeed, she thinks of it as having changed her whole understanding of performance. It took place in 1993 when she heard legendary Soviet-Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter play.

“I was 15,” recalled Bespalko, “and oh, my God. I already knew a lot about music and music repertory and all those other things we

contemporary music,” she said. “My brilliant teacher, Nikolai Petrov, exposed me to jazz. But in Russia, there was a limit to what I could see and hear.”

That search for musical knowledge brought her to the University of Cincinnati’s CollegeConservatory of Music, first for an artist diploma and, in 2014, a DMA in piano performance. It was during that time that she met and eventually studied with pianist Awadagin Pratt.

Initially, theirs was a bumpy professional pairing – “like oil and water,” said Bespalko. But with patience, they found ways to work together more productively.

“I was not there yet, mentally, if you know what I mean,” said Bespalko. “I really owe a lot to him. He was curating me as a performer and also as a person.”

There were difficult moments, to be sure.

“Being told that there are things that need to be changed, for instance, was not easy,” recalled Pratt, who recently left CCM to become professor of piano at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. “It all depends on the flexibility of the student. The more success a student has had the harder it is to get things changed. Some high-achieving students get here and think ‘I’m already great. I just want this degree.’ But that wasn’t the case with Polina. From my perspective, when Polina and I began working together, it felt very similar to any new student onboarding. The difference, of course, is that she was already an incredible pianist.”

Expanding her abilities was why Bespalko had come to Cincinnati, after all. She was smart enough to know that there was always room for her to improve. So she was determined that whatever complications there may have been in her initial studies with Pratt, it was worth it to learn from a man she considers “a major artist.”

Clearly, the feeling is mutual.

studied. But I didn’t truly realize the importance and the intimacy of live performance until I heard Richter. Even today, I think of that performance. I think that’s why I feel it is so important for me to bring those artists to Cincinnati so that students – all people – can have those same sorts of experiences.”

Growth as a performing artist

Bespalko came to the U.S. in 2001. Up until then, nearly every aspect of her education had been built around developing performance skills. That wasn’t enough. She wanted to develop the more scholarly side of her education, as well, to dig deeper into the heart of music and the history that shaped it.

“And I wanted to know more about

“There were certain dimensions that I added,” said Pratt, choosing his words very carefully. “By the time she left, she was more a fully developed artist, more capable of doing precisely what she wanted to do and more confident in those abilities. Her playing skill now – the last time I heard her, at least – is just stunning.”

And at 45, Bespalko is still relatively young and in her musical prime.

“But I want more,” she said. “I want more of everything – more performances, more challenges, more presenting, more audiences, more art, more experiences. All we can do is hope and keep sharing. That’s the beauty of our profession. My piano is my best friend. Long ago, I realized that music doesn’t betray you. You can grow with it and play a part with it. I want more of that.” 

 xavier.edu/musicseries

But I want more. I want more of everything – more performances, more challenges, more presenting, more audiences, more art, more experiences. All we can do is hope and keep sharing.

– Polina Bespalko

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

SEPT. 2, SATURDAY

Sickle Cell Alliance Foundation, Walk for Hope | 8 a.m.-noon. Summit Park. DETAILS: 5K walk & run, award ceremony, refreshments.  scafcincy.com

SEPT. 3, SUNDAY

Best Point Education and Behavioral Health, Rockin’ at Riverfest | 5-11 p.m. Anderson Pavilion, Smale Riverfront Park.

DETAILS: Co-chairs: Britney Ruby-Miller and Caleb Miller, Tim Schroeder and Lisa Schroeder, and Dr. Gail Kist-Kline and Keith Kline.

 Sponsorships and registration: jbanchy@bestpoint.org

Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre, Boom Bash | 6 p.m. Sample Space. DETAILS: Food, open bar, music, games, fireworks display. Tickets: $20-$125

 caststages.org, eventbrite.com,

SEPT. 5-7, TUESDAY-THURSDAY

Starfire, A Connected Cincinnati | The Columns, Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: Dr. Allison Lourash and Indigo Bishop guide attendees through three-day learning experience around principles and practices of Asset Based Community Development. Tickets: $250.

starfirecincy.org

SEPT. 5, TUESDAY

Whitney/Strong, Save A Life: The Research Edition | 6:30-8 p.m. University of Cincinnati. DETAILS: Panel with Dr. Adam Lankford, University of Alabama, and Dr. Travis C. Pratt, University of Cincinnati fellow. Topic: mass shooter profile and steps to identify warning signs.

 whitneystrong.org, eventbrite.com,

SEPT. 6-10, WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY

Kroger Queen City Championship | Kenwood Country Club. DETAILS: During tournament, enjoy casual on-course hospitality with friends, or experience all-inclusive clubhouse hospitality to host an important client. Tickets start at $80 weekly or $25 daily.

queencitylpga.com

SEPT. 7, THURSDAY

FC Cincinnati Foundation, Served by the Pros | 5:30-10:30 p.m. TQL Stadium.

DETAILS: 21+ only event. Raffles, silent auction, live music. Tickets: $150.

 fccincinnati.com/community

SEPT. 8, FRIDAY

Cancer Support Community, Paintings for a Purpose: Nancy Rosen | 6-9 p.m. David A. Millett Inc. Design Showroom, Evanston.

DETAILS: Show and sale of artwork of Nancy Rosen, artist who creates work for Netflix series “Grace & Frankie.” Rosen will be present. Hosted by April Davidow and Peggy Greenberg, event includes bites, drinks, entertainment and special experiences for those purchasing artwork. Tickets start at $100.

 mycancersupportcommunity.org

Cincinnati Compass, Cincinnati Rhythm | 6-10 p.m. Waypoint Aviation. DETAILS: Local food with international flavor, drinks and entertainment. Tickets: $25.

 cincinnaticompass.org or eventbrite.com,

Cincinnati Music & Wellness Coalition, Eleventh Annual Music and Medicine Conference | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mayerson JCC.

DETAILS: Musicians, researchers, physicians and other healthcare/ senior care professionals present current research on benefits of music. Registration: $125

 musicandwellness.net

Whitney/Strong, A Night for Life | 6 p.m. MegaCorp Pavilion.

DETAILS: Dinner, drinks and program to honor Whitney/Strong’s achievements in reducing gun violence, inspire hope for change, and showcase resilient heroes through performances by Ben Sollee, a renowned cellist, songwriter, and storyteller. Tickets: $150.

 whitneystrong.org/anfl-2023, e.givesmart.com,

Renowned cellist, songwriter and storyteller

Ben Sollee will perform at Whitney/Strong ‘A Night for Life’ on Sept. 8.

SEPT. 9, SATURDAY

American Heart Association, Butler/ Warren County Heart Walk | 9 a.m. Atrium Family YMCA. DETAILS: 5K route.  heart.org/butlerwarrencountywalk

Behringer-Crawford Museum, freshART | 6-9:30 p.m. Behringer-Crawford Museum.

DETAILS: Live & silent art auctions.  bcmuseum.org/activities/freshart

Brighton Center, Wine Over Water | 5:30-9 p.m. Purple People Bridge.

DETAILS: Food, wine, drinks, live entertainment. Tickets: $40  brightoncenter.com/wineoverwater

CASA, 5K Superhero Run/Walk | 9:30 a.m. Devou Park. DETAILS: 5K run/walk, kids walk. Race fee: $30 (increases to $35 after Aug. 31).  runsignup.com/Races, then CASA Covington

Gathering of the Guilds | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Weavers Guild of Greater Cincinnati, 4870 Gray Road. DETAILS: Craft shopping, demos and food trucks featuring ten local guilds. Free.

gotgcincy.org

Butler/Warren County area Heart Walk takes place at Atrium Family YMCA on Sept. 9 to raise lifesaving funds and get physically active with the American Heart Association

Ken Anderson Alliance, Wine Over the Rhine | 6-9 p.m. Lombardos’ Anderson home. DETAILS: Vineyard tour and wine tasting.

 kenandersonalliance.org

Raptor Inc., Annual Raptor 5K Run/Walk | 7:30 a.m. Miami Meadows Park. DETAILS: 5K route, rain or shine. Registration $40.

 raptorinc.org/5k-raptor-run

Stepping Stones, Viva La Bloom | Little Miami Event Center, Milford.

DETAILS: Vegas-themed games, entertainment, food and silent auction. Chair: Nancy Aichholz. Tickets: $150.

 cincybloom.org

SEPT. 10, SUNDAY

UC Foundation, Sunflower Rev it Up for Parkinson’s | 6:15 a.m. Sawyer Point Park. DETAILS: 1K walk, 5K run/walk and 60K bike ride through downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

 secure.qgiv.com/event/2sriufpw

St. Elizabeth Foundation hosts its Golf ParTee event on Sept. 12 to raise money for programs and services at St. Elizabeth.

On Sept. 14, Findlay Market merchants, vendors, Findlay Kitchen members and Cincinnati’s top chefs come together for a wine-pairing and tasting experience dubbed Flavor of Findlay.

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will honor six community leaders and two Northern Kentucky organizations at its Annual Dinner on Sept. 14 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

SEPT. 12, TUESDAY

Goering Center, Annual Family & Private Business Awards |

4:30 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. DETAILS:

Emcee: Former Bengal Ken Anderson. Recognizing businesses that have demonstrated exceptional achievements.  business.uc.edu

Impact 100, Annual Awards Celebration | 5 p.m. Music Hall.

DETAILS: Social time, dinner, two drink tickets and musical entertainment. Tickets: $80.  impact100.org

St. Elizabeth Foundation, Annual Golf ParTee | Various locations.

DETAILS: Summit Hills Country Club, Edgewood: Registration: 7 a.m. and noon. Shotgun start: 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Highland Country Club, Ft. Thomas:

Registration: 8 a.m. Shotgun start: 9 a.m. Traditions Golf Club, Hebron:

Registration: 9 a.m. Shotgun start: 10 a.m.; Triple Crown Country Club, Union: Registration: 10 a.m. Shotgun start: 11 a.m.

 stelizabeth.com

SEPT. 13, WEDNESDAY

Dress for Success Cincinnati, Fashion Show | 10:30 a.m. Hard Rock Casino. DETAILS: Celebration of DFSC clients, contemporary fashions, presentation of Mary Ivers Award, raffle and pop-up shop from Portaluca Boutique. Co-chairs: Meredith Blum and Lauren Gucciardo. Honorary chair: Dr. Meredith Shockley Smith. Tickets: $100.

 dfscincy.org

SEPT. 14, THURSDAY

Findlay Market, Flavor of Findlay | 6:30-9:30 p.m. Findlay Market. DETAILS: Tasting stations, wine pairings, silent auction, DJ, live music and special event cocktail, games, raffles. Tickets: VIP $150; general: $90.

 betterunite.com/2023flavor

NKY Chamber, Annual Dinner | 5-8:30 p.m. Northern Kentucky Convention Center. DETAILS: Cocktail reception, dinner, award presentation, after party. Registration: $125.

 nkychamber.com PRESENTING

Dress for Success Cincinnati ’s 22nd Annual Fashion Show on Sept. 13 at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati will be hosted by co-chairs Meredith Blum and Lauren Gucciardo

Tony Milburn Paul Hemmer Pat Crowley

Michael Hammons

David Heidrich Amy Milburn

DATEBOOK

SEPT. 15-16, FRIDAY-SATURDAY

New Life Furniture Bank, Open House | DETAILS: Tour the new and renovated Community Engagement Center.

 nlfurniture.org

SEPT. 15, FRIDAY

Boys & Girls Club, Kenton County Golf Outing | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Devou Park Golf Course. DETAILS: $100, $400/ foursome.

 bgcgc.org/events

Indian Hill Historical Society, 50th Anniversary | 6 p.m. Peterloon Estate. DETAILS: Live music by The Mercy Men, cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Tickets start at $75.

 indianhill.org

SEPT. 16-17, SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Ride Cincinnati, The Ride | DETAILS: Weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. Kickoff party with music, food and beverages. Riders complete routes ranging from 10 to 64 miles. Special rider celebration.

 ridecincinnati.org

SEPT. 16, SATURDAY

Angels’ Castle, Flamenco Party | 4-8 p.m. Porras-Ryes Residence. DETAILS: Food, drinks, music, silent auction, raffles. Tickets: $125.

 angelscastle.org or eventbrite.com,

Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center, Twilight in the Islands | 7-9:30 p.m. Baker Hunt. DETAILS: Live music, art demonstrations, raffle, art show, food. Tickets: $125.

 bakerhunt.org

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Cincinnati, 40th Anniversary Gala | 6-10 p.m. The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby. DETAILS: Plated dinner, open bar, live music, silent auction.

 bhghcincinnati.org/events

Life Learning Center, High Stakes Gala | 6 p.m. Turfway Park Racing & Gaming. DETAILS: Host: Evan Millward of WCPO 9. Semi-formal event with live entertainment, dinner, drinks, silent and live auctions. Tickets start at $150.

 lifelearningcenter.us/gala2023

SEPT. 18, MONDAY

Talbert House, Annual Luncheon

| Noon-1:30 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. DETAILS: Celebrating achievements of past year and honoring those who have made an impact on our community and organization’s mission. Tickets: $50.

 talberthouse.org/news/events-2

SEPT. 21, THURSDAY

Giving Voice Foundation, Cincy Brews for Brains | 6:30-9 p.m. Braxton Brewing. DETAILS: 21+ event with retro photo booth, beer tasting, appetizers, Street Pops for dessert, and complimentary commemorative beer glass. Tickets: $75.

 givingvoicefdn.org

SEPT. 22, FRIDAY

Cincinnati Zoo, Zoofari | 6 p.m.midnight. DETAILS: Dinner by-the-bite samples from local restaurants, cocktails, entertainment, dancing, experience the zoo after dark with special animal encounters. Tickets: $250.

 cincinnatizoo.org/events/zoofari

SEPT. 23, SATURDAY

Caracole, Fight for Our Rights Gala

| 7 p.m. The Hotel Covington. DETAILS: Chair: Pam Kravetz. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, music and dancing. Tickets start at $75.

 caracole.org

Sonder & Friends, Oktoberfest 5K

| 10 a.m. Sonder Brewing. DETAILS: 5K Run/Walk, awards ceremony, kids root beer fun run, music, after party.

 runsignup.com/Races,

SEPT. 25, MONDAY

DePaul Cristo Rey, Golf Classic | Noon. Western Hills Country Club.

DETAILS: Four-person scramble, skills contests, lunch, cocktail reception, prizes. Registration: $250.

 depaulcristorey.org

Dragonfly, Annual Golf Classic | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Heritage Club, Mason.

DETAILS: Shotgun start at noon, lunch, hole-in-one contest, beat-the-pro and prizes.

 dragonfly.org/golf

Life Learning Center will celebrate the community contributions of Will Ziegler, R.C. Durr Foundation president, at its High Stakes Gala on Sept. 16 at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming.

Cincy Brews for Brains offers an evening of beer and bites on Sept. 21, benefiting programming for local adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers through the Giving Voice Foundation

SEPT. 28, THURSDAY

The Center for Great Neighborhoods, Annual Celebration | Time: TBA. Hellman Creative Center, Covington. DETAILS: Silent auction, light bites, beer truck and awards ceremony honoring 2023 Heart of the Community Award recipients.

 greatneighborhoods.org

Design Cincinnati, Lecture Luncheon | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Kenwood Country Club. Guest: India Hicks, designer & author.

 designcincy.org

Christ Hospital Foundation Guild, Reach for the Stars | 6-9 p.m. Christ Hospital Joint & Spine Center, 6th Floor. DETAILS: Basket raffle, silent auction, light fare, beer, wine. Tickets start at $50.

 thechristhospital.com/guild

Ohio Justice & Policy Center, 50 Thru 50 | 6-10 p.m. Cincinnati Museum Center. DETAILS: Hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, drinks, dessert, live DJ, panel with Serena Nunn and Wendy Day.

Tickets: $100.

 ohiojpc.org/50-thru-50

Whole Again, Eat, Sip, & Give | 5-7:30 p.m. BrickerGraydon, Scripps Building 312 Walnut St. DETAILS: Dinner by-the-bite, drinks, silent auction.

Tickets: $60

 whole-again.org/eatsipgive

SEPT. 29, FRIDAY

Art Beyond Boundaries, Jazzed About Art | 6-10 p.m. Woodward Theater, Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: Cocktail hour, dinner, raffle, live jazz from Art Gore and The Jazz Knights with Mandy Gaines. Tickets: $75.

 artbeyondboundaries.com/events

ArtWorks will bring the murals at TQL Stadium to life for Art Off the Walls: Kick It in the West End on Sept. 30

CancerFree KIDS, Celebration of Champions Dinner and Concert | 5:30 p.m., MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. DETAILS: Cocktail hour, dinner, auction to support childhood cancer research. Outdoor after-party includes concert featuring The Rockers for Research Band.

 cancerfreekids.org

Clermont Chamber, Golf for Kids | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Elks Run Golf Club. DETAILS: Contest holes, raffles, split-the-pot, bottle pull, beer tasting, swag bags, lunch, dinner. Tickets: $250.

 clermontchamber.com

Ohio Valley Voices, BBQ, Bourbon, & Brews Cruise | 6:30-9:30 p.m. BB Riverboat

– Belle of Cincinnati. DETAILS: Semi-private cruise on Ohio River, barbeque buffet, live music, raffles and silent auction. Admission: $80.

 ohiovalleyvoices.org

SEPT. 30, SATURDAY

Art Off the Walls, Kick It in the West End | 6-10 p.m. The First Financial Club at TQL Stadium. DETAILS: Full bar, hors d’oeuvres, dinner stations, ice cream, donuts, coffee, ArtWorks mural illuminations, dance performances, DJ, photo booth, silent & live auctions. RSVP by Sept. 11. Tickets: $100-$1000

 artworkscincinnati.org/fallfundraiser

Forever Kings, Building Strong Men Gala | 6-10 p.m. Sharonville Convention Center. DETAILS: Cocktail reception, live entertainment, awards program, dinner. Tickets: $125.

 event.gives/buildingstrongmen or foreverkingsinc.org

Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center, Advocates Annual Grand Gala: Onyx & Ice 2023 | 6 p.m.-midnight Airport Marriott.

DETAILS: Honoring Marc and Lori Watson.

 nkycac.org

Pig Works, FCC3 Race | 6 p.m. The Banks. DETAILS: Participants receive race shirt, finisher medal, refreshments, TQL Watch Party, drink ticket. Registration starts at $30.

 raceroster.com or flyingpigmarathon.com

Ronald McDonald House, Red Tie Gala | 6 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center. DETAILS: Honoring Algis Koncius with HEART Award. Cocktail hour, silent and live auctions, dinner, after-party. Tickets start at $250.

 one.bidpal.net/redtiegala2023

DATEBOOK

OCT. 1, SUNDAY

FBI Cincinnati Citizens Academy Alumni Association, “Fore!”

A Fight Against Human Trafficking | 4-7 p.m. TopGolf West Chester.

DETAILS: Games, raffles, food. Proceeds divided among three local anti-humantrafficking agencies and alumni chapter. Tickets start at $75.

 fbi-ccaaa.org

OCT. 2, MONDAY

Ken Anderson Alliance, Golf Classic | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Traditions Golf Club, Hebron.

DETAILS: Guest: Former Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson. Scramble event.

 kenandersonalliance.org

OCT. 4, WEDNESDAY

Better Business Bureau, Torch and Spark Awards | 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cincinnati Art Museum. DETAILS: Networking, awards show, artwork, hor d’oeuvres, drink tickets, complimentary parking. Tickets: $100.  bbb.org

OCT. 5, THURSDAY

Central Clinic, Dr. Walter S. Smitson Guest Lecture Event | 8:30-10 a.m. American Red Cross Auditorium. DETAILS: Lecture by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Matt Richtel, networking.

 centralclinic.org/Richtel

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Light

The Night | 5:30 p.m. Yeatman’s Cove.

DETAILS: Honored Hero: 6-year-old acute myeloid leukemia patient Jackson.  lightthenight.org/ohio

Santa Maria Community Services, Passport to Success | 6-9 p.m. Miami Township Event Center, North Bend.

DETAILS: Emcee: Courtis Fuller of WLWT-TV. Guest speaker: Dominique Badji of FC Cincinnati. Raffles and auction. Tickets: $50-$120.

santamaria-cincy.org

OCT. 6, FRIDAY

Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Hats Off Luncheon | Smale Riverfront Park.

DETAILS: Co-chairs: Michael Betz and Rhiannon Hoeweler. Champagne reception and gourmet luncheon. Tickets start at $225.

 cincinnatiparksfoundation.org

CityLink, MashUp | 6-10 p.m. CityLink Center. DETAILS: Food, drinks, mashup performances.

 citylinkcenter.org

WAVE Foundation, Annual Nauti Nite FUNdraiser | 7-11 p.m. Newport Aquarium. DETAILS: 21+ event. Dinner by-the-bite, open bars, silent auction, live music, raffles, animal encounters, silent disco. Tickets: $100.

 wavefoundation.org

OCT. 7, SATURDAY

Alzheimer’s Association, Walk to End Alzheimer’s | 8:45 a.m.-noon. Sawyer Point. DETAILS: Visit Memory Wall and Community Neighborhood. Promise Garden Ceremony. Walk along and over the Ohio River.

 alz.org

Contemporary Arts Center, Annual Gala “20 Years at the Center” | 5 p.m.-midnight, Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art. DETAILS: VIP dinner and program honoring Rosenthal family legacy, gala, art auction, afterparty. Tickets: $175.

 contemporaryartscenter.org

School for Creative and Performing Arts, Rocket Man Concert Fundraiser

| 5:30-10 p.m. MegaCorp Pavilion.

DETAILS: Music, food, raffles. Tickets: $200.

 scpa.cps-k12.org

OCT. 8, SUNDAY

Musicians for Health, Tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis | 2 p.m. Memorial Hall. DETAILS: Performers: Michael Kaeshammer, Henri Herbert, Josh Christina. VIP reception at noon. Tickets: $40-$125.

 memorialhallotr.com

OCT. 11, WEDNESDAY

Association of Fundraising Professionals, Annual Nonprofit Leadership Summit | 8-11:30 a.m. Cintas Center, Xavier University.

DETAILS: Keynote: Alida Miranda-Wolff. Networking, continental breakfast, workshop. Cost: $75, discounts available.

 afpcincinnati.org/events/list

Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Guys Who Get It Happy Hour | 5-6 p.m. Alcove by Madtree, Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: Drinks, light bites, networking and partnershipbuilding event. Free admission.

 gcfdn.org/womensfund

Santa Maria Community Services will host FC Cincinnati player Dominique Badji as keynote speaker for its annual fundraiser, Passport to Success, on Oct. 5 at the Miami Township Event Center.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Matt Richtel will speak on the mental health crisis among U.S. teens at the Central Clinic Behavioral Health lecture event on Oct. 5 at the American Red Cross Auditorium.

CityLink is bringing back its not-so-average fundraiser, MashUp, on Oct. 6 with the Cincinnati Circus, DJ Pillo, and the Hairston School of Dance, along with several other local performers.

OCT. 12, THURSDAY

Bethany House, 40th Anniversary Celebration | 6-10 p.m. The Spot on West Fifth. DETAILS: Honoring four longtime Bethany House supporter/ partners. Cocktails by Molly Wellmann, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, music, auctions, raffles.  bethanyhouseservices.org

Junior Achievement of OKI Partners, Greater Cincinnati Business Hall of Fame | 6 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom. DETAILS: Black-tie induction dinner honoring Cynthia Booth, president & CEO, Emerge Manufacturing; Robert Coughlin, founder & CEO, Paycor (retd.); Ron Koetters, founder, president & CEO, Monarch Construction Company (decd.); Craig F. Maier, president & CEO, Frisch’s Restaurants Inc. (retd.); James “Chip” Pease, CEO, AAA Allied Group Inc. Tickets: $350.

okipartners.ja.org

NewPath, Heart & Hope Gala | 5:30-8 p.m. The Phoenix, downtown. DETAILS: Cocktail hour, dinner, program and award ceremony. Attire: professional, business casual. Tickets: $150.

 newpath.org/events/gala

OCT. 13, FRIDAY

Cincinnati Preservation Association, Annual Fall Forum | Noon, Hilton Netherland Plaza. DETAILS: Speaker: Dr. Bruce Stephenson of Living New Urbanism.

cincinnatipreservation.org/fallforum

The Ion Center, Toast for Hope | 6:30-10:30 p.m. North by Hotel Covington. DETAILS: Dinner, open bar, auctions, games, and live music.

ioncenter.org/events

Su Casa Hispanic Center, Annual Awards Dinner | 6-9 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom. DETAILS: Recognizing community leaders and businesses. Reception, cash bar, appetizers, dinner, entertainment, silent auction, after party, dancing. Tickets: $100.

ccswoh.org

OCT. 14, SATURDAY

Southern Ohio JDRF, Bourbon & BowTie Bash | 6 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center. DETAILS: Bourbon

The Junior Achievement of OKI Partners will induct five leaders who set the pace for excellence in their industries into the Greater Cincinnati Business Hall of Fame on Oct.12 at the Music Hall Ballroom.

cocktail tastings, spirits, beer, wine tastings, light bites, silent auction, bourbon raffles, music, photo booth. Admission: $100.

 jdrf.org

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, CF Cycle for Life | 7 a.m. Rhinegeist Brewery Distribution Center. DETAILS: 15-, 30- and 45-mile routes.

cff.org

OCT. 15, SUNDAY

UC Brain Tumor Center, Walk Ahead for Brain Tumor Discoveries | 8 a.m. Sawyer Point Park. DETAILS: 2K walk/run, food, post party.  walkahead.org

OCT. 16, MONDAY

Master Provisions, Larry Nelson Master Pro Golf Classic | Noon-6 p.m Triple Crown Country Club, Union. DETAILS: Golf, lunch, raffles, refreshments, dinner. Foursome: $3,000.

masterprovisions.org

EXPERIENCE MURALS COME TO LIFE AT TQL

Art Off the Walls: Kick It in the West End Saturday, September 30, 6-10 p.m. TQL Stadium, home of FC Cincinnati   Purchase tickets: artworkscincinnati.org/fallfundraiser

Design inspired by ArtWorks Murals It Is Possible, A Celebration of Susan O’Malley’s Life and Work and the FC Cincinnati Club Murals by Lightning Horse Industries

Cynthia Booth Ron Koetters

Bob Coughlin Chip Pease Craig Meier

OCT. 19, THURSDAY

Cincinnati ToolBank, Hammers & Ales | 4-8 p.m. Fowling Warehouse. DETAILS: Silent auction, games. Tickets $65.  cincinnatitoolbank.org

Ohio Valley Voices, Grand Opening | 5:30-7:30 p.m. Ohio Valley Voices, Loveland. DETAILS: Program, self-guided tour of building, hors d’oeuvres and wine. RSVP by Sept. 25.

 DDenysenko@ohiovalleyvoices.org

OCT. 20, FRIDAY

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Sips & Giggles| 6:30 p.m. The Fives, Columbus. DETAILS: Host: Dave McCreary. Wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres, comedy show, auction. Tickets $125; VIP $175.

cff.org

Stepping Stones, Sporting Clays Tournament | Sycamore Pheasant Club. DETAILS: Clay shoot followed by food, drinks, live music, awards and live auction.

cincysportingclays.org

OCT. 21, SATURDAY

Children’s Law Center, Boots, Bourbon, and Biscuits | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Receptions Event Hall, Erlanger. DETAILS: Emcee: Big Dave from B105.1. Bourbon bar, Bloody Mary bar, live entertainment, brunch, auction, best boots contest. Tickets: $75.  childrenslawky.org

Mercantile Library, Niehoff Lecture | 7-10 p.m. Hyatt Regency, downtown. DETAILS: Lecture by author Erik Larson. Cocktail reception, multicourse dinner. Black-tie/cocktail attire. Tickets: $265.  mercantilelibrary.com

Serve City, Rejuvenating Dignity Gala Fundraiser | 5 p.m. Community Christian Church, Fairfield. DETAILS: Black-tie gala, dinner, raffle. Tickets start at $50.

 serve-city.org

OCT. 26-28, THURSDAY-SATURDAY

Rotary Club of Cincinnati, Rotary Do Days | Various locations. DETAILS: Large-scale community-wide service

day. Projects range from serving meals to stocking shelves, painting fences, planting gardens, stuffing envelopes and organizing archives.

 cincinnatirotary.org

OCT. 27, FRIDAY

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Dream Makers Gala | 5-9 p.m. Graduate Hotel. DETAILS: Host: Kyle Inskeep. Experiences, food, drinks. Honoring outstanding students. Tickets: $185.

 cycyouth.org/dreammakers

Great Parks Forever, Root Ball | 6:30 p.m. Rhinegeist Event Center, Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: Dinner gala with a twist. Casual event with cocktails, courses and conversation. Tickets: $100.

 greatparksforever.org/rootball

The Nuxhall Foundation, Miracle Ball | 6 p.m. Jungle Jim’s Oscar Event Center, Fairfield. DETAILS: Honoring Bob Herzog, 2023 Joe Nuxhall Humanitarian Award. Individuals: $150; table of eight: $1,200. After-party with Marty Brennaman, Teddy Kremer and more with live music from The Stagger Lee

Band, late-night snacks and drinks (Separate tickets: $75).

 nuxhallmiracleleague.org/miracleball

Tender Mercies, Halloween Bash | Time: TBA. MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. DETAILS: TBA. Benefiting homeless adults who experience mental illness.

 tendermerciesinc.org

OCT. 30, MONDAY

Master Provisions, MPower Lunch | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. St. Elizabeth Technology Education Center (SETEC).

DETAILS: Lunch, refreshments. Keynote: David Vaughan, founder and executive director of D. Vaughan Consulting.

Admission: Free.

 masterprovisions.org

NOV. 2, THURSDAY

Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA, Hispanic Gala/Celebration | 5:308:30 p.m. TQL Stadium. DETAILS: 15-minute tour of stadium. Heavy appetizers and two drink tickets per guest. Dress code: business casual. Tickets: TBA.

 hispanicchambercincinnati.com

The HEART Award honors those who are the House’s most dedicated and passionate supporters and who make the House, our community and our world a better place.

Al's vision and leadership has helped grow RMHC of Greater Cincinnati to become the largest House in the world for critically ill children and their families.

March of Dimes, Signature Chefs, Feeding Motherhood | Time: TBA. Music Hall Ballroom. DETAILS: Chair: Katie Glaser. Emcee: Frank Marzullo of Fox 19. Live and silent auctions.

 signaturechefs.marchofdimes.org

NOV. 3, FRIDAY

Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky, Building Bridges to Better Futures Inaugural Breakfast

| The Ovation, MegaCorp Pavilion. DETAILS: Proceeds benefit Children’s Home of Northen Kentucky. Jeff Thomas, longtime supporter and CHNK board member, will provide breakfast. Complimentary parking in on-site garage included.

 chnk.org

Cincinnati Museum Center, Layers of Discovery | 7 p.m. DETAILS: Annual adults-only night at the museum. Light bites from local restaurants, cocktails, programming and exclusive access to exhibits including “Ancient Worlds Hiding in Plain Sight” (opening Sept. 28). Early bird tickets: $175; general: $225.

 cincymuseum.org/layers

NOV. 4, SATURDAY

4C for Children, Champions Gala | 6 p.m. Cincinnati Music Hall. DETAILS: Cocktail reception, dinner, auction, after-party. Honoring Anchor Fluid Power, Anna Campbell, Kimberlyn Fadare and Christine Gibson.

 4cforchildren.org/get-involved/gala

Cancer Family Care, Annual Wine

Tasting & Auction | DETAILS: TBA

 cancerfamilycare.org

NOV. 9, THURSDAY

Hispanic Chamber, Annual Celebration | 5:30-8:30 p.m. TQL Stadium. DETAILS: Keynote: Maria Cristina Gomez. Cocktail reception, stadium tours. Tickets: $125.

business.hispanicchambercincinnati.com

Metropolitan Club, Metropolitan Award Dinner | 6 p.m. Metropolitan Club. DETAILS: Dinner and program honoring Timothy Schroeder, chairman, CEO and founder of CTI. Tickets start at $250.

Starfire, Annual Dinner | 5:308:30 p.m. Knox Joseph Distillery, OTR StillHouse. DETAILS: Cocktails, dinner, auction. Tickets: $100.

 starfirecincy.org

NOV. 10, FRIDAY

Cincinnati Opera, The Gala | 6:30 p.m. Carol Ann’s Carousel and Anderson Pavilion. DETAILS: Event chairs: Dr. Reena Patil and Brian L. Tiffany. Honorees: Milly and Doc Huffman. Cocktails, entertainment, bites and carousel rides, then dinner by Eat Well. Performance and auction. Attire: Blacktie inspired: black and white with mask for intrigue and mystery.

 cincinnatiopera.org/the-gala 

Nonprofit News

The Christ Hospital No. 1 in Greater Cincinnati – again

The Christ Hospital is the top hospital in Greater Cincinnati for the ninth straight year.

The rankings are part of U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the best medical facilities in the United States. Christ Hospital also jumped to No. 3 in the state of Ohio.

Rounding out the top four hospitals in the Greater Cincinnati region are: St. Elizabeth Healthcare Edgewood-Covington Hospitals, Bethesda North Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital-Cincinnati.

U.S. News ranked Cincinnati Children’s Hospital the No. 1 pediatric hospital in the country earlier this year.

 thechristhospital.com

Nonprofit start-up helps businesses measure ‘social impact’

Cincinnati-based startup Mivie launched the first standard social impact measurement for companies.

The goal of the two-year certification is to help businesses understand and enhance their policies around corporate social responsibility, supply chain diversity and overall diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Mivie evaluates a business or organization through nine pillars. They range from hiring, training and pay equity to purchasing, procurement and community and environmental impact.

Tom Fernandez founded Mivie – which stands for Marginalized Impact Value Indicator for Equity – after becoming frustrated by what he called a “lack of intention and commitment” by companies to “walk the talk” regarding social impact.

 mivie.com

Cincinnati program ‘gener8tor’ of opportunities for startups

Four budding companies from across the United States received $100,000 investments, other seed funding opportunities and mentorship as part of gener8tor Cincinnati’s 2023 accelerator program.

One of the startups is homegrown digital content aggregation platform Windw.

The founders took part in a 12-week accelerator program, featuring one-on-one coaching, mentorship and networking opportunities. The home base for the program is Union Hall in OTR.

Each participant gets business to pitch their company to investors during Startup Cincy Week.

 gener8tor.com

Foundation support helps gardens bloom in Northside

Happen Inc. is opening a pair of teen-led community gardens thanks to ongoing support from the Mendelsohn Foundation for the Arts.

The foundation sponsored Northside-based Happen’s inaugural Butterfly Garden. The green space features annual plants, like zinnias and cosmos, planted by participants in Happen’s “Teen Garden Club.”

The young entrepreneurs are learning how to cut flowers and arrange them into designer bouquets. The teens will keep proceeds from the sale of the flowers.

The Mendelsohn Foundation also funded Happen’s “Do Goods” Garden. Teens and volunteers are using the green space to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, lettuce and peppers. They plan to sell the produce to local restaurants.

Both gardens are part of Happen’s Art and Nature Center.

 happeninc.com

New Rhinegeist beer 375 million years in making

Rhinegeist Brewery crafted a specialty beer in honor of Cincinnati Museum Center’s new “Ancient Worlds Hiding in Plain Sight” exhibit.

Tiktaalik – a cold double IPA – is a nod to one of the fossilized creatures on display in the collection of Late Ordovician fossils.

The brew will be available at CMC events and in limited quantities at Rhinegeist’s Over-the-Rhine taproom. A portion of the beer’s sales will go to the museum.

As part of the promotion, the Rhinegiest is housing a 250-square-foot mini version of the exhibit for a short time.

This is the third beer collaboration between CMC and Rhinegeist since 2018. Many likely recall the Belgian style golden ale honoring the Galeamopus skeleton on display at Rhinegeist. The 60-foot-tall skeleton is now in the museum’s Dinosaur Hall.

 rhinegeist.com

 Members of the gener8tor Cincinnati cohort work in a Union Hall conference room.

The Christ Hospital’s main campus in Mount Auburn Dr. Jon Mendelsohn works in a flower bed in one of the Happen Inc. gardens. Tiktaalik, crafted in honor of Cincinnati Museum Center, is available at Rhinegeist and CMC events.

Damar Hamlin’s Cincy return aims to help save others

Not quite seven months after collapsing on the field at Paycor Stadium, Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin returned to Cincinnati to help health officials outline the importance of learning CPR and offer free training.

Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation hosted a hands-only CPR education event in late July on the University of Cincinnati’s campus. More than 500 people registered to take part. The foundation also provided CPR education for youth sports groups and distributed 50 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to youth sports organizations in the community.

Clinicians from UC Health’s University of Cincinnati Medical Center and the American Heart Association led the training.

“I always say you can’t make the world a better place without action. To learn CPR and to receive these AEDs, that’s a step in taking action to make this world a better place. So, thank you,” Hamlin told attendees.

Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2. Members of the Bills training staff and the UC Health team used CPR, an AED and other tools to resuscitate him – and likely save his life. Since the incident, Hamlin has become a vocal advocate for the importance of CPR education.  uchealth.com

Springfield Township residents have new, local health care options

TriHealth opened a new facility in Springfield Township to put the 180,000 residents living in that part of Southwest Ohio within just a few minutes of comprehensive medical services.

Offerings at the Finneytown ambulatory campus include wound care, X-ray and laboratories, fracture evaluation and treatment, minor burn care, sports- and work-related injury treatment, and cold and flu assessments. Urgent care services will also be available during weeknights

and weekends. Patients at the 58,000 squarefoot, $25 million facility can see physicians in a variety of specialty areas as well. Specialties range from pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology to cardiology and physical therapy.

TriHealth’s goal is to create a system in which every Greater Cincinnati resident is within a 15-minute drive of comprehensive medical care, according to its president and CEO, Mark Clement. The Finneytown site is TriHealth’s 13th major ambulatory center in the region.

 trihealth.com

Zoo recognized as elite arboretum

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden earned the highest level of accreditation for its work as an arboretum. It’s now the only arboretum within a zoo to achieve that recognition.

The ranking came from the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. The sponsor and coordinator of the program is the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Ill.

Arboreta can achieve four levels of accreditation. Standards measured include planning, governance, public access, programming and tree science, planting and conservation.

There are 2,340 arboreta listed globally, and 628 of those have reached some level of ArbNet accreditation. Only 41 of those are Level IV, the highest ranking.

“Most visitors appreciate the beauty of the plants and trees around the zoo, but few realize the incredible amount of work and dedication required to maintain, develop, and conserve these treasures,” said Steve Foltz, the zoo’s director of horticulture.

 cincinnatizoo.org

African engineer visists Cincinnati to learn about food co-ops

The U.S. Department of State selected Co-op Cincy to host a fellow from Africa for a month of professional development focused on foodrelated cooperative businesses.

Arindo Akweni, of the Democratic Republic

of Congo, was part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. The program empowers participants through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities and local community engagement.

Akweni, an agricultural engineer, was slated to be in Cincinnati from Aug. 7 to Sept. 1. As part of the fellowship, he worked with Co-Op Cincy leaders and other local business professionals to enhance his understanding of the cooperative business model, agricultural practices and grant writing. His goal for the experience was to learn new ways to help his country address high rates of food shortage and poverty.

“I am really grateful to have someone with Arindo’s background and fresh perspective to help us with some of our food cooperatives, which have the lowest margins,” said Kristen Barker, co-director of Co-op Cincy.

 coopcincy.org

Holloman Center for Social Justice has new home in Avondale

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio has a new base of operations for its work to address regional social justice issues, including police reform.

The 10,000-square-foot space officially opened Aug. 9 in Avondale with a ribboncutting ceremony. Speakers included ULGSO President and CEO Christie Kuhns and Gabriel Fletcher, managing director of the center.

Former ULGSO board chair Phillip Holloman and his wife, Gail, principal donors of $1 million to initiate the project, spoke as well. Established in 2020, the Holloman Center for Social Justice aims to be a regional catalyst for collaborative police reform across southwest Ohio. It also works to address other pressing social justice issues such as voting rights, education equity and health disparities.

“Our Holloman Center for Social Justice expresses our steadfast commitment to walk in our equity and social justice purpose,” Kuhns said.

 ulgso.org/center-for-social-justice 

Damar Hamlin smiles during a return visit to UC Medical Center.

An aerial view of the new TriHealth facility in Springfield Township Mandela Washington fellow Arindo Akweni poses for a photo.

Sara Vance Waddell, owner and president of Cincinnati-based SMV Media, has been elected to the board of directors of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Waddell has one of the largest collections of women’s art in the nation, featuring local, national and international artists.

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Women Helping Women has hired Briana Ledsome as development director to lead the organization’s Development Department. After seven years of experience in philanthropic and political fundraising, as well as owning a small business, Ledsome was selected to present a new culture of development at the agency.

4C for Children has appointed Colleen Swanson to the role of chief financial officer to lead the organization’s financial goals of helping more families find quality child care. Swanson has 17 years of finance and accounting experience and will oversee all aspects of financial operations.

Purcell Marian High School has named Bethany Doverspike as advancement director. Doverspike joins Purcell Marian from Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, where she spent the last three years as the director of development. She executed the final fundraising milestones of the Directing The Future Capital Campaign, surpassing the $49.9 million goal to finance the theater’s extensive r enovation project.

The Carnegie has announced the addition of Sso-Rha Kang to its curatorial team. Kang most recently served as director of galleries and outreach at Northern Kentucky University, where she curated exhibitions, performances, and organized events with an emphasis on cross-disciplinary collaboration. Her research interests delve into institutional critique, blankness and aesthetic experience.

The Mercy Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati recently named Missy Hendon Deters its president. Deters has spent over 15 years in the nonprofit sector, focusing on fundraising, donor relations and strategic planning. Deters will oversee all aspects of the foundation’s operations, including fundraising initiatives, community outreach programs and strategic partnerships.

UC Health announced that Jennifer Jackson will rejoin the health system to lead UC Health West Chester Hospital as part of a new, nurse-led site leadership model. Jackson will be UC Health vice president operations, West Chester Hospital site leader and chief nursing officer. She will oversee the operations of West Chester Hospital, which has more than 1,000 employees and 174 licensed beds.

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Gabe Davis has been named the new CEO of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center, which strives to create fair, intelligent, redemptive criminal justice systems through client-centered advocacy, innovative policy reform and community education. Davis has served for nearly three years as director of the Citizen Complaint Authority in Cincinnati. Prior to CCA, he practiced law at Frost Brown Todd, and served as a prosecutor in the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Brighton Center welcomes three new board members: Anne Busse , Thomas More University; Shannon O’Connell Egan, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP; and Maida Session, Duke Energy. Brighton Center also welcomes new leadership to its Brighton Properties Board : Stephanie Bogenschutz , St. Elizabeth Healthcare; Anthony Bradford , A.M. Titan Properties; Kristie Dierig , Ever Spark; Dawn Grace , Federal Home Loan Bank; and Cheri Padgett , Fifth Third Bank.

Lighthouse Youth & Family Services has promoted Bonita Campbell to chief operating officer. Since joining the agency in 1991, she has served in many leadership roles, including foster care director, youth housing opportunities director, and, most recently, vice president of homeless youth services.

Ryan Salzman has joined the OneNKY Alliance as project director, bringing a wealth of experience from his career at Northern Kentucky University. Salzman will accelerate the organization’s initiatives, working with founding President & CEO Karen Finan and the OneNKY Alliance board.

Children’s Law Center welcomes Sydney Pepper as its director of development. Pepper will bolster fundraising strategy and increase awareness of CLC’s mission and programs. Pepper has extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising, most recently with the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and the Music Resource Center-Cincinnati.

The Christ Hospital Health Network has named Shailesh Jejurikar, Procter & Gamble’s chief operating officer, as its newest board member. Jejurikar joins with decades of global business experience and his passion for improving lives across diverse communities.

Shannon O’Connell Egan

Shailesh Jejurikar

Brianna Ledsome

Sydney Pepper Ryan Salzman

Jennifer Jackson

Bonita Campbell Cheri Padgett

Dawn Grace

Kristie Dierig Anthony Bradford Stephanie Bogenschutz

Maida Session

Anne Busse Gabe Davis Missy Hendon Deters Sso-Rha Kang Bethany Doverspike

Colleen Swanson Sara Vance Waddell

United Way of Greater Cincinnati has added nine new leaders to its board of directors: Maureen A. Bickley, Frost Brown Todd; Dr. Steve Davis, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Larissa England , E.W. Scripps Co.; Tiffany Hanisc h, GE Aerospace; Jeremy Hayden, Taft Law; Marianne W. Lewis, University of Cincinnati; Vedran Miletic , The Partnering Group; Cory D. Shaw, UC Health; and Tyran Stallings, Buildwell Development Group and the D.A.D. Initiative.

Leadership Ohio has presented Cincinnati Works program director Rayshun Holt , class of 2022, the Community Impact Award, which recognizes alumni who have made a significant positive difference in their communities through their service to improve the lives of others and creating a lasting impact on Ohio and/or its people.

Leadership Council for Nonprofits welcomes four new board members, representing an array of nonprofit community leadership: Rob Festenstein, Center for Independent Living Options; David A. Iyoha , Black Achievers; June Miller, Brighton Center; and Bralynda Watkins, HER Cincinnati.

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The Dragonfly Foundation has added two to its leadership team: Megan Jackson and Hannah Hopkins. Jackson is joining as vice president of development and Hopkins as director of programs and patient relations.

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The BE NKY Growth Partnership board of directors welcomed two new members: Covington Mayor Joe Meyer, serving a one-year term, and Prysmian Group North America President and CEO Andrea Pirondini, serving a three-year term.

Santa Maria has added two leaders to its board of directors: India Cole, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and Gary Kohls, Union Savings Bank.

The POWER of Collective Giving

Gary Kohls

India Cole

Andrea Pirondini

Joe Meyer

Hannah Hopkins Megan Jackson

Bralynda Watkins June Miller David A. Iyoha

Rob Festenstein

Tyran Stallings

Cory D. Shaw

Marianne W. Lewis Vedran Miletic Rayshun Holt

Jeremy Hayden Tiffany Hanisch Larissa England Dr. Steve Davis Maureen Bickley

CTC gets anonymous $1.5M gift, plus a Ludacris boost

A gift of $1.5 million from an anonymous donor has powered The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati to the $30 million milestone in its $48 million fundraising campaign to reimagine and restore the landmark Emery Theater.

The effort received an added $50,000 boost from actor, hip-hop legend and entrepreneur Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, a client of entertainment attorney and former TCT board member Darrell D. Miller, an Emery Theater Campaign Cabinet member.

TCT, which plans to open the Emery in fall 2025, will use the theater as its permanent MainStage home, creating a state-of-the-art venue unlike any in the region.

 www.thechildrenstheatre.com

PWC receives $50K grant for student service program

People Working Cooperatively (PWC), the Greater Cincinnati area nonprofit that provides critical home repairs, accessibility modifications and energy conservation services at no cost to low-income homeowners, has received a $50,000 grant from the Charles H. Dater Foundation.

The grant will help to fund PWC’s Student Service Program, which engages youth in volunteer experiences that benefit both the students and low-income residents of Greater Cincinnati. Approximately 300 youth volunteers will participate in the 2023 program.

 www.pwchomerepairs.org

Dater Foundation marks $1M philanthropic milestone with UC

With concurrent $25,000 grants to the STEM Collaborative, Med Mentors and the Urban Health Project, The Charles H. Dater Foundation recently marked a philanthropic milestone with the University of Cincinnati, having given more than $1 million since 1990 to university programs aiding children and youths.

Established in 1985 by Charles Dater, the foundation makes charitable grants to private, nonprofit organizations and public agencies in Greater Cincinnati for programs benefiting children. Dater was a UC alum and a World War II veteran.

“We have a deep commitment to the City of Cincinnati and by supporting UC’s excellent programs, we are helping the city,” said Bruce Kroner, Dater board president. “It also recognizes Charles and his legacy.”

 www.foundation.uc.edu

 www.daterfoundation.org

Talbert House receives $15K from AT&T for telehealth access

AT&T has provided $15,000 to support Talbert House’s client telehealth access portal. Upgrading clinical health records to give clients access to their own medical information allows them to communicate directly with their healthcare providers, getting immediate access to medical records and test results as well as the ability to send questions and requests.

 www.talberthouse.org

Haile grant boosts ToolBank’s new training center

The Cincinnati ToolBank’s new Training Center received a $50,000 grant from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, which will be the presenting sponsor for the new center. This space is aimed at bridging critical learning gaps in tool use, repair and safety, workforce development, introduction to tools and trades, and disaster preparedness.

The buildout of 10,000 square feet includes a training center, co-working space, conference room, meeting areas, offices and a kitchenette. The project is estimated to be completed this fall.

 www.cincinnatitoolbank.org

Grant will help center host entrepreneurship program

North Fairmount Community Center has received a $10,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to fund a free entrepreneurship program using Cricut cutting machines to create personalized clothing, mugs and other custom items to sell. The purpose of the program is to teach lowincome participants how to use their creativity to raise funds for themselves and their families. The Cricut courses will be offered three times during a 12-month period, each course meeting weekly for eight weeks. There are no fees for participants.

 www.nfcommunitycenter.org

UC Foundation President Peter Landgren and Dater Foundation President Bruce Kroner

Students from Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy work alongside professionals from Valley Interior to frame the walls for Cincinnati ToolBank’s new Training Center.

A rendering of the Children’s Theatre’s Emery Theater renovation

Interact for Health awards $3.7M in grants to address health-related inequalities

Interact for Health awarded $3.7 million in grants to local nonprofits working to reduce health-related inequalities and improve outcomes across Greater Cincinnati.

The organization used priorities in its five-year strategic plan to determine how to distribute the funds. Focus areas were mental health equity, amplifying youth voice in mental health services, and advancing health justice.

 www.interactforhealth.org

Health justice

A Picture’s Worth – $170,000

Brighton Properties – $100,000

Center for Closing the Health Gap in Greater Cincinnati – $115,000

Cradle Cincinnati and Queen’s Village – $105,000

City of Forest Park – $200,000

Communities United for Action – $100,000

Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless – $100,000

Amplifying youth voices

Activities Beyond the Classroom – $86,000

American Youth Foundation – $50,000

Center for Healing the Hurt – $25,000

Cincinnati Black Theatre Company – $58,000

to Fearless – $80,000

GLAD House Inc. – $50,000

Lighthouse Youth Services, Inc. – $75,000

Love N Action CDC – $75,000

Mental Health America of N. Kentucky and SW. Ohio – $58,000

Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission – $58,000

Our Tribe – $121,000

Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses – $125,000

Green Umbrella – $100,000

Groundwork Ohio River Valley – $64,000

One Community One Family – $128,000

Price Hill Will – $35,000

Safety Council of Southwestern Ohio – $115,000

School Board School – $69,000

Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses – $75,000

The Center for Great Neighborhoods – $115,000

The Women’s Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation – $88,000

Working In Neighborhoods – $115,000

YWCA of Greater Cincinnati Inc. – $192,000

Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services – $56,000

Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation – $58,000

Talawanda School District – $28,000

The DAD Initiative – $57,000

WordPlay Cincy – $40,000

Youth at the Center – $50,000

A Memory Support Environment Encouraging Individuality, Compassion,

Stowe House wins foundation grant for future programs

The Harriet Beecher Stowe House has received an $8,000 grant from the Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation. This funding will be used toward research and development of future programs and exhibits titled “Centering African American Stories” as part of the ongoing restoration of the house.

 www.stowehousecincy.org

Dater grant supports childcare assistance at Gateway

Gateway Community & Technical College received a $20,000 grant from the Charles H. Dater Foundation for its Childcare Assistance Program, marking the fifth straight year the foundation has aided the program. Gateway partners with Learning Grove, The Goddard School of Florence and KinderCare Learning Centers to help provide childcare assistance services to student parents.

 www.gateway.kctcs.edu

Gateway Community & Technical College’s Boone Campus

While your loved one receives support for daily needs, they’ll also be encouraged to fill their day with engaging moments. Whether it’s music, art, socializing, or technology — our programs offer a range of opportunities for residents to connect through things they enjoy with people who care.

“My husband and I still

Snapshots

CABVI re-releases Braille Ale with West Side Brewing

Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and West Side Brewing celebrated the return of the award-winning Braille Ale Raspberry Gose at the brewery.

Natalie Jones from Q102 helped host the event and Big Dogg’s BBQ food truck was on-site throughout the evening. A portion of food and beverage purchases was donated back to CABVI to help individuals adapt to vision loss.

Braille Ale was created to spark conversation and awareness around inclusivity and accessibility for those who are blind or visually impaired.

CABVI also partnered with Cincy Shirts to create a “Brewing Awareness” T-shirt to help spread the word about CABVI and Braille Ale. A portion of each purchase will go back to support CABVI’s services.  www.cincyblind.org

Michael Jansen, Nick Vogel, Kim McNeer and Jason Gentry

Host Natalie Jones from Q102 with CABVI CEO Teri Shirk, vice president of community relations Aaron Bley and Michele Plessinger from Gilman Partners

Alex Eby, Lynda Schlarman-Nichting, Sam Barlion and Patsy Baughn of CABVI’s community relations team

Q102’s Natalie Jones and Chris Henry participate in the blindfolded beer tasting contest.

Braille Ale planning team Chris Henry from West Side Brewing, Carol Lahke, Aaron Bley from CABVI, Alex Eby from CABVI, Jason Miller from WSB and Patsy Baughn from CABVI

CABVI board chair Glen Vogel and wife Mary participate in the blindfolded beer tasting contest.

Nick Vogel, vice president of industrial operations and product management, with community partner Big Dogg’s food truck

Planned Giving Council honors

26 Cincinnati philanthropists

Twenty-six local philanthropists were recently honored by the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council with Voices of Giving Awards for their planned gifts to 17 local causes, each with a different focus but shared purpose of improving lives and community. Major sponsors for the event were New Riff and Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

This is the 25th anniversary for the Voices of Giving Awards, a program to highlight those who are paving the way in supporting charitable organizations. In 25 years, more than 600 individuals have been honored – each nominated by their respective beneficiary.

 www.gcpgc.org

2023 award recipients:

William and Janet Albertson*

Dr. Peggy Bensman

Jan Armstrong Cobb

Richard Cocks

Kelly Dehan

Frank Gerson* and Conny Wischmann*

Tom and Jan Hardy

Jim Heldman and Wendy Saunders

William Hoeb

Matthew Hoffman

Ruth Holtel

Richard* and Diane Park

Pat Patton

Sara and Michelle Vance Waddell

Jody Wainscott

Jim and Lee Anne Waldfogle

Ken and Theresa Wright

*Honoree recognized posthumously

Whitney O’Neil, Raynal Moore and Lisa Roberts-Rosser

Emmit Jones, Erika Jones and Kevin Moore

Lauren Jacquot, Amy Cheney and Bill Hoeb

Jody Wainscott and Aimee Sproles

Peg Dierkers and Rhonda Curtis

Jim Heldman, Wendy Saunders, Abby Schwartz and David Schwartz

Kids take over Nippert for Recess in the Stadium

Sponsored by the American Heart Association, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, UC Health and UC Athletics, Recess in the Stadium was a free event at Nippert Stadium to educate hundreds of kids about the importance of heart health through activities on and off the playing field.

Kids had the opportunity to try their hands (and feet) at interactive stations, including obstacle courses, soccer kicks, putting practice, basketball and football toss, yoga and more. University of Cincinnati athletes, cheerleaders and dance team were there to cheer on participants, and the UC Bearcat posed for photos.

 www.heart.org

Golf outing helps cancer patients get away

The Karen Wellington Foundation community showed up for the eighth annual Birdies, Beer and a Band Golf Outing & After-Party benefitting the Kate Wordeman FUNd. Through the golf committee, volunteers, sponsors and donors, KWF raised over $145,000 for its fun-only mission.

Support for the event was provided by the Sambrookes family, as well as the 2023 golf committee: Sam Sambrookes, Dale Donovan, Steve Moser, Corey Wolfe and Simran Magowan. The record year gives KWF the opportunity to get recipients off its waiting list and onto a beach or mountaintop somewhere with breast cancer in the rearview.

 karenwellingtonfoundation.org

Riley Lambdin with UC cheerleaders

Dr. Dustin Calhoun

Attendees participate in yoga.

 Chase Sunders with UC Bearcat

Michelle Hudgens and Tricia Sunders

Madiha Hossain

Shawn Murphy putts.

Theresa Shepherd and Angela Easton 

Ann Brinkley and Alexia Zigoris Wellington

Grace McConnell and Sam Sambrookes

Joy Owens, Ishan Walker and Kent Wellington

Whole Again teaches kids that fitness can be fun

Whole Again held its annual Fun to Be Fit Day, supported by presenting sponsors Union Savings Bank and Guardian Savings Bank. Fun to Be Fit Day celebrates healthy minds and bodies, keeping kids active and emphasizing the importance of physical fitness.

More than 500 children from Whole Again sites around Greater Cincinnati participated, including a game of Knockout against local police. The kids also completed a Mario-themed obstacle course for trophies and prizes. Additional event support was provided by volunteers,

Sporting clays event benefits Beechwood Home residents

More than 60 sporting clays enthusiasts gathered at the Sycamore Sporting Clays Club in Miamiville to compete and to support The Beechwood Home, a lifelong home for 80 residents with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and other conditions. Event participants enjoyed a morning of shooting, a lunch prepared by the club, and awards for the best shooting skills. All proceeds benefited programs at The Beechwood Home.

 www.beechwoodhome.com

Team winners John Roberts, Dan Shiels, George Heffner, Kevin Brown and Rich Oliver. Heffner was also the men’s high overall prize winner.

Luke Frey (center) accepts the award for high overall under 30 from Dr. Patricia Clark (left) and Roxann Tillinghast.

Lisa Hinton took the ladies’ high overall prize.

local police officers, Super Mario and Bowser.

Back row, Whole Again board chair Tom Doyle and Daniel Schmerr; front row, Madeline Calhoun, Sandra McClinton, Executive Director Kendra Scott and Deeanna Garner

Participating Whole Again children

Gutierrez Arts Photography

Movers & Makers August happy hour

Neighbors, nonprofit leaders and friends mingled and made new connections at the monthly, second-Wednesday happy hour hosted by Movers & Makers at the Kinley Hotel downtown. The ongoing gathering is open to readers, offering free light bites and special cocktail menu pricing. The September Mix & Mingle is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 13, at the Kinley.

Thom Mariner and Elizabeth Mariner, co-publishers of Movers & Makers

Shannon Lloyd and Marcus Frederick

Phil Fisher, M&M copy editor, and Janelle Allen

Megan O’Brien and Amie Senich

Meg Howes, M&M Culture FIX columnist, and Mollie Newman

David Smith

Lenette Hinds and Terri Betts

Julie Raleigh, Steve Wolff and Ann Criswell

Diane Kidd, Charlotte Boemker and Kelly Heekin

Damon Gray and Melissa Gray

Anyssa Selkirk, Chara Fisher Jackson and Maria Lokshin

Ron Mosby and Peter Landesman

Scan QR code and RSVP to attend the September event.

Music fest benefits Alzheimer’s research

The inaugural ALZSTAR Music Festival at the Woodward raised $4,850 for The Alzheimer’s Association, the largest non-profit for the advancement of research for the cure of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The festival was performed in honor of Evelyn Martini, who died of Alzheimer’s in 2015. The three bands included her daughter Maria Among the musicians in the three bands were her daughter Maria Martini Deneau, son Gregg Martini and grandson Leo Martini.

speaking about her family’s struggle with her father’s Alzheimer’s

The trusted partner for non-profit

and compounded to the account monthly. Fees may reduce earnings. This introductory offer is available for a limited time; offer and rates subject to change at any time, without

Aggie Hidalgo and ALZSTAR founder and performer Al Hidalgo

Family and friends of Evelyn Martini: Gregg Martini, Leo Martini, Elise Ogden, Lila Martini, Yasmin Martini, Tony Martini, Jamie Hoffpauir and Charlene Hoffman

Jamie Hoffpauir

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Amanda Orlando, Annemarie Barnett and Maria Martini Deneau

Savanah Salem and Gabe Kalubi

Leo Martini performing with the Arlan Gun Club

Photos by steve Z iegelMeyer

Magnified Giving hosts workshop to help empower educators

Magnified Giving, a youth philanthropy organization based in Evendale, hosted a Service-Learning Teacher Workshop designed to empower educators and promote community engagement among youth across the region. The workshop provided teachers with strategies to foster youth development and community engagement through service-learning. Sixty educators from community organizations and educational institutions ranging from elementary to higher education attended this special training, which was facilitated by Julie Rogers Bascom, director of learning and leadership at the National Youth Leadership Council. According to NYLC, servicelearning is an instructional strategy that involves youth in hands-on learning activities and engages them in community needs.

 www.magnifiedgiving.org

Record number of foursomes golf for The Point/Arc

Dave Wurtenberger, Rick Hoblitzell, Gary Hanser and Dank Theissen shot a 12-under par and were crowned champions at The Point/Arc’s golf classic held at Triple Crown Golf and Country Club. The championship was not a first for the foursome; they have won multiple titles at the annual event.

A record 27 foursomes attended the day-long event to support the Covington-based nonprofit.

The Point/Arc was founded in 1972 with a mission to serve everyone and anyone, regardless of their intellectual and developmental disability, helping them achieve their highest potential educationally, socially, residentially and vocationally.

 thepointarc.org

Luncheon shines light on Valley Interfaith’s services for poor

Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center hosted its first Awareness Luncheon at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley, with more than 150 Greater Cincinnati leaders attending. The attendees, who included more than 50 host committee members from business, civic, political and philanthropic organizations, gathered to learn about the 60-year history of VICRC, what it is presently doing and its plan for the future.

The event included a luncheon that featured keynote speaker Marc Edwards, a native of Norwood and a former Notre Dame and NFL star. Volunteers, donors and members also spoke about their experiences with VICRC.

 www.vicrc.org

Workshop participants Mo Kelly and Shakeysa Ogletree laugh during an ice breaker.

Participants Gina Keith, Kelly Langenbrunner and Kade Abney work together to develop a definition of service-learning.

The Point/Arc President and founder Judi Gerding with winning foursome Dave Wurtenberger, Rick Hoblitzell, Gary Hanser and Dank Theissen

Attendee Rhonda Sheakley

Keynote speaker and football star Marc Edwards

Lucky 13th brings Covington Partners’ most successful golf outing

With the support of golfers and sponsors, the 13th annual Covington Partners Golf Outing presented by Lisa and Norm Desmarais at Traditions Golf Club was the most successful golf outing for Covington Partners to date. Over 30 sponsors and 120 golfers came together to support the vision of Covington Partners: that all Covington children realize their full potential.

Golfers enjoyed lunch and dinner provided by Chefs’ Warehouse, participated in an online silent auction sponsored by St. Elizabeth Healthcare, and enjoyed several contests throughout the scramble.

Winning foursomes included Team Covington Independent Public Schools/DBL Law (first place) and Team Knowledgeworks (second place). Next year’s outing is set for July 15, 2024.

www.mycovingtonpartners.org

Rugby/Northwestern



Team

Second place: Team Knowledgeworks: Andy Plattner, Jumpei Okuda, Michael DiMaggio and Bill Hite

Team Queen City

Mutual: Trent Ledbetter, CJ Pennington, Jeremiah Martin and Austin Fields

Team C-Forward: Todd Rohrer, Brian Ruschman, Mike Grout and Bryan Cobb

Team McDannold: Brenda Gosney, Peggy Dean, Doris Brooks and Peggy McDannold

Greenway Innovations: Kevin Connor, Alison Connor, Beth Thomas and Charlie Stillings

Title sponsors Norm Desmarais and Lisa Desmarais with Covington Partners executive director Stacie Strotman

First place: Team CIPS & DBL: Brad Carr, Ted Edgington, Terry Brown and Ryne Smith

Emmy Award Winner Regional - Interview/Discussion Program

OTR festival features Sheen, Estévez and 50 films

The 2023 Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival hosted over 50 films from around the world alongside a series of community events. The festival opened with a gala at Music Hall, as well as a fireside chat with iconic father-and-son duo Martin Sheen and Emilio Estévez, curated by Film Cincinnati. The evening was introduced by Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, and was moderated by Film Cincinnati’s Kristen Schlotman and OTRFF’s Artistic Director tt stern-enzi. Sheen and Estévez shared stories of their cinematic journey, family, and their immersive Ohio roots.

 otrfilmfest.org

tt stern-enzi, Martin Sheen, Emilio Estévez and Kristen Schlotman

Casey Metcalfe, Emilio Estévez and Matthew Von Der Ahe

Travis Geiger, Jack Geiger, Kay Geiger, Emilio Estévez, Martin Sheen and Morgan Geiger

George Foster, Emilio Estévez, Vikki Brown and Martin Sheen

Susan Brownknight, Martin Sheen, Aftab Pureval, Emilio Estévez, Kristen Schlotman and tt stern-enzi

The LotusShark Team: Mike Heffron, Diane Bielo, Jack Knellinger, Aymie Majerski, Ellie Myers, Shannon St.George, Ethan Stanley, Jake Dressman and Claire Cummings

Topgolf outing supports NewPath’s educational programs

NewPath Child & Family Solutions held its first Topgolf Golf Outing hosted by its young professionals board. The event included networking, food, drinks and, of course, golf. NewPath raised funds for the teens and young adults enrolled in their schools, Experiential Learning program, and Independent Living Services program.

Due to financial and environmental challenges, many clients don’t have access to the same educational and employment opportunities as their peers. NewPath bridges the gap by helping enrolled students achieve their post-graduate ambitions.

 www.newpath.org

Travis Brinkman, Lauren Brinkman, Monica Rieman and Joe Rieman

Tracy Wilson, Ben Wilcox Sr., Paige Platt, Aric Platt and Joey Madden

Zack Ward, Adam Schmalz, Mike Lakin, Chris Pratt and Brandon Christin

Magic happens onstage and in viewers’ minds

I’ve got the brochures piled up from the Playhouse, Ensemble Theatre, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. There are so many great plays to choose from for the 202324 season. We haven’t decided yet which we’re going to take a chance on. Because it is taking a chance: Tickets are expensive, and not every production is a winner.

Cincinnati theaters have given me some peak artistic experiences over the years, and I’m always hoping for more of those. Certain moments have stuck in my mind for many years, still fresh enough for me to remember.

When we first moved here, I’d been living in New York, seeing whatever plays I could buy halfprice tickets for, so I was ready to keep that up. But there was a bit of a lull after we moved here – tight budget, kids to take care of, plus not a ton of choices: The Playhouse was about it. But I do remember what got my husband and I back

into the seats. It was a production of “Nixon’s Nixon” in 1997, a rivetingly acted two-person play about Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger that had us both saying, “We have got to get to more theater.”

Others that come to mind:

“A Woman in Black” at The Shelterhouse in 1998, a standard ghost story that was directed so well that, with no special effects, a ghostly woman appeared on stage in a way that was so other-worldly I can still reproduce the shiver I got from it.

A 1993 production of “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,” also in the Shelterhouse, that made me weep in my seat as they sang “Old Folks” and I thought of my grandparents. There was Dale Hodges in “Wit,” in 1999, baring soul and body while dying and learning from John Donne; the brilliant conception of “Metamorphoses” whose set is a

shallow pool the actors wade and splash and fall in. (Which reminds me … the mud pit shows at the Renaissance Festival, which were hilarious, at least the first few times I saw them.)

There were a few years at the Shakespeare Festival in the 2000s that were just stellar: I was gripped by grief that seemed real at the ending of Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia,” while also appreciating the carefully crafted plot and the erudition behind it.

More recently, there was Bruce Cromer re-enacting “The Iliad” as a one-man play on a set of scaffolding at The Ensemble in 2015. At the same theater, a perfect cast of young women kicking soccer balls into a net on stage in “Wolves” in 2019. Audrey Bertaux and William Vaughn of Walterhoope company just before the pandemic, in a tiny production in a space in Northside, taking on the thousands of words of conversation in a two-person play called “Lungs,” about parenthood and climate change. I hope we see them again.

Seeing plays created by or acted in by people I know, at Fringe, especially. A server at Salazar said she’d written a play that was being produced at the Know, so we went to see A.J. Baldwin’s “The Twunny Fo’ ” last year, and loved witnessing a newborn work of art.

Speaking of knowing people, probably the most profound moment on stage I’ve ever experienced was a production of “Macbeth” put on after a week of rehearsal by the high school students of Shakespeare Festival’s Camp. My shy daughter Louise, who was really no actress, played Lady Macduff in a green velvet dress. In Act 4, she had to scream “My babies, my babies” and she did it, convincingly and terrifyingly.

She lives in Chicago now and we went with her there several years ago to see the Lookingglass Theatre’s “Moby Dick” in which a whale passes over the heads of the audience, using a bit of thrilling trickery.

That made me realize that the kind of play I’m most interested in is something that can only be done live, that relies on the audience’s willingness to engage their imagination, staged to create an effect that is not necessarily realistic, but is real. Theater can create something larger than life using the limited choices of an actual stage.

Covid got me hooked for a few years on quality TV and movies. But those are a different thing. They are moving and profound but they aren’t magic in the same way. Looking back on this list of vividly remembered productions, I’d say what I value is something that is not just a live TV show. I want the magic of creativity and pure artistic effort, the experience that you know the whole time is artifice but that grabs you and convinces you anyway. I want daring and risk-taking.

It strikes sometimes. Even when it doesn’t, a play almost always has something to notice, to think about, even if it’s just the observation that it’s really really hard to write a good play. I would also like to suggest to people that at intermission, and afterward, you let the efforts of actor, director and designer sink in, talk about it a little, try to understand it before you go back to the usual quotidian conversations I hear in the lobby.

We’ll see what the season brings. 

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

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