Author Archives: Chris Payne

Community Theater 2017 and 2018 Season for Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio

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CommTheatre

One of the best parts about living in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton area is the robust and diverse arts scene. In addition to a healthy roster of music venues and art museums, this area is FULL of both professional and community theatre. Below is a sampling of what some of our community theaters throughout the region are offering this season. What are you looking forward to seeing?

Beechmont Players
Born Yesterday – 5/12-5/20 (2017)
James and the Giant Peach – 8/4-8/12 (2017)

Beavercreek Community Theatre
Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike – 4/21-4/30 (2017)
Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical – 6/16 – 6/25 (2017)

Brookville Community Theatre
Oklahoma  – 6/29-7/16 (2017)
Pygmalion – 9/7-9/17 (2017)
The Christmas Spirit –11/9-11/19 (2017)

CenterStage Players
It Doesn’t Get Any Deeper Than This – 5/5–5/13 (2017)
Dark of the Moon – October 2017
Coney Island Christmas – December 2017
The Secret Life of Girls – February 2018
Tribes – March 2018
To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday – May 2018

Cincinnati Music Theatre
Shrek The Musical – 5/12-5/20 (2017)

Dayton Playhouse
Ragtime –  5/5-5/21 (2017)
Sister Act – 9/15-10/1 (2017)
Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean – 11/3-11/12 (2017)
Beehive: The Sixties Musical – 1/19-2/24 (2018)
A Few Good Men – 3/9-3/18 (2018)
Disney’s The Little Mermaid –  5/4-5/20 (2018)

Dayton Theatre Guild
Wonder of the World – 5/12-5/28 (2017)
All My Sons – 8/18-9/3 (2017)
Marjorie – 10/6-10/22 (2017)
The Christians – 11/17-12/3 (2017)
Stella and Lou – 1/19-2/4 (2018)
The Other Place – 3/16-4/1 (2018)
Bakersfield – 5/11-5/27 (2018)

Fairfield Footlighters
The Rainmaker – 9/23-10/2
Over the River and Through the Woods – 11/11-11/20
The Boys Next Door – 2/17-2/26
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – 5/19-5/28

The Fairfield Footlighters
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – 5/19-5/27 (2017)

Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre
Damn Yankees – 4/27-4/30 (2017)
My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra – 10/5-10/7 (2017)
Children of Eden – 11/30-12/3 (2017)
The Foreigner – 2/15-2/18 (2018)
Legally Blonde – 4/26-4/29 (2018)

Lebanon Theatre Company
Leading Ladies of Lebanon – 5/26-6/4 (2017)
Godspell – 7/21-7/30 (2017)
Guys and Dolls – 9/22-10/1 (2017)
The Seance – October 2017
Almost Maine – 3/16-3/25 (2018)
The Foreigner – 5/18-5/27 (2018)

Loveland Stage Company
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – 5/12-5/21 (2017)

Mariemont Players
Doll House – 4/28-5/14 (2017)
Godspell – 7/7-7/23 (2017)

Mason Community Players
The Wizard of Oz – 7/14-7/22 (2017)
The Curious Savage – 10/6-10/14 (2017)
Tuna Christmas – 12/1-12/9 (2017)
Fantaticks – February 2018
Enchanted April – April 2018
Red, White and Tuna – June-July 2018
Man of La Mancha – July-August 2018
The Foreigner – September-October 2018
Sentimental Journey: A Salute to the OSU – November 2018

Middletown Lyric Theatre
The Book Club Play – 4/21-4/29 (2017)
It’s Only a Play –  6/2-6/10 (2017)
Lost in Yonkers – September 2017
The Game’s Foot – November 2017
Grand Concourse – February 2018
My Name is Asher Lev – April 2018
Circle Mirror Transformation – May 2018
Present Laughter – June 2018

Playhouse South Community Theatre
Catch Me If You Can – 5/5-5/14 (2017)
Once Upon a Mattress – 8/4-8/13 (2017)
Women Playing Hamlet – 9/15-9/24 (2017)
Chess – 11/3-11/12 (2017)
The 39 Steps – 3/2-3/11 (2018)
Rock of Ages – 5/11-5/20 (2018)

The Drama Workshop at The Glenmore Playhouse
Always…Patsy Cline – 4/28-5/14 (2017)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – 8/11-8/27 (2017)
Natural Causes – 10/6-10/22 (2017)
Inspecting Carol – 12/1-12/17 (2017)
The Girls of Miller’s Court – 2/23/-3/11 (2018)
The Sting – 5/4-5/20 (2018)

Town Hall Theatre
Landmark Theatre Series
High School Musical Jr. – 5/5-5/21 (2017)
Snow White – 6/2-6/4  (2017)
Disney’s Lion King Jr – 9/15-10/1 (2017)
Bedtime Stories (As Told By Our Dad) (Who Messed Them Up) – TBD

A.C.T. Showcase Series
Snow White – 6/2-6/4 (2017)

Tri-County Players
A Murder is Announced – 4/21-4/29 (2017)

Troy Civic Theatre
Things My Mother Taught Me – 5/5-5/13 (2017)
Yankee Tavern – 9/29-10/8 (2017)
Pajama Game – 11/10-11/19 (2017)
Escanaba – 3/2-3/11 (2018)
Making God Laugh – 5/4-5/13 (2018)

Village Players of Fort Thomas
Don’t Talk to the Actors – 4/21-4/29 (2017)

Xenia Area Community Theatre (X*ACT)
The Odd Couple – 5/26-6/4 (2017)
The Odd Couple Female Version – 5/26-6/4 (2017)

Some theatres have not posted their new season yet, so keep an eye out for updates.
Let us know if there’s a theatre or show that we missed. Also check out our post on the
2017-2018 professional season.

2017-2018 Theater Season for Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio

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AronoffCarnegie.JPG

Looking to enjoy a broadway show or play soon? Ta da – we have a list below that showcase some terrific live productions scheduled for Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio. There are dozens of other shows going on throughout the region at a variety of community theaters.

Note: Fall 2017 will be a very exciting time as there will be several new theaters in Cincinnati. Read more about what is going on!

Here is our list of live broadway shoes or plays throughout Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio and Northern Kentucky:

Broadway Cincinnati 2017-2018 (Aronoff Theater)
Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles – 4/17 (2017)*
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical – 5/2-5/14 (2017)
Wicked – 9/13-10/15 (2017)
Finding Neverland – 11/7-11/19 (2017)
A Christmas Story – 12/5-/12/10 (2017)
Waitress – 1/9-2/21 (2018)
School of Rock – 2/21 – 3/4 (2018)
Chicago – 3/20-3/15 (2018)
The King and I – 4/10-4/22 (2018)
Disney’s Aladdin – 5/29 – 6/10 (2018)
The Book of Mormon – 7/31-8/5 (2018)
Hamilton – Coming in 2018-2019 season!
(Season subscriptions begin at $175)

The Carnegie
The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever – 6/3 (2017)
(Season subscriptions are $95)

Covedale Center for the Performing Arts
My Fair Lady – 4/27-5/21 (2017)
The Miracle Worker – 9/7-10/1 (2017)
Young Frankenstein – 10/19-11/12 (2017)
Annie – 11/30 – 12/23 (2017)
Guys and Dolls – 2/15-3/11 (2018)
Oklahoma – 4/5-4/29 (2018)
(Season subscriptions are $132)

Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – 7/27-8/6 (2017)

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat – 6/2-7/9 (2017)

Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg
Beauty and the Beast – 5/5-5/13 (2017)
Peter Pan – Fal 2017

Warsaw Federal Incline Theater
Equus – 4/6-4/23(2017)
Damn Yankees – 5/24-6/18 (2017)
Blithe Spirit – 6/28-7/23 (2017)
The Drowsy Chaperone – 8/2-8/27 (2017)
(Season subscriptions are $84)

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
All the Roads Home – 3/25-4/23 (2017)
Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery – 4/22-5/20 (2017)
Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End – 5/6-6/4 (2017)
Shakespeare in Love – 9/2-9/30 (2017)
Mr. Joy – 9/23-10/22 (2017)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – 10/14 – 11/11 (2017)
Frank Ferrante in an Evening with Groucho – 11/3-12/17 (2017)
A Christmas Carol – 11/22-12/30 (2017)
Million Dollar Quartet – 1/20-2/18 (2018)
Be Here Now – 2/9-3/11 (2018)
Marie and Rosetta – 3/3-3/31 (2018)
Sooner/Later – 3/24-4/22 (2018)
Ken Ludwig’s Treasure Island – 4/21-5/19 (2018)
Murder for Two – 5/5-6/10 (2018)
(Season subscriptions begin at $292 (Previews: $280))

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
The Tempest – 4/28-5/20 (2017)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – 9/8-9/30 (2017)
Dracula – 10/13-11/4 (2017)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – 11/17-12/9 (2017)
Every Christmas Story Ever Told – 12/21-12/41 (2017)
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – 1/26-2/17 (2018)
Othello – 3/2-3/24 (2018)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – 4/6-4/28 (2018)
Noises Off – 5/18-6/9 (2018)
(Season subscriptions are $240 (Previews: $145))

University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM)
Singin’ in the Rain Jr. – 5/4-5/6 (2017)
(Customizable subscription packages range in price from $69-$188)

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Bloomsday – 4/4-23 (2017)
(Subscription packages range in price from $125-$210)

Falcon Theater
Master Harold….And the Boys – 5/5-5/20 (2017)
Frankenstein – TBD
Poor Behavior – TBD
A Streetcar Named Desire – TBD
The Pillowman – TBD
A Great Wilderness – TBD
(Adult Flex passes are $80 (5 shows))

Know Theatre
Girlfriend – 7/29-8/27
Pulp – 10/7-10/29
The Other Rhine – 10/22-10/31
Darkest Night at the Gnarly Stump – 11/26-12/17
Dragon Play – 1/27-2/18
Heavier Than – 3/10-4/1
Listen for the Light – 4/21-5/13
(Flex passes are $100 (6 shows))

Miami University Theatre Department
The Wild Party – 4/20-4/30 (2017)

Victoria Theatre Broadway
Kinky Boots – 5/23-5/28 (2017)
Circus 1903 – 6/13-6/18 (2017)
Disney’s The Little Mermaid – 8/8-8/13 (2017)
In the Heights – 10/3-10/8 (2017)
An American in Paris – 11/7-11/12 (2017)
The Sound of Music – 3/20-3/25 (2018)
The Phantom of the Opera – 4/11-/22 (2018)
(Season subscriptions begin at $240)

Victoria Theatre – Morris Family Series
How I Became a Pirate  – 11/4 (2017)
Mr. Popper’s Penguins – 1/20 (2018)
Step Afrika – 3/3 (2018)
Journey to Oz – 4/8-4/8 (2018)
The Olate Dogs Variety Show – 5/5 (2018)
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) – 5/31-6/24 (2018)

Human Race Theatre Company
On Golden Pond – 4/6-4/23 (2017)
Legandale – 9/7-10/8 (2017)
The House – 11/2-11/19 (2017)
Sex with Strangers – 2/1-2/18 (2018)
Brighton Beach Memoirs – 4/5-4/22 (2018)
(Subscription packages range in price from $102-$190)

*Not part of the Broadway Series

Milford – A Great Place to Live and Ranked a Best Place to Retire!

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Milford has proven to be an admirable model of a city. If you were to create a check list of characteristics in your ideal city, Milford would likely check all the boxes. Whether it’s outdoor recreation, diverse businesses, connection to history, variety of residential options,  Milford delivers on every note. According to Smart Asset, a financial planning website, Milford is #4 in the state for retirees. Factors such as tax rate, recreation centers and doctors’ offices were used to create the ranking. In a message from City Manager Michael Doss, he encourages visitors to “learn what more than 7,000 residents already know; that Milford is a great place to raise a family, work, play and retire.”

History
The origins of Milford began with a 230-acre land survey in 1788 and a 1,000-acre Revolutionary War land grant in 1796. John Hageman was one of the first permanent settlers and laid out Milford or Hageman’s Mill, as it was originally named, in 1806. When Hageman left for Indiana in 1811 the town was commonly referred to as Milford. The name came from a newspaper that used the name to describe the town’s location as the first safe ford over the Little Miami River north of the Ohio River. It was at this location that one would cross the river to get to the mills, thus the name mill-ford or Milford. Milford was incorporated 25 years later in 1836 and officially attained city status in 1982.

Get Connected
If you’ve never spent the day in Milford, the Milford Urban Trail System serves as an incredible guide. This four-mile loop trail will take you past a wonderful sampling of all that Milford has to offer. Milford is a critical intersection of eight long-distance hiking and cycling trails that collectively cover over 22,000 miles.
img_0170-copyIn 2012, Milford was established as the first official Trail Town on the Buckeye Trail (1,400+ miles). Milford is also located on the North Country National Scenic Trail (4,600+ miles), American Discovery Trail (6,800+ miles), Sea-to-Sea Long Distance Hiking Route (7,700+ miles), Underground Railroad Cycling Route (2,000+ miles), Ohio to Erie Cycling Route (450+ miles), Little Miami Scenic Trail (78 miles), Little Miami Scenic River (105+ miles). In addition to trail access, Milford is home to a number of parks that offer a variety of recreation opportunities.img_0015

Mosey Down Main

The downtown business district of Milford along Main Street offers a plethora of dining and shopping opportunities. As you mosey down main you will find a variety of restaurants, art galleries, antiques and speciality shops often located in buildings built in the 1800’s. In addition to the historic business district, Milford is also home to several national chains such as Wal-Mart, Rave Motion Pictures, Kroger, Starbucks and a number of chain restaurants. From small town charm to modern conveniences, Milford has it all.img_0372-copyimg_0367-copyimg_0360-copyimg_0357img_0351img_0347

Roads Rivers and Trails
Roads Rivers and Trails is an independently-owned adventure outfitter. Not only do they sell outdoor recreation equipment, they pride themselves on providing information and guidance based on their extensive experience.

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Promont House
The Promont is a Victorian mansion built in 1865 that was the former home of Ohio’s 43rd Governor, John M. Pattison. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is current the home of the Greater Milford Area Historical Society.promonthousemuseum_color3

Valley View Nature Preserve and Education Center
Valley View is a 150-acre nature preserve and education facility. Valley View has about five miles of trails that are perfect for hikes and walks in all seasons.img_0149

Full of Fun Festivals
Great US 50 Yard Sale – Held the third weekend in May, this widespread event serves to promote tourism along U.S. 50.
Frontier Days – This community festival was voted ‘Best Festival on the Eastside’ in 2013-2015 by Cincy Magazine. Frontier Days offers a little something from everyone from parades, games, food, live music, frog jumping contest and a spaghetti-eating contest. The festival usually takes place the first weekend of June.
Amazing Race – The Amazing Charity Race is an adventurous way to raise money for dozens of local charities. The race is comprised of a variety of physical and mental challenges and has raised over $600,000 for local charities.
Movies on the Miami – Free movies are shown on the second Saturday of July and August at Riverside Park. This event is hosted by the Milford Parks & Recreation Commission.
Milford Street Eats Foodtruck Rally – The Milford Street Eats Foodtruck Rally is in its fourth year and offers delicious bites from over two dozen vendors. This event also offers local beers and live music.
Art Affaire – Art Affaire is Milford’s premier art and fine craft show featuring approximately 100 local and regional juried artists. The event includes live music, food and more. Art Affaire is an annual event on the fourth Saturday of September.
Hometown Holidays – This traditional hometown holiday celebration offers Mr. and Mrs. Claus, horse-carriage rides, great gift ideas, and food and drinks from the area’s most popular and award-winning shops and restaurants.

Location, Location, Location
Milford in conveniently located 15 miles east of Cincinnati on US 50. The city lies inside the I-275 loop along the Little Miami River. Milford is bordered by Indian Hill, Terrace Park, Miami Township and Union Township.

As is the theme of Milford’s recreation and business opportunities, so it is with residential options. The diversity of real estate options in Milford runs the gamut from charming cottages and historic gems to modern estate homes and condos. A complete list of amenities and easy access to I-275 make Milford a great place to live.

Parking-Lot Parks and Perks in Covington, Kentucky

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There are five brand new parks in Covington, Kentucky. Where do you fit FIVE new parks? Well, in parking spaces, of course. The five new parklets are the result of the Curb’d design competition that began in November 2015. Winning designs were selected that December and the finished parklets revealed earlier this summer.

So where did this parklet idea come from? According to the Curb’d website:

“Many credit the group Rebar in San Francisco as the first to explore parklet construction back in 2010.Since then, many cities worldwide have followed suit as pedestrians and business-owners begin to reinvent what the sidewalk and curbside means to them. Many of the goals established by those early pioneers, such as promoting connectivity and community interaction, exist today in projects like Curb’d.”

As if mini-parks scattered throughout one of Greater Cincinnati’s coolest neighborhoods isn’t reason enough to walk around and visit each one, there is also an incentive program that encourages you to check it out. Visit all five and receive a discount at participating businesses.

Curb’d is a project supported by the Haile/U.S. Bank Foundation, Renaissance Covington, and the MainStrasse Village Association.

 

Hopscotch Garden – 27 W. 7th Street – Braxton Brewing Company
Tue-Wed: 8a-10p; Thur: 8a-12a; Fri: 8a-1a; Sat: 12p-1a; Sun: 12p-8p
Mountain/Tunnel/Xylophone – 323 W. 6th Street – Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe
Wed: 12p-6p; Thur-Fri: 12p-7p; Sat: 12p-5p
Ride – 715 Madison Avenue – Inspirado
Mon-Fri: 11:30a-2p; Mon-Thur: 5p-9:30p; Fri-Sat: 5p-10:30p
The Boxing Ring – 5 W. Pike Street – Cutman Barbershop
Tue-Sat: 10a-7p
Wish-Igloo – 701 Greenup Street – Left Bank Coffeehouse
Mon-Fri: 7a-2p; Sat-Sun: 9a-1p

Bouncin’ Around Town on a Budget

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Pink Piggy Bank

Whether you’re taking a stay-cation or just looking for some entertainment without breaking the bank, there are plenty of inexpensive options in the Greater Cincinnati region.

$5 and Under

Carew Tower Observation Deck
$4 ages 12 and up | $2 ages 6-11 | Free ages 5 and under
Hours: M-Th 9-5:30; F 9-6; Sat, Sun 10-7 | (513) 579-9735

At the top of Cincinnati’s tallest building, visitors to the 49th floor Observation Deck can enjoy one of the city’s most spectacular views plus pick up a Cincinnati souvenier in the gift shop.

CarouselBestCarol Ann’s Carousel – Smale Riverfront Park
$2 for one ride, all ages
Summer Hours: Through Labor Day; Tues-Sun 11-7, closed Mon | (513) 381-3756

Enjoy riverfront views while riding on a carousel featuring original artwork by Jonathan Queen with panels depicting whimsical animal characters and many historic landmarks of Cincinnati.

Gorman Heritage Farm – Evendale, OH
$5 ages 18-59 | $3 ages 3-17 and 60+ | Free ages 3 and under
Hours: M-F, 9-5; Sat 9-3; closed Sun | (513) 563-6663

Explore a 122-acre working farm and outdoor education center. Learn the history and methods of a working family farm in a natural setting consititng of a farmyard with a variety of animals, a garden, 40 acres of wooded hillside and a natural pond. On the National Register of Historic Places.

The Historical Loveland Castle & Museum Chateau Laroche 
$5 ages 13 and up | $3 ages 12 and under
Summer Hours: April – September; Mon-Sun 11-5 | (513) 683-4686

Built as an expression of when Knighthood was at its peak, the castle features three distinctive styles of architecture, four types of towers, a domed ceiling, dry-moat, a collection of period weaponry and lots more!

Krohn Conservatory – Eden Park
$4 ages 13 and up | $2 ages 5-12 | Hours: Tues-Sun 10-5 | (513) 352-4080

You don’t have to leave Cincinnnati to visit a rainforest or a desert. Built in 1933 at the height of the Art Deco era, Krohn Conservatory is a nationally recognized showcase with more than 3,500 plant species from around the world.

Jungle Jim’s International Market Tours
$5 per person, includes a $2 Jungle Jim’s gift certificate
Hours: Mon-Fri, reservations required
Fairfield Store: (513) 674-6023 | Eastgate Store: (513) 674-6000, Option 1, 7756

Take an hour-long tour of the store and enjoy food samples from around the world! Learn the history of Jungle Jim’s, explore each department and discover incredible edibles from around the world!

Contemporary Art Center
Free admission | Sat-Mon 10–4 | Tues Closed (Store open from 10-4) | Wed-Fri 10–9
(513) 345-8400

Cincinnati Art Museum
General Admission is always FREE. Special Exhibition pricing may vary.
Parking: $4 per vehicle | Hours: Tues-Sun 11–5 | (513) 639-2995

Wolff Planetarium-Burnet Woods Trailside Nature Center
Programs begin in the fall. Every third Friday, 7-8pm
$5/seat (cash), reservations required (513) 751-3679

Thomas Moore Observatory-Thomas Moore College
Free open houses, lectures and viewings. (859) 344-3367

Shakespeare in the Park
Free | Various locations | 7/29-9/3

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra – Summer Series at Devou Park
Free | 7/9; 8/6; 9/3 | All performances begin at 7:30p

Spring Grove Cemetery
Free | Various dates & times | Guided and themed tours

Over $5

Neusole Glassworks
For just $8 per person you get a tour of the studio and an artist demonstration.
Mon-Sat 9–5 | Sun 10-4 | (513) 751-3292

The Fire Museum of Greater Cincinnati
Adults: $8 | Seniors (65+): $6 | *Children (7–17): $6 | Hours: Tue-Sat 10–4
*Children (6 and younger): FREE with admission of an adult or senior. | (513) 621-5553

CityBike2.jpgRed Bike
$8/Day (unlimited 60-minute rides)

What are your favorite budget-friendly things to do around town?

FREE Shakespeare in the Park in Cincinnati

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CincyShakes

Used with permission from Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Macbeth (All performances begin at 7:0o pm)
7/29 – Eden Park Seasongood Pavilion, 950 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH
7/30 – McDonald Commons Park, 7440 Dawson Road, Madeira, OH
8/2 – St. Lawrence Square, 3650 Warsaw Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
8/3 – Evendale Recreation, 10500 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH
8/5 – Cottell Park, 5847 Irwin Simpson Road, Mason, OH
8/6 – Glenwood Gardens Park, 10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH
8/7 – Community Park Pavilion, 5951 Buckwheat Road, Milford, OH
8/9 – Linden Grove Cemetery, 1421 Holman Avenue, Covington, KY
8/10 – Clifton Cultural Arts Center – Great Lawn, 3711 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
8/11 – Boone Woods Park, 6000 Veterans Way, Burlington, KY
8/12 – Vinoklet Vineyard Stage, 11069 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
8/14 – Harry Whiting Brown Lawn, 30 Village Square, Glendale, OH
8/17 – River’s Edge Ampitheatre, 116 Dayton Street, Hamilton, OH
8/21 – Shawnee State University Green, 614 3rd Street, Portsmouth, OH
8/23 – Presidents Park, 385 Dudley Road, Edgewood, KY
8/25 – Library Amiptheatre, 218 East 3rd Street, Maysville, KY
8/27 – Mt. Healthy City Park, 1541 Hill Avenue, Mt. Healthy, OH
8/31 – Monroe Community Park, 500 South Main Street, Monroe, OH

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (All performances begin at 7:00 pm – *8/24-6:00 pm)
7/31 – Washington Park, 1410 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH
8/4 – Liberty Park 132 S. Main Street, Batesville, IN
8/16 – Keehner Park, 7211 Barrett Road, West Chester, OH
8/19 – Third Place, 734 Main Street, Brookville, IN
8/20 – Miami Whitewater Forest – Harbour Point, 8801 Mt. Hope Road, Harrison, OH
*8/24 – Kennedy Heights Park, 6037 Kennedy Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
8/26 – Vinoklet Vineyard Stage, 11069 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
8/28 – Washington Park, 1410 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH
8/30 – Uptown Park, 14 W Park Place, Suite C, Oxford, OH
9/1 – Flagship Park, Corner of Lakemont & Deerchase Drive, Erlanger, KY

Romeo & Juliet (All performances begin at 7:00 pm – *8/13 – 2:00 pm)
*8/13 – Arts Center at Dunham (INDOOR) 1945 Dunham Way, Cincinnati, OH
8/13 – Eden Park Seasongood Pavilion 950 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH
8/18 – Smale Riverfront Park-Schmidlapp Event Lawn, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH

For more information on Shakespeare in the Park and the rest of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2016-17 season, visit CincyShakes.com.

Best BBQ Spots in Cincinnati

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Barbeque Pulled Pork Sandwich

Memphis, Tennessee – North Carolina – Kansas City – Texas… and Cincinnati.

While Cincinnati might not have national recognition as a “barbeque town”, there is no shortage of quality barbeque in Porkopolis.

Barbeque, or barbecue (as spell check keeps insisting) is a term with varied meanings, but understood by many to mean the “low and slow” cooking of meats. It is also widely known as a vinegar- or tomato-based sauce the meat is cooked, slathered or dipped in.

Personally, I’m very particular about my barbeque and our local establishments don’t disappoint. Here are some of the top local spots for barbeque in the area. Are there any local BBQ places you would add to the list?

Alabama Que
2733 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH

Open since 2008, Alabama Que is owned and operated by former firefighter and UC graduate, Dwan Ward. Ward launched a food truck in May of 2014 to keep up with the growing demand for his food around the Cincinnati area.

Big Art’s BBQ
2798 Struble Rd, Cincinnati, OH

No website. No Facebook page. When word-of-mouth keeps you open you must be doing something right. Big Art’s has a reputation as one of the best BBQ places in the area.

Eli’s BBQ
3313 Riverside Dr, Cincinnati, OH | 133 West Elder Street, Cincinnati, OH

Named the #5 best BBQ joint in America by The List, Eli’s BBQ has become a Cincinnati staple. CityBeat readers voted Eli’s as the #2 overall restaurant in the city for 2016.

Goodies Barbeque
7440 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH

Goodies has been in Cincinnati for over 20 years. Their menu offers a full array of Southern-style sides and desserts.

Jim Dandy’s Family BBQ
2343 E Sharon Rd, Sharonville, OH

Jim Dandy’s Family BBQ has been slow cooking never-frozen pork, chicken and beef for over 30 years. They are happy to announce their new upcoming restaurant in Monroe, Ohio.

Just Q’in
6901 Valley Ave, Newtown, OH | 975 E. McMillan Street, Cincinnati, OH

The folks at Just Q’in began as a competition team in and around Greenville, South Carolina. They moved back to Cincinnati, Ohio and started a catering service that evolved into one of the city’s premiere food trucks. They just opened their second location June 17, 2016.

Montgomery Inn
The Original | The Boathouse | Ft. Mitchell, KY | Dublin, OH

Montgomery Inn is well known for their delicious barbeque sauce that they’ve been making since 1951. Montgomery Inn sauce and other products are available at local stores and by mail through CincyFavorites.com.

Pit To Plate BBQ
8021 Hamilton Ave., Mt. Healthy, Ohio

They have a restaurant. They have a food truck. They cater. They also do a smoked turkey drop off/pick up for Thanksgiving. They do it all… deliciously.

Pontiac
1403 Vine St, Cincinnati, Ohio

One of the newest BBQ-centric restaurants in Cincinnati (they opened in January 2015). Their wings, specifically, have received great reviews and they have a great bourbon selection.

Ron D’s BBQ of Madisonville
6105 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio (near Mathis St.)

The outdoor grill is set up outside for ribs, chicken and pulled pork and southern cooking! No website – the above link is to a rating’s website. Here’s the phone number: 513-390-8270. Yum. Yum.

SmoQ
275 Pictoria Dr, Cincinnati, OH

From their website: “SmoQ was designed with an emphasis on the smoker because the smoker was designed with an emphasis on slow cooking. Coupling that, is a desire to create southern food with a flair while holding true to the values that make southern cuisine special.”

Velvet Smoke BBQ
10515 New Haven Road; Harrison, OH

Velvet Smoke BBQ is a four-time Grand Champion competitive cooking team founded in 2009. You can taste their award-winning pork, brisket and chicken at their Harrison, OH restaurant or at a variety of area events, festivals and competitions.

Webb’s BBQ
115 East 9th Street, Newport, KY

On the menu is pull pork, ribs, brisket and smoked turkey! There are plenty of delicious sides.  The restaurants is open every Friday from 11:30am – 8pm.

2015-2016 Cincinnati Theatre Season Underway

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red stage curtain

Greater Cincinnati is an area passionate about the arts. As we roll into the fall season, many of the area’s theaters are beginning a new slate of shows. Below is just a small sampling of the variety of shows you can look forward to between this September and summer of 2016.

Broadway in Cincinnati at The Arnoff Center

Event: Cincy Brew Ha-Ha

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BrewHaHa

Cincinnati will be roaring with laughter this weekend as Thursday, August 20th marks the first of three days of the 9th Annual Cincy Brew Ha-Ha. The popular comedy and beer festival will take place on the Cincinnati riverfront at Sawyer Point. Over 50 comedians will appear and ALL the comedy is FREE!

There will 32 beer booths offering over 100 different types of beer from around the country. Local favorites such as MadTree, Ei8ht Ball, Christian Morelein, Weidemann, Rivertown, Braxton, Blank Slate, Tap and Screw and Mt. Carmel will be available. Beer bracelets are $5 and beer tickets are $1 each (1 beer ticket = tasting; 5 beer tickets = full beer). Food trucks, Eli’s Barbecue, pizza, pasta and German fare from Wertheim’s will offer plenty of food options to pair with your beer.

There’s also the MVP package available for $75. The package includes 25 beer tickets, beer wristband, private area with unique beers, snacks, meet and greet opportunities, a t-shirt and beer mug. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

Laughs begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 4:30 on Saturday. Headliners go on just after 9:00 each night. View the full 3-Day lineup here.

Grazing Goebel Goats

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Some people say goats will eat anything. While that may not be exactly true, they are well equipped to consume a wide variety of roughage. Their propensity to munch on a plethora of plants has led to a growth in goat grazing as a solution for overgrown brush and wooded areas. The city of Covington has “hired” a herd of goats to tame some of the overgrown wooded areas in Goebel Park.

A recent article in Northern Kentucky Magazine, “Got Your Goat”,  details the process of putting the goats to work inside city limits. A $5,000 grant is paying for the goats. City officials will monitor the progress of the goats at Goebel, and determine if goats are a cost effective solution for other areas of the city.

The goats themselves, corralled by an electric fence, have become a bit of an attraction as well. While the goats are not there for entertainment purposes (they are “on the clock” after  all), I’m sure it’s an interesting sight for park visitors and local residents.

So what do you think? Should goats be considered in other cities as natural solutions to weeds and overgrowth in parks and public spaces?