Take a look at the best events in Cincinnati coming up this week and into a long Memorial Day weekend, from Taste of Cincinnati to water park openings and a Hardy concert.
Have an event you’d like us to know about? Submit it online at cincinnati.com/events, and we’ll tell the world about it. Head to that same site to peruse our full calendar of events.
Monday, May 18
Spend an evening with David Sedaris
The New York Times best-selling author and humorist David Sedaris is coming to Cincinnati this week.
Details: 7:30 p.m., Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. cincinnatiarts.org.
Meet adorable animals at Zoo Babies
Celebrate the newest additions to the Cincinnati Zoo, big and small babies alike, in their exhibits this month.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Runs May 1-31. cincinnatizoo.org.
Grab lunch on the square
At FSQ Eats, grab a coworker get a bite to eat at Fountain Square.
Details: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs through Oct. 30. myfountainsquare.com.
Come out to the Destination Monarch Butterfly Show
Trace the epic migration of the monarch butterfly across the United States and into Mexico.
Details: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Sunday, Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills. $12 adult, $8 ages 5-17, free ages under 5. Runs May 9-Aug. 9. cincinnati-oh.gov.
Tuesday, May 19
Learn about the legacy of Behringer-Crawford Museum
Behringer-Crawford Museum is celebrating 75 years of art, culture and community. History buffs can come learn more about the most cherished collections on display, such as glowing minerals. Check out the “Treasures from the Attic” exhibit, exploring 250 years of fashion and furniture.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Behringer-Crawford Museum, Devou Park, 1600 Montague Road, Covington. $9, $8 ages 60-up, $5 ages 3-17. “Treasures from the Attic” runs Feb. 14-Aug. 9. bcmuseum.org.
Wednesday, May 20
Swing by ‘Music at the Pavilion’ (final week)
Grab a drink from the Elm Street Plaza Pavilion Bar and enjoy some live, local music from a daily, rotating list of artists.
Details: 5-8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Elm Street Plaza, 150 W. Fifth St., Downtown. Free. elmstreetplazacincy.com.
Grab your cowboy boots for Southern Sessions
Enjoy live folk, roots, and Americana music from a rotating list of performers.
Details: 5-8 p.m., Fifth Third Bank Center Stage, Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs Wednesdays through Sept. 2. myfountainsquare.com.
Get creative at Art in the Park (last one!)
Each week, try a new creative activity, rotating between a hands-on class where you can learn different styles of pinch pot pottery with Queen City Clay and flower arranging with Blooms by Lo.
Details: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Wednesdays through May 20. washingtonpark.org.
Create a vase and pendant
Craft a flower vase or a pendant with the help of professional glass blowers.
Details: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Neusole Glassworks, 11925 Kempersprings Drive, Forest Park. Prices vary per item. Runs through May 31. neusoleglassworks.com.
See ‘Folk Art: Self-Taught Artists. Self-Told Stories’
This exhibition celebrates 200 years of American ingenuity and the personal forces that move artists beyond contemplation to creation, offering guests a glimpse of the raw, authentic American spirit.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Harmon Museum, Armstrong Conference Center, 105 S Broadway St., Lebanon. $10 in addition to standard museum admission. Runs through June 13. wchsmuseum.org.
Shop healthy and affordable foods at Northside Farmers Market
Browse over 20 vendors selling everything from fresh vegetables and fruits, bread, eggs and dairy, baked goods and pastries, jams, meats, ferments, soaps, spices, chocolate, coffee and more.
Details: 4-7 p.m., Northside Farmers Market, 4222 Hamilton Ave., Northside. Runs through October 28. northsidefm.org.
Thursday, May 21
Jam out with Hardy
Country artist Hardy is bringing “The Country! Country! Tour” to Riverbend this week. Joining him are special guests Tucker Wetmore and McCoy Moore.
Details: 7 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org.
Peruse beautiful works of art at StudioKroner (ending soon)
Check out the first solo exhibition in the gallery by founder Paul Kroner: “What Have I Done?”
Details: noon-5 p.m. Thursday-Friday, noon-3 p.m. Saturday, StudioKroner, 130 W. Court St., Downtown. Runs April 16-May 23. studiokroner.com.
See ‘The Art of the Brick’
Artist Nathan Sawaya turns one million Lego bricks into more than 100 works of art, including a 20-foot-long T-Rex, human figures, many animals, famous art and other life-size sculptures.
Details: Various sessions available Thursdays-Sundays, Exhibition Hub Art Center, 18 W. Fourth St., Downtown. Runs through May 31. feverup.com.
Catch a May Festival performance
Enjoy concerts such as “On Love and Lust” and “Porgy and Bess: Festival Finale.”
Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Music Hall Ballroom, 1241 Elm St., Downtown. mayfestival.com.
Kick off summer fun at RiverDays Festival
Get ready for big amusement rides, helicopter flights, live music, games, gambling and craft vendors. There will be a parade to start the weekend, and a fireworks show at 10 p.m. on Saturday night. Admission is free, so bring the whole family.
Details: 6-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, New Richmond. Parade at 6 p.m. Thursday. riverdaysfest.org.
Grab a lawn chair for Songs at Sunset
Enjoy live music every Thursday in May. Hear a mix of Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk and roots rock.
Details: 6-8 p.m., Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash. Runs Thursdays through May 28. summitparkblueash.com.
Salsa on the Square
Hear live salsa, merengue, cumbia and Latin jazz music from a rotating list of bands. Take part in a large dance class at Fountain Square. Or, if you’re already skilled, show off them moves!
Details: 7-10 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs Thursdays through September 25. myfountainsquare.com.
See ‘Candlelight: Tribute to Queen’
In this live, multi-sensory musical experience, a string quartet will play Queen hits such as “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody to Love,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions” under the soft glow of candlelight.
Details: 6 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. feverup.com.
Sip on a cold beer at Brews and Blues (last chance)
Grab a beer and enjoy a lineup of live blues artists, rotating weekly.
Details: 6-9 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Thursdays through May 21. washingtonpark.org.
Play a board game at Game Night (ending)
Enjoy a new, free-to-play game with each week. Instructors will facilitate and lead through each game.
Details: 5-8 p.m., Elm Street Plaza, 150 W. Fifth St., Downtown. Free. Runs Thursdays through May 21. elmstreetplazacincy.com.
Friday, May 22
Pick your flavor at Taste of Cincinnati
If the Mayor of Flavortown himself, Guy Fieri, declared Cincinnati “one of the really cool food cities” with “next-level chefs,” then you know you don’t want to miss Taste of Cincinnati. Go in with a plan of attack to seek out all this year’s Best of Taste winners, or just head to Fifth Street and let the wind guide your buds.
Details: 4-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Fifth Street, Downtown. Free admission with plenty of food and drink available for purchase. tasteofcincinnati.com.
See a stage adaptation of ‘Emma’
This Cincy Shakes production brings the Regency era to life with a performance of “Emma.” Emma, a headstrong matchmaker, believes she can’t fall in love herself.
Details: Opens Friday, continues 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, The Otto M. Budig Theater, 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs May 22-June 14. cincyshakes.com.
‘Ink & Drink’ at Pyramid Hill
At “Lino Cuts and Long Islands,” enjoy printmaking and delicious cocktails. Artist Stephanie Rae Berrie will display some of her unique floral fabric prints, and craft your own print to take home.
Details: 6-8 p.m., Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton. pyramidhill.org.
Light up the lake at Spark in the Dark
Illuminate the night by floating on glowing boats as the water glints and gleams. Explore the mysteries of space with the Cincinnati Astronomical Society and enjoy a night hike under the stars. From moths and moons to bats and bugs, there’s so much to explore once the sun sets.
Details: 8-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Miami Whitewater Forest, 9001 Mount Hope Road, Harrison. Pre-registration is not required. Free. Glow boat rentals and refreshments available for purchase. greatparks.org.
Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The Reds play the St. Louis Cardinals this week. Stay for the fireworks after Friday’s game, grab a Ke’Bryan Hayes Gold Glove bobblehead Saturday, and Veterans and Military Appreciation Day on Sunday.
Details: 6:40 p.m. Friday, 7:15 p.m. Saturday, 1:40 p.m. Sunday, Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. mlb.com.
See awesome LEGO builds at Cincinnati Museum Center
At “Jurassic World by Brickman,” venture into a baby Brachiosaurus enclosure, and see Triceratops, Velociraptors, T. rex and more. Create your own hybrid dino in the DNA lab.
Details: Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. cincymuseum.org.
Saturday, May 23
Be there for the Soak City opening
It’s that time of the year again. Dust off your bikinis and swim trunks and take a trip to the much-anticipated summer season opening day. With over 50 water activities, including 40 water slides, there are enough thrills to spend a whole day at the waterpark.
Details: Opens Saturday and continues daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. visitkingsisland.com.
Make a splash at Aqua Adventures Waterpark opening
Dive into over 100 challenging pieces on an inflatable floating obstacle course, featuring launch pads, cliffhangers, halfpipes and towering action stations.
Details: Opens Saturday and continues daily, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Land of Illusion Adventure Park, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. landofillusion.com.
Catch the Cincinnati Slingers vs. Pennsylvania Benjamins
The Cincinnati Slingers play the Pennsylvania Benjamins this week. Prepare for eight-on-eight football, played on grass inside of a hockey rink and at a much faster pace than outdoor football, with more scoring and fan interaction.
Details: 6:30 p.m., Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. heritagebankcenter.com.
Watch the Cincinnati Roller Derby
The CRD Violent Lambs take on Louisville this week. It’s Star Wars Night.
Details: 7 p.m., Flock Sports, 6630 Hamilton Ave., North College Hill. cincinnatirollerderby.com.
Root for FC Cincinnati
It’s FC Cincinnati versus Orlando this week. At the pre-match, there will be a live DJ, delicious eats from local food trucks, inflatable soccer games, the inflatable FCC slide and more.
Pre-match: 4-6:30 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. washingtonpark.org.
Game: 7:30-9:30 p.m., TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. tqlstadium.com.
Vibe out with Baby Keem
Baby Keem is bringing his “Ca$ino Tour” to Cincinnati this week.
Details: 8:30 p.m., Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., Downtown. bradymusiccenter.com.
Find something vintage at ArtisanFest 513
Shop from local brands at a curated community marketplace.
Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. artisanfest513.org.
Meet mermaids at Newport Aquarium
Your favorite shimmering stars of the sea glide and twirl through the water with their tropical fish friends.
Details: Opens 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, aquarium open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Included with admission. See mermaids Thursday-Sunday. Runs May 23-June 21. Newportaquarium.com.
Sunday, May 24
Rock out with The Kid Laroi
The Kid Laroi is bringing his “A Perfect World” tour to Cincinnati this week. Joining him are Tommy Richman and WizTheMc.
Details: 7:30 p.m., Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., Downtown. bradymusiccenter.com.
Get ready to rock at Fifth & Vine Live
Dance and sing along to anthems you know. Each night features a fan-favorite cover or tribute band from a rotating list of artists.
Details: 7-10 p.m., Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Runs every Sunday through Aug. 30. myfountainsquare.com.
Spend Sunday on the Square
Shop at Hyde Park Farmers’ Market for vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, cheeses, pantry items, herbs, cut flowers, garden plants and artisan goods at this “growers’ market.”
Details: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Hyde Park Square, 2700 Erie Ave., Hyde Park. hydeparkfarmersmarket.com.
Join a free, outdoor yoga class
Learn yoga with Brandi Bee at this free workout class on the lawn.
Details: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Elm Street Plaza, 150 W. Fifth St., Downtown. Free. Runs every Sunday through May 24. elmstreetplazacincy.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Things to do in Cincinnati this week, May 18-24
Reporting by Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
