1. Butterflies of Bali
We've got butterflies just thinking about the reopening of Krohn Conservatory – and it's because the annual butterfly show is back! Butterflies of Bali opens Saturday for the 25th anniversary show, where visitors can wander through the giant glass building while butterflies float through the air, landing on heads, hands and in our hearts. Visitors can also experience a bit of Bali, referred to as "the island of 1,000 temples," with a mountainous interior full of lush forests, iconic rice paddies, clear lakes and gorgeous beaches.
The show runs from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily from Saturday through Sept. 6, but due to capacity restrictions (40 guests maximum), you'll need to book a timed ticket before you go. No tickets will be sold at the door, and masks are required indoors by everyone age six and older. Krohn Conservatory is located at 501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $7 for ages 5-17 and free for ages 4-under. Timed tickets can be purchased at: krohn.ticketspice.com/butterflyshow.
2. Cincinnati Auto Expo
See new model cars, crossovers, SUVs, vans, trucks and more this weekend when the Cincinnati Auto Expo rolls into Duke Energy Convention Center (525 Elm St., Downtown). Packed with interactive exhibits and family fun, this popular expo has something for everyone. You'll be able to test-drive a range of vehicles from Chevrolet – including the new Silverado, Blazer, Trailblazer, Bolt EV and Tahoe – as well as new models from Subaru, including Accent, Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy, Outback, Impreza and WRX.
Dream Machine Boulevard is where guests can experience the luxury, speed and precision of some of the finest vehicles on the market, and kids will have plenty to do in the Safe Travel Family Zone, which offers ages 12-under a goody bag and show passport. They can meet more than 200 adoptable dogs in the Subaru Pet Park.
The Cincinnati Auto Expo runs 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $11 at the door, $9 advance and free ages 12-under. Check website for discount tickets and special half-price admission days. cincinnatiautoexpo.com.
3. Zoo Babies
Throughout the month of May, large signs will mark the spots where babies and expectant moms can be found at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (3400 Vine St. Avondale). Visitors will see little blue penguins Mars and Rover – named in honor of NASA's successful Mars landing – who hatched in January and have joined the rest of their colony in the new penguin habitat in Roo Valley.
Another baby just got a name: "Zip" the baby wallaby born at the Zoo recently. The baby's name was chosen by fans of the Zoo's Facebook page. There's also Ajani Joe, a Black Rhino born in August, Amali the Bonobo born in July, a Verreaux's eagle owl named Ori who hatched in March, and many more to see. The Cincinnati Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. cincinnatizoo.org.
4. Art openings
There are some really interesting exhibits opening this weekend. Yoshi Nakamura has been an artist in residence at Wave Pool Gallery since August 2020 and will be presenting three related exhibitions that run through June 26. Since his first cochlear implant in 2012, Nakamura considers the striking ways that natural materials interact with sound technology. He will have a solo exhibition at Wave Pool's Upstairs Gallery that explores the borders and limits of communication between disabled and non-disabled people, and the relationships between sound, color and language.
A second Nakamura exhibition is a collaborative effort with Mark Harris and Cincinnati band Frog Hole?, which happens at the Welcome Project and explores the 2020 event entitled timberland (a concert for the trees of Valley Park in Camp Washington). Nakamura will also have a coinciding solo exhibition at Visionaries and Voices (3841 Spring Grove Ave., Northside) that builds on these ideas. Opening receptions happen 6-9 p.m. Friday at Visionaries and Voices (3841 Spring Grove Ave., Northside) and 6-9 p.m. Saturday at The Welcome Project (2936 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington) and Wave Pool Gallery's Upstairs Space (2940 Colerain Ave.).
Also at Wave Pool Gallery, 2020 virtual resident Nolan Hanson's "An Effort to Defend" opens Saturday. The New York City-based artist's exposition explores Cincinnati's boxing history and the local trans community. Runs May 8-29. wavepoolgallery.org.
Over at Cincinnati Art Galleries (225 E. Sixth St., Downtown), an exhibition of over 100 works from Rookwood Pottery artisans Jens Jensen and E. T. Hurley opens. Consisting of mixed media pieces by Jensen and etchings by Hurley, two celebrated artists with unique artistic visions. Special hours from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday. Runs May 7-June 11. 513-381-2128; cincyart.com.
5. Upstanders Onstage: Performances for Social Change
Playhouse in the Park brings an eclectic mix of scenes, monologues, spoken-word poetry and music to a series of outdoor spaces this month – each highlighting a different lineup of artists who are using art to create dialogue and affect change in the world – and the first one happens Saturday in the parking lot of Union Terminal (1301 Western Ave., Queensgate). Seating opens at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m.
Other locations and dates in the series are: Sunday, May 16, in the parking lot of Cincinnati Art Museum (953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams) and Sunday, May 23, in the parking lot of Mayerson JCC (8485 Ridge Ave., Amberley Village). All shows are free and appropriate for ages 12-up. Advance reservations required. cincyplay.com.
Honorable mention: Cincinnati Fire Museum Virtual Music Series
The Cincinnati Fire Museum is hosting a variety of performances in its 1907 Renaissance Revival firehouse Downtown. Performances will be streamed live on Facebook at 8 p.m. Fridays and are free to view. The first performance in the series will be Mike Oberst from widely acclaimed local band the Tillers. Future shows include members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on May 14 and hip-hop artists Sons of Silverton on May 21. facebook.com/cincyfiremuseum/events.
Honorable mention: The O.F.F. Market
You can help support small businesses, local artisans, brewers, bakers and farmers when the first O.F.F. Market of the season opens at its new location inside Summit Park (4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash). The whole family can enjoy the vast and diverse park, which also offers plenty of parking. The market runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Future dates are June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11. theoffmarket.org.
Honorable mention: Murder at the Banquet
Beyond the Proscenium Ensemble presents the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, "Murder at the Banquet" by Robert LaVohn at Liberty Exhibition Hall (3938 Spring Grove Ave., Northside). Tickets include the show, dinner, dessert and soft drinks. A cash bar is also available. Shows happen at 6:40 p.m. Friday-Saturday and at 1:40 p.m. Sunday this weekend through May 15. Tickets are $39.50 and may be reserved at 513-999-2873.
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