1. May Festival
The Cincinnati May Festival opens this weekend at Music Hall, featuring in-person, limited capacity and socially distanced concerts. This year's festival is performed by distanced artists and smaller ensembles, but with full passion and artistry. Friday and Saturday's performances feature conductor Juanjo Mena with the May Festival Tenor and Bass Ensemble, Sara Couden, Elliot Madore and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performing selections from Gustav Holst, Gustav Mahler, Julia Perry and Anton Bruckner. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. If you are not quite ready for in-person concerts, the performance will be livestreamed Saturday evening.
The May Festival continues next weekend, with a 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 28, performance called "Voice and Verse," which features conductor Robert Porco, artists Sasha Cooke, Sophia Burgos, Davone Tines and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. On Saturday and Sunday (May 29-30), conductor Juanjo Mena returns with the May Festival Soprano and Alto Ensemble, Joelle Harvey, Paul Appleby and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Tickets start at $15. Music Hall is located at 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. mayfestival.com.
2. I Got Rhythm
Some of the greatest songs in American music provide the soundtrack to the beautifully choreographed tap dance production coming to Covington Plaza over the next two weekends. Featuring the music of Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin among others, the high-energy, family-friendly production is sure to wow lovers of music and dance.
There are 10 performances scheduled from May 21-30. They happen at 7 p.m. Friday, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The performances run 75 minutes with no intermission and take place at a new venue near the Roebling Bridge: Covington Plaza at Riverfront Commons (144 Madison Ave., Covington). Tickets are $25, $15 for students and children. 859-957-1940; thecarnegie.com.
3. Grace Market
This eclectic two-day outdoor shopping experience features vendors of natural products like locally sourced food and drinks, handmade clothing and jewelry, beauty products with no artificial ingredients or chemicals, woodwork and fresh produce. Relax around the bonfire and enjoy music by Katie Pritchard, have lunch or dinner prepared by Fresh to Morrow and Green House Cafe and shop unique vendors. There will be a live barn painting demonstration by Ohio barn artist Robert Kroeger, too.
Grace Market takes place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Grace Green Acres Farm, 932 Cook Road, Lebanon. The event is rain or shine. Admission is free, with parking $3. gracegreenbeauty.com.
4. Strawberry Days
Strawberries are ripe for the picking over at Blooms & Berries Farm Market (9669 S. State Route 48, Loveland) and the season is short, so don your boots and head on out. If you only want to pick strawberries, the U-Pick option gives you timed entry to the field with containers provided. If you are looking to spend some time picking and also want to join in the fun events, games and activities on the farm, the Strawberry Lovers option gives you all of that. There's a petting zoo, a bounce pad, the Barnyard 500 and more. The third option is the Fun Lovers option, best for those wishing to enjoy fun on the farm with less emphasis on strawberry picking.
Choose your picking time and buy your admission tickets on the website prior to visiting. The picking starts at 9 a.m. daily. Admission tickets cost $9.95-$14.95 and strawberries are $3.75 per pound. Strawberry Days runs daily May 22-June 6. bloomsandberries.com.
5. Blokhaus Music and Outdoor Market
Located three blocks from Findlay Market, this made-in-Cincinnati market features locally-based artists and small businesses, including art, coffee, retail, vintage wear, baked goods and a farmers market, plus a free community yoga class, all happening at Felsenhaus (242 W. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine). Register for the yoga class online and bring a mask and a mat with you.
Blokhaus Music – with nine DJs spinning beats – starts at the market and continues into the evening at PhilanthroPub in Mount Adams. The market starts at 12:30 p.m. and Blokhaus Music runs from 1-8 p.m. Saturday. felsenhausotr.com.
Honorable mention: Julius Caesar
Bring a lawn chair or blanket to Washington Park and enjoy a free performance of "Julius Caesar" by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company as part of the DBL Law OTR Performs series. Masks are required when moving around the park and visiting the bar area. The play runs from 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.
Honorable mention: Hello Kitty Cafe Truck
OMG! The cutest cafe truck on the planet returns to Kenwood Towne Centre this weekend, bringing with it exclusive goodies, limited-edition collectibles and other meow-tastic Hello Kitty merchandise like bow-shaped water bottles, mugs, T-shirts, canvas totes and adorable hand-decorated cookie sets. The truck will be parked near the Cheesecake Factory from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. Stanchions and social-distancing markers will be on the ground to encourage proper social distancing, and all sales are contactless/cashless transactions (credit/debit cards only, no cash).
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