1. Drive-in Laser Light Show
Did you know that the first major U.S. laser art exhibition was organized by Dr. Leon Goldman at the Cincinnati Art Museum in 1969? The exhibition, Laser Light: A New Visual Art found artists Rockne Krebs, Baron Kody and Mike Campbell constructing rooms with mirrors and smoke to make the laser beams visible. Fast-forward to 2021, where you can experience family-friendly laser shows teeming with cutting-edge effects, high-powered lasers and dual large-screen video projection, choreographed to current pop and classic rock hits, all from the comfort of your own car.
More:Things to do in Cincinnati this week: July 5-11
This weekend only, Cabin Fever brings its Drive-In Laser Light Show to Coney Island (6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township). Parking is first-come, first-served and done drive-in movie style, with tailgating space allotted in front of each vehicle so you can set up chairs if desired. Outside snacks and refreshments are also allowed to be brought in. You'll tune in to the designated FM radio station for instructions and sound during the show, which lasts approximately 60 minutes. Shows run 9 p.m., Thursday, 9 and 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 9 p.m. Sunday. Tickets must be purchased in advance and start at $24.99 per car, with VIP packages available. coneyislandpark.com.
2. Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival
This film festival brings a slate of top-notch international films from some of the most creative storytellers in the world, each encouraging diverse points of view to celebrate our differences and honor our shared humanity. Running Thursday-Sunday throughout Cincinnati's urban core – or virtually from the comfort of your own home – you can check out up to 26 film screenings, participate in panels and enjoy exclusive parties and awards presentations. There are narrative shorts, animated shorts and documentary shorts as well as full-length films.
Tickets are available online for individual films or as bundles. A Film Buff bundle includes your choice of five films plus opening and closing events and runs $75. The Film Fanatic bundle includes a choice of 10 films plus opening and closing events and a limited-edition festival T-shirt for $165. Individual films run $15, otrfilmfest.org.
3. Bacon, Bourbon and Brew Festival
We don't think you need an explainer about what to expect at this festival, as the name pretty much says it all. Still, let's zero in on some of the more unique highlights. There's homemade bacon baked beans and pulled pork in a waffle cone topped with coleslaw and bacon bits. Yep. And how about deep-fried bacon-wrapped Oreos? I swear I am not making it up.
On the bourbon and brew side of things, you can enjoy limited-edition bourbons, participate in bourbon tastings led by industry experts and play bourbon trivia for prizes. Both domestic and local craft beers are also available. What the festival name doesn't tell you about is the music. There is live music nightly from a variety of local bands including Marsha Brady, Trailer Park Floozies, Doghouse, HiFi Honey, Swan, Road Trip, Everyday People Band, Model Behavior and What She Said. The festival runs 5-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday at Festival Park at the Levee, Newport. Admission is free. cincinnatifestivalsandevents.com.
4. Paintings, Politics and the Monuments Men: The Berlin Masterpieces in America
You saw the 2014 film "The Monuments Men" directed and starring George Clooney, didn't you? Of course you did. The film told the true story of an Allied mission during WWII to rescue artistic masterpieces looted by Nazi thieves. Well, this new exhibition at the Cincinnati Art Museum focuses on the fate of 200 of the finest European paintings from the Berlin State Museum that traveled to the United States after the war and were exhibited at 14 museums across the country before returning to Germany, and how Cincinnati's own Walter Farmer played a central role in this pivotal episode in the history of art and war.
Paintings, Politics and the Monuments Men: The Berlin Masterpieces in America opens Friday in Galleries 234 and 235 of the Cincinnati Art Museum (953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams). This special exhibit runs through Oct. 3 and costs $10, $5 for ages 6-17, those 65-up and college students with ID. Members can view the exhibit for free. The museum is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursday. cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
5. Lorena Molina: Reconciliation Garden
At the height of the coffee production in El Salvador, 95% of the country's income came from coffee crops, yet the land was owned by less than one percent of the population, resulting in vast economic inequalities. Any protest by coffee farmers was met with hard and deadly force from the government and the farm owners. This suppression of protest resulted in a 12-year civil war, funded by the U.S. government. Reconciliation Garden brings these plants into the gallery to serve as a place for mediation, conversation and acknowledgment of the history of the U.S. in El Salvador. The exhibition highlights how actions that we might take for granted in our daily routines – such as coffee – are loaded with histories of exploitation, genocide and imperialism.
The opening reception runs from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the Welcome Project, 2936 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington, as part of Camp Washington's Second Saturday art walk. The exhibit runs July 10-Oct. 30. wavepoolgallery.org.
Honorable mention: The Big Dig
Admit it. Operating a backhoe looks like a lot of fun, doesn't it? Well, here's your chance to fulfill a dream. The Big Dig lets you feel like a pro at this hands-on experience using real heavy construction equipment like bulldozers, skid steers, excavators, dump trucks, boom trucks, concrete mixer trucks and more. Kids ages 5-up can dig, scoop and lift to their heart's content in a safe and secure setting under the supervision of trained professionals from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the Boone County Fairgrounds (5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington). Little ones under the age of 5 can access stationary equipment. Tickets are $10 for ages 5-up and free for those under the age of 5. thebigdigky.com.
Honorable mention: Second Sunday on Main, Pride on Main
The first SSOM of the year takes place from noon-5 p.m. Sunday along Main Street between 12th and Liberty in Over-the-Rhine. This eclectic neighborhood festival features over 100 local vendors, live music and entertainment, street artists, activities for kids and families, an outdoor biergarten and more than 30 participating shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. This month's theme is Pride on Main. secondsundayonmain.org.
Honorable mention: Summer Hauswarming Market
This makers market features a collection of Cincinnati-based artists and small businesses selling sustainable, creative goods. This month's market is hosted by Tuff Vintage and also includes live music and food trucks. It takes place from 1-6 p.m. Saturday at Felsenhaus (242 W. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine) in the Sohn-Mohawk historic district.
Source link
