Acclaimed jazz trombonist and 20-year veteran of the Saturday Night Live Band, Steve Turre, will perform tonight (5/7/08) with the Blue Wisp Big Band. Steve Turre is described as a passionate, dynamic and creative artist. The fact that he'll be teaming with the legendary Blue Wisp Big Band makes the prospect even more exciting.
He will also be performing on Thursday, May 8th with his quartet. Like always, Thursdays are UrbanCincy Nights at the Blue Wisp where you get $3 off your cover charge. For both nights the cover charge will be $15 with the shows starting at 8:30pm.
You are not required to make reservations, but are encouraged to. You can do so by calling 513.241.WISP (9477) or by email at fasteddief@aol.com.
Steve Turre is also available on YouTube...be sure to check out some of his stuff.
Image from www.allaboutjazz.com
How long have you been a reader of UrbanCincy?
Steve Turre comes to the Blue Wisp - 2 nights only
Around the Cincy Blogosphere
Aren't quite sold on streetcars yet? Well if that's the case then check out some pretty convincing reasons as to why not to hate the proposed Cincinnati Streetcar.
You can also check out some MuralWorks action happening along Race Street Downtown. Maybe after that you should start planning on where you're going to spend your tax rebate. It might also be time to stop in and say goodbye to a friend.
And since we're in Cincinnati and all, be sure to check out the flying pigs as well.
*You can find links to these great blogs and much more over in UrbanCincy's blogroll in the left column on the site.
What a difference 5 years makes
There have been lots of changes to Cincinnati's landscape over the past 5 years. UC's world-renowned campus architecture, Daniel Libeskind's Ascent at Roebling's Bridge, Julian Stanczak's art installation, and Zaha Hadid's ground-breaking Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art are just a few. At the same time Mayor Mallory has restored the Planning Department and said, "It is time that we put Cincinnati back on the map as a leader in the area of city planning."
As a way to celebrate the Contemporary Arts Center's 5-year anniversary (at their new building) they will be holding a discussion about the many recent changes to Cincinnati's landscape. The discussion will be primarily focused on planning/architecture commentary, but will also go into sculpture art and other installations. The discussion will be moderated by Michaele Pride (Chair of UC School of Architecture at DAAP) and will consist of the following panel members:
Richard Rosenthal
CAC Trustee, Chair of the Urban Design Review Board, and community volunteer
Jim Fitzgerald
President, CAC Board of Trustees and Founder and Chairman of FRCH Design Worldwide
Jay Chatterjee
Former Dean and current professor of architecture and planning at UC College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning and CAC Trustee emeritus
Charles C. Graves, III
Director, Department of City Planning, Cincinnati
Ron Kull
GBBN, Fellow of the AIA, former Cincinnati City Architect, and former Architect for the University of Cincinnati
The discussion will be taking place Saturday, April 5th at 2pm. It is open to the public for the regular CAC admission price, and is free to members. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP as quickly as you can. If you are interested in becoming a member to the CAC be sure to check out their website for membership options.
*Please RSVP with Andrea Blake: 513.345.8434 or ablake@cacmail.org
Experience Eclipse
4/11 Eclipse @ Constant Springs - Goshen, IN
4/12 Eclipse @ Gypsy Hut - Cincinnati, OH
4/20 Eclipse @ Mad Frog - Cincinnati, OH
4/25 Eclipse @ The Stadium - Oxford, OH
Eclipse is one of my new favorite bands. They have a great sound and can easily go from a jazz fusion sound, to modern hip-hop, to more of a rock sound. CityBeat says, "Energy drips off the stage when they play live. And the audience drinks it up."
Buy/Preview Eclipse's CD, Eclipse, at CD Baby
NatiGroove music festival
A new music festival will fill that Spring time music festival void in Cincinnati on March 22nd at the Southgate House in Newport, KY.
NatiGroove will feature a diverse collection of some of the best regional artists with two popular local artists headlining the event. Local jamgrass heroes Rumpke Mountain Boys and the innovate, style-mashing band Eclipse will headline the event. This event is staring off strong with a solid & diverse mix of artists and should offer something for everyone.
Tickets are just $12 for the the festival and it will begin at 9:00pm as national DJ Rare Groove kicks things off in Ballroom. The eclectic and soulful band Sexual Disaster will follow along the first headliner, Eclipse. Rumpke Mountain Boys will close the event.
I had a chance to interview Frank Meyer, from FMG Entertainment (organizing the festival), and this is a group that is a homegrown company that is looking to provide, "what we're missing in Cincinnati" in terms of the music scene. This is their largest endeavor to date and they are extremely focused in the Over-the-Rhine area and would eventually like to move this event to either Downtown or OTR.
Lineup Info:
DJ RARE GROOVE - Known as the Blueprint's touring DJ, don't miss Rare Groove as he brings his 1988 hip-hop beats and Blueprint flavor to spin fire back in the Nati just before he kicks off his North American tour with Atmosphere and Abstract Rude. 9:00pm – 9:45pm & in-between all sets Downstairs in the Ballroom
SEXUAL DISASTER QUARTET - Is sex good…disaster bad… or what? With universal consciousness, Sexual Disaster Quartet is bringing their soulful, driving, innovative music to the Nati with a disastrously explosive sound that spontaneously combusts into orgasmic jams moving listeners to aftermath of molten, undeniable wetness. 9:45pm – 10:45pm Downstairs in the Ballroom
ECLIPSE - Those high-energy musical innovators Eclipse are back with their style-mashin grooves. With influences ranging from Led Zeppelin to Ozomatli and Herbie Hancock, Eclipse continuously pushes musical boundaries by incorporating elements of rock, funk, latin, jazz & hip-hop into a tight and complex sound. 11:00pm – 12:15am Downstairs in the Ballroom
RUMPKE MOUNTAIN BOYS - Just the good ol' boys, Never meanin' no harm. Call it Newgrass or Jamgrass or Bluegrass -- any way you slice it, Rumpke Mountain Boys are one of the Nati’s premiere Bluegrass crews and have built a solid following throughout the city and the Midwest with their lively, jamming sound. 12:30am – 1:45am Downstairs in the Ballroom
RUSTY VAN BAND - Rusty Van Band mixes it up with a blend of jam rock, reggae, bluegrass, and blues. They play mostly original music throughout a range of venues in the Nati. 12:15am – 1:30am Upstairs in the Parlour
It pays to read UrbanCincy
As mentioned before, UrbanCincy has worked out a relationship with the Blue Wisp Jazz Club downtown. Thursday nights offer UrbanCincy readers $3 off of the cover charge. This week includes the talented Rob Allgeyer Organ Trio w/Dan Drees and Ron Enyard.
Additionally, UrbanCincy now also has a deal with the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. If you mention UrbanCincy you can get Buy 1, Get 1 half off Adult tickets to any evening performance (not valid on opening night). The next show to start up is Radio Golf (3/19 - 4/6) and you should not miss this show. All you need to do is contact the box office at 513.421.3555 (you can not get this offer online, only by calling). Tickets are going extremely fast to this performance so get 'em while they're hot.
Get out and take advantage of these UrbanCincy exclusive offers. The more you do, the better the chance more of these pop up in the future.
Art by Erikyasha
I thought I would mix things up a little bit and plug a local artist. Erikyasha has a variety of techniques and styles, but tends to use mechanical pencils, Faber Castel pens, Copic markers, and then takes his pieces into Photoshop and further toys with them.
He definitely has an interesting style that is fun and enjoyable. Check it out...it's definitely worth a browse through the gallery.
SoHo of the Midwest?
I wasn't able to attend the recent Cincy bloggers tour of the Gateway Quarter, but I've got some thoughts on the things happening in OTR nonetheless. 3CDC is making tremendous progress on its projects, and there are a stream of other investments that are complimenting these investments by 3CDC (see Washington Park, SCPA, Cincinnati Arts Academy, Main Street businesses, etc).
When you then think about the even greater potential, for private investment, that will be made possible by the Cincinnati Streetcar...it could really make you weak in the knees. I understand the issue of gentrification and/or displacement and it is certainly an issue that will have to be addressed as these efforts continue, but right now there is PLENTY of room for everyone to coexist.
I look at OTR and see that often talked about potential for Cincinnati. This is a neighborhood/built environment that VERY few cities can match...anywhere! When I see the things going on in the Gateway Quarter I can't help but think of OTR becoming the SoHo of the Midwest. This is an opportunity for Cincinnati to be a major draw for YPs, the creative class, and new businesses. If ever the opportunity has existed...it is now. Cincinnati stand strong, this is your time!
So what do think should become of OTR? Do you see the SoHo that I see...or something else, please share your thoughts.
The rendering is of the proposed new infill (by 3CDC) called Trinity Flats on Vine Street. You can see images of the structures that were taken down HERE.
In the moment at the CAC
The Contemporary Arts Center is one of those special gems in Cincinnati. It showcases brilliant works of art, and is in what is considered, "...the most important American building to be built since the end of the Cold War." In addition to the museum's already great exhibits that include Julian Stanczak, Graphic Content, and Odili Donald Odita: FLOW there are some new ones that are opening soon that should be a real treat.
Piece from Daniel Libeskind: Blurring Lines exhibitSomething to note is that members, of the CAC, get free admission and sneak previews of the exhibits. These previews often times include the primary artist along with the customary sampling of wine and other assortments.
Nati Evolvement
If you haven't yet purchased some clothing from Nati Evolvement, I suggest you do so. The Nati Evolvement line is all about promoting the city, and taking pride in where you live.
"Forum for local creativity that evolves with the rest of the world and influences a vivid culture within. Created for the artistic community to represent themselves, our changing environment and promote future healthy growth. A platform from which to prosper and be heard as an individual and as a group. A platform which is rooted in Cincinnati."
Great Local Music in Cincy Right Now
Right now the Cincinnati music scene is producing some great bands. I thought I would share a few of my favorites
Valentine's Day UrbanCincy style
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and it's probably best that you are prepared for the "big day." You're in luck, because UrbanCincy has the perfect evening for you. May we recommend a trip to the Ensemble Theatre...it is a very intimate theatre that hosts great productions and will be something unique and fun to do with your significant other. Mary's Wedding by Stephan Massicotte (Feb 6-24) will be going on during the Valentine's time-frame and should definitely make for a romantic evening.
You could make a night of it by grabbing some of the city's best Italian at Nicola's just a few blocks away. Take a lovely stroll from dinner to the show...If dinner gets out a little early you could always do some browsing through the many great businesses in the Gateway Quarter.
After the show, take a stroll down to Lytle Park and take in the night with that special person.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati: Review
The girlfriend and I took in a show at the Ensemble Theatre on Friday. Now I've been to a couple of theatres in NYC (both Broadway and off-Broadway)...I've also been to multiple shows at the Aronoff and other various venues (ie CCM). With that said I must say that this was one of my favorite venues.
The ETC offers a fantastic view from every seat (about 200 or so by my guestimations), and also has surprisingly good acoustics for that space. What makes the venue even better is the building itself...it is a gem and has all sorts of architectural details for you to enjoy (if you're in to that sort of thing).
As for the show we saw 'Rabbit Hole' which is the winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Best New Play and a Tony Award-winning drama. The show was great and the seats were full...at the end the audience gave a standing ovation for the great performance. The ETC is a great theatre that has a strong history and is nationally known.
I highly recommend a visit to the ETC. It is a good alternative to the movies and the show lets out with plenty of time to go out drinking afterwards. The ETC offers student discounts, as well as, senior discounts. You can now also buy tickets online...and if you want to see 'Rabbit Hole' then you better hurry because its time runs up this Sunday.
