Month: July 2008

Categories
News

Get involved on Fountain Square

With the regular programming of events, on Fountain Square, there is a need for volunteers to help staff these events. This has been all well and good…and more than likely you’ve seen these volunteers serving up beer, soda, treats, and ushering people around for various events.

The Square has really been coming into its own and the surrounding area has also been improving with new restaurants, stores, and entertainment. Add in some of the typical big Summer events and you have a slammed Fountain Square almost all the time.

This is creating the need for more volunteers to keep all these events functioning as best they can. This Sunday alone they are expecting around 6,000 people to come out and enjoy the weekly Smooth Sunday concert on the Square. On top of that you know it’s going to be packed for Saturday Night at the Movies (this week featuring Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius & Batman Begins).

If you’re looking for some service hours at school, a unique social experience, maybe some cash (I made some good tips serving beer before a Reds game in a matter of 2.5 hours), or even the excuse to just hang out on the Square with some great entertainment then this is for you. You can sign up to be a Fountain Square Volunteer, or you can offer your time for immediate needs at events like the Sunday evening concerts.

Genius of Water – Image from MyFountainSquare.com
Categories
Arts & Entertainment News Politics

Barack Obama packs Downtown and delivers historic speech

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee – Barack Obama – addressed the NAACP Convention at 8pm, July 14th, 2008. People started waiting at the Duke Energy Center about 6 hours earlier at 2pm hoping to get into the convention center to be a part of a movement and history in the making. Obama did not disappoint as he dazzled the crowd with a wonderful speech (full text).

Those who weren’t lucky enough to get inside, and others looking for different atmosphere, gathered on Fountain Square – packing it to the gills. Local organizations put together some entertainment for the expected crowd that started gathering en mass around 5pm. Others who wanted to stay at home could do so thanks to the live coverage by local NBC affiliate, WLWT-Cincinnati.

The presumptive Republican nominee – John McCain – will speak Wednesday at 11:30am. You will also be able to catch this on WLWT, Fountain Square, or in person at the Conference. It’s great to see the level of excitement about politics this year. It’s even better to see it first-hand right here in Cincinnati.

Fountain Square Scene – Photo by 5chw4r7z

Categories
News

Know Theatre – What’s the Point?!

What’s the Point?! is soon to be at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati. The production originally opened in 2007 in New York City at The Reprise Room and will return there in September. In the mean time, the Know Theatre of Cincinnati will bring the cabaret musical to another city for the first time ever this Summer.

The musical is based on the popular 1950s and 1960s revue styles, which were known for commenting on popular trends and on society in general. Additionally this particular production has been described as “fast-paced” with each member, of the three-person cast, playing a variety of characters.

The Cincinnati premier will take place on Friday, July 18th and will run through Tuesday, August 12th. Shows on Fridays and Saturdays start at 9:30pm, while shows on Mondays and Tuesdays start at 7:30pm. You can get tickets for a mere $15 by calling 513.300.5669 (KNOW) or by stopping by the box office located at 1120 Jackson Street (GoogleMap).

Categories
News

Political spotlight on Cincy next week

Next week will be a big week for Cincinnati as the political spotlight will be shining directly upon our city. It all starts with the 99th annual NAACP convention being held at the Duke Energy Center. The convention is expected to bring an estimated 9,000 delegates and two VERY important special guests.

The two presumptive presidential nominees, Sen. John McCain (R) and Sen. Barack Obama (D), are both scheduled to address the NAACP delegates this coming week. Local NBC affiliate WLWT-TV, Channel 5, has announced that they will cut in to normal programming to broadcast both speeches live. This then allows the speeches to be shown on the giant LED board over Fountain Square – expect big crowds.

McCain and Obama – from http://randallps129.blogspot.com/

The real issue here is not all of the coverage Cincinnati will get, the political attention, or big crowds that will fill hotels and spend big money. The thing that should be most noted is how it all came to be…Mayor Mallory, and other key leaders, worked aggressively to lure the NAACP convention to Cincinnati over the convention heavyweight Las Vegas.

In addition to that the City has worked very hard at giving Downtown a “spit-shine” to ensure a good impression on the 9,000 delegates. This 1-million dollar effort included things like repairing damaged sidewalks, curbs, street corners, painting light poles and other small projects.

Speech Schedule:
Sen. Barack Obama (D) — Monday, July 14th at 8pm
Sen. John McCain (R) — Wednesday, July 16th sometime between 9:30am and 12:30pm

Categories
News

Bring VH1’s Top 20 Video Countdown to Cincinnati

Some local, regional, and state leaders have worked to extend an invitation to VH1’s Top 20 Video Countdown to come to Cincinnati’s Fountain Square. This is in light of the very popular new song/video, “It’s Not My Time,” from 3 Doors Down – which was filmed in Cincinnati. The video is shot entirely in Cincinnati and covers prominent city landmarks in Over-the-Rhine, Downtown, Mt. Auburn and Lower Price Hill.

So how can you help bring the countdown to Cincinnati? The easiest way is to go to VH1’s website and vote for the 3 Doors Down video. It is really quick/easy, and we need to get to work as the video is currently at the #14 spot on the countdown. Pass on this information to as many people as you know so that we can bring the countdown to Fountain Square.

This effort would generate six hours of national publicity in roughly 90 million homes. The show is a two-hour program that airs three times during the week – beginning from 9-11am Saturdays – and features a dozen mini-remotes during which host Alison Becker touts the different venues from the assigned location of the week (insert Cincinnati). Alison would be able to tape from Fountain Square, Government Square, the Freedom Center, restaurants and nightclubs in/around Downtown, plus some views overlooking the city.

WATCH “IT’S NOT MY TIME” HERE