‘Today’ is a video that features beautiful HD cinematography of Cincinnati. The video shows a number of Cincinnati landmarks, the city’s many beautiful parks, and a variety of cityscapes. This is all shown with a unique concert-style performance by University of Cincinnati students. Be sure to watch the entire video as the transitions in the song make for interesting transitions in the cinematography.
This weekend you can kick off the Mardi Gras spirit a little early, Findlay Market style. The Market is getting their Fat Tuesday on this Sunday with the 4th Annual Mardi Gras Merchant Spirit Contest. The event will feature competitions among the merchants of Findlay Market for most creative stand decoration, costumes, and overall spirit of the Mardi Gras.
The panel of judges (Eric Vosmeier and Alexandra Kesman from the Know Theatre and Ballet Tech’s Marvel Gentry Davis) will pick the first and second place winning stands. The first place winner walks away with $200, a Mardi Gras trophy, and tickets to the Know Theatre. Second place will receive $100. The winners of the stand contest will be announced at 11:30 am, just before the crowning of the Mardi Gras King and Queen. This will happen at the Market tent across from Market Wines.
There will also be live music from several bands, a Mardi Gras Parade, beer, face painting, and a low-land seafood boil sampling starting at 12:30pm. Taste of Belgium will also be getting into the Mardi Gras spirit with a special set of savory Shrimp & Grit Waffles available this weekend only – creating a truly unique Cajun-Belgian experience.
“We incorporate sharp cheddar, coarse corn grits and loads of cayenne pepper into our waffle dough,” said Taste of Belgium owner Jean-Fracois Flechet. “We then top the waffle with cocktail shrimps sauteed in olive, garlic and white wine and freshly chopped green onions and cilantro to cool you down.”
The ‘Cajun waffles’ will be available on Saturday and Sunday for $6.50, and will can also be purchased in packs of four for just $14. Due to limited supply, those interested in purchasing more than a few grits waffles are instructed to call the store ahead of time at (51) 381-3280 due to limited supply.
Mardi Gras at the Market is this Sunday, February 14 from 10am to 4pm. Findlay Market (map) is open year-round Tuesday through Sunday. Even if there’s snow on the ground, Findlay will still be open (barring a level 3 snow emergency). There’s plenty of free off-street bicycle and automobile parking and is easily accessible via Metro bus routes 46, 64, 78, 6, and 17 (plan your trip now).
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!
On Sunday, February 14 Metro is challenging Cincinntians to fill one of the transit authority’s new articulated buses with valuable items that can make a positive impact for those struggling to recover from the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12.
Metro officials will be collecting non-perishable food items, personal care items, cleaning products, first-aid supplies, bottled water, and summer clothing (new clothing only is requested). Matthew 25: Ministries, a local non-denominational organization working to help the needy, will also be collecting cash and check donations that will be distributed to those in need in Haiti.
‘Have a Heart for Haiti’ will take place at the Hyde Park Kroger (map) from 12pm to 6pm on Valentine’s Day.
Haiti earthquake damage photo from Matthew 25: Ministries
On Tuesday, February 16 the Over-the-Rhine Foundation and Brewery District are hosting a tour of Cincinnati’s famous brewing history followed by a five-course wild game dinner at Arnold’s Bar & Grill.
Crown Brewery photograph by Ronny Salerno – view more of his brewery photographs here.The tour will start at Arnold’s (map) at 5:30pm where buses will take groups around to two of Cincinnati’s former breweries in historic Over-the-Rhine. At the Kauffman Brewery tour-goers will learn about Cincinnati’s beer barons and have the opportunity to explore the underground lagering cellars deep beneath the building. From there tour-goers will be taken to the former Crown Brewery where they learn about Prohibition’s devastating impact on Cincinnati breweries and be the first members of the general public to visit the newly discovered lagering cellars and tunnel beneath McMicken Avenue that have been sealed off for 50 years.
After the brewery tours, the group will return to Arnold’s for a five-course wild game dinner where each course will be paired with a different beer. There will also be a special guest speaker discussing Over-the-Rhine and, of course, beer.
Organizers expect everything to be wrapped up by 9pm. Tickets are $95 and include everything for the tour, appetizers, five-course wild game dinner at Arnold’s, and beer. Tickets can be purchased online, and $80 of every ticket is tax-deductible and goes to support the Over-the-Rhine Foundation and Brewery District.
Cincinnati is one of five finalist cities across the world competing to land the Lions Clubs International 2015 convention that will bring with it an estimated 25,000 to 36,000 hotel room nights and an economic impact between $7.4 and $10.5 million.
Cincinnati is currently competing against Boston, Tampa, Honolulu and Manchester, England for the five day event in July 2015. The winner will be announced this April by Lions Clubs International.
“Reaching finalist status to host Lions Clubs International is a tremendous accomplishment in itself. They have narrowed their search to five great cities, and we are right up there with other top-shelf destinations,” said Dan Lincoln, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Lions Clubs International’s leadership is in Cincinnati now and will be touring the venues and hotels that would play host to the convention. During their three-day stay, Lions Clubs International leadership will meet with a variety of business and civic leaders in the Cincinnati region, and evaluate potential parade routes for the 2015 event. As part of the visit, Cincinnati leaders will present Lions officials with more than 5,000 pairs of eyeglasses that have been collected from throughout the region.
“This is particularly exciting given the recent selection of Cincinnati USA to host the World Choir Games in 2012,” said Lincoln. “We are succeeding in showing the nation and the world that Cincinnati USA is a welcoming, exciting and memorable destination prepared to host major convention groups.”