Tag: downtown

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Arts & Entertainment News

2010 Party in the Park series gets started – 4/21

Over the last few weeks spring has begun to take root in Cincinnati. Among others, the Reds Opening Day had a huge turnout as usual, trees are blooming and the Genius of Water began flowing again as the ceremonial start to the spring season in Cincinnati. This Wednesday marks yet another seasonal rite of passage as Party in the Park returns to the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati at Yeatman’s Cove.

Party in the Park is one of the old standbys for many Cincinnatians as it embarks on its 34th season this year. Festivities kick off at 5:30pm every other Wednesday, with the exception of the back-to-back Wednesdays in April. $2 off drink prices greet party goers for the first 90 minutes making it a favorite after work destination. Historically crowds range anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000, depending on the week and weather, which turns the park into the largest watering hole in town.

The presenting sponsors and the 2010 slogan tell you all you need to know about the music you will find at Party in the Park. With 96ROCK and Bud Light leading the way and the slogan “The Original Social Network” you should expect cover songs so that folks can sing along all evening long. While it may not be ideal for someone seeking out original music, this weekly party definitely makes for a great social setting to hang out with old friends and meet new ones in the shadows of Cincinnati’s growing skyline and on the banks of the mighty Ohio River.

Party in the Park (map) starts at 5:30pm and lasts until 10:30pm. The festivities will run through Wednesday, August 8. There are several parking options available nearby, but it often coincides with Reds or Cyclones games that will make parking more difficult. There is bicycle parking and bus service to the park, and it is within walking distance to many of Cincinnati’s major employers in the center city.

Cincinnati has several great live music offerings during the summer months that include both original and cover music. In its 3rd year, Fountain Square played host to the 2009 PNC MidPoint Indie Summer Series and saw record crowds show up to enjoy the live music in the heart of downtown Cincinnati every Friday night. Midpoint Music Festival will fill Cincinnati’s center city with all sorts of live music again this summer (stay tuned for more details later this week). And there are still two shows left at the Cincinnati Zoo Tunes & Blooms which takes place each Thursday evening in April.

Party in the Park photo by 5chw4r7z.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Weeklong fashion celebration begins in Cincinnati

Cincinnati Fashion Week got kicked off yesterday with a promotional campaign for the city’s fashion enthusiasts called “Spring into Fashion.” Now underway, the community driven collaborative including Keep Cincinnati Beautiful will run through Saturday, April 24.

Cincinnati Fashion Week (Facebook Page) organizers say that the goal of the week-long event is to “improve the quality of life by promoting sustainable action through fashion and style,” and that it includes a wide variety of events that will celebrate Cincinnati fashion, design, craftsmanship, artistry and even include a cleanup event on Saturday as part of the Great American Cleanup.

“Throughout its history, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful has initiated and implemented many on-going projects that have made a clear difference in the quality of life for Greater Cincinnati,” said Nathan Hurst, an independent fashion designer. In addition to the cleanup partnership, a portion of the proceeds from Cincinnati Fashion Week will be donated to Keep Cincinnati Beautiful.

“A passion for art brought me to share my love for fashion with the city I adore just as much,” explained Hurst. “I began my fashion career in Cincinnati with three successful runway shows and quickly made my national debut at the ‘Hip-Hop Meets Couture’ annual fashion show in San Francisco. When I returned to the Midwest I had one goal in mind: Cincinnati Fashion Week.”

The remainder of the week is packed with unique events throughout Cincinnati’s urban core including an exclusive VIP Appreciation Party that takes place tonight at the trendy downtown Cincinnati nightclub FB for those who have purchased an ‘all week pass’ for Cincinnati Fashion Week (doors will open at 8pm). Throughout the rest of the week Cincinnati Fashion Week attendees will be able to enjoy a merchant fair, fashion shows, design shows and the aforementioned Great American Cleanup.

The can’t miss Fashion Finale will feature the works of of Laura Dawson, Amy Longo and David Meister, among others, who will be showcasing his famous gowns. The fashion show will be hosted by Jen Dalton with music being provided by DJ Fuse. The Fashion Finale will take place at the Hyatt Regency’s Grand Ballroom in downtown Cincinnati with general admission tickets starting at $60. Special VIP tickets are also available for $100 that include additional perks. Tickets can be purchased online.

Cincinnati Fashion Week is also sponsoring a clothing drive as part of their collaboration with the Great American Cleanup, and those who donate clothing to Kenzie’s Closet or Dress for Success will receive 25% off any level ticket purchase.

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Development News

Will the casino help or hurt local businesses?

Yesterday, Rock Ventures LLC completed the $35 million purchase of the Broadway Commons site (pictured at right) where Cincinnati’s new casino will be located. But with construction set to begin this fall and an opening date in 2012, questions remain as to whether the development will help or hurt existing businesses in the area.

Some local business owners believe casino visitors will venture out into the surrounding neighborhoods to patronize bars, restaurants, hotels and other local businesses. Paul Fries, co-owner of the new Jack Potts Tavern, said that the opening of the casino, in addition to the Cincinnati Streetcar line, would create a “great entertainment area.” But others aren’t so sure, and say the casino will have no effect or would even hurt the surrounding area. To ease these concerns, the developers held a mini-charrette in February that focused on the connections between the casino and the nearby entertainment districts, among other topics.

The design of the building will be a huge factor in how the casino connects to the neighborhood. Casinos are often insular, with restaurants, bars, and entertainment within, giving visitors little reason to leave. With convenient access to a connected parking garage, many visitors will drive in and never step foot outside of the development. Creating a primary entrance facing the street is absolutely necessary to develop a true connection. Fortunately, Cincinnati’s casino developers plan to build restaurants and retail facing Reading Road, Broadway and East Court, and have a main entrance at the corner of Reading Road and Broadway.

Another emerging issue is how modified alcohol regulations for the casino would affect area bars. The developers are seeking the right to serve liquor 24 hours a day and to give guests free drinks. But would guests be as likely to venture out into nearby bars if they have the ability to be served later at the casino?

Hopefully additional charrette sessions will be held, allowing more residents and business owners to give input and voice their concerns. Since the casino is a certainty, Cincinnatians should fight to make sure it has a positive impact on the surrounding community and our existing businesses.

Broadway Commons photo courtesy of Sherman Cahal.

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News Politics Transportation

Metro to celebrate green initiatives at Cincinnati Earth Day

Earth Day 2009 marked the introduction of six new hybrid buses to Metro’s fleet. Since that time the buses have helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide environmentally responsible trip alternatives, save diesel fuel and money for the regional transit authority.

“We are proud of the results that we have seen from the hybrids and the positive response we’ve received from the community,” said Marilyn Shazor, Metro’s CEO. “Cincinnati has welcomed the hybrids and recognizes the value in our green efforts.”

To date, Metro officials cite that the hybrid buses have cut gas emission by some 190 tons while saving close to 7,000 gallons of diesel fuel. The savings not only represent an environmental benefit, but a financial one for the transit authority as well.

“In addition to the environmental benefits, the hybrids provide financial savings for Metro,” Shazor explained. “In the past year, the hybrids have saved us nearly $22,000 in fuel, and we project continued fuel savings over the life of the hybrids, and the environmental benefits will continue as well.”

On Saturday April, 17 Metro will take part in Cincinnati’s Earth Day celebration at Sawyer Point by showcasing one of their hybrid buses at a booth where the transit authority will share information on other green initiatives they are overseeing like the new articulated buses that add capacity and increased efficiencies to Metro’s fleet, their LEED-certified transit hub in Avondale, use of reused rainwater for bus washing, burning waste oil to heat their garages, and the recycling of motor fluids such as antifreeze, refrigerant and power steering fluid.

Cincinnati Earth Day is free and open to the public and will run from 12pm to 5:30pm at Sawyer Point (map) along the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati. This year’s festivities will include hands-on displays, a rock climbing wall, kayak paddle safety pool, ORSANCO’s aquarium, baby animals, story telling, an environmental puppet show, a green childrens fashion show, live music, a parade and more.

Metro will also be providing this information and more at another booth to be set up at the Cincinnati Zoo during Zoo’s Tunes & Blooms “Go Green” Night on April 24th.

“Overall, Metro’s services significantly reduce car trips and fuel consumption in Greater Cincinnati. A commuter who rides Metro 20 miles round-trip will decrease annual carbon dioxide emissions by 2.4 tons per year,” said Shazor. “As a tax-supported transit system, we are focusing on being green and saving green at the same time.”

Categories
News

Cincinnati lands prestigious National Conference of Black Mayors Convention

At 10am this morning local political, business and community leaders gathered at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in downtown Cincinnati to celebrate the announcement that the National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) Convention will be coming to Cincinnati this May. Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory is a member of the NCBM and will be serving as the official host for the convention when it comes to town May 12-16.

“We are looking forward to our time in Cincinnati,” said George L. Grace, National Conference of Black Mayors President and Mayor of St. Gabriel, Louisiana. “Cincinnati has a rich history in the civil rights movement and has made extraordinary strides under Mayor Mark Mallory to establish itself as a vanguard city for diversity and multicultural awareness and leadership. This is the perfect time and place for our organization to bring together its members, and we look forward to the important work that will be done at our Annual Convention next month.”

With the theme, “Able Leaders, Stable Cities: Resolving Our Communities’ Challenges,” the 36th Annual Conference is expected to draw more than 700 attendees from around the country that represent more than 50 million constituents in almost every state. The gathering of civic leaders from around the country is anticipated to log more than 1,200 room nights for local hotels.

The NCBM Convention is planned to coordinate with Major League Baseball’s (MLB) 2010 Civil Rights Game that will, for the second consecutive year, be held in Cincinnati. This year’s Civil Rights Game will take place on Saturday, May 15 at Great American Ball Park between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals. Last year’s game left MLB Commissioner Bud Selig very impressed with Cincinnati’s ability to host prominent events such as this national showcase game that includes festivities throughout the weekend. At this year’s game MLB will pay tribute to Willie Mays, Billie Jean King and Harry Belafonte.

“This convention will focus on providing tangible solutions, best practice models and innovative strategies to resolve some of the universal challenges that local elected officials face on the ground,” said National Conference of Black Mayors Executive Director Vanessa R. Williams. “We have gathered a diverse spectrum of leaders who have successfully tackled these problems to participate in this year’s convention.”

Visitors enjoy the festivities around Fountain Square during the 2009 Civil Rights Game Youth Summit.

The NCBM Convention will focus its attention on two primary topics this year that are meant to help resolve the challenges facing communities around the nation. Thursday will focus on Human Rights and will cover a range of topics including health care, public safety and housing. Friday’s session will focus on Green Economic Development and cover topics including workforce development, infrastructure and environmental justice.

The convention is one of a recent string of prestigious multicultural conventions to select Cincinnati as their host including the NAACP and National Baptist conventions in 2008, the Gospel Music Workshop of America in 2010, the League of United Latin American Citizens in 2011, and the World Choir Games in 2012.

“As a member, it’s very gratifying to bring the 2010 Annual Convention home to Cincinnati,” said Mayor Mark Mallory. “The convention brings visitors and revenue to our city, but more importantly, it brings an esteemed group of more than 700 men and women who are actively working to make our cities better.”