Arts + Culture

Cincinnati earns its ‘Queen City’ nickname

By Newsroom

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March 3, 2009

Yes, Cincinnati has a sometimes shaky reputation. But let's forget about that for a second. (Or forever.)Laura DeMarco, a writer for the Newhouse News Service whose story was picked up by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, sees in Cincinnati a cultural revival, a city that boasts "world-class museums, a vibrant nightlife and dining scene, and a rich look at the state's history".For sights, DeMarco recommends Fountain Square, the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the "forward-thinking" architecture at the University of Cincinnati.The writer also recommends catching a show at the Southgate House, taking a trip off the beaten path to the Comet in Northside to dine on a giant burrito, or experiencing the fine dining, fantastic views, and charming streets of Mount Adams.Read the full article here.

Latest in Arts + Culture

Dinosaurs Unearthed features world’s first set of full-sized, feather-covered dinosaurs

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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February 24, 2009

Dinosaurs Unearthed, on view through September 7 at the Cincinnati Museum Center, highlights some of the most thought-provoking paleontological discoveries of the past decade.In recent years, paleontologists have uncovered fossilized evidence that suggests that many famous dinosaur species may have been covered in feathers for camouflage, travel, or warmth.These feathered dinosaurs, along with many other species, are displayed in animatronic form -- some up to 55 feet long and 22 feet high.Accompanying the exhibit is Dinosaurs Alive, an OMNIMAX film that takes visitors on a journey to dinosaur life from the early Triassic period all the way through the late Cretaceous (approximately 250 million to 70 million years ago) and explores the early roots of paleontology in the Gobi Desert.Read the full release here.

Soapicks February 17-23

By Sheila Owens

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Arts + Culture

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February 17, 2009

If you spent all your energy devising great Valentine's Day ideas, no fear. This week offers a number of events that you don't need to think twice about attending. The Fine Arts Fund kicks off their annual campaign with a number of not-to-be-missed events including a "Night of Magic" at the CAC of Friday. Minumental art works take over two galleries at the Art Academy of Cincinnati; nothing over two inches, so don't forget the bifocals. Then hot on the heels of Valentine's Day is Mardi Gras, which kicks-off with some New Orleans inspired festivities at MainStrasse Village Friday and Saturday. There's a Day In Dialogue at the First Unitarian Church where Palestinian and Israeli viewpoints converge over award-winning memoir, The Lemon Tree. And take a trip back in time with Jazz legends and their rarely seen performances in the screening of "That Old Black Magic" at Cincinnati World Cinema.

Cincinnati Union Terminal repairs estimated at $120M

By Newsroom

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Architecture + Design

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February 17, 2009

Repairs to Cincinnati Union Terminal will cost $120 million, according to Cincinnati Museum Center president and CEO Douglass W. McDonald.Since 2005, the Cincinnati Museum Center has been undertaking an extensive study of the structure, including the use of thermography, radar, and ultrasound to create a type of "building MRI".The study revealed corrosion to structural steel that has caused water damage and stone and brick wall displacement, a failing flat roof system, deficient flashing details, inefficient mechanicals, and failed replacement windows."They're things that were surprising to us," McDonald says. "You can actually see through the imaging technique how pervasive the problem is all the way through the building."The most complex and costly problem to remedy will be the repair of the structural steel, which will require removal of the building's structural skin and architectural elements."Historically, concrete was a very new construction material in the 1930s," McDonald says. "They knew the structural integrity, but they didn't have the experience to know the relationship between concrete and steel, where it was a good application and where it was a challenge. They didn't understand expansion joints."McDonald says that they're exploring public-private partnerships, government grants, and even a tax levy to raise funds for the restoration."We're considering all sources of funding," he says. "We don’t think a ballot issue will provide all of the funding necessary. And we don't think that this is a time when we should be asking anybody to increase their taxes, so we think it's important that we do this in a careful way that has a stable, non-increase for taxpayers, but also creates the revenues necessary to fund the restoration of the building."Funding is already in place for "Project One", the full restoration of the Cincinnati Dining Room and its adjacent rooms.When completed later this year, that project is expected to inform the repair process for the rest of the building.Without rapid intervention, the deterioration is expected to accelerate exponentially."We believe that this building is so important in our community that we really need to preserve the building and to make sure that it's here for future generations," McDonald says.Writer: Kevin LeMasterSources: Douglass W. McDonald, president and CEO, Cincinnati Museum Center

A glimpse of Paris in Northside

By Virginia Baker

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Arts + Culture

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February 10, 2009

From grass roots efforts to top designer in the world of bridal wear, Debra Moreland, owner of Paris in Northside is constantly designing and pushing the spectrum of bridal wear innovations—all with the help of her family.

Museum Center, Covedale center receive state capital funds

By Newsroom

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Architecture + Design

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February 10, 2009

The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission (OCFC) approved state capital funding for two local projects at its quarterly meeting last Thursday.The Cincinnati Museum Center will receive $2.5 million for a restoration project that will open more of the local landmark for public and private use and address problems resulting from the building's age."The Museum Center is pleased to receive this funding from OCFC," says Chad Mertz, the center's director of public relations. "Combined with other public and private resources, the funding will be used for restoration of the building's historic dining rooms and repairing associated roofing, masonry, windows, artwork and other interior and exterior structural components of the area."The OCFC also awarded the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts $100,000 for a backstage construction and renovation project that will create 1,700 square feet of additional space, adding new mechanicals, dressing rooms and restrooms.Cincinnati Landmark Productions has performed several phases of renovation on the property since acquiring it in 2002."We've managed to create a thriving live theatre out of a venerable neighborhood movie house, here at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts," says artistic director Tim Perrino. "This funding, along with many other donors and grants, has ensured that we'll cap our long list of completed renovations and improvements with a building addition and renovation that will provide a practical backstage for our performers."Construction documents for the project were delivered last week, and work could begin as soon as March.Since 1988, the OCFC has disbursed more than $400 million in capital funds facility improvement projects at nonprofit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues.Writer: Kevin LeMasterSources: Chad Mertz, director of public relations, Cincinnati Museum Center; Tim Perrino, artistic director, Cincinnati Landmark Productions Photography by Scott Beseler

Exporting the Cincinnati Blues Sound

By Rick Bird

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Arts + Culture

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February 3, 2009

Three Cincinnati area blues musicians will be taking some ivory to Memphis this week. The "home of the blues" will hear a uniquely Cincinnati sound - rollicking, bawdy blues piano. It is a bit of a coincidence, but all three area entries this year at the prestigious International Blues Challenge are piano players. All three are also veteran performers, who stand a good chance to go far in the competition, as they carry on a remarkable Cincinnati piano blues tradition.

Soapdish: Foodie Feudies

By Casey Coston

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Arts + Culture

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February 3, 2009

The much publicized breakup of Jean-Robert de Caval from financial backers Martin & Marilyn Wade and the subsequent closing of Pigall's restaurant have seen a furious storm of hand wringing and gnashing of teeth within the Cincinnati dining set. Will the closing mark the end of sophisticated dining in Cincinnati? Soapdish columnist, Casey Coston reminds us that, far from in decline, the Cincinnati culinary scene is just hitting its stride.

Hilde’s Gallery relocating, committing to Bellevue

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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February 3, 2009

Tyler Hildebrand is in the process of moving Hilde's Gallery from his current space at 306 Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue to a rehabilitated building at 400 Fairfield Avenue, which should be completed by late March.The new space is similar in size to his current gallery space, but offers several notable improvements."The difference is the 16-foot-high ceilings, and the fact that I will be able to own the building as opposed to renting, and live above my shop," Hildebrand says.Hildebrand says that the building will have to be entirely gutted, a job that he plans to undertake himself – with a little help from his friends."This building was a tanning bed years ago," he says. "It looked like it had been abandoned in the night, with the tanning beds still tucked in their rooms and posters of nicely tanned men and woman with eighties haircuts decorating the walls."The City of Bellevue is helping out with restoration of the historic façade."Over many years and different business the storefront façade has been bricked up, leaving two little windows," Hildebrand says. "The city was nice enough to give me grant money to fix up the exterior, and return the storefront to its original large windows."Bellevue Renaissance has been helpful as well."Bellevue Renaissance works together to help every business on the Avenue," Hildebrand says. "They know what direction they want the city to go in and they do everything they can to make that happen."Since locating on Fairfield Avenue in 2007, Hildebrand has noticed strong support for custom artworks in the city."The new condos and residents moving in to Bellevue have been a great contributor to the arts," he says. "The kind of shops and restaurants here bring down artsy kinds of people."Hildebrand says that he looked throughout the region for a new building, but kept being drawn back to Bellevue."There's a hometown charm here that is hard to find as abundant in other places," he says.Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Tyler Hildebrand, Hilde's Gallery Photography by Scott Beseler

Video Fine Arts Fund firing it up

By Soapbox

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Arts + Culture

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February 3, 2009

The Fine Arts Fund, the oldest and largest united arts fund in the country, is gearing up for its annual giving campaign to help support and grow the arts throughout the Greater Cincinnati region. As belts tighten, some may wonder whether they can afford to give this year. We, here at Soapbox, believe we as a community can't afford not to give - this year more than any other. Here are a few of the reasons why...