Soapicks March 2-8

Cans of Corn
March 2
What could you create with 10,000 cans of corn? Well as the contestants of the 13th annual CANstruction art exhibit will show us, the possibilities are endless. Beginning Tuesday at 8:00 a.m., ten teams from Cincinnati's top design, architecture, construction and engineering firms start a race against the clock to see who can create the snazziest sculpture - the catch: they may only use canned dry-goods as building materials. The event, which benefits the Freestore Foodbank, will once again use the theme of "One Can." The large-scale sculptures will be on display through March 15 at four downtown locations: The Weston Art Gallery, the main branch of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library, the Duke Energy Headquarters and the Scripps Center. Each year CANstruction raises approximately $30,000 worth of food donations resulting from the finished works of art. Cincinnati Bengals' Head Coach Marvin Lewis and renowned Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel are among this year's panel of celebrity judges who will award prizes in five categories: Best Meal, Best Use of Labels, Jurors' Favorite, Structural Ingenuity and Honorable Mention. So come check out the inventiveness of Cincinnati's top firms, and don't forget a non-perishable donation to cover the cost of admission.

I'm Your Firestarter
March 3
January's first installment of Ignite Cincinnati was a spark filled evening of novel ideas, good humor, and general silliness. This month, Ignite offers its second confab of innovative ideas delivered via five minute pitches with a decidely Queen City bent, including presentations on reimagining the Broadway Commons Entertainment District, improving your website, how to quit your job and start a new business and a host of other ideas designed to stimulate new businesses, connections, and opportunities in Cincinnati. Tickets still remain, doors open at 5:30pm, presentations begin at 7:00pm at Know Theatre.

 

ReVisioning The City
March 3
"Children reinvent your world for you," says actress Susan Sarandon. No words ring more true at the Architecture By Children 2010 exhibit going on now at the Cincinnati Museum Center. The American Institute of Architecture's Cincinnati chapter sponsors this annual program which challenges children in grades K-12 from schools all over the Cincinnati Area to create their own architectural design projects based on a theme. This year's theme was ReVision -students were charged with the task of giving new life to an abandoned building in the city by imagining a new use for it, then, modifying the building for the new use. More than 140 projects were brought to Collett Gallery in the Cincinnati Museum Center last week and are now on display for viewing. There will be an Awards Reception at the museum this Saturday evening to honor the winning designs. Get over to the museum and see these big ideas generated from little minds.

Classical Rock
March 5
It's Beethoven meets Springsteen when The Young Republic hits the stage this Friday night at Northside Tavern. The group of five from Nashville may have conservatory training from the Berklee College of Music, and they may be signed to a European label, but at the end of the day, their hearts lay with American rock-n-roll. The Young Republic is the complete rock-n-roll package as their classical training combines with their love of Jazz, Blues and Folk. Don't miss this show by a band that's received praise from Mojo Magazine, The BBC and The Guardian. Also hitting the stage Friday night are Wake The Bear and Frontier Folk Nebraska. Show starts at 10:00 p.m. in the back room and don't worry about admission, it's free!

Mush, Mush
March 6
The Winter Olympics may be over, but the games are just beginning here in Cincinnati with the Cinciditarod. What is the Cinciditarod you ask? Based on Alaska's Iditarod - a 1,100 mile dog-sledding race -the Cinciditarod is Cincinnati's urban version of the grueling race. Swap out the dogs, sleds and subzero temperatures for people mushing grocery carts over a nearly five-mile course that runs through the streets of downtown and Over-the-Rhine, and you've got the New Horizon's 2010 Cinciditarod. The race will start on Fountain Square on this Saturday at noon. More than 40 teams participated last year in this madcap race that is all about the good times and good will - all grocery item donations will benefit the Freestore Foodbank. Head down to Fountain Square this weekend to cheer on friends, family and community members and see who takes home the gold.

Gather 'Round
March 6
Some things are better the second time around, like Bi-Okoto Cultural Centre's grand re-Opening. The African cultural organization has some new digs in Bond Hill at Jordan Crossing and to celebrate they're hosting another grand opening titled The Gathering for the new cultural center. This Saturday from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Bi-Okoto invites you to join in on the African 'Edutainment' that will be taking place including facility tours, African drumming classes and African dance classes for both children and adults. If this is your first time at Bi-Okoto, your first lesson will be free and keep in mind that classes are always free for children ages 5-17. You'll also get a chance to see some of the center's Works in Progress performances by local area performing and visual artists, as well as see a special African Edutainment performance at 3 p.m. Click here for schedule and directions. The Gathering is sure to be a multi-culturally good time.