Soapicks March 9-15

Aged To Perfection
March 11-13

It's mature, attractive, has a nice body and lovely bouquet. The 20th Annual International Wine Festival is a three-day celebration of life, good company, and most of all, delicious food and drink. The festivities kick-off Thursday with the Winery Dinners- the event features visiting winemakers from all over the world teamed up with the city's finest chefs in their own restaurants. Reserve you seat for an opportunity to meet the artists, hear the story of their wines, feast on a magnificent multi-course meal and, of course, a wine tasting. Many locations are fully booked, but DaVeed's at 934, Eddie Merlot's, Embers and a few more still have tickets available. Then comes the main event, Grand Tastings, Friday and Saturday at the Duke Energy Convention Center. There will be more than 600 wines from 130 wineries being poured throughout the two days-Michael Mondavi, Founder and "Coach" of Folio Fine Wine Partners, will serve as Honorary Chair this year. Aside from wine, guest can enjoy live music and more delicious food. The third and final event of the festival the Charity Auction and Luncheon takes place on Saturday as well. The silent and live auction at Netherland Plaza features an extraordinary catalog of limited-release bottlings, winemaker-signed grand format bottles, rare wines from the cellars of notable Cincinnatians, chef's table dining opportunities at exclusive Cincinnati coaxed homes, fantastic trips, wine cellar tours, and tons more. Stick around after the bidding ends for a luncheon prepared by Netherland chefs and accompanied with more exquisite wines. Who needs Napa Valley when you have the 20th Annual Cincinnati International Wine Festival? Click here to for a full schedule, individual event times and ticket costs. Cheers!

Originality
March 12
As promised, Original Thought Required - a new street wear boutique in Cincinnati - has began hosting events that encompass the street wear culture of individuality, personal style and music, especially the music. Come check out their latest event, Fly or Die, taking place this Friday at Grammers Bar in Over the Rhine. Fly or Die features three DJs - DJ Clockwork, DJ Bandcamp and DJ Belle - and performances by Uzi and Wally, Vega & Garrett Stallings. Party lasts from 10:00 p.m. until 2:30 a.m., and ladies, admission is free till 11:00 p.m. But anyone who purchases an item from Original Thought Required will get free admission, regardless of gender. So check out at Original Thought Required, and then check in to Grammers Bar for a night of musical mayhem.

Sneak-A-Fringe-Peek
March 13
If you can't wait till June for the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, get a little taste this Saturday at Fringe for a Night. Know Theatre will host this sneak peek affair to announce the 2010 Festival line up as well as unveil the new cincyfringe.com website. And if that's not enough of a tease, 2009's Critic's Pick of the Fringe David Gaines will perform 7(x1) SAMURAI. The rundown for Fringe for a Night goes: 6:00 p.m. happy hour drinks in the Underground, 6:45 p.m. unveiling of the new website and announcement of the 2010 Festival lineup, then at 7:30 pm, it's upstairs for 7(x1) SAMURAI. Immediately following the show it's Bar Series for a Night beginning at 9:00 p.m. You'll need tickets to get into Gaines' performance so grab those for $12 in advance or $15 day of show.

Four Seasons Photography
March 14
Shake off the gray of winter and embrace the sunshine this Sunday at Sharon Woods as they host Art in the Parks' latest exhibit, photographic works by The Ohio Photographers Guild. For two weeks, March 13-21, the skilled and award-winning local photographers who comprise the guild, will have their works on display at Sharon Wood's Sharon Centre. The theme of the exhibit ties in with the hosting organization, Hamilton County Park District, as works are photographs that were taken at various parks during different seasons of the year. You can meet the people behind the lens this Sunday at an artists' reception from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public, but you must have a valid Hamilton County Park District Motor Vehicle Permit to enter the parks-kill two birds with one stone by purchasing your annual pass for only $5.00, and then continuing on up the trail to see some great snap shots of nature in all her glory.