Soapicks May 18-24

Explosive Ideas
May 18

Bridging Broadway-the creatively cooperate civic organization who's mission is to connect people and places to promote a new entertainment district around the Broadway Commons casino site-is throwing a party. Well, a BLAST! is more like it. Bridging Broadway invites you to a meet and greet, this Tuesday, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., at Arnold’s Bar & Grill. Mingle with the people who are driving improvements in downtown's core, including county commissioner candidate, Jim Tarbell, who will talk about the all the possibilities for this new 24 hour community. Enjoy special live performances by Barren River and Illusionist and Escape Artist Trickoholic. Enter the raffle for a chance to win fabulous prizes donated by Twin Bistros, Pops Orchestra, Newport on the Levee and more. There is a $5.00 cover, which directly goes to supporting Bridging Broadway. Get down to BLAST! and get involved with the discussion of Cincinnati's future in live entertainment and alternative modes of transportation.

A Grande Tasting
May 19

Are you one of those people who has to start their day with a cup of coffee? If so, roll out of bed and head over to Fountain Square, Wednesday morning, as some of Cincinnati's best local coffee shops converge for the Rippe & Kingston Coffee Tasting. The Tasting is an opportunity to sample brews-teas too if coffee isn't your thing-from all over the Queen City. Grab a cup to go, or stick around, and catch Tim and My mom calls me George from KISS 107, as they do their morning show live from the Square. Participating vendors include: Baba Budan's, Awakenings Coffee & Tea Co., Greenup Café, Kidd Coffee, Coffee Break Roasting Co., Murray Coffee LLC and of course, Starbucks. They'll also be pastries, coffee cakes, donuts and bagels for purchase to complete your breakfast. The Rippe & Kingston Coffee Tasting will take place from 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on Fountain Square. Admission is free; samples will range from $.25 to $.50  and regular size will be at vendor’s normal cost.

Life is a Cabaret
May 21

I'm talking about a few things you may have noticed lately, like leg-warmers, neon spandex and acid wash jeans making comeback. And why not, the 80's were totally fantabulous. So, the Cincinnati Arts Association invites you to hop into the DeLorean, and take a trip back in time, with Broadway Loves The 80's. This cabaret is a salute to "Broadway Bares"creator Jerry Mitchell and features the cast of Legally Blonde-The Musical-the show wraps up at the Aronoff this Sunday - and will take place at Below Zero Lounge. Broadway Loves the 80's is a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fight AIDS, STOP AIDS Cincinnati and The Acclaim Awards. In addition to the cabaret, there will also be a raffle.  Doors open at 10:30 p.m., show starts at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 in advance; $20.00 at the door. Broadway Loves The 80's is going to be bad to the bone, so don't miss out.

Take It Outside
May 22

Music, food, vendors and a 5K mark this year's OTR Summer Celebration. The 5K takes you on a run/walk through historic architecture and dozens of new developments and rehabs. Race starts at 10:00 am, at the corner of 12th and Vine St. in the Gateway Quarter. Participants receive the official Go OTR 5K Run t-shirt designed by Nati Evolvement and the chance to win an award designed by Rookwood Pottery.  Race cost is $15 for pre-registration and $20 day of registration.  Online registration is available here. Stick around after the race for live music from 12-7pm, dozens of local food options and 24 art/craft vendors. Learn more here.

The Event
May 22

Usually that order indicates trouble, but in this case, it’s a party we're taking outside. The Contemporary Arts Center is putting a spin on their annual benefit bash, by throwing a lively street party this year. THE EVENT- as it is so simply called- brings the city together to celebrate the vibrant energy that contemporary art brings to the community. And there's no better venue for THE EVENT, than the alleys behind the Contemporary Art Center part of the Backstage District (Gano Street & Ruth Lyons Lane). THE EVENT is a celebration of Shepard Fairey's return to Cincinnati for a second round of beautiful outdoor murals and the openings of Ernesto Neto: Allowed to Dance and Pat Steir: Wind & Stone. THE EVENT will start at 8:00 p.m., for CAC Members only, with a Shepard Fairey signing and spinning of a private DJ set. Then at 10:00 p.m., THE EVENT opens to the public. There will be more DJ'ing by a headliner as well as Shepard Fairey. Alley Store will stay open until 1:00 a.m. and CAC galleries will be free and open to the public from 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. in celebration of the two openings. There are a couple ticket options and pre-sale is highly recommended. Click here for full details.
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