Soapicks December 15-21

Bubbles & Holly
December 17

The Holiday season is a time for giving, so Soapbox is getting in the spirit by throwing a holiday party and inviting our readers. Raise a glass with staff, friends, and curious onlookers at the second annual Soapbox 'Bubbles & Holly Holiday Spectacular' at Grammers this Thursday from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. We'll have some festive food and tunes spun by our own Soapdish columnist, Casey Coston. A good time is guaranteed for all, and for all a good night.

Duck Tales
December 18-20

So it seems one of the only fowl left out of the "12 Days of Christmas" was the duck. No worries though, you can find mallards onstage in the Clifton Performance Theatre's newest show, Duck Variations. This play tells the tale of two old Jewish men, Emil and George, who strike up a conversation about ducks while sitting together on a park bench one afternoon. Gems of universal wisdom arise as the conversation moves back and forth between the topic of the ducks swimming in the lake and other subjects they attempt to converse about, but fail to keep going. Then stick around to hear the charming story of a very old couple as they relax in a pair of rockers and recount their life together in I'm Herbert. As they reminisce about the past, the trials and successes, the loves and the lovers, conquests and defeats, it appears their intertwined sweet memories are confused by age. But you may find age has nothing to do with it. Show runs Friday through Saturday with 7:30 p.m. performance times each night; tickets are $10.00. Click here to purchase tickets.

Get Touched
December 19

Pol Pla i Conesa takes a break from his visiting research job at MIT to sit down with CAC members and the general public. As a member of Multitouch Barcelona - a collective of artists Wired UK says produces "the world's best design work" - Conesa is an award winning interactive designer responsible for the look and feel of the Red Bull Music Academy in 2008 (the world's largest gathering of electronic music purveyors). Find out more details here.

Father Knows Best
December 19

The Fitton Center, along with event sponsor James L. Winkle, invite you to join famous father Nick Clooney as he discusses journalism and the movies, talks about his efforts in Darfur with son George and to keep in the holiday spirit, reads a Christmas story or two. Nick Clooney will be making his second appearance at the Fitton Center, bringing with him the wisdom of a seasoned journalist, news anchor, game show host, political activist and most recently, professor. Admission is $17.00, $15.00 members and that includes a post-performance hors d'oeuvres buffet with wine and beer reception. To reserve your seat call 513-863-8873, ext. 110.

Holiday Tuneage
December 21-22

Local jazz great Steve Schmidt's annual holiday shows at the Comet in Northside are the stuff of legend. Each December, Schmidt rolls out his Hammond B-3 organ for a two-night stand of jazz standards and holiday tunes. Schmidt's air tight trio is augmented by stand out vocalist Eugene Goss. The free shows - which start at 9:00pm - fill up quickly, so get there early, order one of the Comet's famous burritos, and enjoy the sounds of the season.