Soapicks August 4-10

Last ONE
August 5The Cincinnati Art Museum has taken patrons on an art and culture safari this year with their party series ONE, inviting you to experience tastes, sounds, smells as inspired by vermillion, emerald, azure and now, lastly, sienna. The August ONE event features music, performance, food and wine tastings and art making activities that are all inspired by the color yellow. Don't miss your last chance to sense a whole new world, from 5:30 -9:00 p.m., through the color of sunshine. Admission is $10 with parking available for $4; event is free to museum members.

Not So Common Approach
August 6It's Commonly Jazz has provided the Cincinnati with great music in Eden Park for the past 23 years. This season, It's Commonly Jazz 09' has decided to go green. With the theme "Staying Green" in play, this year's four-show lineup will be the most eco-friendly to date. Organizers are adopting environmentally sensitive promotion materials and encouraging concert goers to ride the Metro to shows as well as wearing vintage T-shirts from the last 24 years in an effort to bring awareness to their patrons.  So grab your recyclable picnic tote and head down to Seasongood Pavilion for some green jazz. Concerts continue every Thursday through August 27 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Click here for musician lineup.

African Passion
August 7Colin Powell once said, "no war on the face of the Earth is more destructive than the AIDS pandemic."  The Passionate Arts Center unveils their latest exhibit, Portraits of Africa, this Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. in Covington. This eye-opening exhibit features textiles, acrylics, pottery, jewelry, artifacts from Africa as well as unforgettable images of those orphaned by AIDS captured by photographer Ron Peake. The opening reception includes access to the exhibit, a drum circle performance and live silk painting. Also on display is the “Through The Eyes of Love” Gown designed by David Whitelaw for Global AIDS Day- fabric is made of photos of African children. Exhibit continues by appointment only through September 20.

Blues By The River
August 7&8The 17th Annual Cincy Blues Fest hits the banks of the Ohio River this weekend, bringing with it more than 50 local, national, and international blues acts. Headliner and BMA award-winning vocalist, Janiva Magness will bring down the main stage Friday night while Magic Slim & The Teardrops appear Saturday. Joining these sensational headliners are equally phenomenal acts like Reba Russell Band, The Radio Kings, Carolyn Wonderland and many, many more. Get your blues on from 5:00 p.m. until midnight on Friday with $10 admission and from 2:30 p.m. until midnight on Saturday with $15 admission. Click here for a full list of performers and show times.