Great events this weekend and beyond!

So, its been awhile (again) since i posted - still busy with the crafting stuff and bound to be even more busy as i approach next weekend's OTR festival (info below). I'll be vending there and at Second Sundays on Main under my "Uniquely Upcycled" brand so stop by!

Here's some cool stuff to check out in the meantime:

Kings and Queens of Trivia, Fri 5/14 @ Adonis
The Planned Parenthood Young Professionals group is excited to present the 3rd Annual Kings and Queens of Trivia event! Join us for a drag show, sex trivia contest, food, drinks and prizes. The event is hosted by the amazing Hershae Chocolate, featuring performances by Cincinnati's darling Krystal LaMour!For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.ppyp.org.

Mobo Fundraiser, Sat 5/15 @ Mayday
On Saturday, May 15th, MoBo Bicycle Cooperative will host its 4th Annual Fundraiser Party at Mayday (4231 Spring Grove Ave.) in Northside. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The event will run until midnight. Tickets are $8 for members and $10 for non-members and include a complimentary drink.The evening’s theme is MoBo Tango, and will feature a diverse mix of musical acts including The Tillers, The Chocolate Horse, harpist Elizabeth Motter, and DJs Northside Nick and Fishfischer. Food and refreshments will be provided throughout the evening from favorite local eateries, drink specials run all night long, and a silent auction and raffle will be held until 10 p.m. All funds raised will support programming and overhead costs for the upcoming season. This event is part of Mayday’s month-long MayFest celebration and Cincinnati’s Bike Month.Thanks to our event sponsor, Christian Moerlain, Metro Scooter for tshirts and every business and individual who has generously donated items for the auction.

Or, if you want to stay downtown after the big ball game, there's:
Grammer's Beer Garden Grand Opening Party - 5/15 8pm-midnight
No cover, pretty self explanatory - Comet Bluegrass Allstars will be playing.

Movie Night @ Grammers on Tuesday nights at 8pm & 10pm. This month is honoring bike month, so if you stop by you'll see a bike themed movie! They have this every month so if you miss it, make sure you go when the weather is nice - they'll play the movies outside and you can enjoy a beer while taking in a show - FOR FREE!

Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost ArkWednesday, May 26th, 7 p.m.THE 20TH CENTURY THEATRE IN OAKLEY! 3021 Madison Road FREE!!!Yes, the awesome 20th Century Theater is letting us screen one of our movies in their giant space on their giant screen, and it’s going to be one of the best Cincinnati nights you’ve ever had. FOOD AND DRINK WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE (including alcoholic drinks), so please come hungry/thirsty! (Seriously, they’re unbelievably nice for letting us do this - and for free - so if you’re coming, please buy a beer or soda or popcorn or other food/drink so they can get something out of this.) Another free movie opportunity here, folks and the 20th century is being used for what it was originally intended! Bring your sense of nostalgia and enjoy!

2nd Annual OTR/Gateway Summer Celebration, 10AM - 7pm
Vine St. between 12th and 13th Sts., Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, OH kicks off at 10:00 AM with the GO OTR 5K Run. The rest of the day will be filled with music, food, art and craft. 8 food vendors, 20 art/craft vendors, 6 bands on the main stage, Christian Moerlein Beer Truck, The Gargantuan Gay Garage Sale. Good times all around!

Park + Vine Pleather Anniversary Party - 5/28 6pm-10pm, 1109 Vine Street
Park + Vine is celebrating three years (our pleather--not leather--anniversary) of green business 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 28. We’re commemorating this day with vegan fare from local foodie pals, a lineup of local musicians and American Sign Language interpreters organized by Liz Bowater, and a big push to help the Cincinnati Zoo collect cell phones on behalf of gorilla habitat conservation. In the spirit of giving, we’re donating 10 percent of all purchases May 28 to Future Blooms, a community beautification project of Keep Cincinnati Beautiful. Northside resident Joy Lohrer will give tours of her veggie car and demonstrate how to run a diesel vehicle with waste fryer grease 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Final friday in OTR - tonight!

I have been pretty hit or miss with updating this lately. Primarily, that is because i have started my own little crafting business and have been greeted with more interest than i expected. I am now selling my items in three stores in Cincy under my label "Uniquely Upcycled" and the items being sold are handbags, accessories and some clothing made from materials that have been upcycled or refabricated from their original purpose. I have been keeping very busy, building inventory at Fabricate, Park + Vine and Atomic 10 and am happy to say it has panned out.
Tonight is Final Friday in Pendleton, on Main Street and on Vine. Atomic 10 is on Main Street, and is a very cute vintage boutique that is bursting at the seams with fabulous clothing (some of which i would love to use for raw materials, were it not for the high quality of the clothes). The owner was enthusiastic about selling the bags for Final Friday, but totally caught me off guard when she asked if she could have me kick off a monthly spotlight on a "featured artist" who makes use of upcycled materials. That being said, tonight I am being highlighted at her store!
If you have time, come down to Pendleton, Main Street or Vine Street and see what our arts community has to offer! If anything, you know there will be free food and drink (at some of the galleries) and excellent art/people watching! Highlights on other events can be found below:

• Park + Vine, 1109 Vine Street – World Peace Jubilicious at Park + Vine: Feb. 26 Detour to Park + Vine, 1109 Vine Street, for artistic vegan fare from Chef Mark Stroud and kombucha and kraut from Fab Ferments. Local musician Doug Kreitzer will perform his favorite peace raps.Donations are greatly appreciated and will benefit Cincinnati’s own World Peace Earth Foundation. Be sure to check out Patrick Murphy Welage's laughter yoga class 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at You Do Yoga, 1319 Main Street, en route.
  
• The Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson Street - Know Theatre will host a cabaret themed party with dancing, singing, and socializing to help support local actors in Cincinnati through the Acclaim Award's Guest Equity Artist Grant.Tickets are $10 or if you attend "Adding Machine: A Musical" that evening, they are only $5!"Adding Machine" cast members and local professional actors will be performing musical numbers. Additional performers to be announced. Cash bar will be available.
  
• Venice on Vine, 1301 Vine Street - Venice on Vine will provide a special "Taste of Venice" with samples of our pizzas and hoagies. Also a photo exhibit, title TBA.
  
• The Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson Street - reception and gallery talk for "Gary Gaffney: Sabbatical Exhibition." The reception is from 5-9 p.m.; gallery talk by Professor Gaffney at 7 p.m.

On a separate note, here is a cool event that Cincinnati Parks is running which i thought i would highlight:

Maple in Mt. Airy

Saturday, March 6th · Programs start at 11:30am, RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Mt. Airy Forest

Learn how people have tapped into this sugar source for centuries, interact with costumed sugar makers from the past, and taste maple sap, sugar and tea. Program lasts approx. 1 1/2 hrs.

Program Fee

: $7 per person

*A FREE pancake breakfast is provided before the Maple in Mt. Airy program begins, but seatings are by reservation only. Spots fill quickly - call 321-6070 to make reservations.

Art and nature - best things for the soul there is!

new tenant @ Findlay!

From today's Soapbox Media, news of another vendor @ Findlay who is carrying items that are lovely and tasty! Stop by here for some delightful sweets and then grab a cup of tea @ Churchhills Fine Teas while shopping for wine, meats, and all sorts of other fun stuff there! I cant wait for the City Council to get off their duffs and start working on the street car so I can go down there on snowy days like today and not have to worry about parking (my bike likely won't cut it). As more fun vendors sign on, the parking situation is going to get worse and worse....

A long vacant space at Findlay Market will soon be filled by Skirtz & Johnston Fine Pastries and Chocolates. According to Findlay Market President/CEO Robert Pickford, the bakery will occupy a double store front at 111/113 West Elder Street on the south side of the Market House next to Krause's.

Pickford noted that the 1,342 square-foot space has not previously been occupied and has been available for about 26 months.

"This brings Findlay Market to 86 percent occupancy," said Pickford who went on to say that if current prospects work out that the occupancy rate could reach 90 percent soon. Skirtz & Johnston also fills several long awaited product niches in the market's overall product mix according to Pickford.

Going forward Findlay Market is hoping to secure additional fresh produce vendors, and preferably additional full-time fresh produce vendors like Daisy Mae's Market. Ethnic groceries, pubs and cafes, and other more traditional retail formats are also being pursued to fill out Findlay Market's product mix.

"The new bakery will bring activity, color, great aromas, and new life to the south side of the market square," said Pickford.

The new vendor for Findlay Market joins after a tremendous year for the historic marketplace that experienced a 23 percent increase in customer traffic with roughly 758,000 shopping visits made to Findlay Market in 2009. During that time the market also welcomed four new full-time businesses, and added Tuesday as a sixth day of operation year-round.

Grammar's Bar showing movies on Tuesdays!

I know folks in Chicago who have outdoor movie nights in their local neighborhoods, where they project the movies onto a screen/sheet and i always thought it was such a great idea. Capitalizing on that idea, Grammar's has been doing something similar in the winter months at one of the larger rooms at their bar, with hopes to carry it over to the warmer part of the year. Its free to view and eat the popcorn and except for booze you buy, you dont even need to fork over dough for a ticket! What a great date idea. Tonight they're showing all Quentin Tarantino movies, with one starting at 6pm, 10 and 12. Each week its a different movie. Here's the blurb from City Beat, and you can easily sign up for updates by becoming a fan on Facebook.

Bored on Tuesday nights? Head to Grammer’s for their weekly movie night. Each Tuesday the bar screens two cult classic movies like The Breakfast Club or Dazed and Confused inside the Tarbell Room. The action has moved indoors because it’s freaking cold out, but in the spring the movies will be projected outside, “bike-in” style, in the beer garden. And, as always, Grammer’s will be providing drinkers and movie-goers with limitless free popcorn. To learn what movies are being screened each week, join the “Tuesday Night Movies at Grammer’s” group page on Facebook. They send out an e-mail the Monday before. Or just stop by the bar at 10 p.m. Free.

Superbowl Party in OTR

Usually i'm home sitting on my butt during the game, but i saw the info below on the Urbancincy blog site and thought i would share it. 20$ for an open bar of locally brewed beers? AWESOME!

Super OTR Bowl Party at Venue 222 - 2/7

If you're still looking to make plans for the big game, look no more. Venue 222 and the Over-the-Rhine Foundation are co-hosting the first annual Super OTR Bowl Party from 5pm to 10pm on Sunday, February 7 at Venue 222's urban event space on 14th Street.
The cover charge for the event is $20 and will not only get you in the door, but also get you all the Moerlein Lager & Ales, Little Kings, Hudy Delight, Hudy 14-K, and Burger Classic you care to enjoy. Event organizers also say that there will be wine, soda and water also available. Food will be available for purchase (menu below) from Cincinnati's latest and greatest food mavens - Cafe de Wheels.
The best part about the event, besides the terrific food and drink available, is that all of the proceeds will go to support the Over-the-Rhine Foundation and their efforts to make the historic neighborhood the centerpiece of a revitalized Cincinnati. Organizers also state that there will be several large televisions and projection screens for game/commercial viewing.
Venue 222 (map) is located in the heart of the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, and is well-served by Metro bus routes. Reservations are required due to the limited seating available, and can be made online.

Cafe de Wheels Super OTR Bowl Menu
(beef provided by Avril-Bleh, rolls by Giminetti, and veggies from Daisy Mae's):

• Burger /Sandwich Combo PICK TWO include Regular or Sweet potato fries $8.00 with 3 minis $10.00
• Mini Wheels Burger; American cheese, lettuce, tomato, balsamic onion marmalade + Mike’s mayo
• Mini Wheels Veggie Burger; Beets, brown rice, lentils, onions, carrots, mushrooms, eggs and more…
• Mini Cincinnati Cuban; Sliced ham, Roasted Cuban pork, Baby Swiss, Grilled onions, Dill Pickle, Butter, Mustard
• Mini Wheels Crispy Chicken, seasoned flour/buttermilk, with lettuce and tomato
• Mett Grilled! Served with mustard, sauerkraut, onions, jalapeño peppers, relish.
  Chili Fries de Mike; A basket of crinkle cuts topped with Mike’s Chili & Cheddar

Breast Cancer Benefit @ York St Cafe Fri and Sat

We all know someone who has been touched by cancer in some way shape or form. This weekend, there is a very cool event going on at a very cool place - The York St Cafe! There are bands, raffles, art and of course - food downstairs, so if you have time and an extra 10$, check this cool event out!

One More Girl On A Stage Breast Cancer Benefit at York Street Café
Friday January 15 and Saturday January 16
$7 per night or $10 for a weekend pass, 18 and up welcome

The event includes a silent auction, split-the-pot raffle and an art gallery showing by several area artists.

• Sarah Baker (Photography) Sarah has been interested in photography for 6 years and has primarily focused on the documentation of her Mother's battle with breast cancer, which has now become terminal. She is currently a junior at The Art Academy of Cincinnati. She attended Oak Hills High School and graduated in 2007.
• Nancy Schafer (Photography) Nancy's passion for photography began over 30 years ago. She had a compelling interest in chronicling event and people-keeping a moment in time for all-a photograph. Nancy loves shooting live music performances and is a big supporter of local musicians.
• Amand Phirman (Drawing) Amanda describes her work: "My black and white line drawings are a reflection of my process of comparing the urban and wilderness landscapes. The warped sense of space not only allows the viewer to see an organic formation of architecture- specifically early urban style homes- but also imitates a type of walking. These drawings are part of a series in which I continue to explore the similarities between the urban and wilderness landscapes as I am currently a student in my junior year at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. "
• Jason Bechtel and Jeff Sevier (Photography) Jason and Jeff are the official photographers of the Cincinnati Rollergirls. They also have captured many great local and national music performers. Jason was the first official photographer of The Rivertown Music Club as well. Their display will feature lots of local ladies doing rock and roll kind of things.
  

Music:

Friday, January 15th
2nd Floor Stage: 7pm Vicki D'Salle 7:45pm Lauren Houston 8:45pm Tupelo Honey10 Vicki D'Salle 10:45pm Wonky Tonk 11:45pm Darlene (*thanks so much to Dana Hamblen and her new band for filling this spot last minute due to an illness!!)

Acoustic Stage 3rd Floor 7:30pm Raison D'etre 8:30pm Shiny and The Spoon 9:30pm Kate Haralson 10:30pm Carol Walker 11:30pm Audrey Cecil and Amanda Lucas

Saturday, January 16th
2nd Floor Stage 7pm Keshvar Project 8pm Vicki D'Salle 9pm J Dorsey Blues featuring Kristen Kreft 10pm Lydia Loveless 11pm Kelly Thomas and Ryan Malott with full band 12pm De Los Muertos

Acoustic Stage 3rd Floor 7 pm Robin and Joani Lacy 8pm Blue Confessions 9pm Honneycombs 10pm Smitten Hicks 11pm Jenny Ward 12pm Stick Figure Drawings

Jan 8-10

For whoever reads this blog, let me first say i'm so sorry that i've done such a terrible job lately with updating my blog! Honestly, i've been really slammed lately with my side business - i currently am sewing women's bags, clothes and gender neutral accessories made from upcycled matierals. If you are on facebook, please feel free to look up Uniquely Upcycled!

In the meantime, heere are some good events to check out this weekend:

• 10th Anniversary SaleMetronation, 1213 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine11am Fri 8 Jan-4pm Sun 10 JanFREEStop by Metronation to congratulate George and Jerry on their store's 10-year anniversary, and enjoy 10% off any purchase of $10 or more, any single item from the clothing clearance rack for $10 regardless of itsoriginal price, an additional 10% off other clearance items, plus enter the raffle to win one of ten $10 gift certificates.
• A New Year of Art The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington 6-9pm, Fri 8 JanFREE-$8
• Families Create: Art Maps!Weston Art Gallery, 650 Walnut St., downtown10am-noon, Sat 9 Jan$8-$12Chicago-based Cincinnatian Steve Zieverink will guide you through his awe-inspiring site-specific installation and help you map the wonders of an artistic landscape you create.
• Rookwood Pottery Tour Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Dr., Mt. Adams2-3pm, Sat 9 JanFREETour the CAM's Rookwood Pottery collection with a trained docent and lean about Rookwood Pottery and its history. Admission is free but parking is $4. -
• College Hill Coffee Company is celebrating their 4th Anniversary with FUN this weekend! Tonight Adam Sanregret & Tracy Walker. 7:30-9:30pm. College Hill Coffee Company
  6128 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
• A Shot in the Dark @ Fabricate -7-11pm at Fabricate 4012 Hamilton Ave. (Enter through Red Polly @ 4016). If you’ve ever been to see any band at almost any bar in Cincinnati, chances are you’ve seen Scott Beseler up in the mix snapping sweet-ass shots of the musicians that rock our faces off. He photographs his life and his life entails going to a lot of rock shows. This show is a rare chance to catch Beseler’s photography on display, as he almost never has art shows. Musical guests, The Cut In The Hill Gang, will play at 10:15 p.m. at Fabricate with additional entertainment provided by PROJECTMILL DJ’s, along with potable beverages and hors d’oeuvres.
• After the show opening, follow everyone down to Mayday for the Fabricate After-Party that will be a rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza of epic proportions! The following 10 bands, several of which are featured in Beseler’s photography, will be playing mini sets: The Lions Rampant, You You're Awesome, The Jellyhearts, The Chocolate Horse, The Cincinnati Suds, Oxford Cotton, Matthew Shelton, My Wife the Tiger, J. Dorsey All-stars, Wonky Tonk

Full disclosure: the items i am sewing are being carried at Fabricate, but that's no reason for me not to promote a kick ass show! I went to last month's DAAP show and bought a peice, so i can vouch for the owner's good taste. Definitely go to see the show and maybe see if you like what i made!