Events for Nov 20-22 weekend

Wow, there are a lot of great arts/crafts/holiday-ish events going on this weekend! Here are a few highlights i want to share:
Friday Nov 20 - So many art openings/benefits!
- Secret Artworks 6-9 Westin Hotel - i went to this a few years ago and the ticket price (and food offerings) have vastly increased since then, but it was a pretty cool event nonetheless. If you have some serious coin to drop, its for a good cause. Its an exhibition and sale of 5x7 inch pieces of artwork that you buy and you don't find out who the artist is until after the sale is over. I went to a similar event in Rochester that a friend of mine was in and at both shows i really enjoyed the vast array of style and ability contained in each show. 100$/person in advance, 125 at the door - benefits Artworks. http://www.artworkscincinnati.org/.
- Inkbleeds II: The Art of the Screenprint 5-9pm this opening is at the Art Academy's Pearlman Gallery and will feather posters from the rock scene from various area print makers including Powerhouse Factories which i have always heard does good work. A friend of mine is a print maker currently, so to get to know how the process works would be an excellent way to spend a Friday night for me. Ph #562-6262 The after party will be @ below Zero Lounge @ 10pm, and it should make for an interesting crowd b/c of the following event.....
- Gay BINGO @ Below Zero Lounge 6:30-10pm. Be there for all of the crazy fun, the outrageous costumes, the fabulous prizes and totally unconventional bingo games. Plus you will be supporting the Ensemble Theatre and STOP AIDS. 20$/person. http://www.belowzerolounge.com/cal.html
- Fabricate Grand Opening (inside of Red Polly) in Northside 7-11pm - full disclosure: this is actually a place a former coworker of mine is opening up. That being said, I'm a crafty person who's not all that talented and this really appeals to me. In addition to the store opening, there is an art exhibit that is up by Chris Salley and there will be great music as well as food and drink. The long term goal for this place is to be a place for crafters to show/sell their work, pick up supplies and have a general space to gather and craft. http://www.fabnorthside.com/

Saturday Nov 21 - get into the holiday spirit!
- BuyCincy's Cincinnati Unchained, is 11-6pm More than 30 stores citywide are offering deals, gifts and charitable donations during this annual campaign that highlights locally-owned businesses.
- Balluminaria @ Eden Park (at Mirror Lake) 4-6pm - There will be a bunch of tethered hot air balloons that will ring the "lake" that will be lit up as the light fades. The pictures I've seen of this event are amazing, and i think its supposed to be dry on that day. There will also be carollers and a Santa visit for those of you who go with kiddies. I personally have never been up close and personal with hot air balloons, so this sounds awesome. Parking will likely be short, so be prepared to walk, bike or take the bus.
- Winter Floral Show - A Swedish Holiday @ Krohns Conservatory 10-5pm - This will feature all sorts of lovely flowers, a beautiful Xmas tree and a train and Cincy landmark display. They used to get Wifi there too so if you want to cruise the net, have a coffee and read the paper, its a lovely place to do so. This place is open 7 days/week, so find an off time and go see the show!
- Indie Craft Show @ Northside Tavern 12-6pm - this is the first year for this show, and were my skills more up to par i would have totally submitted work to it. That being said, i hope this is a monstrous success so they have more! There will be crafts for sale (duh) by 20 vendors, gelato and music to keep the creative vibe going. http://craftysupermarket.wordpress.com/
- Chef Rob's Cooking class @ Kroger Fresh Fare in Kenwood 1pm - with all the great cooking classes being offered lately, the ones which are FREE are sometimes given short shrift. Not here, especially in these kind of times! This class is focused mostly on Thanksgiving food - turkey, sweet potatoes, gingered carrot salad and angel food cake with ganache and berries (YUM). You have to call to register though. 686-7900.
- Xmas @ Xmas (sorta) @ Below Zero 8-11 - alright so i already mentioned stuff going on at this place before, but damn if they don't have good planners! (Seriously, they have an event weekly for Glee!) Anyway this is another benefit, this time for the Cincinnati Men's Chorus, who incidentally are very good. They will have holiday music being performed cabaret style and it will be hosted by Penny Tration (a fabulously hilarious drag queen). Is it ever really too early to start the holiday singing? http://www.belowzerolounge.com/cal.html
Sunday Nov 22 - ZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Rest, relax and root on the Bengals. WHO DEY!