BY KATE BRAUER AND ROB JANSEN

Kendall Bruns' "Wall of Sugar" is recalled as one of the Relics on display at the Southgate House Gallery.

This week we satisfy our hunger for art with a special tribute to the many coffee shops, bars and restaurants around town that support local artists by showcasing their work, making their atmosphere more inviting while at the same time bringing the work of local artists into popular view. Favorite Cincy spots to grab a bite and view some art include coffee shops like KALDI'S COFFEE HOUSE (1204 Main St., Over-the-Rhine) and BUZZ COFFEE SHOP (2900 Jefferson, Corryville) and restaurants and bars like HENKE WINE (3077 Harrison Ave., Cheviot), THE YORK STREET CAFE & ART GALLERY (738 York St., Newport) and INDIGO CASUAL GOURMET CAFE (2637 Erie Ave., Hyde Park). Here are a few other places we've found that have great exhibitions on display right now. The next time you're hankering for a bite, why not get a taste of some local art while you're at it? ...

One of our favorite places in the city to have a cup of coffee is KAFFEE KLATSCH (120 E. Fourth St., Downtown). For the past year it's utilized a location in the Mercantile Building -- downstairs from the CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER -- as an outstanding space for artists to display their work. Although the CAC is leaving the building, you can still take in art at Kaffee Klatsch. The downtown location currently features the work of Chicago artist NICK LUZETY. Kaffee Klatsch has recently opened a shop in Mount Adams (1101 Saint Gregory St.) where they plan to display a new artist every two months. That location is featuring paintings by local artist DANIEL REDDINGER. If you're looking for a place to chat or just to read the Sunday paper, then head to this shop in Mount Adams for a fresh cup and some great local art. ...

Next time you find yourself in Walnut Hills with an urge for some good Jazz and interesting art, we recommend you The Greenwich. Be sure to check out the gallery, UPSTAIRS AT THE GREENWICH (2442 Gilbert Ave.). Through March 15 you can witness artist BRIAN JOINER's Drowning in the Sea of Life: The Middle Passage. Joiner, who just finished up another exhibit in the Duveneck Gallery at THE CARNEGIE (1028 Scott St., Covington), will speak to gallery patrons at a special closing reception March 15. Info: 513-221-1151 ...

The Greenwich isn't the only popular nightspot with an upstairs gallery. If you're into the local music scene, chances are you're familiar with Southgate House as the "house on the hill" for live entertainment. Travel up the staircase to the third floor, and you'll find a good spot for art. SOUTHGATE HOUSE GALLERY (24 E. Third St., Newport) is currently featuring the work of one of our favorite young local artists, KENDALL BRUNS in a special retrospective exhibition, Relics. The exhibition documents some of the many performances and installations Bruns has created in recent years, including Bigfoot and Spelling Bee, and CDs of his A Mild and Crazy Guy performances are also available. We spoke with the always provocative Bruns, who says he created this overview of his recent performance pieces and installations as a way of viewing it as a cohesive group of work. "There are similar concepts and concerns throughout the pieces, but many of them take quite different approaches in mediums and execution." He adds, "Due to the nature of the works, there would be few people who experienced more than a couple of the pieces in their original form. This was a way for people to see everything together." If you don't know the many faces of Kendall Bruns, this is a great chance. The exhibition closes Friday, so you'd best catch it soon before Relics become ancient history. Info: www.southgatehouse.com ...

Besides having some of the tastiest salsa in the city, HABAÑERO (358 Ludlow Ave., Clifton) is also a steadfast supporter of the arts. Since opening three years ago this locally owned and operated restaurant has been a place where artists can be heard and seen. For those who want to be heard, several nights a week Habañero hosts music, from singer/songwriters to Folk and Bluegrass. For those who wish to be seen, store manager TODD UTTLEY facilitates art displays and has given a number of local artists their first public exhibition. Several have moved on to exhibitions at more formal galleries. Currently showing is a dual exhibit featuring paintings by MEGAN HATCH and charcoal drawings by JOE BAILEY. The continued role of Habañero in the arts appears sound. "As long as we are here in Cincinnati and open for business," owner MAX MONKS tells us, "we will be supporting the arts." Info: 513-961-6800.

E-mail the editor

Printer-friendly version

personals | cover | news | columns | music | movies | arts | dining | listings | classifieds | mediakit | promotions | home

Exit, Stage Left
Two theaters drop the curtain: What's it mean?

Factory Schooling
Greg Storer's classes help aspiring artists to scratch creative itches

Home Again
Former CSO concertmaster is back for an intimate chamber concert

All Cleaned Up
NKU's Sweet Charity has some singers, but not much grit

The Fine Print
The education system gets On The Same Page Cincinnati

Shake It: Basically Dance
Ririe-Woodbury uncover a beautiful collage of different images

Curtain Call: Theaters, Actors, Etc.
Playhouse continues on the path to Paradise

Groove Tube: On Your TV
MTV rushes Sorority Life II

	Join the CityBeat Mailing List
	» JOIN NOW