Photo By Elder High School

Elder High School football

Cool Matchups: Ohio Vs. USA Football Challenge
It's as old as sport itself: Two guys, usually sitting at a bar, hypothesizing about who would win if two teams that never had a chance to play finally met. After a string of state championships and some flat-out dominant high school football teams from this region in the past several years, more than a few people started wondering what our best would do against the best in the country. One of those people was Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN analyst and former Ohio State star. Unlike those dopes in the bar, he did something -- and the result is the second annual Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge. Nine Ohio teams (including St. Xavier, Moeller, Colerain and Elder, pictured above) will play elite powerhouse programs from around the country (including national top 10 schools Byrnes, S.C., and De La Salle, Calif.) at two sites; UC's Nippert Stadium will be the local site this Friday and Saturday. Matchups, game times and ticket information: www.ohiovsusa.com. (RODGER PILLE)

Photo By Sean Hughes

Gito Gito Hustler

Cool Musical Feast: MidPoint
Cincinnati turns into the unsigned band capitol of the world again when the MidPoint Music Festival returns to the clubs in and around the Main Street Entertainment District Sept. 20-23. Now in its fifth year, MidPoint attracts hundred of musicians and music fans from around the country and beyond; besides the nightly music showcases, artists learn some of the tricks of the trade at the daytime panels and workshops. The festival was faced with a challenge this year, as several of the usual club sites have closed since the last MPMF (including Jefferson Hall, alchemize, RBC's and Jekyll and Hyde's), meaning organizers have had to scope out new, non-traditional spaces for performances or "renew" some of the closed venues. It's been pricey ("renewed" venues have increased costs due to lights and sound rentals), but MidPoint appears to be on track for another successful run. Check mpmf.com to get your tickets and a look at the nearly 300 bands and solo performers booked to play. And don't forget to check CityBeat's annual MidPoint guide, with previews of every single band playing, hitting the streets Sept. 20. CityBeat is also hosting a MidPoint kick-off party Sept. 22 featuring a rare solo set from Erika Wennerstrom of the Heartless Bastards at the former Jefferson Hall club. (MIKE BREEN)

Photo By Amanda Davidson

Jeff Syroney

Cool Voices: InkTanks Writers Weekend
Inspiring organizations come and go. InkTank is one that continues to follow through in its mission to "change Cincinnati one word at a time." The proof is in its second annual Writers' Weekend (scaled up from 2004's Writers' Day) Sept. 29-Oct. 1 featuring a stellar lineup that includes an opening party with familiar InkTank voices like Aralee Strange, Mark Flanigan, Napoleon Maddox and Kathy Y. Wilson; free writing workshops with a storytelling focus; keynote speaker Ira Glass, host and producer of National Public Radio's This American Life (look for a CityBeat interview with Glass in our Sept. 27 issue); and a performance of Matt Slaybaugh's 2006 Fringe Festival piece, The Absurdity of Writing Poetry. Their goal for this year? "Inspiration, mostly," says Executive Director Jeff Syroney (pictured above). "We're dedicated to our community of writers, but that includes finding new voices." (JESSICA CANTERBURY)

Photo By Amanda Davidson

David Cook

Cool Culinary Magic: Cirque du Main
Not everyone gets to peek behind the scenes at the carnival to learn how the tricks are done. Enter the metaphorical Grand Chapiteau (big top) and let ring masters David Cook and Paul Ortiz entice your senses with a discussion on feats of culinary magic. As part of the Second Sunday on Main events in Over-the-Rhine, Chef/Owner David Cook of Daveed's at 934 in Mount Adams (pictured at left) and Paul Ortiz of the Cincinnati Wine Tasting School will perform at "Cirque du Main" Oct. 8. In the first ring at 2 p.m., Cook will teach you how to tame French food and create artful presentations. In the second ring at a 3 p.m. wine tasting, Ortiz will show you how to master the trick of finding affordable French wines. Events will be held at the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce (222 E. 14th St.). Warning: You will be encouraged to try these feats at home. (LORA ARDUSER)

Photo By CAA

Na Mea Hula O Cincinnati

Cool Collaboration: Everything That Moves
Given the plethora of choice dance performances coming up this fall, it's a tough call to pluck just one event from the bunch to highlight. So I'm going with the one annual event that encompasses much of what you need to know about dance in the Tristate: Cincinnati Ballet and Cincinnati Arts Association's Everything That Moves IV. The name says it all -- where else will you find such a wide-ranging lineup featuring ballet next to African, followed by Lindy Hop swingers, hula, gypsy, vintage ballroom and modern dancers? Check out the roll-call of esteemed organizations showcasing an impressive array of talents: Arthur Murray Dance Studios, ballettech ohio, Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theatre, Cincinnati Ballet, CincySwing, Contemporary Dance Theater, Flying Cloud Academy and Na Mea Hula O Cincinnati (pictured above), to name a few. On Oct. 3 at Cincinnati Ballet Studios, you can just sample the goods, pick your favorites, then go see the groups performing full programs later on. And at just $5 ($2 for Enjoy the Arts/START members), you can't go wrong. (JULIE MULLINS)

Photo By David Sedaris

David Sedaris

Cool Talent: David Sedaris
A lot of people think David Sedaris is one of the funniest guys on the planet. Apparently he's not one of them: "I don't think I'm a falsely modest person, but I generally assume I'm the least talented person in the room." There's plenty of evidence to the contrary. He sells tons of books and is now a regular contributor to The New Yorker. He also contributes commentaries about the peculiarities of his unique personal neurosis (among many other invasive things) to National Public Radio. Originally from North Carolina, Sedaris moved to France with his longtime boyfriend without knowing a word of French, an irony the writer often mines to high comic effect. It's a topic Sedaris will likely discuss during his visit to the Aronoff Center on Oct. 12, during which he'll also read from his most recent book, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, among other works. The evening culminates with a 30-minute audience Q&A that's sure to prove the above quote inaccurate. (JASON GARGANO)

By ArtWorks

ArtWorks

Cool Games: Know Theatres Autumn Awesome Event
"It's like having everyone over to play board games without the drudgery of cleaning your house!" That's how Know Theatre describes their Autumn Awesome Event, where $15 gets you two drinks, a smorgasbord with everything from tater tots to bruschetta and a ton more fun than watching tube on the couch after work. Newport on the Levee's most YP-friendly nightspot, Bar Louie, blows the dust off more than 50 games from yesteryear -- Operation, Connect Four, Jenga, Trouble, Candy Land, Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly will be in the mix. This is your big chance to find out how Battleship works when you have all the pieces. Or maybe you can sneak "catastrophical" in for a Scrabble Triple Word Score! Hey, it worked on your siblings, right? Plus, this event will be recurring monthly -- because more people ought to know that you're the Undisputed Uno Champion of the Universe. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 2. 513-300-KNOW. (HANNAH ROBERTS)

Photo By Joan Marcus

Monty Python's Spamalot

Cool Secret: Visual Arts
Everyone enjoys a secret, and in October ArtWorks will reveal a big one. More than 1,500 postcard-sized masterpieces, all designed by local as well as international artists, will be sold to raise money for ArtWorks, with one catch: The artist's identity will be uncovered only once the "postcard" pieces are sold. The idea and subsequent signature event, which is really a week-end long event, are modeled after the Royal Academy of London's Secret Postcard Event. Interested arts-lovers can catch a free sneak preview event Oct. 26 or head out for a sophisticated night on the town for the Gala Dinner and Postcard Sale Oct. 27 at The Phoenix downtown. Immediately following the dinner, imbibe with a fun crowd at the "SECRETini" afterparty featuring secret ingredient martinis. If you miss all that, you can catch the works at the Public Sale Oct. 28 at ArtWorks' Time Warner Cable Gallery. However you do it, make sure you're in on the secret. (JULIE BERNZOTT)

Hilary Hahn

Cool Knights: Spamalot
Oh, sure, Broadway musicals can be kind of sappy and romantic, but how about deliriously funny? Now that's cool. And that probably makes Monty Python´s Spamalot the coolest show on tour. It's at the Aronoff Center Oct. 17-29 with its version of the legend of King Arthur "lovingly ripped off" from one of the funniest films of all time, Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975). Truth is, however, that it skewers way more than the Knights of the Round Table -- it runs its lance right through all kinds of Broadway traditions (how about a parody of Andrew Lloyd Webber's repetitive musicals, "The Song That Goes Like This") while simultaneously resuscitating some of the Pythons' funniest bits. There's the Dead Parrot routine, the Ministry of Silly Walks and of course a snippet from "The Lumberjack Song." More laughs per dollar spent than you'll find in most comedy clubs. (RICK PENDER)

Photo By Jean-Luc Godard

Jean-Luc Godard

Cool Prodigy: Hilary Hahn
Hilary Hahn will be six weeks away from her 27th birthday when she arrives in town Oct. 13-14 for her third appearance with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, but she's already accomplished feats that would be impressive for someone twice her age. Hahn was born in Virginia but moved to Baltimore with her family at the age of 3 and began violin lessons in the Suzuki Program of the Peabody Conservatory just short of her fourth birthday. She performed her first solo recital at age 10, then made her major orchestral debut at 11 with the Baltimore Symphony. She made her international debut at 16, and at 17 she signed with Sony Classical, the youngest performer in the label's history with an exclusive contract. During her tenure at Sony, Hahn won two Grammy Awards and all of her recordings have been big chart sellers; she now records for Deutsche Grammophon. Hahn will appear with the CSO along with guest conductor Andrey Boreyko for a program including Tchaikovsky's Voyevode, Prokofiev's Suite from Romeo and Juliet and Britten's Violin Concerto No. 1. (BRIAN BAKER)

Paramount's Kings Island's Nick-Or-Treat

Cool Runnings: CAC Film Series
Guest curators Charles Woodman (University of Cincinnati) and Russ Johnson (Wright State University) will introduce a series of screenings in The Long View: A Film Exhibition Oct. 28 at the CAC, presenting works that explore the outer boundaries of length and traditional narrative structure. Featured films will include Histoires du Cinema by Jean-Luc Godard (pictured) and La Commune by Peter Watkins -- with running times of six hours or more, these films rarely enjoy extended playdates that allow audiences to immerse themselves in the overwhelming dramatic sweep, but the format here will ensure that visitors can fully appreciate these works either in one long take or in multiple mini-sessions. The full CAC film series is scheduled to run through November 2007. The world premiere of Zaha Hadid and Her Museum by Cincinnati's own Steve Gebhardt will be shown during the winter session. (TT CLINKSCALES)

Cyclones Hockey

Cool Ghouls: Halloween Fun
It seems you can't jam all the fun of Halloween into one night, so these days folks are spreading the fun through the entire month of October. This fall Kings Island brings back both FearFest and Nick or Treat. The former is for teens and up and runs Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 30-Oct. 28 with 11 scary attractions. Nick or Treat is for the little ones and takes place Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 1-29 during daylight hours. The park opens at 10 a.m, and the youngsters can enjoy face-painting, trick-or-treat and a train ride to a Pumpkin Patch. The Cincinnati Zoo counters with HallZOOween during the afternoons Oct. 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29. Kids 12 and under can walk the zoo's paths and collect various treats. The Museum Center at Union Terminal also spreads out the fun with Shocktober Thursdays-Saturdays beginning Oct. 5. Similar to Kings Island, the museum divides the day between "friendly" and "frightening" hours. For kids, Duke Energy's Children's Museum will run extended evening hours and feature games and a trick-or-treat trail as well as other non-scary activities. For older kids and adults, The Macabre Museum Tour has a 19th century curator coming back to resume his fiendish experiments. There's also AfterShock, the real story of how Museum Center's 19th century predecessor, the Western Museum, drew crowds with "curiosities," oddities and freaks of nature. (P.F. WILSON)

Photo By Amanda Davidson

Venus Fasce, Kenton County Public Library, Erlanger Branch

Photo By Graham Lienhart

The Cathedrals

Cool As Ice: Return of the Cyclones
The potential return of AHL hockey to the Cincinnati Gardens for 2006 stirred up some interest among fans last winter. Then in the spring, the ECHL quietly announced its return to US Bank Arena as the Cyclones once again rose from the ashes to schedule a 16th season. The AHL RailRiders, meanwhile, postponed operations until at least next year. A lot of folks enjoy the nostalgic feel of The Gardens and the memories it holds of great minor league hockey teams past like the Mohawks, Wings and Swords. Remember, though, that US Bank Arena was originally built for the city's only major league hockey team, the Stingers, and is still a fine building in which to watch a game. You can do that starting Oct. 20 when the Cyclones open their season against the Pensacola Ice Pilots. The regular season runs through April 6, 2007. (P.F. WILSON)

Photo By Matt Borgerding

Aqua, Mt. Lookout Square

Photo By Amanda Davidson

Bi-Okoto Afrikan Drum and Dance Theatre

Reel Cool: Independent Film Nights at the Library
Erlanger isn't exactly known for its indie anything. Which might be why Venus Fasce, adult services librarian and programmer for the Erlanger Branch of the Kenton County Public Library (pictured), started the library's Independent Film Nights earlier this year. But more likely it's because, she says, "Unfortunately, most of the (independent) films aren't at big theaters, and the runs sometimes at the Esquire and Mariemont might be one week." Held on the second Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m., the event features recent DVD releases like Everything Is Illuminated, Thumbsucker and Chumscrubber (upcoming titles include The War Within and A Prairie Home Companion). Why is such an event important to the community? "Folks are watching a film that they probably aren't exposed to," Fasce says. "And people get together and discuss not only the films but the ideas in the films. We're learning something while we're being entertained." For free, too. (JESSICA CANTERBURY)

Photo By Ian White

Carlos Mencia

Cool Anniversary: CEAs
The Cincinnati Entertainment Awards program turns 10 years old this year, so look for this year's musical ceremony (the CEA trophies honoring local theater were doled out in August) to be the biggest CEA blowout yet. The 2006 event has been moved from its usual "Monday before Thanksgiving" date to Sunday, Nov. 19, and it will again take place at downtown's Taft Theater. Besides the usual top-notch performances by local music luminaries and a chance to people-watch your favorite local musicians, artists will be honored for their accomplishments over the past 360 days. Who will take home the Best Hip Hop or Jazz honors? Will Heartless Bastards repeat their virtual sweep last year? Which presenters/performers will be too drunk to perform? You gotta be there to find out. Watch for the nominees to be announced (and ballots to be issued) in the Sept. 27 issue of CityBeat. (MIKE BREEN)

Cool Restaurant: Aqua
Aqua, which recently opened in Mount Lookout Square, has the makings of becoming a bona fide hipster destination. Owner/General Manager Jason Druso (former GM of Carlo and Johnny, pictured on the right) and Executive Chef Stefan Kraus (who formerly cooked for Jeff Ruby, Scalea's Ristorante and The Maisonette) have created a chic environment that's as much about design and music as it is about the food. Paintings by Dzine, a cutting-edge artist who's exhibited at the Contemporary Arts Center, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, grace the walls. And you won't hear any Muzak here. The music changes every night and is selected on the fly to fit the patrons and the mood. (CRAIG BIDA)

Cool African Eats: Bi-Okoto Cooking Classes
Bi-Okoto African Drum and Dance Theatre is a professional African dance company with the goal of preserving traditional African drum and dance heritage and promoting cultural understanding. When not on the road performing, some of the artists take time to educate people about African culture through cooking. On the last Saturday of each month, the company offers hands-on cooking classes at their facility in East Walnut Hills at 3 p.m. (including instructor Jeaunita Olowe, pictured). Each class focuses on a particular African region, and instructors -- as well as being singers or dancers with the company -- are usually born into families that are from that region. After preparing the meal, participants sit down to enjoy the fruits of their efforts and conversation about the dishes and the region's culture. Be sure to pre-register a week in advance so there's enough jollos (rice) and dodos (fried plantains) to go around. 2511 Essex Place, 513-221-6112. (LORA ARDUSER)

Cool Comedy: Carlos Mencia
Carlos Mencia has developed quite a niche for himself, making fun of cultural stereotypes and exposing society's hypocrisies. So skillfull is he that Comedy Central gave him his own show, appropriately called Mind of Mencia, one of the channel's most popular programs. Talking to audiences about Hurricane Katrina he muses, "Black people, you're funny. You're hilarious. You'll get on a bus to go to the Million Man March, but you won't get on a bus to get away from Katrina." Of course the Hispanic comic can just as easily turn things around: "Did you see my people being interviewed after the storm? No. Because they sent one bus and we all got out." Adding a further twist, he states, "You white people love ethnic jokes. You just don't like laughing in public at them, when the ethnic people are watching you." Mencia performs at the Taft Theatre downtown Dec. 1. (P.F. WILSON)