Local designer, entrepreneur and DAAP-grad Rosie Kovacs found beauty and history in an abandoned brush manufacturing and janitorial supply building in Brighton. Along with co-founder Hayes Shanesy, she transformed that "remnant of another era" into The Brush Factory, a functioning studio and retail space, in December 2009. Keeping the spirit of the location alive, they started selling clothing, jewelry and design goods from local and national artists and craftspeople. They open a second location in Oakley with a party Friday.  

Time is quickly running out for anyone interested in attending the second-annual RIVER_DMF, Cincinnati creative collective PROJECMILL's riverboat dance party. Last year's version included a live set and music video premiere by The Seedy Seeds, free cake and a top-deck dance party. CityBeat columnist Danny Cross attended last year to film a documentary of the event, which was subsequently never completed; nevertheless, he says it was fun.  

Andrea Sisson created four wearable musical instruments as her 2010 senior capstone for DAAP's fashion design program, and each was worn and exhibited at a recent "44" event at the Contemporary Arts Center. Sisson's goal is to physically connect the musician to his or her instrument in a way that allows for a more organic creative process.  

For nine years Paddlefest has been celebrating the beauty of the Ohio River with the largest on-water canoe and kayak event featuring the Kid's Outdoor Adventure Expo, the Ohio River Music and Outdoor Festival and the Paddle the Ohio paddling race, complete with a finish line festival. Thursday-Saturday down on the river.  

Internationally known chef, author and host of Travel Channel's 'No Reservations' speaks to the masses (and takes questions) at the Aronoff Center Sunday for his one-man stand-up engagement. Expect plenty of stories from the kitchen and from his latest book, 'Medium Raw.'  

Anthony Bourdain seems really normal, says "fuck" as much as you'd expect him to and answers whatever you ask, including stuff about his new book ('Medium Raw'), his show on the Travel Channel ('No Reservations'), America's food obsession and what it was like to get famous later in life (it's extra nice, apparently, with fewer drug fatalities). He'll be in town June 27 for "An Evening with Anthony Bourdain."   

Bloomsday sounds like a summer floral event, but it's not. It's actually about books. Or one book in particular: James Joyce's 'Ulysses.' Celebrated each June 16 in more than 60 countries, this event with a literary twist looks at the lives of the ordinary citizens of Dublin as seen through the eyes of James Joyce. Celebrated locally at the Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati.  

"Travel back to a time when vintage vixens performed stunning acts of danger and desire." So says the Pretty Things Peepshow press release. When this time was, we don't exactly know, but these broads are back in fringe and fishnets at 10 p.m. Monday to frolic at Mayday in Northside.  

Hamilton County Parks District’s Passport to Beer event wants you to “Taste the Unexpected,” which should be interesting as one expects to taste beer at a beer tasting event. Featured breweries include Goose Island, Shock Top, Sierra Nevada and more.  

The Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society invites Germans and non-Germans alike to their Dirdnl Trachtenball, a dinner and dance aimed at preserving and celebrating German language and cultural heritage.