MusicNOW is aptly named. Founded and still nurtured by local native Bryce Dessner, the festival has consistently delivered an eclectic mix of “contemporary music” since springing to life in 2006.  

Composer Philip Glass turned 75 on Jan. 31. The party continues this weekend in Cincinnati, starting with the wildly innovative, Grammy Award-winning sextet eighth blackbird’s appearance at MusicNOW on Thursday. Glass himself will join 8bb during the first half of the performance.