Tomorrow (Saturday) is the seventh annual OTR (that's "Over-the-Rhine," if you don't get the hip lingo) 5K Run and Summer Celebration, featuring a fine art show, food, drink and other vendors, the 5K Run and a strong lineup of local, original music in OTR's Washington Park. The festivities kick off with the 10 a.m. OTR 5K, which begins and ends at Washington Park this year. Here are the artists — including several Cincinnati Entertainment Awards nominees and winners — you can check out (on the park's Bandstand and Main Event Lawn Stage) this year. (Click each name for more info on the performer.)• The Cincy Brass (Event Lawn Stage 10:15am-11:30am)• Baoku & the Image Afro-Beat Band (Event Lawn Stage 12:00pm-12:45pm)• DAAP Girls (Event Lawn Stage 1:15pm-2:00pm)• Decker, the solo guise of Histoire singer Jane Smith. (Event Lawn Stage 2:30pm-3:15pm)• The Tillers (Bandstand 11:30am-12:15pm)• Mia Carruthers (Bandstand 12:45pm-1:30pm)There will also be the following "special appearances":Young Professionals Choral Collective (Bandstand 10:45am-11:15am)Cincinnati Opera (Bandstand 2:00pm-2:20pm)Queen City Brass Band (Bandstand 2:45pm-3:30pm) Click here for more info.

We told you a few weeks back about the lineup for the MidPoint Indie Summer concert series on Fountain Square, featuring numerous (primarily local) Indie and Rock acts every Friday this summer from 7-11 p.m. Click here for the full rundown. But there are many other popular themed nights returning this summer to both Fountain Square and Washington Park, which re-opened after a major makeover in time to introduce live music nights last summer for the first time. (Both spots are managed by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC). Fountain Square's PNC Summer Music Series will have live music five days a week, while Washington Park will host three themed music nights this summer. All events are free and a great way to enjoy our city's central districts. The concerts begin at the end of May/start of June and run through the end of August/start of September. Be sure to check the official websites of both venues for any updates, additions or cancellations. Fountain Square • Every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m., the Square presents "American Roots" night. This year, the lineup is the strongest its been, showcasing the best of Greater Cincinnati's rich Roots/Americana scene (as well as a few regional faves).  May 27 8 p.m.: Magnolia Mountain 7 p.m. Terminal Union June 4 8 p.m.: Kentucky Struts 7 p.m.: The Turkeys June 11 8 p.m.: The Tillers 7 p.m.: Tom Evanchuck June 18 8 p.m.: Dallas Moore Band 7 p.m.: Jamison Road June 25 8 p.m.: Kentucky Timbre 7 p.m.: Tex Schramm July 2 8 p.m.: Shiny and the Spoon 7 p.m.: Ten String Symphony July 9 8 p.m.: Glossary 7 p.m.: Frontier Folk Nebraska July 16 8 p.m.: Pure Grain 7 p.m.: Straw Boss July 23 8 p.m.: Jeremy Pinnell & the 55s 7 p.m.: Arlo McKinley July 30 8 p.m.: Great Peacock 7 p.m.: The Seedy Seeds August 6 8 p.m.: Bulletville 7 p.m.: Ricky Nye & Chris Douglas August 13 8 p.m.: Mason James 7 p.m.: Honey and Houston August 20 8 p.m.: Bobby Mackey 7 p.m.: Blair Carman August 27 8 p.m.: Robert Ellis 7 p.m.: Fifth on the Floor • Reggae Wednesdays return to the Square this summer, with wider-net bookings that include numerous regional and touring Reggae acts. Music runs every night from 6-10 p.m. and acts are teamed up with a DJ or DJ squad for each event.  May 29 The Ohms Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D June 5 The Zionites Summer Splash Happy Hour with Queen City Imperial Sound System June 12 Cliftones Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D June 19 Seefari Summer Splash Happy Hour with I Vibez June 26 The Drastics Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D July 3 Jah Messengers Summer Splash Happy Hour with Queen City Imperial Sound System July 10 Dougie Simpson and Faith Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D July 17 Billbuckers Summer Splash Happy Hour with I Vibez July 24 Ark Band Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D July 31 Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew Summer Splash Happy Hour with Queen City Imperial Sound System August 7 Ras Dodirie Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D August 14 Ras Gato Summer Splash Happy Hour with I Vibez August 21 Nature Summer Splash Happy Hour with DJ Frankie D August 28 One World Tribe Summer Splash Happy Hour with Queen City Imperial Sound System • Salsa dancers and music lovers will be happy to know that Salsa on the Square is returning this summer on Thursdays, running 7-10 p.m. As always, dance instructors will be on hand to give you pointers (if you need 'em). Music is provided primarily by some of Greater Cincinnati's finest Salsa/Latin music groups.  May 30: Son Del Caribe June 6: Kandela June 13: Zumba June 20: Tropicoso June 27: Grupo Tumbao July 4: Clave’ Son July 11: Kandela July 18: Tropiscoso  uly 25: Grupo Tumbao August 1: Zumba August 8: Azucar Tumbao August 15: Clave’ Son August 22: Brian Andres & the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel  August 29: Son Del Caribe  • Before MidPoint Indie Summer on Fridays, local club/bar conglomerate 4EG (which operates several nightclubs in the area) will present 4EG Happy Hour from 5-7 p.m. Local DJs will spin every Friday (except for Aug. 2, when local cover band Snidely Whiplash performs).  May 31: DJ Ice Cold Tony June 7: DJ Jake the Ripper June 14: DJ E-trayn June 21: DJ Identity June 28: DJ Jesse the Ripper July 5: DJ D-Lo July 12: Fuseamania July 19: DJ Tina T July 26: DJ Will Kill August 2: Snidely Whiplash  August 9: DJ Scene August 16: DJ Simo August 23: DJ Spryte August 30: TBA • One of the most popular nights on the Square during the summer is Saturdays' "Beats" night, booked by local promoter Self Diploma. The concerts run 7-10 p.m. and again feature an impressive mix of local and touring Hip Hop, Electronic and DJ acts. Among the national act highlights this year are Mod Sun, Hoodie Allen, Watch the Duck and DJ Jazzy Jeff.  June 1 10 p.m.: Chuck Inglish 9 p.m.: Puck 8 p.m.: Olu 7 p.m.: The Natives June 8 10 p.m.: DJ D-LO 9 p.m.: Cal Scruby 8 p.m.: SD Choice 7 p.m.: DJ Vizion June 15 10 p.m.: Hoodie Allen 9 p.m.:D-Why 8 p.m.: Sam Lachow 7 p.m.: Ian J June 22 10 p.m.: Mod Sun 9 p.m.: Trademark Aaron 8 p.m.: Junya Be 7 p.m.: Jean P June 29 10 p.m.: Drummer vs Emulator 9 p.m.: Firecat 451 8 p.m.: Black Signal 7 p.m.: Catch Phrase July 6 10 p.m.: Mutrix 9 p.m.: Milk N Cookies 8 p.m.: DJ X Nightmare 7 p.m.: No Limits July 13 10 p.m.: T Mills 9 p.m.: Huey Mack 8 p.m.: Santino Corleon 7:30 p.m.: Round 2 Crew 7 p.m.: Nick Youngerman July 20 10 p.m.: Collin Mcloughin 9 p.m.: Napalm 8 p.m.: X5ight 7 p.m.: DJ Sab July 27 10 p.m.: Watch the Duck 9 p.m.: Gold Shoes 8 p.m.: Vincent Vega 7:30 p.m.: DJ Rhetorik 7 p.m.: Emari J August 3 10 p.m.: Somo 9 p.m.: Arin Ray 8 p.m.: Eben Frankewitz 7 p.m.: Alabama Capital August 10 9:30 p.m.: Stafford Brothers 8:30 p.m.: Davey C 7:45 p.m.: J Hollow 7 p.m.: 4 Grand August 17 9:30 p.m.: Candyland 8:30 p.m.: DJ Prism 7:45 p.m.: B-Funk of Dave Rave 7 p.m.: Neon Medusa August 24 9-11 p.m.: DJ Jazzy Jeff 8 p.m.: Joseph Nevels 7 p.m.: Erica P Washington Park After a successful inaugural summer of events last year, Washington Park brings back three music nights, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, plus several other entertainment offerings, including "Dancing Under the Stars," an every-Tuesday dance night, with lessons that focus on different types of dancing each week. (Click below for the concert lineups.)

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With Cinco de Mayo falling on a weekend this year, you can bet the margaritas will be a-flowing at your favorite watering hole. Join us for our fourth annual Cantina Crawl Saturday for plenty of cerveza and swag at Bakersfield (6 p.m.), Nada (7 p.m.), El Coyle (8 p.m.), Pirate’s Cove (9 p.m.) and Tostado’s (10 p.m.) WARNING: Actually trying to drink at each location is probably unwise. Be safe and get yourself a designated driver! Find a full list of participating cantinas here. Photography duo The Hilton Brothers, Paul Solberg and Christopher Makos, are in town for the opening of their FotoFocus-sponsored exhibit at Miller Gallery Friday. The show features diptych photos of flowers, horses and the late, great Andy Warhol in drag. Meet the artists at Friday’s reception, 7-9 p.m. and look out for our interview with them in next week’s issue. They say April showers bring May flowers, so it makes perfect sense that this month’s Essex Studios Art Walk is themed “Bloom.” From 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, more than 120 artists will show off their floral-inspired artwork of various mediums throughout the studios. Go here for full details. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has dubbed Friday Over-the-Rhine Night with its "Fanfare for Cincinnati" concert in Washington Park. The night kicks off with a bike ride starting at the park at 6 p.m., a comedy show by OTRimprov and plenty of on-site food trucks and vendors. The CSO concert runs 8-10 p.m., followed by more eats and a performance by Young Heirlooms until 11 p.m. Find a full event lineup and ticket info here. Comic books are making a comeback! With the popularization of superhero culture and hits like The Walking Dead, the old-school media is cool once again. Celebrate Free Comic Book Day Saturday at one of many local comic shops (search here) and swing by the Main Library downtown as it presents its first ComicCon Sunday. Local writer/musician Chris Charlton will be on hand at Covedale comic book shop, Rockin’ Rooster, Saturday and at the library’s panel discussion Sunday along with many other notable local comic writers, publishers and illustrators. Check out our interview with Charlton here.For more stuff to do this weekend, check out our To Do picks, full calendar and Rick Pender’s Stage Door for weekend theater offerings.

Whether or not the weather wants to cooperate, it’s spring, dammit. So, this weekend, grab a popsicle, throw on your Easter best, go play in a park and celebrate the season — even if you have to do it while wearing a sweater. Local small-batch gourmet popsiclery streetpops opens for the season this Final Friday. Swing by the storefront at 1437 Main Street beginning at 5 p.m. for music, a photobooth, sammies from C’est Cheese and, of course, delicious and unique frozen treats. The pop shop will subsequently be open 1-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and the streetpops cart will make an appearance at various farmers markets and events through fall. You probably won’t be able to pass a yard or park this weekend without seeing neon, plastic orbs dotting the grass — it’s Easter egg huntin’ time, y’all! The newest community hunt goes down at Washington Park Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon. Local comedy troupe OTRimprov presents “The Chronicle” Saturday at Know Theatre. The improvisational comics will take “themes, ideas, characters, words and scenarios from guest storytellers and turn them into a beautifully chaotic series of improvised scenes.” Tickets are just $5 and can be purchased here. If you’re looking for new places to check out, eat, drink, shop or play, be ruse to read our Best of Cincinnati issue. From Best Burger to Best New Bar to Best Bookstore, you voted and the results are in. And don’t forget our staff picks — we have pretty good taste, too.For more stuff to do this weekend, check out our To Do page or full calendar for more events, concerts, theater shows and art exhibits.

Top o’ the weekend to ya! Whether you’re as Irish as the Blarney Stone or just enjoy a good excuse to day-drink, there are plenty of St. Patrick’s Day weekend activities for all ye lads and lassies. Kick off the holiday Saturday with the 47th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which starts at Eggleston Avenue and Reedy Street, travels north on Eggleston, west onto Central Parkway, south down Sycamore Street and east on Fifth Street. Nick Clooney serves as grand marshal for the parade, which steps off at noon. Fountain Square and Washington Park will be bustling with Irish pride on Saturday as well. Enjoy plenty of drinks, grub, live music and Celtic entertainment between bar hoppin’ from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on the Square and 8 p.m. at the park.Naturally, the Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati is also offering plenty of holiday festivities. From Irish dancers to an on-site pub, the center offers a more traditional but fun run of events Saturday and Sunday. Find a full schedule here. ReelAbilities, the film festival featuring movies made by and about people with disabilities, continues this weekend. Catch film screenings Friday and a closing event Saturday at the Contemporary Arts Center. Read our feature on the festival here. Local arts organizations have collaborated on a multifaceted performance inspired by Shakespeare’s works. Catacoustic Consort (which performs “early music” from the Renaissance to Baroque periods) and concert:nova (a chamber music ensemble that performs in unconventional spaces, blending traditional with contemporary styles) worked together with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to present a show of music performed in or drawn from Shakespeare’s plays in A Common Thread. The show takes place at Mercantile Library Sunday and Monday. Read our full feature on A Common Thread here. For more stuff to do this weekend, check out our To Do page or full calendar (with plenty of St. Patty’s Day bar events) and Rick Pender’s Stage Door for weekend theater offerings.

The Cincinnati Park Board today voted to strike down signs enforcing rules in Washington Park. The vote ended Park Rule 28, which allowed the Park Board to enact new rules by placing a sign on Washington Park grounds. The signs, which the city could use to enforce any park rule as law, had recently come under fire by homeless advocate groups. In a statement, Josh Spring, executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, wrote, “Park Rule 28 allowed opening for the back-room creation of the special rules in Washington Park that were written by an employee of the Police Department, a couple of Park Board employees and 3CDC employees — completely without the input of the public or any legislative body or process.”Before the Park Board vote, homeless advocate groups claimed the rules were being written away from public view — in part by private companies. Jerry Davis, member of the Homeless Congress, cited 3CDC's involvement in the rule writing as an example: “3CDC is a private corporation that does not answer to the Citizens of Cincinnati. This private group should not get to decide what rules are created and enforced. 3CDC is saying to the Citizens of Cincinnati, ‘You pay the bills and we make the decisions.' " Three Over-the-Rhine residents, including Davis, sued the Park Board on Sept. 4 to put an end to the signs. In a statement announcing the lawsuit, Spring claimed the park rules “discriminate against certain classes of people” — specifically, the homeless and poor. The Washington Park rules were different than rules at other Cincinnati parks in a few ways: They did not allow “dropping off food or clothing,” “rummaging in trash and recycling containers” or the use of any amplified sound. Homeless advocate groups claimed these rules were contrary to broader park rules that allow the sharing of food, permit inspecting and removing items from trash and recycling containers and only prohibit amplified sound if it disturbs the peace or safety of the public. Homeless advocate groups said the rules hurt others as well. Spring wrote in the lawsuit’s press statement, “If a family decides to picnic in Washington Park and the parents hand their children food, they would be in breach of these rules, or if a friend hands a jacket to her walking companion, she would have broken these rules.” Cincinnati Police Department Captain Daniel Gerard admitted the rules were targeting the homeless when, according to documents revealed by homeless advocate groups, he said, “Until the Drop Inn Center moves, the line about food and clothing drop off being prohibited is absolutely needed.” The Drop Inn Center is a homeless shelter.Despite the Park Board vote, the lawsuit will continue. The city will file to dismiss the lawsuit, but the city claims the lawsuit should never have been brought forward.“The issue was brought to our attention, we took a look at it and decided to take down the signs, yet they inexplicably decided to file a suit anyway,” said Aaron Herzig, deputy city solicitor. “That's not how it should work. The city looks at a concern and decides to take action, and there's no need for a lawsuit at that point.”Jennifer Kinsley, the attorney representing the three Over-the-Rhine residents suing the city, defended the lawsuit and its continuance.“We congratulate the city on doing the right thing by repealing Rule 28, but the lawsuit covers a broader range of topics than just that rule,” she said, citing statutory damages. She also said she's worried the Park Board ruling will not overturn rules already enforced by the signs: “It may and it may not. We've seen that the Park Board, 3CDC and others are willing to bend the law in order to make special rules for that park, so the status of the rules for that particular area are unclear at the moment.”Herzig says the rules on the signs were not enforced after the signs were taken down “weeks before the lawsuit.” He says the only rules remaining are the rules officially published by the Park Board.

MPMF news and musings: The official MidPoint Music Festival guide (on the streets of Greater Cincinnati until Wednesday, then resurfacing when it's MPMF-time) included a few feature stories this year about some of the festival's bonus features and additions. Read Leyla Shokoohe's interview with MPMF main-man, CityBeat's own Dan McCabe, about the fest's dedication to Over-the-Rhine and new MPMF venues Washington Park and the Emery Theatre here. And now, with the countdown down to just 12 days, here are our daily MidPoint Music Festival 2012 picks …BIG SHOTGrizzly Bear (Brooklyn, NY)Indie Art PopWhen this year’s initial MPMF performers were announced, eclectic Brooklyn crew Grizzly Bear was by far the name that seemed to most excite fest-goers. The group’s eccentric mix of artsy arrangements, organic psychedelia and boundless experimentalism has been earning the fans an ever-increasing and loyal fanbase since their lysergic debut release in 2004. Though continually adventurous, the band’s sound has grown and matured with the size of its following — 2009’s Veckatimest debuted at No. 8 on Billboard’s album chart and seemingly made every single music critic in the world’s “Top 10 Best” list that year. Expect an even bigger response from critics and fans when Grizzly Bear finally unleashes the much-anticipated new release, Shields, released just prior to the band’s MPMF stop. There’s a very good chance one of MPMF.12’s biggest acts will be sporting a Top 10 album by the time they get to Washington Park (an MPMF first). You'll Dig It If You Dig: Brian Wilson at his “off-the-meds” creative peak, listening to an “AM Gold” Soft Rock compilation and a Kraut Rock comp after drinking gallons of psychedelic mushroom tea.Grizzly Bear headlines the Washington Park stage on Friday, Sept. 28 at 8:30 p.m. The band performed the lead-off track from its new Shields album, "Sleeping Ute," on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night. Take a look/listen: SLEEPER PICKRich Aucoin (Halifax, CAN)Electro PopOn his enthralling 2011 full-length, We’re All Dying to Live, Canadian musician Rich Aucoin decided he’d invite Canada to record with him. As a result, the album features over 500 musicians, whose teaming on Aucoin’s dynamic, funky and craftily constructed tracks makes Dying to Live sound like the Electro Disco party of the century. But it’s not just a mindless exercise in dancefloor stereotypes — there’s depth and nuance to Aucoin’s songwriting and layering that might not be noticeable initially. Unlike a lot of Dance acts, Aucoin’s music isn’t disposable fun — it’s essential and commands repeated listens. Dig: ’80s Synth Pop, ’70s Disco, of Montreal, 4AD artists, Chic and Duran Duran in art school together.Rich Aucoin performs at Below Zero Lounge on Thursday, Sept. 27, at 11 p.m. Here is the hour-long film created to sync up with We're All Dying to Live (plus, of course, the full album for a free preview listen). Rich Aucoin - We're All Dying To Live :: Public Publication EP / Over The Top! LP from Sonic Entertainment Group on Vimeo.LOCAL LOCK PICKEclipse (Cincinnati, OH)Hip Hop/Jazz/Funk/FusionWhat happens when a bunch of studied Jazz musicians get funky with a couple of top-notch Hip Hop MCs? Eclipse happens. The Cincinnati septet has one of the best live shows in town, turning unsuspecting crowds into a sweaty mass of humanity thanks to their persistent groove and old-school Hip Hop party-starting. The band’s Around the World album was at the top of CityBeat’s list of the best local albums of 2011. With peerless MCs Jibri and Daddie Rich laying down rich verses and gripping hooks, the band roams around in the tight arrangements, touching on classic Funk, modern Alternative Rock, Progressive Rock, Latin rhythms and Jazz like some sort of dance-friendly aural collage. Dig: An epic Jurassic 5, The Roots, Miles Davis, James Brown and King Crimson mash-up.Eclipse performs Friday, Sept. 28, at 11 p.m. at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club. Here's a great video featurette put together by Chuck Land and Landman Productions, with audio recorded by Alex Lusht of Mind Ignition.Click here for full MPMF details via the official MidPoint site.