FRIDAY 17
ONSTAGE: Dreamgirls tells the story of 1960s girl group The Dreams onstage at The Carnegie. Read a review and get ticket details here.
ART: The Lloyd Library & Museum’s Pharmacognosy Illustrated: A History of Natural Pharmaceuticals exhibits medicinal plant artifacts and archives. Read more about the exhibit here.
MUSIC: Richard Lloyd of Television plays the Southgate House Revival and talks to a local conference about heroin addiction. Read more here.
ONSTAGE: Jesus Christ Superstar
Almost 50 years ago, a young musical theater composer burst on the scene with his first show — this now-legendary Rock Opera based on the life of Jesus Christ. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s composition was a flash of unexpected contemporary music and a startling portrait of Jesus as a “superstar.” The elements of the story, of course, are familiar, but they’re told from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, Jesus’ imminent and ultimate betrayer. The anthem “Superstar,” Mary Magdalene’s “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and the gently swinging “Everything’s Alright” are some of this show’s best-known numbers. You’ll be humming along. Through Sept. 9. $29 adults; $26 students/seniors. Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre, 801 Matson Place, East Price Hill, cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.
EVENT: Black Family Reunion
The Black Family Reunion is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Founded in 1989 by Dr. Dorothy I. Height, president emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, the fest focuses on bringing together communities, performers, small businesses, health organizations and more to celebrate the values and strengths of the black family. This year’s fest kicks off on Friday morning with a heritage breakfast and opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at The Word of Deliverance Ministries for the World in Forest Park. On Saturday, the annual Black Family Reunion Parade steps off from the Avondale Town Center at 10 a.m., followed by a big festival at Sawyer Point. The fest will feature activities for everyone, including children and seniors, plus live Jazz, bingo, a basketball tournament, food vendors and more. The party continues on Sunday with a church service at 10 a.m. on the park’s lawn, followed by more activities, including headliner Marvin Sapp, a Grammy-nominated Gospel singer, songwriter and pastor. Find a full list of vendors and associated events online. 8:30 a.m. Friday; noon-8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Sawyer Point, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, myblackfamilyreunion.org.
COMEDY: Bill Bellamy
Parents giving kids a time out is source of amusement for comedian Bill Bellamy, a former MTV VJ. “My Mama didn’t know nothing about a time out,” he says. “She had a knock out. My mama would knock your ass out wherever you committed the crime. ‘He’ll be out for 20 minutes. I do this all the time.’ ” Simply going from town to town can provide inspiration as well. “I talk about my life on the road,” he says. “Like when I went to Nashville. They are so Southern and they really are nice people. When you’re in (most cities) people don’t really talk to you. But everybody in the South is like ‘Hi, how are you? Welcome to Nashville!’ ” Bellamy’s TV credits include Last Comic Standing, Hot in Cleveland, Chelsea Lately and Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes? 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday; 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday. $25-$55. Funny Bone Liberty, 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township, liberty.funnybone.com.
EVENT: Vintage Chic Fashion Show
Celebrate National Thrift Shop Day with a vintage fashion show showcasing garments from Mannequin Boutique, a resale clothing and accessories shop whose proceeds go directly to benefit seven local service agencies. Held at the Krohn Conservatory, the evening includes snacks, sips, pop-up shops and more to fête the launch of Mannequin’s new online store and raise funds for The Friends of Krohn. 6-9 p.m. Friday. $10-$30. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, vcfs18.eventbrite.com.
SATURDAY 18
EVENT: My Furry Valentine Summer Event
My Furry Valentine is hosting its first-ever summer adoption extravaganza featuring more than 700 available animals — dogs, cats, kittens, puppies and other little critters — under one roof. As Greater Cincinnati’s largest adoption event, different rescues and shelter groups will gather in this single location to make finding your perfect new companion as easy as possible. Adoption fees and application processes will differ for each adoption group. Preview available animals online at myfurryvalentine.com. 10 a.m.-noon early bird and noon-5 p.m. regular hours Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $5 regular admission; $25 early bird. Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville, myfurryvalentine.com.
Ten years since SkateAble Vs Non debuted at the now-defunct Feralmade Gallery in Northside, the multimedia skateboard installation returns for its long overdue sequel. Arranged by the four members of Cincinnati’s SkateAble collective — a team of scientists, creatives and community organizers who just happen to appreciate skating as an art form — the exhibition’s opening centers around its open skatepark, inviting attendees to skate on the installation or check out a skateboard-deck art show, a basketball goal with a bat-shaped backboard (dubbed “BATsketball”) and live music by John Hays, Tweens and Ampline. Whether you’re a seasoned skate veteran or you prefer to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, there’s something for everyone at SkateAble vs Non. There’s no such thing as a poser here. 2-11 p.m. Saturday; open skate 2-5 p.m. Free. People’s Liberty Camp Washington Globefront, 2840 Colerain Ave, Camp Washington, skateablevsnon.com.
MUSIC: Pedro the Lion
Pedro the Lion came together in the mid-’90s, guided by mastermind David Bazan’s thoughtful and emotionally resonant Indie Rock songs, which seemed to connect with the band’s cultishly loyal followers on a cellular level. After nearly a decade of critically acclaimed albums and EPs — plus side-projects like the Synth Pop group Headphones — Bazan powered down Pedro (which always featured a rotating lineup of players) in 2006 and embarked on a successful solo career (perhaps slightly stigmatized by being labeled “Sadcore”). Performing genuinely solo, Bazan toyed with the mechanics of touring and releasing music, like traveling with a string quartet and releasing two new songs a month, which would later become the Bazan Monthly albums. Last year he announced the return of Pedro the Lion, saying he missed the energy of collaborating with other musicians. The “new” Pedro has been working on songs, which will be released by the Polyvinyl label. Bazan says the revival of Pedro the Lion has been a “reawakening.” “It’s reconnected me to parts of myself and my history (both sonic and personal) that I had lost touch with,” he wrote on pedrothelion.com. Earlier this year, Bazan told NPR that the album, Phoenix (due early next year), draws musically from the breadth of Pedro’s previous output, while lyrically it is a concept-album homage to Phoenix, Ariz., where he grew up. 9 p.m. Saturday. $20. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, Ky., southgatehouse.com.
EVENT: An Afternoon with the Beer Barons
Drink to the Queen City brewers of decades past during the fifth annual Spring Grove An Afternoon with the Beer Barons. Docents will lead guided tours on air-conditioned motor coaches to see the final resting places of famous brewing kingpins and their families, with facts and history lessons along the way. Then head to the Rose Garden for beer tastings and food trucks. Local brewers including Braxton, Brink, Christian Moerlein, Rivertown, Streetside and Urban Artifact will be on hand to provide beer samples. For ages 21 and older. RSVP is required. 4-7 p.m. Saturday. $20-$30. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, 4521 Spring Grove Ave., Spring Grove Village, springgrove.org.
ART: A Circus of One (Act II) at the CAC
Alison Crocetta’s A Circus of One solo exhibit at the CAC is a collection of costumes and tools the artist has used in her past performative work, which examines identity and indulgent circus-like experiences. The centerpiece of the exhibit’s run are her 30-minute performance actions, called A Circus of One (Act II). The description on the CAC website reads, “This performance runs the gamut from absurd to trance-inducing as she interacts with a large, shape-shifting wooden horse in her 20-foot-wide center ring. For this project, she has joined forces with composer/musician Zac Little of the band Saintseneca.” The exhibition is on display through Aug. 19 and this will be the final of seven performances. 3-4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, contemporaryartscenter.org.
Sports: Hamilton Dragon Boat Festival
Head to Hamilton, Ohio for the annual Dragon Boat Festival. Hosted by the Great Miami Rowing Center, this fest features racing teams of 22 paddlers, a steerer and a drummer going head-to-head in traditional Chinese dragon boats. Watch the races, play in a water recreation zone and learn about Asian culture via activities and food. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission; teams must register. RiversEdge, 116 Dayton St., Hamilton, greatmiamirowing.com.
EVENT: City Flea and Kid’s Market
It’s just like the normal City Flea but with kiddos vending their arts and crafts along with the grown-ups. In the heart of the city, local and regional makers will spread across Washington Park to showcase their work, as will kids ages 4-14. Peruse handmade items, vintage collections and other crafty wares from all age groups while noshing on snacks from on-site food trucks. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, thecityflea.com.
SUNDAY 19
MUSIC: Country Pop star Kelsea Ballerini opens Keith Urban’s show at Riverbend. Read an interview and get show details here.
EVENT: Canoe and Brew
Join Clermont County Park District Naturalists for a guided tour down the Little Miami River. This five-mile canoe ride will teach boaters about the river’s history, vegetation and ongoing maintenance, spearheaded by Clermont County Parks. The tour starts and ends at Fifty West Production Works. Tickets include a beer and grill item of your choice from Fifty West’s Roadside Grill. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. $30 per person. Fifty West Production Works, 7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township, facebook.com/fiftywestbrewingcompany.
