Daily Beat

Sept. 30: Chalk Outlines

Today's a perfect day to head up to Clifton for the annual StreetScapes street painting festival. The artists should be wrapping up their mini masterpieces in chalk by mid-afternoon, so you still have time to watch the work and chat with the artists. You'll find the drawings on Telford just off of Ludlow Avenue. See more here.

The afternoon is also perfect for the annual Downtown Tour of Living, with ticket sales happening on Fountain Square. See our CityScapes section story on the tour here.

Hard to believe that the MidPoint Music Festival is over for another year. Based on our blog reports (see them here), the crowds were bigger than ever and there were plenty of great bands to see. Look for a complete wrap-up of MPMF07 in CityBeat Wednesday.

Besides StreetScapes and the Downtown Tour of Living, today's recommended events include the Reds' final game of the season, several excellent live theater and ballet matinees and the latest Leo Coffeehouse.

Enjoy your Sunday. With weather like this, it'll be hard not to.

— John Fox

Sept. 29: Street Cred

Lots of cool events to choose from today in Greater Cincinnati, starting with the final day and night of the MidPoint Music Festival. Daytime panels at the Contemporary Arts Center cover licensing songs for movies, the state of independent record stores and the famous "demo derby." See the lineup here.

Tonight's MPMF pre-party at The Exchange features DJ Pillo, kicking off the evening at 7:30. Showcases start at 9:00, and previews of all the bands are here (including CityBeat's critic picks).

Expect to see Friday night blog reviews on the Spill It blog soon (you'll find six reviews of Thursday night there). Catch the multi-media MPMF photo shows here.

Another great option for today is the annual StreetScapes street painting festival in Clifton. Local artists and art students will be on their hands and knees on Telford just off of Ludlow Avenue recreating art masterpieces in chalk, and watching the process is as much fun (if not more) than seeing the final results. Music, food and a kids area are also part of the weekend. See a preview here.

Other recommended events today include the Washington Park Music Festival in Over-the-Rhine, where a MidPoint wristband gets you in for free; the Great Outdoors Weekend at multiple locations, including the Cincinnati Nature Center (see more here); the Kentucky Cup Day of Champions at Turfway Park, featuring five high stakes races; Sideshow Bennie and the Pantry Raid Dames doing alternative burlesque (is there any other kind?) at The Mockbee in Brighton (see more here); Dog Jog/Barktoberfest at River Downs (see more here); the Performance Gallery's presentation of Gilgamesh in Uruk: G.I. in Iraq, an epic poem from ancient Babylon that's been transposed onto modern events in the same region (see more here); and more of that Mixed Martial Arts fighting stuff at the Madison Theater (see more here).

And it's going to be a beautiful day to boot. No excuse not to get out and enjoy this bounty of cool events — or, as we call it at CityBeat, Saturday in Cincinnati.

— John Fox

Sept. 28: Check out the Midpoint of MidPoint

Running a little late this morning after a big night at the MidPoint Music Festival last night. I know we have blog posts and photos galore going up today to report on last night's activities, so I'll refrain from being an armchair music reviewer. But I enjoyed Superdrag's show very much and was happy to see a good crowd of dedicated fans on an early Thursday evening.

UPDATE: The blog posts and photo posts are coming fast and furious on the Spill It blog.

I saw two of CityBeat's "critic's pick" bands, Kink Ador from Nashville and The Teenage Prayers from NYC, and was impressed. There were a lot of people on the street, and MPMF co-founders Bill Donabedian and Sean Rhiney reported they thought it was the best Thursday night they've ever had, so that's good news.

Nominees for the 2007 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards music program were announced at the Superdrag show last night. The Spill It blog has also posted them here.

Tonight's MidPoint band lineup is here, including our critic's picks. Don't forget the big pre-party concert tonight is Forget Cassettes from Nashville, playing at The Exchange starting at 7:30 p.m. before the 9:00 MPMF showcases.

There are lots of other recommended events tonight, from the opening of the 20/20 Festival at Enjoy the Arts and at the Art Academy of Cincinnati in the midst of MidPoint mania in Over-the-Rhine (see more here) to the Dracula happy hour at Playhouse in the Park to Cloven Hoof Theatre welcoming Sideshow Bennie and The Panty Raid Dames (see more here) to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra saluting The Lord of the Rings with the May Festival Chorus singing a little Elvish.

Country singer/songwriter Kelly Willis performs at the Southgate House tonight; see our interview here.

Enjoy your Friday whatever you decide to do. Should be a beautiful day and evening.

— John Fox

Sept. 27: Who Sucked Out the Sunshine?

Yes, it's Day 1 of the MidPoint Music Festival. And, yes, it's pouring rain. Memories of last year's rain-soaked Friday night come flooding back, but not to worry: All the venues this weekend are indoors, and none are reporting leaky roofs.

The big event on Day 1 is the CityBeat-sponsored pre-party featuring Superdrag at 7:30 p.m. at The Exchange (see more here and here). It's the band's first reunion show with its original lineup, one of just seven shows they've planned for a fall mini-tour. You'll need a 3-day wristband to get in, but no additional admission fee is required. Get there early — it's first come, first served.

As an added bonus, this year's Cincinnati Entertainment Awards music nominees will be announced at the Superdrag show. The CEA event is scheduled for Nov. 18 at the Taft Theatre.

The MPMF showcases start at 9 after Superdrag, and tonight's highlights include darynyck (lo-fi indie pop from Columbus), The Teenage Prayers (garage rock from NYC), The Receiver (indie rock from Columbus), Midnight Revolving Doors (New Age indie rock from Wisconsin) and more. See the entire lineup and band previews here.

Don't forget all the cool tech tools MPMF offers this year, from a "sounds like" search engine to an iPod-ready schedule. If you're looking for a good overview of MidPoint, including extensive comments from co-founders Bill Donabedian and Sean Rhiney, check here.

Get the latest and greatest direct from MidPoint on the festival web site here.

Elsewhere, there are lots of arts options for tonight: Othello opens at the Playhouse's Shelterhouse Theater, My Fair Lady continues at the Aronoff Center, Romeo and Juliet is at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (see review here) and New Works is presented at Cincinnati Ballet's studio space (see review here).

See you down on Main Street tonight for Superdrag and MidPoint. Think dry.

— John Fox

Sept. 26: Keeping Tabs on MidPoint

It's pretty much all MidPoint all the time from here on out. Fountain Square hosts two preview events today: an acoustic lunch showcase featuring Joe Hedges, Graze and Staircase starting at 11:45 p.m. and a band showcase at 5 p.m. featuring locals Goose, Exit 31 (from the Netherlands) and Touchin' Tongues (also from the Netherlands). At 9 p.m., the big screen on top of Macy's will play the indie music documentary Golden Days. All events on the square are free.

UPDATE: The evening's events have been moved to Know Theatre of Cincinnati, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine.

Look for CityBeat's total immersion MidPoint coverage here: previews of all 240 bands, including critic's picks for must-see acts; description of all the panel discussions; rundown of the new high-tech tools like an iPod-ready schedule download; and a detailed overview of MidPoint VI.

Rick Bird has a good overview himself in The Post. Check it out here.

Other recommended music tonight includes the big Bloc Party concert at the Madison Theater (see preview here) and local punk rock greats Junior Revolution at The Comet.

In blogland, Renewal has a couple of posts on interesting health topics: calorie restriction, which apparently can add years to your life, and productive employees who receive good health care. Lee Butler recalls the memories you get from a special meal at a restaurant, and Kevin Osborne keeps tabs on the campaigns for and against the Hamilton County jail tax hike.

Keep tabs on your Wednesday and plan to enjoy it. Get your MidPoint wristband today.

— John Fox

Sept. 25: Midway to MidPoint

I'll take a brief break from MidPoint Music Festival hype today, as I know what's in the pipeline for CityBeat's official MPMF guide due out tomorrow -- and it's going to be awesome. You'll get previews of all 240 bands, including our critics' picks for the most intriguing acts, and a rundown of all the panel discussions, the keynote speakers and the new features this year, like the mini recording studio in the CAC lobby.

Two fun features you can check out now: download the MPMF band schedule to your iPod here and find the bands who sound like your favorite national acts here.

As far as events today, the Broadway touring production of My Fair Lady opens tonight at the Aronoff Center's Procter & Gamble Hall, novelist Catherine Gilbert Murdock reads and signs at Joseph-Beth and Dracula continues at Playhouse in the Park (see review here). Other recommended events are here.

In blogland, Kevin Osborne reports that the local Republican Party has joined their "colleagues" in the Democratic Party in officially endorsing "yes" on the Hamilton County jail tax hike; Rick Pender hopes the emergence of arts leaders in the "40 Under 40" crowd helps raise the arts' profile; and people are testifying about Sunday night's concert by The National.

In the news, Iran's president spoke at Columbia University, the Little Rock Nine mark their 50th anniversary and Ken Burns' new WWII documentary The War hits the airwaves with some controversy attached.

There's nothing controversial about having a great Tuesday. Do your duty.

— John Fox

Sept. 24: MidPoint Week Is Here

All attention is now on the 2007 MidPoint Music Festival, heading straight to your brain in a matter of days. Here's the deal:

• Volunteers are still needed. Check it out here.

• Event basics are here.

• Official MPMF web site is here.

• Mike Breen's early hoopla is here.

• The coolness that is Superdrag's reunion pre-party show is here.

Get ready.

— John Fox

Sept. 23: Fall Forward

Since today is the first full day of Fall, it's only right there's a nip in the air. Ahhh, maybe those are mosquitoes.

Since that mosquito that just bit me saw his shadow on my forearm, does it mean we have six more weeks of humidity?

You know the drill today: It's day two of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati downtown along Fifth Street from Fountain Square down to Procter & Gamble. Check out the details here at the official web site, and pick up the official event guide in any issue of CityBeat you see at your favorite brunch place today. While you're eating and drinking, stop by the CityBeat booth down near P&G, say hi and register to win our cool black scooter.

Later tonight, stop by the Madison Theater for The National, that kooky bunch of Cincinnati guys living the good life in Brooklyn and tearing up the indie rock world. See more here.

Other recommended events include day two of Blue Ash Airport Days and excellent matinee plays.

Win a scooter. Today!

— John Fox

Sept. 22: German for a Day (or Two)

It's mid-September, it's a beautiful weekend and the smell of sauerkraut is everywhere. It must be Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. And zit is.

What can I say about Oktoberfest? It's crowded, it's fun, it's filling and you'll see at least five people you know there. In addition to the people you came with. The official web site is here. Pick up the official program in this week's CityBeat.

Speaking of CityBeat, stop by our booth down on Fifth Street near Procter & Gamble to say hi and register for a chance to win a free scooter. Yes, we did it last year, and we're doing it again this year: A free scooter at every Oktoberfest!

If you're looking to avoid the lederhosen-and-limburger crowd downtown, head out to the burbs for the Blue Ash Airport Days. NASA's Journey to Tomorrow exhibit will be on display, featuring a moon rock returned from Apollo 17's lunar mission, as well as three hours of in-air performances. See more here.

Know Theatre presents a workshop reading tonight of Vatican Falls, a play that the Over-the-Rhine theater might eventually give a full staging. It's an edgy love story about an American cabaret singer who falls in love with a beautiful Italian woman working for the Vatican. See more here.

Other recommended events today include Rabbit Hole at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, tequila tasting at The Party Source and a cool Johnny Cash tribute at the Southgate House with a bunch of local bands.

Remember that there are only two kinds of people in Cincinnati: Those who are German and those who wish they were.

— John Fox

Sept. 21: Ain't It Cool

A cool breeze will be wafting through downtown tonight, settling around Sixth and Walnut Streets at the Contemporary Arts Center, where CityBeat's annual Cool Party will take hold. It's free to get in, and more than 24 beers will be available at various tasting stations throughout the lobby and lower level. All proceeds from tasting tickets benefit the CAC. See more details here. Many of the 50 cool people profiled in the Cool Issue will be in attendance. You should be, too.

Afterwards, head up to 12th and Main in Over-the-Rhine for Tha Blast 12th Street Block Party. It's the second night of the festival, tonight featuring music by The Last Boppers, Selecter Reggae Band and DJ Pillo. Also check out the art gallery walk featuring work by 50 local artists at 11 OTR spaces and the "Streetwalk" fashion show both outside and indoors.

InkTank hosts a book party for a new compilation of writing by 17 local anti-war-hard-hearted-anti-patriots. The entire $8 purchase price of Country at War: Reflections on the War in Iraq will be donated to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust. Readings from the book will be followed by music from Nathan Singer and Knife the Symphony.

The year's final benefit show for the Rivertown Music Club Recording Grants is tonight at the Southgate House, featuring a ton of local talent on all three stages. The program is organized by local musician Kelly Thomas, one of aforementioned 50 cool people.

Other recommended events tonight include a Dracula happy hour at Playhouse in the Park, author Jerry Spinelli signing and discussing at Joseph-Beth, comedians Mike Epps and Mickey Smiley yukking it up at Music Hall and Songs from an Unmade Bed at New Stage Collective.

Enjoy your Friday, and dream of cream puffs tonight.

— John Fox