Daily Beat

Dec. 31: End of the Line

2007 comes to an end tonight, and as usual there are mixed feelings. Sadly, today marks the final issue of The Cincinnati Post after 126 years, but tomorrow brings a new year and the promise of a fresh start for all of us.

If you're still looking for a party for tonight, CityBeat offers lots of options for the adventurous: check our complete New Year's Eve listings here as well as our recommended music shows here and our recommended events here. No need to go into details now -- check out the listings and decide what you're in the mood for. Don't forget that you can get a free cab ride home inside the I-275 loop.

Dec. 31 is as good a time as any to look back on the year and relive the highs and lows. Time magazine offers an intriguing Top 10 list of the year's underreported stories, starting with war-torn Somalia as the new Darfur. For a mainstream weekly magazine, the list is surprisingly broad. Not as interesting as the recent Top Censored Stories of the Year from Project Censored, but a good read.

The past two CityBeats have reviewed 2007 as well, so check us out if you're interested in our critics' takes on the highs and lows in local music, local dining, local politics, local theater, local art, local sports and everything else local.

Have a safe and festive New Year's Eve. Say goodbye to 2007 and hello to the future.

-- John Fox

Dec. 30: Calm Before the Storm

Today is New Year's Eve eve, so many of us will be taking it easy and conserving energy for tomorrow night. Plus there's not a lot going on today, though you can easily sneak in a few low-key activities.

Today is the final day of A Christmas Carol at Playhouse in the Park, and The Nutcracker closed last night -- but there are still holiday events to be had. Among CityBeat's recommended events are A Midsummer Night's Dream at Cincinnati Shakespeare, Striking 12 at New Stage Collective, The Frog Princess at Ensemble Theatre and the Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival at Christ Church Cathedral downtown. See all of your holiday options in our Holiday Events listings.

In blogland, Margo Pierce praises Power Inspires Progress for its successful job placement work, Jason Gargano picks his favorite movies released during this holiday season and Larry Gross continues working through his "life drama."

Have a quiet and relaxing Sunday, maybe catch the Bengals' final game of the season on TV. And recharge your batteries for New Year's Eve.

-- John Fox

Dec. 28: Kick Off the Big Weekend

Due to the quirks of ancient calendar-makers, tonight kicks off a big four-day New Year's Day weekend. If you're still trying to plan New Year's Eve, check CityBeat's recommendations here and here and our all-encompassing Holiday Events calendar here.

As for tonight, there are a bunch of recommended music shows: the first of two nights of Delbert McClinton at the Madison Theater, Will Kimbrough and band at the Southgate House, The Newbees' CD release party at The Poison Room (see preview here) and Knife the Symphony in the Southgate House Parlour.

On the non-music events front, check out All the Usual Suspects at Covington's Marx Gallery (see more here), stand-up comedian Tammy Pescatelli at Funny Bone on the Levee (see more here) and an array of holiday-related live theater, exhibitions and The Nutcracker.

In the news, the world awaits further developments from Pakistan and wonders if President Bush has a Plan B.

In blogland, Jason Gargano lists the best of the recent holiday movie releases.

Devise your own plan for the big weekend and have plenty of back-up ideas ready to go ... you have to go with the flow.

-- John Fox

Dec. 27: Still in the Holiday Spirit

Still a lot of fun and festivity to be had if you remain in the holiday spirit. Check out CityBeat's recommended events and recommended music shows for proof: everything from Holiday in Lights and A Midsummer Night's Dream to surf and reggae at The Poison Room and general weirdness at the Gypsy Hut.

In blogland, Kevin Osborne reports on Greg Harris' intentions to oppose Pat DeWine for County Commissioner in 2008; Steve Carter-Novotni talks about the loss of community in the suburbs; Brandy Edwards wonders about her new dress; and people are reviewing last weekend's James Brown tribute concert.

In CityBeat, the "year in review" continues with wrap-up articles on news and politics, local music, visual art, live theater, dance, musical moments in the movies, restaurants, sports and editorials/columns/letters to the editor. Catch up on the highlights and lowlights of 2007.

Enjoy your Thursday and the rest of the holiday week.

— John Fox

Dec. 26: Boxing Day

In the rest of the English-speaking world, today is the official holiday of Boxing Day. I think people fight each other with empty gift boxes or something.

If you're taking time off, there are still plenty of holiday-related events to enjoy today — from toy trains at Duke Energy downtown and the Behringer-Drawford Museum in Covington to Toys Through Time at the Cincinnati Museum Center to The Nutcracker at the Aronoff Center.

If you're sick of the holidays, check out some music shows around town — we recommend Joshua Michael Scutella and Kelly Thomas and their bands at Junie's Lounge in the Southgate House and The Flux Capacitors and Beerman at Dirty Jack's.

CityBeat publishes our Year in Review issue today, so pick it up when you get a chance. Every section has some sort of year-end coverage, from news and politics to restaurants and local music. Check it out here.

We're also unveiling our annual Love & Sex Survey in anticipation of our upcoming Valentine's Day issue. We'd love to have you spill your guts, so check it out here.

Enjoy an easy day today as well as the rest of your holiday season.

— John Fox

Dec. 25: Peace on Earth

I hope you're spending some quality time with those you love. I am, so I'll keep this short.

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

No matter your religious/secular beliefs, those words can't fail to inspire us all on December 25. If only more of us would focus on the "peace" and "good will" stuff.

— John Fox

Dec. 24: Hanging Out

Not a lot going on today. Hardly anyone working, except at holiday-related events, restaurants and bars. And the post office and banks. Cops and firefighters, of course. OK, maybe everyone's working except you and me.

If you're looking to get out of the house with friends and/or family, here's a rundown of holiday event choices today (with hours):

• Ice skating on Fountain Square (11 a.m.-6 p.m.)

• Get your picture taken with Santa Claus at Tower Place Mall across from Fountain Square (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

• Downtown Holiday Visitor Center at 525 Vine St. across from Fountain Square (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

• Santa's Water Wonderland at Newport Aquarium (shows 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with Santa also in the lobby 12-3 p.m.)

• Duke Energy Model Train Display downtown (10 a.m.-6 p.m.)

• Holiday Junction and Toys Through Time at Cincinnati Museum Center (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

• Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods is open both tonight and Christmas night (6-9 p.m.)

• The Cincinnati Zoo is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., but the Festival of Lights is closed. It'll reopen Dec. 26 and run through Jan. 1.

I think a few stores might be open today for last-minute shopping. Not that we have anything left to buy.

Enjoy Christmas Eve with your loved ones.

— John Fox

Dec. 23: Fun, Fun, Fun

Just got home from a great afternoon downtown, and it had nothing to do with the Bengals-Browns game (other than having to fight for a good parking spot). Took out-of-town family down to ice skate on Fountain Square, shop a bit, warm up at Rock Bottom Brewery, shop some more and then spend some time at the Contemporary Arts Center.

Around 4:30 I was sitting in the CAC lobby waiting for everyone to buy something at the center's gift shop and I looked out at the intersection of Sixth and Walnut and saw a huge swarm of adults and little kids move down from the Aronoff Center (presumably leaving The Nutcracker) and cross a huge swarm of orange-clad Bengals fans coming up from the stadium. Great to see so many people downtown on a blustery Sunday.

If you're looking to take friends out tonight or to get away from the inlaws, CityBeat's recommended music shows include the Gypsy Hut bill of White Girls, The Read and Eat Sugar (the latter two bands were nominated for New Artist of the Year at the recent Cincinnati Entertainment Awards) and Mohenjo Daro at Northside Tavern.

On the events front, you can catch both of the Playhouse shows tonight (A Christmas Carol or The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!), another performance of The Nutcracker; or stand-up comedian Isaac Witty at Go Bananas.

In blogland, Larry Gross reviews the week in blogs and Spill It reminds you to check out the Top 10 lists in this week's CityBeat.

In the news, the Bengals hurt the Browns' playoff chances with an ugly win today, we've dodged another bullet as a winter storm passes to the north and The New York Times offers its picks in the Year in Arts & Leisure.

For more "best of" information, check out CityBeat movie writers, music critics and friends' picks in the Year in Film & Music package.

Enjoy your Christmas Eve eve.

— John Fox

Dec. 22: It's Good to Be King

Tonight offers a number of great music shows for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The highlight is Bootsy and Patti Collins' "A Tribute Fit for the King of King Records," a great evening at the Madison Theater spotlighting James Brown and King Records. Among the performers are James Brown's Soul Generals, Buckethead, Freekbass and Bootsy himself, all hosted by Chuck D of Public Enemy. See Brian Baker's extended interview with Bootsy and Patti here.

Other picks tonight include Wolverton Brothers and Culture Queer at Northside Tavern (see preview here), Jake Speed & the Freddies at The Comet, Ill Poetic and his live band at Baba Budan's and Mr. Brown and Rumpke Mountain Boys at the Southgate House.

As for recommended events of the non-musical nature, it's pretty much all holidays all the time: live theater, art galleries and plenty of holiday-themed attractions. Rick Pender particularly recommends Clear Stage Cincinnati's production of The Lion in Winter.

In blogland, Larry Gross offers a sentimental post about trying to find meaning in the holidays, Cathy Creger Rosenbaum has advice on how to choose an alternative health provider and The Cincinnati Beacon posts an open letter encouraging non-white mall Santas.

White, black, Asian or brown Santa — or no Santa — enjoy the weekend before Christmas as best you can.

— John Fox

Dec. 21: Time of the Season

Winter officially arrives tonight at around 1 in the morning, and the temperature rises into the 50s. Go figure.

Since it's one of the shortest nights of the year — by a few seconds — you might want to get going a little early to one of our recommended music shows: "Christmas in New Orleans" at the Madison Theater featuring Robin Lacy & DeZydeco and Ricky Nye & the Swingin' Mudbugs in a benefit for Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans (see preview here); the second night of Steve Schmidt's Organ Trio Spectacular at The Comet (see more here); Bucket's CD release party at Jaspers (see more here); and much more.

Over on the holiday events side, check out The Nutcracker at the Aronoff Center (see preview here), The Frog Princess at Ensemble Theatre (see review here), Striking 12 at New Stage Collective (see review here) and lots more. See more seasonal happenings in our Holiday Events listings.

In blogland, Kevin Osborne reports that Lamont Taylor has been reappointed to the Metro transit board by Hamilton County after he left the board earlier this year over a dispute with Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory; Kevin also posts about former County Commissioner Phil Heimlich deciding to officially enter the race against U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt; Stephen Carter-Novotni warns against lead paint problems in your home; The Daily Bellwether reports that former WEBN/local radio execs Frank Wood and Randy Michaels are joining the newly private Tribune Co. as a board director and senior executive, respectively; and Joe Wessels reports on Gary Burbank's last show this afternoon for WLW, saying a number of Cincinnati Post people will join Burbank (since The Post is also closing in on retirement).

Listen in from 4 to 6 p.m. and say "So long" to Burbank and The Post. Then go out and toast both tonight.

— John Fox