Daily Beat

Jan. 31: Kings on a Thursday

You have your choice of competing "big band" concerts tonight, and you can't go wrong with either one. Soul masters Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings are riding a huge wave of good buzz into their show at Bogart's; see Mildred Fallen's interview with Jones here. Over at the Southgate House, catch the "Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue" featuring the Tommy Castro Band, Magic Dick of the J. Geils Band, Deanna Bogart and Ronnie Baker Brooks.

In recommended events, Know Theatre of Cincinnati hosts opening night of Topdog/Underdog (see Rick Pender's preview here), Cincinnati Shakespeare continues its double bill of No Exit and Endgame (See Rick's review here) and stand-up comedian Tig Notaro opens a weekend run at Go Bananas (see preview here).

Cincinnati Salon hosts its eighth gathering tonight at The Waldo (Eighth and Elm, Downtown) with featured speaker Stephanie Dunlap, former CityBeat reporter and current freelance writer. Stephanie will talk about her adult GED and job placement program at Literacy Center West.

In blogland, Kevin Osborne discusses rumors floating in local political circles that either Phil Heimlich or Jim Tarbell could enter this fall's Hamilton County Commissioner races, Rick Pender muses on this week's staging of Jerry Springer: The Opera in New York City starring Harvey Keitel, Stephen Carter-Novotni says to look out for stray cats and Larry Gross talks about a good friend whose last day at CityBeat is today. We will all miss having Greg Flannery in the office, but we hope he'll stay involved in CityBeat.

In the news, the final four Republican presidential candidates left standing debated in California last night. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama do the same tonight on the Democratic side.

Have a great Thursday.

— John Fox

Jan. 30: Bye Bye, Rudy and John

Sen. John McCain won the Republican presidential primary in Florida yesterday, with Mitt Romney second, Rudy Giuliani a distant third and Mike Huckabee a distant fourth. Giuliani is expected to withdraw from the race today and endorse McCain. Mr. 9/11's ballyhooed strategy of focusing all his efforts on Florida really paid off, didn't it?

On the Democratic side, Sen. Hillary Clinton won the symbolic Florida primary — no delegates will be awarded, and the candidates did little campaigning there.  Salon has a good story about Sen. Barack Obama appearing in Kansas yesterday, where his mother and her parents are from, and getting the endorsement of popular Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, daughter of ex-Ohio Gov. John Gilligan, who currently lives in Clifton. David Brooks has a good column in The New York Times about the meaning of Obama receiving endorsements from various Kennedys.

Looks like John Edwards will be dropping out of the Democratic race today.

Back in Cincinnati, look for today's issue of CityBeat with our annual Person of the Year story featuring 2007 honoree Jason Riveiro, president of the Cincinnati chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Our recommended events include the second night of Cincinnati World Cinema's special screening of the restored 1980s French film Diva at the Cincinnati Art Museum (see more here) and opening night of a limited run of the off-Broadway hit Menopause The Musical at the Taft Theatre (see preview here). In music shows, check out As I Lay Dying with multiple opening acts at Bogart's (see preview here).

In blogland, Mike Breen reports on Cincinnati musician Josh Hisle hanging with Neil Young and friends at the Sundance Film Festival and highlights the new CDs out this week; Kevin Osborne reports on complaints about parking tickets; and Rick Pender gives details of three renowned playwrights speaking at the Mercantile Library starting tonight.

Make a name for yourself today and enjoy your Wednesday.

— John Fox

Jan. 29: To Be in Florida on a Tuesday

It's a busy day in politics, as the Republican presidential primary in Florida will make or break Rudy Giuliani's candidacy and could push Mitt Romney or John McCain to the front-runner position. Pundits are weighing in this morning on last night's State of the Union Address by President Bush, his final one.

If you're looking for something to do today while you wait for the Florida results to come in, CityBeat's recommended events include Cincinnati World Cinema's special screening of the restored 1980s French film Diva at the Cincinnati Art Museum (see more here), Iraqi-American playwright Heather Raffo at the Ropes Lecture Series at UC, Wicked at the Aronoff Center (see Rick Pender's review here) and The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead at Playhouse in the Park (see Rick's review here).

Recommended music events include Jeff Roberson (of Len's Lounge) and Ryan Malott (of 500 Miles to Memphis) doing the solo thing at Northside Tavern and Kid Rock tearing up Hara Arena in Dayton.

In blogland, Kevin Osborne reports on Cincinnati firefighters forced to become janitors in Bond Hill, Margo Pierce reports on a lawsuit filed against Ohio's new sex offender law and Keith Klenowski reviews Sunday night's Band of Horses show (with photos) and the Southgate House's new stage set-up.

Enjoy your Tuesday. Vote early and often.

— John Fox

Jan. 28: State of the Monday

It's kind of a quiet Monday — as most mid-winter Mondays are in this part of the world — so catch up on some things you've been meaning to get to. Here are a few suggestions:

• Fill out the 2008 Best of Cincinnati reader ballot and tell everyone what's great about living here in 167 different categories.

• Finish up and enter your best creative writing in InkTank's writing competition. The winning entry gets $200 in cash and will be published in CityBeat.

• Finish up and send your best poems about peace and justice to SOS Art, which is compiling its latest anthology of local writing.

• Finish up and submit your artwork to Cincinnati Fringe Festival, which has extended its deadline for this summer's Visual Fringe.

In blogland, Kevin Osborne finds Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune to be in the giving mood and Larry Gross tours the blogosphere.

In the news, it's all about the post-South Carolina spin, analysis and look ahead. And President Bush will present his final State of the Union Address. The countdown to the end of an error continues.

Get caught up today — you won't regret it.

— John Fox

Jan. 27: Back on the Horse

The Southgate House hosts buzz-worthy Band of Horses tonight, and it's turned into a sold-out show. I heard them on World Cafe on WNKU the other day. Check out Brian Baker's preview here for more info.

Among recommended events, check out stand-up comedian Roz G's final night at Funny Bone on the Levee and three great live theater options: Wicked at the Aronoff Center (see Rick Pender's review here), Cincinnati Shakespeare's double bill of No Exit and Endgame (see Rick's preview here) and The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead at Playhouse in the Park (see Rick's review here).

In the news, Sen. Barack Obama won the Democratic primary in South Carolina, setting up an all-out battle for the nomination that will turn into a national race on Super Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Enjoy your Sunday and the sun that's trying to thaw us out.

— John Fox

Jan. 26: Hit Bottom on Saturday

No, don't despair, I'm just referring to jazz bassist Christian McBride's show tonight at Raymond Walters College in Blue Ash. You know, the bass is known as a band's "bottom" sound. Mike Breen, help me. OK, check out Brian Baker's interview with McBride here.

Two other diverse events highlight CityBeat's recommended music shows tonight: the second night of Cincy Blues Society's Winter Blues Fest at the Southgate House (see more here) and the Taboo event at Baba Budan's featuring an all-woman showcase of DJs, live music and spoken word.

Among recommended events, check out the second night of Alabama-based Wideman/Davis Dance at the Aronoff's Jarson-Kaplan Theater (see Julie Mullins' interview with the company founders here), a Day of Dialogue on Healthcare at First Unitarian Church (see preview here),  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's double bill of No Exit and Endgame (see more here) and Playhouse in the Park's production of The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead (see review here).

In blogland, Jason Gargano is back from the Sundance Film Festival, Mike Breen clears up the rehab rumors about Amy Winehouse, Margo Pierce listens to Cincinnati Public Schools parents and  Brandon Dawson discovers acupuncture.

Get off your bottom, discover a busy Saturday today and have fun.

— John Fox

Jan. 25: A Moveable, Blue, Final Friday

Lots going on tonight in the area, so I'll get right to it; check out CityBeat's recommended music shows and events for an overview:

• The Cincy Blues Society hosts a two-night Winter Blues Fest at the Southgate House, with scheduled performers to include the Sonny Moorman Group, Jon Justice Band, II Juicy, 46 Long, Them Bones with Cheryl Renee and the J Dorsey Blues Band. See Mike Breen's preview here.

• CCM hosts its annual Moveable Feast fund-raising event, starting with dinner and a sampling of student and faculty performances in musical theater, orchestral music, jazz and dance. Then the Nite Bite afterparty takes over, with music from DJ Pillo and DJ Milkshake, special interactive improv performances by CCM vocalists and instrumentalists, vogue drinks and spicy hot tamale bites.

• The Alabama-based Wideman/Davis Dance troupe presents The Bends of Life at the Aronoff Center's Jarson-Kaplan Theater tonight and tomorrow night. See Julie Mullins' preview here.

• Nashville singer/songwriter Levi Weaver plays Kaldi's tonight. See preview here.

• Cincinnati Shakespeare Company opens its double bill of Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit and Samuel Beckett's Endgame. See Rick Pender's preview here.

•  It's Final Friday downtown and in Over-the-Rhine, with Publico gallery presenting its final "farewell tour" event, "Final Friday Finale" (see more on Publico's five-year run here), and the Weston Art Gallery opening three exhibitions (see preview here).

• Coexist skateboard shop hosts a free in-store art show to celebrate the release of Adidas' new shoe, the Castrucci Artist Series Campus, designed by Cincinnati native Joe Castrucci. See more here.

• Northern Kentucky University hosts the high-octane, high-energy Philadelphia-based Koresh Dance Company for one performance only. See more here.

• And a number of good local bands are playing recommended shows at The Poison Room, Gypsy Hut and Dirty Jack's, including The Lions Rampant, The Frankl Project, The Pinstripes, The Way Downs, The Seedy Seeds and many more.

Get to it, and enjoy your Friday.

— John Fox

Jan. 24: Best of Thursday

It's that special time of year when children get giddy and adults feel a spring in their step. You can feel it in the air, can't you? Yes, the reader ballot is now available for the annual Best of Cincinnati issue: almost 170 categories in Eats, Out & About, Goods & Services, Public Eye, Urban Life and Jocks waiting for your input.

Step up and have your say — we can't do it without you. Literally. That's why it's called the "reader ballot."

If you're looking for inspiration, Newport on the Levee should be a hopping place tonight, with two recommended events there: stand-up comedian Roz G opens a weekend run at Funny Bone on the Levee (see preview here) and  Shadowbox cabaret continues its newest show, CrazySexyCool. On the Xavier campus, the Musketeers take on basketball rival Dayton at 8 p.m.

On the music front, check out Led Zep tribute band Winds of Thor at the Madison Theater.

In the news, elected officials in Washington D.C. are trying to figure out the best way to give each of us some tax money back so we'll spend it to help boost the lagging economy. After all, spending more money is the best thing to do, right? Saving is baaaad. Wait, I thought saving your money was good. You know, for the kids' college and for retirement. Help me, federal government! Tell me what to do!

Until I get my financial instructions from President Bush, John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi, I'll simply try to enjoy my Thursday. Maybe I'll look into some of those post-holiday catalogue sales. Just in case.

— John Fox

Jan. 23: Selling Wednesday

The U.S. economy remains big news, as all eyes are on the stock markets' response to yesterday's emergency interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. And all the other eyes are on how the presidential candidates address the mess.

If you're looking for some distractions, recommended events today include UC taking on UConn in Big East hoops play at Fifth Third Arena, Publico gallery continuing its "farewell tour" with The Last Supper (see recent cover story on Publico here) and Wicked filling the house at the Aronoff Center (see Rick Pender's review here).

On the music front, the Southgate House hosts one of Nashville's up-and-coming rock bands, De Novo Dahl (see preview here).

In blogland, Mike Breen has word on the MusicNOW lineup for early April, Kevin Osborne hears Sheriff Simon Leis do spin control on WLW,  Margo Pierce discusses an upcoming forum on universal health care, Stephen Carter-Novotni offers commen-sense sex advice and Tom Anus promotes cigarette smoking.

I'm promoting a healthy and happy Wednesday. Also buying low and selling high.

— John Fox

Jan. 22: Reproductive Rights and Iraq War

Two speakers tonight offer quite different messages and topics: Cincinnati lawyer Jennifer Branch presents "35 Years Later: Will a Woman's Reproductive Rights Continue to Erode?" at Wise Temple in Amberley Village as Planned Parenthood marks the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, while former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell presents "Diplomacy: Persuasion, Trust and Values" at Miami University. For more on the current situation of Roe v. Wade, see Margo Pierce's story "Illegal Abortions Return" and followup blog posts. For more on Powell's handiwork, see any day's war news.

On the lighter side, good theater choices include Wicked (see Rick Pender's review here) and The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead (see Rick's review here). In music, Eric Diedrichs hosts his weekly open mic night at the Poison Room.

In the news, the Democratic presidential hopefuls debated last night in South Carolina, the U.S. stock markets are predicted to fall sharply today and Academy Award nominations have been announced.

The first day back to work/school after a three-day weekend is always hard. Do your best.

— John Fox