ArtsWave Presents: Cincinnati Ballet at the College of Mount St. Joseph

Feb 18, 2011 by

ArtsWave is partnering with the Cincinnati Ballet on Saturday, February 19 in presenting a ballet sampler for the entire family.  Included in the sampler will be a preview of the upcoming Firebird and Infamous Love Songs from Over the Rhine newest release. 

This is an incredible deal for the entire family; ticket prices are insanely inexepnsive and can be purchased at The College of Mount St. Joseph. BIG thank you to ArtsWave and the Cincinnati Ballet for reaching out to the West Side to provide such as fantastic opportunity to experience art in our community!

$9 = General Admission

$5 = Student and Seniors

FREE = Children 12 and under

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Cincinnati Blues Society: Winter Blues Festival Sells Out

Feb 1, 2011 by

This past Friday and Saturday The Cincinnati Blues Society had their annual Winter Blues Festival at the Southgate House.  Speaking briefly with Mary Beth Weaver and James Czar Saturday night, Friday was a near sell out at 550 tickets and Saturday was a sell out at 650 tickets.  The festival sold out last year as well but tickets went quicker this year and some were turned away at the door.

The festival was jammed on Saturday night with all three stages of the Southgate House literally pounding.  The hallways were smoky, hot and so crowded people had difficulty moving and most just stayed at one stage especially if you they were lucky enough to get a seat.  The crowd reflected the musicians and bands in that  it was racially mixed; something of a rarity in Cincinnati.  The typical age range was older too killing the notion that only the younger set get out in Cincinnati. 

I saw one act on each stage catching  The Gearshifts  in Junie’s Lounge, Voodoo Puppet in the Parlor and Miss Lissa & Company in the ballroom.   One thing that suprised me about each of these bands is the depth of the vocals.  Usually I dislike vocals in jazz or blues bands preferring that the instruments and players take center focus.  All three bands had fantastic vocals with Miss Lissa channeling Etta James including growls and skating on the low end of the scales.  She really poured herself out on stage gasping for air at the end of her set and the band sported several original tunes which can be found on their Facebook and MySpace pages.

Voodoo Puppet KILLED in the Parlor rocking so hard the floor shook. The beer bottles on the table next to me kept vibrating themselves into my lap. Once again, strong vocals made for a great set and the band has recorded their first original tune which was my favorite.  You can listen/download it on their website and it is featured on the compilation CD availabe at the Blues Society website.

The Gearshifts ruled Junie’s Lounge with outstanding horns featuring Rick Tolbert on Trombone (a top bone player from San Francisco) and Dr. Scott Belck on trumpet, Director of Jazz Studies for CCM.  The Gearshifts were formed by Jerry Linger who talked with me a moment via phone:

“The Gearshifts were formed in 2004 in Pittsburgh and have since gone through 8 drummers and 3 bassists finally ending on our current lineup.  We have one player who drove in from Pittsburgh but the others are from Cincinnati. I’ve personally been playing for over 35 years on lead guitar, double bass and trumpet.  We have recorded one original tune, “The Love Doctor” but intend to do more as we are preparing for the Cincinnati Blues Challenge. Recording as a band is our next step and sound clips will be available on  our website.”

As mentioned earlier, the compilation CD is available on the Cincinnati Blues Society website and proceeds go to Blues in the Schools (BITS).

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Halloweeen Interlude- Thriller Performed by the Cincy Brass

Oct 21, 2010 by

Ain’t nothing like the sound of Brass! Love these guys!

-Loki

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Carnival Noir – An Interview with Zahara

Oct 19, 2010 by

The 3rd annual Carnival Noir returns to Cincinnati on Friday, October 22nd from 8pm to midnight. Featuring contortionists, belly dancers, spinners, bands and more, the show shines an artistic light on humanity’s dark side through a blend of filmed and live performances. Tickets are $15 to $20 and include entry to the Voodoo Lounge for shopping, tarot readings, make-up applications and dancing. And yes, you’re more than encouraged to wear a costume. Proceeds from the Silent Auction items will benefit Women’s Crisis Center.

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The Sound of Science

Oct 8, 2010 by

A little something for you as we prepare to roll into the weekend. Enjoy!

Absolutely lovely! Hat tip to the lovely and talented LS who shared this with me!

-Loki, Founder and Publisher

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MPMF – Make It A 5 Way

Sep 21, 2010 by

Yesterday I posted my top do not miss out of towners:

  1. Brent Reed
  2. Shoreline Dream
  3. Filligar
  4. Surfer Blood
  5. Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
  6. Confuctive Alliance
  7. Aficionado

This time it’s the do not miss list of in-towners:  In order:

Messerly & Ewing – Thursday, Arnolds 9:00 PM

The cornerstone of the indie original music scene in Cincinnati.  They consist of Mark Messerly, Brian Ewing, Sean Rhiney and Bill Donabian.  Mark and Brian have been wrtiting and playing together for nearly 15 years and the depth of their songwriting shows it – they are simply the best songwriters in the city.  The Last 12 Hours is a killer record if you can find it.  Mark Messerly played in Clabbergirl with Sean and also plays in Wussy.  Bill D. played with Clabbergirl (keyboard) and Rockets to Mars (drums). Everyone knows the story of Sean and Bill starting MPMF 9 years ago; they helped turn this town from a cover into an original.  It doesn’t hurt that they are the absolute salt of the earth.  Starting MPMF without M & E is akin to starting an engine without gas – not possible. 

Can someone PLEASE get them to finish their new record?

Chocolate Horse – Saturday, Below Zero 10:00 PM

Part of the fabulous All Night Party showcase, these guys hail from the ashes of one of the top Cincinnati bands of all time – Readymaid.  Eclectic and superb musicianship is the Horse in a nutshell. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgaXwsCAJ1o 

You, You’re Awesome – Thursday, Cincinnati Club 10:30 PM

Yusef and Kevin met on the Woxy.com message boards and have been causing mayhem and mischief ever since.  Beyond talented, this duo makes for an electronic experiment which should probably be featured in video games rather than on a stage.  Lucky for us, it is on a stage.

 httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X2tgei1nHM

 The Harlequins – Friday, Blue Wisp 9:30 PM

I first heard the Harlequins open for Blood Sugar at Northside Tavern.  They were raw but exhibited strong songwriting.  I thought if they could hold it together and practiced they would make for a very decent garage rock band.  They did and they have…

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqQqfSkA_0

Daughters and Sons – Friday, Mr. Pitiful’s 12:00 AM

The most danceable band in Cincinnati?  Maybe or maybe not but the musicianship is outstanding and the instrumentation is hard not to like-no videos yet but you can check out their music via facebook: Daughters and Sons

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