Monday, Feb. 17
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Cincinnati Black Playwright Meet and Greet, 6-7:30 p.m., Reading Branch Library, 8740 Reading Road, Reading. Gather with like-minded creatives. Free.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Explore the African American Archive Collection, 7-8:30 p.m., North Central Branch Library, 11109 Hamilton Ave., Colerain Township. Free; registration required: Songhay Thomas, 513-369-3121.
CHARITY: Guinness Perfect Pour Competition, 7 p.m., Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, 3rd floor, 112 E. Fourth St., Covington. Area bartenders compete to pour the perfect pint, with cash prizes. Each pint will be auctioned off for charity. mollymalonesirishpub.com/covington.
FAMILY: Emerge, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs Jan. 18-April 20. cincinnati-oh.gov.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
FILM: “Desperately Seeking Susan,” 7:30 p.m., Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. $12-$15. cincyticket.com.
MUSIC: Jazz at the MEMO: History of Black Music, the Giants of Jazz with Ron Jones, 7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. memorialhallotr.com.
MUSIC: Nate Smith, 7 and 9:30 p.m., Caffe Vivace, 975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills. caffevivace.com. Both shows sold out.
THEATER ENDING: “A Case for the Existence of God,” 7:30 p.m., Monday, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. Friday’s performance is ASL interpreted. Runs Feb. 7-22. Knowtheatre.com.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: The Underground Railroad: Its History, People & Glory, 4:15 p.m., Walnut Hills Branch Library, 2533 Kemper Lane, Walnut Hills. Event is geared toward children. Free; reservations required: Sam Lumetta, 513-369-6053.
CHARITY: Mardi Gras Benefiting Homeless Children, 5:30-10 p.m., Northern Kentucky Convention Center, 1 RiverCenter Blvd., Covington. Benefits Brighton Center’s Homeward Bound, Welcome House Inc., and Bethany House Services. $125 VIP, $100 general. mardigras2025.org.
FILM: “Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf,” 6:30 p.m., Mariemont Theater, 69-6 Wooster Pike, Mariemont. Documentary on how the famed landscape designer upends conventional notions of natural beauty. $10. Eventbrite.com.
MUSEUM: Shahzia Sikander: Collective Behavior, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs Feb. 14-May 4. $12. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
MUSIC: Music Live at Lunch: Cincinnati Recorder Concort, 12:10 p.m., Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., Downtown. Free. cincinnaticathedral.com.
MUSIC: Paul Patterson & Friends, 7 p.m., Caffe Vivace, 975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills. caffevivace.com.
MUSIC: Michael Cera Palin, Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside. With Combat, Pout, Don Aman. northsidetav.com.
THEATER OPENING: “Kimberly Akimbo,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown.Runs Feb. 18-March 2. $35-up. Cincinnatiarts.org.
THEATER ENDING: “Primary Trust,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Playhouse in the Park, Rouse Theatre, 962 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs Feb. 1-23. Cincyplay.com.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Explore African American Archive, 10 a.m. via Zoom. Explore two archives of primary source documents, and the papers of the founders of the Southern Negro Youth Congress. Free; registration required. Contact Songhay Thomas, 513-369-3121.
DANCE: Dancing with the Stars Live: 2025 Tour, 7:30 p.m., Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., Downtown. bradymusiccenter.com. Sold out.
FESTIVAL: Jewish & Israeli Film Festival: “All About the Levkoviches,” 7 p.m., Mariemont Theater, Wooster Pike, Mariemont. mayersonjccfilmfestival2025.eventive.org/schedule.
MUSEUM: Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. Runs Jan. 10-April 6. Freedomcenter.org.
MUSEUM: Mystery & Benevolence: Masonic and Odd Fellows Folk Art, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Monday, Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown. Runs Feb. 1-May 11. $15, $12 seniors, free ages 17-under, military and members. taftmuseum.org/mystery.
MUSIC: Blue Wisp Big Band, 7:30 p.m., Caffe Vivace, 975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills. caffevivace.com.
MUSIC: Jordy Searcy, 7 p.m., Southgate House Revival, Revival Room, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport. With Lyndi Lynn. southgatehouse.com.
SPORTS: Cincinnati Cyclones vs Toledo Walleye, 7:35 p.m., Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. $2 Beer Night. Cycloneshockey.com.
Thursday, Feb. 20
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: The State of the Black Family: Where Do We Go From Here, 6-8 p.m., Woodlawn Community Center, 10050 Woodlawn Blvd., Woodlawn. Panel discussion with Dr. Umar Johnson, Raven Mundy and Aaron Mallory. Free. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Sold out.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Picturing Black History: An Evening with Paul McAllister and Steven Conn, 6 p.m., Mercantile Library, 414 Walnut St., suite 1100, Downtown. Free; registration required: mercantilelibrary.com.
CHARITY: Bacchanalian Society Blind Wine Tasting: Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 p.m., Taft Theatre Ballroom, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. Includes food samples and live music from Jon Jon. Benefits Girls on the Run of Greater Cincinnati. $25. Eventbrite.com.
CHARITY: Gala for Literacy: One for the Books, 5-9 p.m., Hard Rock Casino, 1000 Broadway, Pendleton. Cocktails, dinner, raffles and more. Benefits Queen City Book Banks. $125. Queencitybookbank.org.
COMEDY: Chris Weir, 7:30 p.m., Go Bananas Comedy Club, 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery. One night only. $10. Gobananascomedy.com.
FESTIVAL: Jewish & Israeli Film Festival: “Unspoken,” 7 p.m., Mayerson JCC, Amberley Room, Amberley Village. mayersonjccfilmfestival2025.eventive.org/schedule.
FILM: Library Movie Night: “Face/Off,” 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cincinnati Public Library, Main Branch, 800 Vine St., Downtown. Watch a screening of John Woo’s Hollywood blockbuster. Free. chpl.org.
MUSEUM OPENING: Tiger Lily Press Urban Printers Opening Reception, 5:30-7 p.m., Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Exhibition of works by artists in Tiger Lily Press’ Urban Printers Program. Free. Cincycac.org.
MUSEUM: Julia Child: A Recipe for Life, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Monday, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Runs Feb. 1-May 18. Museum admission is discounted 20% through April 30. Cincymuseum.org.
MUSEUM: “The Blue Angels,” 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Monday, Cincinnati Museum Center, Lindner Family Omnimax Theater, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. $9.75, $7.75 seniors and children. Cincymuseum.org.
MUSEUM: Vivian Browne: My Kind of Protest, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Runs Jan. 31-May 25. Free. Cincycac.org.
MUSIC: Sullivan King: Chaos Will Bring Peace Tour, 7 p.m., MegaCorp Pavilion, 101 W. Fourth St., Newport. promowestlive.com.
MUSIC: Candlelight: Best of the 80s, 6:30 p.m., Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $61. Feverup.com.
MUSIC: Cincinnati Jazz Messengers, 7 p.m., Caffe Vivace, 975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills. caffevivace.com.
MUSIC: Robert Ellis, 7 p.m., Southgate House Revival, Revival Room, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport. With Andrew Montana. southgatehouse.com.
Friday, Feb. 21
BOCKFEST: Sausage Queen Preliminary, 8 p.m., Arnold’s Bar and Grill, 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown. Sign up at 7:30 p.m. to participate. Bockfest.com.
COMEDY: Capitol Fools, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $60-up. Cincinnatiarts.org.
COMEDY: DC Young Fly, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, 6:30 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Funny Bone Comedy Club, 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township. $48-$58. liberty.funnybone.com.
COMEDY: David Jolly, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Go Bananas Comedy Club, 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery. $10-$15. gobananascomedy.com.
COMEDY: Dude Dad: On Thin Ice Comedy Tour, 8 p.m., Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. bogarts.com.
COMEDY: Heather Shaw, 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Commonwealth Sanctuary, 522 Fifth Ave., Dayton. $20. commonwealthsanctuary.com.
COMEDY: Garrett Titlebaum’s the Greatest Comedian in the World, 9:30 p.m. Friday, Commonwealth Sanctuary, 522 Fifth Ave., Dayton. Comedy game show. Sixx Sense defends title. Challengers: Rashika Jaipuriar, Dan Sebree, Ran Barnaclo. $10. commonwealthsanctuary.com.
DANCE: Cincinnati Ballet: The Wizard of Oz, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Feb. 20-March 2. Cballet.org.
EXPO: 20th Century Cincinnati Vintage Modern Expo, 6-8 p.m. Friday (VIP only), 9 a.m.-noon (Java Preview) and noon-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. $15-$100. Queencityshows.com.
FESTIVAL: Brink Brewing Co. 8th Birthday Party, 3 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Brink Brewing Co., 5905 Hamilton Ave., College Hill. Free admission. Facebook.com/brinkbrewing.
FILM: Oscar-Nominated Short Films, 6:30 p.m. Friday, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Garfield Theatre, 719 Race St., Downtown. Three separate programs: Documentary, animation, live action will screen weekends through March 8. Tickets for individual programs are $21, $15.50 advance. Combo tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $32, $26 advance. 859-957-3456; cincyworldcinema.org.
MUSIC: Cincinnati Transit Authority, 8 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. memorialhallotr.com.
MUSIC: Kandace Springs Trio, 7 and 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Caffe Vivace, 975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills. caffevivace.com.
MUSIC: Justin Wells Cynthiana Album Release Show, 8 p.m., Southgate House Revival, Sanctuary, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport. With Casey Campbell, Adam Lee. southgatehouse.com.
MUSIC: The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, 7:30 p.m., Southgate House Revival, Revival Room, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport. southgatehouse.com.
MUSIC: Susto, 7:30 p.m., Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com.
MUSIC: Kim Deal, 7 p.m., Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. cincyticket.com. SOLD OUT.
MUSIC: Cincy Brass, 9:30 p.m., MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. motrpub.com.
MUSIC: Aaron Watson, 8 p.m., Lori’s Road House, 4924 Union Centre Pavilion Drive, West Chester Township. lrhlive.com.
MUSIC: Jim Trace & the Makers Album Release Show, Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside. northsidetav.com.
SPORTS: Cincinnati Cyclones vs Iowa Heartlanders, 7:35 p.m., Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. Pickleball Paddle Giveaway. Cycloneshockey.com.
THEATER OPENING: “True West,” 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Village Players, 8 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas. Runs Feb. 21-March 1. Villageplayers.org.
THEATER OPENING: “The Cemetery Club,” 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Mason Community Players, Mason Community Playhouse, 5529 Mason Road, Mason. Runs Feb. 21-March 1. Masonplayers.org.
THEATER OPENING: “Godspell,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive, Fairfield. $17. fairfieldoh.gov/tickets.
Saturday, Feb. 22
ART: Artist Talk: Steve Justice, 1 p.m., Studio Kroner, 130 W. Court St., Downtown. Free. Studiokroner.com.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Black-Owned Business Expo, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Covington Branch Library, 502 Scott Blvd., Covington. Browse local artists, businesses and vendors. Free. kentonlibrary.org.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Future History Now 2025: A Conversation on the Black Dollar and Wealth Gap, 4:30-7:30 p.m., The Mercantile Library, 414 Walnut St., suite 1100, Downtown. Mortar’s series celebrates BHM and Black culture, spotlighting influential voices and fostering meaningful conversations. This year’s event features Louise Story and Ebony Reed, co-authors of “Fifteen Cents on the Dollar: How Americans Made the Black-White Wealth Gap.” Includes panel discussion, food and drinks. $25 VIP includes copy of book and meet-and-greet with authors; free general admission. eventbrite.com.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Jerome Jennings and Myles Twitty: Jazz Transforming America, 5:30-7:30 p.m., National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Harriet Tubman Theater, 50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. $10. freedomcenter.org.
BOCKFEST: Sausage Queen Preliminary, 8 p.m., Voodoo Brew Pub, 120 E. Eighth St., Downtown. Sign up at 7:30 p.m. to participate. Bockfest.com.
COMEDY: Gals on the Go Podcast: Who is She? Tour, 8 p.m., Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. bogarts.com.
COMEDY: Cool Show, Man, 9:30 p.m., Commonwealth Sanctuary, 522 Fifth Ave., Dayton. $10. commonwealthsanctuary.com.
EDUCATION: Houses & Apartments 101 with Do It Yourself Darlin’, 1-5 p.m., Cincinnati Public Library, Main Branch, 800 Vine St., Downtown. This is a comprehensive, beginner-level overview of what all homeowners, renters and apartment-dwellers should know about their homes. Class is split into two 90-minute segments on the same day Free. chpl.org.
EDUCATION: Great Tree Summit, 8 a.m.-noon, Kenton County Cooperative Extension, 10990 Marshall Road, Covington. Tree and forest-related talks, local tree initiatives, silent auction, light refreshments. facebook.com.
FAMILY: Winter Carnival and Chili Cook-Off, noon-4 p.m., Foote Ave. at Fairfield Ave., Bellevue. Facebook.com.
FAMILY: Anansi and the Box of Stories, 2 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free; tickets required: memorialhallotr.com.
FESTIVAL: Delhi On Tap, 4-8 p.m., Delhi Event Center, 5031 Delhi Road, Delhi Township. $60 VIP, $40 general. Cincyticket.com.
FESTIVAL: Cabin Fever Music & Arts Festival, 1 p.m., various venues around Ludlow, Ky. Will call tickets can be picked up at Second Sight Spirits, 301 Elm St., Ludlow. cincyticket.com.
MUSIC: Cody Johnson: Leather Deluxe Tour, 7:30 p.m., Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. With Ashley McBryde, Drew Baldridge. heritagebankcenter.com.
MUSIC: The Drowsy Lads, 8 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. memorialhallotr.com.
MUSIC: Niko Moon: These are the Nights Tour, 8 p.m., Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 25 Race St., Downtown. bradymusiccenter.com.
MUSIC: Nicholas Jamerson, 8 p.m., Southgate House Revival, Sanctuary, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport. With Jonathan Peyton. southgatehouse.com.
MUSIC: Softspoken, 6:30 p.m., Southgate House Revival, Revival Room, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport. With Midview, Spirit Board. southgatehouse.com.
MUSIC: The Filthy Heathens, 8 p.m., Lori’s Road House, 4924 Union Centre Pavilion Drive, West Chester Township. lrhlive.com.
MUSIC: Dravin and the Ravens, 9:30 p.m., MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. With Goof Juice, Thumbtack Mechanics. Free. motrpub.com.
MUSIC: Fillmore on the River 2, 6 p.m., Riverfront Live, 4343 Kellogg Ave., East End. riverfrontlivecincy.com.
MUSIC: Mike Detmer Album Release, Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater, 229 Walnut St., Lawrenceburg. With Rob L. Ford & Adam Gilliam. cincyticket.com.
NIGHTLIFE: Cincy Silent Disco: Cosplay Party, 8:30 p.m., Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington. madisontheater.com.
OUTDOORS: Maple Fest, 1-5 p.m., Cincinnati Nature Center, Rowe Woods, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford. Learn how maple syrup is made and watch the process, tour the sugarbush, sample maple beer, enjoy games, guided strolls and more. Runs Saturdays through Feb. 22. $20, $6 children. Register: Cincynature.org.
OUTDOORS: Maple Sugar Days, noon-4 p.m., Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, 3455 Poole Road, Colerain Township. Family-friendly activities, tastings, crafts, demonstrations and hikes to see firsthand how sap is transformed into a sweet household favorite. Free; some activities require a small fee. Greatparks.org.
RECREATION: Pre-Match in the Park, 4-6:30 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Party with other FCC fans before the match. Washingtonpark.org.
SPORTS: FC Cincinnati vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m., TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. Season opener. Fccincinnati.com.
Sunday, Feb. 23
COMEDY: “Late Nite Catechism 3: Til Death Do Us Part,” 3 p.m., Aronoff Center for the Arts, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. The latest class in this sinfully funny series finds Sister offering hilarious lessons of the sacraments of marriage and the last rites. Cincinnatiarts.org.
FESTIVAL: Jewish & Israeli Film Festival: “Avenue of the Giants,” 7 p.m., Mayerson JCC, Amberley Room, Amberley Village. mayersonjccfilmfestival2025.eventive.org/schedule.
MUSIC: Sunday on the Stairs: Ricky Nye, 2-3 p.m., Cincinnati Public Library, Main Branch, 800 Vine St., Downtown. Every final Sunday of the month, enjoy a live performance from a local artist featured on the Social Stairs. Free. chpl.org.
MUSIC: School of Rock Mason: Music of Lilith Fair and American Classic Rock, 6:30 p.m., The Redmoor, 3187 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout. cincyticket.com.
MUSIC: Westwood First Concert Series: Ellen Graham Cabaret Show, 2:30 p.m., Westwood First Presbyterian Church, 3011 Harrison Ave., Westwood. Free.
MUSIC: Jonathan Dimmock: Organ Recital, 3 p.m., Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. Fourth St., Downtown. $15. cincinnaticathedral.com.
MUSIC: Tinfoil Hat Cowboys, 8:30 p.m., MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. motrpub.com.
Looking ahead
CHARITY: Hollywood Highlife Oscars Watch Party, March 2, Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Benefits Women in Film Cincinnati, OutReels Cincinnati, Black Cincinnati Cinema Collective. $45 per couple, $30 single. Eventbrite.com.
CHARITY: Party in the Park, April 26, Devou Event Center, 1201 Park Drive, Covington. Dinner, dessert stations, music, silent auction and more. Benefits Devou Park Trail Collective. $100. E.givesmart.com/events/Gw4/.
CHARITY: Dine with Design, May 14, Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Benefits Design LAB: Learn+Build. $350. designlearnandbuild.org/dinewithdesign.
Lent will be here soon. If your parish or organization is planning to host a fish fry, please send us the details so we can make sure it will appear on our big fish fry list and interactive map. Email calendar@cincinnati.com with “fish fry” in the subject line.