Category: Cincinnati Events and Happenings 2020

Posted on

Ohio's Clifton Mill Makes National Lists for Best Holiday Light Display


There are dozens of well-known destinations around the world that attract visitors to their incredible holiday lights, decorations, and displays. Some are more famous than others, but one lesser-known place has been getting a lot of well-deserved attention lately and it happens to be very close to Cincinnati. The Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio has been recognized for many years as a top spot for viewing holiday lights by regional publications like Midwest Living and Ohio Magazine. However,  Clifton Mill has recently made the following national lists: House Beautiful (2020), Country Living (2020), and Travel + Leisure (2019).
For 32 years Clifton Mill has celebrated the Christmas season in a very special way. Their light display is one of the country’s finest with over 4 million lights. It is truly a mesmerizing, spectacular display with the mill, the gorge, its riverbanks, trees, and bridges all illuminated. There is even a 100 foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights. The flip of one switch turns all the lights on at once transforming the night into a fantastical winter wonderland which includes a Miniature Village, a Santa Claus Museum , a Toy Collection and a spectacular synchronized lights and music show that features the old Covered Bridge.

Every night through December 23, you can peek into Santa’s Workshop to see a live Santa at work and then, every 15 minutes or so, watch him check his list and go up the chimney to load his sleigh. The fantastic light display will be operating every night from 6 to 9 PM until December 30. On December 24 – 25, from 6 to 8 PM. Gates open at 5 PM.
Clifton Mill is less than 75 miles from downtown Cincinnati. For directions, click here. If you go, please be aware that Clifton Mill is taking enhanced health and safety measures for their guests. Below are a few things they ask to keep your visit safe and enjoyable.

  • Limited Capacity – crowds will be held at 25% – there may be longer lines
  • Masks are Mandatory – no exception – social distancing is highly encouraged
  • No Inside Restrooms
  • No Inside Dining – a food truck will be outside for hot chocolate & snacks
  • Follow state health department guidelines if you are feeling under the weather

Click here to visit Clifton Mill’s website.

Posted on

Virtual Theatre from Our Beloved Cincinnati Arts Community

As some businesses in the Cincinnati area are reopening their doors, the doors to our local art institutions remain closed. Thankfully, many of them have expressed their creativity in new ways by offering a myriad of virtual events, performances, lessons, and more. In many ways this has expanded opportunities for the public to enjoy our local arts, especially for those with mobility and accessibility issues. At Robinson Sotheby’s International Realty, we hope that you will continue to appreciate the wonderful cultural resources in our community and join us in supporting them during these unprecedented times.

THEATRE

Cincinnati Ballet has introduced CB at Home. Enjoy free, engaging content – from live online classes to excerpts from past performances and rehearsals, all on the Cincinnati Ballet website. Join the Cincinnati Ballet live on Facebook every Wednesday at 1:00 PM for Pilates with Company Dancer Jacqueline Damico Amador or you are welcome to enjoy a pre-recorded session.


Playhouse in the Park is committed to the belief that art helps to keep us connected and spread joy, even in the midst of uncertainty. So they’ve gathered a list of suggestions on ways to continue experiencing art, from home. Also, don’t miss their new series, Monologues of Hope, which features original works by ten local playwrights, each performed on video by a local actor.

Posted on

Virtual Music and Concerts from Our Beloved Cincinnati Arts Community

As some businesses in the Cincinnati area are reopening their doors, the doors to our local art institutions remain closed. Thankfully, many of them have expressed their creativity in new ways by offering a myriad of virtual events, performances, lessons, and more. In many ways this has expanded opportunities for the public to enjoy our local arts, especially for those with mobility and accessibility issues. At Robinson Sotheby’s International Realty, we hope that you will continue to appreciate the wonderful cultural resources in our community and join us in supporting them during these unprecedented times.

CONCERTS

Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra: Now you can listen to performances by the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra from the comfort and convenience of your own home or wherever you are. The CCO has also made available a collection of videos featuring interviews with their musicians, featuring musical demonstrations or performances.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: Let the music play. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra invites you to share strength and comfort through music with a number of ways you can enjoy the Orchestra at home. Live event streaming, recordings of concerts, daily learning activities and lessons, CSO Fanfare podcasts, and more are all available now on the CSO website.

Posted on

Virtual Fine Art Happenings from Our Beloved Cincinnati Arts Community

As some businesses in the Cincinnati area are reopening their doors, the doors to our local art institutions remain closed. Thankfully, many of them have expressed their creativity in new ways by offering a myriad of virtual events, performances, lessons, and more. In many ways this has expanded opportunities for the public to enjoy our local arts, especially for those with mobility and accessibility issues. At Robinson Sotheby’s International Realty, we hope that you will continue to appreciate the wonderful cultural resources in our community and join us in supporting them during these unprecedented times.

FINE ARTS

Cincinnati Art Museum: Through CAM Connect, you can experience your Cincinnati Art Museum through creative programming online and via social media, with new content added daily. Its a s a fun, new resource where you can learn more about the permanent collection, engage with staff and fellow art-lovers, and take part in fun art-making activities.

For those who enjoy the great outdoors, the CAM Art Climb is now open. The Art Climb includes a 9-story staircase from the sidewalk near the intersection of Eden Park Drive and Gilbert Avenue that leads up to the front museum entrance. This innovative projects connects the museum to its neighbors and provides a space to incorporate outdoor artworks. At the top of the staircase, visitors will have an opportunity to access a large pavilion where they can enjoy a spectacular view of the city. Please note: Due to the steepness of the hillside the Art Climb is not ADA accessible. The top landing will be made ADA compliant with the addition of a ramp in the next phase.

Posted on

Happenings March and April

Please be aware that many events are being canceled or rescheduled in an effort to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Please check with the venue or event organizer for the most current information regarding cancellations or postponements. Above all, the safety and well-being of you and your family is our highest priority and therefore we urge you to follow the recommendations and guidelines issued by our our local, state, and national officials and the CDC. 

VISUAL ARTS

Now to June 21: El Greco: Ambition and Defiance This major exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago charts the career of El Greco, one of the most important artists of this or any era. An astounding 57 works are presented.  In fact, the painting above, Fifth Seal of The Apocalypse, was the inspiration for Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. 

March 27: Art After Dark at the Cincinnati Art Museum celebrates the opening of Gorham Silver: Designing Brilliance 1850-1970 with live music, food for purchase, specialty cocktails, and docent-led tours through the night.

April 4: Market Bleu is a quarterly event at the Contemporary Arts Center in which regional artists showcase and sell their products in the

CONCERTS

March 20: Meshell Ndegallo is a 10-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter. She blends soul, jazz, rock, R&B, funk, rap, and reggae. See her at Memorial Hall (MEMO).

March 26: Tab Benoit, a highly respected blues artist, comes to The Taft.   A musical sample.

March 27: Dave Simonett and Andrea Von Kampen bring some mellow vocals to the The Taft.

April 1: James McMurtry creates American folk songs with fully formed stories like Choctaw Bingo. See him at Century 21 Theater, Oakley.

April 3, 4: The CSO presents Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8, You can experience this cheerful yet subtly complex composition at beautiful Music Hall. Also featured:  So Percussion.

April 4: Shovels & Rope perform at the Ludlow Garage. This pared down, American folk duo have a dedicated following . Sample song.

April 5 – May 22: The May Festival is how we know it’s Spring in Cincinnati! Enjoy a wide variety of events including the May Festival Chamber Choir at the Basilica of Covington, Beethoven’s Ninth at Music Hall, and much more.

April 9: Billy Gilman has been recording since age 11. He was the second place runner-up in The Voice 2016. Hear his big voice at the Ludlow Garage.

April 9: Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin join their formidable talents for a special concert at MeMo. These artists have a combined 8 Grammy awards. Colvin won Song of the Year for Sunny Came Home.

April 14: Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers perform with the Cincinnati Pops at Music Hall.

April 18: A Flock of Seagulls had one humongous hit in 1982. For a broader perspective of their sound, see them at the Ludlow Garage.

April 23: Noted pianist, composer, writer Stephen Hough performs as part of the Xavier Classical Piano Series. This Renaissance man performs at MeMo.

THEATRE

March 20 – April 4: Falcon Theatre presents The Agitators, a riveting story of the friendship between Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass.

March 21 – April 5: The Carnegie Theatre presents End of the Rainbow, a funny drama portraying Judy Garland’s later day career. Includes many popular songs.

March 21 – April 26: Playhouse presents Actually. What did actually happen between slightly neurotic Amber and handsome Tom in their freshman year at Princeton in this age of consent?

March 28 – April 5: Cincinnati Ballet Company presents Snow White. A Family Series production and an ideal introduction to dance, even for the youngest family members. At the Aronoff.

April 2-5: College Conservatory of Music presents The Magic Flute. This opera is enhanced by the joy of seeing the incredible talent of these young performers. At the Patricia Corbett Theater.

April 3: Taft Theatre presents Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Your pre-schoolers will love this Fred Rogers Production company project.

April 4: MEMO presents Pete the Cat. With over 60 books, Pete the Cat is known and love by children. This performance will get them laughing.

April 10 – May 9: CincyShakes presents Hamlet. The intriguing intricacy of this classic of classics & drama of duplicitousness is an enchanting experience.

April 17 – May 9: Know Theatre presents Lasso of Truth, wherein the the origins of Wonder Woman are ascertained.

April 18 – May 16: Ensemble presents Photograph 51. Overlooked for her role in understanding DNA, the brilliant Rosalind Franklin is finally achieving the acclaim she deserves.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 21 – June 21: Butterflies of Bali. To one third of Cincinnatians, this is Spring’s premier event.

March 26: Opening Day. To another third of all Cincinnatians this is the premier event of Spring.

April 1 – April 30: Zoo Blooms. And to the final third of all Cincinnatians THIS is the premier event of Spring. Tunes and Blooms on each Thursday evening.

Whichever is your favorite event, or even if it’s all three, Spring is Sprung!

Posted on

Cincinnati Home + Garden Show

Robinson Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting in the 2020 Cincinnati Home + Garden Show. We are excited to be among the hundreds of other exhibitors plus the special celebrity guests from HGTV. Always a show stopper is the collection of elaborate landscape displays filled with colorful and fragrant flowers and greenery. There will be more than 10,000 sq. ft. of outdoor inspiration created by Cincinnati’s top landscapers.

Our exhibit is located in Booth #844, near the garden showcase area in the center of the showroom. Please stop by any time during regular show hours and feel free to stay as long as you like. You can relax in one of our comfortable lounge chairs, enjoy our video presentation featuring some of our newest listings, and enter a drawing to win a free home valuation. If there is an agent on duty when you stop by, please feel free to ask her or him any questions you may have. They are there to help you.

For more information about the Home + Garden Show, CLICK HERE. For discounted tickets to the show, CLICK HERE!

Posted on

Happenings February and March

VISUAL ARTS

Alexandre Farto VhilsFebruary 21 – July 6: The Contemporary Arts Center hosts an exhibition Alexandre Farto. Using the tag name Vhils, this Portuguese street artist is known for a break-through technique unlike any other. He also works in prints and other diverse media. Farto’s work been presented in museums and galleries in over 30 countries. View the CBS Sunday Morning profile.

February 28: Art After Dark at the Cincinnati Art Museum celebrates the opening of Romare Bearden‘s Profile Series: Something Over Something Else; a reuniting of thirty vibrant collages.

CONCERTS

February 22: Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra performs a FREE concert at the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Sensory Saturday.

February 29, March 1: The CSO presents Beethoven Akademie, a recreation of the legendary 1808 concert. It is being billed as a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience at beautiful Music Hall.

March 4: If you’re interested in hearing one of the icons of early 70’s rock, check out  Dave Mason at the lovely Memorial Hall: MEMO.  

March 10: Lauryn Hill has just one solo album, but hip-hop was changed when she dropped The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998. Lauryn has toured rarely, but she’s coming to The Taft.

March 11: Lady Smith Black Mambazo was rooted in our collective musical consciousness with Paul Simon’s album Graceland. Hear their  infectious harmonies at MEMO. See them here performing Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes with Paul Simon.

March 12: Country rock band; Whiskey Meyers comes to the The Taft. Here they are performing one of their most recent hits: Stone

March 12: Memorial Hall in OTR is the perfect venue for the Pavel Hass Quartet. Their performance at MEMO includes Beethoven and Bartok.

March 13: We hadn’t heard of Tommy Emmanuel so we were intrigued to see he was coming to The Taft. Turns out he’s an amazing guitarist.  Here’s a video of Tommy collaborating with Jason Isbell.

March 13: Delbert McClinton brings a big Texas sound to the Ludlow Garage with special guest Leroy Ellington’s Sacred Hearts.

March 13: If you like the sound of a jazzy saxaphone, David Sandborn is likely a favorite. You can see him at the Ludlow Garage.

March 13 & 14: The CSO presents Handel in Rome: The Delirium of Love, sung by Joelle Harvey at Music Hall. This musical evening includes a Vivaldi lute concerto and the delightful and spritely Zelenka Simphonie.

March 19: Rising artist Jon McLaughlin, with his infectious, heartfelt songwriting, comes to the Ludlow Garage. NOTE: Not to be confused with John McLaughlin.

February & March: The UC College Conservatory of Music offers a wide selection of concert performances that are free or request a small donation. Visit their calendar of events here.

THEATRE

February 28 – March 21: Know Theatre presents Alabaster. This new play is a paint box of emotional themes and, using the brushes and colors of folk art, paints a canvas of pain, loss, and redemption. (It’s more uplifting than it sounds.)

February 28 – March 28: CincyShakes presents Pride & Prejudice. Unique, delightfully different, fizzy & festive, are descriptions for this new production. You’ve never seen Jane Austen like this!

February 29 – March 8: Children’s Theatre presents Annie Jr.. for children ages 4 to 94. Annie Jr. warms the heart with positivity and determination in her quest to find her parents. The musical score is enchanting. At The Taft.

February 29 – March 28: Playhouse presents Destiny of Desire. Is it a musical? A comedy? A dance story? A mystery? It’s all that and more. This memorable melodrama will stir your every emotion.

March 7 – April 4: Ensemble presents Pipeline. A teacher’s passion for her students and her craft are set against a backdrop of a social environment that impacts her son.

March 13 – March 29: Mariemont Players presents Earth and Sky. This poetic thriller follows Sara as she threads her way through a lead laden labyrinth searching for clues to her lover’s murder.

CINCINNATI HOME AND GARDEN SHOW

February 22, 23 & February 27-March 1: The Home and Garden Show is a great way to get ideas, find contractors, or simply stroll through the many presentations. While there, please VISIT OUR BOOTH!! The Robinson Sotheby’s International Realty booth number is 644.

Posted on

Happenings January and February

VISUAL ARTS

The Taft Museum of Art presents N.C. Wyeth: New Perspectives: Enjoy 50 large scale paintings from the patriarch of one of America’s most prominent artistic families. NC Wyeth was a wonderful colorist and a major influence on Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood of the American Regionalism movement, which gained popularity during the Great Depression due to the style’s realistic depictions of relatable, heartland subject matter.  On exhibit February 8 through May 3.

Celebrate 2020 with a black and white party!  Art After Dark at the Cincinnati Art Museum on Friday, January 31. Theme: Monochromatic. A special exhibition presents the photography of Sohrab Hura, The photos offer a peek at life along the Mississippi River in 2016 from its confluence with the Ohio to the Louisiana delta.

CONCERTS

January 24-25: Schubert’s The Great (Symphony 9) is performed by the CSO. This once-lost masterpiece with cello concerto is truly inspiring. This symphony was envisioned one year after Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. A Ravel composition is included in this program.

January 31, February 1-2: The transcendent  Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin is given a new twist in this Cincy Pops event. Classics such as Porgy and Bess, American in Paris are also on the setlist.

February 4: Greensky Blugrass, winners of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition,  performs at Madison Theater.

February 7-8: CSO presents Ravel’s Enchantment. This is a fully staged production that blooms with illustrated animations and imagination.

February 14-15: Little Big Town, bring their four-part vocal harmonies and country sound to The Taft Theatre for two shows. Here’s one of their bigger hits: Boondocks.

February 16: Xavier University, presents Mak Grgic, noted classical guitarist to their Music Series in the Gallagher Theatre.  This will be a memorable musical evening.

THEATRE

January 17 – February 8: In the Night Time (Before the Sun Rises) is a thought provoking presentation at the intimate Know Theatre.

January 18 – February 15: The Ensemble Theatre presents Fortune. This supernaturally sweet and hilarious romantic comedy affirms the benefits of the unpredictability of life. Note: Some adult content.

January 24 – February 8: Falcon Theatre offers eight performances of the richly cast Blues For An Alabama Sky, an interesting intersection of the Harlem Renaissance and the Great Depression.

January 24 – February 15: Cincy Shakes presents All The Way – a political thriller portraying the efforts getting the Civil Rights Act passed during a turbulent time in the nation’s history.

February 20-23: College Conservatory of Music presents Partenope. In this opera, written by Handel, four rival suitors must navigate their way through mistaken identities as they vie for Queen Partenope’s hand in marriage.