Ale to the Queen City, November 23 and 24, will feature more than 20 local craft beers, signature Cincinnati dishes, and live music. The outdoor event will take place on Mehring Way between Elm Street and the Roebling Bridge. Coffee and hot chocolate will also be served, with the option to add some holiday “spirits.”

The festival is a celebration of Cincinnati, the holiday season and the region’s rich brewing heritage. It’s the perfect time to meet up with friends and family to keep Thanksgiving weekend going!  

Ever wonder how brewers invent new beers or come up with those beer names? Curious about home brewing? You can quench your thirst for knowledge at the event as you hear stories and ask questions about the Cincinnati region’s favorite beers during “Tales & Ales” sessions. 

Info

• Beer tickets: To be purchased on site and are $1 each. 1 ticket = 3 oz. sample or 5 tickets = full-size beer. 

• Hours: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.

• Web: www.aletothequeencity.com for complete event information and a list of participating breweries.

 

An expected 500 artists will donate original pieces to support the nonprofit’s mission.

ArtWorks’ signature fall event, Secret ArtWorks, returns on Friday, November 16, 2018 from 7–10 p.m., at The Banks. Secret ArtWorks showcases artistic talent from Greater Cincinnati and beyond in the form of a hundreds of 5×7-inch works of art that will be up for sale at the event. This party plays host to art lovers and patrons including Cincinnati’s most enthusiastic art connoisseurs, city leaders and young professionals.

ArtWorks has been collecting the art pieces that will be for sale at the event. The organization is expecting to collect over 800 individual pieces for the event.  Secret ArtWorks keeps the identity of the artists under lock and key until the secret works of art are purchased. Guests at the event select their mini masterpiece based only on what the piece looks like. A voucher is included in most ticket levels.

New this year, ArtWorks is working with six local art curators to create unique selections. Curators include, Allison Banzhaf, Amanda Carlisle of Wooden Hill, Barbara Hauser of Red Door Project, Cal Cullen of Wave Pool, David Smith of Marta Hewett Gallery, and Sara Vance Waddell.  “We love that the event supports both ArtWorks and so many local artists,” said Hauser of P&G Cincinnati Community Relations and co-chair of Secret ArtWorks. “Cincinnati is such a hub of creative talent, that is why I started the Red Door Project four years ago and am thrilled it will be part of the event.”

All proceeds support ArtWorks’ year-around programming. This year ArtWorks has employed 175 Youth Apprentices and 69 Teaching Artists to complete 30 projects, including 13 permanent murals and more. Annually, ArtWorks invests close to $800,000 directly into paycheck for emerging talent and visuals artists in the region.

 “ArtWorks is here to create a region where everyone benefits from incredible art,” said Tamara Harkavy, ArtWorks CEO and artistic director. “Secret ArtWorks highlights the creative genius of our community and invites everyone to celebrate it.”

 The event sponsors include The Enquirer/Cincinnati.com, Fifth Third Bank, Procter and Gamble, Cincinnati Reds and Huntington Bank. Catering partners include Jeff Thomas Catering, Essen, Injoy, Taste of Belgium, Jefferson Social, Heidelberg Distributing, Rhinegeist Brewery and Watershed Distillery.

Tickets for the November 16 event range from $50 – $1,500. Many ticket prices include food and drink tickets and vouchers to select a Secret work of art. Entertainment will be provided by Penny Tration, AfroChine, DJ Pillo, Aryn Fox and a photobooth by Floyd Johnson of OATW. Secret ArtWorks will be held at 145 Second Street East (the former Howl at the Moon location). For more information and tickets visit ArtWorksCincinnati.org.

Mecklenburg Gardens is hosting their 1st Annual Harvest Dinner! Come join the festivities on November 9th. Ticket includes admittance to the event along with a full pig roast featuring fall and german sides.They will also be featuring 3 local breweries with their seasonal biers on tap. Enjoy live music from the Polka Warriors all night! Your ticket will automatically enter you in for door prizes as well.

Ticket prices are $24 for adults, $12 for kids (10 and under). The event takes place Friday Nov. 9,  from 7 to 10:00 p.m.  See you there!  

 

Art Beyond Boundaries, invites you to attend the opening reception of our 13th annual inclusive show, ‘Changing Perceptions: Harmony’ on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 6 to 9 pm. The Changing Perceptions series, which features the work of artists with and without disabilities, has continually grown in popularity as one of the regions’ most vibrant fine art exhibits. The exhibition will run until Friday, January 11, 2019.

Art Beyond Boundaries will have a variety of paintings, sculptures, photography, and other media. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Join us to experience the original art and meet the featured artists.  Admission is free.

Art Beyond Boundaries provides a professional, mainstream fine arts exhibition venue for artists with disabilities, located at 1410 Main Street in the historic Over-the-Rhine arts district. With your support, we can continue providing a gallery, workshops, programs, and services for our artists and people with disabilities. For more information, “friend” or “follow” the gallery on FaceBook , Twitter, Instagram, and/or contact the gallery.

 

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Banks in Cincinnati, SkyStar, a 150-foot-high mobile observation wheel is open through December 2. SkyStar will operate on Freedom Way at The Banks, across from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

“SkyStar is America’s largest portable observation wheel and it lights up the sky with over 1 million colored LED lights,” said Todd Schneider of SkyStar. “This experience provides unique views of downtown Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, the Suspension Bridge and the Ohio River.” 

Each of the 36 gondolas is enclosed, climate controlled and can hold up to six passengers. Skystar offers a private experience and riders won’t be paired with strangers. The SkyStar experience consists of four revolutions and lasts approximately 12 minutes.

“SkyStar will inject even more excitement into our Ale to the Queen City Thanksgiving weekend craft beer festival, Bud Light Tailgate Zone pre-game Bengals parties and more,” added Cynthia Oxley, director of Corporate and Community Events for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.”

“Our restaurants and retailers are excited to welcome new visitors and bring a new view to those who have loved The Banks for years,” said Tracy Schwegmann of Jeffrey R. Anderson Real Estate, developer of The Banks. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Banks in a sky-high way.”

Hours

Monday through Thursday – 4 to 10 p.m. 

Friday – noon to midnight

Saturday – 10 a.m. to midnight

Sunday – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Tickets are $12.50 each and available now at www.skystarwheel.com.

I just love my weekend getaways…..and this trip was Louisville!  What a great time, filled with great food, bourbon, and shopping!

We headed on down on a Friday afternoon, checked in to the Seelbach Hotel (our Louisville resting spot of choice!), then headed over before the impending storms to 8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen, an incredible indoor-outdoor all glass drinking and eating experience.  We were wowed!  Grabbed an awesome table outside to admire the skyline and have a cocktail and bites to eat.  Chef James Moran, the Executive Chef, greeted us with his innovative and scrumptious plates for the BEST happy hour. The drinks were wonderful, and his food……plate after plate of yumminess!  From the grilled octopus, the beef tartare, to the pizza, and the desserts.  AMAZING.  GO.  

After lounging at the hotel for a bit (splurge for the “Concierge Level” at the Seelbach….totally worth it!), we headed over to Le Moo, a famous Louisville spot known for the incredible cuts and varieties of beef.  We were seated in the Louis Vuitton booth, luxuriously surrounded by everything Louis, from the bench, to the wall, table…everything!  Way cool.  Dinner and desserts were delicious, and they do a great thing for birthdays!  Trust me on this, the older you are…the better!  

Saturday was the “Bourbon tasting” day.   We started at Rabbit Hole Distillery, a brand new, beautifully appointed facility right in Downtown Louisville.  Our hostess was informative and enjoyable, giving tons of info without overwhelming.  At the end of the tour it was tasting time.  Interactive and a definite favorite of all the Bourbon lovers at our table.

After a quick bite at Lilly’s Bistro (what a gem!  All farm-to-table…one dish better than the next!), we then headed over to Old Forester Distillery.  We had never been to a distillery that made their own barrels.  If you’ve never seen this, it’s super impressive!  Of course, the tour was finished with a tasting…great variety in Bourbons…don’t miss this tour!

Shopping.  There’s always time for it.  ALWAYS.  Our favorite gallery is CRAFT(s) Gallery & Mercantile at the corner of 4th and Chestnut…just down the street from The Seelbach.  The best collection of art and whimsical pieces!  There was an art opening the night before where we spied an awesome llama painting… came back on Saturday and purchased.  I’m in love.  He’s my new favorite animal and can’t wait to see him in all his glory hanging on the wall!

Food, food, food.  More food.  Off to Proof on Main, tucked away in the 21c hotel, surrounded by the incredible art of the hotel lobby and spaces around it.  Another incredible dining experience!  Course after course of great bites.

We got up Sunday morning and knew it was almost time to head back.  Brunch was a must, so we went to Harvest.  A repeat from years ago, and well worth it!  The restaurant is decorated with large portraits of all the farmers they buy product from.  All local and wonderful.  We all ordered something different so we could sample it all.  So much food.  Sooo good.

Another food and fun-filled weekend getaway.  Go to Louisville.  Be sure to save all my recommendations for your visit….you’ll be very pleased, I promise.

—Patty Youkilis, Publisher