If there’s one thing that’s certain about Cincinnati, this is a sports town.

Its passion for the Reds and Bengals is well known. UC and Xavier aren’t far behind. There’s the Cyclones and Freedom, too. And you can’t talk about Cincinnati sports without mentioning high school athletics.

But if there’s one segment that’s gone underserved, it’s that of the soccer fan.

There have been numerous attempts to kick start the beautiful game, but none had all the attributes to truly be successful. Some lacked connections to Cincinnati establishment or were short on sports business savvy. Most went without adequate financial backing. And none ever had star power or a facility that properly felt, well, professional.

So while passion for soccer has always lived on the banks of the Ohio, without all of that, success proved elusive.

FC Cincinnati want to change that.

Kicking off their inaugural season in the USL, FC Cincinnati are aiming to become the city’s third major league franchise.

Long-time Cincinnati Bengals executive and former city councilman Jeff Berding provides legitimate big league experience. Too, Berding’s relationships within the city have proven invaluable. Joining him is Cincinnati businessman, philanthropist and majority owner, Carl Linder III. Linder’s involvement supplies the type of backing rarely seen in American soccer, nevermind Cincinnati.

Also on board is the University of Cincinnati. Recently renovated Nippert Stadium will instantly rank among the USL’s finest stadiums.

Furthermore, US National Team legend John Harkes will be their first head coach. His name recognition has helped attract top talent, fans and media.

With a well-connected frontman, well-funded ownership, a world class facility, a star coach and a competitive side, FC Cincinnati seemingly check all the boxes that their predecessors couldn’t.

But the question remains: will the city embrace them?

The rise of several independent supporters groups would indicate ‘yes’. Die Innendstadt, The Pride and The Den want to provide the vibrant, energetic support seen at clubs around the world. If successful, they could have an enormous impact on the club reaching their targeted 10,000 fans per game. An undefeated preseason and partnerships with local youth clubs could also make that attainable. With several weeks until their April 9^th opener, they’ve already sold over 4,200 season tickets.

So the pieces appear to be falling into place for Cincinnati to finally get the soccer team it deserves. Now, it’s up to the fans to show how much they want it.

 

 

 

 

My first glimpse of her,

through rising river steam and

teasing sculptured curves,

was everyman’s dream.

 

My eyes swept her ample mounds

Surrounding central crests

And ancient, old world amenities;

There are others, but she’s the best.

 

From that first moment, I was in love.

Her friendly warmth and inviting way

Has kept me coming back for more.

To fill an insatiable need to play.

 

The heart and soul of this beauty,

Like a theater in the round,

Is most sophisticated and vibrant

With an excitement so profound.

 

Statuesque and pillared, yet modern.

Fed by flowing ribbons of diversity;

Ethnic, religious and political,

Like a free and good University.

 

Powerful leaders Taft, Harrison and Stewart;

And Sabin, Crosley and Stowe of fame;

Plus the old money of Kroger, Corbett and Gamble;

Can only mean…Cincinnati is her name.

 

By Chuck Klein ©2016

 

 

 

Peanuts, popcorn, hot dogs…that’s just the same-old same-old ballpark food. Want to chomp into something really different? Try the new Mr. Red’s Smokehouse at the Great American Ball Park, brought to you by Cincinnati favorite Montgomery Inn.

For twenty years, you’ve been able to pick up a pulled pork or chicken sandwich at a Montgomery Inn stand at GABP, or dig into a rack of ribs when enjoying a private suite, but now you can watch the game while diving into your favorite Montgomery Inn favorites such as beef ribs, turkey legs, chicken wings and pulled pork sandwiches – fresh from the smokehouse! Side dishes abound too, with corn on the cob, mac & cheese and creamy coleslaw to round out your meal. There will also be rotating menu items, tied to a visiting team and it’s regional cuisine (“smoked cardinal”, anyone?).

You’ll find Mr. Red’s Smokehouse at the end of the first base concourse, overlooking the Ohio River. Fans can eat at high-top wooden tables instead of their seats if they choose, or even belly up to the bar for a cold beer.

Mr. Red’s Smokehouse was inspired by barbecue shacks around the country, and has been constructed from repurposed and locally-sourced materials such as rough-cut oak barn siding, reused industrial lumber logs and salvaged steel support columns. It’s got that authentic feel a smokehouse should have, complete with a bar made of polished concrete set on strapped wood barrels and beer kegs on ice in a bathtub salvaged from a renovated Over-the-Rhine building.

So if you’re sitting at the game, thinking that your appetite can’t be satisfied with just the usual suspects on the menu, stop by the new Mr. Red’s Smokehouse and get your barbecue on!

Cincinnati Post Photojournalist Melvin Grier will be reprising his exhibition, “White People: A Retrospective”, at Art Beyond Boundaries through May 15, 2016. Previously shown in 2011, this photography exhibit highlights Grier’s 33 years at the Post, when he often found himself to be the only man of color in the room.

Curated by Jymi Bolden of Art Beyond Boundaries, “White People” will present a stunning collection of photographs, depicting Grier’s immersion into the world of the majority and some of its more interesting characters. Seeing the world through the eyes of a minority, Grier has created a unique and riveting perspective; with over 30 years of collected works, he shows a side of humanity not everyone gets to see.

The Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery is a professional, main-stream fine art gallery where local and regional artists with disabilities display, market, and sell their artwork. The mission of the gallery is to promote awareness and understanding of artists with disabilities. The gallery strives to demonstrate to both the artists and the community that art transcends the limits of disabilities. They are located at 1410 Main Street in downtown Cincinnati.

Don’t miss out on this chance to see “White People: A Retrospective”-whether it’s for the first time or an encore viewing!

The Symphony Hotel welcomes you to Cincinnati, Ohio. Whether you are visiting from out of town, or want an in-town getaway and want to treat yourself to a five-course gourmet dinner any Friday or Saturday night, the ambiance can’t be beat!   The Symphony Hotel is a great place to find classical comfort, cozy surroundings, great bar scene, and wonderful, live music.

The Symphony Hotel’s main building was constructed in 1871, seven years before the completion of Cincinnati’s Music Hall. It was designed by a famous architect, James McLaughlin, who also designed the original McAlpin’s, Shillito’s, a wing of the Art Museum, Cincinnati Gas-Light & Coke Company, and the Cincinnati Public Library.

The Symphony Hotel is located just across from Cincinnati Music Hall, in OTR.   It’s the ideal location to enjoy a classical romantic getaway, eat an exquisite dinner, listen to live music, and experience the Opera, the Cincinnati Symphony, or the Pops Orchestra. Come back, stay overnight and wake up to the aroma of a gourmet breakfast.

The Symphony Hotel is award winning…. and was originally an old mansion. The building was restored into a boutique hotel where the rooms are named after famous composers: Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Schubert, Beech, Brahms, Mahler, and Copland.

What a gem right here in the Queen City……Cincinnati’s Premiere Boutique Hotel…come experience the wonder of The Symphony Hotel.

To know what’s happening in Cincinnati, look no further than the Cincinnati Arts Association, because whether you’re looking for theater, concerts, art or unique experiences, the Cincinnati Arts Association has their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in town.

The CAA was founded in 1992, and is not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.3 million students.

The CAA brings a wide variety of entertainment and culture to Cincinnati. Like Broadway shows? Newsies is about to open at the Aronoff Center for the Arts on March 1, and the end of the month will feature smash hit The Book of Mormon. If you prefer straight drama, The Diogenes Theater Company will be presenting Saint Joan through March 5 at the Aronoff and if it’s dance you like, the Exhale Dance Tribe will present Wohali on March 5. The CAA has just announced the 2016-2017 Broadway series, which includes The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid, and The Phantom of the Opera.

What about something off the beaten path? Try a Guided Ghost Tour of Music Hall. This icon building is well-known to paranormal enthusiasts, with activity dating back to the early 1800’s. And for those who appreciate art, the Weston Art Gallery is celebrating 20 years is business as well as featuring Canstruction 2016 in March.

Whatever your interests are, the CAA is sure to have something that fits the bill. Go to www.cincinnatiarts.org for more information and their calendar