With the wealth of arts opportunities around the Queen City, this week’s lineup will not disappoint. So get out your calendar and work some of that entertainment into it.
May 24 — Monday
concert:nova — "Carnival of the Animals"
The original music by Camille Saint-Saens is a staple among pieces programmed for children. For this performance, concert:nova has commissioned 15 short "animal" compositions — contemporary musical representations of these creatures. All will be brought to life by dancers from the Cincinnati Ballet.
8 p.m., Cincinnati Ballet Center, 1555 Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine concertnova.com
May 25 — Tuesday
Playhouse in the Park —"Ain’t Misbehavin’ "
A tribute to the black musicians of the 1920s and ’30s, this revue of rowdy, bawdy songs by Fats Waller represents the magical time when black culture and creativity began to flourish in what was known as the Harlem Renaissance. (It will stick around through May 29.)
7:30 p.m., Robert S. Marx Theatre
(513) 421-3888
May 26 — Wednesday
Women’s Committee for Cincinnati Riverfront Park — "Hats Off" Luncheon
This champagne reception followed by a gourmet luncheon gives you a chance to wear your favorite hat or an excuse to go buy one! The Women’s Committee has raised more than $700,000 for the park to be located between the stadiums, and the group is announcing a new initiative.
11 a.m,, Ault Park, Mt. Lookout
Reservations: (513) 357-2621
Taft Museum of Art — Evening in the Garden "A Crystal Celebration"
Enjoy dinner by the bite, wine and champagne surrounded by spectacular table settings and floral arrangements, plus the opportunity to purchase works of well-known local artists. Tickets are $75 and reservations are required.
6-9 p.m.
(513) 494-0595
cwill54303@aol.com TaftMuseum.com
May 27 — Thursday
Playhouse in the Park — "The Fantasticks"
This longest-running musical of all time is an intimate, timeless, allegorical tale of forbidden, youthful love and the perspective provided by maturation. It will run through June 20.
8 p.m., Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre, Mt. Adams
(513) 421-3888
May 28 — Friday
Two gallery openings in the up-and-coming DeSales Corner neighborhood of East Walnut Hills
PAC Gallery: "Untouched"
In this solo exhibition, Kevin White, one of the Visionaries and Voices (Northside) artists, communicates through a colorful Morse code of text, lines and dots. Snakes, reptiles and other animals are woven into map-like patterns telling imaginative stories reminiscent of Australian Aboriginal tribes. (It will run through June 27.)
5-8 p.m., 2540 Woodburn Avenue, E. Walnut Hills
(513) 321-5200
Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center — "GuideBook," contemporary collage and assemblage
This exhibit explores when ordinary things (or those not commonly considered artful) are suddenly seen as being sublime — a guidebook to a creative, enlightened way of seeing and being in the world. (It will run through June 25.)
6-9 p.m., 2727 Woodburn Ave., Walnut Hills
(513) 861-3638
College-Conservatory of Music/University of Cincinnati — Spring Dance Concert
Enjoy two famous works by revered choreographer George Balanchine, plus a world premiere by Shellie Cash and Charles Woodman combining video art with Vivaldi’s "Four Seasons." (Also check it out May 29.)
8 p.m., Corbett Auditorium
(513) 556-4183
May 29 — Saturday
Clifton Cultural Arts Center — "Old School"
Thesis exhibits will be on display from masters of fine arts students at UC’s College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning – one of the best programs of its kind in the country. (It will run through June 11.)
9-2 p.m.
(513) 497-2860
3711 Clifton Ave., Clifton
Country Club Gallery — "Peak and Flow" Abstract works of Fritz Chestnut
In his abstract paintings, Californian Fritz Chestnut, references waves, moving water, outer space, mudslides and molten lava. Part psychedelia, part color-field painting, he marries surfing zen with modernist abstraction, yielding a distinct California feel with saturated and sometimes garish fluorescent colors. This is the last day for this show!
10-5 p.m., 3209 Madison Road, Oakley
(513) 792-9744
Mariemont Players — "The Dixie Swim Club"
A 33-year saga of five female friends from college who meet each summer to re-kindle their friendships on a weekend free from husbands, children and responsibilities but full of laughter and sharing. (Also check it out at 2 p.m. May 30.)
4 p.m. and 8 p.m., Walton Creek Theater, 4101 Walton Creek Road, Mariemont
(513) 684-1236
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra — "Pop Goes Vegas"
Come join conductor Steve Reineke; the Pops; and a full cast of singers, dancers and showgirls as they bring the full flavor of a Las Vegas nightclub to Music Hall. (Also check it out at 8 p.m. May 28 and at 3 p.m. May 30.)
8 p.m., Music Hall
(513) 381-3300
May 30 — Sunday
College Conservatory of Music/University of Cincinnati — Studio Opera Series
"Die Fledermaus"(The Bat) by Johan Strauss II
This charming, farcical operetta comes from the composer of such famous waltzes as "The Blue Danube." Superbly talented graduate students in the CCM opera department provide the performances. Come see the future of opera singing at its best. (Also check it out at 8 p.m. May 28 and 29.)
2:30 p.m.
(513) 556-4183
PHOTO CREDITS
Photo courtesy of Express Cincinnati