Top 9 things to do in the Cincinnati-area this weekend

Video
Photo

The popular CCM fundraiser, “A Moveable Feast,” returns for a night of music, dance and theater for you to sink the sensory organs besides your teeth into, this year celebrating the theme “A Star is Born.” Photo provided.
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Previous Play Next

Regular Photo Size8/8

Posted: 01/18/2013

CINCINNATI - Looking for something fun to do this weekend? 9 On Your Side has teamed up with CityBeat to bring you the top nine picks!

1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be celebrated nationally on Monday, Jan. 21. Locally, Cincinnatians have the opportunity to celebrate Dr. King the entire holiday weekend from events at the Cincinnati Museum Center to a one-man show. For a list of the top nine Tri-State Martin Luther King Day events, go to http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/local_news/martin-luther-king-jr-day-local-events .

2. Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat show

It's hard to believe spring is just around the corner, but for those of you with cabin fever you can escape the winter blues by planning your next vacation at the Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show.

This year marks the 54th anniversary of the event, which features hundreds of vendors throughout the course of the show. From boats and motorcycles to golf and fishing, the event is "all about playing on the water, playing over water, playing in the water, and playing around the water!"

More than 400 companies will be on hand representing boats, marines companies and travel destinations.

Get details here (http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/entertainment/citybeat/cincinnati-travel-sports-and-boat-show-at-duke-energy-center) .

3. IceFest in Hamilton

With temperatures plummeting in the low 40s and 30s this weekend, it's the perfect weather condition for Hamilton's annual IceFest.

Hundreds of ice sculptures of every size created by Olympic, international and local carvers will be on display throughout downtown Hamilton.

The free family-friendly event is located on High Street at the Government Services Center and ends across the High-Main Street Bridge from Jan. 18-19. Nearly 40 tons of ice will be on display.

Find out more here (http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/entertainment/citybeat/hamiltons-icefest-kicks-returns-this-weekend) .

4. Friends of the Public Library winter sale!

When you’ve got a library system like ours, there’s absolutely no reason to spend your hard-earned cash on brand-new books, music and movies at big-box stores. It’s best to support the little guys and save a ton of money in the process by shopping local and used, and there’s no better way to do that right now than with the Friends of the Public Library’s annual Winter Warehouse Sale.

The sale returns with an 80,000-plus selection of used books, CDS, DVDs, audiobooks, a few vinyls and the elusive, highly coveted VHS. Most items are priced from $1-$4, but members of Friends of the Public Library receive 50 percent off on Saturday and Sunday. Joining on the spot is a great opportunity to support the library system’s array of community programs and activities. Proceeds from the book sale sponsor reading programs and help purchase new library items.

For details on the event visit http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/entertainment/citybeat/friends-of-the-public-library-winter-warehouse-sale .

5. Freestyle motocross show at U.S. Bank Arena.

If you're looking for some action-packed fun this weekend, you can't miss the Nuclear Cowboyz freestyle motocross event at U.S. Bank Arena.

The narrated event depicts the rivalry of two motocross tribes who use their freestyle moves to survive in a futuristic world. Pyrotechnics and a laser light show are also part of the performance.

The 2013 cast consists of freestyle motocross, trials and quad riders, including X Games gold and silver medalists Ronnie Faisst, Mile Mason and Taka Higashino, Winter X Games gold medalist Colten Moore, among many others.

For those who purchase a VIP ticket, enjoy free photo opportunities with the cast.

Get details here (http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/entertainment/citybeat/freestyle-motocross-show-at-us-bank-arena).

6. CityBeat's New Music Showcase

CityBeat’s New Music Showcase features six of Greater Cincinnati’s best local bands as they battle it out for audience votes, determining who will be crowned New Artist of the Year at the 16th annual Cincinnati Entertainment Awards the following week.

The bands include Jeremy Pinnell and the 55’s, DAAP Girls, Ohio Knife, The Natives, Public and Heavy Hinges.

For show times and ticket information visit http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/entertainment/citybeat/event-citybeats-new-music-showcase .

7. Comedian Keith Alberstadt at Go Bananas

Comedian Keith Alberstadt has always been sarcastic. “I was in a wine store,” he tells an audience, “and I couldn’t see the label very well so I asked the woman who was working there, ‘What year is this?’ ” The woman replied, ‘The wine?’ That’s when the sarcasm kicked in. ‘No ma’am. I am a time traveler. I am only here to beg you not to breakup with your boyfriend. Or I’ll never be born.’” The Nashville, Tenn., native has wanted to be a stand-up since hosting a talent show back in high school.

Alberstadt also had a stint as a sideline reporter for his college’s shoddy football team helped him retain a healthy sense of humor. He performs at Go Bananas in Montgomery this weekend.

Find out more here (http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/entertainment/citybeat/comedian-keith-alberstadt-at-go-bananas) .

8. CCM's 'A Moveable Feast'

The popular CCM fundraiser, “A Moveable Feast,” returns for a night of music, dance and theater for you to sink the sensory organs besides your teeth into, this year celebrating the theme “A Star is Born.” All around the CCM village, guests will enjoy backstage tours of CCM productions and plan their own samplings of 20-minute performances from several different CCM programs from Jazz to Drama to Opera, E-Media video productions and much more.

Highlight performances include the opening prelude performance of the Jazz Ensemble, dancers from CCM’s Musical Theatre program and a conclusion performance by the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Get details on the show here (http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/entertainment/citybeat/event-ccms-a-moveable-feast) .

9. Friends With Benefits silent auction

With few (exceptional) exceptions, to say that it’s financially challenging to work in the arts is an understatement. And unless one works for an organization or company that can afford medical insurance, emergency procedures can literally devastate one’s hopes and dreams for monetary stability.

When former members of Museum Gallery/Gallery Museum heard that their friend and collaborator Suzy Irwin was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, they wanted to ease some of her financial stresses by hosting a silent auction called Friends With Benefits. This coming Saturday, the gallery formerly known as MG/GM will open up the space, which has been closed since October 2012, to support Irwin and offer visitors the chance to scoop up some artwork by former members and friends of the gallery — good stuff for a good cause.

For details on the auction visit http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/entertainment/citybeat/art-friends-with-benefits-silent-auction .

Other things to check out this weekend:

Fusian Sushi has successfully filled a much-needed void for Downtown’s business lunch crowd with a quick, healthy sushi joint, pleasing customers in a fresh, Chipotle-style fast-casual atmosphere.

Read CityBeat's review here (http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/entertainment/citybeat/fusian-review-fast-casual-restaurant-rolls-up-quality-sustainable-quick-cuisine) .