‘The Illusionists’ at the Aronoff
Bring some magic to your weekend by seeing “The Illusionists” at the Aronoff. The show, which mixes sophisticated magic and outrageous acts, is part of the Fifth Third Bank Broadway series.
7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Prices start at $30. www.cincinnatiarts.org
MixWells Bar & Discotech grand opening
Celebrate Mixwells’ grand opening, and first pride night, this Thursday in Northside. DJ Kenneth Wright is helping the bar and disco celebrate its opening. The Queens also will host two performances, the first at 11 p.m. and the second at 12:30 a.m.
8 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday. MixWells, 4169 Hamilton Ave., Northside. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Kathy Griffin
Emmy and Grammy award-winning comedian Kathy Griffin brings her unique style of standup Friday to the Taft Theatre. Griffin’s visit is part of a 50-city tour tied to the release of her second book, “Kathy Griffin’s Celebrity Run-Ins: My A-Z Index.”
8 p.m. Friday. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. $42.50-$62.50. tafttheatre.org
'Mandela: The Journey To Ubuntu' opening reception
Come celebrate the world premiere of “Mandela: The Journey to Ubuntu” this Friday at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center’s opening reception. The exhibit chronicles the life and legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela through photographs by Matthew Willman, who will speak at the reception. Willman will share his experiences while revisiting places in South Africa that were key to Mandela’s fight for freedom for both himself and fellow black South Africans living under apartheid. The Mandela exhibit will remain on display at the Freedom Center through Aug. 20.
5 p.m. Friday. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown. Free for Freedom Center members; $25 online; $10 for students. freedomcenter.org
RiverReel Film Festival
RiverReel is a new, two-day film and music festival presented by the Cincinnati Film Society. The event, held at the Mockbee, will showcase films, documentaries, short films and music videos by local, national and international creators. The Mockbee will host afterparties on Friday and Saturday; there also will be a festival brunch with live music from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
Starts at 3:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. The Mockbee, 2260 Central Parkway, West End. $65 VIP pass; $20 day pass; $10 brunch pass. cincinnatifilmsociety.org
Braxton Block Party: Second Anniversary
Braxton Brewing will celebrate its second year in business this Saturday with a community block party. To mark the occasion the brewery will release two new bottled beers, tap new beers on draft, feature four bands on stage throughout the day and host food trucks on-site.
Noon-11 p.m. Saturday. Braxton Brewing Co., 27 W. Seventh St., Covington. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
8Ball & MJG at OTR Live
Memphis, Tennessee, rappers 8 Ball & MJG will perform Saturday at OTR Live. It's been more than 20 years since the duo dropped their 1993 debut album and instant classic “Comin’ Out Hard.” With seven more albums since then, their discography is deep, so expect this show to take you back.
10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday. OTR Live, 209 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. $20 regular; $40 VIP. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Krohn Conservatory's 2017 Butterfly Show
Krohn’s annual spring show returns Saturday and continues daily through June 18. This year’s theme is Majestic Monarchs and will allow visitors to get up close and personal with a variety of butterflies at the Eden Park conservatory.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park. Adults: $7; youth (5-17): $4; children under 4: free. www.cincinnatiparks.com
Northside Tavern Anniversary Party
Come help Northside Tavern celebrate 15 years of business this Saturday. To mark the occasion the tavern will have drink specials from 5-9 p.m., food from Ruth’s Parkside Cafe starting at 6 p.m. and four bands on two stages beginning at 9 p.m.
5 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.