'Beautiful: the Carole King Musical'
Don’t know who Carole King is? You should. “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at the Aronoff tells the life of King, a singer and songwriter who spent decades writing iconic songs such as “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” “Child of Mine” and “I Feel the Earth Move.” The musical is part of Fifth Third Bank’s Broadway in Cincinnati series.
Through May 14. Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Tickets start at $30. www.cincinnatiarts.org
May the Fourth Be With You
The Force is strong in Cincinnati this weekend with multiple events celebrating May the Fourth, the unofficial “Star Wars” holiday. “May the Fourth Be With You -- Episode II: An Art Tribute Show of a Galaxy Far, Far Away” will showcase local artists’ “Star Wars”-inspired work at the Brew House in Walnut Hills. There will be comedy improv, stormtroopers and more than 50 pieces of art at the event.
5-11 p.m. Thursday, Brew House Cincinnati, 1047 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Other “Star Wars”-themed events:
- May the Fourth Star Wars celebration at the Play Library: 4-9 p.m. Thursday. 1517 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
- May the Fourth Be With You at HobbyPop Shop: 3-8 p.m. Thursday. 7723 Five Mile Road, Anderson Township. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
- May the Fourth Be With You bike ride: 7-10 p.m. Thursday. Harvest Home Fair, 3961 North Bend Road, Cheviot. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
- Star Wars Day celebration at Darkness Brewing: 7-11:30 p.m. Saturday. 224 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cincinnati Reds 'Star Wars' Weekend
The Cincinnati Reds will find themselves in the middle of the galactic fight between good versus evil when the team takes on the San Francisco Giants this Friday and Saturday at Great American Ball Park. During those games, fans can nab a limited-edition stormtrooper bobblehead by purchasing the "Star Wars"-themed ticket package. The Reds' regular post-game fireworks show will be set to "Star Wars" music, followed by a free concert by Kaleo. On Saturday, the first 20,000 fans at the ballpark will get a free "Star Wars" Reds T-shirt. Characters from the movie will be at the ballpark both days.
6:40 p.m. Friday; 7:10 p.m. Saturday. Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. $30-$55. www.reds.com
Cincinnati Rollergirls 'Star Wars' Night
The Cincinnati Rollergirls will bring the battle between the light and dark sides of the Force to life Saturday when the Black Sheep squad takes on the Beckley Area Derby Dames. A match between the Violent Lambs squad and Dollhouse Derby will follow. The evening also includes inflatable lightsaber giveaways for kids, a commemorative Cincinnati Rollergirls "Star Wars" Night magnet and a limited-edition CRG "Star Wars" Night T-shirt. Iconic "Star Wars" characters also will be on hand.
6-9:30 p.m. Saturday. Schmidt Field House, 3900 Winding Way, Evanston. $5-$12. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Classical Roots 2017
Celebrate African-American musical heritage this Friday with Classical Roots at Crossroads Church in Oakley. This year’s annual concert will feature performances by Grammy and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo, the Cincinnati Symphony, Classical Roots Community Choir, the CSO Nouveau Chamber Players and the Sons of Serendip.
7:30 p.m. Friday. Crossroads Church, 3500 Madison Road, Oakley. $15-$50. cincinnatisymphony.org
Viva la Frida: a Cinco de Mayo fiesta
Cincinnati Opera Center Stage and the Cincinnati Art Museum are putting a fresh twist on Cinco de Mayo by celebrating the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The groups will blend Mexican cuisine from local restaurants, music and dancing at the museum.
6-9 p.m. Friday. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. $5 in advance; $10 at the door. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cincy-Cinco on Fountain Square
Enjoy three days of Latin food, dance and music on Fountain Square during the 14th annual Cincy-Cinco Latino Festival. This charity event raises funds for multiple organizations that support Greater Cincinnati’s Hispanic population.
6-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown. Free. www.cincy-cinco.com
More Cinco de Mayo events
- Cinco de Mayo at Five Points Alley: 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday. Five Points Alley, 2425 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
- Cinco de Nada: 3 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday. Nada, 600 Walnut St., Downtown. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
- Cinco de Mayo at Frida 602 with Rhinegeist Brewing: 11:30 a.m.-midnight Friday. Frida 602, 602 Main St., Covington. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
- Kiss107 Cinco De Mayo Party at Jekyll: 3 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Friday. Jekyll, 28 Fountain Square, Downtown. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Kentucky Derby parties
Sip mint juleps while watching the Run for the Roses this Saturday at one of these Kentucky Derby watch parties:
- The Hotel Covington, located at 638 Madison Ave. in Covington, is hosting its derby party 2-8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $5-$75. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
- Belterra Park Gaming in Anderson Township is hosting its annual derby party from 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday. The event is free to attend. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
- The Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, at 629 Main St. in Covington, is not only hosting a derby party, it is also celebrating five years in business. The party runs from noon to midnight with Old Forester mint juleps, cocktail specials, Old Forester birthday bourbon features and a free lunch. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
- The second annual Queen City Derby Party kicks off at the Anderson Pavilion at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The party is designed to bring together professionals to get to know one another while enjoying food, music and dancing. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
- Parkers Blue Ash Tavern, located at 4200 Cooper Road in Blue Ash, is hosting its fourth annual Kentucky Derby fundraiser 3:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds from the $15 admission will go to the Winton Woods Riding Center, home of the Hamilton County Special Olympics Equestrian Program. http://parkersblueash.com
Flying Pig Marathon festivities
For one weekend in May pigs really do fly in the Queen City. The 19th annual Flying Pig Marathon festivities start at noon Friday with the race expo at Duke Energy Convention Center, followed by the Little King Mile run at 8 p.m. at the Banks. Family-friendly events continue Saturday with kids fun runs, 5K and 10K races and even a “Flying Fur” pet dash. On Sunday, starting at 6:30 a.m., cheer on those running the full and half marathons. For more information visit the Flying Pig website.
