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Top 9 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Aug. 4-7

Posted at 2:21 PM, Aug 04, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-08 10:00:26-04

Lumenocity: Re-Imagine

Lumenocity is back for one last time but it will look a lot different this year. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has moved this year’s edition to the Taft Theatre, and there will be 10 shows Friday through Sunday. The CSO is also hosting a Lumenocity Block Party on Fifth Street from Sycamore to Broadway. It’s free and open to everyone and will feature food, beer and live art and entertainment throughout the weekend.

Here’s what to expect at this year’s Lumenocity, a preview of the show, things to know before you go and free ways to enjoy the show -- yes, free! And remember: WCPO and CET will broadcast the 9:40 p.m. Saturday show live. Coverage will start with a Lumenocity special at 9 p.m. Saturday, followed by the live show and the post-show "Afterglow." WCPO also will stream the 9:40 p.m. Saturday show on WCPO.com and the 9 On Your Side app.

  • Lumenocity: Re-Imagine: 8 and 9:40 p.m. Friday; 2, 3:40, 8 and 9:40 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown.  $12 for obstructed-view seating, $20 for unobstructed seating. lumenocity2016.com
  • Lumenocity Block Party: 7 p.m.-midnight Friday; 1 p.m.-midnight Saturday; 1-11 p.m. Sunday. The Lumenocity Block Party will be on Fifth Street, between Sycamore and Broadway. Free admission. 

Glier’s Goettafest

Goetta balls. Goetta sushi. Goetta fries. Get ready to stuff your face with one of Cincinnati’s favorite foods at Glier’s Goettafest this weekend on Newport’s Riverboat Row.

5-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Newport on the Levee, Newport.
www.goettafest.com

Cincinnati Craft Breweries' Volksfest

The crowd seems to grow each year that Listermann Brewing Co. hosts the Cincinnati Craft Breweries' Volksfest. More than 20 local breweries will come together Friday and Saturday for the fourth annual Volksfest, co-hosted by Cincideutsch, a local group dedicated to spreading the love of all things German. Named for the German word for people, “volk,” Volksfest will feature the largest gathering of local brews yet at an area beer festival. Available beers will lean toward lighter summer beers that pair well with the hot weather. There will be live music and food vendors on both days, too.

5 p.m.-midnight Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday. Listermann Brewing Co., 1621 Dana Ave. Free admission. For more details, visit the event's Facebook page.

Ohio River Paddlefest

Hundreds of canoes and kayaks are expected to paddle the new 8.9-mile course for this year’s Ohio River Paddlefest. The route goes from the Schmidt Recreation Complex to Gilday Riverside Park. After the race, the Finish Line Festival will feature live music, food trucks, beer and awards for racers. This year, organizers have added a new stand-up paddleboard race, the Central Coast Sup 4 the Cup. (P.S.: It’s too late to register in advance for the races, but you can still register on site. It’s also nice to simply watch them, too.)

  • Paddlefest: 6 a.m.-noon Saturday. Race starts at Schmidt Recreation Complex, 2944 Humbert Ave., and ends at Gilday Riverside Park, 3540 Southside Ave. www.ohioriverpaddlefest.org
  • Finish Line Festival: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Gilday Riverside Park. Free admission.

N.O.W. Fest

This is a festival for a cause. The N.O.W. Art and Music Festival, which is focused on raising awareness of shortages of clean and accessible water around the world, will bring a variety of art and music genres to 20th Century Theatre on Friday. Expect to hear performances by the Cliftones, Buggs Tha Rocka, Elementary Livity Project, MC Preach, J-Phunq, Hunting Agnes and others.

Starts at 7 p.m. Friday. 20th Century Theatre, 3021 Madison Road. Ages 18 and up. $10. www.now-fest.com
    
The Color Run Tropicolor World Tour

This may be the best you smell after a three-mile run. The popular Color Run series returns to the riverfront on Saturday to blast participants with a tropical array of colors and “island scents.” Palm trees and inflatable arches also will line the route, which leads to a “Rainbow Beach” dance party at the finish line.

9 a.m. Saturday. Parking Lot E, 425 W. Mehring Way, Downtown. Registration: $39.99. thecolorrun.com/locations/cincinnati/  

Chubb Rock and Monie Love

If you know all the words to “Treat 'Em Right” by heart, like I do, then get ready. Old-school rapper Chubb Rock is performing a free show as part of Washington Park’s Friday Flow music series. Even better -- he’ll be joined by the iconic Monie Love. Now try to get “Monie in the middle / (Where she at?) / In the middle” out of your head for the rest of the afternoon.

7-10 p.m. Friday. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St. Free admission. For more details, visit the event’s Facebook page. 

All-White Boat Ride

This one is for grown folks only. Break out your best white outfit for the All-White Boat Ride on the Belle of Cincinnati on Friday. There will be three levels of music, featuring DJs Perry Simmons and Shawn Kelly, and Terri Whitlow & The Show. Dress to impress, and prepare to dance.

11 p.m. Friday. Belle of Cincinnati, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport. $55; couples $100. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page. 

Milford Street Eats

More than 20 food trucks will be serving at the Milford Street Eats Festival. Wash down the eats with beer from Mount Carmel, MadTree, Urban Artifact, Ei8ht Ball and Old Firehouse breweries. Buzz Bin and 4 On the Floor will provide the music.

3-10 Saturday. 701 Chamber Drive, Milford. Free admission. www.milfordstreeteats.com