Incubus at Riverbend
Incubus hit the road this summer to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its first major record label debut. Jimmy Eats World and Judah and the Lion will open for Incubus when the band's anniversary tour comes to Riverbend on Thursday. Enjoy Billboard favorites such as “Drive” and “Megalomaniac,” along with the band’s new single “Nimble Bastard.”
6:45 p.m. Thursday. Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. $29.50-$99.50. www.riverbend.org
Cincinnati Music Festival
For more than half a century the Cincinnati Music Festival (originally called the Ohio Valley Music Festival) has drawn thousands to the Queen City. Organizer Joe Santangelo promises this year’s festival will be its biggest yet, thanks in no small part to headliners Mary J. Blige and Usher. Though the festival’s kickoff night, Throwback Thursday, is sold out, tickets are still available for Friday and Saturday.
7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Paul Brown Stadium, 1 Paul Brown Stadium, Downtown. $60-$150. www.cincymusicfestival.com
July Art After Dark: Lei'd Back Luau
Time to break out your favorite grass skirt for this month’s Art After Dark at the Cincinnati Art Museum. The Cliftones will bring their reggae sounds as vendors pour specialty cocktails. Eli’s BBQ and the Terrace Cafe will dish out the food. Access to the museum also will be available during the event.
5-9 p.m. Friday. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Renaissance Covington Presents: The Farm to Bar Cocktail Competition
Vote for the best cocktail made with Covington Farmers Market produce and Watershed Distillery's vodka or Four Peel gin this Saturday. Bartenders from the Globe, the Hannaford, Hotel Covington and Inspirado will make unique cocktails that people can sample and vote on for a $1 a drink. Can’t make it to the market? No worries: Voting and cocktail mixing will continue at each bar throughout August before Renaissance Covington announces the winning drink.
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. The Covington Farmers Market, Third and Court streets, Covington. $1 cocktail samples. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Little Kings Draftstravaganza
All hail the king, baby. After more than a decade-long hiatus Little Kings will return to the tap at Arnold’s Bar and Grill on Friday. Cincinnati’s longest-operating bar is celebrating this momentous occasion with a “draftstravaganza.” Get a taste of the ale, which is typically served in 7-ounce bottles, in 8-ounce draft glass pours. And FYI: For now, Arnold’s is the only place to get Little Kings on draft.
6-11 p.m. Friday. Arnold’s Bar and Grill, 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cincinnati Fashion Night
See the latest fashion by local designers while sipping cocktails made by local mixologist Molly Wellmann at Krohn Conservatory this Friday. Indulge in light bites and shop at local business pop-ups during the event, too.
6-9 p.m. Friday. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. $20-$30. www.eventbrite.com
Cincy Soul
Cincy Soul returns Downtown this weekend for its second year. Organizers have added a second day to the festival, which showcases 38 black-owned local restaurants. Saturday also will feature live entertainment at Fountain Square by neo-soul singer Dwele, hip-hop legend Special Ed, Vondale and DJ Vader Mixx, in partnership with Vibe Cincinnati. On Sunday, singer-songwriter, producer and musician El DeBarge will perform as well.
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; Noon-7 p.m. Sunday. East Fifth Street between Vine and Walnut streets. www.cincysoulblacktaste.com
Dangerwheel 2017
Do you have a need for speed? Then check out the third annual Dangerwheel. This adult downhill big wheel race pits teams of adults against each another on the slope of East 12th Street in Pendleton. After the races (or during since they go on all day), enjoy beer on tap and eats sold by onsite food trucks. And watch out for 96Rock: The radio station will be mingling among the crowd.
Noon-11 p.m. Saturday. Nation Kitchen and Bar, 1200 Broadway St., Pendleton. dangerwheel.squarespace.com
Tiny Desk Showcase
Public radio station 91.7 WVXU will present its Tiny Desk Showcase at the Southgate House Revival on Saturday. Hear performances by Anew to Wander, Elk Creek, Greg Mahan, Jack Burton Overdrive, Jen Creasey, JetLab, Knotts, MEGA PIXEL, Nick Kizirnis, The Matildas, Emily Parker, Maurice Mattei, Brianna Kelly, Adam Stone, Lauren Eylise and Tooth Lures a Fang. The event is limited to people ages 18 and older.
9 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport. $12-$15. Ages 18 and older. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Bonus event: The Rhined grand opening
Find your new favorite locally produced cheese on Friday when the Rhined hosts its grand opening celebration in Over-the-Rhine. The artisanal cheese and provision shop focuses on sourcing its dairy selection from regional farms. And what pairs better with cheese than wine? Thankfully, the Rhined will offer $5 pours of cava (Spanish wine) during its event, along with other drink specials until 8 p.m.
2-8 p.m. Friday. The Rhined, 1737 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
