Fifty West Punch Out
Fifty West Brewing Co. is offering a slightly different take on the traditional beer festival. Ten fighters from eight local breweries will go toe-to-toe in a professional boxing ring. Don't worry, there also will be more than 50 local brews on tap as well.
4 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Fifty West Production Works, 7668 Wooster Pike. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. For more information visit the event's page on Facebook.
Bacon, Bourbon & Brew Festival
I consider bacon a food group, and bourbon is my inner “spirit” animal. (See what I did there?) So when a festival spotlights two of my favorite things, I take notice. The Bacon, Bourbon and Brew Festival will feature bourbon tastings, treats such as bacon scallops, bacon shrimp, deep-fried bacon PB&Js and bacon-wrapped fried Oreos, local beer, live music and games.
5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Riverboat Row, Newport. Free admission. www.facebook.com/baconbourbonandbrewfestival
Here are two prime recommendations from WCPO music contributor Gil Kaufman.
Paul McCartney
Former Beatle Paul McCartney is bringing his One On One tour to U.S. Bank Arena on Sunday, marking the second time in six years he has played Cincinnati. If early set lists are any indication, fans can expect to hear his first solo performances of “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Love Me Do,” as well as rarities like “The Fool on the Hill” and “I’ve Got a Feeling.”
8 p.m. Sunday. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St. $39.50-$253. usbankarena.com
Sonny and the Sunsets
Sometimes it feels good to get out of the sun and into a dark nightclub for some kid-free entertainment. While Over-the-Rhine's MOTR has free music every night of the week, this show by San Francisco musician/poet Sonny Smith is sure to be one of the most rockin' things you can do for zero dollars this summer, thanks to Smith's patented blend of doo wop, beach pop and a touch of wink-wink humor.
Time TBD, Friday. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission. motrpub.com
Cincinnati Opera’s ‘Fidelio’
And here’s a recommendation from WCPO arts writer Rick Pender: Beethoven wrote a lot of memorable orchestral music but just one opera. The powerful drama of "Fidelio" is part of Cincinnati Opera’s 2016 season. It’s an ode to freedom and the struggle for justice revolving around a man who has been unjustly imprisoned. Metropolitan Opera star Christine Goerke plays the role of the prisoner’s heroic devoted wife, Leonore, who goes to extreme measures to save the man she loves. (And remember: You have two more chances left to see Cincinnati Opera’s production of “Fellow Travelers.”)
7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday. Aronoff Center for the Arts, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St. $39-$169. www.cincinnatiopera.org
Cherrelle
Longtime R&B singer Cherrelle (yes, that Cherelle) will headline Washington Park’s Friday Flow concert series on Friday. Even if she only sings “Everything I Miss at Home," it’ll be worth going to this show.
7-10 p.m. Friday. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St. Free admission. For more details, visit the event page on Facebook.
Mid-Day Mingle
The weather is perfect for this Saturday’s Mid-Day Mingle at Longworth’s. There will be two DJs spinning on the rooftop and patio, plenty of beautiful people to dance and flirt with, and food and drinks, too.
4-9 p.m. Saturday. Longworth’s, 1108 St. Gregory St. Free admission. For details, visit the event page on Facebook.
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Summer Series
The KSO performed its first summer park concerts in 1995, and they've become a family-friendly Northern Kentucky tradition. The KSO’s Boogie Band kicks off this year's three-concert series with “Pop Fitty,” re-creating the studio sounds of a half-century of Top 40 hits — from 1966-2016 and from the Beatles to Bruno Mars. There'll be food trucks on hand, too.
7:30 p.m. July 9. Devou Park, Covington. Free admission; donations are encouraged. kyso.org
Second Sunday on Main
Summer street festival Second Sunday on Main is celebrating Pride for this month’s edition. There will be entertainment throughout the day, including dance performances, live music and a drag queen contest.
Noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Main Street from 12th to Liberty. Free. secondsundayonmain.org
