UniverSoul Circus
You’re never too old for the circus, and the UniverSoul Circus offers A LOT to enjoy. It’s one of the most ethnically diverse and culturally modern circuses you’ll ever see, and it’s in town through this weekend. Go and tap into your inner child.
7 p.m. Thursday; 4 and 7:30 p.m. Friday; noon, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Jordan Crossing, Swifton Commons, 7030 Reading Road, # 298. $19-$30. www.universoulcircus.com
Sinbad
I feel like I’ve been laughing at this guy my entire life. No, not like that. Funny man Sinbad has been cracking up audiences with his standup act for more than three decades. Check his receipts: You’ll recognize his face from multiple TV shows and movies. He’s a legend, and he’s at the Taft Theatre on Friday.
8 p.m. Friday. Taft Theatre, 317 E. 5th St., Downtown. $40. tafttheatre.org
Florence Freedom Opening Night
Reds great Dave Concepcion will be on deck (see what I did there?) for opening night of the Florence Freedom’s season at home. There will be a Concepcion bobblehead giveaway, fireworks after the game and baseball, of course: The Freedom will play the Windy City Thunderbolts.
7:05 p.m. Friday. UC Health Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, Florence. $10-$15. www.florencefreedom.com
A Century of Cincinnati Whiskey
Sip a signature cocktail and learn about the Queen City’s rich whiskey history from New Riff Distilling historian and head distiller Jay Erisman at the Mercantile Library on Friday. Local mixologist Molly Wellmann will blend New Riff, George Remus, Boone County Distilling and Indian Creek Distillery whiskeys for you to drink. Also, taste four heritage brands while noshing on snacks from Picnic and Pantry.
5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday. The Mercantile Library, 414 Walnut St., Suite 1100, Downtown. $20 members. $25 non-members. Visit the event's Facebook page for more information.
Sip Wine on Fountain Square
I do so love my wine, which is why I’ll be going to Fountain Square this weekend for the Uncorked tasting event. Sample from more than 30 different types of wine, including local and regional favorites. Don’t worry about drinking on an empty stomach; there will be food pairings from Prime 47, too, as well as live music. And if you can’t wait until Friday for wine (I’ve been there), the Bacchanalian Society is hosting its spring tasting Thursday at the Cincinnati Museum Center to benefit MORTAR. Get details here.
Uncorked: 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets. $2 per tasting ticket (sold in $10 increments); one ticket = 2-ounce taste; three tickets = 8-ounce pour. Visit the event’s Facebook page for more information.
Maifest Times Two
It’s Maifest mania this weekend. The Germania Society’s Maifest kicks off Friday in Germania Park. It will feature traditional German food, including whole roasted pigs, reubens, wurst and pastries, plenty of German and local craft beer, live music, games and the crowning of the Mai Queen. Mainstrasse is hosting its own Maifest this weekend, with live music on four stages, arts and crafts, games and, of course, food and drinks, including a beer garden. It’s a festive atmosphere, so come prepared to have fun.
- Germania Society Maifest: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday; noon-midnight Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Germania Park, 3529 West Kemper Road, Colerain Township. $3. germaniasociety.com/maifest/
- Mainstrasse Village Maifest: 5-11:30 p.m. Friday; noon-11:30 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Mainstrasse Village, Covington. Free admission. www.mainstrasse.org
CincItalia
There’s another festival going on this weekend worthy of your time. CincItalia will celebrate Italian heritage, culture and cuisine at the Harvest Home Park Fairgrounds, offering live music, cooking demos, rides, games, folk dancers, wine tastings and food made by Italian restaurants and Cincinnati's Italian cultural societies. Proceeds benefit St. Catharine of Siena Parish and School in Westwood, San Antonio Italian Church and the Italian societies’ scholarship funds.
6 p.m.-midnight Friday; 3 p.m.-midnight Saturday; 1-9 p.m. Sunday. Harvest Home Park Fairgrounds, 3961 North Bend Road, Cheviot. www.cincitalia.org
I Hear Music in the Air
The annual I Hear Music in the Air gospel conference returns this weekend, and there are a lot of events to enjoy. For example, there’s a big concert Friday night at Inspirational Baptist Church featuring gospel stars such as Tye Tribbett, Ricky Dillard and Brian Courtney Wilson, and on Saturday the New Artist Showcase will offer less established singers their turn in the spotlight. There’s also a gospel choir sing-off on Saturday where Tri-State choirs will show off their vocals, and on Sunday, the Legends Ball offers a chance to break out your Sunday best. For the full schedule of events and ticket prices, go to www.ihearmusicintheair.com.
Asian Food Fest
Now in its sixth year, Asian Food Fest returns to Washington Park with a delicious variety of Asian cuisines, including Vietnamese, Thai, Filipino, Chinese and Malaysian. Wash down your food with local craft and Asian beer, and enjoy live entertainment and fun family activities. Bonus: The Secret Menu Booth will offer the chance to taste authentic dishes normally found only in Asian households.
4 p.m.-midnight Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission; small plates $2-$6. Donations will benefit the nonprofit Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati. www.asianfoodfest.org
Bonus: Loveland Food Truck Rally
If you’re in desperate need of a food truck fix, there will be more than 20 all in one place on Saturday. The Loveland Food Truck Rally will feature food trucks serving all kinds of yummy goodness, from Bones Brothers Wings to C'est Cheese to Cuban Pete Sandwiches to Hungry Bros. Buy, eat and repeat.
3-10 p.m. Saturday. Shopper's Haven Plaza, 675 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland. Free admission. business.lovelandchamber.org
