The Afghan Whigs at Bogart’s
The Afghan Whigs have been a staple of the Cincinnati music scene since the band first came together in 1986. The group is playing Thursday at Bogart's, Corryville's iconic music venue, and it will no doubt bring back a lot of great memories for longtime fans. (The only thing missing for a completely nostalgic evening is a stop at the long-defunct Sudsy Malone's Rock 'n Roll Laundry and Bar down the street.)
Doors open at 7 p.m. Thursday. Bogart's, 2621 Vine St., Corryville. $38. www.bogarts.com
Art After Dark: Across the Universe
A visit to the Cincinnati Art Museum's Art After Dark program, held on the last Friday of each month, is one of the best ways to end the work week. Always chill, Art After Dark's theme this month is "Across the Universe," with a focus on the work of Ana England. The artist's exhibit "Kinship" is an awe-inspiring study of beauty, mystery and interconnectedness. Enjoy cocktails and food as you wander the museum.
5-9 p.m. Friday. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free admission. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Final Friday in OTR
Save some time after visiting the museum to head down to Over-the-Rhine for September's Final Friday event. A number of neighborhood art galleries, retail stores, restaurants and bars will showcase the works of local artists. Highlights include: "It's Star Time," an art exhibit inside MOTR Pub (1345 Main St.) that focuses on King Records; and the Miami University Center for Community Engagement's art installations (1300 Vine St.), which challenge political, cultural and community assumptions surrounding Over-the-Rhine and other Cincinnati neighborhoods.
6-10 p.m. Friday. Over-the-Rhine. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Sartre restaurant opening
I tend to get excited about trying new food. I got REALLY excited when I learned new French restaurant Sartre will open Friday in Over-the-Rhine. The restaurant is located in the same building as Rhinegeist Brewing but is its own business. While Sartre's owners have yet to post a full menu, chef Justin Uchtman has promised bistro classics including steak frites and salad Lyonnaise, along with a sizable seafood and wine selection.
Opens 5 p.m. Friday. Sartre, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Reservations not required but recommended. www.sartreotr.com
Mmmm, beer
If a real-life, beer-loving Homer Simpson ever visited the Queen City, he'd probably never leave. This town is as infatuated with brews as the iconic cartoon character. Here are four beer-centric weekend events to prove it:
Clifton Beer Fest 2017: Sit and sip with your friends at Fries Cafe during the Clifton Beer Fest 2017. The cafe, oddly located in Corryville, will have 16 beers on tap, live music and the support of Taft's Brewing Co. during the event. 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. 3247 Jefferson Ave., Corryville. Free admission. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Beer Science Fair: Honestly, dedicated craft beer fans can get pretty nerdy when talking about brewing. So, a beer science fair at Braxton Labs makes total sense. You'll get a chance to taste and vote for the best "experimental" beers from Moerlein Lager House, Rivertown, MadTree, Urban Artifact and Mount Carmel breweries. There also will be live music and food trucks throughout the day. Participation ribbons are not included. Noon-midnight Saturday. Braxton Labs, 95 Riviera Drive, Newport. Free admission. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Streetside Brewery anniversary party: Time flies when you're making beer. This East End brewery is celebrating its first year in business with a special beer release, multiple food trucks, bands and merchandise for sale. Noon-11 p.m. Saturday. Streetside Brewery, 4003 Eastern Ave., East End. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
13 Below Brewery grand opening: While this brewery's owners originally hoped to open for the summer boating season, they promise the wait will be worth it once you visit 13 Below's taproom. The brewery, located on the banks of the Ohio River in Sayler Park, will open with six beers on tap, food trucks aplenty and live entertainment all weekend. 4-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 13 Below Brewery, 7391 Forbes Road, Sayler Park. www.13belowbrewery.com
Beats & Bordeaux with Talib Kweli
Are you planning a date night this Saturday? If so, I strongly suggest you buy two tickets for Saturday's Beats & Bordeaux at Revel OTR. Hip-hop legend Talib Kweliwill perform at the winery as Revel staffers offer a unique wine tasting experience. Flying solo this weekend? Who cares. The cool crowd, good music and wine should help you get your groove back. A word of caution: The ticketed event could easily sell out. Luckily, Revel OTR's owners tell me Kweli will return to the winery in October for a special Halloween hip-hop edition of Beats & Bordeaux.
8 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Revel OTR Urban Winery, 111 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. Advance tickets: $35 with wine tasting, $25 without; tickets at the door: $40 with wine tasting, $30 without. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest
After days of summer-like temperatures, it looks like we'll finally get a bit of fall weather this weekend that is perfect for the outdoor Neltner's Farm Fall Fest. This is the first weekend for the annual event in Melbourne, Kentucky; it will continue each weekend through Oct. 29. Festival attractions include music, artists, crafters, apples for sale, face painting, demonstrations and a barrel train. (If there are jams or jellies for sale, I plan on stocking up for the winter.)
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Neltner's Farm, 6922 Four Mile Road, Melbourne, Kentucky. Free. www.neltnersfarm.com
Hyde Park Square Art Show
What better way to end your weekend than with Sunday brunch, followed by browsing arts and crafts for sale in scenic Hyde Park Square? The 51st annual Hyde Park Square Art Show will give you just that opportunity. Artists will be selling paintings, ceramics, jewelry and other types of art around the square. And did I mention brunch? There are a lot of places around the square to nosh at while admiring that new vase you just bought.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Hyde Park Square, 2700 Erie Ave., Hyde Park. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Susan G. Komen Greater Cincinnati Race for the Cure
Who among us has not been affected by breast cancer in some way? The annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is one of those events that is both a celebration of life and a way to help others. The annual event takes place at Coney Island Amusement Park this Sunday. The Pink Ribbon Walk starts at 9 a.m., followed by the Celebration of Hope at 10 a.m. and a day of fun at Coney Island starting at 10:30 a.m. It looks like it'll be a gorgeous day to enjoy fall weather while doing good.
Walk begins at 9 a.m. Sunday. Coney Island Amusement Park, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. $35 individual registration. www.info-komen.org
