Shake off the hibernation: Top 14 things to do this weekend in Cincinnati

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer

The city is shaking off its hibernation this weekend with a number of fun things to do indoors and out. You'll find two major home shows happening – one for remodeling and one for the midcentury modern design aesthetic – as well as a Lunar New Year celebration and a couple of wedding shows.

FC Cincinnati opens its season at home this weekend, the Cyclones have some great giveaways lined up, and there are some remarkable music, art and theater offerings to choose from. You can also celebrate the traditional craft of maple syrup making at several area parks, and gardeners can get a jump on the season at an area seed swap.

1. 20th Century Cincinnati

This annual retrospective of vintage modern design includes the avant-garde art, architecture, furnishings, decor and fashions that emerged between World War I and the Information Age. You can browse and buy from more than 70 knowledgeable dealers of midcentury modern design from around the country at this expo, considered the top midcentury modern show in the Midwest.

Details: 6-8 p.m. Friday (VIP only), noon-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. $100 VIP, $40 Java preview 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, $15 general, free ages under 18. Queencityshows.com.

The Cincinnati Home & Garden Show opens this weekend at Duke Energy Convention Center. The show features landscaping companies, remodeling contractors, interior design companies and more.
The Cincinnati Home & Garden Show opens this weekend at Duke Energy Convention Center. The show features landscaping companies, remodeling contractors, interior design companies and more.

2. Cincinnati Home & Garden Show

Experience a vibrant marketplace filled with home-related products and services, displays, industry experts and informative presentations by renowned local and international home professionals. Taking place Saturday and Sunday, and from Thursday to Sunday next weekend (Feb. 29-March 3), it's a great place to get inspiration for your next project and talk to the pros that can turn your dreams into reality.

Details: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. Runs Feb. 24-March 3. $15, free ages 12-under. Cincinnatihomeandgardenshow.com.

Cincinnati Art Museum hosts Art After Dark: Queer and Now this Friday.
Cincinnati Art Museum hosts Art After Dark: Queer and Now this Friday.

3. Art After Dark: Queer and Now

LGBTQ+ folks and their allies celebrate inclusion and gloriously queer takes on art at this month's Art After Dark. Enjoy music from DJ Queen Celine, queer staff offering museum highlights and opportunities to exercise your "gaydar" on the CAM collection. Check out the current special feature Queer Possibility: Photographs from the Collection, and enjoy free access to the ticketed exhibition Clearly Indigenous. There's a cash bar and food for purchase from Lil's Kitchen.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free admission. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

FC Cincinnati kicks off the new season Sunday at TQL Stadium. Pictured: Fans march to TQL stadium from Washington Park before an MLS game between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew in 2021.
FC Cincinnati kicks off the new season Sunday at TQL Stadium. Pictured: Fans march to TQL stadium from Washington Park before an MLS game between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew in 2021.

4. FC Cincinnati Home Opener

FC Cincinnati's first match of the 2024 MLS season is against Toronto FC, and it's your chance to come out and cheer on the orange and blue. There's a tailgate at Washington Park (1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., where you can party with other fans and enjoy live music and family-friendly activities, followed by the march to the stadium for a 2:30 p.m. start.

Details: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, TQL Stadium, 1501 Central Parkway, West End. Fccincinnati.com.

5. 'Deaf Republic'

Local dance company Pones brings to life an award-winning selection of poems from Ilya Kaminsky. The poems describe the military occupation of the fictional village of Vasenka, where villagers use sign language to subvert military authorities. This unique performance incorporates shadow interpretation, which has interpreters on stage, in costume, integrated seamlessly with the cast to deliver dialogue next to the speaking characters so that action and speech are connected.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Cincinnati State, ATLC 211 Auditorium, 3520 Central Parkway, Clifton. Free. Register: ponesdeafrepublic.eventbrite.com.

6. Cabin Fever Music & Arts Festival

All day Saturday, musical artists take over Ludlow to shake off the winter blues, and the entire city joins in. You'll hear folk, roots, alt-country, Americana, dreamgaze, blues, bluegrass, psychedelic country, indie rock, singer-songwriters, synth pop and more at numerous indoor venues throughout Ludlow, including Ludlow Tavern, Bircus Brewing, Second Sight Spirits, Buffalo Bar, Scarlet Rose Books, Beelicious Honey and Jones Funeral Home. Proceeds benefit Music Fund Cincinnati.

Details: Will call opens at 1 p.m. Saturday at Second Sight Spirits, 301 Elm St., Ludlow. $30, $25 advance. cincyticket.com.

Local artist Siri Imani performs with Revolution Dance Theatre this weekend at the Aronoff Center for the Arts.
Local artist Siri Imani performs with Revolution Dance Theatre this weekend at the Aronoff Center for the Arts.

7. 'Blackout' featuring Siri Imani

This fusion of hip-hop, ballet and Black culture features a performance by singer-songwriter/poet Siri Imani and Revolution Dance Theatre in an immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of artistic expression. You'll witness a dynamic blend of choreography, music and spoken word that reflects the power, resilience and creativity of Black artists.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $35-$60. cincinnatiarts.org.

Yasmina Reza's "Art" opens this weekend at the Village Players of Fort Thomas. The play centers around three friends who have differing opinions on art.
Yasmina Reza's "Art" opens this weekend at the Village Players of Fort Thomas. The play centers around three friends who have differing opinions on art.

8. 'Art'

This comedy by Yasmina Reza centers around Serge, who has just bought a very expensive painting, and his old friends, who square off over the canvas. Marc is horrified by the painting, and their friendship suffers over their differing opinions about what constitutes "art." Yvan, caught in the middle of the conflict, tries to please them both. A special gallery exhibit, Art to Argue Over, is on show before the performances.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Village Players, 8 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas. Runs Feb. 23-March 2. $20. Villageplayers.org.

9. 'Proof'

This Pulitzer-winning drama by David Auburn is a passionate, intelligent story of fathers and daughters, the nature of genius and the complexities of love. Catherine is a college student whose father is a world-famous mathematician and college professor. Soon after doing his "greatest work," he becomes mentally unstable, and Catherine cares for him until her own mental stability comes into question.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Mason Community Playhouse, 5529 Mason Road, Mason. Runs Feb. 23-March 2. $20, $15 seniors and students. masonplayers.org.

Experience the Dragon Dance and more at the Lunar New Year Celebration, happening Saturday at Liberty Center.
Experience the Dragon Dance and more at the Lunar New Year Celebration, happening Saturday at Liberty Center.

10. Lunar New Year Celebration

Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon filled celebrating the Year of the Dragon. You'll find family-friendly activities like making your own Chinese zodiac clock, face painting, papercutting and other booth activities, see mesmerizing performances like the Dragon Dance and Lion Dance and more. The celebration takes place inside The Foundry (lower level near Dick's Sporting Goods).

Details: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Liberty Center, 7100 Foundry Row, Liberty Township. liberty-center.com.

11. Cincinnati Cyclones

The Cincinnati Cyclones take on the Iowa Heartlanders Friday and Saturday evening, and the Maine Mariners on Sunday. Be sure to arrive early because the first 3,000 fans get some superb swag. Friday night is a sweet bucket hat giveaway, as well as $5 craft beer/seltzers, $1 popcorn and $3 cheeseburgers as part of 513 Night. On Saturday, it's a Twister bobblehead, and on Sunday the first 2,000 kids (ages 2-12) get a mini-stick/ball.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. $21-up. Cycloneshockey.com.

Celebrate the traditional craft of making maple syrup this weekend around Greater Cincinnati.
Celebrate the traditional craft of making maple syrup this weekend around Greater Cincinnati.

12. Celebrate maple syrup

  • Maple Sugar Days: See the traditional craft of making maple syrup. The whole family will enjoy demonstrations, crafts, tastes and hikes.

    • Details: noon-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, 3455 Poole Road, Colerain Township. Free; some activities require a small fee. Greatparks.org.

  • Maple Fest: Sample maple beer, collect sap in the sugarbush and enjoy games and activities for all ages. Pre-registration is required for this popular event, which also includes hikes on flat, even trails and select complimentary food and alcohol samples.

    • Details: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford. $20, $6 children. Cincynature.org.

Planning a wedding? Check out these wedding expos this weekend.
Planning a wedding? Check out these wedding expos this weekend.

13. Wedding Expos

  • Hitched in Cincy Bridal Expo: Brides-to-be can visit with wedding vendors, enjoy food and drinks and more. The first 150 through the door receive swag bags.

  • Cincy Wedding Collective Expo: This one-stop destination for all things wedding-related features top-notch vendors and services to make your special day magical. Admission includes live entertainment, light bites, a complimentary mimosa and entry gift giveaway.

    • Details: noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Epic Event Gallery, 811 Race St., Downtown. $7.50. eventbrite.com.

If you have extra vegetable or flower seeds saved from last year, bring them to Fibonacci Brewery on Sunday for a seed swap with other area gardeners.
If you have extra vegetable or flower seeds saved from last year, bring them to Fibonacci Brewery on Sunday for a seed swap with other area gardeners.

14. Community Seed Swap

Hey gardening enthusiasts, got extra seeds you'd like to share? Bring them to Fibonacci Brewing this weekend to swap with other gardeners. Bring seeds in small envelopes (10-20 seeds per envelope) and label them with the type of seed, grower's name and date harvested so everyone knows what's what.

Details: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Fibonacci Brewing Co., 1445 Compton Road, Mount Healthy. Free. facebook.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 14 things to do in Cincinnati: Feb. 23-25

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