Whats up this weekend ?

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Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are just a few things for you to put on your list. We live in a city that doesn’t stop…that’s for sure. There are so many great things to do that I’m tired just planning! Don’t forget to stop, smell the sunflowers and sip on your pumpkin spice latte.. tis the season

• Restaurant Week– Going on thru October 2nd. There are over 25 restaurants offering a 3-course meal for $35.

• Want to stay home ? Learn a little bit more about the Boss! Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography Born to Run was released Tuesday. Joseph Bethhas it 20% off.

• September 30 & October 1st is the Porkopolis Pig & Whiskey Festivalat Washington Park. All of your favorite BBQ’s and whiskey…plus a ton of live music to welcome the feel of Fall.

• October 2nd 10-5pm is the Hyde Park Square Art Show and the celebration of the square’s 50th anniversary. There will be over 200 exhibitors for you to check out along with food and drink.

• Feeling like being philanthropic? Join me at theBloomevent supporting Stepping Stonesat the beautiful Greenacres in Indian Hill. Food provided by over 20 restaurants, music by Clueless, emcess Jeff & Jen from Q102, bar and great auction items. Tickets can be purchased at www.cincybloom.org

Whats up this weekend??

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• Frenchie Fresh  is open in Rookwood! Jean-Robertowns many of the hottest restaurants in town, and now you can go to one without it being a special occasion. He just opened restaurant Llast month and now this. He is one busy dude. His newest gem is a casual dining spot with fast service and fresh, organic food. It’s a great spot for lunch, eat in or carry out.  Family friendly with an outdoor patio for your poochies (French bulldogs especially).  I highly recommend the seafood & truffle mac & cheese! Burgers with tons of toppings, wonderful salads and of course French fries. Try dipping your fries in the “franch” sauce.. get it?? French ranch… trés fancy! Oui Oui ok I’m finshed that’s all I know. Located in the old Lime location in Rookwood. 3831 Edwards Rd.

• Baby giraffe just born at the Cincinnati Zoo. Second time in two months. Make sure you have space on your phone to take pictures. So cute! 3400 Vine St.

• Hungry for pizza? Tagliois your answer it is truly the best pizza in town. I’m not even a huge pizza person, yet I dream of this stuff. 3531 Columbia Pkwy.

• The obvious thing to do but a new location…Oktoberfest Zinzinnati! Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest is the biggest in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world outside of Germany.  This year located on Second and Third St. (Sept. 16-18)

• Up for an adventure? The Ohio Renaissance Festivalruns through Oct. 23rd. You can see everything from knights to maidens walking around in character, to jousting and live sword fighting, while you gnaw on a huge turkey leg. Living Social has ahalf off coupon. 10542 E. State Rt. 73 Waynesville, OH 45068.

• This could be a two-fer…if you hit up the Renaissance Festival in your wench outfit, you could cut the skirt short, slap on some knee socks…now you have a dirndl and are ready for Oktoberfest..Prost!!!

• Cincinnati Balletpresents the Director’s Cut Sept. 16 & 17. The Aronoff Art Center, 650 Walnut St.

•If you haven’t attended an FC Cincinnatisoccer game, hit the game this Sat. Sept. 17th @ 7:00. Games are played at Nippert Stadium home of the U.C. Bearcats. (Girls, these players are adorbs, so if nothing else you can watch them!)

• The Saturday I look forward to every month.. City Flea at Washington Park. Tons of vendors selling everything from soaps, homemade dog treats, leather purses and jewelry to the dress shop that sell clothes right out of a truck. Seriously there is something for everyone. Come hungry because there are always food trucks.  This is a great family outing.

Frenchie Fresh 

Fame…I want to live forever!

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Do yourself a favor and read this, even if you think the Ballet is not your thing.

Last week, I had the privilege of getting a personalized tour of The Cincinnati Ballet. I’m telling you, the ballet isn’t your momma’s ballet anymore! Especially with Victoria Morgan in charge. Victoria, the mastermind behind the ballet, is one of only five women artistic directors in the U.S. and is taking it up a notch as we celebrate her 20th year with our ballet.

When Victoria came here from San Francisco 20 years ago, she had big plans in her mind and a rigid idea of how things had to be. That was all well and good until she realized things were way different in Cincinnati. She had the ability to pluck talent from all over and to do the unexpected. Not everyone had to be the best of the best. They could be starting their career and have new ideas and individual styles. The ballets could be bold and different. Here, they didn’t have to follow rules of the big leagues.  The bonus of now being with a smaller ballet company is that she doesn’t have to conform as much as the bigger companies. This season, she says, is a reflection of her maturity over the years. She is so excited that just talking to her makes you want to do a pirouette!

As I was sitting there watching the dancers practice, I was in awe! The power, athleticism and grace are overwhelming. I truly was reminded of the movie, Fame – dancers in every corner, practicing a move over and over. The amazing Ma Cong, an international rock star choreographer, tweaking the slightest move to make it perfect. The jumps, the lifts…it is a collaboration where every move has to be on point!

Victoria has hand-picked world renowned choreographers and, together, they have continued to evolve the Ballet’s offerings. Even classics like the Nutcracker have been modernized, and every year it’s a little different. Sometimes they even have appearances by special guests. Some of these performances will make you gasp out loud, like I did last year. I looked around thinking, “Ugh! Are you allowed to make noise here?” Then I realized many people were in awe just like me! The power and theatrical dancing is amazing!

We are one lucky city to have the greatest arts available to us.  We have the largest and oldest Artworks(originally Fine Arts Fund) in the country. I guess our city loves to be entertained…and that is awesome!

Presenting 2016-2017

Directors Cut September 16 & 17
This is great for the ADD in me :) . It’s six short, diverse works in one night!

• Patriotic Pas is a world premiere for Victoria. This witty and energetic piece is going to please everyone. I got to sit and watch them practice this piece, and truly I was tired and my toes hurt just watching them.
•World-renowned choreographer Justin Peckshows his exciting and athletic works inCapricious Maneuvers is sure to make the stage explode with excitement and make you smile.
•Selections from Raymonda will be a special farewell to two Principal dancers Sarah Hairstonand Zack Grubbs.
• A World Premiereby Ma Cong (I got to meet him and watch him go over the performance so flipping cool)will be a contemporary powerful piece.
• Prohibition Conditioncreated by Soloist and choreographer James Cunningham is sure to be a humorous treat.
• Fusion (excerpts) San Francisco Ballet principal dancers Sarah Van Pattenand Luke Inghamjoin together to honor Victoria Morgans early career as a principal dancer with SFB herself.

Coppélia October 21-23
This treasured comedy is about a toy maker who makes a doll so real, a village boy falls in love with her. Great one for the family!

Nutcracker December 9-18
This should be your family tradition!

King Arthur’s Camelot February 10-12
This is full of adventure and magic that will please your whole family. The costumes and music are epic.

Bold Moves March 17 & 18
This is a contemporary cultural exchange with artistic directors from Israel. Fun music performed by the Ariel Quartetthat will make you move in your seat. Dean Martin, mambo, techno and more! Bring it!

The Kaplan New Works Series April 20-29
Girl Power!! This is going to showcase all the powerful women of the ballet. This is some serious dancing people, I promise!

Ballet Toybox Sunday March 19th 2:00…A lot of work for one shoe right??
As Victoria says, it’s the “Readers Digest version of Swan Lake”. Perfect for the little ones.

Ballet & Beers– take your thirsty Thursday to a new level!

This is right up my alley… Ballet & Beer: Meet the artists! You go to the Cincinnati Ballet Center in OTR for a little behind the scenes, watch a bit of a preview and chat with the dancers. They will win your heart! They have such compassion and are just so awe-inspiring. They are a hugely diverse group from all over the world.

• Directors Cut Thursday, September 8 – Sold Out
• Coppélia – Thursday, October 13- 5:15
• The Nutcraker- Thursday, December 1-5:15
• King Arthur’s Camelot-Thursday, February 2-5:15
• Bold Moves-Thursday, April 13- 5:15

Nobody puts baby in the corner! You want to dance?? 

Dancefix is an hour-long high energy dance class/workout choreographed by Heather Brittand her teachers. Hip hop, jazz and more, so grab your friends and hit the floor! Click hereto register. I totally want to do this!

There is also Adult Ballet open to 18 and older. This is for first time dancers or continuing dancers. Click hereto register.

Tips and things to know

• Cincinnati is one of only a handful on ballets that perform to a live symphony orchestra.
• Cincinnati Ballet started in 1963.
• Performances are usually at Music Hall; however, due to construction, all performances will be held at The Aronoff.
• Seat cushions available for your little ones to see the performances.
• Sarah Jessica Parkerwas a mouse in the Nutcracker when she was little.
• Ballet goes on tour! Cincinnati ballet was chosen to go Washington D.C. to perform the Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center…a huge honor. So if you don’t have plans for Thanksgiving check it out!

Like and share this post on Facebook and you will be entered to win 2 tickets to Director’s Cut ! 

Give me liberty, or give me…hey, look, a cocktail!

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I could give up malls… but I’m not a quitter!

I know that online shopping is the way to go these days, and we’re hearing a lot about brick and mortar stores closing their doors. But the newLiberty Center shopping area is a must to check out. It’s more than a mall…it’s an experience.

Liberty Center is a great place to go as a couple, a family or a girls day out. Why does outdoor shopping seem better, you ask?? Personally, I think its because the restaurants and bars are great stopping spots on your walk. Shop and sip is the way to go!

If you have been to Eastonin Columbus, you can picture the cool open layout of this mostly outdoor experience. It is a place to eat, shop, relax and play. Even I (one who LOVES to shop) was skeptical because, after a long life of retail, I’m not a big fan of mall shopping. But I was pleasantly surprised by Liberty!

One of the big perks is that are there shops and restaurants that are nowhere else in Cincinnati. Also, they hold concerts on Thursdays in the summer and storytime for kids in their cool 2,000 sq. ft. Discovery Center for moms, dads and tots.  It has the over the top Cobb Luxury 15 theater…with reserved seating for your favorite movie and servers that bring you great food and cocktails while you lounge in leather lounge seats. (Seriously, try not to fall asleep during the movie after a couple martinis!)

Also unique to Liberty is their yoga retreat center, fountain areas for the kids and the coolest outdoor train set that will stop you in your tracks. ;) There is also an indoor section with a food court (if you don’t like the light of day).

Walking around and venturing into some of these new shopping spots is beyond fun. It’s Sugar candy store is awesome (I think Gene Wilder would have given it his Willy Wonka stamp of approval). Ask Wesleythe manager to show you some of my favorite things. We were cracking up at their slightly inappropriate (my fave) items that I’ll definitely be purchasing for my white elephant gag gifts at our family Christmas party. They also have enormous boxes of your favorite candy, along with candies from around the world. You will spend time in here I promise ;)

Marbles the Brain Store is a great spot for unique and cool games and toys. I’ve been in this store in Chicago and was thrilled to see it here.

Other stores new to Cincy:
• Adore(organic make-up)
• Celebrate Local(all sorts of items made by Ohioians, such as honey, t-shirts, wine, mini buckeyes, college stuff and thumbprint cookies on the counter. If there are some there, grab them because they go fast!)
• David’s Tea
• Flash Photography
• Jakes Toggery(all your preppy needs under one roof)
• Kendra Scott Jewelry
• Occasionally Yours (featuring Vera Bradley, Lily Pulitzer, Kate Spade and more)
• Scentology Brand name perfumes & colognes as well as their own candle line
• S Mari Designsfor great gifts,
• Sports Possessionsfor the baseball card collector
• Simply Mac!! Ok people, it may be worth the drive to get any Apple product fixed or have a one-on-one to learn about your Apple computer and not have to deal with the line at the Apple store. They also sell Apple products, and the cool thing is that they have an accidental insurance policy that covers things that Apple Care does not. Check this place out! They are all Apple certified technicians.

Restaurants that are new to the area:
•Cantina Loredo
• Bibibop(one in Clifton)
• Degs Chicken
• Flipside(owned by a couple in Cleveland)
• Kona Grill
• Northstar Café (I really enjoyed this spot! (great brunch too)
• Pies & Pints
• Rodizio Grill

Tips:

Amid all the new and unique stores are some of your comfort stores, such as Dillards and Gap. And there’s a chic and modern AC Hotel by Marriotton the property. Make a weekend of it!

Another cool aspect is the on-street metered parking. All proceeds go to local charities, as does the income from parking tickets! (Might be the only time you’re not upset if you see that piece of paper sticking out from under windshield wiper!) If you have a charity you’d like considered, they accept online applications. There are free parking garages as well as the metered street spots.

If you are in a hurry for lunch there are a few places that offer call-ahead for in and out in 45 minutes. Available Mon-Fri from 11-2. (Brio, Kona Grill, Pies & Pints and Rodizio Grill all participate.)

Summer Concert Series (Thursday nights from 6-9)
• Tonight Leroy Ellington
• September 8 The Chuck Taylors
• September 15 Danny Frazier
• September 22 Eden Park

Movies under the Moonlight
• September 9 Hocus Pocus
• September 16 Monsters, Inc.
• September 23 Halloween Town
• September 30 Hotel Transylvania 2

Visit Liberty Center’s website(quick links) for discounts on many of the stores!

Humbled, for sure!

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Just wanted to send a heartfelt thanks to all of you who subscribed on the first day of my launch. Excited beyond words! Enjoy your weekend and, if you’re able, check out the World’s Longest Yard Salein MainStrasse Village today through Sunday! Cheers, friends!