May 2026

May 2026

FOCUS ON Medical Research

Q&A: Collaboration is key May Festival Changing its tune

Polly Campbell: Finding clarity on foot

and

Dr. Andrew Frankart

Dr. William Barrett

Movers &Makers

May 2026

MoversMakers.org

Publisher’s Letter 4

Arts & Culture 5

Lit Cincy forms to uplift literary community 5

FotoFocus Center opens with ‘Big Tent’ exhibition 5

Cindependent and OTR film festivals become one 5

May Festival adopts theme of ‘Humanity in Harmony’ | By David

Lyman

6

The A&C List 8

FOCUS ON: Medical Research 16

UC Cancer Center at the forefront: Q&A with Drs. Barrett and Frankart | By Shauna Steigerwald 16

Notables in medical research 18

The Datebook 20

Social calendar shines a spotlight on the movers and makers behind Greater Cincinnati’s fundraisers, friend-raisers and community events.

Gifts & Grants 26

Nonprofit News 28

Names in the News 30

Snapshots

32

Golden Gala celebrates merger forming new Asianati 32

Kaleidoscope tops $2M for Cincinnati Children’s 34

Ohio River Foundation gets ‘kick’ out of coffee 35

Meals Madness gala feeds Meals on Wheels’ mission 36

Faith in Action benefits Found House families 37

Jewish Federation breakfast celebrates impact 38

Booze Breakfast boosts Easterseals Redwood 40

United Way honors generous workplaces 41

M&M fans Mix & Mingle at Fueled Collective 42

Art Academy students take on Manhattan 43

Reception thanks Jewish Federation donors 44

HER Cincinnati PWR Unfiltered supports local women 45

Red and Black Blast backs UC IDD center 47

Rock Your Beauty raises funds for underserved women 49

The Last Word 50

Polly Campbell: Finding clairty, one step at a time

helen@helenadamsphotography.com

Cover photo: Dr. Andrew Frankart and Dr. William (“Bill”) Barrett. Photo by Kamaire Jones for Movers & Makers Publishing.

Arguablythe least public of the nonprofit sectors we represent is medical research. So much of the magic happens behind closed, often locked, doors, created by people adorned with protective gear, working miracles. Who are these masked people? In this May issue, we put a few faces on this oh-so-important work done to improve quality of life across Greater Cincinnati and beyond.

Shauna Steigerwald sat down with two leaders in cancer research at the University of Cincinnati – Dr. William Barrett and Dr. Andrew Frankart – to discuss their work and the challenges they face during these uncertain times. Their Q&A is on Page 16. Thanks to our feature photographer this month, Kamaire Jones, a senior at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, who graciously stepped in on short notice. And see Page 18 to meet more Notables in medical research from across the region.

I’m always stunned to learn when someone does not know the

story behind Music Hall, nor of the organization and event that caused it to be built. Why don’t more people know about that rainstorm, about Reuben Springer’s challenge grant, and how a city cared so much about some event that they raised the equivalent of roughly $7 million in 2026 dollars to build our still-magnificent temple of music?

This is part of the charge taken on by the new team running the May Festival, who want to recapture the spirit of shared humanity that, more than 150 years ago, brought thousands of people together in the spring (biennially, at first) to lift

Co-publishers Thom and Elizabeth Mariner and at the Reds’ opening day parade

their voices in song. On Page 6, David Lyman shares the thinking behind a new way of talking about and of experiencing Cincinnati’s oldest and most definitive performing arts event.

The spring fundraising season is in full flourish, with dozens of galas, breakfasts and luncheons, plus the emergence of outdoor events signaled, as usual, by the Flying Pig Marathon. Check out photos from past events in our Snapshots section or find an event to try out in the weeks to come via our Datebook. Nonprofits need you right now. And please patronize those companies and organizations that support M&M with their advertising dollars.

As always, we remain grateful for your time and attention.

Thom Mariner & Elizabeth Mariner, co-publishers

For their work on this issue, our gratitude to:

• Casey Weldon, digital editor

• Phil Fisher and Ray Cooklis, copy editors

• Melanie Picazo, intern

• All the nonprofits that contributed news and photos.

Support comes from:

Elizabeth & Thom Mariner, co-publishers

Digital edition & daily posts MoversMakers.org

Publishing schedule

Social media @moversmakerscincinnati Movers & Makers Magazine @moversmakers

OCT 2 OCT 28 DEC ’26 / JAN ’27 OCT 30 NOV 25  moversmakers.org/publishing-schedule

News/calendar submissions editor@moversmakers.org

Advertising & distribution

Thom Mariner, 513-543-0890 or tmariner@moversmakers.org

Creative & accounting

Elizabeth Mariner, emariner@moversmakers.org

Free direct mail subscriptions and email newsletter sign up: moversmakers.org/subscribe

© Copyright 2026 Movers & Makers Publishing We make every effort to verify information submitted for publication (print and online), but are not responsible for incorrect information or misidentified photos provided to us.

Readers are advised to confirm event dates and other important details and check for last-minute changes with the organizations or advertisers involved.

Publication of this magazine and its website (MoversMakers.org) does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of any information contained within, including advertisements and links.

Arts & Culture

New group Lit Cincy champions literary community

Lit Cincy is a new nonprofit organization to support, connect and uplift the region’s literary community.

Founded by author and literary advocate Holly Brians Ragusa, the nonprofit aims to make Greater Cincinnati’s literary life more visible, accessible and interconnected - from poets and playwrights to journalists, novelists and emerging voices. Lit Cincy will focus on: amplifying literary events; advocating for literary expression and accessibility; supporting writers and creating meaningful connections for readers; fostering cross-genre collaboration; encouraging literacy; and increasing visibility for literary spaces.

The organization makes its public debut May 3, World Press Freedom Day, underscoring its commitment to free expression, access to information and the power of literary voices.

 litcincy.org

FotoFocus opens new space with ‘Big Tent’ exhibition

FotoFocus announced “Big Tent,” the inaugural exhibition at the new FotoFocus Center on East Liberty Street. The 14,700-square-foot structure is built to house photographic exhibitions and yearround programs.

The exhibition, running May 29 to Aug. 22, brings together work by over 50 artists and reflects upon the state of American democracy while also considering photography as a catalyst for change.

Partly inspired by the poem “In This Place (An American Lyric)” by Amanda Gorman, the exhibition takes the concept of ‘big tent’ as a metaphor for the nature of American civic life and democratic ideals.

With work spanning several decades and different photographic styles, the exhibit aims to demonstrate the diverse character of contemporary America.

 fotofocus.org

OTR, Cindependent film festivals merge under LADD umbrella

LADD, a nonprofit advocating for people with disabilities, is combining the Over-theRhine International Film Festival (OTRIFF) and Cindependent International Film Festival (CIFF) into one independent film festival, aiming to make Cincinnati a global, top-tier destination for film.

By combining OTRIFF and CIFF, LADD hopes to accelerate its mission of inclusivity and expand the cultural footprint of filmmaking by providing opportunities for exposure, networking and international recognition.

The collaboration is “timely and important,” said Jack Geiger, who served as managing

director of the ReelAbilities Film Festival in 2018 during its transition to Over-the-Rhine Film Festival. “Combining filmmaking, storytelling and inclusion on screen builds community. … We can all benefit from the opportunity to realize our shared humanity and foster common bonds.”

Cindependent founder and Executive Director Allyson West will serve as executive director of the unified festival, to be known as the Cindependent Film Festival Presented by LADD, which will debut Sept. 17-19, 2026.

 cindependentfilmfest.org

Executive Director Allyson West

Founder Holly Brians Ragusa

Mitch Epstein, “Border Wall, Nogales, Arizona 2017.” Chromogenic print. Courtesy of the artist and Sikkema Malloy Jenkins, New York.

The FotoFocus Center

Photos by J Miles Wolf

May Festival changing its tune

Vocal tradition extends into modern experiences

“Humanity

in Harmony.”

It’s a phrase that you’ll see often in the upcoming weeks. The May Festival has adopted it to promote its 2026 Festival.

Remember those words, because “Humanity in Harmony” is more than just a catchy tagline. It’s a philosophical turn of phrase that signals a shift in the way the May Festival hopes to connect with the community.

“I think the May Festival is entering a new era,” said Executive Director Julianne Akins Smith. “We’re not reinventing the May Festival. We don’t need to do that. But I think there is a sense that we have so much opportunity to build on the amazing traditions that we already have.”

The idea, she says, is to focus less on the four concerts that anchor the festival and focus more on what she calls “festivality.”

Feel free to be skeptical. Tossing around words like “festivality” can make this sound like so much marketing gobbledygook.

One thing you need to know is that the new leaders of the May Festival are not trying to reinvent or redefine the festival. If anything, they are seeking to recreate some of the community fervor that brought the May Festival into existence in 1873.

“Think of it as broadening our palette of color,” said Ben P. Rosenfield, director of marketing. “We know that not everybody wants to come to Music Hall. Not everybody can come to Music Hall. So this year, we are adding more satellite events – events at Memorial Hall, for instance, and at Christ Church Cathedral.”

There was also to be a concert at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center on April 23, three weeks before the festival officially opens at Music Hall.

Adding experiences, not weeks

The point is, if you are going to grow the May Festival, there are a couple of ways you can do that. You can add weeks to the festival, which may happen someday, but no one seems to have an appetite for that at the moment. Or you can add more performances and activities during its existing nine-day span.

“One of the things we’ve learned in the years since the pandemic is that people not only want music and performances, but they also want experiences,” said Tyler Secor, director of communications and content development.

“You can see that in huge festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. People are interested in the artists,” Secor said. “But a large part of the appeal is the experience of going with friends and being in the middle of a big event. This is just another type of opportunity for us.”

By David Lyman

It’s a philosophy not unlike that of the original May Festival in 1873, when thousands of singers gathered to sing. It was a communitydriven event, a spring festival that revolved around a shared love of vocal music. Long before Cincinnati adopted “The City That Sings”

It’s an elusive concept. And it’s even more difficult to engineer experiences so that they are “special” or “unforgettable.” It’s not without precedent, though.

Remember the World Choir Games in 2012? There was a sense that vocal music was everywhere you turned in Greater Cincinnati. For 11 days, it seemed that every small space had something going on. Even if it wasn’t a formal performance, it wasn’t uncommon to sit in a restaurant and have the members of a choir from some place you’d never heard of break into song.

How about the original LumenoCity performance in 2013? Washington Park was filled to overflow and beyond. The CSO was introducing Louis Langrée and the city to one another. It felt like a charmed event. The weather was perfect. The sense of goodwill was all-encompassing. It was dazzling.

Both of those were massive gatherings, far larger than the May Festival. But there is something to be admired about creating an event that will be remembered as much for its kinship as by its musicality.

I think the May Festival is entering a new era … I think there is a sense that we have so much opportunity to build on the amazing traditions that we already have.

– Julianne Akins Smith, May Festival executive director

as an unofficial slogan, Cincinnati was already singing. A lot.

“We want to highlight that this really is a festival,” said Amber Ostaszewski, director of audience engagement.

She notes that there are already dozens of tangential events tied to the main performances – preshow talks and area choirs performing in the lobby.

“Sometimes they are high school choirs, other times they are groups like the YPCC (the Young Professionals’ Choral Collective),” Ostaszewski said. “We have such an amazing singing community here in Cincinnati and we want to include as many of them as possible as part of our festival.”

Youth programs promote singing

What may be the May Festival’s most robust outreach activities are its multi-faceted youth programs.

The May Festival Youth Chorus, with 35-40 members, is the best-known of these. The group

Photo by a llison Michael o renstein

Julia Bullock, 2026 May Festival artistic director

performs not only during the festival, but has become a mainstay of the Cincinnati Pops’ “Holiday Pops” concerts.

Despite its relatively high public profile, the MFYC is the smallest of the youth programs. The largest is called the May Festival MiNis. Begun in 2022, MiNis are aimed at kids who are 12 and under. It even offers programs for babies.

An ambitious program, it had interactions with 9,500 young people last year. Until very recently, it was a one-person operation, led

by Edy Dreith, the festival’s education manager.

“It’s a mobile program,” says Dreith, “so I will go to almost any public space; a museum, an arts center, schools, hospitals – wherever I can find willing kids.”

Meanwhile, MFYC director Jason Alexander Holmes is a regular visitor to area high schools. Sometimes, he’s there to provide an assisting ear to a music teacher. Other times, he’ll coach choir members. The one consistent

element is that he is constantly sharing information about the MFYC.

The goal of all of this is not selling tickets – not directly, at least. A few of these young people may end up becoming professionals. Some may grow up to be festivalgoers.

But the primary goal is a simple one – to promote singing.

Picnic in the park

This year introduces another special event that harkens back to the May Festival’s 19th century roots. Called “Dîner en Fleur,” it is an opening night picnic. There’s no cost to participate, though you do have to pre-register. You bring your own food, show up and stake out one of the many tables that will be set up throughout Washington Park. The event is 5-7 p.m. May 15.

You don’t even have to be a May Festival patron to participate. This is an event about coming together and sharing a bit of camaraderie. And if you choose to cross Elm Street and experience “An Eclectic Opening Night,” all the better.

Given the May Festival’s policy of having a different festival director every year, it’s inevitable that there will be changes. Julia Bullock, this year’s director, has brought her musical aesthetic to the programming, just as Renee Fleming did last year.

This is nothing new. The May Festival has always prided itself on offering a mix of relatively unknown music and choral warhorses.

“We’re not changing the core of the May Festival,” marketing director Rosenfield said. “What is changing is that we are trying to find ways to encourage more people to get involved, to attend concerts, whether they are at Music Hall or at one of our satellite activities. We just have to make sure we eliminate as many barriers as we can to people attending. What I can definitely commit to is that we will continue to try new things. And we will experiment with what May Festival means to people.” 

 mayfestival.com

Madeleine Hordinski, Midwestern Magic, 2024. Courtesy of the artist.

Julianne Akins Smith, executive director

Edy Dreith, education manager

Ben Rosenfield, director of marketing

The A&C List

Cultural Exhibits/Tours

American Construction Toy Museum | Norwood. actmuseum.org

ƒ Preservation and history of three-dimensional building toys in America

American Legacy Tours | Over-the-Rhine. 859-951-8560. americanlegacytours.com

ƒ Historic tours in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

American Sign Museum | Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. americansignmuseum.org

ƒ Permanent collection: preserved and restored signs

ƒ Saturdays, noon & 2 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m. Guided museum tours

Archaeological Research Institute | Lawrenceburg. 812-290-2966. exploreari.org

ƒ Hands-on educational experiences

ArtWorks Mural Tours | artworkscincinnati.org

ƒ May thru October. Walking tours of Pendleton, Over-the-Rhine and downtown

Behringer-Crawford Museum | Devou Park, Covington. 859-491-4003. bcmuseum.org

ƒ Artifacts and history of Northern Kentucky

ƒ Thru Aug. 9. “Treasures From the Attic: 250 Years of Fashion & Furniture”

Betts House | West End. 513-651-0734. facebook.com/thebettshouse

ƒ By appointment only. Oldest home in Cincinnati

Brewing Heritage Trail Tour Center | Over-the-Rhine. 513-604-9812. brewingheritagetrail.org

ƒ Exploring Queen City beer history

Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame | Brady Center, The Banks. cincyblackmusicwalkoffame.org

ƒ Open daily, 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Queen City contributions to Black music

Cincinnati Fire Museum | Downtown. 513-621-5553. cincyfiremuseum.com

ƒ Permanent collection. Historic artifacts and equipment

Cincinnati Food Tours |

Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine. 513-602-5602. cincinnatifoodtours.com

ƒ Exploring Queen City food culture

Cincinnati Museum Center | Queensgate. 513-287-7000. cincymuseum.org

ƒ Fridays-Sundays. Union Terminal Rotunda Tours

ƒ Opens May 22. “Jurassic World by Brickman”

Cincinnati Nature Center | Milford. cincynature.org

ƒ Nature trails and ponds amidst old-growth forest

Cincinnati Observatory | Hyde Park. cincinnatiobservatory.org

ƒ Oldest professional observatory in the United States

Cincinnati Type & Print Museum | Lower Price Hill. cincinnatitypeprintmuseum.org

ƒ Permanent collection: equipment, tools and artifacts

Cincinnati Zoo | Avondale. 513-281-4700. cincinnatizoo.org

ƒ World-class fauna and flora

Civic Garden Center | Avondale. 513-221-0981. civicgardencenter.org

ƒ 1st Thursday, 11 a.m. Compost Tour

ƒ 3rd Thursday, 10 a.m. Green Learning Station Tour

ƒ 3rd Thursday, 11 a.m. Hauck Arboretum Tour

Findlay Market | Over-the-Rhine. findlaymarket.org

ƒ Oldest public market in Ohio

Friends of Music Hall | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-621-2787. friendsofmusichall.org

ƒ Indoor and outdoor tours of Queen City landmark

Glendale Heritage Preservation | Village Square, Glendale. 513-771-8722. glendaleheritage.org

ƒ Permanent exhibit. Displays of Glendale’s history

ƒ Current exhibit. “Glendale: Looking Back Over 250 Years,” an America 250 exhibit

Greater Cincinnati Police Museum | Pendleton. 513-300-3664. police-museum.org

ƒ Permanent collection: Historic artifacts and equipment

Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills. 513-751-0651. stowehousecincy.org

ƒ Historic family home of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” author and later a Green Book location

ƒ May 3, noon & 3 p.m. A Mindful May Tea Experience

ƒ May 16, 10 a.m. Walking Tour: African American History Along the Cincinnati Riverfront (Covington)

ƒ May 30, 10 a.m. Walking Tour: Abolitionists & African Americans in Walnut Hills

Heritage Village Museum | Sharonville. 513-563-9484. heritagevillagecincinnati.org

ƒ Illustrates life in 19th-century Southwest Ohio

ƒ Thru Dec. 31, 2027. America 250 Exhibit

ƒ Select Saturdays, 7-10 p.m. Spirits by Starlight Ghost Tours

Holocaust & Humanity Center | Cincinnati Museum Center, Queensgate. 513-487-3055. holocaustandhumanity.org

ƒ Media, artifacts, art and interactive exhibitions commemorating the Holocaust

ƒ Thru June 7. “Holding Hope: Stories of Survival During the Holocaust”

Imperial Theatre | Mohawk, Over-the-Rhine. imperialmohawk.org

ƒ 2nd Saturday, 10 a.m. Tour of the Imperial Theatre

Krohn Conservatory | Eden Park. 513421-4086. cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks

ƒ 3,500 plant species from around the world

Lebanon Mason & Monroe Railroad | Lebanon. lebanonrr.com

ƒ Historic train rides in Warren County

Lloyd Library and Museum | Downtown. 513-721-3707. lloydlibrary.org

ƒ Permanent exhibit: George Rieveschl Jr.: History of Pharmaceutical Chemistry

ƒ World-renowned independent research library bringing science, art and history to life

Loveland Castle & Museum | Loveland. lovelandcastle.com

ƒ Full-scale replica of medieval castle

Mercantile Library | Downtown. 513-621-0717. mercantilelibrary.com

ƒ Oldest continuously operating library west of the Alleghenies

Milford Historical Society | Promont, Milford. 513-248-0324. milfordhistory.net

ƒ Permanent exhibit: Historical displays of art, artifacts and more

Mt. Adams Civic Association | Mt. Adams. 513-235-3957. mtadamscincy.org

ƒ May thru October. Historic walking tours

National Museum of the United States Air Force | Wright-Patterson AFB, Fairborn. nationalmuseum.af.mil

ƒ World’s largest military aviation museum

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center | The Banks, downtown. 513-333-7500. freedomcenter.org

ƒ Permanent collection exploring themes of individual freedom

ƒ Thru June 21. “Jubilation! Ambassadors on a Sacred Journey” “Jurassic World by Brickman” invades Cincinnati Museum Center on May 22, including more than 50 dinosaur models, props and scenes made from more than 6 million Lego bricks.

National VOA Museum of Broadcasting | West Chester. 513-777-0027. voamuseum.org

ƒ Radio’s golden age and Cincinnati’s role in America’s global voice

Newport Aquarium | Newport. newportaquarium.com

ƒ Showcase of exotic aquatic creatures

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum | Hamilton. 513-868-1234. pyramidhill.org

ƒ Sculpture meets nature in expansive park setting

Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati | Covington. cincirailmuseum.org

ƒ May 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Exhibited railroad yard collection

RAPTOR Inc. | Milford. raptorinc.org

ƒ May 31, 1-4 p.m. Open house for birds of prey sanctuary

Skirball Museum | Hebrew Union College, Clifton. 513-221-1875. csm.huc.edu

ƒ Permanent exhibit: “An Eternal People: The Jewish Experience”

Star Walk | WEB Extreme Entertainment, West Chester. verseimmersive.com/cincinnati/starwalk

ƒ Augmented reality odyssey through the cosmos

Taft Museum of Art | Lytle Park, downtown. 513-241-0343. taftmuseum.org

ƒ Historic home, art collection and exhibits

Tri-State Warbird Museum | Batavia. tri-statewarbirdmuseum.org

ƒ Permanent exhibitions of military and historic aviation

Valley View Nature Preserve | Milford. valleyviewpreserve.org

ƒ Preserved 190-acre farm and open land

Vent Haven Museum | Ft. Mitchell. 859-341-0461. venthaven.org

ƒ By appointment only. World’s only museum dedicated to ventriloquism

White Water Shaker Village | Harrison. whitewatervillage.org

ƒ Preserved historic village

ƒ May 24, 2-5 p.m. Open house

William Howard Taft National Historic Site | Mt. Auburn. nps.gov/wiho/index.htm

ƒ Historic home of U.S. president and Supreme Court justice

Dance

Brady Music Center | The Banks. bradymusiccenter.com

ƒ May 7, 7:30 p.m. Dancing with the Stars: Live!

College-Conservatory of Music | Patricia Corbett Theater, University of Cincinnati. 513-556-4183. ccm.uc.edu

ƒ May 1-2. Spring Youth Ballet Concert

Miami Valley Ballet Theatre | Fairfield Community Arts Center, Fairfield. mvbtdance.org

ƒ May 9, 2 & 7 p.m. Contemporary Performance 2026

Mutual Dance Theatre | Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-494-6526. mutualdance.org

ƒ May 1-2. “Modern Mix ’26”

Northern Kentucky University | Corbett Theatre, Highland Heights. 859-572-5464. sota.nku.edu

ƒ May 1-3. “Dance ’26: Shift”

Fairs/Festivals/Markets

Appalachian Festival | New Richmond. appalachianfestival.org

ƒ May 9-10. Celebration of Appalachian culture and traditions

Artisan Marketplace | Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine. artisanfest513.org

ƒ May 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Spring Fest

ƒ May 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. artisanfest513

CincItalia Festival | Harvest Home Park, Cheviot. cincitalia.org

ƒ May 29-31. Italian food, family fun and live music

Cincy-Cinco Latino Festival | Fountain Square, downtown. hispanicchambercincinnati.com

ƒ May 2-3. Celebration of Hispanic culture

City Flea | Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine. thecityflea.com

ƒ May 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. City Flea

Civic Garden Center | Avondale. 513-221-0981. civicgardencenter.org

ƒ May 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. GrowFest 2026: Plant Sale

Covington Farmers Market | 600 block of Washington St., Covington. greatneighborhoods.org

ƒ Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Crafty Supermarket | Music Hall Ballroom, Over-the-Rhine. craftysupermarket.com

ƒ May 9, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Spring showcase of handmade creations

GeoFair | Butler County Fairgrounds, Hamilton. geofair.com

ƒ May 16-17. Gem, mineral, fossil and jewelry show

Hyde Park Farmers’ Market | Hyde Park Square. hydeparkfarmersmarket.com

ƒ Sundays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Opens May 10. Regional food and beverage market

Madeira Farmers Market | Dawson Road at Miami Avenue, Madeira. madeirafarmersmarket.com

ƒ Thursdays, 4-7 p.m. Local growers and purveyors

Northside Farmers Market | Heart of Northside, Northside. northsidefm.org

ƒ Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. Regional food and beverage summer market

The Real Taco Fest | Smale Riverfront Park, downtown. realtacofest.com

ƒ May 16. All things tacos, plus the trimmings

Smoke on the River BBQ Fest | Newport’s Festival Park. thingstodocincinnati.com

ƒ May 8-10. Celebration of BBQ in various forms

Summerfair Cincinnati | Coney Island. 513-531-0050. summerfair.org

ƒ May 29-31. Region’s largest arts and crafts festival

Taste of Cincinnati | Fifth Street, downtown. tasteofcincinnati.com

ƒ May 22-25. Food and music festival

Westside Market | Westwood Town Hall. westsidemarketcincy.com

ƒ May 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Market of handcrafted goods by small businesses

Cincinnati Museum Center | Queensgate. 513-287-7000. cincymuseum.org/omnimax

ƒ Now playing/OMNIMAX: “D-Day: Normandy 1944” • “Ohio: Wild at Heart” • “Wild Rescue”

Sunday, May 3 | 5:00 pm Choral Evensong (Pre-Service Organ Recital 4:30 pm)

Thursday, May 14 | 7:00 pm Ascension Day Service

Sunday, May 24 | 10:00 am The Day of Pentecost

Cincinnati World Cinema | Garfield Theatre, downtown. 859-957-3456. cincyworldcinema.org

ƒ Films from around the globe

Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. woodwardtheater.com

ƒ May 2, 6 p.m. Winterfilm XIII Screening and Awards Night

ƒ May 4, 7:30 p.m. “Fiume O Morte”

ƒ May 15, 7:30 p.m. Hump! Film Festival

Literary/Lectures

Barnes & Noble | Vitrual. 513-972-5146. stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/3408

ƒ May 7, 1 p.m. Anthony Horowitz “A Deadly Episode”

ƒ May 11, 7 p.m. Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung “The Last Mandarin”

Cincinnati Art Museum | Eden Park. 513-721-2787. cincinnatiartmuseum.org

ƒ May 16, 11:30 a.m. & May 17, 10:30 a.m.

See the Story: Yayoi Kusama “Infinity Net: The Autobiography of Yayoi Kusama”

Cincinnati Arts Association | Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org

ƒ May 18, 7:30 p.m. An Evening With David Sedaris

Harriet Beecher Stowe House | Walnut Hills. 513-751-0651. stowehousecincy.org

ƒ 3rd Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. Open mic with Zeda Stew

ƒ May 17, 4 p.m. Cathi Belcher:

“The Next Chapter: Brunswick”

Joseph-Beth Booksellers | Norwood. 513-396-8960. josephbeth.com

ƒ May 5, 7 p.m. Discussion: Kristy Boyce

“Rolls and Rivalry”

ƒ May 26, 7 p.m. Discussion: Emily Franklin “Love & Other Monsters”

ƒ May 27, 7 p.m. Discussion: Jessica Strawser “The Quitters Club”

Mercantile Library | Downtown. 513-621-0717. mercantilelibrary.com

ƒ May 5, 6 p.m. Discussion: Craig Fehrman

“This Vast Enterprise”

ƒ May 12, 6 p.m. Hearth & Home Lecture: Priya Krishna

ƒ May 13, 6 p.m. Discussion: Lauren Camp

“Is Is Enough”

ƒ May 19, 6 p.m. Discussion: John E. Hancock “Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks”

ƒ May 21, 6 p.m. Discussion: Andrew Jones

“The London Club”

Miami University Regionals | Hamilton Conservatory. miamioh.edu/regionals

ƒ May 18, noon. Conservatory Conversations: “Ask a Botanist”

Poetry at Artifact | Urban Artifact, Northside. facebook.com/poetryatsitwells

ƒ First Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Poetry Night

Swell | Camp Washington. swellartcafe.com

ƒ Literary events, salons and visual arts

Women Writing for (a) Change | Silverton. 513-272-1171. womenwriting.org

ƒ 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. Open mic night

ƒ May 15, 7 p.m. Reading and Q&A: Annette J. Wick

Word of Mouth Cincinnati | MOTR

Pub, Over-the-Rhine. motrpub.com

ƒ May 31, 6 p.m. Open mic poetry

Music

Ars Perpetuum | First Unitarian Church, Avondale. arsperpetuum.com

ƒ May 24, 3 p.m. “Germanic Gems”

Bands and Bikes Mini Music Fest | Moto Federation Community Garage, West End. ticketsource.com

ƒ May 9, 8 p.m. Original live performances with motorcycle culture and local vendors

Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra | Tom Stone Amphitheater, Blue Ash. 513-549-2197. bamso.org

ƒ May 25, 7 p.m. “This We’ll Defend” Memorial Day concert, Michael Chertock, conductor

Blues Dance Cincinnati | Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum. bluesdancecincinnati.com/events

ƒ Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Tuesday Blues

Bogart’s | Corryville. bogarts.com

ƒ Frequent performances of music spanning genres

Brady Music Center | The Banks, downtown. bradymusiccenter.com

ƒ May 12, 7 p.m. Bilmuri

ƒ May 23, 8:30 p.m. Baby Keem

ƒ May 24, 7:30 p.m. The Kid LAROI

ƒ May 28, 8 p.m. Russell Dickerson

Butler Philharmonic | Talawanda High School, Oxford. 513-844-5151. butlerphil.org

ƒ May 16, 7:30 p.m. “New Wine in Old Bottles!” with Butler Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

Caffè Vivace | Walnut Hills. 513-601-9897. caffevivace.com

◆ Jazz Vivace Series: jazzvivace.org

‚ May 2, 7 & 9 p.m. Joey Alexander Trio

‚ May 5, 7 & 9 p.m. Gabrielle Cavassa Quartet

‚ May 9, 7 & 9 p.m. Nicole Zuraitis

‚ May 14, 8 p.m. Brad Mehldau Trio w/Felix Moseholm & Jorge Rossy (Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine)

‚ May 15, 7 & 9 p.m. Tia Fuller and Shamie Royston

‚ May 16, 7 & 9 p.m. Nduduzo Makhathini

‚ May 27, 7 & 9 p.m. Kurt Rosenwinkel Trio

‚ May 28, 7 & 9 p.m. Michael Mayo

Christ Church Cathedral | Downtown. 513-621-1817. cincinnaticathedral.com

ƒ May 3, 5 p.m. Choral Evensong

◆ Music Live at Lunch, 12:10 p.m. (Christ Church Chapel):

‚ May 5. Estrada do Sol

‚ May 12. Nick Greenberg Trio

‚ May 19. Pork City Slim

‚ May 26. Mitchell Sturges, tenor

Christ Church Glendale | Glendale. 513-771-1544. christchurchglendale.org

ƒ May 7, 12:05 p.m. Fairfield High School Symphonic Choir

Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library | Downtown. 513-369-6900. chpl.org

ƒ May 31, 2 p.m. Sunday on the Stairs: Cheryl Renee

Conductor Roderick Cox tops off the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra season with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”), featuring Stephen Hough, and Tchaikovsky’s thrilling Symphony No. 4.

Cincinnati Boychoir | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-396-7664. cincinnatiboychoir.org

ƒ May 2, 3 p.m. Spring Showcase: “Exploring Without”

Cincinnati Community Orchestra | Church of the Savior United Methodist, Blue Ash. 513-317-0300. cincinnaticommunityorchestra.org

ƒ May 2, 7:30 p.m. “American Salute: Celebrating the USA 250th Anniversary”

Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra | Ault Park. 513-280-8181. cincinnatijazz.org

ƒ May 29, 6 p.m. “Picnic Performance” with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Cincinnati Men’s Chorus | Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-542-2626. cincinnatimenschorus.org

ƒ May 30-31, 2 p.m. “Loud, Proud and Not Backing Down”

Cincinnati String Project | St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church, Clifton. cincinnatistringproject.org

ƒ May 3, 7 p.m. “Come Together” fundraiser concert

Cincinnati Symphony & Pops | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. cincinnatisymphony.org

ƒ May 1-3. (Pops) “The Music of Star Wars” Damon Gupton, conductor

ƒ May 8-9. (CSO) “Beethoven & Tchaikovsky” Roderick Cox, conductor; Stephen Hough, piano

Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra | Music Hall, Over-the-Rhine. cincinnatisymphony.org/csyo

ƒ May 10, 2 p.m. (Concert Orchestra) “Common Ground”

ƒ May 10, 7 p.m. (Philharmonic) “Midnight Exhibition”

Cincinnati Youth Choir | Christ Church Cathedral, downtown. 513-556-4183. cincinnatichoir.org

ƒ May 9, 2 & 5 p.m. “America250: Of Thee We Sing”

Classical Revolution | The Loon, Northside. classicalrevolutioncincinnati.com

ƒ May 10, 7:30 p.m. Chamber music in casual bar setting

Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton. 513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org

◆ 6:30 p.m. Rooftop Sessions:

‚ May 7. Chandler Carter

‚ May 14. Lady Joya Band

‚ May 21. Patricia Paz Tango & Folklore

‚ May 28. Mill Creek Drifters

Collegium Cincinnati | Knox Presbyterian Church, Hyde Park. collegiumcincinnati.org

ƒ May 10, 3 p.m. Mendelssohn Trios

Concertnova | National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, The Banks. concertnova.com

ƒ May 7-8, 7:30 p.m. “From One to Another”

Dayton Art Institute | Dayton, Ohio. 937-223-4278. daytonartinstitute.org

ƒ Sundays, 2 p.m. Skinner Pipe Organ Concert

ƒ Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. Jazz & Beyond

Dayton Philharmonic | Schuster Center, Dayton, Ohio. daytonperformingarts.org

ƒ May 1-2, 7:30 p.m. “At The Still Point”

ƒ May 6, 7 p.m. “Vivaldi’s Four Seasons”

ƒ May 23, 7:30 p.m. “California Dreamin’: Jessica Vosk Sings the Songs of Laurel Canyon”

DownTowne Listening Room | Factory 52, Norwood. downtownelisteningroom.com

ƒ May 15, 7 p.m. The Listening Factory Series: A Tale of Two and Honey & Blue

DuoMente | Christ the King Lutheran Church, West Chester. duomente.org

ƒ May 3, 4 p.m. “A Concert for Community”

Ensemble Con Fuoco | ensembleconfuoco.com

ƒ May 2, 7 p.m. David Lang: “Little Match Girl Passion” (St. Catharine of Siena, Westwood)

ƒ May 3, 2 p.m. “Little Match Girl Passion” (Indian Hill Church)

Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org

ƒ May 16, 7:30 p.m. Just Vince and the Fellas

Fountain Square | Downtown. 513-621-4400. myfountainsquare.com

◆ 5 p.m. Jazz at the Square:

‚ May 5. Evan Gidley Trio

‚ May 12. Brooks Giles Quartet

‚ May 19. Organized Gentlemen

◆ 5 p.m. Southern Sessions:

‚ May 6. Turtle Mountain and Ryan Harvey

‚ May 20. Adam & Joey and Ray Vietti

ƒ Saturdays, 7 p.m. Fifth & Vine Live: May thru September

Ghost Baby | Over-the-Rhine. ghost-baby.com

ƒ Most evenings. Live performances

Groovin on the Green | Fairfield. fairfield-city.org

ƒ May 28, 7 p.m. Kanin Wren

Hard Rock Casino | Downtown. hardrockcasinocincinnati.com

ƒ May 30, 8 p.m. Ja Rule

The Härth Room | Downtown. theharthroom.com/music

ƒ Wednesday-Saturday evenings. Live jazz

Kennedy Heights Arts Center | Kennedy Heights. 513-631-4278. kennedyarts.org

ƒ May 8, 7:30 p.m. Bill Pierce and his Cincinnati Band

Kenton County Public Library | 859-962-4000

ƒ May 2, 2 p.m. KSO Men in Black Brass Quintet (Latonia Branch)

ƒ May 14, 7 p.m. “The Song Stylings of Ol’ Blue Eyes” (Erlanger Branch)

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra | Greaves Concert Hall, Highland Heights. 859-431-6216. kyso.org

ƒ May 15, 7:30 p.m. “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme”

Lakeside Music Concert Series | Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Lakeside Park. lakesidechurch.org

ƒ May 3, 3 p.m. “Grant Us Peace”

Linton Chamber Music | 513-381-6868. lintonmusic.org

ƒ May 3, 4 p.m. “Beethoven’s Ghost Trio” (First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati, Avondale)

ƒ May 4, 7:30 p.m. “Beethoven’s Ghost Trio” (Congregation Beth Adam, Loveland)

Ludlow Garage | Clifton. ludlowgaragecincinnati.com

ƒ May 1, 7:30 p.m. The Outlaws

ƒ May 2, 7:30 p.m. Blackhawk

ƒ May 6, 7:30 p.m. Shawn Mullins

ƒ May 7, 7:30 p.m. Magical Mystery Doors

ƒ May 8, 7:30 p.m. Louis York

ƒ May 9, 7:30 p.m. Pieces of a Dream

ƒ May 14, 7:30 p.m. Sue Foley, Rory Block & Cindy Cashdollar

ƒ May 15, 7:30 p.m. Hell’s Belles

ƒ May 16, 7:30 p.m. Live at the Fillmore

ƒ May 17, 7:30 p.m. Built to Spill

ƒ May 21, 7:30 p.m. Michael Martin Murphey

ƒ May 22, 7:30 p.m. Jon B

ƒ May 23, 7:30 p.m. Vincent Ingala

ƒ May 29, 7:30 p.m. Mac McAnally

ƒ May 30, 7:30 p.m. Into The Blue

May Festival | Music Hall, Over-theRhine. 513-381-3300. mayfestival.com

ƒ May 15, 7:30 p.m. “An Eclectic Opening Night”

ƒ May 16, 7:30 p.m. “The Water’s Journey”

ƒ May 17, 3 p.m. “A Dream Deferred: Langston Hughes in Song” (Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine)

ƒ May 19, 7:30 p.m. Vocal Arts Ensemble: Rossini: Petite messe solennelle (Christ Church Cathedral, downtown)

ƒ May 21, 7:30 p.m. “On Love and Lust”

ƒ May 23, 7:30 p.m. “Porgy and Bess: Festival Finale”

MegaCorp Pavilion at Ovation | Newport. promowestlive.com

ƒ May 2, 7 p.m. Zoso

ƒ May 9, 7 p.m. Afroman

Memorial Hall | Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. memorialhallotr.com

ƒ May 6, 8 p.m. Live Dead & Brothers

ƒ May 14, 8 p.m. Brad Mehldau Trio

ƒ May 16, 8 p.m. Paul Thorn

ƒ May 27, 8 p.m. Seals & Crofts 2

ƒ May 28, 8 p.m. The Brit Pack

Miami University | Hall Auditorium, Oxford. 513-529-3200. miamioh.edu/music

ƒ May 1, 5 p.m. Voice Recital (Center For Performing Arts)

ƒ May 2, 5 p.m. Composition Concert (Center For Performing Arts)

ƒ May 2, 7:30 p.m. Men’s Glee Club

ƒ May 3, 5 p.m. Trumpet Ensemble (Center For Performing Arts)

ƒ May 5, 7:30 p.m. Symphony Band

ƒ May 7, 7:30 p.m. From Bach to Beethoven: Women Composers Reframe the Classical Tradition

ƒ May 8, 7:30 p.m. Brass Ensemble (Center For Performing Arts)

ƒ May 9, 7:30 p.m. Choraliers and Chamber Singers (Kumler Chapel)

MUSE, Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir | House of Joy, Clifton. 513-221-1118. musechoir.org

ƒ May 2, 4 p.m. “Give Your Hands to Struggle: A Tribute to Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon”

Muse Café | Westwood. musecafecincy.com/events

ƒ Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Phil DeGreg Trio

ƒ Thursdays, 6 p.m. Pete Papania

ƒ Fridays, 7:30 p.m. Muse Sings the Blues series

New Downbeat |

Dsgn Cllctv, Northside. newdownbeat.com

ƒ May 24, 7 p.m. “New Downbeat Plugged In”

Queen City Balladeers | Leo Coffeehouse, Norwood. queencityballadeers.org

ƒ May 3, 6:40 p.m. Dave Hawkins, Lenny Hall, Riegler Soundways

ƒ May 10, 6:40 p.m. Oxford Folk Jazz, Neil Harrell & Alana Johnson

ƒ May 17, 6:40 p.m. Mike Oberst, West Monty and John Fonner

ƒ May 24, 6:40 p.m. Mark Dvorak, Rupert Wales and Cheryl McKinney

Queen City Opera | Cincinnati Museum Center. 513-503-8323. queencityopera.org

ƒ May 17, 3:30 p.m. “Holding Hope”: Mendelssohn: Psalm 42

Radio Artifact | Northside. radioartifact.com

ƒ Sundays, 5 p.m. Open jam

ƒ Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Flight 88 Classical Music Series

ƒ Thursdays, 7 p.m. Open jazz

The Redmoor | Mount Lookout Square. theredmoor.com

ƒ Most Fridays & Saturdays, 6 p.m. Rock, R&B and jazz

Riverbend Music Center | 513-232-6220. riverbend.org

ƒ May 8, 7 p.m. Satchvai Band

ƒ May 16, 6:30 p.m. Kid Cudi

ƒ May 21, 7 p.m. HARDY

RiversEdge | Marcum Park, Hamilton. riversedgelive.com

ƒ May 21, 6:30 p.m. The Landsharks

ƒ May 28, 6 p.m. The Band Feel and CFG & The Family

River’s Edge Brass Band | Armstrong Chapel, Indian Hill. riversedgebrass.com

ƒ May 25, 9:40 a.m. Memorial Day Concert

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Concert Series | Montgomery. st-barnabas.org

ƒ May 3, 3 p.m. YPCC Sings Broadway

Seven Hills Symphony | Walnut Hills High School. 7hillssymphony.org

ƒ May 31, 3 p.m. “Voices of America”

SingOUT Cincy | The Loon, Northside. singoutcincy.com

ƒ May 23, 7:30 p.m. “The Songs of Cole Porter”

ƒ May 30, 7:30 p.m. “The Men of Sondheim: A Sapphic Reclamation”

Sorg Opera House | Middletown. sorgoperahouse.org

ƒ May 8, 8 p.m. Turn to Stone

ƒ May 15, 8 p.m. The Ultimate Doors

ƒ May 16, 8 p.m. Lightning Express

ƒ May 30, 8 p.m. Tyler Christopher

Sycamore Community Singers | Sycamore Presbyterian Church, Symmes Twp. sycamorecommunitysingers.com

ƒ May 28-29. Spring concert

Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org

ƒ May 1, 7:30 p.m. The Magic of Motown

ƒ May 5, 8 p.m. St. Paul & The Broken Bones

ƒ May 9, 7:30 p.m. The Ultimate Tribute to The Bee Gees

ƒ May 15, 8 p.m. Geoff Tate

ƒ May 26, 8 p.m. Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen

TempleLive at River Front Live | East End. riverfrontlivecincy.com

ƒ May 7, 8 p.m. UB40

Trinity Episcopal Church | Covington. 859-431-1786. trinitycovington.org

ƒ May 20, 12:15 p.m. Midday Musical Menu: Music of William Albright: Jax Cox, tenor/narrator; John Deaver, organ

Viva Voices | St. Henry District High School, Erlanger. vivavoices.net

ƒ May 3, 7 p.m. “Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday”

Vocal Arts Ensemble | Christ Church Cathedral, downtown. 513-381-3300. vaecinci.com

Pianist Brad Mehldau brings his innovative and sophisticated jazz stylings to Memorial Hall, May 14, a supersized extension of Caffè Vivace’s Jazz Vivace series.

ƒ May 19, 7:30 p.m. Rossini: Petite messe solennelle. Part of 2026 May Festival

Warren County Historical Museum | Lebanon. wchsmuseum.org

ƒ May 21, 7 p.m. FinTan

Washington Park | Over-the-Rhine. washingtonpark.org/events

◆ Mondays, 6 p.m. Jazz at the Park:

‚ May 4. Estrada do Sol

‚ May 11. Love of Country Jazz Quintet Plays Cowboy Bossa Nova

‚ May 18. Brent Gallaher Quintet

‚ May 25. Mambo Combo

◆ Thursdays, 6 p.m. Blues & Brews: (Changes to “Roots Revival” on May 28):

‚ May 7. The Love Handles

‚ May 14. Jimmy D Rogers & Victoria Buller

‚ May 21. Noah Wotherspoon

◆ Fridays, 6 p.m. Music at the Porch: (Changes to “Friday Flow” on May 29):

‚ May 1. Alexa Hartsfield

‚ May 8. Corey Tucker Duo

‚ May 15. Hillary Hahn

‚ May 22. TBD

Woodward Theater | Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. woodwardtheater.com

ƒ May 5, 8 p.m. Wolf Eyes

ƒ May 11-12, 8 p.m. The Garcia Project

ƒ May 14, 3:30 p.m. School of Rock Mason

ƒ May 16, 9 p.m. 1D Night

ƒ May 21, 8 p.m. The Brokes

ƒ May 23, 7 p.m. Beatles vs. Stones –A Musical Showdown

ƒ May 29, 7:30 p.m. William Basinski

Young Professionals Choral

Collective | Hilton Netherland Plaza, downtown. 513-601-8699. ypccsing.org

ƒ May 30. Gala Cycle Concert: “Sing the Queen City”

Opera

Cincinnati Opera | Artsville, Madisonville. 513-241-2742.

cincinnatiopera.org

ƒ May 7, 6:30 p.m. 2026 Underscore Series: “The Afrofuturist Salon”

Dayton Opera | Schuster Center, Dayton, Ohio. daytonperformingarts.org

ƒ May 15-16, 7:30 p.m. Gershwin: “Porgy and Bess”

Queen City Opera | Cincinnati Museum Center. 513-503-8323. queencityopera.org

ƒ May 17, 3:30 p.m. “Holding Hope: Mendelssohn: Psalm 42”

Theater

American Legacy Theatre | Location TBA. 513-443-5429. americanlegacytheatre.org

ƒ May 16-17. “Clos(in)g” (script reading)

Angelico Project | St. Monica St. George, Clifton Heights. angelicoproject.org

ƒ May 6, 7-9 p.m. Improv Night

Beechmont Players | Anderson Center, Anderson Twp. 513-233-2468. beechmontplayers.org

ƒ May 15-24. “Cheaper By The Dozen”

Bogart’s | Short Vine, Corryville. bogarts.com

ƒ May 13, 7:30 p.m. Stephen Lynch, comedian

Brady Music Center | The Banks, downtown. bradymusiccenter.com

ƒ May 13, 7 p.m. Ali Wong, comedian

Broadway Across America | Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-721-3344. cincinnati.broadway.com

ƒ Thru May 3. “Water for Elephants”

ƒ May 12-17. “Suffs”

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati | Emery Theatre, Over-the-Rhine. 513-569-8080. thechildrenstheatre.com

ƒ Thru May 3. “DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon Jr.”

Cincinnati Arts Association | Aronoff Center, downtown.

513-621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org

ƒ May 1-2. “The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer” (Fifth Third Bank Theater)

ƒ May 7, 7:30 p.m. 360 AllStars (Procter & Gamble Hall)

ƒ May 18, 7:30 p.m. An Evening With David Sedaris (Procter & Gamble Hall)

Cincinnati Landmark Productions | Incline Theater, Price Hill. 513-241-6550. cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com

ƒ Thru May 10. “Disaster!”

ƒ May 27-June 21. “1776”

Cincinnati Music Theatre | JarsonKaplan Theater, Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-621-2787. cincinnatimusictheatre.org

ƒ May 8-16. “Rent”

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-2273. cincyshakes.com

ƒ Thru May 3. “Pericles”

ƒ May 22-June 14. “Emma”

Cincy Fringe Festival | Over-the-Rhine. cincyfringe.com

ƒ May 29-June 13. 23rd annual festival of experimental theater

Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton. 513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org

ƒ May 2, 8 p.m. “Highly Improvable”

Dayton Live Broadway Series | Schuster Center, Dayton, Ohio. daytonlive.org/series/broadway

ƒ May 5-10. “Mrs. Doubtfire”

Dayton Playhouse | Dayton, Ohio. daytonplayhouse.com

ƒ May 15-31. “The Full Monty”

The Dinner Detective | Embassy Suites Rivercenter, Covington. thedinnerdetective.com/cincinnati

ƒ Saturdays, 6 p.m. Murder Mystery Dinner Show

Drama Workshop | Cheviot. 513-598-8303. thedramaworkshop.org

ƒ May 2-18. “Light Up The Sky”

Ensemble Theatre | Over-the-Rhine. 513-421-3555. ensemblecincinnati.org

ƒ May 9-31. “The House on Watch Hill”

Fairfield Footlighters | Fairfield. 513-867-5348. fairfieldfootlighters.org

ƒ May 15-17. “Harvey”

Falcon Theatre | Monmouth Theatre, Newport. 513-479-6783. falcontheater.net

ƒ May 1-16. “The Apiary”

Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org

ƒ May 2, 7:30 p.m. The Drag Show

Footlighters | Stained Glass Theatre, Newport. 859-291-7464. footlighters.org

ƒ Thru May 3. “Guys And Dolls”

Funny Bone | Liberty Twp. liberty.funnybone.com

ƒ Weekly comedy shows

The Ghostlight Stage Company | Essex Studios, Walnut Hills. theghostlightstageco.com

ƒ May 7-10. “Motherhood, The Musical”

Go Bananas Comedy Club | Montgomery. gobananascomedy.com/main

ƒ Weekly comedy shows

Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre | Parrish Auditorium, Hamilton. 513-737-PLAY. ghctplay.org

ƒ April 30-May 3. “Annie”

Improv Cincinnati | Clifton Performance Theatre, Clifton. improvcincinnati.com

ƒ Thursday-Saturday evenings. Comedy

INNOVAtheatre | Dayton Polish Club, Dayton, Ohio. innovatheatre.com innovatheatre.simpletix.com/

ƒ May 29-31. “Steel Magnolias”

La Comedia Dinner Theatre | Springboro. 800-677-9505. lacomedia.com

ƒ Thru May 10. “Jesus Christ Superstar”

ƒ May 14-June 21. “The Wedding Singer”

Lamplight Theater | Madeira. lamplighttheater.org

ƒ May 15-24. “Radium Girls”

Lebanon Theatre Company | Lebanon. 513-932-8300. ltcplays.com

ƒ May 1-10. “The Diary of Anne Frank”

Loveland Stage Company | Loveland. 513-443-4572. lovelandstagecompany.org

ƒ May 8-24. “Independence”

Lumos Players (soon becoming Prism Community Players) I Maineville. lumosplayers.com

ƒ May 6, 7 p.m. 2026 Playwrights Script Reading Series: “Virginity” by Germaine Shames

Mariemont Players | Mariemont. 513-684-1236. mariemontplayers.com

ƒ May 7-24. “The Curious Savage”

Mason Community Players | Mason Community Playhouse, Mason. 513-398-7804. masonplayers.org

ƒ May 1-9. “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”

Miami University | Center for Performing Arts, Oxford. miamioh.edu/theatre

ƒ May 1-7. “Into the Woods”

Miami University Regionals | Finkelman Auditorium, Middletown. miamioh.edu/regionals

ƒ May 1, 10 a.m. Playhouse in the Park: “The Tortoise and the Hare”

Middletown Lyric Theatre |

Sorg Opera House, Middletown. 513-425-7140. middletownlyric.org

ƒ May 1-3. “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”

OTRImprov | Know Theatre, Over-the-Rhine. otrimprov.com

ƒ Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Improv jam shows

Oxford Area Community Theatre | Oxford Community Arts Center, Oxford. oxfordact.org

ƒ Thru May 3. “Holy Days”

Playhouse in the Park | Mt. Adams. 513-421-3888. cincyplay.com

ƒ Thru May 17. “Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical” (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre)

ƒ Thru May 3. “The Piano Lesson” (Rouse Theatre)

Sunset Players | Arts Center at Dunham, Price Hill. 513-588-4988. sunsetplayers.org

ƒ May 22-30. “The Cottage”

Taft Theatre | Downtown. tafttheatre.org

ƒ May 2, 8 p.m. Martin Lawrence, comedian

Tri-County Players |

Bell Tower Arts Pavilion, Evendale. 513-471-2030. facebook.com

ƒ May 1-9. “Twelfth Night”

Village Players | Ft. Thomas. 859-392-0500. villageplayers.org

ƒ Thru May 2. “Over the River and Through the Woods”

Visual Art

The Annex Gallery | Pendleton, Over-the-Rhine. annexgallery.org

ƒ Thru May 1. Congressional Art Competition: A District Showcase of Young Artists

Art Academy of Cincinnati | Over-theRhine. 513-562-6262. artacademy.edu

ƒ Thru May 1. Student thesis exhibitions

ARTclectic Gallery | Silverton. 513-822-5200. artclecticgallery.com

ƒ May 7-27. WACC Signature Member Exhibition & Sale. Reception: May 7, 5-8 p.m.

ArtWorks | Walnut Hills. 513-333-0388. artworkscincinnati.org

ƒ Thru May 6. James Marshall aka Dalek: “Back to Basics”

ƒ May 29-July 8. Ximena Flores: “Resilient Roots: Life, Death, and the Beauty of Nature’s Cycle” Reception: May 29, 5-7 p.m.

Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center | Covington. 859-431-0020. bakerhunt.org

ƒ Thru Sept. 4. DBL Law Regional Art Show

ƒ May 16, noon-5 p.m. Duveneck Art Show

The Barn | Mariemont. 513-272-3700. thebarninmariemont.org

ƒ Thru May 5. Woman’s Art Club of Cincinnati annual juried show

ƒ May 15-19. Hog Bristle Brush Painters

The Carnegie | Covington. 859-491-2030. thecarnegie.com

ƒ Thru Aug. 8. “The body isn’t a battery that discharges upon death”

Cincinnati Art Club | Mt. Adams. 513-241-4591. cincinnatiartclub.org

ƒ May 15-17. Signature Show Reception: May 15, 6-8:30 p.m.

Cincinnati Art Galleries | Downtown. 513-381-2128. cincyart.com

ƒ Thru June 12. “The Language of Color in Art”

Cincinnati Art Museum | Eden Park. 513-721-2787. cincinnatiartmuseum.org

ƒ Thru June 7. “Longing: Painting from the Pahari Kingdoms of the Northwest Himalayas”

ƒ Thru Aug. 2. Elizabeth Hawes: “Radical American Fashion”

ƒ Thru Sept. 6. Tamary Kudita: “African Victorian and Birds of Paradise”

ƒ May 29, 5-9 p.m. Art After Dark

Clay Alliance | East Walnut Hills. clayalliance.org

ƒ May 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 25th Annual Spring Pottery Fair

Cincinnati artist Gee Horton’s large-scale, evocative works are being showcased at the Contemporary Arts Center, downtown, through Aug. 30

Clay Church Studio | Camp Washington. instagram.com/clay.church.studio

ƒ New ceramics gallery

Clifton Cultural Arts Center | Clifton. 513-497-2860. cliftonculturalarts.org

ƒ Thru May 3. “Fantastic Figure” group show

Contemporary Arts Center | Fountain District, downtown. 513-3458400. contemporaryartscenter.org

ƒ Thru Aug. 20. Michael Stillion: “And then it was flowers”

ƒ Thru Aug. 30. Gee Horton: “Chapter 4: In Another Lifetime”

ƒ Thru Oct. 31. “Gravity’s Rainbow”

The Contemporary Dayton | Dayton, Ohio. 937-224-3822. codayton.org

ƒ Thru June 6. Jason Revok: “Mutually Exclusive” • Paul Verdell: “Tabernacle” • Jamea Richmond-Edwards: “Leviathan”

Dayton Art Institute | Dayton, Ohio. 937-223-4278. daytonartinstitute.org

ƒ Thru May 17. Tony Foster: “Exploring Time, A Painter’s Perspective”

ƒ Thru June 7. FotoFocus: “Symbols of Hope: Eunshin Khang”

ƒ Thru Jan. 3. “Captivating Clay: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection”

ƒ Thru Jan. 31. FotoFocus: “Exploring Feminism”

ƒ May 16-Aug. 9. FotoFocus: “All the World’s a Stage”

Essex Studios | Walnut Hills. 513-476-2170. essexstudioscincinnati.com

ƒ May 8-9, 6-10 p.m. Studio walk: “Art in Motion”

Ethos Art Collective | Mt. Healthy. ethos-art.org

ƒ May 1-30. “Venus: Her Vision, Her Voice”Reception: May 1, 6 p.m.

Evendale Cultural Arts Center | Evendale. 513-563-1350. evendaleohio.org

ƒ May 1-4. Annual juried exhibition

Fairfield Community Arts Center | Fairfield. 513-867-5348. fairfield-city.org

ƒ Thru May 29. “America250: A Visual Reflection”

Fitton Center | Hamilton. 513-863-8873. fittoncenter.org

ƒ May 2-June 26. 10th Biennial Member Show

FotoFocus | Mt. Auburn/Over-theRhine. www.fotofocus.org

ƒ May 29-Aug. 22. Grand opening exhibit: “Big Tent” Reception: May 29, 6-8 p.m. Artist talk: May 30, 1-5 p.m.

Gallery 506 | Elsmere. 513-919-5415. gallery-506.com

ƒ Thru May 9. Clay and Jim Waiscott: “Convergence” Reception: May 9, 6-10 p.m.

Gallery Veronique | Harper’s Point, Symmes Twp. 513-530-5379. galleryveronique.com

ƒ Thru May 2. The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection

Kennedy Heights Arts Center | Kennedy Heights. 513-631-4278. https://kennedyarts.org

ƒ Thru July 11. Coming of Age: New works of the HAIRitage Series by Erin Smith Glenn (Lindner Gallery)

Manifest Gallery | East Walnut Hills. 513-861-3638. manifestgallery.org

ƒ Thru May 15. “Drawn 2026” • “Aquatica”

• “Ex Nihilo” • Mary Johnson

ƒ May 29-June 26. “22nd Annual Rites of Passage” • “22nd Annual Magnitude 7”

• “Ouch!” • “Subtractivity” • Manifest Artist Residency (MAR) Showcase.

Reception: May 29, 6-9 p.m.

Middletown Arts Center | Middletown. 513-424-2417. middletownartscenter.com

ƒ May 8-June 26. Annual Student Exhibition.

Reception: May 8, 6-8 p.m.

Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights. 859-572-5148. nku.edu/gallery

ƒ Thru May 1. BFA Senior Exhibitions

Pendleton Art Center | Pendleton, Over-the-Rhine. 513-421-4339. pendletonartcenter.com

ƒ May 29, 5-9 p.m., open studios

Pendleton Art Center - Middletown | Middletown. 513-465-5038. pendletonartcenter.com

ƒ May 8, 5-9 p.m., open studios

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum | Hamilton. 513-868-1234. pyramidhill.org

ƒ Thru July 26. Michael Dunbar: “New Works”

ƒ Thru July 26. Robert McCloskey: “Season of Wonder” Reception: May 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Queen City Clay | Norwood. queencityclay.com

ƒ May 1-June 19. “Chroma”

Rosewood Arts Centre | Rosewood Gallery, Kettering. 937-296-0294. playkettering.org

ƒ Thru May 23. Nathaniel Foley: “Flight of Obscurity” • Mina Kim: “Drawings”

Studio Kroner | Downtown. studiokroner.com

ƒ Thru May 23. Paul Kroner: “What Have I Done?” Artist talk: May 2, 1-2 p.m. Reception: May 23, 1-4 p.m.

Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery | Mount St. Joseph University, Delhi. msj.edu

ƒ May 8-Sept. 4. MSJ Student Art Exhibition

Summerfair Cincinnati | Coney Island. 513-531-0050. summerfair.org

ƒ May 29-31. Arts and crafts from across the country

Taft Museum of Art | Lytle Park, downtown. 513-241-0343. taftmuseum.org

ƒ Thru May 17. “Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White”

Visionaries & Voices | Northside. 513-861-4333. visionariesandvoices.com

ƒ May 15-July 3. “Acts of Devotion” Reception: May 15, 5-8 p.m.

Warren County Historical Museum | Lebanon. wchsmuseum.org

ƒ Thru May 16. Marcus Mote: Quaker painter and 19th century folk artist

ƒ Thru June 13. “Folk Art: Self-Taught Artists, Self-Told Stories”

Weston Art Gallery | Aronoff Center, downtown. 513-977-4165. cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery

ƒ Thru June 14. Xaviera Simmons: “According to the Seasons” • Jared Thorne: “26 Planned Parenthoods”

Wyoming Art Show | Wyoming. 513-761-1749. wyomingartshow.org

ƒ May 17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 40th annual juried art show and competition

Xavier University Art Gallery | A.B. Cohen Center. xavier.edu/art-department

ƒ May 1-16. Ian McIlvain, painting/printmaking 

Get listed Arts/Culture listings are free. Send event details and photos to: editor@moversmakers.org See Page 4 for print deadlines. Visit moversmakers.org for more listings.

Collaboration is advancing cancer research in Cincinnati

At the forefront: University of Cincinnati Cancer Center

Anemphasis on collaboration is helping make Cincinnati a leader in cancer research, according to two local experts. We sat down with those doctors – Dr. William (“Bill”) Barrett and Dr. Andrew Frankart –to learn about the current state and future of cancer research here, and how changes in funding might impact that future.

Barrett is a radiation oncologist at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center; professor and chair of the radiation oncology department at the UC College of Medicine; and medical director of the Barrett Cancer Building (named after his father, who had the idea for such a center). After starting as an orderly at the hospital 46 years ago, he has now been on the faculty for 33 years.

Frankart is an assistant professor in Barrett’s department. Born and raised in Cincinnati, he did his undergraduate, medical school and residency through the university where he’s now on faculty. He divides his time evenly between pediatric radiation oncology at Cincinnati Children’s and his cancer research efforts.

What are some of the most significant research projects that each of you has worked on in the past?

Frankart: My broader interest, with the support of a grant (from the American Cancer Society and American Society for Radiation Oncology, or ASTRO) is spatial fractionation. Basically what that means is, normally, we treat tumors to the same dose, trying to have uniform coverage across the entirety of it. With spatial fractionation, we’re intentionally having very, very high-dose regions within a tumor, as well as introducing lower dose regions within a tumor, ideally allowing us to treat larger tumors than we normally can, and minimize side effects.

I have a couple of other trials ongoing in development that are looking at using imaging and then immune correlates to optimize that type of radiation.

Through my role at Children’s, I’m additionally involved in flash radiation – ultra high-dose radiation – and finding novel applications of that, in which we’re a global leader as an institution.

By Shauna Steigerwald

What would you say is Cincinnati’s position in terms of cancer research? How do we fit into the cancer research ecosystem?

Barrett: Within cancer, there’s surgical treatment; there’s medical treatment, which involves chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeting drugs, but systemic therapy in general; and radiation therapy, which is our specialty, of using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Consider the trajectory of where these skills have come from to get some aspect of where they’re going.

Within surgery, there have been tremendous advances. (With) systemic therapies, chemotherapy, starting in the 1950s, has been evolving over the years. … Effective immunotherapy, mainly in less than the last 15 years, has been very much of a home run for many people diagnosed with even widespread cancers. Targeted drugs avoid some of the systemic effects.

Within our field or radiotherapy, the advancements in physics have been tremendous: The ability to target tumors, avoid normal tissues, (have) less side effects, higher efficacy.

The biology is what’s really coming on. The

molecular revolution has begun, to be able to better understand the specifics of why some tumors are more or less sensitive to radiation, different doses, different treatment schemes, different complementary treatments given with radiation.

Frankart: I think speaking broadly, as well as to particular strengths within Cincinnati, is the collaborative nature of cancer research. Each of these advances are not happening in silos, the surgeries advancing on its own, and medical oncology and radiation oncology.

I think that the best science happens when we’re all communicating and working together so that advances can be synergized. That’s a big focus of what my research is trying to work on; the spatial fractionation is not just thinking about the radiation impact, but what does that do to things like immunotherapy that can optimize outcomes for a patient? The more we think together and collaborate as a discipline, paired

 Dr. William (“Bill”) Barrett and Dr. Andrew Frankart

with the fact that we have these technologic advances that allow us to ask more complicated and advanced questions, I think is really what’s going to drive progress in the future.

Barrett: One of the things we try to emphasize is that while nobody wants this diagnosis of cancer, if you have to face this adversary, we want this to be the very best place in the world to do it …

The atmosphere here in the city is, as Andrew said, highly collaborative, highly collegial. I try to emphasize that when it comes to cancer, even though it’s a competitive world out there, the competition is not each other – the competition is this disease, cancer.

What are your current research projects and what impacts could those projects have down the road?

Frankart: Ongoing is a clinical trial investigating a specific application of spatial fractionation called lattice therapy. It’s an approach that allows us to give much higher doses than we otherwise could give to large tumors that are causing symptoms for patients, while also allowing it to be a safe treatment, so that there’s minimal side effects associated with it, hopefully. …

The next steps of things I’m working on are ways to inform that treatment planning based upon biology. One of the projects that’s being supported by Ride Cincinnati (a cycling fundraiser) is using MRI studies to look at tumors during a course of radiation and evaluating what changes within a tumor, as opposed to the usual time points of just before and after treatment. If we better understand what’s happening inside of a tumor during radiation therapy, we might be able to better tailor those therapies to individual patients. Also working with colleagues in medical oncology to figure out how that treatment planning with radiation might best be customized to an individual patient, to optimize synergy with things like immunotherapy.

How are government funding cuts affecting cancer research?

Frankart: Federal funding is a hallmark of what cancer research advances have been driven by, and is, by number, one of the larger funding sources. So whenever there’s uncertainty around that funding, it forces us to be creative in approaches to obtain the funding to do the projects that we want to do. We are fortunate within cancer that it is something that is well supported by other avenues, like private foundations, because it is something that impacts so many people at a personal level. So there’s a lot

I try to emphasize that when it comes to cancer, even though it’s a competitive world out there, the competition is not each other – the competition is this disease, cancer.

– Dr. William Barrett

of enthusiasm for progress to be made in the field.

Personally, I try to keep an eye both on the traditional federal routes of funding that have been historically relied upon, while also looking out for these other avenues of private support that can fund pilot studies to help us investigate what the right questions are, so we’re more selective about what we’re submitting for federal funding. Or, in some cases, there’s funding sources that are sufficient to allow these projects to go ahead independently. It’s probably more of a change in the balance of where those funds are coming from. But still, trying to make every effort to not slow the progress that overall needs to happen.

Barrett: Research funding is always a struggle. … It’s a highly competitive process. The reality is, though, that people are typically so motivated to advance the fields that many research ideas are, in many respects, unfunded – meaning that people are working on Sundays, unpaid, to advance their ideas. That’s been the spirit of medicine, the spirit of medical science, for many years, and will continue to be, regardless of what the funding opportunities are.

I think that the best science happens when we’re all communicating and working together so that advances can be synergized.

– Dr. Andrew Frankart

What do you see in terms of the near future of cancer research as well as the more distant future?

Frankart: I think that in the next couple of years, it’s really looking at what Dr. Barrett alluded to. As we better understand the biology, what’s going on inside of tumors, that allows

us to customize therapies more to individual patients, and to simply have the technological ability to make those assessments and to tailor treatment plans. Before, we may not have been able to look at that level of granularity of an individual tumor. Even if we could, we may not have the technology to deliver sufficiently distinguishable therapies to be different between patients. We are at a nexus right now where both of those are converging. In the coming years, I think that’ll become particularly manifest.

In the next decade or so, I think – along a similar theme – as computing power increases, as our understanding of tumors increases, the ability to leverage technology so that we look at an individual patient, individual tumor, individual cells within a patient’s tumor and customize therapy to that, working among all those different specialties within oncology. So that it’s not so much that you come in and are treated for X type of cancer, but you, as an individual, have this that we recommend as your treatment approach, and we have the ability to verify for you that this is the best approach. It may differ from someone who comes in with the exact same diagnosis, because of these features that we can understand at the biology level.

Barrett: Early detection, I think, is also going to play a bigger role in the very near future. Right now, there are several cancers that are somewhat effectively screened for. But part of this molecular revolution is the ability to, within blood tests and urine tests and stool tests, to detect fragments of tumor cells way before they could ever be detected radiographically or by any clinical examination. That has the opportunity to change things pretty dramatically. … Prevention is really important. There is the latency, meaning that if somebody is exposed to something that may cause a cancer – whether it’s environmental carcinogens, cigarette smoke, chemicals or a virus – it may be five or 10 or 20 or 30 years before the cancer manifests. It’s been very difficult, historically, to track that. … Through this molecular revolution, (we’ll) be able to better assess potential environmental carcinogens people come into contact with; importance of dietary changes and how that changes cancer prevalence and susceptibility; better understanding the immune system. … It’s only in the last less than 15 years that there are effective drugs that have allowed people’s immune systems to attack and kill cancer cells that their immune system otherwise couldn’t get to. These drugs are taking away the protective effects that the cancers develop themselves. When it works, it’s dramatic; there are people walking around now, disease-free, who eight years ago flat out would not have been. That’s only going to continue to improve.

Continued on Page 19

Notables

Movers & Makers reached out this month to regional organizations working in the field of medical research. We asked them to help us showcase their notables as part of M&M’s continuing effort to recognize individuals making a difference in medical research and in Greater Cincinnati’s nonprofit ecosystem.

Mary Kate Gehret, Wood Hudson

Mary Kate Gehret, Ph.D., brings a rare combination of scientific focus and enthusiasm to cancer research. As a staff scientist at Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory, she can spend hours thinking about her experiments and still have the energy to light up a room afterward. When she is not in the lab, she is usually with friends, family or her husband, though it is widely understood that her true bosses are her wonderfully chaotic feline crew.

MaryKateGehret

Her excitement for science carries over into everything she does, especially when it comes to mentoring young minds. She looks forward to working with students in the Undergraduate Research Education Program at Wood Hudson, where her curiosity and humor make learning engaging to inspire the next generation of researchers and clinicians. Whether she is analyzing data or wrangling cats, Gehret shows up fully, making science fun for everyone around her. 

Brian J. Chilelli, Mercy Health

BrianJ.Chilelli

Dr. Brian J. Chilelli is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in complex knee surgery, with expertise in cartilage restoration, knee preservation and ligament reconstruction. He serves as an orthopaedic surgeon at Mercy Health and is a faculty member at the Cincinnati Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center fellowship. Chilelli completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, followed by a sports medicine fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. His clinical interests include advanced cartilage repair techniques, osteotomies, cartilage transplantation and orthobiologics. Chilelli is an active researcher and educator, contributing extensively to orthopaedic literature and national courses. He has adopted innovative technology, serving as the first surgeon in Cincinnati to utilize the CartiHeal implant for cartilage repair. He will also take part in a Phase III multicenter FDA clinical trial evaluating a novel stem cell-based therapy, CartiStem, for cartilage damage. 

Christin Godale, LifeSciKY

Christin Godale, Ph.D., is helping position the region as an emerging hub for life sciences innovation. As executive director of LifeSciKY, she is building dedicated infrastructure to support independent early-stage life science companies, connecting founders, researchers and industry partners to accelerate growth.

Under Godale’s leadership, LifeSciKY launched a 15,000-square-foot lab in Covington that has already attracted multiple startups and its first international company, Mitsui Chemicals, to the region, serving as early proof of momentum.

Godale’s background in neuroscience and venture investing informs her hands-on approach to supporting founders, while her work developing fellowships and university partnerships is creating a pipeline for future innovators. She is a dedicated epilepsy advocate, raising awareness and supporting research to improve treatments and patient outcomes. 

Takanori Takebe, Cincinnati Children’s

Takanori Takebe, M.D., Ph.D., is redefining what’s possible in regenerative medicine, growing miniature human organs from stem cells and moving them toward real-world therapies for children with lifethreatening disease. He is an associate professor and is director of commercial innovation at the Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Research and Medicine. At just 39, he was named to the 2026 TIME100 Health list, recognized for pioneering organoid medicine and advancing bold ideas like enteral “rectal” ventilation, which earned his team a satirical Ig Nobel Prize in 2024. Takebe’s work stands out for its urgency: His lab has engineered multi-zonal liver organoids, connected multi-organ systems and scalable platforms to replace damaged organs and accelerate drug discovery. He originally planned to become a transplant surgeon; witnessing the shortage of donor organs pushed him to grow new ones instead. That pivot captures Takebe’s humanity: a scientist driven not just by curiosity, but by the children waiting for solutions. 

ChristinGodale

TakanoriTakebe

Francisco Romo-Nava, Lindner Center of Hope

Dr. Francisco Romo-Nava is a proud husband and dad. He likes to spend time riding a bike with his kids and hiking around the trails of the Cincinnati Nature Center or visiting children’s museums with his family.

FranciscoRomo- Nava

He is also a physician-scientist studying the role of brain-body interaction networks in the context of psychiatric disorders, and is breaking new ground with studies of the circadian system and spinal interoceptive pathways in mood and eating disorders. He is the inventor of a promising new intervention, spinal cord stimulation, which is now patented for treating psychiatric disorders.

Romo-Nava is associate chief research officer at the Lindner Center of Hope and associate professor at the University of Cincinnati Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences. He has received several academic distinctions, including a NARSAD Young Investigator Award by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, grants from the National Institutes of Health, and is a research co-lead for Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder (BD2) Integrated Network site. 

How might Cincinnati’s role in cancer research change? Do you see Cincinnati growing in this area?

Barrett: Very much. … One of the things we really try to emphasize in our community here is collegiality, collaboration and an unselfish approach to people working together for the greater good. We have so many resources in this region. … We put a lot of effort into bringing these groups together. People who wouldn’t otherwise normally even communicate get to know each other and to potentially have collaborative projects.

Frankart: I can comment, as an earlier career person in the research field, that it’s very important to feel like you have institutional support to ask big questions and to push things ahead, and not feel like you’re being discouraged from asking those types of things in favor of a status quo. I think that here, there is that significant drive to want to improve things for the patients in front of us. And we recognize that part of doing that is asking those big questions advancing research. So the support that the institution has, that the community has, for that is exactly what you would ask for when you’re thinking about what institutions going ahead are going to be driving research. 

 uchealth.com/en/cancer-center

 Full interview: moversmakers.org

NOTE: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

Mental Health Services for Individuals and Their Families

• Counseling: Improving daily functioning for children and families

• Case Management: Community‑based treatment and support

• Substance Use Services: Care for co‑occurring mental health and substance use needs

• Psychiatric Care: Comprehensive evaluation and treatment from clinical specialists

• Early Childhood Support: Individual and family‑focused therapeutic care

• Day Treatment: Structured therapeutic environments

Join us in making an impact in our community. 513.272.2800 • bestpoint.org

The Datebook

MAY 1, FRIDAY

Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, House to Home | 6-9 p.m. The Loft at Braxton Brewing, Covington. Food, cash bar, live music, silent auction and bourbon raffle. Tickets: $100.

 honkhomes.org

UC DAAP, Fashion Show | 7:30 p.m. MegaCorp Pavillion, Newport. VIP cocktail reception, fashion show with live DJ, sound and lighting. Tickets: $28-$185.

 daap.uc.edu

Visionaries + Voices, Double Vision | 6:30-10:30 p.m. Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. Emcee: Penny Tration. Music, pop-up shop, light bites, bar, live and silent auctions. Tickets: $75.

 visionariesandvoices.com/dv17

MAY 1-3, FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Flying Pig Marathon | Downtown. 5K, 10K and half-marathon. Fitness expo and family fun festival.

 flyingpigmarathon.com

MAY 2, SATURDAY

Best Buddies, Friendship Walk: Cincinnati | 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Marcum Park, Hamilton. Walk to support inclusion for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org

Civic Garden Center, Spring Plant Sale | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Civic Garden Center, Avondale. Plant sale, Green Flea booth, non-plant vendors, kids’ activities, food truck and silent auction. Free.

 civicgardencenter.org/growfest

Greater Project, Greater Stakes: Kentucky Derby Casino Soirée | 4-7 p.m. Revelance, Mason. Derbythemed evening with casino games, live entertainment, food, cocktails and VIP experiences. Tickets: $54; VIP $107.

 greaterproject.org

MAY 3, SUNDAY

Cincinnati String Project, Come Together Fundraiser | 7 p.m. St. John’s Unitarian Universalist

Church, Clifton. Student and teacher performances, light bites and season announcement.

 cincinnatistringproject.org/donate

MAY 5, TUESDAY

The Help Squad, Cinco de Neon | 6 p.m. American Sign Museum, Camp Washington. Dinner, presentation and raffle baskets. Hosts: Mike Dardis and Sheree Paolello, WLWT.

 thehelpsquadcincy.com

MAY 6, WEDNESDAY

ProKids, Friends of Children Breakfast | 8-9 a.m. Cintas Center, Xavier University. Networking at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast and program of stories from community leaders, ProKids staff and families, plus opportunities to volunteer. Free, and free parking.

 prokids.org/breakfast

Adventure Crew, Roast of Brewster Rhoads | Honoring and roasting of Brewster Rhoads. Emcee: Thane Maynard.

 adventurecrew.org/events

MAY 7, THURSDAY

Adopt A Class, Heroes Day | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunken Airport. Interactive demonstrations, armored vehicle tours and activities for students.

 aacmentors.org/heroes-day

Cincinnati Preservation, Preservation Excellence Awards | 6-9 p.m. Woodward Theater, Over-theRhine. Appetizers, drinks, raffle and awards. Tickets: $85.

 cincinnatipreservation.org/awards

Thane Maynard emcees a roast of Paddlefest founder Brewster Rhoads (left) for Adventure Crew, May 6.

Dan Beard Council - Scouting America, Good Scout Award Luncheon | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. First Financial Convention Center. Keynote: Marty Brennaman. Emcee: John Morris Russell. Tickets: $350.

 danbeard.org

Hope Ignites, Bet on Hope | 5-9 p.m. Memorial Hall, Over-theRhine. Small plates, open bar, interactive games, casino games and program. Tickets: $200.

 cincinnati.hopeignites.gives

Lachey Arts, label•less | 7-9 p.m. Contemporary Arts Center, downtown. Live performance with projection mapping. Hosted by Jackie Congedo. Tickets: $268.61.

 lacheyarts.com

NewPath, Topgolf Outing | 1-4 p.m. Topgolf, West Chester. Topgolf, team bonding, food, drinks and raffles. Tickets: $175; Rent a Bay: $1,000.

 newpath.org/events/topgolf

NKY Chamber, Business Impact Awards | 4-6 p.m. MegaCorp Pavilion, Newport. Networking, cocktails, appetizers, photo booth, awards program and after-party. Tickets: $60.

 nkychamber.com/impact

MAY 8, FRIDAY

Camp Joy, Dance for Joy | 5 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom. Happy hour, dinner and live music. Co-chairs: Mike McGinty and Julie McGinty. Tickets: $200.

 camp-joy.org/dance-for-joy-2026

Mike McGinty and Julie McGinty cochair this year’s Dance for Joy benefiting Camp Joy, May 8 in the Music Hall Ballroom.

Easterseals Redwood, Express 2026 | Turfway Park, Florence. Food, live auction, silent auction, raffles, open bar and silent disco. Tickets: $150.  eastersealsredwood.org

MAY 9, SATURDAY

Clark Montessori, Community Festival | 1:30-5 p.m. Clark Montessori School, Hyde Park. Live music, games, food trucks and student vendors. Free.  clarkmontessorifoundation.org

Great Parks, Pollinator Festival & 5K | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Miami Whitewater Forest. Timed, friendly walk/run, live music, butterfly garden and local vendors.  greatparks.org

MAY 11, MONDAY

Cincinnati Zoo, Zoo Golf | TPC River’s Bend, Maineville. Golf, food, drinks, games, animal encounters and raffles.  cincinnatizoo.org

Adopt A Class, Skilled Trades Day | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Hands-on learning and interactive demonstrations with trade industries.  aacmentors.org/skilled-trades-day

Cincinnati Museum Center, After Hours: Prom Edition | 7-10 p.m. Cincinnati Museum Center. Food, cash bar and programming. Tickets: $20.  cincymuseum.org/after-hours

Rotary Club of Cincinnati, Play It Forward | 6-9 p.m. Boathouse Tent Pavilion, Sawyer Point. Dinner, drinks and silent auction. Tickets: $200.  cincinnatirotary.org

Council on Aging: The region’s ‘front door’ to caring for older adults

By Cindy Starr

The phone calls come daily, by the dozens, to the office of Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio. The callers’ questions are predictable and often fueled by desperation: “What do I do? Where do I go?”

“The answers involve 500 scenarios,” said Suzanne Burke, Council on Aging’s CEO. “That’s why we get 80,000 calls each year.”

COA, celebrating its 55th anniversary this year, is the “front door” for anyone from five Southwestern Ohio counties who needs information, resources or guidance during the complex journey of caring for an older adult or an individual with disabilities. COA helps more than 27,000 people annually remain independent in their homes and communities.

That front-door assistance, provided by a skilled staff of 20, is frequently sought when an aging loved one is suddenly unable to live independently.

“No one appreciates it until they’re in it,” Burke said. “And once you’re in it, it’s hard.”

The time has come for families, communities and employers to face a demographic shift that is well underway and for which society is unprepared, said Burke and Dr. Karen Bankston, chair of COA’s board of trustees. By 2034, adults over 65 will outnumber children under 18 in the United States for the first time. Challenges that include uncertain government funding, a shortage of home care workers and rising costs for older adults all need to be addressed.

Oldest age group needs more care

“Communities need to be more engaged,” Burke said. “They need to be thinking about how we finance this in the future. What are we as a community doing to prepare for this shift? The fastest-growing population, the 85-and-over age group, are those most likely to need care. Aging funding is not designed to support current demographics.”

Burke pointed to the growing strain on systems that aren’t built for today’s demographics.

“The shift toward an older population is already affecting families and employers,”

Bankston said. “We need community-wide collaboration – public, nonprofit and corporate – to ensure that there are appropriate systems in our region that are dependable into the next decade.

“This cannot fall to any one organization,” she added. “The board’s vision is a region where every sector is engaged and views it as a shared responsibility to strengthen the safety net to support our aging community.”

Burke noted that employers are “one of the groups that’s most impacted but doesn’t realize it.” A recent COA survey of a local construction company’s staff revealed – to the shock of company leaders – that more than 40 percent of the company’s employees were serving a caregiving function for an older adult.

“If you get a call that your mother has fallen, the situation is not going to resolve in a day or two,” Burke said. “It will continue for a long period of time. If you’re at work trying to handle all this, it’s tough.”

COA, with a budget of $140 million and 420 staff, is one of the largest nonprofits in the region. It is largely funded by federal and state dollars and by county senior services levies.

Growing help for a growing need

When Burke joined as CEO in 2005, COA had a $60 million budget and staff of 90. State Medicaid guidelines were driving people to nursing homes, while people hoping to stay in their homes languished on long waiting lists. Today that scenario has flipped. Keeping aging individuals in their homes is the priority, a kinder and less expensive alternative to institutional placement.

COA guides individuals without assets toward Medicaid-funded in-home care programs while also providing services to those with limited or moderate income who aren’t Medicaid-eligible. “We fill the gaps,” Burke said. “The levy programs are the safety net for people who do not qualify for Medicaidfunded in-home care but also cannot afford to pay privately for care.”

The organization also serves individuals

who can pay for the cost of some or all of their care. Like others enrolled in COA programs, these individuals are assigned a care manager and receive services from COA-vetted providers. “That’s especially important if you have children who live out of town,” Burke said. “They get the variety of our network, and we’ve got it all: transportation providers, homemaking, cleaning, laundry service and more.”

COA has adapted its programs and services to meet the changing needs of older adults and caregivers. AddnAide, a nationally recognized app that COA developed, is one example. The app, which has properties of both a ride-hailing service and dating site, matches self-employed, vetted home care providers with families. A family member can scan who is available at a specific time, and aides can look for gig opportunities that are nearby or fit their schedule. The app includes GPS tracking to ensure service delivery occurs and also integrates payment processing.

“COA’s role is not merely service delivery,” Bankston said. “It’s shaping a regional system of care. Our board’s responsibility is to ensure that we remain flexible as the aging population accelerates. Our board is focused on ensuring that COA remains a reliable, community-trusted steward of resources –today, and for the next generation of older adults.”

Suzanne Burke COA CEO

Dr. Karen Bankston COA Board Chair

Sam Hubbard Foundation, Annual Fowling Tournament | 5-9 p.m. Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati. Match up with current and former Bengals in a game mixing football and bowling. Tickets: $100; $300/fowling team. samhubbardfoundation.betterworld.org

St. Vincent de Paul Cincinnati, Celebration of Service | 6-9 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. Cocktails, dinner, and program recognizing leaders who helped found Charitable Pharmacy on its 20th anniversary and honoring Leadership Cincinnati’s 50th anniversary.

 svdpcincinnati.org

MAY 15, FRIDAY

Atrium Medical Center Foundation, James A. Combs Memorial Golf Tournament | 10:30 a.m. Wildwood Golf Club, Middletown. Golf, lunch, dinner, awards and split-the-pot. Registration: $175.

 atriummedcenterfoundation.org

Council on Aging, Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration | 8-9:30

a.m. Cooper Creek Event Center, Blue Ash. Continental breakfast, brief overview of Impact Report, awards ceremony and keynote presentation from the Pease Brothers. Registration: $75.

 help4seniors.org

Family Nurturing Center, Prom for a Purpose | 7-11 p.m. Turfway Park, Florence. Open bar, dinner, silent auction, dancing and Prom Royal crowning. Tickets: $150.

 familynurture.org

May Festival, Dîner en Fleur | 5 p.m. Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine.

Power to Pursue, founded by Rachel DesRochers, hosts a full day of panels and presentations by local women leaders, May 15 at Music Hall & Memorial Hall.

Guests encouraged to bring their own picnic baskets and food. Live entertainment, picnic tables for seating and activities. Pre-registration required.

 mayfestival.com

Power to Pursue, Annual Summit |

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Music Hall & Memorial Hall. Full day of panels and presentations by local women leaders. Tickets: $205; VIP $275.

 powertopursue.org/summit

St. Elizabeth Foundation, Golf Classic | 7:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Rising Star Casino Resort. Golf.  stelizabeth.com

MAY 16, SATURDAY

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Great Strides | 9 a.m. Sawyer Point Park. Three-mile walk.

 fundraise.cff.org/Cincinnati2026

Ghostlight Stage Company, Golf Scramble | Noon-5:30 p.m. California Nature Preserve Golf Course, California. Golf, buffet dinner and drinks. Tickets: $125.

 theghostlightstageco.com

Melanoma Know More, Susan Roebuck Memorial Golf Outing | 8 a.m. Aston Oaks Golf Club, North Bend. Golf, lunch, contests, raffles and split the pot. Registration: $125.

 melanomaknowmore.com

People Working Cooperatively, Repair Affair | Use home-repair skills to provide important home maintenance services to seniors and people with disabilities living on low or fixed incomes.

 pwchomerepairs.org/repair-affair

MAY 18, MONDAY

Aubrey Rose Foundation, Annual Golf Open | 10 a.m. Aston Oaks Golf Club, Miami Heights. Light breakfast, golf, lunch, dinner, drinks, competition prizes, split-the-pot and silent auction. Registration: $150; $600/foursome.

 aubreyrose.org/events/golf-outing

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Golf Classic | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Kenwood Country Club. Food, drinks, gifts and silent auction.

 bigsforkids.org/golfclassic.html

The Point Arc, Annual Scheben Memorial Classic Charity Golf Outing | 12:05 p.m. Triple Crown Country Club, Union. Golf, boxed lunch, dinner and prizes. Proceeds benefit Bill & Betsy Scheben Care Center. Registration: $1000 foursome.  schebencarecenter.org

MAY 20, WEDNESDAY

ACG Cincinnati, Deal Maker Awards | 4:30-6 p.m. Music Hall Ballroom. Honoring Barry Peterson. Registration: $275; prices increase closer to event.

 acgcincinnatidealmaker.org/event

Adopt A Class, Celebration Breakfast | 8-10 a.m. First Financial Center. Breakfast, networking and awards. Tickets: $50.

 aacmentors.org

Spirit of Construction, Spring Fling | 4:30-7:30 p.m. Drees Pavilion, Covington. Networking and announcing grant recipients.

 spiritofconstruction.org/spring-fling

Connie Langhorst is the featured speaker for “Glitz, Groove and Giving,” the Alzheimer’s Association gala, May 29 at the Hyatt Regency.

MAY 21, THURSDAY

Cincinnatus Association, Spencer Awards | 5:30 p.m. Hyatt Regency. Emcee: Courtis Fuller. Dinner and ceremony honoring Cincinnati Metro, Community Learning Center Institute, MORTAR, Miami University Urban Cohort and Costco Wholesale. Tickets: $100.

WAVE Foundation, Community Hangout | 5-8 p.m. West Sixth Covington Haus, Covington. Pint night fundraiser, conservation games, raffles and prizes. Free.

 wavefoundation.org

MAY 23, SATURDAY

Little Brothers Friends of The Elderly, 29th Anniversary Gala| 6-10 p.m. Willow Event Center, White Oak. Tickets: $150.

 littlebrotherscincinnati.org

MAY 27, WEDNESDAY

Council on Aging, Healthy Aging Day | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Word of Deliverance Church, Forest Park. Free information, resources, health screenings and activities for older adults.

 help4seniors.org

MAY 28, THURSDAY

EACC Greater Cincinnati, Annual Gala | 5:30-9:30 p.m. Hard Rock Casino. Cocktail reception, seated dinner and program. Tickets: $200.  eacc-cincy.com

FC Cincinnati Foundation, Ladies Lace Up | 5-9 p.m. Mercy Health Training Center, Milford. Women-only evening of Soccer 101 with FC Cincinnati coaching staff. Soccer challenges, chalk talks, cocktails & dinner by the bite, raffles, silent auctions and special gift bag.

 fccincinnati.com

MAY 29, FRIDAY

Alzheimer’s Association, 2026 Gala “Glitz, Groove and Giving” | 5:30-9:30 p.m. Hyatt Regency. Honoring Connie Langhorst and Dave Custer. Chairs: Eric Knapp and Michelle Levine. Auction. Tickets: $300.

 alz.org/cincinnati

MAY 30, SATURDAY

Cancer Support Community, Sneaker Ball | 6-9 p.m. Cancer Support Community, Blue Ash. Hosted by Emerging Leaders Board. Food, dancing and raffles. Tickets: $20.  mycancersupportcommunity.org

Parental Hope, Annual Spring For Hope | 7 a.m. Kenton County Golf Course. Breakfast, golf, table massages, contests, raffles and prizes. Registration: $120.

 parentalhope.org/swing-for-hope

Young Professionals Choral Collective, Gala - Sing The Queen City | 6 p.m. Hilton Netherland Plaza. Roaring Twenties cabaret concert, dinner and VIP experience. Tickets: $75.  ypccsing.org

JUNE 1, MONDAY

ArtWorks, ArtDinner | 6-9:30 p.m. Mercantile Immersive, downtown. Save the date.

 artworkscincinnati.org

Green Umbrella presents the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit with keynote speaker Rebecca Carter. Included are an exhibitor expo, art show, live performances and networking reception, June 12 at Sharonville Convention Center.

Ronald McDonald House, Annual Golf Classic | 11 a.m. Kenwood Country Club. Golf, lunch and reception.  rmhcincinnati.org

Stepping Stones, Golf Classic | O’Bannon Creek Golf Club, Loveland. Food, drinks, raffle prizes and golf.

 steppingstonesohio.org/golf-classic

JUNE 2, TUESDAY

Pink Ribbon Good, Play It Foreward Golf Tournament | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Heritage Club, Mason. Golf tournament.  pinkribbongood.org

JUNE 4, THURSDAY

Talbert House, Fatherhood Celebration | 4:30-6:30 p.m. Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. Networking, appetizers, drinks and program. Keynote: Thane Maynard. Tickets: $100.  talberthouse.org

JUNE 5, FRIDAY

“Barns Unlimited” Fundraiser | 6-8 p.m. Ethos Art Collective Gallery, Mt. Healthy. Meet-and-greet with Robert Kroeger and silent auction to help raise funds to restore the historic Bahr Barn.  robertkroeger.com

Cincinnati ToolBank, Par-Tee for ToolBank | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Mill Course, Winton Woods. Golf and lunch.  cincinnatitoolbank.org

JUNE 6, SATURDAY

Ohio River Foundation, Coffee with a Kick | 4:30, 6 & 7:30 p.m. Higher Gravity, Summit Park. Sample classic espresso martini, specialty espresso martini, coffee negroni and other specials. Tickets: $20.  ohioriverfdn.org/events

JUNE 7, SUNDAY

Giving Voice Foundation, We Are With You Gathering | 2-4 p.m. Fueled Collective, Rookwood. Drinks, shop, games and program. Free.  givingvoicefdn.org/we-are-with-you

JUNE 8-14, MONDAY-SUNDAY

Green Umbrella, Cincinnati Climate Week | Region-wide celebration of climate action across Greater Cincinnati.  cincinnaticlimateweek.org

JUNE 8, MONDAY

Matthew Mangine Jr. Foundation, Annual One Shot Golf Outing | 11 a.m. Triple Crown Country Club, Union. Golf, food, drinks and awards.

 oneshot.life/golf-outing

JUNE 9, TUESDAY

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Golf Outing | 10:30 a.m. Vineyard Golf Course, Union. Golf, lunch and celebrity Q&A.  cycyouth.org/golfouting

JUNE 11, THURSDAY

The Point Arc, Raffle with a Reason | Noon. Point Perk, Covington. $20K cash grand prize raffle. Tickets: $100.

 thepointarc.org/upcoming-events

St. Elizabeth Foundation, Rally for the Cure | 8 a.m. Twin Oaks Golf Course, Covington. Golf.  stelizabeth.com

JUNE 12, FRIDAY

Adopt A Class, Golf Outing | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Great Parks The Mill Course. Golf.  aacmentors.org/golf-outing

Beechwood Home, Annual Sporting Clay Event | 8 a.m.-noon. Sycamore Gun Club, Miamiville. Clay shoot, lunch, awards, gun raffle and bourbon basket. Tickets: $300; $225 age 30 and younger; $250 armed services.

 beechwoodhome.com

DATEBOOK

Green Umbrella, Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit | 8 a.m.-

6 p.m. Sharonville Convention Center. Keynote: Rebecca Carter. Programming, speakers, exhibitor expo, poster session, art show, live performances and networking reception. Tickets: $215; $235 after May 15.

 midwestsustainabilitysummit.org

Holly Hill, Annual Golf Classic | 7:30 a.m. Kenton County Golf Course, Independence. Golf, lunch and awards. Registration: $175.

 birdease.com/hollyhillgolfclassic

JUNE 13, SATURDAY

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Southwest Ohio Take Steps | 10 a.m.-noon. Voices of America Park, West Chester. Walk and ribbon ceremony.

 takesteps.crohnscolitisfoundation.org

Green Umbrella, Green & Healthy Schools Symposium | 8:30 a.m.-

6 p.m. Rockdale Academy, Avondale. Speakers, panels, networking and workshops. Tickets: $125.

 greenumbrella.org

Ohio River Foundation, Wild & Scenic Film Festival | 6 p.m. Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. Short thought-provoking environmental films from around the U.S., social hour, dinner-by-the-bite and drinks. Tickets start at $30.

 ohioriverfdn.org/events

St. Vincent de Paul – Cincinnati, Dare to Care Dash | 9 a.m. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Scenic 5K run/walk, prizes and fun for all ages. Children and dogs welcome.

 runsignup.com/daretocaredash

WAVE Foundation, Annual River Sweep | 9-11:30 a.m. Newport on the Levee, Newport. Volunteers clean litter along Ohio River, conservation-related vendors and lunch. Free, waiver required.

 wavefoundation.org

JUNE 14, SUNDAY

Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance Foundation, Concours d’Elegance | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ault Park, Mt. Lookout. Automotive art show, VIP brunch and craft beer garden.

 ohioconcours.com

Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub presents Impact Catalyst Midwest 2026, June 23 at Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine. Keynote speakers are Jenna Nicholas, Michael O’Bryan and Suzanne Smith. Light breakfast, boxed lunch, happy hour, panels and workshops are included.

Holocaust & Humanity Center, Upstander Awards | 6 p.m. Union Terminal. Kosher-style meal, live music, dancing, activations and awards ceremony. Tickets: $125; $175 after May 1.

 holocaustandhumanity.org

Queen City Charities, Wigs & Waffles | 10:30 a.m. Rhinegeist Brewery, Over-the-Rhine. Open bar, brunch and drag show. Tickets: $80.

 queencitycharities.com/wigs

Serenity Recovery Network, Annual Golf Outing | Noon-9 p.m. Pebble Creek Golf Course, Dry Ridge. Golf and dinner. Tickets: $175.

 serenityrecoverynetwork.org/events

JUNE 17, WEDNESDAY

AIA Cincinnati, Golf Scramble | 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Glenview Golf Course, Glendale. Golf and lunch. Registration opens May 1.  aiacincinnati.org

JUNE 22, MONDAY

Boys & Girls Club, Golf Classic | 8 a.m. & 1 p.m. Oasis Golf Club, Loveland. Golf, food and drinks.  bgcgc.org/events

WAVE Foundation, Putt for Penguins | 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Wetherington Golf & Country Club, West Chester. Golfing with celebrities, auctions, food and drinks. Tickets: $300; $1,200/team.

 wavefoundation.org

JUNE 23, TUESDAY

Flywheel Social Enterprise Hub, Impact Catalyst Midwest 2026 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Memorial Hall,

Over-the-Rhine. Keynotes: Jenna Nicholas, Michael O’Bryan and Suzanne Smith. Coffee, light breakfast, boxed lunch, happy hour, panels and workshops. Tickets: $185.

 flywheelcincinnati.org/events

JUNE 25, THURSDAY

CABVI, Braille Ale Release Party | 5-7 p.m. West Side Brewing. Braille Ale limited-edition features braille on every can. Wood-fired pizza, blindfolded games and activities.

 cincyblind.org

FC Cincinnati Foundation, Served by the Pros | 5:30-10:30 p.m. TQL Stadium. Unique culinary experience with FC Cincinnati players and staff. Drinks, dinner, fun challenge-a-pro friendly competitions, live music, silent auction and raffle prizes.

 fccincinnati.com

JUNE 26, FRIDAY

Cincinnati Zoo, Zoo La La | 7:30-11 p.m. Food, drinks, entertainment, animal fun and VIP experience.  cincinnatizoo.org/events/zoo-la-la

JUNE 27, SATURDAY

Atrium Medical Center Foundation, HEAL Walk | 9 a.m. Atrium Family YMCA, Middletown. Registration opens in May.  atriummedcenterfoundation.org

The Cure Starts Now, Hyde Park Blast | 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Hyde Park Square. Run/walk, kids fun run, pro cycling and block party. Registration: $50.  hpblast.org

JUNE 28, SUNDAY

Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame, 12th Induction Ceremony | 3 p.m. Mayerson JCC, Amberley. Performances and induction ceremony. Emcee: Jim LaBarbara. Tickets: $30.  cincyjazzhof.org

Holocaust & Humanity Center, Upstander 5K | 8:30 a.m. Union Terminal. 5K walk and run options, live music, family activities, breakfast and pickleball tournament. Registration: $47.45.  runsignup.com

Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields, Annual Cruise In For Kids Car Show | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields, Fairfield. Car show, live music, raffle, split the pot and food trucks. Tickets: $20 Registration per car; Free general admission.  nuxhallmiracleleague.org 

at

Make sure your fundraiser or community event is listed at moversmakers.org/datebook

Listings are free.* Send event details to: editor@moversmakers.org

Stand out

Consider advertising. Contact Thom Mariner: tmariner@moversmakers.org for digital and print options.

When our sponsors chose to Bet on Hope, they helped create an evening rooted in possibility, generosity, and belief in what students can achieve.

We invite you to be part of a night where generosity fuels opportunity and every ticket helps create lasting change.

With gratitude to our sponsors Bet on Hope Thursday, May 7 Memorial Hall Cincinnati, OH

Gifts & Grants

UC renames law school following $43.2M gift from Klekamp family

The University of Cincinnati has renamed its law school the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law following a planned $43.2 million gift from the Klekamp family, the largest in the school’s history.

The commitment will support scholarships, experiential learning, student success initiatives and the Corporate Law Center, expanding access to legal education and strengthening the college’s national profile.

Donald Klekamp, a 1957 UC law school grad and retired founding partner of Keating Muething & Klekamp, has long supported the university, including establishing a named law professorship in 1995. He and his late wife, Marianne, were also active philanthropists in Greater Cincinnati, supporting nonprofits, education and the arts.

The Klekamp family said the gift, set to be given in phases, reflects those values.

“They instilled in us many traits that have helped us to succeed – honesty, hard work, giving back,” said Donald’s son, Peter Klekamp.

 law.uc.edu

Cincinnati tentatively approves

$8M for Farmer Music Center

Cincinnati City Council has tentatively approved an $8 million allocation for The Farmer Music Center, advancing funding for the $160 million project ahead of its planned 2027 opening.

The funding still needs final approval as part of the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget, but project leaders say the vote keeps momentum moving.

“We are grateful to city leaders for their strategic investment … and for recognizing

the long-term value this venue will have,” said Robert McGrath, president and CEO of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

The Farmer Music Center will be built on the former Coney Island site and operated by Music & Event Management Inc., the CSO’s for-profit management arm. Plans call for a 20,000-capacity amphitheater to replace Riverbend as the region’s primary outdoor concert space. Riverbend will become a special event and festival stage.

MEMI projected the new venue will expand the number of shows and draw roughly 150,000 additional attendees each year.

 farmermusiccenter.com

bi3 awards $613K in grants to improve maternal mental health

Two Cincinnati-area nonprofits are expanding mental health support for new and expecting mothers with more than $600,000 in combined funding from bi3 Fund.

Best Point Education & Behavioral Health received $500,000 over three years to launch a program connecting pregnant and postpartum women to therapy, working with providers to identify those experiencing conditions like depression or anxiety and link them to care.

The Transformational Healing Place was awarded a $131,220 planning grant to develop a prenatal mental health model for Black mothers in Hamilton County. The initiative will bring together doulas, therapists and community partners to design a program that blends clinical care with peer support and culturally rooted practices.

The funding is part of a broader effort to expand access to maternal mental health care and address gaps in diagnosis and treatment across the region.

 bi3.org

Scripps Howard Fund supports Price Hill preschool program

A grant from the Scripps Howard Fund will support early childhood education efforts at Santa Maria Community Services in Price Hill.

The $35,000 award will expand literacyfocused programming for about 180 children ages 3 to 5 and their families, including reading camps, kindergarten readiness workshops and developmental screenings.

The program serves families facing economic and educational barriers, with most participants living below 200% of the federal poverty level.

 santamaria-cincy.org

Dayton nonprofit gets $1.5M to expand career learning in schools

Learn to Earn Dayton received a $1.5 million grant from the Pathways Impact Fund to expand its career-connected learning model in schools across Southwest Ohio.

The fund supports efforts to better align education and workforce systems. Learn to Earn connects students with employers and colleges, helping them explore careers, gain work experience and earn college credit while still in high school.

This funding will allow Learn to Earn Dayton to expand into Middletown and Springfield city schools while continuing in other districts. It’ll also support adding more career counselors, known as navigators, into all the districts it serves.

 learntoearndayton.org

The city of Cincinnati will potentially help the CSO/MEMI close a funding gap in the $160 million Farmer Music Center project.

Klekamp children surrounding their father, Donald Klekamp, and their mother, the late Marianne Klekamp, who’ve long supported the University of Cincinnati.

Kentucky commits $2M to new St. Vincent de Paul building

St. Vincent de Paul-Northern Kentucky received a $2 million state appropriation to support construction of a new facility in Erlanger.

The funding, approved through Kentucky’s House Bill 900, brings the nonprofit closer to its $12 million goal. The organization has already raised $9.6 million through its “Hands of Hope” campaign.

The 40,000-square-foot facility aims to untangle a variety of overlapping functions and create a more coordinated system of care. Leaders say the investment will help expand capacity and improve how services are delivered to families in need.

“This funding will ensure that critical services continue to be available,” Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said.

Groundbreaking is expected in late 2026, with the facility projected to open in early 2028.

 svdpnky.org/capital-campaign

Cintas Cares match boosts

ArtsWave student field trips

ArtsWave has secured a $25,000 matching gift from Cintas Cares Foundation to expand student access to arts field trips across the region. Cintas Cares is the philanthropic arm of Cincinnati-based Cintas.

The match will double community donations as part of the More Arts, More Kids initiative, which provides free, curriculum-based arts experiences to nearly 20,000 students each year.

Cincinnati Public Schools is one of several districts participating in the program, along

with Ludlow Independent Schools, Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Education Services, Hamilton City Schools and Catholic Inner City Schools (CISE).

The campaign is working toward a $250,000 goal to remove cost barriers for schools and families and reach more students.

“For our students, these field trips bring classroom lessons to life, spark curiosity and create moments of connection that stay with them long after the day is over,” said Shauna Murphy, superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools, where every first through sixth grader will go on a field trip this year.

 artswave.org

Millstone Fund grant helps Leadership Council strengthen workforce

Leadership Council for Nonprofits received a $10,000 grant from Millstone Fund to support its A Force for Good program, aimed at strengthening the region’s nonprofit workforce.

A Force for Good highlights nonprofit career opportunities and helps organizations attract and retain talent. The initiative builds on longstanding Leadership Council programming and focuses on three areas: nonprofit HR practices, including recruitment, retention, culture and compensation; career pathway education at all levels; and advocacy to position the sector as an economic force and a career of choice.

 leadershipcouncil.us

Brent & Kyle Pease

 A floor plan for the future St. Vincent de Paul facility in Erlanger

Nonprofit News

Group of local nonprofits explore possible merger

Four Cincinnati nonprofit organizations are exploring a merger, a move leaders say could strengthen support for other nonprofits, donors and volunteers across the region.

OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence, Leadership Council for Nonprofits, Social Venture Partners Cincinnati and Cincinnati Cares are evaluating whether combining operations would improve services, boost sustainability and increase overall impact. No final decisions have been made.

Each organization plays a distinct role in the region’s nonprofit ecosystem – from capacity building and leadership development to philanthropy and volunteer engagement – and leaders say the discussions reflect growing demand and complexity in the sector.

The talks also come amid leadership transitions at several of the organizations, including the upcoming retirement of OneSource Center CEO Christie Brown and recent changes at SVP Cincinnati and Cincinnati Cares.

The groups will operate independently during the review, with no expected disruption to programs or services. Leaders said the evaluation will take place over the coming months, with no set timeline for a final decision.

 onesourcecenter.org

Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank moves under St. Vincent de Paul umbrella

Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank has a new home under St. Vincent de Paul-Cincinnati, a move aimed at stabilizing and expanding access to diapers for families across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

The transition shifts operations from COVERD, which is dissolving, to St. Vincent de Paul, with leaders saying the change ensures services will continue without interruption. The program distributes about 2.5 million diapers each year through partner agencies.

The diaper bank is now based at the Liz Carter Center in Cincinnati’s West End and will continue its core distribution efforts.

To support the expansion, the organization launched a community fundraiser, “Cincinnati’s Largest Baby Shower,” to boost supply and raise awareness of ongoing need.

“Families shouldn’t have to choose between diapers and other essentials,” said SVdPCincinnati CEO Brad McMonigle.

 sweetcheeksdiaperbank.org

Urbana Cafe opens extended pop-up at CAC during construction

Urbana Cafe has opened a temporary coffee shop inside the Contemporary Arts Center, giving the business a temporary home while construction continues at its Atlas Building location.

The café is operating in the CAC’s groundfloor lobby seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The partnership allows Urbana to keep serving customers while bringing consistent daytime activity into a space the museum sees as a front door for visitors.

CAC leaders said the goal is to make the lobby feel more active and welcoming, encouraging people to gather, work and spend time in the building before heading to the galleries. The museum adjusted its hours – including reopening Wednesdays – to align with the café’s schedule and increase foot traffic.

The CAC has experimented with food and beverage concepts in the lobby before, including The Frank, a short-term restaurant that operated last summer. Leaders say the shift to a full-time coffee operation creates a more consistent daily presence and aligns better with how visitors use the space.

Urbana is expected to operate at the CAC through at least summer 2027.

“This lobby space is such a great hub for the rest of the building – getting new people, new community and driving foot traffic,” said CAC operations director Sarah Hutslar.

 urbanacafe.com

 contemporaryartscenter.org

Friday added to Taste of Cincinnati schedule in response to demand

Taste of Cincinnati has expanded to four days this year, adding a Friday opening for the first time in the festival’s 47-year history.

The annual event, produced by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, will run May 22-25 along Fifth Street downtown, spanning Memorial Day weekend. The event will open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, followed by 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. hours Saturday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Memorial Day.

Organizers say the added day comes in response to growing demand and feedback from attendees seeking more time to experience the festival.

“Taste of Cincinnati is one of the city’s signature events – and adding Friday night is about giving people even more time to experience the food, the music and the community that make this festival so special,” said Chelsea York, the chamber’s VP of events and experiences.

 tasteofcincinnati.com

Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank distributes more than 2.5 million diapers each year.

Urbana Cafe founder Daniel Noguera has opened a temporary cafe in the CAC lobby.

Master Provisions sets open house for new NKY facility

Master Provisions has opened a new, larger facility in Independence, Kentucky, expanding its capacity to distribute food across the Greater Cincinnati region.

The 30,000-square-foot site on Toebben Drive significantly increases storage and efficiency, with 10 times the pallet capacity of its previous location and a 3,000-square-foot cooler and freezer to handle more perishable items. The faith-based nonprofit supplies food and resources to more than 240 partner organizations – including pantries, shelters and schools – in 26 counties, helping provide more than 121,000 meals each month.

Leaders say the expansion will help meet growing demand while improving how food is received, stored and distributed. A ribboncutting and open house is set for 3-6 p.m. May 14, with tours of the new space.

“God has blessed our ministry with this building, and we are excited to watch Him fill it with the resources our communities need to thrive,” said Shane Armstrong, Master Provisions’ CEO.

 masterprovisions.org

Cincinnati Zoo ranks among nation’s best in USA Today awards

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden earned two top honors in USA Today’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking No. 1 for best botanical garden and No. 3 among U.S. zoos.

The awards are determined by public voting after nominees are selected by a panel of experts. Founded in 1875, the Cincinnati Zoo is one of the oldest in the country and has long been recognized for its leadership in conservation, education and visitor experience.

The recognition highlights the zoo’s extensive gardens, which are

woven throughout the campus and change with the seasons, creating a year-round experience for visitors.

The horticulture program anchors major events like Zoo Blooms and spring concerts, while also supporting conservation efforts through the propagation of rare and native plant species in partnership with the Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife.

The honors are part of a broader strong showing for Cincinnati, with several local arts and cultural institutions also ranking among the nation’s best. You can find more on those rankings on the Movers & Makers website.

 cincinnatizoo.org

 moversmakers.org

May Festival adds free opening night picnic in Washington Park

The Cincinnati May Festival is launching a new opening night event, Dîner en Fleur, a free public picnic set for 5 p.m. May 15 in Washington Park.

The festival invites attendees to bring their own meals, dress in spring attire and enjoy live entertainment, with food trucks, preordered picnic options and hands-on activities like flower crown-making in partnership with the Cincinnati Art Museum. The picnic will lead into the festival’s opening concert at 7:30 p.m. in Music Hall.

Organizers say the event blends the festival’s more than 150year history with a more social,

community-focused experience. The nine-day May Festival runs May 15-23, and attendees must preregister to participate.

Julianne Akins Smith, the festival’s executive director, described Dîner en Fleur as “a new way to embrace Cincinnati’s cultural history that invites everyone to join in.”

 mayfestival.com

Want more indepth and timely nonprofit news? Two options:

1) Sign up for our weekly news digest at: moversmakers.org/subscribe

2) Receive articles in your inbox as they are posted. (Link to subscribe below each web post.)



The Cincinnati Zoo once again ranked among the most popular zoos in the United States. (Photo by Michelle Peters/Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden)

The Contemporary Arts Center hired Jessica Orzulak as its new curator, filling a role that has been vacant since last fall. Orzulak holds a Ph.D. in art history and visual studies from Duke University and specializes in global contemporary art and photography. She served as a curatorial fellow at Duke University and as a curatorial fellow in photography at the Davis Museum at Wellesley College.

Magnified Giving named Alison Kaufman as its next executive director, promoting its vice president of programs to lead the organization’s next phase. The Cincinnatibased nonprofit works with students to teach philanthropy through service-learning programs and youth-led grantmaking. Kaufman will replace Kelly Collison, Magnified Giving’s first executive director, who’s retiring July 31 after 11 years in the role.

Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio will honor four local attorneys for their work providing no-cost legal support to nonprofits across Cincinnati and Dayton. This year’s individual awardees are Liane Rousseau of Dinsmore & Sohl LLP (Law Firm Attorney of the Year), Anna Greve of Taft (Rising Star), Kyle Grubbs of Kroger (Corporate Attorney of the Year) and Alan deVries of deVries Immigration Law (Excellence in Nonprofit Service). They were to be recognized alongside Procter & Gamble (Company of the Year) and FBT Gibbons (Law Firm of the Year) at the organization’s Volunteer & Donor Appreciation Celebration.

Wave Pool launched a new fellowship to support community-driven arts projects, naming Erika NJ Allen, Matthew Whitby and Bethany Pelle as the inaugural Wave Pool Incubator fellows. The six-month program provides each artist with a $4,000 stipend, a $1,500 project budget, mentorship and workspace to help develop early-stage creative initiatives.

Their projects span multiple neighborhoods and focus on expanding access to arts education, shared creative space and workforce pathways.

Christie Brown will retire this summer as CEO of OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence after more than a decade leading the organization’s growth. Brown, who joined in 2015, will step down July 31. During her tenure, OneSource Center expanded its services and reach, supporting nonprofits across Greater Cincinnati. The board has begun a search for her successor.



Clifton Cultural Arts Center has selected visual artist Gabrielle Siekman as its 2026 New Woman fellow. Selected for her painting “Holding That Pain Is Holding You Back,” Siekman will receive a $2,500 stipend, support for a future solo exhibition and funding for a class, workshop or community-based project as part of the biennial fellowship.



Cellist Osheen Manukyan will perform with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra throughout the 2026-27 season as its inaugural Resident Fellow. The new program provides a full season of rehearsals and performances with CSO musicians, along with financial support and career development. Manukyan, a Juilliardtrained musician based in Los Angeles, will also take part in mentoring and community engagement through the orchestra’s education programs.

Dan Abercrombie and Jon Finkler have joined the board of trustees for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. Abercrombie is VP and general manager of Urban One Cincinnati, overseeing broadcast and digital operations across the market. He has more than two decades of experience in advertising, media and community engagement. Finkler is head of fixed income services at

Bartlett Wealth Management, where he leads investment strategy and portfolio services. A University of Dayton graduate, he is experienced in finance and organizational leadership. Boys & Girls Clubs board members help guide strategy, support fundraising and advocate for programs that serve local youth.

Kasey Fischesser is the new development director for St. Francis Seraph Ministries, an Over-the-Rhine nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Fischesser has 27 years of nonprofit development experience in major gifts, annual giving, special events and executive leadership. She served as senior major gifts officer at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Justin Leach joined the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation as a program manager focused on the local grantmaking organization’s education investment strategies. Leach has two decades of experience in education, including roles with Cincinnati Public Schools and the Ohio Department of Education. Most recently, he supported school district leadership teams in Michigan with implementation and improvement strategies.

4C for Children, a regional child care resource and referral agency, welcomed Whitney O’Neal as vice president of agency advancement. O’Neal launched her own consulting firm after serving as CEO of the Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation, and held advancement roles with Ohio Living and Villa Madonna Academy. In her new role, she’ll lead fundraising, community partnerships and growth initiatives, working with the executive team and board to expand access to highquality child care across Southwest Ohio and the Miami Valley.

Whitney O’Neal

Justin Leach

Osheen Manukyan

Kasey Fischesser

Gabrielle Siekman

Jon Finkler

Christie Brown

Dan Abercrombie

Bethany Pelle

Matthew Whitby Erika NJ Allen

Alan deVries Kyle Grubbs Anna Greve

Liane Rousseau Kelly Collison Alison Kaufman Jessica Orzulak

First Tee of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky appointed Webster as executive director. Webster, a former University of Cincinnati volleyball player, will lead the youth-focused organization’s regional chapter of First Tee, which uses golf to help young people build character, confidence and leadership skills. Webster served as director of advancement at Notre Dame Academy, where she oversaw major gifts, corporate partnerships, scholarships and special events, and helped grow donor engagement and the annual fund. Prior to that, she spent nearly a decade as the school’s athletic director.

The LIFE Food Pantry elected attorney Rachel Barr to its board of directors. Barr’s legal services work includes expertise in public benefits, education and human rights. Her term with the Loveland-based food pantry started in January.

Megan Keene is stepping into a new role at Talbert House as director of the Child Wellness Campus, a planned short-term stabi lization program for youth in crisis. Keene has been with the organization for more than seven years, most recently as associate director of the Union Day Therapeutic School, where she led clinical and day-to-day operations. She began as a clinical counselor. As the campus director, Keene will oversee planning and launch of the campus, which will serve youth connected to or at risk of entering county custody.

TradesNKY, a workforce nonprofit con necting students to careers in the skilled trades, has added four local business leaders to its board of directors: Philippe Garnier Michael Taylor, John Strawser Hemmerle. Garnier is CEO and general man ager of Safran Landing Systems’ Kentucky facil ity, and has decades of aerospace manufacturing

John Strawser Michael Taylor

Myanna Webster

Asianati’s Golden Gala features merger, shares vision

Asianati hosted its Golden Gala at Rhinegeist Clubhouse, celebrating the accomplishments of two recently merged organizations: Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati (dba Asianati) and Greater Cincinnati Chinese Cultural Exchange Association.

In attendance were 120 supporters, stakeholders and community partners, and a wide array of Asian food was served familystyle from seven local vendors.

The event also provided an opportunity for new Executive Director Paraag Maddiwar to share the organization’s vision.

Asianati aims to connect and celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander cultural heritages in Greater Cincinnati.

Asianati’s most-well known programs include Asian Food Fest, Asianati Night Market at BLINK, Moon Festival on Fountain Square, Asian Cuisine Week and AAPI Heritage Month Cincy.

 asianati.com

Felicity Tao, Robert Killins and Qorinah Wardhani

Billy Guinigundo, Bao Nguyen, Vikas Sondhi, Koji Sado, Qorinah Wardhani, Felicity Tao, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, Paraag Maddiwar, Bin Chang, MeiLin Williams, Bryan Weng, Samantha Burke, Bao M. Nguyen and Jay Kalagayan

Paula Broehm-Heeger accepts the Bridge Builder award on behalf of the Cincinnati Public Library.

Deana Taylor-Brewer accepts the Cultural Steward award on behalf of Visit Cincy.

Executive Director Paraag Maddiwar spoke about Asianati’s vision.

Food from Bridges, Chino’s Street Food, Lalo, Pho Lang Thang, Qlicious and Smiles ’n Spice

Bao Nguyen and Lam Dang of the Asian Food Fest discuss the organization’s humble beginnings.

Jay Shi, Adam Downs, Judy Downs, Sean Conway and Drew Mominee

Maddie Denning, Jay Kalagayan and Rachel Hellebusch

Matt Kasee, Barbara Wang, Amit Khemchandani and Sabina Khemchandani

Kate Ward, Channi Barmore, Sriram Samu, Latha Samu and Dilip Thiravidamani

Photos by hatsue

Kaleidoscope event tops $2M for Cincinnati

Children’s research

Cincinnati Children’s surpassed $2 million raised through its annual Kaleidoscope event, an achievement made possible by event sponsors and donors who help fuel breakthroughs in pediatric medicine.

Presented by Fort Washington Investment Advisors and Western & Southern Financial Group, the event was co-chaired by Cris Collinsworth and Holly Collinsworth, alongside a dedicated host committee. This year’s gathering culminated in a performance by Rascal Flatts.

This is the fifth Kaleidoscope event. Previous performers have included Leon Bridges, Andy Grammer, Kristin Chenoweth and John Legend. With this year’s total, Kaleidoscope has raised more than $6.5 million to support Cincinnati Children’s.

 cchmc.org

Rascal Flatts performs for more than 700 at Cincinnati Children’s Kaleidoscope event.

Mark Farley, Gabriel Farley, Ashley Briley, Jean Farley, Karen Cassidy and Jack Cassidy

Penny Breen, Gabby Breen, Jeff Ruby, event co-chair Cris Collinsworth, Anthony Breen, Beth Hudepohl and Jeff Hudepohl

Jack Geiger, host committee member Kay Geiger, Travis Geiger and Suzette Fisher

Linda Hirschfeld and host committee member Mike Hirschfeld

Steve Pomeranz and Penny Pomeranz

Mike St. Hilaire, Carrie St. Hilaire, Branden Janszen, host committee member Kelly Janszen and Cincinnati Children’s Chief Operating Officer Evie Alessandrini

Marc Farley, Lisa Macciocchi and Vince Macciocchi

Kaleidoscope co-chairs Cris Collinsworth and Holly Collinsworth Roy Dorsey and Tish Dorsey

Coffee With a Kick spurs Ohio River Foundation

Ohio River Foundation introduced new events to its fall Cincinnati Coffee Festival under the banner Coffee with a Kick. The events support the foundation’s clean water advocacy, education and habitat restoration, including its newest project, 1,000 Acres Pollinator Habitat Project.

At the Espresso Martini Tasting, guests tasted classic and specialty espresso martinis at Red Leprechaun, E+O Kitchen and Taste of Belgium at The Banks. The People’s Choice winner was Red Leprechaun’s Chocolate Cherry Espresso Martini.

The second event was the Irish Coffee Tasting, also at The Banks. Attendees tried variations of the beverage at Jefferson Social, Cincinnati Lager House, The Park, Killer Queen and Holy Grail. The Park was the People’s Choice winner.

In total, 330 guests attended. Next will be another Espresso Martini Tasting at Higher Gravity in Summit Park on June 6.

 ohioriverfdn.org

Jules Mulholland and Christine Aschoff

Noel Foltz and Sabrina Tran

Zach Tyree and Lauren Pferdmenges

Frances Crawford, Crystal Brown and Tammy Spurling

Kelvin Mantey and Alvin Mantey

Hollie Schmidt, Brandi Toll, Bridget England, Lori Salzarulo, Sarah Bayless, Christine Shields, Christa Kramer and Victoria Bayles

Meals on Wheels gala celebrates ‘Meals Madness’

Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky hosted its third annual Meals Madness Gala, presented by Mercy Health at Cintas Center. The event featured a silent auction, drinks, dinner, March Madness-themed engagement and more.

The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation was recognized as the organization’s “Much More” Award honoree, with Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church as its Community Partner Award honoree. Meals on Wheels CEO Mike Dunn gave special recognition to Chris Bochenek, Haile Foundation vice president and senior program manager, for her dedication to strengthening the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region.

The event raised nearly $260,000, and proceeds will help the organization promote seniors’ independence and well-being. Meals on Wheels serves nearly 11,000 seniors in 13 counties.

 muchmorethanameal.org

Chris Bochenek and Bernie McKay

Emcee Sheree Paolello of WLWT

Rick Wagner, Fritz Geer and Cindy Geer

Kate Smith, pastor of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church; Tammy Attinger; and Tammy Hitchcock, Meals on Wheels volunteer manager

Gina Hemenway, Mercy Health executive director of community health

Meals on Wheels board Chair Mary Wagner

Meals on Wheels board member Lyndsey Barnett

Chet Weber, Dianne Fisk and Justin Beale, Meals on Wheels chief advancement officer

Meals on Wheels board member DJ Hodge

Meals on Wheels CEO Mike Dunn and Chris Bochenek, Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation vice president and senior program manager

Jennifer Retzler, Alicia Farbstein, Zimani Betts, Kanako Kishima and Gina Hemenway

Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation President and CEO Bernie McKay, Dick Rosenthal and Kitty Rosenthal

Found House’s annual breakfast focuses on affordable housing

More than 150 community members attended Found House Interfaith Housing Network’s annual Faith in Action Breakfast, which focused this year on “The Role of Faith in Affordable Housing.”

Keynote speaker Donald Hugh Whitehead Jr., executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless and a Cincinnati native, brought his perspective from leading national efforts to address homelessness in Washington, D.C. He challenged attendees to rethink who homelessness affects and what that experience actually looks like.

The organization also celebrated key volunteers. Gary Lubin received the Found House IHN Community Advocate Award and Betsy Warwick received the Donna Corrington Lifetime Achievement Award. Proceeds from the breakfast, more than $25,000, benefit families experiencing housing instability in the Cincinnati area.

 foundhouse.org

Matching Gift Multiplies

OptimALL’s Impact on Ohio Education

With a transformative $500,000 gift, Phil and Beth Rielly are creating more opportunities for students with learning disabilities by ensuring high quality Catholic and faith-based schools are accessible to all students. Their leadership is changing the inner city and surrounding region by giving every child the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in the school of their choice.

OptimALL Services equips students in Catholic and faithbased schools to realize their full potential. Now serving more than 200 students with learning disabilities, OptimALL is breaking barriers and answering the call to serve all students.

Donald Hugh Whitehead Jr., executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless



Betsy Warwick, Donna Corrington Lifetime Achievement awardee, with Stacey Burge

Gary Lubin, Community Advocate awardee, with Found House IHN President and CEO Stacey Burge Emcee Daisy Kershaw of WLWT

Found House IHN board President Chara Fisher Jackson, Jay Shatz and Stan Elliott

JFC Impact Breakfast celebrates Jewish joy

The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’s 2026 Impact Breakfast was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together. Leaders, partners and community members gathered to connect, reflect and celebrate.

Rabbi Shira Stutman spoke about choosing Jewish joy in everyday life – and why that choice matters now. The morning offered opportunities to reconnect with shared values and purpose, and to celebrate the impact made possible through the JFC’s Annual Campaign.

 jewishcincinnati.org

Miriam Hodesh

Julie Shifman

Joshua Bernstein, Michael Bergman and Andrea Baron

Cincinnati City Council member Mark Jeffreys, Aaron Weiner, Adam Symson, Brian Jaffee and Steve Shifman

Max Fisher, Tracy Juran and Jim Heldman

Sherri Symson and Ariel Fox

Danielle V. Minson, Sherri Symson, Rabbi Shira Stutman, David Harris and Felicia Zakem

Maury Weiner, Jeff Zipkin and Ilan Goldman

Sari Small, Patti Wise and Lindsey Wade

Amy Susskind, Felicia Zakem and Hallie Kantor

Elissa Hoffman and Jenna Shaifer

Ghita Sarembock, Ian Sarembock and Sue Price

More Grants Starts Here.

Funder Research + Qualification Grant Strategy + Planning Grant Writing + Submission Grant Program Management

Over $370 million in grant funding secured. Let’s Win More Grants Together.

111 bottles of liquor on the table: Easterseals Redwood holds Booze Breakfast

At its annual Booze Breakfast at PeeWee’s Place in Crescent Springs, Easterseals Redwood invited supporters to contribute bottles of spirits for a good cause. The event brought in more than 111 bottles, with each donor receiving a $10 breakfast voucher in appreciation.

Those donated bottles will be used as auction and raffle items during the nonprofit’s Express fundraiser at Turfway Park on May 8. The event will benefit more than 800 individuals with disabilities Easterseals Redwood supports every year.

 eastersealsredwood.org

Cincinnati

Christ Hospital Transplant Center salutes organ donations

The Christ Hospital Transplant Center team raised the Donate Life flag at its Mount Auburn campus in honor of National Donate Life Month, a reminder of the lives transformed through organ donation.

Joined by kidney transplant recipients, living donors and Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, who issued a

proclamation honoring the center, the transplant team came together in celebration. The center has performed more than 2,500 kidney transplants since 1972 and 58 heart transplants since 2022.

 thechristhospital.com

Aftab

(rear center) issued a proclamation in honor of the Christ Hospital Transplant Center. In front of him is

president and CEO of the Christ Hospital Health

To Hayes’

are Dr. Geetha Bhat, medical director of transplant program, and Shelly Deyhle (holding proclamation), director of transplant administration.

Mark Goetz, Dan Heidrich, Ken Heidrich and John Haas

Booze Breakfast co-founder Carl Biery, Easterseals Redwood President and CEO Pam Green and Molly Reese

Kevin Baker, Gabrielle Baker, Kathrine (Kat) Baker and Donna Bloemer

Express committee member Lucy McClanahan and Ken Heidrich

Mayor

Pureval

Debbie Hayes,

Network.

left

United Way honors workplaces that give back

United Way of Greater Cincinnati recognized Workplaces That Care during United We Celebrate at Great American Ball Park. Honorees include workplaces that empower employees to get involved, volunteer and give back to our community.

United Way, donors and volunteers invested $40.3 million in the community in 2025 and served more than 339,000 people across nine counties. Work was done by more than 30,000 donors; 9,000-plus volunteers; and roughly 400 community partners.

Workplaces That Care spotlights United Way’s Top 25 and Tremendous 25 corporate campaigns –those with the highest total giving and those with the highest per-capita giving, respectively – in addition to workplaces committed to volunteerism.

United Way also honored two communityled organizations with the Changemakers Award: Villages at Roll Hill, a grassroots community partner, and Madison Avenue Christian Church, a faith-based organization.

 Complete list of honorees: uwgc.org/wtc

From Barnes Dennig: Matt Pabin, Jacey Ramirez-Flores and Kara Wysinski

From EY: Jeff Reid, Marta Montera, Ashton Tidwell, Kiley Tempert, Jeremy Vaughan, Ryan Higgins, Ki-Afi Ra Moyo, Harper Meyer and Anna Voelkerding

From Paychex: Heather Moore, Amy E. H., Amber Hardtke, Jen Pund, Laura Gels, Lila Fischer, Andrea Buschmiller and Megan Meyers

Leigh Fox, 2026 United Way campaign chair and president & CEO, altafiber; Moira Weir, president & CEO, United Way of Greater Cincinnati; Candace McGraw, 2025 United Way campaign chair

From Fifth Third Bank: Kenny Wilson, Sam Hashmi, Tracie Abbott-Wichman and Hammad Siddiqi

Moira Weir, Candace McGraw and Brian Hodgett, United Way board chair, Procter & Gamble

From First Financial Bank: Andy Dudley, Mark Exterkamp, Tyra Braunskill, Mollie Fry, Mandy Neeley and Heather Montgomery

From GE Aerospace: Amber Kitchen, Daniel Mahoney and Deb Silverman

From Changemakers Awardee Villages at Roll Hill: Warren Miller and Lisa Hyde-Miller

From Procter & Gamble: John Ladrick, James Sawyer, Sanyika Keyes, Sydney Gagne, Mike Loyson and Joshua Mitchell 

M&M returns to Fueled Collective

Movers & Makers made a welcome return to Fueled Collective in Rookwood Exchange for our April monthly Mix & Mingle.

More than 100 gathered to greet old friends, to make new ones or to forge business connections. April coverguy Todd Palmeter of Great Parks made an appearance, along with “Sweeney Todd” profiler Rick Pender and our own Polly Campbell, among many others. Thanks to Heather Langer and her Fueled team for taking great care of us.

The next opportunity to mingle is Wednesday, May 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the new SparkHaus in downtown Covington. RSVP via the link on Page 4.

Tina Gutierrez and Elizabeth Mariner

Thom Mariner, Lisa Desatnik and Jackie Baumgartner

Rudy Bublitz and Krista Putnam

Paige von Hoffmann and Ali Menke

Naomi Ruben, Neil Sharrow and Polly Campbell

Linda Averbeck, Kyle Snyder and Nikki Franz

LeAnne Anklan, Todd Palmeter and Janet Murray

Krista Powers and Laura Gentry

Greg Newberry amd Jill Dunne

Elliot Draznin and Joan Kaup

Donna Harris, Mark Scott and Michael Pitman

Elizabeth Fung with her autographed copy of the April issue featuring Great Parks CEO Todd Palmeter

Laura Menge, Edy Dreith and Karen Harmon

Joe Wessels, David Smith and Kristine Glenn

Veronica Tollefson, Lisa Raterman, Erin Childs and Beth Benson

Art Academy students exhibit work in New York

“16 Karat Gold: Selections from the Art Academy of Cincinnati” marked AAC’s return to New York City with a pop-up exhibition at Satellite Gallery. The exhibition presented 16-by-16-inch pieces by more than 40 students, across a wide range of media, highlighting the breadth and experimentation of the art school’s emerging artists. Works were offered at $150 each, with all proceeds supporting student artists, made possible through the generosity of Satellite Gallery. Juried by gallery founder Brian Andrew Whiteley, the exhibition included awards for best of show and honorable mentions. The event coincided with a three-day immersive New York experience, connecting students with galleries, museums and the broader contemporary art community.

 artacademy.edu

Daniel Kelly, a 2026 AAC bachelor of fine arts in painting and drawing, with his painting “Need for Control” (top)

Alex Steffen, a senior illustration major at AAC, at the opening reception

Opening of the “16 Karat Gold” exhibition at Satellite Gallery in New York

Honorable mention winner Tiffany McNeal, AAC Class of 2026 in painting & drawing and design, with her painting “My Peace I Give You” (top left)

JFC reception honors steadfast donors

The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati welcomed its Silver Circle and Create Your Jewish Legacy donors to a reception as a thank you for their consistent support. Silver Circle donors have supported Jewish Cincinnati for 25 years or more, and Legacy donors have established planned gifts to support Jewish Cincinnati for generations to come. The reception was a chance to connect, thank them and recognize their steady generosity.

 jewishcincinnati.org

Fundraiser helps support Habitat’s Women Build program

Nikki Bialka, senior director, CRA strategy & compliance with Fifth Third Bank, hosted a fundraiser supporting Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati’s annual Women Build. A Women Build partner since 2023, Fifth Third welcomed around 75 guests for an evening that featured remarks from Bialka, Habitat vice president of development Tracy Wells and Habitat homeowner Dreana, whose home was built through the program.

The event helped move Habitat closer to its $75,000 Women Build fundraising goal while encouraging attendees to volunteer for a Women Build team. Each May, Women Build brings together teams of women to raise funds and awareness while working to help build a home and expand affordable homeownership opportunities.

 habitatcincinnati.org

Michael Steinbuch, Beth Miles, Jim Miles and Deb Steinbuch

Bob Hiller, Web Hiller, Jeanne Hiller and Rob Alpern

Diane Yasgur and Robyn Duvall

David Schwartz, Jim Heldman, Louis Peerless and Marcy Peerless

Helen Zussman, Sandy Zussman and Esther Zimmerman

Esther Zimmerman, Bernice Friedman, Toby Franklin and Joanne Essig

Howard Weinberg, Nancy Weinberg and Peter Teitelman

Ashton Wilson, Sarah Reynolds, Melinda Kirk Stenger, Nikki Bialka, Tracy Wells and Warren Grove

HER Cincinnati’s PWR Unfiltered shows support for local women

HER Cincinnati hosted its first HER PWR Unfiltered event at Memorial Hall. The evening began with light bites from Delish Dish, and a women-owned business market gave attendees the opportunity to browse a variety of handmade products, from ceramics to jewelry to clothing, and to support female entrepreneurs.

Guests also saw live performances from Joyride Comedy and local comedian JuDee Brown, along with presentations spotlighting the experiences of women affiliated with HER Cincinnati. Their stories tackled topics such as addiction and homelessness, and were interspersed with improv performances from Mary O’Connell and Tatiana Godfrey.

The evening culminated with a standing ovation for the women who shared their experiences, reminding attendees of the work HER Cincinnati is doing to support local women.

 hercincinnati.org

Nicole Reblando of Pot Head Pottery speaks with an attendee during in the women-owned business showcase.

NKY Chamber hails Jon Draud

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce presented Jon Draud with a Northern Kentucky Community Award during a recent Government Forum event with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

Draud dedicated more than 50 years of his professional career to public education as a teacher, principal, superintendent, university professor and Kentucky commissioner of education. He spent five years on Crestview Hills City Council and a decade as a Kentucky state legislator, along with the Kenton County Fiscal Court. He has served as Kenton County commissioner since first being elected in 2010, and will retire after his current term.

Draud has “spent decades working to make Kenton County and all of Northern Kentucky a better place to live, work, play, learn and give back,” said Brent Cooper, president and CEO of the NKY Chamber.  nkychamber.com

Tatiana Godfrey, Barbra Fant, LaToya Bagley, HER Cincinnati CEO Beth Schwartz, JuDee Brown and Mary O’Connell performing an improv sketch

Tatiana Godfrey and Mary O’Connell of Joyride Comedy Emcee Taneisha Cordell of FOX19

Lavelle Moody and Rainie Moody, managing director of educational services at HER Cincinnati

NKY Chamber President and CEO Brent Cooper, Kenton County Commissioner Jon Draud and Lytle Thomas, president of First National Bank of Kentucky



Ron Eatmon and Karen Eatmon, community marketing representative at CareSource

Wine Festival toasts 35th anniversary with 3-day gala

The Cincinnati International Wine Festival celebrated its 35th anniversary with a three-day event at the newly renovated First Financial Center downtown. Presented by Kroger, the festival featured tastings of more than 700 wines from around the world, winery dinners at top Cincinnati restaurants, the Wine Festival Auction & Luncheon and a Morgan Stanley VIP Tasting Room offering rare selections.

New this year: a 20-minute session on the fundamentals of wine tasting; a curated spotlight on exciting wine trends; a champagne and photo experience; and a live, head-to-head sommelier challenge.

Founded in 1991 by Russ Wiles, the festival was built to bring wine lovers together and use the proceeds to lift up the Cincinnati community. That vision has translated into more than $8 million donated to over 30 local nonprofits in arts, education, health and human services.

 winefestival.com

Master sommelier Gillian Balance and emcee Evan Millward take the stage for CIWF’s first-ever MINI Programming, sponsored by Cincinnati MINI.

Festivalgoer and wine aficionado Toni Davis shows off her knowledge during CIWF’s sommelier competition.

T.J. Askren, chief buyer for Jungle Jim’s, gets a closer look at a wine he’s blind tasting during CIWF’s sommelier competition.

Cincinnati content creator Melissa Lewis and her husband, A.J. Lewis, show off their complimentary Riedel wine glasses.

Ellyse Fortune of Genesis Diamonds inspects a jewel frozen inside an ice cube. Festivalgoers got the chance to win real diamonds during an activity called “Sparkle Smash,” new to the festival this year.

The silent auction table

Gene Steiner of Steiner Auctions at the 2026 Wine Festival Auction & Luncheon

The Cincinnati International Wine Festival returned to downtown at the newly renovated First Financial Center.

Jill Dunne had her hands full during the Cincinnati MINI Programming sessions.

(Center) Each festivalgoer received a Riedel wine glass to sample wines during Grand Tasting sessions.

2026 CIWF Honorary Chair John Giannini of Mount Veeder Winery speaks to attendees at the Honorary Chair Winery Dinner.

Photos by nicholas viltrakis

UC’s Red and Black Blast celebrates education programs

Over 450 guests attended the Red and Black Blast, which raised $180,000 to benefit the University of Cincinnati’s IDD Education Center. IDD stands for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, a group of chronic conditions such as Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy.

This ninth annual event celebrated the center’s four lifechanging programs: Collaboration for Employment and Education Synergy; Transition and Access Pathways; IMPACT Innovation; and the Regional Autism Advisory Council.

Center Director Christi Carnahan recognized Paul Kitzmiller, president of Impact Autism, with the Champion for Inclusion Award.

Cincinnati Bengal Ted Karras, honorary event chair, joined Kitzmiller to lead the live auction, raising $21,000 in just minutes. Guests enjoyed dinner, cocktails and entertainment, and heard inspiring stories from center participants.

Part of UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services and IT, the IDD Education Center provides programs for teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to further their education, independence and life skills.

 cech.uc.edu

SATURDAY 6:30PM CET SUNDAY 8:30PM CET ARTS

Join Barbara Kellar as she showcases artists and cultural leaders from the Greater Cincinnati community.

Emmy Award Winner Regional - Interview/Discussion Program

Sponsors Kristen Oyler and Scott Oyler

Ryann Howard, Reece Howard, Bearcat, Debby Howard and Aaron Howard

Zayne Harshaw

Paul Kitzmiller and Ted Karras leading the live auction

Champion for Inclusion awardee

Paul Kitzmiller and IDD Education Center Director Christi Carnahan

Guests in the Great Hall at the University of Cincinnati’s Tangeman Center

Ideas to improve natural spaces take root at Great Tree Summit

Taking Root welcomed more than 145 people to its 12th annual Great Tree Summit at Fernald Preserve. Attendees learned about the work of the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, which clones champion trees to help rebuild old-growth forests.

The second half of the morning highlighted real-life examples to show how area residents can improve natural spaces in their own communities. A silent auction was held, and attendees interacted with representatives from several regional organizations.

Also, Taking Root honored four Tree Heroes for their work planting, protecting and promoting trees: Dave Linter, Bob Reckers, Bill Berger and the Norwood City Schools leadership team.

 takingroot.info

At the close of the event, Luke Theis, interpretive specialist at Fernald Preserve, led a hike highlighting the restoration of

Topping out a milestone for Findlay Community Hub

The Findlay Community Hub marked the topping out of its Over-the-Rhine building, a major construction milestone for the community and recreation center. Placement of the final structural beam represents progress toward a community-centered facility for area residents. 3CDC is the project’s developer on behalf of the City of Cincinnati. Skanska serves as construction manager. Located near Findlay Market, the new center will provide much-needed recreational, wellness and gathering space. The 18-month, $47 million construction project is transforming the underutilized park into a state-of-the-art community center. The new building will feature two levels of recreation and multipurpose space, an early learning center for children ages six weeks through preschool, and an outdoor space with a play area, seating and grills.

 3cdc.org

Lauren Enda with Alice Rericha and Brandon Atwood representing the Norwood City Schools leadership team

natural features at this sanctuary.

Taking Root’s Great Tree Summit brought together tree professionals, residents and community groups.

Honoree Dave Lintner

Honoree Bob Recker (far left)

Construction workers place the top structural beam for the Findlay Community Hub in Over-the-Rhine.

3CDC and construction company Sanska celebrate the topping out of the Findlay Community Hub.

Rock Your Beauty celebrates women

Rock Your Beauty’s fifth annual fashion show drew nearly 400 people to Memorial Hall, generating $15,000 to support the nonprofit’s Glow Up Awards, which grant up to $1,000 each to underserved local women for a new wardrobe, hair styling and makeup.

The show included a red carpet, a sip-and-shop with women- owned businesses, a free portrait session by Kate Weinbender, drinks, food and more. Jessica Blackwell opened the show with a song, and Megs Gelfgot was emcee.

The evening amplified Rock Your Beauty’s mission to fuel confidence for Cincinnati women through fashion, community and celebration. Funds also will help Rock Your Beauty expand its program.

Major sponsors were Advantage, Feldkamp Marketing and the Kroger EDGE Associate Resource Group.

 rockyourbeauty.org

Ohio Valley Goodwill opens store in Fairfield Township

Ohio Valley Goodwill marked the grand opening of its new store in Fairfield Township with a community celebration.

The location at Indian Springs Market Center, a shopping center at Princeton Road and Ohio 4 in Butler County, puts Goodwill in the heart of a growing area.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ohio Valley Goodwill President and CEO Mark Hiemstra spoke about the connection between Goodwill’s retail expansion and its mission.

The store features gently used clothing, household items, electronics and more. It also includes a donation drop-off location and has created 29 new jobs.

The new Fairfield Township store is the Ohio Valley Goodwill’s 22nd and one of its largest in Greater Cincinnati. The opening also builds on the organization’s goal to have 30 stores by 2030. There are plans to open two more area stores this year.

 cincinnatigoodwill.org

Ohio state Sen. George Lang presented Ohio Valley Goodwill with a proclamation.

Fairfield Township Trustee Shannon Hartkemeyer welcomes Goodwill to the Indian Springs Market Center.

CEO Mark Hiemstra greets Tara, the first shopper in line. She arrived around 4 a.m. and received a “golden ticket” allowing her to enter the store just ahead of the crowd.

Mark Hiemstra welcomes attendees to the grand opening ceremony.

PRN nurse Vicki Wolfe (right) hugs Goodwill CARE program participant Kristine Agoston.

Mayre Ward

Lisa Haubner models at Rock Your Beauty’s fashion show.

Rosalinda Muro-Schultz

Mypho Komanyane

Diane Chu

Colleen Lindholz

Jessica Blackwell sang to open Rock Your Beauty’s fashion show.

Finding clarity, one step at a time

Idomy best thinking when I’m walking. All the ideas bumping around in a disconnected mess in my head start to line up and make sense. I often start working on new things to write.

The walk can be anywhere. But there are two special walks in Cincinnati that really inspire thoughts. I mean big thoughts. Like the mystery of time. That we’re all going to die. That human beings are specks in the greater scheme of things.

One of them is the Frederick Hauck geological timeline at Bicentennial Commons on the river. It starts just west of the I-471 bridge, and begins 45 million years ago. Each paver laid in the sidewalk represents a million years. You stride across time, leaving behind the warm shallow sea that covered this area 45 million years ago, walk over a lot of million-year squares, as the continents begin to

drift apart and small fish appear and disappear and the dinosaurs do too, and the mammals appear until you’ve walked almost to the Purple People Bridge, a quarter-mile of million-year segments. Finally you come to the last paver. During these last million years humans developed, crossed a land bridge to North America and invented nuclear weapons.

At the end is a tiny sliver of metal across the width of the walk. Into that fits all of recorded human history. It’s incredible how much is crammed into that space. But it’s a tragic half-inch when you consider it in light of all the natural history that came before. How quickly we’ve squandered the great riches millions of years left us: the timber, the air, the species, the coal and oil. It makes me desperate for us all to do more to stop that squandering. On the other hand, it gives me a sort of fatalistic fall back position.

Dinosaurs came and went and so will we. The universe of space and time is immense and inscrutable.

In the meantime, I’ve learned a lot about local geology. And have enjoyed hearing the carillon ring in 15-minute increments, and walked another 100 million years into Smale Park, which shows up on my phone as steps.

All human philosophies begin with the acknowledgment of how tiny we are. And with the reckoning of the inevitable fact that we will all die.

The other big-thought walk is Spring Grove Cemetery. A walk here delivers a message that’s something like “Yes, we will all die. But look how beautiful the world is right now. Appreciate it and don’t take it for granted.”

Spring Grove is the third-largest cemetery in the United States. Its naturalistic curving lanes were laid out in 1844. On a long walk here, it’s easy to feel that you’re getting lost, that you may never get back, and it’s just you and a lot of dead people from now on.

That can be creepy. But the cemetery is alive and gorgeous, any time of year. Huge trees shade the graves with their branches. Some part is left wild for wildflowers to grow, landscaping crews keep other parts mowed and planted with daffodils. There are ponds and swans. Last fall I ate a couple of persimmons from a loaded tree.

And the mausoleums and gravestones are works of art.

The final for the AP Art History class my daughter took requires finding built examples of historic architectural styles. They’re all there at Spring Grove. I drove her and a friend of hers around, finding peristyles and flying buttresses and all the kinds of columns. The friend, who’d never been there, loved it. “Do you think it would be OK to just … hang out here?”

It is. You should. Best is a nice meditative walk. I’m not sure I can explain all the big thoughts I’ve had there when I’m not walking,

Polly Campbell

but, for example, once I realized that when you’re dead, you’re no longer an age. You are all the ages you ever were. I decided to live as if that was also true while I’m alive –I am a cute kid and I am a sardonic teenager, a cool young adult and my current wise self, all at the same time.

This is also a great place to learn Cincinnati history, if you do a little research. That’s what Michael Griffith, a professor of English at the University of Cincinnati, did with his book “The Speaking Stone.” It’s a great read, uncovering lots of coincidences and oddities based on what he noticed while walking and what he found out when he looked further. The human output of all the people buried here is astonishing. I myself have tried to conjure up lives, based on birth and death dates and epitaphs and the complicated arrangement of first and second spouses and children who are buried together. You can’t say it brings history to life, but it makes me aware of a great continuity between our forbears and us.

You don’t have to walk; you could drive slowly around. No bikes, though, and no dogs. This month, public tram tours start, with people who know a lot about the history and nature of the place. Keep your mind open and see what big thoughts come to you.

Polly Campbell covered restaurants and food for the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1996 until 2020. She writes monthly on a variety of topics, and she welcomes your feedback and column suggestions at editor@moversmakers.org

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

12 PM - 3 PM AT WASHINGTON PARK, OTR

Join us for Fun Fest, a free, family-friendly summer celebration! Enjoy games, ra les, food trucks, concessions, and live music from the Netherton Varner Band. Fun for all ages, all in support of CABVI’s mission to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

The VISIT CINCYBLIND.ORG/FUNFEST

Thank you to our event sponsors!