Free Art for the Summer!
Summer offers so many opportunities to enjoy music, dance, theater and more in the great outdoors! Here's our list of great FREE arts events happening this summer all over our region. Grab your friends, family and picnic blanket and enjoy!
ALL SUMMER LONG
ArtsWave is proud to partner with 3CDC and Washington Park to bring you the Sunday performing arts series, OTR Performs, featuring a variety of arts organizations from across the region. Sunday nights at 7 p.m. on the civic lawn, June 2 - August 25. See the complete listing of events here.
Clifton Cultural Arts Center brings back its Wednesdays on the Green series featuring great live concerts on its front lawn, food vendors, and more. Wednesdays at 7 pm, June 5 through August 14.
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra has several free public performances throughout the region all summer long. See the complete listing of community concerts here.
JUNE
June 1: Bi-Okoto Cultural Institute holds African Drumming workshops for children in Washington Park from 11 am to 1 pm.
June 2: Cincinnati Boy Choir's “London Tour Farewell Concert” will feature music of the British Isles and American folksongs & spirituals. St. Francis Seraph Church at Liberty & Vine, 3:00 p.m.
June 6: Cincinnati Opera presents the Back to the Zoo Concert at the Wings of Wonder Theater at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Opera fans, Zoo lovers, and people of all ages are invited for a fun, family-friendly program of opera delights and close encounters with animals. Reservations are required. 6 p.m. Reception, 7 p.m. Concert.
June 9: Opera in the Park Concert in Washington park, 7 p.m. This free, family-friendly community concert will be a magical evening of opera favorites performed by stars from the 2013 Cincinnati Opera season, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and the CSO.
June 23: Curatorial Gallery Talk, Manifest Gallery, 3:00 p.m.
June 27: Date Night and 25% off Suzie Wong’s after gallery visit, Manifest Gallery, 5-7 p.m.
June 28: Culture & Cocktails at Newport on the Levee, Evening of the Emerald Isle featuring Irish music and dancers. 6 - 9 p.m. on the Plaza at the Levee.
JULY
July 1: Led by maestro John Morris Russell, the Pops will perform its annual Concert on the Green in Forest Park. Singer Steven Morgan joins in Verdi arias and other vocal hits. Program includes blockbuster movie themes, classic Americana and the Beatles. Ameritas in Forest Park 7:30 p.m.
July 3: John Morris Russell conducts the Cincinnati Pops Rhythm Section as part of the Crown Jewels of Jazz series. Pops performers include Julie Spangler on keyboard, Marc Wolfley on drums, Timothy Berens on guitar and Matthew Zory on bass. Washington Park, 7:00 p.m.
July 3: “Summer Concert Series” with CSO Woodwind Quintet. Highland United Methodist Church, Ft. Thomas, KY, 7:00 p.m.
July 6: “Concert in the Park, John Morris Russell conducting Pops Orchestra with vocalist Steven Morgan. Cottell Park in Mason/Deerfield Township. July 1, 7:30 p.m.
July 12: “Master Pieces 7” Opening Reception, Manifest Gallery, 6-9 p.m.
July 14: “From Stage to Screen: Opera Classics and Film Favorites.” The Pops is led by CSO Associate Conductor Robert Treviño; with vocalist Amanda Pabyan. Fayette County Fairgrounds, Washington Court House, 7:30 p.m.
July 26: Culture & Cocktails at Newport on the Levee, Choral Spectacular. 6 - 9 p.m. on the Plaza at the Levee.
AUGUST
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company brings back Shakespeare in the Park for the dog days of summer. Great date night or family night out. Complete schedule should be available soon.
August 3 and 4: Save these dates for a special event with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in Washington Park.
August 17: The 12th Annual Arts & Crafts Fair. Some of the area’s finest artists and craft persons will display and sell their work as the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts parking lots will be transformed into an outdoor fairground. Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, 10am - 4pm
August 23: Culture & Cocktails at Newport on the Levee, Sounds of the Bluegrass State. 6 - 9 p.m. on the Plaza at the Levee.
Do you know of another great FREE summer arts event? Email it to rebecca.bromels@theartswave.org and we’ll add it to our list.