“THUNDER-SKY!,” a documentary feature about the life and legacy of Cincinnati’s own outsider artist Raymond Thunder-sky (a.k.a. “the Construction Clown”) has a local premiere. Filmmakers Alfred Eaker and J. Ross Eaker look at the late artist, and the Northside gallery and community inspired by him. Photo provided
From the Cincinnati Film Festival and Old West Festival to the Craft Beer Fest and Restaurant Week, here are 18 fun things going on in Greater Cincinnati this weekend.
Through Sept. 14: Cincinnati Film Festival
2:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton. 8 p.m. Friday, St. Michael’s Art Sanctuary, 2110 St. Michael St., Cincinnati.
U.S. and international world premieres, documentaries and film shorts with star-studded events and in-depth workshops led by industry experts. See website for show times.
$95 full event pass, $25 single day pass; pricing varies for individual events. 513-281-8750; www.cincyfilmfest.com
Through Sept. 19: GCI Fall Restaurant Week
Various times, various locations across Greater Cincinnati.
Opportunity for restaurateurs to thank existing diners and for new diners to experience some local “flair” that is being created on a daily basis, all around the city.
Ages 18 and up. $33; eatlocalcincy.com/RESTAURANT_WEEK.asp
Sept. 14: ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd
7 p.m., Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township.
ZZ Top is a rock band formed in 1969 from Houston. Lynyrd Skynyrd is a rock band best known for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s.
$85, $65, $59 four-pack lawn reserved pavilion, $35, $20; plus fees. 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com
Sept. 14: Ben-Gals Calendar Release Party
6 p.m., Whisky Bar, 537 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown.
Meet this year’s squad at calendar unveiling party. Music, dancing and performance by the cheerleaders.
Additional calendars for $10. $25, includes calendar. 513-721-9227; www.bengals.com/cheerleaders
Sept. 14-16: Ballroom with a Twist
8-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. John Morris Russell, conductor.
Fast-paced dance showcase of tango, swing, samba and more, featuring pros from “Dancing with the Stars”; accompanied by vocals and up-tempo music by Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
$25 and up. Registration required. 513-381-3300; www.cincinnatipops.org
Sept. 14: The Purple Party
10 p.m.-2 a.m., Purple People Bridge, Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati; Third Street, Newport, Newport.
Official Virgo birthday celebration. Wear classy, smooth, sexy and polished purple colors.
$10; plus fees. 859-655-7700; www.purplepeopleparty.eventbrite.com
Sept. 14-16: Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest
11-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday, Hofbrauhaus, 200 E. Third St., Newport.
Contests, entertainment, German bands, circus acts, traditional Bavarian fare and Oktoberfest beer.
859-491-7200; www.hofbrauhausnewport.com
Along with a liter glass mug of the Hofbrauhaus Premium Lager, one of the restaurant’s appetizers is the sausage and cheese tray. Enquirer file photo
Sept. 15: Scion Exposed underground party
2 p.m.-midnight, Downtown Cincinnati. Parking Lot A, Third and W. Pete Rose Way under Second Street overpass.
National music acts, a car show, indoor skate park and more. Paid parking across the street. Rain or shine.
Music by Rjd2, Chairlift, Walshy Fire, DAAP Girls, Archer’s Paradox, and others. Hosted by DJ Etrayn.
Free. Registration required online. 513-421-4440; www.goexposed.com
Sept. 15: Craft Beer Fest
Noon-7:30 p.m., Turfway Park, 7500 Turfway Road, Florence.
Unique intersection of craft beers and live horse racing with 50 different beers from breweries like Blue Moon, Samuel Adams, Crispin, Kentucky Ale and others.
$30 ticket includes 20 beer samples and 5-ounce souvenir cup. $7.50 designated driver ticket includes soft drinks and water all day.
859-371-0200; www.turfway.com
Sept. 15: Westwood Art Show
11 a.m.-5 p.m., Westwood Town Hall Recreation Center, 3017 Harrison Ave., Westwood.
Outdoor exhibition featuring local artist vendors, local food vendors, acoustic music, face painting, henna tattoos, wine tasting, Madcap Puppets and Contemporary Art Center craft tent.
Rain or shine. 513-405-4013.
Sept. 15: Live it Up Downtown
A Celebration of Urban Living, 3-11 p.m., Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown.
Learn about local residential community. Realtors and property managers provide information about apartments and condos. Various properties open for tours.
Meet current residents. Browse booths representing downtown amenities. Music, food and drinks. Presented by Downtown Cincinnati Inc. and the Downtown Residents Council. Sponsors include 4EG and the Horseshoe Casino.
Family friendly. Free. 513-421-4440; www.downtowncincinnati.com
Sept. 15: 75th anniversary of Crowley’s
2-10 p.m., Crowley’s Highland House, 958 Pavilion St., Mount Adams.
Streets around pub, specifically David Crowley Way, shut down for block party featuring entertainment ranging from barber shop quartets to traditional Irish bands.
Free. 513-721-7709.
Sept. 15: Righteous Room’s anniversary
10 p.m.-2 a.m., The Righteous Room, 641 Walnut St., Downtown. Ages 21 and up. Free. 513-381-4408; www.therighteousroom.com
The first tailgating party of the season before the Bengals vs. Panthers game in 2011. Chase Vogel of Mason get the burgers well done.
Sept. 15: Erin and Philip Stead book signing
10:30-11:30 a.m., Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore, 3054 Madison Road, Oakley.
Caldecott winning author and illustrator of “A Sick Day for Amos McGee,” discuss and sign their newest book, “Bear Has A Story to Tell.” Line numbers given with purchase of book.
Free. 513-731-2665.
Sept. 15-16: Cincinnati Celtic Festival
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Washington Park, 1225 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.
Celtic music, dance, contests, crafts, food, shopping and culture. Free.
513-621-4400; www.cincinnaticelticfest.com
Sept. 16: Bengals game and tailgating
- Cincinnati Bengals Football,1 p.m., Paul Brown Stadium, 1 Bengals Drive, Downtown. Vs. Cleveland Browns. $55 and up, various packages available. 513-621-8383; www.bengals.com.
- Tailgate on the Square, 1-5 p.m., Fountain Square, Downtown. Kick off Cincinnati tailgate season with food, fun and entertainment. Free. http://myfountainsquare.com.
- Bud Light Tailgate Zone, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Banks, 150 E. Mehring Way, Downtown. Located on Freedom Way. Music, Bud Bar, interactive seated area with big screens, face painting and HYPE Photobooth. Free admission. 513-579-3194
Sept. 16: Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Robert Cray
7:30 p.m., Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown.
Shepherd is a young blues guitarist from Louisiana. Cray is a five-time Grammy Award-winning blues guitarist and singer.
Doors open 6:30 p.m. $47.50, $37.50, $29.50; plus fees. 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com
Sept. 16: Seether
7:30 p.m., Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville.
With Sick Puppies, Young Guns and Kyng. Doors open 6 p.m. $52.88.
Previously purchased tickets from Bogart’s or Hara Arena box office to canceled Montgomery County Fairgrounds concert may be exchanged at point of purchase.
800-745-3000; www.livenation.com
Weekends through Oct. 7: Old West Festival
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Old West Festival, 1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg.
Relive days of Wild West in unique entertainment experience. Re-enactments, trick shooting and roping, demonstrations, rides, food and music.
Free parking. Rain or shine. $12, $6 ages 6-12; free ages 5 and under.
866-937-8337; www.oldwestfestival.com
